Losing Time [OPEN]

[Sirius Black]

"Time came a-creeping,
oh, and time's a loaded gun"

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Time; there never seemed to be quite enough of it. While in the moment one can only think of the present. The prospect of tomorrow was a foreign concept. Just when one needed a moment to last forever it was snatched away by the ticking of a simple clock and when one only wanted something to be over it seemed as though the hands of such a clock slowed until it was incapable of moving. Thus was the way time seemed to work...or at least how it worked according to a seventeen year old. Summer, always seemed to one of those times where the moments were plenty but the time was short. Before one could even blink the freedom of summer had slipped away and reality crept in with vengeance. Such was the way of the summer of 1977 for Sirius Black. There were days and nights he would never remember, girls he may never know the names of, and pranks that left him and his mates clutching their aching stomachs from laughter. It had been a summer to remember...it was such a pity it had to end.

The hot, placid days of summer came to an abrupt halt as of September 1st and, in a way, so did a bit of Sirius’ heart. While it was true, Hogwarts was a place where Sirius had always felt far more at home than anywhere else, the past summer had been one for the ages. That was why he had made a promise to himself as he lounged across the compartment on the train that this year, which was his seventh and last, would surpass all the summer shenanigans of the past two months. His seventh year was going to be historic...it was going to be one for the books.

The dark haired boy was alone for the time being, and it was quite an odd sight as he always managed to be in the center of large crowds. But that morning, he had been left to his own devices on the train back to Hogwarts. James had some lame excuse about a Head Boy and Girl meeting, which he would in no way bail on because of who the Head Girl was. Lily Evans, aka the love of James’ life had won that one hands down and there was no way James was going to miss some one on one time with her. Remus, who had surprisingly not gotten head boy was off doing his regular Prefect duties, and Peter...well Sirius figured he was off raiding a Candy trolley somewhere.

Stretching out so he sat, resting his head against the back of the seats and so his long legs stretched across to the other set of seats, Sirius took up much of the compartment on the train. He let out a bored sigh as he popped an Every Flavour Bean in his mouth. He let the flavour swim in his mouth for a moment; not realizing what it was until it was too late. He swallowed but he felt like he should gag. Bloody hell; ear wax. Why did he always manage to get earwax? He had come up with a theory that there was at least one earwax flavoured bean in every package and much to his chagrin he had developed quite the skill in finding them each time. Coughing, he covered his mouth as he felt his eyes water. He sat up and partially keeled over as the taste by no means got better the more one had it. Finally when the coughing seemed to stop, Sirius leaned back in his seat, a little worse for the wear, but no less bored than what he had started with. Just then the compartment door slid open, Sirius turned his head to see the new arrival...Perhaps someone had pried Peter off the Cauldron Cakes? Not likely, but he hoped this new arrival would help fend off his boredom because Sirius always seemed to come up with his ‘best’ ideas when in such a state. [/blockquote][/size]

[Mary Macdonald]

When things come to an end, people tend to look back on their past and reflect on what went on. People notice how others looked at them and how they were percieved by others. They tend to go about "changing" at this point in their lives. An end to school is no different. In fact, there is nothing different about any type of schooling. You could add in some magic, but the people would still be the same. There would still be cliques, parties, teachers, and curfews. When you look back at a schooling, you begin to realize what clique you fit in and what you were stereo-typed as.

As a seventh year, Mary McDonald was supposed to look back at the last six years of her schooling at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. When she did, all she saw was nothing. Sure, she had been sorted into Gryffindor, the house for the brave, but 25% of the kids who had been sorted this very day six years ago had been sorted into that house as well. Sure, she was smart, but nothing that had gotten her noticed throughout the years. She had her fair share of friends, but none that she would say she was extremely close to. She never gossiped and there was never gossip about her, so she always hid in the shadows. Maybe it was time for "change".

Mary tried to avoid her parents lectures about the Hogwarts party. Though her mother never knew about them, her father had been sorted into Gryffindor as well and knew the parties Gryffindors held. In truth, Mary normally hid in her dorm when those parties came around. She gave them both quick hugs before they could tell her to "keep up her grades and behave". Of course she would keep up her grades and behave. She was Mary McDonald, not some wild girl. She listened to her parents, to her teachers, and to the prefects at school. Even if she was a seventh year this year, top of the school, she would still listen to everyone.

Mary yanked her trunk behind her, feeling sweat break out on her skin. Mary was not anywhere near strong, her small body always something to be made fun of. Her trunk wasn't as heavy as some girls' trunks were, but she sure felt all those muggle clothes she had been talked into by Lily Evans to buy and the countless books she couldn't resist but bring along. Her brand new muggle outfit was definately feeling it as she could feel her arm pits burning. Bloody great she thought. Whenever she sweated, the rest of her body shut down as well: her hair frizzing, her make up running, and her perfume wearing away.

Quickly, she threw her trunk onto the train and rushed on herself. She needed to get out of the heat and needed to be able to set her trunk down. Her small arms burned from the weight she had just carried. She was willing to duck into any compartment, even if it meant it was full of Slytherins...Scratch that. Mary was never well-liked by Slytherins, being that she had a muggle mother. Maybe if it were Hufflepuffs, they would just be polite about her being there. If it were Ravenclaws, she could possibly join in on their conversations. She'd still probably look like a dumb Gryffindor to them.

She dropped her trunk in the doorway of the nearest compartment. It only had one occupant, so she thought it was the best choice for her. Sitting by himself was Sirius Black. Odd as it was, he was one of the most popular boys in Hogwarts, and yet he was sitting alone. It made sense though, since his best mates were either a prefect or the Head Boy. Mary's own best mate was the Head Girl herself, leaving Mary to find a compartment alone. Sirius and Mary weren't the best of friends, but they weren't enemies either. Being that they both were Gryffindor seventh years, they had been in all classes together since their first year.

Mary considered Sirius a friend. Not too much of a friend that his fan club gave her nasty looks in the hallways, but not so much of aquaintances that Sirius would ask her to leave. Or so she hoped. She probably looked the equivelent of a troll having just sweated in the slightest, but making everything look horrible about her. "Mind if I sit here, Sirius?" Mary asked. Sirius's good looks were never threatening towards Mary like they were towards others. She may have found him attractive, but she kept that to herself. She didn't find him as attractive as his fan club did, that was for sure. She heard giggling behind her and knew right away that they were already there. Before she got his answer, she ducked in the compartment, closing the door. "Sorry...some of them are pretty scary." Mary mumbled.

[Lily Evans]

just when you think that you're in control,
just when you think that you've got a hold,
just when you get on a roll,
here it goes again.

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Perseverance. A strange word, isn't it? You almost had to persevere just to get through saying the word. Per-suh-veer-uhns. Struggle through the sounds, let the syllables get trapped in the maze of taste buds on your tongue and work to free themselves in length. Definition: steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. Synonyms: doggedness, steadfastness, persistence, tenacity, pertinacity. Perseverance usually entails sacrifice, heavy planning, a straightforward path, closed-minded resistance to temptation, open-minded acceptance to obstacles, no minutes wasted on blessed sleep when each second could be filled with progress, many stressful tears, a plethora of mental break downs, nights spent alone gorging on old muggle romance novels and chocolate frogs. In essence, perseverance basically summed up Lily Evans' entire existence up until this very moment.

But she was here, finally, in the light she still felt she did not deserve but treasured all the same. She was honored, bewildered, gratified, enlightened. Of course, the rest of the school had said she was a "shoo-in", to use lament's terms. But Lily knew it was not as easy as...how did they all refer to it?: "Being Lily Evans." No, it was much, much more than that. She had had to spend entire nights studying, skip parties and quidditch matches, memorize entire spellbooks, learn magic well beyond her years, befriend and spoil teachers, turn down relationships, make her friends understand...

But it had been worth it. Right? Right. And from here, it was just up. Just more perseverance. Just more proving herself. Just more blood and sweat and tears and exhaustion. But just look how good it made her feel to be appreciated, to be needed! No, this was just the beginning. There was a long road ahead, and all Lily could do right now was hold her head high with a proud smile in her eyes, her new shiny Head Girl's badge she could finally wear pushing people in her path aside, and persevere some more.

And it was with this that she clutched her trolley tighter in her hands and pressed forward onto the Hogwarts Express, the train that took her home to Hogwarts every year.

Newly shined Mary Janes squeaking slightly as they led her, uniform already on--polished, pressed, presentable-- badge glinting slightly in her eyes to remind her of its presence, Lily Evans made her way towards the Heads Compartment. Her perfectly plaited braid stepped in rhythm with her every step, and her skirt brushed at the perfect acceptable knee length she always wore it. She knew, of course, what the Heads Compartment looked like. She had been invited into the Heads Compartment for the Prefect Meeting two years in a row now, but never had the sanctuary been hers to enjoy. And no, it wasn't really any different from the other compartments besides maybe slightly more comfortable seating and location, but it was the prestige that gave it speciality.

Lily knew she need not arrive at the compartment for another 42 minutes, but who whould she be if she did not prepare for her new role. She had--go figure--already written, rewritten, edited, and rehearsed what she was going to say today....but it wouldn't hurt to get a feel of the room, right? Right. Absolutely. Because after all, on time is late. What if someone else were to get there before her? How was that supposed to look, when she was supposed to be an example to all? No, of course she had to go straight away.

Her fingers tingled on the smooth handle of the compartment, a compartment that so many others just like her had clutched tightly with excited but contained and hardly shaking hands. This role involved complete nonchalance; she was to be a leader, and she had to show everyone how to be. She lifted her hand for a moment, traced it across the cool glass of the window, imagining the future that began right behind its drawn purple shade. With an intake of breath and a strong resolve, Lily pushed the door open her beginning...

And promptly yanked the door closed again as quickly as possible. What in the name of Merlin's raunchiest knickers was going on here?! This must be a nightmare, the worst kind of nightmare, the worst nightmare she had EVER had. But no, the crawling of her skin told her otherwise. Then it must be a prank! Yes, of course, not life's cruelest joke but a badly crafted, immature ridicule of her new authority! Oh, and it would be so easy to execute, considering the circumstances...but of course, it wouldn't be found funny to give her just a momentary heart attack, no no, that would not suffice and it definitely wouldn't be worth the effort...but it couldn't be....there was absolutely NO WAY....but what if? no the chances of that were slim, never mind that....but wait! what if?...no, but there was always the...could it really...? no no no no NO.

Peeling herself out of the horrified fetal position she had fallen into on the floor outside the compartment, she looked around terrifyingly with a white face and wild eyes.There was only one person who could calm Lily down at a time like this and give her some sense out of this and Lily needed her now. After frantically searching every compartment (or what felt like it), Lily finally found her. Lily only had eyes for this girl as she flopped down into the seat next to her and pulled her shoulders around so they were facing each other. She opened her mouth a few times, unable to find words, but finally she admitted her worst fears.

"Mare?" Lily breathed her best friend's name through her clenched teeth. "I think j....j-j...j-j-ja....P-Potter is Head Boy. And I think I'm going to projectile vomit."

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i should have known,
should have known,
should have known again,
but here it goes again.

[Sirius Black]

"Time came a-creeping,
oh, and time's a loaded gun"

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No, the person who entered the compartment was not Peter Pettigrew. Sirius knew he shouldn’t be surprised. If his other two friends ditched him to for student law enforcement it was only natural that Peter, who had never been the most outspoken of the group, follow suit...except instead of helping out the School Law Enforcement, he was probably following Remus or stuffing his face with sweets. Instead of seeing one of his best mates and Marauders step inside his compartment he saw his rather reserved housemate, Mary Macdonald. Her long dark hair seemed to act as a shield over the sides of her face as she spoke quietly to him. Sirius smirked; he had always found Mary quite attractive in the school librarian kind of way. He knew there was something crazy underneath the regular low maintenance girl and he had always made it his mission to let her know the possibilities of that fact.

“I see the summer has been good to you Macdonald,” he said jokingly as he looked her up and down, Slide on in.”

Mary and Sirius weren’t exactly close but they weren’t acquaintances either. Sirius considered her a relatively decent friend even though she liked to hang out with Evans and do homework a bit too much. In actual fact, if it hadn’t been for Lily Evans Sirius might have not known the existence of Mary Macdonald. She was a girl who liked to keep to herself for the most part. In a place where the rumours spread like wild fire, Mary was never the talk at Hogwarts for whatever reason. Still, he found her company interesting enough and she always was a good laugh, even if it was her reaction to his inappropriate jokes he was laughing at.

He readjusted his position so he was back to stretching across the compartment seats. Sirius always had a way of looking elegantly casual in all of his poses. Many people thought he practiced these in much of the same way as those muggle models in those glossy magazines that don’t move, but it was not the case. Sirius had a disposition about him that fused lazy and chic to perfection. There was a mystery about him that drew people in and a smile that melted them over and over again.

Sirius peered behind Mary where he heard the familiar giggles of the younger girls that attended Hogwarts. As if it were too perfect to be true, those giggles of affection had almost become Sirius Black’s theme music.

"Sorry...some of them are pretty scary." Mary said.

Sirius let out a chuckle as he shrugged, “ Oh it’s just one of the many burdens a face like this has to live with,” he joked as if this was some casual thing to have girls fanning over in, he picked up his small pouch of candies and held them out to Mary, “Every Flavour Bean?”

Just then, the compartment door slid open. Without much grace or humility a flash of red flooded the compartment and landed in an open part of the seats beside Mary. Lily Evans seemed to be having a panic attack.

“Just make sure to keep it off the carpets...don’t want those little house elves to slave away because someone here can’t hold their alcohol,” Sirius smirk was spread so far it could have stretched across the entire train.

He had known Lily for six years and even since the two met they had butted heads. He loved to get her riled up and she loved to...hit him, repeatedly. He just assumed it was her way of telling him she was madly in love with him.

“Don’t get your knickers in a knot or anything Evans, Prongsee only borrowed the badge from the actual Head Boy; me.” His smile remained tattooed on his tanned face. With Lily Evans already near tears this was bound to be a year to remember.[/blockquote][/size]

[Mary Macdonald]

Normally with an attractive guy around, there were many girls who had crushes on them. In normal circumstances, those girls hid their crushes from said boy. Sirius Black was a whole different story. The girls did not just have crushes, no, they were obsessed. They probably had shrines in their rooms at home. They probably snuck into his dorm and stole his silk boxers so that they could wear them around to arouse themselves during classes without being noticed. People called those girls the "Sirius Black Fan Club". When truely, they were just mental.

Though Mary could not blame them particularly. Sirius Black was attractive and completely comfortable in his own skin which probably made him more attractive to those girls. Mary constantly heard both ends of Sirius Black, however. All the other girls in her dorm besides Lily, were obsessed with Sirius. They would constantly talk about how attractive he was. Lily, on the other hand, constantly bashed the bloke and talked about how he was just like James Potter (who Mary thought was a fine fellow). Nonetheless, Mary didn't have that strong of an opinion on any of the Marauders. Mainly because of her being shy, she hadn't met them on any certain meaningful level.

Mary tucked a piece of hair behind her ear (a nervous habit) and smiled slightly at Sirius. He had a way of making Mary feel slightly uncomfortable whenever he was around. He'd make perverted jokes or comment on how she looked. Always, it made her feel odd. Her face was already a red color. "Thank you" Mary mumbled, her face turning the same shade of her best mate's hair. Speaking of which, Mary barely had time to react to Lily Evans stumbling into the room and grabbing a hold on Mary's shoulder.

James Potter? Prefect? Some things just simply didn't make sense. If Remus had made prefect, that would have made more sense, but James Potter? That was like Mary dating Sirius Black. That was like Lily dating James. Mary wasn't sure how to react, but knew that Lily was waiting for her to try to help her. Mary's mind was blank. She tried to think up something, maybe even a small joke, but this was a matter that seemed too big to handle. "Uh...err...did...uhh..." Mary mumbled, her mouth staying slightly open, as though the words would just come out like magic. Anything was possible.

"Maybe he stole it from Remus?" Mary suggested after hearing Sirius's joke. Yet Mary knew, as did Lily, that James Potter was truely the Head Boy. There was no way for Mary to talk Lily out of killing him this time. "Well...let's look at the plus side." Mary started, unsure of where she was going to take this. "This is a lot of responsibility. Maybe...just maybe...before the school ends possibly...he might actually mature up?" Mary knew just as well as the next person that James Potter would always be a child.

[Lucius Malfoy]

.

Summer was usually the highlight of every student's year. A time to escape from the stressful study habits of school and get some relaxing done, as well as some vacationing. It was a time to reflect on all of the previous' years findings and prepare oneself for a new start and for many a better outcome to follow up with in the year soon to come. For some students, like many Ravenclaws, it was a time for even more studying and focusing on the next year's quizzes, tests, exams, and O.W.L.s. For Lucius, however it was just a long period of time sitting around the Manor and wishing day-by-day that summer could end sooner. Sure, his family had their fair share of vacations, and he personally had his pick of guests over, but school was where the fun was. Though the Malfoy name meant a lot everywhere, school was where it meant the most, at least for seventeen year old Lucius. And this would go above and beyond his year to shine.

He never expected to get Head Boy, and had he received it he might have taken a sip of something only to spit it out in total disbelief of the situation. However, he did still remain a Prefect, and that was power enough for him. The title of Head Boy and Head Girl, though more powerful than that of Prefect, never interested him. It was usually handed out to some slimy Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, or worse yet, Hufflepuff. In fact, he didn't think he had ever seen a Slytherin wear the title, and therefore it seemed like something of a pansy thing to gain, regardless of what the job entailed. No, Lucius could have just as much, if not more fun patrolling the corridors as a seventh year Prefect rather than following the strict rules of a stuck-up Head Boy.

Lucius felt no sense of urgency in boarding the train at Platform 9 3/4. He had never missed it before, and it felt a little juvenile to be rushing for it as the large crowds of students (mainly first years) were still surrounding it. He suspected it wouldn't leave until it at least looked like the children in their new uniforms scurrying around aimlessly and nervous as can be were gone. However, being a Malfoy and feeling it his rightful place and duty, he followed the need to shove through the crowd without even one "Excuse me" to a single parent or student. He made his way fairly quickly to the front, as once he had started, many of the students ahead of him had noticed his pushing and had already cleared a pathway. It wasn't only his name that made him so feared among the other students, but also the significant size difference - or at least that's what it was for the wave of students he was making his way through. It must have been a sight for the students on the train to see, as he was at least a foot taller than nearly all of the kids not on the train yet.

He climbed up on the stairs smoothly and through the sliding door where he found himself at the end of one of the hallways. He planned a trip to his usually compartment in the back half of the train. Oftentimes the younger students kept up front, and therefore Lucius made sure to stay toward the back and out of their eager ears and obnoxious yammer. Not to mention it was always a very easy way to find the classmates he actually cared to be around. They always knew just where to find him because of his "creature of habit" tendencies. He pulled up his luggage and began making his way back, when suddenly a figure rushed passed him and he stopped to blink at her for a moment.

It was Lily Evans. Apparently she would be the new Head Girl. What a surprise. He scoffed at her and nearly yelled out to her for pushing him in her hurry to wherever she was off to, but he instead decided to follow her as quickly as she moved. She had stopped at a compartment and opened the door, and he stood in the shadows to watch silently, knowing she hadn't noticed him in her rush. She was going on to someone about something having to do with James Potter being Head Boy? Impossible. Well, perhaps not impossible, but at the least improbable. However, projectile vomiting seemed to be a bit dramatic, even considering the ridiculous news.

He then heard another voice, not the one he had expected. It was coming from a male, and it was one which he recognised very well. Mostly from the get-togethers his family put on, but school did help this factor. Sirius Black, he thought to himself, his eyes narrowing and a mischievous grin easing its way onto his lips. He nearly took a step forward just to be sure he was correct in his suspicions, but not only was the tone and quality a dead giveaway, he also had a certain air about him that made it obvious. Lucius crept forward ever so slowly and carefully, but just as he did so, Lily was in the compartment and the door had slid shut. He moved to it in a snake-like manner and leaned against the wall just before the door so he could listen in on the conversation. He had found it was best to sometimes listen before opening one's mouth. There was so much to say to Sirius. Patience, Lucius, he told himself. The more dirt you can gather, the better.

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[Lily Evans]

just when you think that you're in control,
just when you think that you've got a hold,
just when you get on a roll,
here it goes again.

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Lily's head was now spinning and she leaned her forehead against the window, the cool throat of the September morning chill though the train had yet to leave the station, in fear that she really would lose the contents of her stomach. If Lily could ever imagine something worse...well, she really couldn't imagine something worse. If Potter really was Head Boy? She'd have to work with him. She'd have to talk to him. She have to look at him. She'd have to...she shivered wildly at the thought...be his colleague. If Potter really was Head Boy, then he was one of those obstacles that stood in the way of her destiny. Only she had learned in early years that James Potter was not the type to step aside and let her through. No, if anything, he'd hold on tight and try to be tripping her gaily the whole time.

"I just don't get it," There was slight defeat in her voice, confusion buzzing around her head like a live, visible source. "I mean....Potter may think he's all that, but when it comes down to it, he couldn't confund a dead possum let alone the greatest wizard in the world, so that rules that out...although I wouldn't put it past him to try, the doltish cheeky berk..."

It was then that she recognized Sirius was present, and she blinked at him as though he were appearing from a thick mist. Just as fast as the fluster had come on, it disappeared and Lily's telltale glare came startlingly vivid in her emerald green eyes. Her eyes narrowed into such slim slits that her eyelashes looked almost as if they had been tailored together. A deep maroon started to crawl up the veins of her neck and into her cheekbones. Sirius knew something about this that she didn't and even if he didn't, she could always take her anger and confusion out on him anyway.

Lily bit her lip hard at his comment, hard enough to feel the blood pulsing at the top of her bottom lip as if threatening to escape. Of course he thought this was funny. Life was always a big fat laugh to Sirius bugger-anything-important-in-this-world Black. She tried to resist the temptation to lash back, but temptation was too strong.

"And what? Let the school burn down in blue flames? Add thirty new ghosts of students to the already colorful group we have now? Spread a brand new sexual disease all over the school, courtesy of our Head Boy? I think not, Black," She scoffed at the thought of anyone in the world giving Black any sort of position of power. Not likely to happen in any life. She did pause for a moment though, "Although, with Potter as Head Boy, we could be headed in that direction anyway...except for the whole disease part. No one would touch Potter with a sixty foot pole even if it had a basilisk hanging off the front to protect them...."

[/b]

It was times like these that Lily thanked Merlin that Mary was her best friend. Although both of them knew that there was no way in the entire world that anything could fix this situation, she still managed to try and give it her best shot. It's what best friends were for: try to make the situation reasonable, and if not, get out the angry pitchforks and torches and prepare to blow the place up.

"I'd like to think that Remus would be a little more responsible with something like a Head Boy badge. Out of the group, he seems to be the only one that can manage to keep his head out of his arse long enough to be a civil human being. No I think there's something a lot worse going on here, and I intend on getting to the bottom of it."

Although these words were intended for Mary, her eyes (what you could see of them) did not cease staring into Sirius' inner being (she refused to believe a soul rested in there) and tearing it to shreds with her mind's magical cheese grater.

"I know you are planning something. I don't know how you think you are managing this, what you think you are managing, and in Merlin's name why you do what you do, but I'm warning you now. As I live and breathe, you will not ruin this for me. You will not use it to your advantage. And one wrong move, and you'll be missing a few body parts after being thrown off the North Tower, strangled by tentacula, and force fed to the giant spiders of the Forbidden Forest, do you hear me??"[/size]
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i should have known,
should have known,
should have known again,
but here it goes again.

[Sirius Black]

"Time came a-creeping,
oh, and time's a loaded gun"

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Sirius watched as Mary reacted to the lunatic in the compartment that used to be Lily Evans. Mary didn’t seem to be all that shocked or surprised by Lily’s change in demeanour, perhaps it was because she, like Sirius, had seen the many sides of Lily Evans. While it was true, Evans had always been extremely methodical and collected in herself she could turn into hurricane Lily with a flip of a switch. She was a fighter. Much like her hair, Lily could be as feisty as any Slytherin. For some odd reason Sirius always seemed to see this side of her. He couldn’t put his finger on it but he was starting to think he was the trigger to her violent mood swings...either that or the mother of all PMS.

Mary muttered her imput somewhat impassively. She seemed to not be affected by Sirius’ playful jokes and her only concern was to calm Lily down. That was a challenge if Sirius ever saw one, though, again, Sirius wasn’t exactly the best person for her to be around in such a state. For some reason she always became violent.

The only thing Sirius could do to hold the hysterical laughter inside of him was to stuff a handful of Every Flavour Beans in his mouth. The mixture of sweet, salty, and disgusting flavours mixed together to make a sort of cocktail of a new flavour altogether. At first it wasn’t relatively bad, but after a couple of seconds the not as nice beans took over and it became almost unbearable. All he could do was swallow...he couldn’t exactly spit it up on Lily and Mary. Ok, maybe he could but he really wanted to save off being hit as long as he could. So instead, he took the hero’s route and swallowed, much to his discomfort. Coughing, he was able to catch Lily’s hysterics turn into a complete lecture.

"Although, with Potter as Head Boy, we could be headed in that direction anyway...except for the whole disease part. No one would touch Potter with a sixty foot pole even if it had a basilisk hanging off the front to protect them...."

Okay, so perhaps Sirius had been a bit surprised when James received the letter telling him he had earned Head Boy honors. Everyone thought Remus would be a shoe in, what with his fondness for that horrid torture chamber some people called the library. Still, Sirius would be lying if he wasn’t extremely excited about the possibilities the title held. With James as Head Boy it would be even easier to get away with everything they had been doing for years. Their pranks, late night parties, and general tomfoolery would go off without a hitch and if all went as planned Sirius would be spending a lot less time in detention. Still, the thought of James and Remus ditching him to help enforce the rules they so often broke as a group seemed almost treasonous.

Still coughing, Sirius managed to retort with a mischievous grin, “ Hmmm, sending the school up in blue flame, I never thought of that one. Thanks Evans.” He said with a wink, “And quit talking about James’ package…my innocent ears will be scarred for life.”

He let out a barking laugh that was half covered in his coughs. He had a way of skewing Lily’s words to make them the suit his means. Of course this lead to more discomfort for him but her reactions was too priceless to give up. There was absolutely nothing innocent about Sirius, despite how well he could pull off those puppy dog eyes and heart melting smile.

Yawning, he looked over at Mary and raised his eyebrow at bit as Lily ranted and went on about how Sirius was planning something. She really did know him too well. It was a little scary at times but he didn’t let it faze him in the least. He half lay there, a coy smirk on his small lips as his mind began to wander. He wondered if Evans was aware that her voice went up about four octaves when she was angry. She could probably kill a small bird with pipes like that.

“I think the dragons in Romania heard you Evans,” he said sarcastically, “But I don’t know if you heard, I’m turning over a new leaf this year. I’m taking the straight route and hitting those books. I was just going to ask Mary here if she wanted to give me some private tutor sessions,” he stopped as a suggestive smile replaced his coy smirk. He added a quick wink before continuing as if he had said nothing out of the ordinary, “ You could join too Evans, if you have time from your Head Girl duties. I’m sure James is going to keep you extremely busy.”

The sarcasm dripped from each word in an almost playful way. The train hadn’t even made it to Hogwarts and the possibility of Sirius getting a detention was quite high. However, he wasn’t much worried about that. For him, he lived so much in the moment the consequences of his actions were always a foreign concept to him.

He looked over at the door and stopped. Blinking slightly he could have sworn he saw a shadow or something move behind the tinted glass. He shook his head. Maybe these beans were making him crazy. No, that was stupid, it was Evans, it was always Evans.
[/blockquote][/size]

[Lucius Malfoy]

.

It was almost too hard to remain quiet outside of the compartment. First, with Lily being so dramatic about the entire affair, he wanted to just burst in and give her something to really complain about. Lucius could now recognize a third voice within the compartment, owned by one of his favorites to mess with, and she tempted him even more to make his grand entrance. Then there was the cocky existence of his old friend Sirius - something he hated to admit. There was so much to say to him now that he had made his hatred for his family and all of the Purebloods who thought they were better than everyone else known. The problem with those considerations was Purebloods were better than everyone else. No thinking about it.

During this time, people were scurrying by him to get to compartments and he knew he needed to set his luggage somewhere safely out of the way of their reckless feet. Across the way from the Gryffindor compartment he was positioned at now was an empty one he decided would be good enough to use, considering the current circumstances. He grabbed his luggage and pulled it into the compartment, shoving it onto one of the seats and not concerning himself with stowing it away anywhere. He would probably be back very soon, and anyone who entered the compartment, he would surely see. He stopped at the compartment door to let a large group of first years pass through. He guessed it was best, after all, that he sat here. They were obviously getting a little more interested in the back of the train than the front. He then made his way back and stood in his initial position.

"But I don’t know if you heard, I’m turning over a new leaf this year." He heard those words come from Sirius' mouth, and although it was in a joking manner with the girls, it got Lucius heated. It was true that the idiot had practically denied his family and his heritage, and sorted as a Gryffindor? How embarrassing. Sirius was lucky he still had his life intact with that sort of arrogance. Why, had Lucius been a strong blood relative, he may have very well put him out of the disgusting excuse for a life he was making for himself. He knew it was only a matter of time before he burst into the compartment and made some not-so-nice comments to his old playmate, but he didn't realize quite how soon that time would come.

Those words had just continued to spin around in his head, and all he wanted to do was go in there and beat the stupid right out of Sirius. He realised then that he had been holding his breath and as soon as he released all of that warm air, he found himself throwing the compartment door open and his eyes immediately fell to that dark-haired mongrel in his seat. "I thought I smelled a traitor in this compartment," he growled, gripping the edges of the compartment hard so he couldn't break free and start fighting. His eyes never left Sirius, but he could see that he was right in thinking there were only two others in the compartment, both being female. Neither concerned him, regardless of the title Lily held. She was just a filthy little Mudblood, and he dared her to try and cause some trouble for him.

[/blockquote][/font]

[Mary Macdonald]

Lily always had mixed relationships with the Marauders. One minute she would be talking calmly to Sirius, the next she was ripping his head off. The only one she ever seemed to get along with was Remus, but even then she bit off his head if he defended his friends. That's why Mary stayed neutral when it came to anything involving the Marauders. She never really had a strong opinion as it was, but when cornered for such a thing, she always hid underneath her skin. It was never a strong point with Mary to ask her opinion on things. She tried to please everyone.

Mary had heard the James Potter rants from Lily countless times. She had been pretty good at blocking it out and agreeing to whatever it was Lily said. Sometimes, Lily didn't have reason and wouldn't listen to anyone else, so it was best to just nod and agree. It was easy for Mary to just agree with others, however. If Lily was happy with calling James an arrogant prick or in this case: a doltish cheeky berk, then that's what he was for the moment. Mary just knew that Lily would give in and date the boy by the end of the year. It was obvious in the way she had talked about him over the summer.

"I expected Remus to get it, actually. Bit of a shock to find out he didn't." Mary commented on Lily's ranting. It comforted Lily to just hear talking from her best mate, so Mary made sure she could comment on anything she could. Lily tended to talk herself out of a hernia anyways, Mary rarely had to do any convincing. "Must mean Potter did something right, you know? Professor Dumbledore wouldn't have given him the position if he didn't deserve it in some way, Lils."

Again, Sirius made it his goal to make Mary feel insanely uncomfortable. It was the most ridiculous thing to find Sirius Black in a library or even seen with Mary without others around. The thought made Mary a little uncomfortable. She didn't know what she would have done if Lily hadn't shown up. Probably would have started some awkward conversation that led her excusing herself from the room and trying to find a new compartment, praying that Sirius forgot what she had said. "Only way you'd be found in the library is if someone was impersonating a sexy librarian for you." Mary mumbled, smirking at Lily from behind her hair.

"You'll only be alone with him for a short time. It won't be that horrible." Mary said, trying to counteract Sirius's snide comments. Lily would probably snap at Sirius and curse him before it was too long. The small red-head had the biggest temper in Hogwarts. Everyone knew this about Lily. What Mary knew, however, was that Lily cooled herself down; that little fire head burned itself out. It may take a few words from Mary to do it, but it was just to hear another voice that did it for her.

Before they could so much as react, Lucius Malfoy stood in the doorway. Immediately, Mary sunk back into her seat, trying to make herself invisible. Mary was easily threatened by Slytherins, especially those like Lucius Malfoy. It wasn't so much as what they said about her (this she never took to heart), but it was what they said about Lily that bothered her. Sirius could handle himself though and Lucius's words were directed at him. Mary just hoped a duel wouldn't ensue.

[/blockquote]

[Sirius Black]

"Time came a-creeping,
oh, and time's a loaded gun"

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The train moved seamlessly over its winding tracks as they furthered themselves into the depths of Britain. Soon they would be at Hogwarts where another school year would start along with everything that went with it. By the way things were already going on the train that afternoon there was no telling what they were in for by the time they entered the Great Hall for the opening feast. The Head Girl was on the verge of a mental collapse, someone clearly miss-addressed the Head Boy letter to James Potter, and with the length of time that Peter had been absent from following Sirius around like a lost puppy, all the candy trolleys were most likely raided of all the good sweets; such a pity.

Mary continued to try her best to soothe Lily, but it was a battle already lost. Sirius knew when Evans got in one of her moods there was no making it better…or maybe it was no way he specifically could make it better. You know, if he wasn’t mistaken he could have sworn the girl had it out for him.

"Only way you'd be found in the library is if someone was impersonating a sexy librarian for you." He heard Mary retort to his comment quietly.

All Sirius could do was smirk as he flicked his hair from his eyes with ease, “ Thanks for the offer Macdonald, I’ll keep that one in mind for later.” He added a wink that on anyone else would seem exceedingly cheesy before letting a laugh escape his lips. He looked up at the ceiling of the compartment and shook his head. Sometimes it was just too easy.

Suddenly the compartment door slid open and slammed into the side of the wall where it retracted. Sirius raised his eyebrow as he saw Mary jump slightly at the newest arrival. As he saw the lanky, blond figure enter the room Sirius had the unavoidable reaction to vomit all over his overpriced shoes. Lucius Malfoy looked positively outraged…but Sirius assumed if he walked like he had a wand up his arse he would look a bit angry as well.

The history between the two boys was complicated at best. It was also one Sirius never wished to speak about. Instantly he sat up a bit straighter in his seat as Lucius’ slimy voice filled the room.

“And I thought I smelled a slimy git lurking behind the door,” Sirius retorted, his voice like ice as he mirrored Lucius’ hard stare.

The two boys had fallen out long before they ever started at Hogwarts. Sirius had always been different from Lucius and when the two were forced to play together it only constituted in a stressed and tired affair. Still, they had been decently close for a time but that all blew up in flames in their first year. Lucius liked to blame Sirius’ shocking sorting but Sirius knew the real reason for the falling out, Lucius’ uncanny ability to be a complete and utter douche in every situation.

He put his hands behind his head as a devilish grin formed over his intense features; he knew just how to play this game Lucius thought he was so good at.

“Can’t you see we were in the middle of something Lucy,” Sirius said snidely, “ Evans was giving me an insightful lecture about…something or other, but I guess since you were easedropping the entire time you’d know all about it,” he said tauntingly, “ You know just because you don’t have any friends doesn’t mean you can live through me…I know I’m great and all but really man, it’s a bit pathetic.”

Each word was said lightly but the look in Sirius’ eye gave a completely other impact. Though his lighter than air way about him gave off the casual indifference he knew Lucius so much hated, each word was specifically placed to send an annoying blow at his opponent.

So much for an uneventful trip to Hogwarts. Too bad it was also the trip the Marauders were split up because Sirius could sure have used some more back up to send Lucius back into the cave where he came from. [/blockquote][/size]

[James Potter]

.

It had been almost impossible to believe even for him, the thought of getting the title of Head Boy. He couldn't imagine how his mates would react, let alone half the school. He hadn't exactly had the greatest history, although his grades were definitely up to par. Behavioral issues - eh, not so much, and this was the reason being Head Boy surprised him so much. Sure, he had backed off quite a bit in that department, but never would he ever have expected to gain such an esteemed title. He couldn't stop staring at the shiny badge to prove that it wasn't some terrible joke the professors had decided to play on him and the rest of the school. Surely they weren't thinking that elaborately, but who knew? At this rate, anything was possible.

James had already boarded the train and placed his luggage neatly in the compartment saved for the two Heads. He patted the empty space beside his luggage and sighed thoughtfully. Lily. The name alone filled his head with images of the girl, most of which had some sort of stern facial expression, but boy, was she pretty. She was such a strange love interest for him because of the differences they had, but he couldn't resist her. And she just looks so damn cute when she's angry, he thought, a smile bubbling up onto his face. He shook it off quickly. She would be the person most astonished by his new title, and she was the only person he could even care to impress with it. The others would probably pick on him for it, aside from Lupin, who may be a little under the weather about it all, though he wasn't certain.

He realised his hand was still lying in that empty space where Lily's luggage was sure to go soon enough. Removing it, he shut the doors and made his way toward the food cart to grab a bite to eat. He had a strange obsession with collecting chocolate frogs, and he wasn't sure why. It was just one of those strange quirks, he supposed. He had very few of them, and this really wasn't anything that bothered anyone, so what was the harm? He saw their friend Peter and patted him on the back lightly, saying nothing more, as the poor boy had stuffed his mouth full of the treats he had purchased. James went on to purchase three chocolate frogs, hoping to share one with the three who would surely back in the compartment since Peter was out here. Sirius, Remus, and of course, himself. Then he could see what cards he received.

On his way through the train, he stumbled upon good old Lucius Malfoy, a seventh year Slytherin who always had the same look on his face, regardless of the situation. It seemed like a mix of constipation and a bad father figure. Nothing a good trip to St. Mungo's and a bit of father-son bonding couldn't fix, but it was never that easy with this brute. James had come upon the scene just when Lucius had flung the door open, and James instinctively stopped at the sound of his best friend's voice. He should have known. Those two seemed to more often than not have it out for each other. Lucius didn't really enjoy James much either, probably partly due to James' interest in Lily, his being a member of Gryffindor House, the way they treated his buddy Severus, and the fact that he was friends with Sirius. Sirius was probably the real kicker, though.

James approached the door in the middle of the glaring that ensued between the two. He rested a hand on Malfoy's right shoulder and gave a light tap on the compartment door. "Knock, knock!" he said as though there was nothing out of the ordinary going on. "Hope I'm not interrupting anything important here!" Though he had originally been excited to see Sirius in the compartment, his eyes quickly darted to Lily, who looked as though she had seen a ghost. He questioned if more had happened with the situation than he had first assumed. What with Mary huddled up in the corner looking worried as could be, Lily pale as ever, and Sirius angrier than the two of them were nervous or upset, something very serious may very well have happened.

He slid his way into the compartment passed Lucius and took a seat beside Sirius. He clasped his fingers together and kept all eyes on Lily. He winked at her and then nodded down to his badge. If she wasn't upset before now, she surely would be seeing him sporting the Head Boy badge. "Don't worry, Lily. Now you'll get to spend loads of time working side-by-side with me." He couldn't get rid of his cheeky smile, and he didn't even feel like trying. He had been waiting for the reaction she might have since he first received the news he would be receiving the title. Sure, he could have written her about it all, but it wouldn't have proven nearly as fun as seeing her reaction in person.

[/font][/size]

[Lucius Malfoy]

.

Had Lucius been a pot of water, his temperature would have been set to boiling. He was in a constant state of simmer about everything that gone on with Sirius. The boy was an embarrassment to his bloodline, his family, his friends. This was the most important problem to him, due to the fact that they had been some sort of friends as children. Most people did not know about it, because neither party wanted to brag about the other. Even if they were trying to make the other look bad, it would only hurt both reputations in the process. Neither was really above that sort of blackmail, but both were far too full of themselves to take that sort of downfall just to knock the other down a peg or two.

He had almost taken a hit on Mary Macdonald who had huddled herself up in the corner of the compartment like the weak-minded fool she was, but Sirius' words snapped him back into what was really important here. There would be many opportunities available for attacking Mary and her filthy friend, but now was not the time. Sirius needed to be the one and only focus unless the others spoke up. Usually he liked to remain on the offensive side of the line, but not at this moment. “And I thought I smelled a slimy git lurking behind the door,” Sirius had snapped back at him, boiling him over the pot and ready to take the argument up a notch, not quite into an all out brawl. Not yet, anyway.

"Clever, Sirius. And just when I thought you were losing your sting," he barked back. He could feel his wand resting on his leg, ready to be pulled out at any given moment and fired at his enemy. It would be a pretty bad start to the year, but it might be worth it. It wasn't like this sack of garbage didn't deserve that sort of treatment. Sure, the Mudblood Queen might have to disagree, but he could handle a little reprimanding and even a few detentions and loss of House points if it meant sending Sirius to the Nurse before school even began. He somehow doubted it would get to that point, though. "Who needs friends when you can make enemies easier and at a much faster rate?" he spat, running a hand through his blonde hair. "Who considers you great, you pompous miscreant? Your family hates you, and the people you consider friends are this sort of trash? A Mudblood and her loyal friend? Pathetic."

Just then another figure had come into the party, placing a hand on Lucius' back, which pissed him even further than he had already been. He shrugged James' hand off immediately and almost tackled him to the ground for touching him at all. "Ah, wonderful, another blood traitor to join this lovely mix..." he muttered as James took a seat beside Sirius. Without his companions to help this fight, it seemed like it was going to be very one-sided. As Sirius gained supporters, Lucius was becoming more and more outnumbered. He glanced in both directions to see if he might happen to see one of his fellow Slytherins, but it was to no avail. He turned his attention back on the members of the compartment.

[/blockquote][/font]

[Remus Lupin]

& I WAKE UP EVERY EVENING
WITH A BIG SMILE ON MY FACE
( and it never seems out of place )

Remus had a less than extraordinary summer. He spent most nights in the loft inside his parent's barn house. He had managed to finally get an old, beat up couch up the stairs with the help of legal magic. Sure, past years he could have asked his father to help him, but he already gave his parents enough trouble with his condition. Why trouble them more with chores that would only benefit himself and not them as well? The most "excitement" Remus had received over the summer was getting his new prefect badge. Not Head Boy, but Prefect. Prefect. Of all things; Prefect. Then to hear that James would be head boy. Remus could not help but wonder if James and Sirius set this up as a little summer pranking. If one thought about it, they would do such a thing; just to give all the other prefects a scare. It would be so them too.

Lily Evans, now that was one hundred percent understandable. She had been a fine prefect in the prior years. Surely Remus had not been a lousy Prefect in the last two years? He hoped that was not the case. Was this some sort of love match between Lily and Potter? Well, he was certainly not going to tell his red haired friend that. He was certain that if she found out she would murder James once and for all just to prove her point. While he was a younger year, he always found it funny how James would do back flips for Lily yet she couldn't stand him. Now though, it was rather annoying. That must have been from the close bond he now had with both parties. While he was not romantically interested in Lily, it was nice to know that she was one girl he could trust with the knowledge of his condition.

So, here he was, sitting in an empty compartment and waiting his friends and the train to leave the station. Unfortunately, younger years decided to pile in with the prefect for safety reasons before the train left. Remus was not really fond of kids, especially around those eleven and thirteen years. Yet, he was packed in with twelve year olds that were trying to sound impressive but were certainly far from. To think, at one point this was him and his friends. As soon as the train got a bolt of movement, Remus was out of his seat and out in the train's hall. He was making his way, peering into each compartment for James, Sirius, or even Peter. Towards the back, he could have sworn he spotted a messy head of dark hair. Without thinking about it, Remus followed the sight of it towards the very back.

James seemed to have a certain Slytherin stuck in his way, one to which Remus could happily roll his eyes at. "Listen mate, there are plenty of compartments here and I'm pretty sure one will have a mix you'd much prefer," Remus said before he followed James' way of moving past Lucius and into the compartment, but sitting next to Lily instead. Remus looked up at Lucius, it was a five against one match and surely the Slytherin would know how to pick a fight by now. Besides, Lucius would putting himself in a bad place for harassing the Heads and another Prefect. "See you're in love with your badge," Remus said, nodding at James' Head Boy badge. Moony was still far from happy for being stuck as a prefect. But throwing a tantrum at the moment? No, he would save it for a full moon and bottle it up until then.

[/center]

WORDS,, 611
TAGGED,, all of you awesome cats.
OUTFIT,, there's no link because idk what zach gilford would wear.
MUSIC,, Rescued by Jack's Mannequin
NOTES,, ohai
TEMPLATE,, by PANIC! ITS LAUZ of CAUTION

[Lily Evans]

just when you think that you're in control,
just when you think that you've got a hold,
just when you get on a roll,
here it goes again.

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Exhausted or panicky? Defeated or disgusted? Lily had absolutely no idea right now what direction she was headed in, or what approach to take. Absolutely nothing made sense to Lily right now, so obviously that just left one answer: Lily had begun to lose her mind in the stress of her life. It was bound to happen one day, and everyone said it would happen, but Lily had been too stubborn to believe it. Well, now she believed it and she even clung desperately to the notion. It was better than accepting it as reality, and the pieces all fit into place. Let's look at the facts: James Potter--read it--JAMES POTTER is Head Boy, Remus Lupin is NOT Head Boy, Mary was trying but failing gallantly at calming Lily down for the first time in her life, Lily was confused out of her mind, Peter was not following Potter around at every possible moment, and now SIRIUS BLACK was talking about his new pursuit of turning over a new leaf. HA. It was more likely that Gilderoy Lockhart think even an eyelash on his face is ugly or Lucius Malfoy get down on hand and knee and profess his undying love for Lily the Mudblood.

She had stayed up maybe just a smidge too late last night in order to make sure she had her Head Girl welcome down to every last punctuation mark (which signified a breath or a pause--there is a difference in her mind--depending on which mark of punctuation she had chosen) and she had been just a bit too shaky this morning from nerves. Had the burn she had gotten on her right ring finger while ironing her uniform this morning somehow completely addled her brain? She had to be hallucinating, she just had to be. It was the only logical explanation.

Lily frowned at Sirius and didn't move anything but her wrist as she flicked her wand at Sirius, successfully smacking him round the head without moving an inch from her seat. She watched him flinch and bit back a smile--some things just never got old and inflicting physical pain on Sirius when she was in one of her moods was one of them--before reprimanding him as usual.

"First of all, everyone knows that I was being sarcastic about the blue flames. If you had just picked up a book for once in your life, Magical Elements and Their Expansions Through Time would have told you that blue flames are non-expansive and surely would not physically be able to expand to such a size as to burn down the entirety of Hogwarts. Secondly, Mary has much better taste than the likes of you, and you lay one finger on her and risk having a garden gnome as part of your permanent facial features. Finally, just because this...unfortunate, unexplainable, disgusting and incomprehensible event has occurred, that does NOT mean I will be spending any more time with P--"

"I thought I smelled a traitor in this compartment,"

Lily looked up from her rant, her mouth opened slightly in rage that she had been interupted. Who now? Who else could possibly ruin this day anymore than it already had been ruined? But her mouth closed quickly as she saw the fire in Lucius Malfoy's eyes, eyes that were only for his long time enemy Sirius Black. Although Lily had talked Malfoy down time and time again, there was always something about the first time he walked into a room that faltered her for a second with fear. It happened with a lot of Slytherins, mostly due to the torture they had inflicted on her in her earlier years at Hogwarts, but she always composed herself shortly after. Malfoy was, only human, and calling him human was even being just too kind. Lily felt Mary shrink at her side and knew it was only for a moment--Mary's tolerance for Slytherins in the same room as Lily was very low, and it was only pride for her best friend that kept her mouth shut.

As for now...and if she was very, very lucky...wands were not pulled. There wasn't anything she could do to stop this right now, as they weren't technically doing anything wrong, and Lily was a smart enough cookie to know that opening her mouth or drawing even the slightest attention to herself, and all hell may break loose. Although she rarely got along well with Sirius, she knew Mary was not the only one who would be ripping out Malfoy's throat if he dared to call her a mudblood, and that was the only name he seemed to know her by.

And just when it could have been bad, it got WAY WAY worse. The moment the word left Malfoy's lips, Potter had to tramp into the room and in NO WAY WHATSOEVER would Lily tolerate him "fighting for her honor" or whatever he always called it. Holding her breath, she prayed to dear Merlin that all had gone unnoticed by his entrance, and for the first time today someone answered her prayers and gave her some mercy. Not only did Potter not seem to hear what Malfoy was saying, but he also did not take the seat next to Lily. What a blessing! What a prayer! Maybe he really had changed this yea--

"Don't worry, Lily. Now you'll get to spend loads of time working side-by-side with me."

If anger was tangible, Potter would have just received a cannonball in the face from the look she shot him. Finally, somewhere to channel this anger. Previously, she had been wondering what she had done to deserve this. Now that he was visible, she had reached a conclusion: it was all his fault.

"I'd rather spend quality time with a pile of Severus Snape's week old clipped toenails than even be in a room with you any longer than I have to," she spat at him, eyeing him dangerously. Secretly, she was searching for any sign of a changed man, but she knew that wasn't possibly. First of all, in order to be a changed man, you'd have to be a man and not an immature child. Second of all, one look at his usual tangled hair, wrinkled uniform, and all-knowing smirk told her everything she needed to know: nothing had changed. This really was the year from hell.

Remus entered the compartment and took a seat next to him, calming her for just a second. She always got along very well with Remus and she was excited to see him after a summer apart. She could tell that he too wasn't happy with the idea of Potter as Head Boy, and this cheered her up slightly--though not nearly enough.

"See you're in love with your badge,"

"Only because he's preparing completely abuse it and rip my beloved Hogwarts into every shred he can possibly manage," she stated bitterly, in what was obviously an undertone but in what could plainly be heard by the whole compartment. Right now, she just wanted to curl up in a corner and sulk at her misfortune, but as that wasn't an option, she'd have to live with shooting biting remarks at Potter until she could figure out something better .

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i should have known,
should have known,
should have known again,
but here it goes again.