Chapter 2 – Dung Bombs In The Corridor

"Lily, wake up!" Allison Anderson, a sixth year Ravenclaw who always sat near Lily in Magical history, popped her head into Lily's compartment. "We're going to be arriving at Hogwarts in like five minuets."

'Five minuets! There is no way I could have slept that long,' Lily thought. She looked at her watch. Allison wasn't lying; it was already 5:20 pm and the Hogwarts Express was slowing down, and preparing to pull into the platform at the foot of the hill. Lily stopped panicking and changed into her school robes as fast as she could. By the time she had gathered all her luggage and personal belongings together, the train had made a complete stop and the students were filing out. Lily immediately recognized the abnormally large man who was making his way through the mob of students and calling for all the first years to follow him. It was Rubeus Hagird, the Hogwarts grounds gamekeeper. Lily was very fond of Hagrid. Though he didn't look it, he was very kind and gentle. She often met him in his hut for tea when she had some free time.

When Hagrid spotted Lily, he waved. Lily smiled and waved back. "See ya' in the castle Lily," he said loudly. Behind him followed a group of nervous looking first years. Hagrid was about to take them on the traditional boat trip across the lake, where upon entering the castle they would be sorted into their houses. The four houses at Hogwarts were Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Lily was in Gryffindor, which happened to be the same house her grandmother was in 60 years ago. She had always considered that a strange coincidence. But then again at Hogwarts, several generations of a family were often sorted into the same house. But really didn't matter to much since Lily's family consisted mainly of Muggles. Lily put the thought out of her mind as she climbed aboard one of the hundreds of horse-less carriages that were transported all the second years and above to the castle.

The students made their way to the Great Hall, and Lily sat down at the Gryffindor house table. Overhead, at least a thousand enchanted floating candles cast a warm glow over the hall. Gold Plates and goblets were set at the table, because once the sorting ceremony was over, they would be welcomed with an opening feast. The staff table was located near the Gryffindor table. The headmaster, Dumbledore, sat in the middle with his long silver beard and his half-moon specs. To the side of him sat Deputy Headmistress Professor Mcgonagall, who happened to be the head of Lily's house. There were also lots of other familiar teachers that Lily had gotten to know over the course of her past years. Her least favorite of all was the potions mistress, Professor Vain. Vain was a nasty-natured woman. She headed the Slytherin house and tended to favor her students over the others.

Lily turned her attention back to her own table. She recognized most of the kids around her instantly. Across from her was Frank Longbottom, a clumsy boy who was often paired up with Lily in potions class. Sitting next to him were Becky Brimstone and Wendy Willows, two chatty girls who shared a sleeping quarters with Lily. Sitting diagonally from them was the snootiest, most unpleasant girl Lily had ever known aside from Petunia: Bridget Bernstein. Bridget had long silvery-blond hair, cinnamon colored eyes, full red lips, and a long swan-like neck. She was slim and she had quite a large chest for a girl of 16. Bridget was easily the prettiest and most popular girl in Gryffindor. She could have any guy she wanted even…James. Lily sighed.

James Potter was sitting two seats away from Bridget. He was the star-seeker of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, and the most popular guy in Gryffindor. He was pretty tall, about 5'7, and had a nice body, in Lily's opinion. His eyes were aqua colored and they stood out like two pools of water under his gold-rimmed glasses. But it was his hair that made Lily crazy for him. James' hair was jet black, and could never be tamed, no matter how hard he tried (which he didn't). There was also something Lily found attractive about his smile. He had a goofy smile, a little bit crooked on the side. But for some reason it always made her heart feel a bit lighter. James must have noticed Lily staring at him because he turned his head a looked toward her direction.

Lily immediately turned away. She stared at her empty gold plate hoping that nobody noticed how red her face was. James had been her secret desire for years now, but she knew those feeling would never, could never be returned. There was no point in denying it. She was an nobody, and a guy like James Potter was way out of her league. When Lily was sure her face had returned to its normal color again, she turned her attention back to the section of the table where James was sitting. To nobody's surprise, he was surrounded by the usual gang. Next to him sat his best friend and right-hand man (when it came to practical jokes), Sirius Black. Sirius was a bit shorter then James, and he had a thin bony face. He alsd has chin-length jet black hair (which was certainly a lot neater then James' hair) and dark brown eyes. Sirius was a real troublemaker in Lily's point of view. He had a evil-looking smile and a mischievous twinkle in his eye that told you he was up to no good (and he usually wasn't).

Lily listened closely as Sirius attempted to impress Bridget with his jokes. Bridget, who seemed for the most part uninterested in what Sirius had to say, sat very quietly and forced a chuckle every so often. She continually turned her head to make googly eyes at James, who barely seemed to take any notice. James was involved in what appeared to be an intense conversation with his other best friend, Remus Lupin. Lily had always thought fondly of Remus. He was kind and gentle, about 5'5 with light brown hair and soft hazel colored eyes. Remus was also a bit mischievous at times, but at least he had a lot more sense in him then Sirius did.

The front doors of the Great Hall swung open, and a large group of nervous looking first years entered. The sorting ceremony was about to begin. Professor McGonagall set the Sorting Hat on a stool, and as usual it sang a song of introduction to the first years. Then the first years were called up by name in alphabetical order to try on the hat. Three quarters of an hour passed by.

"Tolson, Matthew" called Mcgonagall

"RAVENCLAW", shouted the sorting hat. Everybody at the Ravenclaw table clapped. Lily looked at her watch…7:30pm. She didn't realize how late it was getting. Her stomach rumbled with hunger, for she hadn't eaten anything since her chicken sandwich on the train.

"Turner, Jessica"

"GRYFFINDOR", shouted the hat. Now it was Lily's table's turn to clap. Lily turned her head in time to see Sirius whisper something to James. 'Oh no,' she thought, 'I hope they are not planning a prank, already.'

Every year the four houses competed to win points, so they could receive a special award known as the House Cup at the end of the year. Gryffindor usually won the cup, but had lost in the past few years. Lily figured it had to do with the points lost by the "clever" pranks James and his friends pulled. In a few minuets the Sorting Ceremony was over and the welcoming feast had begun. There was a spectacular display of food including roast turkey, potatoes (every different kind), vegetables, an assortment of breads, treaticle pie, and some dishes that Lily didn't recognize. She ate quickly while staring suspiciously at Sirius, who was wearing his usual mischievous smirk. After their plates were cleared, Dumbledore gave all the students a brief welcoming speech, then sent them off to bed with the reminder that classes started bright and early the next morning.

"Gryffindors, follow me!" a prefect who was in Lily's year called out to them. The kids sitting at their table got up and walked toward the door followed by a group of nervous looking first years.

"What is that smell?" asked a third year girl when the Gryffindors were half way down the corridor. "It smells like…shit!" The Gryffindors, as well as several Ravenclaw students who were walking down the same corridor, began to moan and groan as the horrible smell filled the room.

"Dung Bombs! I should have known!" Professor Mcgonagall appeared from behind the mob of students wearing an expression of fury on her face. "POTTER! BLACK! I believe this was your doing…was it not?

James turned around attempting to give the professor his most innocent look (which wasn't too convincing, in Lily's opinion). "What are you talking about, Professor?"

"We didn't do anything, Professor…we swear!" Sirius added, also giving a false look of innocence.

"Oh really," responded Professor Mcgonagall, sounding very skeptical. "Then would you boys kindly tell me who is responsible for this mess?"

"I don't know," said James, who looked like he was trying very hard not to laugh. "Why don't you talk to Peeves." Peeves is the school's poltergeist. He was also very mischievous and lived (or more precisely, un-lived) to wreak havoc, much like James and his gang.

"Peeves is in the lower dungeon at a feast with the other ghosts," responded Mcgonagall looking even angrier than before. "And if there's one thing I can't stand more then a disgusting prank, it's lying! That will be detention for both of you and 20 points from Gryffindor!"

"But professor!" piped up Remus from the back. "Don't you think it's a bit unfair to accuse students when there no proof of their crime?"

"I'll decide what's fair and what's not, Mr. Lupin, and I recommend that you mind your own business or you'll end up with a detention, too." Professor Mcgonagall stormed away angrily

"Man! We got detention already. This Sucks!" whined Sirius as the Gryffindors made their way up to the staircase. "It's not like we hurt anyone for God's sake!"

James was quiet for a few second before he opened his mouth to speak. "Is it just me or does anybody else notice Mcgonagall is the only professor who takes points away form her own house!" he muttered resentfully.

Lily climbed up the staircase to the girl's dormitory. She hated it when those boys lost points for their house. Well, at least they got what they deserve! Setting off dung bombs in the corridor was a stupid idea. She plopped down on her four-poster. Becky and Wendy were still not there yet, and their sleeping quarters seemed very quiet without them. Lily closed her eyes and took a deep breath. For some reason she couldn't get the image of what James looked like when his was pissed off at Mcgonagall. He looked so handsome his jet black hair hanging messily over his forehead…the fire burning in his eyes…the… "What am I doing?" Lily asked herself out loud. "I'm getting carried away again. James Potter is one of the most popular guys in school. He doesn't even know I exist. These silly school girl obsessions are a waste of time and energy!" Picking up one of her text books, she thought, 'Since I'm awake I'll concentrate on something useful.' But just as she began to reread a chapter of England's Magical History for the 15th time, Becky and Wendy arrived in their quarters, chatting loudly as usual. Lily shut her book. She wasn't going to get much studying done at this rate. She buried her face in the pillow, and shut her eyes. It didn't take long until she was once again drifting off into an undisturbed sleep.