James and Lily: A History

Chapter 2: Lily's Inferiority Complex

"Ouch!" said Lily, rubbing her shoulder as she stepped aside to allow a thin Slytherin girl with sleek black hair walk pass her.

"Sorry Mudblood, didn't quite see you, but then, you don't belong here, anyway," snickered Bellatrix Black, who didn't really seem sorry at all. Alice and Roxy sent death glares at Bellatrix before she disappeared amidst the throng of students heading towards the Great Hall for breakfast the next day.

"What does 'Mudblood' mean?" asked Lily curiously, turning towards Alice and Roxy. "And what does she mean by I don't belong here? I got the Hogwarts acceptance letter didn't I?"

There was an awkward silence while Alice and Roxy looked uncomfortably at each other. "Come on, I'll tell you over breakfast. We're blocking the hallway standing here," replied Alice.

The Great Hall was extremely noisy when they entered. Owls flew in and out of the ceiling to give

students their schedules and mail, and first years were asking prefects the location of the classrooms and greenhouses. The weather looked to be celebrating the first day of term: the sky was a pristine, clear blue dotted with puffy, white clouds. Lily, Roxy, and Alice found seats at the end of the Gryffindor Table that faced the teachers. Lily quickly reached forward and filled her plate with three strips of bacon, some sausage, two pieces of buttered toast, a fair amount of hash browns dripping with ketchup, a few pancakes (suitably drenched in syrup), and a generous heaping of eggs.

Roxy and Alice both looked at her uncertainly.

"That's disgusting," Roxy said, spooning some granola into her already full bowl of yogurt.

Alice nodded, agreeing, munching quietly on a piece of toast.

Lily glared at the two of them.

"So, are you going to tell me what 'mud blood' was all about?" asked Lily, annoyed that her friends would hold her in such suspense.

"Well..." Alice paused, swallowing her toast. "There are a lot of narrow-minded witches and wizards. Mudblood means... dirty blood--filthy blood. It's a really foul name pure-bloods use against Muggle-borns. They feel that Hogwarts should be reserved for those whose family comes from a line of witches and wizards only," answered Alice in a serious tone.

"But that's prejudice... against... against... me! And all Muggles!" exclaimed Lily nervously. Lily

suddenly felt extremely insecure. She looked around at the other students in the Great Hall and wondered how many of them thought she had 'filthy blood.' I'm probably feeling exactly like the Jews did during the holocaust, she thought miserably, well, except I don't have to worry about being persecuted. Lily poked at her soggy pancakes, which had absorbed all of the syrup.

Roxy and Alice looked at each other, concerned.

"Hey, classes start in ten minutes. Let's hurry up and finish," said Roxy, swallowing her spoonful of yogurt.

The Gryffindors descended into the dungeons for their first class of the day--Potions. Professor Icthius, head of the Slytherin House, spoke in a monotonous, drawling voice as he taught the first year Gryffindors and Slytherins--the Confounding Potion.

"Gosh that class is so difficult!" complained Lily two hours later, as she walked out of Professor Icthius' classroom with Roxy and Alice.

"Lily, your Confounding potion was blue, not blue-green. I think you'll be okay," replied Roxy rationally. "You're too hard on yourself. You're doing just fine."

"Yeah, well, I wouldn't have had such a difficult time if Bellatrix would stop adding things in my potion when my back was turned. And could you hear, Potter and Black wouldn't stop bragging about the 'perfect' shade of blue of their Confounding Potions. And speaking of Potter, what was up with him? He kept on looking over at me when I was adding my ingredients! I was trying to concentrate."

"Lily, dear, I think you have an admirer," teased Alice while Roxy giggled.

"Shut up," snapped Lily, far more concerned about the state of her Confounding Potion.

"What do we have after lunch Remus?" asked Sirius, half-way through his beef casserole.

"Charms and Transfiguration," replied Remus. "Do you know where McGonagall's classroom is James? ... James?" Remus repeated, poking James in the arm.

"Right wing corridor, but don't quote me on that," said Frank, taking a seat next to Sirius who had just walked to where they were sitting and apparently overheard bits of their conversation.

James was obviously not listening to a word of what Sirius and Remus had said. He was too busy mumbling quietly to himself, trying to pick between "All right, Evans?" or "Hey Evans" as his first greeting for Lily.

"Aah!" exclaimed James, whose right shin had just been kicked by Sirius. "What was that for?"

"James, you might want to try talking to Evans. Sitting here with beef casserole dangling from your mouth with a mystified expression on your face doesn't exactly make you very appealing," said Sirius, who clearly understood the art of approaching a girl as an eleven year old.

"Evans? Which one is Evans?" asked Frank.

"The red-head sitting over there next to the blonde. Apparently, James thinks he's found the love of his life," teased Sirius.

Glaring at Sirius, James returned to finish his beef casserole, sitting in silence for the rest of lunch.

"Oy! Let's get to Charms or we'll be late!" cried Remus, checking his watch.

Professor Flitwick, perched precariously on top of his books, was lecturing on the concepts behind

the spell Wingardium Leviosa. He gave each pair of students a feather and said excitedly, "Go on and give it whirl!"

Lily looked at Alice, who was jabbing her wand into her feather and muttering the spell under he

breath. On her right, Roxy slowly threw the feather up, saying the incantation as it fell. Peering even further away, Lily saw Sirius give his wand a nice flick, and watched as the feather rose steadily through the air.

Professor Flitwick, apparently finally noticing the trouble his class was having, turned a rather bright shade of orange and began apologizing profusely, "I am most terribly sorry Gryffindors. I, well, I'm new and I... most sorry. But please, continue to try the charm."

He looked like he was about to faint right off his books.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" said Lily, flicking her wand. Much to her surprise, her feather levitated three feet above them. Professor Flitwick, seeing this, awarded her 10 points and gave her an encouraging smile.

Meanwhile, James and Sirius were positively bored. They had also levitated their feathers, but theirs had not risen quite as high, as they uttered the incantation lazily. Peter Pettigrew, who was sitting next to Sirius, begged him for help. Peter's feather had not budged after seven attempts.

After trying to help Peter (well, somewhat), Sirius decided it would be fun to teach Peter how to set his feather on fire instead.

"Here Peter, instead of flicking your wand, why don't you poke it angrily?" encouraged Sirius, mischief glittering in his eyes. "I'm sure that should do the trick."

"Uhm... okay..." answered Peter dubiously. Nonetheless, he poked his feather, and it suddenly burst into flames. The girls sitting behind Peter, Kristen Foutine and Vivian Flores, shrieked loudly and pushed their seats away from Peter. In the meantime Sirius and James burst into laughter.

With a wave of his wand, Professor Flitwick put out the flames, gave them detention set for later that night, and took away ten points from Gryffindor for 'Potter and Black's childish behaviors.' Lily was furious. They had taken away the first points she had earned for Gryffindor, the only shred of light on her first day of classes, just because they were bored and wanted to have some fun. They didn't have to make life difficult for me at the same time, Lily thought, eyes blazing angrily.

Too upset to look Potter and Black in the eyes, Lily was the first to leave the classroom and first to walk into McGonagall's class, taking a seat in the front.

"10 points Potter! Class, see how Potter's needle has been fully turned into a feather. Once you see your pointy needle sprouting feathers on the ends, that means you have transfigured your needle. Good job Potter," said McGonagall.

Sirius followed James in transfiguring his feather. With nothing to do for the rest of the period, they spent the rest of their time changing their feathers into different colors and by the time class had ended, James had managed to walk his feather across the desk. Lily, who was watching James perform different transfiguration tricks on his feather, was absolutely frustrated.

"Lily, calm down. Your needle isn't pointy anymore. McGonagall said we only have to get the basics down," said Alice, trying to comfort Lily who was looking extremely flustered.

"Yes, but it would make my life a lot easier if they stopped showing themselves off, because I'm trying to fit into this world. It makes me feel like I shouldn't even try," retorted Lily, as she transfigured her needle to a feather again. "Maybe I don't belong."

"Got an inferiority complex do you Lily? Calm down, I swear your going to be one of the top students in our year at the pace your working," replied Roxy.

"Great, that means I have to work myself to death for the next seven years," said Lily sarcastically.

"Uh, no Lils. Seriously, you need to calm down," advised Roxy, watching Lily glare at James and Sirius, who were laughing boisterously at James' feather, which was skipping across the desk.

After the first week of school, it was clear that James and Sirius were the top students of their year from the boys, and Lily was among the top students from the girls in their year. Unlike Lily, who was rather reserved among everyone except for Roxy and Alice, James and Sirius were extremely outgoing and boisterous, playing pranks and jokes every day during classes. After dinner on Tuesday, James, Sirius, and Remus walked back to their room to retrieve their books and start on their homework. Well, Remus actually started on his homework; James and Sirius played a game of chess, using their rare detention-free evening to their advantage.

Finding an empty table, Remus immediately opened his Transfiguration book and started working while Sirius and James invented pranks to play on the Slytherin prat, Severus Snape. Over the first week, they had discovered Severus knew more hexes than half the seventh years. He was obviously very Dark Arts driven, something James despised very much, since his father was a dedicated Auror to the Ministry.

"Remus, take a break and play a game of Exploding Snap with us," said Sirius, opening a pack of cards.

"No, I have the Charms essay to do," replied Remus seriously.

"But that's not due in 2 days!" cried James, wondering why anyone would ever want to start on an essay the day it was assigned.

"Not everyone is as talented as you James or Sirius, who can pull off things last minute," said Remus.

"Got that right Remus," said Sirius, giving Remus a pat on his shoulder while James smirked at Sirius' side. "Besides, if I don't get it done in time, I can always copy from you, right Remus?"

Sighing, Remus nodded with a smile.

Classes were certainly getting more interesting, Lily thought. By attempting to use selective hearing, also known as ignoring Sirius and James during her classes, she was learning to tolerate that stupid pair of immature boys. However, Lily's gloom returned when she saw the posting for Flying Lessons the next day first in the morning--with the Slytherins.

"Yes! Flying!" cheered Vivian and Kristen in Lily's dormitory.

Sitting on her bed, Lily absorbed nothing they said. Flying--that was definitely not going to be her thing. She ran a fast 800m on the track, took occasional whacks at tennis, and had swimming lessons with Petunia when she was young, but she never enjoyed being up in the air. Lily fiercely disliked airplanes: she felt dizzy during take-offs, sick during the ride, and couldn't eat anything throughout the entire trip for fear of it coming back out.

Despite Lily's gloomy spirits as she walked down to the Quidditch field the next day with Roxy and Alice, she couldn't help but enjoy the chilly breeze brushing by her cheeks and the cloudless sky above, the first signs of autumn. It was silent for some time, but suddenly a loud laugh shattered the peaceful atmosphere.

Turning around, Lily groaned to see James Potter, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin making their way towards them.

"I can't wait to fly. I would do anything to play Chaser next year for the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. What about you Sirius? Any thoughts of joining?" asked James loudly, glancing surreptitiously at Lily.

"Does it involve commitment?" inquired Sirius.

"Uhm, yeah..." answered James. "That's kind of the whole purpose mate."

"Nope," replied Sirius promptly. "I would rather be lounging in the common room couch than flying around in wind and rain during the winter."

James looked towards the sky and was glad to see it was clear. Today was the day he was going to flaunt his amazing flying skills to impress Evans. He scanned the field, and saw her a couple feet away. Seeing James eye Lily, Remus whispered in James' ear, "Go and talk to her before the lesson starts." James nodded, ran his hand through his hair, and walked up to Lily.

"Evans! Did you notice how I made the feather skip across the table on the first day of school in Transfiguration?"

"It was kind of hard to miss," replied Lily stiffly without looking at James. She left him standing quite stupidly, as she walked to where the rest of the class stood. Passing the Slytherins, Bellatrix Black said haughtily Lily. "Everyone stand back! Mudblood walking through! Don't want to get dirty now."

The Slytherins laughed heartily at Black's comment, but Lily ignored them and went to stand in between Roxy and Alice, who were on the verge of pouncing on Bellatrix until Madam Hew arrived.

After many minutes of demonstration, James was itching to mount onto his broom and feel the excitement and freedom of being in the air. He hadn't had the chance to fly since school started; what better time to do it than in front of Evans?

"So, on the count of three, I want you all to mount your brooms," ordered Madam Hew, showing them how to mount. "Now, 1...2...3."

Instead of just mounting his broom, James jumped onto his broom at three and zoomed twenty

feet in the air. Steeling himself, he zoomed down and up in a V formation, while the rest of the class clapped and whistled. Time for the flips, he thought eagerly, sure that he'd impress Evans now.

He turned the broom upside down in a soft circle and whooped with glee, only belatedly noticing that whooping on broomsticks was not the best plan. His hands now officially off the broom, he fell rapidly to the ground. Madam Hew rushed over, and upon noticing that he wasn't hurt, threatened to kick James out of the flying lesson if he 'played around again.' Lily, amused that the show-off had gotten his comeuppance, was relieved that she'd be able to concentrate on her own flying now.

"Snape! You need to grip your broom tighter and slide off smoothly," criticized Madam Hew, who had just watched Snape fall off his broom three times in a row. "And please don't fly into the people around you Snape. Mr. Rosier is one tragedy enough for the day," causing a burst of laughter amongst the Gryffindors.

"Need any help Snape? Of course, I don't want to get any grease on my hands," teased James. Seeing James surrounded by his fellow Gryffindors, Snape thought it best to stay silent and glare instead. Meanwhile, Lily was upset. People like Potter--although he was a Gryffindor--used the same naïve and immature tactic to retaliate. Although she was faring pretty well on her boom, Lily couldn't wait to get away from James as soon as possible. After the lesson was over, Lily stashed her broom away immediately and stood to wait for Alice and Roxy outside the Quidditch pitch.

James ran to catch up with Lily as she walked away from the class with her friends.

"Okay Evans?" asked James, running his hand through his hair to make it look more windswept.

"No," snapped Lily, annoyed that James was trailing her.

"Why not Evans? Want some help on a broom?" said James, adding what he believed to be a debonair smile.

That was it. Lily wanted to get away from Potter--now. She stopped abruptly in her tracks and turned towards James, her almond green eyes glaring into James' hazel. Alice and Roxy stopped also, glancing curiously at Lily, afraid she was going to overreact.

"Actually, it wasn't your dives that I didn't like; it was you. I hate how you flaunt your skills at every single available opportunity. Honestly Potter, I'm surprised you can fly with such a huge head on your shoulders," replied Lily, gritting her teeth.

Turning abruptly and walking away with Roxy and Alice by her side, Lily left James confused and slightly disappointed.

"Didn't go too well did it?" teased Sirius, as he walked towards James with Remus next to him.

"What happened?" asked Remus, sounding concerned.

"I don't know. I saw her leave and wanted to talk to her but she--"

"So Potter, is your Mudblood girlfriend alright?" interrupted Bellatrix in a loud voice, making her way off the Quidditch field with Severus, Radolphus, and Evan.

"Shut up Bellatrix," said Sirius, turning around and drawing out his wand.

"You give our family a bad name cousin, hanging around with Mudblood sympathizers. Traitors to our kind," hissed Bellatrix.

"We have a very different view of what 'traitor to our kind means,'" retorted James, his eyes blazing with anger.

"Oh really? And that involves hanging around Mudbloods?" added Severus, his voice unctuously smooth.

"I wouldn't be talking--you greasy-haired, sleazy--." Before James could finish his sentence, Severus drew out his wand and hexed James with the tickling curse, causing James to roll on the ground with laughter. Sirius quickly cast a Jelly Legs Curse on Severus, triggering complete chaos as Bellatrix, Severus, Radolphus, and Evan sent haphazard sparks against James, Sirius, and Remus.

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?" yelled McGonagall, sprinting down to the Quidditch Field, her eyes livid and her face chalk white. "Potter. Black. I expect better behavior on behalf of my Gryffindors. You will serve detention for a week and 50 points from Gryffindor. As for you--Bellatrix Black, Snape, Lestrange, and Rosier--come with me. We'll have a chat with the Head of your House."

Watching McGonagall lead the Slytherins back to the castle, James could feel his blood boiling. How dare they ridicule Evans? He stared in disbelief until the figures disappeared through the oak doors, wishing Evans hadn't left so early so she could see how he had so bravely defended her. His thoughts were interrupted as he glanced down to see a short, fat boy with watery eyes gazing at him with stunned admiration--Peter Pettigrew.

"Wow, what jinx was that?" asked Peter in awe.

"Uh... that was me. It's called the Jelly legs Curse. I picked it up from one of the prefects who was experimenting it on his friend one day in the common room," answered Sirius.

"Oh, well that was an awesome bit of flying you did James," praised Peter, clapping his hands.

James and Remus exchanged raised eyebrows--this boy idolized them.

"You know what else is a good curse? The bat bogey one. Imagine Snape's pale face filled with flapping wings!" said Peter, looking for approval. Sirius and James erupted into fits of laughter while Remus smiled, amused. "You guys should work together and look up hexes to guard yourselves against Snape!"

"Good idea Peter! Want to help us? We could use your ideas," suggested Remus smoothly.

"Really?" asked Peter, his face brimming with glee.

"Yeah, but don't wet yourself over it Peter! I mean, you stay in the same dorm as us," said James, smirking.

"Yeah, and we don't need to guard ourselves against the greasy-headed prat. We need to teach Snivelly a nice lesson," said Sirius, rubbing his chin as though he was in deep contemplative thought.

"You're going to have fun with us Peter," James said, clapping Peter on the back.

"Welcome to our group," finished Sirius resolutely.

Chapter 2: