Chapter 3

More Questions

When they left the Great Hall, Lily called after a girl with red hair who looked to be about sixth year. The girl turned around and looked at her with a question in her brown eyes. "Yes?"

"I was wondering if you knew who that boy was."

"What boy?"

"The boy in the Great Hall that sort of had a fit or something. Weren't you the girl that left with him?"

"Yes, I was, and are you telling me that you don't know who that boy was? You must seriously be joking. Everyone knows who he is."

"We don't. Now would you kindly explain who he is," Sirius said, smiling at the girl.

The girl opened her mouth to speak to Sirius, but stopped. "Do I know you? You look very familiar."

"I don't think we've met, because I'm sure I would remember you," Sirius said.

The girl laughed. "For your information, I have a boyfriend and he happens to be the boy you are asking about. His name is Harry Potter."

Lily and Sirius stared at her. "Harry Potter? I've never heard of him," Lily said.

"Look, unless your muggle born and in first year, which you're obviously not, then you would know who he is. Pick up any Daily Prophet and he's mentioned somewhere. They can't seem to print a paper without mentioning him. Thanks to them, he's now not only known as the Boy Who Lived, but also the Chosen One. I really don't like answering these questions, all right. If you want to know who he is, ask him yourself. He's grown quite used to people asking him questions, if he can find time to answer them," she said and walked off.

"Well, that was interesting," Sirius said. "Have you ever heard of a Harry Potter before?"

Lily shook her head. "I'm pretty sure James is the only Potter at Hogwarts. And we know he's not related to him because James is the only Potter left."

"Hey! Wait up!" they heard James call. "I went back to the Great Hall but you weren't there."

"Sorry, something happened while we were in the Great Hall and went to ask someone about it. We got a really weird answer," Lily said.

"Yeah, we think you're not the only kid named Potter, Prongs." James gave Sirius and inquisitive look. "His name's Harry Potter. Ring any bells?"

"No," he said slowly. "If there is, wouldn't we have heard of him? We've been here for seven years. We watched the sorting—"

"I watched the sortings. You two were either talking, playing, or sleeping."

"Okay, whatever. Well, you watched the sorting and never heard of another Potter and there isn't another Potter in our year."

"But I asked someone if they knew who this kid was that had a fit in the Great Hall. She said he was Harry Potter."

"The kid was lying."

"What possible reason would she have for lying?"

"I don't know."

"Maybe she doesn't like you," Sirius interjected playfully.

"Thank you, Sirius, for that encouraging statement," Lily said without looking at him.

"Lils, did you change the password to our dorms?" James asked, changing the subject.

"No, I didn't. Why?"

"It's not working. The guy won't let me in."

"What do you mean?" Lily asked.

"I mean the guy won't let me in!"

"Show me."

The three made their way to the heads dorms and Lily walked up to the man in the portrait.

"Firelight," she said.

"Good gracious! This boy behind you just tried that! I told him that's not the password!"

"Told you," James said.

"Let's just go to the common room then," Sirius said. James turned to follow, but Lily stayed behind.

"You coming, Lils?"

"Yeah, I'll be there in a minute," she said with her eyes glued to the portrait.

James looked at Sirius and shrugged as they walked to the common room.

"Firelight," Lily said again.

"Did you not hear me the first time? I told you that was not the password! That is NOT the password! It is nowhere near the password! And it never will be the password! No matter how many times you say it, it will not change!"

"Sorry," Lily said as she turned around and walked off.