Chapter 2

Disclaimer: As much as i want to, i do not own Harry Potter. That honor still belongs to J.K. Rowling.

I'm jolted from my reverie when I feel a hand on the small of my back. James had already stood up and was trying to get my attention.

"Are you ready Lily? You look bloody exhausted." he spoke to me with careful caution in his voice.

"Yeah, sorry. I guess I just got a little held up." I got up and said goodbye to the girls. "Bye guys! I'll see you tomorrow, saying as the Head's usually have their own dorms. Have a good night." They said their goodbyes and James and I left the great hall.

We walked in a peaceful silence for a while down the lonely corridors, only running into two ghosts taking a nightly stroll.

"It's weird isn't it? Knowing that this is our last year. I grew up in this place. It's my home." I spoke to him quietly in almost a whisper. The corridors were so empty with everyone being at the Feast. Something seemed off. I just spoke the first thing that popped into my head.

"Yeah, I mean yes, it is. I don't really know a home outside of Hogwarts. Especially now with this war going on. This is probably one of the safest places to be." he replied in a hushed voice also. I couldn't help how when he talked to me he looked deep into my eyes, seeming to get lost in them. I shook myself back into focus before replying.

"You're right. It seems silly that so many parents are withdrawing their kids though. I don't see how they figure this place isn't safe with Dumbledore here."

"Yeah exactly. You know they say Dumbledore is the only one Voldemort's ever been afraid of?" his question threw me off.

"Really? I mean, I know that everyone is afraid of something but it just seems weird that Voldemort, the ruthless man alive, is afraid of something." I replied waiting to see what he would respond with.

"Yeah, my dad told me that once. You said his name. That's pretty brave. I only know a few people who actually say it." Why did I feel glad when he called me brave?

"Well Dumbledore once told me that if I fear just a name, then the fear of the person ten folds. But yes. I have for a while now. This war though, that's what I'm afraid of. Everything is changing. There's murders all the time. A child goes missing and it's considered a good thing that it wasn't more than one. The things being reported in the paper seem to be controlled by Voldemort himself." I can't believe that I told him that. That I, Lily Evans, was afraid of a war.

"Well you're right about the paper. My dad works, er, worked at the Ministry and one of his good friends was editor of the prophet. He was murdered though and replaced with some guy who was suspected of being under the imperious curse, but of course, there were too many spies in the ministry so they couldn't say anything." he replied, stuttering a bit on some places.

"James, if you don't mind me asking, what do you mean your dad worked in the ministry? Was he fired?" I asked him tentatively, not wanting to ruin the nicest conversation we ever have had before.

"No, it's ok. He, uhm, he died this summer. Along with my mom. I was at Remus' house. Apparently they were targeted a long time ago. But they didn't go without a fight. Voldemort killed them personally because they were two of the most successful aurors out there. I'm going to be an auror. Just for them." I noticed that he didn't look at me when saying this. I was awestruck for a moment.

"I'm, I'm sorry James. You didn't deserve that." He seemed so distraught that I reached my hand out and took his in mine. Squeezing his hand gently I decide to say something else. "Look, Voldemort is the most ruthless person. I'm so sorry that your parents were the ones who had to die. If I were them, I'd be happy to die by my lover's side, doing what was right. At least they were fighting to the end."

He seemed shocked to find my hand and his and realizing that this action was slightly risky I started to pull away but he squeezed my hand tighter, seeming to need the support. "You're the first person I've told other than the boys. It hasn't been easy. I don't even know what I'm going to do after Hogwarts. Of course, they left me the house and most of their gold, but I'm going in to the world not knowing anything."

"I think you'll be fine at the end of the year. You'll find the right way, I promise. Besides, Sirius will always be there for you and.. So will I." With that last statement we made it to the giant stone gargoyles flanking a golden hippogriff.

"Password please?" the one on the right asked. I noticed the one on the left smirking at our hands intertwined and I let go of James hand quickly.

"Uhm, uh, I'm not sure. Oh! Chocolate Frogs." He looked at me and we shared a quick smile before the gargoyles slid apart. We made our way up the stairs and into Dumbledore's office. It was one of the most magical things I've ever seen at Hogwarts by far. Filled with magical knick knacks and the walls lined with the Headmasters of the pasts, it was a room that just seemed alive. I looked towards the center of the room and saw Dumbledore at his desk making adjustments on a piece of parchment.

"Ah, Miss Evans and Mr. Potter. I assume you have well adjusted at being back to Hogwarts?" his eyes twinkled behind his crescent shaped glasses.

"Yes sir. Very much sir. I can't believe it's already our seventh year though. It's all gone by so fast." I always talk to much in front of Dumbledore.

"Yes it is Miss Evans. But it seems to me that time always goes by so much faster when we have someone to share it with." I was uncomfortable by his gaze for a moment. The way he was looking at me and James seemed to be that he knew something about us that we did not.

"Uhm sir, where is the Head's Dorm? This is what I am assuming the meeting was called for?" James seems to be just as uncomfortable as I am.

"Ah yes. Down to business I suppose. The Head's dorm is on the fourth floor and is guarded by the dragon rider portrait. I'm sure you know it well? Yes, most people do. The password is at the moment Zonkos, yes like the joke shop, but you can change it when ever you would like. Remember that you need to schedule prefect meetings and need to discuss with each other about Hogsmeade trips, dorm passwords, and school functions. Any questions?"

"Yes sir. When you say school functions do you mean like a ball or a dance? Because I didn't know that Hogwarts did those sorts of things except in the exception of the Yule Ball during the Triwizard Tournament." I was puzzled by his statement for a moment. He looked at me with a slight chuckle.

"Well, we teachers have agreed that with all of the chaos and destruction going on that the students could use a break and have fun. We decided on a Christmas Ball and then a Valentine's Day Dance. But all of the planning would be up to you." he seemed very enthusiastic about these so I knew we couldn't let him down.

"Yes sir. That sounds great. Is there anything else or can we go?" James seemed to be in a hurry to leave and I wonder if it has anything to do with our discussion on the way here. Lily, get a hold of yourself. It's not like his world is revolves around you.

"Of course James. Either of you feel free to come with me for anything you need to talk about." His piercing eyes met mine then James and we both nodded before getting up and walking out the door. We made our way back down the stairs and walked in almost complete silence before reaching the painting of the dragon rider.

"Uhm excuse me Mr. Rider? Hi we're the new heads. We were told the password was Zonkos?" I tentatively asked the rider not wanting to disturb him the first time meeting him.

"Ah yes, Miss Potter and Mr. Evans. You may enter. Should I let anyone in who knows the password but are not you two?" He asked us this as he did flips around on his dragon. I don't even think he realized his mistake but James corrected him quickly.

"Uhm sir, I'm James Potter and this is Lily Evans. You mistook our last names. And uhm, yes that's fine unless they look very distrust worthy." Part of me couldn't help but wonder at myself why Miss Potter sounded really good to my ears. Lily Potter. That's very pretty. Lily Lily Lily Potter. Wait, no. What are you doing Lily? This is James for crying out loud. Stop it. Stop it right now. You need to get yourself a boyfriend.

"My apologies, Mr. Potter and Miss Evans. Please enjoy your suit." He opened his door and we stepped inside to an amazing sight. There was a large fireplace in the center of one wall with two arm chairs next to it. There were two desks against one wall and a whole row of books. The room was draped in red and gold hangings and looked absolutely marvelous. A small set of basic furniture was also in the middle of the room looking quite inviting. There was a spiral staircase leading up to two doors, one with a sign that said Lily and the other saying James. We made our way upstairs and walked into our separate rooms. Mine had a four poster bed that was huge, at least a king size, and a personal desk and fireplace. There were also many cabinets and closets for my clothes. I walked through another door to see the master bathroom. There was a bathtub that was as big as a miniature pool and a shower. There were two sinks and towels with both of our initials on it. All of our toiletries had already been laid out. I continued to another door at the opposite end of the bathroom. I walked into James room to a surprising sight.

James was standing besides the bed with his trunk out, shirtless with only his boxers on. I couldn't help but stare at the toned muscles of his stomach.

"Oh Merlin. I am so sorry, I just wanted to see what your room looked like. I'm sorry!" I knew I was rambling but couldn't help it. I tried to look anywhere but his chest but I could feel my eyes drawing to it anyway.

"Oh, Lily. Don't worry. It's not a big deal." He pulled on a plain t-shirt and walked over to where I was standing by the bathroom. He walked past me and into the bathroom taking a quick peek at my room. "That's not very fair. You're room is bigger than mine." He looked over at me and I could see a smile on his face that hadn't been there all night.

"Well, I do probably have loads more clothes than you. That reminds me! I'm going to have to go buy a new dress for the ball. Ugh, I should probably start planning those right now with all the homework I'm sure we're going to have." I continued on rambling until James was standing right by my side.

"You know, it is only September, and the first ball isn't until December. I think that you'll be fine." He has a slight smirk on his face that irritates me beyond believe.

"That is true, but I can't be slacking at the beginning of the year or else what will happen at the end? I'm going to bed James. Goodnight." I look up at him and he seems to be on the verge of saying something but then changes his mind.

As I leave the room I hear him whisper, "Goodnight Lily."

A/N: Did you like it? Things will pick up more when classes start. please review. Thanks!