Disclaimer: Not mine. It all belongs to JKR. Except for the stuff you don't recognize.
A/N: Ok! It's finally done! It took longer then I thought because I changed a lot around, but it's finally here. I hope you like it! Thanks to those who reviewed! It really means a lot. I tried to reply to all of you but if I missed you, sorry. Thanks also to my wonderful beta, Kaia! Don't forget to review!
Growing Change
Chapter 2: Head Room
Lily couldn't move. She was in total shock. James Potter was Head Boy. It was mind-boggling. She couldn't believe it. All she could think of was that she would have to work with him for the entire school year. The thought was laughable. They would kill each other. They couldn't even have a normal conversation without yelling at each other.
"What was Dumbledore thinking? He knows we don't get along. And why did he make Potter Head Boy. He's so arrogant and annoying and not to mention a bullying toerag! He doesn't even-"
"Ah, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said, interrupting Lily's thoughts. "Now that you have arrived we can begin." With that said Dumbledore, turned toward the gargoyle statue and said, "Acid Pops." The gargoyle immediately jumped aside to reveal a winding staircase. Dumbledore stood on the first step and the stairs began winding upwards. Lily and James got on after him and followed him up the stairs.
Lily looked around Dumbledore's office. The shelves on the walls were filled with all sorts of magical gadgets and the walls were covered in portraits of previous Headmasters. The moment Lily and James stepped through the doorway the portraits broke out into an excited babble.
"Ah, the new Head Boy and Girl have arrived."
"Mr. Potter, I wasn't expecting to see you here."
"And who is this young lady? I haven't met you before."
"Yes, do introduce us, Albus."
Dumbledore turned toward the portraits. "May I present James Potter and Lily Evans, our new Head Boy and Girl." Turning to Lily and James he said, "These portraits are of the previous headmasters. If there is ever a time when you need me and I am not around, please go to them. I find they give the most excellent advice. Now, please sit down and make yourself comfortable. We need to discuss your new responsibilities, it will take some time."
James immediately sprawled into an overstuffed armchair. Lily rolled her eyes as she gracefully settled herself in the chair next to his, "Arrogant prat, he acts as if the chair was put there just for him. Then again, it probably was, seeing as he's been in here so many times before."
"I am pleased that the two of you have accepted the Head Boy and Girl position. Doing so will add to your workload this year, but it also comes with several special privileges. Together you will be responsible for organizing any school functions, such as Hogsmeade weekends or dances. You are also responsible for the prefects patrolling schedule. Miss Evans, since you were a prefect these past two years, you have some experience in this area, I expect you to explain it to Mr. Potter at a later time. You also may deduct or award house points and assign detentions. I trust you not to abuse this privilege," Dumbledore directed a small smile at James as he said this. Lily just glared at him. "Also, along with the headship, you will be free to visit Hogsmeade at any time, after you have gained permission from either myself or your head of house, Professor McGonagall. You will also have access to the Head Common Room. This will be yours to use at any hour for studying, planning school events, or if you just need some time to relax away from the other students. After I answer your questions, I will show you where your Common Room is and how to enter it."
"I don't have any questions," James said "So, after Evans asks her's, we can see the common room."
Lily glared at James and angrily got up from her chair, "What makes you think I have questions to ask?"
"Evans, I know everything about you and there has never been a time that you have not had a question about everything," James said with his trademark smirk.
"You don't know anything about me!" Lily said putting her hands on her hips.
James stood up, "I know that your favorite color is blue."
"No, it's not." Lily said snottily. "I've hated it ever since you turned my hair that color in third year."
"That was four years ago, Evans! Let it go already!" James said exasperated. "Besides I did say that I was sorry."
"It was blue for a month, Potter!"
"Well, it was only supposed to last for a day," he admitted sheepishly.
Lily threw up her hands, "That's beside the point, Potter. You shouldn't have done it in the first place!"
"Oh, so this is why you refuse to go out with me," James said knowingly. "Because of some silly joke I played on you back in third year!"
"No. I won't go out with you because you're a-"
Dumbledore, having remained silent throughout their argument, stood up and cleared his throat. Lily and James turned toward him surprised. They had forgotten someone else was in the room with them.
"As entertaining as this has been," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye, "might I suggest we have a look at your common room? I need to know if there are any changes you would like to make to it."
Lily blushed slightly, "Of course, Professor, I apologize."
"Yeah, I would like to see the common room," James added.
"Follow me please," Dumbledore walked out of his office and down the stairs.
He led then up the main staircase and to Gryffindor Tower. He stopped near the portrait of the Fat Lady. Dumbledore motioned to the portrait of the Gryffindor Lion on the adjacent wall.
"Your Common Room is through this portrait," he said. "Simply tap your wand on the picture and say your name." He demonstrated for them and the portrait swung open.
Lily entered the room first. She looked around with wide eyes. It was incredible! The room was large and airy. It was decorated in the Gryffindor colors, gold and scarlet. A thick, plush red carpet with the Gryffindor Lion in gold around the edges covered the floor except for a small portion in front of the portrait hole which was a dark hardwood floor. There was a huge bay window that overlooking the grounds on the left side of the room, and on either side of it were two Maplewood desks. Each of them had huge, comfy-looking chair in front of it. A gigantic couch and several armchairs were on the right side in front of the fireplace. There were pillows on all of them, as well as several blankets draped over the back of the couch. Next to them was a large wood table surrounded by six matching chairs. There was a door against the far wall that Lily assumed led to a bathroom. Along the walls were portraits of previous Head Boys and Girls and in one corner, hanging from the ceiling, was a thick gold rope. All in all, it was the most stunning room Lily had ever seen.
"Hey, Evans! Do you mind? I'd like to see the room too, you know!"
Lily quickly moved out of the doorway, "Sorry, I was just shocked. I didn't expect our common room to look so- so-"
"Incredible," James finished, walking into the room after her. He knew the room was going to be nice, but he wasn't expecting it to be this nice. He wandered around the room looking at everything. When he entered the bathroom his mouth dropped open. "Hey, Evans! Come check out the bathroom!"
Lily walked over to where he was standing and let out a small gasp. The bathroom was almost as large as the common room. There were plush towels hanging on the walls along with several robes in various colors. The tiled floor was a mix of pale blue, green, yellow, purple and white. In one corner there was a glass shower with adjustable nozzles on each side. Next to it was an enormous bathtub that had gold faucets each with a different colored dot on the top, along the sides.
"This is much nicer then the Prefects bathroom," Lily said.
"Yeah," James agreed.
Lily looked at him quizzically. "How do you know what the Prefects bathroom looks like?"
"Uh…" James ran a hand through his hair. "Remus is a Prefect. He, uh, kinda let me use it a few times."
"You wouldn't happen to know anything about why the mirrors insulted everyone for a week last year would you?"
"Uh…no clue," he said.
Lily snorted disbelievingly.
"Hey, look at this," he said hurriedly changing the subject. Lily decided to let it go, for now.
James showed her a handle on the side of the bathtub. "You can adjust how deep it is." He lowered the handle a notch and they watched as the floor to the tub lowered and a set of steps appeared on one side.
They inspected the bathroom for a few more minutes before joining Professor Dumbledore in the common room. He was sitting at the table and motioned for them to sit down across from him. Lily sank into one of the chairs and James did the same.
"There are just a few things I would like to point out to you," he said. "Also, if you would like me to add or change anything about the room, please tell me before you leave."
Lily and James nodded and Dumbledore continued, "Your fireplace is connected to the Floo Network so if you need to reach me or any of the other professors all you need to do is call. There is a pot of Floo powder on top of the mantel. Your Common Room also has its own house elf. If you ever need anything merely pull the rope and a house elf will appear momentarily," Dumbledore stood up, walked over to the rope hanging from the ceiling, and gave it a tug. A few moments later a house elf appeared.
The elf bowed, "Yes, sir Professor Dumbledore, sir? What can Inky be doing for you?"
"Nothing this time Inky," Dumbledore said. "I was merely demonstrating for our Head Boy and Girl."
Inky turned to Lily and James and bowed. "Hello, sir and miss. If yous be needing anything just call for Inky." Then with another bow, the house elf snapped his fingers and disappeared.
"That will come in handy, Professor," James said with a grin. "I won't have to sneak into the kitchens anymore."
Lily rolled her eyes and Dumbledore gave James a smile, "Very true, Mr. Potter. Now do you have any questions for me before we end this meeting?"
Lily spoke up, "Yes, I have a few."
James rolled his eyes, "This will take all night."
Lily glared at him and the turned back to Dumbledore, "When you opened the portrait, you only touched it with your wand and said your name. Isn't that a bit too simple? I mean, anyone could get in if they knew."
"Ah, yes, I forgot to tell you," Dumbledore said. "The portrait is charmed so that only you, Mr. Potter, Professor McGonagall, and I can gain entrance to the common room. Anyone else who tries will be transported into the broom cupboard across from the main staircase. There is also a portrait in the Gryffindor Common Room that allows you to access this room as well."
"Good," Lily said. "I was also wondering if it would be possible to have a window seat put in front of the bay window. It would be a wonderful place to sit and read at."
"Certainly, Miss Evans, I will have it put in tomorrow."
"Thank you, Professor," Lily said with a smile. She shot a look at James, "I don't have any more questions."
"Good," James said standing up. "If there isn't anything else, Professor, I should be getting home."
"I believe we have covered everything we needed to," Dumbledore said standing up as well. "The portkey you used to come here with will take you back when you touch it with your wand. I will see you both on the first."
With that said, Dumbledore walked over to the portrait and left the common room. James turned to Lily, "See you on the train, Evans." He touched his wand to the golden sphere and was gone.
Lily looked around the common room one last time. "This has been the most interesting day." Then she touched her wand to the portkey. She felt the familiar tug at her navel and a few seconds later she landed safely in her bedroom.
A/N: And that's the end of chapter 2! I hope you liked it. Don't forget to review. Also, if you have any suggestions, comments or ideas you would like me to use please feel free to tell me. I love to hear from you. I can't promise to use any of your ideas but I will if I can use them. Thanks for reading! Review too!