Lily met her roommates the next morning, they were nice if a bit emotionally constipated. They were also leery towards Lily's decorative styles, which consisted of protective talismans, skulls, and clothes that were strategically thrown about. Lily Jones was not a tidy person.
Despite her oddities, there was a certain amount of comradeship between the four Slytherin first years and they often studied together in the common room. However Lily found herself being estranged from them as she became friends with a Gryffindor, Alice Fortescue.
Lily was nervous approaching Alice after being sorted into Slytherin, and Alice was nervous about Lily, because of the stereotypes that stigmatize the Slytherin house. But with a quick heart-to-heart, their fears were put to rest and Alice realized that Lily was still the welcoming person that she met on the boat. With how much the two girls hanging out with their other friends found a place within their group. Frank was much more pleased about it than Severus, who preferred the quiet library or dank dungeons over other people.
Their group garnered a lot of attention, Slytherins and Gryffindors being friends was not a common thing. It didn't help that certain rumors were floating about Lily's blood status, Severus's was already known but his homebrewed potions and powders kept any trouble at bay. The rumors however were normally squashed, Lily was practically the poster child of the Slytherin house. She excelled in subjects that interested her, mainly charms, transfiguration, potions, and herbology as a by-product of potions. Wormed her way into the hearts of her professors, especially Slughorn who was very pleased over having TWO potion prodigies in his house. And somehow gained access to the restricted section of the library after briefly talking to Madam Prince. Lily's plan of building up respect was working very nicely, it would have been perfect if not for one annoying thing.
James Potter.
He seemingly has decided to be the bane of Lily's existence, with his constant mocking and name-calling (seriously Snevilles was not clever.) he also had a madding amount of skill when it came to pranks. Sadly for him, Lily Jones was not one to back down from a fight. One such occasion only solidified Lily's status of a true Slytherin, much to the ire of James.
Lily was leaving potions late, she was talking with Slughorn about getting together with some of his other favorite students. Lily crinched her nose at the idea of spending more time with the people-collector as she dubbed in her mind but realized the benefit of meeting students that have caught Slughorn's eye. Just as Slughorn makes connections by "collecting" people, Lily will by acquainting herself with them.
Going past other students to the Library a cold bucket of water was dumped on her head. Chuckles resounded amongst some of the bystanders but the loudest was from James, Sirius, and Peter Pettigrew; a new addition to the group, the fourth one was rolling his eyes annoyedly but didn't do anything.
"Potter," Lily said through clenched teeth. He heard her and smirked.
"I guessed that you, spending all that time with greasy snevillis you'd need a good wash," He laughed again, "And wasn't I right! You look better already!"
Shaking her head Lily glared at the three boys before sending her shadow after them. She wrung her hair innocently as they all yelped as an unknown force knocked themselves onto the ground. With a grunt, James tried to push himself up but was held down and couldn't move. Whisper broke out as the four boys kept struggling, Lily almost gloated but didn't as a familiar voice broke through the scene.
"Potter, Black, Pettigrew, Lupin! What are you doing on the floor!?" McGonagall said sharply, looking at them and Lily's drenched self. She could guess what had happened, it didn't take a genius to see the ever-growing rivalry between Potter and Jones.
"It's Jones, professor!" Peter squeaked, "she's doing something!"
McGonagall turned to Lily who looked on the verge of tears, crocodile tears mind you but convincing ones nonetheless.
"W-what? Me? You're the ones who splashed me with water. I didn't do anything, how could I? I haven't even pulled out my wand." It was true, Lily showed her wand from one of her many deep pockets.
McGonagall pinched her nose, she sensed that something had caused the boys to collapse but with the evidence against them, and the fact that they've been caught bullying red-handed, she would have to leave Lily alone.
"Boys, come to my office we need to have a word." The three boys suddenly gained power over their limbs and glumly walked after the professor. Once they left Lily cast a drying charm on herself and winked at the bystanders, pleased with her successful performance before skipping to her original destination.
The new bound of rumors made Lily out as having a special power that can knock others off their feet, She fueled this by having James fall over whenever she walked by him for the rest of the week. He was not happy about that.
Lily hummed thoughtfully as she made her way to the overly, reminiscing over Potter's pranks and her infinitely better ones. Taking a school owl, she could have used Poe but he doesn't like long distances, she ties a letter addressed to her brother.
"Take this to Facilier Jones please, he lives in New Orleans," wondering if she gave enough information and if the owl can even fly that far she watches it launch itself out the window and into the sky.
Across the sea a certain thirteen-year-old. Facilier laughed as the exhausted owl flumped on top of his table startling a customer. Taking the letter and giving the owl food and water he escorts the still-shocked adult out of the shop.
"I've been waiting for a letter sometime now, Lily." He huffs good-naturedly as he opens the letter.
Dear Facilier,
I hope my previous letters are outshined by this one. Because I'm writing it under a lake! I'm finally at Hogwarts! I've been sorted into Slytherin with Severus, so far everyone is amicable to me but they all assume I'm a half-blood or something. Imagine their faces when I reveal the truth! Oh just thinking about it makes me want to cackle.
But enough about that, you should hear all the crazy things that I've been taught. We've got Transfiguration, the classic turn a prince into a frog thingamajig (although McGonagall says that we would be arrested if we did that.), Charms, not the totem and trinkets, more like making things float and change colors. I've made it to the top of my year in that class, Professor Flitwick was falling from his seat in excitement. Potions are interesting too, Severus is much better at it than me but with how much praise Slughorn gives one would assume we are at the same level. Speaking of Slughorn, he's invited me into his 'slug club,' where any student who catches his eye meet up, eat, and talk. I've decided to join for the sake of future connections.
Potions aren't the only interesting thing though, I've been spending time in the restricted section of the library and stumbled upon a spell to create a familiar. I'm thinking of doing it on Poe if he's willing but I need some quartz, I know we've had some in storage so if you see it could you send it to me?
How have things been across the pond? Not too boring I hope. You're still hanging out with the gang right? I would hate to hear that you've all grown apart, do you think you could tell them where I am? I'm sure they would love to hear about an enchanted castle, or maybe not. It might be illegal to tell them but when has that ever stopped us? Regardless, I hope that you'll continue to be happy and enjoy living.
I miss and love you,
Lily Jones
P.S. Christmas break is coming up and I might be able to convince my father to travel to New Orleans.
Facilier smiled softly and folded up the letter, quickly grabbing a paper and pen to begin one of his own.
AN:
UnnaVox: This was a slower chapter, but it's got a couple of elements that will be important for future chapters. The letter at the end was a different type of format that I thought might be refreshing, and we get to see Facilier again! He's doing good, in case anyone is worried. Lol. Also, I've been teasing this idea of doing a series of one-shots about Facilier's time alone, if anyone is interested in that let me know!
On another note, Lily's first couple of years are not going to be filled with much danger like Harry's was. There might be foreshadowing but nothing about Voldemort yet.
DuoAnimi: Personally, I think the one-shots are a great idea. It all depends on you guys though. Thank you so much for all of your support! If you guys have any comments please place a review! We'll answer your questions to the best of our ability! Please follow us and like the chapter!