Chapter Text
Hi, my name is Lily Evans and I'm going to tell you the story of how I fell in love, made new friends, started following my dreams and lost the love of my life. It’s a bit complicated, to be honest I didn’t know what I was putting myself through when I accepted Marlene’s offer that night. Some will say it was for the best because I found love and friends, others will say that going to that cave was a complete waste of time. Which I understand, really. So, shall I start?
Last day of summer of 1959. Mom and dad took me to Petunia’s old school, she graduated last year and is now married to Vernon and I don’t like him at all. It was an all girls school, no boys allowed, that wouldn’t be a problem for me anyway. Hogwarts Academy, as I was entering the chapel I saw four girls around my age holding big banners, their faces were hilarious I might say. On the front row sat little girls holding unlit candles. There was a man, he was tall and had a long white beard, he stood in front of a podium waiting for the rest of the students to sit down. I heard a loud noise and with that the four girls started marching to the front of the chapel, on their banners were written “Tradition”, “Honor”, “Discipline” and “Excellence”. The tall man, who I figured was the headmaster, looked really proud at the scene. He was talking about the rules and how we were expected to act, that we should be on our best behavior.
He was now presenting the teachers, all women. There was one in particular who caught my attention and that was amplified when the headmaster said “Parents, this is our new teacher, Miss Mcgonagall.” I noticed mom rolling her eyes “She’s been a student just like you, years ago! I was the one who taught her everything she knows, isn’t it true Minerva?” Miss Mcgonagall simply nodded her head, she was not having it and neither was mother. “Ladies, what are the four pillars?” they all stood up and said “Tradition, honor, discipline and excellence!” After that he finished his speech about the beginning of the school year.
“New students, to succeed in this school you’ll have to learn the four pillars. Take it to your heart, they’re your best friends here.” I heard some kid’s breath hitch “Hestia Jones!” the headmaster exclaimed “Yes, sir!” the girl with pinkish hair said “Miss Jones, what is tradition?” he asked “Tradition, Mr Dumbledore, is the love of school, country and family. Our tradition at Hogwarts is to be the best!” she said “Very well, miss Jones. Miss Macdonald? What is Honor?” he asked “Honor is dignity and the fulfillment of duty!” the girl said while sitting back on the chair “Good. Miss Vance, what is discipline?” the tall man asked “Discipline is respect for parents, teachers and headmaster. Discipline comes from within.” she said “Exactly! Now Excellence, Miss Mckinnon?” He asked, then a girl tall enough, with blonde hair, and tanned skin stood up and said “Excellence is the result of hard work.” she replied loudly “Excellence is the key to all success, in school and everywhere” she finished and her voice was so monotonous and bored, she wanted out immediately and honestly so did I.
The rest of the ceremony went well, Mr Dumbledore approached the families to give them his regards.I saw him talking to the Macdonalds and the Vances until he made his way towards us. “Miss Evans! I know a lot about the last Evans who set their foot here, you’re expected for a lot of things. Your sister was one of our best.” I had to hold myself to not roll my eyes. “Thank you, sir.” Then he moved on to the Mckinnons “We are expecting great things from you, Miss Mckinnon.” he said sounding a little strict “Thank you, sir” the girl replied “She won’t disappoint us. Right, Marlene?” her father said “Yes, father.” she said and i could see how uncomfortable she was. After the awkward conversation the students were allowed to go to the dorms.
“Hey! You must be Lily, I'm Marlene. We are roommates!” I heard as I felt someone touch my arm. “Yeah, that would be me.” it was so awkward “So you’re an Evans.. you don’t look like your sister. She was like a celebrity here, I dare say, but she was always pestering us about dormitory rules, as if we care about those and she was always talking about that guy Vernon.. Oh! I’m sorry she’s still your sister and that was so rude and now I'm rambling. You must think I'm annoying or something..” she said as her voice was lowering “It’s okay” i said laughing “She really is annoying just like that, when she came visiting us she wouldn’t stop talking about some ‘blonde girl who’s always rambling’.” I said obviously joking “Oh Miss Evans.. we’re gonna have so much fun together” she said leaving. I really didn’t think much about it that time, it was my first day at school, she couldn’t possibly know that. Also, mother had told me to be on my best behavior and I tried. But with Marlene everything was so much fun.
Following Marlene to the dormitory area was a bit difficult, she was always stopping to talk to people, very popular that one. Our dorm was normal size. It had two beds and two study tables. While we were settling in, a girl that I saw at the chapel walked in and said “Hey Mckinnon! I heard you got the new kid, lucky you.” Marlene looked at her wide eyed and then looked at me “Oh.. I’m so sorry, my name is Hestia Jones!” the girl with the pinkish hair offered her hand “Hi, I’m Lily Evans.” I said calmly after that she left. It wasn’t long until three other girls entered our room, the tallest one said “Marls! Rumor has it you did summer school” the girl said “Damn right I did. It was chemistry. My father thought I wasn’t good enough last year” Marlene said while putting her clothes in the drawer “Well, Dorcas is good at Latin and I’m not so bad at English myself, so we have our study group if you want to” she said “Sure I guess. But Jones asked me too. Should we include her?” I saw Marlene wince at her own words “What is she good at? Except being a know-it-all?” she said “Hey! She’s your roommate!” Marlene said “So what? She’s always snitching on Dorcas and Pandora! Like, come on is just a cigarette why does she have to be such a bother?” There was silence for a few seconds when we heard a knocking on the door. It was none other less than Marlene’s father.