James groaned and stirred awake groggily. Something nagged at the back of his befuddled brain, preventing him from dozing back into a blissful dream of running on all fours in a dark forest. Then it hit him with the force of a rampaging troll-school started again today!
Groaning he slid out of his warm and comfy bed reluctantly. The light coming from the almost fully covered window was bleak and he could tell the weather was gloomy.
"Wonderful" he muttered, going past Sirius's bed without even trying to wake him up. The dog Animagus had to deal with Blinky and her morning wake ups from now on and the effects were astonishing. James had never seen the other boy move so fast in the morning before, keen to avoid the sadistic house-elf as he had taken to calling Blinky. Blinky did seem to take pleasure in the task and James saw no reason why he should intervene.
Ten minutes later, a washed and casually dressed James felt a little more alive. He didn't bother going to check on Sirius, knowing Blinky would be taking care of him even as he thought of the matter. He went into the kitchen where a small feast lay on the kitchen table. He sat down and started on his rashers and toast. In truth he was glad to go back to school. Hogwarts was like a home from home and it didn't have painful reminders in every room that he was the only member of the household left. It was time to get away from all of the reminders.
The only problem was Blinky. James didn't want the faithful house-elf of the Potters to remain in the manor by herself. It wasn't fair on her just to stay on her own. He toyed with the idea of her working in Hogwarts, but he doubted she'd agree; she was too attached to the Potters for that.
He was still brooding over it when Sirius came scurrying into the kitchen, shaking his head and muttering under his breath. He fell into the seat opposite James.
"I am never going to complain about Moony waking me up ever again." He pulled a plate of sausages towards him and glanced up at his friend. "What's wrong?"
"Blinky" James chewed his lip uncertainly. "I don't want her to be on her own for the whole year."
Sirius frowned looking concerned. Despite the rude awakenings every morning, he cared about Blinky enough not to like the idea either.
"Maybe she could go to one of your cousins?" he suggested. "Or maybe one of her relations?"
Speak of the house-elf, Blinky entered the room.
"Eat up young masters, you is going to be hungry later" she frowned at James. "Is something wrong Master Jamesie?"
"Blinky I know you don't want to" James said "but I don't want you to stay on your own when we're at Hogwarts. D'you want to go to Hogwarts or to one of the other families?"
Blinky looked horrified.
"I lives to serve the noble house of the Potters" she cried. She was going to continue, but Sirius cut her off.
"We know Blinky" he said reassuringly. "But we don't want you to be alone for the whole year that's all."
Blinky softened. "Very kind masters" she murmured. "But you is not needing to worry, Blinky will be fine."
"Are you sure?" James asked reluctantly.
Blinky nodded vigorously. "Now eat your breakfasts young Masters, or you is going to be late."
James wasn't satisfied, but he acquiesced and he and Sirius devoured their breakfast.
Sirius glanced at the clock and groaned. "Come on Prongs, better get going."
Stretching, the two made their way back to the hall where their trunks were waiting. Blinky ushered them out of the door.
"Have a lovely time Master James and young Sirius" she said, her voice squeakier than normal, eyes bright. James knelt and gave the elf a quick affectionate hug.
"We'll see you soon Blinky" Sirius gave the elf a hug of his own. Then he and James turned on the spot and vanished.
His lungs expanding gratefully, James opened his eyes. He and Sirius were in a small unkempt courtyard owned by wizards for Apparating families to get to the Hogwarts Express. Pulling his trunk behind him James moved out of the way of several other people just Apparating in. He walked along, Sirius whistling beside him and turned a corner to face the Muggle train station.
"C'mon Prongsie" Sirius strode forward.
"Right behind you Paddy" James smirked and followed. Crossing the platform, James spotted a couple of obvious wizard families with trunks and owls, attracting a fair bit of attention. James was glad he'd let his owl Midnight fly to Hogwarts the night before. Not that he had many correspondents now that his parents were dead.
Shaking his head hard to stop that train of thought, he followed Sirius to the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Sirius glanced around significantly and then, far to casually, leant against the wall. James imitated him and the pair slid through the barrier.
At once the noise level changed to include excited voices and hooting owls. James beheld the sight of the Hogwarts Express and felt his spirits lift.
"Let's go find Moony and Wormy" he said, pulling his trunk along.
The two struggled through the fine mist surrounding the platform. James heard familiar voices and saw old faces, but he couldn't see the two he was looking for.
"This is a job for Padfoot" Sirius muttered.
"Don't" James warned, though it wasn't necessary, Sirius knew better. Besides, it would be hard to smell anything in this crowd.
"There!" Sirius cried triumphantly. Sure enough, the familiar figure of Remus was seen beside a compartment door.
"Hey Prongs, Padfoot" Remus said smiling. "Wormy's inside holding the compartment."
"Cool" James pulled himself into the compartment, heaving his trunk in behind him. Sirius followed, smirking smugly, his trunk trailing after him at wand point. James rolled his eyes. "Hey Wormtail."
"HI Prongs, Padfoot" Peter grinned.
James flopped onto a seat as Sirius slammed the compartment door shut. Remus was hurriedly changing into his robes.
"What's the rush, Moony?" Sirius asked.
"Prefect compartment" Remus's voice was muffled as he pulled them over his head. "You have to get them on too James."
"Huh? Why?"
"Head Boy had to come to the compartment too" Remus pointed out. He rolled his eyes. "Remember?"
James blinked. It was true; he'd completely forgotten. He looked over at Sirius who was staring at the floor.
"Better go mate" Sirius said cheerfully, meeting James's gaze. "You won't impress her Headship Evans by being tardy before school starts."
James grimaced and pulled open his trunk for his robes and flung them on.
"You have to wear the badge too Prongs" Remus said dryly. James groaned and looked at the shiny Head Boy badge.
"I'll put it on later" he said stuffing it in a pocket, but putting on the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain badge on instead. Remus frowned but said nothing.
Just then, the train began to move.
"Hey we're off again" Sirius cried, looking out the window. "Can't wait for the feast."
Remus and James just exchanged glances.
"Come on, we'd better go" Remus said.
James sighed and followed. "Save us something from the trolley Wormy?" he asked the smaller boy.
"I'll try" Peter eyed Sirius. "Padfoot might make it difficult."
"And let my best mates starve?" Sirius said in mock offence. "That's hardly a Gryffindor thing to do!"
"Nothing comes between you and your stomach Padfoot" Peter said dryly. "You're always starving."
Sirius's retort was lost as Remus shut the door. James followed the other boy down the train, feeling a little lost. He'd never been on the train without Sirius before. At least Remus was still here. He was no Padfoot, but he was Moony and a great guy, no matter what anyone said about his 'furry little problem'.
They past several compartments, many of whom called greetings to two of the infamous Marauders. James nodded greetings to various people. Twice he was stopped by people asking about Quidditch tryouts. It was unsurprising that he saw many people looking at him curiously. His parents deaths were months ago, but had been a scandal. He hadn't been out in public for most of the summer, so rumours must have been ripe. As a Marauder, he was already used to staring, but this felt uncomfortably different. He was actually relieved to reach the prefect and Head compartment.
Remus opened the door, James trailing after him as quickly as possible. Inside the carriage were several fellow students of the four Houses. Old and new Prefects along with the new Head Girl, Lily. James blinked at her, vaguely entranced by her beauty. Months ago it would have reduced him to a bubbling wreck and would revert to a cocky git. Nowadays he barely cared about his own appearance, let alone someone else's.
Lily turned as Remus approached her. She smiled slightly as him. "Hello Remus" she said. She looked at James. "Hi Potter" she said without her usual bite.
"Hey Evans" James smiled slightly before looking between the two of them and around the room at the idle chatter between the other houses, while the Slytherins skulked together in a corner.
"Uh what, you know, happens here?" James asked finally, having absolutely no idea.
Remus chuckled and Lily gave him a small grin.
"We are to come up with passwords for the common rooms and give the new Prefects their duties and patrol times and do a little patrolling of the train as well" she looked at him archly. "Alright?"
Feeling like he in for a rough ride, James merely nodded meekly. Lily gestured at a seat and taking the hint James sat down.
"Remus will you help me with the new Prefects?" Lily asked. Remus nodded and exchanged glances with James; the small smirk on his face telling James his amusement of the situation. James scowled back.
For ten minutes, Lily and Remus lectured the new Prefects their duties; the older ones already patrolling or just relaxing in the compartment. James noticed a lot of them were staring at him, Lily and back again, obviously stunned to see the infamous duo actually being civil to each other. A Hufflepuff, Rachel Simmons, was whispering to her friend, sneaking glances at both Lily and James. James caught her eye and she and her friend dissolved into giggles. Girls.
"Your patrol times will be given out to you later by us" Lily gestured at James and herself. "For now you have to go around the train and make sure there's no trouble. Okay?"
There were murmurs of assent and the new crowd dispersed. James watched them go, wishing he could leave too.
"I better go too" Remus said to Lily. "I'll see you later Prongs" he flashed a quick grin in James's direction.
Knowing full well he would be going back to Sirius and Peter within the hour, James glared after him. Traitor.
"Well then" Lily turned back to James. For an instant she seemed to waver before regaining her composure. "We have to organise patrols and passwords." Her voice was businesslike.
Oh just great. Deadly dull work with a gorgeous girl who hates your guts. Disaster just waiting to happen. "Alright" he said aloud.
As he expected, the work was incredibly boring. The atmosphere in the compartment was tense and stiff between the two and the few Prefects remaining, most of whom left within the first twenty minutes in response.
James flipped through the last couple of patrols left. He had been sitting across from Lily for nearly two hours now and had barely said a word. This was so unlike their old relationship; James was half tempted to turn her robes neon green just to make sure she was really Lily Evans.
"Done" Lily said, startling him.
"Uh me too" he said hastily, hoping this meant he could leave soon.
"Ok, give me your times" he handed them over. "Oh and you can pick the Gryffindor password."
He blinked at her in surprise.
"I chose the other houses so you wouldn't be tempted to pick ones that they'd hate" she smirked.
James rolled his eyes but didn't comment on her remark. He frowned thoughtfully.
"How 'bout .... Lions Den?" he suggested finally.
Lily blinked and then smiled.
"Good one. Alright, Gryffindor's one is Lions Den, Hufflepuff's-Trust, Ravenclaw's-Knowledge and Slytherin's-Pure."
"No offence they're not really imaginative."
Lily glared at him and he shrank back a bit. Yup, definitely Lily. "Better than Gryffindor rules or Slytherin's stink like something you would do."
James shrugged sheepishly.
Lily made a face and started to pack up her things. James watched her for a second and then spoke up.
"Hey Evans" she turned back to him. "I know we never really got along, but since we have to work together, d'you want to call a truce?"
Lily looked at him in surprise. Her brow furrowed as she considered him.
"Only on the condition you act your age and not your shoe size" she said at last.
James looked at her baffled.
"Muggle expression" she actually laughed at his expression.
"So.....?"
She looked at him. "If you don't act like an immature prat then yes we have a truce."
"Oh okay" he smiled at her.
"Pranks?" she raised an eyebrow.
James winced. "Can't promise anything under that Evans. But I'll try not to hex everyone who annoys me."
"Slytherins?"
Can't promise for Sirius or the guys but we won't target them or anyone specific" he replied. He could almost hear Sirius yelling at him in his head, but he really didn't want Lily to hate him when they were working so close together.
"Snape?" Lily said hesitantly.
James just looked at her baffled. Why did she still defend that slimy Death-Eater wanna-bee after everything he had done to her?
"I won't hex him if he doesn't" he said finally.
Lily looked at him appraisingly for a moment.
"Ok we have a deal."
She held out a hand hesitantly and James shook it, feeling the surprising strength of her grip.
She let go quickly and hitched her bag up her shoulder.
"I'll see you at the feast Potter." Flashing a slight smile at James she left. James stared into space for a second before following.
A/N: wow it's been a while since I've updated. Sorry I've been enamoured to the wonderful stories on this sight and time has flown.
I know the story is pretty boring at the moment but hopefully it'll pick up after the Marauders get to Hogwarts. Still it'd be nice if people will review and let me know if I'm wasting my time.