"Is this the real life, or this just fantasy…"
James, Sirius and Remus laughed as James spat out another bean. The sky was a dark orange as the boys talked and laughed.
"Better get changed." Said James standing up and getting his robes from his bag. Sirius and Lupin followed suit as well as a small village came into view.
They watched outside as they were going through villages fields until they started to slow down.
They pulled into a gleaming white station which looked like it had been plucked from a story book. The train stopped and the huge stampede of students fell out of the carriages and onto the platform. James swung his bag on his shoulder and walked out into the brisk September air. Sirius and Lupin flanked him as they walked onto the platform.
The Marauders Proudly Present James Potter and Lily Evans In: The Marauders Year One
Chapter Eleven
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Written By Chambers10
"FIRST YEARS DOWN HERE." The booming voice made them jump. At the end of the platform was a man, twice as big as anyone James had ever seen. His hands were like dustbin lids, his beard was like an untamed animal, and he wore a huge overcoat which billowed in the breeze.
"FIRST YEARS DOWN HERE DON'T BE SHY." James, Sirius and Lupin along with a few other first years walked over towards him.
"Guy must be 7,2 at least." Said Sirius to the group as they approached.
It wasn't long before they had all reached him and were looking up at him. He had a big smile on under the beard which was plain to see. James looked round the other first years and his eyes landed on the red hair girl who standing with that 'Sev'. She turned her head and caught sight of him. She stuck her tongue out at him. James laughed and turned to look at the giant of a man.
"Right all of you. Welcome to Hogwarts, we'll be going over on the boats tonight, 3 to a boat and don't put your hands in the water. Now follow me." James walked down towards the boats which looked much more rickety than he thought.
"Were not seriously going across in those." Said Sirius.
"Scared of the water Sirius cat?" asked James, "I thought better of you."
"Do you want to get in there?" asked Sirius.
"Good job I can swim if it does capsize." Said James climbing into one. He looked up at Sirius and Remus who weren't very forthcoming.
"You getting in or what?"
Sirius and Lupin looked at each other uneasily.
"Is he always this bold?" asked Lupin. Walking over towards the boat.
They climbed into one of the boats, it was unstable and rocked from side to side as they tried to make it in comftable. All of a sudden the boats started to pull away from the port and into the darkness, James and Sirius were at the front trying to get a view of where they were going, Lupin on the other hand was sat in the middle trying not to look over the edge.
The boats quickly cleared the darkness and rode gently onto the lake, the sky was a deep purple and the sun had already set over the sun leaving the mountains in silhouette.
"What do you suppose it's like?" asked Remus.
"If it's half the things I've been promised. It's going to be great." Said James.
They turned round a corner where they saw Hogwarts for the first time. James and Sirius gasped at the sight. The castle was tall and impending on the far side of lake, but the lights on made it look eerily beautiful in the dusk.
They rode across the water open mouthed, even Lupin had joined them at the front to get a better view of the castle. It had tall intimidating towers and spirals and James could see the Quidditch pitch hoops in the distance.
"Wow." Said James in awe as they glided along the darkness. He looked over at Sirius and Remus who to had looks of wonder on their faces as they rode the water.
Lily really liked the group she had fallen in with; they were all very kind and made her feel her feel very welcome. She regaled them with stories about how she had learned about her power and how it got her into mishaps. Although she left out how she could teleport people away.
The train started to slow as the green fields and bright sky was replaced by a beautiful dusk with a small village starting to form around them. All too soon the train grinded and screeched to a holt before whistling and expelling steam. Lily could feel butterfly's fluttering madly in her stomach as she got up to go. She filtered with her new friends outside onto the cold platform.
"FIRST YEARS DOWN HERE DON'T BE SHY." Lily gulped when she saw the man who called them. He was in essence a giant man. The tallest Lily had ever seen, his hands where like dustbin lids with his face covered with wild black wiry beard, but still kept his gentle features. Like every other first year Lily shuffled towards him with Sev at her side. He didn't seem at all afraid at all, she wished she had his confidence now. She looked around her and saw the messy hair boy from the compartment before. Lily cast her eye over, he caught her eye. Lily didn't know what else to do but stick her tongue out at him. He smirked and looked down laughing before looking back at the front.
"Right all of you. Welcome to Hogwarts, we'll be going over on the boats tonight, three to a boat and don't put your hands in the water. Now follow me." He had calmed his voice, probably sensing the uneasiness of some of the kids in front of him Because that's what they were, just kids.
Lily made her way down to a small port which was lined with old rickety boats. Lily raised her eyebrow at the new discovery. Was she even going to get a chance to see Hogwarts?
"These can't be safe." Said Sev, taping it with his foot.
"Come on, be adventurous." Said Lily, remembering her promise of being a new person here. She took a deep breath and climbed into the boat. She looked up at Sev who still eyed it wearily.
"Come on Sev." Said Lily smiling. Sev smiled back nervously before stepping into the boat as well. It didn't help that it rocked from side to side as he sat down. The boats set off into the darkness. Lily peered gingerly over the edge. She could see her reflection, but then what seemed a pair of eyes. Lily back tracked when they blinked at her. She sat back down and shivered slightly.
"You ok Lils?" asked Sev.
"Fine." Said Lily quickly, "Just fine." Lily looked up and smiled as the cool night breezed along her face, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It all felt perfect, beyond what she thought could be possible. Lily opened her eyes as they started to turn a corner. This was it, home for the next seven years. Lily held her breath as the boat agonisingly turned the corner. The warm light hit her face and she gasped.
It was a castle, it was big and it was beautiful. There were huge towers and spirals which were lit up like little fireflies. She could the outlines of trees and bushes that would be beautiful in the day. She was lost for words, she relaxed her shoulders and looked on in wonder. And for the first time, in a long time, she felt a pleasurable sensation.
Hope.
Hope that this was where she belonged. Hope that here, she could be someone, a person. Not a freak, an outsider, an outcast but a normal human being. With friends, with laughter, without fear and prejudice, with hope. Lily gulped, hoping she wouldn't cry. It was everything she had envisioned and more. She turned her head to Sev. She wanted to thank him so much for bringing this to her, for making her see what she truly was.
"So what do you think?" asked Sev.
"It's beautiful." Said Lily quietly looking back, not wanting to miss a thing.
I'm home she thought to herself.
They gently rode into a small port at the side of the castle. James leaped out of the boat, while Remus and Sirius gingerly joined him.
"Come on ladies." Said James helping Remus up.
All around them students were still going on about how amazing the castle was. The spires the sheer sight of it and of course it's size.
"Come on!" the giant man waved a huge hand and started to walk up some steps that James hadn't noticed before. He nudged Sirius who followed with Lupin up the steps along with other students, some still talking, some in still in awe of the occasion.
James, Sirius and Lupin found themselves walking behind the red haired girl from the compartment, with the stupidly lofty tone that had provided some good imitations from James and Sirius. She was talking to the boy she was with in the compartment who to had been subject to mocking when they had left. They were talking animatedly about Hogwarts and how cool it looked.
James touched Sirius and gave him a little wink, he clipped the end of Severus's heels and he fell onto the stone floor.
"Have a nice trip Snivellus?" Said James stepping over him.
Most people laughed as they stepped over him, only the red haired girl stopped to help him casting a disapproving look at James who along with his new friends who were laughing there heads of at him on the floor.
"Good one." mate said Sirius bumping him on the shoulder.
They walked some more till they came to the grounds outside the castle, if looked big from far away then it looked massive there. James and Sirius had to crane their neck to see the tallest spire. Waiting for them was Minerva on the steps with big oak doors, she wore emerald robes, a stern face and had her hair tied up in a bun. Her eye cast over James as he took his place near the back of the crowd.
"First Years Professor McGonagall." The Giant man said presenting them to her.
"Thank you Hagrid." She said calmly.
Hagrid then strode off into the darkness with his huge booming footsteps still hear able. The first years looked round at her, Professor McGonagall was someone you didn't really wanted to mess with. But James knew her, had done for years. She and her mother where best friends during their Hogwarts days.
McGonagall opened the big oak doors with a swish of her wand. The door groaned into life as it swung open to reveal the entrance hall.
Professor McGonagall led them into the entrance hall which was bigger than anything James had ever seen in his life. There were more doors into another room directly in-front of them and to the right was a glistening marble staircase which led to the upper floors, to the right was a corridor which you couldn't see the end of, even with the flame torches. The room wasn't as quiet as he thought as he could hear voices from behind the large doors. Most of the other first years where shuffling nervously, James on the other hand had his hands in pockets looking around without a care in the world, he looked at Sirius who was looking nervous.
"Why are you worried?" James said calmly "It's not that bad."
"Maybe you haven't grasped the situation yet." Said Sirius. James shrugged his shoulders and looked round. He caught sight of a girl looking at him. He smiled at her, she turned crimson and looked away.
"Welcome to Hogwarts." Professor McGonagall began, her voice quelling any sound there was before. "The start of year feast will begin shortly, but before we can do that. We have to sort you all into your houses. This is an important part of your school days, as your house will become your family, you will celebrate triumphs and experience falls. The four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has a proud and noble history, each has produced great witches and wizards from where you stand now, to when you leave. As an incentive for you to do well. If you do well you can earn points, if you rule break, then you shall lose points."
She looked round at all the scared faces, "The sorting ceremony will take place in-front of the school, so look your best." She looked round at people who were sloppy dressed, she looked at James who just smiled back at her.
"When we are ready, I will come for you. Wait quietly." McGonagall slipped past the large doors. Hurried whispering went around them, what was the ceremony did involve magic did it involve a written test of some sort. James looked at Sirius who was taking deep breaths, but nothing compared to Lupin who was nearly sweating. James's mouth curled to a smirk.
"I heard they make you fight a troll." James whispered to Sirius loud enough so everyone could hear. This sent some into a blind panic, the others talking about how they didn't know any spells or charms. Thanks to his parents Jobs, James was way ahead in his wand and spell ability.
"Don't be stupid." Everyone turned to see where the voice had come from, the red haired girl was looking at him with folded arms and a stern look on her face.
"How do you know we'll be fighting a troll." She said condescendingly,
"I don't." James replied honestly, "All I heard was that you had to fight a troll."
"But…If you're so clever, why don't you tell us what we have to do." Everyone looked round at the red haired girl. She stood her ground.
"I don't know either." She said angrily, taking a step back from him. "But I'm sure that you don't have to face a troll. Besides, I'm sure Sev can tell us. He knows loads about Hogwarts." Everyone then looked at Severus who was shuffling nervously and looking at the floor.
"Well Sev." She looked at him to say something, he tried to say something but nothing came out only air.
"Yeah, he's really in the know." Sirius said, standing next to James. "Old Snivellus is as clueless as the troll." People laughed at Severus who was now staring at the floor and sniffing went bright red.
"STOP calling him that." She said angrily. James and Sirius began to laugh, clearly she didn't know them. But she would in time.
"Not our fault." James said, "Look at the snot coming from him now."
They laughed as Severus's nose was now leaking mucus, the other kids led by James and Sirius laughed as Severus wiped it on his robes. Before anymore could be said about him Professor McGonagall came back through the door, the red hair girl shot a look of dislike at James who just winked back at her. She turned her head pompously to face the front.
"Were ready for you."
She led them down the hall and into the great hall. The hall was massive it had thousands of candles round the edge which lit the place up well. James and Sirius were looking round in wonder. What they noticed was that there were four long tables nearly the same size of the room, each table had a different colour tie. The far right one was the Gryffindor table whose students wore Maroon and Gold, the near right table was Hufflepuff as they wore blue and yellow. The near left was Ravenclaw, they wore green and blue, the far left was the Slytherin table they wore green and white. The first years walked down the centre of the tables to the front staff table.
This table was the entire width of the hall, all the teachers were sat around it, in the middle was golden throne which had an old wizard sitting in it. He wore midnight blue robes with a matching hat and also had half-moon spectacles. The first years came to the front of the hall, in the middle was a stool, and on it was a manky old hat. James gave a laugh as the relief swept over Sirius's and Lupin's face as they came face to face with the stool.
"Now when I call your name." the hall fell silent.
"You will come forth, and I place the sorting hat on your head." Professor McGonagall raised the hat which James swore had a face on it with all the creases in it.
"Arnold, Guy." A nervous brown hair boy got up and walked nervously to the stool, McGonagall placed it on his head, there was a nervous wait before the hat shouted "RAVENCLAW!" The Ravenclaw table got up and cheered and welcomed him to the fold.
"Black, Sirius." Sirius walked up nervously but was given a gentle shove on the back by James as he went up. McGonagall placed the hat on his head it thought for about a minute before shouting Gryffindor.
Sirius had the biggest grin on his face as he walked over to the table, he was congratulated by all the Gryffindor's as he sat down. James was making a mental note of all the fit girls walking up to the stool. He noticed a few of people he knew from the various social circles and some he's never seen before.
"Evans Lily."
James looked up, he curiously watched as the red haired girl walked up nervously and sat down, and the hat went on her head. James looked at Severus who had his fingers crossed whispering "come on Slytherin." James snorted dismissively to himself.
"GRYFFINDOR." She got off the chair and walked over to the table. James's eyes followed her as she sat down next to Sirius. When she turned round she recognised him from the train and promptly turned her back on him. Sirius raised his eyebrow and said something to the boy opposite who seemed to agree. A few more went up and left until there were only a handful of them left.
"Parks, Isabel." James watched Isabel go up, and the hat shouted Gryffindor.
"Pettigrew, Peter." A small rat looking boy got up and sat on the stool, it took a while for the hat to decide before shouting "GRYFINDOR." The boy ran off towards the table,
"Potter, James." James walked up to the hat and sat on the stool, he looked up as the hat went over his head and plundered him into darkness.
"Hmm." The hat whispered.
"Difficult…very, very difficult. Bravery, yes. Not a bad mind. Talent. Oh… very driven…by a fear of failure." James looked up at the hat's dark crevices, trying to figure out where the voice was coming from.
"But loyal…protective." There was a long pause from the hat. Get it over with, place me thought James.
"There is greatness within you." Began the hat. "But not an ounce of humility."
"Where should you go to learn."
Not Slytherin thought James. Anywhere but there. Please Gryffindor.
"GRYFFINDOR." Shouted the hat.
James let out a sigh of relief as Professor McGonagall removed the hat from his head, he walked over to the table and sat opposite Sirius and next to Lupin who had also been placed in Gryffindor.
"Finally." Said Sirius, "been bloody waiting on you, as per usual."
"Face it, you'd be lost without me?" Smirked James. He looked over at the red head. Evans. She looked over as well.
"Urrgh." She turned back round.
"Something I said?" asked James.
"Smooth Potter." Said Remus. They waited for the rest of first years to be sorted before Dumbledore took to the stage. James knew him, not well but his dad had spoken to him a few times for advice.
"Welcome. To another year at Hogwarts." His voice echoed throughout the great hall like a booming instrument. "My name is Albus Dumbledore."
"Before we start our feast, I would like to say a few words. First years must note, that there are certain areas of the castle and grounds were you cannot go. The forbidden forest being one of them. All years must note this as well.
"As some of you may have noticed, we have a new addition to our Herbology department. Take note that Hogwarts is now studying the effects of whomping willows. One has been planted over the summer. Please note that this is a very dangerous piece spices of plant so must by stayed clear of."
"Our caretaker Mr Filch, had asked me to remind you
"A whomping willow. Cool." Said James, "Have to give that a whirl at some point."
"I wouldn't." said Remus, "Very dangerous things."
"We'll see." Said James looking round, "Doubt I'll be the only one."
"Now, enjoy!"
The tables all of a sudden filled with food. It reminded him of those stupid summer parties his mum and dad dragged him to. But Dad was right about the food, he wouldn't go hungry at all. Not for a while anyway. Sirius was already shovelling his face full of food, James looked at the stuff in front of him. Curried Salmon, mash potato and chicken wings were just too good.
There was the clatter of cutlery and talking as people caught up after the summer. James, Sirius and Lupin just talked about Quidditch for the meal while stuffing their faces.
"No, no, no they've seen it all before, England are going to throw it away Potter." Said Sirius.
"That's rich coming from a cannon fan." Said James stripping his ninth wing. "What you fail to realise is that with this new diamond formation being implemented, and Barry fully fit we'll be hoisting that cup in three years' time.
"Delusional idiot." Muttered Sirius.
"Have you two always been like an old married couple?" asked Remus.
"Should have heard the moaning on the honeymoon." Said James.
"Differences are what keep you engaged." Said Sirius.
"It's a matter of preference." Said James. "But for the time being. I'm just enjoying just being here."
Lily was only eating salad watched in disapproval, she was watching that…what was his name…Potter, yes Potter. Potter, Black and Lupin eating. All three of them shovelled food into their mouths and talking as well. She shook her head and went back to playing with a leaf when she was disturbed.
"You like Quidditch Lily?" Dorcas asked across the table. All of the girls she was with in the compartment had been sorted into Gryffindor, along with a couple of others that she made a note of getting to know better.
"Quidditch?" Lily said "If this is one of your little jokes, I'm not laughing."
"It's not a joke." Sarah said bemused "Quidditch is a sport, you know, the most popular sport in Britain."
"I don't know what you mean." She said as she ate a piece of cucumber.
"How do you not know about Quidditch?"
"Well I only heard of it today." Said Lily on the defensive.
"The only way that would be true is if you were a muggle born." Marlene said as she helped himself to some chicken.
Lily went quiet and seemed to be torturing her leaf rather than eating it.
"Is true you have to wash up by hand?"
"Yeah it is." Lily as now very relaxed, "My mum wants me to learn it to use at home."
"Oh, you won't be able to use it home." Marlene said.
"Why not?" asked Lily.
"Underage wizards aren't allowed to use magic outside of school." Explained Dorcas, "It sucks I know, but we have to do it. But when we turn seventeen, we'll be able to use it anyway we like." Lily looked disappointed at this and went back to her salad.
"So what's the main sport for muggles." Dorcas asked, Lily paused for a moment.
"Football I suppose." She said, "My Dad loves it, he supports a team called Arsenal."
"The muggle worlds weird compared to here." Said Mary, who like Lily had been very quiet.
"I miss home to." Whispered Lily. Mary looked up and smiled in gratitude. Lily smiled and went back to her salad. She looked over towards Sev who finally talking to a couple of boys his own age. She just sat back and listened to the conversation placing in intelligent responses when necessary. But mostly it was talking to Mary about home.
She lived in Chester, and like her was a lonely soul in childhood. Lily felt sympathy towards her and promised she would always be there for her should she needed it. But at the same time admitted that she was scared stiff as well of this place.
When they had finished the desert came, James thought he couldn't eat another thing at this point. But the look of a treacle tart was too much to turn down and he ate it.
"That was good." Said Sirius, "I'm gonna be a bowling ball by the time I leave here."
"It was good." Said Remus, "I don't think I'll ever eat that well again." James nodded.
"Be even better if they cleared up as well." Said James looking at the row upon row of empty plates.
The sound of a spoon on glass silenced the noisy room in an instant. Dumbledore rose to his feet.
"Now I hope you have had enjoyed our feast. Now go back to your dormitories and sleep, you have all had a busy day. And before we depart for you young first years a proverb. The journey of a thousand miles must start with a single step." A few students exchanged puzzled looks at each other.
"You have already taken your first steps in Hogwarts, it is now time to start fulfilling that journey. Goodnight."
With that the entire Hall started to wisp away into the corridors, an older boy and girl came over to the first years and told them to wait for when the hall cleared. They both wore Black robes with maroon and gold trims, they also had a Lion on the chest instead of the Hogwarts shield, unlike them they also had maroon and gold ties.
"Hello," The boy said cheerfully "Were prefects, and we will be guiding you round the school for your first week. Now, we take you to Gryffindor tower where our quarters are. That is where you will spend your evenings and sleep. Right let's get going." James however was more interested in the girl.
She was drop dead gorgeous, she had long blonde hair which flowed like a waterfall round her beautiful face.
"Come on you lot." She looked around with a confused look on her face that James found utterly mesmerising. "Frank, are you sure all the boys are here. There's only four of them?"
"Yeah Alice." The boys said turning round, "Small crowd this year. Come guys, follow me."
Alice shrugged, and James thought it was alluring. Wait…four? Sirius must have been on the same wave length because they both turned round to see a new boy with them. He looked around nervously, his rat like features really showed as he bit his nails with his above average front teeth, he was a bit porky and his hair wasn't well kept. James kinda felt sorry for him. The three of them had met on the train while he was meeting them for the first time.
They followed the boy and girl out into the hall and into the entrance hall, they walked up the marble staircase. They seemed to walk for ages, James's feet were heavy, each step seemed to take more strength than the last to complete. They walked up some stairs and along the corridor and came to a portrait of a fat lady wearing pink. She was sitting in the portrait. Alice then assured them around.
"All right guys, this is where our common room is. The Fat lady guards the entrance and will only let you in with the password. This year it's Horntail, now. Don't tell other people the password or they can just walk in, which reminds me don't bring people from other houses here, otherwise you will lose points for us."
They led them through the portrait hole and into the common room.
"Wow." Mouthed Lupin as they walked in.
The common room was a circular room full of chairs, sofa's, tables all in front of a huge fire place which lit the entire room. There were long thin windows around the room which was in a circular shape.
"This is our common room," said Frank presenting it with his hand.
"This is where we socialise, study, and celebrate if need be. Now I will show the boys to their dorm while Alice shows the girls their dorms."
Alice led the group of girls up the right hand staircase who were all chatting away.
"Right guys the shower blocks are round the back of the stairs." Frank said pointing them out. "Boys to the left, girls to the right, can't stress the importance of that. Right, let's show you to your rooms." They walked up the stairs to till they got to the seventh floor of the stairs.
"This is your Dorm for the rest of your school days." He said. "Now so you don't get lost the boys dorm is over the boys shower and the girls like wise." He said pointing to the girl's dorm. "When you're older, you can break the rules then. Right, be down for breakfast at 8:30 so Professor McGonagall can give you timetables, see you in the morning." He opened the door and led them inside then closed it.
The room was circular with four wooden carved 4 poster beds. On the far side of the room was a coal heater with banisters for drying clothes in-between two of the beds, all their stuff had been brought up and laid out in front of the beds. James's stuff was on the bed next to the door, Sirius was to the left of him on the other side of the door, Lupin was next to Sirius and Peter was next to Lupin.
James kicked off his shoes which skidded and hit the base of bed. James threw his bag which hit his chest of drawers. He then threw himself on the bed.
"I could get used to this." He said looking round. "I think we'll do just fine here." He got up, he looked over towards Peter Pettigrew. He stood there frozen with fear as he looked at them all.
"Err, Hi." James said waving his hand at Peter who jumped and gave a little squeak.
"I'm James, this is Sirius Black, he's Remus, Remus Lupin." Peter didn't say anything instead just looking at them with his pale watery eyes. James turned to Sirius who looked uneasy as did Lupin.
"What's your name?" Sirius asked, Peter just stood frozen with fear.
"Huh, he should have gone to Hufflepuff with a disposition like that." Sirius muttered under his breath. He walked over to his stuff and then started to unpack his things and move them in. Each area had a bed, bed side table, and a chest of drawers for clothes. James unpacked his stuff and slid his trunk under his bed.
"Right," James said clapping his hands together. "I don't know about you, but I, am in the mood for a game."
"What sort of game?" asked Lupin.
"Poker." Said James pulling out a set. "I think we should stay up and get to know each other, what do you think?"
"I'm in." said Lupin, "Just let me get changed."
"Me to." James flicked his eyes over towards Peter.
"Fancy a game mate?" he asked rattling the box."
Peter just turned round and began to rummage round his belongings. James looked over at Sirius who just shrugged as he got changed. James changed into pyjama bottoms, but in keeping with his mums wishes a t-shirt to.
After a bit of rummaging they were able to make a makeshift table and chairs, with the room being so big they had enough space to have it in the centre.
James stoked the coal heater so the room was based in a soft dark orange glow. He sat down with his bed behind him and started to set up. Sirius and Remus joined him at the table with some of the left over treats from the train.
"You joining us Pete?" Asked James again. Peter just squeaked and pulled the curtains round his bed. All three of him looked at each other.
"Oh well, more for the pot." Said James handing out chips. Sirius and Remus made themselves comfortable and James dealt the cards.
"Get ready to lose boys." Said James, "This game is mine."
"In your dreams Potter." Said Remus picking up his cards.
Lily placed her clothes in her wardrobe, the other girls were doing the same thing. There where Severn girls overall in her dorm.
Mary, a muggle born like her, and like her a rabbit in the headlights. It was all new to Lily was thankful that someone was there who was like her. Scared, out of her depth, but excited about the new challenge ahead. She had a pretty face with light brown hair and blue eyes.
Dorcas, the chatty one and bringing them all together, she was what wizards called a pureblood, and was talking to everyone trying to get to know them. She was tall and blonde with blue eyes, and certainly knew that she was a looker.
Marlene McKinnon, she was a half blood, one wizarding one muggle parent, she was a very chatty person to, which meant she and Dorcas got on like a house on fire. She was had blonde hair and like Lily, green eyes, although more so blue than Lily's vibrant green.
Sarah, she was a half-blood as well, she was a little dizzy in Lily's eyes but seemed a very happy person. She had short blonde hair and big blue eyes which where prone to the odd daydream wondering.
A girl who Lily hadn't seen on the train, she introduced herself as Isabel Parks. Dorcas knew her as a member of a higher wizarding social circle. She certainly didn't act spoiled as Lily thought when the words 'higher social' where mentioned. She had a certain elegant class about her, the way she held herself. She had long flowing red hair, not as dark as Lily's, and blue eyes.
Next was a girl who was friends with Isabel, Jessica seemed to be her annoying little shadow which never left her side. She was also part of this Higher Social circle but unlike Isabel she was the stereotypical type of ponce that Lily despised. She was podgy and overweight and had a mean smirk on her face that reminded Lily of petunia in certain aspects.
Lily looked round her dorm. It was a long room with Severn four poster beds in a semi-circle on the left side. Each bed had a chest of draws, a small dressing table and a bed side table. The right side was completely wardrobe. Severn big wardrobes which Lily had packed what meagre clothes she had packed. Unlike the others who had twice as many as her.
Her school uniform was waiting for her. New house coloured robes in her size along with a different array of jumpers for all occasions ranging from thin body warmers to thick woollen cardigan. Lily hung her stuff up and began to arrange her bedside table. Mostly it was filled with her huge array of books, but on the top with a coaster was her prize radio.
Her dressing table wasn't too much to shout about either. While all the other girls had an assortment of make-up and lotions Lily's consisted of her moisturizer for her skin, which her mum had used on her since she could remember, that was barely anything compared to the gargantuan array of products on show. Lily placed the last item that needed unpacking, her hairbrush on the table. Lily nodded, it looked nice, homely. Not her room, but close to home.
Lily heaved her trunk underneath her bed. Like the other girls in her dorm she crawled into bed and wondered how Sev was getting on. The lights went black and Lily drew the curtains round her bed. She shuffled, twisted and turned but couldn't settle.
She eventually fell into a restless sleep with weird and strange dreams. She woke with a start after a particular bad dream she couldn't remember. She hugged herself as she felt lonely. She missed home. One night and she was already missing home, she had to get a grip. Lily moved silently out her bed onto the cold wood floor. She slipped into her slippers and dressing gown and stepped outside.
Lily walked down the stairs to the common room, it was empty, but the fire was still glowing. Lily walked over towards the window and gazed outside. She was looking at the lake which they had travelled only hours earlier. She sat on the stone sill and hugged her knees again and leaned on the window. Her eyes travelled sadly down, she blinked and a tear flowed from her eye.
John twisted and turned in his bed. He awoke with a start and gazed around. It was still dark outside, the moon shining down in his and Lavender's bedroom. He rolled over, he was surprised to see an empty space next to him. John rested on his elbows.
"Lav?" he called out. His attention, now his vision was accustomed to the darkness was drawn to a thin beam of light emanating down the hall. John pulled the sheets back and stretched. He walked quietly out of his room to the source of the strange light. He wasn't surprised to see it was coming from Lily's room. He walked over silently and pushed the door open.
He found her, sitting on her perfectly made bed. She had been crying, no mistaking or covering it up. Her eyes looking round the room before falling on him as he entered. Lavender was clothing the blanket Lily had been smitten with since she was small, and only recently decided to give up. John didn't say anything as walked over, Lavender shuffled up and he joined her sitting on the bed. Lavender leaned into his shoulder, and placed a reassuring hug round her and kissed her temple.
"I miss her John." Lavender said gently, "I want her home."
"I know." Said John, "But we decided that this was what was best for her."
"I know." Said Lavender, she shuffled, "But it doesn't make it any easier." John nodded.
"I'm missing her to."
"But it's only been a day." She laughed gently, "Not even that and I miss her."
"You're her mother." Pointed out John, "I'd be worried if you weren't worried."
"Was it always going to be this hard?"
"Well no one said it be easy." Said John. "Look…being in here is just going to remind us of her. I'm sure Lily's fine."
John stood up and held his hand out. Lavender looked at it and smiled sadly as she took it and stood up. They reached the door and Lavender looked back. Remembering all the times she had to come into this room. Whenever Lily was ill, or upset she would come up here. Reading to her when she was younger for her bed time stories. And the time they camped out in here when the world cup was on because Lily said football sucked. An entire afternoon spent reading and binge eating was what mothers and daughters were supposed to do.
John hugged her again and kissed her hair, probably his favourite part of her. "She's fine Lav. Come on, let's get some sleep." He led Lavender out of the room, taking one last look himself before closing the door.
"…Caught in a landslide."