All the Time in the World | Sirius Black

24. Conditions

The journey to King's Cross was uncomfortable, owing to the fact that James, Sirius, and I were jammed in the back of the taxi with our trunks. We were very relieved to get out at King's Cross, even though the rain was coming down harder than ever, and got soaked carrying our trunks across the busy road and into the station.

As much as I tried to keep myself dry, it was impossible with all the rain and wind. The Hogwarts Express, a gleaming scarlet steam engine, was already there, clouds of steam billowing from it, through which the many Hogwarts students and parents on the platform appeared like dark ghosts. After finally meeting up with Lily, Remus, and Peter, the group of us set off to find seats, without Marlene, who wanted to sit with her new Hufflepuff boyfriend, Taylor McKinnon. Soon we were stowing our luggage in a compartment halfway along the train.

"We're never going to find seats," I groaned. Nothing had changed from then to now, the train was still as packed as ever.

"Look," Lily gasped, "here's an empty one!"

Lily grabbed my wrist and dragged me into the empty compartment at the end of the train cart. It was a little dirty, but big enough for the six of us. The Marauder boys soon followed us and sat down. Lily and I sat across from each other; Sirius sat next to me and James sat next to Lily, for once she didn't protest; Remus sat next to Sirius and Peter sat next to James.

"Hey, James, it's this the compartment we sat in our first time on the train?" Sirius remininced.

James looked around and found what he was looking for and smiled, "yeah! Look at this—" He pointed to a little carving that said J.F.P and above it said S.B.III.

"You guys vandalized the train?" Lily said slowly.

"Lils, lighten up," I laughed. "It's just initials! I reckon we all do it, for memories sake. This is our final year!"

The boys cheered and Lily narrowed her eyes at me, but complied. Sirius took out a little pocket knife and carved out S.B. + A.P '77 in a heart on a spot next to the window. I laughed and rolled my eyes. Sirius passed the knife around and the boys wrote in little initials and symbols. Smiling at the the vandalism, I remembered the cart that Harry, Ron, Hermione, and I had sat in during our third year: It was this cart and it was full of little carvings with dates.

"Evans, it's your turn," James said, passing her Sirius's knife.

With a deep breath, Lily took the knife and carved out L.J.E + A.S.P = BFF '76– ∞.

"Lily!" I said, tearing up.

"You girls are so emotional," Peter mumbled.

"Shut it, Pettigrew," I mumbled and leaned forward, giving Lily a hug.

I will do everything in my power to protect this girl, my best friend.

After the touching moment, Lily and James left the compartment since they had been appointed Head Girl and Boy. Sirius and Remus sat on the floor and began to play Exploding Snaps while Peter watched them. The Hogwarts Express moved steadily north and the scenery outside the window became wilder and darker while the clouds overhead thickened overhead. People were chasing backwards and forwards past the door of our compartment.

Just before one o'clock, Lily and James came into our compartment; James looked smug and Lily looked angry.

"Uh, what happened?" I asked cautiously.

"You would think that since Professor Dumbledore had appointed Potter as Head Boy, he would grow up?" Lily snapped. "Wrong!"

"James," I sighed. "What did you do?"

"Just a little prank!" James defended himself, sitting in his old spot.

"He handed out Hiccough Sweets to the Prefects," Lily shouted.