Chapter 1: As dark as night and just as cold

Lily

"And remember, I packed your jumpers in the first pocket. I don't want you getting cold in the winter."

"I won't."

"And don't forget to do any of the extra-credit your professors give out."

"I won't," Lily repeated, a bit of annoyance working its way into her tone.

"And remember to write us every single week."

"I won't," said Lily, only half-listening. Her mother blinked and she realized the mistake. "I mean I will. I'll write. I've got it."

"Okay." Lily's mother whispered as she pulled her into a hug. "I just worry."

Lily embraced her father as well, and older sister Petunia (though she shrugged her off almost immediately) and they left. With one last look, Lily went to load her things onto the Hogwarts Express.

"Lily!" an excited voice called out from behind her. Someone crashed into her back, wrapping her in a tight hug.

"Marlene," Lily managed to get out. "Can't breathe."

"Whoops, sorry!" Marlene McKinnon, Lily's best friend, loosened her grip. "Was just excited to see you."

"No worries! Me too. It sucks we couldn't find a time to see each other this summer."

Lily took a moment to observe the changes her friend had overgone during the summer. Marlene had grown a few inches, now towering over Lily at an impressive six feet.

Lily gasped. "You cut your hair!"

Marlene tucked her now shoulder length hair behind her ears. "You like?"

"I love!" and Lily really did. The shorter length helped accentuate the natural curl it already possessed.

Satisfied with her response, Marlene then scanned the station.

"Have you seen Remus?" she asked.

"Not yet."

Remus Lupin, Marlene, and Lily had become really close over their fifth year. Lily hadn't really talked to Remus since school ended, though. She wondered if things would still be the same.

"Well, there's James at least," Marlene noticed. "You know the rest of them can't be far behind."

James Potter was currently in a tight embrace with both his parents. Lily watched as he wiped away a single tear, face red from crying.

"Every year." Lily shook her head and smiled. It was clear how close James was to his mother and father. It was a little strange seeing him get so emotional, but as she'd said, he did this every year. Still, the way he didn't really care who saw was admirable and Lily'd be lying if she said it wasn't endearing.

Marlene was right. After James' parents had gone, Remus followed James into the train. Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew trailed behind them. It was then that the girls realized they were among the last to board the train. They scrambled to find a seat, only to find that the only compartment with some room left was with the four boys.

"Hey. Alright if we sit? Everywhere else is taken." asked Marlene. She might as well have not. She was already motioning for Sirius to scoot over. He rolled his eyes but still complied.

Lily took her seat next to James. He immediately brightened.

"Alright, Evans?" he asked her, ruffling his hair.

"I'm alright. And yourself?"

"Never better."

Lily grabbed a book out of her bag, but it wasn't long before she realized James was still staring at her. She looked up and he just smiled, all dimples. She went back to her book, but not before letting her hair fall in a curtain to hide her face.

It's not that Lily disliked James. Okay, maybe she found it frustrating how he never took anything seriously. Or the way his dark hair was in constant disarray. But it's not like she hated his guts. Not anymore, anyway.

They arrived at Hogwarts. Lily smiled as she walked into the Great Hall. She was so excited to be back here. Back to late night studying in the library with Remus. Back to huddling in the Quidditch stands. Back to magic. Nothing could kill her good mood.

Except...that. Lily quickly picked Severus Snape, her ex-best friend, out of the crowd of Slytherins, rather against her will. They made tense eye contact. Lily shivered as she found his eyes were still dark as night and just as cold. She swallowed thickly and looked away.

Headmaster Dumbledore called for attention to the front, and Lily found a seat between Remus and Dorcas Meadowes, another girl from her year. The sorting ceremony began shortly after.

Ever since their third year, James and Sirius had been playing some sort of game they invented to make the long ceremony a little more interesting. They would guess what house each student would be sorted into. Most of the time they were wrong, but on the rare occasion they were right? Well.

James and Sirius screeched as the girl they were betting on was actually sorted into Ravenclaw. All eyes in the room fell on their table. Lily was torn between being completely humiliated or really wanting to laugh. She looked over to see Remus trying (and failing) to look reproachful, and erupted into giggles. She didn't miss James' boyish smirk in her direction.

The feast following the ceremony was spectacular. Not like Lily had expected anything less. Roasted chicken and vegetables, with a decadent chocolate cake for dessert. Lily helped herself to two slices.

The girls in her dormitory all fell into bed at night. They were all pretty exhausted from the day's activities. Lily stayed awake a little longer than the others, however, just thinking. She was determined to make this year good. She was ready to move on from the Severus drama and enjoy her sixth year at Hogwarts. She was ready for anything.

End of Chapter One

Author's Note

I hope you enjoyed Chapter 1! Follow me on Tiktok (onlyhereforartauthor) for exclusive story updates and other Marauders themed content.

-B