Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. Just the plot. Killing time till Saturday...
Chapter 4: Revelations and Revolutions
Lily looked much calmer than she felt. Never one to be a huge fan of small spaces, though she wasn't quite claustrophobic, she was not thrilled with the current situation. Of course James, the resident expert on Lily Evans, recognized her discomfort immediately.
"Well, at least since we are Head Girl and Boy our absences will quickly be noted. I'm sure they'll get us out of here in no time," James casually commented. He was good at casual.
"Yeah you're right," Lily said.
"If we're going to be stuck here for a while, can I ask you a personal question, Lily?" James asked with soft sincerity.
Lily looked at James. His face was serious and his eyes had a softness and even concern about them. She was so surprised by his earnestness that she surprised herself by acquiescing.
"You do realize that there are those that care about you as deeply as blood relations could, right?" James asked.
Lily again looked at James. There was such an honesty to him that she was taken aback, yet again.
"Remus trusts you with his life, literally. We know that you know about his little problem. Sirius has personally seen to it that his less than charming brother and other less than charming pond scum are rightfully punished for stepping out of line around you or threatening you," James began.
Lily was dumbfounded. While she knew that Remus was aware she had figured out he was a werewolf, she did not think the rest of the Marauders knew. To find that Sirius deemed himself her knight errant, bound to protect her honor and physical well being was astounding. He always acted, well, like a git around her. Lily was unable to think of what to say.
"And I know you think I'm some toe rag who just wants the one unobtainable thing, but that's not who I am. I put on a show and I do enjoy the pranks and the attention, but it's just a game I play. Lily, I really do care about you. If you think about it, I don't have a huge group of people I consider true friends. There are three. And then there's you. The Marauders and Lily, the four people I would do anything for, really," James faded into silence.
Lily was lost in her own thoughts and let the silence engulf the compartment. Finally, Lily, in a faint whisper replied, "You're right."
Eventually she continued, "James, I never let myself see it. There are some people who are supposed to love you unconditionally. Family, they're yours and you're theirs and they are supposed to love you and care for you no matter what. My sister who I am supposed to be closest to and who was my nearest friend now sees me as a freak and positively hates me. I know I shut myself off, I just don't think I could go through such heartbreak again."
James chuckled causing Lily to shoot him a lethal look. "No, you misunderstand. I was just thinking you and Sirius should have a really good long talk together about families. Amazing how similar a Muggle family and a family that despises those same Muggles are."
Lily smiled, "That would be an unusual conversation. The school might collapse in shock to see me and Sirius having a friendly chat." Here Lily chucked in response.
The two lapsed into comfortable silence. Each nestled into the plush cushions. James rested his feet on the small table.
"Well, I'm frankly just glad there's food in here," James said as he reached for the small stash of sustenance.
"Typical guy," Lily replied. However, she too took an item or two for a snack.
By this time the train was nearing the Hogwarts station. Every other student was arrayed in their robes. First years were nervously chatting or silently turning pale in trepidation. Second years were ecstatic to no longer be the bottom of the barrel. Third and fourth years were enjoying reunions with friends. Fifth years were sorting out relationships, O.W.L. discussions, and exchanging coy glances. Sixth years were breathing easy knowing this was the lull before the storm of seventh year. Seventh years were preening and enjoying their status while ignoring the looming specter life after Hogwarts. A typical train ride for any Hogwarts year.
As the train slid to a stop, the students noisily poured off. First years were gathered and led off separately. The other students were herded to their transportation. Finally, it was noted that the illustrious Head Boy and Head Girl were not joining them.
"Here's Hogwarts," James noted as the train stopped.
"Figures that our window is on the side of the forest. No one can see us from the platform," Lily commented.
"I'm sure they'll figure it out soon and come to get us," James declared.
Oh, they figured it out. The staff present to take care of the students went to the compartment and were prepared to scold the Heads within, but then they were surprised. Even the staff could not open the door. Their efforts were not even noticed by Lily and James courtesy of the silencing charms. The train staff and the Hogwarts staff were stymied by the situation.
Finally one of the Hogwarts staff sent a note to the school. Something was seriously amiss with the Head students. As all the staff from the train and a few other of age wizard and witches were unable to budge the door, they sent for the headmaster himself.
Albus Dumbledore chuckled as he read the note. He would have asked himself who was responsible for this, but given the two trapped and the reputation of a certain other seventh year Gryffindor, it would have been a waste of a thought. He did question whether both the Head Girl and Head Boy would be alive or whether they would finally reconcile their childish disagreements. Either way, he determined his course of action.
The Headmaster of Hogwarts calmly descended from his office and headed directly to where he needed to be. He waved open the heavy doors. He covered the distance with his even pace. He took his seat at the staff table.
Yes, I must record here, that Dumbledore went to the welcoming feast and sorting. The first years found their houses. The students all feasted. Finally, Dumbledore made his usual begin of term speech.
"James, where do you think they are? It's full dark now. The feast is likely done with already," Lily questioned.
"Lils, we're okay," James returned. The two teens were sitting on the bench, but at the far ends. Though a truce had been struck, there was still a lack of ease. Finally James realized that Lily was far from okay. He reached over with his arm and gently drew her to him. "They will get us out of here. Then we'll be taken to Hogwarts and given a meal to remember. We'll be shown to our new dormitories and each of us will relish the larger space without all the annoying roommates. Even if you are stuck sharing a common room with me."
"You find your roommates annoying?" Lily asked picking her head off James shoulder. There was a glint in her eye that James found intriguing.
"Well, yeah. Peter snores. Remus reads all night. Oh, and Sirius! I'm sorry, but I cannot even begin to describe his issues!" James said.
"Oh, I am so going to tell them that!" Lily laughed.
The two laughed, neither wishing to point out that they were comfortably cuddling. Each was afraid the other would realize it and hop away to the other end of the compartment. Silence descended again. Lily's eyes came to rest on the pieces of parchment on the table.
"James, what did your letter say?" Lily asked.
"Even for Dumbledore, it was a strange letter," James began. "It went over the duties again. Actually twice, I guess he realized he was talking to a Marauder. Then he started in on some vague stuff about hope in the darkness. There was a bit he wrote about the choices we make and the people we choose as our family. Oh, and the odd conclusion, how he regretted we could not come of age in a happier time but he knew I would find what I needed."
"If the man was not the greatest wizard alive, I would most seriously question his sanity," Lily said. "Mine was alike, but a bit different too. I got the bit about the duties too, obviously. I had a long bit about change and constancy and how I should pay attention to these traits in those around me. I had the same conclusion, but he added something even more peculiar. He said in me he saw hope…" Lily trailed off into silence again.
"I wonder if each Head gets letters like these," James pondered.
"I got the sense that these were unique letters. Especially as our letters regarding our positions came from the Deputy Head, I think it is unusual for Dumbledore to step in like this," Lily said.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," James conceded.
"Of course I am," Lily winked.
"Aren't you just the know-it-all! Well, little Miss Know-It-All did you know that I am a Seeker and as such I have caught you and you are now subject to my will?" James asked with that dangerous Marauder grin.
Lily tried to pull away but her laughter and James' tightening grip kept her firmly on the bench. James held on to her with one arm, managing to pin her arms to her side. His other hand began to wreck havoc. Being Hogwarts' resident expert on Lily Evans meant James knew Lily was incredibly ticklish. He used that knowledge to his full advantage. Eventually Lily slid off the bench and onto the floor, gasping for breath. By this time James was laughing just as hard.
He reached down to help her back onto the bench. When he pulled her up, his aim was off; after all he was a Seeker, not a Beater. She missed the bench but landed on his lap. They both turned a bit rosier in the cheeks.
"So…" Lily said.
"Yeah," James replied.
The moment when Lily's eyes met James' was the moment that they would forever remember. James' hair was a wreck. Lily's cloak was on at an angle with her hair half out of its clip. James' glasses were slipping off his nose. Lily's right shoelace was untied. Both would later recount these and the other oddities of the moment. Both would then follow that recollection with the same statement, "But that was when I knew, though by Merlin, I was not going to admit it first. But that was when I knew this was it; I knew who was the one."
After shoelaces, glasses, hair, and cloaks were duly noted, but without losing eye contact the two slowly drew together. Lily turned shy and froze, however James continued. Finally their lips met. Now there were no fireworks, thankfully, for if Sirius would have seen this he likely would have set something on fire in celebration. It was just a simple, normal first kiss.
They separated enough for Lily to shift her head to rest on James shoulder. She nestled into his neck.
"You aren't going to hex me now are you?" James quietly asked.
"If I was going to hex you I would have to move off your lap and I don't intend to do that any time soon," Lily replied.
James grinned like it was Halloween, Christmas and his birthday all at once. He pulled Lily closer and he could feel her smile against his neck. She let a low hum of contentment escape.
"James, how did this happen?" Lily asked. "A few hours ago I would have hexed you for touching me and now we just kissed."
"Well, I'm frankly glad for the changes. It was quite unexpected, though greatly appreciated."
"Yeah, I'll figure it out another time," Lily agreed. "Hmmm, I think I'm going to fall asleep."
Just as Lily said this, the door slid open. James sighed. Lily leaped up nearly stumbling over the table.
"Headmaster!" she exclaimed.
"Yes, good evening, Miss Evans. It seems you have been in here for quite some time. I was wondering if you would care to start your new term?" he asked with that twinkle.
The two followed the bemused Headmaster. The other staff that followed did not see the interrupted moment in the compartment. They also did not see that the two young people held hands all the way to Hogwarts.
"Albus, why did you leave the children in the compartment?"
"Dear Minerva, after such handy charm work as Mr. Black demonstrated I felt he deserved to see the desired results.
Not for the first time, and most assuredly not for the last, Minerva left the Headmaster's office shaking her head at the machinations of the old wizard.