Okay, I lied... I decided to be generous today so here is Chapter 3! I promised you it gets better! I haven't given you a cliffy yet, so be happy, but i promise there will be some later!
Yeah, this chapter was supposed to be a 'Part 2', but i didn't think it fit, so disregard the whole 'Part 1' thing. Oops /
I posted this one in the same day, so there was no time to recieve any reviews, but i will post thanks to any reviews i get after this!
Once again, tons of thanks to my ediotor- BetaBamboo- who worked ahead so that i could post this for you guys today! Give him lots of love!
So, for the second time today, Enjoy!
Hogwarts Arrival
Lily burst into the prefect's carriage, panting, "S-… so sorry… I'm late… forgot… sorry,"
The heads all turned to watch her as the Head Girl, Emmeline Vance from Ravenclaw, chided, "Well, finally a Gryffindor prefect has decided to join us. Do you happen to know where Remus Lupin might be?"
"No, sorry," she replied, inwardly hoping that the boys would have the brains to go and wake the other prefect.
"Very well, then. Have a seat," she sighed.
"Alright, as I was saying," the Head boy, Davey Gudgeon of Hufflepuff, began again, "Prefects, if you find yourself unable to take your turn patrolling, you are to notify your partner and one of us. We will find you a replacement,"
"However," Emmeline added, "Only the most consequential excuses will be accepted. In other words, if you are ill, have suffered a great loss, have permission from a staff member-,"
The list would probably have gone on and on if, at that moment, Remus Lupin had not come bounding into the room looking rather frazzled.
"Sorry I'm late! I fell asleep," he exclaimed rather wearily. He was not looking well at all.
"Thank you for finally joining us, Mr. Lupin," said the Head Girl rather sharply, most obviously annoyed.
"Anyway," Davey continued, as Remus sat down in the only remaining empty seat across from Lily, "I am about to give each of you a number, one through twelve. You are to pair up with the other with your number for patrols. No complaints or trades will be acceptable,"
The two Heads then walked around telling everyone their numbers. Lily got number four, and Remus got number eleven. His partner was Alice Prewett, a shy Hufflepuff fifth year, while Lily was paired with Antonin Dolohov, a boorish Slytherin seventh year.
"Okay then, one through six, you'll be patrolling until the sweets trolley finishes serving everyone, which should be around three- thirty," Davey explained.
"Then you'll switch off with seven through twelve," Emmeline added.
"Everyone got that? Remember, three- thirty is the switch off,"
"Any questions? No? Then meeting adjourned!"
Lily groaned and skulked over to Antonin, smiling weakly at Remus as he sent her a sympathetic look on the way out.
"So, Dolohov, I reckon we should start in the first carriage and work our way back. D'you agree?" He grunted, and she took that for an affirmative.
"Alright, I have to take care of something first, so I'll meet you there, okay?" He grunted again, so Lily exited the carriage.
She ran all the way back to her compartment and was surprised to see the two pests and their tag-along sitting and chatting comfortably with Alecia. Vivi, however, appeared incredibly unhappy with the seating arrangements. Sirius lounged in the seat next to her, Peter beside him. Across from Vivi was Alecia with James next to her. Alecia, Sirius, and James all looked rather at ease. Only Vivi and Peter were uncomfortable with the situation.
"Hey Lils! How was the meeting?" Alecia asked brightly.
"Uh… the usual; going over everything for the new guys, giving out passwords and patrols… Oh my gosh!" she replied, donning a horrified expression.
"There it is again!" Sirius exclaimed irritably, "What the hippogriff is a 'gosh'?!" Of course, everyone ignored him.
"What is it, Lily?" asked a voice behind her.
She spun around, coming face to face with Remus Lupin who had just arrived looking, if possible, even more fatigued than before.
"Oh, hi Remus," she greeted, "I just realized that we forgot to ask for the Gryffindor password!"
"Oh, no problem," he waved his hand, passing it off, "I asked Davey on my way out. It's 'Valia Daunte'," Lily looked relieved.
"Whoa, Davey Gudgeon, who nearly lost an eye a few years back at the Whomping Willow?" Vivi asked curiously.
"The very same,"
"Wow, Scarface is Head boy,"
"Don't call him that, Vivi!" Alecia cried indignantly. So Vivi and Alecia continued to argue over Davey's nickname while the others ignored them.
"You'd better get going, Lils," Remus advised, "You know how Dolohov gets…,"
"What?!" James exclaimed, "You're patrolling with Dolohov?!"
Lily rolled her eyes, "Yes, Potter,"
"No! You can't go with a Slytherin!"
"I really don't have time for this, Potter!" she groaned, leaving before he could say anything else.
The girl ran all the way to the front of the train where Dolohov was waiting impatiently for her. With all this running, she was going to be in shape before the week was out.
"Alright! Sorry about that. Ready to begin?" she prattled on, skidding to a halt. Of course, he grunted, so Lily took that as her cue to begin patrolling.
They walked up and down the train for about four hours. It was silent most of the time. Antonin seemed to be a man of few words. Lily was grateful when they reached the back of the train for the tenth time, and Dolohov paused at a compartment, clearly full of Slytherins. He sent her an 'I'm – leaving - and – you - can't – stop – me' glare before marching inside.
"Okay, then," she muttered to herself.
Lily practically skipped back down to her compartment, feeling relieved to be free of Dolohov's presence. She was thankful that he was only her partner for the next month. She could manage that long. Although he was practically mute, Antonin had an air of hostility about him… like he would turn on her at the first excuse.
The redhead pushed the thought to the back of her mind as she pulled open the compartment door. Everything appeared to be the same as she had left it, except that Remus was now sleeping in the last available seat by the window.
"Hey there, Lilylove!" James exclaimed.
"E-excuse me?" she responded, stunned.
"I said hello," he replied, clearly worrying about Lily's mental well- being.
"No, no, no, where did… never mind. I don't want to know," Lily concluded, rubbing her temples.
"Done patrolling, then?" Vivi asked jovially, "Is it Lupin's turn?"
"Oh… should we wake up Remus, then?" Alecia inquired, looking reluctant. Lily looked at Remus for a moment.
"No, let him sleep…,"
"But where will you sit, Evans?" Peter asked.
"I'm free, Lily," James offered, waggling his eyebrows.
Lily ignored him and looked around the compartment with an expression of disgust. There were truly no more seats. She wished that she could sit in another compartment and bring Vivi, so that they wouldn't have to be near the idiots, but she wouldn't abandon Alecia like that.
"Shove it, Potter,"
"Don't worry about it, Evans," Sirius assured, "I'll wake Remus up,"
"No! He looks exhausted. Let him sleep,"
"Oh, Evans, don't be such a ninny," he pressed, "Remus is a big boy. He can handle a bit of drowsiness. Besides, he's been out for practically the past twenty-four hours. It's about time for him to wake up and smell the roses,"
"I don't know, Black," Lily tried to protest, but the enthusiastic boy had already reached over and punched the slumbering blond.
"Sirius!" Alecia scolded, "I don't think that was really necessary!"
He gave her an 'and-just-how-many-times-have-you-tried-to-wake-him-up' look as Remus jumped up in a daze.
"Wha-?! What happened?!" he cried, "Is everyone alright?!"
"Having a bad dream, Remus old mate?" James inquired, watching the formerly- sleeping boy carefully.
"What? Oh, oh yeah… horrible," he feigned, "Sorry about that,"
"It's not a problem, Remus," Lily consoled.
"Evans said she's done patrolling," Peter filled in timidly.
"Which means it's your turn, mate," Sirius finished, grinning.
"Oh, thank you," he sighed, ruffling his hair in a very James- like fashion.
"You don't have to go, Remus," the redhead offered, "I can go find Alice and help her,"
James looked rather crestfallen, because if she had stayed, she would have had the seat next to him. Remus, however, shook his head.
"Don't be ridiculous, Lily," he yawned, "I'll go," James beamed.
"If you're sure…,"
"I'm sure. I'll see you guys at the castle. Save me a seat," Remus requested before shutting the compartment door. Lily continued to stand.
"Oh, come on Evans," James taunted, "You're not afraid of me, are you?"
"Revolted is more like it," she muttered, plopping reluctantly into the seat, and proceeding to stare out of the window.
James ignored her blatant aversion, "So how was dear old Dolohov?"
"He was great. He said to tell you hello," the redhead said sarcastically.
"Ah, great chap, Antonin," he mused, going along with her story.
"What?!" Peter exclaimed, looking anxiously shocked, "You hate Dolohov!"
"Petey," Sirius said in a fatherly way, "In the past five years that we have been friends, have you not yet learned the meaning of sarcasm?" The mousy boy blushed.
"Would you trade with me, Potter?" Vivi demanded more than asked, catching Lily's martyred gaze.
"Am I really that bad? I did shower this morning," the stormy- eyed boy questioned, putting on a martyred face.
"Well Black, you do smell like a wet dog, but that's not the point," Sirius looked affronted.
"Sorry, Selwyn, it's not happening," James said with a note of finality.
Finally, the train pulled to a halt in from of Hogsmeade Station. Lily happily left the compartment to go hold the doors for the students coming off the train. She hopped one of the last remaining carriages that stayed behind for the Prefects, and slid over next to Remus who seemed a bit more alert than earlier.
"Hey, Remus. How was patrol?" she asked cordially.
"Alright. I had a bit of a scuffle with a fifth year Slytherin, but all's well that ends well," he replied, equally as polite.
"Ah… so how was your summer?" she questioned.
"Oh… um, alright I suppose,"
"You don't sound so sure,"
"Well, I got quite sick a few times. In fact I'm still recovering from the last time, but I'm alright. Just tired," he laughed.
"So basically you're ready to keel over right now?"
"Something like that,"
"Well, the feast will be over before too long, and then you're dormitory free!" she chuckled, stepping out of the carriage and entering the castle, grinning. Remus followed her, but stumbled a bit as they approached the Entrance Hall.
"Hey there, Remus. You sure you're going to be fine for the feast?" Lily inquired worriedly.
"I'm fine. I promise. I just tripped," he reassured, waving his hand airily. Unfortunately, when he waved, he also revealed a long, deep slash though his palm.
Lily gasped, "Remus, what happened?!"
Remus looked confused, but followed her gaze to his hand. He lifted his hand to examine it, "Hm… I'm not sure. Oh well…,"
"Oh well?" the redhead demanded, heating up, "Remus, this is serious! How did this happen? You need medical attention!"
"I'm fine, Lily. I promise. I'm a quick healer… trust me. By the end of tomorrow, you won't even know it was there," he sighed, exasperatedly, clearly thinking of his wolfish tendency to quick healing. Being a werewolf did have its perks… however few and far between.
Ignoring him, she took his hand and examined it, running her fingers gently along the outline of the gash as they walked into the Hall, attracting much attention, especially from a few certain Gryffindors. James glared at Remus with such hatred that it seemed tangible.
The sandy-haired boy caught his friend's gaze and immediately began trying to tug his hand away from Lily's.
"Remus, quick healer or not, this is not going to heal by tomorrow. You need medical attention," she insisted, ignorant to the stares.
"Forget it, Lily. I'll be fine," he murmured, taking his place with his friends, across from James, who was still glaring at him jealously.
Lily huffed and walked down a bit farther to where her friends were seated and plopped down in the seat they had graciously saved for her.
"What was all that about?" asked Vivi curiously.
"What was all what about?" Lily asked, puzzled.
"You holding Remus' hand!" Alecia exclaimed incensed.
"What? Oh! It wasn't like that! Honestly, I would have thought you would know better," the girl replied, "Remus just had a cut on his hand and he refused to seek medical attention, no matter what I told him,"
"Oh…I hope the boys understand that," Alecia muttered.
"What do you mean?" Lily quieried, befuddled once more.
However, Alecia never got the chance to explain, because just then the first years had begun filing in, all of them looking anxious.
'I'll explain later,' the girl mouthed as the sorting hat came to life and began to sing.
30 Minutes Later…
"Well, now that we are all sorted and hungry," Professor Dumbledore began as the last student took his place, "I have a few words to say. However I believe they can wait until we have feasted. Enjoy!"
Shouts of glee and surprise went up as the tables filled themselves with food. The girls filled their plates happily, seeming to have forgotten about their previous conversation.
"Oi! Wiggins! Pass the potatoes, will you?" Sirius cried from halfway down the table.
"No!" retorted Vivi.
"I was asking Wiggins, Selwyn!" Sirius exclaimed, but James stuck with a simple, "Why not?"
"Because a, you still have food in your mouth, b, you are being very rude and shouting, rather than just coming down here to us and asking, and c, I don't like you!"
"Well those aren't very good reasons," Peter muttered.
"Excuse me, students, but if you are done shouting, the rest of us would like to eat in peace," Dumbledore said pointedly, calling a halt to their argument. Lily and Alecia turned red, but Vivi just looked triumphant.
Not long afterwards, the food disappeared and Dumbledore got to his feet again.
"The time has come for me to speak yet again. I know that you are all tired and stuffed, but if you would please lend me your ears for just a few moments time. Our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Yambi, has courteously joined us from his home in Morocco, and I'm sure you will all do your best to make him feel welcome. Also, the usual announcements about forbidden items such as love potions and fanged Frisbees, the full list is, as always, posted on Mr. Filch's door. To newcomers, the Forbidden Forest is, as the name implies, forbidden. Some of our older students would do well to remember that as well," The Marauders grinned as he continued,
"As most of you may already know, a dark wizard by the name of Lord Voldemort is on the rise," the members of the Hall that were aware flinched at the name, "For this reason, security precautions around the school have been strengthened. Even so, you would do well to keep on your guard until this tyrant is captured. Now, I do believe it is time for you all to head to your nice warm beds. Good night! Prefects, please lead the first years up to the dormitories at this time,"
Lily stood up immediately, as did Remus, and began organizing the first years into a line.
"Alright, please form a single file line!" she called, "No, you there with the red hair and freckles! Please do not shove! All ready then? This way!"
Remus was already out the door with his group of first years, clearly not bothering with making them line up. Lily suppressed a grimace. She caught up with him at the Tower and quickly explained the portrait and password to the students.
"This is the portrait of the Fat Lady. She guards our tower from other houses. If you do not have the password, you are not allowed entrance. You must wait until someone with the password arrives to lend you a hand. However, if you know the password, you are not allowed to help anyone who is not a Gryffindor into the tower," she explained.
"So what's the password then?" asked a bold little first year girl.
"Oh yes! Sorry," she turned to the Fat Lady and said, "Valia Daunte,"
"Welcome back, Lily. Greetings, first years!" she hailed warmly, swinging her portrait open to allow the entrance.
"This is the common room where you will spend much of you spare time to do homework and socialize with other Gryffindors. The dormitories are up the stairs. Boys are on the left, girls on the right. The first years are the first two rooms, second years, the next two, and so on. Girls are allowed in the boys' dormitory, but boys are not allowed in the girls' dormitory. The stairs will become a slide if one tries. So please don't. Don't worry about your trunks and belongings. They are already in your dorms, next to your beds. Any questions?"
The bold girl raised her hand again, "Do you always talk this much?"
Lily's eyes narrowed slightly, but ignored the question, "Well, if that is all, good night," With that, Lily turned on her heel and headed up the stairs to her dorm where Alecia, Alice, and Mary were already changing. Alice Prewett and Mary McDonald shared the dorm with them, and although they were friendly to Lily and her friends, they had never exactly been very close to them.
"Hello, Lily. Good summer?" inquired Alice, pulling on her nightgown.
"It was alright, thank you. And yours?"
"Wonderful, thank you,"
Lily made her way over to Alecia and asked, "Where's Vivi?"
Like it? I hope so! Oh... that thing i said about cliffies? Yeah... well here's your first cliffy! Congrats! This times I really mean that it will be a week or two before i post... just to give you some time to stew over this. -insert evil laugh here-
lol jk- its so i can give my hard-working editor some time off before working on the fourth chappy.
Anyway, review if you want. If you don't, s'ok too. They just make me feel better... like bunnies or a fuzzy sweater :D
okay enough of that...
3
Sincos