Chapter 3
Lily looked at Natalie's beautiful smile blankly. She could barely raise the corners of her mouth in return. Natalie opened her mouth as if to say something but shut it again as McGonagall walked in with a line of new students behind her. Lily tried to turn her full attention to the Sorting but couldn't. Her eyes kept drifting towards Natalie and the picture perfect smile she had plastered on her face. Lily knew that smirk. She saw it multiple times when Nat was planning something. Sooner then Lily would've liked the Sorting was over and Dumbledore gave his welcoming speech. Suddenly the golden plates were full of food. Lily poured herself a goblet of pumpkin juice and put a small portion of salad on her plate. She stabbed at it half heartedly as she heard Natalie snorted.
"Oh Lily dear, don't tell me that's all you're going to eat! Here, let me help you!" Natalie laughed gleefully as she piled Lily's plate with steak, potatoes, and chicken. As the amount of food on Lily's plate grew, so did the horrid expression on her face. Finally done with filling Lily's plate Natalie smiled as if to make polite conversation and said, "So Lily, how is your little…screwed up family? Has your mother been on any new… adventures lately? You could learn a lot from her you know Lils. You could become an A class slut if you listened to her once in a while."
Lily's face went through many different changes in that moment. You could see anger, sadness, resentment, and disgust. Evy watched in horror as her new friend stood up quickly, grabbed her goblet and threw pumpkin juice on Natalie. Natalie squealed and pushed away from the table. "You'll pay for this Evans!" She shouted, but Lily couldn't hear her as she tore out of the Great Hall. Evy was getting ready to stand up when she saw another silent figure do so and slink towards the doors. Evy sat back down in wonderment as she watched James Potter exit the Great Hall.
James walked quickly as he followed Lily. He didn't even know why he was following her. He had just suddenly arose from his seat on an impulse when this girl jumped up and ran out. He didn't even know her for heaven's sake! So why was he chasing after this girl? He didn't know. James shook his head and continued his stealthy follow. He rounded a corner and slowed his pace. If he was going to find her and comfort her he was going to have to do it "accidentally". He wasn't about to just bombard her with soothing words, comforts, and questions. James knew what it was like to have an abnormal family. His own was very strange. He knew that a stranger rushing in on her wasn't in her ideal comfort zone at that time.
James sighed as he crying became audible to him. This would not be pleasant. He placed a hand on the doorknob to the classroom that held the now sobbing girl. Taking a deep breath James entered and walked over to Lily's side, where he crouched next to her. Lily sensing his presence looked up startled. James smiled. Lily sniffled and scooted away.
"What d'you want?" She dabbed at her nose with a small finger. James reached inside his cloak and produced a handkerchief for her. She gratefully accepted it but still looked wary of him.
"I saw the way Natalie treated you back there and--" he faltered. "I just wanted to see if you were okay." Lily dabbed her nose with the handkerchief again and looked James over.
"Why?" She asked simply. James raised an eyebrow and shrugged.
"Because I thought it was mean. I came to see if you wanted to talk but apparently you don't so I'll--" James moved towards the door. Lily jumped up, "No! I mean, I would like to talk, if that's alright." She looked at the floor, seeming unsure of her rash decision. James smiled and sat down on the floor, patting to the spot next to him, which Lily sat down on.
"So… What is wrong with you and Natalie?" James broke the awkward silence between them and Lily sighed mournfully.
"I don't know, one minute we're best friends, the next she's saying I'm just another poser." Lily was silent for a moment, "And then she has to go and say all of that dreadful stuff about my family! I mean, it's not like I want the whole friggin' world to know of about my stupid family." She broke off looking embarrassed. She had expected a look of revolt or at least a look of annoyance on James' face, but not the look of understanding he had.
"I know how you feel, to me my family is just as-- as whatever as yours is. Probably worse." Lily shook her head earnestly.
"No one's family can be as bad as mine!" She grinned a little. "I'm the most normal one there is and I'm a witch!" James had to smile at the grin that lit her face. "Yeah," he agreed. "Now how about you and me go back up to the Common Room. I'm sure the feast is over by now. And if you have anymore problems with Natalie, let me know. Okay? I have… connections." Lily laughed and nodded, bounding out the door after James.
A/N: Okay, okay, please don't hurt me! ::audience throws rotten tomatoes:: I'm sorry! ::ducks out of the line of fire:: I know it was short but I couldn't help it. I felt like I needed to write more and add on so you wouldn't send me hate mail or anything, and this poor excuse for a chapter is what came out of my sorry efforts. I know it's moving waaay too fast, well this chapter did anyway, and it doesn't make much sense but bare with me okay? I love you my wonderful reviewers! I'll try to add thank-you's in here, but I'm nit making any promises. If you want a DISCLAIMER see the first chapter, I think. Tell me in a review if you'd like me to rewrite this chapter and post it again. Thanks!
Thank-you: Lily-White, Jimbiny Lupin-Wood, k-chan, lilypotter188, surferbunny77, pttlvr, kqiilrlleyr, btownbabe, Shree, andrea-the-angel, Lizmaurader4eva, Eemia, KV, Sassy Chica, chanderlscheesecake, dropped rose, Clearbrook, Em, Alohamora. If I forgot anyone, I'm sorry, you guys are really great! Love ya all the way! Oh, and Eemia, would you mind if I borrowed your name for an original I'm writing? I've totally fallen in love with it and I thought I would ask before using it! Thanks again!