Chapter One: A Revelation of Annoyance

Smoke filled the air as a whistle blew in a high-pitched tone. The classic looking train was surrounded by people and ready to leave. Families gathered around it and said goodbye to their children, providing the area with much activity. Men working in the station wearing uniforms of black cloaks and ties directed the youths towards their compartments. Mothers cried, fathers smiled proudly, siblings and friends called to each other; all of it being watched by one girl. She stood in the shadows, alone and silent.

Lily looked away from the happy groups of people, and instead, directed her solemn gaze towards the train. It was so old fashioned that most people would never see it out of a museum, and it would have looked out of place anywhere but here. For right there, in the middle of all the chaos, it fit. It was every bit as magical as the people who entered it. Well, it was magical to her. She could think of so many memories, both the good and bad, that had occured during the long ride to school. It made her sad that this was the last time she would be taking the Hogwarts Express, for it was her seventh and final year at Hogwarts. The school had become her home in so many ways, and before long, she would be leaving it forever. Even though she had few friends and was often lonely, she loved learning about magic. Looking back, she couldn\'d5t imagine how she ever lived as a Muggle. Life was boring without the spells and potions to challenge her.

As she stared whole-heartedly at the train, an old man with white hair approached her. He was wearing the train station's uniform. "Miss, do you want help with your luggage?" He asked kindly, looking over to her trunk and owl sitting by the wall.

Lily smiled at him and answered, "That would be great, thanks."

She carried on a small conversation with the man as he muttered, "Wingardium Leviosa," and floated her objects into the head girl compartment. They both missed the tall boy standing behind them whisper mischeviously with his friends. Seeing the girl and man, he sniggered lightly and excused himself from the group. James Potter approached them just as she was giving the man three small bronze coins, and he moved on towards a first year struggling with his trunk.

"Were you not paying attention in Charms when we learned simple levitation spells or is this just a temporary memory lapse, Evans?" Hearing his voice, she turned around with a scowl. James just laughed at the look on her face, knowing full well it would only end up provoking her temper further."

"No, I believe that was you. If I'm not mistaken, Reamus had to tutor you that year. It was always easy for you to buy your friends, huh Potter?" she answered a bit more harshly than she normally would. It hadn't exactly been a great day for her so far, and his arrogant personality didn't help matters any. Just because he had all of the money in the world didn't mean he had the right to treat people the way he did. You see, he was a prankster and Lily was often the target of their pranks.

"At least I have friends," he answered angrily. "It's more than I can say for you. I don't need books and imaginary people to be my friends. "Lily rolled her eyes, trying hard to control her temper. She was usually able to suppress her anger since she was naturally unconfrontational, but it always took more effort when James Potter was near. Something about him completely pissed her off, or everything if that was even possible.

"Anyways, you know very well that we aren't allowed to do magic until we get to Hogwarts," she told him, forcing herself to calm down. Lily was head girl this year, and she didn't want to spend it getting detentions because of this stupid prat.

"That hasn't stopped you before." He winced at the memory.

Two years ago, while they were waiting in the train station, James and his friends pulled a prank on Lily. They had turned her hair an ugly green color and put spiders in her bag. She had gotten so angry that as she screamed and ranted, James was lifted into the air. It had been quite a shock to everyone in the room, inlcueding himself. She only dropped him when someone had bumped into her. Powerless to brace himself against the fall, James had been knocked out for the rest of the train ride. He still didn't know how she did that, or any of the other things that happened every once in a while when she was angry and had no wand. Witches and wizards could do magic when they lost control of their emotions, but it was usually no where near as powerful as what she could do.

Lily ignored his comment and looked over to where his three friends were waiting for him by their normal compartment. They were laughing hard and slapping each other on their backs. It was probably at some poor kid's expense, no doubt. Turning back to him she said, "Don't you think you should join your friends? It looks like they are having fun without you."

\'d2I\'d5m sure they are,\'d3 he said from beside her. \'d2But, I think its much more fun over here.\'d3 James grinned mischeviously. \ \

The train let out another impatient whistle, and she felt relief when an intercalm told the students that they were leaving and to please be seated in their compartments. With that arrogant smile still on his face, James walked off to his friends. Lily was, at last, saved from their banter. She climbed into the Head Girl\'d5s compartment, and tried her best to shake off her feelings of anxiety for whatever else he might have in store for her.\ \

Lily sat comfortably on the cushioned seat as the train took off into the countryside. The room was surprisingly big and the walls were bordered with sofas and portraits. There was even a bathroom. It was obvious that it paid off to be head girl. Even all the work of planning events, helping the professors, and being a good role model was worth it. This year was going to be great. Lily and the head boy would get their own dormitory that comparing to this compartment must be beautifully furnished and roomy. It would also be private. \ \

The head boy and girl rooms were in a secret place in Hogwarts and separate from the Gryffindor tower. She finally wouldn\'d5t have to deal with giggling, gossipy girls falling all over James Potter and the other Marauders: Sirius Black, Rumeus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew. Well, except for Peter who was short, fat, and looked like a rat. But hey, there will always be exceptions.\ \

That was another thing, no longer would she have to deal with Potter. Lily wasn\'d5t exactly what you would call cool; she was far from it. You see, unlike most of the teenagers that daily surrounded her, she could care less about how she looked. She wore robes that were clearly at least two sizes too big for her, her long auburn hair was always up in a messy bun, and she never wore makeup. Even with these obvious faults concerning her appearance, she was comfortable. She knew what she looked like, and it didn\'d5t bother her. Why should it? She was a studious person, a so-called bookworm, and her grades meant more then what people thought. She couldn\'d5t afford to flunk out. Lily knew she needed to get a job as soon as she graduated. Her whole future depended on her grades, and she wasn\'d5t about to live like she had growing up. That was unthinkable. \ \ \f2\i

Potter will have to find new prey, because this year is going to be different \f1\i0 , she thought as she stared out the window. The buildings and lights began to disappear as they moved further towards the country. The sun was shining brilliantly, and there wasn\'d5t a rain cloud in sight. Cows and horses began to become more frequent on the moors as they traveled by. \ \

Lily sighed as she looked at the familiar scenery as boredom overruled her. She finally pulled out a book from her trunk. It was Anne of Green Gables, and this must have been the fifth time she had read it. The story was about an orphan from Canada who was adopted by a reluctant family that grew to love her. The main character, like her, was a redhead and had a fiery temper. She often imagined herself climbing the cherry trees, daydreaming while cooking, and being hugged by her adopted mother. She even envied her and wish with all her being that it could be her living in Green Gables. She just wanted a place to go where all her troubles and pain could disappear. \ \

Lily stared at the pages but was unable to sink into their words. She continuously looked up at the door to the compartment wondering when the Head Boy was going to come in. They were sharing it after all. Getting exasperated, she got up and trudged to the door. Sliding it open slightly, she peered down the compartment next to her. She rolled her eyes annoyingly when she saw the Maurders turn some poor first year\'d5s hair green. \ \

\'d2Wow that\'d5s familiar,\'d3 she laughed to herself. \'d2You would thing they would have came up with something new by now.\'d3 \ \

She looked around the room at the kids clustered about and saw no one with a golden badge on like hers. Disappointedly, she sat back down in the seat. Lily wondered who he was. She just hoped he wasn\'d5t going to be some annoying boy who wouldn\'d5t listen to any of the ideas already forming in her head for the year coming up. \ \

Unexpectedly, there came a soft knock on the door. Lily jumped up eagerly thinking it would be the head boy, but frowned when she saw her best friend Kat at the door. She looked perfect as always. Her long blonde hair was nicely placed behind her ears, and her in-style clothes looked great underneath the boring school robes. \ \

Kat and Lily were complete opposites, and yet, they clicked the moment they met. Lily was quiet and unsociable where as Kat was loud and loved being the center of attention. They shared the boat ride to Hogwarts on their first year and were friends ever since. Even though they were good friends, deep down, she had always thought that Kat might ditch her someday. It was one of her biggest insecurities, for if she didn\'d5t have Kat, she would have no one.\ \

\'d2Well, you look happy to see me.\'d3 Kat stated seeing the look of dismay on Lily\'d5s face. \ \

\'d2Kat! It\'d5s great to see you. I\'d5m sorry; I thought you were the head boy. I still have no idea who he is,\'d3 she answered with a little more cheer in her voice. They both squealed as they hugged each other and rapidly talked about their summers. Finally, after about five minutes of continuous rambling from both of them, Kat came in and peered around curiously with a look of amazement on her face.\ \

\'d2Wow, there sure are perks for being Head girl, huh?\'d3 \ \

\'d2Yeah, I guess.\'d3 Lily blushed with pride. \ \

\'d2So, the Head Boy never showed up? How weird is that?\'d3 \ \

The girls continued talking, and for a while, tried to think of who the Head Boy was. Some of the boys named were a possibility, and some were obviously added in as a joke. They finally gave up guessing by the time the cart lady came and went. Finding nothing else to talk about, the girls went back to idle gossip and whom they thought would be paired up with whom and what kind of pranks the Slytherins would get. After a while, Lily realized that they were never called to the prefect meeting.\ \

\'d2Kat, do you know why we haven\'d5t been called down?\'d3 Lily asked perplexed.\ \

\'d2Yeah, someone put a dung bomb in the teachers lounge, three guesses who,\'d3 Kat rolled her eyes. \'d2Anyways, Dumbledore is going to name the prefects and heads after the sorting.\'d3\ \

\'d2Really? What about the prefect meeting?\'d3\ \

\'d2It\'d5ll probably be after the banquet. The Marauders got them pretty good this year. The Professors are pissed.\'d3\ \

\'d2I\'d5m sure they are,\'d3 Lily agreed. \ \

\'d2Oh my god, have you seen James Potter? He is so hot now; he must have grown at least three inches. And, it definitely looks like he worked out,\'d3 Kat told her as she drooled over the picture in her mind. It was common knowledge that Kat had it bad for James. \ \

\'d2Please, you\'d5ve got to be kidding. Calling him hot is like calling Peter hot.\'d3 She gave her opinion disgustedly. Truth is, Lily did notice the changes in James, but her anger and pride refused to let her admit it.\ \

\'d2Oh common Lily, you only say that because he makes fun of you. I bet he really likes you. I mean there\'d5s no other reason for the amount of times he has pulled a prank on you. That must be it.\'d3 \ \

Lily instantly scrunched up her face with disbelief. \'d2Ugh, don\'d5t say that. Why would he like me? I mean he\'d5s the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team as well as one of the most popular boys in school. I think your hallucinating or just pulling up reasons from your ass for me to like him.\'d3 \ \

It was true, why would he like someone like her? Kat just rolled her eyes. She had spent hours trying to convince Lily that she was pretty. She had great hair that she just threw up in a bun, beautiful eyes always hid from her looking at her feet, and a body to rival a model under those robes. No matter what she said, Lily wouldn\'d5t listen to her. She couldn\'d5t wait for the day she would trick her into a makeover. That was certainly the only way she would get one done with all of her protests.\ \

Just as Kat was going to refute her comment, a voice erupted throughout the train magically magnified so all could hear, \'d2We will be arriving at the Hogwarts station momentarily. Please prepare yourself for departure.\'d3 Lily said good-bye to Kat as she went back to the Prefect compartment. As she changed into her Hogwart\'d5s uniform, Lily thought about their conversation. James couldn\'d5t like her, could he? \ \

***\ \

Hundreds of students wearing identical uniforms made their way from the carriages into the castle. Teachers escorted the students into the Great Hall where they sat in their respected house tables. There was a great deal of excitement from all four houses: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin as they found their seats and eagerly awaited the feast. \ \

Lily and Kat found their usual seats at the end of the table and discussed what events they thought should happen that year. As Kat was a prefect and Lily Head Girl, it was their responsibility to plan the activities. They were both eager to provide some different and unique entertainment for that year. \ \

\'d2How about a dance?\'d3 Kat asked trying to bring up some ideas.\ \

\'d2No, we should do something else for Christmas. I think we should have a graduating dance. Wouldn\'d5t that be cool?\'d3 Lily answered.\ \

\'d2That\'d5s such a good idea! Seventh Years could have the dance and the younger years a dorm party. We could get food from Hogsmead.\'d3 Kat said cheerfully. \'d2What do you think we should do for Christmas then?\'d3\ \

\'d2I don\'d5t know. It should be something special and original. It should be something no one\'d5s done before.\'d3 \ \

\'d2I guess we could see what other people\'d5s ideas are at the Prefect Meeting on Friday.\'d3 \ \

While the girls were bringing up ideas, a group of scared first years entered the Great Hall. They looked around nervously at the students staring back at them from the four tables. Those who looked up gasped when they saw the sky growing darker on the ceiling, making it seem as if there was no roof. The candles floating in mid air sent light flickering on the walls to provide a mysterious mood. Following the new Transfiguration Professor, they made their way onto a stage where a single hat sat on a stool. This was the part that most students looked forward to. \ \

The first years jumped when the hat began to sing. It described the four houses in a tune that was so random it made the lyrics somewhat comical. After it finished it\'d5s song the student body and mass of people clapped. The teacher began calling off names. The students called put the hat on their heads, and it bellowed the house they would belong to. Lily clapped so hard for the new Gryffindor entrees that she thought her hands might fall off. Finally, when all the students were at their assigned tables, Dumbledore stood up to make his speech. \ \

\'d2Welcome all to a new year!\'d3 He said and waited a few moments for clapping to subside. \'d2First of all, students should take note that the Forbidden Forest is\'c9 well, forbidden. Any students found in there will have points taken away from their house and will be rewarded a detention. Secondly, I would like to announce and introduce to you our new Transfiguration professor\'d1Professor McGonagall. As most of you know, Professor Carrington retired. Lastly, I would like to announce this years Prefects, Head boy, and Girl.\'d3\ \

Lily watched as the prefects made their way up to the stage. They smiled proudly as if this was the best day of their lives. The great hall was storming with clapping, and most seemed to enjoy the break from tradition. When Kat was called, Lily gave her best friend a hug and pushed her up. Kat just laughed and carefully walked up the steps. She didn\'d5t want to fall on her face in front of the whole school. Lily watched happily at her glowing friend. This was her first year being a Prefect even though it was her seventh year there. Her parents must have been so proud. Finally, when all of the students were up on the stage and standing behind him politely, he continued. \ \

\'d2It takes great responsibility, integrity, and intelligence to become a Head boy or girl. Without further ado, please join me in clapping for them. Could you please stand up and make your way to the stage when I call your name? This year\'d5s Head Girl is\'c9Lily Evans!\'d3\ \

Lily stood up shyly and blushed as she made her way up to the front. There was a polite applause from the students as she took her place next to Dumbeldore. He gave her a proud smile. \ \

\'d2And this year\'d5s Head Boy is\'c9James Potter!\'d3 \ \

Lily\'d5s eyes widened and she glanced around the room. The crowd erupted in a thundering applause as a smiling James Potter made his way up to the stage. People shook his hand and patted him on the shoulder, increasing his ego no doubt. Lily couldn\'d5t believe she was going to have to share dorms and responsibilities with him for the rest of the year. \ \

He came up on the other side of Dumbeldore and gave her a smug smile. This is going to be a long year, she thought as Dumbeldore finished his speech.\ \pard\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\ql\qnatural \f0 \cf0 \ \