THE RAIN ALWAYS FALLS
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, Sirius Black, James, Lily, and most of the other characters in this story.
This chapter is dedicated to Devin Jamie. Thanks for that review! It really boosted my confidence! Please keep reading!
Oh, I found out how to change my pen name! It is now officially Carmen Willows. It was once HermioneGranger, but I decided to be a little more creative.
Chapter 4: Hats, Meetings and Dreams
The carriages trotted to the great, oak front doors of the castle and came to a halt. Hundreds of students opened their carriages and walked into the chilly night air and up the stone stairs. As the doors were pushed open, a great sense of warmth and comfort came upon the entire crowd. They made their way through the Entrance Hall and entered the Great Hall. Immediately, their eyes darted to the magical ceiling. Like the sky outside, it was deep blue, darted with shinning silver stars.
The six of them walked to the Gryffindor table, where golden goblets were glittering, and sat down. When everyone else was seated at their appropriate tables, several people looked across the hall. They were now only waiting for the first years that take their traditional journey across the lake on the grounds.
"Much nicer weather for crossing the lake this year," Carmen said, looking up at the ceiling.
"Yeah, too bad we couldn't have had it this nice our first year," Remus responded.
"Oh, but you can't call having the giant squid turning our boat over uneventful," Sirius said fairly. Everyone gave a small laugh. Just then, about fifty eleven-year-olds entered the room with Hagrid, the gamekeeper. "Ugg. This is going to be a long sorting," he said as Professor McGonagall brought the old, tattered Sorting Hat onto a stool. It sang a fantastic song this year, as always. When it finished, the entire hall broke out into thunderous applause. Then the sorting began.
"Apple, Alexander," McGonagall said as she lifted the hat. Almost immediately, the sorting hat shouted, "Gryffindor!"
"Ha!" yelled James to Sirius who had put his hand on his forehead. Every year they had a bet going about which house the first new student would get sorted into. Apparently, James had won.
The sorting ceremony continued. "Newton, Susana" had just been sorted into Ravenclaw when Carmen began to think. 'You know,' she thought, 'I really don't care what they think. I mean, I'm not going out with Lucius (like he would ever want to), but I'm as shallow as Sirius. I don't think that what house someone is in matters when it comes to how nice they are.' She looked up. Lucius was looking at her from the other side of the hall. She instantly looked away and fixed her eyes on the last three people who were to be sorted.
Finally, as "Walton, Rolena" was sorted into to Gryffindor, many hands were put together in anticipation for the feast. The headmaster, Professor Dumbledore, got to his feet to make the start of term announcements.
"Welcome students and staff. I hope you have all had a good summer, relaxing and getting your brains nice and empty for the start of a brand new school year. First of all, the caretaker, Mr. Velcoff, would like to issue a few new rules, actually, seventeen total. This includes no messy candy and other such food are to be eaten in the quiditch stadium, no magic in the corridors are to be performed," he glanced at Sirius and James here who had been known to curse carpets, statues, and suits of armor into pulling students hair as they pass and many other tricks. Then he continued, "and several other rules. See the bullion board in your common room for the full list.
"The first Hogsmeade visit for third years and older will be held on the third of October. Also, the first quiditch match will take place on November 15th. Ask house captains for information about openings on the team.
"Next, I am very proud to announce that this year, on Christmas Eve, a ball will be held. This year, special precautions will be taken in order to make sure it actually occurs." At this he gave a smile. "This ball is open to fourth years and above. Dress robes are to be worn, and each student is allowed to invite a guest of their choice from any house and year.
"Now, since I assume that you all must be famished from the train ride over, I will just say, 'Tuck in!'"
The hall erupted into more cheers as the golden plates and goblets filled with the most wonderful food imaginable: roast chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, pork chops, white rice, peppermint hamburgers ('Not as good,' everyone seemed to think together), and many more fabulous dishes. Everyone began to talk loudly to each other, filling the Great Hall with a great feeling of enjoyment. Deserts soon filled the plates; ice cream, cake, and chocolate truffles replaced the food. A while later, the remaining food evaporated from the plates. Dumbledore stood up once more.
"No doubt you are all tiered and wanting to get to bed, so I will let you get on your way. Students, see your house prefects for the password to the common rooms. After the other students have left, prefects will escort the first years to the dormitories. Classes will start tomorrow. Now off you go!" Dumbledore finished.
"What's the new password?" Morgan asked Carmen, standing up. Lily had already leapt from her seat, looking for Andrew.
"Expellma Ulteria," she answered.
"We'll pass the word along," Remus said to her.
About three quarters of the hall exited through the great oak doors. "Gryffindor first years, follow me," Carmen said, her voice carrying across the table. She, too, lead them out of the hall and up to the common room.
*************************************************************
Lily had quickly gotten up from the table. She was perhaps a little too overexcited about seeing Andrew. What had he wanted to talk to her about? She made her way to the entrance hall to find him waiting, pacing along the marble floor. He looked up seeing her and smiled.
"Hi," he said.
"Hello."
"Umm.I was just wondering. Us prefects get information about Hogwarts events early from the heads of houses, and.well.I was hoping that you would like to.umm.go to the first Hogsmeade visit.with me?" he asked rather quickly and nervously.
"Oh!" she exclaimed with pleasure. This is what she was hoping for! 'Oh happy day!' she thought. Her chest swelled with excitement as her stomach gave an unexpected jerk. "Of course, Andrew. I would love to," she said trying not to let her voice give away how pleased she was.
"OK." His face broke into a wide smile. "So, I'll talk to you later then?"
"Sure," she said, smiling back.
"Well, bye then." He waved and walked down a corridor to the right.
Lily backed up against the wall and took a deep breath. This was the happiest day of her life.
**************************************************************
"This is the Gryffindor common room. First year boys go up the stairs and to the left, while girls go to the right. Get a good nights sleep. You all want to be well rested for the first day of class tomorrow," Carmen told the first years once they had gotten to the Gryffindor tower. "Those first years are going to be a handful," she said to four of her friends, sinking into an armchair by the fire. "One of them wandered down a hall toward the North Tower. It took us a whole fifteen minutes to find him. Where's Lily?" she asked them, looking around.
"Gee, I don't know," Morgan said.
"She must still be talking with Andrew," Remus said.
"Or maybe she doesn't know the password," Sirius chimed in.
"Shall I go look for her?" James asked, getting to his feet. He soon left the common room in search for Lily. He made his way back down to the Great Hall.
"Umm.I was just wondering. Us prefects get information about Hogwarts events early from the heads of houses, and.well." he heard a voice ahead of him say. He recognized it as Andrew Page's. Who was he talking to? He glanced across the hall, well hidden by the banister in front of him. He was talking to a girl with long, red hair. It was Lily. "I was hoping that you would like to.umm.go to the first Hogsmeade visit.with me?" he continued.
"Oh! Of course, Andrew. I would love to," James heard her say. He was having a little trouble breathing, and his stomach dropped slightly. As the conversation ended and Andrew walked away, she leaned against the wall and took a deep breath.
"Er.Lily?" James asked quietly from behind the banister. She jumped and turned to him.
"Oh, James, I didn't know that anyone else was here."
"Er.I just came to look for you," he said. He suddenly got the chills.
"Oh. Okay. Well, shall we go up to the common room?"
"Yeah."
****************************************************************
She was holding a small black-haired baby boy in her arms. Her bright red hair fell across the baby's face. While their hair contrasted greatly, their bright green eyes were exactly the same. Someone was sitting across from her reading, but she couldn't see who it was. He, like the baby, had dark hair. She looked up and smiled. "I love you," she mouthed.
The person pulled the book away from his face. "I love you, too," he silently spoke. She recognized him now. It was James. She looked back down at the baby cradled in her arms and smiled.
She glanced at the window. A horrible, pointed face appeared, looking in at them. She instantly felt her stomach collapse, and all of the air seemed to leave from her lungs. She felt like she was going to be sick. "James," she whispered. Seeing the strained and terrified look on her face, he turned to the window and leapt to his feet, pulling out his wand.
Lily woke with a start. She sat straight up in bed and found that was sweating. She looked around frantically. She was in her dormitory. She hurriedly turned to the window. A fork of lightning flashed across the sky as rain pattered against it, but there was no twisted face.
*************************************************************
~Well, I really hope you liked this chapter. Much more interesting stuff is going to start happening now that they're at Hogwarts. Did you like it? Please let me know! OK.Review..........................NOW! Lots of love! Carmen Willows
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, Sirius Black, James, Lily, and most of the other characters in this story.
This chapter is dedicated to Devin Jamie. Thanks for that review! It really boosted my confidence! Please keep reading!
Oh, I found out how to change my pen name! It is now officially Carmen Willows. It was once HermioneGranger, but I decided to be a little more creative.
Chapter 4: Hats, Meetings and Dreams
The carriages trotted to the great, oak front doors of the castle and came to a halt. Hundreds of students opened their carriages and walked into the chilly night air and up the stone stairs. As the doors were pushed open, a great sense of warmth and comfort came upon the entire crowd. They made their way through the Entrance Hall and entered the Great Hall. Immediately, their eyes darted to the magical ceiling. Like the sky outside, it was deep blue, darted with shinning silver stars.
The six of them walked to the Gryffindor table, where golden goblets were glittering, and sat down. When everyone else was seated at their appropriate tables, several people looked across the hall. They were now only waiting for the first years that take their traditional journey across the lake on the grounds.
"Much nicer weather for crossing the lake this year," Carmen said, looking up at the ceiling.
"Yeah, too bad we couldn't have had it this nice our first year," Remus responded.
"Oh, but you can't call having the giant squid turning our boat over uneventful," Sirius said fairly. Everyone gave a small laugh. Just then, about fifty eleven-year-olds entered the room with Hagrid, the gamekeeper. "Ugg. This is going to be a long sorting," he said as Professor McGonagall brought the old, tattered Sorting Hat onto a stool. It sang a fantastic song this year, as always. When it finished, the entire hall broke out into thunderous applause. Then the sorting began.
"Apple, Alexander," McGonagall said as she lifted the hat. Almost immediately, the sorting hat shouted, "Gryffindor!"
"Ha!" yelled James to Sirius who had put his hand on his forehead. Every year they had a bet going about which house the first new student would get sorted into. Apparently, James had won.
The sorting ceremony continued. "Newton, Susana" had just been sorted into Ravenclaw when Carmen began to think. 'You know,' she thought, 'I really don't care what they think. I mean, I'm not going out with Lucius (like he would ever want to), but I'm as shallow as Sirius. I don't think that what house someone is in matters when it comes to how nice they are.' She looked up. Lucius was looking at her from the other side of the hall. She instantly looked away and fixed her eyes on the last three people who were to be sorted.
Finally, as "Walton, Rolena" was sorted into to Gryffindor, many hands were put together in anticipation for the feast. The headmaster, Professor Dumbledore, got to his feet to make the start of term announcements.
"Welcome students and staff. I hope you have all had a good summer, relaxing and getting your brains nice and empty for the start of a brand new school year. First of all, the caretaker, Mr. Velcoff, would like to issue a few new rules, actually, seventeen total. This includes no messy candy and other such food are to be eaten in the quiditch stadium, no magic in the corridors are to be performed," he glanced at Sirius and James here who had been known to curse carpets, statues, and suits of armor into pulling students hair as they pass and many other tricks. Then he continued, "and several other rules. See the bullion board in your common room for the full list.
"The first Hogsmeade visit for third years and older will be held on the third of October. Also, the first quiditch match will take place on November 15th. Ask house captains for information about openings on the team.
"Next, I am very proud to announce that this year, on Christmas Eve, a ball will be held. This year, special precautions will be taken in order to make sure it actually occurs." At this he gave a smile. "This ball is open to fourth years and above. Dress robes are to be worn, and each student is allowed to invite a guest of their choice from any house and year.
"Now, since I assume that you all must be famished from the train ride over, I will just say, 'Tuck in!'"
The hall erupted into more cheers as the golden plates and goblets filled with the most wonderful food imaginable: roast chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, pork chops, white rice, peppermint hamburgers ('Not as good,' everyone seemed to think together), and many more fabulous dishes. Everyone began to talk loudly to each other, filling the Great Hall with a great feeling of enjoyment. Deserts soon filled the plates; ice cream, cake, and chocolate truffles replaced the food. A while later, the remaining food evaporated from the plates. Dumbledore stood up once more.
"No doubt you are all tiered and wanting to get to bed, so I will let you get on your way. Students, see your house prefects for the password to the common rooms. After the other students have left, prefects will escort the first years to the dormitories. Classes will start tomorrow. Now off you go!" Dumbledore finished.
"What's the new password?" Morgan asked Carmen, standing up. Lily had already leapt from her seat, looking for Andrew.
"Expellma Ulteria," she answered.
"We'll pass the word along," Remus said to her.
About three quarters of the hall exited through the great oak doors. "Gryffindor first years, follow me," Carmen said, her voice carrying across the table. She, too, lead them out of the hall and up to the common room.
*************************************************************
Lily had quickly gotten up from the table. She was perhaps a little too overexcited about seeing Andrew. What had he wanted to talk to her about? She made her way to the entrance hall to find him waiting, pacing along the marble floor. He looked up seeing her and smiled.
"Hi," he said.
"Hello."
"Umm.I was just wondering. Us prefects get information about Hogwarts events early from the heads of houses, and.well.I was hoping that you would like to.umm.go to the first Hogsmeade visit.with me?" he asked rather quickly and nervously.
"Oh!" she exclaimed with pleasure. This is what she was hoping for! 'Oh happy day!' she thought. Her chest swelled with excitement as her stomach gave an unexpected jerk. "Of course, Andrew. I would love to," she said trying not to let her voice give away how pleased she was.
"OK." His face broke into a wide smile. "So, I'll talk to you later then?"
"Sure," she said, smiling back.
"Well, bye then." He waved and walked down a corridor to the right.
Lily backed up against the wall and took a deep breath. This was the happiest day of her life.
**************************************************************
"This is the Gryffindor common room. First year boys go up the stairs and to the left, while girls go to the right. Get a good nights sleep. You all want to be well rested for the first day of class tomorrow," Carmen told the first years once they had gotten to the Gryffindor tower. "Those first years are going to be a handful," she said to four of her friends, sinking into an armchair by the fire. "One of them wandered down a hall toward the North Tower. It took us a whole fifteen minutes to find him. Where's Lily?" she asked them, looking around.
"Gee, I don't know," Morgan said.
"She must still be talking with Andrew," Remus said.
"Or maybe she doesn't know the password," Sirius chimed in.
"Shall I go look for her?" James asked, getting to his feet. He soon left the common room in search for Lily. He made his way back down to the Great Hall.
"Umm.I was just wondering. Us prefects get information about Hogwarts events early from the heads of houses, and.well." he heard a voice ahead of him say. He recognized it as Andrew Page's. Who was he talking to? He glanced across the hall, well hidden by the banister in front of him. He was talking to a girl with long, red hair. It was Lily. "I was hoping that you would like to.umm.go to the first Hogsmeade visit.with me?" he continued.
"Oh! Of course, Andrew. I would love to," James heard her say. He was having a little trouble breathing, and his stomach dropped slightly. As the conversation ended and Andrew walked away, she leaned against the wall and took a deep breath.
"Er.Lily?" James asked quietly from behind the banister. She jumped and turned to him.
"Oh, James, I didn't know that anyone else was here."
"Er.I just came to look for you," he said. He suddenly got the chills.
"Oh. Okay. Well, shall we go up to the common room?"
"Yeah."
****************************************************************
She was holding a small black-haired baby boy in her arms. Her bright red hair fell across the baby's face. While their hair contrasted greatly, their bright green eyes were exactly the same. Someone was sitting across from her reading, but she couldn't see who it was. He, like the baby, had dark hair. She looked up and smiled. "I love you," she mouthed.
The person pulled the book away from his face. "I love you, too," he silently spoke. She recognized him now. It was James. She looked back down at the baby cradled in her arms and smiled.
She glanced at the window. A horrible, pointed face appeared, looking in at them. She instantly felt her stomach collapse, and all of the air seemed to leave from her lungs. She felt like she was going to be sick. "James," she whispered. Seeing the strained and terrified look on her face, he turned to the window and leapt to his feet, pulling out his wand.
Lily woke with a start. She sat straight up in bed and found that was sweating. She looked around frantically. She was in her dormitory. She hurriedly turned to the window. A fork of lightning flashed across the sky as rain pattered against it, but there was no twisted face.
*************************************************************
~Well, I really hope you liked this chapter. Much more interesting stuff is going to start happening now that they're at Hogwarts. Did you like it? Please let me know! OK.Review..........................NOW! Lots of love! Carmen Willows