Lily and James' Prophecy

Chapter 5 - James Potter

Violet awoke the next morning to much noise and chaos in her dormitory.

"Where the hell are my purple socks?" someone said.

"Just bewitch these socks to turn purple?" suggested someone.

"I don't know magic as yet you idiotic dolt!" replied the voice impatiently.

Violet sat up reluctantly rubbing her eyes and looked around. Had it not been for a huge lamp in the middle of the room, the dorm would have been in total darkness. "Mornin'," she said groggily.

"Hey Vi," replied Annie. "Looks like Septima lost her purple socks..."

"I did not lose them!" replied Septima hotly who was eyeing Violet maliciously.

Violet lowered her gaze and dressed quickly as everyone set off for breakfast except Annie who waited behind for Violet.

"Err..." she said slowly as they made their way to the Great Hall, "Septima thinks you stole her socks for some odd reason," she said, looking at the floor.

"Wha- why?!" asked Violet.

"I don't know. She has no reason. Personally I don't think she likes you," said Annie, her eyes looking into Violet's.

"Where did you get THAT idea?" said Violet sarcastically. "Of course she doesn't like me! She doesn't like anyone! She's a damn bitch to everyone. Before we went to sleep didn't you see how she told Meridith to get out of the way? It was her ordering Meridith to 'move her ass'."

Annie laughed out loud as they passed a group a fifth years. "I think... we're lost?" she said looking around.

"Let me fix that," said Violet. "Hey-" she called out to the fifth years, but before she could approach them fully-

"Hey Vi," called a voice.

She turned to see William coming up the hall. "Hey William," she said smiling. "Err... Annie and I kinda lost our way. You know Annie right?" she said hurriedly.

"Hey, nice to meet you," he said. "Err... the Great Hall is more than a mile from here. But don't worry," he added quickly, seeing their looks of shock, "I know some shortcuts. Follow me."

In no time they had entered the Great Hall and Annie smiled at William, "Thanks a lot!" she said, a little bit too joyously.

"No problem," he said. He turned his attention to Violet. "Are you gonna sit with me for breakfast? My friends and I sit..."

"No... I have to go say hello to a friend. Annie can join you," she said, turning her attention to the Gryffindor table. William's expression seemed to fall a little.

"Sure..." he said and Annie followed him happily, waving after Violet. Violet started towards the Gryffindor table as many people turned their heads in her direction. It didn't take her long, however, to spot Lily along the table with a few friends.

"Hey Lily," she called out, waving, as many people looked at her as though she were a dragon from outer space.

"Vi!" said Lily getting up and running over. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry I got put in Gryffindor. But it isn't that horrible, really. I made new friends and stuff. Come let me introduce you to some!" She took Violet by the arm and took her over to where she had been sitting with two girls. "Violet, this is Chastity Hearwood," said Lily, motioning to a girl with frizzy brown-red hair who looked at Violet intently and shook her head and muttered silently. "And this," continued Lily who obviously hadn't seen Chastity Hearwood's reply, "is Meary Dean!" Meary Dean seemed to have the same welcome to give Violet that Chastity had.

"Nice to meet you," said Violet. Both girls just nodded and said nothing. Violet pulled Lily out of earshot and immediately Chastity and Meary began to whisper. "I don't think they like me much," said Violet.

"Well... last night they were telling me that Gryffindors don't associate with Slytherins, but I knew we couldn't stop talking forever so I just ignored it. How have you been?" she asked, apparently not caring that half the hall had now turned to look at them.

"I've been good... dear lord why the hell is everyone staring at us? Anyway, I made some new friends, I daresay they will hate you as much as dear Charity and Mefty over there hate me... god this is going to be difficult."

"But you aren't going to give up?!" asked Lily shrilly.

"No!" hissed Violet. "You were my first friend and probably my only true one so far. Anyway... talk later, I see Faustine getting up... I wonder if she'll tell us off for talking."

But as Violet made her way back to her seat at the Slytherin table Faustine made her way to the Gryffindor table, apparently with a stack of papers in her hand. Violet wondered what these could be, but did not have to wait long as a dark haired wizard, dressed in black came up to their table with a stack of papers also. His hair fell into his face accenting his good looks and his lips were pink. He passed up and down the table giving out the papers.

"Violet Riddle, I presume," he said when he had reached Violet, bowing his head a little.

"Yes," said Violet.

"Here you are, dear."

Violet took the paper he gave her and left. "Who was that?" she asked William who was on her right.

"Forrestor Zabini... he teaches Transfiguration. Really young but really smart too. Do you need help getting to classes?" he asked.

"No it's ok... Annie and I should make out." She looked over at Annie.

"We have... well what do you know, Transfiguration first," said Annie from Violet's left. "And William should come show us around," she added hastily suddenly interested in a piece of egg. "I mean... we don't want to get lost again, right?"

"Ok..." said Violet. She saw William's face light up.

Just then Violet looked up and saw James Potter enter the Hall with the same three boys who had occupied his boat on the way across the lake. Violet looked at James intently. He was chatting with the black-haired boy while the boy in ragged clothes was helping the portly boy with something on his robes. As they passed the table, Violet picked up a piece of their conversation.

"...did you see her eyes? Beautiful. And her hair is so long and silky..."

Violet looked down as he passed and she could feel his eyes on her for a second before he continued off. Violet had a good idea who he was talking about. She was lost in some of her thoughts when-

"Ok, well let me show you to Transfiguration then," said William who was eyeing Violet, obviously noting her interest in James.

"Sure... err, can Lily come with us?" she asked.

"Lily...? You mean that girl you went to talk to at the Gryffindor table?"

"Yeah, her. You don't mind do you?" she asked him, her eyebrow slightly raised.

"Err, no, of course not!" he said hurriedly.

"Um... thinking about it... I have to go check something before I come to Transfiguration. So I'll see you there," said Annie, all in a tumble of words before she got up and hurried away.

"Wow," commented Violet as she rolled her eyes. "When Dad told me there was rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin I didn't take it like this."

William looked away and said, "People get carried away sometimes... look, Vi, I don't want to seem insensitive, but if people start to see you with that Lily girl, they'll start to talk."

"Then let them talk," said Violet shortly, a hint of impatience in her voice. "Why does it even matter? I mean, why is it such a bad thing to interact with people from Gryffindor?"

"Because... I don't know. It's just bad," replied William.

"Oh, look at me! I'm talking to a Gryffindor! Shove a pole up my-" began Violet mockingly.

"Vi, wanna come to Transfiguration with me?" came a voice. Violet turned around to see Lily beaming at her amid many cold looks and glares from the surrounding Slytherin.

"Of course. Lils, meet William, he's gonna show us to Transfiguration," said Violet motioning to William

"Hey William!" said Lily, her flamboyant happiness and excitement showing. William nodded slightly, very much in the same way Chastity and Meary had done. Violet rolled her eyes and took Lily's hand.

"You don't have to show us if you're afraid of 'people talking'," she told William, obviously angry. "I guess what people say matters more, right? Bye."

"Wha-? Wait, Violet!" he called as she pulled Lily to the marble staircase. He started after them.

"What the hell are you looking at?" Violet snarled as people turned in their seats. Many people began to gather around the marble staircase to get to classes. Violet stood impatiently at the back with Lily.

"What's gotten into you?" Lily asked, eyeing her as if she'd gone mad.

"Those idiotic bitches. All they care about is the damn student rivalry in the school. And William was giving me the lovely lecture (she put on a fake voice and put her hand to her waist) 'Slytherins don't hang out with Gryffindors' and all that bull."

"You can't blame them, Violet... I feel as if I'm walking on eggshells. Not that I care..." she added hastily, seeing Violet's look. "Look, Vi, you can't go around wanting to kill people because we're talking. For them it's... well a shock. I mean, I bet this hasn't happened in years. We're breaking some huge rules set down by the student population themselves... this must cause some sort of anger and stuff."

"You're right," sighed Violet, her eyes flashing. Just then she felt a hand on her forearm and turned to look into blue eyes. It was William. "William, I-"

"Vi, I'm sorry. You're right, what people say shouldn't matter. Lily," he said, turning his attention to Lily, "I'm sorry."

"Nah, it's ok William," said Lily smiling, her green eyes lighting up. "Still on to show us to Transfiguration...? I was scared we'd get lost."

He laughed and said, "Sure, why not? Follow me." They walked up the marble staircase as the students dispersed down different halls, some passing through tapestries to get there quicker. "Ok, well, if we take the long way, we'll be about two minutes late, so we better take a few shortcuts." He took them to a tapestry of what looked like a boy trying to play hopscotch with a lion and moved it to the side to let the girls through.

The passageway behind was dark and smelt of cats and chalk. They walked swiftly along the passageway and came out on a long corridor.

"So... Lily, you're muggle born?"

"Yes," she replied, "but I'm here." She laughed and Violet smirked.

"How did you two meet?" he asked.

"On the train, she came in and sat in my compartment," said Violet, still smirking.

William smiled at her, "You have your grandmother's eyes." He noticed what he had said when it was too late.

"How do you know my grandmother?" she asked, eyeing him.

"Oh... um..." he started but he realised it was too late and looked away. "Here we are," he said softly, pointing at a door where students were entering.

"How do you know my grandmother?" asked Violet again. Lily looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

"Aren't all pure blood families somehow related?" Lily asked. "So probably that's how he knows..."

"Yeah," said William, obviously glad for the excuse.

"My grandmother is a Seer, is that how you know her?" asked Violet, still pursuing her question.

"Yes," said William looking down at his feet. "It's... personal," he said.

Violet eyed him, but realised that probably it was more than personal. "Thanks William," she said and walked into the class taking Lily by the arm.

"Bye William!" said Lily smiling brightly.

"Bye," he said.

"Gosh, he's so darn cute!" said Lily. Violet looked at her and rolled her eyes.

"He's nice... that's for sure." They took seats in the middle of the class just as Zabini walked in.

"Settle down, settle down," he said. His eyes flashed. "The art of Transfiguration... does anyone know what it is?" he asked. A few hands shot up into the air, Lily's included. Violet put hers up too, but just at that moment the door opened again and in walked four figures: James Potter and his gang.

"Ah... some late comers. And where have you lot been?" asked Zabini, his lip thinning.

"Sorry Professor, got lost," said the black-haired boy.

"Understandable," said Zabini, though he looked as though he didn't understand one bit. "Take the available seats," he said, waving his wand and seats appeared. "As I was saying," he said, flashing a look at the foursome, "can anyone tell me exactly what Transfiguration is?"

Again the hands shot in the air. James Potter, however, had decided now was the best time to talk to his three friends animatedly. "I wonder..." said Zabini softly, "if Potter can tell me what it is."

"What what is?" asked James.

"I suppose if you were listening you would have heard," said Zabini, his eyes narrowing.

"I suppose so..." said James. Some people laughed.

"Ten points from Gryffindor. Don't make your rude comments become a habit, Mr. Potter; they are never greatly appreciated here at Hogwarts. Never. Violet, care to tell me?"

Violet looked a bit startled to be addressed directly by Zabini but stood up and said, "Transfiguration is the art of changing things from one form to another."

"Not quite the answer I was looking for, but correct nonetheless. Five points to Slytherin," he said, a slight smile on his face. James was eyeing Violet and she moved about in her seat uncomfortably.

"Nice," said Lily smiling. "That Potter boy annoys me," she said, rolling her eyes. "He shows off about the stupidest things. Didn't you see how he was trying to be smart with the Professor? Idiot..." Violet merely nodded.

After a speech about the finer details of Transfiguration, Zabini asked them to split into groups of six and practice a spell to turn water into ice.

"The incantation is 'acciare'," said Zabini. "Get into your groups quickly please." He waved his wand and the seats disappeared, only to be replaced by round tables with six chairs around them.

Annie, who was in a group with Meridith Jordan, Mary Gonzalez, a girl Violet recognised as Paige Bones and some other persons called out to Violet. "Vi, come with us!"

"Sure," said Violet taking Lily's hand. Violet saw the look on Annie's face change to some worry as she laid her eyes on Lily. Violet looked at Lily and understood. "Err... we'll get another group she said," this time not letting her anger get to her, remembering Lily's speech.

"Everyone seems to be in groups of six-"

"Except James Potter and his friends," sighed Lily.

"Oh," said Violet, her sprits rising a little, but only to be brought down by a very distinct "Damnit" from Lily. "Well, they're the only free people," said Violet in what she hoped was an offhand manner.

"Potter, can we sit with you?" asked Lily rolling her eyes as they walked up to their table.

"Sure," he said. His eyes met Violet's and they both smiled. "How ya doing after that fall last night?" He winked.

Violet heard a clear "tuh" from Lily as they took the two remaining seats. "I'm good," she said, her smile a little less wide than she had intended it to be. "You?" she asked.

"I'm good. Sirius was making fun of it," he said chuckling.

The black-haired boy smirked, "It was quite funny," he said in a strong, handsome voice.

"So I'm guessing you're Sirius?" asked Violet.

"Yes, Sirius Black," he said. Violet looked at him just for a second longer, the Black family was probably the second most prominent Wizarding family after the Riddles.

"And your friends?" she asked, eyeing the other two.

"This is Remus Lupin," said James (the boy in what resembled kitchen rags smiled slightly and nodded), "and Peter Pettigrew." (The chubby boy did a bit of a squeal and waved).

"I don't think I introduced myself, I'm Violet Riddle," said Violet smiling at them. Lily made another "tuh" and rolled her eyes. "And I'm guessing you know Lily Evans?" asked Violet.

"Yeah," said James, grinning. "How do you do, Evans?" he asked lightly.

"Don't 'how do you do' me, you attention seeking b-"

"Excuse me, if I'm not mistaken you're supposed to be performing a certain spell," came a voice. Zabini was directly over them. "Maybe Gryffindors seem to think they have some status above other students-" his eyes flashed on James, "-but I want to let you know that in this class you are as equal as anyone else and you shall be treated in that way. Ten points from Gryffindor for sheer laziness to perform the spell I set more than ten minutes ago." He stalked of.

"That ass," muttered James. "He didn't even say anything about Slytherin! And Violet's there. God."

Violet looked down at the glass of water she had neither touched nor tried to. She looked up and tried to look sympathetic. "Well... I guess Slytherin is his house so you can't totally blame him..."

"Well, he's an idiot if you ask me," said Lily stiffly. "He's talking about fairness while he isn't being one bit fair." She looked at Violet and smiled, "But whatever. Let's turn this thing into ice, shall we?"

Violet touched the tip of her wand against the glass and muttered softly, "Acciare!" Immediately there was a grinding sound and her whole glass turned icy.

"Very good, very good indeed," said Zabini. "Though I am not surprised," he said, smiling at Violet. "Twenty points to Slytherin for a perfect first try... but as I said, not totally unexpected."

Violet couldn't help but beam and Lily beamed too, "Oh my goodness, Vi. That's awesome! And on your first try! How did you do that?!"

Violet laughed at Lily's excitement, "I used to practice magic with my Dad and Mum... I mean it's illegal but we still used to do it... so yeah, I'm a bit more advanced in some aspects. Transfiguration was always one of my favourites."

James sighed and kept hitting his wand against his glass and saying the incantation. At one point Sirius got so angry he heaved an angry sigh and hit the glass violently with his wand. Shards of glass exploded everywhere and Lily cursed under her breath. Violet giggled and James smirked. Lupin seemed to have been doused with an exceptional amount of water.

"Damnit! Black, I would have thought that a person such as yourself would have been able to pull this off just as easily as Violet. Scourgify!" The glass and water disappeared and Zabini stalked off.

"Nice work Sirius," smirked James.

"Indeed... Zabini is an idiot, he didn't even realise that I did it purposefully, but then again it wasn't meant to be easily detected for what it was."

"The Difindo Spell, right?" said Lupin knowingly.

"Of course," laughed Sirius. "Remus, you know me well."

"Acciare!" said Lily, touching the tip of her wand against the glass. Half the water in the glass became ice but then changed back into water.

"Ah... a good try by Evans... the only other person so far to actually have made their water have some form of the characteristics of ice," his eyes flashed. "Five points to Evans... it is somewhat well earned."

"See... he doesn't hate Gryffindors," said Violet.

"Yeah, just us," said Sirius rolling his eyes.

Peter Pettigrew, for the first time talked, "Sirius, y-you are s-s-such a good p-prankster!" Violet looked at him. He seemed to be on the verge of a meltdown. She smirked to herself and then noticed James was looking at her. He immediately turned his gaze at Lily.

"So... erm, how did you do it?"

"Do what?" she asked impatiently.

"Make it turn into ice."

"If you haven't noticed, O King James, I didn't turn anything into ice, it turned back into water. And why don't you ask Violet, she turned hers into ice totally," she said, rolling her eyes.

James' face flushed red and he looked down. Lily looked at Violet, "Next class is Potions but we get a ten minute break apparently. But we'll need someone to show us the way."

"I can," said James hurriedly, then, noticing the excitement in his voice, he said, in a much deeper voice, "of course, if you want me to."

Both Violet and Lily said 'sure' and 'no thanks' in unison, respectively.

"Erm..." said Violet.

"It's quite ok, Potter. We aren't that hopeless to ask you to show us somewhere."

Violet opened her mouth to intervene but at that moment she felt a sharp pain in her ankle where Lily kicked her and gave her a look that clearly said "shut-the-hell-up-please".

James looked down at his water and shrugged, but Violet saw a trace of hurt in his expression. At that moment the bell rang and there was a hurry to gather belongings and get out of the class. Apparently everyone was scared of Zabini taking away more points than he had already amassed, especially since no one else had happened to make any progress in turning their water to ice. ("I might as well have tried to do synchronised swimming with the giant squid for all the damn results I got!" Violet heard Paige Bones telling her group).

But just as they were about to leave...

"Potter, Violet, stay back please," came Zabini's voice.

Violet looked up worriedly and shrugged at Lily's questioning look.

"I'll wait for-" began Lily.

"No, go on, you shouldn't be late," said Violet. Lily shrugged and hurried out.

"Potter, you first," said Zabini, his black eyes getting, if possible, an even darker shade of black.

James looked bewildered as he walked up to Zabini who was leaning against a window, his handsome face being illuminated by the light. He talked to James softly for a while before James turned on his heel and looked at Violet with a look that said "oh-crap" and left.

"Ah, Violet my dear," said Zabini, his face breaking out into a smile. "Yes, yes, I have heard so much about you." Violet raised an eyebrow. She hadn't heard a thing about him. "Ah... you must be confused. Your mother and I have been working with the Department for Magical Concealment for quite some time... we need some new venues for magical places so Muggles don't start suspecting things." He smiled and Violet nodded.

She knew his name was somewhat familiar. Her mother was an expert at Transfiguration and for some time she had been working on a project with the Department.

"She always talks about you," continued Zabini, his voice breaking Violet's thoughts. "You are as beautiful as she said... I just wanted to congratulate you on such a good first lesson, many can never quite do such a spell on their first try, but I expect you have had much practice at home."

"Yeah," said Violet smiling. "Not to be rude Professor, but I'll be late for Potions and..."

"Ah, yes, yes. Forgive me," he said. "Enjoy your day," he dismissed her. She thanked him and left the room. As she was walking down the hall she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey Will- James?" she asked, a bit shocked.

"Yeah," he laughed at her expression. "I just stayed back to show you to Potions. You're already about ten minutes late and it wouldn't have sat well if you were even later."

Violet smiled at him. His jet black hair was in his eyes. "Thanks," she said.

"No problem," he smiled back, looking into her eyes. "Your eyes are really..." he trailed off.

"Purple?" she suggested. He laughed and put his hands in his pockets. She suddenly remembered the conversation she had overheard that morning.

"...did you see her eyes? Beautiful. And her hair is so long and silky..."

Could it have been her he was referring to? But no... it had to be-

"Yeah, purple," he said, breaking her train of thought. "They're beautiful." He smiled and her heart skipped a beat.

"Thanks," she said, blushing red. "Sorry about Lily... I know she's kinda difficult and stuff..."

"Kinda?" They both laughed and he looked into her eyes, "You don't have to apologise for her. I guess you can't help if she hates me." He shrugged and ran a hand through his hair slowly.

"I guess... why does she dislike you anyway?" she asked.

"Don't know. I guess she thinks I'm a show off... I don't think I am, maybe it just comes off that way."

"She can't think you're anything, really. This is only our first day, remember?"

"You're right," he laughed again as they entered the doorway to the dungeons. "So you're pureblood?" he asked.

"Yes... dad's an Auror, mum does work at the Ministry."

"What kind of work?"

"Well, they're what she calls a 'free spirit'," she said, chuckling, "so she just does what they ask her to do and if she has the skill. She's a really talented witch and stuff."

"And your dad's an Auror. Sirius told me about those. Sounds like a really cool job. I've heard the training is really difficult, too."

"Yeah, it is," said Violet. They were walking slowly, obviously trying to buy more time to talk. "How do you know Sirius, Remus and Peter?" she asked.

"We met on the train... weird. We hit it off as soon as we met. They all knew each other before and I was just looking for a compartment." Violet nodded.

"And your family?" she asked.

"Mum's an air stewardess, dad's a pilot. That's how they met. No brothers or sisters, either. We live in Manchester."

"That's nice," said Violet, for once using the phrase without any sarcasm.

"Here we are," said James, turning to a door. "Ladies first," he said, smiling at her.

"Thanks," she said. "Oh... and for the record, your eyes are gorgeous too."