Chapter Two – Journey to Hogwarts
(AN: Hi there again! I was honestly amazed that despite no reviews so many people hit up my story! Thanks all of you who read! Here is chapter two a bit longer as promised! As always I own nothing but what you DON"T recognise! I also have a new appreciation for how hard the Sorting Hat songs are to make up!)
Kya reached their compartment first, most likely James and Lily had been delayed by an over zealous Sirius, followed by a plausibly sarcastic Rhi. Opening the door Kya flushed slightly as she saw Remus.
"Oh, hi Remus." Kya uttered softly. Looking up from his book at his name, Remus met Kya's eyes and smiled.
"Hello Kya, did you enjoy the remainder of your summer? I'm a bit sorry I couldn't stick around at Prong's place, but my parents, they're a bit, er, pedantic?" he grinned sheepishly. At his light and teasing tone Kya felt herself instantly relax.
"With good reason!" she replied with a laugh. It was at this moment the rest of the motley crew stumbled into the compartment.
"Hello, hello, hello! What's this raucous then! There is no joy permitted aboard here!" James announced in a deep, booming voice.
"Well then we'll need to kick you and Padfoot out, Prongs." Came Remus' dry reply.
"Who's kicking my boyfriend out?" Rhiannon's voice came floating in
"I am, for boisterousness and overall joviality."
"Oh well then by all means." Sarcasm. Naturally. It wasn't unusual coming from Rhi. It was at this point that Lily pushed past everyone, stood in the middle of the carriage, threw out her arms and declared, "HUG ME!"
The resulting glomp knocked her backwards into Remus who promptly joined in, as the phrase goes – if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
The gang spent the next few minutes before the train left catching up with each other and most importantly planning their big seventh year opening feast prank, which was bound to be brilliant due to the addition of the three lovely ladies intelligence.
"I think we should do something to our dearest faculty. They've done ever so much to, I mean for, us over our last six years." This came from Sirius in a mocking tone, which earned him a thwack on the arm from Rhiannon.
"Don't say it like that they've plenty for you! You big doof!" the teasing could still be sensed through her apparently stern demeanour.
"Rhi's right Padfoot," the aforementioned Animagus pouted pathetically, "Oh don't pout so pathetically, I agree with you too. Just in a less sarcastic way." James finished with a smirk.
"Honestly! I don't know how you boys ever got anything mildly brilliant planned the way you banter around. Remus however did you put up with it in silence for so long!" this came from Lily, ever the voice of indignant caring.
"Stubbornness, and I was too lazy to search for new friends." Dry wit, clearly Remus.
It was here that usually shy Kya spoke up, "Why don't you talk to the house elves about organising something for when Dumbledore claps for the feast to appear, like a cue? It doesn't just have to be them either, we can do all sorts of charms to the Great Hall and something specific for the teachers and each house too!"
As she spoke and got into her idea, her face became more animated and her voice more strong and confident. A certain sandy-haired boy was watching her with intensity, noting every nuance and characteristic. Kya's new found confidence didn't go unnoticed by her girlfriends either; both of them shared a secret smile as they saw she was becoming comfortable with the Marauder's too. So it was with the prank planned in great detail that the boys (mostly) set to organising the details. The staff would have their eye on the boys, so it needed to be one of the girls that did the final casting that set off the magnificent beginning they had developed for the year. Rhi was known to help Sirius at times, which put her under suspicion. Lily, whilst a stickler for rules, was Head Girl this year and would be making an opening speech. This left quiet Kya who was always on the sidelines, standing loyally alongside her shining friends. It was perfect.
Details, having been finalised, left the group free to lounge away the rest of the trip playing some games, eating, or simply chatting… that is until Lily sat up abruptly from leaning against James exclaiming that they had to leave immediately or they'd be late for the meeting they were supposed to be running.
"Come on James!" she grabbed his wrist and began dragging him down the length of the train towards the front compartment where they would most likely find prefects waiting for them.
"That's alright Lily, no need to wait for me or anything, just a lowly prefect" Remus called out amusedly as he closed their compartment behind him. This halted Lily in her tracks and she turned a perfect shade of scarlet, not unlike her hair.
"Well done Tiger-Lily," James panted trying to catch his breath from the unexpected sprint, "It isn't like they can start the meeting without their Head students."
"You're right" was the mumbled reply. Remus caught up to them and they continued at a much more sedated pace to their meeting.
Taking in the students there the two Head's noticed that the Slytherin Prefects from their year were missing. As if they had read their mind the door slid opening revealing Lucius Malfoy and Antonia Zabini. Lily wrinkled her nose. Antonia and her brother Donello (who had graduated a couple of years ahead of them) weren't bad people; they worked hard and earned their positions respectfully. How Malfoy had made prefect, she would never understand, old money most likely. Out of the corner of her eye she saw James incline his head slightly, indicating she should begin the meeting, but also that she could do most of the speaking.
"Welcome prefects! For those of you who are just starting the position congratulations on your achievements and for those continuing I hope you are ready for another busy year." Pausing for breath she continued, "I'm Lily Evans, I'll be acting as Head Girl this year, and James Potter will be acting as Head Boy. We have been asked to inform you not only of your duties as authority figures, but also your rights and brief you on current threats to the school. James and I will organise a roster for patrol in the evenings, if you have a problem with a time just let one of us know and we'll work something out. You are permitted to take points from students for breaches of rules up to twenty points, however, you will be required to keep record and hand in a ledger at the end of the week to one of us who will pass it on to Professor McGonagall who will audit and restore points as necessary. You will be unable to hand out detentions to students, but if you feel it's deserved you may recommend this course of action. James?"
Here James took over, being the better versed in the current situation.
"I am sure most of you have heard of the wizard styling himself as 'Lord Voldemort'." Here the customary light gasp and shiver went through the room, "Professor Dumbledore has asked that it be made perfectly clear that he is a very real and dangerous threat. Whilst he may not target Hogwarts itself, Hogsmeade weekends will be a potential target for him and his forces. As prefects it is your duty to make sure the other students, particularly the younger ones are protected should this occurrence arise. I personally want you to know that this is a large ask of any adult, let alone fifteen to seventeen year old students and that should you wish, the prefectship you hold can be passed onto another student." James paused allowing anyone who wished to come forward, "Very well. That is all for today just keep an eye out on the train for duelling and bullying, enjoy the feast."
The three Gryffindor's headed back down the train quietly discussing patrol schedules and the likelihood of Voldemort attacking.
The train had finally completed its journey to Hogwarts. Lily and James were making sure the first years got to Hagrid safely before joining their friends in one of the carriages. James was able to solemnly end the debate of 'what pulls our goddamned carriages'.
"Thestrals. They have Thestrals pulling us." He whispered in awe
"Er, Prongs mate, you can't see Thestrals." Sirius sounded doubtful
"Unless you've seen death." Chimed in Remus, their resident dark creature expert
"Uh, yeah, erm, about that…" running a hand through his hair, James stuttered through his words, "I didn't, um, want to ruin the train ride. Seeing everyone again and catching up and stuff…" he trailed off his voice getting quieter as everyone locked eyes on him.
"James?" whispered Lily, taking his hand. He took a deep, shaky breath
"After you all left, in the last couple of weeks of summer… we left the mansion, to stay in the cottage for a bit, you know smaller and cosier. But," here his voice cracked a bit as he forced himself to continue, "it isn't as well warded as the mansion and Death Eater's attacked. You know my parents are both Auror's. Well there were too many…" silent tears freely flowed down his cheeks, "they killed my Dad and Mum's still in Saint Mungo's she lost a lot of blood… why did they leave me?" By the time he finished there wasn't a dry eye and Lily had taken his head onto her shoulder, gently rocking him.
James was their leader; he had the strongest conviction and courage of them all, to see him so broken tore through their hearts.
"Oh James, why didn't you say something. You could have stayed with any one of us for the rest of the summer. You didn't have to do it all alone. You don't always have to be the strong one!" Lily was sobbing. James reached up and wiped her tears away.
"Cheer up Lily-Flower. I didn't tell anyone because I didn't need you to be sad for me. Voldemort declared war on my family and I wasn't planning on bringing any of you into it." This statement of solidarity came with a grim smile. Unfortunately it was met with a barrage of protests
"What do you mean 'bring us into it' we are in it, you're my brother!"
"James Potter, you're an idiot"
"You're part of my pack, do you really think I'd let you go off and get yourself killed without me!"
"I am never leaving your side again, James and don't call me Flower!"
"Friends don't let friends fight battles alone. Physical or emotional."
The display of such loyalty from his friends, old and new sent a burst of confidence through James. He drew himself up as the carriage slowed to a halt and ran his hand through his hair.
"Well c'mon then gang, we have a feast to prank" laughing he took of running towards the great hall, followed closely by his best friends, wands at the ready.
Out of the corner of their eye the boys saw a house elf in the corner of the great hall, near the staff table. It winked at them and clicked its fingers, disappearing. The six of them shared a look. This would be brilliant. They settled in to watch the sorting and listen to Dumbledore's speech, all the while eager for the actual feast to begin.
Many years the Sorting's done,
And then you're off to have such fun.
Wands in hand and robes in place,
Eagerness upon your face.
Darkness gathers out in the night,
Causing fear and causing fright.
Unite together the Houses four,
Heirs exist from many more.
Gryffindor where bravery dwells,
Or Slytherin where cunning swells.
Ravenclaw are sharp of mind,
Or Hufflepuff so loyal and kind.
Six go forth to face the dark,
Heirs to Houses from the past.
A prophecy so shining bright,
Shows all the valour of light.
Try me on to find where you belong,
Fear not my words in this here song.
The chosen ones will be shown quite soon,
They'll walk with courage to face the doom.
Applause burst out through the hall, as was customary. But the six friends noticed that they weren't the only ones clapping with puzzled expressions on their faces. The Sorting Hat had never foretold a prophecy before.
Lily leaned into the group, showing them the recording she had made of the song, "See here? He isn't just talking about the four Hogwarts houses, he is talking about some very old Houses… maybe even ones people thought had died out?"
"Lily!" Kya hissed, "Can we talk about the mysterious House and random prophecy later? I'm trying to concentrate!"
"Oh. Right. Sorry!"
Dumbledore stood and the applause died down.
"Welcome students to another year at Hogwarts! I know I do not need to remind you all of the grave threat that the self styled Dark Lord Voldemort poses to us all. This summer has shown us some triumphs, and some sad losses. I hope that you will enjoy this year and endeavour to strive for the stars," he waved his hand and the ceiling changed to a perfect copy of the evening sky, "We welcome James Potter and Lily Evens to the positions of Head Boy and Girl, may they lead you well in these troubled times. I would like to also welcome our new Divination teacher, Professor Kassandra Taldaugion. Thank you and enjoy the feast!" He raised his hands and clapped twice. That was when mayhem broke out.
The beautiful night sky transformed into dark, but majestic clouds, not only this but from them a deep rumbling thunder and forks of lightening. The students who were expecting great quantities of food on the tables were shocked and delighted when instead arrays of fireworks were appearing in front of them and dancing around the Hall.
The biggest surprise was that the lightening was targeting people, it wasn't harming them, however, when it hit they were surprised to find that their robes flashed their house colours and their pointed black hats became party hats. At the head table the staff were not faring much better. Their hats too had become party ones; their robes however were the piece de resistance. They had been transfigured into the robes of the teacher to their right. It was a real treat to see Dumbledore in McGonagall's robes and so on. As the fireworks died down the lightening branched out and hit each of the four houses banner's.
Welcome to Another Year!
At this point Lily took her cue and stood up. Waved her wand with a flourish and the staff returned to normal. Rhi followed her lead as she sat down and restored Slytherin to their rightful state. Remus continued the trend to Hufflepuff, as did Kya to Ravenclaw and Sirius to Gryffindor. James then took his turn and everyone looked at him expectantly as he raised his hands, clapped twice and the food appeared before them. Even McGonagall applauded along with most of the student body. The charms and transfiguration had been legendary.
Settling down into his four-poster for the evening James Potter smiled. He may still have to share a dorm with Pettigrew, but he had some great new friends, they had started the year with a bang and even gotten away without detention. It was going to be a fantastic year.
(AN: Until next time!)