Chapter 12: The Head Girl
"All right all first years, please focus your attention here." A curvy girl with pretty wavy rose colored hair and light brown eyes instructed gathering their attention. They were all gathered in the sitting area in the library. Some sat on the couches and chairs while the rest were left to take the floor. Madam Prince had left the library for the day- and Lily had no doubt why. For every single person in the room was none other than a first year. The library that was always so quiet was now was buzzing with noise from a bunch of rowdy loud first years. "Now."
The noise ceased to exist immediately and Lily marveled at the pretty girl at the front who had commanded them with one word. She wore dark robes like the rest of them, yet where her house crest was supposed to be was another crest. A dark gold in color with the letter 'H' in deep purple etched on it.
"Thank you." She said beckoning the boy to her right. "This is Ryan and I'm Aniesette- or more formally known as your Head boy and Head girl."
Lily took a closer look at the badge realizing what it now stood for and sat up straighter, making sure they could see her. If not for her red hair than the fact that she was sitting in the first row was bound to get their attention.
"The headmaster has summoned us here so that we can talk to you all about how your choices as first years will affect you throughout your years at Hogwarts." The boy continued. He was about 6' 2" with dark hair and an infectious smile.
"If I remember correctly your final exams start this week." Anisette continued. "But before that I want to stress how important these exams are. As first years I know all of you just want them to be over so you can fast forward to summer," there was a murmur of agreement and nods from the first years around the room. "-but these exams are a bit more important for several reasons. Ryan?"
The boy, Ryan, nodded and grinned. "Your first and second years classes at Hogwarts consist of core classes- should you do well they will be marked as pre-requisites to move on and take other classes that will go towards the career path you choose. Should you fail these," he gave a hard look to all the first years. "-you will not move on." Then he grinned. "But if you pass, well you're on your way to getting the hell out of here and becoming something. Am I right?"
The first years laughed, and Lily could see how the Head boy had easily reduced the tension in the room.
"Ryan!" Anisette shook her head, laughing, before continuing. "During your third year you will also be chosen for many special awards based on your performance, as well as the choice to take more than just your core classes." She waved her wand quickly. The papers stacked next to her immediately flew up and set themselves in front of every student.
"The papers before you display what classes you will need to take first in order to be allowed to take certain pre-requisite classes you might want in your third year." Ryan explained. "As well as what grades you need in each class to pass your O.W.L.S and N.E.W.T.S in your 5th and 6th year respectively."
Lily looked down at the paper immediately trying to gauge what she would want to take and how hard she would have to study tonight in order to get those grades. Her eyes brushed over classes she had no idea existed. Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, Muggle studies- that she would definitely excel.
"Along with that are a list of clubs that Hogwarts houses- which as 2nd years you will be allowed to join."
Again Lily could see an endless list of clubs that she neither knew were but wanted so bad to join.
"Now grades aren't the only thing taken into consideration here at Hogwarts." Anisette smiled. "There are many other opportunities given here at Hogwarts that are not only based on grades but also merit and kindness."
"During your 5th year a boy and girl prefect will be chosen from each house. These prefects will be chosen based on a mixture of good grades, performance and the over all leadership that they've shown throughout the years. Eventually they can continue their leadership and vi to become Head boy or Head girl their 7th year." Ryan shared a smile with Anisette and Lily knew what she wanted to become in her 7th year too.
"Why bother?" A first year boy in the back asked. "We all know only Ravenclaws are going to be chosen as Head Boy or Head girl in the end. They're the smartest in the whole school. The sorting hat said so itself."
There was a wave of protest from the Gryffindors and Slytherin who at this point had started throwing their papers at the boy.
"SILENCE!" Ryan shouted waving his wand and silencing everyone in the room. He turned to the boy who had spoken. "What is your name first year?"
"Liam Carter."
"And Liam, you're a Ravenclaw?"
Liam nodded. "Yes."
Anisette smiled gently at the boy. "Liam did you know that of all the Heads of houses throughout the years Ravenclaw has not held most of them? That trophy would go to Hufflepuff."
There was a small applaud from the various Hufflepuff's in the crowd. Lily too joined them.
"And it might also interest you to know that our last years Head boy and girl were a Hufflepuff and a Slytherin. Merlin himself was Head boy when he was here, also a Slytherin." Ryan continued. "And Professor McGonagall, our very own Transfiguration professor was Head girl during her 7th year- and let's not forget our Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. A Gryffindor too if you can believe."
The look of bravado on Liam's face vanished. "But why Hufflepuff- they're not smart. They're just hardworking."
"Exactly as my gorgeous friend here just stated," Ryan said. "Headboys and Head Girls aren't chosen simply because of their grades. As a Ravenclaw myself I know I wasn't chosen simply because of my grades. I had to work hard to show leadership to my professor, I had to become involved in the school, prove that I deserved to become Head boy." he turned to his partner. "And Anisette here is a Hufflepuff herself. And yes she's smart, she's hardworking, she's beautiful although she won't believe me when I tell her."
Anisette smiled and rolled her eyes. "So Mr. Carter and everyone here I want you to take a good look around you, Slytherin, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, because amongst you there is a future Headboy and Headgirl. It would only do you good to be on good terms with them- The whole school is at their command during their 7th year after all."
Lily looked around. Her eyes caught James Potter laughing away with Sirius Black. Neither of them she would ever see as Head boy. Although Liam Carter had been upfront she could see him as a potential head boy. She vaguely remembered him taking fast action when a couple of first years had gotten into a food fight at the beginning of the term.
"I don't want to hear a word of whose smart, whose kinder and better than everyone else. There's a fair chance to become Head boy or girl for everyone in this room."
Lily raised her hand quickly. "I'm sorry but you said that Prefects were chosen during our 5th year here based on grades and merit so does that mean that Head boys and Head girls would be chosen from that specific group?"
"Your name?" Anisette asked her.
"Lily Evans." Lily replied.
"Ms. Evans it is true that prefects are chosen by the head of house based on grades and merit however it is not necessary to be a prefect beforehand to become a Head boy or girl. Ryan here for example wasn't a prefect yet he's Head boy this year." Anisette explained. "Being a prefect is not an indication or marker that you will become Head girl later."
"I wasn't." Ryan agreed.
"Therefore if you are not chosen as a prefect during your 5th year, don't lose heart. You still have the same chance to impress the Headmaster and become a Head boy or Head girl in your 7th year."
"We're going to take our leave now and head back to class." There was a collective groan from the first years. "As of now I'm going to assign you to your house prefects who will be giving you tips on studying for finals and a more in depth explanation of O.W.L.S and N.E.W.T.S. Good luck first years. I wish you all the best here at Hogwarts." Anisette finished.
"I know you all will love it as much as we did. Our last piece of advice to you before we leave is open your arms and put your soul into this school. You'll be surprised at how much it has to offer." Ryan finished before he bowed and disappeared with Anisette.
"Gryffindors if you'll follow me." Fabian Prewett called ushering them over where he stood next to a short girl with purple hair.
"Who's that?" Dorcas asked pointing to the girl with vivid hair who was monitoring the first years at the end of the line, while Fabian managed the front.
"Slow down Fab- we haven't all got long legs you know." Irma said rolling her eyes yet not looking mad at all. "Hey watch where you're going." She pulled Lily away in time before she could walk right into a pillar.
"Irma Waters. She's the girl prefect." Lily heard Mary whisper. "Fabian and her are together on patrol sometimes."
"How do you know?" Dorcas asked amazed.
"I go with them sometimes." Mary grinned. "It's so much fun- although Fabian makes sure I'm back before ten but still. Did I tell you about the time we caught these two Ravenclaws hiding in a closet..."
Lily felt a pang of jealousy that Mary had known the girl prefect's name and that she and her were on first name basis. She hadn't even known who the girl prefect was until now. How was she going to become a prefect if she didn't know who her own prefect was?
It was all Lily could think about during the meeting with the prefects. Mary seemed to notice.
"Hey Lily," She asked gently. "I'm going with Irma on patrol tonight.." She leaned close and whispered. "Say..you want to join?"