I know! Wow! Chapter 2 is at last up. Its longer than the last one and I hope you like it.

Please review even if you think I won't read it because I WILL.

Aniseed and Dark times

Lily was walking up the stairs towards Dumbledore's office. She was not in a good mood. For one thing she was tired. Everyone else had gone to bed straight after the feast but the two heads had been asked to see the headmaster. Apparently they didn't realise just how tired sharing a compartment with two hyperactive seventeen year olds can make you.

Secondly, she had had to share a compartment with two hyperactive seventeen year olds. Despite Remus' tactful suggestions that they should maybe go and find their own compartment now, and Carmen's less repeatable ideas, James and Sirius had refused to take a hint and the girls hadn't had the heart or energy to actually throw them into the clutches of their fan clubs.

Though it would serve them right thought lily. It didn't help her general mood that Potter had sat next to her albeit the fact that she had actually hit him. He was still high enough to assume it was intended affectionately. Lily had seen him rubbing his arm though so the effort hadn't been entirely wasted. She grinned at the thought.

'And why is Miss. Lily so happy all of a sudden?' asked an oh – too – familiar voice.

Ah well thought Lily. The truth can't hurt.

'I was just thinking how much fun it was…'

He grinned happily

'…punching you.'

James' face fell and to her surprise, Lily felt a twinge of regret, maybe she hadn't needed to be so harsh, sure, he'd been ridiculously annoying but it wasn't his fault he couldn't take his sugar… WAIT! This was James Potter. He thought quite enough of himself without others doing it to. The guy had a fan club for Christ's sake.

'Well, uh, we'd better go in' said James slightly recovering his cockiness.

Lily started. They were next to the stone gryffins.

'Did anyone tell you the password?' Lily asked worriedly

'Don't worry so much, Evans'

'Oh good, only no one thought to tell me and I forgot to…'

She was cut off by James' laughter.

'I don't know the password.' He choked 'If you forgot to ask is it likely I remembered?'

'So what do we do?'

'Guess'

She laughed at this obvious joke. James raised his eyebrows and smiled slightly.

'What, might I ask, is so funny?'

'Well. You can't be serious.' She said incredulously

'No, I can't because if me and Black were both called that it would just be confusing'

'Ha Ha Ha'

'I thought so too. But getting back to the point, why can't I be serious?

'Because it could be anything, surely'

'Oh, I forgot. You've never been in The Office before'

'No, I most certainly have not but I fail to see what that has to do with…'

'The password is always a kind of sweet for some odd reason'

She hesitated, feeling rather foolish at the prospect of yelling random sweets at the old stone gryffins. But James was already stuck in.

'Fizzing whizzbies, uh, cockroach cluster… What? Don't ask…. Pepper imps…umm…jelly slug…Hey! Try some muggle sweets.'

'Ok' she said uncertainly 'mars bar, flying saucers, mint imperial, aniseed…'

The door swung open.

'Wow.' Said Lily 'I did not have him down as an aniseed muncher'

She caught James' odd looks. He seemed a little scared.

'Aniseed is only eaten by creepy old women'

James looked more terrified than reassured by this answer but walked forward into the office anyway.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Dumbledore sat at his desk, engaged in something that was making him frown when James and Lily entered. When he looked up however his eyes were twinkling, and he spoke immediately.

'I really thought the password was unbreakable this year. I see I had reckoned without your experience, Mr. Potter, and your apparent wide knowledge of muggle sweets, Miss Evans.'

James threw himself into his seat with the practised ease of one who has done it many, many times. Dumbledore smiled amusedly while Lily seated herself more cautiously.

'Very well' said the Headmaster pleasantly ' There are a few things to be said before I let you both go to your well deserved rest'

His eyes were twinkling more than ever and Lily had the distinct impression that he knew about the sugar incident.

'Number one, I feel sure that I have made the right choice in both of you, and you will work very well in a partnership. The staff and I have every confidence in your appointment'

Dumbledore smiled at Lily's obvious disbelief. His face darkened and he continued.

'I have just received word that Voldemort has struck again. These are dark times for all the students here and I would ask you, as their heads, to give advice wherever you feel it is necessary. We wish to promote unity between all the houses at these times'

He was watching James intently as he said these words. James frowned, struggling with himself, then nodded slightly. Dumbledore smiled

'On a lighter note, there will be a ball at Christmas for fifth years and above, the running and arranging of which will be placed in your own capable hands.'

They stood up.

'To bed, then. I wonder, James, if you might not begin mischief making until tomorrow at least. The teachers have enough to occupy them on the first day without any, ahem, additional work, shall we say? Goodnight'

Lily and James walked back in silence to the common room. It was all but empty, only Sirius, Remus, Peter and some fifth years who were frantically doing last minute work.

James winked.

'night, Lils. See you tomorrow'

Lily rolled her eyes, muttered something that sounded distinctly like unfortunately, and disappeared up the girls staircase.