They pulled up to the front doors of Hogwarts and the students started to
file out of the carriages. The line going to the castle was long and moving
very slow. And the fact that it was raining didn't make the matter better.
Lily and the girls looked very glum, as they were drenched from head to
foot. They didn't look happy at all. Lily's hair was now very frizzy and
sticking out everywhere. James was laughing along with Sirius.
"Oh look Sirius. Medusa," said James pointing to Lily's head. Sirius laughed and ruffled her hair. She smacked his hand away.
"Oh. Looks like someone is still a wittle cranky."
"And you guys wonder why? Wow you're dense."
"That was harsh, Lil."
"The truth hurt." The line moved and so did Lily. James stared after her, a slight smile on his face. He followed her and caught up with her, walking in step.
"If I'm so dense, then how did I get my Prefect badge..again?" Lily shrugged.
"Maybe Dumbledore just felt sorry for you. Maybe he just wanted to straighten you out. You know, by giving you responsibilities and all."
"They can't keep me from playing pranks. Its impossible. I'm a prankster for life," he said and she looked up at him. Then she snorted with laughter. James stared at her, wondering what was so funny.
"Prankster for life?" She giggled, her hand over her mouth
"Yes, prankster for life. Its amazing that you don't believe me, seeing as I play most of my pranks on you."
"Its not that I don't believe you.You just make it sound like you'll never change.You just wait.Some girl will change all that." She nodded knowingly. James shook his head. She just didn't understand. When they entered the entrance hall,James shook his head,sending water everywhere.Lily,Lexi,Tiffany and Peter got full blast.Peter screamed and covered his head with his arms.They all lookd at him with raised eyebrows.Lexi giggled,covering her mouth with her hand.
"Dude,Peter,its just water,"James said,eyebrows still raised.Peter uncovered his face,his cheeks a light pink.
"Y-yeah,I know.But it.....er.....got in my eyes.Yeah.It didn't feel good."Lexi giggled again and everyone turned their gaze away from Peter.They had noticed that the entrance hall had emptied and ran for the Great Hall doors.The boys pushed them open and the girls rushed past.The Hall became silent, thinking the new first years had arrived,but when they saw that it was only the 7 of them they all started talking again.They let out deep sighs and moved to the Gryffindor table.James sat across from Lily,Lexi sat across from Remus and Sirius sat across from Tiffany.Tiffany didn't like Sirius all that much but was feeling very kind today.James leaned in so he could see Sirius,Remus and Peter.
"So,what prank are we gonna play on the ickle firsties?"he asked,and Remus and Sirius sat in deep thought.Peter,however,wasn't paying any attention.
"We can trip a few of them,"Sirius insinuated.
"What else?Thats not enough.We want to let them know that we're the bosses."
"But your not,"Lily said.James gave her a sideways glance but ignored her.
"Remus?You got any ideas?"But it wasn't Remus who spoke next.It was Lexi.
"Well,since were at school and we can do magic,you could put some water or something in your goblet,make it float and dump it on them as they pass."She nodded as she finished.They all looked at her."What?"
"Well,Lils,looks like we've got another member in the gang.Good job Lex.We'll try that on the first few.Then we'll trip em."
"Those poor first years are going to be traumatized before they even get to their first lesson,"Lily muumbled,and stared at the oak doors.James,Remus and Sirius all took their wands out and waited.
Lexi tapped Lily in the shoulder.Lily looked over.
"Look whos staring your way,"Lexi saidpointing to the Slytherin table.Lily looked over and saw Severus Snape looking right at her.James had heard Lexi and looked over as well.Snapes face was expressionless.James scowl.
"Why the devil is he looking this way?"
"Haven't you heard?He likes Lily."James eyes wandered from Lexi to Lily.Lily nodded.
"Its the sad truth.The stupid git likes me,even though he calls me a mudblood."She saw James tense up.Though James didn't like Lily very much,he still stood up for her whenever Snape made rude comments about her heritage..Lily Shrugged."Oh well.I've gotten quite used to it."
'You still shouldn't let that bloke call you that!Its a foul name!Very rude!"James was looking at her,disbeliev etched in his face.
"I know that James!But cal calls me one every day!Theres really nothing I can do about it."
"Have me as your bodyguard or something.I'll give him something to cry about the next time he calls you that."Lily couldn't help but give a small smile.
"Thanks for the offer James.It sounds really tempting and all but then he'll think I can't fight for myself."
"Yeah but....you shouldn't be called that!"
"James,really,I can ignore him you know."
"But I can't.Im still gonna knock his face in next time he does it."
"Be my guest,"she said and then the hall went quiet.The Great Hall doors opened and the first years filed in. The girls watched as water poured from the boys wands and into their cups.The boys hurriedly levitated their goblets and waited for the innocent first years to pass.
"When Professor Amry passed them,they thought they saw him smile at them but they didn't know for sure.A young boy passed and looked at them.They flashed him an innocent smile and he smiled slightly back.Then,James tipped the goblet over his head.He yelped and the boys laughed.The little first year hurried along.Now most of the first years were avoiding the Gryffindor table.The students near the end of the linewere unaware of what had happened earlier,so they were avoiding the table like the others.This gave James,Remus and Sirius an advantage.They tripped a few students and laughed silently afterwards.James looked over at Lily,who was shaking her head but laughing.He grinned at her and she gave him a small smile back.
'This dare could turn easy,'James thought to himself.They stared at each other for a second before Lily looked away.They heard the clinkng of a glass and the Hall grew silent.They all looked up at the staff table.They saw Professor Dippet stand with a small smile on his face.
"Welcome newcomers,welcome students.Its good to see you back and see most of you in high spirits.The rules this year do not differ much from last year.Every student should know that the forbiden forest is out of bounds for anyone who does not wish to die at an early age."The first years shuddered."And might I remind you that the list of toys,Jokes etc...has been extended and now consists of 168 items,which now include Fanged Frizbees,Yelping YoYos(because they make too much noise) and other items of that sort.So please keep those things in mind.Thank you and on with the sorting!"
As the sorting hat finished its song everyone in the hall burst into applause.The first years looked around nervously before doing the same.Then everyone turned their attention to Professor Amry,the Charms teacher,who bean to unroll a very long piece of parchment.
"Now,when I call your name,you will come sit on this stool and I will place the sorting hat on your head,so it can tell you what house you belong in."The first years gave a deep sigh,grateful thats all they had to do."Allman,Mary!"He called her name loud enough for the whole hall to hear.She walked timidly up to the stool and sat down.Professor Amry placed the hat on top of her head and everyone waited.The hat whispered in her ear and she sat patiently.Then,without any warning,the hat yelled,"GRYFFINDOR!"The Gryffindor table erupted with applause and the girl smiled and ran from the platform,taking a seat next to a few second year boys. Professor Amry clapped for Mary the lifted the parchment to eye level.
"Arther,Blanch!"The boy James had dumped the water on stepped up.He was shaking as he sat down on the stool.Professor Amry lowered the hat on top of his head and Blanch sat patiently.Blanch took deep,stedy breaths while the hat whispered in his ear.Finally,the hat made its decision and screamed out,"SLYTHERIN!"James and Sirius exchanged glances.
"I'll pay for that whole water thing in a few years wont I?"he said and looked around at the rest of them.Lily had her lips pursed,trying to hold in suppressed giggles."What are you laughing about Miss. Evans?"
"Whoo said i was laughing Mr.Potter?"She avoided his gaze by looking around the room.
"Well....no one...but your wanting to."She shrugged.
"Maybe."James rolled his eyes and shook his head,a slight smile playing across his lips.Sirius smirked and elbowed Remus in the arm.
"Flirt alert!"he said,rather loudly in the quiet hall.Most attention turned on them and a few people laughed.James and Sirius didn't look the least bit phased but Lily blushed a dark red.Sirius raised his eyebrows.
"So you were flirting,Lily,"he said and looked at James for his reaction.He quickly snapped his attention from the first years to her.
"Oh,dont be such a prat.Of course I wasn't flirting.Why would I want to flirt with him anyways?"
"I dunno but your blushing.It has to mean something."He was clearly enjoying himself.
"Its called embarrassment.I didn't fancy you screaming that out.Now people will talk."
"Right.Sure."
"You wouldn't know how it feels to be embarrassed.You really dont care what people think of you."
"And neither should you."Lily looked at him for a moment and then turned her attention to Amber goodman who was just sorted into Ravenclaw.
All through the sorting James was trying to think up ways to get Lily to notice him,but in a good way.He didn't want Sirius to get the impression that he couldn't do it.Because he could.It just might take a little time.He knew already that he had to charm her and not be too flirtatious.He didn't want to come on too strong but he didn't want to take his dear sweet time.After all,he only had till the end of the year.There was one little advantage though.He and Lily were both Prefects and when special occasions came up,they were always paired with eachother to do the planning or decorations.They had never said much to eachother,of course,but when they did it was most likely a rude or un-necissary comment.And then there was Hogsmeade.He could ask her to go with him but only after she warmed up to him.
After the last student,Steuart Zeffron,was sorted(he was sorted into Hufflepuff),Professor Amry rolled up the long piece of Parchment and moved himself and the stool aside.Professor Dippet stood up and James came back to his senses and looked up.He hadn't realized it,but during half the sorting,while he was organiozing his thoughts,he had been staring at Lily.She,Lexi,Tiffany,Sirius and Remus had noticed though.Sirius and Remus exchanged glances and Lily tried not to pay any attention to it.But before she knew it,she was staring back,trying to read his expression.He didn't seem to notice her or anyone else around him until Professor Dippet stood up.
"Well,no that the aorting is done and over with,we can eat!Tuck in!"He smiled and gave a nod then sat back down.The tables magically filled with food and most of the first years gasped.One first year had sat next to James and was staring open mouthed at the food.
"Oh look Sirius. Medusa," said James pointing to Lily's head. Sirius laughed and ruffled her hair. She smacked his hand away.
"Oh. Looks like someone is still a wittle cranky."
"And you guys wonder why? Wow you're dense."
"That was harsh, Lil."
"The truth hurt." The line moved and so did Lily. James stared after her, a slight smile on his face. He followed her and caught up with her, walking in step.
"If I'm so dense, then how did I get my Prefect badge..again?" Lily shrugged.
"Maybe Dumbledore just felt sorry for you. Maybe he just wanted to straighten you out. You know, by giving you responsibilities and all."
"They can't keep me from playing pranks. Its impossible. I'm a prankster for life," he said and she looked up at him. Then she snorted with laughter. James stared at her, wondering what was so funny.
"Prankster for life?" She giggled, her hand over her mouth
"Yes, prankster for life. Its amazing that you don't believe me, seeing as I play most of my pranks on you."
"Its not that I don't believe you.You just make it sound like you'll never change.You just wait.Some girl will change all that." She nodded knowingly. James shook his head. She just didn't understand. When they entered the entrance hall,James shook his head,sending water everywhere.Lily,Lexi,Tiffany and Peter got full blast.Peter screamed and covered his head with his arms.They all lookd at him with raised eyebrows.Lexi giggled,covering her mouth with her hand.
"Dude,Peter,its just water,"James said,eyebrows still raised.Peter uncovered his face,his cheeks a light pink.
"Y-yeah,I know.But it.....er.....got in my eyes.Yeah.It didn't feel good."Lexi giggled again and everyone turned their gaze away from Peter.They had noticed that the entrance hall had emptied and ran for the Great Hall doors.The boys pushed them open and the girls rushed past.The Hall became silent, thinking the new first years had arrived,but when they saw that it was only the 7 of them they all started talking again.They let out deep sighs and moved to the Gryffindor table.James sat across from Lily,Lexi sat across from Remus and Sirius sat across from Tiffany.Tiffany didn't like Sirius all that much but was feeling very kind today.James leaned in so he could see Sirius,Remus and Peter.
"So,what prank are we gonna play on the ickle firsties?"he asked,and Remus and Sirius sat in deep thought.Peter,however,wasn't paying any attention.
"We can trip a few of them,"Sirius insinuated.
"What else?Thats not enough.We want to let them know that we're the bosses."
"But your not,"Lily said.James gave her a sideways glance but ignored her.
"Remus?You got any ideas?"But it wasn't Remus who spoke next.It was Lexi.
"Well,since were at school and we can do magic,you could put some water or something in your goblet,make it float and dump it on them as they pass."She nodded as she finished.They all looked at her."What?"
"Well,Lils,looks like we've got another member in the gang.Good job Lex.We'll try that on the first few.Then we'll trip em."
"Those poor first years are going to be traumatized before they even get to their first lesson,"Lily muumbled,and stared at the oak doors.James,Remus and Sirius all took their wands out and waited.
Lexi tapped Lily in the shoulder.Lily looked over.
"Look whos staring your way,"Lexi saidpointing to the Slytherin table.Lily looked over and saw Severus Snape looking right at her.James had heard Lexi and looked over as well.Snapes face was expressionless.James scowl.
"Why the devil is he looking this way?"
"Haven't you heard?He likes Lily."James eyes wandered from Lexi to Lily.Lily nodded.
"Its the sad truth.The stupid git likes me,even though he calls me a mudblood."She saw James tense up.Though James didn't like Lily very much,he still stood up for her whenever Snape made rude comments about her heritage..Lily Shrugged."Oh well.I've gotten quite used to it."
'You still shouldn't let that bloke call you that!Its a foul name!Very rude!"James was looking at her,disbeliev etched in his face.
"I know that James!But cal calls me one every day!Theres really nothing I can do about it."
"Have me as your bodyguard or something.I'll give him something to cry about the next time he calls you that."Lily couldn't help but give a small smile.
"Thanks for the offer James.It sounds really tempting and all but then he'll think I can't fight for myself."
"Yeah but....you shouldn't be called that!"
"James,really,I can ignore him you know."
"But I can't.Im still gonna knock his face in next time he does it."
"Be my guest,"she said and then the hall went quiet.The Great Hall doors opened and the first years filed in. The girls watched as water poured from the boys wands and into their cups.The boys hurriedly levitated their goblets and waited for the innocent first years to pass.
"When Professor Amry passed them,they thought they saw him smile at them but they didn't know for sure.A young boy passed and looked at them.They flashed him an innocent smile and he smiled slightly back.Then,James tipped the goblet over his head.He yelped and the boys laughed.The little first year hurried along.Now most of the first years were avoiding the Gryffindor table.The students near the end of the linewere unaware of what had happened earlier,so they were avoiding the table like the others.This gave James,Remus and Sirius an advantage.They tripped a few students and laughed silently afterwards.James looked over at Lily,who was shaking her head but laughing.He grinned at her and she gave him a small smile back.
'This dare could turn easy,'James thought to himself.They stared at each other for a second before Lily looked away.They heard the clinkng of a glass and the Hall grew silent.They all looked up at the staff table.They saw Professor Dippet stand with a small smile on his face.
"Welcome newcomers,welcome students.Its good to see you back and see most of you in high spirits.The rules this year do not differ much from last year.Every student should know that the forbiden forest is out of bounds for anyone who does not wish to die at an early age."The first years shuddered."And might I remind you that the list of toys,Jokes etc...has been extended and now consists of 168 items,which now include Fanged Frizbees,Yelping YoYos(because they make too much noise) and other items of that sort.So please keep those things in mind.Thank you and on with the sorting!"
As the sorting hat finished its song everyone in the hall burst into applause.The first years looked around nervously before doing the same.Then everyone turned their attention to Professor Amry,the Charms teacher,who bean to unroll a very long piece of parchment.
"Now,when I call your name,you will come sit on this stool and I will place the sorting hat on your head,so it can tell you what house you belong in."The first years gave a deep sigh,grateful thats all they had to do."Allman,Mary!"He called her name loud enough for the whole hall to hear.She walked timidly up to the stool and sat down.Professor Amry placed the hat on top of her head and everyone waited.The hat whispered in her ear and she sat patiently.Then,without any warning,the hat yelled,"GRYFFINDOR!"The Gryffindor table erupted with applause and the girl smiled and ran from the platform,taking a seat next to a few second year boys. Professor Amry clapped for Mary the lifted the parchment to eye level.
"Arther,Blanch!"The boy James had dumped the water on stepped up.He was shaking as he sat down on the stool.Professor Amry lowered the hat on top of his head and Blanch sat patiently.Blanch took deep,stedy breaths while the hat whispered in his ear.Finally,the hat made its decision and screamed out,"SLYTHERIN!"James and Sirius exchanged glances.
"I'll pay for that whole water thing in a few years wont I?"he said and looked around at the rest of them.Lily had her lips pursed,trying to hold in suppressed giggles."What are you laughing about Miss. Evans?"
"Whoo said i was laughing Mr.Potter?"She avoided his gaze by looking around the room.
"Well....no one...but your wanting to."She shrugged.
"Maybe."James rolled his eyes and shook his head,a slight smile playing across his lips.Sirius smirked and elbowed Remus in the arm.
"Flirt alert!"he said,rather loudly in the quiet hall.Most attention turned on them and a few people laughed.James and Sirius didn't look the least bit phased but Lily blushed a dark red.Sirius raised his eyebrows.
"So you were flirting,Lily,"he said and looked at James for his reaction.He quickly snapped his attention from the first years to her.
"Oh,dont be such a prat.Of course I wasn't flirting.Why would I want to flirt with him anyways?"
"I dunno but your blushing.It has to mean something."He was clearly enjoying himself.
"Its called embarrassment.I didn't fancy you screaming that out.Now people will talk."
"Right.Sure."
"You wouldn't know how it feels to be embarrassed.You really dont care what people think of you."
"And neither should you."Lily looked at him for a moment and then turned her attention to Amber goodman who was just sorted into Ravenclaw.
All through the sorting James was trying to think up ways to get Lily to notice him,but in a good way.He didn't want Sirius to get the impression that he couldn't do it.Because he could.It just might take a little time.He knew already that he had to charm her and not be too flirtatious.He didn't want to come on too strong but he didn't want to take his dear sweet time.After all,he only had till the end of the year.There was one little advantage though.He and Lily were both Prefects and when special occasions came up,they were always paired with eachother to do the planning or decorations.They had never said much to eachother,of course,but when they did it was most likely a rude or un-necissary comment.And then there was Hogsmeade.He could ask her to go with him but only after she warmed up to him.
After the last student,Steuart Zeffron,was sorted(he was sorted into Hufflepuff),Professor Amry rolled up the long piece of Parchment and moved himself and the stool aside.Professor Dippet stood up and James came back to his senses and looked up.He hadn't realized it,but during half the sorting,while he was organiozing his thoughts,he had been staring at Lily.She,Lexi,Tiffany,Sirius and Remus had noticed though.Sirius and Remus exchanged glances and Lily tried not to pay any attention to it.But before she knew it,she was staring back,trying to read his expression.He didn't seem to notice her or anyone else around him until Professor Dippet stood up.
"Well,no that the aorting is done and over with,we can eat!Tuck in!"He smiled and gave a nod then sat back down.The tables magically filled with food and most of the first years gasped.One first year had sat next to James and was staring open mouthed at the food.