Lily wandered onto the train, then found a compartment near the very back. She decided to go ahead and put on her school robes so she didn't have to worry about it later. She'd just buttoned the top when the door slid open.

Sirius strolled in. "Already changed, eh? I bet James wishes that he could've been in here then."

James walked in behind him, shoving him lightly. "Once again, Sirius, shut up."

When the other two had joined them, Lily had a chance to ask a question that'd been bugging her. "Okay, I've been wondering, and for a while now, how do you four know each other?"

"Well, it's a bit complicated, really," Remus shrugged. "I've known Sirius since I was eight; we grew up on the same side of London and went to school together. The first time that Sirius was supposed to come over, he got the address completely mixed up-Byway street used to be Louisville but the two got switched with Heartwood, or something like that, and then he ended up on the other side of London; also known as James' house. You see, he lives on the better side of the tracks."

James rolled his eyes.

"And Peter?"

"I'm Sirius' cousin, twice removed, then replaced by marriage," Peter said automatically. "Technically, if you go through all of the incest and things like that, we're not really closely related at all."

"Incest?"

"Sirius belongs to a pure-blood family," James explained. "That means that his parents are both magical folk. The families are really rare now, and the only way to keep them pure is to do something like marry your cousin. It's quite barbaric, really."

After a few minutes of mingled talk on the wizarding families, Sirius introduced Lily to a game called exploding snap. Halfway through the third round, James asked Lily what she thought of Quidditch.

"What's that?" Lily asked, assuming it was another weird word with a regular meaning.

"Blimey!" James shouted. "You've never heard of Quidditch? Didn't you see the stores in Diagon Alley?"

"No, not really."

"What?" James exclaimed.

Remus looked up from the book that he was reading in the corner. He'd decided not to play with the rest of them. "Oh, great, you've got him started."

As they (being James, Sirius, and Peter) explained the rules and amazing matches of Quidditch that they'd seen, Lily grew less and less enthusiastic about the subject. She felt as if she was about to go crazy right when a plump woman pushing a food cart appeared.

"Can I get you anything off the trolley, dears?" she asked, looking around at the group.

"Of course!" Sirius yelled. "I love food. Like, I mean, I really, really love it; even more than girls! Okay, maybe not that much, but it's right up there!"

As the older witch smiled, James said, "We'll take the whole cart. On me, please."

Lily gasped. "How are you to pay for it all?"

"That's some benefits of being James' friend," Peter said thickly, as he'd already started on a chocolate frog. "He's filthy rich."

"He's not serious?" Lily questioned James, but very faintly.

James handed her a Sizzling Strawberry. "Not rich… just well off."

That was what Lily liked about James; he was very considerate of others and he didn't try to be better than those below his status. He was, overall, a very nice guy.

Soon, their whole compartment was smothered in candy, wrappers, and everywhere they touched seemed to be sticky. They were laughing for no apparent reason when the compartment door opened.

The groups' faces fell as a tall boy with dark, greasy hair and a large appeared. Next to him was a rather attractive blonde with a slightly evil feel about him.

"James, isn't it lovely to see you again," the blonde smirked. He sounded extremely sarcastic. "Tell me, how is your mother?"

"Looking much better than yours," James insulted. "Get out, Lucius. Nobody wants you here."

"Why, that's know way to treat your friends, Potter," the taller one smirked.

"Shut up, Severus," Sirius snapped.

Lily was extremely and sincerely curious. "Who are you?"

"Ahh…" Lucius said, looking at Lily in interest. "I'm Lucius Malfoy; this is my friend, Severus Snape. I expect you must be new to the wizarding world, though I do hope you're not from that Muggle filth. It was nice to meet you… What was your name?"

"Lillian Evans," she replied, looking into his cold eyes. They were beautiful, but scary.

"I hope I'll be seeing you around," Lucius said, then left.

Lily examined the group. Everyone looked a bit flustered, except for Remus, who was still reading.

"Okay," Lily said, breaking the silence. "Can anyone tell me what that was all about? James, you and Sirius both look positively horrifying, and I've never seen either of you like that before."

"Lucius and Sirius are cousins. They're destined to be put in Slytherin together. Lucius is on Sirius' side of the family where blood matters. It's a lucky thing you didn't agree with him that you were Muggle born; he wouldn't leave you alone for the rest of the year, I bet. And did anyone hear how Lucius was talking to you? It's disgusting. He wants you."

"He's not going to have me," Lily said, but a chill went up her spine as she remembered his eyes. "Anyway, what's a Slytherin?"

As the group explained the four houses and which each one represents, an announcement came over the intercoms.

"We will be entering the train station in five minutes," the cool voice said. "It is advised that you put on your robes immediately."

"I'll leave while you guys change." Lily said.

"No, you don't have to leave," Sirius winked. His bad mood had escaped him.

James rolled his eyes. "Just, like, don't look, okay?"

Lily nodded her head.

After they were clothed (Lily actually didn't peek, though later she wished that she had), the train stopped.

"All first years this way!"

Lily and the other four followed a bright lantern to a gathering of boats.

"Four to a boat, and no more!"

Lily, Remus, James, and Sirius all boarded one, while Peter found another. He didn't really seem to mind. If he had, Lily would've felt guilty; after all, he was their friend first.

Remus and Sirius sat in the front, approaching the castle fist. Lily sat in the back, with James, as the boats took off. As the water caressed the sides on the craft, Hogwarts came closer into view. It was brightened by lights set perfectly around the building, illuminating it like a masterpiece.

"Wow," Lily breathed. "It's absolutely beautiful…" She saw James looking at her from the corner of her eye. "What?"

"I… So are you, Lily."

Her breath caught in her chest at he slid his hand along her jaw line. He pulled her lightly towards him, then laid his lips on hers.

Lily closed her eyes and felt a swooping sensation take over her heart.

They only pulled apart when they heard Sirius and Remus sniggering.

Sirius began to make gagging noises. "You guys are making me sick…"

"Yeah, mate," Remus laughed. "That was such a lame pick up, James."

His face went red. Before James could say anything, Lily interrupted.

"I thought it was sweet."

Sirius just shrugged his shoulders. "It's still nasty."

"Come here then, and I'll kiss you," Lily smiled, tugging on his arm. "Then you'll tell me if you think it's gross."

He pulled back, stuttering. "Um, no… I'm fine how I am, thanks."

That made everyone except Sirius break out in giggles. They began to laugh so hard that other kids began to stare. Within a few seconds, Sirius joined in.

As the boats scraped the edge of the shore, James helped Lily out.

"Ready?" he asked.

She took a deep breath. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be."