Lily and James' Prophecy

Chapter 7 - Lily's Potion

Time seemed to go by in slow motion. No one moved. Everyone just kept looking at James and the heap of robes at his feet. Finally, the silence was broken by the sound of Professor Faustine's voice.

"What in the devil's name is happening? Why are you-" she trailed off, seeing what everybody's eyes were on. "Get out of the way," she snapped as she hurried through the crowd to the top of the marble staircase. When she reached, she looked at James and then at the person on the floor. She grabbed James roughly by his robes and pointed her wand at the person on the floor and muttered something and they were lifted off the floor and floated into midair. Everyone was still looking.

"Get to dinner!" she boomed. There was a hustle as everyone hurried to get into the Great Hall. But as Violet was pulled by Lily, Faustine started to move off with James and Violet got a glimpse of the person's face. It was William. She let out a soft gasp.

"What?" asked Lily who had heard Violet's gasp. "And I told you that Potter was no good! Look what he did. Got himself into some trouble-"

"It was William," said Violet slowly.

"What? No, it was Potter. Potter hexed that person."

"No, Lillian. I mean, the person James hexed was William..."

"What? But..." said Lily, looking over at the Slytherin Table, her eyes searching it as if hoping to see William sitting down with a friend. "Oh my god."

"I hope everything's alright."

"Yeah, for your boyfriend's sake, because if anything is wrong with William-"

"Will you just shut the hell up with that 'boyfriend' bull? God. We aren't dating, we aren't doing anything. So he isn't my boyfriend."

"Stop trying to change the subject!" protested Lily. "I hope William's alright. I'll go see him in the Hospital Wing after... will you come with me?"

"No," replied Violet shortly.

"Why not? He's hurt, and by James! How can you NOT come?"

"Because I'm pretty sure James didn't just hex William because he was bored. I know for a fact William did something to provoke James."

"So what? That still doesn't give James any right to hurt William!"

"Ok, I cannot believe we are arguing over this. You don't even know James!"

"You don't know William!"

"Neither do you!"

"So? At least I'm willing to GET to know him. You're just a bitch to him," said Lily. And with that she turned swiftly and headed to the Gryffindor Table. All eyes were on Violet.

"Great..." she said and she made her way to the Slytherin Table, dazed to hear Lily curse.

"Hey Vi!" said Annie as Violet sat down. Violet grunted. "So you know who that Potter boy hurt?" she asked.

"No, I don't," lied Violet.

"Oh man, only his first day and he's already in trouble. I wouldn't be surprised if they expel him."

"Yeah," said Violet softly as she reached for a piece of steak. Halfway through her treacle tart, Violet saw Lily get up. "I'll see you around," she said to Annie and her friends. She got up and moved along the wall to avoid stares and got through the oak doors to the Entrance Hall just about the same time as Lily. "Lillian-"

"What do you want?" asked Lily coldly.

"I'm sorry..."

"Whatever. Come see William with me," said Lily taking Violet's hand and pulling her towards the marble staircase. Violet was surprised at how fast Lily had forgiven her and didn't bother to protest. "We came to see William Benedict," said Lily to the matron, Madam Pomfrey.

"But... how do you... no one..." said Madam Pomfrey, looking somewhat dazed. "Very well," she said, leading the way into the Hospital Wing. "Here you are," she said leading them over to a bed where William lay, reading what seemed to be Quidditch Through The Ages. As they approached he put the book face down on his stomach and looked up.

"Hey," he said, eyeing Violet closely as if she was a bomb waiting to explode.

"Hey William," said Lily smiling. Violet said nothing until Lily stepped on her foot causing her to let out a cry.

"Ouch! Err... hi William," she said. She looked around the Hospital Wing. The ceiling was high and made of stone.

"What happened?" asked Lily, pulling the chair from his bedside and sitting on it, pushing one towards Violet.

"Well..." said William, looking at Violet. "I-I kinda provoked James."

"I knew it," said Violet. "What did you do now?"

"Just... stuff."

"What kind of 'stuff'?" asked Violet.

"Well..." he started.

He was walking up the marble steps when he had run into James. William was already angry that Violet thought this Potter boy was better than him, so he started on him.

"You know, Potter, she's too good for you."

"Who is?" asked James bewildered.

"Violet."

"And how would you know? You haven't even talked to her the way I have," replied James.

"Shut up you incompetent mudblood," William retorted savagely.

"You're just jealous," replied James, not being able to hold back his smirk.

"Ass," said William whipping out his wand but before he could even mutter an incantation, James' spell had hit him directly in the chest. William let out a shriek and fell to the floor...

"And that's what happened," said William.

"That's all...?" asked Lily. "Wow... sounds so exciting. Couldn't you at least insult him more or something?"

"Ugh, I knew James didn't attack you out of the blue," said Violet, a look of disgust on her face.

"Vi-" started William.

"I don't want to hear it," she said. "You know, William, you disgust me thoroughly. I mean, god, what has James done to you? And you're acting like I'm your property. When it comes down to it, James is a lot better than you will ever be." She got up so quickly her chair was knocked to the floor loudly.

"Violet!" said Lily.

"Violet, look, I know I screwed up. And I apologise-"

"Don't tell me that, tell it to James. Oh wait!" she began sarcastically. "You have too much pride for that."

"No, I will tell him I'm sorry. Violet, I am sorry. I didn't mean it-"

"Don't lie. You meant every word of it, and you know it. And because of you, James is in trouble."

There was complete silence for a while.

"I'm sure William is sorry..." said Lily.

"I'm sure he's not," said Violet.

"I am!" protested William.

"NO YOU'RE NOT. YOU'RE JUST A SPOILT BRAT WHO APPARENTLY THINKS HE'S THE ONLY ONE ALLOWED TO HAVE FEELINGS TOWARDS ME!"

"What?!" said Lily.

But at that moment Madam Pomfrey came, practically out of breath and in a rage. "Just what are you shouting about?" she said hotly. "You'll wake up everyone in this Wing!"

"Oh yeah, it's the first day of school. You have so many patients," said Violet sarcastically turning around and heading for the door.

Madam Pomfrey looked as though she had been hit in the face with a copy of Quidditch Through The Ages. "Ten points from... from..."

"Slytherin!" said Violet loudly, slamming the door.

"Yes... Slytherin!" said Madam Pomfrey defiantly. "You better leave too," she said, talking to Lily.

"Bye William," said Lily, giving him a sympathetic look. He grunted.

Lily ran out the door. Violet was waiting for her. "What the hell was that about?!" she said to Violet.

"What? Look, I don't like William, and this has made me dislike him even more, if that's possible. So I yelled at him because I know he isn't sorry-"

"Not that! I mean, the whole thing about 'William not being the only one allowed to like you'."

"Ugh, Lily, don't tell me you don't see it."

"See what, exactly?" asked Lily, her tone serious.

"Lily, William likes me! It's not exactly that hard to see. It's pretty obvious."

Lily laughed. "What are you laughing about?" asked Violet.

"For someone who supposedly doesn't like William, you aren't acting it."

"What do you mean?" asked Violet getting annoyed.

"Well, it sounds like you want William to like you."

"WHAT? Lily, get REAL. William only hates James because James likes me."

"Oh get over yourself. How do you know James likes you?" shot back Lily. "Or that William likes you?"

"Because..." said Violet sighing. "Ok, William is jealous of James because I like James."

"Whatever. William doesn't like you."

"Lily, why are we fighting over if William likes me?"

"Because," Lily trailed off, her cheeks turning red.

"Because you want him to like you?" offered Violet.

"Ugh, WHATEVER, Violet Rhiannon Riddle!"

"Lily!" began Violet, but Lily's robes had already disappeared around a corner leading to a staircase. "Shit!" exclaimed Violet., kicking the wall in front of her. Immediately she regretted this act because of the stabbing pain in her foot and the mere fact that the wall said, "Fine! Take it out on me because I don't have feelings, Violet Rhiannon Riddle!"

She muttered and made her way back to the marble staircase, but at the top landing, she ran into-

"Vi!" James exclaimed.

"Hey," she replied quietly.

Some people who were hurrying to their common room after a late dinner started to whisper among themselves and point at James.

"Vi-" began James.

"It's ok. William told me what happened."

"I bet he fed you some sh- wait. What? How did you know it was Will-"

"Long story," said Violet cutting him off. "James, William's an ass."

"No kidding," he said.

"Did you get into any trouble?" she asked.

"I got expelled," he said, looking at her. "I'm heading up to pack my things," he said, sighing.

"Wha- but they can't expel you. It wasn't totally your fault!"

"Haha, didn't realise you cared so much. Don't have a heart attack just yet, I'm joking," he said laughing at the expression of disbelief on her face.

Violet couldn't hold herself back from laughing too as she hit him lightly on the chest. "But I do have detention every night for the rest of the week... cleaning the toilets. Damn Faustine..."

"Sucks for you," she said.

"You ok?" he asked her, examining her closely. "You look flustered."

"Lily's angry at me. We just had a fight."

"Why? And over what?"

"Another long story," she said.

"I have time," he replied, putting his hands in his pockets.

"Lily and I went to see William in the Hospital Wing," she began. "And he told us what happened. And..." she trailed off, looking down.

"And?" he prodded.

"And I yelled at William that he isn't the only one allowed to like me and Lily got angry because apparently she likes William and she's ready to defend him even if it costs her a damn leg. And she thinks William doesn't like me because he likes her, or something. Personally I don't give a damn who William likes, but it just so happened that he-"

"Wait," said James, cutting her short. "Let me get this right. You told Benedict he isn't the only one allowed to like you?"

"Yes."

"In other words, you were telling him that I like you?" asked James.

Violet averted her eyes. "Yes, but I only said that to-" She stopped. He was laughing.

"What's so funny?" she asked, her purple eyes flashing.

"What's funny is-" he said as he forced himself to stop laughing and looked at her in the eyes, "is that you're right."

"About...?"

"About me liking you," she said, smiling.

"Ah... I suppose that is funny. And a tad ironic too," she said, her face flushing red.

"Why ironic?" he asked.

"Because... never mind. Anyway, James, you can't let what William says get to you."

"Why are we back on the topic of Benedict?" he protested.

"Because... he just isn't worth it. What you did today could have gotten you expelled."

"But I'm not expelled, Vi.. Don't worry. I won't loose my temper again."

"I believe you," she said, smiling. "I better get going. It's late. I'll see you tomorrow?" she asked.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," he said, winking.

"Bye," she said as she made her way down the stairs.

"Violet, wait," he called to her, running down the stairs to meet her halfway.

"Yeah?" she asked.

"Can I call you something else? I mean... I don't like to be like everyone else, you know?" he said smiling. "Plus, 'Vi' sounds so..."

"So what?" asked Violet, raising and eyebrow.

"It's just that everyone calls you that," he said hurriedly. "Can't I be special?"

"Well," she said, laughing, "my middle name is 'Rhiannon'. You can call me that."

"Too long. How about just Ri?" he asked, beaming.

"Ri?" she said slowly. "Wow, what a huge difference from 'Vi'." They both laughed.

"I like it," he said.

"Then you may call me 'Ri', I guess," she said. "Look, James, I really got to go, I'm tired like hell. Rough first day."

"Oh, sorry. Sleep well, Ri," he said.

"You too." She headed off down the stairs, her face feeling rather hot. James watched her until she went through the door leading to the dungeons. He smiled to himself.

"Ri..." he whispered. "You're my Ri..."

--------------------

The next morning when Violet entered the Great Hall for breakfast she saw Lily talking to William at the Slytherin Table. She wasn't the only girl, however. About a dozen girls were around him and talking to him. One was stroking his hair slowly.

Whores, thought Violet. As she watched, Lily whispered something to William and then left the table, passing Violet. She made sure to keep her gaze straight forward and passed Violet without a word. Violet ignored her.

If she wants to be one of William's whores, fine, she thought to herself. She made her way to the Slytherin Table. Most of the girls had dispersed around the same time as Lily and Violet caught William's look. She ignored him, too, and sat down alone, taking some pumpkin juice and a plate of almonds. She was chewing a particularly hard almond when she heard William's voice.

"Hey," he said. She ignored him. "Vi, about last night-"

"I thought you'd have realised that I don't want to talk to you after last night."

"I know. I just wanted to apologise again-"

"James!" she called suddenly, getting up and walking over to James who had just entered the Hall with the rest of his friends. William looked as though he had drunk a goblet of rat essence.

"Hey, Ri," said James, smiling.

"Hey Riddle," said Sirius. Lupin smiled and Pettigrew seemed to have lost his voice.

"Hey Sirius."

"You seem very excited to see James," said Sirius smirking.

"That's only because I wanted to get an excuse to make William feel hurt and jealous at the same time," she replied, smiling slyly.

"Guys, go ahead. I'll come soon," said James, talking to Sirius and the rest.

"Whatever you say, bro," said Sirius, smirking again. They left leaving James and Violet alone.

"Did you really do that to make William jealous?" he asked.

"Yeah... puh-lease. Like I would be happy to see you," she said, laughing.

His expression dropped, "Oh..."

"I'm joking James," she said, laughing. "Yeah, I was happy to see you," she said shrugging. If it makes you feel better."

"It does," he said, looking into her eyes. "Finished breakfast?" he asked.

"I suppose."

"Evans still hating on you?"

"Yeah... she was talking to William," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Potter," came a voice. It was Professor Faustine. "A word, please."

"Be right back," he said, going over to her. Faustine whispered something to him. Violet looked around the Hall... Lily seemed to be having fun with her friends and Septima was eyeing her darkly.

"Bullshit, Faustine wants me to clean the toilets on the third and seventh floors tonight too," said James, returning.

"Oh... sorry."

"God, this way I don't get any homework done whatsoever."

"I can help you?" she offered.

"No, I don't want you cleaning bathrooms at my expense," said James, smiling. "It's ok... I don't mind," he lied.

"Your smile doesn't fool me, James. It's no problem. I'll do the third floor for you. There are only two bathrooms there anyway, so it's not a lot of work," she said, smiling.

"You sure?" he asked. "Ri, it's really..."

"I don't mind, James. And plus, that means after we can... err... do something together. Like-"

"Take a walk?" he finished.

"Yeah, a walk," she said laughing.

"You're on," he said, his eyes twinkling. "I'll see you in Herbology. Unless... you want to come eat breakfast with me?"

"Nah, I'm full," she lied, not wanting more stares from Gryffindors.

"Ok," he said, leaving her. She looked around the Hall... people were still looking at her. She decided to go to the greenhouses early and thus set off through the oak doors. The sun was shining weakly through the clouds in the sky and she closed her eyes as a cool breeze gently hit her face. As she approached the greenhouse, however, she realised she wasn't the only one to reach early. Septima was also there, waiting at the door. When she heard Violet approaching, she turned and looked at her and rolled her eyes.

"Hey..." said Violet cautiously. Septima didn't reply. Violet took this gesture as a sign that Septima wasn't all too keen to talk and sat down on a boulder a few feet away from her. Some minutes passed in silence, and then Septima spoke.

"You have some nerve."

"What?" asked Violet in a confused tone.

"Talking to that Potter Gryffindor. You should feel ashamed."

"I think who I talk to is my business, thanks," said Violet coldly.

"Whatever. I suppose you're used to everyone hating you, so this is no change."

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play stupid. Everyone in our dorm hates you. It's so evident."

"Ok... if you say so. And I suppose they all love you?"

"They don't dislike me."

"You keep telling yourself that. It should get you far," said Violet sarcastically

"Don't be smart with me."

"What the hell are you on? I haven't done anything to you, and I can damn well be 'smart' with anyone I choose."

"Bitch," muttered Septima.

"Thanks," said Violet, just as their Herbology teacher, Professor Sprout came bustling around the greenhouse and opened the door.

"In you get!" she said. Septima's eyes flashed as she turned on her heel and went inside the greenhouse. Violet rolled her eyes and went inside as students started to flow out of the oak doors, heading for the greenhouses.

"Today," said Professor Sprout ten minutes later when the class was fully assembled and she had given them an explanation as to what Herbology was, "we'll be looking at Bouncing Bulbs." She pointed to a cluster of pots with bright yellow flowers that seemed to be moving around as if being blown by a light breeze. After a rather boring explanation as to what Bouncing Bulbs were and how to replant them, Professor Sprout made them get into groups of four to re-pot the plants. Violet saw Lily laughing with her fellow Gryffindors while she, Violet, went into a group with Annie and her friends.

"So, Vi," said Annie who was in her usual, cheerful mood, "you and Potter have something going on, huh?" she asked.

"No," replied Violet shortly.

"Doesn't look so," said Annie. The rest of her friends seemed to be listening intently.

"Nah, there's nothing. He's just a nice guy, that's all."

The rest of the lesson was spent discussing James Potter and how he would look in a bathing suit. When the bell rang, Violet got up to return the pot to the spot where they had gotten it from. Lily had chosen this time to put back her pot, too, and their eyes met. Violet opened her mouth to speak but Lily had already hurried out of the greenhouse. Violet cursed under her breath and headed outside with Annie and her friends. She could see Lily in the distance and her stomach lurched.

The rest of the day flew past with not much change: Lily kept ignoring Violet and Violet was forced to stay with Annie and her clique, which was extremely annoying considering they only talked about hair products and Quidditch players who were 'hot'. It was with a great sense of happiness that Violet entered the Great Hall for dinner, glad that the day was over. She made her way to the Slytherin Table and sat down, sighing. She didn't have much of an appetite.

"You look tired," said James, who had come over when he saw her enter the Hall.

"I am..." she replied, smiling weakly at him.

"You don't have to do the toilets if you don't want to."

"No, it's ok. It's only two, then sleep." He looked at her for a while and then a smile came across is face and he sat next to her, taking her hand.

"Don't forget our walk," he said.

She blushed and said, "Oh, yeah."

He squeezed her hand and smiled at her. "Thanks, Ri... I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome," she said.

"Well... I'm gonna get going. If I wait any longer I'll be cleaning until midnight," he said.

"Bye."

"Bye," he said, winking. "Thanks again," he called.

"Sure thing," she said, more to herself than anyone else in particular. At that moment she saw Lily get up and leave the Gryffindor Table alone. Violet had the urge to follow her but decided against it. As she got up, William brushed past her and headed out of the Hall too. As she made her way up the marble staircase, she took out her wand. She'd use magic to clean the toilets and get it over with quickly. As she made her way to the staircase to the third floor, she remembered she should use her dragon hide gloves just in case.

"Great," she thought, heading back to her dormitory. She could feel a headache coming as she made her way back down the stairs. "Just great..."

--------------------

Lily splashed some water on her face and turned off the faucet. She felt exhausted. Another long day at school... and she was angry at Violet to top it all off. She looked in the mirror, her green eyes dazzling her with their brightness against the dark grey walls of the girls' bathroom.

"Looking good, Lillian," she said to herself. Just then the bathroom door opened. She didn't look to see who it was but a few moments later she let out a small gasp at the reflection to the right of her in the mirror. It was William.

"Hey, Lily," he said.

"Hey William. What are you doing here? I didn't know you fancied using girls' bathrooms," she said, laughing.

"Well," he said slowly, "I wanted to see you." He smiled sheepishly.

She smiled. "What did you want to see me about?" she asked slyly.

"Do I need a reason for wanting to see a pretty girl?"

Her face flushed red. "That's sweet of you," she said. "So..." she began, but stopped short. William had come closer to her. She looked up into his eyes as he put a hand on her shoulder and put his right index finger on her lips.

"Shh... don't say anything. Just act..." he said softly.

She smiled as he bent down making their lips touch. His kiss was tender and his lips were smooth. He kissed better than she had expected; his hand felt warm on her neck as she kissed him back slowly, moving her hand slowly up his chest. She felt her stomach lurch but ignored the feeling. William pulled her closer, his arm wrapping around her middle.

But then his kissing started to become more intense and his hand behind her neck pushed her face toward his and he sucked her bottom lip. She opened her eyes, a bit shocked as she tried to push him away, but as she pushed harder his hold on her became stronger. She felt a feeling of panic rise from within her to her throat.

"Will-" she began, but the rest of her sentence was muffled as he kissed her even more violently, starting to pull at her robes causing them to fall off her shoulders. She tried to scream but that only allowed him to take advantage of her mouth being open as he played his tongue along the inside of her mouth. Her fear was rising. This wasn't how she had imagined it. In retaliation to this act, she bit his tongue hard and tasted blood. He withdrew sharply and looked at her, a sadistic grin across his face, wiping his lips of the blood.

"Tough one, eh? I love girls who put up a fight. Makes it even more satisfying in the end," he said.

Lily's eyes scanned him. She was scared and his hand on her neck sent shivers down her spine. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!" she screamed, trying to get out of his grasp. "Let... go... William," she said, struggling against his grip.

She continued trying to pull her robes back over her shoulders but he pulled them down even further, putting his mouth to hers again. She could feel tears swarming her eyes and her vision was blurred, but she held them back. She needed to be strong. Instead, she focused her attention on keeping her mouth shut so he couldn't get his tongue in her mouth. However, he pried her lips open with his tongue, licking the roof of her mouth.

She began to scratch his face and forearms violently, kicking his feet in the process as she felt a warmness on her fingertips, realising he was bleeding. But the pain only seemed to drive him even more.

By now her robes were fully off and William started to work on getting her top off. She kept trying to fight him off, but her strength was almost spent. He then removed his lips from hers and began to bite her neck softly. She opened her mouth to scream but he put his hand over it.

"Quiet, Lillian," he said softly, his eyes glinting.

A single tear fell down her cheek as he began to bite her neck again. She made small noises as his teeth sank into her tender flesh. His hand started to move up under her top and he began making tiny circles around her bellybutton. Suddenly, without any warning whatsoever, he rammed her into the wall behind, licking from her neck up to her lips and then looked into her scared eyes. Her lip trembled. He pushed his hand even further under her top, his breath heavy on her neck. His hand cupped one of her breasts and he licked he top lip slowly. She began to tremble violently.

"Why are you scared?" he whispered teasingly into her ear. Another tear rolled slowly down her cheek. He kissed it and the teardrop glistened on his lips. "Relax, Lily."

"You disgust me," she whispered, trying to sound brave though her body ached from his tight grasp and her emotions felt as if they were caving in. But he wasn't listening. His hand had begun to unbutton her jeans. Just then the bathroom door opened...

"Vi!" yelled Lily.

"What the-" said Violet, looking from Lily's robes on the floor to William's hand halfway in Lily's jeans and then to the blood stains on Lily's face. "You son of a bitch!" she screamed, pointing her wand at William. "Stupefy," she yelled, with all her strength. A scarlet light shot from her wand and hit William squarely in the face, knocking him forward onto Lily who pushed him off her watching him as he slid and hit his head on the sink.

"Oh my god," said Lily softly as she ran to Violet and hugged her tight, her tears coming freely now.

"Lillian, are you ok?" asked Violet, taking off her dragon hide gloves and hugging Lily tighter. Lily whimpered softly. "What happened?" asked Violet.

"He-" She stopped. "Violet," she said, wiping away her tears, "he tried to..." she trailed off, looking away.

Violet squeezed her hand and looked into her eyes. "Let's go get a teacher."

"No! I don't want anyone to know!" said Lily desperately.

"Lily, William's bleeding and although I'd love to murder him right now, we need to tell someone."

"No, we don't. We can just say William fell or something," continued Lily in her frantic tone.

"Lillian, its ok. I promise nothing's going to happen. This wasn't your fault!"

"Yes it was!" said Lily, beginning to cry again.

"No, don't say that Lily," said Violet, feeling her tears coming. Don't cry! She thought to herself. Be strong.

"William has to be expelled," said Violet, calming herself down.

"No! I don't want him expelled!" said Lily, her tears flowing freely.

"Lily, what William did was wrong. Why are you trying to defend him?" said Violet, unable to keep the anger out of her voice.

"Because-" she began, but stopped, her eyes fixed on something behind Violet. Violet turned to look at what Lily was looking at. It was James.

"What the hell happened here?" he asked, scanning the bathroom.

Lily looked down trying to hide her tears and Violet squeezed her hand again.

"James, get us a teacher. Please," said Violet, almost desperately.

"Ok," said James and left although he looked sceptical. Lily continued to cry and Violet used her robes to dry her tears.

"It's ok, Lily. It'll be ok. Don't worry," said Violet hugging her and stroking her hair. "We'll make sure he gets what he deserves."

"But Vi, you don't understand. I-" but for the second time she stopped, looking behind Violet. Professor Faustine had entered the bathroom, her purple robes standing out among the dankness of the bathroom. She was closely followed by Professor Zabini and James.

"What happened here?" asked Faustine, looking around with a shocked expression on her face. "Potter, wait outside," she added. James looked at Violet questioningly and left.

"Explain," said Faustine. Zabini went over to William and knelt beside him examining his cuts.

Lily cried even more and Violet remained silent. "Riddle? Evans? I asked a question," she said, her insensitiveness irking Violet.

"William tried to rape her," said Violet bluntly. Faustine raised an eyebrow.

"Oh," she said, understanding dawned on her face. "Lily," said Faustine in a considerably kinder voice, although her tone was still stern. "What happened?"

Lily looked up, trembling slightly and Faustine put her hand on Lily's shoulder and pulled her gently towards her. "Would you like Riddle to leave?" lily shook her head. "Very well, dear. Tell me what happened."

Lily took a deep breath trying to stop her tears but to no avail and began to tell what had happened. Violet and Faustine listened and both looked disbelieving at Lily after she had finished.

"Do you have any idea as to why Benedict would do such a thing?" asked Faustine, trying to keep her voice steady.

"No," replied Lily softly.

"Don't lie to me, Lily..." said Faustine, just as softly. "I must make it clear how important it is that you tell the truth in this situation so that both parties are treated fairly," she said. Zabini had reached back.

"He had a bad cut to the head, but it's not too serious," he reported.

"Thank you, Forrestor. I will take it from here." Zabini bowed his head and left.

Lily trembled violently. "As I was saying, Lily. I need the truth," continued Faustine.

"I-I..." began Lily, sniffing. "This morning I put a Love Potion in his drink," said Lily. Faustine raised an eyebrow.

"Riddle, go get Professor Slughorn for me please."

"No! Don't make Violet leave," said Lily, grabbing Violet by the forearm.

"Very well," said Faustine who went through the door and said, "Potter... ah you're still here. Good. Please get Professor Slughorn for me. He should be in his office." She came back in and examined Lily. "You're not hurt in any way?" she asked. "Physically?" she added. Lily shook her head. A few moments passed in silence. Suddenly the door opened and Professor Slughorn arrived.

"Horace, will you check Benedict and see if he has any Love Potion in his blood stream, please."

"Ah," said Slughorn going over to William and not asking any questions. After about a minute he returned. "No Love Potion... but I did find traces of a potion called Sadistic Sensation."

"I didn't make anything called Sadistic Sensation," said Lily, talking for the first time in minutes. "I made a simple Love Potion."

"Hmm," said Slughorn. "A simple mistake, Ms. Evans. You added the Mayan Root too early in the potion and too many beetle eyes. The potions differ only slightly. Whereas the Love Potion is made for the victim to fall in love with someone, the Sadistic Sensation is made for the same purpose, but with a sexual motive involved."

Violet looked at Lily who had seemed to have lost her voice. That's why she didn't want anyone to know, thought Violet. Because she knew it was her fault. Faustine sighed.

"Evans, Love Potions are prohibited in this school. And so are any potions that are intended to make a person's personality, views or appearances change. Fifty points from Gryffindor," she said softly. "And consider yourself lucky you're not expelled. Come with me," she said. "Thank you Horace. Riddle, you may return to your dormitory."

Violet hugged Lily and watched as Faustine made William float in midair for the second time. Violet followed them as they left. When they were outside the bathroom, Faustine turned to James. "You may return to your dormitory. Thank you for your help," she said in a businesslike tone. Slughorn headed toward the dungeons and Faustine led Lily and William up to the Hospital Wing.

"What happened?" asked James softly when Faustine was out of earshot. Violet sighed and looked at him in his eyes.

"I-"

"You don't have to tell me," he said, cutting her off. "Sorry... I know it must have been serious."

"I'm sorry..."

"Don't be," he said, smiling. "I hope Evans is ok. And Benedict."

"Yeah..." she said, sighing.

"Lucky thing I came to check on you," he said. She nodded, putting her right hand on her left elbow and staring at nothing in particular. He looked at her and then took her hand, "What about that walk we planned?" he asked her, smiling.

She looked up at him and couldn't help but smile herself. "That sounds really good right about now..."