Hullo! Here I am, back with another chapter in the Life and Times of Lily Evans later-on Potter. As Lily approaches to the towering structure known as Hogwarts Castle she makes a brand new friend on the way. =]
Before you say I've got this backwards, Hagrid was at school at the same time as Lord Voldemort. And Tom Riddle went to school a whiles before Snape and Lily and James and the Marauders. Therefore, Hagrid would probably already be working for Dumbledore as the Keeper of Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts. You can see my reasoning within that, yes?
Lily Evans's POV
"Careful coming off the train!" and "Watch your step!" were called out in loud voices by the students they called "prefects". Abbey told me that. She had dark chocolate brown hair and deep hazel eyes with a splash of freckles across her nose.
I glanced around in wonder. The sky was dark and the stars glittered above me. The lane was lined with tall, black lampposts. A large pole at the corner of the street had signs that read "Hogsmeade" and "Hogwarts".
"Abbey, what's a Hogsmeade?" I asked her as she hopped off the train after me.
"That, is a village near Hogwarts. It's got awesome shops and stuff. Word is that a brand new joke shop's gonna open soon. Zonko's, I think it is." She whispers to me.
"Really? So it's like Diagon Alley?" I ask.
"You can say that." She says simply.
A group of boys rush past us and make us bump into a huge dark figure. "Oh! I'm sorry!" I squeak.
I tentatively glance up and see that I've bumped into a rather tall and round man. He had furry black whiskers sprouting from his chin and matted black hair.
"Whoa there!" He says in a booming voice. "Firs' years by teh look of 'em. Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds a' Hogwarts."
"Pleasure." Abbey quipped stepping up to shake his large hand.
"Hurry, or the whole lot of you are gunna miss teh boats." Hagrid says.
As we walk towards the lake I ask Abbey, "How could you not be afraid of him?"
"Oh, it's nothing. My sister told me that Hagrid was harmless." She says.
"Your sister? You have a sister?" I ask quizzically.
"Yup. She's a 6th year. Hufflepuff." Abbey tells me.
"And we're s'posed to ride the boats?"
"Of course! Just hop in! Here's one." She points to one. "We're supposed to have three to each boat." She says matter-of-factly.
Abbey steps in and settles herself quick, as if she does it every day while I take my time and cautiously ease myself into the wooden boat.
"'Scuse me, but you wouldn't mind if I jump in too?" A quiet voice comes behind me. We turn to see a tall but skinny boy with fair hair and skin. He had pale blue eyes.
"Sure!" Abbey pipes and we both scoot over to make room.
All of a sudden the boat lurches and began to make its way across the lake. A whole fleet of boats float on the murky lake to the large castle in front of us.
It was made up of multiple towers and walkways. It was so huge and lights and torches lit up the entire castle. It was set on a tall cliff over-looking the lake we were gliding across. And I thought I saw a flying horse cross the night sky.
"What's your blood status?" Abbey asks abruptly.
The boy looks startled. "Half-blood, you?"
"Pure." She says.
"Muggle-born." I say quietly.
"Really? I've never met a Muggle-born." He says.
This time, my response is directed toward Abbey. "Doesn't it make more sense to ask his name first?"
She thinks about it first. "What do they call you?"
"Callum Jenson, how about you?" He looks at me.
"My name is Lily Evans and this is-"
"Abbey Pearce, pleased to meet you." She extends a hand.
Callum shakes it and says, "Where d'you think you'll be Sorted?"
"Gryffindor, of course!" She says proudly. "Gryffindor is the greatest House of them all!"
"Severus says that Slytherin is." I say.
"Severus?" Abbey asks. "Is he that greasy boy who waved at you earlier?"
"I know who you're talking about. The one with the pointy nose, yes?" Callum adds.
"That's the one. Well, is he?" She asks again.
I nod. "Yes, he's my best friend."
Like Tuny, Abbey wrinkles her nose. "Really?" She doesn't dwell on the idea long. "Well, I'm sure Hogwarts is going to be so much fun! Did you know there are going to be ghosts?"
Abbey carries on the conversation which leaves me pondering, why don't people like Severus?
Huddled together, all of us scuffled into the Great Hall after a short introductory speech from Proffesor McGonagall. I peered above my head to see lit candles floating near the ceiling, lighting up the grand room. The ceiling was a perfect reflection of the clear night sky outside. Four long wooden tables were laid out and the older students were already sitting and waiting patiently. On a raised platform a table with a few chairs were set up. I guess that's where the teachers sat since there were adults in long, billowing robes settled comfortably in the chairs. A large golden chair was in the middle of the front table. A man with a long crooked nose and half-moon spectacles sat in it. He was wearing dark blue robes and his beard was beginning to turn a light gray color from his natural brown.
As we approached, Professor McGonagall stood next to a small wooden stool with a tattered old hat sitting upon it. "Welcome, first years." She said. She held a long scroll in her hands.
The Sorting Hat began to sing a song that I didn't pay attention to, I was far too preoccupied with admiring at the beautiful ceiling and decorations about the Great Hall.
"When I call your name, you will step up here and put the Sorting Hat on. Once you've been Sorted please walk directly to your House tables." McGonagall says.
"Abernathy, John." She called. And a stout boy scrambled up the steps and placed the Hat on his head. After a moment of consideration the Sorting Hat shouted, "HUFFLEPUFF!" And the table to the left cheered, all of the students sitting there had gold and black trimmings on their robes.
"Aaron, Tally." McGonagall announced. And a girl with a wiry build and wavy blonde hair skipped to the platform and happily plopped the Hat on her head. Immediately the Sorting Hat exclaimed, "RAVENCLAW!" The table beside the Hufflepuff table erupted into cheers and welcomed Tally warmly. She blushed while students wearing blue and silver congratulated her.
"Avery, Ralph." McGonagall shouted at the Hall. A boy with a medium build and sandy brown hair proudly stepped up with a smug look on his face and swept the Hat off the stool and dropped it on his head. Like Tally, the Sorting Hat didn't have to calculate his decision. "SLYTHERIN!" And the table with students wearing green and silver applauded their newest addition.
"Bellamy, Ella." She called. And a rather tall girl with mousy brown hair made her way to the platform and gingerly picked up the Sorting Hat. After a great deal of time the Hat announced its decision, "HUFFLEPUFF!" And the left table cheers again.
"Black, Sirius." And one of the boys from the train confidently sauntered up the platform and swiftly stuck the Hat on his head of curly black hair. Not hesitating a second the Sorting Hat called out, "GRYFFINDOR!" Even though the other tables cheered so loud, this one table cheered the loudest, showing their pride in their House. Students clothed in scarlet and gold trimmed robes applauded and clapped the young boy on the back. I turned my nose away from his direction when he glanced my way.
After him, many students went up and was Sorted into their Houses, each of them receiving applause and cheers from their brand new Houses. When finally, it was my turn.
"Evans, Lily!" McGonagall called and suddenly the Great Hall was colder than before. Abbey gave me a slight push from behind and said in a hushed whisper, "Go!"
I made my way to the platform and gripped the brim of the Sorting Hat tightly. The fabric was soft and worn and it squirmed beneath my touch. I slowly placed it lightly on my head and sat on the stool. A low, gravelly voice began to whisper in my ear. "A Muggle-born! A bright one at that, with a kind heart and a pure soul. Not sure where you want to be?" It asked and I shook my head slightly in response.
"Well, if you're not sure, welcome to GRYFFINDOR!" The Sorting Hat shouted the last word loudly so the rest of the Great Hall could hear. Immediately, the Gryffindor table applauded me and I happily scooted off the stool and placed the Hat upon it. In a jovial fashion, I hopped off the platform and strode to the Gryffindor table. On my way, I saw Sev give me a look and in return I shrugged and gave him a small sad smile.
Sirius smiled at me and scooted down the bench for me, but I turned away and went to sit next to an older looking red-headed fellow who introduced himself as Arthur Weasley, seventh year.
I cheered along with the rest of my House as each new Gryffindor was sorted. I applauded loudest when Callum and Abbey proudly took their place beside me. I had to say, I wasn't that pleased to see James join Gryffindor, but I wasn't about to let him spoil it.
"Snape, Severus." Quickly, Severus made his way up the platform and plopped the Hat on his head. The minute the Sorting Hat touched his head it shivered and quickly yelled, "SLYTHERIN!" He smiled, clearly pleased that he had gotten his choice and proceeded to sit next to a bloke with shoulder-length hair. I realized it was Lucius Malfoy, the prefect from Diagon Alley.
The Sorting ended when "Winstead, Nora." was sorted into Ravenclaw. Once all the students were settled, McGonagall spoke again, "Your House will be your family and your House Common Rooms is where you will spend your evenings and free time if you so choose. Students are not allowed to enter the Common Rooms of different Houses."
After Headmaster Dumbledore told us some rules he permitted us to eat. I was just about to question Arthur about the empty settings before us, but instantaneously the plates and platters were filled with a variety of food and the silver goblets were magically filled to the brim with pumpkin juice.
Even though Abbey was quite thin she gobbled the food up as if she couldn't get enough. I was so hungry since I hadn't had anything on the train and I was so nervous that I had a very small lunch before leaving for Kings Cross.
Once I was full I asked Arthur, "Are classes hard here? I've only ever been to Muggle school so I would be a little behind."
Arthur chuckles and says, "You won't be behind at all! None of the other first years has had any other magical education either."
When he said that I immediately felt relieved, "Oh, wonderful! What's your favorite class, Arthur?"
He tapped his chin thoughtfully and says, "Defense Against the Dark Arts, that's for sure."
"W-what's that?" I ask quietly. The term "Dark Arts" worried me.
"It's a class where they teach you how to defend yourself. It isn't as bad as it seems. You're going to love it." He says brightly.
We turn our heads as we here a loud clink coming from the Teacher's Table. "Attention! You will proceed to your Houses. First years, follow your prefects and they will give you further instructions. Have a good night." Professor McGonagall said. "Your belongings have already been moved to your dormitories and your class schedules as well."
Quickly, students hopped off their seats and dusted the crumbs off themselves and made their way to the corridor.
"Listen here! First years!" A tall boy with short blonde hair called. "First year Gryffindors! Come here!"
We all flocked to the boy as the rest of the Gryffindors left the Great Hall. I studied the shining badge on the boy's chest. It was scarlet and gold with a lion and across it they said the word "Prefect".
"All the first year Gryffindors are here, yes?" He looked around our group. "My name is Erik Turpin, follow me!" He swiftly exits the Great Hall and turns the corner. His head pops out from around the corner and says, "Hurry up, now! Don't want to be lost in Hogwarts, now do we?"
Abbey whispers to me, "He's cute." And she giggles.
"And you're 11." I whisper back.
"Turning 12 in a week!" She counters.
"He's probably 15. He's too old."
"Who cares? His eyes are beautiful!" She says dreamily.
The two of us stood near the back of the group. "You can hardly see them!"
"Oh, whatever! Admit you think he's cute." Abbey says, poking me in the side.
"Fine. He's cute, but I don't fancy him. I'm too young for relationships." I tell her.
She laughs, "Well, I sure do!"
"Maybe next year, Abbey." I whisper.
"Oh, fine. All I know is I'm going to talk to him tomorrow."
"Why tomorrow? Why not now, when he's right there?" I ask.
Abbey sighs wistfully. "I'm much too tired."
"Agreed. Tomorrow you're talking to him and I'm not gonna miss class."
"Mm-hmm." She murmurs, her eyes starting to droop and I grab her arm just in case.
Erik stops us just before a large painting of a very large woman. "Good evening, Fat Lady." Erik greets her. I thought, paintings can't respond… Why is he talking to her?
"Good evening. Password?" She asks in a rich voice.
"Pinna Grypho." He says, then he turns to us. "That's the password you use to enter the House. Don't forget or you'll have to wait until someone opens the door for you."
"What does it mean?" A student calls out.
"It's Latin for Griffin Feather. I did not come up with that."
The portrait swings open to a large room. "Welcome to Gryffindor House." Erik says proudly with a grand sweep of his arm. We all file into the room. "Those stairs lead to the dormitories. The left doorway goes to the girl's dormitories and to the right are the boy's. Light's out at 11." He dismisses us and stalks up the stairs.
I examine our common room. There are Gryffindor hangings emblazoned with a lion everywhere and portraits of people who seemed to be talking to each other. There was a cozy fireplace with armchairs gathered around it. Where the window was there was a chessboard and two chairs with a large chalkboard beside it. There was a long reading table and several chairs set up next to small coffee tables. The whole room had a warm and comforting feeling to it. It could've been all the food I ate or the blazing fire to my left.
Abbey slipped her arm out of my grip and made her way up the stairs. I found Callum sitting in an armchair, studying the fire. So I go and sit in the chair beside him.
"Hullo, Callum!" I say cheerfully.
He looks up and smiles. "Hi, Lily."
"I'm so glad I got into Gryffindor, it's so nice in here!" I tell him.
He nods and begins to respond when another voice comes behind us. "You're the ginger from the train. Evans, right?" The Potter boy asks me.
"My name's Lily." I say defiantly.
"And my name's James." He sticks out a hand for me.
I stare at it coldly. "I'm getting tired. See you tomorrow, Callum." I get up out of the chair.
"Good ni-" Callum starts but James cuts across him, "Night, Evans."
I let out a defiant huff and stomp up the stairs. Our dormitory was quite nice. Like the Common Room, there were Gryffindor hangings on the wall. But there were six four-poster beds with scarlet sheets and golden striped pillows with the Gryffindor emblem. Abbey was snoring softly in the bed closest to the door. I spotted my stuff by the bed nearest the window, so I quickly walked over there. It was too dark to see a small black figure lying on the floor. So I accidentally stepped on it and it made a squeaking noise in reply.
"Oh, sorry!" I whisper.
"It's okay." The figure says in a small voice. "I was looking for my bracelet." She stands up and I can see her features in the moonlight. She had very pale blonde hair that fell in a silky sheet to her waist and large blue eyes and a thin body.
Blanc." She smiles a smile with white teeth. She has a slight French accent.
"Are you French?" I ask.
"My name's Lily Evans." I say.
"Cleménce She nods, "Oui. My father is French wizard and my mother is British witch. I was born in Cannes but we moved when I was small. And now, I am here!"
"Cleménce! Did you find it?" A British voice calls out. And a small girl with black hair and brown eyes steps out.
"Kate, this is Lily Evans." Cleménce introduces me.
"Oh, hello! My name is Catherine Griffiths, but everyone calls me Kate." She shakes my hand. She stops when she sees Abbey asleep on the bed. "Who's that?"
"That's my friend, Abbey Pearce." I tell her.
"Oh… well then we'll leave her be." Kate glances around the dormitory. "Hmm… So far it's me, you, Cleménce, and Abbey. There's six beds, where're the two other girls?"
Right then, two slight Asian girls walk in arm-in-arm. They were dressed exactly alike, except for the scarves they were wearing, and were identical. Twins.
"Hello." The first one said, the one with the red scarf said. "My name is Florence and this is-"
"Malone Pham." The second one finishes, the one with the yellow scarf. "Good-"
"Night." Florence finished. And they proceeded to go grab their night clothes together and walk into the changing rooms.
"Well, there are the two other girls." I say.
"Not very friendly, are they?" Kate says.
"Oh, you judge people too quick." Cleménce scolds her.
"And I'm usually right. Well, I'm ready to go to sleep so have a good night." Kate says and climbs into her bed.
In a second, you could hear Kate and Abbey's soft snoring. "She falls asleep fast." I commented.
"Keep the snoring-" Florence says. They had changed into silk nightgowns. Florence wearing a soft blue one with dolphin and fish and seaweed embroidered on it and Malone had a pale green one with tigers and bamboo stalks.
"Down, please. We'll be going-" Malone continues.
"To sleep." Florence finishes. At that, they part for the first time I've seen them and settle into their separate beds.
"I guess it's time for me to go to sleep as well. Good night, Cleménce." I yawn and go to change.
"Doux rêves. » Cleménce says tiredly as she also climbs into her bed.
"Sweet dreams."
LONGEST CHAPTER I'VE EVER WRITTEN! Can't say it was my best chapter, but I liked it a lot. Oh, how I wish that I could've gone to Hogwarts. A girl can dream.
Love, hate. Review, flame. Questions, suggestions are all cool by me.
-Dr. Asian -.-