Chapter 8: Welcome Back
The gang arrives for their final year at Hogwarts.
A/N: This is mostly a filler chapter to move the plot along. But we get our first look at Professor McGonnagal! Love that woman!
The remainder of the train ride passed without much incident. Marlene spent most of the journey passed out on Remus's shoulder while he read a book. Sirius and Peter played several rounds of Exploding Snap, while Lily and James worked on the patrol schedule.
As the train approached Hogsmeade Station, Lily and Marlene excused themselves to change into their robes. Lily also had to help a now hungover Marlene make herself more presentable for their arrival.
"Did I really challenge Peter Pettigrew to a drinking contest?" Marlene asked while Lily wiped mascara off her face.
"Yes, dear," Lily answered. "But don't feel too stupid. I challenged Sirius Black, and I don't even have the excuse of being drunk."
Marlene laughed. "Lily, you never have been able to back down from a challenge."
"Once again, my hubris gets the best of me," Lily said bitterly.
They had to pause for a few minutes while Marlene threw up. Lily stroked her hair soothingly and readied a damp washcloth for Marlene to wipe up with.
"Don't they make a potion for this?" Marlene groaned while propping her face up on the toilet seat.
"For hangovers? If they do, they don't teach it at Hogwarts," Lily scoffed. "Trust me. If I knew it, I would have fixed my problem already."
"I'm sure Slughorn would tell you if you asked nicely," Marlene argued. "That man loves you. Wait, does this mean you were hungover today?"
"Really, Mar?" Lily questioned. "I know you weren't exactly with it today, but just look at me. I'm a bloody mess."
"Now that you mention it, your hair is looking dreadful," Marlene joked.
"Sod off," Lily snapped. "I'm so embarrassed. The last two times I have seen James, I've been in a ghastly state. Why can't he ever see me when my hair is shiny, with my make-up done perfectly, and just in a fucking killer outfit?"
"So, do that," Marlene said simply. "It's not like you won't see him every day for the next several months. Truthfully though, I am positive James will always find you beautiful. No matter what."
"Thanks, Mar," Lily said as her best friend started vomiting again.
Oh, I'll do that, alright, Lily thought. Potter won't even know what hit him.
After Marlene was cleaned up and everyone was changed into their robes, the train finally made its way onto the platform. The four Marauders, Lily, and Marlene started making their way to the carriages that would carry them back to school.
"You all go on ahead," James said as their friends climbed into a carriage. "Lily and I have to help Hagrid wrangle the first years. We'll catch you guys at the feast."
"Save us a seat," Lily said, while waving to them. She turned to James. "Shall we?"
"We shall," James replied.
"Firs' years! This way!" a familiar voice was heard booming behind them. The Head Boy and Girl made their way towards the boats to greet Hagrid.
"Hi, Hagrid," James said with a smile.
"James! And Lily!" Hagrid smiled at the two teenagers. "Dumbledore told me you two were going to be Head Boy and Head Girl this year. I hope you can keep this one in line, Lily."
Lily laughed. "I don't even know if I have that power."
"Oi, I'm right here," James said indignantly.
Lily laughed again. "Come on, let's go round-up some first years."
It didn't very long for the Head students to gather the first years. They were easy to recognize by the look of pure terror on their faces. Lily remembers feeling equally terrified before her sorting.
When Lily finished, she looked around to find James so they could head up to the castle. When she didn't immediately see him, she wondered if he went up without her. Then she spotted that mop of unruly black hair.
He was crouched on one knee, so he was face to face with a small first year. Lily made her way over to them.
"I know you're scared," James said in a calming voice. "I was too before my sorting. Everyone is. But I promise, once it's over and you're sorted into a house, it'll all be worth it."
The first year sniffled. "Yeah?" he asked.
"Yeah. You're going to meet your best mates who will become your family," James said. "Trust me."
The boy smiled up at James. "Really?"
"Sure," James replied. "I did. I met my brothers in Gryffindor. Even though school is hard sometimes, they make it all worth it."
"Cool," the boy said with a broad smile.
"But you got to get sorted first," James said while standing up. "So, hurry up, the boats are leaving any second."
"Thanks!" After one more smile to James, the boy ran off for the boats.
Lily stood there for a moment watching James, thinking about the conversation she overheard. He was so patient and kind, Lily thought. He sounded so unlike the James Potter I used to know.
"That was really sweet, James," Lily said while approaching James.
James jumped. "I didn't see you there. It was nothing. Just doing my job."
Lily was still studying him. He always surprises me. "Right. Well, we should head up."
They caught one of the last carriages heading back up to the castle. When they finally arrived, they found Professor McGonagall waiting in the Entrance Hall.
"Hello, Professor McGonagall," Lily greeted her cheerily. McGonagall had always been Lily's favorite teacher.
"Ah, Evans, Potter. Good, I've been waiting for you," Professor McGonagall said. "I need to speak with you for a moment before the first years arrive."
She gestured for them to follow her, and they made their way to empty classroom off the Entrance Hall.
"First, I want to offer you both my sincere congratulations," McGonagall started. "It is a rare occurrence that we have two Head students from the same house, and I am so proud that we have two Gryffindors this year. You two set the standards for the other students to follow, so I expect you both to set a good example. So, don't embarrass me."
Lily could have sworn her gaze lingered on James when she said that last part.
"Second, here is all the information you need for the Heads Office." She handed Lily a slip of parchment. "That has the password for it, please don't lose it. Also, I expect that password to be kept between the two of you."
Once again, Lily felt like McGonagall's glare lingered on James for a moment too long.
"Third, please have the Hogsmeade dates for this term decided by the end of the week. Any questions?"
They both shook their heads in response. "Good. Well, that about covers it. Run along to the feast."
Lily and James turned to leave the room. "Oh, and Mr. Potter?"
James sighed before he turned back around. "Yes, Professor McGonagall?"
"I expect to see the Quidditch Cup residing in my office at the end of the year. So, let's try and keep the distractions to a minimum. Yes?"
"Yes, ma'am," James replied. She nodded at them both, and James and Lily made their way to the fest.
"What was that about?" Lily asked as they walked. "Was she talking about your pranks? Because I think you all pranked a lot less last year."
"No, I don't think she was talking about pranks," James said while steadily avoiding eye contact with Lily. She didn't have a chance to question what he meant, because they had arrived at the Great Hall. They quickly made their way to the Gryffindor table and sat next to their friends.
Hmm, I wonder what that was about? Lily asked to herself.
After the sorting was finished and the food was devoured, Dumbledore addressed the students of Hogwarts.
"Welcome back to another year at Hogwarts," Dumbledore started. While Dumbledore looked exactly the same as he always did, Lily thought some of his usual sparkle seemed diminished. It looks like whatever was brewing in the outside world was slowly seeping its way into Hogwarts. "Before you all go off to bed, I wanted to share a few words. As most of you know, there is a wizard at large, who is terrorizing the magical world. This man is specifically targeting Muggleborns."
Lily could feel James tense up beside her. She glanced over and saw his fists were clenched tightly around the edge of the table. James had always been very sensitive to the torment of Muggleborns. Lily sometimes thought it bothered him more than her, and she was a Muggleborn!
"I want to be clear that Hogwarts is a safe place. All witches and wizards, no matter their blood status, will always be welcomed with open arms at Hogwarts. I also want to remind everyone that in these dark times, we could all use a little more light, love, and laughter. With that, I bid you all ado. Good night and good luck."
Hundreds of students started to rise and make their way towards to exit.
"A bit of a damper to start the year off, eh?" Sirius said.
"But he's right," Marlene said firmly. "We should take his advice. We could all use some more love and laughter."
Lily could feel Marlene's eyes burning into her, but she refused to meet her gaze. She knew precisely what Marlene was implying. Marlene still couldn't understand why Lily hadn't told James about her feelings. And she won't bloody shut up about it, Lily thought.
"Right," Lily said. "Remus, would you please direct the first years back to Gryffindor Tower? James and I need to hand out the patrol schedules."
"No problem," Remus said. "First years, follow me!"
"James, darling," Lily started with a sweet smile. "Would you be a dear and hand out the patrol schedules to the Slytherin and Hufflepuff prefects?"
Sirius howled with laughter. "Oh, he'll be a deer, alright, Evans."
"Shut up, Padfoot," James growled through gritted teeth. "Yes, Lily, I don't mind interacting with the several men you're trying so adamantly to avoid."
"Ok-ay," Lily said while eyeing the two of them. "You're being weird. I'll just see you both in the Common Room."
Lily dragged Marlene off towards the Ravenclaw table to find Dorcas Meadowes, a seventh year Ravenclaw prefect. Dorcas was a good friend of Lily's. The two of them had bonded and gotten very close through their various prefect duties and study groups. Dorcas was a tall and thin girl with dark skin and beautiful brown hair. Much like Marlene, she was considered a knockout amongst the students of Hogwarts. It didn't hurt that she was wicked smart and Captain of the Ravenclaw Quidditch Team.
"Dorcas!" Lily shouted. It was always easy to spot Dorcas since she stood a good head taller than most of the students.
Dorcas whipped her head around at the sound of her name. Lily was hard to miss with her flaming red hair. "Lily!"
The two girls embraced when they found each other. "It's so good to see you! I'm so sorry we couldn't catch up at the prefect meeting earlier."
"Don't worry about it," Dorcas brushed her off. "You seem to have your hands full with Potter."
"In more than one way," Marlene interjected with a wink. "Good to see you, Meadowes."
"Marlene," Lily scolded. "She's kidding. Please ignore her. Merlin knows I do."
Dorcas laughed. "Oh, McKinnon, I did miss you this summer."
"Oh, come off it. I know you were secretly hoping I would break my leg or have some other injury to keep me off a broom this year," Marlene joked.
"Me? Never," Dorcas assured her. "Gryffindor wouldn't be nearly as fun to beat without the best seeker in the school playing."
"Oh, Meadowes, you sure know how to make a girl blush," Marlene said with a flip of her hair and a giggle.
Lily rolled her eyes. Marlene and Dorcas were famous for their unresolved sexual tension. They should just make out already, Lily thought bitterly. She was always the third wheel between these two. Lily was dying for Marlene and Dorcas to get together. Their witty back and forth banter had been going on for years, but both were too proud and stubborn to admit it. Not to mention Marlene was too busy shagging anything that moved to be interested in a serious and committed relationship.
"Ok-ay," Lily interrupted. "Dorcas, I just wanted to give you the patrol schedule. Could you make sure the other Ravenclaw prefects get it?"
"No problem, Lily," Dorcas assured her. "Congrats on getting Head Girl, by the way. We still on for our study group?"
"Yes!" Lily said. "Thursday nights?"
"Perfect," Dorcas smiled. "You should bring McKinnon along."
"You're on," Marlene smirked at Dorcas.
Lily rolled her eyes again. "Alright, we're leaving. See you later, Dorc!"
Whatever happens, it'll be an interesting final year at Hogwarts, Lily thought as she and Marlene made their way to Gryffindor Tower.