Disclaimer: Any characters, places, things, or events that you recognize are not mine. Lily's friends are, and the storyline sort of is, but that's about it.
Changes
"I can't believe that this is our last start of term feast," said Henri sadly. "The past six years happened so fast."
The five girls were sitting at the Gryffindor table watching the sorting. As they watched Adams, Jonathan was sorted into Ravenclaw. Another child was called forward, then another and another.
"What do you want to do when you leave?" Henri looked around as she said this, inviting anyone to answer.
After looking around to ensure that no one else was going to speak first Lily answered. "Well, you know You-Know-Who? And how he and his – servants, I guess you'd call them- have been hurting and killing and torturing people? Well I'd like to be an Auror. I want to fight him. Stop him. He doesn't have the right to hurt people for things that they can't change. No one does."
Next to speak was Sarah. "That's really, really brave Lily. I'm certain that you can do it. I want to be a healer. I agree with Lily, but I don't think that I'm really made for fighting. If I had to I would, but… You know. And I just really want to help people. This won't stop what is happening, but it will help fix the problems. And also, I really love it. I've talked a bit with Madam Pomfrey, and I think that it will be something that I really love doing."
"I want to be a reporter for the daily Prophet," said Ruth. "It isn't glorious, but it would be interesting." She looked around at the others a little nervously. Her plans seemed rather simple in comparison to the ones that the other girls had. In an attempt to shift attention away from herself she said, "what do you want to be Laura?"
Laura just grinned. "I don't really know, but it's gonna be great."
Raising her eyebrows, Henri asked, "What classes are you taking?"
"Charms, Defense, Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, and Astronomy. What about you, Henri? What are you going to do?"
"Well, I think that I want to be an Auror. Because, well, it's like Lily said, isn't it? We can't just let some wizard walk all over us. We should fight for this. I can't imagine what this world would be like without you guys, or my family, or really even the teachers and most of the Gryffindors at least! I don't want to lose that."
All of the girls nodded, somehow feeling that this was the important thing. They were all silent for a moment as each pondered her own future and the dangerous world that they were soon to enter.
A moment or so later they were startled by Dumbledore standing. "Welcome. To those of you who have never been here before, I hope that Hogwarts will be a good home for you for this year, and for the six after that. For those of you who have already attended in the past, welcome back to our fine castle. I will not bore you with a long speech, as I am certain that if you are all as ravenous as I am I will be removed from the dining hall before I can finish, so that you may all eat. Therefore I urge you to begin this wonderful feast."
"With pleasure," exclaimed Lily. "I'm always absolutely starved by the time we start to eat."
"I know just what you mean," agreed Sarah, helping herself to some mashed potatoes.
After they had been eating for long enough to take the edge off of their hunger Lily said, "You know what really amazes me?" The others shook their heads. "How fast things have changed. Ten years ago we hadn't even heard of He-Who-Must-Not-be-Named. Now hardly a day goes by when there isn't something in the news about him."
Suddenly Sarah looked at Ruth. "Ruth, are you going to report on-on Him? Will you be safe?" it was clear that she had been thinking that at least she wouldn't have to worry too much about Ruth getting hurt, but now that certainty was being shaken.
"Maybe," and now Ruth was smiling, "Wouldn't it be wonderful? I can't fight or heal. I might want to, I don't know, but I'm simply not good enough at magic. But I can write. I want to make sure that people know what is happening. That way they won't be mislead. Maybe I'll work for the Daily Prophet, but I'm thinking of starting a paper myself. I don't like how much the Prophet changes just to please the Ministry. I want to make sure that people get the real story."
"That's really cool. I hope that it works out." Henri was the first to respond to Ruth's announcement. It was unusual for her to think of something like this, but when she did she saw it through to the end.
Laura looked around at the others and said, "How can you guys already know what you want to do? It isn't fair! I want to have a job like that. What should I do?"
"Well," replied Lily slowly, "What do you like?"
"Clothes, animals, you guys, and magic."
"Okay. Well, you could do something with taking care of animals. Or you could work at Madam Malkins. Or something like that."
"Maybe, but, well, all of you guys are going to help people. How can I do something like that?"
This time it was Henri who answered her, "You should do something that you love, otherwise it isn't really worth it, is it?"
As Laura opened her mouth to respond Dumbledore stood. The Great Hall fell silent as the student waited for his speech. Even the first years seemed to realize that They should not talk just now.
"As I said before, welcome. Tonight the new school year starts. I am delighted to see you all again and to meet our new students. Our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you that magic is not toe be used in the corridors, nor is it ever to be used to destroy school property. He asks that you take good care of this school and not track dirt all over, even if you are 'evil, little, filthy rats' to use his words." As he said this Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, as though he was barely suppressing his laughter. "There is also to be no use of certain objects, a list of which may be found on his office door. The Forbidden Forest is out of bounds, this being the reason, of course, that we call it forbidden."
"Now, I feel that it is my duty to remind you that although we are safe here, within the walls of this castle, the world around us is presently I a state of turmoil, due to a wizard know widely as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, or Lord Voldemort," he paused, waiting for the gasps that had arisen at his use of the Dark Lord's name to die down, then continued. "He is strongest in those places where he has successfully spread hatred, allowing him to take out his enemies when they are divided and weak. Thus I ask you to unite, to put aside your differences and work together, for only in this way may we overcome him and his followers."
"It is difficult to grow up in times such as these, but I believe that all of you are capable of doing so. IF you work together and make use of the resources and strengths you and your fellow students have you will succeed at whatever you attempt. On that note I bid you all good night, and remind you that your prefects know the passwords and will lead the first years to the dorms. Good evening."
As the students stood Lily looked nervously at her friends. "Well, here goes nothing. I'm off to meet with James and Professor Dumbledore. See you later." She hugged each of the girls in turn, then walked nervously over to James. "Hi, James. It's time for the meeting. Come on."
"Yes. It is. I wonder why he wants to see us." The two teens stood looking at each other until James broke the silence. "Well, I guess that we had better go. We don't want to be late."
"Wow, I never thought I'd see the day when James Potter would be reminding me not to be late! I guess some things really do change." The two grinned at each other as though Lily's words had started the destruction of a wall between them.
As they walked James asked "Lily, what do you want to do after you graduate?" Lily wondered for a moment about how he was taking every chance he had to say her name as if he was amazed that he was allowed to do so.
"I want to be an Auror. So that I can fight You-Know-Who. I hate what he's doing. I keep thinking every time that I see an article about how there's been another attack that that could be my friends or my family. I really want to stop him." Lily fell silent, looking as if she was un comfortable with having shared so much information with James, and then said, "How about you?"
James looked thoughtful for a moment. "I want to be an Auror. But not," he continued when Lily looked ready to rebuke him for copying, "because I want to follow or copy you. I hate that these 'death eaters' and this wizard can do this and keep saying that it is to 'purify the wizarding race.' They act like all purebloods want that, and I'm a pureblood, but that isn't what I want. People who are muggleborn aren't stupid or less magical. More often than not, I've noticed that they are better at magic, not worse. So, yeah. That's what I want to be"
They had reached the door of Dumbledore's office and found that he was waiting for them there. "Good evening, Mr. Potter, Miss Evans. I'd like to invite you to enter my office so that we can have a discussion and then I will send you off to bed, as I don't doubt that you want to be well rested for your first day."
He turned, said "Sugar Quills," and two gargoyles sprang aside to reveal a moving spiral staircase, which they climbed. When they reached the office they found that there were two chairs facing Dumbledore's desk which had clearly been put there in anticipation of their arrival.
Lily and James took their seats and waited as the Headmaster did the same. Then he spoke, " There are two things which I wish to speak to you about. First the reasons you were appointed to your posts. Miss Evans, you, of course, are probably not a surprise to anyone. You are responsible, smart, kind, as well as being an excellent student. You on the other hand, Mr. Potter, I highly doubt that you were expecting the Head Boy badge that you received in your letter."
"No sir, I really wasn't. I wanted to ask you about that. Why me? I wasn't even a prefect. And wouldn't Remus have been better? He does at least as good in classes, and he's a lot better behaved. Why me?"
"There are several reasons that I chose you. One is that I believe that you have grown up quite a bit in the last few years. Also you are very brave and righteous." Dumbledore paused upon seeing James once more open his mouth.
"But Remus is like that too! He'd be a much better Head Boy. He certainly deserves it more."
To the surprise of his students the Headmast sighed deeply. "I realize that Mr. Lupin seems more fit for the job, however it is all that my influence can do to allow him to attend Hogwarts and be a prefect due to his, ah, his condition. I am sure that you know what I mean Mr. Potter."
Lily looked at the two makes indignantly and said "I am not blind, I do have a calendar, and I know what Remus' 'condition' is. He's a werewolf. I guessed years ago, and asked him about it."
"Yes, I thought that you might know, Miss Evans, but I thought it best not to say it, just in case you did not." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as though he thought that this was absolutely brilliant of Lily.
"How stupid do you think that I am?' she exclaimed in annoyance, "I was prefect with him for two years. Even if I hadn't figured it out before then I would know it now. I was able to give excuses when he couldn't come to meetings or patrols."
"Indeed. At any rate, it seemed prudent to make Mr. Potter the Head Boy. And I must say that I think that you two will work well together." Upon seeing their looks of surprise he added, "Look at what you have already done! The two of you were not the best of friends when you left school last year, despite the wishes of one of you," he smiled at James' blush, "now the two of you are on a first name basis, and I have been told that you both did admirably well on the train."
"It is now necessary to turn to a matter that is rather less pleasant. As I said at dinner Lord Voldemort is gaining power. I notice that you both, like many wizards and witches, dislike hearing his name. I personally see no reason to fear it, for it is only a word, after all. Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself."
"At any rate I think that it is unfortunately likely that at least some of the family members of our students will be critically injured or killed during this year, if last year is any indicator. I would like to ask the two of you to help me in aiding those who lose family members. It is, as am sure you can imagine, a painful experience. I think that it is possible that students will respond better other students trying to help them than to a teacher. Will you help me with this? It would include being the one to break the news to them, and then talking to them in the aftermath, offering your support and so on. Will you help me?"
Lily was the first to answer, "Yes, professor. I will. But may I suggest that maybe we should have the oldest prefects for the other houses do it for their students? That way it will be someone more familiar to them."
James nodded agreement, then added, "I think that Remus should help us though. He's good at that sort of stuff."
"Very well. Thank you for your time. You may now leave and go to your dorms. Good luck with your classes."
The two Heads turned to leave, each thinking about the task that Dumbledore had set them. They paused upon hearing his voice, "Oh, and I will have a house elf contact you when you need to speak to a student. I will explain to your teachers and those of the seventh year Prefects that there may be occasions when you will be called out of your classes. I would like you to organize a meeting tomorrow to explain this to the prefects. Now I really am finished. Good night."
After leaving his office Lily turned to James and asked, "how can this have happened? When we started at Hogwarts hardly anyone knew who he was, at least it seemed that way. Now we expect that he'll kill families of students."
"I guess that things change. Sometimes for the better, but sometimes for the worse. I get the feeling that this one comes under that second category." As they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady James said "Blubber." The door swung open t admit them, then closed behind them.
"Good night Lily."
"Night James. You know, it seems to me like you changed for the better. I'm not saying that you're my best friend, but you're not the idiot I knew in third year."
Author's note: This is even longer that the last chapter. Which makes it really, really long for something that I wrote. I want to know people's opinions on the way that I wrote Dumbledore, so please tell me if you have the chance. I promise that I will respond to every review that I receive.