Ch. 2 – The Feast

Lily always managed to forget just how annoying Peeves was… and then she would return. She thought wistfully of those few precious moments as a first year when she found him mildly entertaining, as she watched Agnes chase the retreating poltergeist. She was drenched. Peeves had dropped pails of water on them. Not only was she wet, but the pail was definitely going to leave a bruise.

"Siccus!" Lily muttered, magically drying her clothes.

She was hungry. And annoyed as she was at Peeves, she just wanted some treacle tart. And pasta. And maybe some pumpkin juice. Her stomach let out an angry growl.

And where was Ag… oh, she thought, as she saw her best friend grinding her teeth in anger, her shoes making squishy shoes as she marched towards Lily. She looked rather cross.

"So then he started cackling! CACKLING!? So I…" Lily immediately drifted off, as Agnes' rants were always rather long. They'd probably missed the sorting. Dumbledore was probably making his speech about now, which meant dinner would start any time. She wished she had a watch.

"AND THEN HE WENT THROUGH THE WALL!"

Lily decided it was time to intervene.

"Agnes! Food! Lots of it. On tables. And cute boys, who will be eating it!' Lily said in her best persuasive voice. Agnes cocked her head to the side.

"Oh. Well then." Agnes turned, "Aren't you coming?"

--

As they opened the doors to the Great Hall, people were (thankfully) still eating.

The aroma was intoxicating as Lily found herself drifting over to the nearest open spot, where she plopped down and hastily began spooning potatoes onto her plate. From the animal-like sounds next to her, she gathered that Agnes had joined her. Both were too busy stuffing their mouths to even bother looking up.

That was, until Lily heard a familiar voice.

"It's going to be awful. She's terrible. How can Dumbledore possibly expect me to work with her?"

Lily looked up, gazing down the table where the Marauders were sitting. James looked rather pitiful, and Lily would have felt sorry for him, if he hadn't just insulted her. Instead, her eyes narrowed. She wasn't going to take this. 'Yes, he was James Potter, and therefore a Hogwarts god,' thought Lily, 'but I am Lily Evans, the… erm… damn it all…'

Well, she was going to exact revenge, of course. Obviously. She just had to think of something. Anything, really. But not obvious enough that he could prove it was her… suddenly grinning. Lily pointed her wand under the table, whispered a quick "ligo lacesso," and turned to Agnes, innocently starting a conversation on their plans for the weekend.

Twenty minutes later, dinner was starting to die down, and Dumbledore stood up to give his closing remarks. Waving goodnight to Agnes, Lily stood up and walked to Dumbledore. It was common knowledge that head students got their own rooms, and rumor had it that they were amazing. Behind her, she heard a shuffle, followed by a dull thud and a groan. She couldn't help but smile contentedly as she turned and saw Potter. He had completely face planted into the stone floor, his shoelaces tied together. His mates surrounded him laughing, but raising his head, his eyes instantly sought Lily's. He glowered, his hazel eyes blazing. Lily couldn't help but let a small giggle escape. Revenge was so sweet.

Sitting up, Potter furiously redid his shoelaces, before standing up to join Dumbledore and Lily, face slightly flushed.

"Mr. Potter, it seems you have some trouble with your laces," Dumbledore remarked, his blue eyes twinkling.

"I realize, sir," Potter replied, obviously wishing to drop the subject.

Dumbledore took the hint.

--

An awkward silence ensued as the three made there way to the west end of the castle. At last, they came to a painting of a pretty young woman.

"Password?" She enquired, a slight smile on her lips.

"Audaces fortuna iuvat," Dumbledore quoted somberly, and with a nod took his leave.

The door swung open, and the two head students eagerly climbed in.

Lily let out a delighted gasp. A large red and gold room, furnished with a burning fireplace, an extensive library, and fluffy-looking couches led out to a balcony overlooking the lake, which sparkled under the full moon. It was official. She was never leaving this room.

With a smile, Lily turned to check out her bedroom. A door labeled Head Girl was to her left – she turned the knob and entered. The lights immediately came on in the royal blue room. Decorated elegantly, the room contained everything necessary for her happiness. A large canopy bed was in the middle the room, and a small desk to the side, but this was not what made Lily so happy. In the far corner of the room was a record player and a few shelves of records. Lily practically flew across the room. Skimming through the records, she smiled. Rolling Stones, the Who, Simon and Garfunkel… she was set.

Leaving the room, she headed to a small kitchenette area, where a plate of cookies was set out. Munching on one, she flopped into the couch and watched the fire contentedly.

Hearing footsteps behind her, she vaguely hoped Potter would sit down near her. Not too close, mind you. He was a right bastard, but Lily didn't want to be on his bad side all year. Especially since she had already embarrassed him. She didn't want to have to worry about frogs or anything in her bed.

"Potter, we should probably –," she was cut off.

"Not now Evans. I'm late."

Late? It was the first night back, how cold he possibly be late for anything? Nothing was going on. This was what happened when she tried to be a nice person. She stood up. She needed another cookie.

"I'm sorry," she bit out, "I didn't realize you were too busy for head duties. I knew appointing you was a mistake, Dumbledore has obviously…"

She stopped. He was crawling out the portrait, the portrait closing behind him.

She hoped it would hit him on his way out.

--

Audaces fortuna iuvat is Latin for "fortune favors the brave"