A/N: The last chapter was worse than the first one, wasn't it? *sighs*
There is only one review. *cries* I guess it must be because of finals
coming up. So this chapter is pretty short. I haven't had time to revise
it. So... if no one likes this I guess I'll just stop... Though I don't
want to...
Chapter 3: Going to Hogwarts
Lily finally reached James at the alter. James took Lily's hand into his own sweaty ones and squeezed them to assure Lily, as well as himself. They turned to the audience to let them have a good look at them.
Lily's eyes roamed around. In the front, her friends from Hogwarts, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Fainne Bellum, and Alice Longbottom, sat beaming at her. She smiled back and looked around some more. All the teachers from Hogwarts were there, some lining the church wall while others found seats in the crowded pews. Sitting along with the teachers was her beloved headmaster, Albus Dumbledore Her fellow members in the Order of the Phoenix were there, too. She smiled at Dorcas, Dedalus, Marlene, Emmeline, Benjy, Edgar, Amelia, Sturgis, Caradoc, Elphias, Gideon, Fabian, and Alice's husband Frank. Her eyes kept roaming for that one person. Just as Lily had suspected, she wasn't here.
James, knowing what Lily was thinking, whispered in her ear. "Well, you can't say you didn't try."
Lily nodded, fighting back the tears. "Yes. At least I know that I tried to mend things with Petunia." She remembered the last day she had with her family before she started school....
*********************
Lily hauled a huge trunk down the stairs. With much effort, she finally reached the door.
"You can't make me go!" a voice was heard shouting from the kitchen.
"You will do as I say, Petunia! Your behavior these past few weeks has been far from exemplary. You can at least try to make it up by going with us to King's Cross and show that you support her! She needs us!" Rose was shouting.
David came down quietly after Lily and whispered, "Come on Lily." He bent down to lift the trunk and left the house. Lily followed slowly.
As David and Lily packed the trunk into the car, shouts could still be heard from the house. Lily's father sighed. "Your sister isn't cooperating these days."
Lily nodded. "I know," she replied softly. She noticed the distressed look on her father's face. "Don't worry, Dad. She'll come around soon." She prayed silently to herself that she was right.
***************
At 10:30, Rose gave up on her older daughter and climbed into the car with her husband and child, grumbling about how insolent her older daughter was.
Lily found herself waiting anxiously for the train ride. At least then she would have Trin to talk to. But there in the car was an uncomfortable silence. Lily knew that this... change had scared her family. Not to mention herself. Rose looked uneasily at the old fashioned spell books and parchment. David treated Lily with a distant politeness. Petunia ignored Lily all together. Lily couldn't wait to meet others of her kind, as Petunia would graciously refer to the wizards, reminding Lily that she wasn't exactly human.
Finally after a long 15 minute ride, she waved goodbye to her parents, knowing that they wouldn't be able to see Platform 9 ¾. Rose hugged her daughter tearfully and reminded Lily to behave herself and to study hard. David gave Lily a polite, somewhat stiff handshake and told Lily to keep them informed of her doings at school.
As much as Lily wanted to go to Hogwarts, she couldn't help looking over her shoulder as she hauled her trunk and her owl onto a cart and started wheeling it off. She couldn't hold back as a single drop fell down her cheek. Soon, her parents disappeared from view and she concentrated on the school year ahead.
**********************
Trin smiled as she watched James stare open-mouthed at his young bride. 'Good. Now I know that I did my job,' she chuckled silently to herself. She remembered how hard it was for their friends to actually accept this couple.
Sure, everyone knew that they were a couple. But if you saw the beginning, you would've thought it impossible. Trin let her mind wander to that beginning...
********************
Lily found herself a few moments later staring at a brick wall. She looked up. On the left side, there was a sign: "Platform 9". On the right side, there was another sign: "Platform 10". She frowned. Platform 9 and ¾ must be in between. But how does she get to it?
"Lily!"
Lily spun around to see a light browned hair girl run toward her with her own cart. "Trin!" Trin was wearing a t-shirt and Muggle jeans, blending well with the crowd.
Trin grinned and exclaimed, "I can't believe you're here! This is so exciting! Well, what are you waiting for? Come on!" She took Lily's hand and dashed toward the wall. Seeing how Lily dragged her weight on the ground, she frowned, "Why are you waiting here?"
Lily turned a bit pink as she mumbled, "I don't know how to get to the platform."
Trin laughed a bit and put her arms around Lily's shoulders to comfort her. "Don't worry. I wouldn't know either if my parents hadn't told me." She pointed to the barrier between Platform 9 and 10. "You just walk right in between. It's best to run, though. Here. I'll go through with you."
The two girls grabbed their carts and started running toward the barrier. At the very last moment, Lily wanted to swerve, thinking the wall was solid. But with a whoosh! Lily and Trin found themselves staring up at a scarlet train. They looked up and saw the sign "Platform 9 ¾". The girls spent a moment longer admiring the majestic Hogwarts train.
Lily and Trin left their carts on the platform as the two of them and Blizzard went looking for an empty compartment. They finally found an empty middle compartment. Lily set Blizzard's cage down on one of the seats and the girls left to get their trunks.
The girls managed to get the trunks off the carts but only after accidentally pushing them over. No matter how the girls tried, they couldn't lift their trunks so they decided to leave Lily's trunk behind and carry Trin's trunk together.
The girls went back for Lily's trunk, and finally, they collapsed in their compartment, with Blizzard hooting contently.
"You're lucky you didn't have to do any of the work," Lily said, eyeing the owl.
Suddenly, the whistle blew, signaling the train's departure. Lily forgot about her tired muscles and lit up brightly. Trin did the same, jumping up to the window to see the platform slowly moving.
"Look, Lily! We're leaving! We're finally leaving!" Trin cried with glee. Lily joined her friend at the window. The two girls began waving frantically at the strangers.
Finally the platform disappeared from view and the girls sat down in their seats with a huff. "What do you think the school year would be like?" Lily asked Trin. "Well, from the way my parents speak of it, it'll be a lot of fun."
The two girls sat silently, each dreaming about what the year at Hogwarts would be like.
After a while, Trin took to staring at the scenery that was flying by as Lily started reading a book. The two were so preoccupied that they didn't hear the compartment door open.
"Do you mind if we sit- Lily!" the stranger exclaimed surprised.
Lily's head snapped up at her name and her eyes met those dark brown eyes of one of the boys she had met the day she and Beth had gone exploring. Her eyes widened with surprise as she shouted, "It's you!" with a hint of fear. "What are you doing here?!"
The boy crossed his arms as he smiled. "I could ask you the same. I thought you were a Muggle." He turned and at first, Lily thought he was leaving, but then he yelled, "Oy, James! Look who's going to Hogwarts after all!"
There was a sound of footsteps and a "What?" the first boy pointed at Lily and the boy with chocolate brown eyes and glasses walked right in. He stared at Lily with his mouth slightly open in surprise. "It's you!"
Lily quickly covered up her surprise and threw her arms up into the air in mock shock. "It's me!" she cried sarcastically. James' eyes narrowed.
Trin, feeling a bit confused, asked, "What? What's going on?" She looked to Lily. "Lily?"
At this, James closed his mouth and set his jaw tightly. "What in bloody hell are you doing here?" he asked coldly.
Lily felt a heat of rage overwhelm her. However, she kept her head. "I'm here because I received a letter inviting me to attend Hogwarts this year, whether you like it or not. And, also beyond your control, your excellency, I am a witch after all," she answered coolly. " Though in my opinion, if everyone at Hogwarts acted like you, I would pray for me to wake up from this horrible nightmare," she sniffed.
Before James could snap at her, two other boys walked in. One of them was Peter Pettigrew, the chubby lad Lily had met at Madam Malkins'. "Lily!" he exclaimed.
James' head turned immediately toward Peter. Peter shrank back a bit involuntarily. "You know her?" his voice was hard, his eyes were narrowed.
"Yes, he knows me and I know him," snapped Lily. "It's not a law, is it, to greet someone you know? Honestly, you don't treat anyone with respect or manners, even your own friends," Lily said exasperatedly.
James cursed under his breath and turned to leave. He paused to turn back at Lily. Then, seeing her defiant stance, he cursed again and left.
Peter gave Lily an apologetic glance before disappearing after James. However, Sirius and the other boy stayed behind.
The new boy spoke in a calm, soft voice, though his features looked a bit pale, even more so than Beth. "I must apologize for James. He doesn't react well when another person stands up to him. I'm surprised he hadn't thrown a jinx at you by now." The boy broke into a smile. "I'm Remus, by the way. Remus Lupin."
"And I'm Sirius. Sirius Black," Sirius piped up. He shook his head. "You really roused James pretty badly. Apart from me, Remus, and occasionally Peter, no one had been able to talk to James like that and be able to stand on their own two feet."
Trin sighed loudly, succeeding in attracting their attention. "What is going on and who the hell are you?"
Lily rolled her eyes. "Very ladylike of you, Trin."
Sirius smiled brightly. "I'm Sirius Black. This is Remus Lupin. The hot- headed four eyes was James Potter and his follower was Peter Pettigrew. As for the first question, I myself don't know the answer." He bent forward into a bow in front of Trin. "And who is this lovely lady?" he asked taking Trin's hand and lifting it close to his lips.
Trin scoffed and waved him away, though she did blush slightly. "I'm Celastrina Illyia though you can call me Trin."
Remus glanced slightly down the corridor, as if afraid of seeing the infamous James Potter stalking back. "Well, we'll be off. No doubt James will have our heads if we don't get back soon," he sighed.
"Though it pains us to leave the fair ladies' side, we must go forth and endure the fury of the dragon," Sirius proclaimed exaggeratedly. He blew a kiss at the girls. "Au revoir, mes dames!"
The two girls rolled their eyes as Sirius and Remus left their compartment. A few moments later, the door opened again and Sirius' head popped back in.
"Oh, thought you might want to know. The other girl is here too. She's about five or six compartments down I think." Then he left again.
Trin frowned. "What other girl?" she asked puzzled.
Lily shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know anyone going to Hogwarts except you."
"And those boys," Trin grinned.
Lily rolled her eyes impatiently. "Thank you so much for reminding me. Now, if you don't mind, I would like to meet this girl, while you can just sit here and daydream about those boys."
Trin rolled her eyes as well. "It's not what you're thinking, Lily. And you're not leaving me here to fend them off either. I'm coming with you." She stood up and marched down the train corridor to the mysterious compartment.
******************
Beth stared at her childhood friend with wonderment and envy. She sighed. Had time really past that fast? She remembered how Lily would come over and play tea party with her.
She regretted the time she had spent away from Lily at Hogwarts. Being away from her best friend had been hard on her. She looked back to the time when she had just found out that Lily was a witch as well...
****************************
Lily, who was sliding open the door, turned her head to talk to Trin. "I'll explain later." She turned back around when a voice cried, "Lily!"
There, sitting in front of her, was the pale, raven headed girl with her brilliant light blue eyes wide open, staring at her.
"Beth!" Lily shouted in delight as Beth jumped up to give Lily a tremendous hug. "How come you didn't tell me you were going to Hogwarts?"
Beth shrugged and explained, "Of course I couldn't tell. I knew your parents were Muggles so my parents thought you were one as well. So they forbid me to let you know, though I wanted to very much. You can't just tell anyone that you're a witch, you know. Not even your best friends." Beth smiled a bit. "Besides, you didn't tell me you were a witch either."
Lily nodded sheepishly. "True..."
Trin stepped forward and smiled brightly. "It seems like somebody here forgot her manners." She looked at Lily meaningfully then turned back to Beth. "Hello! I'm Celastrina Illyia but you can call me Trin. What's your name?"
Beth smiled back. "I'm Beth Wickham. Are you a first year also?"
"Of course." Trin noticed the big barn owl resting in the cage next to Beth. "Oh, is that your owl? What's her name?"
Beth answered, "It's a he and his name is Owl."
Trin and Lily raised their eyebrows. Beth shrugged. "I couldn't think of anything better."
Lily started toward Beth's trunk. "Come on. You can move to our compartment." The girls settled in Lily and Trin's compartment discussing what they did over the summer.
***********************
James and Lily turned back to the priest who would oversee their matrimony. Peter, seated between Remus and Fainne, sulked silently.
It wasn't fair that James was able to captivate Lily's heart. He always got everything he wanted. Why, before, he didn't even like Lily! Peter rolled his eyes when James flashed his heart-wrenching smile at Lily while the priest conducted the ceremony. It wasn't fair, he told himself again. He sighed as he remembered the episode on the Hogwarts Express the first day they headed toward Hogwarts...
************************
James threw his hands up in disgust as he walked back into his compartment. "I can't believe it! I'm stuck with her all year! And not just all year! 7 years!"
Peter came in right behind him. "Well, it can't be all that bad. She's actually very nice."
James whirled around. "And how would you know?" he snapped in anger. "When did you meet her?"
Peter flinched at James' red face. He knew that a furious James was not good company and immediately felt as if he never should've left Lily's compartment. "I...I... met her at Madame... Malkins'..." he replied somewhat hesitantly.
"I can't believe this," James muttered to himself pacing the compartment with his hands behind his back. "Stuck with that red head all year! And to have one of my friends sympathizing her!"
"Well, it's not that bad," a voice said from the doorway. James and Peter turned their heads to see Sirius and Remus returning from their visit to Lily's compartment.
"That's true," Remus added. "They're actually quite nice."
"Yes, especially Lily," Peter piped. Immediately he regretted opening his mouth at all.
"No," James replied curtly. "Maybe the two other girls would be okay. But never Lily." He spat out her name as if it were a disease. "She's definitely going to end up in Slytherin. You'll see."
*************************
Again, I shall ask for everyone to please please PLEASE submit a review. It would really make my day if you just stop to say "Hi!" or constructive criticism. I would really like to know what you all think about the story. Thank you so much to:
J.E.A.R Rowling: Though your review had virtually nothing about this story, I appreciate your review. If finals weren't coming up as soon as it is, I would stop and read it. Perhaps I'll read it during the winter holidays. =)
Chapter 3: Going to Hogwarts
Lily finally reached James at the alter. James took Lily's hand into his own sweaty ones and squeezed them to assure Lily, as well as himself. They turned to the audience to let them have a good look at them.
Lily's eyes roamed around. In the front, her friends from Hogwarts, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Fainne Bellum, and Alice Longbottom, sat beaming at her. She smiled back and looked around some more. All the teachers from Hogwarts were there, some lining the church wall while others found seats in the crowded pews. Sitting along with the teachers was her beloved headmaster, Albus Dumbledore Her fellow members in the Order of the Phoenix were there, too. She smiled at Dorcas, Dedalus, Marlene, Emmeline, Benjy, Edgar, Amelia, Sturgis, Caradoc, Elphias, Gideon, Fabian, and Alice's husband Frank. Her eyes kept roaming for that one person. Just as Lily had suspected, she wasn't here.
James, knowing what Lily was thinking, whispered in her ear. "Well, you can't say you didn't try."
Lily nodded, fighting back the tears. "Yes. At least I know that I tried to mend things with Petunia." She remembered the last day she had with her family before she started school....
*********************
Lily hauled a huge trunk down the stairs. With much effort, she finally reached the door.
"You can't make me go!" a voice was heard shouting from the kitchen.
"You will do as I say, Petunia! Your behavior these past few weeks has been far from exemplary. You can at least try to make it up by going with us to King's Cross and show that you support her! She needs us!" Rose was shouting.
David came down quietly after Lily and whispered, "Come on Lily." He bent down to lift the trunk and left the house. Lily followed slowly.
As David and Lily packed the trunk into the car, shouts could still be heard from the house. Lily's father sighed. "Your sister isn't cooperating these days."
Lily nodded. "I know," she replied softly. She noticed the distressed look on her father's face. "Don't worry, Dad. She'll come around soon." She prayed silently to herself that she was right.
***************
At 10:30, Rose gave up on her older daughter and climbed into the car with her husband and child, grumbling about how insolent her older daughter was.
Lily found herself waiting anxiously for the train ride. At least then she would have Trin to talk to. But there in the car was an uncomfortable silence. Lily knew that this... change had scared her family. Not to mention herself. Rose looked uneasily at the old fashioned spell books and parchment. David treated Lily with a distant politeness. Petunia ignored Lily all together. Lily couldn't wait to meet others of her kind, as Petunia would graciously refer to the wizards, reminding Lily that she wasn't exactly human.
Finally after a long 15 minute ride, she waved goodbye to her parents, knowing that they wouldn't be able to see Platform 9 ¾. Rose hugged her daughter tearfully and reminded Lily to behave herself and to study hard. David gave Lily a polite, somewhat stiff handshake and told Lily to keep them informed of her doings at school.
As much as Lily wanted to go to Hogwarts, she couldn't help looking over her shoulder as she hauled her trunk and her owl onto a cart and started wheeling it off. She couldn't hold back as a single drop fell down her cheek. Soon, her parents disappeared from view and she concentrated on the school year ahead.
**********************
Trin smiled as she watched James stare open-mouthed at his young bride. 'Good. Now I know that I did my job,' she chuckled silently to herself. She remembered how hard it was for their friends to actually accept this couple.
Sure, everyone knew that they were a couple. But if you saw the beginning, you would've thought it impossible. Trin let her mind wander to that beginning...
********************
Lily found herself a few moments later staring at a brick wall. She looked up. On the left side, there was a sign: "Platform 9". On the right side, there was another sign: "Platform 10". She frowned. Platform 9 and ¾ must be in between. But how does she get to it?
"Lily!"
Lily spun around to see a light browned hair girl run toward her with her own cart. "Trin!" Trin was wearing a t-shirt and Muggle jeans, blending well with the crowd.
Trin grinned and exclaimed, "I can't believe you're here! This is so exciting! Well, what are you waiting for? Come on!" She took Lily's hand and dashed toward the wall. Seeing how Lily dragged her weight on the ground, she frowned, "Why are you waiting here?"
Lily turned a bit pink as she mumbled, "I don't know how to get to the platform."
Trin laughed a bit and put her arms around Lily's shoulders to comfort her. "Don't worry. I wouldn't know either if my parents hadn't told me." She pointed to the barrier between Platform 9 and 10. "You just walk right in between. It's best to run, though. Here. I'll go through with you."
The two girls grabbed their carts and started running toward the barrier. At the very last moment, Lily wanted to swerve, thinking the wall was solid. But with a whoosh! Lily and Trin found themselves staring up at a scarlet train. They looked up and saw the sign "Platform 9 ¾". The girls spent a moment longer admiring the majestic Hogwarts train.
Lily and Trin left their carts on the platform as the two of them and Blizzard went looking for an empty compartment. They finally found an empty middle compartment. Lily set Blizzard's cage down on one of the seats and the girls left to get their trunks.
The girls managed to get the trunks off the carts but only after accidentally pushing them over. No matter how the girls tried, they couldn't lift their trunks so they decided to leave Lily's trunk behind and carry Trin's trunk together.
The girls went back for Lily's trunk, and finally, they collapsed in their compartment, with Blizzard hooting contently.
"You're lucky you didn't have to do any of the work," Lily said, eyeing the owl.
Suddenly, the whistle blew, signaling the train's departure. Lily forgot about her tired muscles and lit up brightly. Trin did the same, jumping up to the window to see the platform slowly moving.
"Look, Lily! We're leaving! We're finally leaving!" Trin cried with glee. Lily joined her friend at the window. The two girls began waving frantically at the strangers.
Finally the platform disappeared from view and the girls sat down in their seats with a huff. "What do you think the school year would be like?" Lily asked Trin. "Well, from the way my parents speak of it, it'll be a lot of fun."
The two girls sat silently, each dreaming about what the year at Hogwarts would be like.
After a while, Trin took to staring at the scenery that was flying by as Lily started reading a book. The two were so preoccupied that they didn't hear the compartment door open.
"Do you mind if we sit- Lily!" the stranger exclaimed surprised.
Lily's head snapped up at her name and her eyes met those dark brown eyes of one of the boys she had met the day she and Beth had gone exploring. Her eyes widened with surprise as she shouted, "It's you!" with a hint of fear. "What are you doing here?!"
The boy crossed his arms as he smiled. "I could ask you the same. I thought you were a Muggle." He turned and at first, Lily thought he was leaving, but then he yelled, "Oy, James! Look who's going to Hogwarts after all!"
There was a sound of footsteps and a "What?" the first boy pointed at Lily and the boy with chocolate brown eyes and glasses walked right in. He stared at Lily with his mouth slightly open in surprise. "It's you!"
Lily quickly covered up her surprise and threw her arms up into the air in mock shock. "It's me!" she cried sarcastically. James' eyes narrowed.
Trin, feeling a bit confused, asked, "What? What's going on?" She looked to Lily. "Lily?"
At this, James closed his mouth and set his jaw tightly. "What in bloody hell are you doing here?" he asked coldly.
Lily felt a heat of rage overwhelm her. However, she kept her head. "I'm here because I received a letter inviting me to attend Hogwarts this year, whether you like it or not. And, also beyond your control, your excellency, I am a witch after all," she answered coolly. " Though in my opinion, if everyone at Hogwarts acted like you, I would pray for me to wake up from this horrible nightmare," she sniffed.
Before James could snap at her, two other boys walked in. One of them was Peter Pettigrew, the chubby lad Lily had met at Madam Malkins'. "Lily!" he exclaimed.
James' head turned immediately toward Peter. Peter shrank back a bit involuntarily. "You know her?" his voice was hard, his eyes were narrowed.
"Yes, he knows me and I know him," snapped Lily. "It's not a law, is it, to greet someone you know? Honestly, you don't treat anyone with respect or manners, even your own friends," Lily said exasperatedly.
James cursed under his breath and turned to leave. He paused to turn back at Lily. Then, seeing her defiant stance, he cursed again and left.
Peter gave Lily an apologetic glance before disappearing after James. However, Sirius and the other boy stayed behind.
The new boy spoke in a calm, soft voice, though his features looked a bit pale, even more so than Beth. "I must apologize for James. He doesn't react well when another person stands up to him. I'm surprised he hadn't thrown a jinx at you by now." The boy broke into a smile. "I'm Remus, by the way. Remus Lupin."
"And I'm Sirius. Sirius Black," Sirius piped up. He shook his head. "You really roused James pretty badly. Apart from me, Remus, and occasionally Peter, no one had been able to talk to James like that and be able to stand on their own two feet."
Trin sighed loudly, succeeding in attracting their attention. "What is going on and who the hell are you?"
Lily rolled her eyes. "Very ladylike of you, Trin."
Sirius smiled brightly. "I'm Sirius Black. This is Remus Lupin. The hot- headed four eyes was James Potter and his follower was Peter Pettigrew. As for the first question, I myself don't know the answer." He bent forward into a bow in front of Trin. "And who is this lovely lady?" he asked taking Trin's hand and lifting it close to his lips.
Trin scoffed and waved him away, though she did blush slightly. "I'm Celastrina Illyia though you can call me Trin."
Remus glanced slightly down the corridor, as if afraid of seeing the infamous James Potter stalking back. "Well, we'll be off. No doubt James will have our heads if we don't get back soon," he sighed.
"Though it pains us to leave the fair ladies' side, we must go forth and endure the fury of the dragon," Sirius proclaimed exaggeratedly. He blew a kiss at the girls. "Au revoir, mes dames!"
The two girls rolled their eyes as Sirius and Remus left their compartment. A few moments later, the door opened again and Sirius' head popped back in.
"Oh, thought you might want to know. The other girl is here too. She's about five or six compartments down I think." Then he left again.
Trin frowned. "What other girl?" she asked puzzled.
Lily shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know anyone going to Hogwarts except you."
"And those boys," Trin grinned.
Lily rolled her eyes impatiently. "Thank you so much for reminding me. Now, if you don't mind, I would like to meet this girl, while you can just sit here and daydream about those boys."
Trin rolled her eyes as well. "It's not what you're thinking, Lily. And you're not leaving me here to fend them off either. I'm coming with you." She stood up and marched down the train corridor to the mysterious compartment.
******************
Beth stared at her childhood friend with wonderment and envy. She sighed. Had time really past that fast? She remembered how Lily would come over and play tea party with her.
She regretted the time she had spent away from Lily at Hogwarts. Being away from her best friend had been hard on her. She looked back to the time when she had just found out that Lily was a witch as well...
****************************
Lily, who was sliding open the door, turned her head to talk to Trin. "I'll explain later." She turned back around when a voice cried, "Lily!"
There, sitting in front of her, was the pale, raven headed girl with her brilliant light blue eyes wide open, staring at her.
"Beth!" Lily shouted in delight as Beth jumped up to give Lily a tremendous hug. "How come you didn't tell me you were going to Hogwarts?"
Beth shrugged and explained, "Of course I couldn't tell. I knew your parents were Muggles so my parents thought you were one as well. So they forbid me to let you know, though I wanted to very much. You can't just tell anyone that you're a witch, you know. Not even your best friends." Beth smiled a bit. "Besides, you didn't tell me you were a witch either."
Lily nodded sheepishly. "True..."
Trin stepped forward and smiled brightly. "It seems like somebody here forgot her manners." She looked at Lily meaningfully then turned back to Beth. "Hello! I'm Celastrina Illyia but you can call me Trin. What's your name?"
Beth smiled back. "I'm Beth Wickham. Are you a first year also?"
"Of course." Trin noticed the big barn owl resting in the cage next to Beth. "Oh, is that your owl? What's her name?"
Beth answered, "It's a he and his name is Owl."
Trin and Lily raised their eyebrows. Beth shrugged. "I couldn't think of anything better."
Lily started toward Beth's trunk. "Come on. You can move to our compartment." The girls settled in Lily and Trin's compartment discussing what they did over the summer.
***********************
James and Lily turned back to the priest who would oversee their matrimony. Peter, seated between Remus and Fainne, sulked silently.
It wasn't fair that James was able to captivate Lily's heart. He always got everything he wanted. Why, before, he didn't even like Lily! Peter rolled his eyes when James flashed his heart-wrenching smile at Lily while the priest conducted the ceremony. It wasn't fair, he told himself again. He sighed as he remembered the episode on the Hogwarts Express the first day they headed toward Hogwarts...
************************
James threw his hands up in disgust as he walked back into his compartment. "I can't believe it! I'm stuck with her all year! And not just all year! 7 years!"
Peter came in right behind him. "Well, it can't be all that bad. She's actually very nice."
James whirled around. "And how would you know?" he snapped in anger. "When did you meet her?"
Peter flinched at James' red face. He knew that a furious James was not good company and immediately felt as if he never should've left Lily's compartment. "I...I... met her at Madame... Malkins'..." he replied somewhat hesitantly.
"I can't believe this," James muttered to himself pacing the compartment with his hands behind his back. "Stuck with that red head all year! And to have one of my friends sympathizing her!"
"Well, it's not that bad," a voice said from the doorway. James and Peter turned their heads to see Sirius and Remus returning from their visit to Lily's compartment.
"That's true," Remus added. "They're actually quite nice."
"Yes, especially Lily," Peter piped. Immediately he regretted opening his mouth at all.
"No," James replied curtly. "Maybe the two other girls would be okay. But never Lily." He spat out her name as if it were a disease. "She's definitely going to end up in Slytherin. You'll see."
*************************
Again, I shall ask for everyone to please please PLEASE submit a review. It would really make my day if you just stop to say "Hi!" or constructive criticism. I would really like to know what you all think about the story. Thank you so much to:
J.E.A.R Rowling: Though your review had virtually nothing about this story, I appreciate your review. If finals weren't coming up as soon as it is, I would stop and read it. Perhaps I'll read it during the winter holidays. =)