Rating: K+
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or names in this story created by J.K Rowling (who is a very talented lady.) I only own the plot, and new characters you won't recognise.
Chapter Three: The Potions Master
When the train reached the station, everyone was full of questions for the teachers. However, some of them would not stand for it.
"Do stop badgering me, Bones." Professor McGonagall's crisp voice cut through the chill night air. "Every one of you, step into a carriage."
Lily shared a carriage with three other people, including that insufferable Narcissa Black. She had grown her long pale her a lot longer that summer. She gave Lily a scornful look, who made a face at her in return.
"So, Evans the Mudblood." Narcissa really did have a nasty voice.
"And black-hearted Narcissa," Lily retorted. She paused. "No pun intended."
The other two girls laughed as Narcissa gave Lily an icy glare with her grey eyes.
As usual, the horseless carriages bore them up to the school. Hogwarts looked magnificent tonight – the castle was huge and black, towering over everything: small golden lights peppered the walls.
After trundling up to the castle, all the students attended the Sorting Ceremony. Lily located Alice and Wyona and swam against the crowd to sit next to them. She felt tired for some reason, but still listened carefully to the Sorting Hat's New Song:
Here come you first-years
A-trembling from top to toe
Be not afeared, my dears
Your minds I soon shall know!
Do not fear me, as I delve into your head
It's not a test you see, don't be afraid
It's more like an exam of your brain instead
To place you where you'll shine, not fade
You might be in Gryffindor,
With braveness to behold
Loyalty to friends and teachers,
Whose young minds they mould
You might be in Hufflepuff,
With a heart of purest gold,
Your kind soul shall redeem
Those who have been put in the cold
You might be in Ravenclaw,
With wit, sharp and clever
Make Hogwarts proud of you,
It's now or never
You might be in Slytherin,
With a cunning and much stealth
Do well in the wizarding world,
Be rewarded with wealth
Now, come, let me put you all
Where you ought to be
For I am the Sorting Hat
Let's see where you belong, shall we?
Everyone applauded, and Professor McGonagall called out, "Annerly, Roberts!"
The first young eleven-year-old approached the Hat, trembling slightly. After the hat barely touched his head it called out, "Hufflepuff!"
Lily waited with a rumbling stomach, all the way to "Shacklebolt, Kingsley!" ("Gryffindor!") until the feast finally began. Lily avoided the fried chicken and crisp roasted potatoes and dove for the salad. Wyona was staring at the teacher's table.
"Who is THAT?" she mouthed.
Lily glanced up from her cauliflower. An extremely pudgy, walrus-like man was sitting in the place of the usual Potions Master. He was in deep conversation with Professor Flitwick, his fingers constantly darting in and out of a box labelled, 'Frumple's Best Crystallized Pineapple.'
After the Feast, Dumbledore stood up and raised his arms for attention.
"I would like to bid farewell to Professor Elbert Dittany, our devoted Potions Master who has taught at Hogwarts for years, and extend my welcome to Professor Horace Slughorn, who will be taking his place as teacher and Head of Slytherin House."
He applauded loudly, by himself, until everybody got the message and joined in. Slughorn stood up, wiping sugar crystals from his ginger moustache. "Yes, children, I hope you've all got your Potions caps on!" After a rougish wink he sat back down. Alice turned to Lily. "Potions caps?"
That night, Lily revelled in her new dormitory, Alice and Wyona unpacking in the two beds next to her. She waved her wand once, and her suitcase sprang open, everything inside automatically unpacking itself. Lily grinned. She was warming-up up to her powers again. Even though she was allowed to use them at home, being of age, she hadn't taken out her wand all summer. She slept that night a deep, dreamless sleep.