The end of the summer holidays meant a return to Hogwarts for the very last time for the Marauders and Lily. It also meant a year of responsibility for Lily as Head Girl and for James as Head Boy and Gryffindor Quidditch captain. Neither was aware of the responsibilities of the other until the two of them turned up for the Prefects meeting on the Hogwarts Express. James had known that Lily would be the Head Girl and had been worrying about her possible reaction since he had first received the badge in his letter. Lily, on the other hand, hadn't had any suspicions. She had decided that so long as it wasn't a Slytherin everything would be fine…

James sheepishly followed Remus into the Prefects carriage. Lily was standing at the front, talking to the female Gryffindor Prefect, Amber, who was a fourth year. Lily and Amber were laughing about something and James sunk further behind Remus.

"Will you please relax? She doesn't bite. Well, not anymore, anyway." Remus smirked.

"Thanks for the comforting words. I appreciate it. Really, I do." James whispered back, sarcastically. Remus laughed and this, of course, attracted Lily's attention. "You did that in purpose." James hit Remus on the back.

"You don't say. Hey, Lily." Remus smiled brightly. James groaned.

"Hey, Remus. James, what are you doing here?" Lily was a little more than confused. Remus surreptitiously faded into the background.

"Um, yeah, 'bout that. I'm Head Boy." James said it in such a rush that even he only barely caught what he said. Lily's face seemed to freeze and then there was a look of confusion. "Maybe I did say that too fast. I'm…"

"Head Boy, yeah, I heard you." Lily turned away and began to organise everyone. James meekly stood beside her for the entire meeting. Lily didn't acknowledge him except to tell the prefects that he was Head Boy. There had been what sounded like, a touch of disgust or anger when she made the announcement. The feeling appeared to be shared by all of the prefects except for Remus, who had smiled at him reassuringly. James hadn't moved or said a word since the meeting had begun. When it was over Lily forced a smile and all the prefects left. Remus gave James another reassuring smile before he left. When the door swung closed Lily turned away from James and started to pack up her things.

"I'm sorry I didn't have anything to say during the meeting." James mumbled. He felt as though he should have said something but he hadn't been able to think of anything.

Lily stopped what she was doing and turned to face him slowly. "That's fine, I suppose." Lily looked at him a second longer and then walked out, leaving James standing by himself.

…

James returned to where his fellow Marauders were waiting for him. It was clear when he walked in that they had just been talking about him. It was slightly unnerving to walk into a room where moments before people had been discussing your love life, or lack thereof. Sirius stood when he entered the room and saluted him.

"What are you doing?"

"Saluting a brave if idiotic man-boy. I would've run away as soon as she looked confused." Sirius grinned and ended his salute. James scowled and sat down next to the window. There was silence in their compartment until Sirius suggested a game of Exploding Snap which Peter gladly agreed to. Remus merely rolled his eyes and moved out of their way, which that he moved closer to James.

Once the game was well under way, Remus whispered to James. "You could go and talk to her." Remus sighed when he saw James close his. "Would it kill you to talk to her?"

"No," James whispered back. "But she won't talk to me. Didn't you hear what she said? 'Potter's Head Boy'. Potter, Remus, she called me Potter. She hasn't done that for months. She won't talk to me." James closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against the cool glass of the window. Remus turned away, thinking that James was probably right. James passed the rest of the train trip in absolute silence.

…

During the feast, James remained silent, eating only the bare minimum. Sirius, Remus and Peter were actually beginning to worry about him. James always ate the same amount as Sirius, but that night he ate less than Remus, which was a single plate piled acceptably. James was dreading the end of dinner when the time for Dumbledore's speech came. Dumbledore always took great pleasure in telling people who the Head Students were for the year, especially if the student would be embarrassed. James visibly flinched when the crumbs disappeared and silence fell.

"Welcome to our new students, and welcome back to the old. A few notices for the first years and some reminders for the older students," Dumbledore's eyes swept to the Marauders at this point and he noticed the dejected look on James' face. "The forest at the edge of the grounds is forbidden to all students and Mr. Filch wishes me to remind you that magic is not allowed in the corridors between classes. A list of forbidden items can be found stuck to the door of Mr. Filch's office if any of you care to take a peek. I would also like to announce that our new Head Girl is Miss Lily Evans and our new Head Boy is James Potter." The reaction to Lily's name is of polite, fake surprise. The reaction to James' name was complete surprise. Some good, others not so good. James saw Lily frown slightly as his name was mentioned. "I would ask that you all treat them well and do not question what they ask of you, nor my decisions. I also ask that the two of them remain behind to see me. I bid the rest of you a fond and heartfelt goodnight."

There was a great rush of people leaving, eager to get to their dormitory and collapse into their warm beds. James stayed in his seat, ignoring everyone who went past. Many called out congratulations, while many others yelled an insult, and some didn't bother saying anything. Lily, James saw, stood off to the side and away from any students walking past. When the hall was empty James and Lily walked up to join Dumbledore.

"Congratulations to the both of you. I know that you will both do an excellent job. Now, as is customary, you will have the choice of remaining in the Gryffindor dormitories or you may wish to elect to stay in the Head dormitories. However, you must both make the same decision. You will find the entrance to the dormitories on the seventh floor in between a suit of armour and a painting of Helga the Highlander. Good luck and good night." Dumbledore smiled at them and left the Great Hall.

"So, do you want to stay in Gryffindor tower?" James asked cautiously. Lily huffed and walked away from him. James watched her go but then hurried to catch up. Neither of them said a word as they made their way to the seventh floor. When they reached the portrait of Helga the Highlander they stopped and stared at the blank wall.

A voice from nowhere spoke to them softly. "You may choose your own password. Unlike the regular House passwords, yours will remain the same for the entire year. Choose wisely."

Lily frowned and turned to James. "I'm not good at this. You think of something."

James was silent for a minute trying to think of a suitable password. His mind flashed back to Petunia's wedding. "Percy Sledge." Lily frowned for a second before remembering the song they had first danced to. The blank wall sunk back slightly until it was a doorway. James and Lily walked through and found themselves in a large room occupied by several couches, tables and chairs. The walls were covered in paintings of previous head students, and famous witches and wizards.

"Well, well, two Gryffindors. That hasn't happened in a long time. I was wondering about the hideous decor." James and Lily spun around. Hanging above the doorway was a large painting of four people. On the left hand side stood a tall man with a brown beard wearing a red cloak embroidered with the image of the Gryffindor lion. Sitting on a chair next to the man was a plump woman with a kind face. She wore a yellow cloak with a badger on it. Sitting next to her was a severe looking woman with a brown hair twisted into a knot on top of her head wearing a blue cloak with an eagle. The last man was standing up and he wore a green cloak with a snake on it. James and Lily realised at the same time that it was the four founders of Hogwarts: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin. It had been Salazar who had spoken.

"Shush, Salazar. Congratulations to the both of you." Helga spoke with a soft and kind voice.

"Yes, my congratulations." Rowena spoke with an air of authority and it seemed as though she couldn't care less about what was happening.

"This is an honour! Two of my House as the Head students. And what are your names?" Godric's voice was deep but kind.

"My name's Lily Evans and this is James Potter."

Godric smiled at them. "Potter? I thought so. Your father was Head Boy wasn't he?" James nodded dumbly. He wasn't quite sure what to say. Godric's smile widened. "I thought you looked familiar. And your mother?"

"Yes, sir. Her name's Emily Potter. But her maiden name was Jackson."

"Yes I remember them." He looked at Lily. "And your parent's, my dear? I don't think I've known any Head students with name Evans."

"You wouldn't," Lily glanced at Salazar. "I'm a Muggle born." As expected Salazar frowned but he managed to keep his mouth shut.

"Ah, well that would explain it." Godric smiled kindly at her. "I hope that neither of you will mind us being here. Some of the others had… issues with at least one of us." Godric sent a dirty look at Salazar who simply returned the gesture. "Anyway, congratulations to you both. Tell me, what is happening in the outside world? We don't get much information as you can imagine. Though Dumbledore is more than happy to fill us in occasionally."

"Uh, what do you want to know?" Lily asked quietly. She was slightly awed by the painting.

"What's his descendant up to?" Godric threw another dirty look at Salazar.

"You mean, how many innocent people has he killed?" James said with venom. This seemed to surprise the four founders.

"Voldemort isn't up to anything good." Lily interrupted. Salazar seemed to nod approvingly. "He's tricking more and more people into following him and killing Muggles, Muggle born, half-bloods and blood traitors. There are people who are trying to fight him but so far it's not going well. Now, I'm sorry, but neither of us particularly wish to talk about that hideous monster."

"Of course, of course. Godric was right though. We don't get to hear much." Helga said kindly to them.

"My descendant is obviously a very powerful wizard." Salazar sneered.

"And an evil little f…"

"James!" Lily stopped James before he could finish the word. He scowled at her slightly but didn't say anything. "I'm going to bed. It was nice meeting you. Goodnight."

"Night." James watched as Lily walked up the stairs to her room.

"You fancy her, don't you?" Godric said, smiling. James scowled and went up to his own room.

…

The next morning, James woke up and frowned at the ceiling of his four-poster. It took him a second to realise why there wasn't a giant lion. James sat up and pushed his curtains out of the way and looked around his new room. The walls were covered in Quidditch paraphernalia, including Gryffindor paraphernalia. There was also a large dark brown wardrobe and another door lead into a bathroom. James sighed. He really liked his dorm but he missed his friends. He missed waking up in the morning to Peter's snore. He missed waking up to Remus already dressed and attempting to wake Sirius. Every morning had been the same, almost. Now he was alone and he didn't like it. The silence of the room pressed upon and he was forced to take a deep breath in order to steady himself. He wondered if Lily was awake yet.

…

Lily was, at that moment, sitting up in her bed looking around at her room. It was warm and comfy and simple. There was a large Gryffindor banner on one wall next to the wardrobe. There was also a dressing table and a large plushy chair in one corner which Lily knew would be perfect for reading and sleeping. There was also a door that lead to a bathroom. Lily liked the quiet but she missed the hysteria that she knew would be taking place in the seventh year Gryffindor girl's dorm. Alice and Mary would be up and rushing around madly trying to get ready. Lily smiled slightly and slowly got out of bed. Lily went to pull her uniform out of her bag before realising that it was a Saturday and so she didn't have to wear her uniform. Instead she pulled on a pair of jeans and a white shirt. Lily briefly considered wearing her badge but shook her head. People would think she was boasting, and they would be right. Once Lily was ready she went downstairs, only to remember that breakfast was held later on in the morning on the weekend. Lily huffed and threw herself into one of the armchairs and hoped that Potter wouldn't come down yet.

…

James dressed quickly and left his room in the hope that he would be able to get to the Gryffindor common room quickly. When he got downstairs, however, he stopped dead in his tracks. Lily was sitting on one of the armchairs. She looked up when she heard him, frowned and looked away again.

"Morning, Lily."

"Morning, Jam… Potter." Lily made sure that she didn't look at him.

James sighed and sat down across from her. "I know you aren't happy about me being Head Boy but it's not going to change any time soon, so you may as well get used to it." James said in a rush. He heard the four founders sniggering and shot them a withering glare.

"It's not that. I promise." Lily kept her eyes down, ashamed of the actual reason that she was treating him so badly.

"Then what is it?" James knew that he sounded like an insensitive prick but he didn't have time for Lily to be all… mysterious on him.

Lily rung her hands together and avoided his eyes. "You were so nice to me during the holidays but now were back at Hogwarts and I don't want you to turn into the arrogant toerag again. I liked the James Potter I knew in the holidays and I'm scared that now that we're back here you'll revert to your old self again. I have no doubt that you'll be a good Head Boy, though."

James sat back in his seat. He was unable to comprehend what Lily had just said. He thought that he must be hearing things. Lily looked up at him from beneath her lashes and James sighed. She was right to feel the way she did. He couldn't deny that. James moved next to her and placed a comforting hand on her back. "Lils, do you know why I acted like a prick? Why I cursed and pranked people? Why I did everything I did?"

"Cause you're a self absorbed idiot?" Lily laughed softly.

"No," James laughed. "It's because somehow I thought that would make you notice me."

"It did."

"True, but not for the right reasons. See I thought that it would make me look cool. But it just made me look like a… self absorbed idiot. The truth is that how you saw me in the holidays is how I really am. You have to believe that. I am a nice person. I'm not going to revert back to how I was. I don't want to be that kind of guy anymore. Especially seeing as you don't like me that way. I'm not going to curse people for fun, however, I'm still going to prank people." James smiled as Lily laughed. "Are we okay?"

"Yeah, we're okay." Lily sniffed and smiled gently at him. Lily buried her face into James' neck and he wrapped his arms around her. The two of them sat like that for quite a while until Lily broke her hold on him and they went down to breakfast.