A/N: I like this chapter. I finally feel like I'm in the story line that I want to pursue and I can see it unfolding. I have things planned out now! I hope you guys like it. Review!
Chapter Six: The Last Welcome
When the Hogwarts express rolled into the platform at Hogsmeade, there was a melancholy air between the three girls.
"That was it," Emmeline said quietly.
"Our last train ride to Hogwarts ever," whispered Marlene.
In an attempt to make the occasion more cheerful, Lily added, "I can't wait to get to the feast."
The other two girls nodded and they began gathering their trunks and various pets and their cages together. They filed out with the rest of the students struggling to reach the platform outside. After some pushing and some angry outburst that Lily helped smooth over, they were finally out on the platform.
"Okay you two, don't hate me… but I told Sirius that we'd all ride together," Marlene said unexpectedly.
Emmeline and Lily groaned. "Why?" they said together.
"I am dating him, you know. Plus, it'll be fun?" Marlene said, but it sounded more like a question.
"Oh alright," Emmeline relented.
She and Lily exchanged an exasperated expression. They began struggling through the masses in search for the boys. Marlene was shouting Sirius's name.
"Marlene!" they heard a distant voice yell. The girls looked towards the end of the station. Sirius Black was waving his arms madly above his head.
"We've got a carriage! C'mon!" he bellowed.
Marlene waved back whilst smiling. After more shoving and prodding, the girls were finally able to break away to where the carriages were.
Sirius was leaning against one; his face was full of anticipation.
"Ah, there you are!" he sighed. "Let's get your things loaded."
He helped Marlene take her trunk and stow it under the seats. As they both exited to give Lily and Emmeline a chance to put up their trunks, James, Remus, and Peter also emerged from the carriage.
"Need help, Lily?" Remus asked her.
"Thanks, Remus!" she told him. James kindly turned to help Emmeline and Peter picked up Morgana's cage and Emmeline's cat carrier. The two thanked the boys and they all scrambled to find their seats. Marlene sat in between Sirius and Emmeline while Peter, Remus, James, and Lily were all squished on the other bench.
"Wow, James, I've never felt so close to you," Remus joked, trying to get in a comfortable position. James laughed. Lily was on the other side of James. She was as close to the window as it was humanly possible, but their arms were still pressed together.
While Marlene and Sirius were talking to Emmeline about what she wanted to do after Hogwarts and while Remus and Peter were beginning to discuss classes, Lily pressed her face close to the window. She wanted the whole last year experience and planned on starting it with the view of Hogwarts from Hogsmeade. Their carriage rounded a corner and the silhouette of the castle came into view.
No matter how many times she had seen the castle, it still managed to take her breath away. She noticed James also eyeing the window.
"Do you want to have a look?" she asked him.
He looked surprised at her question but answered, "I'd really like that."
Lily tilted backwards as James leaned forwards, the tip of his nose brushing the window. A small smile fell upon his lips. He looked for a long while; Lily couldn't resist but also leaning just a tad forward so she wasn't missing her view either.
"It always looks so unreal. I'd say magical, but that's too corny," James muttered so only Lily could hear. She laughed with him.
"My favorite part about attending Hogwarts—other than everything within the castle—is this view right here," she said.
James nodded then moved away from the window. He struggled to get his arm free enough so he could run his hand through his hair.
Lily, though, continued to watch as the front doors drew closer and closer. Finally, their carriage rolled to a stop. They all practically fell out of it. Emmeline walked over to Lily.
"Well, are you ready?" she asked her anxiously. Lily nodded, a feeling of giddiness swept over her.
"Let's go!" she said, excitedly.
She and Emmeline headed straight into the castle with the four Marauders and Marlene following close behind. The Entrance Hall had a soft, warm glow to it which stemmed from the light spilling out of the Great Hall. As they drew closer, they could hear the loud, excited voices of other Hogwarts students. When Lily entered, her eyes looked immediately to the ceiling. The stars reflected down and the candles glinted peacefully above. She and Emmeline walked over to the Gryffindor table.
Their group was some of the first Gryffindors to have arrived at the feast. They chose a spot near the middle of the table. James took his seat next to Lily with Peter sitting next to him. Sirius, Marlene and Remus were on the other side of the table.
"I wish we could just skip the sorting ceremony, I'm so hungry!" complained James. Peter agreed with him.
"I hope we'll get a good stock of young Gryffindors this year," Lily remarked.
"I'm sure we will," Emmeline said.
"I hope I can find a good Seeker!" James said exasperatedly.
"I know what you mean, mate. This is our last year to really beat the pants off of my younger brother," Sirius said, a scowl entering his handsome features. He was, of course, referring to his brother Regulus.
"Hello, all," said a lazy voice behind them. It belonged to a young woman with dark brown hair.
"Dorcas!" Lily cried enthusiastically.
"Hello, Lily," Dorcas said as Lily stood to hug her. "How are you?"
"I'm doing well, how was the rest of your summer? Did you have a good trip to Albania?" she asked.
"Oh it was excellent," Dorcas said, "but I'm glad to be back here."
"Me too. Do you want to sit with us?" Lily asked her, Dorcas nodded. "Remus, can she take that seat next to you?"
Remus's eyes grew wide and he just simply nodded.
Dorcas moved around the table to take her seat. Lily watched as she and Remus engaged in small conversation about the summer holidays. She noticed that he was blushing slightly. She exchanged a knowing glance with Emmeline.
Lily looked down the other end of the table Gideon Prewett was there as was his brother Fabian, who was a sixth year. The Great Hall was filling up with students, all of whom were anxiously looking at the empty plates before them.
By the time the hall was completely full, Minerva McGonagall entered. She swept down the main aisle and she was followed by tons of frightened looking first years. Everyone fell silent.
McGonagall had the Sorting Hat in her hands; she placed it on the stool. Everyone watched with baited breath.
This year, Lily did not pay too much attention to the Hat's song. Her stomach was grumbling and she felt quite sleepy. Her eyes glossed over as she stared down at her plate. It was only when the students started clapping that she gave her head a little shake and looked up.
Professor McGonagall already had the parchment of first year names. She began with, "Antoine, Jennifer". The young blonde girl practically fell up the stairs. She slid onto the bench and McGonagall placed the hat on top of her head.
The Hat was quiet for a moment and then it cried, "Hufflepuff!"
The Hufflepuff table exploded with cheers and the poor little girl ran over to them, still looking frightened.
"I think they get smaller every year!" Sirius commented.
More and more first years were called. No one had been sorted into Gryffindor yet, though. Finally Professor McGonagall called out, "Cattermole, Reginald."
A small, wiry, red haired boy approached the chair. There was another pause.
The Hat screamed, "Gryffindor!"
The Gryffindor tabled exploded. Everyone was on their feet for small Reginald. He made his way over to the table and took a seat next to Dirk Cresswell, a sixth year who clapped him on the back.
The sorting ended with "Zaldin, Elena" being sorted into Ravenclaw. After the applause had died down, a nervous air filled the room. Professor McGonagall took the stool out and returned to sit at her seat next to Dumbledore.
He stood and smiled at all of them.
"Welcome to all students, new and old. Speeches are long and I am hungry, so enjoy," the aging Headmaster sat down. Lily laughed and then turned her attention back to the plates. They were full of turkey, ham, potatoes, corn, peas, carrots, salad, and so many other delicious foods. Her mouth watered just looking at it.
She began spooning mashed potatoes on her plate. Then she took some turkey and corn. She filled her goblet with pumpkin juice and took a long gulp.
"I've missed the Hogwarts food!" she said, sighing in a content manner.
James laughed.
"What are you laughing at, Potter?" she shot at him.
"I was thinking the same thing. You just took the words out of my mouth, Evans." He stressed her last name purposefully. She rolled her eyes at him.
The rest of their meal passed in silence. Everyone was too busy eating to talk, but when their plates were empty some conversations ensued.
Peter, James and Sirius were in a heated discussion with Gideon Prewett about trying out for Seeker. Dorcas and Remus were talking about which classes they would be taking. Marlene, Lily and Emmeline were discussing their plans for the evening and tomorrow morning.
"It's just not going to be the same without you in our dormitory!" Marlene complained.
"But, I'll have a nice dorm all to myself. Think of all the study time I'll be able to have!" Lily said enthusiastically.
"You haven't changed one bit, Lily," Emmeline said. Lily smiled at her.
"I wonder what my dorm will look like. I wonder what the main common room area will look like. Do you reckon it'll be more like an office space?" she wondered aloud.
"I don't know. We'll have to check it out after you get back from patrol," said Marlene.
Emmeline agreed.
It was at this time that Professor Dumbledore stood up. All the attention was on him.
"What another splendid feast! I ask that you all be patient while I give out a few rules. I would like to remind everyone that the forest is out of bounds to all," he gave a pointed look at the Gryffindor table. James, Sirius and Peter laughed quietly while Remus smiled. "Dungbombs have been banned from the castle completely after last year's debacle in the Transfiguration corridor. Belch Powder and Bulbadox powder are also banned." Again he threw a pointed glance at the four Marauders. Lily shook her head while the four smiled at each other.
"Quidditch tryouts will be held during the third week of term; I have asked the captains to hang notices in the common rooms with the signup sheet available. I also ask students to remember that wandering about the castle at night is prohibited. All students must be in their common rooms by nine o'clock. The last order of business is that the sixth floor bathroom is out-of-order, so I encourage you not to use it. In more interesting news, I am pleased to announce to the seventh year students that an Alchemy class will be offered this term and we have a special guest professor to teach it. May I introduce my dear friend Nicolas Flamel?"
Muttering broke out amongst the tables followed by applause, James's eyes grew wide in astonishment as a fragile looking old man stood up from the far left of the teacher's table. He had long white hair and a beard like Dumbledore's but he wore no glasses. He gave a small bow then took his seat.
Like Lily, James was also quite interested in Professor Dumbledore's news. He knew that he had signed up to take the class at the end of last term but since the class can never reach the minimum of ten students attending, he didn't expect it to actually happen.
Professor Dumbledore continued after the applause had died down, "Classes starts tomorrow so I encourage you all to get a proper night's rest. Goodnight to you all."
There was a rustle in Hall as the students began to get ready to leave.
"I wonder what happened to the toilet on the sixth floor," James wondered aloud, even though his mind was wandering to old Nicolas Flamel, who had stood and walked over to Professor Dumbledor.
Sirius shrugged, but Nearly Headless Nick was passing by. He turned to face the seventh years.
"Peeves," was all he said in regard to James's question about the bathroom. He floated away.
The seventh years exchanged knowing looks.
"Probably flooded it in order to stir up trouble before the start of term," said Peter. The Marauders nodded in agreement.
"Alright, we need to start heading to Dumbledore's office," Lily said to James.
"Right you are, Miss Head Girl. Lead the way," he said.
He told his friends that he'd meet them later and followed her out of the Great Hall. They walked up the marble staircase, but when Lily turned right, James turned left.
"Where are you going?" he heard her call.
"I'm going to Dumbledore's office?" he asked.
"But, it's this way," she said, motioning to the right.
"I know a shortcut!" he proclaimed.
She shot him a dubious look but followed him anyway. He lead her through some sealed passage ways and vacant corridors until they reached the ugly stone gargoyle.
"Pepper Imps," said Lily.
The gargoyle leapt out of the way and James knocked on the door.
"Enter," said a voice from inside.
The two obliged and opened the door. They walked into a circular room that James knew all too well. A few of his and Sirius's pranks had landed them here, although those were under different circumstances.
"Good evening, Mr. Potter and Miss Evans. How was the train?" Professor Dumbledore asked them. He was sitting behind his desk, his half mooned spectacles sitting on the end of his nose.
"It was great, Sir," James said. Lily nodded fervently.
"Please take a seat," Dumbledore said.
They sat in the chairs across from his desk while Dumbledore flipped through some parchment on his desk.
"This meeting won't take long. I need to make sure you two are aware of two new rules for the upcoming school year. The first of which is that both of you will be patrolling every night."
James saw Lily sit up a little in shock.
"Professor, do you mind if I ask why?"
"Not at all, Miss Evans. The reason for this is because of Voldemort. With more and more attacks, parents are restless. They wish to make sure their children are safe." Lily and James nodded in understanding.
"Second, I ask that you two keep an eye on Severus Snape, Algernon Mulicber, and Irwin Avery." James saw Lily's mouth drop for the second time that day. "There have been whispers that over the summer they were participating in dark magic. I wish you two to keep an eye on them and report anything unusual you see."
James nodded. Lily was silent for a few minutes then slowly nodded as well.
"That is all I really had to say. This will be a hard year for both of you. You have a lot riding on your shoulders, but I expect you will rise to the occasion. You may go."
They rose, bade farewell to their Headmaster, and exited from him office. Lily stopped right after the gargoyle moved back into place.
"I can't believe this," she muttered to herself. James knew exactly what she was talking about- Severus Snape.
"Lily… if you need to talk about it… I'm… here if you need me," James offered.
She looked at him in surprise, as if she forgot he was even there.
"Oh, no… James, I'm fine. I'm just surprised. Shall we get on with patrolling?" she asked him.
"Sure, Evans," he said.
"We're back to last names are we, Potter?" she asked, her eyebrows rising.
"I just feel like you deserve a more formal title while we're on the job. I'll call you Lily when we're not," he told her smiling.
She rolled her eyes, but James saw the corners of her mouth twitch up a little.
They began patrolling at the bottom floor. Their plan was to work their way up and end with Gryffindor tower. The first few floors were fine, but on the fourth floor they ran into Argus Filch who began yelling at them for being out of their dormitories. After Lily explained that they were patrolling since they were Heads, Filch stormed away to Dumbledore's office to confront him about why James Potter was Head Boy.
"Gee, Filch has gotten crabbier over the years," he commented.
Lily agreed with him. "I suspect that since you terrorized him at least twice a day for six years with Sirius, Peter, and Remus doesn't help matters. You four drove him insane!" she exclaimed.
James shook his head in disbelief and told her that it was because he was always around that cat Mrs. Norris.
"I never liked that cat! She always freaks me out. I look at her and she acts like I just murdered a baby," Lily said exasperatedly.
James roared with laughter. "I've never been able to describe that look before, but you did a great job, Evans!"
"Thanks, Potter."
They did not see another face until they reached the sixth floor. They were passing by the bathrooms when they heard loud crashes and bangs and some yelling.
"What the bloody hell," Lily muttered. James pushed the doors open. A gush of water came out and Lily screamed in surprised and grabbed James's arm. She let go after a few seconds. They cautiously entered the bathroom. Peeves the poltergeist was zooming around breaking pipes and throwing soap.
"Peeves!" James bellowed.
"Oi, what have we here? It's young Jamie Potts with Miss Carrot!" Peeves screeched. James could feel Lily fuming next to him.
"Alright, Peeves. It's time you stop and leave the bathroom alone. And stop calling Evans a carrot," James called to him.
Peeves looked James up and down letting himself sink down to their level.
"I am surprised that wee Potts hasn't set up a start of term prank with his little fury friends!" Peeves said cackling, his orange eyes bored into James's blue ones.
"Oh, what I've set up is going to be even bigger! But you have to stop drawing so much attention here, Peeves. I can let you in on my great, big prank if you forget about this bathroom here."
Peeves licked his lips, "What exactly would Peeves need to be doing?"
"I'll let you know when someone," James jerked his head in Lily's direction, "isn't listening. Deal, Peeves?"
Peeves looked him over for a moment then nodded and zoomed out of the room.
Lily was looking at James in defiance.
"What do you mean when you say your 'great, big prank'? What in the name of Merlin are you planning?" she asked him, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Honestly? Nothing. I was just getting Peeves to calm down," he told her.
She stared at him. He guessed that she was trying to figure out if he was lying, but she seemed to believe him.
"Alright, let's finish up so we can get to bed," she told him.
They left the bathrooms and started walking towards the seventh floor. There was nothing suspicious about it, so they started heading back to Gryffindor tower. They reached the Fat Lady's portrait.
"Password?" the Fat Lady asked.
"Gillyweed," James said confidently.
The portrait swung open and they entered. The common room was still full of students sitting at the tables. James was pleased to see the Sirius, Peter, and Remus were waiting at the comfy armchairs for him. Marlene, Emmeline and Mary MacDonald were with them.
"Hello," he called to them brightly.
"Oi, Prongs! Come over here and play a game of chess!" Sirius called to him.
"I have to go check out my dorm first, Padfoot! I'll be there in a bit," he turned and walked to a door with a plaque reading 'Head's quarters'. He looked back at Lily who was following him.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
She smiled excitedly and said, "As ready as I'll ever be."
He pushed open the door. Inside was a whole study. It had empty shelves and shelves full of books. There were two mahogany desks with the Hogwarts crest engraved into them. Two doors stood on opposite ends of the circular room.
James strode over to the one on the right side. When he opened it, he found a king-sized bed awaiting him. All of his things were in there. He shut the door.
"Wow, Lily. They really put a lot of work into this," he said.
"They sure did, James. Are we off the clock now?" she asked him jokingly.
"I would say so, yes," he replied. She went into her room for a few minutes. James fiddled with his desk, opening the drawers and checking to see that all of his parchment and quills had already been placed there. He looked up when Lily entered the room again. She was carrying a mound of books in her hands. They all looked heavy.
"Do you need a hand with that?" he asked her, jumping up and walking towards her.
"Oh, sure, thank you," she said as he took the top few books.
"Make sure you keep them in alphabetical order!" she called.
"Lily! I'm surprised you even have to remind me! What well-read bloke would put these precious books out of alphabetical order? The nerve of some!" he cried sarcastically.
She rolled her eyes and set the books down on her desk.
"I already have them in alphabetical order; I just want to make sure they stay that way," Lily explained, moving over to where he was in order to help place more books on the shelves.
"You don't have to defend your odd habits to me; I have plenty of them myself."
One of Lily's books, however, caught James's eye.
"An Enlightening Look on Alchemy," James read out loud. "So, I guess you signed up for Professor Flamel's class."
"I did, yes," Lily replied, taking the book from him and placing it on the shelf. She stared at it admirably.
"I did too," he told her. She looked at him in surprise.
"Are you interested in alchemy?" she asked him curiously.
"I am. The transformation of matter has always fascinated me," he said intelligently.
Lily looked impressed and said, "How do you feel about having Nicolas Flamel as our professor?"
"I am so excited that I can't even begin to describe it?" he exclaimed.
"Me either! The fact that he is the only known maker of-"
"Of the Philosopher's Stone! I know and it's fantastic!" James finished. They looked at each other. Anticipation was etched all over the red head's freckled face.
They were quiet for a while. Both were lost in daydreams about the class that they couldn't wait to begin.
"I'm nervous about how difficult it will be, though," she told him.
He looked at her in surprise. "Really?"
"Yeah, I'm just not ready for all the nerves and pressure to do well, I guess." James nodded in understanding.
When they had finished with the last book, they headed back into the Gryffindor common room.
"It's about time!" called Sirius, who was lounging in the armchair with Marlene.
"We thought you'd forgotten about your best mates," accused Peter, who was sitting in the chair next to Sirius's.
"Now, now, calm down, you lot. I had a few things to take care of. So, what have you all been up to?" James asked.
"A whole lot of nothing," Sirius replied. "We've just been enjoying the last evening of term. We'll probably pass around the fire whiskey here in a bit." Sirius threw Lily a cautious look.
"What?" she asked indignantly. James caught her looking around at the empty common room. "We're all of age now, aren't we? I don't see what the harm is in bending a few rules. I intend to finish this year with a bang," she said, sitting down next to Mary in front of the fire.
James raised his eyebrows at her.
"Feeling a bit rebellious, are we? Even with Flamel's class starting tomorrow?" he asked her, leaning over Remus's armchair to get a better look at her.
"There's a lot you don't know about me, James."
He was impressed and sat next to Emmeline on the floor.
"Where's Dorcas got to?" Lily asked.
"She wasn't feeling too well this evening so she's already in bed," Remus replied quickly. James raised his eyebrows for a second time and directed them at Moony.
"What?" Moony asked conscientiously.
"Nothing," James replied, smirking. He caught Lily's eyes and they exchanged a grin.
"Well then, I'll get the drinks!" Sirius announced, springing up out of the arm chair and heading up to the boy's dormitory. After a few minutes, he was back with a huge bottle of fire whiskey. He opened it, sat down, and took a long swig.
"That hits the spot," he said, passing it to Marlene. She too took a gulp and passed it to Mary. When the bottle got to Lily, James watched as she took several long gulps before passing it to Remus.
James laughed. "You're acting as if you've got nothing left to lose, Evans," he told her, accidentally letting her last name slip out.
"He's right, Lils, the start of term is tomorrow and I'm surprised that you don't want to stay sober," Emmeline chimed in.
Lily sighed, "I'm just ready to relax and have fun this year. I feel like it's my last year of freedom before I have to really act like an adult. I just want this year to be memorable and if that means drinking with my fellow seventh years then hell I'm going to do it. Plus, this is the last day before we start our N.E.W.T classes. They are going to be hard and I want to forget about all of that tonight."
"Here, here," chorused everyone in the circle.
The bottle passed around several more times and they were soon joined by Gideon Prewett.
"Gideon!" James bellowed, his face feeling hot. "My new Seeker!"
"James, I never said I was going to try out," Gideon said while laughing.
"But you must! You're our chance at winning! C'mon, Gid. Please!"
"Yeah, Gid. You're all we've got left! Think of the great year we'll all have and if we take the cup during our last year, I can die happy!" Sirius shouted.
His plea was followed by the girls batting their eyelashes and asking very sweetly. After Gideon had a few drinks in him, he finally stood up.
"Alright! Alright! I'm going for it! I'm going to be the Gryffindor Seeker!" His statement was met with cheers from his fellow seventh years. James stood up and picked him up; he was so happy. Nothing could tarnish this evening for the young students.
One by one, each started to head to bed. First it was Emmeline followed by Peter and Remus. Then Gideon went followed by Mary. Marlene too went to the dormitory. It was only Sirius, James, and Lily left.
James watched as Lily's eye lids drooped.
"Alright, Evans. It's time to say goodnight," he said, struggling to get to his feet.
"Goodnight," Lily muttered. He walked over to her and helped her stand. She swayed on the spot and he put a hand on her back to steady her. She leaned her head on his chest.
"Have a good evening, Padfoot," he called to Sirius as he walked Lily over to their dormitory.
"You too, Prongs," Sirius slurred.
James opened the door to the Heads' office and attempted to get Lily in there. She was practically asleep, though, so he picked her up and carried her over to her room.
He walked her over to the bed and sat her down gently. Careful not to wake her, he slid her shoes off her feet and pulled the covers up to her chin.
"Goodnight, Lily Evans," he whispered as crossed the room, opened her door, and quietly shut it.
He headed over to his room where he collapsed on the bed and instantly fell asleep.