Lily Evans: A History

Chapter 4 - Of Marauders, Exams & Mud Baths

    The school year seemed to fly from Christmas on. It seemed like one day there was two feet of snow on the ground and the next the sun was beating down and trees were regrowing their leaves. Some things stayed pretty much the same, however. Gryffindor continued to loose Quidditch, Professor Walsh continued to hate Gryffindors and James, Sirius, Remus and Peter continued to play pranks on any given victim in the castle.

    The Easter holidays came, but no one could properly enjoy them for studying for finals. Peter was in trouble of failing quite a few of his classes and as a result spent most of his time pouring over books and looking anxious. Lily and Remus tried to help him as much as they could, but in the end neither were very optimistic.

    James, Sirius and Remus, however, spent most of their time letting off excess energy by playing even more pranks than normal. Which was a feat, indeed. At any given time during the day, if you walked past McGonagall's office, you could hear her either giving lectures to the three (or four, if Peter happened to put down a book long enough) or talking to a teacher about them. Both done little good, for in the end, James or Sirius talked their way out of the punishment for all three of them.

    Just a week before exams were to begin, Lily found herself running through the halls toward the Transfiguration classroom to get a little help when she stumbled upon Professor McGonagall seemingly having another discussion with someone about one of the three boys. Surprisingly, this time it was Remus. Usually he was only associated to any prank by being with James and Sirius, never by himself.

    Lily glanced around the hall uneasily. She didn't like ease dropping, but her curiosity was too strong. Besides, whatever she over heard, she would only relay to Remus to keep him from getting in trouble. There was no harm in that, right? Making sure she was indeed alone in the hall, Lily stepped closer to the doorway to listen through the crack.

    "Albus, are you sure it's safe? So far we've managed to send him home. But now..."

    "Minerva, I'm more than sure. Professor Ricochet and I have combed over the place and the Whomping Willow is old enough. We shall escort Remus down there this evening after dinner and you'll see that I'm right," Professor Dumbledore said, his tone that of discussing the weather.

    Lily could hear Professor McGonagall clucking her tongue against the roof of her mouth. What on Earth could they be talking about? she wondered. Leading Remus to the Whomping Willow? They had been forbidden to go near that tree since Davey Gudgeon had nearly lost an eye last month. Puzzled, Lily strained to hear more.

    "Of course, Albus. I trust your judgment--"

    "Thank you, Professor."

    "--but I can't help but worry deeply. If he were to get loose..." her voice trailed off, implying something that Lily was sure Dumbledore understood, even if Lily, herself, was confused to no ends.

    As much as Lily would have loved to stay and listen more, the shuffling of feet inside the class room made her worry that the door would be opened. With a last longing look towards the classroom, she dashed off around the corner. And not a moment too soon. Just seconds later she heard Professor McGonagall coming down the hall. As fast as her legs would carry her, she ran all the way to Gryffindor Tower, gasped the password to the Fat Lady ("Wittlepuff!") and collapsed onto the couch in front of the fire, her mind ablaze.

    For the better part of the afternoon Lily tried unsuccessfully to concentrate on her studies. She ran the tip of her eagle feather quill down the page, her eyes following the words, only to realize she hadn't understood a thing she had read. Sighing, she slammed the book shut, causing Gabrielle and Kathleen to jump.

    "What's wrong, Lily?" Alexis asked, raising an eyebrow.

    "Nothing," Lily mumbled, rolling her parchment up. "I just need some fresh air, I think."

    To her surprise, Alexis stood also. "Do you mind if I join you? If I have to look at another word about Elfric the Eager, I'll explode."

    Lily forced a grin and nodded. Silently the two climbed through the portrait hole and descended the stairs from Gryffindor Tower. The sun was high in the sky, basking down over the grounds in what seemed an attempt to lure students out instead of studying. Lily and Alexis walked along the lake, watching the giant squid's tentacles just above the surface.

    "Can you believe it's just three weeks before we go back home?" Alexis said suddenly, breaking the silence.

    "It will seem funny, being back in the Muggle world after being here for so long," Lily agreed. Instead of thinking of a world without magic, though, Lily was thinking of Petunia and the kind of reception she could expect from her. She wasn't looking as forward to summer as everyone else because of that.

    Unfortunately, her vision swayed to the Whomping Willow and her thoughts plummeted elsewhere. What could Remus possibly have to do with that giant tree? Right now the tree was still and calm, but Lily knew that if they were to get near it, the tree branches would start thrashing around and try to kill anything near it. What if Remus got hurt? But that was Dumbledore and McGonagall talking--surely they wouldn't put a student in danger. So caught up in her thoughts, Lily had failed to notice Alexis talking to her. Suddenly she was poked.

    "What? Oh, sorry," Lily apologized immediately, snapping out of her thoughts. "What did you say?"

    Alexis looked exasperated. "I said it's time for dinner, do you reckon we should head up to the castle?"

    "Oh, yes," Lily agreed, turning. And then after dinner, I'll follow Remus and see what's going on, Lily thought. It's the only way to find out.

    It wouldn't be as easy as Lily imagined in her head, following Remus. The Prefects had ushered everyone to their common rooms after dinner, and Lily had not been able to slip away because Gabrielle and Kathleen had been on either side of her, seeking help for their Charms final. As the portrait closed behind her, Lily felt a sense of worry cloud her mind. Now how would she get out without being noticed?

    Fortunately, the answer was rather clear. She'd have to enlist some help. It was obvious that Remus had not returned to the common room with the rest, so Lily walked towards the table where the three remaining pranksters sat with what she hopped was nonchalant ness. She never was good at keeping her true intentions hidden, not being as sneaking or as scheming as Petunia. It was a trait a Slytherin would have, not a Gryffindor.

    All three boys looked up at her as she approached, something on their faces that told Lily she was interrupting a serious conversation. Sorry, she thought, smiling meekly at the group. This can't wait.

    "James, could I speak with you a moment?" she asked in what she hoped was an off-hand way. She doubted she had come off looking anything but nervous.

    "Could it wait?" he asked, his eyes glancing back at Sirius and Peter.

    Lily shook her head no, widening her eyes as she turned on her heel, leaving no room for argument. She climbed half way up the staircase before stopping to wait for James. She didn't have to wait long.

    "What?" he asked, looking slightly irritable. For some reason it didn't seemed to be directed at her.

    Deciding to get straight to the point, Lily took a deep breath. "I need to borrow your invisibility cloak," she blurted out.

    James was looking at her as if she had just sprouted twigs and declared herself a broomstick. Obviously, whatever he had been thinking she would say, that wasn't it. "When?" he asked dumbly, mentally kicking himself for not asking why first.

    "Now," Lily replied firmly.

    James cocked an eyebrow. "For what?"

    Lily blinked. This wasn't in her game plan. She had thought of getting James' invisibility cloak and then following Remus. Nowhere did that include James wanting to know why she wanted the dratted thing. She didn't know if she was angry at herself for not thinking this through, or at him for asking. "I can't say."

    "Then I can't give."

    "Please James! This is important!" said Lily hotly.

    To her complete surprise, he left her standing on the staircase. But instead of going back down to his friends, he went upstairs to his sleeping quarters. He came back a minute later, after checking to be sure they were alone, the clock draped over his arm. "I go with you," he stated.

    "No."

    "Yes."

    "No, James."

    "Yes, or you don't get the cloak. I don't know what you're up to, but you haven't used the cloak to sneak around before and that means you're more likely to get caught. I won't tell anyone," he said, misinterpreting the look of realization on her face for that of worry. "I just don't want you getting caught, and thus my cloak getting confiscated."

    "Oh," Lily mumbled. She hadn't thought of that, either. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.

    James wasn't letting her back out, though. Silently he spread the cloak over them both and then motioned for her to follow him. They quietly made their way to the table where Sirius and Peter were sitting. "Sirius," James whispered. Lily stifled a giggle as Sirius jumped, looking all around him. "Quit you prat!" James hissed lowly. "I'm under the invisibility cloak with Lily. Let us out of the portrait, will you?"

    "Why?" Sirius said, his eyes directed at Peter so as to not look like he was talking to thin air. Peter just looked confused.

    "No time to explain," Lily said urgently, praying she wasn't too late already. "We've got to hurry."

    Sirius nodded, looking slightly uncomfortable talking to someone he couldn't see. Nonetheless, he got up and the two made their way to the portrait hole as Sirius said something about looking for his quill loud enough for anyone noticing to hear. They opened the portrait and climbed out, waiting for James and Lily to follow. "Thanks," James mumbled once they were out and Sirius pulled a quill from his pocket.

    "There it is," he announced, grinning, and climbed back through the portrait.

    "Where to?" James asked, his breath hot on Lily's face under the cloak.

    "Um, I'm not sure," Lily admitted as they descended the staircase.

    "Care to enlighten me on what we're doing, then?" James asked, a bit of sarcasm in his voice. "Surely you didn't just want a midnight stroll with me."

    "Don't flatter yourself," Lily retorted, rolling her eyes. Her face turned serious before James could think of a proper come back. "I over heard Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore talking today--"

    "Lily! You ease dropped!" James gasped, looking rather proud.

    The addressed gave him a pointed glare. "And heard them talking about Remus." The smile fell from James' face instantly. "McGonagall said something about leading Remus down to the Whomping Willow tonight, and if it would be safe..."

    "What?" James hissed, stopping so abruptly that Lily nearly walked out from under the cloak. "Why would they do that?"

    "That's what we're going to find out," Lily said, as if it were the most logical thing in the world. Never mind they were breaking school rules with every step they took, Lily's mind was on more important things. Like why McGonagall had sounded so worried when she was talking with the Headmaster. And what connection Remus had with a fighting tree.

    The two made their way down the stairs to the main entry hall. Unsure on what to do next, James nodded towards a side door and Lily nodded her agreement. The best place to catch up with Remus was going towards the Whomping Willow.

    They didn't have to wait long. About five minutes later Madam Pomfrey opened the front door and slipped outside, followed by Remus. Lily felt her breath catch her in throat. Remus looked... well, horrible. His skin was a pasty white, and he seemed weak. Madam Pomfrey was almost carrying him towards the tree, throwing worried glances towards the sky. "James," Lily whispered, her hands shaking slightly. "What's wrong with him? Why.."

    "Shhh!" James hissed. The two followed slowly behind Remus as they neared the tree. The school nurse picked up a long stick and prodded at the base of the tree a moment. Suddenly the tree's limbs, which had begun swinging madly as they grew nearer, froze. Madam Pomfrey and Remus went through the branches and a moment later disappeared into the tree.

    "Come on!" James whispered, grabbing Lily's hand and starting for the tree.

    "James--wait--no--" Lily protested, but she had to run and keep up with him or be revealed.

    Making sure they dodged the stilled branches, the two went into the hole at the base of the tree. There was a long tunnel that seemed to go on forever downwards. They stayed under the invisibility cloak, in case Madam Pomfrey was coming back up, which made it even worse because of the heat of their breath.

    Suddenly the landing straightened out, but before they could take a good look around, they heard Madam Pomfrey talking.

    "I'll be back to get you in the morning dear," she said, her voice seemingly sad. Lily and James watched as she came out of a door that lead into what looked like an old house and magically locked it. The two pressed themselves up against the wall as she passed and they could no longer hear her footsteps.

    The silence was broken by only their breathing as they both stared at the door, transfixed, as if waiting for something. And then it came; a shuffling noise and a crash, followed by a loud, long howl. Lily froze, her eyes huge. James was shaking beside her. Lily felt a trickle of coldness shoot down her spine and before James could stop her, she bolted out from under the invisibility cloak and up the tunnel.

    Lily's side was screaming in pain as she finally made her way up the tunnel and out of the tree's trunk. She jammed her foot in the knot to freeze the tree and bent over, gasping for air. Her head was pounding with the force of her heartbeat and she felt she couldn't quite get a good gasp of air. Within seconds James caught up with her, throwing the invisibility cloak over her.

    "Lily--" James whispered, putting one arm around her and trying to steady her breathing.

    Lily shook her head, still bent over. "James--I can't--Oh my God, he's a... a werewolf!" she gasped.

    James said nothing, only tried to calm her down. When finally she caught her breath, the tears came. Not knowing what else to do, James started leading her back towards the castle, careful to stay hidden under the cloak.

    It seemed to take forever to get up to Gryffindor tower. "Wittlepuff!" James hissed to the portrait. It opened and the two climbed through silently.

    As soon as they were back in the common room, James took the cloak off them and Lily collapsed onto the sofa, staring at the empty fireplace. James sat beside her, hesitant to say anything, his mind buzzing with what they had found out.

    Somewhere between the tree and the tower Lily had stopped crying. She looked shocked, though, as she stared wide eyed at nothing particular. James more than understood how she felt, he was going through the same thing.

    How do you look at one of your best friends in the face, knowing they lied to you? That they turned into a werewolf once a month? "How could he keep this from us?" James mumbled aloud, shattering the silence.

    Lily's eyes remained unblinking. "I knew something was wrong. He was gone every month, about the same time. It all seemed so... so strange, you know?" she said faintly. Finally she turned her head to look at James to find him staring at the floor.

    "We can't tell anyone," James suddenly said firmly, meeting her green eyes. "This has to stay between us."

    Lily nodded. "But what about Sirius and Peter?" she whispered.

    "I-I feel bad about it, but... it's not our place to tell. He-- he's still Remus, we just... know something else about him."

    "He's probably scared that we wouldn't be his friends if we knew," Lily muttered. "I'll admit it's a shock, but you're right, he's still Remus."

    James didn't answer, and Lily didn't know what else could possibly be said anyways. Silently the two sat on the sofa, examining their own thoughts.

    The cloak sitting on the mantel struck midnight, shocking James out of his gaze. He looked over to find Lily's head laid on her folded arms as she slept. Gently he shook her shoulder, watching her for any sign of movement. After about the third time she stirred, making a face. "Go 'way Petunia," she mumbled.

    James raised an eyebrow. "I'm not in any form nor fashion Petunia," he said gruffly and Lily's eyes snapped open. James chuckled. "You should get to bed."

    Yawning, Lily took a moment to look around, as if she forgot where she was. Then, as it all came back to her, she stood up. "Ok," she replied, stumbling towards the staircase. She turned before them, watching as James stood up as well. "Thank you."

    The black haired boy across the room meet her gaze and grinned. "Anytime, Lil," he replied back softly and Lily smiled before running up the stairs and to her room.

    Two days later, looking very worn and pale, Remus returned to the Gryffindor tower. It was Sunday and Lily was sitting at one of the tables, writing a letter to her parents while Sirius, Peter and James built a card house with the exploding snap deck.

    "Hey guys," Remus said tiredly as he came over to the table. Lily forced her eyes to stay neutral as she looked up and smiled at him.

    "Hey Remus! About time you came back!" Sirius said. He had long ago stopped asking Remus where he went, knowing in the back of his mind that he wasn't getting an honest answer. They had decided he would tell them when he was ready. James and Lily's eyes meet briefly behind Sirius' back.

    "Remus!" Peter squealed and about that time the card castle blew, scorching his eyebrows. James and Sirius were nearly on the floor laughing.

    "Don't say it!" Peter warned as Sirius finally managed to get a hold of himself.

    "Are you threatening me?" Sirius asked, raising an eyebrow.

    James whipped out his wand, Sirius following suite. "This calls for a duel!" they cried, standing up on their seats.

    Remus chuckled as he sat down, Lily shaking her head as the Two- Man Comedy Act kicked into full force. Sirius pulled Remus up by his shirt collar, announcing loudly, "Rise up you yellow belly scoundrel and pull your wand!"

    Remus, falling easily into the act, pulled his wand out and pointed it at Peter. "You sound like a bad rendition of 'The Three Musketeers'," Lily said, rolling her eyes as she rolled her parchment. Whatever was about to ensue, she didn't want her parchment catching fire.

    Sirius stopped in mid-pose, him and James casting her identical questioning glances. "The who?" they asked together.

    Lily started to question their sanity - for who *didn't* know of the Three Musketeers? - when it occurred to her that they wouldn't know. They grew up in the wizarding world. "Eh, it's a Muggle thing," she said quickly and waved her hand dismissively.

    It only intrigued them more, however. James and Sirius both jumped down off their chairs and took up a seat on either side of Lily. "Tell us," Sirius urged, James nodding his head. Remus laughed at the look on Lily's face and Peter just looked confused, his eyebrows still smoking slightly.

    Lily launched into a quick explanation about the book to her captive audience. When she finished, Sirius sat back, a puzzled look on his face. "Now let me get this right," he mumbled. "The 'Three Musketeers' was about four muggles? But why didn't they call it the 'Four Musketeers'?"

    "Or the 'Three Musketeers' plus one? How very.. wrong," James concluded, Remus nodding his head beside him.

    "Had to be written by a Muggle. Only they could think of something that strange." Lily cast Sirius a warning glance that he ignored and went on. "We need a name, but that won't do for us. I reckon we deserve a name, don't you think?" he asked. Peter nodded.

    "How about 'The Quartet'?" James said, spreading his hands wide like he could see the words floating before him.

    "Eh-" Sirius mumbled, lifting one eyebrow. "How about 'The Pranksters'?"

    "Tricksters?" Peter suggested.

    All three looked to Remus for a suggestion. He grinned. "Marauders?"

    James and Sirius' eyes lit up like someone had shined a light on them. "Remus, you're a genius!" Sirius said, slapping him on the back.

    "Excellent," James agreed.

    "What's it mean?" Peter asked. Everyone at the table gave way to groans.

    Exams came upon them the following day, much unwanted. The entire week proved to be so stressful that even Lily couldn't help but stick around the newly dubbed 'Marauders' to keep herself sane. They, of course, wasted no time in letting everyone know that the tricks were not off due to exams. At some point Tuesday night, the four of them had snuck out of Gryffindor tower and placed an invisible wall at the end of the hall leading to the Slytherin common room. The next morning you could practically hear Professor Welsh screaming no matter where you happened to be in the castle.

    On Friday afternoon Lily sat in History of Magic, her head propped up on her hand to keep from falling asleep as she finished her test. Professor Binns droned on in his same monotone voice right up until the bells chimed across the school, signaling the end of class. There was a tremendous roar of cheers as the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff first years nearly ran for the door.

    "It's over! Finally!" Sirius was practically screaming as they entered the hallway. Lily saw him reach into his pocket and pull out a handful of no-heat fireworks that he let loose in the hall. They zoomed around, leaving a trail of different colors as everyone made their way to their rooms to deposit their belongings and then head out to the grounds.

    It was a beautiful day that promised nothing but relaxation now that they didn't have the worry of exams. Lily stretched out on the grass beside Peter and watched Sirius, James and Remus decide the best way to get the giant squid that lived in the lake to come to surface. Lily laughed as one of the squids tentacles slapped the water in annoyance, drenching all three boys from head to foot.

    "How do you think you did on your tests Peter?"

    "Awful," Peter answered, looking sick at the thought. "I know I failed Potions and I reckon I didn't do much better in Transfiguration. Did your pin cushion squeal when you tried to put a pin in it?"

    Lily stifled a giggle. "No, but it was rather ugly."

    "Theirs was perfect," Peter said, motioning towards Sirius, James and Remus. "Of course, they do perfect in all their classes," he finished in a yearnful voice.

    Lily patted his hand reassuringly and smiled. "Don't worry about it, Peter. You'll be a great wizard."

    Peter smiled back, his eyes lightening considerably as if Lily's opinion was all that mattered.

    "Bloody monster!" Sirius screamed, leaping back and nearly falling over Lily's legs. He was covered from head to toe in mud that the squid had thrown at him. James and Remus were both doubled over in laughter.

    Sirius, eyes glinting with nothing less that sinister ideas, wiped his hand down his shirt, gathered up a handful of mud and threw it. Remus ducked just in the nick of time, causing the mud to hit James square in the face. James was making gagging noises (his mouth was open when the mud hit him) and reaching for his wand at the same time.

    "Uh oh," Lily mumbled, getting to her feet. "Peter--move!"

    They had no more scrambled out of the way when a large patch of mud from the lake side flew past and caught Sirius. Any remaining part of his body the squid didn't get with mud was now covered. He looked like he had rolled in it. "James!"

    "Payback!" James called, wiping his face on his robes.

    *Splat*

    "SIRIUS!" Remus roared, mopping the mud from the side of his face.

    "Oh... dang, Remus... sorry mate, missed--Ugh!"

    It was quite a sight, indeed. James was using his wand to throw mud at Sirius, Sirius was throwing back, and Remus was getting not only hit from both sides, but managing to hit both sides back. Lily and Peter, a good distance from the fight, was laughing hysterically. Passing students were also watching, some laughing, others (Slytherin's) making fun of them.

    Then another voice caught Lily's attention and slowly both her and half the students turned to see Professor McGonagall hurrying towards them.

    "This is not good," Peter muttered.

    All three boys seemed to notice the teacher at the same time. They stopped dead, mud still raised in the air in front of their outstretched wands. Lily was sure she had never seen Professor McGonagall quite this angry before. It was the look, times fifty.

    "Black--Lupin--Potter--!" she gasped, her eyes wide. The mud slapped on the ground with a *splat* as Remus and James lowered their wands. "What is the meaning of this?!"

    "We're sorry Professor," Sirius said, trying to use his charm that had succeeded in getting them out of trouble many times before. Unfortunately, this effect didn't work well when covered in thick, brown mud.

    "Look at the mess you're made of the grounds!" she shrieked. Lily had been too caught up in the fight to notice, but they had wrecked a good portion of the area with large globs of mud, and there was a deep gully where they had been lifting the ground to throw at one another. "Five points from each of you! You will clean this up and yourselves before you come to dinner." And with that, she turned on her heel and started back towards the castle.

    "Way to go Potter," a voice sneered. Just behind Lily stood Severus Snape, his arms crossed and his greasy hair shining in the sunlight. "It's not as if your house can afford to loose many more points. They just might have to give you an award for having the least points in history."

    "Shut it Snape," Sirius mumbled, using a banishing charm to send a pile of mud back to it's origin.

    Instead of listening (as if he would, anyways) he came closer to where Lily and Peter were standing, scowling at the both of them. "And why weren't you out there with them? Afraid of getting your mudblood hands dirty?"

    Lily heard James and Sirius mumble something, but she held her hand up, determined to take up for herself this time. Calmly she met Snape's stare, discreetly pulling her wand out at the same time. "No, Snape, I'm not," she smiled then, an evil grin that matched Sirius's perfectly when he was being sarcastic. "But since your hair is so dirty already, you won't mind me doing this. Accio!" And with that a large glob of mud hit Snape on the back of the head.

    Rage like Lily had never seen in her life blazed on Snape's face. For a moment she actually thought he would hit her, or take his wand out, but he seemed to rethink it and stomped off instead. When Lily turned around she found out why. All four Marauders had their wands drawn on him.

    When he was out of range, Remus' face broke out in a large grin. "Oh my... Lily, that was--"

    "GREAT!" James yelled, picking her up by the waist and spinning her around. In the process she was covered in mud.

    "James!" she yelped.

    He no more dropped her than Sirius was doing the same. She felt slightly light headed with giddiness. So this must be what it felt like to not feel guilty. As she grinned, throwing a handful of mud from her clothes at Sirius, she thought she could get used to this.

    Very used to it.

    It was after dinner when they finally finished cleaning the area by the lake. Hagrid used large buckets of water to clean them of mud and gave them towels to dry off with. By the time they were clean and dry enough to go back in the castle and got up to the Gryffindor tower, the common room was empty. Lily flopped down in a chair across from the boys, still grinning at the memory of Snape's face when the mud hit him. Her stomach gave a loud growl, causing James to grin. "I'm hungry," she announced, as if they couldn't tell.

    "We'll go get some food from the kitchens," James said, running up the staircase to their room. He returned a moment later with his invisibility cloak.

    Remus and Lily played chess while Peter watched as they waited for the boys to return. In no time flat the portrait to the common room swung open and James and Sirius took off the cloak, their arms full of food.

    They talked, ate and joked until nearly dawn. Peter had fallen asleep with his head on his crossed arms and Remus looked as close to falling asleep as Lily did, but still Sirius and James looked wide awake. At half past five Lily stood, confessing she absolutely couldn't stay awake another five minutes, and went up to bed.

    She grinned into her pillow as she laid down, her eyes closing almost instantly. It was a great feeling, having friends. A feeling she wouldn't trade for anything in the world. It made her wish even more that the end of school wasn't drawing so near.

    Time has a funny way of flying when you don't want it to. The next week seemed to fly by now that they didn't have classes every day. Lily spent nearly her every waking moment with James, Sirius, Remus and Peter. They were great fun, always playing jokes on any given person (though they preferred Slytherins) or bickering among themselves playfully.

    Their exam scores came and surprisingly Peter managed to pass all of his classes. Unsurprisingly, James, Sirius and Remus all had top marks. Lily hadn't done half bad herself, getting her highest score in charms class.

    The school was in an uproar the last few days. And suddenly Lily found herself sitting at the Gryffindor table at the end of year feast. When she thought back on her year, it all seemed a blur. And though she wanted to see her parents, going home to face Petunia wasn't a happy prospect.

    Her thoughts were interrupted by a clinging of silverware on glass and the entire Great Hall fell into a silence as Professor Dumbledore got to his feet. "Another year has gone," he began, smiling broadly at the students. "And, as I understand it, the House Cup needs awarding." He consulted a piece of parchment before him quickly. "In fourth place, with two-hundred and seventy-nine points, Gryffindor House." There was a sad excuse for applause that ended quickly. Lily couldn't believe how badly they had got beaten. "In third place, with three hundred and eighty-nine points, Hufflepuff House." Again there was applause, somewhat louder. "In second place, with four hundred and twenty points, Ravenclaw House." Loud cheers erupted from the Ravenclaw table, but Lily couldn't help but notice that the Slytherin's, especially Severus Snape and Lucius Malfoy, was looking particularly smug. "And in first place, Slytherin House, with four hundred and fifty-one points!"

    The entire left side of the room erupted in deafening cheers. Lily, head bowed in embarrassment, couldn't even bare to watch. "Yes, congratulations Slytherin. Very well done. Now, I would like to remind you all that after you get off the Hogwarts Express tomorrow afternoon and return to the Muggle world, you are not allowed to do magic."

    "Dang," Mundungus Fletcher mumbled next to Lily. "I always hope he'll forget to say that one year." Molly rolled her eyes at him.

    "I expect you will all empty your heads of everything you have learned over the summer, so that next year we may all gather here again to learn. Please have a safe summer and eat up!" Professor Dumbledore finished. As he sat down the tables magically filled with food.

    Lily filled her plate as she half listened to the conversations going on around her. James, Sirius, Remus and Peter were talking about trips their families were taking this summer while Molly and Arabella Figg were talking about her wedding. Molly was engaged to Arthur Weasley, who had left Hogwarts last year, and they were marrying just after the school year ended.

    It seemed everyone was looking forward to returning home. Everyone, that was, except Lily.

    That night Lily silently packed her trunk, having waited until the last possible moment. Alexis and Madison were perched on her bed, discussing a new line of Sure Fit Robes that had just came on the market while flipping through the magazine Witch Weekly. Downstairs they could hear people laughing and running back and forth to each others rooms, talking of summer. And while Lily forced smiled to her face and laughter at the right moments, her heart felt heavy in her chest. Every time she thought of home, Petunia's words came back to haunt her.

    "Lily Evans, if you step out of this house today and go to that... that place! You will not be my sister anymore! I mean it!"

    Lily swallowed over the lump that had risen in her throat. She had given up her sister for friends and an education. To learn who and what she really was. And in one short day, she'd have to go home and face what she left behind. She felt slightly sick.

    The next morning came bright and far too early, in Lily's opinion. There was an even more excited mummer around the girl's dormitories as friends traded addresses and telephone numbers. Gabrielle and Kathleen, the twins that roomed with Lily, plopped down on Lily's bed as she was coaxing Morgana into her cage.

    "Yes?" Lily asked, slightly irritated that Morgana seemed to want to have nothing to do with the cage. Given, she had grown over the year, and Lily would have to buy her a new cage. But it would have to do until they got home.

    "What's a telly-fone?" Kathleen asked seriously, blushing a little. "Madison gave us this list of numbers and told us to ring her. But..."

    "I'd imagine she wouldn't make too good a bell," Gabrielle finished.

    Lily felt herself truly laugh for the first time in days. "It's a Muggle devise. You dial a number on it and the person whose number you are dialing picks up a phone and you can talk."

    "Really?" they said in unison, their eyes huge. Lily nodded, grabbing a piece of parchment. "Here, if you figure out how to use one, you can call me as well."

    The twins stared at the parchment in quiet amazement. Lily finally managed to shove Morgana into her cage and began searching drawers to see if she had forgotten anything.

    "It's time to head to the train ladies!" the voice of Professor McGonagall called up the stairs.

    Lily picked up Morgana's cage and started down the stairs with the rest of the Gryffindors. She caught up with James, Sirius, Peter and Remus in the common room and together they went to board the carriages that would take them to Hogsmeade station.

    The trip back to London flew by. In what seemed no time at all, a magically amplified voice rang out that they would be arriving at Platform 9 3/4 in ten minutes. Lily gathered her belongings, staring out the window as London came into view.

    The train came to a stop and they got off, taking their place in line to go through the barrier. A couple of wizards were standing at the solid wall that served as a passage between the Muggle world and Platform 9 3/4 to allow a few students at a time through, so as to not attract attention of the Muggles.

    Lily, Alexis and Remus went through together. Almost immediately Lily spotted her mom and dad waiting for her. Her father swung her up in his arms, hugging her. "There's my girl!"

    "Hi Daddy," Lily grinned, hugging him back tightly. He put her down and she was instantly pulled into another hug by her mother.

    Lily glanced around expectantly, hoping that perhaps Petunia came... perhaps she had had time to think things over. "Where's--?" Lily asked and she seen her mother's features darken.

    "Bye Lily!" two voices shouted over the heads of all the students.

    "Bye Kathleen, Gabrielle!" she called back, waving frantically as she pushed thoughts of her sister to the back of her mind.

    "We'll call you on that telly-foney!" they called and Lily couldn't help but giggle at her parent's dumbfounded expressions.

    James, Remus, Sirius, Peter, Alexis and Madison also came over to say bye before leaving with their parents. Finally they made their way out of the station and into the bright sunlight that shone over London. With her mother talking a blue streak about the past year and asking questions about school, Lily didn't have time to properly dwell on Petunia. But she knew it wasn't going to be long before she had to face her. She hoped it wasn't as bad as she was dreading it to be.