She was nervous, and she didn't know why. Standing before the Prefects, she felt a shakiness inside her, and she had trouble standing. 'What is wrong with me?' She thought; was it James? 'No, that's silly... of course it's not James.' And with that, she pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind, to try and focus on the meeting at hand.

"Hello everybody, and welcome back. I'm sure you all know me, but if you don't, I'm Lily Evans, and there's no doubt in my mind that you know your Head Boy, James." Lily started, relaxing only a little. Her cheeks felt hot. "First, I'd like you to all write your names on the parchment that is being passed around, and your year, and house. That way we can keep things fair between houses, and years. James?" Lily let him take up the rest.

"And second, we would like to hold out next meeting in the Library, tomorrow after dinner to go over the rounds schedule. We will have the weeks schedule ready by then." James finished, thanking Merlin that Lily, too, didn't want to hold a long and boring meeting. Now free of his duties, he quickly moved around the room, chatting with this person and that, mostly about Quidditch, and whatnots.

Lily, now left on her own, with nothing else to do, but walk about and make conversation, did just that. Finally feeling better than she had in days, she found Remus and sat next to him. "Hey Remus, so, what do you think? You think Potter and I will pull it off this year?"

"You mean without cursing each other first, yes?" He jested at her, glad for her company. "Well, honestly I do think it will be a good year. James may be, well," he paused as James threw himself haphazardly on a seat, then proceeded to mess his hair and smile ridiculously, "James, but he does know when he needs to be serious. I don't think you give the bloke enough credit."

"I hope your right Remus; else wise this is going to be a long year."

"So, how was your summer Lily?" Remus asked, changing the subject.

"Oh you know, nothing special. Mostly I just read, and helped out Mum around the house." As she said it, she realized she really hadn't done much for the summer holiday.

"You didn't see Severus?" Remus questioned, lifting an eyebrow at her.

"Well of course I did, but what does that have to do with anything?" Lily laughed.

"Just wondered if you two were still friends, that's all. I mean, after what he said last year… you know. I guess I'm just surprised it all." He shook his head, still in disbelief. Lily sure was one of a kind. He had to give James that, at least.

The rest of the train ride continued just the same, and soon they were at Hogwarts. Lily started off the train, James in tow, as they were in charge of helping the first years. As she stepped down, and on the ground, she turned around. James was still tying his tie, and his shirt was only half tucked. Lily almost had a fit, and for once, not one that involved yelling, she was overwhelmed with the need to laugh. She settled for a giggle. James must have heard, as he picked his head up and gave her an egotistical smirk. With that, Lily's giggles immediately disappeared, replaced with a disproving look.

"Potter, must you always be so… " She gestured to his attire as her point.

"What?" He replied incredulously.

Lily groaned, "Whatever, come on Potter, we've first years to round up." She started walking around the platform, yelling "First years, this way!" and "First years, over here!" James doing… similarly, as he strutted around, chatting here and there.

Lily and James took their own carriage back, as soon as the saw the first years off with Hagrid. Lily found it all too uncomfortable, as she was trying to seem preoccupied, not wanting James to talk to her, but that was hard to do when there was nothing to be preoccupied with. She wished she had a book or something, anything!

"So…" James started. Lily groaned inwardly. 'Here he goes. Bloody arrogant…' but James cut off her thoughts before she could finish, "Can you believe the audacity of Dumbledore, choosing us as the Heads." He half chuckled at it.

Lily snorted, 'Potter claiming someone else to be audacious, that's a new one.' "Mm, yes, he must have done it on purpose. Just to spite you Potter." She replied sarcastically.

James felt a little put off, but that only encouraged him. He hated it when she did that too him. "Or maybe," James drawled out, "He did it because he knew…"

"Potter! If you even think about finishing that sentence, I swear…" Lily warned him, feeling quite flustered. "I will hex the living hell out of you."

If there was one thing that really got James off, it was Lily's yelling. If he could have just snogged her right there on the spot, he would have. She was so bloody gorgeous when she was angry. James's stomach did a flip flop, "Oh Lily-bean, there is nothing to be so upset about, really." He chided her. Giving her a mischievous grin, he continued, "It's just, I know you have liked me for a while now…"

And that was it, he had pushed Lily was over the edge; but she couldn't run… that's what she usually did, and now she was stuck in a carriage with the damned buffoon. Instinctively she did the only thing she could; she punched him, square in the jaw. "You bloody arrogant, arse. I. Do. Not. Like. You." She spat at him, nearly screeching. Her blood was boiling, and she felt good. "How do you like that Potter?" She asked him haughtily after a moment.

James was stunned, amazing, and oddly turned on at her rage. He secretly wondered what kind of shag she would be… though he didn't ponder the thought too long. "Hit me all you want love, I kind of like it." He replied to her suggestively. Before Lily could even muster a coherent reply they were at the castle, and James jumped out of the carriage and was making his way towards the castle with a smirk on his face, leaving a flustered Lily to her own devices.

Lily made her way up to the castle, still hot with rage. Her thoughts were all once one word sentances. Mainly, one thought in particular, 'Damn you Potter.'

Sorting had yet to begin as Lily made her way into the Great Hall. She quickly found Effie, diverting her attention quickly away from anything Potter. She sat down next to her best friend, and made to say something, but Effie cut her to the chase. "So…" she raised her eyebrows suggestively, "How was the ride, with Potter…?"

Lily whined, "Are you guys really trying to torture me?" At this Effie just laughed. Lily was about to say more when Dumbledore interrupted with the announcement of his speech.

"Welcome, to another year at Hogwarts."

"-It's the same every year, I swear," Sirius cried in disbelief.

"I see many new faces, and many more old ones."

"-did he just call us old James?! Honestly, we aren't that…" James snickered at his friend's behavior, knowing full well that any moment Lily was going to snap at them.

"This year, as many of you all know, marks the second year of the rise of the Dark Lord. It is with great concern and fear that I have laid down a few new school regulations. First, as always, no one is to venture into the Forbidden Forrest."

"Always raining on my parade that one…"

"Sirius… if you don't shut up now, I will take points." Lily growled under her breath, giving him an un-amused look.

"Second, all Hogsmeade trips for this year are cancelled, due to recent Death Eater activity near the town. Also, if anyone is caught sneaking about after hours, you will serve a full weeks detention. These rules are in place for a reason." He said, looking straight at the Marauders. "Our world is no longer as safe as it once was, and while you are here, under my protection I expect you to follow the rules.

Now. I would like to welcome our new faces, with the sorting ceremony. Minerva, if you will." He motioned for his fellow professor to come forward as the Hat began with its usual ode.

"This year may be dark, but let there be light,

Fight against what is immoral,

And take a stand for what is right.

Unite together, as a whole,

And defeat the sinners without quarrel,

Keeping love in you soul.

He will rise, do not harbor any doubt,

The side of light will answer him

With a war cry, steady and stout.

The phoenix will grow,

Darkness will become dim,

And the suns rays of light, will finally show."

"Don't know what that old hat was on about…" Sirius laughed as Professor McGonagall began calling the first years up to be sorted.

"If you had half a brain you would." Effie jested at him.

Sirius looked at her in amazement. "You!" He bellowed, instigating a disturbance in the sorting, and causing McGonagall to give him a pointed look. "This is dull." He grumbled.

As soon as the sorting was over, and every seat in the hall was taken, Dumbledore motioned to eat, and there was food. "Let the feast, begin!" He exclaimed.

The hall became incredibly quiet, as everyone began to eat, but after a while, when bellies began to fill, the chatter began.

"So… James, I've been meaning to ask you. What happened to your face?" Sirius asked, looking skeptically at his best friend. James gingerly felt his jaw, it was a little swollen, and probably red, but not bad. He smiled as he replayed the scene in his head. "Erm, ok…?" Sirius was eyeing him warily now.

"Lily." James said fervently, a mischievous look coming over his face.

"Yeah. You wish." Sirius laughed it off.

"No, really! She did!" James exclaimed, and proceeded to tell the story, much to Lily's dismay. She was shaking her head, and dropping it into her hands.

"Oh, Merlin." She murmured under her breath.

Effie was just staring incredulously at her. "Lily!" She chided excitedly. "Did you really?"

Lily looked up at her, scowling, "Yes, I did, and he deserved it." To this Effie squealed in delight, her eyes not hiding her enthusiasm.

"I can't believe it!" Was her reply... over and over again, as they made their way up the stairs to the Gryffindor common room. Lily was supposed to be showing the first years the way up, and Effie couldn't pass the opportunity to interrogate her friend.

"I still can't believe you did that Lily."

"I've gathered that." Lily responded. "We can talk about something else you know?"

"Oh what fun would that be?" Effie questioned her cheekily.

"A lot more that you can possibly know." Lily laughed.

"Ok, but one more question: what possessed you to punch him!?"

Lily rolled her eyes. She had the feeling that it would be days before this was old news to everybody. She looked at Effie, wishing she was as light hearted and carefree. Effie bounced up the stairs effortlessly, her bobbed auburn hair swishing. 'Damn her long legs' Lily laughed as she looked back at the first years following her up.

"Just a little further." She told them. As the ascended the last staircase she turned to them once again, "You'll have to watch yourselves, the stair cases tend to have a mind of their own." She smiled at them caringly. When they reached the landing she took them through the hall and to a portrait. "This is the entrance to the Gryffindor common room and dorms." The fat lady in the portrait looked down on them.

"Password?" She questioned.

"Oh, yes," Lily addressed, "the password is 'gillyweed'. Don't forget that, or you cannot get in. A new password will be posted in the common room each month, so you will want to be checking in on that occasionally." With that the first years all climbed through. Lily brought up the rear, and followed them in.

The look of awe on their faces brought back a very fond memory. She remembered what it felt like, first seeing the scarlet and gold decorated common room. "Girls, your dormitories are up to the right and boys the same on your left. You should find your belongings have already been brought up. I am sure you are all aware, Professor McGonagall is your Head of House. Be there any problems, you can bring them up with her." As they dispersed Lily went to the sofa where Effie was waiting for her.

"You sound like a teacher." Effie accused her, without opening her eyes.

"Jealous much?" Lily teased back, making herself comfortable.

"Hmmph." Effie snorted at her. The two of them sat and talked for a while, mostly passing some time. "Right. Well…" Effie began, "I'm going to head up to my room, I'm exhausted. I hate trains."

"I suppose I should make my way to my dorm. I can't believe I have to share a common room with that, buffoon." Lily whined. "Night Effie."

"Night Lily. Enjoy!" She flashed her eyes at Lily and started towards the stairs.

Lily turned to head out the portrait when in came James. 'Just my luck' she thought.