Chapter Two
God Save the Queen

XXX

-Lily's POV-

I walk past the many fully compartments on the train as I slowly make my way towards the head of the train where the Prefect's and Head's compartment is located. I am almost halfway there when someone stops me. "What house are you in? Or are you new?" I look to find Lucius Malfoy standing there. There's a smile upon his face that I have never seen before. It actually looks genuine and heart-felt.

"Gryffindor," I respond, smiling back.

"Oh. I'm sorry then. I shouldn't have said anything."

"No. What were you going to say? It shouldn't matter what house I'm in."

"You're right. But, still, I should probably get to know you more before I ask you out."

"You probably should. Aren't you a Prefect?"

"Yeah. I had to get a bit of away time. Potter's Head Boy. I'm never going to be able to take orders from him."

"Potter?" I gasp. My whole world has suddenly turned upside down. Sure, he was nice when I saw him at the photo shoot, but that was only because he didn't know it was me.

"Yeah. I wonder how Evans is going to take that. She hates him."

"How come?" I question, realizing my biggest mistake yet. Although my summer completely sucked, it had been somewhat okay with my transformation. I had thought, back when I started the new look, that I would be treated better when I returned to Hogwarts. Now, I have only come to realize no one knows who I am. They all think I'm some student nobody has noticed before. The once beautiful, red-head, perfect Lily is gone and has been replaced by an ugly, black-haired, mistaken stranger known as Eve.

"I don't know. I think, personally, she just hates him for being so stuck-up and conceited and always bugging her to go out with him. At least, that's what she always says. Calling him a git, pig-headed, arse, and many other various things. She's not exactly the nicest person when it comes to Potter. Well, it was nice meeting you. Hopefully I'll see some other time." I only nod as Lucius walks away. All I can think of is how terribly mean I am.

XXX

When I had finally reached the Prefect's and Head's compartment I open the door slowly and make my way in. This compartment is much larger and much more extravagant looking than all the other ones. "Do I know you?" I turn at the familiar voice of Sirius Black and glare down at him.

"No. And I would appreciate it if you wouldn't hit on me the moment you saw me," I say, pushing past him and sitting down in the farthest corner from Sirius and Remus. I have just put my bags away and I am about to sit when the door slides open again and in walks James.

"Eve?" he questions upon seeing me. I offer him a weak smile and wave slightly before he excuses himself from his friends and sits down next to me. "It's good to see you," he says, pulling me into an unexpected hug.

"It's good to see you too. How were your last few weeks after the shoot?"

"Awesome. On my way out of the building, I got hit by a car." I look up at James in shock as he smiles. "My mom is really good when it comes to healing, so I was fine in two days. But, she said I could start working with all her employees again. I can't wait for next summer now. Are you gonna be there?"

"I don't think so. I think I might move in with Jayde. She offered over the summer, but I refused and moved into my own apartment."

"How were your last few weeks?"

"Okay… I guess."

"Lily!" I look up, fear crossing my face instantly. I shake my head profusely as James turns back. Jayde comes running over to me and engulfs me in a hug. "Hey girl! Long time no see, huh? I got the pictures you sent. You were awesome at the shoot. I can't believe I didn't get to see! And wonderful James! What're you doing here? Did Remus finally say you could come?"

"No. I'm Head this year. Why did you call Eve Lily?"

"I did? No, I didn't. Are you hearing things, James. My God. So, Lils, what's up?"

"Okay, hold on. I'm so way confused. Am I not filled in on something?"

"James, I'm so sorry," I say, glaring at Jayde.

"Oh my God. He doesn't know, does he? Lily, I didn't mean to. I'm so, so, so sorry."

"It's okay, Jayde. James, it's me. Evans," I whisper, looking down.

Almost immediately, I feel his hand upon my face and I am forced to look up at him. "No," he says, shaking his head as I see tears welling up in his eyes. "What did you do?" he whispers, his hand going to my hair as he runs his fingers through my straight, black hair. This is certainly not the response I expected to get from the famous James Potter. I imagined him shrugging and asking me out. Not for him to get upset. "Why?"

"I'm sorry," I repeat, pulling away from his touch and turning away.

"Remus, can you please take over for me? Just for today. I'll see you guys before we get off the train," James whispers before exiting the compartment.

XXX

"Lily?"

I look up at Remus and sigh slightly. It was bad enough having to confront James. Now, I have to deal with an actual friend finding out. "Hello Remus."

"You're not Lily," Remus whispers as he backs away slightly.

"It is me, Remus. I've changed."

"The Lily Evans I know wouldn't change that much. Not unless something happened."

"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you what happened at this point. You will find out someday, though. I promise." I look down and close my bag before standing up. After I take my bags down from the overhang, I make my way out of the compartment.

"Lily!" Jayde calls after me. I ignore her and just close the door behind me, holding back the unwanted flow of tears I don't want to remember. I never want to think about him again…

XXX

"Hey dad!" I exclaim upon seeing my father standing by his car, waiting for me. I am the only witch in my family out of my parents and my sister. My smile fades slightly as I see Petunia in the backseat, but it brightens almost immediately again when my father walks towards me, his arms outstretched.

"It's good to see you again," he says as he hugs me tightly. "Let me help you with your bags."

"You smell different, dad. Is that new cologne?"

"No. It's my girlfriend's perfume. Get in the car." I am frozen to the ground as I stare at dad in shock. His girlfriend? What about mom? What happened to her? "I told you to get in the car." As I look up, I am frightened to the extent that I actually have to take a step back. Although dad's eyes were warm and dancing only seconds before, they are now stone cold and filled with hatred. "Lily, you will listen to me when I speak to you. Get in the car."

"What did you do to mom?"

"We'll discuss your mother on the way home. Let's go! Claris is waiting!" he shouts, taking me by the shoulders and shoving me forward. I scream as I hit the car and slide down it, pain exploding all over.

"James, let's go. Don't bother with Evans. She probably just tripped." I try to stand up and scream back at Sirius that I need him and James' help.

"No, she didn't. Her dad pushed her. Mom, we'll be right back."

"Prongs, forget it. If you go over there and try to save her, she'll murder you."

"Sirius, shut up! I can take care of myself!" James yells, pushing Sirius away as my father pulls me up, opens the car door, and pushes me inside. As soon he gets in, I roll down the window and about to yell out that I need help when the window rolls back up and the car speeds away…

XXX

"May I please speak to Miss Zenon?" I say, cradling the phone between my chin and shoulder as I continue to cut up the tomatoes for tonight's salad.

"One moment please." I am put on hold as I impatiently wait for the secretary to get my mother.

"Hello? This is Kathryn Zenon speaking. How may I help you?"

"Mom, this is Lily."

"Oh my God! Lily! Sweetie, are you okay? I tried to come get you at the train station, but your father wouldn't allow it!"

"What happened? Tell me everything."

"Your father and I were having many more fights than we usually do, so I took a vacation. When I came back, I found out he had had nearly six girlfriends. He was having affair after affair every night. I moved into my friend's house and I am currently working on getting a divorce. Hun, I am so sorry. I swear to you, I tried to get you. I couldn't."

"It's okay, mom. Can you come get me now?"

"I'll try. Go out tonight for a walk around midnight. I'll pick you up and then we can get your stuff at another time."

"Okay. Umm… Dad! Hi!"

"Lily, who are you talking to?" my father asks as he stalks towards me.

"No one. Just a friend."

"Hang up with your mother right now. I told you not to call her."

"Bye. Love you, mom," I whisper into the phone before hanging up. I back away, the knife I had been using to cut the tomatoes clattering to the floor. "Please don't hurt me."

"Go to your room. I'll be there in ten minutes." I nod and hurry off to my room. By now, I am beyond petrified…

XXX

When my father finally arrives in my room, I am sitting on my bed, hands crossed, staring at the floor. "Stand up," he orders, closing the door as he does. I stand up as he pulls off his jacket and throws it in the corner. "Does anyone pick on you at your freak school?" he questions, cracking his knuckles.

"No," I whisper, tears already falling down my face."

"Well, now you'll know what it's like to be beat up."

"Dad, please. Don't," I try, stepping back.

"Shut up, bitch." He pulls me towards him, glares at me, and then shoves me into the wall...

XXX

When my father finally leaves, it is almost midnight and I am shaking beyond all utter belief. Mustering up the strength I don't have, I quickly clean up my bleeding wounds before throwing a sweatshirt on and a pair of socks. After I have laced up my sneakers, I open my window and jump down. When my feet have touched the ground, I take off as fast as I can, hoping my mother will arrive shortly…

XXX

I have already walked for almost an hour when I finally decide my mother isn't going to come and I start back towards the house. When I have finally reached the house, however, I find a scene that not only terrifies me, but makes me realize how much danger I am now in. My mother's car is up in flames and she's lying a few yards from it, a knife in her back and bullet wounds everywhere. From ten feet away, I can tell she's dead. Crying hysterically, I run towards my house, open the door, and find my dad in the doorway. "Sneaking out are we? This calls for some punishment. Looks like you just can't get enough, Lily."

As he closes the door and pushes me towards the stairs, I know he's going to beat me again. I unfortunately come to the conclusion that I'm right after I am in my room and am left bleeding three hours later…

XXX

"July Seventh," I write on the wall with sharpie before looking up at the mirror. It has now been a month since dad killed mom, beat me, and raped me. He has gotten away with everything and I'm fed up with being the perfect daughter. It's time for a drastic change.

"Three days ago, my father's girlfriend complimented me brutally on how pretty my hair was before she left to have fun with my father. It was only then did I realize what was attracting everyone to me. My looks. The fact that everyone thought I was beyond gorgeous," I continue to write. When I finish, I reach into the bag beside me and pull out a bottle.

"Although I won't be known as perfect, beautiful Lily anymore, I'm quite fine with that. Step One: change my hair color to black."

When I get out of the shower and am done with my hair, I go back into my room to let the dye work its magic. Picking up the phone, I dial my best friend's number and wait for her to pick up. Unfortunately, there is no answer and I think it a better idea not to leave a message.

After an hour or so has passed, I am once again at work. "Step One was successful as my former red-headed self now adorns black hair," I write. "Step Two: get rid of those goddamn curls." Before pulling out my newly bought straightener, I look over my work on the wall. There is only one other step after this one and then I will be rid of my horrendously beautiful looks forever.

It doesn't take me long to straighten my hair and, as I started at two, I am done by three thirty. Upon looking back in the mirror, I criticize my final work and immediately fix a few weak spots. Taking up my sharpie again, I continue with my writing on the wall. "Step Two was more than successful as my once banana curl hair is now bone straight. Step Three: cosmetics."

Grinning to myself, I lay out all my new make-up: black eyeliner, black mascara, black eye shadow, and red lipstick. Leaning in closer to my mirror, I first apply the eyeliner until it's as dark as I can possibly get it. Looking back, I am momentarily shocked before I pick up the eye shadow. After I have put it on thick and made it how I want it, I pick up the eyeliner again. After I have drawn black tears going down from my eyes, I pick up the mascara and put on as much as I can. Finally, I open the lipstick case and twist it up. Taking a deep breath, I put on the lipstick and then add all the final touches. Stepping back, I make sure I look positively revolting before I run out of my bathroom and into my room.

After I have changed into a black tank top that shows my red bra straps and a tight, black, mini skirt, I pull on my black fishnets and my black, leather, high heel boots. Once all that is on, I hold out my hands to reveal black fingernails and my bones practically poking out. That's right. My father just barely didn't starve me and, although it cost me greatly, I went anorexic and haven't eaten anything except a small breakfast for two weeks now. I started cutting four weeks ago and, the last time I went outside was when I bought all my needed products. And that was three weeks ago.

Once I have pull on a small, tight, black sweatshirt and slung my bag over my shoulder, I look over at my trunk. There is a fireplace in my room and, to this day, I am eternally grateful for it. Grabbing my trunk and my three other bags, not including the one on my shoulder, I step over to the fireplace and grab a handful of Floo Powder in a jar next to the pit. After sneaking one last glance at my room, I wave good-bye, step into the fireplace, and yell out my friend's house address…

XXX

When I next wake up, it is to find that the train is slowing down and I have yet to change into my Hogwarts clothes. Working quickly, I change into my knee-length, grey skirt, my knee-length grey socks, my black shoes, my collared, long sleeve, white shirt, my grey vest, and my red and yellow tie. After I am finished, I pull out my mirror and quickly begin touching up my make-up so that it looks like it did back in July. I haven't put it on this thickly in a little while because I've always been so busy, but I have enough time right now. Once done, I take up all my bags and my trunk before heading to the front. After dropping off my stuff in the now empty Prefect's and Head's compartment, I run towards the nearest door and hop off the train. I catch what is almost the last carriage going to Hogwarts and am forced to sit with a bunch of second years who have no clue who I am.

Once inside the Great Hall, I seat myself next to Jayde and ignore all the stares I receive. "James is so pissed at you," she whispers as she realizes it's me.

"Why?"

"Well, I guess pissed isn't the right word. He's really upset, though. Sirius said he went to find him and couldn't. So, then Remus and I went to look for him and, on the way, we met up with Sirius and he told us James had nearly killed him with all the hexes he threw at him. He said James was yelling something about you and how he couldn't believe what you had done to yourself. Sirius also said James was crying, but I find that very, very hard to believe. Although, he does look like he has been if you look close enough. He sounds sick, so I'm assuming that's his nose and his eyes are bloodshot and sort of red around the edges. And where did you go?"

"To the absolute back of the train where nobody sits. I fell asleep and had millions of nightmares about my dad. Wonderful way to start off the new school year, huh?"

"Don't worry, Lily. You'll get a nice rest tonight and your dad won't bother you. I promise. Besides, if he does, you can have James comfort you. Well, if he doesn't still hate you."

"Jayde, I have to tell you something. And it's kind of freaky."

"And that would be?"

"James hugged me earlier."

"Was that before or after he knew you were Lily."

"Before. When he thought I was still Eve."

"And?"

"It felt really good," I whisper, looking down at my hands.

"I've had a hug or two from James and, I must say, I feel exceptionally safe in his arms. Sirius, however…" Jayde trails off, a dreamy look crossing her face.

I nudge her slightly and she snaps back before I continue. "I don't want to feel that way about James."

"Look, just don't give him a reason to be near you and then you won't have to worry about him. Time for the old speech." Jayde immediately went into her famous bored phase as she lets her chin fall on the palm of her hand and she closes her eyes. I grin ever so slightly and shake my head as Jayde's fake eyes are revealed. Every year, Jayde is known for putting a spell on herself so that she has a pair of fake eyes on her eyelids so it looks like she's awake and listening when she's really not.

"Hello and welcome to another great year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, starts off as he stands up. "I am Professor Albus Dumbledore and, for the new first years, I am your headmaster." There is a vivacious round of applause as Dumbledore grins broadly. "As the sorting is already over, I would like to welcome all the first years into their houses and I hope that you will find that everything should be accommodated to your liking. Our new Head Boy and Girl for the year can help you with anything you need. On the note of Head Boy and Girl, I would like to introduce and tell you about each of them."

I poke Jayde in the ribs as Dumbledore comes out from behind the staff table and begins down the steps leading to the house tables. "Since when does he talk about us?" I question, watching as Dumbledore stops by the Gryffindor table.

"Since now," Jayde responds, yawning slightly.

"Although, for many years, our Head Boy and Girl have been from different houses, this year's Heads are from the same house. Would you two please come up here?" Dumbledore looks down the seats as no one stands up. "Okay then. I'll talk first," he says, looking slightly aggravated. "This year's Head Girl is Lily Evans. You may all know her by her fiery, red curls and perfection at excelling in almost every class Hogwarts has to offer." There is a huge round of applause with a few whistles thrown in.

"There is, however, one other way to distinguish Miss Evans from all the rest of you. Now, who has heard of James Potter? Otherwise known as one of the Marauders?" Every single student, minus the first years, raised their hands. "Lily is also known for her constant bickering, yelling, hexing, and many, many other things with James. Which brings us to our Head Boy of the year. Mr. James Potter himself." At this statement, the entire Great Hall looks over at Dumbledore in shock and I can distinctly see Professor McGonagall shaking her head.

"James Potter is not only known for his fighting and yelling with Lily in return, but also for his amazing talents on the Quidditch field. Mr. Potter plays the difficult position of seeker for the Gryffindor team and…"

"Sorry to interrupt, Albus, but I found your Head Boy." All heads turn as everyone looks over at the huge, double doors to the Great Hall. Filch, the caretaker, and James are standing there, James looking gloomier than he ever has.

"It's quite alright, Argus. James, we were just talking about you. Since we have finally met with our Head Boy, can I please have Miss Evans come forward?"

"Get a move on," Jayde whispers, pushing me. Shaking, I stand up and begin what seems like the longest journey I have ever made towards Dumbledore. All I can hear as I walk towards him and James are whispers and disapprovals.

After a moment of silence, Dumbledore looks away from me and at the sea of students. "It looks as if the bickering will remain number one. James Potter and Lily Evans, everyone. Your new Head Boy and Girl." Almost as if he is angry, Dumbledore quickly walks away towards the staff table as James looks over at me. Shaking his head, he heads over to where Sirius and Remus are before I return to Jayde. Just for the record, this is the worst feast I have ever attended.