The Green Flame Torch

CHPT 7: A Lovely Scandal

Lilah made it back to her room, amazingly without detection by Filch or Mrs. Norris. She didn't sleep the rest of the night, but read her journal over and over again. As dawn broke Lilah began to get ready for school. She trudged up to the mirror and frowned at her reflection. Her eyes were droopy and dark and her face was pale. She gathered she had almost two hours before everyone got up and gathered all her makeup, which wasn't much. Lilah rarely wore makeup, except for important occasions and when she was bored and had nothing else to do. And it just so happened that there was nothing to do. She began to apply it on. By the time Pansy and the girls had awoken Lilah was done up, her hair was perfectly straight and shiny and she was already heading out the door.

Lilah quickly walked down the hallways determined to get help with her nightmares. She deduced that even if she was a witch it couldn't be normal to have nightmares chronically. She skipped breakfast and went instead to Snape's office. But, he was no where to be found. She decided to try gain after lunch. And headed to DADA.

She waited for Lupin to arrive at his class, soon regretting missing breakfast. Lupin arrived and greeted her with a smile.

"Good morning Ms. Snape." he said.

"Morning Professor."

"And what can I help you with today?"

He opened the door and entered. Lilah followed him, trying to a figure out what exactly she did want from him. She couldn't just come out and say "So you and my mum, what is the real story?" She racked her brain for ideas as he stared at her puzzled. She realized she had to say something.

"So, er, ever heard of the Green Flame Torch. It was supposedly made here." She said as if she was asking him about the weather.

He thought for a moment.

"No." he said.

"Oh, well, I heard some kids talking about it and wondered what it was. Do you have any ideas of where I could find out about it?"

"Well, maybe try Professor Binns. He knows everything about the school."

"Oh okay. Thanks."

Lilah searched the room with her eyes. A moment of silence settled. Well that was pointless, she thought. She thought about asking him about nightmares, but didn't want to risk him thinking she had problems.

"So did you want to be a professor when you went here?" she asked.

"Yes, but not particularly this subject."

Another pause. Lilah tried to think of a way to veer the conversation towards the topic of her mother.

"How was the school back then? I mean, was much different?"

"It wasn't that long ago. It was pretty similar."

He went to organize the room.

Buggar Lupin! she thought, Say something more!

She couldn't wait anymore.

"Tell me something about my mum." She blurted out.

"Your mum?" said Lupin a little nervous, "Well what do want to know?"

"Anything. What she was like at school. You know."

Lupin sighed and relaxed.

"Well," he said savoring the memory of what he was saying, "she was a great friend and could always make me laugh."

"Funny? My mum?"

"Of course." Said Lupin.

"Did you know Lily Potter too?"

"Yes. She was Lily Evans then. Your mum, her, and," Lupin hesitated, "Xenia were always together."

"Xenia? As in the Xenia?" shrieked Lilah.

"So you've heard of her?" said Lupin amused.

"Heard of her? I love her! I worship her! I want to be her!"

"You sing too?"

"Kinda," Lilah went red.

"Come on. You said you sound like your mum. She had," he floundered, " has, a lovely voice."

Lilah smiled. Her mother did sing quite well, when the mood struck her, which was close to never.

"So did you lose touch after school was over?" asked Lilah.

"No, I actually am still close to Xenia."

"I didn't mean Xen-," Lilah jumped out of her seat, "You still see her!"

"Yes, we're still really good friends."

Lilah couldn't believe this.

"Could you tell her I love her?"

Soon Lilah felt stupid for saying that but Lupin winked at her.

"I'll see what I can do." He said.

"Thanks."

Lupin sat down on his desk. He looked as if he was enjoying the questioning.

"So, why didn't you keep in touch with my mum after school was over?"

Lupin stared blankly at Lilah for a moment. Lilah felt she struck a nerve and quickly tried to save the conversation.

"Well I'm sure it is just as much mummy's fault. You know she doesn't mention many people from school. She probably lost touch too after she graduated."

Lupin walked over to Lilah and placed his hand on her shoulders. His eyes filled with concern. Lilah stared at his pale face and soon was channeling his heart. She felt her stomach clench, he was so sad, and resentful, but mostly guilty. The guilt began to grow as he began to speak.

"Class will begin soon. I need to get ready."

"Sure Professor." Said Lilah.

She sat down in her seat and fought against the urge to ask anymore. Class began and Draco went to Lilah. He looked at her as if he had never seen a girl before.

"What?" Lilah asked.

"N-Nothing." Stuttered Draco as he quickly looked away.

Lupin ordered the class to follow him to the staffroom as he explained that today's lesson would involve a Boggart. Lilah tried to listen to Lupin's words but was distracted by the feeling that someone was staring at her, namely Draco. But, she soon brushed this off because it wasn't so odd for Draco to be staring at her. She had a pretty good idea that he had a small crush on her. No matter how testy he got with her.

"I have only found two previous to this in the castle. But hopefully I can find more." Lupin said.

He asked everyone to think of what they feared most. All of the Slytherins closed their eyes. Even Draco, after a stare down contest with Lupin. Lilah thought and thought. Nothing really scared her. Then suddenly that raspy voice from her dreams was in the back of her head and she could see that long snake coming at her.

"All right now I want each of you to approach the wardrobe. The Boggart will take shape of what fears you most and then I want you to perform the Riddikulus charm we learned on it. Ready?"

The Slytherins nodded.

"This is pointless." Whispered Draco.

Lilah ignored him as Millicent was called forward. Lupin swung open the door and a large pale Vampire hovered out. Lilah couldn't help but think it looked like her uncle and smiled.

"Riddikulus!" shouted Millicent as the Vampire's teeth fell down to the ground and he started smacking his gums.

Each student faced the Boggart in their turn. The Boggart turned towards Draco and changed from Crabbe's werewolf, which was now just a puppy playing with a ball, to Lucius Malfoy.

"You're a failure." he sneered at Draco.

Draco's face went red. Lilah couldn't tell if it was from anger at his father or embarrassment that everyone had heard that.

"Riddikulus!" he yelled and his father was dressed like a matador and began to flamenco dance.

Lilah was next. The Boggart approached her. And its shape soon began to grow into an enormous snake. Some students screamed and even Lupin looked frightened. Lilah gripped her wand. But it looked deep in her eyes and she felt her whole body get stiff and fell back down on the floor. She was dead. Or so she thought. She heard mumbled voices and a loud yell as some one was shaking her. She finally came to and saw Lupin above her.

"Lilah are you okay?" he asked.

Lilah sat up and noticed the Boggart was nothing more than a little snake now chasing its tale. She deduced Lupin must have done that.

"Don't worry. I'm fine." Panted Lilah as she got to her feet.

"Good thing it wasn't real." Sighed Lupin.

He quickly approached the Boggart and got it to retreat back in the cupboard.

"I was afraid it had petrified you." Said Draco.

"What?" asked Lilah.

"The basilisk."

Lilah stared at him.

"What is a basilisk?"

"The king of serpents. It can kill when it just looks at you. The Boggart made you think it had petrified you." Said Lupin looking quite stern, "Where did you see one?"

"A dream."

"Oh. I see." Said Lupin who walked off shaking his head.

Draco was grinning broadly.

"What?" Lilah said shoving him.

"I don't know if Potter will be happy if you are dreaming about the Chamber of Secrets." Said Draco with malice.

"The what?"

"Don't you know anything?" nagged Draco.

Lilah left class with Draco chewing her ear off about the Chamber of Secrets. She hurried through the halls and went to the library, Draco still chattering away. Lilah nodded or said a lucrid, "oh" every so often to him. She headed towards the History section.

"And then everyone thought it was Potter. What a joke and-What are you looking for?" asked Draco.

"Just looking for books on something."

"Oh that's informative. What?"

"The Green Flame Torch."

"Is this something Potter is looking for?" inquired Draco crossing his arms and sitting down.

"No. Just me."

"What's it for?"

"Don't know."

"You are the craziest girl. You see creatures you never heard of in dreams and you look for books on an artifact you don't even know what it is used for."

"What's your point?" snapped Lilah as she ran her fingers over books.

Draco rolled his eyes. Lilah gathered some books, sat across from him and began to skim through them. Lilah slowly felt that same feeling that she was being stared at again and looked up. Sure enough Draco had been staring at her and quickly looked at the floor. Lilah set the book down. She brushed her fingers through her hair. Draco was never this obvious with his attraction to Lilah. Then suddenly her eyes grew wide.

It couldn't be because of the makeup? Lilah thought.

Lilah bit her lip and leaned forward. She had to test her theory.

"Draco?" she asked still leaning in on him.

He turned and leaned towards her.

"What?" he asked.

Lilah cocked her head to the side, like she had seen Athena do when she was flirting with boys.

"Could you help me?" she asked.

"Okay." Said Draco as he reached for a book.

Oh my god! Lilah thought, It can't be that easy to get boys to do what you want. All it took was lip gloss!

She whispered, "Thanks."

She proceeded to look in her books.

"What exactly am I looking for?" Draco asked.

"Anything about the torch."

Draco thumbed through the pages impatiently.

"Why is this so important?" Draco said slamming the book down.

Okay, maybe not so easy, thought Lilah.

"Look either help or go away!" Lilah snapped.

Maybe if she wasn't sleep deprived she would have played around with Draco more, but she didn't have the patience. Draco shoved the book at her, but didn't leave. Soon his curiosity got the best of him and he was looking in the books again. What they found was close to nothing. Draco sighed as his stomach grumbled.

"Lilah, I'm hungry." whined Draco.

"Then get something to eat."

He got up.

"You coming?" Draco asked.

" No I have to go meet some people in a couple minutes."

"Don't tell me, Potter and his lackeys?"

"Bingo." Said Lilah not looking up from her book.

Draco rolled his eyes again and stormed off. Lilah made sure he had left and headed for the greenhouse, Harry would be getting out of Herbology soon. Lilah waited outside with one of the books she had taken from the library, Hogwarts A History. The doors opened and Harry walked out in deep conversation with Ron and Hermione. Lilah bolted up and walked over towards them.

"Oy! Harry!" she shouted.

Harry turned, he didn't see Lilah at first through the sea of Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors leaving to go to lunch. Hermione saw her and slouched but forced to smile. She assumed the boys had a little talk with Hermione asking her to at least put up with Lilah. Harry gestured her over; Lilah began to advance when she saw Draco walking towards Harry.

"Not now." Lilah grumbled to herself.

Lilah tried to get to Harry and escort him away but Draco got there first.

"You know Lilah, I was thinking," Draco said with a glance at Harry, "Your whole Basilisk thing might be more than you think."

Harry looked at Lilah, eyes wide.

"What basilisk?" asked Harry.

"Didn't you here? Lilah's Boggart turned into the very creature from the Chamber of Secrets. Apparently Lilah dreams about it" Draco said turning his face to her, "Don't you?"

"Really?" Harry asked Lilah.

Ron and especially Hermione looked pale. Some Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors had stopped to listen as well.

"Yes." Lilah sighed.

"Oh. Weird." Said Harry shrugging his shoulders, "Oh well. Lucky you weren't here for the real thing. Let's go eat. I'm starving."

Draco's mouth dropped.

"That is of course if you have anything else to add Malfoy." Said Harry with a smile.

Lilah heard a slight snicker next to her. She looked over and saw a Hufflepuff boy holding in laughter.

"What are you laughing about Moon? Was I talking to you?" Yelled Draco.

The Hufflepuff boy's smile quickly faded.

"No." he mumbled.

Lilah could tell Harry's anger was rising.

"Then shut the hell up!" yelled Draco.

Lilah looked at Harry then Draco.

"You shut up!" she yelled.

Harry, the Hufflepuff, Ron, and even Hermione smiled.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me pretty boy! Shut the hell up and get out of my face!"

Draco stared at her shocked and hurt.

"Fine! Become a damn Mudblood lover! But, I can promise you this you'll regret it! Slytherin does not take kindly to the unfaithful!" he screamed and ran off.

Lilah watched Draco disappear into the castle. Lilah felt guilty. No matter how bad Draco was she had never yelled at him like that.

"Go Lily!" yelled Ron.

Lilah humbly smiled.

"Thanks," said the Hufflepuff boy.

"It's okay." sighed Lilah still staring off in the direction Draco had ran off.

"I'm Nigel Moon." Said the Hufflepuff boy sticking his hand out.

"Oh, hi." Said Lilah, then shook his hand.

"Come one Nigel," said Ron playfully, "tell her your full name. Get a load of this."

"Fine. My name is Nigel Demetrius Winthrope-Moon the 3^rd."

"Isn't that great. Sounds so royal." Announced Ron.

Lilah observed the timid looking boy. His hair was cut just above his ears and split in the middle. Some wasps of his brown hair hung in front of his big brown eyes. He was just Lilah's height and had a medium build. He was commonly described by most girls, Lilah later found out, as "positively adorable." Suddenly Lilah remembered what the lion said in her dream, "The moon will help you." Lilah pondered this for a second.

"Nigel, would you like to go have lunch with us?" she asked cocking her head to the side again.

"Er, thanks but I need to go to get my, er, thing." He said scratching his head.

"Your thing?" Lilah asked.

"Yeah, I, er, yeah. Well see ya." He said then began to walk off.

He stopped took a deep breath and came back.

"Oh, um," he said, "what is the name of my knight in shining school robe?"

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Variana Lilah Snape the first, at your service."

Lilah playfully bowed.

"Thank you Miss Snape the first."

"Lily." Lilah said almost in a whisper.

"Lily." He repeated softly then turned to the others, "Bye." And trotted off.

Lilah smiled to herself. She didn't know what he was going to help her with but knew it would be fun finding out.

"Lily looks like you've got a fan." Giggled Ron.

Lilah smiled mischievously. Then it hit her. She had just flirted with a boy in front of Harry! What was wrong with her? She began to panic but saw that Harry seemed quite fine. Lilah shook her head. Of course he was fine! He didn't fancy her. She couldn't make him think she liked Nigel though.

"Oh well, He started it. I mean I had to play along." She said with a nervous laugh.

Harry just smiled and headed to lunch with Ron. Hermione was not amused and followed them. Lilah sighed. Hermione was Lilah's friend for a whole minute.

That's some progress, Lilah thought.

After lunch they, well Harry and Ron, invited Lilah to the Gryffindor common room. Lilah received some odd looks from the Gryffindors upon entering. But, just like when she sat at their table they soon forgot about her. Ron and Lilah began a game of chess. Lilah soon found out Ron was ten times better than her and lost miserably. Hermione played winners and Lilah talked with Harry.

"Lilah can I ask you a personal question?" Harry asked.

"Depends."

"Well I was just wondering why you came to our school late."

"Oh, that. Well, the truth is honestly, I really don't know. My mum said it was because she was scared or something and couldn't get to me."

"Scared of what?"

"You know who."

"Why?"

"Beats me. My mum is...kind of...well...a little off."

"She would get on nicely with Corona then." Called Ron as he checked Hermione's queen.

"Who?"

"Corona! God I miss her." Sighed Harry, "She was this seventh year our first year. Crazy girl. A genius, but crazy."

Lilah smiled looking interested.

"Well, you see this girl, who is an old friend of Ron's family, was a born genius and very odd. She was obsessed with Snape."

"Was she in Slytherin?" Lilah asked

"No, Gryffindor. That's the thing. She loved him. He was her favorite teacher."

Ron sat up, "Hold on. I'll be right back."

"Are you getting the Purple Crown?" asked Harry.

"Of course." Said Ron.

"What is he getting?" asked Lilah.

"You'll see." Grinned Harry.

Even Hermione looked amused as Ron came running back holding a scroll tied up in a purple ribbon.

"I give you," he said handing Lilah the scroll, "She Wore A Purple Crown, by my brothers Fred and George."

Lilah took the scroll.

"It is this homage to Corona. Don't read it now. It's a bit lengthy. You can return it when you're done."

"Ron." Hermione drawled out, "Fred and George are going to kill you."

"Well bullocks to them. Now come on I want to kill your Queen." Ron said with a toothy grin and the game commenced.

Lilah stared at the scroll. As she saw s shadow go over her. She looked up and saw a sweet faced girl of twelve with bright red hair and freckles smiling at her, then she realized actually at Harry.

"Hi Harry." The girl said.

"Hi Ginny." He said.

Ginny glanced at Lilah then back and Harry.

"Oh, This is Lilah Snape. Don't let the name fool you."

"I'm Ginny," she said looking a little nervous, "Er, I know about you."

She looked at Lilah when she said that.

"You see Professor Lupin told me and well, you have one inching out of your bag and. . ."

"What are you talking about?" asked Lilah.

"Xenia." Said Ginny.

"Xenia?" asked Harry and Lilah.

"Yes, you see I am a fan and well Lupin told me you were too and I noticed you had her latest MB Dreams in your bag. I was wondering if I could play it."

"Oh, sure." Said Lilah as she reached into her bag.

Harry leaned over her shoulder apparently he had never seen an MB before.

"Have you ever heard of Xenia?" Lilah asked Harry.

"I think I remember Ginny mentioning her. Who is she?"

Ron began to giggle.

"What?" Harry snapped with an annoyed look at Ron.

"She is like the most amazing looking woman in the world." Ron said.

"Oh that helps." Sighed Harry.

Lilah handed the MB to Ginny. It was a small book with a picture of Xenia dancing on the cover.

"Harry do you know what an MB is?"

He shook his head.

"MB stands for Music Book. It is kinda like a CD because it plays music, but it is also like your own portable MTV."

Ron looked completely lost but Harry seemed to understand her, so she went on.

"You open up the book. Tap the page with your wand and say play and you see a mini music video and hear the song. The lyrics appear on the page as she sings them."

Lilah reached for the MB opened it and tapped the first page, which was blank except for the title of the song "Forbidden", and said play. Suddenly a small translucent body of Xenia rose from the page and hovered over it as music began. She began to sing.

"Wow. She's amazing." Harry gasped.

"Told ya." Called out Ron.

"She's a Siren." said Ginny.

"Yeah, her albums and concerts have charms on them to prevent people from going under a spell from her voice and jumping into rivers and stuff." Added Lilah.

"Yeah and the best part is she's hot!' said Ron as his knight clobbered Hermione's Queen, "Ha! Check mate!"

Hermione moaned. Harry got up and patted her on the back.

"Maybe next time." He said with an unconvincing smile.

* * *

Lilah was in the Slytherin common room after dinner reading when Draco stormed in. He began to scream at her without any care of who was in the room.

"What the hell were you thinking!" he yelled.

"Excuse me!" gasped Lilah as she lay her book down trying to look calm.

"Why did you help Moon and make me look like an idiot."

"I think you were doing a damn good job on your own." Lilah said not looking at him.

She noticed Pansy was smirking at them. Draco walked up to Lilah and sat next to her.

"Listen," he said his voice lowered, "You think I like this? You think I want to be your little flunky following you around?"

"Yes, actually I do." Pouted Lilah.

"Owl Post Snape. I hate this. I have to do this. So why can't you just make it a little easier for me," Draco said then leaned near Lilah and hissed in her ear, "Because if you don't I can promise I will make your life miserable."

Lilah looked Draco straight in the eyes. She couldn't help but feel that his threat held little water.

"Listen, Malfoy, why don't I just write to your daddy and tell him to leave you alone and that I am all appreciative that you helped me around, but I was obviously put in the wrong house, and that we just don't get on."

"It's not that easy." Draco huffed.

"What do you want from me then?" whined Lilah.

"Just don't do stupid things like that again. Okay?" Draco leaned closer to her, "You can't make me go away."

Lilah didn't say anything just stared forward. After a while everyone seemed to be bored with Lilah and Draco and continued whatever they had been doing.

"Why did you help Moon?' asked Draco, "You don't even know him."

Lilah didn't answer and got up and headed for her room. Draco's eyes grew wide and a huge smile broke across his face.

"You were trying to impress Potter weren't you!" he gasped.

"Quit smoking crack, it kills." Said Lilah as she headed up the stairs.

"And you say you don't belong in Slytherin." Sighed Draco.

Lilah turned around to continue the argument but Draco was already heading towards his room.

***

Lilah entered her room still in a huff about Draco. She threw her books on her bed. Then noticed a flower with a note tied to it on her pillow. She quickly picked it up. The flower was a pink lily. Lilah smelled it, then opened the note. It said:

"A Lily for a Lily."

It wasn't signed. Lilah sat down on her bed wondering who sent it. It couldn't be Draco he was too upset at the moment. It might be Ron. Lilah tried to think of other boys she knew. Her heart began to beat quickly as the thought that it might be from Harry entered her mind. She did just do something quite valiant in front of him. She flung herself on her bed giggling. Then Pansy and the girls entered. Lilah quickly got up and threw the flower in her trunk.

Pansy seemed in good spirits and was quite nice to Lilah, even sitting and talking to her about Xenia for a while. When Pansy and the girls had already gone to bed Lilah was still up. She reached for She Wore a Purple Crown and began to read. It was quite amusing actually. Lilah read about Corona's ability to body shift. And her jokes she played on Snape and Draco. Lilah quickly decided she liked Corona. Soon it was one in the morning and Lilah was drifting in and out of sleep. She then read more of Hogwarts a History. Her plan was to keep herself up all night. No matter what it took.

***

Lilah walked down the hallway towards her uncle's office. She was going to get him to help her. He could give her a potion or something. Staying up all night wasn't the smartest idea in the world and her head was killing her for it. It was still pretty early and not many people were up. Lilah found her uncle's office and knocked, but no one answered. So she went in. He wasn't inside.

Lilah looked around and headed towards the back. Realizing he wasn't there either she went for the door when she heard some rustling. She looked quickly to her sides but saw nothing. She heard the noise again; it was coming from the huge cupboard her uncle had. She slowly reached for the handle of the cupboard. She pulled it open and hundreds of snakes came pouring out and fell on her. Lilah screamed as she fell down from the weight. She felt the snakes one by one biting her all over her body. She flailed her arms trying to get them off of her. Then she felt something pick her up and she opened her eyes.

Uncle Severus was holding her and giving her the oddest look.

"What on earth are you doing?" he asked.

"I was coming to find you and," she looked down on the floor and saw all of his books of potions and spells scattered on the floor.

"Where are all the snakes?" she asked.

"The what?" he asked.

"The snakes! There were hundreds of them!" she screamed as she tugged on his robe, which she soon noticed was a night robe.

"Lilah there are no snakes! Now tell me what you were doing in my office in the dead of night going through my potions books!"

Lilah looked down and noticed she was in her nightgown too.

"I guess I was sleep walking." She whispered.

She looked at her hands and noticed some paper cuts.

"Sleep walking?"

"Yes."

"When did you start doing that?" Snape said as he quickly pushed something back in the cupboard that looked like a mirror.

"Since I got here."

"Maybe your home sick."

Lilah looked up at her Uncle, and was amazed he looked even remotely concerned. He escorted her back to her room, without any other questions.

"Now I can make you something to help you sleep tomorrow, but for now you will just have to try to sleep." He said at the door to the girl's room.

Lilah nodded her head. It was four in the morning she would be able to figure out several new ways of putting on makeup. Her uncle left and Lilah dragged her feet to her bed and fell fast asleep before she had time to think.

The next morning Lilah slowly got ready for school and went to breakfast. Draco sat next to her as usual.

"Would you like some breakfast?" he asked.

"Sure." She said barely able to hold her head up.

"Then get it yourself." He smirked.

Lilah glared at him then poured herself a cup of tea. Draco quickly finished his breakfast and got up to leave. Then, turned to Lilah.

"You know I am really easy to get along with." He said.

"Yeah, I bet." Said Lilah her mouth full.

"Really." He said leaning on her chair, "I want you to be my friend."

Lilah turned towards Draco.

"Are you all right?" she asked sarcastically.

"I'm fine. Let's just forget about yesterday. The last thing I need is to upset the head of the house's niece."

"So that's the real reason you want us to be friends. Listen I don't talk to my uncle about you. I don't talk about you to anyone actually. You are as important to me as I to you."

Crabbe laughed from behind her.

"Shut up Crabbe." Said Lilah and Draco.

Lilah reached for her tea.

"Well could you at least try." Said Draco as he began to leave.

"Whatever." mumbled Lilah as she took a sip of her tea.

"Crabbe. Goyle. Come on." Said Draco.

Crabbe and Goyle, who were not finished breakfast, inhaled what was in front of them as quickly as they could.

"Now if you'll excuse me I think I will go pay a visit to Mr. Moon." Drawled Draco.

Lilah set down her tea and stepped on Draco's robe. He lost his footing and quickly fell down, face first. Crabbe and Goyle jumped up.

"Lilah!" Draco screamed, "What was that for?"

"Be nice to Moon!" Lilah said between clenched teeth as she gave Draco her hand.

He looked behind her. Some students had risen out of their seats and were staring at them.

"Fine." He whispered.

He took her hand and she helped him up. Draco staggered around for a second, then collected his composure. He sat down again. Lilah rolled her eyes.

"You are such a drama queen." She said as she drank her tea.

He stared at her as he rubbed his forehead. Lilah looked over at the Gryffindor table. She wanted to be there. She remembered the lily. She got it out of her bag. It looked a little flimsy from being squished in with her books. She finished her tea and headed for the Gryffindors. Lilah tapped Harry on the back. He turned around with a huge smile.

"Hullo Lilah." He said.

"Hi Harry. Is it okay if I sit with you guys?"

"Oh, sure." Said Harry.

He jumped up and pulled out a seat for her.

"Thanks." She said.

"What's with the flower?" asked Ron.

"Oh, I found it on my pillow." Lilah said glancing at Harry who blushed.

"Who's it from?" asked Ron.

"Don't know."

"Ooooo. You have a secret admirer." Said Ron as he playfully pushed Lilah.

"An admirer?" asked Harry crestfallen.

"Yeah." Sighed Lilah looking admiringly at the wilted lily.

"Whoever it is a real romantic." drawled Ron; "The flower is practically dead!"

"Ron, it's my fault. I didn't take care of it."

"Maybe it's from Malfoy." Said Hermione cynically as she pointed towards the Slytherins.

Lilah turned and saw Draco looking quite pleased.

"Malfoy!" screeched Ron and Harry.

"You really know how to pick 'em Lily. God! Malfoy?" grumbled Ron.

"I don't fancy Malfoy!" screeched Lilah.

"Good." Sighed Harry, "I mean, that, well, he is too well, not your type."

Lilah smiled at Harry, who quickly flushed again.

Hermione gathered her things.

"Come on. We need to go to class." She said.

"Yeah. Come on Harry. Let us leave Lily to her Draco."

"Ron," began Lilah quite annoyed, "I told you I don't fancy him!"

"I'll catch up." Muttered Harry.

"Fine." Sighed Hermione, "Come on Ron."

Ron hesitated, "I am...waiting for Harry."

Hermione let out a small scream and left. Lilah looked back at Draco. A sickening feeling overcame her as she realized that maybe Draco had given her the flower. She couldn't imagine why. But he seemed way too content over at the Slytherin table.

"Maybe you should go. I don't want her hating me anymore than she needs to." Moaned Lilah.

"Are you sure?" asked Harry.

"She'll live." Said Ron.

"I'm sure. It's okay." Lilah said with a smile to Harry.

The boys gathered their things and left. Lilah got up gripping the flower. Draco winked at her. She felt a rush of anger engulf her and stomped back to the Slytherin table.

"Nice flower." Giggled Draco.

He tricked her! Lilah was so mad, not just because it was from Draco, but because he made her think it was from Harry. She threw it down on the floor in front of him. Draco looked up at her dumbfounded.

"You happy now?' she screeched.

"A little. But you should see Moon." Said Draco grinning as he pointed towards the Hufflepuffs.

Lilah glanced over and saw Nigel looking shocked and quite hurt. He quickly rushed out of the room.

"Nigel!" she called out, but he had already left.

Many Hufflepuffs were looking confused, but the three third year girls were glaring at Lilah. Lilah quickly looked back at Draco.

"You didn't send the flower?' she whimpered.

"Nope." Sighed Draco.

Lilah picked up the lily. Hoping someone would be able to teach her a repairing charm for it. Most of the great hall was emptying out by now. Lilah quickly got her things and left.

"Damnit. Damnit.Damnit." she muttered to herself as she headed to her first class.

She headed out of Herbology with the Ravenclaws still upset about Nigel. Lilah tried to find him. She ran into the three Hufflepuff girls who were glaring at her at breakfast. She asked about Nigel but they seemed to be not to happy to give out any information. Finally, Hannah Abbot let out that he was in the library. Lilah thanked her and ran there.

On the way Lilah felt someone tap her on the shoulder. Lilah turned around and was greeted by the face of one of the red headed twins she met her first day.

"Yes?" asked Lilah.

Fred stood there staring at Lilah up and down for a couple of seconds.

"Can I help you?" said Lilah.

"Oh, yeah. My brother, Ron, and Harry were looking for you. You are Lily right?" he said with a suave smile.

"Yes."

"Well last I saw they were out by the lake."

"Thanks." Said Lilah not sure whether to go or stay.

Fred had this look about him like he wanted to keep talking.

"How old are you?" he asked.

"Almost fourteen."

"Really?" he mused.

Fred raised his eyebrows.

"I can see what got him all worked up. Hope to see ya around." Said Fred with a wink and he was gone.

Lilah stood there for a moment not sure what just happened. Then remembered Nigel. But Harry was at the lake. Lilah decided after heavy weighing of pros and cons to go to the library. She easily enough found Nigel, who was trying to hide his face behind a large book on Grindylows.

"Hi Nigel." She said.

"Hi." He mumbled still hiding his face.

"Did you give me that flower?"

"Um, yes."

"Nigel, come on. I can't talk to a book."

Lilah pulled the book down.

"I thought Draco gave it to me. That is why I threw it on the floor. I am sorry." Said Lilah sitting on the table he was reading on.

Nigel looked up at her.

"Really?" he whispered.

"Yeah." Said Lilah with a sweet smile.

Nigel smiled back. Lilah sat for a moment waiting for him to speak again. But, he didn't.

"Well Nigel I gotta go. But, I'll see ya around." She said as she hopped off the table.

"Oh. Okay. Bye." He said timidly.

Lilah waved to him with a smile and ran out the door. Hopefully Harry and Ron were still at the lake. Maybe they got tired and left. Lilah really didn't care if Ron left, but she could have sworn that Harry was staring at her and- BAM! She ran right into someone's chest. She fell back from the impact onto the floor. He books flew out of her bag.

"Oh my god. I am so sorry." Said a voice.

Lilah looked over and saw that the one she hit also fell on the floor. It was a small boy around thirteen with a chubby face and big eyes.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention." She said.

"No it's my fault." Said the boy.

He crawled over to her trying to help her up.

"Thanks" she said.

The boy noticed her books and sheer horror crossed his face. He bent over trying to gather them in his hands but only seemed to be causing more of a mess.

"It's okay." snapped Lilah grabbing the books from him.

She put them back in her bag.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he desperately asked.

"I'm fine." She said.

He just stared at her, wide eyed.

"I'll be going now." Lilah said backing away.

"Bye." Said the boy dreamily.

Lilah turned around a walked away.

"Smooth one Neville." Said a black boy as he went up the boy who ran into her.

"Aye." Said another boy with an Irish accent, "I think she likes yeh."

The two boys laughed at Neville. When Lilah reached the lake, sure enough Ron and Harry were nowhere to be found. With a heavy heart she headed towards her next class.

***

Later that day Lilah headed for the library ready for another exciting tutoring session with Hermione. It started out relatively okay. Aside from Hermione and Lilah's lack of conversation and icy stares at each other. They were figuring the correct measurements for a potion to cure coughs when Draco walked in.

"What have we here?" he smirked.

"Please go away." Snapped Hermione without looking up from her work.

"Lily, really, I think you should have your uncle pick someone else to tutor you. Do you really want a Mudblood teaching you? She'll get it wrong."

Hermione broke her quill between her fingers. Lilah tried to hold in laughter. She had never seen Hermione so mad.

"See you later." He said and left.

"What are you laughing at?" spat Hermione.

"You." giggled Lilah.

"Really? It's funny when he calls me a Mudblood, is it?"

"No, with the quill and stuff. I would never-"

Lilah didn't have time to explain herself Hermione blew up in her face.

"I don't know why I have to waste my time on you! I am here helping you and you laugh at him calling me that. You Slytherins are all the same! Why I am the only one who sees this? I don't know!" Hermione screamed.

"Stop being so self righteous! If you would just let me explain!"

"Explain! You don't need to explain!" exclaimed Hermione jumping out of her seat.

Lilah jumped out of her seat as well and saw Draco pointing out Hermione and her to Madam Pince the librarian.

"Hermione, calm down." Pleaded Lilah.

Madam Pince approached them.

"Girls, this is not a place for this type of behavior." She said sternly, "Follow me to my office. I wish to take your names down."

"Great," mumbled Lilah.

Hermione went first into Pince's office. After Lilah and her had been written down and both threatened to be kicked out indefinitely, they were returned to their belongings. Lilah quickly grabbed her books and was escorted along with Hermione out of the library.

Everyone stared at them, as they were lead out. As soon as the door closed behind them Lilah was waiting for Hermione to explode again, but she just turned and walked away. Draco soon came out of library after Lilah.

She sneered," Thanks for getting us in trouble."

"My pleasure. It really isn't my fault. You two were being so loud. Pince just asked where the noise was coming from."

"You could of lied."

"Hardly. Granger's got a big mouth."

Lilah gave him a half smile and they headed to dinner. Lilah didn't risk upsetting Hermione again and stayed at the Slytherin table for dinner. She talked to Draco about the evilness of Hermione Granger a topic they both had quite similar views about. Boo flew in holding a note for her saying to visit her uncle before she went to bed because he had her sleeping potion ready. She smiled content with the idea that she was finally going to get some sleep. She followed Draco to the common room after dinner giggling about hypothetical curses they were going to put on Hermione.

She entered her uncle's office. He was in the back stirring something in his cauldron. She assumed her sleeping potion. He hadn't noticed she'd entered. She looked at the cupboard with his potion books. She slowly crept towards it wondering what he had suddenly pushed into it. She reached for the handle and cautiously opened it. Rows and rows of potions books were stacked one on top of the other. She scanned the rows quickly with her eyes and noticed on the bottom shelf behind some books was something reflecting the light. She slowly moved the books trying not to make noise. She saw that it wasn't a mirror but a frame. She leaned towards it trying to see who was in it. She saw a woman who looked very familiar to her in the picture. But it was dark in the cupboard. She inched the frame slowly out and saw that it was her mother. Her mother, when she was around Lilah's age. And a small plaque was under the picture that said, "In memory of Imogen Philomena Snape, Class of 1978" Lilah almost dropped the frame. She quickly pushed it back in the cupboard as she heard her uncle walking towards the front of his office. She replaced the books and closed the cupboard. She stood up and he entered.

"There you are. Now come along, I haven't got all day." He said.

She followed him trying not to look guilty as if he could tell she was in the cupboard just by her face.

Lilah entered the common room and everyone gave her odd looks as she carried the steaming blue-gray concoction to bed. She got ready to go to sleep and crossed her fingers, then drank the potion. Immediately she felt groggy and lay down on her bed. She slipped quickly into a deep sleep. When Lilah awoke she couldn't remember what she dreamed about. But felt refreshed happy and didn't really care if she had dreamed or not. She jumped out of bed, happy to greet the day. She was now determined to respect her uncle even more, for the man, she had concluded, was a genius.

She trotted down the halls happily the rest of the week. She hadn't felt this good in so long. She spent time in the library with Harry and Ron, while they both tried unsuccessfully to tutor her. She joked with them in the Gryffindor common room where Hermione always seemed to be absent. It was quite a sight that Draco would faint at. Lilah being given piggyback rides from Lee Jordan and arm wrestling matches with Dean Thomas. But, Lilah didn't care.

***

Lilah sat in the common room working on her Arithmancy homework with Draco, Crabbe and Goyle. Actually just with Goyle, the other two were fighting with their quills like swords.

"Goyle, could you pass me that book about Numerology?" asked Lilah pointing to a stack of her and Draco's books next to him.

Goyle went over to them and held up her book on astrology.

"No, numerology." She sighed.

He looked around the pile.

"The blue one!" she called out pointing to the closest book to him.

He picked up an indigo one. Lilah closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She went up to Goyle and turned his head with her hands towards the book nearest him.

"This one." She said as she picked it up.

"I am sorry." Said Goyle.

Lilah looked up at him. She looked at Draco who looked just as shocked at hearing Goyle's voice and then back at Goyle.

"It's okay." She said and headed back to the table.

She continued on her homework.

"What is your favorite color?" asked Goyle.

Lilah stared at him then answered, "Blue."

"That's what I thought." He said with a dumb looking smile.

After a moment he spoke again.

"What's your favorite song?" he asked.

"Er, I don't really know." She said with a worried look, "Why?"

"Was just wondering what you like." He mumbled.

"Okay." Lilah mused.

.

Later that night she sat one her bed contemplating what was wrong with Goyle. Before she had headed off to bed he had approached her when the other boys were gone and asked her what type of boy she liked. Not only was it weird to have Goyle talk, but she was going potty because of what he was saying. She sat on her bed trying hard to come to the conclusion that Goyle might actually suddenly for no reason fancy her. He was so interested in what she liked and being so cordial to her. She sat up.

Come to think about it, she thought, Many boys have suddenly started to be uncommonly kind to me.

She felt a sickening feeling in her stomach. She quickly pulled out her Charms book and looked up love charms. She read,

"Love spells can be transmitted by wand and can be activated in different ways. The first is by making a person become infatuated with the first person they see. This uses sight. Other spells can use touch. Most commonly used in potions is the spell of the desired. A belonging of someone's can be put in the potion and can make who ever drinks it fall in love with the owner of that belonging. This however can not be done in spells."

She closed the book wondering who on earth would want to do any of these charms to her.

***

Lilah ran into Snape's class early concealing her eyes with her hands and trying hard not to touch anyone.

"What on earth are you doing?" asked Snape.

"Oh, uncle, er Professor," began Lilah still covering her eyes, "I think I am under a love charm or spell or something."

"Then why aren't you looking at me?"

"Because the book said it is transferred by look."

"Not usually, and it is the first person you see. Now what makes you think this?"

Lilah felt ridiculous telling her uncle this but explained.

"Well, all of these boys have suddenly begun to be very, well, attentive to me. And very happy to see me and stuff."

"You're paranoid." Said Snape.

"No I'm not! Boys who didn't even notice me before all of a sudden are my best friend." She hissed, "I mean Harry and-"

"Potter?" asked Snape abruptly.

Lilah nodded still looking at the floor.

"Lilah look at me," he said. "If this is true then it sounds to me that you are under a touch spell."

"What?" Lilah said looking up.

"Anyone you touch becomes smitten with you."

Lilah tried not to laugh at her uncle saying the word "smitten". Students began to enter class.

"Sit down and we will get to the bottom of this. And try not to touch anyone!" Snape said.

Lilah sat down and pulled out her books. Draco went to sit next to her but Snape moved him. Class began and Lilah opened her Potions book. She shrieked as a small piece of paper suddenly sprung out of her book and slowly floated back down. Everyone turned towards her as she nervously snatched it out of the air. Snape scowled at her while Lilah quickly read the paper. It was a recipe for a love potion. Draco leaned over with a puzzled look reading over her shoulder.

"Why do you have that?" he asked.

Snape snatched the paper.

"Snape pay attention." He snapped and looked down at the paper then at Lilah.

"How did you get this?" he asked dangerously.

"It was just there," Lilah said frantically flipping through the book suddenly noticing that it seemed different then usual.

She flipped to the front of the book finding the usual scribble of "LS & HP" missing.

"It isn't mine!" Lilah yelled out.

"Stay after class." Hissed Snape.

"But..."

"Silence!" he yelled.

Lilah looked frantically around the room and saw Hermione sit back in her seat looking highly amused.