Hello! As promised, this story is a bit longer than the last two chapters. The last two chapters were more transitional. Anyways, with spring break coming up, I'm hoping to have the next chapter up within a week. It should also be around 2,000 words. Just to clarify any expectations anyone may have, most chapters are going to be around 2,000 words. I promise not to post any less than that, unless it's super important to the build of the story. Hope all 11 (YES I HAVE ELEVEN FOLLOWERS ON THIS STORY NOW AND I AM SOOOOOO EXCITED) of you are doing well and have a great spring break! (Or week if you don't have spring break.)
Leave reviews please :3
James walked onto the platform, a knot in his stomach. He didn't know what to expect, really. He knew that he was not what she would be expecting, though he didn't know how she would receive him.
"Be civil and respectful," James thought to himself, "Don't cross any boundaries and don't scare her."
The large train sat before him, shiny and new. It seemed like it was just yesterday that James had been a first year. Now he was a man, a seventh year, and head boy to boot. James ran his hand through his hair as he thought about the year before him. It would be the most difficult yet.
No one had to tell James who the Head Girl would be. It was a natural choice. When he had been named head boy, he had had a feeling that the universe was conspiring against him. The universe just had to wait until he had decided to leave Lily Evans alone and let her live a normal life, to push them together. He would have to spend time with her now.
Last year was hard enough, avoiding her. Trying his best not to stare or glance at her. Trying his best to hide his frustration when Amos Diggory had asked her out or his excitement when she had said no. Or his worry when she had ran out of the Great Hall. Lily Evans created many different feelings within James. Peacefulness, however, had not been one of them. This year there would be no avoiding her.
"Prongs!" Yelled a familiar voice.
James put a smile on his face and turned around. There they were. His three best friends. The only three reasons he hadn't forced himself into Durmstrang in his seventh year. The only three reasons he was surviving this anti-Lily plan.
The Marauders.
Sirius stood, tall and lanky with shoulder length black hair. His face was bright and alive as he excitedly waved James over. Remus, leaned against his trunk, reading a book with a slightly bemused expression on his face. Peter stood next to Remus, looking up at Sirius and trying to garner his attention. James glided over and casually leaned against his own trunk, smiling mischievously at the boys.
"So, where is it?" Sirius asked, "Were you lying?"
"Of course he wasn't! That's not something James would joke about," Remus said while looking up from his book.
James reached into his jean pocket and pulled out a gold badge that read "Head Boy James Potter". The boys laughed, delighted.
"Dumbledore was off his rocker! Think of all the pranks we can get away with this year," Sirius exploded.
"James wouldn't abuse his power," Remus countered, "This is a great responsibility and I think that James will do an excellent job."
"But Sirius is right, we can get away with almost anything," Peter said.
James laughed and they all began to head single filed down the hallway of the train towards their compartment. They had accidentally set off a load of stink bombs in it second year and no one else had dared use it since. Sirius always joked it was like they had peed on it to mark their territory. But the four boys agreed it was probably one of their more useful accidents.
"So, have you seen her yet?" Sirius asked.
James gave him a reproachful look.
"Prongs, she is head are going to have to see her sooner or later. You will be partners all year long," Remus explained.
"I've already thought about it. I'm going to be professional. I am only going to talk to her about head business and I'm still going to avoid her as much as possible." James said diplomatically.
All three boys started laughing at once.
"James, you barely made it last year and that was without any contact. How are you going to make it through this year?" Remus asked.
"I'm going to do it," James said determinedly, "She deserves better. She deserves to be happy."
"So do you," Peter said quietly.
James stood, pushing the door open harshly. He didn't bother with a polite goodbye. He needed the boys to be on his side. He needed their strength to get through this. Every molecule in his body wanted to run to Lily and hold her. He wanted to kiss her and be with her. He wanted to hear her laugh and see her smile and he wanted each one of them to be for him. His breathing was becoming more difficult as he thought of the distance between them. The impossible distance.
And then he saw it, her red hair. She was sitting alone in the compartment, her hair cascading over her shoulders and hiding her face. She looked thinner, a little too thin. And as he opened the door, she looked up at him, an expression in her eyes that James couldn't decipher. It almost seemed hopeful. She sat without saying anything. She was waiting. Waiting to see what he would do. James cleared his throat.
"Hello, Lily. I figured they would make you Head Girl. Umm, well, I'm Head Boy, but don't worry! I'm going to take this seriously. No joking around," James said while lifting his hands up, as if trying to prove he had nothing to hide.
Lily's eyes quickly changed. That strange look gone, replaced by a sudden coldness. She looked tired, James noted. There were bags under her eyes and the school year hadn't even started yet. He wanted, badly, to reach out and trace his fingers against the skin under her eyes, but he didn't. He merely sat down across from her and brought his parchment paper up to his lap and rested his bottle of ink next to him. He looked at her formally, professionally.
"So, we have the prefect meeting in half an hour and I figured we should make a list of what to talk about. That way we look more organized when everyone arrives," James suggested.
Lily looked at him for a moment. She seemed to be thinking things over. James prayed he passed her test.
"Ok," she said simply and they got to work.
The ride passed in a strange manner. It seemed that only a few minutes had passed, yet James felt that it had been years for Lily and himself. Like time had frozen around them and when they sat together, silently, in their head department, that the clock didn't turn. Afraid it's ticking would somehow disturb the charged atmosphere. James didn't know what, but it was obvious something was wrong with Lily. She was quiet, even for her. Usually, Lily went through times of being quiet and thoughtful, but that was only after she had just finished a book. As James watched Lily help the first years towards the boats, her eyes weren't thoughtful. They were quiet. As if someone had left a candle in the window of an old house, hoping that someone would see it and come home. James heart hurt watching Lily.
Sirius dragged James into their carriage and they set off towards the castle. The three boys did their best to distract and entertain James, but they knew his mind was somewhere else. Somewhere with Lily Evans.
James watched Lily. He had done his best to ignore her last year, allow her time to move on with her life and create meaningful relationships without his interference. Yet, looking at her now, he realized she hadn't. Sure, he knew that she had gone to classes and received perfect O's. But there was definitely something wrong with her, but how long had she been like this? Had something happened over the summer? Was she ok? Did she need him?
"No," he told himself, "Don't interfere. She doesn't want you. You need to let her be."
Lily sat at the Great Hall with her usual friends. They gossiped and giggled as the first years were being sorted and then laughed all throughout their meal. Lily however, did not eat much. Nor did she laugh very loud, it was more of a forced hacking sound. It was painful to hear.
James took the lead in showing the first years to the dormitories. He wanted to make life as easy as possible for Lily. She followed, smiling gently at a scared first year and taking their hand.
"Merlin, she's good with kids too," James thought wistfully.
They arrived at the portrait of the fat lady and James stopped.
"Piggly-winks."
"Wait, wait! Just watch, AhhhhhAhhhh" sang the fat lady in a screechy voice.
"Piggly-winks!" James repeated.
"Ahhhh ahhhhh ahhh" she screeched.
"PIGGLY-WINKS!" Lily yelled.
The fat lady stopped singing and looked at the girl in front of her. She turned her head away and let out a small grunt before swinging open for the students to go through. Lily turned and smiled at the young students, who looked rather frightened, and beckoned them inside. James laughed nervously and scooted by her.
After the first years disappeared into their rooms for the night, James and Lily met up back in the common room.
"Professor Dumbledore wanted us to meet him in his office after everyone was settled in," James said.
Lily nodded and they walked out of the common room, receiving a rather spiteful glance from the fat lady. James tried not to think of the last time he had been in Dumbledore's office as they walked through the hallways. It was comforting to have Lily next to him, walking and breathing. James muttered a few words at the entrance to the stairway and they walked up in silence. Lily knocked on Dumbledore's door and took a step back as it swung open of its own accord.
"Ms. Evans and Mr. Potter! Come in!" Professor Dumbledore was sitting in his desk, reading a book.
He sat the book down and looked at the two students in front of him, his eyes twinkling. A smile hiding on his lips.
"How was your summer vacations?" He asked.
"Um, fine?" James said hesitantly.
"Well, as you know, you two have been chosen as Head Girl and Head Boy. You'll be spending a lot of time together this year. In fact it's not uncommon for you to see one another more than your own friends," Dumbledore sounded almost giddy.
Both the students looked at one another hesitantly. James seemed scared. Lily portrayed no emotions.
"Now, it is no secret that you two have an interesting history," James and Lily turned red, but Dumbledore kept going as if nothing had changed," But I suggest you two find a way to civilly interact. Of course, as head boy and girl, you will be setting an example to the students on how to relate with one another. As the war builds itself up, barriers are built as well. It is of utmost importance to encourage inter house relations, forgiveness, and the ability to start anew. And with that said, I'm sure the two of you will do marvelously."
"Thanks, Professor?" James asked.
Dumbledore nodded at them and picked up his book, continuing to read. James and Lily took that as their cue to leave. They silently walked out. Each considering the words that Dumbledore had spoken.
"Man, he really is off his rocker," James said quietly, forgetting that Lily was still with him.
She looked at him for a moment before breaking out into a small giggle. She covered her mouth with her hand as they walked into the common room. James was mesmerized. He had made her laugh.
"I was thinking the same thing," she said softly, "Merlin, that was embarrassing."
James laughed in agreement as he looked down at Lily. Her eyes danced with amusement for a moment, before turning cold. She frowned and headed towards the stairway to the girls dormitory.
"Goodnight, James," She said while heading up the stairs and out of view.
James dragged himself up his stairs. He had made Lily laugh. For a moment, he could see life dancing around in her emerald eyes, but then all too soon it was gone. Lily Evans. He shook his head while thinking of what this year would hold.
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