"…and so," wound up Dumbledore at the end of the Sorting, "I believe it is time to feast. Tuck in, everyone."
Their goblets full and their sparkling plates laden with food, the students of Hogwarts began to eat. The usual gabble about the beginning of the year spread when school friendships warmed up and excitement at the coming classes ran high. It was strange to think that Lily would probably not hear these noises, or smell or taste this feast, ever again. It was also disheartening. She was sawing listlessly at her mutton chop, preoccupied, when a warm arm was slung around her shoulder. Lily squelched inwardly as James sat next to her.
"Lily, my love, are you enjoying yourself? Will you allow me to cut your meat for you? Stroke your hair? Kiss your—"
"—lick your shoes, Lilllllllyy?" finished Sirius Black in a false nasally voice, casually shoving a first year to take a seat next to James. James rolled his eyes.
"Ignore that man, Lily, because he suffers from what we call an inferiority complex—" Lily tried not to giggle as Sirius pantomimed strangling James behind his head. They were almost charming together, really, when they weren't hexing the stuffing out of everyone.
"And Moony here," continued James, oblivious to Sirius, as sandy-haired Remus Lupin took a seat on the bench on the other side of Lily (Marlene had shifted in a hurry, with a sly look), "is constantly having to put up with Padfoot's nonsense. Lucky he's keeping us grounded, well, some of us, but—ouch!" Sirius had poked the back of James' head with a fork, laughing as James let out an expletive and wrenched the instrument away from his friend. Several Gryffindor ladies seemed to falter in their conversation as they turned to look at the Marauders. James rubbed his head ruefully, messing up his hair even more and giving Lily time to carefully pick up James' arm and move it off of her shoulders, even though it did feel like a nice way to sit…
"Thank you, James, but is there any real reason why you're here?"
"It's because he fancies you," said Sirius loudly, in a very-fake whisper. "And because he becomes a right git whenever he's in a good mood. You always need to head those off at the pass, else there'll be no stopping him."
James threw Sirius a deeply disdainful look and continued, "Although Sirius may be correct on one account, I am here to let you know that we're meeting Dumbledore right after the feast, and with the prefects right after that. McGonagall told me. We could always throw it off and take a date to Hogsmeade, which may not be a bad plan—"
"All right then. Thanks for the news," Lily replied loudly. James flashed her a winning smile.
"So I guess you'll want us to stick around and plan out our date—"
"Not today, Potter, thank you," said Lily primly, as dessert appeared. Sirius began helping himself wolfishly to treacle tart. Remus tapped James and whispered something at him, with a pointed nod at a group of older Slytherins who were hexing the food off first years' plates.
"Right, well tomorrow then," said James brightly to Lily, his face darkening as he, Remus, and Sirius made their way back to Peter, muttering amongst themselves. Lily wondered what they would do to the Slytherins; and she could still smell that musk in the air, the faint smell of shampoo and—
"So what was that all about?" asked Emmeline Vance smugly, taking a quick seat across from Lily.
"James being James, that's all," said Lily indifferently, poking at her biscuit. Emmeline rolled her eyes, giving a look to Dorcas that plainly said that Lily would never learn. Lily would thank Emmeline to keep her slim nose in her own business. She also knew that Emmeline would only continue if she rose to the bait. Sure enough, Emmeline soon turned back to Dorcas to say something more about Caradoc Dearborn's bum.
"Are you going to say yes to him this year?" questioned Marlene from beside Lily. "It's your last year anyway. Might as well, right?"
Lily looked off into the distance, her heart fluttering faintly. She could not decide why, but the prospect of accepting James' advances scared her a little.
"I…just don't know," she said at last, in a voice that was both honest and desperate. Emmeline and Dorcas were now talking animatedly to each other about something possibly concerning Quidditch fouls. Lily sighed. She was remotely glad that she could speak to Marlene in relative privacy.
"I mean, I simply won't go with him if he keeps bullying the pants off everyone, but so far he hasn't and he's been real nice and I…I think I might even like him but what if he's not serious about liking me and oh, Marlene, it's hard to know what to think!" Lily was voicing her private fears that had plagued her all summer. She had nearly developed a neurosis during the holidays, which had never happened before over a boy. Marlene patted her shoulder. Lily lowered her voice and looked at Marlene confidentially.
"D'you think I should?" Her eyes were fixed on Marlene's face. Marlene was slow in responding but at length replied,
"D'you want to?"
Lily took her own pause.
"I…I think I might. It'll just be a big step, you know? Considering how we've, er, butted heads before…"
"Good term for it," grinned Marlene. "And we've established that you have feelings for him. That's good. That's why you must say yes whenever you're ready to. I think James'll wait, Lily. He really does like you. You're funny and smart, and beautiful, and talented. It's all your choice." Lily blushed at Marlene's words, trying to pretend they didn't mean so much to her. Marlene seemed to know though, and she gave a dismissive wave of her hand before Lily could say any words of thanks.
"Forget it. Just pass me some of that rice pudding."
Lily smiled and complied, adding, "This doesn't mean a yes for sure, Marlene. He may be faking."
"Whatever you say, Lily, but we both know that's rot as always."
The feast went on as usual, and then the plates were cleared and the bellies were full and Dumbledore quietly commanded the attention of the entire room.
"Welcome to another year! Welcome to the first years! And grand welcomes to those of you that have decided not to wander off into the forest this year, if indeed any of you have chosen this. It would certainly help after a few of the…fiascos of the previous term." Lily looked over to see James and Sirius snickering, Peter giggling, and Remus bracingly trying to hide a smile.
"Before the school song—" (several members of the faculty assumed positively murderous grimaces) "—we shall go over some rules, as trivial as that may seem. First of all, no students are to be out after hours, save the prefects and the Head Boy and Girl. Their jobs are to patrol the castle, which is part of a mere formalities suggested to us by the Ministry. Everyone is reminded that the Forbidden Forest is not open to any students, as are the lake bottom, the teachers' rooms, bathrooms for the opposite gender, and anywhere else you may attempt to turn up." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled in the direction of the Gryffindor table. Lily heard the sound of someone, say, one Sirius Black, high-fiving the hands of three other boys. She and Marlene exchanged a look.
"Furthermore, Mr. Filch has asked me to make a notice that a complete list of banned items is hanging outside of his office for anyone's perusal. If any student should wish for a personal list—"
"Fat chance of that!" whispered Emmeline. Dorcas nodded.
"—they may request a copy. I believe that is it for now, so let us commence the year!" The Gryffindor table erupted in applause, led by James and Sirius, then Remus as well, and then Peter. Lily clapped loudly with the rest of them as the other House tables cheered in succession. As a result, James naturally resorted to adding loud cat-calls. Lily rolled her eyes while Marlene laughed.
Dumbledore took all of this in stride, barely acknowledging the noise in his honor. Golden ribbons billowed out of his wand and twisted into the words of a well-known anthem as the applause subsided.
As Lily opened her mouth to sing, she saw James and Sirius tapping their throats (and that of a struggling Remus) with their wands, muttering something that sounded like "Sonorus!" Then of course, she heard it.
"HOGWARTS, HOGWARTS, HOGGY WARTY HOGWARTS,
TEACH US SOMETHING PLEASE!" ("PLEASE!" shouted Peter, finally managing to do the spell himself.)
WHETHER WE BE OLD AND BALD
OR YOUNG WITH SCABBY KNEES!
OUR HEADS COULD DO WITH A FILLING—"
"I'll say," mumbled Lily, watching James and Sirius perform uproarious opera gestures. "They're terrible, I—Marlene!" Marlene was clutching her stomach, convulsing with laughter. She wiped her eyes and asked Lily between outbursts,
"What's terrible, the singing or the spell?"
"Both," answered Lily, smiling in spite of herself as the idiots continued, with Peter falling off of his seat in excitement. Remus was looking faintly red in the face, but James and Sirius had grasped both of his arms and he was forced, finally smiling, into some foolish dance. Lily looked around to find the rest of the room laughing as well, some students still attempting to sing along with the Marauders' abysmal shouting.
"—AND LEARN UNTIL OUR BRAINS ALL ROT!" they finished. James and Sirius bowed with a gusto; Peter was apple-cheeked with excitement and Remus reluctantly grinned.
"Already happened, I'm afraid," pronounced Professor McGonagall audibly, looking exasperated even as her thin lips bent in spite of herself. Mirth broke out among the students. James and Sirius beamed and waved exaggeratedly at their Head of House, going so far as to climb on their chairs.
"Ah, well, thank you, er, Gryffindors. Lovely singing," said Dumbledore with a half-smile.
"THANK YOU PROFESSOR!" shouted Sirius, who hadn't removed the spell yet. The hall erupted into laughs again. James elbowed Sirius, dramatically shaking his head as if ashamed (Lily felt her blood steam as she noticed a group of Hufflepuff seventh years batting their eyes and smiling flirtatiously at the boys.)
"Now, if Mr. Black and Mr. Potter would kindly get their trainers off of our furniture—" James and Sirius climbed down, grinning, as James performed the reverse spell. "—we can all go up to bed. Incidentally, everyone, James Potter is our Head Boy this year, and what a year it shall be. Hopefully our Head Girl can keep him in check—"
"I look forward to seeing you at it," murmured a voice in Lily's ear, and Lily did not have to look to know that James was behind her (she was glad to see the smiles sagging on the Hufflepuffs' eager faces.)
"—and whoever can keep Mr. Black in check, I welcome you to try. His friends are not, perhaps, putting so much effort into the task." Lily noticed several girls turn to their friends and whisper suggestive things while looking pointedly at Sirius. Sirius didn't appear to be aware of this while he muttered something to Lupin. Then Dumbledore's face tightened and everyone grew quiet. Dumbledore's moods could be very catching.
"I realize that many sad and terrible things have happened in past years, and will happen during this one. Yes, will happen. It is the unavoidable circumstance which interferes with all of our time. However, let us not allow Voldemort's presence outside of our school interfere with your castle life. Have fun, learn as you may, and act only as serious as your age allows. Off to bed we go!" The hall cheered once more and everyone stood, prefects taking charge as classes filed out of the Great Hall.
Lily stood up and looked around for James. He was right next to her, smiling, and Lily jumped. He was just so…tall, yes, that was it. Tall. And his hair was so black, and his eyes were—
"Scare you, Evans?"
"Like always, Potter," replied Lily evenly, floating off towards the Head Table. James sighed behind her, rumpled his hair, and followed her without so much as another innuendo.
Professor Dumbledore was sitting at his seat pleasantly, wiping his mouth with a napkin emblazoned with the school crest. He turned his seat and flicked his wand, conjuring two squishy purple armchairs out of thin air. Lily and James took their seats and sat, stoically watching Dumbledore.
The headmaster appeared to be watching them as well. Lily felt as if his eyes were sinking into her, looking right into her head. It felt an awful lot like being sized up for a kickball game in elementary school. She snuck a look at James, and found him to be gazing straight at Dumbledore, hardly blinking, chin up. Lily swallowed thickly.
After a few moments—when they were the only people left in the room—Dumbledore began speaking.
"Lily, James. Welcome." Lily didn't quite know what to say; James merely nodded.
"I have chosen you both for Head Boy and Girl for rather specific reasons, some of which I'm going to tell you now, others of which you might find out later. At this particular moment, I have some important information to share with you. To start with, if you didn't know, Hogsmeade dates are at the discretion of the faculty this year. A security precaution.
"Secondly, you two will patrol together and every night. If this cuts into your schoolwork, I apologize. We can fix it if there is a problem. However, you're both very, very bright, and it shouldn't be a complication. Once around the more commonly used corridors of the castle should do the trick. No doubt, James, that you might possibly be tempted to do this anyway." Lily saw James blush faintly, and he and Dumbledore smiled.
"Nonetheless, you will both need to patrol considerably later than the prefects. You are exceptional students in Defense Against the Dark Arts. You are both at the N.E.W.T. level and beyond, in my opinion. Not including your incomparable performances in Charms, Potions, and Transfiguration. This helped our decision for your nominations. Especially," he added with a delicate pause, "with Voldemort gathering supporters as he is."
Lily watched James' face clench, his nostrils flared. She heard herself ask seriously, "D'you expect those…those Death Eaters to appear in our castle, Professor?" Lily burned at the idea even as she voiced her question. Hogwarts was truly her home, and no miserable masked villain would ruin her final year. Dumbledore regarded her carefully, peering down his half-moon glasses.
"Honestly, Lily, I cannot say. I do not expect any known Death Eaters to enter Hogwarts. I only ask that we be ever vigilant, of both our colleagues and more importantly of ourselves. You can certainly appreciate what I mean?" Lily nodded, hardly able to swallow over the hard lump in her throat.
"What are we to do if we see any Dark activities, Professor?" asked James in a voice reminiscent of iron. Dumbledore replied simply.
"My dear boy, you are to stop them. With any and every power you possess. Including the help of friends and teachers, what may be one of the most powerful weapons that we have against Voldemort. Remember what is at stake." Lily could not help but notice that James didn't flinch from the name. She sat up a bit straighter in her seat, chin thrust out high. If Professor Dumbledore uses that name, then so can I. We can't live in fear of one man forever. Lily did not want to be weak, either for herself, her school, or her Head Boy.
"Finally, you are naturally to conduct yourselves in the manners that befit the top students in your year, the two students who most exemplify the spirit, talents, hope, and future of Hogwarts. That is a lot to put on your shoulders, and believe me when I say that I know it well," smiled Dumbledore. "Enjoy your last year as students. The password to your dormitory is Remembrall.
"Now to a matter that has certainly been nagging at one of us all summer. I expect that you, James, may be wondering why you were chosen as Head Boy?" said Dumbledore shrewdly, looking at James. Lily was surprised to see him blushing.
"Well, yeah."
"Because you and Lily will make such an excellent team. Goodnight." With that, Dumbledore rose and exited the Great Hall. Lily sat for a moment, mouth closed, as her face slowly turned red up to the roots of her hair. She finally hazarded a look a James, who was sitting flabbergasted, staring dubiously at the door Dumbledore had taken leave of as if Dumbledore had announced that he was taking a holiday to visit a few giants for tea. James looked over at Lily and gave her a surprised, crooked smile.
"Well okay then," he said, running his hand through his hair.
"Shut up," she mumbled mutinously as the prefects filed into the room. Lily stood up and walked away from the Head Table, James at her heels. As soon as they stood, their armchairs vanished in a slippery haze.