Disclaimer: I do not Harry Potter
Author's Note: I'm taking a break from my Gallagher Girls stories, and I'm working on my favourite couple (Lily and James) instead. Enjoy the story! Oh, and the 'Cinderella' twist comes in later. This chapter just sets the scene...
Lily
"It's breakfast time, freak," snarled a thin, blond girl of about nineteen with bony angles and a face of a horse. I cracked one eye lid open, saw the retreating back of my dear, beloved sister, and sighed. Sometimes, I catch myself thinking about what my life would have been like if the acceptance letter to Hogwarts never arrived. If I did not have magic in my blood. For one, my own sister would not despise me and treat me as a 'freak'. Secondly, I would never have heard of the two words James Potter (how I hated him!). Thirdly… my life would be normal. No magic, no spells and I would closer with my family.
Just then, my alarm rang for the third time. Groaning, I hit the off button instead of snooze this time and pulled my red auburn hair up into a messy ponytail. Not even bothering to comb my hair (it is summer, after all) I pulled on a pair of faded jean shorts and a white polo. Brushing my teeth my taking a quick shower to wake myself up, I did a quick charm to dry my hair and put on some light make up. Nothing fancy, just some eyeliner and lip gloss. I don't need to add blush – the red-headed genes makes me blush often enough already.
It was a week from the start of school and today was the day that I hoped I would receive my letter. I need to see the school list before I go shopping at Diagon Alley with my best friends Emma and Alice tomorrow. Well, I was hoping for more than a letter. Ever since 5th year, I've been a Prefect, so this year I was hoping beyond hope for Head Girl.
Everyone had assured me I was bound to get the badge, but I can't stop but worry. What if Narcissa Malfoy got the badge? Or worse, one of the silly bimbos in Potter and Black's fan club. That would mean their silly group the Marauders would get away scot-free every time they were caught! Of course, Remus Lupin (the only Marauder I actually respected because he worked hard for his grades, just like everyone else) might be Head Boy since he was a Prefect too every since 5th year, and no doubt he'd let his friends off the hook easily. That was why they needed a Head Girl who didn't swoon over the arrogant brats every time they smiled.
I absolutely detest Potter, and believe me when I say the feelings mutual. Potter is bad for my health – almost 50% of my time is spent worrying, obsessing over, and hating him and his ego-inflated head. Case in point: Potter is making me suffer a nervous breakdown over the Head Girl badge while he is miles away probably enjoying some vacation in France or Italy with his rich family.
My musings were broken off by the screech of an owl and the tapping from my bedroom window. As I pulled on my socks in preparation for my morning run after breakfast, I froze when I saw what the owl was carrying: a manila enveloped with the Hogwarts crest emblazoned on it.
Minutes later, after much trembling, I shrieked in joy as a shiny badge slipped out of the envelope and dropped onto my waiting hand. On it read: Head Girl.
James
I bolted out my blankets, still half asleep, as my body reacted to the ice cold water that had been dumped onto me. A tall, black man was standing over my bed, grinning. How I hated him. "SIRIUS! GET YOUR BLOODY ARSE OVER HERE!" I yelled as I reached for my glasses and jabbed them over my eyes.
I had to call down to room service again to tell them to change my sheets and blankets because they were wet. There was a pause on the other side of the phone, and a snobby French voice said, "Sir, do you perhaps need rubber sheets on top of your mattress. And, if you would kindly tell me your size, I could procure for you bed-wetting diapers if you wish," I dropped the phone, stunned. That little man at the front desk had just accused me, James Potter, of wetting the bed.
Sirius, who had been listening in on our conversation from the phone in the bathroom, began howling in laughter. "Yes, I do believe I know what to get you for Christmas now, Prongs!" he managed to gasp out before succumbing into another round of laughter. I frowned, reached for my wand, and hexed him into next year.
After Sirius managed to remember the counter spells to the hexes I had put on him and I had showered quickly and dressed for my morning run, we ran down to breakfast together where we met my parents.
Mom was sitting with Dad at one of elegant dining tables downstairs. Mom was buttering some toast and Dad was reading the morning newspaper. I sat down then while Sirius began to charm the waitress who had been working at the breakfast buffet table. Today was the last day of our vacation in Paris, and tomorrow Sirius and I would be going to Diagon Alley to buy supplies for our seventh and last year at Hogwarts.
That reminds me, the letter should have come by now. I hoped I was still Quiditch Captain and we needed the list to know what books to purchase. I also hoped that Remus would get Head Boy so we could keep on getting away with our pranks against the Slytherins. However, I do pity Remus – he would have to work and share a dorm/common room with the Green Eyed Monster. Just thinking of her name – Lily Evans – gave me shudders.
She was at the top of our pranks lists because she was the tattle tale who continually docked points and assigned detentions to us. I don't believe I've ever heard the girl laugh before. She has no sense of humour, is a teacher's pet, and for some reason she's got a grudge against me.
Just then, an owl flew up to me and dropped the letter it was carrying. It was thick, manila envelope with the Hogwarts crest on it. I opened curiously to find two badges drop into my hand. One was the familiar Quiditch Captain badge. The other read Head Boy. I dropped it, wide eyed, and…
Lily
Mom and Dad had been so proud when they heard I made Head Girl. I could still hear Dad's voice in my head: We knew you could do it, Lily! Congratulations, and know that we'll always love you. I smiled, weighing the pouch of gold my parents had given me. There were a few extra Galleons in there too – a little gift from my parents as a congratulations present.
As Alice and I walked along the familiar cobble stoned streets of Diagon Alley, I looked down at my list to check off the items we needed. "We bought our robes already, and our books," I said out loud, checking the items off with my wand. "Potions supplies, check. Owl supplies, double check," agreed Alice.
"Wonder where Em is right now… I heard from last week that she would return from Spain in two days,"
"Ooh, let's get a little present for Em! You know, because it's our seventh year. And we'll never get a chance to buy her anything because we always shop together!"
"Splendid idea, Alice! Let's head over to that Quiditch shop over there. Personally I couldn't care less about it, but you know Em loves it. After all, she's on the team,"
"Just because you hate flying doesn't mean Quiditch is bad sport!"
"Alright, calm down Alice. Let's just go in and take a look around,"
I bent my head down to check our list again as Alice began talking a mile a minute about what Em would have liked. I just tagged along, nodding my head and pretending that I cared. I love my friend to bits but I can't help it if she talks too much!
Just then, I bumped into someone. My head smashed against their check as I struggled to regain my balance. "Oof, sorry abou…" I said as I jerked my head up. My eyes met a pair of hazel ones behind steel rimmed glasses. They reminded me of… "Potter," I hissed. "You should really be restrained sooner rather than later. Your two left feet cause just as much trouble as your mouth does," replied his annoyingly arrogant voice.
"So does your ego-inflated head and your long nose that shouldn't stick itself into other people's lives,"
"Tsk, tsk, Evans. Nasty temper you got there,"
"I'm actually quite surprised you didn't take my advice to go dig a hole and die!"
"Actually, I had all summer to think about that last bit of correspondence we had,"
"James Potter, thinking? Don't strain yourself, dear. Your brain can't take it,"
"Did you just call me 'dear'? Oy, Padfoot, where was that muggle thing you bought that records stuff? Evans, here, has taken a fancy to me. She called me 'dear'."
"As much I would love to stand here and chat with you and Black, I have people to talk to and a life that I would prefer you to stay out of. Unlike you, most of us actually have one!" I said sarcastically as I stomped out of there. Potter was going to get it someday. He always just had to rile up my nerves with that cocky grin of his. How I wished I could slap it off his face.
Just as I exited the shop leaving Alice in there to figure out what had happened between me and Potter, I heard the brat muttering to his sidekick, "Did Evans just tell me I didn't have a life?" Caught on fast, didn't you, genius?
Don't worry, James' head deflates a little. But I need it for the humour!
