What I Like About You

Chapter Two

When I'm watchin' my TV
And that man comes on to tell me
How white my shirts can be
But he can't be a man 'cause he doesn't smoke
The same cigarettes as me
I can't get no, oh no no no
Hey hey hey, that's what I say

I can't get no satisfaction
I can't get no girl reaction
'cause I try and I try and I try and I try
I can't get no, I can't get no

When I'm ridin' round the world
And I'm doin' this and I'm signing that
And I'm tryin' to make some girl
Who tells me baby better come back later next week
'Cause you see I'm on losing streak
I can't get no, oh no no no
Hey hey hey, that's what I say

((Can't Get No) Satisfaction: The Rolling Stones)

Thursday, September 1, 1977

Six arguments and seven long, stony silences later, the Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade Station. Lily abandoned the hateful glare that she had been dutifully showing Sirius and immediately rejoined her friends.

"Girls traveled in packs," James theorized, watching Lily keenly. "They cannot bear to be separated."

From a few feet away, Lily overheard this and snickered.

"Enough theories on women!" Sirius groaned. "I'm tired of hearing the Wicked Bitch of the West laugh at everything we say!"

James, Remus, and Peter immediately attacked this.

"She's not a bitch!"

"You know, you could have said witch, seeing as ..."

"She's from London! Is that west of here?"

"No, you great prat! Its south!"

"Southwest or southeast?"

"I don't know!"

"Wicked Witch of the West. See? That works too."

"Does she live in east or west London?"

"Whichever is the nice end, I don't know London!"

"Why the hell did you quote a musical, anyway?"

"Would you three shut up?"

They climbed into a horseless carriage and waited a moment or two before Lily, Diana, Athea, and Galatea joined them. Lily and Diana exchanged exasperated glances while Athea and Galatea smiled pleasantly.

"Hello, ladies," said James suavely.

"Haven't you had enough of me for one day, Potter?" Lily snapped, rolling her eyes to the ceiling of the carriage.

"No."

"I have!" Sirius growled, glaring at Lily.

"Oh, for heaven's sake! Grow up and let it go, Black! Just accept that my opinion of music is different from yours, and cut the absurdly juvenile behavior!"

"You know what's pathetic?" Athea interrupted. "The fact that the two of you can get in such a venomous row over something so trivial!"

"We're not being venomous!" Lily said defensively.

"It isn't trivial!" snapped Sirius.

"We were on the train too," grumbled Diana. "We could hear the two of you going at it."

Sirius merely glared moodily out the window.

There was a tense silence until the carriages pulled to a stop in front of the castle. Lily and James parted from their friends and entered with the first years.

"It pains me greatly to say this, Potter, so take it to heart," Lily mumbled. "You don't look half bad for having walked through the rain without an umbrella."

James grinned. "You don't look half bad for having just spent an hour bellowing yourself hoarse at Sirius over something pointless."

"You know, Potter, you have a real knack for turning a perfectly nice compliment into a vile, bitter remark."

"I was born with it."

"Do you want to know what I think? I think that you were just upset that I wasn't paying attention to you for that hour!"

Suddenly James grabbed her hand and pulled her away.

"What the hell, Potter!" Lily shouted, then clapped her hand over her mouth, realizing too late, that Dumbledore had announced them, and James was simply pulling her out in front of the student body.

Dumbledore hesitated for barely half a second before continuing. "... I'm sure they will be some of the best Head Students Hogwarts has ever had; there was no question in selecting them, and you know I don't say that every year." His eyes twinkled. "If any of you, especially the younger students, have any questions, you should feel very comfortable in asking either James or Lily."

The students applauded politely, and Lily and James took their seats at Gryffindor table.

"Well, that was embarrassing!" Lily hissed at James through her teeth.

"It wasn't my fault you weren't paying attention!"

"Shut up, you two!" whispered Galatea. "They're bringing out the Sorting Hat!"

At the end of last term, Athea had been declaring to anyone who would listen that the Sorting Hat had something very important to say. Lily, Diana, and Galatea had promised to listen closely, mostly in order to shut her up.

The ragged hat opened wide at the brim and began, as it had for about the past thousand years, to sing.

Another year, the time has come

For you to hear my song.

But I know you are impatient,

So I will not keep you long.

As you know, the story goes

Of four friends, now divided.

I'll not reiterate tonight,

Because I have decided

To tell you all another tale,

One of a different tune.

So hold your breaths, for I shall start

To say this story soon.

But first this eve, I'll tell you all

Of good news, much awaited:

A figure, Dark, that many put

Their fears on, concentrated,

Has weakenings in future, near,

Perhaps elimination.

Achieving this, of course will take

Demanding dedication.

Which leads me on, to tell my tale

I'll say to you tonight.

The goal mentioned can be achieved

If unlikely foes unite.

Not only one can help to do

The deed that I have stated.

Or, it could take a hundred million,

Though results would be belated.

All we for this is two.

Sacrifices will be made.

Tragedy, yes, will occur

But joy will soon invade.

Betrayals, charms, a deadly curse

All have potential here

To influence the happenings

Of those you may hold dear.

Doubt me, sure, see if I care!

I've given you my piece!

I'm just a hat; what do I know?

Now, please, enjoy the Feast!

There was a curious momentary pause after the song finished before the Hall burst into applause. It was a peculiar song, and no one could ever recall the Sorting Hat being sarcastic.

"Any ideas, Athea?" Diana asked.

"No. That was the strangest song I've ever heard from that hat, or any for that matter."

"But it's so simple!" James cut in.

"Shh!" Galatea hissed, eyes now on the first years.

"Aberly, Victoire."

Only Galatea was truly interested in watching the Sorting. She kindly applauded as the first terrified girl was sorted into Gryffindor. Usually Lily would have joined her, but today she wanted to talk about the song.

"Adell, Una."

"SLYTHERIN!"

"What does it mean, Potter?" she whispered across the table.

Diana, Athea, Sirius, and Peter leaned in to listen.

"Baker, Adrianne."

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"The Sorting Hat is saying that there are two enemies, who if they unite, have the power to overthrow Voldemort."

Lily, Diana, and Peter reflexively winced, and Galatea turned from the Sorting, looking terrified.

"Please don't say the name," she whispered. Athea quickly abandoned the conversation to comfort Galatea.

"Besoin, Malika."

"SLYTHERIN!"

"What's with her?" muttered Sirius.

"Never mind," said Lily quickly. "You were saying?"

James continued, "Well, then you have to consider the other clues to figure out the two enemies. Now if, uh ... You-Know-Who were to be eliminated, who would have to sacrifice?"

"The Death Eaters would."

"Precisely! But Death Eaters don't have one specific enemy, so you'd have to go deeper."

"Well, lots of Slytherins have families who are Death Eaters," tried Lily.

"Right, so that would explain the sacrifices and tragedy."

"The verse about the betrayals explains itself," Peter added.

"Exactly, Wormtail."

"Wait, so the two enemies are Slytherin and Gryffindor?"

"Yes, Evans."

"But that is loads more than two people," Diana pointed out.

"You will notice, Bähr, that the Sorting Hat said nothing about two people, but rather, it left off at the word 'two.'"

"Bonnelle, Carine."

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Ahh ... well done, Prongs!" said Sirius, clapping James on the back. "In a year or two when Vol--" Lily glared at him "You-Know-Who," he glared back, "is gone, we'll have you to thank for it!"

James turned to speak to Lily. "What do you think, Evans?"

"It makes a reasonable amount of sense for something coming from your mouth."

"So, you agree?"

"Yes, I suppose I do," Lily replied.

"Well? Does my brilliance impress you?" James said cockily. "Does my vast amounts of knowledge make you change your mind about me?"

"Caddock, Miriam."

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Oh, Potter," Lily sighed, staring at him seductively, "in your dreams."

Coming Next:

XXXX

Perhaps a look at her wedding ring would help her to recall. Did she even have one? As she glanced down at her hand to look, Lily was surprised to see she held a baby in her arms. It must have been her son. Did she have a son? How old was she? To whom was she married?

XXXX

Lily's mind was racing. How was this all happening? Why was this all happening?

XXXX

Lily screamed. This time she heard herself.

XXXX

What happened, Evans? Were you dreaming about Sirius?"

XXXX

Lily smiled at the irony. "No. It was actually about you."