Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot, I make NO money out of this, etc.
Chapter 5
I would have completely forgotten about Trelawney's prediction. After all, they flowed out of her even more often then potions and hexes flowed out of Severus. But-when She-- *died*, the Boy lived, and the Dark Lord disappeared, I realized that that particular prediction could have had something to do with me, Lily, and of course, Potter.
I'll elaborate on that later. If memory serves me right, we stopped when Trelawney announced her odd little premonition.
Sever people gasped. Even Crabbe and Goyle had woken up to listen. Or, more likely, Severus had hit them with a mild hex. They *did* look rather purple.
"And did the Fates give you anything more specific about these students?" McGonagall looked like predictions and impending doom were nothing out of the ordinary.
"The Fates aren't ordinarily very specific with things," at this, the other woman (A/N: McGonagall, that is) rolled her eyes, "but they were, strangely, about this. And unusually persistent. They have told me," She paused, possibly to check if all eyes were on her, "that the three students concerned are in this very compartment."
More gasps. I caught a glimpse of Lily. She had turned absolutely white. Not just pale, but white. Her lips matched her skin, bloodless and ashen. I could see the dark circles around her eyes, not marring her beauty, but enhancing them; they seemed to give her more depth; more soul. Beauty in imperfection.
This was strange. Very strange. She didn't strike me as someone who believed in fate, or the Fates, for that matter. I was disappointed. Frankly, I thought she'd have more sense than to let a little thing such as this scare the living daylights out of her.
"Nonsense, Sybill. The seventh cabin to the left?"
"It's not nonsense. They told me that *you* would be with them on the train. That's why it was absolutely imperative for me to find you, else I would have stayed in another compartment. I *do* go out of my way to avoid you, Minerva, as you *do* go out of your way to convince me my predictions are rubbish."
The rest of the train ride was silent (the teachers were arguing soundlessly, and Severus muttered "Impranium Spell" and shook his head). I understood. The teachers were using a spell to stop anyone from eavesdropping. The jolly witch who sold snacks poked her head in and asked if anyone wanted anything, but no one did. Trelawney's prediction was enough to rid us all of our appetites well into the afternoon. The feast would not be avoided; as far as I knew, no one missed the Start of Class Feast.
Finally, after what seemed like an entire decade, the train came to a halt. We all got up a little bit sluggishly. Sitting down for hours on end did *not* do wonders for blood circulation. All the trunks were magically levitated, and we filed out of the train.
Professor Flitwick, the Potions teacher, was frantically jumping up and down on an upturned barrel, trying to draw our attention. The Head Boy, Niles Longbottom, calmed him down and flashed a beam of golden light in the air which immediately formed the words "Seventh Years Here". Golda Patil, Georgette Thomas, and Gayle Clearwater, a group we (the Slytherins, of course, who else?) had named The Three G's, for Giddy Gryffindor Girls, flocked towards the sign instantaneously, giggling and teasing. I could barely suppress my disgust.
"What do you think we'll be doing this year?" Peter asked, unable to hold in his excitement. Hogwarts tradition called for different 'rides' to the castle every year. Rumors were going around about riding the giant squid that was supposed to be slumbering somewhere in the lake. I shrugged nonchalantly.
"We'll get to know soon enough." No point in wasting excitement by getting excited five minutes before we would see what would happen.
The seventh years were complete at last, and Flitwick (with a behemoth of an arrow floating eight feet above his head, so we could see him) led us to a tunnel.
It was pitch black, and I could hear a few girls shriek, in delight, or fear. Probably those bloody Hufflepuffs again, or Gryffindors. Ravenclaws were known to be more graceful and refined. None, of course, could beat us, Slytherins. Why do you think the Snake was our house symbol? The Gryffindor Lion was strong, I suppose, but lions are known to be blundering and stupid. Ravens were smart and tactful, but weak. No need to get me started on the Badger. Snakes were graceful, cunning, and powerful. A single bite could slay the most powerful animal.
Excuse me for my unsolicited digression, but I do so like to patronize my House.
Back to the tunnel. It didn't remain pitch black for long. Soon, we found ourselves enveloped in light mist, with pearly white light guiding the way. Flitwick's arrow was useless to those of us at the back, and so we could only follow the people ahead of us. By then, most of us had realized that we were actually *beneath* the lake. More shrieks from those insufferable girls. Lily would never shriek, I thought without really thinking.
After giving myself a mental 'crucio' for even *having* her in my head, looked around. The tunnels were made of unbreakable glass, foggy from the mist. I could see the outline of the legendary Giant Squid, becoming clearer as it neared our tunnel, until finally, one giant tentacle brushed against the glass. A figure that I could have sworn was human swam by. It must have been Gillyweed, but did Gillyweed give you a tail?
The tunnel was getting darker and darker, a sign of the end. The end itself was quite spectacular; a sheen of dark green water that looked solid enough to be glass. Here, the entire seventh year population paused. At the back of the line, I had no idea what was happening. All I knew was that we were inching forward. Was the doorway really that absurdly small?
When I reached the front, I understood. The green glassy substance was some sort of exit, and we were expected to walk through it. It was funny, how everyone seemed hesitant to go through it, because everyone *had* to barge through walls literally to get into Platform nine and three-quarters.
It wasn't really scary, more on the odd-side instead, because it looked like you were. . . well, walking into yourself, and into a wet-but-not-wet substance. Soon, I found myself in a crowded room. I looked turned around, only to see that the 'Gateway' had closed.
Professor Flitwick, with the aid of the 'Sonorous' Spell, was telling us all to go out of the door ('No pushing, please. No PUSHING!'), to the Great Hall.
We were the last group to enter, and it was a strange sensation, to feel eyes watching your every move.
Being who I was, however, I shrugged it off, smirked, and walked toward the Slytherin Table. I was in Hogwarts again, the *Unofficial* Head of my House. My previous incongruity was gone (or so I thought), and I was back: The Rich, The Handsome, The Wicked, Lucius Malfoy.
*******************
Thank you for all those who reviewed! (and even to that one who flamed)
KittyKat589- thanks for reviewing again! *smiles wickedly* You know how Trelawney is! Fuschia- *smiles apologetically* I know about the beginning, it *is* a little confusing. Let me try to clear it up a bit: They were all in the compartment, probably glaring at each other. The wands disappeared (on the Slytherin side, first, because they saw Lucius put his wand away after that name- conjuring spell and they got the hint about being 'bullies') The Gryffindors, well, you know how honorable *they* can be, so they put their wands away too, because then it would have been an 'unfair fight'. The two groups then resorted to verbal slander. McGonagall suspected a fight, since they were all standing up, and her 'extra keen senses' must have picked up all that tension. And besides *wink wink* Lucius is too much of a gentleman to fight in front of women, especially Lily. blocking tomatoes- I have to admit, that 'flamer' thing discouraged me for a bit, but then I thought, 'Oh well, you can't please everyone'. I'm sorry if you found my fic 'boring' and 'typical', but you only read the first chapter, so what could you expect? I was just introducing the characters, and a bit of their personality, etc. I'll take that 'made-for-tv-narrative' as a compliment though *smile* because this little narrative of mine was, after all, only made for fanfiction.
Chapter 5
I would have completely forgotten about Trelawney's prediction. After all, they flowed out of her even more often then potions and hexes flowed out of Severus. But-when She-- *died*, the Boy lived, and the Dark Lord disappeared, I realized that that particular prediction could have had something to do with me, Lily, and of course, Potter.
I'll elaborate on that later. If memory serves me right, we stopped when Trelawney announced her odd little premonition.
Sever people gasped. Even Crabbe and Goyle had woken up to listen. Or, more likely, Severus had hit them with a mild hex. They *did* look rather purple.
"And did the Fates give you anything more specific about these students?" McGonagall looked like predictions and impending doom were nothing out of the ordinary.
"The Fates aren't ordinarily very specific with things," at this, the other woman (A/N: McGonagall, that is) rolled her eyes, "but they were, strangely, about this. And unusually persistent. They have told me," She paused, possibly to check if all eyes were on her, "that the three students concerned are in this very compartment."
More gasps. I caught a glimpse of Lily. She had turned absolutely white. Not just pale, but white. Her lips matched her skin, bloodless and ashen. I could see the dark circles around her eyes, not marring her beauty, but enhancing them; they seemed to give her more depth; more soul. Beauty in imperfection.
This was strange. Very strange. She didn't strike me as someone who believed in fate, or the Fates, for that matter. I was disappointed. Frankly, I thought she'd have more sense than to let a little thing such as this scare the living daylights out of her.
"Nonsense, Sybill. The seventh cabin to the left?"
"It's not nonsense. They told me that *you* would be with them on the train. That's why it was absolutely imperative for me to find you, else I would have stayed in another compartment. I *do* go out of my way to avoid you, Minerva, as you *do* go out of your way to convince me my predictions are rubbish."
The rest of the train ride was silent (the teachers were arguing soundlessly, and Severus muttered "Impranium Spell" and shook his head). I understood. The teachers were using a spell to stop anyone from eavesdropping. The jolly witch who sold snacks poked her head in and asked if anyone wanted anything, but no one did. Trelawney's prediction was enough to rid us all of our appetites well into the afternoon. The feast would not be avoided; as far as I knew, no one missed the Start of Class Feast.
Finally, after what seemed like an entire decade, the train came to a halt. We all got up a little bit sluggishly. Sitting down for hours on end did *not* do wonders for blood circulation. All the trunks were magically levitated, and we filed out of the train.
Professor Flitwick, the Potions teacher, was frantically jumping up and down on an upturned barrel, trying to draw our attention. The Head Boy, Niles Longbottom, calmed him down and flashed a beam of golden light in the air which immediately formed the words "Seventh Years Here". Golda Patil, Georgette Thomas, and Gayle Clearwater, a group we (the Slytherins, of course, who else?) had named The Three G's, for Giddy Gryffindor Girls, flocked towards the sign instantaneously, giggling and teasing. I could barely suppress my disgust.
"What do you think we'll be doing this year?" Peter asked, unable to hold in his excitement. Hogwarts tradition called for different 'rides' to the castle every year. Rumors were going around about riding the giant squid that was supposed to be slumbering somewhere in the lake. I shrugged nonchalantly.
"We'll get to know soon enough." No point in wasting excitement by getting excited five minutes before we would see what would happen.
The seventh years were complete at last, and Flitwick (with a behemoth of an arrow floating eight feet above his head, so we could see him) led us to a tunnel.
It was pitch black, and I could hear a few girls shriek, in delight, or fear. Probably those bloody Hufflepuffs again, or Gryffindors. Ravenclaws were known to be more graceful and refined. None, of course, could beat us, Slytherins. Why do you think the Snake was our house symbol? The Gryffindor Lion was strong, I suppose, but lions are known to be blundering and stupid. Ravens were smart and tactful, but weak. No need to get me started on the Badger. Snakes were graceful, cunning, and powerful. A single bite could slay the most powerful animal.
Excuse me for my unsolicited digression, but I do so like to patronize my House.
Back to the tunnel. It didn't remain pitch black for long. Soon, we found ourselves enveloped in light mist, with pearly white light guiding the way. Flitwick's arrow was useless to those of us at the back, and so we could only follow the people ahead of us. By then, most of us had realized that we were actually *beneath* the lake. More shrieks from those insufferable girls. Lily would never shriek, I thought without really thinking.
After giving myself a mental 'crucio' for even *having* her in my head, looked around. The tunnels were made of unbreakable glass, foggy from the mist. I could see the outline of the legendary Giant Squid, becoming clearer as it neared our tunnel, until finally, one giant tentacle brushed against the glass. A figure that I could have sworn was human swam by. It must have been Gillyweed, but did Gillyweed give you a tail?
The tunnel was getting darker and darker, a sign of the end. The end itself was quite spectacular; a sheen of dark green water that looked solid enough to be glass. Here, the entire seventh year population paused. At the back of the line, I had no idea what was happening. All I knew was that we were inching forward. Was the doorway really that absurdly small?
When I reached the front, I understood. The green glassy substance was some sort of exit, and we were expected to walk through it. It was funny, how everyone seemed hesitant to go through it, because everyone *had* to barge through walls literally to get into Platform nine and three-quarters.
It wasn't really scary, more on the odd-side instead, because it looked like you were. . . well, walking into yourself, and into a wet-but-not-wet substance. Soon, I found myself in a crowded room. I looked turned around, only to see that the 'Gateway' had closed.
Professor Flitwick, with the aid of the 'Sonorous' Spell, was telling us all to go out of the door ('No pushing, please. No PUSHING!'), to the Great Hall.
We were the last group to enter, and it was a strange sensation, to feel eyes watching your every move.
Being who I was, however, I shrugged it off, smirked, and walked toward the Slytherin Table. I was in Hogwarts again, the *Unofficial* Head of my House. My previous incongruity was gone (or so I thought), and I was back: The Rich, The Handsome, The Wicked, Lucius Malfoy.
*******************
Thank you for all those who reviewed! (and even to that one who flamed)
KittyKat589- thanks for reviewing again! *smiles wickedly* You know how Trelawney is! Fuschia- *smiles apologetically* I know about the beginning, it *is* a little confusing. Let me try to clear it up a bit: They were all in the compartment, probably glaring at each other. The wands disappeared (on the Slytherin side, first, because they saw Lucius put his wand away after that name- conjuring spell and they got the hint about being 'bullies') The Gryffindors, well, you know how honorable *they* can be, so they put their wands away too, because then it would have been an 'unfair fight'. The two groups then resorted to verbal slander. McGonagall suspected a fight, since they were all standing up, and her 'extra keen senses' must have picked up all that tension. And besides *wink wink* Lucius is too much of a gentleman to fight in front of women, especially Lily. blocking tomatoes- I have to admit, that 'flamer' thing discouraged me for a bit, but then I thought, 'Oh well, you can't please everyone'. I'm sorry if you found my fic 'boring' and 'typical', but you only read the first chapter, so what could you expect? I was just introducing the characters, and a bit of their personality, etc. I'll take that 'made-for-tv-narrative' as a compliment though *smile* because this little narrative of mine was, after all, only made for fanfiction.
