Lily,
You left us! Just like that! Okay, so I dont know exactly what happened, but from the yelling that went on in Mrs. Potters study after she called James in there, I got the impression that you two got into a fight and then he kicked you out of the house.
I am now scarred for life. Its a marvel that James doesnt already have ten different shades of poop kicked out of him by either his mother or Sirius. I never want to see his mother that mad again, and definitely not at me.
Sirius is being a nice little angel whos fed up with his two friends fighting all the time, but we know better than that.
Whered you go, by the way? James said he saw you vanishing into the fireplace, but he didnt know where you said to go. This is a quote unquote from him:
I dont know or care where she went. Im glad shes gone. Most likely she went and got herself blown up. Oh, dear God! What if she accidentally pronounced the place wrong and ended up somewhere like Greenland? Or what if she went to Snapes house or Malfoys, and then they abused her or something? What if--here he had to be silenced by Sirius and me. We sat on him, that is. Lora was the one who tickled his feet.
Lily, I get the impression that hes pretty depressed that you left, anyway. And, come on, it cant have been that bad a fight. We miss you! And Lora, too. It seems that shes extremely angry that there isnt another insane girl around here who will do things like carve trees into the shape of a lightningbolt or something mad like that. So. Yeah. But we want you to come baaack!!
--Eva
P.S.: Amanda says to add her name to the signature.
--Eva and Amanda
P.P.S.: Lora says to add her name to the signature.
--Eva, Amanda, and Lora
P.P.P.S: Now the rest of the world and his wife wants me to add their names.
--The world and his wife.
Lily smiled a bit, but she knew what her answer was going to be without even asking her father. She pulled out a roll of parchment and dipped her quill in the ink.
The world and his wife:
No, I cant come back. In the first place, my father wont let me; in the second place, I dont want to. Shove that up Mr. Potters nose along with Peters toes.
Yes, Im still angry. It was only a burst of temper on both our parts, but Im still angry. Tell him that I hold grudges longer than he can imagine. Tell him I will hold this one as long as I feel like holding it. He knows I will.
--Lily
She sent that off with Alisande, disdaining the owl that had been sent her. Not even bothering to watch it fly away, she slammed the door of her room loudly as she went downstairs, down to face a father that was hardly ever home and a sister that detested magic. Fun, fun, fun.
When there was only a month of the summer holidays left, a Hogwarts owl flew in her window at seven in the morning, dropping its letter on the foot of Lilys bed and flying off with a screech. Lily, recognizing the Hogwarts crest, instantly slit it open.
It was about the size of last years letter, the one that had had her prefect appointment on it. She pulled out the first sheet.
Dear Miss Evans,
We are pleased to inform you of your scores for the Ordinary Wizarding Levels (O.W.L.s). We would like to remind you that these are internationally standardized exams and that your score reflects your progress in comparison to other young wizards and witches of your age.
The amount of Ordinary Wizarding Levels you may hope to obtain is thirty; though hardly five wizards and witches per magical school obtain above twelve.
Your placement is, out of the fifth year Hogwarts examinees: 1 out of 151
Your placement is, out of the fifth year European examinees: 1 out of 18,954
Your placement is, out of the fifth years attending magical schools, excluding homeschools: 1 out of 10,984,853
You have earned the honorable degree of twenty-two (22) Ordinary Wizarding Levels (O.W.L.s).
With our congratulations, we are
The International Board of School Directors
Here followed a rather long list of signatures; one hundred and fifteen, if Lily had bothered to count. She didnt bother. She was, quite frankly, and for once, stunned and speechless.
Her father was so proud of her when she showed him the letter, she thought shed need to gag him and tie him up before the day was over if he kept emitting sounds like Oh, honey, were so proud of you! Thats wonderful! and hugging her till her bones were to the point of cracking. Her father and Petunia made a cake for her, and they threw a smallish party for her that evening; ending with seventy-five pounds to spend at Diagon Alley. All in all, Lily reflected, it was a wonderful day.
Still, the excitement wore off after a while, and after putting her new prefect badgewhich had come with the letter, along with her list of school suppliesaway from the mischievous child Petunia was babysitting nowadays, she couldnt wait for school to startlife was quickly getting extremely uninteresting, and she was looking forward to days when she had to quickly jump away from explosions or skip bak from moving staircases.
Lily was rather relieved when the time came to return to Diagon Alley and stock up on her school supplies, and she went there alone, as her father had to drop her off on her way to work and Petunia gave summer schoolwork as an excuse. Lily rather liked it this way; she could think more when she was alone.
She was getting to be quite well-known in the Leaky Cauldron; the familiar redhead was greeted with waves from the people at the tables and from behind the counter. Smiling back, she made her way to the alley behind the pub, pulled out her wand, and entered the alley.
Crowded as usual, Lily had a rather hard time making her way to Madam Malkins robes for All Occasions; she had shot up so much in the past year that her old school ones were hanging above her ankles.
Madam Malkin still was terribly talkative, but Lily didnt mind as much as she had in her first year. She emerged with four sets instead of the required three; she knew that she usually tore up at least one pair while in the Alendoren Cove every year.
The only thing she didnt have out of her Potions supply was armadillo bile, and it was relatively easy to find. The friendly brunette that worked at the apothecary was relieved to find someone that wouldnt try to get dragon liver at ten Sickles instead of fifteen, so she was quite helpful and Lily made it out quickly.
Her wand was in tip-top condition; no hairs were poking out or anything, but she purchased a small bottle of polish, just in case. In case of what, she didnt know, but she had money to spend.
BooksFlourish and Blotts was packed with as many Hogwarts students as it was legal to holdif there was any such thing as a legal limitation on occupants of the store.
Controlling Feelings, Emotions, and Actions was rather easy to find; it was near the front of the store. Professor Cauldwell was obviously advancing rather faster than he was last year; not that Lily minded, of course not; she was almost the only one that applauded him for doing so.
An Advanced Guide to Transfiguration was in the back of the store, and Lily had the luck to grab the last one there was on the shelf. As it was, she came close to getting strangled by a large, burly seventeen-year-old dressed in the brightest red she had ever seen.
The rest of her books were stacked in the back; they were almost covered with a tarpaulin that hadnt been removed and a Sale sign that had fallen down.
Lily caught them up quickly, dumped them in the slightly larger cauldron she had been assigned to buy, and left the store as soon as possible, almost staggering under the weight.
It was all the shopping she needed to do, and with difficulty, she threaded her way past the students ogling the new Myriad Centennial, a broom on display in Quality Quidditch Supplies and the elderly witches in large red hats blocking the alley with their demonstration banner against the Azkaban dementors.
Lily had almost made it to the Leaky Cauldron, but just as she was a step before entering the dusty alley, two boys bounced out at her, somewhat wet and more than somewhat energetic.
Remus smiled at her shyly. Hello, Lily.
Lilys wand polish slipped from her hand. Hello.
Sirius clapped her on the back. Oh, good, youre speaking to us! We were kind of worried there for a moment.
She smiled. James is still angry, isnt he?
At this, both Sirius and Remus gaze dropped to their scuffed toes.
Lily dropped to one knee to pick up her wand polish. Well? He is, isnt he.
She said this as more of a statement, and, none to her surprise, neither of the boys answered directly. Remus took her cauldron from her, while Sirius dumped the polish inside it.
Well, you see, the way it went is this. He told us that you two got into a fight and that he hadnt done anything, that it was all your fault, and that he kicked you out of the house.
Which he did, Lily intercepted.
Im coming to that. Remus held up a quieting hand. His mother started screaming at him when she found outand shes got to have some banshee blood in her somewherebut theres something that he didnt tell her, and he told her that he couldnt tell her that, sowell, it more or less went downhill from there.
Lily bit her lip. I see.
Frowning, Sirius took her arm. You all right?
Sure. Why wouldnt I be?
Ohno reason. But he told us that he was absolutely through with your temper, sosowell Remus stopped.
So what? Lily prompted.
Sirius sighed. Come with us. Youre not going to make a scene, though.
Lily gave him a look.
Never mind.
I dont make scenes.
I know, I know. Many a red sun will set
Many a blue moon will shine before I do. Good. You know your musicals. If you want to tell me this, by all means, proceed.
Remus smiled. Good, then. He steered her towards the Leaky Cauldrons tables, where he bought her some lemonade and some sort of cream pie for all of them. They made for a table near the stairwell that led to the rooms, and Remus made her sit down before he let her continue. Frankly, Lily thought this was quite a waste of time, but she gave in, thinking that if he had such an active imagination, hed better get his way, unless he were driven completely insane by the delusional complications.
Sirius smiled at her, rolling his eyes at Remus, who was taking several deep breaths before pointing his thumb over his shoulder, gesturing for Lily to look that way.
She saw a familiar black, tousled head two tables away, with his Hogwarts supplies in a cauldron next to him. Lily almost stared at Remus in disbelief, as if he was mad to think that she would throw a tantrum over James Potter sitting by himself at a table in a pubbut then she realized that he wasnt alone.
A face she knew was sitting across from him, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. With a sympathizing look on her face, she was listening to something he was bitterly relating to her with his forehead in his palm; not even bothering to touch the drink he had ordered.
Lily recognized the blue eyes and retroussee nose before she had thought she would. It rather unnerved her; she hadnt even given one thought to Serena formonths, it seemed. Yet there she was, listening intently to something James was telling her with the sincerest compassionate look she had ever seen her use.
Something cold slashed across the red-heads chest, and involuntarily she flinched. Confusedly, she looked over at her companions, but they were watching her face for a reaction. Raising her eyebrow at them, as much as to say Well?, she glanced back over at the couple, an analyzing glint in her eye.
It confused her, bewildered and baffled her. There was something wrong; she couldnt pinpoint it, but it was there. For heavens sake, only last night she had thought of how much pleasure it would give her to scratch his eyes out with her nails and watch the blood run down his face. And now, now--she was trying to convince herself that she hated him. Lily hated this. Hated and detested it more than anything shed ever come in contact withshe had always despised idiots that made fools out of themselves over prats.
And now she seemed close to joining their ranks.
As soon as those thoughts had flashed across her mind, they vanished again, and she tossed her hair over one shoulder, pulling a strand out from her mouth.
What? You two are staring at me as if I just sprouted a fountain of dice from my head.
Remus smiled. So youre not angry?
Angry? What for? I havent been given a reason to.
Thats true. But still.
But still what?
Never mind.
Both of them watched her leave the pub to the busy London street, and when they had gone, they stared at each other.
Well, Sirius commented, that was lucky.
Youre telling me!
I believe so.
Sirius!
Oh, all right, all right. Youre right, we are lucky.
And dont you forget it, Remus admonished as he stood up and set off for his own supplies.
The night before Lily left for Hogwarts, she couldnt sleep. For the first time in weeks, she found herself unable to sleep. Restless and uncomfortable, she swung herself out of bed and went over to her window, seating herself on the sill. Her eyes first took in the faint moonbeams, then, roving around her room, they caught sight of the painting James had given her. She caught her breath sharply.
The brush that had outlined her face had given something more to it than she believed it really possesseda kindly, beautiful, loving nature. She couldnt tell where the idea came fromunless he had seen something about her that she hadnt. And now, reflecting on what she had told him, the cold snake of despair constricted around her lungs and something else, making it hard to breathe. She dropped her head onto her arms, then, leaning her face against the glass, let a tear run down her cheek.
The next morning, any trace of anything out of the usual was gonevanished, vamoose. Businesslike and brisk, the family set off for the station, cheerfully saying their goodbyes and letting crocodile tears run down their faces when they said their Ill miss you!s.
Lily shook them off when she reached the barrier. Running through by herself, she stepped onto an almost empty platform; it was only ten oclock; her father had taken her there an hour early so as not to be late for a meeting. The Hogwarts Express was just entering the station when she pushed her trolley and Alisande over to a bench and sat down, thinking about something.
When most of the rest of the students came trickling in, she barely noticed them; so wrapped up in a trail of thoughts shed been following that she never noticed anyone except when they stepped on her feet. Not until someone put his hand on her shoulder did she snap out of her trance.
Lily?
Severus? Ohyou scared me. Hallo.
Hello. Have a good summer?
Yes, I did, thanks.
Something about her warned him not to ask her anything, so he simply smiled. Good, then. If you want to come sit with usthe compartment at the end of the trains ours.
Lily smiled absently. Thanks. I might not, though.
Sure, thats okay. Just wanted you to know youve got an invitation.
Thank you.
Course. He walked to the smoke-spouting train, getting help from Lucius with the trunk he was carrying.
Somewhat lethargically, and still deep in several odd thoughts, Lily stepped onto the train, too. She was pulling her trunk onto the train when a hand caught the other end and lifted it for her.
Need some help there?
Sirius! Yes; thanks, she accepted. Between them, they managed to get it into an empty compartment without throwing Alisandes cage over. Lily, after calming her rather excited owl down, sank into a seat
next to the window.
Sirius hesitated at the door; then turned back, choosing the seat across from her.
Lily.
Yes? Her gaze riveted his.
He bent forward. Are you all right? I mean, about what you saw yesterday.
Lily felt the cold stab again, and, taking it for anger, almost glared at her friend.
Why wouldnt I be?
WellI thought you liked himthat you were friends.
True. She sighed. We were.
Until you lost your temper, right?
Right. She was too drained to dispute the fact. Sirius, I do wish I hadnt done that.
OhLily he let his voice trail off. Not knowing what else to do, he moved over to the seat next to her
and awkwardly draped an arm over her shoulders.
Frowning, he noted that she was tense; spanned and stiff, and not as weary as she sounded; as if she were trying to hold something in.
Lily.
What?
He looked at her, realizing that the clear glaze over the forest-green orbs were tears she was trying to hold in.
Im hereif you want to cry.
Lily stared up at him. For a minute she wanted to give in and unburden herselfbut then her pride stopped her. She had an awful lot of pride, and at the moment it was forcing itself into her throat, pushing the lump of grief back down.
What makes you think Id want to cry?
Wellyour eyes were wet.
She laughed uncertainly. Ohthats nothing.
He knew better, but he let it drop as he watched her knuckles whiten as she took hold of the handle on one end of her trunk.
He left her compartment when the train started, though he was rather disappointed to note that she didnt even seem to realize that he had left. She only did break out of her mind when the train pulled into the Hogsmeade station and her gaze fell on the robes she hadnt changed into yet. Quickly pulling them on, she swiftly pinned the Hogwarts prefect badge on and pulled her hair out of her eyes, leaving the train as the last person.
Lily smiled softly when she caught sight of the frightened, bug-like eyes of the first years, all of them apprehensive and nervous. How long ago it seemed since she was one of themsince she had been warned about something like fighting a troll for the Sorting. Through the trees, she could see the towers and spires of the castle that was her homeher real home, the only place that she could really feel at home anymore.
The carriage ride was uneventful; the only thing that snatched her interest was a blond plait and a tousled raven-wing head boarding the carriage in front of the one she stepped into. She wrinkled her nose in curiosity, but then sat down, leaning her chin on her fist and looking out at the moonless sky.
They were herded into the Great Hall like cattle, Lily thought; the only things missing were the branding irons. Rather mechanically she slid into her seat and watched the first years file in. A somewhat unfamiliar sight met her eyesSerena, living up to her namequiet and serene, sitting next to James at the table and listening to him mumble something. Lily frowned and averted her eyes just as the hat began to sing:
Good evening, fellow countrymen
I see youre none too tired;
So hearken with all your mind and ken
Though this wont take a while.
The founders of this great school are,
Though they are dead and gone
Embedded in our very minds
Through your uprising dawn.
The dawn of youngish heads afloat
With tempests quite aswirl;
With different kinds of knowledge that
Is brought by boy and girl.
To Ravenclaw the dawn had brought
Intelligence in a lump;
While Gryffindor, in masks of red
Brought bravery and spunk.
Hufflepuff, in golden yellow--
For loyalty it fought;
While Slytherin brought silver green
And craftiness it sought.
So put me on and let me choose
Which house you shall adorn
With your character and mind
To your house you must be sworn.
The Great Hall burst into applause when it had finished, and it only quieted when Professor McGonagall stepped to the front with a scroll of parchment.
Amson, Magda.
A short, blonde girl with her hair in two plaits stepped up to the front of the Hall and slipped the hat onto her head. A few seconds later it called out over the mass of students:
HUFFLEPUFF!
The Hufflepuff table burst into applause as Magda Amson sat down at her seat while Professor McGonagall was already calling out another name.
Andrews, Frederick.
GRYFFINDOR!
Along with the rest of her table, Lily burst into wild applause as Frederick took his seat at the table.
Carson, Gladys.
RAVENCLAW!
The Sorting continued, and anxious first year after anxious first year took his or her place at their respective House tables.
Wagner, Gwendayln.
SLYTHERIN!
Wooster, Gwladys.
HUFFLEPUFF!
Finally, Xerxier, Bertram was made a Slytherin, and Professor Dumbledore stood up as Professor Flitwick carried out the three-legged stool and the Sorting hat.
I would like to make a few announcements before we fill ourselves. Firstthe Dark Forest is strictly forbidden to all students, not only to first years. His eyes twinkled in the direction of Sirius and James. The Whomping Willow is by no means to be toyed with; it is fully capable of causing serious injury to a student. Hogsmeade forms are to be handed in to Professor McGonagall before the first visit to the village. And, lastlythere is an international performing arts contest between students of magical schools. We do by all means encourage your participation in this.
That being said, let the feast begin!
The golden, twinkling plates were quickly filled with the wonderful feast; though Lily could only manage to eat a mouthful, it was a very good mouthful, and by the time they were walking noisily upstairs to their respective common rooms, everyone had loosened up and was talking animatedly.
Lily was taking the first years to the Gryffindor common room; as soon as she reached the Fat Lady, she smiled in recognition.
The password is African constricter. She grinned encouragingly at the small students as she led them through the door and into the warm room with the crackling fire.
The next morning, she awoke to the sun throwing rays of fire through the window. Blinking several times, she sat up in bed, gazing over the clouds.
Shaking her head several times, Lily swung her feet out of bed and pulled a pair of robes out of her trunk. She changed quickly, and within minutes she was plaiting her hair, pinning her prefect badge to her robes, slinging her school bag over her shoulder, and swiftly leaving her dormitory, shutting the door softly behind her.
It was seven thirty when she slid into her chair at breakfast and pulled out the new Transfiguration book and started poring over it, taking bites of a roll in between pages. She hardly noticed when Eva pulled out a chair next to her, smiling at the sunny blue sky and frowning at the schedules Professor McGonagall was handing out.
Someones up early.
Lily looked up. Oh, hi, Eva.
Youve been awfully quiet.
Oh Lily shrugged. Its nothing. Where she looked around the Great Hall, which was slowly filling upwheres Lora?
Eva frowned. You didnt know that either? She got Sorted into Ravenclaw.
Oh. Lilys shoulders sagged. I didnt know.
I can see that.
Oh, well. I guess well see each other in classes, wont we?
Her friend grinned. Sure. Wouldnt expect anything else from you. Then she lost her smile. Lily, you heard about James?
Almost unnoticeably, Lily stiffened. What about him?
About who he turned to after your fight.
Ohthat. Lily waved her hand. Of course I heard. Couldnt help seeing it, could I? Im sure they make a nice couple.
Eva sat down next to Lily. Theyre not a couple.
Snapping her head up, Lily caught her friends gaze. Theyre not?
Ernonot yet. Eva tried to avoid the redheads stare, without much success.
I see.
Youre sure youre all right with that?
Of course. Hes entitled to have girlfriends. Ive got nothing to do with him.
Eva smiled. Good, then. I was afraid you were moping or something.
Moping? Me? Eva? Who are you and what have you done to my friend?
Vanessa sat down next to Lily. Hallo and good morning.
If you say so, Lily replied, slapping her book closed as a milk jug threatened to overturn itself.
At eight, when Lily and her friends were standing up to leave the Great Hall, they almost ran over several people at the doorway that were trying to get in.
Lily looked up. Right in front of her were James and Serenaneither of them were ridiculously hanging onto each others arms as they had in third year; they were sensibly shouldering their books and talkingthat is, until she bumped into them.
Lily almost didnt dare to look up, and when she did, she met a sort of odd glare; angry, yes, but also a bit pleading and confused. On her part, she only saw the glare.
Tossing her head, she gave him a proud and arrogant stare, and she smiled haughtily to see him drop his eyes.
Youre blocking the doorway.
He moved out of her way, handing her freely a stare of disgust, and when she turned towards her Charms classroom, she caught Evas smirk.
Youre not sulking. Good.
Why ever would I?
Im not starting this again.
Very good.
Charms was rather confusing for Lilyit wasnt exactly easy to deal with someone who, besides being her assigned partner, would alternately glare at her and stop himself from giving a customary Hello. She came through rather cold-heartedly, squaring her shoulders and making him livid by being the first one in the class to make her small stool start playing the drums on a desk with its own feet.
One thing did catch her attention, howevera shiny silver badge on his robes.
Youre a prefect?
He looked up. Sure. You didnt know? Remus handed his insaid he couldnt keep it up. They gave it to me.
Scornfully, Lily twisted a strand of hair around her finger. And which brainwashing charm did you use for that?
James glared at her. I earned that prefect badge, thanks very much!
Pleasure.
If youre so high and mighty and smart and better than me, how many O.W.L.s did you get?
Lily rolled her eyes. He really shouldnt have brought up that subject.
Twenty-two.
She would have relished the use of a camera at this moment. Never before had she known exactly what people meant when they used the expression looked like a sheep. Now she knew. Only she doubted that sheep wore glasses.
Twenty-two Ordinary Wizarding Levels?
No; twenty-two pairs of socks.
Last time someone got that many was twenty years or more ago! You sure its twenty-two?
Why would you care?
I got fourteen, and thats higher than my parents, for Petes sake. What are you, some sort of encyclopedia?
Nope. Im better than that.
Then what the bloody hell are you?
Lily Evans.
She didnt know how she retained her self-control at the sight of his face.
That evening, she was talking to Eva and Amanda about the fight she and James had had, leaving every bit about the Alendoren Cove out; she had invented a rather picturesque story about his not wanting her to befriend a Slytherin. The girls ranked themselves on James side, to Lilys amusement. She would have done that, too, if she hadnt been the one that was the opponent.
For once, she was starting to hate their fights; hate and despise them beyond everything else she had ever detested. Hated not being able to speak to him normally; reviled against the glares they exchanged in class and in the corridors, and loathed his refusal to talk to her.
It had seemed so long ago since she couldnt care less if the entire school refused to have anything to do with her; and now this seemed to matter more than anything. But at least she had the satisfaction of knowing that no one knew what she thought; she had overheard Remus urging James to say something in the way of apology, and James had retorted that someone who didnt care enough about his friendship to even act a tiny bit sad wasnt worth it.
Her whole mood wasnt affecting her grades any, but the entire depression stage was starting to show itself in her eyes; if anyone besides her friends had bothered to notice her, they would have been seriously worried. It seemed that every moment she was repressing tears, and the unflowing salty liquid was seeping into her sarcastic temper, jibing at her with cruel retorts she would hate herself for seconds later.
It was slowly eating away at her to see someone she completely clashed with hanging on his arm. Waitnot hanging; she was standing by him as a sort of emotional support; as someone he could and was counting on when he needed anyone to talk to. This seemed even worse than anything she could have imagined. If he had bothered with a flaky, superficial, small-minded imitation of a person, she could have spit scornfully in his face; but the fact that he was growing attached to someone that had grown dignified, stately, sweetsomeone with a heartwas what was devouring her mind.
Lily was taking refuge in her books. Only a month after she entered Hogwarts for her sixth year, she had become a successful recluse, and she had filled a small book with drawings of tears; of knights kneeling next to the tomb of their sweethearts or holding a dead lady in their arms; of servant girls in peasant gowns clasping lockets tightly with tears running down their cheeks, of eyes weeping silent despair. She never showed her work to anyone; she never let anyone hear what she thought.
One night, Eva and Lora were becoming close to desperate. Of course, they had noticed her silent separation from the rest of the school, and so far, they had had no idea how to combat it. Before, they had known the reason for her despairher motheror it was simple loneliness, not the sadness they saw in her now. Hitting on the last, most desperate motion, they approached her one night, as she sat curled up in the darkest, coldest corner of the common room, drawing something, just as usual.
Eva stepped forward. Lily.
Lily looked up. Oh, hello. She snapped her sketchbook shut.
Lora sat down next to her, a halfway planned speech forming in her mind. Lily, I want to suggest something to you.
The redhead smiled absently. What?
Its about the international talent show thing. Eva tells me your mother was an actressand that youre not to be sniffed at either.
A faraway look came into Lilys eyes for a second, but it flew away as soon as it came. Yes?
I want us to enter it.
Ill support you, of course.
No, you imbecile! For a minute, Lora wanted to burst out with something; she controlled herself soon. Iwe, that iswe want you to act in it.
Lily faintly smiled, with difficulty concealing a hopeful gleam. I dont know.
Oh, Lily! Eva sighed. Youd be wonderful in this. You honestly would. Lookwe want you to do this, for Petes sake! At least listen to what were going to have you do!
Lily swung herself around so that she was sitting cross-legged on the window seat. Which play were you suggesting.
Lora grinned almost evilly. The Crucible.
The Crucible! Lily caught her breath. She remembered. The whirlwind drama her mother had reenacted for her so many times when she was smallerthe tempest of hate, jealousy, and religion rolled into one.
Evayoure sure?
Eva grinned. Positive. Were going to ask my parents for a fund for costumes and setsand were going to be holding our own auditions. Nothing fancy, just us students, andwell, we think thisll work! Itll be wonderfuland the fee for entering the contest isnt so high. Lily, say yes! Say yes!
Lora chimed in. Say yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes!
Lily couldnt help but laugh. You really think that Ill do well in it?
Tossing her head, Eva spoke condescendingly. My dear-when Miss Doylen says somethingshe does not thinkshe is sure!
All right then! Lily gave a half-genuine smile. Ill do it!
They informed Professor McGonagall of their intentions, and two weeks later, they had acquired permission from their parents and several scripts. They were holding the auditions in the Great Hall; between lunch and dinner. Eva and Lora, who had no intention of participatingthey either didnt think they would be good or they were too shyhad picked the judges; there were two from every House.
Lucius and a girl that was on the Slytherin Quidditch team, Maria Slenkham, were from Slytherin; Lora and the Ravenclaw prefect made up their House; Hufflepuff had both of their prefects judging, and Gryffindor included Eva and Amanda. Only about thirty people showed up for the auditions, but Lily, who was seated out of sight near the teachers table, felt her eyes widen as she saw James and Serena appear.
Eva obviously hadnt expected this; she was a bit startled and flung a glance over at Lily, but the redhead had immediately immersed herself in her script.
The story was set during the Salem witch trials; a girl, Abigail Williams, was madly in love with her former employershe worked as a maid, John Proctor. They had committed adultery, and upon finding that out, Proctors wife, Elizabeth, turned Abigail back to the home of her uncle, Reverend Samuel Parris.
Then, one night, the girls of the town of Salem attended a sance of sorts in the woods, with the slave of Parris, Tituba, as the conjuress. Abigail performed a charm to make Elizabeth Proctor die, and just at that moment, Parris, who had been awakened by the noise, walked in upon them and they scattered.
The next day, two girls, one of them Parris own daughter, Betty, were lying still in their beds and refused to move; they did not even blink. Witchcraft was fastened upon Tituba, who, in order to save her neck, pretended that she had conjured up the Devil. Abigail and Betty, quickly realizing that they would be released from all punishment if they did the same, started crying out the names of the Devils servants; people of the town they pretended to have seen in his company.
Abigail quickly realized that if she could accuse Elizabeth Proctor of witchcraft, she could marry John Proctor if his wife were hung. She stabbed herself with a needle, accusing Elizabeths spirit, and straightway got Elizabeth arrested. Proctor, however, met her and told her to stop crying out against his wife, unless she wanted for the whole town to hear about her as an adulteress.
Abigail didnt listen, so, the next day, Proctors new maidservant, Mary Warren, one of the girls that had also cried out names, was brought to the court by Proctor, and she tried to tell the court that all the pretense of peoples spirits harming them was pretense. When Proctor was pressed for a reason for Abigails lies, he came forth with the secret of adultery he had hidden. Elizabeth was called in to confirm his tale, and, thinking only to save her husbands reputation, she denied any such thing.
Then Abigail straightway started accusing Mary of witchcraft, so as to save her own skin, and, in order to avoid being hung, Mary confessed to all of the doings that were attributed to her now, but she accused John Proctor of forcing her to join the Devil.
Abigail tried to persuade Proctor to run away with her when she stole into the prison, but he refused. She left the town with Parris savings, to board a ship in the Boston harbor, while she left the Salem confusion behind.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Proctors execution date had been postponed; she had informed the court that she was expecting a baby, and they would not kill an unborn child. But Proctor, who had never confessed to his dealings with the Devil, was to be hanged. The court sent Elizabeth to try to make him change his mind; he did so, signing a paper to that effect, but when he learned that it would be made public and that his sons would suffer the shame of their father being a liar, he tore his confession up and went to be hanged. The story ended on Elizabeths lineHe hath his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him.
They had been requested to read the roles of John Proctor and Abigail Williams; also the ones of Elizabeth, Samuel Parris, and Reverend Hale, a clergyman brought down from Boston to detect witchcraft in the town. Lily had been handed the role of Abigail Williams during the confrontation in the court, and she was letting the words soak into her skin as she whispered them to herself.
Then, her name was called. Lora and Eva unashamedly waved at her, while Lucius simply grinned slightly. She found herself paired with Frank Longbottom as Danforth, a judge, three other Ravenclaw girls as the victims, a Hufflepuff fifth year as Mary Warren, a Slytherin seventh year as Elizabethand James as John Proctor.
Lora leaned back in her chair. Start from page one oh seven. I cannot tell you how.
The Hufflepuff playing Mary Warren gulped several times, them plunged into her line.
II cannot tell how, but I did. II heard the other girls screaming
Lucius interrupted. Act agitated. Youre testifying something that might get you killed. Youre scared, woman, act scared!
She gulped, then resumed her line. II heard the other girls screaming, and you, Your Honor, you seemed to believe them, and I She was shaking now, but whether it was from nerves or not, they couldnt tell. It were only sport in the beginning, sir, but then the whole world cried spirits, spirits, and II promise you, Mr. Danforth, I only thought I saw them but I did not. Breathless, she stopped.
Frank, with utmost seriousness engraven into his face, turned to Lily, who had meanwhile been transforming her character into Abigails, and she was breathing rapidly, as if she were a cornered beast, at Marys revelation.
Frank interrogated Abigail as carefully as a primitive judge was capable of, asking if the spirits were a delusion. Lily straightened; squared her shoulders; almost glared.
Why, thisthis is a base question, sir!
Frank attempted to pacify her. Child, I would have you consider it
Lily snapped. I have been hurt, Mr. Danforth; I have seen my blood runnin out! I have been near to murdered every day because I done my duty pointing out the Devils peopleand this is my reward? To be mistrusted, denied, questioned like a
Child, I do not mistrust you
Let you beware, Mr. Danforth! Lily raised her chin up high and heaved her shoulders in false innocence and anger. Think you be so mighty that the power of Hell may not turn your wits? Beware of it! There is
She stopped, staring blankly about the Great Hall, apprehensive and frightened. Frank stepped forward, asking what was the matter, and suddenly, along with a pretended cold wind that swept through the imaginary court, hysteria broke loose. The girls, following Lily, started madly to accuse the Hufflepuff girl, Mary Warrens actress, of bewitching them with a chill wind, and during the wild confusion, Lily started to call out to Heaven, clasping her hands to her chest.
Oh, Heavenly Father, take away this shadow!
James, who had been standing somewhat dumbfounded near the sidelines, suddenly rushed for her, dragging her upwards by her hair, pulling her to her feet. She let out an ear-piercing screamhe had actually tugged her to a standing position, instead of acting it.
