Beating James Potter

Chapter 1

Dumbledore read through the letter three times to make sure he understood the request. Then he looked up at Quinnellia Chamberlain, the young woman sitting stiffly in front of him with her eyes downcast. Miss Chamberlain was remarkable because she had been taught everything she knew about magic by her grandmother during her summer holidays.

"Well," Dumbledore began. The girl's attention snapped back to him as soon as he spoke. "I certainly am impressed. You worked very hard over your summer holidays, Miss Chamberlain."

"Thank you, sir," the girl said politely in her American accent.

"Tell me why you didn't choose a magical school in the United States. Certainly there are plenty closer to home," Dumbledore probed. "I believe that the Salem Institute of Sorcery and Magical Sciences is only an hour from where you live.

"None of them would take me," the girl said simply.

"Because you were home schooled by your grandmother?" Dumbledore inquired.

"No, sir. I've been in trouble with the U.S Department of Magical Resources. I-um... I had two major offenses in three years and that barred me from entering any magic school in the United States.

Dumbledore was impressed by the girl's straightforwardness. "What was the nature of these offenses?" he asked.

"The first incident happened when I was fourteen," Quinnellia began. "I turned a girl in

my dorm into a turkey. The second happened the following year. I got detention for an unfinished piece of algebra homework. The teacher, Mr. Donovan, was keeping me from track practice and I was sore at him for it, so I turned the desks in his classroom into a pack of wild howler monkeys. They chased him for about fifteen blocks and forty-three Muggles witnessed the incident.

"Well, Miss Chamberlain, you certainly have an impressive aptitude for transfiguration. I also see that you were expelled from the Muggle schools where these infractions occurred. Was this a further result of the illegal transfiguration?"

"No, sir. The Obliviators cleaned them up nicely. I was expelled from those schools for fighting. For fist fighting," the girl clarified.

Dumbledore sighed. "I see."

"Professor, I'm not proud of my behavior. I wish I could take all-"

"Miss Chamberlain," Dumbledore interrupted, "there is no need for further explanations. I am perfectly willing to accept you into Hogwarts." Dumbledore couldn't help smiling briefly at the stunned look on the girl's face. "Clearly you are a very gifted young witch and you belong in a magical school. However, I must impress upon you how important it is that you get control over your anger. Firstly because, as I think you already understand, it carries over into your magic and secondly because Muggle dueling, or physical violence of any kind for that matter, is not tolerated at this school."

"I understand. Thank you, sir."

"Now," Dumbledore said standing up from his chair, "let us get down to the business of deciding which house you belong in."

Dumbledore crossed the room. On a high shelf covered in dust was a ragged, patched and worn hat.

"I expect you know all about this hat?" Dumbledore smiled.

"My Grandma Maeve told me all about her Sorting".

"Very well then," Dumbledore said, "if you would put the hat on, please"

"Well well," the hat began in Quinnellia's head, "I thought I wouldn't get to sort you, Quinnellia Chamberlain. Excuse me; you like to be called Quinn, don't you? I thought you would be at some other school. Such an unusual circumstance too. I put your mother and grandfather in Hufflepuff for their good hearts and unfaltering loyalty. I put your grandmother in Slytherin for her ambitious goals and the sheer force of her will. But you have characteristics that make you a likely candidate for all four houses. So, what is a Sorting Hat to do? You certainly have the brains for Ravenclaw, but not the patience. Your temper and cynicism will never do for Hufflepuff. Hmmm... as I look at your mind, I don't think you belong in Slytherin either, not that you aren't driven or ambitious. Just not in a way that is complementary to that house. No, above anything else you are brave. And the brave belong in, "GRYFFINDOR!" the hat shouted.

Quinn was delighted that she was placed in Gryffindor. Professor Dumbledore told her that her Head of House was named Professor McGonagall.

"We'll go and introduce you, Quinnellia, and explain your situation. I'm sure Professor McGonagall will be delighted to meet you."

As it turned out, Professor McGonagall was having a trying day.

"Ever since you came under the influence of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, you are a danger to yourself and others!! Fifty points from Gryffindor!! Yes, Troy, from my own HOUSE!! You should not be allowed to study magic, fly broomsticks, or enter ZONKOS!! "

Dumbledore knocked softly on the door and the shouting stopped abruptly.

"Enter!" Professor McGonagall snapped in a shrill Scottish brogue from the other side of the door. For the first time that day, Quinn felt very nervous.

Her first glimpse of her head of House revealed a tall, middle-aged woman with black hair pulled back into a tight bun. She was dripping wet and appeared to have bits of plaster in her hair. Her black square spectacles were sitting crookedly on her nose.

"Good morning, Professor McGonagall," Dumbledore said pleasantly, his blue eyes twinkling. "Have we come at a bad time?"

If looks could maim, the one Professor McGonagall threw the boy sitting in front of her desk would have left him a basket case. "Not at all," Professor McGonagall growled, wringing the water out of her robes. "Mr. Troy, you have two weeks worth of detention with Mr. Filch."

"But, Professor!" Troy objected.

"I don't want to hear it, Troy. Vandalism carries a high cost in my house. Now, move along to your next class!"

Professor McGonagall watched Troy stalk from the room with eyes narrowed. When he was gone, she dried her robes and fixed her hair with a flick of her wand. After straightening her spectacles, she turned and said, "Now, how can I help you, Professor Dumbledore?"

"This is Quinnellia Chamberlain, the student I addressed the staff about this morning. I am pleased to tell you that she will be joining Gryffindor house. I have some documentation for you to look at, as well as some additional information about Miss Chamberlain's circumstances." Dumbledore handed a thick parchment envelope to Professor McGonagall, who tossed it onto her desk.

"Now ladies, I must take my leave. Miss Chamberlain," Dumbledore said his blue eyes twinkling, "welcome to Hogwarts"

"Thank you, sir"

There was a long silence as Professor McGonagall scanned the notes Dumbledore left her.

"Please, sit down and I'll be right with you, "Professor McGonagall said without looking up from her reading. Quinn took the empty chair in front of her desk and watched Professor McGonagall read. Abruptly, Professor McGonagall stood up, strode over to the door and poked her head out.

"Miss Grant," she barked at a girl who happened to be passing, "please find Lily Evans. She's in Charms right now. Tell her to come to my office immediately."

Professor McGonagall strode back to her desk, sat down and looked severely at Quinn. "What is track?" she questioned.

"It's running. At my other schools, I ran long distance races. They were usually about 15 kilometers. I played softball at both of the Muggle schools I went to as well."

Professor McGonagall looked up and peered at Quinn over her square spectacles. She looked mildly impressed. "Do you enjoy running?"

"Yeah," Quinn replied shyly. "In fact, I was hoping that I would be able to continue here."

"Miss Chamberlain, track is not a magical sport, thus Hogwarts would not have track," Professor McGonagall replied crisply. "However, there is no reason why you can't go running in your spare time, provided that you do not leave school grounds or stray into the forbidden forest."

"Ok. Thanks."

"Do you have any interest in playing a team sport here at Hogwarts? Gryffindor Seeker tryouts are in a couple of days. Do you know of Quidditch?" Professor McGonagall asked, thinking Quinn's slender athletic frame was ideal for a seeker.

Quinn felt her face break into a wide grin. "I would love to play Quidditch, Professor!"

"On the bulletin board in your common room there is a sign up sheet with all the details. Do you have a broom?"

"My grandpa gave me his broom," Quinn replied.

Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow. "I don't think that your granddad's old broom is appropriate for-"

"It's a Nimbus 1001, Professor. It was only purchased last year."

Professor McGonagall's face cleared. "Very well. I must also inform you that there are very strict rules about player eligibility. You'll have to keep your cumulative marks at least an 'Acceptable' or you will not be able to play in matches or practice with the team."

"I understand, Professor."

There was a soft knock on the door. "Professor...?"

"Come in, Miss Evans," commanded Professor McGonagall.

The door opened and a pretty auburn haired girl with large green eyes stepped gracefully into the room. "You wanted to see me, Professor McGonagall?" she inquired in her soft British accent.

"Quinnellia Chamberlain, this is Lily Evans," Professor McGonagall introduced. "Lily is a Gryffindor perfect. Miss Evans, Miss Chamberlain is, for lack of a better explanation, a transfer student from Boston, Massachusetts." Lily smiled at Quinn revealing luminous white teeth. "Since you're both 5^th years and you will be sharing a dormitory, I thought it made sense for you to show her around."

"I would be delighted, Professor," Lily replied as she flashed her lovely smile at Quinn.

Quinn hoped her expression did not show her thoughts... Oh, this is all I need. Little Miss Perfect here showing me around school.

"Very good, Miss Evans." Professor McGonagall gave Lily a small smile. "Please wait outside while I finish up with Miss Chamberlain."

When Lily was gone, Professor McGonagall peered sternly at Quinn again. "Now Miss Chamberlain." Quinn felt a lecture about her behavior coming on and forced her face into what she hoped was a contrite expression. "I have no doubt that you will do well here academically. I noticed that despite the fact you were in almost constant trouble at those Muggle schools, you managed to keep very decent marks."

"I had to in order to stay on the softball and track teams," Quinn replied quietly.

Professor McGonagall glared at Quinn. "I have some serious issues with your behavior. There is no room in my house or in this school for brawling," she told Quinn. "If it is truly your intention to finish your magical education here at Hogwarts, you will learn to solve your conflicts without physical violence or you will be expelled. Am I making myself clear?"

"Yeah... crystal," Quinn replied softly, avoiding Professor McGonagall's eye.

"This is your schedule. I will see you tomorrow after lunch for Transfiguration." Desperate to get out of Professor McGonagall's office, Quinn rose from her chair and stumbled to the door. She didn't care whether she was dismissed or not.

"Miss Chamberlain." Ah shit...Quinn thought and turned to face her new Head of House. "It is part of the job of the heads of house to offer counsel to their students. If you have need of me in that regard, my office hours are Mondays and Thursdays from six to 7:30 pm.

Quinn didn't know what to say to this, so she mumbled, "Ok. Thanks."

"You're welcome, Miss Chamberlain," Professor McGonagall said briskly. "And welcome to Hogwarts.

Lily was sitting on a window ledge reading her Intermediate Charms book when Quinn came out of Professor McGonagall's study. At the sound of the door closing, Lily looked up and Quinn got another glimpse of that dazzling smile.

"Ready then?" Lily asked.

"Um...yeah," Quinn said lamely.

"I thought we'd go up to Gryffindor Tower first," Lily said pleasantly. "Classes haven't quite finished for the day. We'd have the whole place to ourselves and you can get settled in peace.

"Ok whatever," Quinn agreed, quietly following Lily.

Quinn thought Lily seemed friendly enough, but regarded her warily nonetheless. Girls like Lily never seemed to have a whole lot in common with Quinn. In fact, girls like Lily usually turned out to be royally stuck up bitches and Quinn wasn't going to get her hopes up that Prefect Lily Evans was going to be any different. She was long past giving people the benefit of the doubt.

Finally, after what had to be at least ten minutes, Lily stopped in front of a large portrait of a fat lady in a pink satin dress.

"Password?" the Fat Lady questioned imperiously.

"Flobberworm," Lily responded promptly.

The portrait swung forward, revealing the entry to a large circular room. Quinn stepped in behind Lily. To the left of them was an area that appeared to be for revision. There were several large wooden tables and a couple bookcases filled with numerous battered copies of magical texts and reference books. Directly in front of them was a majestic red granite fireplace that was so large a person could stand in it. There were several large sofas and a dozen or so armchairs upholstered in plush red velvet. To the right of them a portrait of Godric Gryffindor and a huge notice board hung.

"This is the common room. You'll have to be back by nine pm during the week and ten pm on weekends." Quinn blatantly ignored Lily, and walked over to the message board in search of the Seeker trial sign up sheet McGonagall mentioned.

"Would you like to see our dormitory?" Lily asked hesitantly. Quinn heard the discomfort in Lily's voice and a part of her took pleasure in knowing that she caused it.

"Sure." Quinn shrugged and followed Lily up a spiral staircase.

When Quinn entered the dorm room, she saw that all of her possessions were arranged neatly on her bed waiting to be put away. Suddenly, the reality of the day caught up with her and she sat down hard on one of the beds. To Quinn's horror, she felt tears that she couldn't explain fill her eyes. Quinn hated to cry, and she hated doing it in front of other people.

"Quinnellia? Are you OK?" Lily sounded a little concerned. When Quinn didn't answer right away, Lily sat down on the bed next to her, put a delicate white hand consolingly on Quinn's shoulder and handed her a handkerchief.

"I go by Quinn. I'm fine," she told Lily as she wiped her eyes. "I thought I'd be on my back to Boston right now is all."

"How come?" Lily asked.

"I thought that Hogwarts wouldn't accept me," Quinn evaded simply.

"Quinn, I'm sorry...I don't want to pry, but I'm afraid I don't understand."

Quinn snorted. "Well what a surprise. I'll bet there's lots of stuff you wouldn't understand."

Lily looked momentarily taken aback by Quinn's churlishness. Then she responded calmly, "I'm not sure what you mean by that nor do I really care. But for the sake of peaceful communal living, let's agree that I won't make assumptions about you, if you don't make them about me." Lily's face was impassive but Quinn could see anger beginning to flash in her eyes.

Quinn felt mortified by her own rudeness, which was saying something because Quinn never felt bad about being rude to anyone. "I'm sorry," she said to Lily after a few moments of tense silence.

"It's all right," Lily stated simply, her expression softening. "Anyway, I'd probably be in a foul mood too if McGonagall told me off like that. Did sparks shoot out of her nose?"

Lily asked, seizing the opportunity to defuse Quinn's aggression.

"You heard that?" Quinn asked. Lily nodded and bit her lip to keep from laughing

Quinn snorted. "God, it was nothing compared to the kid who caught hell before me. I thought that guy was dead where he stood."

"That must have been Troy," Lily stated.

"Yeah that's the guy. What'd he do?" Quinn asked.

"It seems that he blew up all the toilets on the third floor," Lily said in a bored voice.

"Holy crap!" Quinn swore. "Are you kidding me?"

"It's really not as impressive as it sounds. The toilets on the third floor get blown up every fall." When Quinn looked confused, Lily elaborated, "Troy is the new Gryffindor Beater. Blowing up the toilets on the third floor initiates you to the team. Anyway, Troy probably wouldn't have gotten into too much trouble had McGonagall not been in the ladies at the time of said explosion," she finished and Quinn started to laugh.

Quinn hopped off the bed and began to put her clothes away in her wardrobe.

"Who are the other girls in the dorm?" Quinn asked.

"That bed belongs to Alice Truro. She's president of the Charms Club," Lily stated, pointing to the far corner of the room. "And the bed with all the clutter piled on it," Lily continued in a long suffering tone," belongs to Paige Hathaway. The three of us have been best friends since we met on the train. I have a picture if you want to see."

"Yeah," Quinn said with genuine curiosity.

Lily crossed the room and rummaged in the top drawer of her nightstand. "Here it is," she said after a moment.

Quinn took the picture from Lily. There were three girls in the picture waving enthusiastically and smiling. "This was taken on family day last year," Lily explained. "This is Alice." She pointed to a short plump girl with curly blonde hair, a round face and rosy cheeks. "And this is Paige." Lily pointed to a willowy girl who had mouse brown hair that was pulled back into a bun that seemed to be held in place by her wand. As if she had read Quinn's mind, Lily added, "Paige puts her wand there a lot."

The two girls began to giggle, and Quinn decided maybe Lily was ok.

Quinn heard her stomach grumble loudly. Still giggling Lily looked at her watch.

"Goodness it's almost 5:30!" Lily exclaimed. "Let's go down to the great hall and have dinner, and then I'll show you the owlery."