Mary and Marlene
Me and you, and you and me
No matter how they toss the dice, it had to be
The only one for me is you, and you for me
So happy together
I can't see me lovin' nobody but you
For all my life
When you're with me, baby, the skies'll be blue
For all my life
“Happy together”, The turtles. 1967.
The date of departure finally arrived. Lily, her parents and Severus were standing on the platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross station saying their last goodbyes. The way of entering the platform was a bit peculiar, “unusual” that was the word Lily’s mom used after running through the wall in heels and skirt. Petunia was still in her summer camp, she was returning tomorrow but refused to move the date any time forward.
Lily was a little bit down since the morning, she would’ve wanted to say her goodbyes to all her family members. She wouldn’t be home until Christmas holidays and that laid so much ahead.
“It’ll be alright my darling.” Her mom said looking at the sad look on Lily’s face, she was mentioning her sister on all their way to the train station, getting silent with nothing more to say.
“I’ll talk to her”, her dad reassured, winking at Lily.
“Don’t forget to write, McGonagall told us there’s no phones in the school.” Her mom reminded. “No tellies either so at least you won’t get distracted.”
“Write to us every week at least”, her dad added, “you’re gonna do great honey, but if you don’t like it, want to come back home or have any other problem you just give us a bell… or an owl letter I guess, promise?”
“Promise.” Lily smiled in return. The excitement grew in her once again, new school, new friends, new things to learn! She’s gonna do great.
“I’m so happy we’re starting our first school year.” Lily smiled at Severus as her parents were leaving. Snape’s dad was still out of town and his mother asked the Evans’ to give him a ride to the train station.
“Yeah.” he said with an attempt of a smile. They both were already wearing their uniforms, Lily thought it would be the best since she wasn’t able to stand another judgmental incident such as the one occurring in Diagon Alley.
The train was nearly full at the time they came looking for free seats. And after passing several carriages they finally came up with some empty places. Entering they saw a girl their age, she was facing the window but in the moment they opened the door she turned to look at them. The girl was wearing a red summer dress, it looked so pretty on her dark skin. Her dark curls fell down to her shoulders and she was wearing black Mary Janes. She looked so pretty that for a moment Lily regretted wearing the uniform instead of a summer dress as well.
“We should find another carriage.” Snape whispered, looking over the girl from top to bottom.
In that moment Lily understood, ofcourse, the girl was a muggle born as well. For a moment Lily pictured herself in Diagon Alley, alone, with none to talk to and how encouraging it was talking to the book shop owner, someone who made her finally feel comfortable.
“I’m staying, it’s okay if you want to look for a different carriage Sev.” Lily said in a whisper, and added while taking the seat in front of the girl. “Hi, I’m Lily, is this your first year as well?”
The beautiful girl smiled at her, her glance laying for a moment on Severus’ sour expression.
“Nice meeting you,” she turned to them. “It is my first year, yes. My name is Mary McDonald.”
Finally Severus had no choice but to enter the carriage. The girls quickly started a chatter about one thing and another, jumping through topics. How excited they were on their way to the castle and how unpleasant some wizards were, how weird their clothes seemed and how rare their habits were. They didn’t even notice when the train came in movement.
“I’m so excited!” Mary exclaimed “Where would you guys like to be sorted?”
“Slytherin” Severus answered solemnly, “My father would be disappointed otherwise, he deeply despises all the other houses.”
After a bit of silence Lily tried to unwind the tension formed, “Maybe Ravenclaw, I read they have a huge library in their tower and you have to answer a riddle to come inside, seems like fun.”
“Oh, no way. That mustn’t be practical. What if you’re tired and just in need of going inside, looking for a lack of sleep for instance? The last thing you want to do is answer a riddle.”
“Hufflepuff would be alright as well I guess, they’re good at Herbology and I’m so excited about that subject.”
“I think you’re better than that Lily.” Snape said in a low tone, although both girls heard him perfectly. “You deserve more than just a stupid house with girls who like flowers and act like goodies, you’re capable of much more than that. Achieving a lot more.”
“Sev…” Lily said quietly.
“You just keep pulling others down even with your attempts at making a compliment.” she thought, the words wouldn’t come now, on the train with Mary just sitting there, he didn’t deserve all that. Was it his fault he grew up like this? With a father who always expected the best of him, making him feel not enough.
“Well, I would love to be sorted in Gryffindor.” Mary said, in an attempt to change the subject. “Always loved red and they seem to be fun people. Well maybe except McGonagall, such a severe lady she is.”
Lily was about to argue when the door was left wide open and a blond girl their age came in. She pushed her enormous suitcase with her, stopping to rest now and then. She was tall, but so slim it was all a challenge to be moving the bags by herself while the train was in movement.
“Hi guys, hope I’m not interrupting anything…” she said, making her way to the overhead racks.
The girls immediately stood up to help her, Snape only decided to join in when Lily attempted to put the suitcase up on her own, nearly falling herself in the try.
The blond girl threw herself on one of the seats breathing exhausted after all the carrying around and balancing with the train's speed. When she finally looked around, there were two pairs of intrigued eyes facing her, Snape decided to grab a book to kill his immense boredom.
“I’m Marlene McKinnon, nice to meet you.” She said, shaking the girls hands. “There were apparently not a lot of free seats left, or the people in my carriage just couldn’t bear my company.” she sighed, “You see, it got really crowded, first this blond idiotic slytherin came around, I think he's a Malfoy and then the Prewetts brothers passed by. Oh got, Danny warned me about the Prewetts, why I never listen to him?”
“You saw the Prewetts?! That’s so cool, they’re so cool I mean.” Mary giggled. “A girl told me this is their last year.” she said excitedly, Marlene nodded.
“Who are the Prewetts?” Lily asked confused, she read some parts of school books but the names of the students didn't come along in them, unfortunately. Afterwards, she asked herself how Mary managed to recap information in that short of a time. She would learn later that none should ever underestimate McDonald’s art of gossip.
“You don’t know them? Fabian and Gideon! They´re amazing, always setting pranks and stuff… Wait a second, they did it again, didn't they?” Mary smiled thrilled. “They set a prank in your carriage?”
“Indeed,” Marlene smiled. “That blond boy was talking about the purity of wizards and how some kids shouldn’t be here, such an idiot. So well… In brief, he ended up vomiting frogs.”
“Creative.” Mary pointed.
Marlene laughed, “Sure, but after five frogs it got a bit slimy in the carriage so it looked like a good idea to leave.”
At that even Lily crackled a smile.
“Your brother told you anything more about the Prewett brothers?” Mary asked.
“What big pranksters they are. Danny just graduated last year so he saw them all the time, he was in Gryffindor too. And since it’s their last year, everyone is saying they’re planning something big, but those are just rumours.”
“They seem like real trouble makers, it’s bringing peace of mind they’re graduating.” Lily said thoughtfully, it didn’t feel very enjoyable to be vomiting frogs on your way to school.
“Oh, don’t say that Lily, they’re probably so fun to hang out with.” Mary insisted.
“Not like we are going to hang out with them.” Marlene laughed, but then added turning her face to Lily, “They’re always nice you know. This guy was just mean to others, that's all, they never attempt to harm anyone. Just teaching some manners now and then.”
Lily said nothing. But were they really the people who had the right to punish others for the bad things someone did? Shouldn’t that be the role of a teacher or a real grown up?
“Anyways,” Marlene went on, “it’ll be our first year, so any chances we see them much. But when I’m sorted into Gryffindor, surely I will at least express my admiration. They are so creative and cool and…”
Mary laughed at that, “but how would you know your house beforehand silly? Isn't it the hat who makes the decision?”
Marlene pulled her hair into a tall ponytail before answering. “It sort of is, but… Not all of it. You see, all my family went to Gryffindor and I was dreaming of it since my oldest brother went to school. It’s never a guarantee of course, but the sorting hat takes in mind your wishes. My dad told me it has to do more with the student than with the hat, it knows what's best because it can read you like a book, what you think and feel. So if you have a clear mind it will be alright.”
“I never thought about it this way,” Lily said nervously. “It makes it even more difficult, I have no idea where I want to go, it was easier to think someone would decide that for me.”
Here it came again, she wasn’t ready, she should have been prepared for it. Never take anything for granted and always think for yourself. She was starting a new life here, she couldn’t fail, at least not because of lack of knowledge. She would have to work harder.
“You’re right” Mary said “Thank goodness I already adore Gryffindor with all my heart. And now even more because of these funny brothers.”
“The Prewetts,” Marlene corrected, “and please don’t call them “funny brothers”, it would seem lame and we are already lame because we’re first years.”
Mary just waved her hand on that, “It would be awesome if we all get sorted there, would share a room. I just can’t wait because of how excited I am!” she smiled hugging her shoulders and then exclaimed, “You guys! I totally forgot to offer…” She went to her rucksack that laid underneath her seat, pulling out a paper bag. “I brought some snacks from home, do you crave some? 've some biscuits and chocolate in there.”
“Don’t you worry Lily” Marlene said, grabbing one of the treats offered while Mary insisted to Severus on trying at least one. “The hat is there to guide your choice, it won’t decide completely for you, no, but it’ll see what suits you the most. You don’t have to worry.”
“Thanks.” Lily said smiling, she wouldn’t stop worrying that quickly but it was nice of Marlene to care.
“Take something Lily, I have some toffees.” Mary said, handing the bag to her.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------
They didn’t stop talking for the rest of the trip. All of them, except Severus, got more and more excited while they made their way through. Everything passed around Lily like a beautiful dream, the tall castle that could belong to some fairytale she read, the lake with the boats that navigated on their own. Severus got away the moment they left the train, with an excuse of seeing a familiar face.
Lily saw him afterwards while all the first years were entering the dining hall, Snape was one of the first students in line to the hat.
“Slytherin” was the hat’s verdict, it took nothing less than touching Snape’s head for making the decision of a twelve-year-olds future.
The line advanced fast but Lily felt the passing minutes like hours. The girls went by her side, chattering under their breath, Lily couldn’t distinguish full sentences only getting to hear something about “boys”, “quidditch” and some laughter in between. So it came as a surprise hearing her own name resonating through the hallway.
“Miss Evans, I see…” the hat spoke in her mind the moment she took a seat. “Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw wouldn’t miss but I’m sorting you to…
“Gryffindor!” the hat claimed out loud.
The whole red-golden table went wild with this announcement, cheering and clapping. Some of the kids welcomed her and offered her a seat at the end of the table. There was a group of boys, probably first years as well, sitting on the edge near all the empty spaces. They were talking so loudly and jiggy, it made Lily smile. One of the boys turned to her grinning. He had a bunch of messy curls for hair and big round glasses that fell now and then down to the edge of his nose. He offered his hand for a hand shake.
“I’m James.” He announced with a smile.
“Lily.” the girl answered, shaking his hand back. The touch of their hands made her blush. She didn’t know why, it was usually more difficult to catch her off guard, but it wasn’t this time, surely it was just the tiredness from the train. It was a very brief moment and probably passed unnoticed to everyone, considering all the greetings and commotion that brought to the table the arrival of Marlene and Mary. But it still felt embarrassing, so she tried to deal with that incident in the best way possible. Turning to the girls that came to sit just by her side, chattering and laughing and avoiding at all costs making eye contact with James till the end of the night.
There was so much happening she didn’t have to try hard. Once her nerves were in place she took a moment to glance all over the hall. The night ceiling above them, the hall lit up with floating candles and was beyond beautiful, she never saw all the constellations beeing that bright and clear. The dinner was spectacular with tons of meals and just its appearance was enough to remind her of the hunger she felt. One of those moments the Prewetts shot some red and gold, sparkling salutes above everyone's heads, one of them being a lion who roared in excitement scaring some of the slytherins on the other side. Another one of the first year’s boys as well made his presence to be remembered, he was dark haired and seemed pale but didn’t miss the opportunity to make a joke. He was sitting in front of James and on Mary's right side, constantly making her laugh. Getting to the point on which Mary spilled two glasses of juice on her plate because of uncontrollable laughter.
Lily would hardly remember all those details but it was definitely one of the best nights she had till then. Looking one more time at the stars of the ceiling she caught herself thinking about Pet and that led to thinking of Severus. She turned to look at the Slytherins table, Sev was surrounded by some boys she didn’t know, but he was looking right back at her. So she smiled, knowing he wouldn’t smile back.