Petal in the Rain
Chapter 29 – Wicked Witchcraft
'Cause it's witchcraft
Wicked witchcraft,
And although I know it's strictly taboo,
When you arouse the need in me,
My heart says yes indeed in me,
Proceed with where your leading me to.
-Frank Sinatra
Lily threw down her quill, leaned back in her chair and tiredly looked around: her new suite smelled strongly of coffee and was already torn apart, bed sheets and pillows strewn across the floor, a mountain of books piled on her writing desk and crumbs from her toast littering the carpet. Her eyelids drooped as she watched the ash from her latent fireplace dance in the morning light spilling in from her balcony window, attempting to lull her into a sense of calm.
She hadn't been able to sleep for more than an hour, too anxious about her first day of classes. Instead, she'd devoted herself to the Defense textbooks Sirius had suggested, reading the introductory chapters for each. Though she found them interesting, her memorization of the content hadn't helped to rid her of the daunting feeling that had forbidden her rest.
Coaxing her pulse to steady, Lily retreated to her en suite lavatory. She splashed some water on her face, charmed her hair into a neat up-do (a trick Mimi had shown her), powdered the bags under her eyes and pulled on her newly-starched Hogwarts uniform—more effort than she had ever put into her looks at St. Madeline's. Her previous beauty routine (or lack thereof) wouldn't have satisfied Lord Longbottom's strict expectations of a noblewoman, of that she was certain.
"Here goes nothing," Lily murmured, tucking her books, instruments and wand into her leather messenger bag and heading for the door.
As she began to descend the Grand Staircase, students of varying shapes and sizes appeared everywhere—some carrying mounds of books and others laughing hysterically with friends—with most openly gawking at her as she passed them by. Rather than bowing her head and averting her gaze, she looked determinedly forward, even offering a tight smile to any of the older students who held eye contact. Shockingly, some students pressed themselves against the railings or walls as she walked by, her presence literally parting the sea of schoolchildren.
To her immense relief, the crowd began to thin as she neared the dungeons. Heading down the dank corridors towards the Potions classroom, Lily felt her senses begin to numb, flickering torches and distant murmuring the only audible sounds in the dank sepulchers. Upon arriving at her destination, she found a collection of ten students standing outside of the classroom, a girl with flaming pink hair standing out amongst the group, her ear pressed against the door.
"There you are. Alice and I wondered if you'd made a run for it when we didn't see you at breakfast," Lord Rudolf Brand whispered as Lily came to stand beside him.
She smirked. "I figured I'd see how my first day went before slipping into the night—though my bags are packed."
"Normally I wouldn't blame you, but how could you bear to miss out on such intrigue?" Rudolf teased, nodding towards the classroom door, "Sounds like our Potions professor is exchanging heated words with someone."
Listening closer, Lily heard deep, angry voices from the other side of the heavy door. It was clear that whoever was in there with Snape was furious.
Merlin.
Lily's suspicions were confirmed when James came bursting out of the classroom, sending the girl with the pink hair stumbling backwards. His striking eyes narrowed as he observed the collection of students huddled outside of the door; he brushed past them to help the witch upright: "Didn't your idiot cousin teach you not to eavesdrop, Dora?"
"If you're referring to Sirius, I think you know that couldn't be farther from the truth," the eccentric student muttered, taking James' hand and jumping to her feet.
"The only rival to his idiocy is yours, clumsy half-blood," another boy bearing an uncanny resemblance to Sirius interjected smoothly, earning cruel laughter from his male friends.
Half-blood?
"10 points from Slytherin. If you don't watch you mouth, Black, I'll have you mucking out the Hippogriff stalls without your wand," James warned, surprising Lily with his natural air of authority.
"Showing your bias against Slytherin already, Potter? Like I didn't see that coming," the boy challenged audaciously, seemingly uncaring of the consequences.
"That's Professor Potter to you, little Black," James mocked coolly. "Another 10 points from Slytherin. Now, what are you all standing around for? Off to class."
With a fleeting glance in Lily's direction, James swept past the students and around the corner, leaving the group in varying degrees of bewilderment. Lily's gut twisted unpleasantly.
"See what I mean? The drama is too good to miss," Rudolf grinned.
Mulling over James' apparent quarrel with Snape, Lily entered the classroom she had already come to know well—many lessons with her tutor having taken place there—and took a seat with Rudolf at the front. This seemed to take another tall, burly boy by surprise; he raised an eyebrow at Rudolf and headed for the back of the classroom, passed over for a pretty girl.
Settling in, Lily's attention turned to Snape, who was preoccupied with scrawling instructions on the blackboard. The cauldron on his desk was omitting plum-coloured smoke and hissing ominously. Though it cast the whole room in a thick haze, she thought she could detect a hint of redness behind his ears.
She pivoted in her seat to look around at the other students; taking notice, Rudolf obliged her curiosity. "Sitting behind us are Amelia Bones and Quentin Trimble, both Gryffindor scholarship students and both majoring in Defense—Amelia is possibly the brightest witch you'll ever meet."
Now it was Lily's turn to stare. Amelia Bones was a short, plain witch with lifeless brown hair, uncompromising eyes and what appeared to be hand-me-down robes. The competitive and male-dominated nature of her major had evidently hardened her over the years, molding her into a force to be reckoned with. In contrast, Quentin Trimble was tall and thin, with a jutting jaw-line and tanned farmer's skin. She'd later learn his muggle parents were cheese-makers in Lincolnshire.
"On the other side of the room are the Slytherins. The prats sniggering earlier were Lord Thorfinn Rowle, Defense, and Lord Evan Rosier, Potions. Behind them are Lord Ivor Dillonsby, Transfiguration, and the ring leader, Lord Regulus Black—also Defense."
"Any relation to Sirius Black?" Lily scrutinized the good-looking Slytherin who had challenged James; he noticed her stare and smiled arrogantly, making her frown.
"You know Sirius too?" Rudolf raised an impressed eyebrow.
"You could say that," Lily ventured, uncertain if it was advisable to claim a friendship.
"Regulus is his younger brother—though they couldn't be more different. Apparently they aren't that close," Rudolf explained, leaning in closer to Lily, "And at the back of the room is his cousin, Nymphadora Tonks. When her mother married a muggle, the Black family disowned them. She's here on a scholarship, too. Hufflepuff, Transfiguration."
Like Regulus, Nymphadora caught Lily staring; as she obstinately returned her gaze, her hair began to fade to a dark blue and her pupils a feline yellow.
Lily turned back to Rudolf, stunned, "She's a metamorphagus?"
"Among other things," Rudolf snorted.
"Everyone quiet down," Snape suddenly decreed in a dangerously-low voice, dropping his chalk and turning toward the students, his eyes tapered. "This is an intermediate-level class meant to cultivate the potioneers of tomorrow; as such, there will be no silly wand-waving or impractical concoctions meant to entertain amateurs. Instead, we'll be brewing potions which require precision and talent; naturally, I'm sure most of you will fail abysmally at the tasks set before you."
Lily noticed one of the Slytherin students nervously pull at his collar and stifled a smirk; she was pleased not to be the only one on the receiving end of Severus' ire for once.
"Today we start with the Mopsus Potion, an intriguing brew that not only has the potential to impart the drinker with the ability to manipulate objects telekinetically, but also has the power to give the drinker the ability to see the immediate future," Snape explained, matching the eager grins of his pupils with unflappable detachment. "However, no matter how accurately one prepares this potion, unless they possess the characteristics to harness such a power, drinking it will have no effect whatsoever."
Amelia Bones' hand suddenly shot up into the air. "But Professor, how do we know if we possess those traits?"
"Well Ms. Bones, if you'd allow me to finish without interruption, I might get to that small detail," Snape glowered. "The success of your potion today will be based on two criteria: the physical appearance of the potion, including consistency, colour and smell, and whether or not it bestows any powers upon you."
"You mean we have to drink our own potions?" Quentin Trimble piped up, his face ashen. "If we make one mistake we could poison ourselves!"
Instead of chastising him for speaking out of turn, Snape smiled; apparently the thought of poisoned students cheered him immensely. "Your confidence is inspiring, Mr. Trimble. I'll be sure to set a bezoar aside for you."
Some of the Slytherins snickered, "Laugh all you like, but know that you'll all be drinking or applying your potions after every class from now on. It ought to be incentive enough for you to pay attention in class and complete your homework on time. Does anyone else wish to air a grievance, or shall we begin?"
"Snape's certainly upped his terror quota for the year," Rudolf mumbled to Lily, looking less-than-enthused to commence the lesson.
"The ingredients for your Mopsus Potion are up on the blackboard. Collect them from the storage cabinet and open your Advanced Potion-Making textbook to page 274 for instructions. This is an individual task, so no talking. You have one hour before you must test your results."
Lily squinted at the long list of ingredients up on the blackboard, her heart sinking:
(2) Ashwinder Eggs
Belladonna
Bouncing Spider Juice
(1) Chinese Chomping Cabbage
(3) Fairy Wings
Flitterbloom
(1) Griffin Claw
Moondew
(5) Rose Thorns
Syrup of Hellebore
As the class headed toward the storage cupboard, Lily flashed Snape a glance that she hoped communicated just how much trouble she was in. He knew better than anyone that Potions wasn't her strong suit, eidetic memory or not. She got into the cue of students, waiting for him to do something—anything—but he merely looked away and headed toward the back of the classroom, effectively pulling taut the knot in her stomach.
Lily was the last to return to her desk with her materials. As silence befell the classroom, she carefully arranged the small, bottled ingredients before her, blatantly ignoring the unpleasant ones and warily eyeing her Chinese chomping cabbage. She looked around at her classmates and—to her horror—they were already hard at work on their potions, including Rudolf. He flashed her a pitying look and nodded toward her cauldron, silently urging her to get started.
I hope Snape has a bezoar set aside for me, too.
Lily sighed, magically filling her cauldron with water and lighting a flame beneath its copper bottom. It seemed copper cauldrons were the standard in the aristocratic classroom, though she noticed the scholarship students all possessed standard pewter, while Regulus Black's was solid gold.
When Lily went to crack the spine of her brand-new Advanced Potion-Making textbook, she stopped: the book before her looked worn, with ripped leather along the edges and pages stained a subdued yellow, likely due to potion fumes. She looked under her desk and in her messenger bag, but her new text had seemingly vanished.
Lily opened the ailing volume to the correct page, perplexed to find annotated copy scrawled in the margins in glittering emerald ink. She looked up at Snape, who was now the one trying to send a wordless message.
"50 minutes," he pronounced, prompting Lily to turn back to the hand-me-down book.
Beginning the process, she emptied her bottle of rose thorns and began crushing them into fine powder with her mortar and pestle. After emptying the ingredient into her cauldron, she skipped the next step advised in the textbook, instead blindly following what she presumed were Severus' directions to squeeze the juice out of her pickled ashwinder eggs with the blunt edge of her knife.
Miraculously, Lily's potion gradually came together, emitting delicate bursts of smoke and colour with each new addition. She prepared and added the ingredients based on her notes, which always deviated slightly from the book's standards, and attempted to time everything correctly. As she roughly diced her chomping cabbage—which wailed feebly in protest—Snape began to walk around the room, silently inspecting cauldrons. Students watched him cagily, desperately analyzing his monosyllable expression, which conveyed nothing of help to them.
Sweat beaded on Lily's brow as she added the final touches to her potion. The classroom was now submersed in a muddled cloud of multi-coloured vapours, though it did nothing to hide the nonplussed looks of students. The only people who seemed utterly at ease were Regulus and his crony Lord Evan Rosier, though Lily guessed it was because the latter majored in the subject and therefore had a God-given talent for it. When Severus finally appeared at her desk, he peered closely at Lily's potion—essentially ignoring Rudolf's—and raised an eyebrow, tempering his tone so as not to give away their connection, "One more drop of moondew should do it, Ms. Rockford."
Rudolf's head snapped in Lily's direction as she quickly added the last addition, his good-looking features wrinkled in confusion as he inspected her shimmering purple brew. "How did you get it that hue?"
Lily turned her attention to his brew, noticing it lacked luster. "Just followed the instructions," she replied weakly, swiftly tucking away her textbook.
"Your time is up. Put down your tools and extinguish your flames," Snape commanded, returning to his spot at the front of the classroom. Students watched as he curiously filled a flagon with his own potion—brewed before the lesson had begun—and took a long drink, his poker-face remaining. "Now, let's start with our Potions Major students—Mr. Dagworth and Mr. Rosier."
Lord Hector Dagworth, the burly Ravenclaw student sitting beside Nymphadora, obligingly took a drink from his potion, followed by Lord Evan Rosier. Both boys seemed slightly repulsed by the taste, but kept it down. After a minute of waiting, Snape instructed them to try and move something with their thoughts. Impressively, Hector was able to levitate his textbook so it hovered at eye-level, while Rosier was able to lift his cauldron off of his desk and make it spin on an invisible axis.
"Show-offs," Rudolf mumbled under his breath, chewing on the end of his quill.
"Good. 5 points to Slytherin and Ravenclaw," Snape said dully. "Mr. Black, Mr. Dillonsby, Mr. Rowle, you're next."
Lily watched as the next three Slytherins swallowed their potions and awaited the results. To Lily's immense relief, none of the boys produced anything remarkable, with only Regulus—looking beyond bored—managing to cause his ladle to twitch like a field-mouse.
"Unmistakably ordinary," Snape drawled, turning away from the boys and toward Lily's side of the room. "Ms. Tonks, Ms. Bones and Mr. Brand."
"Try not to choke on it," one of the Slytherins hissed at Nymphadora as she downed her mixture; Amelia and Rudolf followed, though they both looked hesitant to do so.
After a few moments, it was Nymphadora who was experiencing the most luck; she seemed to be trying to levitate her cauldron like Rosier had, though it was less steady in its ascent and ended up toppling to the ground, spilling its guts all over Hector Dagworth's shoes.
"Oops," she said cavalierly, flashing Hector a winning smile; he frowned, surveying the puddle of gook he was standing in.
"5 points from Hufflepuff," Snape said, grimacing.
"But I made my entire cauldron levitate! That's more than these dunderheads accomplished," Nymphadora protested, jabbing a thumb at the unsuccessful Slytherins.
"I took 5 points away because of the mess you made in my classroom, and now I will take another 5 for your petty outburst," Snape replied silkily.
Lily was about to open her mouth to complain about the injustice, angry Severus was being so unfair to the girl, when he suddenly turned on Rudolf and Amelia. "Well Mr. Brand, Ms. Bones, I'm not seeing anything promising from you two."
"Rudolf is going to make his desk shake and you're not going to allow Quentin to drink his potion," Amelia replied confidently. "I've seen it."
Snape looked mildly intrigued. "Well, you're correct about Mr. Trimble—his sub-par potion will land him in the Hospital Wing and do damage that not even Madam Pomfrey can cure in time for our next class. My own potion showed me that much."
Quentin hung his head in embarrassment. Lily felt terrible for him, anger swelling with every jeer spat at him from the Slytherin boys. Why did Severus have to humiliate him in front of everyone?
"Now, let's see if you're right about Mr. Brand."
Like Amelia had predicted, Rudolf was able to make his desk shake—so much so that Lily backed away from him, afraid to share in Hector Dagworth's fate.
"Not a particularly useful manipulation of the power, Mr. Brand," Snape said dryly, though Rudolf seemed pleased with his results. "That leaves just you now, Ms. Rockford."
The class immediately went silent, though the patronizing leers Lily received from the boys across the room clearly spoke to their belief in her utter incompetence. She swallowed uncomfortably, feeling twitchy, then dunked her flask into her shimmering brew. As it slid down her throat, she identified a number of odd flavours; the potion tasted both vinegary and floral, like nothing she had ever ingested before, or hoped to again. Precipitously, her head began to spin, causing her to close her eyes and reach out to steady herself. Like a lightning bolt against the blackness of her blurred vision, a scene mystically began to form in her mind.
Gasps sounded around the room, quickly pulling Lily back to the present. When she opened her eyes, she too had to subdue a yelp, for all the cauldrons around the room—as well as everyone's metal instruments—were hovering near the ceiling, as if gravity had completely suspended in the classroom.
"Now who's the show-off?" Rudolf quipped cheerfully.
Lily looked into the faces of her peers, perceiving their bewilderment, then down at her own balled fists. Her nails were digging into the palms of her hands like razors. As she slowly opened them, drawing a sedative breath, the chaos of metallic materials sluggishly returned back to their resting places, not a drop of potion spilled.
"Good," Snape said with a hint of approval. "Ms. Rockford has just demonstrated—"
Lily's head suddenly split open again, the scene she had previously witnessed returning with a vengeance—it was upon them. She spun around, instinctively reaching out and shouting, "STOP!"
The cauldron of potion that was covertly perched above Nymphadora Tonks' head, on the verge of tipping over, magically halted mid-air; she looked up in astonishment, as did everyone else, apart from co-conspirator Regulus Black and his friend Evan Rosier, who—from his purposeful stance—was the clear perpetrator. With one slash of Lily's hand, the copper cauldron was thrown against the opposite wall and landed in a dejected pile of goo, thwarted.
"Rather a pathetic attempt at sliming someone, Mr. Rosier, though you evidently possess a good grasp on the telekinetic aspects of the potion," Snape uttered. "Clearly not to the extent that Ms. Rockford does, however; 10 points from Slytherin."
"He should get 50 points deducted for being the school's biggest tosser!" Nymphadora spat, staring daggers at the boy as she gripped her wand tightly, toying with the idea of cursing him.
"5 points from Hufflepuff for foul language," Snape said dispassionately, further enraging the girl. "Control your temper or look forward to detention with me, Ms. Tonks. No harm done—this time."
"Thanks to you," Rudolf nudged Lily. She smiled weakly, her head still throbbing.
"Now, that little scene means we've run out of time to discuss the benefits of the Mopsus Potion, as well as how it may be harnessed for defensive purposes. I expect 10 inches of parchment on the subject instead. You can thank Mr. Rosier and Ms. Tonks for that," Snape declared, making the class audibly groan. "That's all for today. 20 points to Gryffindor for Ms. Rockford's proficiency of both aspects of the Mopsus Potion. Class dismissed."
"20 points from our most notorious house-hater? Unheard of!" Quentin exclaimed to the small group of Gryffindors as they packed up their instruments. "I've got a feeling we're going to win the House Cup this year."
"Aurora may single-handedly win it for us," Rudolf complimented Lily, making her blush. "Shall we celebrate over lunch, Miss Potion Prodigy?"
"I just got lucky," Lily insisted, the secret of her potions book making her bag feel exponentially heavier. "I thought I might go to the library to start on this essay, actually—"
Nymphadora suddenly darted past Lily, knocking her aside. Fury was emanating from her very pores as she exited the dungeon. Rudolf called out after her, but she continued on, unfazed.
"Well that's just bad manners. You'd think she'd be thanking you," Rudolf remarked, quickly waving off the disturbance. "Where were we?"
"Save a place for me in the Dining Hall. I have a question about this essay for Professor Snape," Lily responded firmly, though she countered with a sweet smile that satiated the boy.
Rudolf relented and headed out with Amelia and Quentin. Once the rest of the students had cued out of the dungeon, Lily closed the door behind them and turned toward Snape, who was clearing the blackboard in a flurry of chalk dust.
"I'll venture my aptitude in today's class is all due to your clever footnotes?" Lily freed the book from her bag and placed it on his desk, flipping open the cover. "Dare I ask where the moniker Half-Blood Prince came from?"
"My mother's maiden name was Prince," Snape replied, turning his dark eyes on her. "I think you can piece the rest together yourself."
"Why is everyone here so hung-up on bloodlines?" Lily muttered, thinking back to the way Regulus and his cronies spoke to Nymphadora. "It's a ridiculous detail, yet enough to pit cousin-against-cousin and make a whole population think they're better than everyone else. I should be proud to be a scholarship student; then my admittance to Hogwarts would've been based on merit alone."
Snape failed to suppress his breathy laughter. "Did you hang back just to debate society's injustices with me?"
"That ought to be the reason why—you were, after all, quite unfair to both Nymphadora and Quentin, whom you humiliated and belittled. Do you do that just to get a crack out of those idiot Slytherin boys?" Lily prodded crossly, folding her arms. "Surely you're above paltry digs like that."
"How I treat my students is no business of yours," Snape snapped, his previous amusement dissolving. "Remember that you too are my student. I warn you not to challenge my authority in my own classroom. I won't be treating you any differently."
"You already treat me differently—not that I'm complaining," Lily challenged, flopping into Snape's desk chair; his frown became even more pronounced. "If it wasn't for you, I would have needed a bezoar shoved down my throat today, and I thank you for that. We both know we're more than just teacher and student—we're friends."
"I don't keep friends," Snape countered, scoffing. "Precisely because they expect you to teach them forbidden subjects behind their uncle's back, give them a leg-up in classes and freely criticize your teaching style. You're a pain, did you know?"
Lily smirked, then abruptly turned serious. "When are you going to tell me what you and James Potter were arguing about?"
Snape offered her a sour look, his eyes blackening. "How do you know James Potter?"
"We've been friends for a while now," Lily said evasively.
"My my, how familiar you are with the teaching staff," Snape retorted derisively, turning his attention to some scrolls on his desk. "My private conversation with a fellow colleague—even a loathsome one like Potter—are, yet again, none of your concern."
Lily bit the inside of her cheek, irritated by his furtiveness. "I may have divulged yesterday that you tutored me over the summer; James wasn't particularly happy about it. Whatever childish rivalry you two share seems to be the basis for his discontent."
"Discontent? That's a polite word for it," Snape mocked. "The arrogant fool has forbidden me from having any contact with you outside of class time. I ought to warn poor Longbottom that another wizard has designs on you."
Lily's face burned a brilliant red. "That's not true, we're just friends. I'd normally also argue that he's not arrogant, nor a fool, but I'm too irritated at the moment."
Snape seemed satisfied with her answer. "Have you also told him about our secret rendezvouses? I should hate your defence education to suffer because of James Potter's jealous nature."
"I haven't told anyone. I'm not willing to gamble on others understanding my need to master the subject," Lily murmured, putting her textbook back in her bag. "I've also made a promise to you. At any rate, I better get going."
When Lily turned to exit the classroom, Snape called after her. "I'll owl you to schedule our next lesson; you'll need it, especially following this afternoon with Professor Merrythought. Oh—and give James Potter my regards."
I hate men.
Stewing over her conversation with Snape and cold encounter with James, Lily was only halfway to the Dining Hall when she gave into her surreptitious nature and instead headed out of doors to her favourite spot near the lake. Carefully positioning herself so she was eclipsed by the thick willow tree she so dearly loved, she beckoned to Mimi, who obligingly appeared with a thermos of coffee and an assortment of roast beef sandwiches.
Lily scarfed down her meal in silence, especially thankful for the caffeine, and opened her Defence book to an ear-marked page. Between her anger for James, irritation with Snape, fear of her next class and lack of sleep, she was in no mood to play royalty with a table full of lunching Gryffindors. She knew she was only delaying the inevitable.
Although they probably already think I'm an unsociable freak.
With a stomach full of delicious deli meat and her surroundings quiet and serene, Lily's eyes gradually began to sag, the words on the page before her coming in and out of focus.
"Hiding from your adoring fans?"
Lily's eyes flew open to find a girl with carrot-coloured hair and purple eyebrows glaring down at her: Nymphadora.
"Just looking for some quiet actually," Lily replied flatly, squinting up at her. "I'll have to decline if you're looking for an autograph, but feel free to enquire at my fan club meeting."
"I really hope that's a joke."
"Obviously."
Nymphadora's expression mollified. "Far be it from me to encroach on your nap time, but I was talking a walk around the lake and spotted you, and I have an axe to grind."
Lily stood up, dusting crumbs from her uniform. "I'm not sure how that's possible when I've never spoken to you before."
"You stopped Rosier from dumping that potion over my head."
"How discourteous of me," Lily bit back sarcastically.
Nymphadora's eyes flashed, her jaw set in a tight line. "I don't need you fighting my battles; I can take care of myself. Don't pull a stunt like that again."
Lily sighed, "I really don't understand you, but fine. Personally, I would appreciate someone saving me from mortification."
"I don't expect someone like you to understand what it's like to be a scholarship student who has to fight to achieve everything they have," Nymphadora countered. "When word spreads that little Dumbledore has come to my rescue, the reputation I've built will suffer and I'll be teased ten-fold."
"I think you know that wasn't my intention," Lily pointed out, offering her a repentant smile. "Can't we start over?"
Nymphadora looked baffled. "Start over? Why would you even bother with someone like me? Does the princess of Hogwarts like to mingle with paupers?"
She blanched. "Why are you all so obsessed with this class and bloodline nonsense?" Lily demanded, suddenly angry. She picked up her bag and started to walk away, then turned and stared down the bizarre student. "I don't care who your parents are or if your blood is the colour green; you remind me of an old friend, and that's why I wanted to start over. But if you're going to snub me because of my status, the same way people seem to treat you because of yours, just forget it."
Lily stalked off, her anger from the morning bubbling over. It wasn't until that moment that she realized how much the stubborn metamorphagus not only reminded her of Roxanne, but herself.
Classroom 3C was one of Lily's favourites in the castle. A large, angular room featuring vaulted ceilings and an abundance of natural light, it was peppered with many unusual objects, including a gramophone, antique projector, gigantic spy glass and a dragon skeleton that hovered perilously above the clutter of desks.
Lily took a seat near the front of the empty classroom, nearly a half-hour before the class was set to begin, and propped open her book. She was nearly through reading up on non-verbal spells when her owl, Fireball, coasted in from one of the open windows and landed on her desk, a collection of letters and papers clutched in her talons. She looked troubled.
"Missed your usual morning delivery when I skipped breakfast, didn't I?" Lily cooed apologetically, collecting the documents and stroking the owl's neck.
She tore open her first missive and found a message from Frank inside:
Happy first day of classes. Try to remember to behave and refrain from picking a fight with any Slytherins (because you would). Owl me later to let me know how it went. I'll be in town on the weekend to take you out to lunch for a proper debrief—more details to follow. I'm sure you're holding your breath in anticipation.
Don't do anything I wouldn't do—see you Saturday.
Frank
PS - Burn me.
Lily smiled despite herself, extracting her wand to destroy the letter per Frank's instructions. He advised her in the very beginning not to leave anything in writing, no matter how clandestine, for security purposes. After a tumultuous morning, she felt cheered to hear from her friend and confidant.
As Frank's letter smoldered pleasantly, Lily turned to her next piece of mail, a fancier note dressed in a satin envelope with a gold wax seal:
You're Invited
Lady Emmeline Vance requests your presence at her annual start-of-the-year celebration, a 20s-inspired bash taking place on Saturday, September 7th in the cellar of The Three Broomsticks. Champagne will be served at 10:00 o'clock sharp.
Guest list is limited to those with an invitation. No guest shall be admitted without a costume and invitation on-hand.
RSVP in person or via owl, and prepare for the party of a lifetime.
Lily raised a confused brow at the lavish invitation, at a loss as to who Lady Emmeline Vance was. Dismissing it, she pried open her last envelope, immediately recognizing the haphazard handwriting:
Meet me at the Quidditch pitch after dinner. I'll be waiting for you, flower.
Lily's stomach fluttered. Though the note was unsigned, it was clear who the writer was. It amazed her that one sentence from James Potter was enough to prompt such girlish reaction and shake her resolve.
"A lesser man than myself would perceive you blowing me off at lunch as an insult, Lady Rockford," Rudolf whispered in Lily's ear, making her jump as he suddenly dropped into the seat next.
"Rudolf! You startled me," she breathed, stuffing James' note into her bag, trying to regain her composure; he watched her in interest. "I'm sorry about that, after speaking with Professor Snape I skipped lunch for some fresh air—the dungeons are so stuffy."
"Well, you didn't miss much—only everyone humming about who received an invitation to Emmeline's party this weekend," Rudolf replied, nodding toward her own. "She's been very picky this year, I saw more than a few frowns around the room. No surprise that you're on the list, though. Most of the 7th year Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws are—well, the nobility that is."
"No Slytherins?" Lily ventured.
"Though the girls swoon over Regulus Black, you'll find no one in the castle much cares for the any of the Slytherins," Rudolf replied elusively.
"Trading gossip about me with little Dumbledore, Brand?" Regulus Black derided, materializing behind the pair, a stream of students milling into the classroom after him. He picked up Lily's party invitation, waving it around cavalierly. "You know Aurora, Brand is right—the girls do practically shiver out of their gowns when I'm in the room. Don't worry though; I've only eyes for you. How about you skip this drab little party so I can show you what a real good time looks like?"
"Don't talk to her like that," Rudolf growled in response, rising from his seat.
Lily put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, then turned to nick her invitation back from Regulus. "I think I'd rather snog a salamander. Now, how about you piss off instead?"
Regulus laughed, his dark eyes glittering mischievously. "Spirited, I like that. We'll see how far it gets you with Merrythought. You'll need to do more than levitate a cauldron to keep up with us in here."
Lily and Rudolf glared as Regulus sauntered to the back of the classroom, taking a seat with the same surly collection of friends Lily spied him with in Potions. In fact, the class was virtually filled with the exact pool of students—Amelia, Quentin, Hector, Nymphadora and the Slytherins. The only new faces were another scholarship student from Gryffindor, Broderick Bode, a Defense Major, and Lord Basil Horton, a Charms Major from Hufflepuff.
Professor Merrythought promptly arrived as the bell tower gonged to announce the commencement of afternoon classes. Though she appeared to favour one hip as she walked in—a sign of her advanced age—she moved at a decent clip, stopping just before Lily's desk before turning to face the class. Goosebumps cropped up along her arms at the sight of her.
"Afternoon. Let's get started," the elderly teacher said briskly, tapping her wand on an ancient-looking projector that spat out an image of a tablet covered in hieroglyphs. As the lights dimmed, Lily hurriedly pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill, overwhelmed with a mixture of excitement and anxiety.
"Today we will be reviewing one of the oldest spells known to the wizarding world; a spell that is immensely complicated, yet so famous that those who have been able to perform it correctly have historically been elected to high offices, including the Wizengamot and the Ministry of Magic. I refer, of course, to the Patronus Charm."
Professor Merrythought suddenly withdrew her wand from her robes, a brilliant streak of silver erupting from the tip of her wand. The stark bolt of light weaved between the ribcage of the hanging dragon skeleton before it dripped to the floor like syrup, slowly materializing into a translucent bulldog, complete with thick front legs and saggy jowls. The class watched the demonstration in wonderment, including the Slytherins.
"The Patronus Charm evokes a partially-tangible positive energy force, also known as a spirit guardian. Its purpose is to protect against Dementors and Lethifolds, who feed off of negative energy and sorrow. There is no other protection against these dark creatures, who today haunt the halls of Azkaban to eternally punish prisoners. Wandless and without the energy to produce a positive feeling, you can see why most inmates go insane.
Now, though most witches and wizards will never be able to produce a full, corporeal Patronus, you must each do so by the end of the year if you wish to receive a passing mark. I will walk you through how to do so during our practicum classes; but today, we focus on theory."
"Mr. Bode, tell me the incantation necessary to produce the Patronus Charm," Professor Merrythought commanded, suddenly turning on the Gryffindor student.
"Expecto Patronum," the lithe, brown-haired boy answered easily.
"Ms. Tonks, aside from uttering the incantation, what is it important to focus on while producing the spell?"
"The happiest memory you can think of," Nymphadora replied confidently.
"Ms. Rockford, what shape will your Patronus take?"
Lily froze, the elderly professor's milky eyes befalling her. Mortified, her face deepened to a noticeable tomato-red, the answer completely escaping her. "I…I don't know, Professor."
"It's a trick question, Ms. Rockford. Unless I'm mistaken, no one here has produced the charm before, and therefore no one knows what shape theirs will take," she replied calmly, rotating toward the projector to change the slide; Lily bristled when she turned her attention back towards her. "I can tell you, however, that it will likely take the shape of an animal with whom you share a deep affinity. You're going to need to do more than memorize your textbook, Ms. Rockford—we think on our feet in this class. Now, everyone turn to page 745."
"Is it just me, or does every question she ask feel like an assault?" Lily murmured dejectedly, following Rudolf out of the classroom after an excruciating couple of hours. "And how did she know I memorized the textbook?"
"You've actually memorized the textbook?" Rudolf raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Merrythought is good at reading people—I've heard rumors she worked undercover for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in her younger days. It's hard to get anything past her."
Lily silently recited a string of obscenities as they arrived in the Entrance Hall: she needed a professor trained at sniffing out lies and deception like a hole in the head.
"Don't worry, you'll get used to her abruptness. She threw that trick question your way because she's testing you. You haven't proven yourself to her yet, so she's likely trying to understand why the Sorting Hat placed you in such a difficult class," he offered kindly. "Take it as a compliment. You'll notice there aren't any other aristocratic ladies in Merrythought's classes—that's really something."
"Thanks Rue," Lily smiled tiredly, her affection for the boy steadily growing. "Is it time to head to Charms?"
Rudolf shook his head. "I'm not in Advanced Charms—most of us are in the intermediate-level class. I've got a free period now, but Potter already has us scheduled for our first Quidditch practice."
"Oh…you're on the Gryffindor Quidditch team?" Lily probed politely, though her thoughts travelled elsewhere, to a handsome boy with messy black hair.
"Chaser," he said proudly. Another boy called out to him from across the Entrance Hall, pulling his attention away. "I better be off—it looks like your exclusive little class is forming over there, by the exit. I'll probably miss dinner because of Quidditch, but I'll see you later?"
As Rudolf jogged off, Lily's eyes befell the collection of students he'd pointed her towards: four boys and one girl had formed a semi-circle around a tiny wizard who stood atop a chair near the open doors to the grounds. When she approached the group, she noticed he was clutching a tin of sweets.
"Ah, here is Ms. Rockford!" the tiny wizard squeaked as she tentatively joined the assembly; all five students shot her inquisitive—if not diminishing—looks. "I was worried you hadn't received my note this morning about taking our class out of doors today. Welcome, welcome!"
Lily offered the professor an appreciative smile, though she felt uncomfortable in the presence of the other 7th year students, all of whom seemed to doubt her inclusion in the elite faction. "Introductions are in order, I think. My name is Professor Flitwick, Head of Ravenclaw House and the Charms Department. I was so pleased to see you not only sorted into the same House as your uncle, but assigned his Major designation as well. Clearly your brand of magic runs in the family!"
Dumbledore majored in Charms?
"Yes, I suppose you're right," Lily returned politely.
"You'll find us Charms devotees are a tight group. Come to think of it, you're our first Gryffindor in quite some time!" Professor Flitwick exclaimed, bouncing on the balls of his heels. "Here we have our two Hufflepuffs, Mr. Horton and Mr. Wimple, our two Ravenclaws, Mr. Summerbee and Ms. Bagnold, and our Slytherin, Mr. Blane. Now we're playing with a full deck of cards—how thrilling!"
Lily looked around at the mismatched group, distinguishing that she—along with Lord Basil Horton—were the only noble students of the lot. She relaxed her shoulders, finding it strangely comforting. Even the Slytherin, Balfour Blane, seemed less menacing than his house-mates.
"Now that we're all introduced, let's head out to the Black Lake," Professor Flitwick instructed, leaping off his chair to lead the small procession of students onto the grounds. A few of them giggled, as he almost lost his hat in the process.
Lily followed in the wake of the student convoy. Except for a curt nod from Lord Horton, they all gave her the cold shoulder—either, she reckoned, because they imagined her a talentless fake, or because they feared her. A part of her couldn't blame their early judgment; in a school where bloodlines and status were seemingly as important as raw magical talent, if not more so, she could see how resentment and distrust could breed within the scholarship students.
"Gather along the shoreline, please!" Flitwick squeaked as they arrived at the lake; when Lily stopped beside Millicent Bagnold, the witch eyed her warily. "We have a very exciting task ahead of us. Today, we will be demonstrating all that we have learned over the past six years, and applying it to a practical situation. Joining us today is our very own Care of Magical Creatures instructor, Professor Silvanus Kettleburn, who will further explain."
A wizard three-times the height of Professor Flitwick, but sporting a white beard that could give Dumbledore's a run for his money, came to join the assemblage from his place below the brambles of Lily's willow tree. She was surprised to see that one of his robes' sleeves was carefully rolled up and stitched to his side, seemingly no need for it as he was missing his left arm. He also appeared to be missing a few fingers on his right hand, which didn't lend to Lily's confidence in him as an expert handler of magical creatures.
"Good afternoon. I had enlisted the help of Professor Flitwick to help me with a matter concerning our very pregnant Giant Squid," Professor Kettleburn started, anxiously yanking on his straggly beard as he regarded the class. "For her health, as well as the health of her offspring, I would like to examine her. Trouble is, she's very skittish at the moment, and I'm having trouble luring her out, as she isn't nearing the shoreline like she normally does. Professor Flitwick has decided to put this task before you all today."
Felix Summerbee, Millicent Bagnold, Gilbert Wimple and Basil Horton began to rapidly whisper to one another, the four enthusiasts already formulating a plan between them. Lily looked to Balfour Blane, the only one left out except for her, but he appeared to be immune to their undertones, mutely staring off into the distance instead.
"This task will take all six of you working together to succeed," Flitwick said, taking over the instruction. "You will need to lure out the Giant Squid and keep her calm so Professor Kettleburn can examine her. This must be done gently and humanely, and she cannot be out of the water for long, which makes your task all the more difficult. As Headmaster Dumbledore mentioned at the feast, she is also very spirited at the moment, so you must be vigilant."
"Is that all?" Lily heard Balfour Blane mutter sardonically.
"Consider this an assignment, as you will be marked based on the charms you produce, your ability to work as a group, and, of course, the final result. You have one hour beginning now—best of luck!" Flitwick squeaked, his face red with anticipation.
Determined to do well in her first Charms class, Lily immediately inserted herself into the heated discussion taking place between the other four students. Balfour eventually sauntered over, too.
"This should be simple," Lord Basil Horton announced confidently. "One of us will levitate a few of Flitwick's cupcakes near the middle of the lake to lure the squid out. When we see a tentacle, the rest of us will team-up to levitate the squid to the shore, where Kettleburn can do his examination."
"Isn't it too heavy to—?" Lily began.
"Why don't we just summon it?" Felix Summerbee suggested, cutting her off.
"Yes, let's send a massive squid barreling in our direction," Gilbert Wimple retorted, rolling his eyes.
"It'll be going mad when we grab it. We'll need a charm to settle it down," Millicent Bagnold pointed out.
"Should we stun it?"
"Petrifying it may be more humane," Basil countered. "Or perhaps a bewitched slumber. We'll decide once we hook it."
"It'll be just like fishing!" Felix laughed, earning a chuckle from Millicent.
"I'd like to point out that the squid is going to shrivel up and die if we don't keep it moist once we get it to shore," Balfour eventually spoke up; unlike Lily, they seemed to grudgingly respect his input.
"How about we—?"
"Once we petrify it, the rest of us can use the Aqua Erecto Charm to keep it wet," Gilbert countered, talking over Lily once again.
"Alright, let's do this. Blane, fetch some cupcakes from Flitwick—you'll levitate them over the water. Summerbee, Wimple, Bagnold and I will levitate the squid and use the Locomotion Charm to reel it in to shore. Blane, you can then petrify it." Basil instructed, taking the reins. He finally turned to Lily, offering her a concerned look, as if worried for her well-being. "Lady Rockford, are you comfortable with the Aqua Erecto Charm?"
"Yes," Lily hissed through gritted teeth, furious at being both ignored and demeaned. The group was too wound-up to notice her displeasure. She gripped her wand tightly, her knuckles turning white; her fury pulsating like a heartbeat, on the verge of bursting from her chest.
"Wands at the ready!" Basil shouted arrogantly, the group spreading out along the shoreline in response. "Blane, you're up!"
Flitwick happily handed over a fistful of cupcakes from his tin to Balfour. The Slytherin easily charmed them to float, and with a simple flick of his wand, sent them speeding towards the middle of the lake, tantalizingly close to its crystalline surface. The group paced anxiously, waiting for any sign of movement, until a squishy, pink tentacle elegantly emerged and wrapped around the saccharine treat.
"NOW!" Basil ordered, he and the other three students pitching forward, all uttering in unison, "Wingardium Leviosa!"
The lone tentacle that had broken the lake's façade began to splash around frantically; Lily noticed Professor Kettleburn's face blanch. "Pull her out quickly; I don't want her straining herself and jeopardizing the pregnancy!"
Though the four students were pooling together their magic to lift the creature from the lake's depths, the squid was barely moving, only a patch of its translucent head visible above the waves. Balfour suddenly joined in to help, casting his charm with gusto, but it didn't make much of a difference. Lily could see the strain of holding onto the squid written across all of their faces.
"I…can't…hold…on…much…longer!" Millicent sputtered, her breathing becoming labored.
"If we let her go, she won't venture towards the surface again!" Felix protested, blotchy red patches forming on his cheeks from overexertion, "We need a new plan, and quick!"
"As I was trying to tell you before, she's too heavy!" Lily suddenly spat, losing her patience. She waded into the water up to her knees, no longer willing to stand idly by, awaiting permission from others to act. "I'm going to make her lighter, and when I do, you five are going to reel her in as close as you can, though I guarantee she'll still be too heavy to get to shore. Ready?"
Too encumbered by their wearisome spells to protest, Lily brandished her wand and cast a Feather-Light Charm that hit the squid square on the noggin. Suddenly, the cerise-coloured creature rapidly ascended from the lake, dripping tentacles dangling above the dark waters, causing both Felix and Gilbert to fall backwards onto their bottoms as the strength of their spells slackened.
"We've done it!" Millicent bellowed in relief, though she and the others were still under a great deal of strain, struggling to hold the squid above water.
"We won't be able to hold it much longer—Blane, the Locomotion Charm!" Basil ordered, his face turning purple.
Blane released himself from his Levitation Charm—which placed an even greater burden on the others—and began reeling in the squid, an arduous process that was yielding minimal results. As the group continued to shout at one another, trying to figure out their next move, Lily took it upon herself to calm the thrashing squid by petrifying it—though, rather than knocking it unconscious, she instead muttered a variation of the spell she'd recently read up on that left the recipient in a tranquil daze.
"They're going to drop it any second," Balfour abruptly called out to Lily, addressing her for the first time; her handiwork seemed to have earned his attention. "The squid is going to drown in the state it's in—I can't reel it in fast enough, it's too big."
"I've got an idea—tell them to hold on," Lily replied, scrambling out of the water and raising her wand high. Balfour shouted for the others to stand back as Lily raised her wand, her eyes narrowed in concentration. "GLACIUS MAXIMA!"
A streak of electric-blue light exploded from Lily's wand and slapped the patch of water beneath the squid; ice suddenly began to spread across the entire surface like a frosty plague, even biting at the grass along the lake's edges. As it continued to harden, the ice groaned and cracked, earning the attention of nearby students enjoying their free period. They gathered on the opposite side of the lake to watch the spectacle. Lily sucked in a cold breath, winded from the intensity of the spell, and observed her handy-work. She could hear Flitwick squealing in the background.
"Set it down gently," Balfour ordered to the others, turning to Lily. "We should head out there with Professor Kettleburn."
Lily and Balfour followed Professor Kettleburn onto the frozen lake as the remaining Charms students used the last of their energy stores to carefully lower the squid onto the thick ice. Lily couldn't stifle a smile when she looked back to see them collapsed on the shore, completely drained.
"I'll need at least ten minutes!" the eccentric professor declared, kneeling beside the frightful creature. Watching him poke and prod the squid made Lily feel queasy, its slimy body and big, bulbous eyes enough to turn her off her lunch.
"Aqua Erecto?" Balfour suggested calmly.
"I say we go for something a bit jazzier, now that we have an audience," Lily replied, her anger replaced with elation. "How would you like to brew a small storm with me?"
A smile flickered on the boy's face. Together, they performed the Atmospheric Charm, which produced a small cloud that poured rain over the body of the squid. In response, Professor Kettleburn transfigured his wrist watch into a plastic bucket hat—the heavy-duty variety that crab fisherman wear on stormy days on the Atlantic—and fixed it on his head, continuing his work.
It wasn't long before the professor was satisfied with the health of the squid and made his way back to shore—though not without slipping twice. Balfour cut a large hole in the ice with the Deprimo Charm, while Lily re-enervated the squid; together, they eased the beast through the hole and back to her watery home.
"Such a creative use of the Atmospheric Charm!" Professor Flitwick squeaked when Lily and Balfour made it back to the shore unscathed. "And a most impressive display of the Freezing Charm, Ms. Rockford! To haven frozen the whole lake demonstrates an extraordinary amount of power and precision. I'm so pleased you've all succeeded at the task set before you—a cupcake for each of you!"
"How about some house points?" Lily heard Balfour mutter morosely. He took the cupcake that Flitwick handed to him and stalked off without another word; Lily laughed, bemused at how he could so quickly revert back to his sullen personality after such an exhilarating experience.
Slytherin or not, he's the only one who gave me a chance.
"Excellent spellwork today, Ms. Rockford," Flitwick handed her a frosted cupcake, his cheeks rosy. Out of the corner of her eye, Lily noticed the other Charms students trading whispers again. They looked at her like she was a newly-unveiled circus act. "I expect marvelous things from you. I look forward to telling your uncle all about it during dinner tonight!"
"That means a lot coming from a celebrated wizard like you, Professor Flitwick. I very much look forward to your tutelage," Lily beamed at the tiny wizard, accepting his treat willingly. Receiving a compliment from one of the most renowned Charms Masters in Europe was enough to abate her previous upset over Merrythought's lesson.
With the lake still frozen despite the summer heat, the Charms class headed back towards the castle for dinner. Lily couldn't wipe the grin off of her face, even as pompous Lord Basil Horton sidled up to her. "I've underestimated you, Lady Rockford."
"You certainly did," Lily replied curtly, rolling back the paper from her cupcake, ignoring his half-pleading look. Perhaps now was a good time to indulge in the aristocratic bitchiness that Frank explained was inherent to her title. "See that you don't make that mistake again, Lord Horton; I just might charm that smug look right off your face when your back is turned."
"Really, Lady Rockford!"
Lily launched into a fit of indecorous laughter. She left him behind and headed for the Dining Hall, but not before taking a big bite out of her cupcake.
After the day she just had, she could use the sugar.
Lily made a brief pit stop at her suite to change out of her soggy clothing before heading to dinner. She knew she'd already pushed her luck skipping two meals that day, and—with her newfound confidence in tow, as well as a clean dress that didn't smell like lake water—decided it was time to face the hoard of students suppering in the Great Hall.
As was the case earlier in the day, the students Lily passed on her way down regarded her in a mixture of fear and fascination, but she was beginning to find it easier to ignore the attention. Though she was fundamentally uncomfortable with the interest everyone was taking in her, she was secretly pleased when she overheard a group of teenage boys talking about her earlier escapades.
"Did you hear she froze the entire lake?"
"Is that even possible?"
"She really is a Dumbledore!"
Reaching the first floor, Lily had a spring in her step as she proceeded to the double doors leading to the Great Hall. Pulling them open, she appreciated that her trepidation was likely unfounded—what was so scary about taking a meal with peers?
Applause sounded from the Gryffindor table upon Lily's appearance, making her immediately regret her bravery. She froze in the doorframe when she noticed her housemates standing and cheering, seemingly celebrating her arrival. Dumbledore was also standing up at his seat at teachers' table, leading her to believe he'd just made an announcement.
The jubilation began to die down when Lily beelined for the table and quickly sank onto the bench beside Alice, desperate to disappear beneath it. "What's going on?"
"There you are! Just before you walked in, Headmaster Dumbledore declared that Flitwick has awarded Gryffindor and Slytherin 30 points apiece for the demonstration you and that scholarship student put on at the lake," Alice replied, her big blue eyes reflecting awe and—if Lily's instincts were correct—envy. "Everyone has been abuzz with news of you today. First about how you levitated all those cauldrons and saved that Hufflepuff student from embarrassment, and now this!"
"News travels fast around here," Lily muttered, nervously reaching for her goblet of pumpkin juice and downing the contents in a decidedly unladylike manner. "It's wasn't anything remarkable."
"Unremarkable that a female aristocrat—never mind Dumbledore's niece—earned Gryffindor a combined total of 50 house points on her first day of classes, essentially wooing both Flitwick and Snape?" Alice teased, delicately spooning some peas onto her plate. "You must have very high standards if you don't think that's newsworthy."
"When you put it like that it sounds more extraordinary than it was," Lily disputed, her comical frown making Alice titter. "Please, let's change the topic. How was your first day of classes?"
"Well—"
"Alice, aren't you going to properly introduce us?" a raven-haired girl with startling hazel eyes suddenly interrupted from the across the table, integrating herself into their conversation.
If Alice was irritated by the ostentatious beauty, she didn't show it. "Aurora, have you met Emmeline? She's also in our year—we're in the Dance program together."
"Haven't had the pleasure," Lily replied, offering up a thin smile as she recalled the invitation tucked inside of her book bag. "Lady Emmeline Vance, is it?"
"The one and only," Emmeline replied proudly, brushing her hair off of her shoulders. "Finally we meet in person. I feel like I already know you after everything I've read in Witch Weekly and the Prophet. By the way, I loved your gala gown—did you get it in Paris?"
"Madam Gladrags," Lily answered, fighting to find something relevant to discuss with the society witch. "I trust you don't believe most of what's written about me; after all, I haven't spoken to any reporters."
"Oh…of course not," Emmeline assured reticently, flashing a sycophant smile featuring perfect white teeth. "So, Aurora, did you get my party invitation? I simply must have you attend."
Lily suppressed a sigh, instead piling chicken legs on her plate; when she noticed her portion seemed to shock the two Gryffindor girls, she reluctantly removed a few. "I did receive it, thank you. Truthfully, I'll have to think on it—I believe I have a prior engagement."
"Prior engagement?" Emmeline echoed anxiously, stricken by the revelation.
"Yes…I think Frank mentioned wanting to take me out for dinner and dancing that night," Lily lied, making up the first thing that came to mind. "It would be rude of me to cancel, don't you think?"
"Bring him!" Emmeline insisted vehemently; Lily hadn't a clue why she was acting so frantic. "I'd love to have someone as distinguished as him in attendance—wouldn't that be a ball?"
"You said we weren't allowed to bring guests," Alice suddenly piped up, a hint of spice in her normally-sweet disposition. "I already asked if I could bring Merton; you know he'd love the party music. Frank doesn't even go to Hogwarts."
"We've been over this," Emmeline pooh-poohed glibly; clearly she didn't view Alice as her equal. "I like Merton just as much as you do, but he's a scholarship student, musical talent or not. He's not a part of our social circle. In many ways, I'm doing him a kindness by not inviting him: he'd feel awkward being among our kind. Anyways, Frank is a former Hogwarts student, so that's good enough for me."
Lily bit her tongue; she knew launching into a diatribe about how unfairly the scholarship students were treated wasn't going to help her concealment. It truly astounded her how ignorant Emmeline and many others were to their own arrogance and self-importance. She supposed it wasn't their fault that they'd been raised that way, but surely an educated person—if not an empathetic one—would realize what nonsense the wizarding class system was?
"So it's all set then," Emmeline announced happily, grabbing her purse as she arose from the table. "I look forward to seeing you and Frank there, Aurora. You'll have the best time, I promise!"
Lily frowned as she watched Emmeline make her exit from the hall. "I don't recall agreeing to go—did I miss something?"
"You'll find when Emmeline wants something, she usually gets it," Alice laughed, though Lily could sense a touch of sadness in her bell-like tone. "So…do you think you'll bring Frank along like she suggested?"
"Maybe…I'll decide on Saturday," Lily replied evasively, unwilling to commit to a party that she wasn't even sure she wanted to attend. "Why does Emmeline even care whether I go or not?"
"My guess is that your attendance will help to improve the status of the party," Alice disclosed, offering a rueful smile. "As you could probably tell, Emmeline is a very ambitious social climber. She'll try to associate herself with you as much as possible."
"So she's essentially using me to improve her own popularity?" Lily demanded, shaking her head in disbelief.
Oh, if only Acantha could see me now.
"Emmeline is putting on airs for you now, but I promise, she calms down once you get to know her."
"She doesn't talk to you very nicely," Lily pointed out, causing Alice's cheeks to flush.
"I don't think Emmeline knows how she comes off sometimes," she maintained, leading Lily to believe Alice had a very hard time speaking ill of anyone. "In fact, she's probably one of the nicest society witches here. Lady Laurentia Fletwock of Ravenclaw can be a bit of a snob too, but she's pleasant overall, while you'll find her best friend—Lady Fifi LaFolle from Hufflepuff—can be downright exasperating. Regardless, you'd gladly spend a day with any of them over the Slytherin girls."
Lily's eyes flickered up to the Slytherin table, where the students were swathed in uniforms trimmed in emerald green silk. Regulus was a prominent figure there, the good-looking boy surrounded by his cronies like the king of snakes, while not far away from him was the queen, her long silvery hair framing her wrathful eyes: Narcissa.
"You could make virtually anyone look good if you're comparing them to Narcissa," she pointed out to Alice, the two girls watching her carefully. Thinking about Narcissa and her death eater beau, Lucius, filled Lily with dread, but she was determined not to let intimidation rule her. "Who are the snooty-looking witches in her posse?"
"Lady Violetta Bulstrode and Lady Lysandra Yaxley," Alice murmured; their conversation had drifted into secretive territory. "They're like Narcissa's ladies in waiting; they do whatever she asks, whenever she asks, without reservation. I've heard rumors that Narcissa promised that the most devoted of the two would win Regulus—that she'd put in a word with the Black family and arrange the match following graduation. It would explain why they let her abuse them the way she does—I see it every day in our arts classes."
Lily scrunched up her nose in disgust. "That's revolting. Regulus is really that desirable, that they'd offer themselves up as slaves for seven years just for the promise of a good word? I find him big-headed and cruel."
"The reality is he's the most popular boy at Hogwarts," Alice revealed shyly. "I think most of the girls here know that he'd never date anyone outside of Slytherin, nor court someone his parents didn't approve of, so they either choose to admire him from afar, or—um—offer themselves in other ways. I wouldn't be surprised if he keeps a small harem of Hogwarts girls, all of them hoping their performance will be enough to earn his serious consideration."
"How nauseating."
"I agree. You'll find that certain society families are on more friendly terms than others—it's all very political, especially in these times. For example, my family would be dismayed to learn I was courting a Black, despite how rich and powerful the dynasty is, and how stanchly-pure the bloodline."
"What about Sirius?" Lily searched, unable to conceive him belonging to the same family as Narcissa and Regulus—he was too good, too accepting.
"Sirius has made no secret of his disdain for his family," Alice whispered, leaning in closer. "In turn, the Blacks have made no secret of their contempt for him, either. They call him a blood traitor. That's why he's generally well-liked by many of the families who disagree with the Blacks' conservative views."
Lily's head was spinning with the new knowledge Alice had provided. "You know, Emmeline is beginning to look like a peach."
Alice laughed, her point made. "You know, it would be great fun if you came to her party. Won't you even consider it? We could go dress shopping together in Hogsmeade."
"Only if you promise you aren't using me to climb the social ladder," Lily jested.
"Oh please, I am far too popular already," Alice winked.
"Are the Slytherin girls invited?"
"Absolutely not—although if they had been, they wouldn't have attended. They think the rest of us are beneath them," Alice rolled her eyes prettily. "Count your blessings that you're not in classes with them. Anyways, I'm all finished here…ready to head back upstairs?"
Lily agreed, taking her last bite of chicken before swinging her legs over the bench and heading out of the Great Hall with Alice. She felt a pang of guilt as they began to ascend the staircase, Alice chattering about how she was going to charm her hair into pin rolls on Saturday.
She thought of James waiting for her under the bleachers of the empty Quidditch pitch, and how he'd feel when he realized that she wasn't coming.
Author's Notes
Drama brewing between Lily and James already?! What did you think of some of the characters you were introduced to in this chapter? I can't wait until you find out what happens at Emmeline's party!
Are you a part of the almost 200 fans following my page, "Petal in the Rain" by pratty-prongs-princesse, on Facebook? If not, you're missing out! They've all been getting story excerpts and clues to tide them over until the next chapter—and you all know how long it take me to post! Come join in the fun!
As always, please shoot me a review if you love the story – I so appreciate you all helping to spread the word about PITR and expressing your excitement on Tumblr! You guys are the best and the one big reason I continue to write this story.
Hope everyone is keeping well,
-ppp
