A Favor For Dumbledore

Chapter 5: Time and a half

P.O.V Lily

I got onto the Hogwarts express note in my pocket and Harry cradled in my hands. James was right behind me with both our luggage, if he was going to be here he might as well be useful. Sirius followed close behind with the rest of the marauders as well as Alice. She was in a rather good mood though she still hadn't told me why. We found an empty compartment nere the back of the train where we settled in.

"Ok, James let's start with some ground rules about my house," I started. James started listening and his almost immediate attentiveness scared me.

" 1. You will be staying in the guest bedroom, every other room on the second floor is off limits," he nodded.

" 2. You will be on your best behavior throughout the entire time, you do anything stupid and I kill you," He nooded again surousley.

" 3. You will refer to me as my name not Lily-flower, Lily-pads, or Red," He looked so disappointed but still nodded.

"So you're going to suck the fun out of Christmas," Sirius interrupted. Alice punched him in retort. He made a funny noise as he cradled his side.

"One last thing when my sister brings her finance to the house you will take Harry and not come back till at least 8:30, you could go visit your parents or something," I advised.

"Yes my mom wanted to see Harry anyway," James retorted.

"Pafoof," Harry babled reaching his hands out for Sirius. Sirius quickly took Harry in his arms. The ride to platform 9 ¾ was a quiet one only ever interrupted by Harry saying the name of the next person he wanted to be held by. As the train shuffled to a halt Peter handed me Harry (he was the last person Harry had asked for). James picked up our bags, I got Harry's baby bag, James looked like he couldn't handle another.

My parents were there waiting just as they were every year they had even managed to drag Petunia along with them. The look on their faces was one that I will never forget: confusion mixed with disappointment and in my dad pure anger. I pulled the note from my pocket and handed it to them. Relief filled their faces as dad handed to note to Petunia who had the smug look of superiority wiped right of her face.

"You should have led with Hey dad I'm babysitting, nearly gave me a heart attack Lil," Dad laughed, "so you will be staying for their protection eh," Dad asked James. James for the first time I looked scared, the most Grifindor, Gryffindor ever Griffin a dor, was scared of a muggle. To be fair my father had this way about him, he was tall and muscular from years of working in a factory.

"Yes... *cough* Dumbledor asked me, ... I hope, I'm not... not much of an inconvenience," He smiled trying his best to rule number two.

"Oh, no problem dear we love guests," My mom said sweetly. She looked a lot like my sister But shorter Tuney had gotten Dad's height. James dwarfed her in comparison, he was rather tall though he had always been short when we were younger. Dad took a couple bags from James just as the rest of the Marauders went over to say goodbye.

"Bye Lily-flower see you after break, Bye Prongs" Sirius yelled as he passed by quickly. James' parents had come to pick him up and they were waiting near the flu area. They were much older than my parents by at least thirty years. His mom had long red hair that was in a ponytail, she was wearing long green robes. His father had gone grey with a broom handle mustache, his hair looked so much like James it was almost frightening.

"Who was that," My Mom winked at me, this is the reason I told James not to say my nicknames.

"That's Just Sirius, he has a nickname for everyone. As you might have heard mine is Prongs," James explained. Maybe it was me but he seemed defensive. My mother looked slightly disappointed. She was always insisting I get a boyfriend, much to the dismay of my father. We got into the car and James was so interested in it. He asked so many questions, he was in aw. It hasn't occurred to me till now that James was a pureblood. He had never really acted like the other purebloods, mean and hateful. He was just so curious. It was a side of James I had never seen before, cuirus, nicely asking, admitting he didn't know something.

I don't think my parents really understood James's ignorance on the subject, but they didn't juge. My sister on the other hand looked completely appalled, when James asked yet another question about engines she snapped.

"Do you not know anything? This is so basic. I mean come on," Petunia shouted.

"Tuney please be nice," mom yelled looking back from the front seat. James looked so embarrassed, he stopped asking questions. Maybe it was just me but he looked ashamed, like he should have known more. We got to the driveway and Harry started fussing. James took him for me and I got the bags this time. From that moment on time slowed to a halt, and I wanted to die.