As Lily passed through the barrier to Platform 9 ¾, she felt like she was passing through a light waterfall, but emerging on the other side as dry as she was before. She surveyed familiar students jumbled with new milling around the platform. The noises merged into a great symphony of hoots from disgruntled owls, and chattering voices, and wobbling farewells from first-year mothers. They built up around her, the excited voices of reunited friends, and the irritated barks of teachers, climaxing in a gorgeous culmination, engulfing her. Most majestic of all was the crimson Hogwarts Express, eager to return the girl to her beloved school, and her regal trumpet of finale lightened Lily's spirits.

Watching this familiar scene, the knot that had been building in her stomach in the days after her confrontation with Petunia loosened slightly. Her sister had not talked to her at all, nor looked at her, and the tension in the house was unbearable. Her mother had told her it was only because Petunia was nervous about returning to school, but Lily knew differently. Petunia was ashamed, and that hurt her, it pierced her heart like a blade, to know that she was inferior and embarrassing to one of the people she used to value most. Lily shook her head, washing away the painful memories.

"Lily!" called two voices in unison, both comfortingly familiar to the redhead. One, husky from illicit cigarettes through the dormitory window, the other perfectly pitched from years in the Hogwarts choir. She spun around, and was hit by two girls, the same age as she. She grinned broadly, ignoring the pain in her forearm, which had collided with something pointy, probably a shoulder.

The first to break away from the group hug was Sasha, a tall girl, with the sort of long dark hair Lily wished for, but would never have. She had a recently cut heavy, blunt fringe, which skimmed her deep hazel eyes that were nothing short of taboo. She was gorgeous, and attracting many appreciative glances, that would have never come before. Her recent curves, grown over the summer suited her, (and the boys looking at her) but she still had a skinny and almost awkward air about her. Evidently she wasn't used to these perusals from the male students.

"I need a hair clip; do you have one, Evie?" Her voice was throaty as she addressed the other girl, who had also jut withdrawn from the hug with Lily.

"I think I do. Somewhere in here…" The second girl was practically the opposite of Sasha. She was shorter than both her friends and curvier too. She had the sort of hair colour that is impossible to define; a different tone in each light. It was entrancing and appealing, and it swung about her shoulders with a noble grace. It was simultaneously brown, blonde and red, an alluring mixture.

"I can't find one, hang on a sec" She nonchalantly waved her wand and a black clip appearing in the air, levitating for a second until Sasha grabbed it, and pinned back her fringe, which had been annoying her all day.

They made their way onto the train, and after a minute, they found an empty carriage with a strong smell, that the girls proclaimed to be burnt socks. All was well however, once the windows were opened widely and girls had wafted out the fumes using their robes.

They settled down, and as they felt the pistons start to rotate each breathed a little easier, for each was looking forward to returning home. The hours passed easily and they were first disturbed by the lunch witch, with her trolley, selling Pumpkin Pasties and fizzing whizbees. Once again quiet, they settled down to their own company. Until, that is, a particularly intense moment in gobstones. Sasha poked her piece forward with her wand, capturing a piece of Evangeline's, and therefore spraying the latter with a nasty, smelly goo. A knock sounded at the door, and it slid open, revealing three young men.

"Morning ladies, I see you are all looking particularly lovely today, as usual." Sirius Black stepped in, turned towards Sasha and Lily, displaying his usual show of flirty charm. Suddenly his nose wrinkled and he sniffed loudly.

"Nice scent in here, is it a new one, Miss Evans?" He was rewarded with a poke from Lily "Ouch! Ooh it's you Miss Wright, looking positively radiant, of course" his eyes twinkled mischievously while Evangeline flushed pink under the goo, and quickly siphoned off the liquid using her wand, cursing under her breath. It was common knowledge amongst the ladies of Gryffindor house that Evangeline had a huge crush on Sirius, and though he made no mention of it, he always seemed that much more teasing around her.

"Why isn't James here?" inquired Sasha loudly, trying to distract attention from her mortified friend.

"Oh, he's at a meeting with McGonagall, something about Head Boy?" Remus was the first to answer. Sirius sniggered at the final few words.

"Pfft, Head Boy, don't know what's got into Dumbledore this year. He's usually-" Sirius was cut off by Lily cursing loudly, leaping up and pushing rudely past the boys.

"What's with her? Usually it takes longer for Sirius to repulse people." Remus chuckled.

"She was made Head Girl, I expect she had a meeting" Sasha answered, her eyes locking on Remus' for a moment longer than was necessary for friends.

"Yeah, her and Potter, I'll bet Lily thinks it's- "

"Shit!" Lily burst into the compartment, and Evangeline was cut off mid sentence.

"Well, I was going to say 'a joke', but that will do" Evangeline was laughing, as were the rest of the teens, carelessly observing Lily while she rummaged chaotically through her bag. Finally she emerged triumphant clutching her badge and was out of the compartment before anyone had a chance to ask her what she was doing. They could hear her messily navigating her way through the corridor, and the cries of those whose feet had been unceremoniously crushed.

The boys finally made it all the way into the cubicle and arranged themselves comfortably, as though they had been there the whole time, starting a furious game of exploding snap.

-----------------

Lily finally emerged on the other end of the train, panting and slightly sticky with sweat. She clutched the badge in her warm palms, the metal digging into her flesh. Slowly she lifted it upon her chest and pinned it to her robes, with fumbling hands. Her robes hung differently, she noticed, with a new weight upon them. She was different now, with a new weight upon her heart, her sister's hate. The ball of anxiety in her stomach twinged, but she fixed a smile upon her face and knocked upon the oaken door.

Without so much as a "Come in" the door swung open, as though blow by a gentle breeze. The room she entered was beautiful, and she drank in ever detail. It had been magically enhanced to be two or three times the size of the carriage she had just left. She padded forward slowly, making indentations on the deep red carpet. Looking around she spotted various portraits on the panelled walls, some of whom winked or waved at her. Finally her eyes came to rest on a gorgeous wall hanging, matching the crest on her badge. Her gaze was drawn down to three squishy armchairs, two of which were filled.

The occupants of the chairs looked up as Lily gently cleared her throat to attract their attention towards her.

"You're late, Miss Evans." The professor spoke without even turning her head. The boy next to her, however, was the opposite. His eyes were drawn to her like a magnet, her shiny red hair, her sparkling eyes, her delicious curves. He couldn't break away his gaze until she gracefully sank into the chair next to his. She raised her eyes slowly to meet his and he flashed her a heart-breaking smile. Instead of smiling back she fixed him with an icy glare, before turning towards their tutor.

"As I was saying, there are several responsibilities of the head students. Naturally, you must keep order within Hogwarts, using the prefects as help; however your say will be final. You can dock points from the houses, at your discretion, and any detentions given must be reported to the student's Head of House, who will arrange specifics. It is imperative that you remain impartial." She took a breath, staring hard at James who had a bad history with Severus Snape, of Slytherin. She cleared her throat and continued.

"You will organise a rota for corridor patrol within the prefects. We must have someone on duty at all times, because, though the castle is safe, with- " She swallowed and took a breath. "With Voldermort at large, we cannot afford to leave every corridor unprotected, and as students, you probably know the corridors better than some teachers." She fixed James with another beady eye, he was well known for using secret passages whenever possible. "Finally, it will be your duty to organise the Christmas ball. This year we thought that it would be a nice change to have it in the style of a muggle ball. Perhaps, Miss Evans, you could explain to Mr Potter how this works? The ball is to be held on Christmas Eve, so you must start preparing right away. Now, you must change into your robes, we are nearing Hogwarts."

Lily and James rose and made their way out of the compartment. They walked in silence until they reached their compartment.

"I'm in here, so I'll see you later, yes, at the feast. Goodbye, Potter." Lily was flustered.

"I think I'm in here too." James smiled as he heard Remus' tones through the door.

"Padfoot, stop it, I'm serious."

"No, I'm Sirius."

The scene the Head students were met with was of Sirius straddling poor Remus, who was clutching a small hexagonal card in his hand. Sirius was reaching for it. He swivelled 'round as he heard the door and started explaining.

"I didn't know you two were… erm ... that way sexually inclined..." Lily wasn't quite sure how to breach the subject. Remus chuckled, his voice slightly muffled.

"Oh no, he just has my chocolate frog card, we are straight."

"About as straight as a banana" James was laughing. Lily joined in, despite disliking the boy; it was a way to end the awkward silences that they had together. James looked at her curiously, she never usually laughed around him. He reached past her to grab the card from Remus, brushing her arm as he did. The knot in her stomach loosened a little, but she was mystified as to why. She definitely, categorically, did not like James Potter. All the same, she flushed a bit, not many boys touched her so casually. Her cheeks were now a pretty rose pink. James looked up and noticed the blush creeping up on her face and his heart lightened. Maybe he wasn't the monster she made him out to be.

-------

After the train ride to Hogwarts the students alighted onto the small platform, and a mad rush was made towards the carriages, waiting to whisk them back to school. James and Lily were immediately ushered into the first waiting carriage, a privilege for the Head Boy and Girl. They sat in an awkward silence. James had seen that fleeting blush, and Lily knew it. She chewed on a stubby nail and stared out of the window. James fiddled with the hem on his robes and stared at Lily. Finally they reached the castle and ducked inside, their robes pulled over their heads to protect against the shooting rain. The feast proceeded without a hitch. The prefects lead their new charges from each house to their new dormitories. Lily's throat had never been so sore, she had never yelled so much in an evening. James felt the same; it was hard directing all the new students, like sheep, to their common rooms. Gryffindor was particularly rowdy that night, it was the first night back and everyone was bouncy, sharing news of their summers.

Finally, after threatening detention no less than nine times each, the common room was empty. It was almost one o'clock. Lily sank gratefully into a deep sofa near the fire, and James fell back into an armchair nearby. She watched the fire, entranced by its darting flames. James did too; for once he was too exhausted even to look at Lily. The blaze died down slowly, and once it was glowing Lily lifted her head to glance at the clock. At the same time, James did too and their eyes locked. Lily smiled a slow smile, and the knot in her stomach eased, James really did have a comforting face. Seeing it was nearly 2 o'clock Lily slowly made her way up to the dormitories.

"Staying here?" Her voice was soft.

"For a while longer. I won't be able to sleep" His was soft too, not the usual flirty playful tone.

"See you tomorrow, Potter."

"Night Lily"