Just What I Needed

Chapter 1

Unwanted Beginnings

Lily entered the large train station through a set of revolving doors. It felt good to be in the warm, crowded station after the cold, biting wind of outdoors. The happy murmur of voices and the bustle of people made it easier to be alone. She had felt so lonely coming up to the station, heaving her large trunk all by herself against the bitter September wind. She couldn't lie to herself and say that she didn't mind her parents not being there to see her off- she did miss them. But at the same she was enjoying her sense of independence and was looking forward to a few moments by herself before being sucked into the close quarters that was boarding school. After all, she had seen her parents all yesterday as they prepared for her arrival (Petunia had even come in to give her a quick hug goodbye) and they had come with her the past six times. They were allowed to busy one time.

Feeling more cheerful with a cart for her luggage, Lily crossed the hallway to a Barnes and Noble Bookstore and purchased a copy of the London Times. (Although she was a witch, she still thought Muggle news was very important, not to mention a good read.) She then walked next store to a coffee shop, ordered her favorite drink- passion fruit iced tea- and sat at a small table and began to read the paper. She felt very grown-up and intellectual, sitting in the urban coffee shop with tea and a newspaper. She was actually enjoying being all by herself, which she was proud of because she saw it as a sign of maturity. She reluctantly admitted to herself that she also liked being in the Muggle world for a few last moments. It wasn't that she didn't like being a witch, she loved it, but she was proud of her uniqueness in the wizarding world. She also felt comfortable here, in the world she had grown up in.

Realizing she wasn't actually reading the article about endangered bird species that she had started, she folded her newspaper, set it on the table, and leaned back in her chair with a contented sigh. She loved to think that in this enormous center of muggle culture and technology, there was a small platform full of witches and wizards, who, until they entered the platform, were completely out of her element. She wasn't sure why, but the thought amused her. It also reminded her why she was here in the first place. She swept her long auburn hair out of her face and checked her watch. 10:50! Panicking slightly, she jammed her paper into her bag, snatched up her things, and with her cart rolling behind her half-ran, half-walked towards platform nine and three-quarters. She sped up when she reached the barrier, began to run and... CRASH!

She fell backwards, her bag flying out of her hand and skidding halfway across the hall. Rubbing her bruised back, she got up quickly, first looking for her bag. If she did anything else first, it would be stolen.

"Here," said a gruff, but not mean, voice. She looked up and saw Sirius Black holding out her bag. "Try to watch what you're running into, Evans. People might start thinking you like me." He turned and moved smoothly through the barrier without saying another word.

Well, that was just lovely. Out of all people she had to run into Sirius Black. Ok, Ideally she wouldn't have wanted to run into anyone, but there were so many people she would rather have it be. Sirius was not only a constant source of trouble and chaos, arrogant, a bully, and frustratingly good at everything, he was also James Potter's best friend. Potter was a lot like Sirius, except way more obnoxious and seemed to enjoy torturing Lily. She didn't want to think about Potter and Black right now. She had hoped that the first people she would she upon entering the wizarding world would be her best friends- Bridget, Margaret, and Samantha (better known as Sam). Sirius Black was the last person she wanted to start of the term with. Well, one of the last. However, Lily was an optimist/realist and knew only people like Professor Orace (the slightly-insane divination teacher) would take seeing one of your least favorite people before anyone else as a sign.

Remembering how late she was, Lily hitched her bag up on her shoulder grabbed her cart and walked more slowly onto the platform. She was very surprised by how few people were there. The train must be about to leave! She figured everyone must be on the train and went on to find a compartment. Strangely, many of them were quite empty. She found the one that was usually used as the prefect's meeting place and sat down, still completely confused at the lack of people. Her watch said it was exactly eleven o'clock! She was starting to get worried. Her ticket said the train left at eleven. It always left at eleven. There were always lots of people here at eleven. There was absolutely no way she was at the wrong platform. What other one had an entrance of a solid brick wall? She reached in her coat pocket for her ticket, to check it one more time. But the piece of paper she pulled out wasn't a ticket- it was a note.

Dear Lil,

I set your watch forward half an hour because I knew you'd be anxious to get there on time, and I thought I'd make it a little easier. I hope you found this note before your personal time difference caused too much trouble. Miss you already.

Love, Dad

She was frustrated with her father, she really was, and yet, she couldn't help laughing. His obnoxious little tendencies got to her sometimes but a lot of the time they were hilarious, and she really loved him for that. Not to mention that, once she got the real situation around her brain, it was nice to be early. She could even reserve a compartment for her friends. She was standing up to does just that, when an all too familiar head with messy black hair leaned in to her compartment, followed by a tall, thin body.

"Well, hello darling. Got here early to save a compartment for me, did we? Well, I am flattered, but you didn't..." Lily whacked James on the head with her paper. Insufferable right off the bat. Typical, typical James. He looked for a moment like he was thinking, then shrugged and held out a box. "Chocolate frog?"

"Ummmm...."

"C'mon, Evans. There isn't anyone else on this ruddy train but me, and I've got your paper. You can't reject me now." He waved the chocolate frogs under her nose. As much as Lily would like to prove him wrong, he had a point. And she loved chocolate.

"Ok, if you insist." He smirked at her and dropped back into the seat, his head back, grinning at her. He put his feet up on the seat next to her and crossed them, looking cocky. She pushed his feet down, and looked cocky right back. He tossed her two chocolate frogs, but his feet back up, and stared at her again his eyebrows raised. Her and full, she lifted her leg to kick his down, but James grabbed her feet and put them on his lap, but didn't let go.

"You are the..." She began angrily, well aware that she couldn't leave now, but He cut her off.

"Oy, Sirius mate, in here!" Sirius sidled in, gave them an amused look and sat on James feet. Lily couldn't help but laugh. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. James and Sirius were known for being funny, even if sometimes it was a little extreme....

"Let her feet down and I'll get off yours. Your lap has got to be as unpleasant as my backside."

"Deal," said James as he winced in obvious pain. Sirius got up, sat on the other side of Lily and began to chat with James about summer. Lily sighed, realizing James' feet were still next to her. And that he was still staring at her.