Lily left the carriage alongside James a short while later and monitored the students entering the castle. It looked magnificent, as if it were a glowing palace descending upon high imperial grounds. Several lights illuminated from interior rooms, and torch-wall lights helped endure the elegant aura of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"C'mon, keep going," called out James impatiently as the students took time to enter the castle.
"James, don't hurry them!" snapped Lily sharply.
"But I'm starving!" retorted James, just as another cluster of chattering third years entered.
Having monitored the students entering the Castle (as they were instructed to do so in their letter), Lily and James were both enabled to enter the Castle and take a seat at the Gryffindor House table, which nestled adjacent to the other three house tables in the Great Hall. Lily immediately found Herra and sat down on the bench beside her.
"Sorry for leaving earlier, James had the pleasure of telling me about the Head Boy and Girl carriage," apologised Lily, mimicking the words 'Head Boy and Girl carriage' to resemble James's voice.
Herra waved a hand amidst in the air to show that it wasn't a problem; she was about to reply when a voice cut across.
"Congratulations, Lily."
Kristy Marlon, a seventh year Gryffindor girl of long dark brown hair and pale grey eyes, smiled at Lily. Along side her sat Lorraine Peretta, another seventh year Gryffindor girl, but instead she had short blonde hair and green eyes, however her eyes were not nearly as bright as Lily's.
"Yeah, well done on getting Head Girl!" congratulated Lorraine.
Lily felt her cheeks flitter slightly red, "Oh, thanks!" she replied.
Along side Kristy and Lorraine sat the remainder of the seventh year Gryffindors- the Marauders, four boys who were each the height of popularity and infamous troublemakers, hence the group name 'Marauders'.
One was Remus Lupin, a boy with light brown hair and amber eyes, and he always seemed to have a strange pallid look about him. Remus was perhaps the most sensible boy out of the group having previously been prefect with Lily. But if James could still be Head Boy after managing to get into so much trouble, Lily didn't quite believe that having such a high position could justify your sensibility.
Peter Pettigrew also was an element of the group, he was a short and rather chubby light-haired boy. Peter seemed to idolise the rest of the group, particularly James and Sirius.
Sirius Black rather haughtily took lead of the Marauders, along with his sidekick James Potter, of course. It was both him and James who each achieved the reputation of getting into the most trouble out of all students to ever saunter the grounds of Hogwarts, and they both took great pride in sustaining that status, or so it seemed.
The Great Hall held four long wooden impending tables for each of the four houses, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. At the front of the Hall was the horizontal staff table at which all the current Professors sat, including Albus Dumbledore- Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Golden plates, goblets, and cutlery were lined with parallelism to the benches where hungry and eager students were seated. Glowing candles absently hovered amidst within the deep-purple ceiling, which was enchanted to look like the outside sky. Lily smiled contently to herself as she looked round at her surroundings, she was happy to be encircled by her friends and to be back at Hogwarts.
The Great Hall almost abruptly quietened as Dumbledore ascended from his seat. Bright blue eyes twinkled behind his thin glasses that rested loosely upon his crooked nose. He wore robes of dark blue that were freckled with bright yellow stars, and his long white beard was folded into his belt.
"Welcome, students, to another year at Hogwarts!" he extracted merrily while smiling broadly at the students, who all roared with applause.
"Yes, a kind welcome back too our old faces, and our new faces. There is a time for such draining speeches, but it is not now. It is time for the sorting," Dumbledore called. He gestured a long pale hand towards the huddle of first years that stood fretfully at the back of the Great Hall.
Professor McGonagall, Head of Gryffindor house, Deputy Headmistress and Transfiguration teacher directed the anxious students towards the very front of the hall. She wore robes of deep green, and her hair was moulded into a very tight bun. The students' footsteps echoed with Professor McGonagall's drumming heels as she continued to walk through the Hall. In her hands she clutched a stool with a rather battered old hat perched upon it, and as she reached the staff table she placed the stool and hat on the raised platform before the table.
"Try not to be nervous, you will each be sorted into your Houses, either Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin. That house will become like a second family, and you will be a respected member," explained Dumbledore, "at the end of each year, one House will win the House Cup by means of achieving the most House points. Points are rewarded to a pupil whenever a Professor or Prefect feels they are deserved. However, they can alternatively be taken away when also deserved."
The first years slightly fidgeted uneasily and continued to watch Dumbledore, most with looks of utter anxiety upon their faces.
"But, before we begin, there is a small matter I would like to alert our seventh years about," proclaimed Dumbledore, earning mixed looks of perplexity and apprehension from the students sat before him.
"Let me assure you, it is nothing bad, quite the contrary actually," he countered, noticing the many anxious expressions distorted before him. "There is a new seventh year student who is additionally going to be sorted along with the first years today."
Abruptly, many eyes darted through the Hall, all carefully searching in expectance for the new seventh year student among the group of first years. And in immediate verification stood a tall girl with long silky blond hair and bright blue eyes. She was extremely pretty, and looked very much like a Veela- an extremely beautiful woman who could also be just as ugly by transforming into a hideous bird like creature.
Across the Great Hall now sat many boys with puckish looks upon their faces as they stared positively entranced with the girl- who in return shyly flushed and smiled.
"Forgive me for embarrassing you, Miss Cuppolt," said Dumbledore clearly after a moment of silence.
The girl rather graciously smiled, before looking towards the front of the Hall where the hat and stool still dwelled.
"Miss Cuppolt has transferred from the Beauxbatons Wizardry Academy in France, I'm sure she will be happy to introduce herself in more detail later. However, I'm sure you are all eager for the feast, so let the sorting begin," said Dumbledore, he turned and bestowed a courteous nod towards the battered hat still perched on the stool, which surprisingly returned the nod.
Following the exchange of gestures, a large crease tore near the rim of the hat, the tear then quickly developed until it was swallowed into a dark mouth-like hole.
The hat then began to sing,
'Welcome again dear students,
But I dare say what to.
This year will bring a different element,
And not a good one too.
You may believe I'm just a hat,
Which gets its glory from singing a song.
But you will have to look close,
Don't interpret my message wrong.
So you shall try me on this night,
As your nerves bite away.
It is time to discover now,
Which house will guide your way.
Will it be brave Gryffindor,
Where daring stand out from the crowd.
Or maybe loyal Hufflepuff,
Where those just and true shall fit proud.
Not to forget smart Ravenclaw,
Where stand those witty and wise.
And lastly cunning Slytherin,
Where belong the ones with a disguise.
So come on and try me on,
Don't be afraid.
For I am the Sorting Hat,
And I shall tell you the House that will light your way.'
The Great Hall broke into immense applause, however some students sat with perplexed looks upon they're faces, Lily was no different.
'This year will bring a different element,
And not a good one too.'
She curiously raked the words over, however she was distracted as Professor McGonagall loudly began to call first year students names. She clasped a long worn piece of parchment in her hands, which slightly trailed onto the marble floor.
"Abbot, Marie," Professor McGonagall called.
A fairly short girl with auburn hair slowly ambled out from the crowd of first years. She hesitantly walked to the stool and sat down- unease obvious upon her face. The Hall remained quiet as Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on Marie's head, completely overshadowing her. The only noise to be heard was the very distant mumbling from underneath the Sorting Hat. Marie twitched nervously as she continued to be assessed.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" finally roared the Sorting Hat, causing the Hufflepuff table to burst into applause. Marie stood from the stool and nervously joined the Hufflepuff table.
The sorting continued for a short while, and then finally Miss Cuppolt was the only student yet to be sorted. Many eyes again glued upon her as she continued to examine the Sorting Hat, her cheeks slightly flustered.
"Cuppolt, Sandra." called out Professor McGonagall, finally rolling up the piece of parchment held tight in her hands.
Sandra flicked a strand of glossy blond hair from her eyes, and in a brisk pace walked and sat on the stool. Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on her head, half-concealing her immaculate complexion. The Great Hall closely focused on Sandra as the Sorting Hat whispered words only she could here. Lily felt a strange mental trickling sensation run through her, but she didn't quite know why.
"GRYFFINDOR!" The Sorting Hat finally bellowed. The Gryffindor table erupted with applause, whilst many boys from other House tables frowned hopelessly at their great loss. Professor McGonagall removed the Sorting Hat from Sandra's head and gestured with her hand for her to stand and join the Gryffindor table. Sandra smiled joyfully and bounded from the stool, she flicked her hair away from her eyes once again before walked to the Gryffindor table.
"Excellent," said Dumbledore, once the applauding students had quietened and were all properly seated. "Now that we're contently sorted, let the feast begin."
Dumbledore swiftly waved his hands, and many different varieties of food filled the empty golden plates that rested upon the tables. The Great Hall spouted into enormous chatter, and students almost immediately began to pile food onto their plates whilst talking amongst each other.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, Sandra," addressed Herra once she had ladled several potatoes onto her plate. "Was it Beauxbatons Professor Dumbledore said you transferred from?"
Sandra nodded, "Yes, it's very different in France," she replied. Lily frowned, Sandra did not sound French at all, in fact she had a fairly British accent.
"Oh, but I'm not French, though," she added, answering Lily's slight uncertainty, "No, I moved to France when I was ten because my parents split up, but now I live back with my dad."
Herra and Lily exchanged empathetic looks, however Sandra only lingered sullen for a meek moment before smiling.
"It's alright though, I always try to think positive about things," she replied.
Lily smiled, Sandra's optimism reminded her slightly of Herra. She seemed very glad to be at Hogwarts, and willingly answered everyone's questions.
Across the table, James and Sirius were both discussing something to each other in hushed voices. 'Probably their latest prank of the week,' Lily told herself indifferently. James and Sirius often got into trouble, it seemed that Professor McGonagall's office had become almost a second home to them. James caught Lily's eye and winked at her defiantly, Lily glowered tetchily and turned back to her lasagne, she had yet to be lured by James's 'charms', and she didn't intend to be at all.
There was a loud outburst of noise as everyone mounted from their benches and left through the Great Hall into the Entrance Hall. Lily left Herra and turned towards the staff table, Dumbledore watched her approach and smiled.
"Good evening Miss Evans," he said, "I trust you are having a great evening?"
Lily nodded, "Yes, thanks Professor," she answered politely
A short while later, James belatedly appeared from behind Lily and positioned himself next to her. "Sorry, Professor," he apologised.
Dumbledore nodded and sat down on a seat behind the staff table. "Not to worry, Mr Potter," he replied, he then conjured two wooden seats and gestured for Lily and James to sit down.
"Firstly, congratulations on becoming Head Boy and Girl, I'm sure you will be sufficient for the position, and will not let me down. I just want to inform you of your duties and such things you are labelled responsible for," explained Dumbledore, "you will have to monitor the corridors on a nightly basis for an hour after nightfall, except for Saturdays-- just to certify that no one is where they shouldn't be. Naturally, you must keep an eye out everywhere when possible, and if you see any disruptions make sure to act upon them."
Lily re-ran what Dumbledore had just explained to her, it didn't appear to be too much work, just monitoring and watching. James, however, looked rather disappointed; Lily had no doubt that he was distraught about his troublemaking days coming to an end.
"Why so sad, James? I chose you because I think that you have the ability to act responsible, even if you do not regularly show it." said Dumbledore.
James slightly shrugged, "my mum almost fainted when I showed her my letter," he replied.
"Well, James, I'm sure your parents are extremely proud of you," said Dumbledore, "Forgive me, but I can't waste anymore of your time. I'm sure you'll both be pleased to know that you have to monitor the corridors tonight for an hour, then you are free to go to sleep."
Lily nodded, however resentfully did so, "Okay, thanks Professor," she replied. She felt very tired, and would prefer nothing more but to enter into a peaceful slumber.
"The password to your common room is 'Lemeno Drop'," said Dumbledore, he then ascended from his seat and approached before Lily and James. "Please excuse my impoliteness, I do have something that needs to be attended to," he added, before leaving James and Lily and exiting through the Entrance Hall.
"Well, sweet-" began James.
"Potter!" countered Lily quickly, causing James to mockingly jump and shield himself.
For six years, Lily had been in the centre of most James's pranks, and Merlin, how he annoyed her. Constantly showing off, as if he had a natural arrogant glow about him. Always asking her out, his lips curled in that same impish grin and his eyes glinting hopefully while he awaited Lily's answer, which evidently was always 'NO!' Perhaps that was why James had now abandoned calling Lily 'Evans', but instead insisted on called her 'Sweet Lily', annoying her even more.
Lily pretty much struggled to find a good thing about James Potter. Sure, he was smart, very smart in-fact. And he wasn't doing too badly in the looks department either; all those years of Quidditch certainly hadn't hurt him any. He also had a strange flair with words; he always somehow managed to charm his way out of the trickiest of situations. But still, James never failed to bring out the fiery temper in Lily.
"Err, Lily?" asked James strangely, swaying his hand before Lily's face, as if to test her awareness
Through her idleness, Lily noticed something levitating directly before her eyes. She frowned at the strange figure, before finally distinguishing it's purpose and immediately pushing the hand away.
"Oh, err- sorry," apologised Lily, focusing her vision, "So, should we split up? It would be easier,"
James shrugged indolently and lightly ruffled his hair with his left hand, flaunting another irritating trait that Lily disliked.
"Well, actually, I was thinking that maybe--" descended James, rather roguishly, "Maybe, we could just sort of pretend that we've patrolled, and go to sleep... now," he suggested, arching a dark eyebrow.
"Really, Potter!" scolded Lily tetchily, "I have no idea why Professor Dumbledore chose you if you're just going to neglect your position,"
James dejectedly lowered his eyebrow, however he then lightly chortled, "Like I told you earlier, Sweet Lily, just my natural magnetism,"
--
So Lily, accompanied with James, supervised the Hogwarts corridors for an hour. Then finally, just as she found herself growing increasingly tired, the eleven o'clock chimes sounded, signalling that the shift was over and that both Lily and James were able to enter the quarters of the Gryffindor common room
"Lemeno Drop," recited Lily quietly to the portrait of The Fat Lady who guarded the interior of the common room. The door slowly swung open, and Lily, followed closely by James, clambered into the warm, circular, and welcoming room.
"'Till tomorrow, Sweet Lily," pledged James, before lightly hammering up the black spiral staircase to the boy's dormitory. Lily disregarded James's bidding, and began to ascend the separate staircase that escalated to the seventh year girl's dormitory. She had every intention of bounding into a long, tranquil, refreshing sleep- even though she was to be awoken early the next morning. However, she was prohibited from her deep intent as a sullen familiar voice called her name.
"I waited for you," Lily jerked awkwardly at the echo of her friend's voice reflecting frigidly through the room.
She slowly turned.
A head of sleek black hair was just visible from behind one of the two maroon squashy-armchairs placed before the glowing hearth. Lily walked towards where her best friend sat, and slumped into the vacant armchair with slight perplexity- why was Herra waiting for her?
"Thanks," she answered oddly.
Lily curiously glanced at Herra; she was staring solemnly into the flittering fire, eyes wide and unblinking. She looked uncharacteristically sombre, and her complexion was pale and dull.
"What's wrong?" questioned Lily lightly.
Herra hunched her shoulders, "I don't want to talk about it here," she replied in a dense voice.
Lily frowned, "Well, you can come outside and tell me," she suggested, taking her friend by the wrist and leading towards the portrait hole.
Lily carefully opened the portrait door, and after closing it, guided Herra away from the fairly harassed Fat Lady.
"Lily, won't we get into trouble? It's eleven o'clock," fretted Herra uneasily, darting her eyes cautiously at her surroundings.
"Of course we won't, I'm Head Girl. Anyway, what's wrong?" asked Lily attentively
Herra took a slow intake of breath, and slightly shrugged. "Well, it's not that important, really."
Lily hooked an eyebrow in amusement, "Sure it isn't, you just look so miserable for no real reason," she contradicted.
Herra only slightly smiled, "well, it's actually to do with Sandra. You're probably going to think I'm ridiculous for saying this, but, I just- well, I really don't like her," she asserted awkwardly.
Lily frowned in slight disbelief, she had expected something much more extreme than merely disliking Sandra
"Herra, she's only been here for one night, how do you know you got her squared up right?" asked Lily pryingly.
Herra crossed her arms over her chest and lazily slouched against the near wall. "Well, when everyone was talking to her in the common room she was acting really nice, y'know, the way she was earlier. But when she finished talking to Kristy, she turned to me and scowled. I mean, what does that tell you?" she asked indignantly
Lily was still perplexed, there had to be something else - Herra couldn't solely be upset over Sandra acting a bit impudent.
"And that's all, Sandra being nasty?" Lily asked again, trying to extract the finer details.
Herra nodded, "It was just a bad feeling I was sort of receiving. And then she started talking to Sirius, well I wouldn't exactly call it 'talking', I mean, she was bloody all over him--"
Lily smiled to herself triumphantly; she had uncovered the real truth behind Herra's sadness- Sirius Black. Herra had told Lily about her slight lust over Sirius near the end of their sixth year, and Lily had no doubt that Herra was unhappy about Sandra getting close to Sirius.
"And what are you smiling for?" asked Herra heatedly, frowning at Lily.
"Nothing- well actually, I just knew he would be pulled into this," answered Lily plainly to Herra's demand.
Herra opened her mouth in protest, but then closed it a moment later in defeat. "W- what do you mean, you knew he would be pulled into this?" she questioned again, her voice rising slightly in pitch.
"Oh, c'mon Herra, you told me you liked him ages ago," Lily answered simply, rolling her eyes mockingly at her friends attempt to cover her lust for Sirius.
Herra stood stiff for a moment, "Ok, so yeah, maybe- maybe it was more to do with him, but still... I have got a bad feeling about her," she replied quietly.
"See, I knew it," Lily replied, smiling contently with success. "And Sandra's only been here for one night, give her a chance," she added cordially
Herra only tilted her head, apparently thinking it over, "All right, whatever," she replied half-heartedly.
"Great!" answered Lily, satisfied.
"So can we at long last get some sleep now?"
A/N: Chapter 2 es finito, thanks for reading.