Striking It Up

Chapter 2: Aboard the Hogwarts Express

For the first time in a long time, the Potters had been one of the first people to arrive at Platform 9 and ¾. Restless at the idea of waiting at least an hour before actually leaving, Lily and Liam pleaded with their parents to let them all explore the station. Harry thought about it for a little while. Really, there was no impending danger to anyone anymore, and it wouldn't hurt to have the children explore part of their Muggle roots. They had rarely been exposed to the Muggle world, which was a bit sad. Harry believed that the Muggle world was just as important as the magical one.

"Sure. Go ahead," he allowed. Lily grinned and grabbed her sisters by the hand, leading them off to another location. James pulled out an inflatable ball from his pocket and was about to fling it as hard as he could when his mother grabbed his poised arm.

She looked bored. "Not here," she said. "Find something else to do." James frowned momentarily before wandering off, D.J. chattering excitedly behind him. Liam seemed torn between following his older sister and hanging with his little brothers. He eventually decided on the latter, waving to his parents before running off to meet them.

Ashley sighed as she watched her children walk away. So many things had been troubling her lately. She was concerned about the well-being of her offspring, as most mothers are. She sincerely hoped that the eldest Potter children were doing as well in school as they said they were, and she hoped that the existing conflict between D.J. and Violet would soon come to an end.

She thought often about the troubles of Charlie and Tonks's marriage. The two had been on edge around each other lately. She herself had heard the extent of their arguments, swearing and glass-shattering bordering them all. It would be the first Weasley marriage to fall apart if things kept going that way.

She didn't feel very well for some reason; despite everything she had to deal with, she was certain the feeling of foreboding would still gather around her.

She jumped slightly when she felt a warm, callused hand slip into hers. With a gentle tug, Harry pulled her toward his body, enveloping her in a one-armed hug. She sighed in relaxation, her head resting on his shoulder, inhaling his scent. It was something that she could only describe as Harry.

"What's wrong?" she heard him ask. She didn't answer, only clung to him tighter. "Darling?"

"Can we go for a walk?" she asked, looking up at him. His green-eyed gaze met hers and he nodded, concern flashing across his face. They slowly strolled along until they reached the food court. They sat down and ordered some sandwiches before Harry once again grabbed her hand.

She tugged on a stray strand of hair, choosing her words carefully. "I just have the feeling that something isn't right, like something that I've forgotten is about to bite me in the butt." Harry didn't say a word, only listened. "I think someone is going to pop up that we don't want to hear from, or so Parvati tells me." Harry snorted. Parvati Patil, in the middle of a nasty divorce from her estranged husband, Ecuadorian writer Angelo Sandrin, was now the famous columnist for the Daily Prophet's "Parvati Prevails" section. She gave lots of advice, some of which she claimed came from the never-failing knowledge of her Inner Eye.

"And you're listening to her because...?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "You lost me."

"Used to it," she teased. He frowned playfully and she laughed. "Seriously, even though I don't take that into too much consideration, I have the gut feeling something's not right." Complete, comfortable silence fell between the two. All she needed to do was get her feelings out in the open, her insecurities. Harry always offered something to make her feel better later, which she was grateful for. They simply walked, hand in hand, back to the platform. Suddenly, Harry's head jerked, a sign of a thought popping into his head. Ashley turned toward him, brow furrowed. Harry's eyes had lit up, and a small smile hovered over his lips.

"Sorry. Just remembered something," he told her at last, a small dimple appearing as he smiled fully. At her persistent look he added, "Can't tell you, sorry."

She stuck her hands on her hips and tapped her foot. "I'm your wife; you can't keep things from me."

He raised an eyebrow. "This one time, yes," he answered smugly.

"I tell you everything," she argued."

"Liar," he accused. She sighed.

"Maybe not everything, but I figure you'd be rather grossed out if I told you about the one patient who came in with his eye hanging by one vein," she explained. He thought about this.

"Actually, that's sounds kind of cool," he admitted. She scoffed.

"Fine, I'll tell you every little thing if you tell me every little thing," she bargained. Her shoulders slumped slightly. Slowly, he nodded.

"Fine," he agreed. She thought she had won, when, "just not this thing." Ashley pouted, trying to persuade him to tell her. He looked away quickly. "That's not going to work this time."

"Well, something will, and when I find out what that is, I'll use it to its full potential, mark my words!" she exclaimed in mock threat. Harry laughed at her antics. "I guess I'll just ignore it for now, then."

"Always knew you were smart," he told her.

"After so many years of telling you, you finally listen," she said.

~~~~~~~~~~

More students began to arrive onto the train, boarding their belongings and saying good-bye to loved ones. Lily liked to observe the different scenes, especially those of first years entering Hogwarts for the first time. She remembered her own trip quite well.

~September 1, 2008~

"Mum and Dad have told me so much about Hogwarts," Lily said to her best friend and closest relative, Lucy Weasley. "I can't believe we're actually going!" Lucy nodded her agreement, her vivid red hair flying everywhere.

"I can't wait to see what they'll teach us in Charms," she exclaimed in excitement.

"I can't wait to upstage everyone when they see how well I can fly a broom," Lily said, her eyes glazing over. Lucy cleared her throat loudly. "And you too, Luce." Lucy smiled. Then she grimaced.

"What if Snape is as bad as they say he is?" she asked. Lily shrugged. Everyone in the Weasley and Potter families had informed the two of Professor Severus Snape, the mean-spirited Potions Master and Deputy Headmaster of Hogwarts School. Lucy's older siblings had regaled tales of his fowl greasy head, yellowed teeth and slightly scarred face. The girls didn't very well trust this description, at least about the yellow teeth, considering its source. Lily's dad, though, had gleefully confirmed that Snape had been referred to among his fellow Gryffindors as "Old Grease Head". Or something like that.

Gryffindor. What an honor it would be to be a Gryffindor like their parents. It was, after all, the best House in Hogwarts. The late Albus Dumbledore himself had been a Gryffindor. Lucy said that she would be happy in any house really as long as it wasn't Slytherin. Lily, though, had firmly decided upon Gryffindor. After they had said good-bye to their families the train whistle blew, signaling that they were about to head off to Hogwarts.

"You can't force yourself into a house, you know," Lucy mentioned as they headed into their compartment. "The hat decides for you."

"Well, I'll just hope for the best then," Lily told her. She kept to herself what her father had told her.

"That hat almost put me in Slytherin, you know," he had said one night when she was seven. Lily's eyes widened and her mouth practically rolled to the floor.

"What did you do? Threaten it to put you in Gryffindor?" she asked. Her father laughed.

"No," he said, tucking her into her covers. "The Sorting does depend on your qualities, yes, but it also depends on something else."

"What?"

"Your choices. I didn't want to be in Slytherin. I wanted anything else, so the hat put me in the next best thing in its eyes," he explained. Lily reached into her drawer and pulled out an old picture of her dad in first year with Gryffindor colors. He was smiling, albeit a bit nervously. Every so often he'd wave at the camera, and his green eyes would crinkle at the corners when his hair fell into them.

"Gryffindor," the two said simultaneously. Harry kissed her on her forehead and bade her goodnight. As her eyes fluttered shut she heard him whisper:

"Our choices affect our destiny, nothing else."

Lily and Lucy set foot in Hogwarts for the first time five years later. They watched in awe as they sailed with the other first years across the black lake, the giant squid poking its tentacles through the water. They entered through the humongous doors and trekked up a small flight of stairs to meet the Deputy Headmaster, Professor S. Snape.

Lily was busy watching as the other students filed through another corridor, presumably into the Great Hall for the Sorting. She was harshly brought back into reality when she received a sharp jab in the gut from Lucy. Lily opened her mouth to tell her off when she set eyes on Snape for the first time.

He was almost exactly as they had described. His hair reached his shoulders and was in need of a trim and a good wash. She could faintly make out a white, jagged scar cut through his left cheek, though it blended in well with his pale skin. His beetle black eyes stared down upon every eleven year old present. He was trying to evoke fear into them while he could, and by the squeaks she heard from some, Lily perceived that he had reached his goal. Yet, judging from the aura around him, he had seen many things in his life, many horrible things. She had heard of his aid in the Second War and knew without a doubt that he could still be suffering. Once in a great while she could still hear her father scream and jerk awake from a nightmare, only to be quieted and comforted by her mother.

"Good evening and welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," he greeted them in a silky, slightly hoarse voice. The sound sent chills up Lily's spine and she straightened, vaguely noticing that Lucy and some others did the same. He continued, his voice giving away his boredom at random intervals.

"As most of you know, before you can join your classmates you must be sorted into your houses. There are four houses: Gryffindor (he said so with disdain), Hufflepuff (he seemed to mock this house, Lily observed), Ravenclaw (no emotion presented), and my own house, Slytherin (he seemed to swell with pride at the mention of his house). Here at Hogwarts, good behavior and hard work will earn you House points, but any misbehavior and rule-breaking will cause you to lose House points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points will be awarded the House Cup.

"When you enter the Great Hall you will line up and wait until the Sorting has begun. You will be Sorted appropriately and must sit at your House table, signified by banners. No talking, no jokes, and no mischief shall be tolerated right now." As he said that, his eyes seemed to linger on Lily for a moment longer than necessary. I'll have to look into that later, she thought.

Everything seemed automatic after that. They entered the Great Hall and passed through the scrutiny of the older students, Lucy's older brothers among them. Michael and the twins, Mark and Jason, sat at the Gryffindor table in their robes and black pointed hats, the latter two waving and making faces. Michael rolled his eyes and smiled at the girls before giving them thumbs up...and thumbs down.

"Pot-bellied prat," Lucy whispered from behind. Lily grinned.

Professor Snape brought out the chair and a shabby looking hat. Lily bounced on the balls of her feet impatiently. It seemed as if they were going in alphabetical order. For the first time in her life, Lily cursed herself for having the last name "Potter." She watched anxiously at students were Sorted into the four houses. Finally, Stephanie Pagan, Jeremiah Pointer, and

"Lily Potter."

A shove from Lucy pushed her forward and started her walking. She vaguely noticed that the Great Hall went silent at her name, watching her as she made her way to the stool. She sat down, her vision disappearing as the hat covered her eyes.

"Ah, a Potter I see. Nice to see you, my dear," the hat whispered.

"I hope you don't think this is rude, but this isn't a good time for niceties," she thought, knowing the hat could still hear her. It laughed in her ear and she winced at the loudness of it.

"Spunky, just like your mother. You know, I almost put her in Ravenclaw. But she can be rather daring...perfect Gryffindor. You're a lot like her, but something about you makes you difficult to place."

Lily frowned, then panicked. "You're not going to try and put me in Slytherin, are you?"

"Good heavens, child, no," the hat chuckled. "I doubt they could handle you. Of course, your qualities go well with any house."

"But it's where I decide, really, isn't it?" she shot back. She swore that the hat frowned.

"Yes, but it's ultimately my judgment," it said. "I'll approach this logically, like I always do." Lily rolled her eyes. She was going to sit until the hat gave a desirable choice. Like Lucy said, Ravenclaw wasn't so bad. "Now, let's see. You don't have the habits of a Ravenclaw. You are rather intelligent, but I don't think the studious ways of the Ravenclaws are of great interest to you; you'd bore easily."

"Got that right," Lily thought. If the hat could smirk, it did. In fact, it probably was.

"We've already ruled out Slytherin--"

"With good reason."

"And you're too loud to be a Hufflepuff. You're loyal, of course, and at times hardworking, but there's something about you..." A bubble of hope started to grow inside of Lily.

"That only leaves--"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The hat congratulated her while Professor Snape removed it from her head. Grinning like the Cheshire Cat, Lily hopped off the stool and made her way to the cheering Gryffindor table. It wasn't long until Lucy and some others joined her as well. After the Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall, made her Welcoming Speech, everyone tucked in, and after that, they were led by the Prefects to their dorms. Once the Prefect informed them of the password to the Fat Lady's portrait and gave a brief tour of Gryffindor Tower, Lucy and Lily bolted upstairs and collapsed on their beds. After acquainting themselves with their roommates, they fell asleep, eager to start classes the next day.

~~~~~~~~

"All aboard!"

Lily hurriedly said her good-byes to her siblings and her parents (not without a warning from her mother to stay out of trouble, at least until the third week) and dashed off, hopping aboard the train. Lucy soon followed, waving to her teary-eyed mum.

"Relax, Mum, we'll be fine," Lucy yelled. "I'll take care of Emerson, I promise! It's not like it's her first year."

"All right!" Hermione called back as the train began to move. "I love you!"

"Love you too, Mum," Lucy bellowed over the din of the train's whistle. "Bye!" Once the Hogwarts Express rounded a corner, Lucy turned back toward Lily with raised eyebrows. "Bit suffocating, my Mum is."

"You know, I almost forgot that Emerson came along," Lucy admitted. Lily frowned.

"I find it kind of weird that she's a year behind us yet the two of you are only four months apart. Barely," Lily said. Lucy pondered this, absentmindedly scratching her chin.

"I never noticed that," she finally said. Lily chucked a spare Chocolate Frog at Lucy, hitting her directly in the chest.

"Hey!"

"And she's your sister!" Lily exclaimed dramatically. "The nerve of you forgetting that she came along and that her birthday is close to yours! I'm so glad we're not related!"

Lucy rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Sorry to disappoint you, Madame Zabini," she stressed, watching gleefully as Lily turned a deep shade of pink, "but we're cousins."

Lily snapped out of it and crossed her arms over her chest, turning to face the window. "I'd like to see the paper that says that!"

"Oh yeah? This one!" Lucy pulled a piece of parchment from her pocket and hastily scribbled, "This document certifies that Lily Amelia Potter, born unto Harry James Potter and Ashley Halliwell Potter on April 16, 2007 is related to (by act of "cousins") to Lucille Molly Weasley, born unto Ronald Bilius Weasley and Hermione Juliet Granger-Weasley on September 9, 2007." She presented the parchment to Lily with a smile on her face, her eyes shining with mirth. "So there!"

Lily held back a raucous laugh. "This paper also says that I'm eligible to receive three hundred pounds of chocolate frogs if I write an essay on 'Why They're Soooooo Good to Me'." Lucy snatched the paper back and read over the contest rules, laughter spilling from her mouth.

"Oh, woe is me," she said out of the blue. Lily raised an eyebrow.

"So that's your new annoying habit, is it?" she asked. Lucy nodded.

"I figure since you have so many I should at least change mine every year," she teased. Lily grinned.

"Good to know," she laughed. She let herself fall on the seat opposite Lucy and stretched. She crossed her legs at the ankles and sighed blissfully.

"Thinking of your beau, Madame Zabini?" Lucy asked cheekily as someone walked by their compartment. Lily abruptly felt herself blush. It could have been Evan, she thought. What is she doing?!

Lucy was staring out the window when Lily caught a glance at her. I'll show her, Lily thought. Lucy was in the middle of a sentence when she let out a squeal as Lily tackled her.

"What's this about?" she asked calmly as if this happened all the time. Actually, it did.

"Don't call me Madame Zabini within his earshot," Lily said. Lucy tried to shrug. Finding that she couldn't, she raised her eyebrows, her blue eyes passive.

"He doesn't go to this part of the train," she reasoned. Lily rolled her eyes.

"He might've! And anyway, that's not the point!"

"And your point is what?"

"Not sure," Lily admitted. But Lucy didn't know that... no, Lily simply couldn't do that. As much as she wanted to, she couldn't use Lucy's secret against her. It was a pretty poor and unkind way of telling her she knew about it, at any rate.

"Look, I won't do it in front of him. But you can't bite my head off because he might be around. You've got to be sure," Lucy explained, rubbing her cheek against the carpeted floor of the compartment. Lily sent her a confused expression, to which Lucy said, "Itchy cheek."

"Just send me silent signals, okay?" Lily offered. Lucy nodded. "Anyway, you wouldn't want me to use my weapon." Lucy frowned at this. When Lily had a weapon, you'd best be scared. The tiniest thing could cause great devastation once Lily Potter had her way with it.

"Lily," Lucy chided.

"Expect the worst, Luce. After all, this is me," said Lily. She pretended to think for a bit, then, "Then again, I could have nothing. It depends on what the people think when they hear it, and when you find out." Hey, she could be cruel to certain points. Lucy was getting nervous. Some of her secrets were okay to tell, but others were humiliating, and Lily knew all of her secrets. It was terrifying.

"Lily--"

"This is what fantasies are all about," a voice said from behind Lily. The girls turned to find Eric gazing down upon the two of them, a stupid grin plastered across his face, his hand roving over his chest. "Ahhh. Girl-on-girl action."

Lily rolled her eyes and laughed. "You perverse little wizard," she said, letting Lucy free. "We were waiting for you." Eric laughed.

"You guys are my girls," he said.

"Isn't that an oxymoron?" Lucy interjected. Eric turned his gaze on her, eyes twinkling.

"You're an oxymoron," he said, pointing at her.

"Takes one to know one," she countered. He snapped his fingers.

"Ah, touché," he said. Lucy laughed, her gaze wandering over to Lily to gauge her reaction. She was shocked to find a smirk on Lily's face, and with a wiggle of her eyebrows and a glance toward Eric, Lucy understood: she knew.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

After half an hour of tenseness, Lucy dragged Lily into one of the bathrooms. Unlike the bathrooms on most trains, the loos on the Hogwarts Express were rather comfortable; with mirrors on the walls and a few small bean-bag chairs, it seemed like more a lounge in a fancy hotel. Lucy locked the door and blew her hair out of her eyes before turning on Lily, who was calmly sitting on one of the chairs with a bored look on her face and one raised eyebrow. Lucy opened her mouth to speak before Lily broke in first.

"You shouldn't be mad at me, you know. If anything, I should be mad at you," she said, crossing her arms and legs. Lucy was speechless. What gave her the right to be mad, anyway? She voiced this aloud to Lily, who responded with, "I'm your best friend. I should have known straight away."

Lucy looked at her feet. Lily was right; she should have known right off the bat that she had been harboring a secret crush on their other best friend. They usually told each other everything, and since Lily had told Lucy about her infatuation with Evan Zabini, it seemed only natural that Lucy reveal her secret. And yet...yet she didn't even want to tell Lily in the first place. She didn't know why.

Lily sat patiently, waiting for the proper excuse. She didn't really think anything of Lucy not telling her the truth, but all of a sudden she started to get ideas in her head. If they were so close, why didn't she know this? What else was Lucy hiding from her?

"I know, but...I just don't know why I didn't tell you," Lucy admitted. Lily scowled.

"Thought you couldn't trust me, eh?" she accused. Lucy shook her head adamantly.

"No, it's not that at all--"

Lily abruptly stood up. "You know, it's nice to know that, even while I trust you with my life, you can't trust me with a little secret. It's nice to know we're so close, Lucy." She turned and headed for the door, unlocking it and twisting the latch. Lucy tried to stop her.

"You're making a big deal out of nothing!" she exclaimed.

Lily paused for a moment, thinking. Perhaps it was nothing. Maybe she was reading too much into it. After all, everyone needs something that's just for them and no one else. Still...

"Then there must be a reason why you wouldn't tell me," she said. Lucy shrugged.

"I can't think of one right now. If I ever find it, I promise I'll let you know straight away," she offered. Lily smiled.

"Deal."

~~~~~~~~~~

Eric was sitting with a deck of Exploding Snap cards when the two girls returned. He glanced up from his game and rolled his eyes.

"Always have to go to the loos in packs. I can never understand you," he told them.

"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn," Lily responded dramatically. Eric laughed.

"Yet here you are." Lucy ignored them both, moving over to the window. She watched silently as the scenery rolled by. She heard her stomach growl loudly, followed by snickering from her friends. She grinned sheepishly.

"Never thought I'd see the day when a Weasley didn't eat breakfast," Lily remarked. Eric turned to Lucy in shock.

"You didn't eat? What is wrong with you?" he asked. Lucy narrowed her eyes.

"We got here late, so don't bite my head off," she snapped. Eric held his hands up in surrender.

"Sorry. Didn't know it was that time of the month," he explained. Lucy scowled while Eric laughed. Lily punched his arm. "Hey! What was that for?"

"I'm standing up for the female species. Men are a disgrace, and you're the closest thing to one around here," she explained. Eric rubbed the sore spot on his arm.

"I'm no man," he stated, to a raised eyebrow from Lily. "I'm, Spell-man." Lily laughed and punched his other arm. "Lily!"

"That was for good measure," she said. Eric shook his head and tossed a loose button at her. She dodged it effectively, giggling.

What was so wrong about liking one's best friend? After all, there must be some reason a pair get along so well besides friendship. And it's nice to be with someone who knows you for you and not what you appear to be. A good rapport already exists, which only strengthens the relationship. When Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione...

Holy smokes! That was it! Lily's eyes darted back and forth between Lucy and Eric. That must be the reason why Lucy didn't want to say it out loud. She didn't want history to repeat itself! Her own parents had fallen in love as best friends and then remained partners for life. Lucy wouldn't want to suffer the same fate at such a young age. Lily knew for a fact that Lucy thrived on the mystery of love and relationships. Such a fate would scare anyone.

She stood up and picked a piece of lint off of her jeans. She cleared her throat until the other two caught her eye. "Luce, come with me to find the food cart. I'm starving and I know for a fact that you are too."

"Oh, for the love of Pete. It's not even a bathroom!" Eric exclaimed, his outburst causing his tower of cards to explode. Lucy didn't bat an eyelash (she saw the look in Lily's eye) as she rose and followed Lily out of the compartment. Eric threw his cards down in a huff.

"Girls!"

~~~~~~~~

"That's why you didn't want to tell anyone," Lily explained. Lucy thought about it before shrugging.

"I guess it does explain a lot," she agreed. Lily nodded. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about it."

"S'okay, I'm over it," Lily dismissed her apology.

"Hey, Lily, come and see this!" Someone called her from another compartment. Upon closer inspection, it was Charlotte Longbottom, fellow Gryffindor. Her brown-blonde hair was covered in red gunk, and she was grinning beneath a freckled face.

"You don't mind if I go, do you?" Lily asked. Lucy shook her head.

"Nah. I'm going to go and find the food cart so Eric actually believes us for once. Later," she waved as Lily wandered into another compartment. ("Mimbulus Mimbletonia! It's wicked cool, Lily!")

Lucy walked on, not really caring if she saw the witch with the cart or not. She picked at a freckle on her left hand before wandering into the bathroom again. She stared into the mirror and frowned.

She seemed so different from her other siblings somehow, even though most of them had red hair. Yet at the same time she felt like a follower. Nothing about her stood out. She wasn't like Lily. People always associated Lily with "pretty", though Lily claimed she never saw it. She was always saying how people assumed that she, Lucy Weasley, was the pretty one out of the group, to which Eric would cry out indignantly.

She didn't deem herself pretty. She felt like a Plain Jane, one Weasley out of many. Her brilliant red hair just let her blend in with the rest of her siblings and family. She pulled on a lock of her mane, wondering if she should ever dye it another hue. There was a small smattering of freckles across her nose. There weren't many, but they were still noticeable. She wrinkled her nose and watched as the freckles followed its movement. They made her look country.

Her mouth wasn't overly full or overly small. It fit her face, and if it was possible, it complemented her eyes. The only thing good about her appearance was her eyes; the deep, crystalline blue that matched her father's so well. Perhaps if she let her hair grow a bit, she would look better. Maybe Eric would notice something...

"Silly girl," she told her reflection, "never change for a boy." Her aura seemed to brighten at this proclamation, and suddenly her appearance didn't seem so bad. Still, she felt a bit empty. Her father had always told her that there was something special inside of her that made her beautiful and special. Why didn't Eric see that?

Lucy turned abruptly and slammed the bathroom door behind her.

"Because he's stupid."

~~~~~~~~

"Good evening, students! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"

The din in the Great Hall began to decline as the Headmistress, Professor Minerva McGonagall, Order of Merlin First Class, rose and spoke to the hundreds of students. Lily, Lucy and Eric stopped their conversation on the problems with certain houses, including their own ("The older kids are too cocky," Lucy argued. Eric countered with, "It's because they know more and laugh at our ignorance." "Well spotted," Lily laughed.) to face their Headmistress. The Sorting had passed without a hitch, with almost all of the first years distributed evenly between the houses.

"First, I would like to welcome our First Years. Just a few rules to clarify..." Professor McGonagall cleared her throat before continuing, her eagle eye roving over every student, lingering on Lily, Lucy and Eric before she focused on everyone once again. "As most of you know, the Forbidden Forest is forbidden unless you are accompanied by a staff member or adult escort. And Miss Potter, Peeves does not count as a staff member or an escort." The Gryffindors laughed as Lily shrugged innocently.

"No magic shall be performed in the middle of the corridors, Mr. Malfoy," she stressed. One by one, all eyes turned to the Ruler of Slytherin House. Damien sat back with his arms crossed and a smug look on his face. "Anyone caught doing so will face severe consequences. Quidditch tryouts for the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw Quidditch teams will be in about a month's time." Excited whispers permeated the Great Hall until McGonagall signaled for silence once again.

"Finally, those of you in the third year with permission to visit Hogsmeade village must immediately report to the Defense classroom at eight forty-five A.M. on the first scheduled visit. Now let's enjoy this wonderful meal." Once the Headmistress took her seat, the food appeared, and amid the gasps among the first years they all tucked in.

"I wonder what they want to talk to us about," Lily wondered aloud, watching Eric pile mashed potatoes on his plate.

"What makes you think they want to talk about anything?" he asked, snatching a plate of chicken from Lucy, who rolled her eyes. "Maybe they want to give us stuff or something like that."

"And just what do you presume we'd need for Hogsmeade that we don't already have, or better yet won't get?" Lily questioned, her face taking on an exasperated expression. Eric swallowed his food before replying.

"You are not Professor McGonagall, therefore you know less than I do," he said.

"I may know less on the subject, but I know more about everything else, compared to you," she countered. Lucy tapped her fork against her plate in agreement.

"Hear, hear! Girls rule!" she exclaimed, giving Lily a high-five. Eric only smiled before he turned to his left. Liam sat there with a solemn look on his face.

"Nervous about tryouts, mate?" he asked. Liam looked up abruptly, shocked at the sudden statement, before nodding. "Don't sweat it." Liam scoffed.

"Easy for you to say, o ye who has never tried out for Quidditch," he pointed out. Lily grinned and poured herself a glass of pumpkin juice.

"He's got you there, Eric," she said. "I'm not even sure you know how to fly a broom without falling on your face."

"Me either," he said, turning the joke around. Lily laughed and struck up conversation with Lucy. Eric turned back toward Liam, who was listening intently to the other second years' conversations with a grin on his face. "What's up?" he whispered, not wanting to break the concentration. Liam faced him, his grin threatening to split his face in two.

"Everyone else has the same model broom as I do. That won't affect my odds!" he whispered excitedly. Eric didn't quite understand where he was coming from, so when Liam turned back to his friends he asked Lily about it.

"Oh, it's just something along the lines that Liam was worried he wouldn't get Chaser if everyone else's brooms were better than his. Mum and Dad said they might consider getting him the new model if he made the team, which blows because I made the team in second year and all I got was a letter of congratulations," she pouted. Lucy smacked her lightly on the head, laughing.

"Like you need any extra help," she said. Lily grinned and agreed that she was right.

"If anyone needs it, it's you," she said. Lucy was nodding before what Lily said hit her. She flicked her peas at Lily, who ducked.

"HEY!"

Before a small food fight could break out between the two, they were interrupted by the doors of the Great Hall opened. A walked in who looked to be about Lily's age. The man and the boy walked up to the Head Table determinedly. Silence spread through the students as they watched the stranger speak to their Headmistress. McGonagall showed no sign of happiness or displeasure at his arrival.

At once, she clapped her hands, signaling she was about to make an announcement. "Everyone, please welcome the arrival of Gerald Cloquer Sky, a student from Beauxbatons Academy. He is on assignment to monitor the customs of Hogwarts students. He will be staying in one of the Houses and will ask about and observe our daily routines." There was scattered applause heard around the hall. Lily looked at Gerald and immediately her stomach churned.

His sandy brown hair was gelled upward into a neat yet natural looking style. His cheeks were red, whether from wind or acne Lily didn't know. He didn't look very tall, for he didn't even reach Professor McGonagall's height from where she was watching. When he turned around to face the students, Lily saw that his eyes were brown. A plain, mucky, ordinary brown.

"What a catch," she heard Lucy mutter sarcastically.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, Mister Sky. Now you shall be sorted to see which House you will stay in. Professor Snape, if you would bring out the Hat..."

Snape did as he was told, albeit a bit grumpily. Gerald slowly made his way toward the stool and sat down. Unlike many of the first years, his eyes were not covered by the Sorting Hat's broad rim. In just a few seconds time, the Hat shouted, "SLYTHERIN!"

The Slytherin table cheered while the other houses clapped politely. Some thought it would have been nice to have a French boy in their dormitory, to which the trio scoffed.

"He's probably only half French judging by his name," Eric argued.

"Maybe not at all," Lucy pondered. Gerald took his seat at the Slytherin table. He quickly engaged in conversation with Damien Malfoy.

"He's out of my book already," Lily remarked. The others nodded their assent.

~~~~~~~~~

"You were right."

"About what? Be more specific; I'm right about so many things, Eric."

"Divination sucks!" Eric exclaimed, slamming his books on the table. Lily was in the Gryffindor Common Room. It was 11:45 in the morning, and she had just gotten out of Ancient Runes, the class she was taking in Divination's stead. She had just been going over her notes from class when Eric came barging in, his arms laden with books and scrolls. Lily could see that he was frustrated as he frantically searched through one of his books (The Beginner's Guide to the Inner Eye).

"There's nothing in here about omens!" he screamed. The older students, fifth years especially, shushed him. He glared, which didn't faze them as they returned to their work.

"Perhaps you're looking in the wrong book," Lily advised, holding up a book he must've overlooked (Omens, Omens, Everywhere: Omens in Tea Leaves). Eric looked at her in shock, mumbling under his breath as he looked back and forth between the two books.

"But--I just--Trelawney said--"

"Are you going to talk or are you going to talk?" Lily interrupted. Eric stopped his rampage and plopped down opposite her, breathing heavily. "Classroom too far?" He nodded. "Open." He opened his mouth wide. Lily grasped her wand and pointed it at his mouth, muttering, "Aquatis." A blast of cold water jetted from her wand and into Eric's mouth, providing hydration. He sighed and relaxed once she finished.

"Thanks, Lils," he said.

"You know, we're not even in fifth year and here you are tiring out. How are we supposed to stop Malfoy from winning that bet without you?" she inquired, her eyes widening.

"Like you need me," he said. She thought about this and nodded.

"You're right. We don't need you," she agreed. Eric laughed.

"Shut it, you." His ears perked up at the sound of balls being thrown outside. He glanced out the window to see someone with messy, jet black hair flying around, tossing Quaffles through the air. "Is Liam practicing for tryouts?"

"Nonstop," Lily replied. "He's giving me headaches talking about Chaser moves and stuff like that."

"I thought you loved Quidditch."

Lily grimaced, a few wrinkles appearing on her nose. "Not when it concerns my brother. Besides, Chasing is boring." Eric was about to answer when Lucy came running through the Fat Lady's portrait, her chest heaving, her hair in every direction.

"We haven't been here a month," she gasped, clutching her side. "Barely one month, and that little piece of vermin has set out to make it torture!"

"How's your day going, Luce?" Eric asked, his head resting on his palm.

"Don't toy with me right now, Eric!" she warned. "That little French prat, Gerald Sky, is really getting on my nerves. He's been following all day giving me goo-goo eyes and offering to carry my books. The nerve of that--that--thing!"

Lily and Eric remained silent during Lucy's rant until they could take no more. Finally, the two burst out laughing, with tears falling from their eyes. Lucy glared at them, but they only laughed harder. The fifth years glanced back with a harsh "SHH!" in their direction. Lily and Eric's laughter died down a bit.

"I don't like him! What am I to do?" she begged. Eric shrugged.

"Ask Lily. She's got a talent for driving blokes off," he suggested. Lily punched his arm hard. "Ow!"

"See if I give you any water next time, you pouf!" she bit back.

"You know, his being a pouf explains a lot..." Lucy said aloud. Eric fumed silently, muttering under his breath.

"Stop the idiotic discussions, or we'll give you reason to mutter under your breath," one fifth year, Avery Stanton, threatened. Lily glared at him and he deflated slightly.

"All you had to do was say something, you twit, and we would have gone upstairs ages ago," she explained.

"We've been shushing you for half an hour," one girl, Miriam Deloise exclaimed. Lily scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"Shh? Oh, how mature for fifth years. I'm surprised you didn't drop your bottles when we disturbed your quiet time," Lily retorted.

"See here, Potter," Stanton began, slamming his book shut. Lily waved him off.

"Why don't you relax and wank in the bathroom, Stanton, and take your girl with you. She might enjoy it." Before the fifth years could retaliate, Lily was dragging her friends up the boys' staircase and into the third years' dormitory.

"Always getting into trouble," Lucy noted.

"And never facing it," Eric added.

"If I faced it properly, we'd be expelled," said Lily. Eric shrugged.

"I'll face it for you, Lily, because I'm your friend," he volunteered valiantly, his hand over his heart. Lucy smiled to herself.

"If trouble saw your face, it would run away indeed, Eric," Lily countered. Eric stuck his tongue out and began to search through his trunk. Lily followed him and sat on his bed. Lucy stood by, staring out the window for a few seconds before joining Lily on the bed.

"You know, we need to focus on the whole Malfoy thing. I heard that he's asked Paulina Basset, and she's considering his offer," Lily whispered ominously.

Lucy grimaced. "Who on earth would do that?"

"A girl on the Imperius Curse, that's who," Lily explained, flopping backwards onto Eric's pillow. She immediately sat up. "Your pillow smells like sweat!"

"Does not!" Eric exclaimed. The contents of his trunk were scattered everywhere. The three vaguely thought about Lucy and her need to scatter things in organization. Strange, and even stranger that they thought this simultaneously.

"Does too, you twit! Whatever happened to hygiene, eh? We are going through puberty, you know," Lily said, scrunching up her nose. Eric shook his head.

"I take showers every day and night! There is no reason that sweat should stick on my pillow," he argued.

"I believe the correct term is 'accumulate', and there is always a reason," said Lily wisely. Lucy pondered this, her brow furrowed in deep thought.

"Unless he was busy during the night..." she trailed off.

"Ew!" Lily shouted. "So gross!" Eric stood up, furious. He marched straight over to Lucy and pointed a finger in her face.

"I do not, repeat, DO NOT, have wet dreams!"

Lily grinned. "Hold it, "Casanono." How'd you know that's what she was talking about?"

"Because she's sick! I don't have wet dreams, Lucy," he confirmed, face turning red. Lucy smirked and pushed his finger away.

"She could have been talking about you snogging some girl in here, but you're mind jumped to wet dreams," Lily explained, adjusting the invisible glasses perched on her nose.

"So what girl has been the object of your affections in these "nonexistent" dreams, Mr. Spellman?" Lucy asked, her cheeks and ears turning a light pink. Lily rolled her eyes discreetly. Smooth, to the max.

"I don't dream about girls!"

"So you're a pouf?" she asked. Lily shook her head.

"I'm not sure about that one, either," she said. Eric let out a frustrated cry. He pulled at the ends of his hair, his face turning red.

"I am not a pouf! For girls, you really are stupid!" he fumed. Lucy smacked his arm at this.

"Don't say that in front of any girl!" she yelled. "We're trying to solve the Malfoy issue so we don't lose the bet, and you're no help at all!"

"Who brought up my sweaty pillow?" he asked, pointing at Lily.

"So you admit that it's sweaty?" Lily presumed, waving her hands for effect. He was about to snap at her when Lucy cut in.

"You should always tell the truth," she said with an assertive nod.

"Then tell him," said Lily pointedly to Lucy. Lucy turned a light shade of pink and glanced at Eric. Lily herself was a bit surprised at the abrupt turn of topic, but when the shoe fit, wear it. Lucy was getting a little too obvious about her crush and Lily had decided that it would be much better if everything were out in the open.

"Lily--" Lucy was cut off when Lily kept talking, somewhat irked.

"This has been going on for a long time. I'm tired of watching the dancing around," Lily let out, frustrated and temper rising. It was very silly! Why was she getting so worked up over nothing? Maybe the real question was why Lucy was so stupid and scared of telling the truth. Perhaps that was what was getting to Lily.

"Lily , I thought that you understood me," Lucy pleaded, confused. What had gotten into Lily?

"Well, when you're both being stupid, it's hard to understand anything!" Lily exclaimed. Eric immediately looked at her.

"What exactly are we being stupid about, Lils?" he asked, eerily calm. She rounded on him.

"Don't you "Lils" me! I'm sick of this!" She faced Lucy and wagged a threatening finger in her face. "Tell him, Lucy, or I will, and rest assured he won't be the only one to know!"

"Tell who what?" Eric didn't get the exchange between the two, but before he could ask Lily left, to do what he didn't know. He sighed, placing his belongings back in his trunk. Behind him he heard Lucy leave too. He didn't like dealing with things like this.

~~~~~~

Lily headed out of Gryffindor Tower in a daze. Something wasn't right, and she knew it. She didn't know why she did that back there. It was like she had become a different person. She didn't like this new Lily that was starting to take over. She was becoming a bit withdrawn, at least in her own eyes. There were many subtle changes that she didn't quite understand, or want to accept.

She practically flew down the stairs to the main doors. Pressing her hands to them for a moment, she took a deep breath before she pushed them open. A nice breeze welcomed her, and she could see the sun was starting to set in the sky. Birds were still fluttering about, and she could see the Giant Squid swimming lazily in the lake. With a sigh, Lily stepped outside to think.

She walked around the lake a couple of times in boredom. Her thoughts were redundant. Something was bugging her: about Lucy, about Eric, about that French prat, Gerald, and about her parents. She didn't know where to start, and what to acknowledge. She could use some organization skills right now.

Tired of avoiding the squid's tentacles, she began to move in a different direction.
Unknowingly she had wandered over to the Quidditch. She smiled at the mere thought of the game. She couldn't wait to start the season. Flying on a broom at lightning speed was just so much fun! The excitement bubbling from the players and the spectators was infectious. Kicking some Slytherin arse only added to the benefits.

A curious sensation caused Lily to look up into the stands. She was shocked to see Liam sitting in the Gryffindor stands, thinking quietly. Sighing, she made her way up the side steps to his row. He glanced at her, acknowledging her presence as she sat next to him. He seemed exhausted. A feeling of sisterly affection afflicted her, and she rubbed his shoulder.

"You've been practicing hard all week. Don't you think it's time for homework?" she asked. Liam chuckled.

"Don't you sound alarmingly like Mum," he said. She rolled her eyes and lightly cuffed his shoulder.

"Seriously, though. You know they're only going to give you a new broom if you do your work, not ignore it. Even I get an assignment in once in a while, you know," said Lily, a bit jokingly. Liam turned to face her, and she saw that his eyes were tired. Lily knew of this look. She had seen pictures of her father in his younger days, his eyes giving away his soul. He seemed to harbor the weight and will of the world on his shoulders. With good reason, she concluded. But there was no war now, so no one should have to live with that anymore, or look like that. Yet here was Liam, almost in the same condition. Though she didn't say it aloud, and would never admit to thinking it, it was just Quidditch.

She shivered. That thought would never come into her mind again!

"Lily, you don't get it," he said, his head lowering.

"How can I possibly not get it, Liam?" she asked. He sighed, and shook his head slowly.

"Everything's been handed to you. You're the perfect character out of a book, Lil," he told her. Lily frowned. Another misconception by her little brother.

"Come on, that's not true at all," she tried to say, but he kept on talking.

"You've got Dad's skills with people and at Quidditch. You never study for an exam because you've got Mum's brains. The only thing you worry about is how to humiliate Damien Malfoy." He looked up, his brown eyes boring into hers. "It's amusing, don't get me wrong. But your life is perfect. You don't worry about anything like I do."

Lily's temper threatened to burst to the surface. No one, not even Liam, had the knowledge or right to assume how she lived. Still, she calmed herself and tried to reason with him.

"You've got Dad's look and Mum's eyes. You've got their best qualities: kindness, compassion, a witty sense of humor, and courage. You have, amazingly, gotten their calm personality. I got their tempers, and believe me, it's not always good." She paused, recalling the incident up in Gryffindor Tower.

"Why do I feel so scared about tryouts, and about homework and stuff? If you don't worry, it should be nothing, right?" he asked, breaking her train of thought. She sighed.

"First of all, you're a Potter. Studies should be far from your worries. We've got some smart genes in us," bragged Lily. "As for the first one: you're human, Liam, you've got to worry about some things. Everyone does. Merlin knows I do," she said. Liam frowned.

"You?" he asked incredulously. Lily rolled her eyes and ruffled his hair.

"Yes, the mechanical monster worries," she said. He swatted her hand away, and she was glad that he did so. She eagerly wiped away the sweat she had attracted on her pants. Liam fixed his hair as best he could. Finally, it was somewhat tame, and he faced Lily to hear her explanation. He knew she would give one.

"I worry about grades, friends, what's going on, you guys (meaning you, Sarah, Kimmy, you get the idea)...I'm not perfect. In fact right now... never mind. At any rate, I still get up on the wrong side of the bed and I get pimples. Never tell anyone that, though, because they think I've been blessed. Wouldn't want them to deem me normal, after all." Liam smiled slightly.

"Yes, everyone calls you strange and abnormal," he said. She laughed.

"Just how it should be," she said, grinning. Her expression once again became serious as she continued. "I worry about...stuff you wouldn't imagine."

"Evan Zabini?" Liam presented. Lily's eyes widened in horror and she stood up abruptly. Spluttering indignantly, she simply stared at Liam, who stared back with an amused expression. "If you show it, people notice."

Lily practically fainted on the bleachers. Great. Now her little brother knew every little problem that came her way. He didn't know about Lucy and Eric...but maybe he was that observant. He probably knew everything, because he was just like Mum and Dad, whether he knew it or not. He probably knew of her internal battles.

Was this what it was to be paranoid?

Yes, her conscience answered.

Oh God! she thought frantically. He knows EVERYTHING!

Lily passed out in the Gryffindor stands, and Liam tossed his broom aside to try and revive her. When nothing worked, given his limited education as a second year, he loaded her on his broom and flew down to the field. Scrambling through his mind, he finally decided to bring her to the hospital wing. He gently lay her on the ground (if she knew he had done that later, she would kill him), and waved his wand (swish and flick).

"Wingardium Leviosa!"