A/N: Hi there, my name is MysticalButterfly98 and this is (obviously) the first chapter of my first fic! First off, I must apologize for the quality. I wanted to start writing the story but I can't just start at some random point. I needed to scrawl down the first chapter and start off of that. I'd really appreciate if you all would send constructive criticism (from spelling errors to improving my writing style) through review or even PM. Also, I really enjoy reading how people liked or disliked my work, so be honest and go crazy in the little box below! Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoy!
James opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling. He sighed and reached for his glasses- today was the day in which he was forced, unlike all the other 7th years, to choose some silly little 12 year old to mentor for an entire year. How could he do all that while he was Head Boy, captain of the Quidditch team, take care of Remus and on a quest for Lily's affection. He held so many secrets and tasks that the thought of taking in some random child was such a farfetched and outrageous idea.
"Oi! Wake up, Potter! McGonagall will have your head if you're not in the Great Hall before 9 am!" an all to familiar voice hollered from behind his closed door. Lily Evans; Head Girl. Lily Evans, the love of James' life.
"Coming, Flower!" he yelled back in a sing-song manner, receiving the predictable reaction of a sharp "Ugh," and a kick on his door. He smiled at the ceiling and hauled himself out of bed. He slipped off his pajamas and hopped into a messy, day-old uniform and grabbed his Head Boy pin. He stashed his wand in his belt hole and flew out of his dorm with three minutes until nine.
Desperate to not get his head chewed off by McGonagall, he skid down the stairs and sprinted towards the Great Hall. He burst in, receiving several confused looks from the younger children and scoffs from the seventh years. They obviously thought that he was not fit for the position as Head Boy, but Dumbledore knew what he was doing.
"Potter!" McGonagall hissed sharply; it was two minutes past nine. James flipped his incredibly messy hair and flashed his classic Marauder smile.
"Sorry I'm late," he called out to the entire Hall; Lily glared and McGonagall looked murderous.
"That's quite alright, Mr. Potter," Headmaster Dumbledore chuckled and gestured to the empty seat beside him, indicating that James should take it and shut his mouth. He strolled lazily and plopped down in his chair. He was trying to tell everyone that he did NOT want to be there.
"Greetings, students and faculty! Allow me to announce again that we shall be welcoming another excellent and magical year here at Hogwarts," Dumbledore began.
"Allow me to explain the purpose of this program. 'Adopt a Second Year' is a wonderful and special program that allows people of two totally different age groups and life statuses to connect. The most unlikely friendships become the most fascinating bond in one's lifetime," he explained. People began to nod off and he clapped his hands together to regain their attention.
"So, let us begin! You may choose any person of any house, but choose carefully. There's no switching here! Seventh years to the left and second years to the right please!" Everyone stood up and went to their respective sides. The height difference was quite a spectacle; seventh years nearing 6'8 and second years several inches below 5'3. James caught sight of one of the shorter kids who was sporting a Gryffindor tie. She was quite tiny and cute with her chubby cheeks, round brown eyes and frilly chocolate curls.
"Let the start of a fantastic relationship begin!" Dumbledore said gleefully and the Seventh years broke the line while the second years shifted about, looking quite nervous. Lily tugged at James' wrist and jerked him forward.
"Come on, you're Head Boy!" she hissed and he had to stifle a laugh. She straightened her back and walked confidently toward the second years. James looked back at the girl he noticed earlier. She looked up and caught him staring at her. She looked apprehensive at first, but then curious. James walked up to her and sat himself down on the floor so he could get down to her level.
"Hello!" she exclaimed happily. She sounded kind of tired- perhaps mellowed out?
"Do you want to be my adoptee?" he said awkwardly. He wasn't used to associating with children under the age of 15. She blinked at him.
"Hmm...Okay!" she exclaimed and her face lit up.
"BRILLIANT!" he shouted, grabbed her by the arm and sped off towards McGonagall to properly sign up. The girl, being so tiny in comparison to James, toppled over and was literally dragged along by him.
"Whoaa!" she wailed as he basically mopped the floor with her.
"Potter! POTTER!" McGonagall hollered, scurrying after him.
"Pick her up now! 5 points from Gryffindor!" she ordered sternly. James looked at the girl sheepishly and helped her up. She shook her head out like a dog, flinging her curls all about.
"Professor, this is my new friend…"
"Katie!" the girl supplied, saving him from embarrasment. James looked quite thankful that she chimed in, but McGonagall looked less than convinced.
"Yes, and Miss Andersen," she said to girl now known as Katie, "do you know the name of your new 'friend'?"
"Uummmm..." Katie sounded unsure at first.
"Potter!" she announced loudly, surprising both James and McGonagall. She smiled excitededly.
"Very well, then. Mr. Potter, you are now Miss Andersen's mentor. Miss Andersen... Watch where you step," professor McGonagall warned and shot her a concerned look before hurrying off to pair up another seventh year with their second year.
"So, Katie, what's up?" James asked awkwardly. He was so large compared to her that he resorted to walking with his knees bent down lower so that she didn't need to fully tilt her head upwards to see his face.
"You are, silly!" she said and laughed at her own joke. 'Oh Merlin,' James thought to himself, 'this is going to be a long year...'
"Oi! Ja-POTTER! Who'd you choose?" Lily asked, almost calling him James rather than barking out his surname.
"Well, this little lady over here can introduce herself," James pushed Katie forward so she could greet Lily.
"Katie Andersen, pleased to meet you!" she stuck out her tiny hand with chipped pink nail polish. Lily took hers and shook it eagerly- she was always excited to meet new friends.
"Lily Evans, Head Girl," she said kindly.
"Why are you TOUCHING HER?" a disgusted voice demanded. Katie dropped Lily's hand and the cuteness of her face was replaced with a stone hard expression filled with hatred and all things evil.
"Holzfäller!" she spat with a tone full of poison.
The boy stepped out from behind Lily. He had blonde hair and green eyes which were squinting with anger.
"Andersen!" he snapped back with an equal amount of venom.
"Get away from MY seventh year!" he snarled.
"Get YOUR seventh year away from ME!" Katie yelled. It was almost alarming how loud she yelled. The two started to bicker furiously.
James and Lily looked at each other and sighed. This would be a long year indeed.