Disclaimer: All the characters and all the good stuff in the story isnÕt mine...it belongs to J. K. Rowling and I have no intention of stealing it.
Chapter Three: Sorting
Lily was still weak from her cancer. It had barely been a year since she had gotten out of the hospital. Furthermore, she hadnÕt been swimming since before her father had died when she was eight. When the boat tipped over, she was pushed downwards from the force of the motion. She didnÕt realize what was happening at first and thus tried to scream. As she did so her mouth and lungs filled with water and she coughed making things even worse. Finally realizing that she was underwater, Lily began to try to remember what she had known years ago when she had been swimming. She kicked and flailed her arms, but couldnÕt seem to reach the surface of the air. Lily couldnÕt breathe, and she was sure she was starting to have an asthma attack.
Lily had been born with asthma, but when she had gotten cancer, her lungs had weakened severely and her formerly mild asthma was now terrible. She couldnÕt do anything or go anywhere without her inhaler as she could, and probably would, have breathing troubles.
Now, underwater, she began to wheeze. She knew suddenly that she wasnÕt going to be able to reach the surface of the water. Her clothes were weighing her down, and she was too weak. Lily pushed those thoughts out of her head. If she didnÕt reach the top she would never see her mother again. She would never learn to protect herself for Nik, and Petunia would be overjoyed. She began kicking towards the surface of the water again.
As she was struggling, something grabbed a hold of her foot. She tried to pull her ankle out of itÕs grasp, but the hand was holding on too tightly. Her eyes started to blackout, she had gone too long without oxygen, if she didnÕt get it now, she would die. She tried fighting the force that was pulling her down, but another hand grabbed her other foot. Her lungs couldnÕt handle it, she opened her mouth desperate to try to get some oxygen into her body. All she got was more water. She couldnÕt think straight anymore, she couldnÕt see either. She kept gasping trying to get air.
With a jolt, Lily knew she was drowning. She was never going to reach the surface of the water. She couldnÕt see where she was but the pressure above her was great and her ears were popping, she had to be pretty deep. Additionally, the hands around her ankles were pulling her downwards. She wasnÕt sure, since she was surrounded in water, but she thought she had started to cry. Lily was more scared now than she had ever been during her stay in the hospital.
She felt something wrap around her middle. Or did she? Was there something holding onto her or was that just the pressure from not being able to breathe? She didnÕt know. Lily passed out.
But something had wrapped around her stomach. It was a tentacle, and whatever creature it belonged to, started to swim towards the surface of the lake. The hands on LilyÕs feet finally let go, just as her head broke through the surface of the water. The thing holding onto her took her over to the land on the side of the lake.
Above water, the fleet of boats had long since reached the land near Hogwarts. The usual ooooohhhhhhÕs and aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhÕs hadnÕt occurred as everyone had seen a boat with four kids tip over, and only three kids come back up. It was too dark for anyone to see the fourth person, and he/she was as good as dead.
Once everyone had reached the school, the giant, who Remus had learned was named Hagrid, ran into the building leaving all the students watching the still water. He had come back out with an elderly man with brownish, gray hair and beard that came down past his belt buckle and half moon glasses. James, Sirius, and Remus all knew that this man was Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts.
Just as Professor Dumbledore and Hagrid came back outside, the giant squid who lived in the lake surfaced. He looked kind of lopsided but no one knew why.
Hagrid was telling Dumbledore as much of the story as he knew, Ò...and the poor girl hasnÕt been seen since the boat tipped over. Think sheÕs still alive?Ó
ÒHey look! The giant squid is holding onto someone!Ó a student yelled.
James and Sirius looked over towards the squid, who was indeed holding someone, and someone small at that.
The normally lazy squid was moving very quickly, as if sensing there wasnÕt much time. It dropped Lily onto the ground and then swam, much more slowly, away.
Dumbledore sternly said, ÒHagrid, I need you to lead all of the first years into the building to meet Minerva. Mr. Potter, Mr. Black, and Mr. Lupin please stay here. Everyone else, I need you to hurry, the sorting should have started already, the rest of the students will be anxious.Ó
Everyone did as they were told. Most of the first years were trying to catch a glimpse of Lily as they walked past. James, Sirius, and Remus all sat down onto the soft earth and stared at Lily.
Dumbledore, after seeing that the students had all left, turned to Lily. He kneeled down and turned her onto her back.
Lily was pale as death, her lips were tinted blue, and her hair was in a wet tangled mess with seaweed in it and it was falling into and around her face. The three boys stared at her, silently praying that she wasnÕt as she looked, dead. James and Sirius were also repenting, it had been their horse playing that had caused the boat to tip over in the first place.
Dumbledore pulled out his want. He mutter some words that the three boys couldnÕt hear, and water was forced up out of LilyÕs mouth, lots of water. Then Dumbledore practically whispered, ÒEnervate.Ó Luckily it worked and seemed to bring Lily back to life, she still was really breathing but she began to open her eyes. As soon as she had done so, she started to cough again. More water, and some blood came up as she coughed, between coughs she wheezed trying desperately to get air into her lungs. LilyÕs body had begun to shake violently in an effort to warm her, and she frantically started searching the pockets of her robes.
Lily pulled up a small L shaped container and fumbled to try to pull the cap off of it. Dumbledore reached down and aided her in taking the cap off, and then again with getting the container to her mouth. She pushed down on the lever at the top of the device, and tried to take a breath in. She did that about four or five times, and slowly her breathing became more normal. Her shivering, however, increased.
Dumbledore waved his wand in the air, and a blanket appeared from nowhere. He wrapped it tightly around Lily and asked, ÒIs that better?Ó
She nodded, still trying hard to breathe.
ÒNow,Ó he said, looking from Lily to the three boys, each one in turn, ÒI need to know exactly what happened out on the lake.Ó
James and Sirius started, sharing their part of the story, ÒWell, Professor, see James and I were kidding around...Ó
Ò...we didnÕt mean for anything to happen...Ó
Ò...but one thing led to another...Ó
Ò...and before we knew it the boat was rocking as we horsed around...Ó
Ò...then all of the sudden...Ó
Ò...the boat tipped over...Ó
Ò...we managed to get into the boat that Peter was in...Ó
Ò...after resurfacing to the top of the lake.Ó
Then Remus said, ÒI wasnÕt close enough to get into anyone elseÕs boat, but Hagrid rowed over and pulled me into his boat. He asked where the other students from the boat were. I saw James and Sirius get into the other boat so I told him that, but I didnÕt know what had happened to Lily. We searched the water but we couldnÕt see anyone. So we came to shore and as soon as we got here, Hagrid ran into the castle and came back with you.Ó
Dumbledore looked at Lily, who was again breathing in from the L shaped container. He gave her a quizzical look, but she just shook her head. He knew she didnÕt have the energy to speak so he said, ÒVery well. All three of you need to be sorted into your houses. I expect if we hurry, we will get there before the ceremony is over. After which, I am going to have to ask the three of you to come to the hospital wing with me and Miss Evans.Ó
Lily was still wheezing. The three boys helped her to her feet and practically carried her to the castle so that the four of them would make it there as fast as the Headmaster.
They werenÕt too late for the ceremony, in fact they walked in just as SiriusÕ name was called.
Sirius looked around until a stern young witch told him, ÒYou take a seat on the stool and put the hat over your head.Ó
ÒRight, thanks.Ó
After a minute or so, the hat shouted out, ÒGryffindor!Ó and Sirius stood up again and looked around once more.
ÒThe table on the far right,Ó informed the stern witch.
ÒRight.Ó
Sirius went and took a seat with the rest of the house.
After a few more names were called, the stern looking woman called out, ÒEvans, Lily.Ó
Lily, still shaking and wheezing slightly, with the blanket still wrapped tightly around her, walked up and put the hat on her head.
ÒHmmm letÕs see...Ó the hat said to her. Wait, the hat was talking to her? Lily was too tired to think about it so she just accepted it. ÓPlenty smart I see, great for Ravenclaw. Very loyal, just like a Hufflepuff. But there is something else. YouÕve undergone more than most your age. You have courage for sure. After everything youÕve been through. Yes, its the most prevalent. YouÕd be best in GRYFFINDOR!Ó The hat shouted the last part to the whole school. Lily got up, shaking even harder now and walked towards Sirius. The hat had known about her past. Would anyone else? Did they already? She sunk in a chair next to Sirius and watched the sorting, her wheezing heavier now, than it had been before she put the hat on. She again took a breath from the L shaped container, though she was careful to make sure no one else saw.
The sorting continued. The first years were sent to four different tables, according to what the hat yelled out while they had it on. The students who were labeled as Slytherin went to sit on the far left. The ones called Huffelpuff sat in the middle left. Ravenclaw was in the middle right, and Gryffindor got the far right. Remus became another Gryffindor. A little while later Peter did too. Two people after Peter, James was also sent to the table on the far right.
After the last student was sorted (Zimbale, Joseph-Huffelpuff), Dumbledore stood and said, ÒWelcome to another year at Hogwarts! Before we eat, Merphis Batswollop Roldufeus Grensplien. Tuck in! Oh and would the students I talked to earlier, please follow me.Ó
Sirius, James, and Remus, once again helped Lily as they all left the Great Hall. Dumbledore looked at Lily and asked, ÒAre you up to a little walk?Ó
Lily shook her head.
ÒI figured that would be the case, all right then,Ó he said something Lily didnÕt understand, but out of nowhere, a stretcher appeared. He offered her his hand to get on. She sat on it instead of laying down, she hated feeling like a complete invalid.
The Professor, the three boys, and Lily on the stretched went up and down and around and around until they came to a room which appeared to be like a mini hospital. ÒPoppy!Ó Dumbledore called out.
A young nurse came out of the office on the right. She muttered and tutted a lot as she helped the cold, wet, wheezing Lily into a bed. ÒWhat happened Headmaster?Ó
ÒThere was an episode in the boats on the way to the school. Miss Evans here doesnÕt appear to be a very strong swimmer. Needless to say, she nearly drowned. I think she will have to stay the night in here. She will need some serious warming potions and something to help her breathing as well. As for the other three, I expect they should stay as well, that water is deathly cold and they should be warmed up also. And here,Ó he waved his wand and four plates appeared, ÓtheyÕll be needing something to eat.Ó The plates filled, each with a different type of food.
Dumbledore turned and walked out of the room. ÒIÕm Madame Pomfrey. All four of you need to take a seat on a bed. NOW!Ó
They scurried to get beds, well more like the boys scurried and Lily happily accepted Madame PomfreyÕs help to the nearest bed. Madame Pomfrey made sure they all had plenty to eat. She didnÕt make Lily eat, knowing that the experience Lily had would not have left her very hungry. She then bustled around giving all of them potions. Two for each of the boys, four for Lily, and a drying spell for each of them. ÒThere, thatÕs better isnÕt it? Now you all lie down and get some rest. IÕll be in in the morning to see how you are doing.Ó
After she left James and Sirius and Remus all got up and went to sit by Lily.
ÒAre you okay?Ó began James.
ÒWe didnÕt mean for the boat to tip over,Ó Sirius added.
ÒThat was really scary,Ó said Remus.
ÒI didnÕt know you had trouble swimming,Ó Sirius said.
ÒAre you okay?Ó repeated James.
ÒMan am I sorry,Ó Sirius again.
Lily grew pale. ÒIÕm okay, cough cough really. I used wheeze to be a very good wheeze swimmer, I just wheeze havenÕt been swimming wheeze for three or four years. Wheeze, wheeze I just need to get some wheeze sleep,Ó Lily said, trying not only to convince them but also herself. She still felt like she was drowning even though she was above water. She pulled out the L shaped container again and took a few gasps while pushing the lever on the top of it. She had never gotten used to having asthma attacks, even though they had been happening her whole life, especially within the last two years.
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Okay, there is a little more for you. Please review! Your input means a lot to me!!! And I know I didnÕt wait until I had reviews, but I am just trying to encourage you to read it!! Please review...
Chapter Three: Sorting
Lily was still weak from her cancer. It had barely been a year since she had gotten out of the hospital. Furthermore, she hadnÕt been swimming since before her father had died when she was eight. When the boat tipped over, she was pushed downwards from the force of the motion. She didnÕt realize what was happening at first and thus tried to scream. As she did so her mouth and lungs filled with water and she coughed making things even worse. Finally realizing that she was underwater, Lily began to try to remember what she had known years ago when she had been swimming. She kicked and flailed her arms, but couldnÕt seem to reach the surface of the air. Lily couldnÕt breathe, and she was sure she was starting to have an asthma attack.
Lily had been born with asthma, but when she had gotten cancer, her lungs had weakened severely and her formerly mild asthma was now terrible. She couldnÕt do anything or go anywhere without her inhaler as she could, and probably would, have breathing troubles.
Now, underwater, she began to wheeze. She knew suddenly that she wasnÕt going to be able to reach the surface of the water. Her clothes were weighing her down, and she was too weak. Lily pushed those thoughts out of her head. If she didnÕt reach the top she would never see her mother again. She would never learn to protect herself for Nik, and Petunia would be overjoyed. She began kicking towards the surface of the water again.
As she was struggling, something grabbed a hold of her foot. She tried to pull her ankle out of itÕs grasp, but the hand was holding on too tightly. Her eyes started to blackout, she had gone too long without oxygen, if she didnÕt get it now, she would die. She tried fighting the force that was pulling her down, but another hand grabbed her other foot. Her lungs couldnÕt handle it, she opened her mouth desperate to try to get some oxygen into her body. All she got was more water. She couldnÕt think straight anymore, she couldnÕt see either. She kept gasping trying to get air.
With a jolt, Lily knew she was drowning. She was never going to reach the surface of the water. She couldnÕt see where she was but the pressure above her was great and her ears were popping, she had to be pretty deep. Additionally, the hands around her ankles were pulling her downwards. She wasnÕt sure, since she was surrounded in water, but she thought she had started to cry. Lily was more scared now than she had ever been during her stay in the hospital.
She felt something wrap around her middle. Or did she? Was there something holding onto her or was that just the pressure from not being able to breathe? She didnÕt know. Lily passed out.
But something had wrapped around her stomach. It was a tentacle, and whatever creature it belonged to, started to swim towards the surface of the lake. The hands on LilyÕs feet finally let go, just as her head broke through the surface of the water. The thing holding onto her took her over to the land on the side of the lake.
Above water, the fleet of boats had long since reached the land near Hogwarts. The usual ooooohhhhhhÕs and aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhÕs hadnÕt occurred as everyone had seen a boat with four kids tip over, and only three kids come back up. It was too dark for anyone to see the fourth person, and he/she was as good as dead.
Once everyone had reached the school, the giant, who Remus had learned was named Hagrid, ran into the building leaving all the students watching the still water. He had come back out with an elderly man with brownish, gray hair and beard that came down past his belt buckle and half moon glasses. James, Sirius, and Remus all knew that this man was Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts.
Just as Professor Dumbledore and Hagrid came back outside, the giant squid who lived in the lake surfaced. He looked kind of lopsided but no one knew why.
Hagrid was telling Dumbledore as much of the story as he knew, Ò...and the poor girl hasnÕt been seen since the boat tipped over. Think sheÕs still alive?Ó
ÒHey look! The giant squid is holding onto someone!Ó a student yelled.
James and Sirius looked over towards the squid, who was indeed holding someone, and someone small at that.
The normally lazy squid was moving very quickly, as if sensing there wasnÕt much time. It dropped Lily onto the ground and then swam, much more slowly, away.
Dumbledore sternly said, ÒHagrid, I need you to lead all of the first years into the building to meet Minerva. Mr. Potter, Mr. Black, and Mr. Lupin please stay here. Everyone else, I need you to hurry, the sorting should have started already, the rest of the students will be anxious.Ó
Everyone did as they were told. Most of the first years were trying to catch a glimpse of Lily as they walked past. James, Sirius, and Remus all sat down onto the soft earth and stared at Lily.
Dumbledore, after seeing that the students had all left, turned to Lily. He kneeled down and turned her onto her back.
Lily was pale as death, her lips were tinted blue, and her hair was in a wet tangled mess with seaweed in it and it was falling into and around her face. The three boys stared at her, silently praying that she wasnÕt as she looked, dead. James and Sirius were also repenting, it had been their horse playing that had caused the boat to tip over in the first place.
Dumbledore pulled out his want. He mutter some words that the three boys couldnÕt hear, and water was forced up out of LilyÕs mouth, lots of water. Then Dumbledore practically whispered, ÒEnervate.Ó Luckily it worked and seemed to bring Lily back to life, she still was really breathing but she began to open her eyes. As soon as she had done so, she started to cough again. More water, and some blood came up as she coughed, between coughs she wheezed trying desperately to get air into her lungs. LilyÕs body had begun to shake violently in an effort to warm her, and she frantically started searching the pockets of her robes.
Lily pulled up a small L shaped container and fumbled to try to pull the cap off of it. Dumbledore reached down and aided her in taking the cap off, and then again with getting the container to her mouth. She pushed down on the lever at the top of the device, and tried to take a breath in. She did that about four or five times, and slowly her breathing became more normal. Her shivering, however, increased.
Dumbledore waved his wand in the air, and a blanket appeared from nowhere. He wrapped it tightly around Lily and asked, ÒIs that better?Ó
She nodded, still trying hard to breathe.
ÒNow,Ó he said, looking from Lily to the three boys, each one in turn, ÒI need to know exactly what happened out on the lake.Ó
James and Sirius started, sharing their part of the story, ÒWell, Professor, see James and I were kidding around...Ó
Ò...we didnÕt mean for anything to happen...Ó
Ò...but one thing led to another...Ó
Ò...and before we knew it the boat was rocking as we horsed around...Ó
Ò...then all of the sudden...Ó
Ò...the boat tipped over...Ó
Ò...we managed to get into the boat that Peter was in...Ó
Ò...after resurfacing to the top of the lake.Ó
Then Remus said, ÒI wasnÕt close enough to get into anyone elseÕs boat, but Hagrid rowed over and pulled me into his boat. He asked where the other students from the boat were. I saw James and Sirius get into the other boat so I told him that, but I didnÕt know what had happened to Lily. We searched the water but we couldnÕt see anyone. So we came to shore and as soon as we got here, Hagrid ran into the castle and came back with you.Ó
Dumbledore looked at Lily, who was again breathing in from the L shaped container. He gave her a quizzical look, but she just shook her head. He knew she didnÕt have the energy to speak so he said, ÒVery well. All three of you need to be sorted into your houses. I expect if we hurry, we will get there before the ceremony is over. After which, I am going to have to ask the three of you to come to the hospital wing with me and Miss Evans.Ó
Lily was still wheezing. The three boys helped her to her feet and practically carried her to the castle so that the four of them would make it there as fast as the Headmaster.
They werenÕt too late for the ceremony, in fact they walked in just as SiriusÕ name was called.
Sirius looked around until a stern young witch told him, ÒYou take a seat on the stool and put the hat over your head.Ó
ÒRight, thanks.Ó
After a minute or so, the hat shouted out, ÒGryffindor!Ó and Sirius stood up again and looked around once more.
ÒThe table on the far right,Ó informed the stern witch.
ÒRight.Ó
Sirius went and took a seat with the rest of the house.
After a few more names were called, the stern looking woman called out, ÒEvans, Lily.Ó
Lily, still shaking and wheezing slightly, with the blanket still wrapped tightly around her, walked up and put the hat on her head.
ÒHmmm letÕs see...Ó the hat said to her. Wait, the hat was talking to her? Lily was too tired to think about it so she just accepted it. ÓPlenty smart I see, great for Ravenclaw. Very loyal, just like a Hufflepuff. But there is something else. YouÕve undergone more than most your age. You have courage for sure. After everything youÕve been through. Yes, its the most prevalent. YouÕd be best in GRYFFINDOR!Ó The hat shouted the last part to the whole school. Lily got up, shaking even harder now and walked towards Sirius. The hat had known about her past. Would anyone else? Did they already? She sunk in a chair next to Sirius and watched the sorting, her wheezing heavier now, than it had been before she put the hat on. She again took a breath from the L shaped container, though she was careful to make sure no one else saw.
The sorting continued. The first years were sent to four different tables, according to what the hat yelled out while they had it on. The students who were labeled as Slytherin went to sit on the far left. The ones called Huffelpuff sat in the middle left. Ravenclaw was in the middle right, and Gryffindor got the far right. Remus became another Gryffindor. A little while later Peter did too. Two people after Peter, James was also sent to the table on the far right.
After the last student was sorted (Zimbale, Joseph-Huffelpuff), Dumbledore stood and said, ÒWelcome to another year at Hogwarts! Before we eat, Merphis Batswollop Roldufeus Grensplien. Tuck in! Oh and would the students I talked to earlier, please follow me.Ó
Sirius, James, and Remus, once again helped Lily as they all left the Great Hall. Dumbledore looked at Lily and asked, ÒAre you up to a little walk?Ó
Lily shook her head.
ÒI figured that would be the case, all right then,Ó he said something Lily didnÕt understand, but out of nowhere, a stretcher appeared. He offered her his hand to get on. She sat on it instead of laying down, she hated feeling like a complete invalid.
The Professor, the three boys, and Lily on the stretched went up and down and around and around until they came to a room which appeared to be like a mini hospital. ÒPoppy!Ó Dumbledore called out.
A young nurse came out of the office on the right. She muttered and tutted a lot as she helped the cold, wet, wheezing Lily into a bed. ÒWhat happened Headmaster?Ó
ÒThere was an episode in the boats on the way to the school. Miss Evans here doesnÕt appear to be a very strong swimmer. Needless to say, she nearly drowned. I think she will have to stay the night in here. She will need some serious warming potions and something to help her breathing as well. As for the other three, I expect they should stay as well, that water is deathly cold and they should be warmed up also. And here,Ó he waved his wand and four plates appeared, ÓtheyÕll be needing something to eat.Ó The plates filled, each with a different type of food.
Dumbledore turned and walked out of the room. ÒIÕm Madame Pomfrey. All four of you need to take a seat on a bed. NOW!Ó
They scurried to get beds, well more like the boys scurried and Lily happily accepted Madame PomfreyÕs help to the nearest bed. Madame Pomfrey made sure they all had plenty to eat. She didnÕt make Lily eat, knowing that the experience Lily had would not have left her very hungry. She then bustled around giving all of them potions. Two for each of the boys, four for Lily, and a drying spell for each of them. ÒThere, thatÕs better isnÕt it? Now you all lie down and get some rest. IÕll be in in the morning to see how you are doing.Ó
After she left James and Sirius and Remus all got up and went to sit by Lily.
ÒAre you okay?Ó began James.
ÒWe didnÕt mean for the boat to tip over,Ó Sirius added.
ÒThat was really scary,Ó said Remus.
ÒI didnÕt know you had trouble swimming,Ó Sirius said.
ÒAre you okay?Ó repeated James.
ÒMan am I sorry,Ó Sirius again.
Lily grew pale. ÒIÕm okay, cough cough really. I used wheeze to be a very good wheeze swimmer, I just wheeze havenÕt been swimming wheeze for three or four years. Wheeze, wheeze I just need to get some wheeze sleep,Ó Lily said, trying not only to convince them but also herself. She still felt like she was drowning even though she was above water. She pulled out the L shaped container again and took a few gasps while pushing the lever on the top of it. She had never gotten used to having asthma attacks, even though they had been happening her whole life, especially within the last two years.
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Okay, there is a little more for you. Please review! Your input means a lot to me!!! And I know I didnÕt wait until I had reviews, but I am just trying to encourage you to read it!! Please review...