Disclaimer: All of this belongs to J.K. Rowling, not me. (though I wish it did )
Hope you enjoyed the first chapter! Here is the second and don't worry the chapters will be generally longer than the first was, that was kind of an opener. Please review and enjoy!
Chapter 2. Start of Term
As the students of Hogwarts filed into the great hall the heavy patter of rain began to lighten and was reflected on the enchanted ceiling. Students, younger and older, craned their necks to find their friends and their seats before the sorting began while all of the ghosts of the castle floated near the entrance to greet and welcome them. Lily, being a prefect, was required to oversee and keep disturbances to a minimum as well as try to make sure a certain group of mischievous boys did not cause too much ruckus. Unfortunately for Lily, the students weren't the only ones who needed looking after because a poltergeist by the name of Peeves was currently harassing the students with flying wads of chewing gum and raspberries.
"Peeves!" cried Lily, "Leave them alone or so help me I will-"
"will what missus prefect?" interrupted a cackling Peeves, "yell at me until your hair turns red?"
"Peeves!"
"Peeves, Peeves, Peeves! That's not the magic word missus prefect!" mocked Peeves as he flew in circles around her, blowing raspberries in her hair.
Lily saw Remus approach, looking slightly amused but determined. Finally, thought Lily.
"Peeves, come on, stop," said Remus.
"Or what?" asked Peeves, who was now aiming at Remus.
Remus aimed his wand at Peeves, "Waddiwasi," shouted Remus, Peeves flew off cursing and yelling,smirking, he turned to Lily, "I believe that's the magic word. It seems to work well, though I don't think that was the word he had in mind."
"Your right, it does work, you'll have to teach me that some time" replied Lily.
"There really isn't much to it. You just have to want revenge." He smiled wickedly.
"Hmm, interesting, well I'll have to remember that one. Thanks Remus."
"Any time." Lily smiled as he walked away, thankful to have him as a prefect partner.
She turned to walk toward Gryffindor table but found herself being pulled back by a strong hand wrapped around her arm.
"Oh great" she said as she came face to face with Severus Snape. Though she hadn't come to hating him yet, she was still greatly hurt by the insult he had thrown at her when she had tried to protect him only months before. He had tried numerous times since to make amends but all attempts had ended in vain when he tried to defend himself and his friends who were deep into the dark arts. She wasn't sure if she could handle much more of it since she had almost been reduced to tears by the end of each apology. It hurt her that the very person who had told her about wizards, the world of magic, and that blood status didn't matter was the one who had used her insecurity to hurt her. Not that she was ashamed of whom she was but, she was always worried about what others thought and how her opportunities might be different because of her parentage.
"what do you want?"
"Lily, I know you've heard this before and that you're still mad at me, but please, hear me out. I'm so sorry for what I said. I never meant it! Really, you must believe me," he pleaded.
"First of all if you were sorry, you would have never even done it, and second, I'm not mad at you anymore Severus,"
"You're… you're not?"
"No. I'm done with you" she replied, the venom was audible in her voice but her eyes showed a different emotion as they began to water.
"you're…" he said, unable to finish. With that she walked away, this time intent on reaching the table, and intent on not letting a single tear fall.
()()()
James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter had just shuffled into the great hall, glad to be out of the rain. Sirius, grumpy that they had not planned a start of term prank, was still complaining about them losing their edge all because James wanted to make a good impression on Lily.
"Don't worry," assured James, " we'll still do a prank for Halloween."
"We better, or I might begin to think you've gone soft," laughed Sirius.
"I have not gone soft"
"Prove it then, look, there is Snivellus trying to make a move on your girl" remarked Sirius. James turned to see Severus' hand wrapped around Lily's small arm. Lily's gaze was directed toward Severus, a look of defiance on her face while Severus looked as though he was negotiating something with her. Something stirred in James as he made to walk over there. Remus grabbed his arm out of nowhere.
"Not now," he said, "she is not in a good mood, she just finished dealing with Peeves. Plus, this is not a good way to start off the year by interrupting her conversation"
"But-"
"Even if it is someone who hurt her. James," he said in a warning voice, "don't interfere. Please."
James hesitated at first, looking reluctant, but finally agreed and made toward the tables when he saw Lily walk away from Severus. He saw Lily sit down where her friends were seated and was about to get up to talk to her when he saw her bury her face in her hands and thought better of it. Instead, they found their seats near the back of the long table.
Sirius, who had followed James gaze toward Lily was now smirking at him, "Man, you are whipped"
Remus laughed "Yeah, but it'd be a lot worse if his love was not unrequited"
"Dude, English please?"
"Okay I'm not that bad" interjected James.
"Yes. You are" they replied unanimously.
"Whatever"
All the students in the great hall turned their heads toward the podium in the front as Dumbledore stood.
"Welcome back everyone! I do hope that each of you have had a lovely summer. I would like to inform each of you that during the summer there has been an accident in the fifth floor lavatory and we request that you please refrain from entering until all the repairs are finished. I would also like to remind you that the forbidden forest is off limits to all students," he paused here, his eyes roaming over the students and resting for a moment on the boys who had, the previous year, dubbed themselves the Marauders, he continued, "There is also no magic allowed in the corridors, No Fanged Frisbees, and please keep all Zonkos products confined to your common rooms and the outdoors. For a more extensive list of rules and prohibited objects please see the list in Mr. Filches office. And now, we will proceed with the sorting after which you may begin eating."
The students looked on as Professor McGonagall placed a worn looking hat upon a seat and stepped back as the hat sang it's traditional start of the year song. When it was finished she read names off the parchment she was holding and small timid looking first years went up, were placed, and sat down with their respective houses. After an unusually long sorting, food appeared on the plates and the hungry kids dug in.
The marauders had been eating in silence when they heard a familiar voice nearby.
"My, my, you know the food is good when no one is talking," said the Gryffindor ghost Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington.
"Mhmm," murmured Sirius, whose mouth was full of treacle tart, "I cant geh nuff uh it"
"Yes that's nice," he replied, "but would you mind waiting until you finish before you talk? It is rather rude" he said haughtily.
"Oo jus jealuhs" said Sirius.
"Okay," Remus interrupted, "I think we should shut up now, kay? Before you get anyone else upset."
"Hrmph. I was jehstryin mayconversation"
"Eh. You'll thank me later."
()()()
After the sorting Lily decided she might try to avoid answering questions from her friends (God bless them) by stuffing her face with as much food as possible. But they asked away anyway and would not stop pestering her until she answered. With no other choice than to give in she answered Marlene's question about what Severus wanted to talk to her about.
"He just wanted to apologize for last year, but what bugs me is that he doesn't realize that it is not just his words that hurt, but that he keeps trying to defend his obsession with the dark arts"
"What did you say to him?" asked Emmeline Vance (aka Emmy) a very beautiful witch who looked as if she belonged on a runway. Her grandparents had brought her to Hogwarts instead of the train.
"I just told him that I didn't want anything to do with him anymore, and that was that" she said, her voice almost breaking with all the emotions she felt at the moment. She wasn't sure whether she felt more relieved, sad, angry, or regret with the finality of her decision.
"Don't worry" said Emmy, "everything happens for a reason, it'll work itself out." Alice nodded in agreement.
"Thanks guys, I just hope he doesn't try to talk to me about it again, I honestly don't think I'll be able to hold it all in."
"Well" said Alice, who had short black hair and a petite figure. " It looks like some people are beginning to clear out. Do you want to head up to the dorm?"
"Yeah" they replied.
As the girls got up from the table a handsome dark haired boy jogged to catch up with them.
"Emmy!" Sirius exclaimed as he ran up from behind her. Emmeline spun around with a huge grin on her face as Sirius embraced her and the two kissed. James, Remus, and Peter followed after Sirius with amused expressions.
"Now look whose whipped" James snickered while Sirius attempted to shoo him away with his hand and Alice made gagging noises in the background.
"Can you two get a room?" she said as they broke apart.
"Please. You are just jealous," stated Sirius.
"Why would I be jealous? I have Frank."
"Oh yeah"
"Guys can we just leave these two love birds and go up to our room?" asked Marlene.
"Yeah. Let's" said Lily.
The three girls started for Gryffindor tower when they heard several pairs of feet running up from behind them.
"Girls! Wait!" said James.
"What do you want Potter?" asked Lily.
"I just want to walk up with you is all."
"If you must" replied Lily.
James took it as a good sign that she wasn't yet yelling at him and decided to ask her what was on his mind throughout the feast.
"So Evans, I saw you looked a little frustrated there at the beginning of the feast… Are you alright?"
Marlene and Alice froze as Lily turned to glare at him but her expression softened when she saw his and realized he wasn't just fishing.
"I'm fine" she said tersely.
"Are you sure? Because you looked-"
"I'm fine Potter. What's it to you anyway?"
"Oh I just-" but he saw Alice and Marlene's warning looks and took heed, "Nothing." He stayed quiet the whole trip to the portrait hole while he listened to Lily and Remus discuss prefect duties, lucky for both Dumbledore wanted to talk to the first years before they went up to their dorms so they were relieved of escorting the rowdy eleven year olds.
James said a quick goodnight and went up to bed without pursuing anymore conversation.
The girls wandered drowsily up to their dorms and Alice closed the door behind her as she said, "Well that was interesting."
"What was?" asked Lily as she took her hair down.
"Oh just that James seemed quieter than usual. He's never like that, he is either shouting, laughing, or flirting."
"Yeah I noticed that too," said Marlene, "Maybe someone died?"
"Why does someone have to be dead for him to act normal?" asked Lily.
"Good point. Dunno what it is but I think it is definitely an improvement" said Alice.
"Ain't that the truth"
"You guys are so harsh. I think I like him better when he is loud"
"I always knew there was something wrong with her," said Alice, "how do you find his annoying personality attractive?" she asked Marlene.
Marlene just shook her head and crawled into bed, closing the curtains around her.
"What do you think of it Lily?"
"Not sure. I guess we'll find out soon though. News travels fast around here"
"you got that right"
"yeah well, 'night"
"'night"
()()()
"So, Do you think Evans noticed anything?" James asked Remus and Peter.
"Not sure, I think she noticed you were quieter but everyone noticed that, not quite sure what she thought of it though" he replied as he looked up from a muggle book that Lily had loaned him.
"Yeah I'm not sure what she thought of it either but I'm sure she didn't object to you being quieter." Said Peter with a laugh.
"Yeah I guess so," Said James as he got ready for bed, "But we'll find out soon enough. Oh Remus, by the way, what were you saying about that book Evans gave you?"
"Oh just that it was pretty good. I can understand why it is one of her favorites."
"One of her favorites? What's the name of it?"
" Well it's actually a series but I'm reading the first one, it's called 'The Lord of the Rings'. 'The Fellowship of the Ring' is the first one. Why?" he asked, now suspicious.
"Oh no reason."
()()()
The Gryffindor students woke up the following day to a pleasant surprise on the notice board in the common room.
"Unfortunately, the Damage in the fifth floor lavatory has caused leaks in the pipes throughout the school and will not be repaired until after Lunch. Schedules will not be given until that time and classes will begin afterward. Enjoy your free morning!
-Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
Order of Merlin; First Class
Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards
Chief Warlock of the Wizengamut
"Well this is great!" exclaimed James, "and it's a great day. Do you guys want to go down to the lake?"
"Yeah sure sounds good" said Sirius, "Hey why don't we go for a swim too? It looks hot outside"
"Sure," said Remus, "I could use a bit of sun. I just need to return Lily's book."
"Wait. You're already finished with it? Can I borrow it?"
"I guess but you'll need to ask her"
"Kay. Well I'll ask her at lunch. In the meantime let's enjoy the day."
"Yeah who knows, we might get a sight of them in their bikinis" said Sirius as they walked back up to their dorms to change into swim clothes.
"You know, I have a feeling Emmy might not enjoy you ogling her friends." Said Remus.
"Psh. Who said I'll be watching her friends? I just said that for James benefit" said Sirius with a wicked smile.
()()()
Lily woke up excited for classes to begin and wondered aloud what their first day in NEWT level classes would be like.
"Not sure," said Emmy, who had not come in until around one o'clock after a night out (or in) with Sirius. "But it's definitely gonna be interesting"
"You think? I was sort of under the impression that with most of us being of age, the teachers would be trying to enforce more responsibility on us" said Marlene, who was certainly not ready to give up being as carefree as she could be before, "but who knows. Let's just hope it'll only be a little more difficult."
"It looks like you aren't gonna find out until this afternoon." Said Alice who had just come back from her early morning run.
"Why is that?" asked Lily.
"Because, the note on the notice board in the common room says that pipes have been leaking throughout the school and won't be repaired until lunch."
"Oh well that will be nice."
"Oh yeah. Plus, since it's such a pretty day, I was thinking we could go down to the lake and maybe work on our tans eh?"
"For sure" said Emmy who was now looking at the grounds through the window, "looks like there are quite a few people doing the same. We should get down there before all the good spots are gone."
Twenty minutes later the girls were walking down the front steps clad in sundresses with books (for Marlene and Lily), magazines (for Alice and Emmy), suntan lotion, and sunscreen. They approached the grassy area by the lake and were happy when they saw that their favorite place, which was close to the water and bathed in sunlight, was dry and empty. They set up their towels and just after applying tanning lotion and laying out they heard loud voices slowly getting closer.
"Ugh. I can never get a moment of peace!" complained Lily who was guarding her eyes from the sun with her hand as she looked over to see whom the voices belonged to. She groaned aloud as the small group of sixth year Slytherin girls, who she had known to be rather rude, made their way toward their spot.
"Don't worry. We'll be fine as long as they don't give us any trouble" said Marlene but she didn't sound too sure of herself. The Slytherins, who never liked Gryffindors, liked Lily even less because she was the only one who would ever get them in trouble for some of their "activities". These particular girls had carried a rather strong animosity toward Lily when she confiscated all their alcohol in fifth year.
The girls watched with uneasiness as they made their way closer stopping when they were only a few yards away and began to unpack seemingly unaware of the Gryffindor girls sitting right behind them. They began to talk loudly, so loudly in fact that the girls could hear every word they were saying. Not sure when they were going to stop talking or at least talk quieter Alice decided to loudly clear her throat. They turned, looks of obvious disgust upon their faces when they realized who had interrupted them.
"Well if it isn't Longbottom's bird" chimed one of the girls who was named Lane Pritchard. She had a high pitched voice, stick straight black hair, and tan skin.
"Hi," said Alice in a mock sweet voice, "Do you mind keeping it down? Your squeaky voice is kind of annoying and it's worse when it's the only thing I can hear."
The other girls were now glaring daggers at Alice, who was still smiling and pretending as if she could never hurt a fly.
"Alice!" said Lily, "You don't need to insult her!"
The Slytherins now turned their attention to Lily as a portly girl named Alecto Carrow piped up, "Oh look. It's the mudblood bird who won't stop following Severus" she sneered.
Alice, Marlene, and Emmy made remarks of outrage at her comment just as none other than the infamous Marauders came walking up.
"What's going on here?" asked James looking between the two upset groups of girls.
"Carrow called Lily a you-know-what" Emmy spat.
"WHAT?" yelled James.
Uh oh thought Lily. This was beginning to look all too familiar. She didn't need this, not right now, not before term had even started.
"James just drop it, it's no big deal" said Lily unsure of what he might do. She had been called mudblood over and over again and it no longer bothered her so she didn't understand why he of all people cared.
"No big deal? Evans, she just insulted who you are and you say it's no big deal?"
"Just calm down Potter, it's not like I don't get it all the time. Just leave it."
"Come on" said Marlene trying to avoid a fight breaking out between the two groups, "let's just find another place to sit. They'll get what's coming to them."
"Is that a threat McKinnon?" asked Lane.
"No. It's a promise." She said as she started packing up. Alice and Emmy shot the girls dirty looks as they went to help move their stuff to the beech tree. The marauders followed them over and James, whose pants had gotten rather tight in certain area after seeing Lily in such a small amount of clothing, moved to help along with Remus, Sirius, and Peter.
"Are you alright Evans?" he asked as he tried not to look directly at her.
"Yes Potter. I'm fine. I just don't see why it matters to you what they call me. I mean, it's just a word."
"I just hate seeing people treated like that because of how they were born. And I just can't believe that it doesn't bother you. Especially when you said that you are always called that."
"I guess it just doesn't bother me anymore. I mean it did at first but I guess I've just gotten used to it." Why am I talking to Potter about my feelings? She thought, but she pressed on anyway. "I guess it only hurts when people I thought were my friends use that word to hurt me."
"I'm sorry" he said.
"For what?" replied Lily, momentarily taken aback.
"For what Sniv- Snape said" he looked down at his feet. This is the most bizarre thing that has ever happened to me she thought. James Potter apologizing for something that Severus did? Maybe someone did die. She recovered from her surprise.
"Don't be."
James looked up at her and for the first time he did not see anger or annoyance in her eyes, but instead her expression seemed softer, a mixture of curiosity and relief. And for the first time James felt that maybe this year could be different.
()()()
Thank you for reading! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Sorry there wasn't more action with the Slytherin girls. I was thinking of maybe having a few hexes flying around but decided not to. Don't worry there will be a bit more action in the future. As always please review and here are a couple of questions you can think about for the next chapter.
How do you think Lily will take James new behavior?
Do you think her reaction will be good or bad? Why?
Do you think Lily really has gotten used to being called "mudblood" or does she hide her feelings?
