Chapter 2
"There most certainly no place like home," Josie mumbled, stepping into the grand entrance hallway of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"Did I detect sarcasm, Miss Chevius?" Professor McGonagall asked, a faint smile playing over her lips.
"Oh no, Professor. Me, sarcastic? That's laughable!" Josie smiled at her head of household.
"Yes, whatever you say, Josie," McGonagall smiled, amused at her student. Lily and Rose walked up behind Josie and smiled up at their favorite teacher other than Professor Dumbledore.
"Hello, Lily. Hello, Rose. Have you taken points away already?" She asked curiously.
"No, she hasn't but only because she's madly in love with me, Professor," Sirius said putting an arm around Rose's slim waist.
"Touch me again, Black, and I'll do worse than take away points," Rose growled yanking out of Sirius's grasp.
"Yeah, Black, we don't want to watch you manhandle your latest conquest in the hallways," a voice sneered.
Behind them stood a tall boy with black her and large black eyes. He would have been handsome if he had taken care of himself, but the greasy hair and yellowing teeth left much to be desired in looks. He also had a look of utter disgust on his face that twisted into a mask of evil intentions.
"Go tempt a toad, Snape. We have better things to do than to listen to your tongue trying to catch flies into your trap," Potter ordered, his voice cold. "As Head Boy, I am asking you to go into the Great Hall where you belong."
Snape looked shocked for a moment before huffing away in blind fury toward the doors of the great hall. McGonagall stood glaring at Snape's retreating back before turning around to her beloved students and those that were annoying.
"Mr. Potter, I suggest you tell your friends to follow the advice you just gave Mr. Snape," she scowled. "And then I suggest you hurry into the hall yourself because we wouldn't want the Head Boy to be late, would we?"
"No ma'am," James answered saluting the Professor. "Come on guys. One more year of fun begins." He grabbed Sirius by the shirt collar and began to drag him into the Great Hall. Remus grabbed Peter and they followed.
"Old bat," Sirius mumbled, barely audible over the din of chattering students.
Rose turned to McGonagall, "I thought you liked the Marauders, Aunt Minerva."
McGonagall looked sharply at her niece and answered, "I do. I love those four. James and Sirius are who I'd want my children to marry, if I had any children of course." Rose blushed a becoming pink. "You come to look more like your mother, Aphrodite, every day, Rosie. Now scoot. We would not want anyone to think I was playing favorites with my niece and her friends. Go on! Lily, Josie, Rose, I'll speak to you later."
"They don't know I'm your niece, Professor!" Rose interjected. "I'd rather die than have everyone think I was as uptight as you were!" Lily and Josie began to laugh. "What?"
"Well," Josie began, "they already do think that you're that uptight if not more."
"Well! I never," Rose said glaring menacingly at her good friend.
"Rose, Josie! Do not make me give you the you-must-be-nice lecture yet again! That would be a record that I don't feel like breaking. I have already given it five times. Let's get to dinner. They have chocolate for dessert, Josie," Lily threatened and coaxed in turn.
Josie was off in a flash with Lily and Rose following while Lily looked reproachfully at her best friend. McGonagall followed them into the hall, trying to keep the big smile that she wore inside from making an appearance on her face. The girls happily sat beside some other seventh year Gryffindors while they waited for Dumbledore to say his few words of beginning of term.
He stood, smiling with his usual cheerfulness. His brown hair was going silver and his beard of old age was beginning to turn long. He looked over the room over half-moon spectacles, newly added to his wardrobe. His sparkling blue eyes rested on Lily, Rose, and Jocelyn for a moment before moving further down the table to where James, Sirius, Peter, and Remus sat. He caught James' eye and winked. James smiled up at his headmaster as the room fell quiet finally.
"Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! I, of course, have a few start of term announcements to make. May it be noted that the forbidden forest is forbidden, like always," he announced his eyes once again meeting with James'. "The new Head Boy and Head Girl this year are James Potter and Lily Evans. If you have questions, the first years in particular I suggest going to Lily. If you want to pull pranks, James might be the one to see." The hall erupted into laughter as Lily hid her head in her hands. James bowed dashingly to the hall. "Yes, yes. Aren't they a riot. Now I know I have made you wait longer than normal to eat, but I have a dinner engagement. Now that you have not listened to a word I've said, take these words to heart," (The first years perked up, attention rapt.) "Mimblewimble, coocadoo, and hibbitnob. Thank you. Now let the feast begin!"
He waved his hand and food appeared in glittering bowls on the table. He turned and walked out through a door behind the teacher's table. Lily looked at James who nodded. They stood quickly walked to the door while made rush for food was still going on, and no one noticed their departure except for their friends.
They got to the door at the same time. James hesitated, his hand on the golden knob.
"Have you ever been in, Dumbledore's secret room?" James asked.
"No," Lily answered shortly.
"Neither have I," James said, still hesitating.
"Wow, I thought you had been everywhere, Potter."
James flashed a charming grin at his counterpart. "I do believe Sirius is right. We are rubbing off on you."
"You wish, James Just open the door," Lily commanded and he did.
"Sirius would kill me if I didn't let the Queen of Hogwarts enter before me," he said bowing low. Lily glared and waltzed into the room.