-1CHAPTER 3: A RIDE IN THE MOONLIGHT

When the others got back to the other compartment, Remus and Alicia were talking.

"Whoa, you two, don't make me get a hose," Sirius said sarcastically.

"Shut up."

"We thought that you two would be kissing," James said.

"Why would you think that?" asked Remus.

"I don't even like Remus."

"And I'm dating Monica."

"What's your point?" asked the others.

"We don't like each other that way," said Remus.

"Sure, whatever," said Sirius.

Remus noticed that he and Kristen were holding hands.

"So, what's going on with you two?" he asked, changing the subject.

"We're together," Kristen announced happily.

"I thought you were dating Ashley," Remus chided Sirius.

"You know, I was thinking I was time to let her go anyway. Besides, Kristen's a much better kisser," he said, catching her lips with his.

Remus shook his head disapprovingly.

The teenagers spent the rest of the train ride talking, playing Exploding Snap and Wizards Chess while Sirius and Kristen made out. After the train stopped, Lily and James patrolled the first years to Hagrid. Then, they got their own carriage, while the others shared a carriage. Things were going well between James and Lily: When they reached their carriage, James held out his hand to help her up. He was surprised when she took it and said, "Thanks, James." Had it been the previous year, she would have rolled her eyes and walked past him.

"You're welcome, Lily," James replied, climbing in after her.

Lily sat opposite of James.

"Why don't you sit over here, with me?" James asked, "I won't bite. Promise."

"Okay," Lily said, moving over by him.

"I knew you couldn't resist me," James said arrogantly, but regretting it the second the words left his mouth.

Lily rolled her eyes and moved back to where she was before, pulling out a book. Needless to say, she didn't talk to James the rest of the ride. When the carriage stopped, James held out his hand for her.

"Don't touch me, Potter," Lily said, without looking at him.

A few feet away, Remus and the others saw what happened. Remus walked over to James.

"What'd you do?" he asked.

"I opened my big mouth," James answered sulkily

"I'm sure it wasn't that bad," Remus assured him. "Besides, I highly doubt you opened your mouth as much as Sirius and Kristen. Alicia and I thought they were going to eat each other. What did you say to Lily anyway?" Remus asked. "You didn't compliment her ass again, did you?" A small smile was on his face.

"No, I told her she couldn't resist me."

His smile dropped. "James, you didn't."

"It slipped," James said. "And it was going so well too. I made her smile and she even called me James. Then, I had to go and say something stupid," he sighed. "I blew it."

"Just give her a while to cool off," Remus insisted. "Well, we better get in there; it wouldn't do you any good to be late."

James nodded in agreement and followed him to the castle. Lily was helping get all the kids inside. She just glared James when he walked by. Once inside, Remus walked to the Great Hall. James passed a broom closet and heard a noise. Knowing exactly what the noise was, he opened the door. Sure enough, he found Sirius and Kristen embraced in a passionate kiss.

"Sirius Black," James said sternly.

Sirius noticed his tone. "Things not go well with Lily?" he asked, as he and Kristen stepped out of the closet.

"I don't want to talk about it," James said. "Now, you two better get to the feast unless you both want to start the year out with detention."

"Wow, it must have gone really bad," Sirius muttered to Kristen.

James followed them through the big oak doors into the Great Hall. Lily was already sitting at the Gryffindor table. She was talking to Alicia. She looked up as the three sat down, but only said hi to Kristen and Sirius, not even acknowledging James.

As James sat quietly listening to everyone talking and laughing, it occurred to him that this would be his last beginning-of-the-year feast in the Great Hall. He took in his surroundings, vowing never to forget it. Past the floating candles, the ceiling was enchanted to look like the sky outside. Tonight it was cloudless and the stars shone brightly. There were four long tables, one for each house, where the students sat. At the head of the Hall, the Professors were seated at a long table.

The big oak doors opened, and the talking died down as Professor McGonagall entered carrying an old stool with the Sorting Hat on top of it. A group of timid and nervous-looking first years stood behind her. The sorting began. After the new students were sorted and had taken their seats, food appeared on the tables and everybody ate.

With the students stuffed and growing tired, Dumbledore stood and gave his speech. Everyone was half-asleep as he neared the end.

"…And last, but certainly, not least, this years Head Boy and Girl are James Potter and Lily Evans."

Both Lily and James stood up. Only a few people clapped.

"Now, I will let you all go to bed," concluded Dumbledore.

The students stood to leave the Hall. Some had to be nudged awake by their friends. The progress out of the room was slow. James watched a group of first year Ravenclaws as they stuck close to the Prefects. It was hard to believe he had once been that small. Now, seven years later, he was Head Boy. He and Lily told their friends goodnight, informing them that they had to go to Dumbledore's office. They then headed to their destination. Neither of them spoke the whole way.