Chapter 54

                                    

                                          
The summer had passed in a blur of lazy days and quiet nights, and now, as September rolled in, the end of the holidays was nearing. The air was crisp, tinged with the scent of autumn, and the excitement for the new year at Hogwarts was palpable. For the Marauders and their friends, it wasn't just any year. It was their final year. Their letters had arrived that morning, and each one held the promise of what awaited them in the coming months.
James, lounging on the sofa in the living room at the Potter household, tore open his letter with enthusiasm. His eyes skimmed the parchment, and a wide grin spread across his face as he read the words aloud, "Head Boy? Me?" His voice cracked slightly in disbelief.
Sirius, sitting beside him and half-heartedly looking through the books that he would need for the year, immediately turned to face his best friend, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Well, someone's got an ego boost now," he said, smirking.
James ignored him, too confused to be bothered by the jest. "I thought Remus was going to get it... I'm already captain for the Gryffindor team!" 
Sirius raised an eyebrow, amused. "We did think Remus would get Head Boy. And let's say he was going to get it, he wouldn't have taken it. Mooney would have missed quite a few patrols. The prefects would have questioned why the Head boy was missing so many patrols. And he has never been one for the spotlight you know this," Sirius replies "Come on, mate. You've been in line for it since last year! And your a natural leader. And getting to spend oodles of time with Lily, the witch you've been mooning over for practically two whole years, that's also a terrible punishment, is it?"
"Lily's going to kill me, Sirius," James whined, frowning deeply. "She's going to think I Confunded Dumbledore or something, and she's going to kill me."
"I doubt it," Sirius said, rolling his eyes. "You two are all chummy now. Maybe she'll be happy about it."
"This'll put me back on her bad side," James said gloomily. "I'll be a terrible Head Boy and she'll hate me. Mooney would be way better anyway!"
Sirius chuckled and leaned back, tossing the Quidditch magazine aside. "You've really got it bad, don't you? All this worrying over Lily. But listen, mate, you're James Potter. You're charismatic, clever, and... well, you've got a bloody good heart when you're not busy chasing people around with your ego. You'll do fine. And if anyone can keep Lily from hating you, it's probably you."
James shook his head, not entirely convinced. "You make it sound so simple, but... I don't know. It's different now, Sirius. She's not the same as she was last year none of us are."
Sirius raised an eyebrow. "What, you mean because you're Head Boy now?"
"No, because... because I think she actually listens to me now. And I don't want to mess it up. Not again." James let out a heavy sigh, staring at his letter with a mixture of pride and anxiety.
Sirius tilted his head, considering his friend. He knew James was stubborn, but there was something different about this—something that had been growing between him and Lily, a real connection that no amount of teasing or antics could undo. And James had a point; it wasn't going to be the same. He was going to have to prove himself to her in ways he hadn't before.
"Well, if it makes you feel any better," Sirius said, trying to lighten the mood, "I'm sure you'll manage to charm her with your usual charming self. You've got a year to sort things out, right? And who knows, maybe being Head Boy will actually give you a leg up."
James shot Sirius a look, but the corners of his mouth twitched into a smile. "You're ridiculous."
Sirius shrugged, completely unfazed. "I'm just saying, it'll be fun watching you try to navigate this new James Potter."
Just as Sirius said that the floo flared up with Remus and Peter walking through.
Remus stepped out first, brushing off the soot with a tired smile. "It's good to see you two haven't turned the house upside down yet," he said dryly, giving James and Sirius an amused glance.
Peter followed behind him, looking a little flustered from the chaotic Floo journey. "Sorry about that, I—"
"Blimey, Peter," Sirius interrupted, eyes flicking over to him with a smirk. "Do you always come out of the Floo like you've just survived a dragon attack?"
Peter shrugged sheepishly, his round face flushing a little. 
James shot a quick glance at Peter, then waved the letter in his hands. "I've got something to show you lot," he said, his grin now fully restored. "Head Boy. Can you believe it?"
Peter raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "You? Head Boy? I thought for sure you'd be too... well, too James Potter for it." He chuckled as he sat down next to Remus, who was already giving James a curious look.
James rolled his eyes. "That's what I thought too. But here it is, in black and white." He passed the letter over to Peter and then Remus, who took it carefully.
"You were the obvious choice Prongs," Remus says 
"What no! I thought you would have gotten it! Or even Regulus! the both of you are at least prefects!" James exclaims 
Lily sat by the window in the Evans family living room, the early morning light casting a warm glow over her as she read her letter. When she saw the words "Head Girl," her heart skipped a beat. For a moment, she couldn't breathe, the shock freezing her in place. She glanced at the paper again, as if to make sure she wasn't imagining it.
A grin broke across her face, though it was tempered with surprise. She had worked hard over the years, but she hadn't dared to hope for such an honor. The role of Head Girl was one she had always felt suited to, but to actually receive the position—well, that was something else entirely. But it might also be an power play. She couldn't help but wonder if it was Remus who got the badge or if it was someone else. 
In Grimmauld Place, Regulus Black sat beside his room window, waiting for the owl to arrive. He was excited. He would be out of this hell hole before he knew it. He looked over the books he needed for the year. He was happy. This year would be the final year that he would need to deal with his Family. Soon he would be the head of the house.
He had to write to his brother. And let him know.