AN: In the prologue, I made a small boo-boo and said Lily's diary entry was on September 1. Term is supposed to begin on September 1. Rather than going back and changing that, I'm going to tweak canon a bit and say term in the MWPP era began on September 2.
Kiss The Boy (02)
"Look how cute they are!" Bella exclaimed, pointing at the line of nervous-looking first years who had just entered the Great Hall. They were all fidgeting and speaking nervously with the others surrounding them. I smiled to myself, remembering when I was in their shoes.
"Evans, Lily!" called the stern-looking professor at the front of the Great Hall.
Swallowing, I carefully made my way to the stool on which the Sorting Hat was setting. As I put the worn and tattered Hat on my head, a voice appeared and I nearly jumped off of the stool.
"Ah, one of our few Muggle-born students, I see," came the kindly voice. "Nervous, are we? There's no need to be, Lily Evans."
"Can- can you hear what I'm thinking?"
"Of course I can!"
I jumped again, and the Hat chuckled. I hadn't expected this!
"What House would you like to be in, Lily Evans?"
The question shocked me; after all, I hadn't put much thought into it. I had read all about each of the four Houses and the only decision I had made concerning them was that I didn't want to be in Slytherin. I wasn't that ambitious, anyway, but the clincher to my decision had been when I read that Slytherin had the reputation of turning out the most evil wizards.
"Not Slytherin, eh? Well, that's not even a choice for you. You wouldn't do well in there; the Slytherins don't take to Muggle-borns very well." There was a pause, and then, "Hufflepuff wouldn't suit you either. It's Ravenclaw or Gryffindor."
I thought for a moment. Ravenclaw students were the smartest students in Hogwarts, according to the books I read. Gryffindor was known for bravery. I didn't think I had the bravery needed to be in Gryffindor...
"That's what you think," said the Hat. "Whether you know it or not, there's much bravery inside of you. That will become evident to you and everyone else in a very few years."
What the Hat meant by that, I didn't know, nor did I really even care. As the Hat announced, "GRYFFINDOR!" to everyone in the Great Hall, the students at the Slytherin table booed as the students at the Gryffindor table stood to welcome me to their House. I sat down and waited for the rest of the Sorting to commence.
Now, it was my seventh year and the Hat's words meant more to me than ever before. Supposedly, I was a brave person; I couldn't help but wonder if being diagnosed with cancer and knowing that I was dying was something that the Hat was referring to during my Sorting. It seemed to me that the Hat knew quite a bit about Hogwarts students.
Before long, the Sorting ended. A small blonde girl with clear blue eyes was sitting in front of me, looking around. Grinning to myself, I said, "Hi. I'm Lily."
She looked at me, hesitating for a moment before smiling back at me. "I'm Crystal Glass," she said, barely above a whisper.
Crystal's timidness reminded me of myself when I first started Hogwarts. As a Muggle-born, I didn't know very much about the wizarding world at all. Being from the Muggle world also meant that I didn't know anyone from the wizarding world. Being shy didn't help me in my endeavor of making friends, either.
"It's nice to meet you, Crystal," I told the girl. Headmaster Dumbledore was at the front of the Hall now, preparing to make his annual welcome-back speech, so I closed my conversation with her and focused my attention on him.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome each and every one of our new students to Hogwarts, and I want to say that no matter what your older siblings have told you about myself or any other member of our prestigious Hogwarts staff, it's probably true." A round of laughter interrupted Dumbledore, and when it died down, he continued, "Yes, yes, how humorous I am. Also, welcome back to all returning students; I'm sure that this will be another wonderful year. I have a few announcements to make before we can get on with the feast.
"First of all, we at Hogwarts have a few rules that must be obeyed at all times; if they are not, action will be taken and a punishment appropriate to the crime will be assigned to the perpetrator. The Forbidden Forest, as its name implies, is forbidden to any and all Hogwarts students unless they are instructed to venture into it, and only then may they enter it with a professor. Boys are not allowed in girls' dorms for any reason, and this applies doubly so to our sixth and seventh year students. You are not to give out the password to your common room to any other student of any other Hogwarts House, nor are you allowed to tell the location of the entrance to your common room. Curfew to be in your common rooms is ten o'clock. I hope each and every student present here today will take the initiative to follow these rules to a T, and hopefully we will not have any problems as we have had in previous years.
"Now that the rules have been made clear, I have a few people that I'd like to introduce. We have a new Head Boy and Head Girl this year, and I'm sure that they will do everything to make this school year an enjoyable one for everyone at Hogwarts, complete with dances and possibly even a few trips. Lily Evans and James Potter, could you please stand up?"
Bella giggled at me as I stood up and looked up and down the Gryffindor table for any sight of my raven-haired crush. He was only a few seats down from me, of course sitting with Sirius, Remus and Peter, as well as a few of his female fanatics, who all sighed noticeably when Dumbledore said James's name. Even I, who was also slightly obsessed with James, had to roll my eyes.
Once the appreciative applause, which was undoubtedly mostly for James rather than me, stopped, Dumbledore smiled at us to let us know to resume our seats. I did, and Bella grinned wickedly.
"You didn't tell me James Potter was Head Boy."
I shrugged and raised my eyebrows at her. "What does it matter anyway? You think he's gay," I whispered back, barely hearing Dumbledore as he notified James and me that we were to meet Professor McGonagall after the feast in order for her to show us to our accommodations for the year.
"So? Gay boys can be cute, too."
I sighed as Bella and I sat back in our seats and returned our attention to Dumbledore again.
"This year, we have a few new additions to our teaching staff," he was saying. "Although it's a disappointment to lose the previous members of the staff, it's a pleasure to introduce our newcomers. First, as our new Potions master, we have Professor Severus Snape. Severus just concluded his education here at Hogwarts two years ago. Throughout his years here, he has proven himself to be very superb in the potions department. When our previous Potions mistress, Professor Tamera Bentley, sent us her resignation form over the summer holidays, Severus was our first choice for the new Potions master." A series of loud calls were emitted from the Slytherin table; he was very popular among the more evil students of the school.
"Also joining us this year as an assistant flying instructor to Madam Mae is the brother of one of our very own seventh year students, Andrew Figg."
Andrew Figg. Andrew Figg. Andrew Figg.
My attention immediately left Dumbledore as my eyes flew to Bella, who was trying to sink down into her seat as if in embarrassment. I glared at her for a moment, then opened my mouth and asked bitterly, "Why didn't you say anything?"
Bella looked up at me with wide eyes. "I was going to," she said quietly, obviously feeling quite badly. "But then you started acting like you fancied him again and I just couldn't. I'm sorry and I hope you're not mad."
I let out a little sigh as I shook my head at her. I wasn't mad at Bella, just a little upset that she'd known all along that her brother was going to be a professor and that hadn't told me. After all, we told each other everything, and it was just a shock that she'd kept it from me. "It's okay, Bella. I understand."
She looked as if she was going to say something in reply, but Dumbledore cut her off with a loud, "Now, let's eat!" Food appeared on the tables as if on cue and everyone instantaneously begin to dig in, Bella and me included.
However, as I ate, my eyes couldn't help but drift across the room to the staff table, where Andrew Figg was now seated.
"Miss Evans, I need you over here!" called Professor McGonagall. She was standing near the entrance of the Great Hall with Head Boy James Potter, waving her arms about in a slightly frantic manner. "Hurry, Miss Evans!" She sounded on the verge of being impatient.
I'd almost forgotten that I was to meet with her after the feast. Feeling a bit stupid at the spectacle I had caused, I turned to Bella and smiled apologetically at her. "See you later, okay?" When Bella nodded, I turned and ran to stand beside of James, who was looking incredibly bored.
Professor McGongall pursed her lips. "How nice of you to finally join us, Miss Evans," she said pointedly, eyeing me over the tops of her square glasses. "I would imagine that the Head Girl would try to be a bit more punctual."
"I'm sorry," I answered, feeling my cheeks heat up as James looked at me contemptuously. Suddenly I felt lower than dirt. James had that effect on people.
"It's quite all right, Miss Evans. You're here now." The professor's voice had almost softened and I smiled weakly at her. "Let's go."
James and I followed behind the woman, with him straggling a little further than I was. He took long, slow steps that looked almost funny as compared to my small, quick steps. Even funnier were Professor McGonagall quick, purposeful, medium-sized steps.
It took a little over five minutes to get from the Great Hall to what was evidently the entrance to our quarters: a portrait of a beautiful mermaid with blonde hair and unusual violet eyes. When we approached her, she was sunbathing on a large rock and looked rather upset that we interrupted.
"Gillian, these students are our new Head Boy and Girl, James Potter and Lily Evans. They'll be staying in these quarters this year," Professor McGonagall explained to the mermaid. She turned to James and me. "James, Lily, this is Gillian the Mermaid. She guards your quarters. The password is 'prime example'. If either of you have any questions at all, you may ask Gillian and she will try to help you in any way possible. If she cannot help, she will contact either myself or Dumbledore and we will help you. Right now, I'm due in a meeting with the headmaster and Professors Snape and Figg. Remember the rules, please, as they all still apply to you. Have fun." With that, she was gone, her robes billowing out about her ankles as she strode down the corridor.
After the professor disappeared, I said to James, without, "Well, why don't we go on inside?"
There was no response. I turned my head to look at him. Well, I turned my head to look at where he had been standing, anyway.
"He already went in, doll," Gillian informed me, obviously trying not to laugh. She was failing with flying colors.
I rolled my eyes and put a hand to my forehead. Already I could tell this was going to be the longest of long years, and it wasn't even going to be pleasant. "Thanks, doll," I replied sarcastically. "Prime example."
"There's no need to get snooty about it, even if you are the Head Girl," Gillian said before swinging open to allow me access to the Head quarters.
I stepped inside and was awestruck at what I saw. The room I was standing in was evidently a study/common room. There was a large fireplace in which a fire was already roaring (I assumed there was a cooling charm placed on the flames, as it was emitting no warmth). The room was lushly decorated in a scarlet and gold décor, probably because James and I were both Gryffindors. There were two huge armchairs in front of the fireplace, several empty bookshelves to store books, couches, as well as several odds and ends about the room. At the very back were three doors; the door on the left, which was slightly ajar, had the word "James" written in fancy calligraphy; the door on the right had the word "Lily", also written in fancy calligraphy. The door in the center had "Bath" written in the same calligraphy style. I was in love.
The Diary of Lily Evans
Hogwarts, Year Seven
Head Girl
September 2, 1978
Wow. Today has just been a big whirl of excitement. Everything has happened so fast! There's a new Potions master, named Severus Snape. I remember him from when I was in fifth year; I didn't like him too terribly much. Also, ANDREW FIGG is a new assistant flying instructor here. That came as a huge shock to me! I can't believe it!
Today I've found out that James Potter is a cocky bastard. But, of course, I knew that all along!
I still like him, though. It's hard not to, especially when he's only a room away from me! Since tomorrow is going to be a very hectic day, I need to get some rest.
-Lily Evans
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AN: This chapter was a little more difficult for me to write as opposed to the prologue and chapter one, which is why it took me a little longer to get it out as well. I've also been slightly busy with various things, and just got a chance to really sit down and do some good, quality writing today (10/26). I'll have a little bit more time to write until football season ends, and then updates will probably be a bit slower. Winterguard's starting soon, and I can't wait!
I'm so happy! Your reviews have definitely made my day... my week, even! I just got in a fight with my boyfriend AND my best friend after the football game last night, and seeing everybody's kind words made me feel so much better. In fact, I think I'll call Andrew (Bella's brother is named after him) and apologize since our argument was my fault. (As for my argument with Jen... well, that wasn't my fault and I refuse to apologize first, since she was treating me so badly last night.) Hehe!
I'm glad to say that I know almost exactly where I am going with this fanfic. I wrote out a plot outline that I intend to follow as closely as I can, and I'm pretty happy with how I'm doing so far. I still don't know how many chapters there will be or how I want to end this, but there's time before I really need to think about it. I guess I'll just let the plot take me where it wants to go.
Disclaimer: None of the characters in this fanfic belong to me except Mammy, Joshua Evans and Andrew Figg; they are property of JK Rowling and all other affiliated personnel. I lifted the name Crystal Glass from the book "Golden Boy's Sister", by Philippa Greene Mulford. Don't sue me, please.
THANK YOU:
The Infallible Teller- Lily's brother Joshua is two years younger than Lily, which makes him 15 in this fanfic. Thanks!
tta- Yes, it's going to be sad... at least, if I can make it sad, it will be. There will most definitely be some L/J in here. I'm sorry about the mention of God in the last chapter; I didn't mean to offend you, or anybody else, in any way. Thanks!
Y. Kuang- Thank you! Is having an innocent quality good? Thanks again.
Felicity Cynster- Well, there was a longer wait in between chapter one and two, huh? Thanks a lot!
Lilyflower8602- Aw, thanks!
marauder girl- Thanks for the suggestion. I would have changed it, but I didn't see the point when I was putting up the third chapter already. And no, I certainly did not take that as a flame! As for Lily changing in appearance: are you talking about when Bella told her that she looked great? If that's the case, then no; Bella knows that Lily is sick and was just stating that she looked good. Thanks!
mealle- Thanks you so much!
sirius' lover- Yeah, it's sad, but it's supposed to be. :) Thanks!
claudiaBlack- Thanks!
AllyStar- Thank you and you're welcome.
SweetSinger- Thanks a lot. I definitely agree with you, but some people don't, and that's okay! Thanks again!
~drama queen