1 February 1977, Headmaster's Office

[lilium_evansiae]

Lily stands in the hallway outside the Headmaster's Office, clutching an envelope and telling herself to stop being ridiculous.

It's just tea.

Of course, it's tea with the Headmaster on the occasion of her seventeenth birthday, but it's still just tea.

Intimidating tea, but tea, none the less.

"Excuse me," Lily says, to the gargoyle in the hallway, holding out the invitation. "I think the Headmaster is expecting me."

There's a moment, and then the gargoyle reveals a moving spiral staircase leading up to Professor Dumbledore's office.

Comments

[undeniablestyle]

"It would certainly help you to immerse yourself in the world."

One lives and breathes magic at Hogwarts, of course, but for the students at least, it's a rather closed environment. More so for students from Muggle backgrounds.

"I hope you know, Miss Evans, that I will be happy to offer my recommendation. You have done expemplary work here, both as a student, and as prefect."

[lilium_evansiae]

Closed and very safe. Lily might encounter prejudices from other students, but the school itself has afforded her every opportunity that is has afforded her pureblood classmates.

That may not be the case, once she's out in the world.

"Thank you, sir," Lily says, flushing a bit pink but smiling. "That's very kind of you."

[undeniablestyle]

"Kindness has little to do with it," Dumbledore replies, pleasantly.

A little. It is not, after all, a quality of which he is devoid. But moreover, Dumbledore is a headmaster who makes it his business to know who his students are, what they are capable of, and how those capabilities might best benefit (or harm) the Wizarding World.

Perhaps if he'd been more vocal about his insticts years earlier, Tom Riddle would not have made his way so far down his destructive path. But then, Dumbledore hadn't had the power at Hogwarts than that he does now.

"It is a regard that you have earned, and continue to earn. Scone?"

[lilium_evansiae]

"Thank you," Lily says, taking a scone because it's easier than replying to the rest of it.

(And rather more than a bit pink now, too.)

[undeniablestyle]

"I always find it fascinating how students change during their time at Hogwarts, being able to watch them from the very beginning," Dumbledore says, conversationally. "Many I can predict, but there are always some surprises."

"You, for instance. I can still remember that you were quite determined from the very beginning."

Little has changed there. Which is not a bad thing.

"Your friend, Mr. Potter, on the other hand. He's much improved in the last year or so."

And Dumbledore hears and sees enough to know that Miss Evans is at least partially responsible for it.

[lilium_evansiae]

Her parents could tell him that the determination hardly began when she arrived at Hogwarts.

There's a moment's hesitation, and then Lily says, "And is that something you predicted, sir, or did it surprise you?"

It certainly surprised her.

(Except that it didn't. Not really.)

[undeniablestyle]

Dumbledore sips his tea, thoughtfully.

"I believed there was a good chance," he says. "The core goodness was there, and the Potter family is one that cultivates responsibility."

"Though," he adds with an amused smile, "I was beginning to think it would be a photo finish between those qualities asserting themselves, and Mr. Potter and Mr. Black being brought up on charges of Extremely Dangerous Mischief of some kind."

He's rather relieved at the outcome of that race, honestly.

[lilium_evansiae]

Lily studies the pattern on her teacup for a moment, before she speaks.

"There's a lot of good in James," she says, finally. "And he'd better at letting people see it than he was."

Possibly including himself.

[undeniablestyle]

There's nothing like a couple of years to grant maturity. And nothing like wanting to win a young lady's good opinion.

"And I think it will be beneficial to all of us."

"Although, don't tell him I said so. He may break into an acute rash of pranks if he knows he's being watched."

Young people can be funny that way.

[lilium_evansiae]

"I won't, sir," Lily says, smiling a bit.

Because how awkward would that be?

[undeniablestyle]

Dumbledore raises his teacup in toast to the conspiracy.

"And now hopefully it is only a matter of time before Mr. Black follows."

Of course, Dumbledore is willing to afford Sirius Black some leniency. He has not had the easiest path, and has come far already.

[lilium_evansiae]

Well, the Headmaster has the right to hope ...

"I can't think of many things he and James don't agree on," Lily offers.

Well, you know.

Aside from her.

[undeniablestyle]

"Quite. Loyal friendship is a great gift."

Ask any Hufflepuff.

"But enough about Mr. Potter and Mr. Black."

"Did you have an enjoyable birthday?"

[lilium_evansiae]

Lily nods.

"Yes, sir, I did."

Though it did rather involve Mr Potter.

"My friends got me a locket, and, of course, it was the day after the Quidditch match."

[undeniablestyle]

"Ah, yes. I would be surprised to learn that Gryffindor Tower slept in the wake of that victory."

It had been rather decisive.

"That was thoughtful of your friends indeed."

Sometimes, Muggle-born witches and wizards can miss out on traditions.

[lilium_evansiae]

"I have good friends," Lily says.

Even Perdita.

In her way.

"And I think it was around three in the morning when things finally started quieting down.

"It was quite a match, after all."

[undeniablestyle]

"A triumph well celebrated."

Dumbledore looks rather as if he approves.

"I did notice that Professor McGonagall's tea the next morning at breakfast was more sugar than liquid."

So, clearly, a long night.

[lilium_evansiae]

"At least we only have one match left this year, sir?"

With Ravenclaw.

Though it will determine who gets the cup, so if they win that one, it's likely to be quite loud, again.

[undeniablestyle]

Dumbledore seems to be thinking the same thing.

"Perhaps the prefects should begin resting up now."

[lilium_evansiae]

"I'll suggest it, sir.

"Though I'm not sure our coursework will give up much of an opportunity to do so."

Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh years are rather full.

Not that that is a problem.

At least, not for Lily.

Well, not often.

[undeniablestyle]

Her grades certainly aren't suffering. Dumbledore has checked.

"Do you enjoy your position as prefect?"

The question is more than just a link in a polite and pleasant conversation.

It's time to start exploring the possibilities for Head Boy and Head Girl for next year. Lily's name is on a very short list.

[lilium_evansiae]

Lily thinks for a moment before she answers that.

It's not that she doesn't like being a prefect. It's just that she's not sure she'd say she 'enjoys' it, either.

It sounds ... flippant.

It sounds ... Slytherin.

More about the power of the position than the responsibility.

"I'm very proud of having been made a prefect," she says finally. "And I think I do a pretty good job at it."

[undeniablestyle]

A thought-out answer.

And it's quite true. Positions of power are rarely a thing of true enjoyment. At least not if you're doing your job properly.

"Your parents must be quite proud."

[lilium_evansiae]

Lily nods.

"Yes, they are.

"And it's something that's familiar to them, the idea of a prefect, as opposed to most of what I can tell them about here."

[undeniablestyle]

Dumbledore nods with a smile.

"Yes. I remember your father's concerns about our.....accreditation, as it were."

Delightful man, Mr. Evans.