Hey Everyone! Chapter 4 is finally here...read on, good ladies and gentlemen!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize from the Harry Potter series. Damn. OH! I do own Will Stewart and Jake Adams! YES! They're based on really hot guys from my school...yum.

Chapter 4

The Meeting

Lily walked in the door and let it slam behind her as her mouth opened in surprise. The compartment was amazing! Couches, tables, chairs, bathroom, even a fireplace! It was decorated in Gryffindor colors; Lily decided it was because both Heads were from Gryffindor. James had taken a seat in an armchair by the fireplace, and was reading a book. James Potter…reading? Due to the fact that nothing could surprise her about James now, ever since the letter she got over the summer from him, telling her that he was Head Boy to her Head Girl, Lily decided to take her chances and sit across from him on a plush couch. After a few minutes of complete silence, the prefects started to file in.

When everyone had arrived and the murmurs of whispered gossip had started, Lily stood up at the front of the compartment. The whispers died immediately. James realized that Lily was staring at him, so he hurriedly put down his book and stood next to her.

"I'm Lily Evans, as most of you know, and I'm Head Girl this year. James Potter," Lily indicated to James at her side. At the mention of his name, the prefects' eyes flicked over. The girls all swooned, one brave Ravenclaw giving a little wave and a wink. Lily cleared her throat, stopping all movement, and continued, "Is the Head Boy this year." At this point, the boys, who had been sending half-admiring and half-pissed-off glances James' way (with the exception of Remus, who had already known) broke out in a flurry of exclamations.

"Potter as head boy? This school is going to the dogs," Severus Snape called out. He had been sending evil glares James' way, sneering the whole time. James had wondered when he'd finally say something, and had been surprised when Snivellus hadn't mentioned anything when he first saw James. James did his best to ignore the comment. When Lily heard the comment, she quickly looked at James to see his reaction; she looked impressed at James' restraint.

"He's Head Boy? He wasn't even a prefect!" One Slytherin sixth year shouted out.

"Oh shut up!" yelled Remus.

"How did he get Head Boy? He's always playing pranks or hexing people!" A Hufflepuff seventh year cried. Lily tried to get them to stop shouting, but to no avail. James, seeing her failing attempts, put two fingers in his mouth and gave a sharp whistle. Everyone stopped at the sound and looked shocked at James. Lily sighed in relief.

"Thanks James," She said gratefully. James nodded in return. This caused even more disruption, though it was expressed in confused looked and pointed fingers. Lily Evans and James Potter… acting civilly? This would be something good to tell their friends. Lily continued, talking to the prefects, "And you all need to shut up. James obviously got this position over many other deserving people, so he deserves recognition and respect for accomplishing this…enormous feat." Lily looked at James expectantly, for he had cleared his throat.

"Look," James started, "I don't know why Dumbledore picked me; honestly, I wouldn't have picked me if I was him. But we all know he has his reasons, and I trust him," James cast a quick look Lily's way to see if she was listening. Oh, she was, and no eye rolling or huge sighs…she looked like she was interested in what he was trying to say. Encouraged, James went on, "And I might mess up sometimes, but everyone does. And with Lily as Head Girl, I have no option but to follow the rules, and I'm sure she'll keep me in line," here James winked at Lily, whom, to his immense surprise, blushed! James made eye contact with Remus, to see if he had noticed, and Remus gave him a quick thumbs-up sign. James continued, his heart swelling a bit, "And I swear I'm going to help you plan events and keep the school under control. So stop complaining." He finished, looking very earnestly at the group of prefects. Clapping and cheering ensued, until James gave another whistle.

"Ok, now that James has cleared that up for all of us, let's continue." Lily stated. Her and James continued to run the meeting smoothly, arranging patrol shifts, discussing the prefects' bathroom, and escorting the first years to the dormitories. As they dismissed the prefects, one fifth year Gryffindor called out,

"Are we going to have a ball this year?" Lily looked surprised, and tried to think of something to say, but James saved her.

"Lily and I have discussed this already and have made some plans, we just need to clear it with Dumbledore." The prefects nodded, and made their way out of the compartment. Lily sighed.

"Well, that wasn't a complete disaster. And there was only a slight disruption when I introduced you as Head Boy." Lily flopped down in her seat, causing James to laugh.

"You did fine; it wasn't a disaster at all. And I'm sorry I made a huge commotion, I kind of ruined the whole keeping the order thing." James actually looked sincere.

Why does he keep surprising me today? He hasn't asked me out yet, and he hasn't hit on me. He was being polite this morning, and no pranks yet. He tried to keep the order during the meeting, and didn't even hex Snivellus. He made that speech and he was so honest during it, and now he's apologizing to me? Why is he doing this to me? By 'this', Lily meant a few things. He was making her feel guilty which she hated. She had been mean to him for so long, and now she was starting to realize that he didn't always deserve it. And…she was actually starting to, gasp, like him? As a friend of course, but she didn't find herself hating his guts anymore. This was not acceptable. Nothing is supposed to change, least of all her not-liking of James Potter. She was getting frustrated.

"You did fine…and that speech. It really helped. And…thanks," Lily had to work hard to get that word out, "For saving me with the whole ball thing. Oh, can we talk about it later? I promised the girls I would meet up with them after the meeting." James nodded, trying to stay calm.

Inside, he was shouting for joy. She blushed! And complimented me! And stood up for me! Yes! I can get her I know it! She's noticed…finally. I could see her trying to figure it out…She finally noticed! He watched her walk out the door, and then leaped up from his seat. He started doing his victory dance. And she wants to meet later! Later, like a date! He continued his dance, which included a lot of hip thrusting and air pumping, until he heard raucous laughter from the corridor. He stopped, sat down, and put his head in his hands, because he knew what was coming…

"Jimmy Boy! What the hell was that, lover boy?"

"Care to do it again, you dancing machine?"

"James…uh, why were you dancing like that?" Yep, James had been right. Damnit. Sirius, Remus and Peter had been watching. Oh well, at least he had a reason.

"Ok, first, Sirius: never, ever call me Jimmy boy again, or my broomstick will be so far up your ass you'll be eating it for dinner. And Remus, no I'll not do it again…at least not until something this good happens again. And Peter…I'm getting there. Ok, so I was dancing like that because L-" He was interrupted by three eager voices.

"-ily shagged you?"

"Lily finally said yes?"

"You got new glasses?" The other three boys just stared at Peter, who shrank away from their glares. "What?" James, Sirius and Remus just shook their heads.

"No guys! She noticed! She noticed that I changed! I saw her trying to figure it out. And she blushed when I winked at her, and she stood up for me, and she complimented me." Sirius and Remus patted a thoroughly excited James on the back.

"Congratulations, mate. I saw her blush too!"

"Yea Jimmy Boy! You'll be shagging her in no time!" As soon as this left Sirius' mouth, James was up chasing Sirius around the room, who was giggling like a fool and chanting "Jimmy Boy" over and over. Remus shook his head and picked up James' discarded book. Peter soon lost interest and began eating the Bertie Bott's beans he had gotten from the trolley lady. What a fatty.

James soon gave up; Sirius had way too much energy. Remus confessed to feeding Sirius Sugar Quills the night before at James' house. As Sirius bounded around the room, James and Remus started to plan their 'Welcome Back' prank, with Sirius throwing in some comments from his current position of bouncing on the couch opposite the other three boys. For the rest of the train ride, all four boys were planning their prank. When prank planning was done by the marauders it was never quiet or clean; instead it entailed loud outbursts of genius, murmured incantations, screwed up charms leading to slime covered stags, laughter, and the odd explosion from Peter's wand. After finishing their prank and getting dressed in their robes, the four boys exited the train as it pulled up to the station and claimed a horseless carriage.

…Back with the Gryffindor Girls…

When Lily came back from the meeting looking flustered and out of breath, Sammy Missy and Chelsea knew something was wrong. Sammy sat up from where she had been lying on the seat, Missy popped in another piece of gum, her comfort food, and Chelsea even pushed her sunglasses off her face and into her hair.

"What's up, darling?" Sammy, ever so blunt, asked, earning herself a glare from Missy for not being more discreet. She shrugged, and then turned towards Lily who had collapsed on the floor after shutting the compartment door.

"James…nice…complimented him…blushed…winks…nice…" Lily mumbled.

"I didn't quite catch that one, dear," Chelsea replied, holding her hand to her ear.

"At the meeting…I think I don't hate James…he winked, he was nice, he didn't hit on me…I blushed. Oh boy…I can't think of anything wrong with him. Except he ruffles his hair. I feel so guilty. And I was wronnnggggg!" Lily wailed the last part. Even Missy, was having trouble holding back laughter at this point. The three girls knew this would come someday…and it was funny because Lily hated, absolutely hated, being wrong, hence why she studied so much. They were all excited; this was a huge step for Lily…liking James rather then hating him. It was only a matter of time now before they were godmothers to little Lily and James'.

Lily interrupted their gleeful thoughts.

"What am I talking about? Of course I don't like James. This is just some ploy to get me to go out with him, and I won't fall for it. Nope, I definitely don't like him. Plus I have Kam." Sammy sighed, exasperated. Yet another Lily-ism. She absolutely hated change, and would do anything to avoid it.

Chelsea slumped in her seat, sliding her sunglasses back down. Now that Lily was in denial stage, there was nothing any of them could do. They had tried last year after Hogsmeade, and Lily was still with Kam, so it obviously didn't do any good. She just has to work it out on her own. However, she knew Missy was still going to try. After Missy had met the love of her life, Will Stewart from Ravenclaw (they were engaged already), she kept trying to get James and Lily together. Oh, and Sammy and Sirius too. She didn't bother with Chelsea, since Chelsea was with Jake Adams, the other Gryffindor 7th year boy (he lived in the Marauder Dormitory, poor boy), and Chelsea and Jake seemed to be made for each other.

"But Lily! You just said you blushed when he complimented you! You obviously like his compliments, and you like him if your blush is any indication." Missy was on the floor next to Lily, pleading with her. Chelsea noticed that Sammy had also given up when she had herself. Missy needs to grow out of this hopeless romantic stage. If they're meant to be together, it will happen regardless of how much she pushes Lily.

"It was a flush of anger! I swear!" Lily obstinately refused to listen to Missy. Missy sighed and stood up.

"I guess we should get into our robes then." All four girls grabbed their robes and began to change, their topic of conversation naturally slipping out of the danger zone and into the neutral territory of Jake and Will. When the train stopped, the girls got off and into a horseless carriage. As they were walking towards the line of carriages, Lily and Missy stopped with identical horrified looks on their faces.

"Thestrals," Lily breathed. Chelsea and Sammy heard her and stopped.

"What are you two bloody idiots on about?" Chelsea asked, irritated because she was starving. Lily and Missy exchanged looks.

"We'll tell you later." The four got into the carriage, and sat down across from four others who were hidden in the shadows of the half-light of the carriage. With a jerk that sent Lily flying across the seat, the thestrals started pulling the carriage towards the school. Lily picked herself up, apologizing profusely.

"Don't worry," Came the deep voice that Lily knew all too well. The laughs from the other three shadowy figures immediately convinced her that she was right. The other girls realized at that exact moment, and started laughing too. Lily felt her cheeks light up with a flaming blush. She took her seat between Sammy and Missy, who both nudged her for falling into the one and only James Potter.

"I know you'd fall for Jimmy Boy sooner or later," Sirius' comment was met with an even deeper blush from Lily, a loud laugh from Chelsea, Remus and Missy for the joke and for Lily's reaction, a kick in the shins from Sammy just because, and slap upside the head from James, for the 'Jimmy Boy' and for trying to sabotage Operation Lily, the very un-unique name the Marauders had dubbed James' plan to get Lily.

With a sudden stop the carriage stopped moving, and Lily tightly gripped Sammy and Missy's thighs to stop her from falling over again. Lily scrambled over Missy to get out before anyone else, and rushed into the Great Hall, eager for dinner and to get away from James. Sirius and Chelsea followed her in closely, with their insatiable stomachs, and James, Remus, Missy, and Peter brought up the rear. Sammy, Chelsea and Missy took seats next to Lily and the four boys sat directly across from them. Once they were seated (they were the last carriage to arrive), Dumbledore gently clinked his knife against his cup.

Ok, that's is.

Now, do you know what time it is? Thaaaat's right..time to review!