James extended his slender, strong wand, right to Snape's face.

"Congratulations, Snivey," he said, coldly. "You recognized your dear old chums. Now, I suggest you leave."

Snape dropped Lily's wrist, and began to reach for his wand.

"Ah, ah, ah," James said, tantalizing. "I could hex you in a second."

Snape's anger was boiling over. "You can't tell me what to do!" He snarled.

James shook his head. "You see, dear Snivellus," He started, with mock politeness. "As much as I would love to curse you out the window, this isn't for me. You're hurting Evans, and she obviously doesn't want you hear. Get. Out."

Snape looked at Lily, who was now back in her seat, rubbing her bruised wrist. He looked back to Potter, and was startled by the serious look on his face. Again, he looked at Lily, waiting for her to call James a toe rag, a big headed monster.

Instead, her voice rang clear. "Get out, Snivellus."

Without thinking twice, Snape pushed past James and slammed the door to the compartment. With a loud THUD, the glass door shattered.

James turned around and waved his wand over the glass shards, repairing it. Lily heard snippets of muttering like "ill tempered git…" or "ought to curse him senseless."

After a few moments, Lily spoke up. "I could've handled it by myself."

James turned back around. "Well, sorry," he said. "Chivalry is kind of a Gryffindor thing."

Lily straightened in her seat, still rubbing her wrist. "I didn't need it."

James rolled his eyes. "Well, then, humor me." He said exasperatedly, as he slammed down on the seat previously occupied by Snape.

Lily looked around awkwardly. "Don't you have to be with the Marauder's to curse some one or something?

James shrugged. "As I understood the letter, I was supposed to be here."

Lily's face paled. The Head Boy? It was –

"You?" She demanded. "You weren't a Prefect, you can't be Head Boy."

"Yeah, well," he said, tiredly. "Looks like Dumbledore's finally gone off his rocker."

Lily slammed back against the seat. "Just my luck." She muttered to herself.

And mine, James thought, a slight smile finding its way to his face.

I bet the teachers are having a good laugh, playing match maker in their ivory tower. Lily thought bitterly. Remus, why couldn't it have been Remus? He's sweet enough –

James broke her train of thought. "I see you're in your school robes already." She gave a stiff nod. "Just like our first year."

Lily looked back, startled. "What?"

"Our first year," he said, with a nostalgic smile, his hazel eyes alight in memory. "You were in your school robes, with one big braid, but it wasn't a regular braid, it sort of – er – went up your head?"

"A French braid?" Lily answered sarcastically.

"Yeah, that's it." He put his hands behind his head, and closed his eyes, as if basking in a great memory.

Lily looked at James reproachfully. "I don't even remember that. How do you?"

James's eyes flicked open. "I'm observant." He winked.

Lily sighed, massaging her wrist.

James's eyes flashed. "Are you alright?" He quickly leaned forward, and pulled her hand gently towards him.

Lily, much to her surprise, received chills from his touch. It was nothing like Sev's touch, she observed. It was warm, soft, but strong…

"It's just a bruise," she said briskly, trying to pull it back, only to receive a sharp jolt of pain.

"Ow!" Lily muttered, under her breath. Potter's quickly looked up to her, filled with concern. She hadn't meant it to come out, but it did.

"Here," he said quietly, pulling out his wand. "Hold still!"

"Potter…"

"Trust me on this," he smiled. "I've had my fair share of bruises." To her surprise, he didn't do anything, just waited and watched her.

He's waiting for permission, Lily thought, shocked that James Potter might be behaving considerately. She gave a stiff nod.

James looked at her wrist, completely concentrated. "Frigus."

A sliver mist seeped its way out of Potter's wand, and wrapped itself, like a shackle to Lily's wrist. As it began to dissolve away, it left a cool, numb feeling.

Potter leaned back, satisfied, as he pocketed his wand. "It takes the pain away."

Lily nodded. "I'll have to remember that one."

Lily curled back into her seat, still dumbfounded that Potter, of all people, could be Head Boy. She noticed that he had gotten taller over the summer, his black, untidy hair was a little shorter, and his hazel eyes were a little clearer, not as clouded.

"So," he said, wringing his hands together, excitedly. "When can we start taking points from Slytherin?"

"Potter!"

"I was just joking," he said, with a little smile dancing around his face, a mischievous sparkle to his eye. He checked his watch.

"Well," he said, standing. "In all this excitement, I seemed to have lost track of the time. I'm changing into my robes." He stretched. "See you tonight, on our first watch, Evans!" He strode out the door.

Lily sighed. This was going to be one long year.

"I saw the Lord of Grease running down the train." Sirius said, lounging on the bench in the Great Hall, the marvelous feast wiped clean off of the Marauders plates. "Did I miss out on something fun?"

"Alas, Padfoot," James said, over the noise of the clatter of plates and conversation. "There was no hexing. Just a heroic save of Miss Evans." James grinned up at the ceiling, charmed to look like the night sky.

Remus leaned in, quizzically. "Not becoming a knight in shining armor already, Prongs?"

James shook his head. "Moony," He said knowledgably, in a voice that sounded vaguely like Dumbledore's. "You do not become a knight in shining armor. You are born one."

Sirius thumped James's back. "Always the hero, mate! That's how you win 'em over!"

Peter shook his head. "I can never find a damsel in distress, it's not fair!" He squeaked.

"Patience, my good mad," James advised. "Good things come to those who wait."

"And look what waiting dragged in!" Sirius said excitedly, leaning over James shoulder to look at the entrance. "A transfer from Beauxbatons!"

The four Marauders turned their heads. Sure enough, a godlike girl was gracefully making her way down the hall. She wore the blue Beauxbatons hat, with Hogwarts' robes. Her jet black hair shimmered down her slender back. Her face was pale, complemented with sparkling blue eyes. Not to mention, a fantastic figure.

"It seems there has been a new member added to the female species." Sirius winked. "Perfect."

They watched her take her seat at the Gryffindor table. "Why is she in Gryffindor?" Peter asked.

"Don't complain, man!" Sirius said. "I think I'll go introduce myself." Sirius leapt up, and squeezed his way next to the girl.

"She's sitting across from Evans," James observed. Lily and the new transfer seemed to be having an animated conversation. That is, until Sirius captured the girl's attention.

The three Marauders watched as Sirius made her giggle, smile and nod. He stood, smiled, waved goodbye, and came back to his seat.

"Adelaide," He confirmed, nodding. "Adelaide Dubois. And Evans is giving her the grand tour of Hogwarts."

Sirius and James exchanged a look.

"Excellent."

Just in case anyone was wondering, her name is pronounced Add-eh-lay Doo-bwah.

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