Dear Lily, As always, James

Dear Lily, As Always, James

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Chapter One: My Hogwarts Express Girl

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"Harry, where are you?" said a voice coming from the bottom of the attic stairs.

"I'm up here Remus!" Harry shouted back. The familiar sound of feet on the old rickety staircase and the occasional creaking sound told Harry that Remus was coming up. He came through the door with a tray of sandwiches and a flask of pumpkin juice.

"I thought you'd be hungry," was all that he said. He put the tray down on the desk, Harry had found on the corner if the attic, and turned to leave. Harry caught his sleeve and tugged him back. "Wait." Remus didn't argue. He found a chair and sat on it. He looked at Harry. He was older now and looked so much like his father.

"I wanted to ask you something," said Harry.

"Go right ahead," replied Remus. Harry pulled out the drawer and took a pile of letters, attached by some twine, out and handed them to Remus.

"Do you know what these are?" Remus' eyes turned big after seeing the words on the parchment, Dear Lily, As always, James.

"I thought I'd lost those!" he exclaimed. "Here Harry, you have them." Harry took them without hesitation. He undid the twine and slit open the first letter. It started out like this:

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Today was the day that I was to board the Hogwarts Express. I was so excited that I would finally be able to learn magic.

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The red steam engine blew its whistle. "James! Hurry up you're going to miss it!" shrieked Mrs. Potter. She hurriedly gave James a kiss on the cheek. He ran to the open door and waved good bye to his parents. "Don't forget to write!" called Mr. Potter.

"I won't forget dad!" he shouted back. Then James closed the door shut and set out to find an empty compartment. There happened to be one at the end of the train. He pushed his trunk up on top of the ledge and his owl; Serenity remained by his side. He felt the train start to move and hoped that he didn't get sick.

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Then I heard footsteps coming from out side the compartment door. I didn't have a clue to whom it was. The door opened and a boy, that looked to be the same age as me walked in.

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He was wearing Hogwarts robes but like James, wasn't wearing any of the school colors.

"Can I sit down. Everywhere else is full."

"Go right ahead."

The boy then extended his right hand. "I'm Remus Lupin."

"James Potter."

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Remus Lupin? What a name! And I had always thought that Godric Gryffindor was odd? Well he does seem pretty nice. I guess he can't be that bad.

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"So what house do you want to be in?" asked James with a hint of curiosity.

"Well, I'd have to say Gryffindor even though the rest of my family has been in Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw."

"I know I'll be in Gryffindor. I'm the heir."

"Really? Cool! Actually, you do look a lot like Godric Gryffindor. The messy jet-black hair, brown eyes. Don't you ever try to make your hair lie flat?"

"For your information, I do try. All the time. I just gave up a while ago. Plus, I don't think I'd look any better with it flat."

"I could try. My mum is a Muggle and she's a hair dresser." He took his wand out and said, "Hairus Faltieum!"

One half of James' hair now laid flat.

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I'm starting to rethink about this Remus. I think he's trying to be a show off flattening my hair like that. What if I never did want it flattened because it makes me look like a nerd? Of all the things that I am, that is not one of them.

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"Why did you do that!" shouted James. "Now I look like a nerd!" James began to run his fingers through his hair. Then it was as good as new. He turned to Remus who looked like James had hurt his feelings. James immediately felt sorry. "I'm sorry Remus."

"That's okay James." James then realized that he was standing up so he sat back down. He saw Remus reach into his pocket and pull out what looked like...

"Exploding Snap!"

"I was going to ask if you knew how to play but I'm guessing that you already know," said Remus with a grin.

"Know! I love this game! Though my favorite game will always be Quidditch but this is close second."

"Well this is my favorite game with Quidditch coming a close second."

"Then let's see if you really should be calling it your favorite game. Shall we?"

"You're on."

Just then the compartment door slid open. "Anything off the trolley dears?"

"I don't think they want anything, Mrs. Marossa."

James stopped playing when he heard that voice.

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It was the most beautiful voice I ever heard so I had to stop kicking Remus' but at Exploding Snap and turn to see the most, well, I really don't think there was a word to describe her. She was even more beautiful than her voice. Her auburn hair was very shinny and it seemed to sparkle in the sunlight. Her green eyes were enchanting. I couldn't keep my eyes of her.

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"James? Earth to James? What world are you on?" said Remus, also waving his hand in front of James' face. "James! Snap out of it!"

"W-what!"

"They want to know if you want to know if you want anything off the trolley?" But it was no use. He wasn't going to answer.

"I'll take a few chocolate frogs, Bertie Botts, and pumpkin pasties." Remus handed the money over to the girl and she gave him want he asked for. He shut the compartment and they left.

"They're gone now so you can stop drooling like a dog."

James's eyes turned to Remus. "I was not drooling! Did you by any chance get her name?"

"I don't think she would have gave it to me if I asked. She was looking at you as if you were road kill!"

"Ah. I still have my charm."

"I think I'm going to be sick."

"If you are, make sure not to be sick on me."

Remus just laughed. "I was only kidding."

"Oh." said James in a dreamy voice. "Remus?"

"Yeah?"

"I think I'm in love."

"You mean love at first sight?"

"Yeah, something like that." Remus put his face in his hands and shook his head.

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I swear it was love at first sight. She probably didn't want me to know what she was feeling. I can except that. Most girls aren't that open about anything. You usually have to take a guess to what they're thinking.

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Time went by, and the boys continued to play exploding snap. Remus was true to his word. He beat James easily, with no effort what so ever. James had insisted on a re-match, which wasn't necessary. Remus continued to win. The train began to slow to a stop after Remus having won ten times.

"Nice try James. I think you were getting worse and worse."

"Hppmh"

They left their things outside the train (the Hogwarts letter had said that their things would be put up into their rooms) and headed towards a voice saying "First years! Follow me!" The two boys realized that the voice was coming from a very tall young man. He looked to be part giant.

"Now get into one of these boats over here. Four to a boat."

Remus and James hopped into the closest one and were followed by two girls, who were giggling uncontrollably. James turned around to face them. "Hello. My name is James."

Remus elbowed James in the ribs and whispered into his ear, "I thought you liked that other girl."

"Now, now Remus. I think it's a little rude to be whispering in front people. Why don't you introduce yourself instead."

He glared at James. "I'm Remus Lupin.'

The girl with golden blond hair spoke first. "My name is Patricia Patil and this is my friend Narcissa Harlem."

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I think Remus was interested in the Patricia Patil. He flew into a very long conversation. I was talking to Narcissa Harlem, who told me to call her Nar. And I swear that Patricia told Remus to call her Pat. But since I could call her Nar, she decided that she was going to call me Jamsie. This scared be a bit but not as much when I heard Patricia call Remus, Remmy. Even though I had this beautiful girl, willing to talk to me and be with me, I couldn't stop thinking about the girl on the Hogwarts Express. Until I knew her name, she was the Hogwarts Express Girl, the girl of my dreams.

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