The day which I was to go to Hogsmeade came too soon. I awoke that day much earlier than I usually did, having not slept well. For a moment I stayed where I was, sitting up in my bed, staring at the room that contained my sleeping dorm-mates. I can't go to Hogsmeade with them! What if they think I'm stupid? I silently got up and dressed, concluding I wasn't going to be able to sleep.
The Great Hall was deserted; most of the students were asleep, giving that it was Saturday. Most everyone slept in on weekends, even me, usually. But today was different.
Since I was unable to get breakfast, I went out onto the grounds, feeling weak with nerves. My stomach was turning, and I felt as though I was going to throw up. What's the matter with you? You've been with people before. Somehow I knew it was different; when I was with Scorpius, I knew him. I'll be with people I don't know today.... I hope they're not dreading it as much as I am.
Why had I accepted the invitation? Why hadn't I turned him down like any sane person would have done? I shook my head sadly, leaning up against a tree as I watched the sun rise above the lake.
Sunrise was one of the times I liked the most. It was the beginning of a day; the beginning of a new life... It was as if the whole day was created in that one moment, when the sun rose overhead and warmed the earth...
I sat down underneath a weeping willow tree, and drew a circle in the earth, thinking of Scorpius. Had I even crossed his mind since he got together with Rose? I didn't think so, and I pushed the thought away. Get over it Lily, he'll always look at you as only a friend. This thought would have bothered me more if it had come when he had broken my heart, but now it didn't. As much.
What if Neil's friends don't like me? Would he listen to their opinions and stop wanting to hang out with me? I felt my stomach do a summer-salt. I wouldn't be able to lose Neil again.
I felt myself thinking about my brother, James. I could imagine what he would say if he knew what I was thinking about; 'Well, if things don't work out, you can always drop-out of school and become a hobo.' I smiled slightly. James always liked a good laugh, and I missed talking to him slightly. James had his own problems though, an I didn't want to bother him with mine. As the sun came up, I began to hear sounds around the school; windows opening... faint talking in the distance... They were beginning to wake up.
I was supposed to meet up with Neil and his friends at noon. 'I'll meet you outside of the common room, and we'll go meet my friends in Hogsmeade,' he had said. His friends were going ahead, to buy some 'boring' stuff, according to Neil. A faint smile played on my face as I thought about him again.
As I had seen, Neil had three friends that he would hang out with. I didn't know any of their names, but I recognized their faces, and would be able to point them out in a crowd. They were all boys like him, and good-looking. They were popular, and most of them got good grades. I didn't have much hope of fitting in.
I was slightly looking forward to it...; Neil would be there, and I was finding myself loving being in his company.
When I thought it was late enough for them to be serving breakfast, I got up and walked slowly towards the castle. The halls were full of other students, laughing, joking to themselves. I felt a slight twinge of loneliness as I walked into the bright Great Hall. Silently I sat down at my usual place at the edge of the Gryffindor table, eating slowly. Neil and his friends weren't anywhere to be seen, and I suspected they were still asleep.
After I finished eating, I got up and returned to my dormitory to retrieve my notebook. My dorm-mates were up and about already, talking animatedly to themselves about the day ahead, and they ignored me like usual. It didn't bother me, as I hastily picked up my bag and headed towards the library.
The library was deserted, except for a few students here and there reading and studying. I took a comfortable chair in front of a window, and put my notebook on my lap, beginning to write.
I had a very enjoyable time writing, and before I knew it, it was 12:00; lunchtime. My insides lurched; I was to meet Neil and his friends right after lunch. This was too soon! I'm not ready!
Ignoring my nerves, I walked as confidently as I could towards the Great Hall, looking up and down the table. They were serving shepherd's pie today, and I sat down, picking at it. I felt too nervous to eat.
Neil and his friends were on the end side of the table, and they didn't see me. They were all crowding around Neil, as he read something from the paper aloud. I wondered briefly what it was, but pushed the thought away. It probably has nothing to do with me.
After I finished, I tentatively walked out of the Great Hall, sitting down on the stairwell. I saw Neil's friends leave soon after, and I knew they were heading off to Hogsmeade. My breathing quickened; Neil would be coming out soon.
My suspicions were confirmed as Neil himself walked out, looking around. He spotted me, and walked up, smiling slightly. "What's up?"
His smile was contagious. "Nothing, you?" was my pathetic response.
Neil shrugged. "Are you ready to go to Hogsmeade?" He sounded eager.
I nodded, and stood up. "Yes!" I said, trying to put my timid streak to the side. I wanted him to know how excited I was.
His eyes brightened at my slight enthusiasm, and he yawned. "Lets go, then!" He began to walk towards the door, and I followed, keeping pace with him.
We silently walked together for awhile, until I couldn't stand the silence anymore. This is probably one of the only times I'll be alone with him! I'm not going to be timid like I always am. "Thanks for inviting me today, Neil... Are you sure your friends won't mind?" I shot a side-glance at him.
He smiled. "You're welcome," he laughed. "And what do you mean- will they mind? They're looking forward to it!"
I was confused. "W-why?" I asked quietly.
Neil grinned, and nudged my arm. "Are you kidding Lily? Everyone wants to get to know you!"
I furrowed my eye-brows. "Why?" I repeated the same question, unable to ask anything else. Why would they want to get to know me?
Neil glanced over at me, and stopped walking. "You... you didn't hear?" he asked in confusion.
"Hear about what?" I asked, stopping as well. I looked down at my feet, feeling self-conscious as he looked at me.
"You didn't hear that you won the writing contest?" Neil asked slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly.
My heart skipped a beat. "What?" I whispered. I had won? Why had no one told me about it? Did everyone know except me? "I- I did?"
Neil nodded. "You didn't see your story in the Daily Prophecy?" He looked shocked that I didn't know.
"I don't read the Daily Prophecy," I admitted. I remembered that one of the parts of winning was that your story would get published in the wizarding newspaper. My heart was beating very fast, and I wondered if he could hear it too.
Neil scratched the back of his head. "It was a great story," he congratulated me. "I was amazed when I saw it this moment- I thought to myself, could this really be by Lily Potter? It was fantastic!"
I blushed. "Thanks," I said, smiling. "I'm glad you liked it." His praise made my heart skip a beat. "But- why didn't McGonagle tell me?"
Neil blinked, beginning to walk again. I followed. "Yesterday when I was at Transfiguration, she asked where you were..." His voice trailed off.
"I couldn't go to class yesterday... I was sick." It was true; I had had a migraine, and had stayed in bed all day long.
Neil blinked. "Why? What was wrong?" He seemed worried.
"I had a migraine..." I muttered.
Neil blinked sympathetically. "That sucks," he murmured. "When McGonagle saw you weren't here, she just continued with the class. She probably would have told you then."
I nodded. "Oh," I said silently. A group of people walked by, some waving and smiling at me. I made myself as small as possible, walking next to me.
Neil laughed at my reaction. "See? You're practically famous now! Everyone will want to hang out with you now."
Even Scorpius? I blinked, not sure what to say. I wasn't sure if I even wanted to be popular... "I don't want to be famous..." I muttered, wishing I could have written the story under an anonymous name.
Neil smiled. We were reaching the gates of Hogsmeade, and he opened them, letting me walk through. I smiled, and did so. "Where are we meeting your friends?" I asked curiously.
"Outside of the Three Broomsticks," Neil replied. "I didn't think you'd want to have people mobbing you in there."
I grimaced. "I don't really want this..." I muttered again. "Famous people don't have very good lives; people only like them because they're famous."
Neil glanced over at me. "I don't like you only because of that," he assured me. "I like you because you're you."
I smiled. "Thanks," I whispered. The Three Broomsticks was coming into view.
A few people walking down the street stared at me openly, making me feel very uncomfortable. I was glad when we came up to Neil's friend.
They were leaning against the wall of the bar, talking and laughing. Neil and I approached them, and they stopped talking, their eyes bright as they saw us.
"Hey Neil!" one exclaimed. He had blonde hair, blue eyes. I smiled slightly at them.
"Hi, Leo," Neil greeted, stretching. "This is Lily-" He was interrupted by the other two.
"She's the one who won the contest?"
"The one who was in the Daily Prophecy?" This boy had black hair, and very dark eyes. "I'm Jake, by the way, Lily. Nice to meet you."
I smiled at him, and he held out his hand, which I shook. "Nice to meet you," I said, smiling tentatively.
He let go of my hand, and poked the other boy which I didn't know's name. "This is Will."
Will smiled, waving. "Hey," he said. "I read your story- it was sensational!"
I blushed. "Thanks," I murmured, looking down at my feet. This special attention wasn't agreeing with me.
Neil cleared his throat. "Shall we go to the Hogs Head? It's not as crowded there." He made a face, looking in to the crowded bar in front of us. I laughed.
"Fine by me," I said eagerly, wanting to be somewhere where no one would know me.
Jake smiled, and dropped into step next to me. Neil took my other side, and Will went ahead, looking around. "Move out! Famous person here!"
Jake laughed, and prodded him. "Quit it," he laughed. "Lily's trying to be incognito here."
I laughed slightly. Neil's friends were funny.
"Hey- do you think we'll get in the newspaper too, since we're with her?" Will asked curiously, walking backwards to face us.
I shook my head. "I'm not famous," I protested. "My story was just in the newspaper."
Neil grinned. "Don't be modest, Lily. Your story was amazing, and you know it." His eyes were full of laughter, and he opened the door, holding it open for everyone to go in.
I liked being around them. They were fun, and they seemed to like me. It was an odd sensation.
The bar was almost deserted, except for a few students, who were all talking with their heads bent. We took the table next to the counter.
"So- four butterbeers?" Neil asked, glancing over at us. "I'll pay."
I felt slightly uncomfortable. "I can pay, if you want."
He shook his head. "Nah! I like paying." He went over to the bar, and returned soon after with four bottles clenched in his hands. He passed them around to us.
I took one, and unscrewed the bottle cap. Will was having problems with his, and he kept twisting, trying to fix it. I smiled slightly. "Want me to help?" I offered.
He looked sheepish. "Imagine- I'm defeated by a bottle!" He handed it over to me, and I unscrewed it, handing it back to him.
I smiled, getting caught into conversation with them. I found myself enjoying the evening very much.
Author's Note:
Today i received a pretty nasty anonymous review. I deleted it, and I am thinking about disabling anonymous reviews. There are some that write bad reviews anonymously, probably because they are too cowardly to write it on their REAL account.
To those who like this fic, again, thanks for reading/reviewing!
I asked my dad, because the mean reviews were bothering me, and he said that for everything anyone tries doing, there will always be someone who will not like it.
I'm going to update from now on, every monday. I have some free time in the mornings then, and I will be trying to get a new chapter up. :)
Thanks again to those NICE reviewers.
~Cloudsong
