The next day after breakfast I stepped onto the train early as everyone was hurriedly turning in their last-minute works, dragging my trunk into an empty compartment. I sighed as I slid it under the seat and claimed a window seat, pulling a book from my pocket.
"Hey Lily, are you saving these seats for anyone?" James asked as he poked his head into the door.
I shook my head as he slid into the seat across from me and pulled out a book of his own. I arched my eyebrow at him in question.
"Don't tell Sirius, I'll never hear the end of it." He smiled and tucked into his book.
We sat in comfortable silence just reading together until the trolley passed by. James bought a bit of everything and scattered it between the two of us, making sure to give the lady special instructions to give Remus two chocolate bars.
"You're a good friend." I said as I pulled on a licorice wand.
"Thank you, but why do you say that?" he asked as he picked a blue sugar quill and held it out to me.
"Remus. You know he likes chocolate when he's feeling ill and you make sure he has it somehow. Even if it means doing something dangerous or stupid, you make sure to put your friends first." I smiled at him.
He sat stunned for a moment, looking at me like I'd grown a second head.
"Someone alert the Prophet, I've actually stunned James Potter into silence." I laughed as he snapped out of it and threw a wrapped chocolate frog at me.
He didn't acknowledge what I had said about taking care of his friends, he just took the compliment.
"What kind of sweets do you like James?" I asked as I turned the page.
"Most anything. I really like pastries the best. Biscuits are good too." He answered after a moment. "What's your favorite genre?"
"Poetry. Muggle poetry is beautiful." I answered, reaching into my little bag and pulled out a book and handed it to him. "But I'll read most anything."
"Sonnets and other poetic works." James read aloud. "Can I read this on the way home?"
I nodded and we continued reading, occasionally reaching for candies in the pile.
"James? What are you doing in here? Reading? Did you swap bodies with Moony?" Sirius asked as he sat down in our compartment.
"You know, some people actually enjoy reading." Remus scolded Sirius as he and Peter followed in.
"Well then, what are you reading Prongs?" He asked, pulling the book from James' hands. "Poems? Is Evans trying to turn you into a poof?"
"That's quite rude Sirius." Remus chided.
"Moony's right Pads. You don't have to like it, but I'll thank you to mind your own." James said as he took back my book.
The boys bantered back and forth until it was time for Remus to tend to his prefect duties, thankfully I'd gotten to skive mine off until the return trip. Peter scampered off to find something more to eat than sweets. James left Sirius and I in need of the loo, I put my book into my lap and looked up at Sirius.
"And then there were two." I mumbled.
"Finally tired of reading?" Sirius asked harshly.
"Are you mad at me Sirius? Did I do something wrong?" I asked softly.
"Yes…No. It's James really. He's been acting strange." He sighed.
"Because he doesn't want to prank people all the time? Because he hasn't made any outlandish love declarations?" I asked. "He's just growing up Sirius."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. I just feel like I'm growing apart from my best friend, we're like brothers ya know." He mumbled.
"I mean you guys still have Quidditch, and chess, and all kinds of other shenanigans. Maybe he just got tired of being a bully." I replied as I picked up a candy.
"Maybe so. I think it's because of you." He smirked.
"Don't go blaming this on me Black." I tried not to snap.
"It's not a bad thing. I think he'd do just about anything to have you continue to refer to him as 'James'." He said, fluttering his eyelashes like a girl.
"I don't know what you're talking about." I could feel the heat rising to my face.
"Don't play coy. He makes sure to do his homework in time to ask you to read over it just so he can sit near you. He picks all the green beans out of the box because apparently you don't care for those. You've got him reading bloody sonnets for Merlin's sake." Sirius chuckled.
"It was one paper. And he asked what Muggle poetry was like. It's not like whatever you're thinking. James and I are finally friendly, I like to think." I said as I heard the door slide open to see James walk into the compartment.
"We're gonna be there in about five minutes." James said as he portioned out the remaining candies amongst the five of us. Sirius offered to deliver to Remus and Peter and left without another word.
"Are you ready to go home?" James asked.
"Not really. I love my parents and I miss them dearly, but my sister tries to make every trip home hell. It's not like I asked to have magic, even though I do everything the muggle way at home, it's like she can't forgive me for being a freak." I whisper softly.
James stands up as the train comes to a slow stop, holding his hand out for me. I put my hand in his and he pulled me up into a soft hug.
"You can write to me, if you'd like. I don't know what it's like to have siblings or to be Muggleborn, but I'll always make time for you. You're important to me Lily." James whispered, slowing letting me go.
I nodded as he picked up my trunk, putting mine onto of his and walking them off the train. James walked along side me until we reached the 9 & 10 platform signs.
"Thank you for bringing it all this way, I can get it from here." I said as I looked at the brick wall.
"I can walk it to your parents' automobile if you'd like." James said as he pulled me onto the other side of platform 9 ¾.
"Hang on, how do you know what an automobile is?" I asked as we walked.
"I do take Muggle Studies too you know." James laughed. "I might be rubbish at it, but I do know what a car is Lily."
"Git." I muttered shoving James just enough to cause him to stumble a bit, causing us to both chuckle.
My parents spotted us and walked to meet us.
"Oh sweetie. I've missed you so much." My mom said as she tried to squeeze the life out of me.
"Who is he?" Petunia asked rudely.
"James Potter, this is my mother Kathrine, and my sister Petunia." I introduced them. James shook my mother's hand kindly and extended to my sister, who turned her nose up at him.
"Are your parents here James?" my mother asked.
"I'm sure they're around ma'am. I know how many books Lily packed to take home so I thought I'd tote her trunk to your car if that would be alright?" James smiled warmly at my mother, who was turning into putty at him.
"Oh, how kind of you. The car is just out front." She said as we made our way out of the station.
We reached the car and James easily lugged the heavy trunk into the boot of the car.
"It was lovely to meet you James, we would be delighted if you could join us for lunch or dinner someday over your break." My mother said happily as we piled in the car.
"Of course, Mrs. Evans. Have Lily owl me with details. I must be going, parents to find and all that." James said, picking up the handle of his trunk before setting it back down. "It was nice to meet you."
"Oh, Lily…your book." I said as I reached into my side pocket and pulled out her small poetry book.
"Read through it. I'll get it back eventually." I said through the window.
"Write to me when you get home Evans. I know you Muggles have been riding in these metal machines for years, but they make me nervous, I'd like to know you're safe." James said before retreating back inside.
"Oh sweetie, he's absolutely wonderful. Is he your boyfriend?" My mom asked as he headed home.
"No, no. It's not like that." I said quickly.
"Sounds like it is." Petunia mumbled.
We made it home relatively quickly, with no arguments from Petunia, which was new. Dad was already setting up tea for us, he tended to take half-days on the days I come home and leave.
"Lily, don't forget to send your note to your friend. Ask him if he's free in two days for dinner sweetie." My mom said as she stepped into the living room.
I quickly went to the desk in the study and began to write my letter.
Dear James,
I made it home about thirty minutes after you saw me off. I hope you're settling in at home well. My mother wants to know if you're free for dinner on Thursday, it would be quite funny to see you try to muggle it up with my sister. My father keeps asking about Quidditch, so prepare yourself for that, but be careful…he taught me how to play chess.
Thank you for today,
Lily Evans.
I sealed the envelope and handed the letter off to Diana, my owl, and gave her a treat. I resumed tea with my family before helping my mother being dinner.
"Lily, you have a letter dear." My dad said as he walked into the kitchen an hour after our retreat to prepare food.
I took the envelope from him and broke the seal.
Ms. Evans,
Thursday it is. I've never been to a muggle home before; do you think I can use our visit as part of my Muggle Studies essay. I hope I don't muck it up too bad. I'd be happy to explain Quidditch to your father, possibly meet up at a game sometime. I'll bring my portable wizard's chess set.
I can't wait,
James Potter
I folded up the letter and returned it to its envelope before putting it into my pocket to finish dinner. I couldn't wait either. What in the world was happening to me?