A few days before Christmas break started, Lily had managed to convince her father to let her visit Facilier for the break if she was escorted by McGonagall, the only magical adult her father knew of. Lily was on her way to Professor Slughorn's office, where he was throwing a small party before the holidays. This would be the first time that Lily is official with the Slug Club, she met up with a few of the members but hasn't been able to due to her intensive research of familiars.
Skipping into Slughorn's office Lily takes in the scene, a couple of pure-bloods were there, Lucius included, two Ravenclaws who are skilled in wandwork, and a Hufflepuff quidditch prodigy. Lily smiled at her head of house and took an empty seat.
As a house-elf brings in their meal Slughorn introduces everyone and brags about his previous students. Lily was zoning him out as she talked to one of the Ravenclaws, they were discussing the properties of porcupine quills and their effects when Slughorn asked her a question.
"Oh, I'm sorry sir, what did you say?" Lily asked abashed that she had gotten caught not paying attention.
"No worries Lily, I too get carried away with my conversation," he waved placatingly, "I was just wondering what your parents did."
Lily smiled appeasingly, this was one of the many scenarios she had planned for revealing her blood status. Although it isn't her favorite one she figured it would be good to have the truth revealed before Christmas break, that way she can hunker down and plan for any possible threats.
"My father is a manager for a large insurance company," Lily said while eyeing Lucius, who was starting to put things together. Slughorn, however, was still trying to cling to the illusion that Lily was at least a half-blood.
"Yes, yes, insurance amazing," He did not know what insurance was, "what of your mother?"
"She used to be a chef/waitress before she passed away," Lily said flatly. The purebloods of the room had all scrunched their noses and looked about to puke, the Ravenclaws seemed to enjoy the drama unfolding, and the Hufflepuff was trying to take advantage of the still movement by taking all the food. But Slughorn had the most amusing reaction, he looked as if he was halfway through resignation and disbelief.
"You, ahem, you're muggle-born?" He asked hoping for the wrong answer.
"Yes. Is that a problem?" Lily asked sweetly as if unaware of the detrimental power behind her words.
Lucius currently thought so as he pushed his chair back roughly and marched out of the room. The rest of the meal passed in tense conversation but the scorn from the purebloods was not as bad as she was expecting, that could be due to the fact that the least civilized weren't invited.
The rumor mill was spinning faster than ever spreading the reveal of a hidden muggle-born in Slytherin, most didn't see what the deal was and continued on as normal. Others found it insulting and made it their duty to tell Lily so, they never went past scornful words since she was always with others. Alice was annoyed that Lily was keeping secrets from her but agreed Lily was smart to be cautious. It wasn't until a day before Christmas break when something really happened.
Professor McGonagall started down her nose disapprovingly at the scene before her. Lily Jones was one of the brightest students of Hogwarts, which caused her to be both popular and envied at the same time, but she had another target on her back. She was the first muggle-born in Slytherin. Something McGonagall hadn't understood why, until now.
In front of her were three fourth-year Slytherins curled on the ground clutching their stomachs and groaning. The three decided to "punish" Lily for disgracing their house name, instead Lily was the one punishing them. And all without drawing her wand.
McGonagall pinched her nose, yes bullying was not an unknown issue (her mind drifted to a certain group of four boys) but there were better ways to deal with them than doing… whatever Lily has done.
"Lily care to explain what you've done to those boys?" Lily huffed and muttered what sounded like "shouldn't have gotten caught," but answered her nevertheless.
"I just pricked their stomach," she held up three dolls that bore resemblance to the boys, "it'll only give them stomach cramps, nothing serious." She says sullenly. McGonagall sighed but didn't admonish the use of Voodoo, it was the only thing that kept Lily from serious harm.
"Well seeing as how the effects seem to be minor," and they were, she could see the boys already recovering." I won't take any points, however," She continues, causing Lily's hopeful face to drop, "I will be alerting your head of house, about yours, and these three actions."
Lily hid a smirk, the boys would be in trouble all right but not her. She had finally joined Slughorn's club and he simply doted on her in every potions class, he would most likely give her a tell-off while the others got detention.
So despite her revealing her muggle heritage things in school haven't changed dramatically. The odd death threats and bullying had increased but with Christmas break coming the shocking truth would simmer down and something more interesting would happen. Hopefully, nothing involving Lily Jones.
AN:
UnnaVox: Sorry that this is late! School has started again and I find myself unmotivated. I want to get to all the interesting stuff but know I need to work on pacing. So I'm stuck in a bit of a topsy-turvy desire to write :/
DuoAnimi: Hope you guys liked the chapter today! We'll do better to remember posting the chapters. Thank you to all who have liked and followed us!