Monday, Sep. 2

Just Before Lights Out, My Room, Head's Dormitories

I got to breakfast early this morning, and it was almost empty. Even most of the teachers weren't there yet. Only Dumbledore and a few Hufflepuffs were present. I looked up to the Headmaster, and when we made eye contact he smiled widely at me. I returned the smile and sat down at the deserted Gryffindor table and began to eat.

By the time I was finished, people were just starting to arrive. That meant I would have to wait even longer to get my schedule. I saw the four Marauders come in the Great Hall next. They headed straight to where I was sitting.

"Hello Lily."

"Hi."

"Hey."

"Hello."

"Hi guys." I said smiling. I'm not really sure why I was smiling. Could I really be smiling because they had chosen to sit with me today? That could be the only answer yet it was so implausible.

"Can we sit with you Lily?"

"Of course. We're friends now aren't we?"

"What!? You're friends!? How come I wasn't aware of this!?" Sirius demanded.



"We only decided to be friends yesterday. I was going to tell you when I got back to the dormitory but you had already fallen asleep. We figured it would be easier this way, since we're Head Boy and Girl."

"Humph." Just then McGonagall tapped lightly on my shoulder.

"Your schedule Miss. Evans." She handed me a piece of paper which I snatched eagerly from her hands. McGonagall gave the Marauders their schedules as well.

"Ugh, double potions with Slytherins first."

"What a great way to start the day!" Remus added sarcastically.

"I love Potions." I said.

"Of course you do Lily."James said, unsuccessfully trying to hide his laughter.

"We better get going. We don't want to be late on our first day." The four boys rose with her, and they all headed down to the dungeons together. Snape was standing next to the entrance. I snapped my head forward and refused to let myself look at him. He called to me.

"Lily!" He had said. I ignored him, but I noticed all four Marauders glaring at him as they passed. IT was like having the funniest, coolest, best big brothers anyone could ever ask for. Yet the description seemed wrong when I thought of James. Something was just wrong with it.

Slughorn came to the front of the classroom interrupting my thoughts.

"I will be assigning the partners for the first potion you will be making. When I call your name, find your partner and pick your seat. Sirius and Alicia. Peter and Conner. Mary and Kendra. Alice and Frank. Lily and Severus." HE kept going but I wasn't listening anymore. Snape walked over to one of the last few free spots and waved me over.

"Miss Evans, is there a problem?"



"No."

I walked, resigned to this cruel trick fate had played on me this day. I felt four different hands pat me on the back as I walked. No doubt from the four Marauders, trying to console me. I kept my eyes down, and didn't even glance at Snape as I sat down.

"Hi Lily."

"Snape." I saw his face fall even more when he heard my cold greeting. Good, I thought, he deserves it.

"Today we'll be making Draught of the Living Dead. Instructions are on page 157 in your books. Ingredients are in the cupboard. Get started."

"I'll get the ingredients!" I volunteered eagerly, and shot up out of the seat as if it was on fire. I ran to the cupboard, James was already there.

"You okay Lily?" He asked me as we were waiting in line.

"No." I responded. Much to my humiliation, my voice had cracked. Luckily, James was the only who was paying attention. "But it's not like there's anything we can do about it." James hugged me tightly, and much to my surprise, and his, I hugged him back. It felt right though, like we were two different puzzle pieces, and we fit together perfectly.

"Good luck." He whispered in my ear, when I was headed back to Snape. We started to work diligently on the potion. That was the one thing about the two of us, together we were unbeatable at Potions. By the end of class, we were the only ones who were completely finished.

I practically ran out of the dungeons. Three of the Marauders quickly caught up with me though. James slung his arm around my shoulders, and pulled me closer, hugging me. He left his arm there, and I didn't bother to shrug it off, it felt rather nice. Remus ran up a second later.



"Good news Lily! Next potion we get to pick our partners. Sirius you stay with Alicia, Peter stays with Conner, I'll work with Marcy again, and Lily, you can work with James."

"Thanks Remus." I smiled up at him, relief sweeping threw me like a cool ocean breeze.

"Where are we going now?" Sirius asked.

"Charms with Ravenclaw."

"Do we have anymore classed with Slytherin?"

"No."

"Thank Merlin."

Then at dinner, Dumbledore called James and I up. He told us that our Head Dorms had been finished early, and we could move into them tonight if we wanted. We agreed enthusiastically. When he had dismissed all the other students, he led us through the halls. We reached a portrait of a young mermaid, she was brushing her long red hair out when we got there.

"Password?" Her voice was bright and enchanting.

"Snargaluff." Dumbledore spoke clearly. The portrait opened and James and I stepped through. The common room was like a smaller, simpler version of the Gryffindor common room. There were two doors, one labeled Head Girl, and the other labeled Head Boy. Each room had its own bathroom (Thank Merlin). There was a bright fire already lit in the big fireplace. I turned back to the portrait to find Dumbledore had left us alone.

"This is so amazing!" James said, running out from his room.

"I know!" And indeed it was.