The rest of the train ride had been uneventful. They had watched me in shifts, as planned, but this time I didn't let it get to me. My pact with Hugo felt like a shield. Every time I started to get frustrated I would look over to Hugo and smile. This was our year, and no one would take that from us. I had changed into my uniform before coming back in. I was so glad they had decided to do away with those old school robes. I still don't understand how the wizards of my parent's age were able to effectively duel with those heavy restricting things. I smoothed out my green and silver plaid skirt, white collared shirt, and green blazer. The Slytherin colors complimented me so well. My hair was pulled up in a ballerina bun. I never let it down as it was so long and thick it was a mess to untangle. The diamond earrings my father brought me for my 14th birthday graced my pierced ears, and I hoped that it made me look classy and dignified.
Finally we arrived at Hogwarts. I grabbed my shoulder bag and went to step off the train, but my 5inch Manolo Blahnik Mary Jane's had another idea. As I tumbled through the air soft arms caught me. I looked up into the kind brown eyes of Frank Longbottom. He is a year older than me, and best friends with Al. We have been around each other since birth, and both of our families expected us to be together eventually. No one said it directly but there were always little hints and nudges in that general direction. At 5'8 with a soft but still firm frame, frank wasn't bad to look at, but I have only ever seen him as a friend. Although in his defense, I admit, I've never had romantic feelings for a boy before. But I suppose it is difficult with my myriad of brothers and cousins hanging around.
Frank shook his curly black fringe out of his face and smiled at me, "Those shoes are going to get you killed one day."
"These are my favorite pair. I'm perfectly fine dying for them," I joked.
"Yeah, then when you're gone we'll say it was shoeicide!" he laughed loudly at his own joke.
I laughed with him as we walked to what looked to be the last carriage. When we got to the great hall, my brothers gave us a weird look and I knew they were about to have a long "chat"' with Frank. I mouthed sorry to him and went to my own table. I rolled my eyes as I heard my brothers ranting to Frank that there had better not be any funny business going on, as Rose scowled at me, which I ignored.
"Lily!" Two voices screeched at the exact same time. I turned to see my two best friends, besides Hugo of course, twin sisters AnnaLynn and Evelynn Zabini.
"Anna! Eve!" I screeched back hugging them both.
I hadn't seen them much over the summer, as their parents weren't very fond of our friendship. They are both tall lean and gorgeous with deep brown skin, shiny black hair, and slanted light brown eyes and high cheek bones. What I would assume the real Cleopatra looked like. They were the ones who taught me to be a lady. When I came to Hogwarts I was a complete tomboy, and while I still love quidditch and haven't been able to free myself of the red headed temper, I like to say they succeeded in their endeavors to make me more lady like.
"We looked for you the whole train ride, "
"But we couldn't find you anywhere,"
"and we heard what happened with Flint!"
",and how your hot brother saved the day!"
They rambled on without me getting one word in. That's the thing about twins; they are like built in best friends. So I often felt left out of the loop around them. While most twins like to have some sense of separate identities, these two enjoyed doing everything the same. They had even gotten their hair cut into the same short pixie style.
I stopped them mid rant to comment on this, "When did you get your hair cut?"
"Just a week ago actually, "
"We were getting bored with it long,"
"We wanted something a little older and more…sophisticated."
Evelynn scrunched up her face momentarily at that last statement, before it turned back to its normal smile. I made a mental note to ask her about it later. I told them all about the train ride, except for my pact with Hugo. Then the questions started.
"So , we happened to see you laughing and talking with a certain Frank Longbottom,"
"Who you also happened to walk in with,"
"who also happens to be looking over here at you every two seconds," they hinted not so subtly.
I glanced up to see if what they had said was true, and sure enough it was. He looked away quickly when I looked up, but I had seen him staring.
"Do you like him?"
"Does he like you?"
"Would you date him?"
"Has anything happened with you two?"
I couldn't take the constant array of questions, "Will you two stop it! I do not like him, he does not like me, we are just friends for Merlin's sake!"
They stopped asking questions but continued giving me those stupid smirks where they are implying something without saying it.
"Temper, temper Lily,"
"It is not lady like to shout,"
"And besides you are getting all flushed and red,"
"We were simply asking."
I rolled my eyes but smiled at them, "Yeah yeah."
"Yes Lily. Not yeah, yes."
"Fiiinnnee Yes." I whispered as the sorting for the first years began.
We watched as the students were sorted into their houses. No one was really paying much attention until a familiar name was called and everyone paused to watch.
"Malfoy, Ares"
It was a small boy who looked exactly like his brother Scorpius, except instead of the older Malfoy's steel grey eyes, the young boy had big ocean blue eyes and long lashes. His honey blonde hair was parted neatly with not a hair out of place; the complete opposite of Scorpius and his white blond long fringe that fell in his eyes. The boy was small for his age, and you could tell he was very nervous as the hat was placed on his head. After what seemed like only seconds the hat decided,
Gryffindor!
The small boy burst into tears and ran to his brother who I hadn't realized until now was sitting one seat over from me, next to one of the twins. The sorting continued as though nothing had happened, but the boy was still in tears by his brother's side, and I could hear him softly cajoling him.
"It will be alright rammy I promise."
"No, it won't be. Mom and dad will hate me, and Ill be alone."
"They would never hate you. And I promise, as long as I am alive you will never be alone."
I was so moved by their conversation, I almost started crying myself. I remember being sorted into Slytherin, and being terrified what everyone would think. Although I had wanted to be on my own, I was terrified my brothers wouldn't except me, I was also terrified my house wouldn't except me. So, as the impulsive red head that I am, I decided to do something for him.
I stood up, smoothed down my clothes and walked over to them. I squatted down so that I was closer to the boy's height.
"Ares is it?" I smiled warmly at him.
He looked at me skeptically, "Y-yess"
"I know how you feel Ares. My whole Family has always been in Gryffindor, and then I got sorted into Slytherin."
"What happened? Did they hate you?" He asked looking frightful.
"Nope. Not at all. They still love me just the same. "
"But weren't you lonely without them?"
"No. They are right there whenever I need them. Think about it this way, now you don't have to be stuck forever being known as Scorpius' little brother. You get to make a name for yourself outside of your family."
He smiled at me his eyes looking a little brighter, "Yeah! I never thought of it like that."
I touched his cheek and smiled, "It will be okay I promise."
He blushed and nodded his head in agreement. As I went to walk away his small hand grabbed my sleeve.
"I'm not a baby or anything, but do you think you could walk me over there? Just so I don't feel so awkward after that whole crying thing."
"Sure." I smiled at him and he blushed again.
His brother walked to the table with us. I sat him with my group of brother's and cousins then introduced him. I was afraid my brothers might not be friendly; he was a Malfoy after all, but they understood immediately and treated him like their own. As I walked back to my table with Malfoy, he stopped and looked at me.
"Thank you for that. I was really worried about him."
"Don't mention it, "I replied shrugging but continued on, "by the way, why do you call him rammy?"
He smiled lightly, "It's a childhood nickname. The sign for Aries is a ram. I always said he reminded me of one."
"I see. That's funny; I'm also an Aries myself. I think he seems more sweet and quiet than rambunctious and impulsive."
We continued to the table, "You know I think he just might have a crush on you" he said smirking.
"Well I just might have a crush on him too. He is the most adorable thing," I said sitting between the twins.
He took my hand and kissed it. I held in a gasp. His lips were so soft; my whole face began to heat up.
"Have a nice dinner Potter," he said wistfully, and then walked to his seat.
As everyone ate, I tried to collect my thoughts of the day's events, but before I had a chance the headmaster was standing to say something.
Hello everyone, I apologize for interrupting you during what I am sure is a most wonderful meal. But alas, I have an announcement to make. This year Durmstrang is hosting the Triwizard tournament.
There were collective gasps around the room, including one from myself. The headmaster continued to talk about how great an honor it was to be a winner, and the trials that would be faced, but at that moment my mind was blank. I looked up at Hugo who had the same look on his face. Just hours ago we had decided that we would do something this year to prove ourselves worthy and here out of nowhere an opportunity arose. As I looked down at my shaking hands, I wondered, was this coincidence or was this fate?