note : this has been revised, and major rewritings were applied. Hopefully there's less cringe and more cohesion now that I am rewriting with a developed frontal lobe smh

I RAISE A BROW at their dropped jaws and sink further into my seat. That's quite a weird reaction to someone just giving their name. They asked for it, did they not? I try to find the right words to break up the comfortable silence, but I came up with a lame: "So how was your summer?"

They still seem stunned, and I mentally slap myself for such a stupid question because I was met with silence. I failed to hide my grimace. It's like conversing with a wall - I am unsure how to proceed.

I cleared my throat. Hermione was the first one to snap out of her daze and smiled apologetically. "It was great, how was yours?" I still felt weird with the other two boys just gawking at me but decided to ignore them completely.

"It was different, moving and preparing to go to a new school," I explained, and she nodded along my words. "So what was that?"

I asked pertaining to their moment of shock, and she contemplated her answer for a few seconds, "You have the same name as Harry's mum." she pointed out, and I laugh loudly at that, throwing my head back.

"My real name's Emerald Lilith Evans," I turned to Harry, and he met my eyes, for one quick second they widened. "But you can only call me Lily."

***

Things gladly went back to normal. I didn't join them in the welcoming feast because I stood to the side waiting for my cue. After Dumbledore's speech, I found out that the homeless man is actually a Professor, and now I feel bad for calling him homeless.

I sat on a chair inside the Headmaster's office with a stoic-looking woman holding a hat. I read about Hogwarts : A History and I am familiar with the ugly hat - it does pique my interest how it decides on the houses simply by being placed on one's head.

"Now all that's left is for you to be sorted," the woman spoke, and I smiled up at her. I still remember the way her eyes widened and lips parted at the sight of me. Her eyes held the very recognition Professor Lupin had in his - 

Evans is not such a unique surname, and Lily is only a nickname. I am not Harry Potter's mother back from the dead but younger. I doubt I even look like her. Sure, I have green eyes, but my hair is red, unlike Harry's.

The hat is placed on my head, and it didn't even take a second to announce that I was a lion. I always thought I was more of a Ravenclaw, but Gryffindor is not so bad when I've already made friends from that house.

I let my head of house usher me to the common room, telling me the password and for a second I thought of how unusual the dorming system at Hogwarts is. The fat lady stared at me with confusion as well, I ignored her because I was so looking forward to going to bed.

I bid my goodnight with the Professor and walked inside to have the portrait swing shut behind me.

The common room was gladly empty, but I was met with very much alive and cheerful girls when I entered the dorm. I spied Hermione in the bunch, and she gave me a smile which I returned.

It took an hour of getting to know my roommates and them getting to know me before I finally shut my eyes. Hogwarts has been great so far. I'll remember to write to my parents tomorrow.

***

The next morning I woke up earlier than the rest of my roommate and I took the opportunity to write a letter, making sure I leave out the unnecessary information that I share a name with HP's mum.

My parents know of Harry Potter from how much I talked about him (I can't just NOT be a fan, he's a storybook protagonist come to life), and they would be delighted to know I made friends. I find myself drifting closer to Hermione compared to the other two girls.

They are nice and very friendly but some of the topics they brought up were just not up my alley. Lavender was quick to ask me about a boyfriend and I am way too young for that, so I shut her down. Only Hermione appeared happy with my answer.

When they have all woken up, I was already in the bathroom. After we all got ready, we headed down in a pack. I greeted some people on the way who were kind enough to introduce themselves to the new girl.

Before entering the great hall, I link my arms with Hermione and she didn't seem against it which I was glad to learn. From what I observed, she also doesn't align much with the two other Gryffindor girls and her company on the train were two boys - I think I'll be enjoying her company as much as she'll enjoy mine.

"So every school got that one teacher everyone hates," I started, and she giggle at my words of truth. "Who is it in Hogwarts?"

She didn't even need to think when we sat down at the long table and answered, "Snape." I helped myself with eggs and toasts. "He teaches potion."

My face dropped at this. The teachers everyone hates are usually the ones who loathe me. My smart mouth and knack for getting into trouble when I was just always at the wrong place at the right time. 

"I love Potions," I mumbled bitterly and already cursed my faith. Surely the other lessons would be fun, just to make up for potions already being the worst subject.

"Oh and there's Harry and Ron," she pointed out, and I look up to smile at the approaching boys. They sat across us and began to serve themselves breakfast with a lazy greet, Ron even biting back a yawn.

"Bad hair day, Gin?" I felt the weight of someone's arm on my head and I facepalm. Who the bloody hell is Gin? I can see Ron from across widen his eyes and shake his head.

I slowly looked up at the arm that left my head. "Did you just insult my hair?" I asked hesitantly, I have yet to learn glamour charms but my hair isn't that bad - it may be curly but my curls are very much defined.

They are especially defined today because Lavender used a spell to help me, she knows a lot about spells involving appearance, and I thank her for that. I spied his red hair and already guessed him to be Ron's brother. He sat down beside me with shock evident in his face.

"No -" I contort my face into a confused one when a photocopy of the boy in front of me sat down beside him, Ron failed to mention he had handsome twin brothers.

"We thought you were our sister," the other one apologized, and I just nodded. "My name is Fred by the way." He smiled playfully, and I could already tell what it meant.

I'm going to have to look out for these two, they reek of trouble. "And I'm George, the hotter one." I grin at them, amused more than anything.

"Lily Evans." and there goes the confusion again clouding their eyes, I let Hermione's beside me explain as I spy a girl with red hair settle next to Ron while frowning at me.

This is going to be a long breakfast. It seems Hogwarts has another red hair to join the Weasley family, and I've met them all (well, the ones at Hogwarts). Lord have mercy on me, so much is happening already and I haven't gone to a single class yet!

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