AN: Hi guys, I'm back! I had a major run of not being abloe to write but I now know what is going to happen in this chapter. Much thanks to my friend Ruth, who has given my Muses a large kick in the butt and got them moving again. So you are now treated to another chapter.
Chapter 17: Make New Friends but Keep the Old
It had been a week since Lily had awoken on the couch in the Gryffindor common room in the arms of James Potter. She now stood in the Entrance thinking back to the comfortable feeling of his strong Quidditch trained arms around her. She smiled softly to herself remembering that feeling. Lily knew that she was falling for James Potter but she also believed that the young man had no feelings for her. So, she kept her distance and didn't go beyond being his friend, although this didn't mean she couldn't day dream….
Back to the present however, it was the second of January and the rest of the school was due back in two days. Lily was waiting patiently for the arrival for the exchange student from Beaubaton, whom Dumbledore had asked Lily to mentor. Dumbledore had told Lily that the student should be arriving with Professor McGonagall around 3 in the afternoon. It was now five to three and Lily was starting to get nervous.
What if this student was like everyone else who would need me at first and then forget I ever existed thought Lily. She started passing the entrance hall biting her lower lip like she often did when she got nervous. She was so caught up her worries that she didn't notice when the doors of the great hall and McGonagall enter with a girl with long dark hair.
"Miss Evans," said McGonagall interrupting Lily's troubled thoughts. Lily stopped passing and looked at the pair who had just come in the door. She stopped stock still, there was definite shock registering in her eyes. She knew this girl although she hadn't seen her in many years. The other girl just stared right back at Lily her mouth opening and closing with out making any sound. "Miss Evans, this is Joenly Cardutos from Beaubaton. Miss Cardutos, this is Lily Evans, she is to be your mentor for your first few weeks here so that you can get used to the castle.
Both girls didn't say anything they just ran into each others arms hugging each other like they never wanted to let each other go again. Lily had tears running down her cheeks and could tell that Joenly was crying as well. Lily realise that if Joenly was here it meant that her parents were dead. Mrs. and Mr. Cardutos had been like second parents to Lily when she had been younger and the grief hit her full force in the belly.
"I am so sorry Jo, you'll never know how much I feel for your loss." Lily whispered to the other girl.
"I take it you two know each other then," said McGonagall with a little smile on her lips.
"Yes, we went to grade school together," Lily said. At the same time Joenly replied; "We were best friends for a long time."
"Well then, why don't we go to Professor Dumbledore's office and get you sorted Miss Cardutos." McGonagall turned and led the two young women who were now talking animatedly towards the entrance to the Headmaster's office.
Lily couldn't decide whether she was happy having Joenly back or if she was very sad at the death's of Joenly's parents. Finally, she gave up deciding that she was happy and sad all at once. Joenly was telling her about her years at Beaubaton and how much she had missed Lily in those long years. Lily told her about the invisibility and how until this year she had never had any friends among the students at Hogwarts.
For some time they talked animatedly about their lives but soon they came to the present and topics that were too pain full to touch while walking down the corridors of Hogwarts. Topics which would wait till the silence of a dorm room where they could talk with out being over heard. That would be the time to talk about the death of parents and the loneliness of their loss. That would also be the time to cry for each others loss and a time to find healing in their friendship.
Finally they reached the Headmaster's office. McGonagall told the password to the gargoyle, "Cricket Crackles." Lily couldn't believe it, why anyone would choose such a revolting snack for their password was beyond her. Then again this was Dumbledore and she figured with him anything was possible. The gargoyle leapt aside and they let the stairs bring them up to the office. As they entered they found Professor Dumbledore accoutered in violet robes with a pentagram pattern busy reading a thick archaic volume at his desk. Beside his desk sat a stool with the silent sorting hat on it.
Hearing them enter the elderly wizard looked up from his book and smiled secretively to himself. He put down then book gently getting up from his chair to approach them. "Miss Cardutos," he said addressing Joenly. "I am most glad that you could join our student body here at Hogwarts. I must also convey my sympathies to you on the subject of the deaths of your parents. I know the loss is hard but I hope that you may find healing here with in these castle walls." He put a comforting hand on the young woman's shoulder.
Joenly looked up at Dumbledore giving him a sad smile that didn't touch her grief stricken eyes. "Thank you Professor for you kindness," she whispered.
"Now," Dumbledore intoned clapping his hands. "We must have you sorted into your new house. Your house will be your home here at Hogwarts. You will sleep in the girl's dormitory with in your house, relax and we hope study in your house common room. You will cheer on and perhaps even play for you house Quidditch team. Your triumphs will earn you house points and any rule breaking will cause you to loose them. At the end of the year we award the house with the most points the house cup. There are four houses each with their own quality that was founded by one of the four founders of Hogwarts and is named for them.
"Ravenclaw house is known for its prowess of the mind. Ravenclaws are known to be bright and witty. It was founded by Rowena Ravenclaw prized the mental prowess of her students and always picked out the brightest young witches and wizards to teach.
"Hufflepuff is known to their loyalty. Hufflepuffs are known to be hard workers that don't give in when the going gets tough. They are also very giving and helpful people. This house was founded by Helga Hufflepuff who would take any student under her wing who was willing to work through the thick and thin.
"Slytherin is known for cunning. Slytherins are known for having a great deal of ambition that they will try very hard to achieve their goals. This house was founded by Salazar Slytherin who looked in his students for the ability to work towards their goals and to continue doing so no matter what the price to others.
"Finally, Gryffindor is known for bravery. Gryffindors are known to be almost foolhardy in their bravery, yet they are the ones that you can count on to save the day. Godric Gryffindor sought to teach his students that we must stand up to those who would oppress others and that we must fight for that which is right.
"Now, Miss Cardutos would you please come put on this hat and we will see in which house you belong." Said Dumbledore indicating the hat on the stool.
James' P.O.V.-
James was having a very boring day. He had gotten up late, it had almost been lunch time. He went to the kitchen to get something to eat and then went to find Lily but she had been no where to be seen. He even went out to the Quidditch pitch to see if she had decided to go flying.
As James wandered the castles trying to find his red haired friend his mind wandered back to Boxing Day morning. He smiled as he remembered waking up to find Lily sleeping calmly in his arms. He marvelled at how perfectly they fit together and how right it felt for him to have her sleeping in his arms. Her hair had smelt of strawberries and cream, he had just laid there with his eyes closed drinking the smell. He must have fallen back asleep because when he awoke again Lily was gone and he found a blanked wrapped around him.
As he went upstairs to his dorm to change into a clean set of clothes he chided himself for not having taken her to her bed. He knew that really liked this girl. He had never felt for anyone as he felt for Lily. He was almost beginning to believe he was falling in love with her. He thought, however, that Lily just needed a good friend whom she could share her feelings and thoughts with instead of keeping them bottled up inside as she sat in the shadows on the edges of every else's world.
It three thirty in the afternoon when he finally trudged back to Gryffindor tower. He had given up any hope of finding Lily. He entered the common room to the sound of youth full laughter and lilting of a familiar female voice. He entered the common room to see two girls curled up on the couch in front of the fire. He could tell that the one with the long red hair sitting with her back to him was Lily but he had never seen the dark beauty who sat next to her.
"James," said Lily turning to him her whole face light up with a bright smile. "Come meet the new exchange student from France. Joenly, this is my friend James Potter who I was telling you about. James, this is Joenly my best friend whom I have seen since I was eleven."
