Chapter Two- Harry's First Kiss br br
Lily waited for Ron and Harry while Hermione stalked past her. Harry, noticing Hagrid at the end of the platform, led them up to him. Before Harry could introduce her, Lily, apparently now completely over her shyness stuck her hand out and said brightly, "Hello! You must be Hagrid. I've heard so much about you on such a short train ride." br
"Oh yeh have?" Hagrid said, taking her hand and shaking it vigorously as his black eyes lit up, "Yeh must be Lillian Cannonbergh? I see yeh've met Harry and Ron, where's Hermione?" br
"She's already halfway to the carriages," said Ron, looking after her as if paranoid she'd disappear if she got too far. br
"Well why don'tcha two go and catch up with her," He said smiling at them, then turned to Lily, "Yeh'll be joinin' the firs' years going across the lake." br
Lily waved to them and smiled happily and she and Hagrid headed off to the boats. Harry and Ron were more than a little disappointed that Lily wouldn't be joining them in the horseless carriages that brought everyone but the first years up to the castle, but it gave them a chance to talk to Hermione. As they caught up to her after weaving between the other students at a run, Hermione said coldly, "So where's Lilly-anne?" br
"She had to go with the first years, what's your problem?" Ron said, slamming the door to the carriage after Harry had climbed in. Neville was standing outside looking hurt and Harry tried to portray with his eyes that it just wasn't the time. br
"Well she shows up and it's like you two suddenly go blind. Can't you see she's toying with you? 'Oh I'm afraid to go alone, let me grab your arm Harry.' GAWD!" she said in a disgusted tone after mimicking Lily's high soft voice with a falsetto using a very fake valley girl accent. br
"You know what Hermione? I said this on the train and I'll say it again, I think you're jealous!" He spit the last word with as much venom as he could muster. This wasn't going the way Harry had wanted it to. br
"So that's what you guys were fighting about?" said Harry, cutting Hermione off before she could say anything rude, "Well I think you're both making huge prats of yourselves. Ron, Hermione probably just doesn't like her." He only said this because he didn't want Hermione to think that Ron and he were ganging up on her, "and Hermione, you'd best get used to her because she's in our year, she's really nice, she's in at least five of your classes and the only reason she had a hold of my arm was because she was pulling me away from Malfoy!" br
Hermione's angry face melted into resignation. She sighed as the carriages stopped and said as she stepped down, "I guess you're right, I'm being stupid, after all what's to be jealous of?" That wasn't quite the reaction he was hoping for but he'd supposed he'd have to settle for it for now. br
They walked into the castle, and Harry was quite glad to be back, with his friends, even if they were being stupid. They had gotten halfway to the great hall when Harry felt something fall on his neck. He looked up and, with the reflexes only a five year quiddich player could have, darted out of the way just as Peeved dumped a huge pot of dirt complete with a fern onto Collin Creevy who had been walking right behind Harry. He stood stock still, shocked as Peeves floated downward, cross legged and placed the copper pot on his head too, kicking it sharply with his foot so it rang, then flew, cackling down the hallways. Draco Malfoy passed and laughed darkly at Collin, who was trying to pull the heavy vase off his head. He circled Harry like a bird of prey, saying quietly, "You had better not hope you've ruined my chances with Lily, because I could tell Dad and we might see if you can cheat death again, Potter," then walked away, Harry glared after him, more worried about Lily than himself. br
Harry helped Collin with the pot and had just managed to set it safely down when Professor McGonagall came into the room, looking as strict and proper as always. She took one look at Collin and asked, "Peeves?" Collin nodded and McGonagall gave a wave of her wand muttering "cleanivisio." Collin was instantaneous as clean as he was before Peeves. br
"Well into the great hall, all of you" she said briskly, and then called a broom and dustpan to her using the summoning charm. Harry saw the broom skim across the floor and sweep up all the dirt into the dustpan within seconds then disappear with a little pop before he entered the hall. The bewitched ceiling was a clear midnight blue with the moon directly in the middle and stars shining all around it. Harry, Ron and Hermione filed in between the tables, finally reaching the Griffindor table where they were careful to sit nearest the seats they were saving for the new students. The golden plates and goblets shone in the light of thousands of candles that floated above the tables just high enough not to be obtrusive. Harry looked along the staff table and scanned the faces. All the seats were filled, but Harry couldn't find a new face. He looked back more carefully there was Vector, Snape, Trelawney, Sprout, Flitwick, Dumbledore, McGonagall, Lupin… Lupin? br
"What's Professor Lupin doing back here?" Harry asked Hermione. Hermione looked up at the staff table and did a small double take, "I thought he wasn't coming back after, well after he accidentally turned into a werewolf," said Harry so low only Ron, Hermione, and he could hear. br
"I don't know, I guess we'll have to ask him when we have our first Defense Against the Dark Arts Lesson." br
At that moment, the first years filed in, all looking very small and frightened, followed by Lily. Even from that distance anyone who looked at her could tell that she was very pretty and nervous, attempting not to look at the hall filled with people she didn't know. Hagrid came in after her, and took his place and the end of the table. Professor McGonagall stood up and walked over to the three legged stool the fist years had lined up in front of and placed a very dirty and patched wizard's hat onto it. A rip in the brim of the hat had opened wide and it began to sing: brbr
Every year I see new kids br
Coming here to Hogwarts school br
To learn all about wizardry br
And gather all the tools br br
But all of these children br
Cannot travel in one big group br
So I was created to choose br
Which students will belong in which troop br br
There's Griffindor br
who was always brave br
where chivalry and bravery br
make all the critics rave, br
There's Ravenclaw br
Who was fond of brains br
Where any problem can be solved br
Whether math or magic or trains. br br
There's Hufflepuff br
Who was always so kind br
Justice, sweetness and courtesy br
One in their presence can find. br
And finally there's Slytherin,br
Who was ambitious to say the least br
Where people who will use any means br
Can always find a feast. br br
So go ahead and pick me up br
I'll tell you where you should be at br
Because truly and magically br
I am a mind reading hat! brbr
The great hall burst into applause and Professor McGonagall unfurled a piece of parchment as she called out, "Cannonbergh, Lillian!" Lily stepped forward gracefully and sat down on the chair as every head in the hall craned to see who it was, then turn to speculate why she looked so old. When Fred and George turned and asked Harry, he wasted no time in telling them that she was in fact a fifth year girl from Grimoire Institute in the United States. Fred and George passed it down the table until everyone knew, and the buzzing, stopped, at least at the Griffindor table. Pretty soon it had stopped at the Slytherin too, and eventually everywhere else. The sorting hat seemed to be taking a long time with Lily, but after a bit longer the rip in the brim opened up and it shouted out, "GRIFFINDOR!" Harry's table positively exploded. He'd never heard such a noise from someone joining the house than when he himself had become a Griffindor. br
"Guess you got you wish, eh Lily?" said Hermione amiably, but sounding slightly strained. Lily smiled widely and nodded, sitting and picking up a plate to examine it. br
"Are these real gold?" she asked, turning it over carefully in her hand and then setting it back down to pick up the goblet. br
"I think so, but they've been hardened," said Ron, watching her carefully. She was tracing her longish metallic silver painted nail on the brim, following the ornate design. She placed it back down and smiled, looking down the table. br
"So who here is in our year besides Dean and you three?" br
They introduced her to everyone and she smiled at each one in turn, waving enthusiastically at Lavender Brown and Paravati Patil, the two prettiest girls in the house before Lily arrived. Both of them smiled and waved back looking as if they wanted to ask her to move down. br
Hermione was complaining about hunger, since she hadn't eaten at all on the train and was wiggling in her chair, staring at her plate as if she could make food appear. The first years slowly trickled to the tables, until a point when Hermione looked like she was going to pass out with hunger. br
Dumbledore stood up, his long white beard shining in the light as he waited for it to get silent. Once he had everyone's full attention he said, " I know you are all anxious to get to your meal," several sounds of agreement answered, "but before any rumors have been set in stone, I would just like to tell you why we have a very old looking first year this year." Lily looked in to her plate, like she couldn't believe this was happening, but she wasn't blushing. After a few seconds she looked up at Dumbledore who was watching her, then continued, "Miss Cannonbergh is from Grimoire Institute of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the United States of America. She's a sixth year student and has moved here recently, so she will be joining this school. I trust that all of you will welcome her and help her adjust to her new surroundings. Now I just have a couple more words, let's eat!" br
The golden trays in front of them filled magically and Harry helped himself to a little of everything, even though he really wasn't hungry. A large pile of steak had appeared in front of Lily and she looked at it, obviously disgusted before helping herself to some mashed potatoes, minus the gravy, and a helping of salad. Harry watched her and she carefully divided her food and ate, taking small bites and carefully chewing what Uncle Vernon would have called 'rabbit food.' She ate as she did everything else, carefully, but effortlessly, and in a way that made Harry feel like he could watch her all day. As Harry watched he felt his stomach writhe and twist and then feel as if it had jumped suddenly up several feet. He looked over to the Ravenclaw table at Cho Chang, the only other girl that had given him this feeling, but even though she was almost as pretty, there was something about Lily that made even Cho seem plain. Harry continued to eat and once he thought he was absolutely going to burst, the main course disappeared and desserts appeared. br
He looked over at Lily again and saw that a smile had crept up as the steaks were replaced with a large bucket of soft ice cream next to which sat all the fixings. She took a large scoop and poured hot chocolate over it, then sprinkles. He watched her dig in and take the first bite-full, making to get every bit of hot chocolate by sucking on the spoon for an instant. He'd never felt this way about a girl. He looked over at Ron and saw that he too was watching her, as she chatted with a first year girl. As he looked down the table he saw the numerous boys, even the older ones were staring, as though transfixed, at her. br
"Oi! Lily, would you mind passing the ice cream down here?" said Harry, hoping to distract the other boys. For some reason he could barely stand them even looking at Lily with that odd glint in their eyes. Lily nodded and passed down the ice cream, struggling a little bit under its weight and then the toppings bowls. Hermione was looking at her very sourly but when Lily smiled Hermione smiled back. At least Hermione was going to pretend to like her. br
After a while the deserts too disappeared to reveal the plates gleaming gold again. Lily expressed her delight and surprise and everyone chuckled except for Hermione, who laughed in a rather annoyed fashion a little too late. Dumbledore once again stood up and this time it became almost instantaneously silent. br
"Did everyone have a good meal?" he asked, smiling around at everyone, "good!" he said as if someone had answered him, "I would like to remind everyone that the dark forest on the edge of the grounds is forbidden, also no student, with any excuse, is allowed out of bed now. As forewarning for some of you more bashful people, after much discussion and many pleas from you students since the last one, it has been decided that the Yule Ball shall be held every year instead of just the years where the Triwizard Tournament is held. Of course, it will be for students from Hogwarts, although any student who wants to travel that far from other schools may come and is welcome to stay at Hogwarts over Christmas Holiday. As last year, this ball is only open to students fourth year or above although an older student may invite a younger student. Well that's it, you all need some sleep for the start of lessons tomorrow!" br
Everyone got up and stretched, ready for bed. This years male prefect walked around to the front of the table and said, "First years, Lily, follow me," and everyone else filed out the doors before them. As Harry, Ron and Hermione walked up the steps, their feet weighed down from need of sleep, Ron turned to Hermione and asked, "It's not that hard being nice to her, is it?" br
Hermione gave him a look, her eyes flashing but then said, "It's just so hard seeing someone smiling, all the time, and laughing, and giggling. She seems like such a little git, I don't understand what you guys see in her." br
"Well, she's gorgeous, for one," began Ron. Hermione shot him another look. She hated it when people judged based on looks. br
"and she's very nice…" added Harry. br
"and she's cute, but not only in looks…" said Ron. br
"and very sweet natured…" said Harry. br
"and she seems like a good person…" said Ron. br
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" said Hermione, loudly. Not only did she hate to be proven wrong, but her jealously had apparently over come her. Plus they were at the portrait of a fat lady in a pink dress that had just asked, "password?" br
"Celestial Glow," said Hermione, who, being a prefect had been told the password. The portrait swung open and they entered the common room. Apparently they were the only people who hadn't gone up to bed, or they were the first ones there, because the common room was deserted, which was quite unusual, even on the first day. br
" Do you think we should wait for Lily, I mean, the first year girls won't be able to show her where the bedroom is and I don't know, I think it would mean a lot to her," Ron said, trying to cover his desire to see her again. br
"Oh all right," Hermione said, sighing and flopping down into a chair. br
Within minutes the first years and Lily entered the common room, the prefect announcing, "Welcome to the Griffindor common room. Boys dormitories are up two flights of stairs to the left, girls the same on your right. I'm sure you all will want to go to sleep pretty soon," he said, giving Ron, Harry, and Hermione a look too, "and you'll find that your things have already been brought up. Lily, would you like me to show you to your dormitory?" He moved closer to her, reaching out to guide her by the small of her back, but before he could touch her she smiled, apparently flattered and said, "no thanks, I think that's what these guys stayed up to do for me, but thank you," she gave him a grateful smile and turned to the three of them as the prefect walked away, looking disappointed. br
"Thank you guys so much, I don't really trust that guy, he was hitting on me the whole way up here, barely stopping to explain the way to the common room," she smiled again in an embarrassed sort of way. br
"It's okay," said Ron, "he's a stupid prat anyways." br
"Prat?" she said, confused. br
"Er… it's sort of an idiot, sort of a jerk," Ron explained, "don't you ever use that in America?" br
"I've never heard it before," she said, "but it sounds like a pretty good word, prat," she said, trying it out. br
"Well, we'd best get to bed, it's past ten and after all we do have lessons tomorrow, aren't you excited Lily?" Hermione asked, still saying her name with a slight coldness. br
"Very, and I have to get up pretty early so that I can make sure that this," she said, tugging on one of her curls. Harry's eyes followed it as it sprung back into place, "isn't a frizzy mess tomorrow." She winked and followed Hermione out of the common room and up the stairs, giving them a small wave as she went out of view. br
"Wow…" said Ron, sinking into the chair again, "she is so…wow!" br
"No kidding, but half the school's going to be after her before long," Harry said, wondering how he was ever going to have a chance with her. But then again, she did seem to like him. br
"You're telling me, and what's worse, I've got you to compete with," said Ron, not looking too thrilled at the prospect. br
"What do you mean me? Ron you've got just as much, if not more of a chance as I do!" br
"Are you kidding me? You're famous, and Harry if you haven't noticed, girls go for you… remember the last Yule Ball?" In their fourth year, Harry had been a champion for the Triwizard Tournament and had girls asking him every day to go with them, but that was that year, and he doubted anyone would want to go with him, now that he wasn't a champion. br
"Yeah, but that was fourth year, and she acted just as interested in me as you. I guess it just comes down to who she eventually chooses, but promise me we aren't going to fight over her, okay?" br
"Okay. Now let's go to bed." br
They shuffled up the stairs and down the next flight to their old common room, now marked "sixth years." As they slid into their crimson hung four-post beds, they noticed that no one was sleeping. Dean was tacking up his poster of the West Ham soccer team, which he put up every year, and Neville Longbottom, a notoriously klutzy, forgetful boy, was still wriggling into his pajamas. He had grown over the past couple of years, about six inches, but his old pajamas hadn't. Now, instead of being tight around his belly and long for him, the pajamas hung limp around his chest and stomach and were a good two inches short for him. Harry hadn't noticed before, but Neville's face wasn't as round anymore and his double chin was obsolete. Also, when he climbed into bed, he didn't seem worried about anything he'd left behind, as he had in past years. He'd really grown up over the summer. br
"So what about that Lily girl?" said Seamus Finnigan, climbing into bed. br
"What about her?" said Ron shortly. br
"She's really pretty, don't you agree?" he replied. br
"Yeah," said Neville, sleepily, "but she'll have a boyfriend within the week, guaranteed." br
"Do you think I'd have a chance with her?" Dean asked, yawning. br
"Do you think any of us would?" retorted Seamus. br
"So who do you think she'll wind up with?" asked Dean. br
"Probably some handsome, popular seventh year," said Seamus, stifling a yawn. br
With that all conversation ceased. Harry lay awake, the boys' conversation echoing through his mind. 'She'll have a boyfriend within the week' 'Do you think any of us would?' '…some handsome, popular seventh year' His stomach groaned with anxiety. He really really liked this girl, felt differently about her than any other girl he'd ever met. It wasn't just awe at her beauty, it was a deeper feeling. She was so nice, so cute, so cheerful. She had to be the one for him, she just had to be. He wanted her so bad. As he rolled over thoughts rushed through his mind that had never been there before. He was picturing himself holding Lily, running his fingers through her soft curls, kissing her lips. His fantasies turned into dreams as he saw himself doing things that he hadn't even been thinking about…br
He woke up suddenly in the middle of the night and went out to the common room. She was sitting there staring into the fire. She was wearing pajamas of light blue silky material. Her legs were tucked under her and she looked up smiling at him as he entered, "I couldn't sleep, it's too different." A frown flickered across her face as she looked back into the flames. A tear slowly formed in her eye and trickled down her face, catching the light and sparkling. Harry wanted more than anything at the moment to take away whatever was hurting her. He stood over her and naturally, almost instinctively, puller her towards him. He hugged her for a moment and then she pulled away, looking at him with a look of deepest gratitude. br
"My mother died a few months ago, that's part of the reason we moved here. Dark wizards everywhere are stirring now that Voldemort, I- I'm sorry, You-Know-Who has once again risen." br
"It's okay, you can say his name around me. You know about my parents of course, but I can't imagine what it's like to lose a mother when you're older," Harry said in a comforting way. br
"Well one of his death eaters just showed up one day, I was at school, my dad was at work. My mom was a muggle, did I ever tell you that? Well when we came back she was just lying there on the floor. I don't even know why they did it, probably just to get to my dad…" she trailed off, more tears sliding down her face. br
Harry didn't know what to say. He just wiped away her tears and pulled her into another embrace. br
"I- I don't know what it is Harry, I just feel like I can trust you. Don't tell anyone okay, I don't want anyone pitying me, it just gets so hard sometimes." br
"I know," he said, struggling to keep the pain he was feeling for her at a bare minimum, "I know. Do you want me to bring you back to your dormitory?" br
"Please?" br
Harry put his arm around her waist and brought her back to her dormitory. She laughed shortly and wiped the last remnants of her tears away. "Thank you so much, Harry, you don't know what this means to me. Then she leaned in and quickly, sweetly, brushed her lips against his. br