All that could be seen of Lily Evans was a blur, her bright red hair flying behind her, the movement making it seem like flames. Every breath she attempted to draw came out in a labored pant as a result of her sprint. She didn't know much about McGonagall, but she was guessing from what she saw at the sorting that she wouldn't be as forgiving as most teachers. She knew she shouldn't have taken extra time at breakfast.
She skidded to a halt as she found the correct classroom, plowing through two students in the process.
"S-s-sorry!" She managed, blowing some strands of hair from her face.
"Watch where you're going!"
She looked up to see her fellow Gryffindor, Sirius Black, smirking at her. She rolled her eyes and rushed into the classroom, taking one of the many empty seats near the front of the room. The din of the school bell resonated throughout the castle, alarming all students in the hallways that they were late. Sirius, accompanied now by James, both strolled lazily into the room acting like they owned it. Though Sirius seemed to be more of a front man, it was James who led them to a seat. Much to Lily's displeasure, it was right behind her.
"Oi, Black – isn't that the posh twit we met on the train?" James stage whispered to Sirius.
Lily felt her cheeks flood with color, but attempted to ignore them.
"Oh, she's sitting alone. I reckon her only friend is that – what was his name again? Oh, right - Snivellus." He adapted the lofty tone she'd told them off in on the train.
Lily pulled her attention from them, determined not to crack under their taunts, and set to organizing her quills and parchment on her desk. She found herself wishing that McGonagall would show up and silence the two idiots behind her. She rolled her eyes as they took turns impersonating her and Severus, remarking mostly on Severus' inability to find proper shampoo.
She nimbly picked up one of the larger quills on her desk and poised it carefully to the parchment. She took extra care in writing the date and subject on it, preparing it for when she would take notes. She would take as many notes as she could, even if her hand protested in pain. She was determined to be head of her class; a polar opposite of the Neanderthals teasing her.
"They won't be so pleased when they see their marks." She thought smugly, reveling in this small realization.
To her surprise, she heard things quiet down. Maybe they'd seen McGonagall come in! She turned her head, but was met with no strict gaze. She huffed indignantly, whipping her head back to the front of the room. She dropped her hand on the desk a bit too roughly, upsetting the carefully arranged quills.
While she busied herself to realign them, she felt a tugging sensation on the back of her head. She turned back around to see James Potter fiddling with her hair. When her narrow eyes met his, he didn't look away or act ashamed.
"Just wanted to see if It'd burn me." He said, grinning broadly.
Sirius roared with laughter next to him. Lily angrily swatted James' hand away, turning her face before they could see the red registering on her cheeks. Before she even knew what was happening, Sirius had reached over and knocked the quills off of her desk.
"Y-you bully!" She shouted, allowing her anger to get the best of her.
Just as Sirius was about to retort, a sharp voice came from the doorway.
"That is QUITE enough!"
There Minerva Mcgonagall stood, hair pulled back in a tight bun, mouth barely visible in a thin line, and a "no-nonsense" look gleaming in her eyes.
"Sit down, Miss Evans! Five points will be deducted from Gryffindor. I do not tolerate shouting in my classroom."
Lily didn't dare argue, so she grabbed for her quills, sat down, and dumped them clumsily back onto her desk. Tears stung Lily's eyes threatening to spill over. Before anyone could notice, she wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her robes. It was only the first day of lessons and it was already going badly. Her ears burned as she listened to Sirius and James' gleeful snickers.
"SILENCE – Potter! Black!." McGonagall barked.
That wiped the smile from their stupid faces. The corners of Lily's lips twitched; an almost smile. She turned around for a brief moment as McGonagall tapped the board, letters materializing from nowhere. James stuck his tongue out at her, clearly not fazed by being told off. It was then that she decided she hated this boy's guts.
The class drew on, the time filled with note-taking. Lily's hand flew quickly over the parchment, determined to soak in every single word. Eventually, her mind was sapped of the two arrogant boys behind her, filling with new worries of being unable to transfigure the match McGonagall placed in front of her into a needle.
She practiced the wand motions carefully, allowing no room for error. In little to no time at all, a sharp, silver needle lay on her desk while other students were staring dumbfounded into their books or jabbing their wands through the air with frustration. When McGonagall stopped by her desk to examine her work, Lily could swear she saw a hint of smile on her mouth.
She enjoyed her victory so much, that she asked for a second match and proceeded to transfigure it when the majority of the other students hadn't even managed their first. She was so satisfied with herself that when the lesson ended, she felt slightly sad. She gathered her things quickly, determined to tell off those arrogant prats for getting her into trouble.
Even with her speed, they were still waiting directly outside the door. Black had his hand across the entrance so that she couldn't pass through.
"Move." She demanded, flashing them a dangerous look.
"Oi, James, we'd better watch out. Turns out her hair isn't the only fiery thing about her." Sirius said.
"Don't get too close, Sirius! She might burn you!" James jeered, grabbing Sirius' arm and pulling him away.
Lily huffed indignantly, refusing to let them get to her again.
"YOU got me into trouble!" She accused, her fists clenching together.
James' eyes glinted, an amused look sliding onto his face. He reached his hand up to ruffle his already messy black hair. He took a step closer to her and folded his arms across his chest.
"And that's my problem because?"
It took her best efforts to not stomp her foot to the ground. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and glared at him.
"If you say one more word to me, I'll - "
"You'll WHAT, exactly?" James dared.
"I'll hex your legs together," came a shaking voice from a few feet away.
Severus stood there, his fists balled up and his eyes narrowed. James laughed so hard, he had to hold onto Sirius for support. Severus' pale face flushed pink and he turned to Lily.
"C'mon Lily. I'll walk you to class." He muttered, avoiding James and Sirius' eyes.
"Yeah Evans, go with Snivellus – he'll be able to protect you from, what was the word you used? Bullies." Sirius teased, wearing a broad grin.
James was still shaking with laughter as Lily pulled Severus along the corridor, only turning back to spare them a look of deep disgust.
"Are you okay?" Severus inquired, his voice still uneven and his fists still clenched.
Lily rolled her eyes.
"I'm perfectly fine, Severus. I'm not going to let two half-wits get the best of me."
Severus' lips curled into a little smile, taking away the pinched, unattractive look from his face. When he smiled, he actually looked friendly and approachable.
"You should smile more, Sev. I like it when you smile." Lily said, still pulling him along the corridor.
He flushed, though pleased with her comment.
"Anyways, just ignore him. He isn't worth your time. You're much too smart for him." Severus said, changing the subject.
"Trust me Sev, I would never even THINK about talking to THAT scum," She said heatedly, still angry at losing points. "C'mon, we're going to be late for Herbology."
Snape allowed her to lead him to the greenhouses, obviously pacified by her confirmation.
"The next time I say anything to James Potter will be for the hex I'm going to put on him." Severus promised.
Lily stopped in the middle of the corridor, causing Snape to run into her on accident. She turned to him, her eyes filled with concern.
"Sev – promise me you won't do anything to hurt anybody. Tuney's still mad for you dropping that tree branch on her. That isn't what magic is about." She said seriously.
He looked hesitant to answer.
"Promise me, Sev!"
He was slightly startled by the force of her usually calm voice. He gathered himself and looked her straight in the eyes.
"I-I promise."