I was back where I belonged.

***

Lily's POV

We saw Hagrid above everybody else, him being a half-giant. He was calling out, "Firs' year over 'ere! Firs' years over 'ere!" We greeted Hagrid and went towards the carriages. As we were going to board one, someone held my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. I looked behind to see my former best friend looking grimly at me.

"What do you want Snivellus?" I spat. He flinched as if I hurt him physically. But I didn't care.

"Lily, please let me apologize." He said with hurt in his voice.

"For what do you want to apologize? I have forgiven you for everything that you have done. Now let me go." "Then why can't we be friends like before?"

"Snape, you have chosen your path and I have chosen mine. You hang out with your death eater friends and I don't want to hang out with you." I said, desperately trying to free my wrist. But he only held it tighter.

"And what about Potter? You both are friends now?!"

"Yes, James and I are friends." I saw anger burning in his eyes

"But Lils, you used to hate him."

"Severus, I never hated him. I showed as if I did because you wanted me to. I am not your puppet that I will do everything that you say." I said. He opened his mouth to argue.

"Severus, leave me now." But he didn't loosen the grip on my wrist. As if on cue, a voice came from behind. "LEAVE HER ALONE!" I turned to see James, Remus and Sirius, three of the four marauders (Peter had gone in a carriage before them). I sighed lightly with relief.

"Go away, Potter. It is none of your business." Snape sneered.

"SHE SAID LEAVE HER. AND IF SOMETHING CONCERNES MY FRIENDS THEN IT IS MY BUSINESS." James thundered. Severus looked at me pleadingly but when I showed no response, he left.

"Thanks, James." I muttered gratefully.

"Anytime, Lily. Are you okay?" "I am fine." Just then my friends peered out of the carriages, "What is happening? And Lily why is your wrist red?" Mary questioned.

"Nothing. It's just Snape." I mumbled trying not to take the conversation further.

"What did that slimy git do?" Marls asked angrily.

"Later Marls. Can we go?" "Yeah let's go."

"Mind if we join you? The rest of the carriages are full." James asked.

"Not at all. Come on in." I said and we all boarded the carriages. Oh, I haven't introduced the marauders, have I?

James was the tallest of them all and I think he must be 6.4 by now. His arms were firmly muscled at his side, his tight shirt reveling a glimpse of this toned body that he acquired from years of quidditch. His hazel eyes with rectangular glasses and messy raven hair made him extremely good looking.

Remus was also tall, about 6.2. The sandy haired boy had scars on his face which made him look handsome. He was the only marauder who followed most rules. He was also a prefect.

Sirius Black was, like James was one of the most handsome boys at Hogwarts. He was shorter than Remus and James, about 5.10 which annoyed him till no end. He was also a bit arrogant. (Peter isn't there so I am not describing him).

The rest of the journey was mostly in silence except for the time when I told my friends what had happened. Soon the carriages stopped and we stepped out. I lost my balance but before I could fall, James caught me in his arms. We stayed like that for a few seconds before we broke apart and I thanked him. We went into the entrance hall. We went through the doors and into the Great Hall.

It looked as magnificent as ever. It was hard to believe that it had a ceiling because it was enchanted to look just like the sky. Many students were already settled on their house tables. The teachers table was also full except for the empty seats of Hagrid and Professor McGonagall. Dumbledore was looking around with twinkling eyes.

"I can't believe that this is our last year here." Alice said as we took our seats at the Gryffindor table. The marauders were sitting across us.

"I know Ali. I will miss Hogwarts so much." I was just able to reply when the oak doors opened and nervous first years came striding in led by McGonagall. Professor McGonagall placed a stool in front of the teachers' table and the Sorting Hat on it. For a few seconds, there was complete silence. Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth — and the hat began to sing:

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So, try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folks use any means

To achieve their ends.

So, put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

The whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. Professor McGonagall started calling the names of the students and the hat sorted them.

"It seems like yesterday we were being sorted." Marls said sadly. We all nodded in agreement. Heather Lewis became a Slytherin, Scarlett Shaw became a Ravenclaw, Charles Bones got Hufflepuff, Sebastian Stan became the first Gryffindor and so on. Soon all the first years were sorted and Dumbledore stood up.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few start- of- term notices to give but now is not the time. Everyone must be hungry so dig in!" the empty plates in front of us were now piled up with delicious food and goblets filled with pumpkin juice. I pilled some of everything on my plate and started to eat hungrily. It was all so delicious that I took third helpings of everything. Soon the main course vanished and was replaced by the dessert. I helped myself to some fudge, treacle tart and lemon pie. Few minutes later the dessert also vanished leaving out plates as clean as they were before. Then Dumbledore stood up again.

"I believe everyone is now fed- up and watered I have a few instructions to give. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the marauders. "I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their House teams should contact Madam Hooch. And I would like you all to give a big hand to Miss Evans, our Head Girl and to Mister Potter, our Head Boy." We both stood up and there was a huge round of applause and the marauder were the loudest of all. "I would request the Head Boy and Girl to stay behind and the rest of you, off to bed. Pip pip."

As everyone exited the Great Hall, Dumbledore walked over to us. "Congratulations to you both."

"Thank you, professor!" James and I spoke in unison.

"As heads, you're in charge. You must plan certain fun activities, schedule shifts for patrols, and most importantly do not abuse your power. Although, I trust you both entirely. Good luck. Now come on, I'll show you the heads' common room." He took us to the seventh floor across the Gryffindor common room to the painting of a knight.

"The password is chocolate but it can be changed."

"Well, what should the password be?" I asked James.

"Quidditch?" I agreed and we bid Dumbledore goodnight.

The common room was huge and decorated in Gryffindor colors. There was one large bathroom to the right, and a huge stone fireplace with a roaring fire alight, on the left side of the room. A deep red velvet loveseat sat in front of the fire, followed by a large and squishy three-seater red plush sofa and two squashy armchairs. Beside the fireplace was a floor to ceiling wooden shelf filled with muggle and wizarding books alike. Two round wooden tables with wooden stools stood in front of the shelf, a few of odd ink pots and parchment stacks here and there. Across from us were two wooden doors. The left one reading 'Head Boy' and the right one reading 'Head Girl'. We both looked around in awe. We sat on the armchairs. Soon we both started feeling sleepy so we bid each other goodnight and went to our rooms to sleep.

My room was huge with a queen size bed. It had an armchair, desk, lamps, an empty bookshelf, a huge closet and many flowers. My trunk sat in front of the bed. The walls were red and blue in color and there was a large window across the bed from where the quidditch pitch and the forest were visible.

I quickly changed my clothes and drifted off to sleep on my comfortable bed.

A/N

Hi our awesome readers! Another chapter done. We hope you liked the chapter. We cannot promise that we will be able to update frequently as the school has resumed but we will try our best. Do give us ideas and point out the mistakes if any.

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