From First to Last

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You were made perfectly to be loved - and surely I have loved you, in the idea of you, my whole life long.

--- Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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January passed quickly, and more assignments allowed February to pass by just as fast. All too soon, it was March and the snow had all melted. Flower buds were starting to appear and birds were chirping loudly once again. It was one such day that Professor Chubs announced a new Herbology project.

'Alright, you lot,' she said gruffly, taking off her gloves after a demonstration of bubotubers. 'You've made quite some progress the last few months. I've noticed all of your performances getting better and better.' She smiled at all of them. 'Now, since this class is ahead of the rest, I figured we'd start a little something from second year. For the remainder of the year, we're going to be working on pruning Abyssinian Shrivelfigs. It's somewhat of a long process, and it may take some of you a longer time, since it is a tad bit advanced. All the same, I figured we'd try it. For this project, I'm going to need you all to split up into pairs.'

Lily gave Kalah a meaningful look and James and Sirius smirked at each other.

'Oh, never mind, never mind,' said Professor Chubs waving her hand dismissively. 'I'll just make up the teams myself. Stand next to your partner when I call you... Abbot and Dodderidge, Lupin and Ramnath, Cooper and Sanders, Evans and Potter...'

Lily let out a groan, as Potter shuffled over to her.

'... Prewett and Longbottom, Black and Snape...'

James sniggered a little too loudly and earned himself a jab in the ribs from Sirius' elbow.

'Bones and MacDonald, Summers and Pettigrew...'

Once Professor Chubs had paired everyone up, she said, 'Everyone got a partner?'

'Yes, Professor Chubs,' the class chorused, and Lily couldn't help noticing that they were all a tad bit unenthusiastic.

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James went to bed at around midnight that day. He had just finished yet another Potions essay with Sirius and was generally pleased with its quality.

'Alright, mate,' said Sirius, getting into his bed.

'Where's Remus? I haven't seen him after dinner...' said James, as he got into his own bed.

'He told me he was going to the Hospital Wing,' said Sirius, shrugging. 'He's not feeling well, I guess.'

'Oh... alright, then.' James lay back and fell asleep instantly.

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James spent the next few weeks of Herbology class working on their assignment. It seemed as though Professor Chubs' expectations of results wasn't very high, which gave James enough reason to take his time. He usually spent his classes laughing with Sirius, who worked with Snape at the table next to them, while Evans was determinedly ignoring him. James didn't know why, but he found this quite amusing.

Sirius' partnership with Snape was turning out to be quite amusing for him too. He spent every moment he could making fun of Snape and rarely ran out of subjects to attack him with, to Lily's great anger. Snape spent most of these classes trying to stay out of sight and finish the project. Often he tried to come up with witty comebacks, but after a while, it was pretty obvious that he wasn't as skilled in the art as James or Sirius.

Kalah and Remus, however, seemed to be working rather well with each other. Neither of them argued, as Remus was quiet and Kalah was eager to work, so problems were never encountered during their partnership. Lily found herself envying Kalah, as well as Alice and Frank, who had all been partnered with people they did not despise. But as horrible it was working with Potter (he was always dropping materials on purpose to be funny), Lily had to admit that she learned some rather interesting stuff.

'Oi, Sirius. Remember that drawer Filch has?' James was saying as he tipped an armful of withered stalks onto the compost heap.

'Ah, you mean the one that says 'Confiscated and Highly Dangerous'?' asked Sirius.

Lily saw that Severus was working quietly, but she knew that he was drinking in their every word.

'Yeah, that one,' responded James with a grin. 'We should break into it one time. You know, I think we've been in that office about a million times and yet we've never considered -'

'You're right... Who knows, there might be some pretty interesting stuff in there.'

'Don't worry mate. Next time. You know, throw a couple of Dung Bombs; get Remus to do his distraction thing, and that stuff's as good as ours.'

Lily opened her mouth to object, but then closed it quickly. For one, this wasn't her conversation. Plus, what did she care what these gits did? She was, however, a bit surprised to hear that Remus would be a part of this plan as well. Lily couldn't help thinking that Potter was an utter fool for announcing his plans out in the open. Honestly, what if someone turned them in? Lily considered for a moment that she should, but decided against it. This was none of her business, after all.

'Hey, did you hear about the Whomping Willow?' Black was asking Potter now.

''Course,' said James briskly. 'Really cool, that thing is, I heard it attacks people.'

There was a fair bit of shuffling behind Lily. Lily turned round to find Kalah and Remus at the desk behind their own; Remus was looking rather uncomfortable. Lily didn't know why.

'Yeah, it does,' Sirius was saying. 'The fifth years have even made up a game about it. You know, to see who can touch the trunk.'

'Yeah?' James sounded interested. He could use a good challenge. 'We should try it then!'

Sirius grinned and Lily couldn't help but give out a loud, exasperated sigh. After all, the blokes were going to get themselves killed before they had the chance to graduate.

James turned to face her. In all his arrogance, he seemed to have the idea that she couldn't hear their conversation, even though she was only a feet away.

'Something wrong?' he asked her.

'Er... no, I just made a mistake with my Shrivelfig,' she said quickly.

'Oh...' James turned his attention back to Sirius and Lily caught Severus' glance, rolling her eyes at him to convey the message of Potter's block-headedness. Severus seemed to have understood because he smiled at her.

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'So this is the Whomping Willow?' James surveyed the plain-looking tree, obviously a bit disappointed.

'Yep,' said Sirius, shading his eyes with a hand. 'Trust me, it's not that easy, touching the trunk. I reckon this is as far as we could go before getting attacked.'

'Er... guys? I don't think this is such a great idea,' Remus was saying.

A crowd of students had gathered near the Forbidden Forest, where the Whomping Willow was planted, each wanting their chance at touching the tree's trunk. Classes for the day had presumably ended.

'Aw, relax, Remus,' said James, patting his friend on the back. 'Oi, look, Bones' having a go!'

As he said it, Edgar Bones lunged for the tree, stretching out his arms.

'Omph!'

A branch of the Whomping Willow caught him round the middle and threw him backward a few feet. A couple of people screamed, but others cheered in apparent enjoyment. Edgar got up and shook himself off, as though he had simply ridden a ride at an amusement park and hadn't just been thrown by a violent tree.

Now many others were eager to try as well. Daniel Finnigan was one foot away from the trunk before he was thrust backward and Will Johnson had tried to simply run at it, which proved unsuccessful. Padman Patil and Barney Brown had tried to attack it from either side, but the Willow simply pulled out more branches and attacked both sides. Even George Figg attempted to touch the trunk; but hadn't come five meters near it before he turned and ran away.

So far, it seemed as though Sirius was the closest in touching the trunk. He had crawled under and was a mere few inches away from the trunk when the Whomping Willow picked him up and threw him backward. Like Edgar, Sirius seemed to think this was fun, though he was sporting quite a few bruises himself. Remus had simply refused to play this game; oddly enough, this seemed to encourage James.

James attempted a similar tactic to Sirius. He crawled on the ground near the Willow and made sure not to touch the tree. He jumped over stray branches and scrambled quickly until he reached the trunk. Finally, when he was near enough stretched his arm and lightly touched the tree. There was a pause and James heard the cheering coming from the students gathered round the outer perimeter of the tree.

And then a large branch swiftly swung over James' head and he ducked. He tried to crawl back, but a branch caught around his ankle and swung him overtop the tree, finally letting go when it slammed him to the ground.

The crowd paused again, looking from James to the Whomping Willow in anxiety. Then, James sat up, grinning and rubbing his right arm. Everyone burst into applause again. Flushing, James got up and walked over to Sirius, who clapped him on the back, grinning. Peter Pettigrew shuffled to them quickly.

'Wow, that was right amazing, James,' he squealed, his eyes overwhelming with joy.

'Er... thanks, Peter,' said James awkwardly, scratching his head.

'OK, OK, lemme try.' Davey Gudgeon was now nearing the tree. He tried the same approach as James, seeing that it had yielded positive results. Instead of crawling on the ground, however, Davey Gudgeon tried a half-shuffle, half-lunge at the tree. Unfortunately, he didn't get very far, because he stepped on an idle branch on the ground. The effect was immediate. The Whomping Willow thrust a branch forward, violently sending Davey back.

But this time, there was no laughter or, 'that was fun'. The next thing James knew, Davey was screaming at the top of his lungs, clutching a hand up to his eye. A small crowd gathered around Davey, some people gasping and others looking at him, horrified. James approached them.

Davey was in the middle of the circle of kids, crying and holding his hands to his left eye, from which blood was dripping down.

'We've got to get him to the Hospital Wing!' said James hoarsely, as everyone gawked at the blood that now stained the front of Davey Gudgeon's shirt.

James and Sirius pulled Davey to his feet, and Remus, looking grim, aided in the process. Together, they took Davey to the Hospital Wing and Peter Pettigrew, looking very frantic, followed behind. The rest of the students remained where they were, looking shocked and watching as Davey was being carried away by James, Sirius, Remus and Peter.

The news that Davey Gudgeon had nearly lost an eye seemed to have travelled throughout the entire school. Everyone also seemed to have the idea that James Potter and his friends had saved him from certain death. By the end of the week, even those who had witnessed the event were insisting that James had pulled Davey out from the Whomping Willow's clutches when it was ready to strike the last, deadly blow.

James, who wasn't new to getting attention (he got plenty of it at home), was basking in the spotlight. Sirius seemed to be making a variety of stories for this incident, showing the many different ways in which he and his friends had saved Davey.

Even Remus, who hadn't wanted to take part in the game in the first place, was receiving congratulations as well. In one version of Sirius' modified retelling, Remus was the one cautioning Davey and even though Davey disobeyed, was still keen on taking him to the Hospital Wing, and the fact that the Remus in the story didn't say the dreaded, 'I told you so', was putting him in new light of popularity.

Even Peter, who had done nothing but tag along, was enjoying attention, as many referred to him as the one that had nursed Davey back to health.

Even Davey Gudgeon, who had gone through the accident and knew first-hand what had happened, approached James and his friends the first chance he got once he was released from the Hospital Wing. Sporting an eye patch on his left eye and a wide grin, he thanked them for saving his life.

That morning, Dumbledore announced that going near the Whomping Willow was forbidden and James couldn't help feel a tad bit annoyed at the satisfied, relieved expression on Remus' face.

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Lily, who had been there to hear James and Sirius talk about the Whomping Willow in Herbology class, was the perhaps the most bothered by the incident than anyone. She blamed both Potter and herself - Potter for participating in that stupid game in the first place - and herself for not informing Professor Dumbledore earlier. She didn't believe for a second any of the ridiculous rumours that were surrounding the incident either. In any case, Lily had finally finished the Herbology project, which meant (to her great relief) that she no longer had to work with Potter.

Lily, Kalah and Alice were more concerned with the upcoming exams. Professor McGonagall had assigned them extra homework to help prepare for the exams and Professor Flitwick had given them review worksheets for Charms. Lily and Snape often spent their afternoons outside, studying for their exams near the lake.

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James and Sirius, however, didn't seem too troubled by the exams. In fact, they were more interested in breaking open Filch's special drawer, entitled 'Confiscated and Extremely Dangerous'. The original plan, which consisted of James and Sirius getting caught, Peter throwing a Dungbomb at the other side of the castle and Remus informing Filch about an attack by Peeves to have him leave his office, was proving to be difficult to follow through.

Because of Peeves' newly acquired fetish with Filch's office, Filch was obligated to remain there for a large period of time during the day. Therefore, it was difficult to blame an attack on Peeves when he was always in Filch's view.

It was a brilliant idea of Peter's that finally got the four of them access to the desired cabinet. The mousy-haired boy, who had had multiple run-ins with Peeves, was very familiar with the poltergeist. Last year, during his first few weeks at Hogwarts, Peter was the prime victim to Peeves' constant mischief, receiving wedgies during breakfast and Dung Bomb attacks in the corridors.

After making acquaintances with James, Sirius and Remus, however, Peeves seemed to leave him alone, simply because it was harder to prank all four of them and James and Sirius were a force to be reckoned with. He did, however, still manage to play a few pranks on Peter when he was alone. This knowledge of Peeves enabled Peter to predict most of his locations. On the day they were to execute the plan to investigate Filch's drawer, Peter lured Peeves away into the dungeons of Slytherins. Sirius was sent along with him with James' Invisibility Cloak; after all, they were in enemy territory as soon as the lamps along the hallway begin to shine green light.

Remus, though hesitant at first, had agreed to help, but only in the curiosity of what Filch considered 'highly dangerous'. His task was to report an attack down at the dungeons. All the professors considered Remus in high regard, so Filch was sure to take his word for it.

Sirius had brought an entire stock of Dungbombs with him when he returned from the Christmas break, but after having used them on various occasions, they were starting to run out. James let out a couple of Dungbombs near the Entrance Hall and allowed himself to be caught by Filch and taken to his office, while Remus watched. Once he was inside, Remus checked his watch. Peter must have begun his encounter with Peeves. He then knocked on Filch's door to report an attack by Peeves to a poor, unsuspecting student. Filch went into a fit of rage and stormed out of the office to find the poltergeist.

'Alright, he's gone,' said Remus, checking round the corner. James leapt out of his chair and whipped open Filch's drawer. He began sifting through its contents as Remus kept watched outside the room.

'Whoa...' James pulled out a small crate of enchanted fireworks.

'Oi, he's coming back!' Remus called, sticking his head back into the room. James pulled out the fireworks and stuffed it into his robes and then returned the empty crate back into the drawer. He slammed the drawer shut and resumed his place at the chair in front of the desk. Filch entered the room, cursing, with a whimpering Peter behind him. Remus seemed to have disappeared.

'Quit your whining, you're all right, boy,' said Filch to Peter in exasperation. 'If you can't defend yourself from a poltergeist, there's no hope for you.'

Peter whimpered some more from behind Filch's back. 'Yes, sir.'

James caught Peter's eye, cocking an eyebrow at him. The corners of Peter's mouth twitched before he resumed his act.

'Now what are you both doing here!?' snapped Filch. They both left quickly, James feeling relieved that Filch had forgotten to punish him.

Remus and Sirius were waiting outside; Sirius was leaning against the wall and holding out James' Invisibility Cloak.

'So what did you find in there?' asked Remus eagerly, as they made their way back to the Common Room.

James reached into his robes and pulled out a single firework from his stash.

'Mischief managed,' said Sirius, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

***

Exams took place the next week, and Lily was confident about her success. Even James and Sirius, who hadn't done much studying during the past few weeks, did well. The end-of-the-year feast took place the following week, and the students of Hogwarts spent their last night of the school year with one another.

Before they knew it, it was the last day of the term. Lily bid goodbye to Kalah and Alice with promises of writing to each other throughout the summer.

'Don't worry, my mum won't mind,' Lily was telling an anxious Alice, who was worried because her mother insisted she send letters the proper method via owl, instead of the Muggle way. 'I'll make her not be afraid of owls anymore.'

James was also sharing a goodbye with Sirius, Remus and Peter. Like Lily, they promised to keep in touch over the summer. However, James had also extended an invitation to Sirius to stay over. Sirius, who would love nothing better than to stay at James' house and away from his own, grinned and told him to keep the offer open, mostly because he knew he wouldn't be allowed to go... for now at least.

***

And then, after a couple of hours, they were all back at King's Cross station. Lily found her parents standing next to each other, beside a stiff-looking Petunia. She hurried over to them, and gave her parents both a huge hug.

'Hi, Mum! Hi, Dad!' Her parents beamed at her. Lily pulled away and saw Severus from the corner of her eyes.

'Bye, Sev!' she called to him. Snape looked round, saw Lily and flushed, waving at her. Petunia looked rather sour.

'Yeah, Snivelly, see you later! Personally, I think it'd be better if I don't!'

The grin that was once on Severus' face faltered. Lily turned round to find Potter and Black laughing at her friend, who was still flushing, though rather angrily now.

'And personally, Potter,' Lily retorted, 'I think it'd be better if you didn't come back at all!'

James looked dumbfounded for a second before his face broke into a large grin.

'Oh, come on, Evans, you know that's not true,' he said, bringing a hand up to his head and rumpling his hair as his father always did. 'If I didn't come next year, you'd miss me like mad.'

Lily flushed, going red. 'That's not true!' she exclaimed. 'I wish you never come back!' And she promptly turned round and walked away, with her parents close behind her. She could barely make out Black's loud bark-like laughing and Potter's over cheerful, just-to-make-her-angry, 'Have a good summer, then!' before she stormed away.

'So who was your little friend?' asked Mrs Evans as they walked to their car.

'Oh, Severus?' said Lily as her father took her luggage from her. 'He's from our neighbourhood, remember? You saw him that one time you came to pick us up from the park?'

'No, no, I meant the other one - the one you were having a spirited debate with.'

'Who, Potter?' Lily looked at her mother in apparent shock and disgust. 'He's not my friend, Mum!'

A small frown appeared on Mrs Evans' mouth. 'Really? Ah well, that's too bad. He seemed quite friendly.'

Lily raised her eyebrows incredulously at her, her jaw dropped. 'He is not,' she said, determinedly, shaking her head as though to reinforce her point. 'He's rude and a bully and he's definitely not my friend.'

'But he said, have a good summer,' said Mrs Evans, sounding confused.

Lily folded her arms. 'He's not my friend,' she insisted.

Mr Evans chuckled. 'Well then, I guess that settles that,' he said as he got into the car.

***

Summer seemed to pass by incredibly fast for Lily. She spent her mornings catching up on homework with Severus and afternoons with her family. Lily noticed that Petunia was rather grumpier than before. Her parents didn't seem to notice it, but Lily was sure there was a difference. Petunia still talked to her, but it was no longer with that friendly happiness they once shared.

Lily received regular letters from Kalah and Alice and was especially interested to hear about Alice's magical home life (considering her magical parentage). Kalah, it seemed, was visiting France for the summer break, so she often sent her letters with little souvenirs.

Lily was most worried about Severus during that summer. He was more depressed than usual and didn't smile anymore. He had come to the playground for a homework session one day and it was clearly evident that he was upset. Lily couldn't figure out what was wrong for a long time until Severus said two words.

'My parents.'

Lily sighed. Severus' parents were constantly fighting. She could hear them every time she passed by Spinner's End. She hugged Severus sympathetically.

Suddenly, he seemed a bit happier.

***

James untied three letters from Tawny's feet, and jumped onto his bed. Tawny hooted once and returned to her cage to finish eating her last dead mouse. James examined the letters. He had received one from each Sirius, Remus and Peter.

He unrolled Sirius' parchment first.

--- James

Mum's driving me mad. Thinks it's my fault I'm in Gryffindor. She's hoping little Regulus would be less of a disappointment. He'll be coming to Hogwarts in our third year.

We've got cousins coming over soon. Remember Narcissa from Slytherin? Fifth year? Going out with that git Malfoy? Her. And she's got a sister, Bellatrix. I can't stand the lot of them - they used to roll Reg and me in those dusty carpets we've got in our attic, just for fun when we were kids.

They've got another sister, too - Andromeda - but she doesn't come to visit anymore. We're not supposed to talk about her, either. She married a Muggle-born a couple of months ago, you know. Pity, really. She was the only one I actually didn't mind. She used to give me extra custard at dinner whenever we went to visit their place.

I can't wait to go back to Hogwarts, Oi, did you get your school letters, then? If so, owl me back - I'll see you in Diagon Alley.

--- Sirius

James grinned as he read the letter. Poor Sirius, stuck at home like that. James looked at the other two scrolls of parchment on his bed: each from Remus and Peter. He picked up one of the fireworks they had stolen from Filch and looked down at it intently. Perhaps Sirius needed a bit of moral support...

***

Lily stood in Diagon Alley with her parents and Petunia a month later. Term was to start at the first of September and Lily had gotten her booklist for the upcoming year.

'Alright, so where do we start?' Mrs Evans was asking her eagerly, looking around the cheerful town. Though it was their second time here, Diagon Alley, with its colourful, glittering window displays of spell books, potion ingredients and cauldrons was still remarkably enchanting.

'Books,' said Lily, glancing down at her list. As they headed up the road, Lily let her eyes wander to an Owlery in the distance. She had always wanted an owl...

***

James collapsed onto the seat in front of Sirius in the Hogwarts Express. Sirius grinned at him, pulling out the firecracker in his pocket. It was nearing eleven o'clock and they would soon be finally heading off for their second year at Hogwarts. Five minutes later, Remus entered the compartment in his usual shabby robes, followed by Peter, who collapsed on the seat across from Sirius. Momentarily, the train was beginning to move. Off to Hogwarts...

***

The classes that second year students were required to take were unchanged. Lily still took Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Astronomy and History of Magic.

She started the morning with what she believed was a hearty breakfast. Then, she, Kalah and Alice made their way down to the Great Hall to pick up their new timetables, along with breakfast.

'France was really nice,' Kalah was saying as she picked up an orange. 'We went to the Eiffel Tower and everything. Mum reckons it's enchanted.'

'Really?' asked Lily curiously. 'How so?'

Kalah shrugged. 'She said something about its structure and proportions.'

'Some architectural buildings are magical,' said Alice, taking a bite out of a slice of buttered toast. 'Like the leaning tower of Pisa. Dad reckons that that entire area would have been totalled if a wizard hadn't jumped in.'

Lily tilted her head to one side pensively, a slow grin appearing on her face. 'I hadn't thought of buildings being magical too...'

***

Now that he was a second-year student, James felt older and more important. He was no longer that scrawny little first year. Now, he was a scrawny little second year. Though it didn't look like much, it made enough of a difference to James to get to class responsibly. He pulled himself out of bed and got dressed. He was the only one inhabiting the dormitory at the time, apart from Sirius, who was still snoring away. James grinned and approached him, poking him hard on the head.

'ARGH - what?' Rubbing his eyes, Sirius sat up and yawned, stretching out his arms.

'You know we have class, right?' asked James with what he hoped was a stern expression.

'Yeah... so?'

'Er... how do I put this? It's eight thirty.'

Sirius fell out of his bed.

'What? Really?'

James nodded solemnly in response.

'Did you get your timetable?' asked Sirius, scratching his head idly. 'Oi, d'you reckon they'll give us detention on the first day back?'

James considered this. 'If we have McGonagall... then yes. I do.'

Sirius groaned and got up out of bed.

***

Lily had Potions first that morning, and it pleased her to discover that they still shared the class with the Slytherins. Lily and Severus took their usual seat together in the dungeons, and as the bell rang, the large, round-bellied Potions master entered.

'Ah... welcome back, second-years! Excellent, I see a lot of old faces.' His eyes twinkled kindly at the sight of Lily.

'Everyone have their books? Cauldrons? Excellent, let's begin.'

That day, the class made hiccoughing potions as a first year review. Lily hiccoughed all the way to her second class: Transfiguration.

***

Transfiguration was a class James and Sirius rather enjoyed. In fact, it was perhaps their most favourite subject, despite the strict Professor McGonagall. Professor McGonagall's classes were always hard work, but today's was especially difficult. Everything James had learnt last year seemed to have leaked out of his head during the summer. That class, he was told to turn a beetle into a button, and this task took much longer than it ought to.

Peter was having a much harder time with his beetle. It was quite obvious that Transfiguration wasn't his strong point, and from what James and Sirius had seen from him in first year, he wasn't very talented in any subject. Peter tried to transfigure his beetle and it engulfed him in thick grey smoke that smelled of rotten eggs. Unable to see what he was doing, he accidentally squashed his beetle with his elbow and had to ask for a new one. Professor McGonagall wasn't pleased.

When the lunch bell rang a half-hour later, Peter looked the most relieved in the class. It was an understatement to say that Professor McGonagall pushed Peter a little harder than she did others.

***

After lunch, Lily headed off to Charms. This was undoubtedly her favourite subject. The first lesson was fairly easy; they were only reviewing notes and charms from the year before.

An hour and a half later, Lily, Kalah and Alice left the castle together, crossed the vegetable patch and made for the greenhouses, where the magical plants were kept. As they neared the greenhouses, they saw the rest of the class standing outside, waiting for Professor Chubs. Lily scanned the crowd, and surely enough, Potter and Black were in her class... as always. Lily, Kalah and Alice had only just joined the students when Professor Chubs came striding into view across the lawn.

'Greenhouse three today, chaps!' said Professor Chubs. She took a large key from her belt and unlocked the door. Everyone entered it, slowly distributing themselves. Professor Chubs took her place behind a trestle bench in the center of the greenhouse. About twenty pairs of different-coloured ear muffs were lying on the bench.

'We'll be re-potting Mandrakes today. Now, who can tell me the properties of the Mandrake?'

Lily put her hand up nervously. All eyes were on her.

'Yes?' Professor Chubs prompted her.

'Er... Mandrake, or Mandragora, is a powerful restorative. It's used to return people who have been transfigured or cursed to their original state,' she said, turning red and looking at her feet. She had been studying over the summer.

'Excellent. Ten points to Gryffindor,' said Professor Chubs, beaming. 'The Mandrake forms an essential part of most antidotes. It's also dangerous. Who can tell me why?'

Alice put up her hand this time.

'The cry of the Mandrake is fatal to anyone who hears it,' she said promptly.

'Precisely. Take ten points,' said Professor Chubs. Lily beamed at her friend. 'Now,' continued Professor Chubs. 'The Mandrakes we have here are still very young.'

She pointed to a row of deep trays as she spoke, and everyone shuffled forward for a better look. A hundred or so tufty little plants, purplish green in colour, were growing there in rows. They looked quite remarkable to Lily, who had never seen one in person.

'Everyone, take a pair of earmuffs,' said Professor Chubs. There was a scramble as everyone tried to seize a pair. Lily looked affronted as she watched Potter push aside Amos Diggory in his attempt to get a pair that wasn't pink and fluffy.

'When I tell you to put them on, make sure your ears are completely covered,' said Professor Chubs. 'When it is safe to remove them, I will give you the thumbs-up. Right - earmuffs on.'

Lily snapped the earmuffs over her ears. Suddenly, she couldn't hear anything anymore. Professor Chubs put the pink, fluffy pair over her own ears, rolled up the sleeves of her robes, grasped one of the fluffy plants firmly and pulled hard.

Instead of roots, a small, muddy, and extremely ugly baby popped out of the earth. The leaves were growing right out of his head.

James gaped at it. The Mandrake had pale green, mottled skin, and was clearly bawling at the top of his lungs. He looked round idly. That's when he saw Peter at his left, still fumbling with his earmuffs. Peter's eyes went wide and he looked at the Mandrake, screamed himself (or so it seemed to a deaf James) and then collapsed to the ground.

James didn't know what to do. Everyone was wearing earmuffs so they clearly couldn't hear him. He quickly made his way to the front of the group, waving his arms and indicating to Peter. Professor Chubs gave him an odd look, followed his gesture to Peter lying motionless on the ground and quickly took a large pot from under the table. She plunged the Mandrake into it, burying him in dark, damp compost until only the tufted leaves were visible. Professor Chubs then dusted off her hands, gave them all the thumbs-up and removed her own earmuffs.

The rest of the class seemed rather confused. James had rushed back to Peter and was crouching next to him.

'Pete? Oi, Peter!'

Professor Chubs hurried from behind the desk and made her way to Peter, where other students were looking curiously. She crouched down beside the unconscious boy, checked his pulse and sighed.

'Didn't put his earmuffs on properly, the idiot,' she said gruffly. She looked around at the other students, who were seemingly fearful. 'As our Mandrakes are only seedlings, their cries won't kill yet,' she said calmly. 'However, they will knock you out for several hours.' She gestured helplessly toward Peter.

Peter's knock-out was perhaps the most interesting event that entire day. An unsuspecting James was also given congratulations for saving yet another life. After the incident, Peter was much more inclined to admire James, which Lily found, was quite repulsive.

***

The first few weeks of school flew by fast for Lily. With all the homework she was getting, she hardly had time to do anything else. Potter was his usual annoying self, always bothering Severus.

However, Lily was happy and proud to see that Severus was no longer allowing himself to be bullied so easily. The summer break and perhaps the ordeal with his parents had given him a new confidence and so, he no longer let James and Sirius make fun of him. Of course, his retorts were still nothing close to genius, but the fact that he was making somewhat of an effort made Lily happy.

But it was after a certain point that she started to wish he wasn't that as resilient.

It happened around mid-October. Lily and Severus had been in their Potions class, which they incidentally shared with Potter, Black, Lupin and Pettigrew. That day, the class set out to make Laughing potions. Slughorn was to award fifty points for the house(s) of the group that made the best sample.

'Alright,' said Professor Slughorn. 'Everyone know what to do? Right then, off you go!'

Lily set off for the material cupboard and she and Severus began to work on their potion. Lily read instructions and added ingredients, while Severus stirred the potion and checked its progress. By the end of the class, theirs was the only potion that was simmering gently, with yellowish vapours evaporating into the air.

Professor Slughorn moved slowly among the tables, peering into cauldrons. He made no comment, but occasionally gave the potions a stir or a sniff. At last he reached the table where Severus and Lily were sitting. He saw their potion and a look of incredulous delight spread over his face.

'The clear winners!' he cried to the dungeon. 'Excellent, excellent, Lily and Severus! Good lord, I've never seen it done so well the first time! Very well, fifty points to Gryffindor and Slytherin, as promised!'

For some reason, the class was somewhat disappointed. Perhaps, it was the fact that both houses won that was rather annoying. Most of the students seemed put out that the other House had gained, rather than being pleased with their own gain.

When the bell rang, the Potions class filed out, Lily and Snape talking excitedly.

'Oi, Snivellus!'

Lily and Severus both whirled around. Potter and Black were smirking at him.

'What do you want, Potter?' snapped Lily, coldly. James disregarded her.

'You know, Snivelly, I reckon you need a Laughing potion yourself. Being grim all the time and all. Don't you think, Sirius?'

Sirius surveyed Snape. 'Nah... if he's this ugly when he's scowling, imagine how ugly he'd be if he were laughing. A beauty potion, more like. Though I doubt it'd work...'

James laughed. Lily opened her mouth to retort, but Severus started talking.

'Shouldn't you be off somewhere getting detention? Or losing more points for Gryffindor? Honestly Potter, if you and Black weren't here, maybe Gryffindor would actually stand a chance at winning the House Cup.'

James flushed. It was true. James and Sirius (and occasionally Remus and Peter) had gotten into so much trouble that they lost at least ten points from Gryffindor each week. Slytherin had won last year, and from the way things were going, they might win this year as well. But even so, James thought, as he whipped out his wand and pointed it threateningly at Snape, he wasn't going to let that greasy-haired weasel tell him that.

Severus whipped out his wand at the same time. For a split second, they looked into each other's eyes, then, at exactly the same time, both shouted a different spell.

Jets of light shot from both wands, hit each other in midair, and ricocheted off at angles - Severus' hit the wall next to James - and then, Lily, whimpering in panic, was clutching her head. She was crying. Her knees had buckled and she was sitting on the ground. Her hair was changing colours rapidly, growing and shrinking all at once.

James looked horrified, realising suddenly what he had done. Had he used a Colour-Change and Hair-thickening Charm? Snape glanced from Lily, in shock, to James, in anger. Sirius' eyes were round - they were going to get into a hell of a lot of trouble for this.

'Come on,' he told James urgently. 'Let's go before someone catches us.'

But James was frozen, a horror-struck gaze fixed upon Lily. He wanted to say something, but found his mouth dry.

Severus was crouched down beside Lily, attempting to figure out a counter-curse.

'What happ - Lily!' Kalah and Alice had come rushing now, apparently having searched for Lily for their next Charms class. Kalah crouched down beside Lily on the other side, a confused look on her face as she saw Lily crying.

'What... happened?' She seemed at a loss for words.

'Potter,' supplied Snape.

Kalah shot an angry glare at James. 'What's wrong with you, you prat!? Look at the state of her!'

James opened his mouth as though he was about to say something, but Kalah cut him off.

'What did she do to you, anyway? Just leave her alone!'

'What's going on here!?'

Professor McGonagall appeared. 'Miss Ramnath, how dare you made such a racket in the corridors! Five points from Gryffindor!'

'But professor, look at what Potter did to Lily!' protested Kalah.

'What he did to -?'

Professor McGonagall approached Lily, who had stopped crying and was hastily trying to wipe the tears from her eyes.

'Now, now, dear. Don't you worry.' She shot James a look of deep disapproval, and then muttered a spell under her breath, her wand pointing at Lily's head. Her hair immediately stopped changing colours and settled at her shoulders, its original length returned.

'Alright, there you go. All fixed. Don't worry now. Off to your next class, alright?'

Kalah and Alice helped Lily up and they trudged off. Severus, looking rather awkward and sour, picked up his backpack and stalked off to his next class as well. James and Sirius turned round and attempted to escape as well.

'Detention, Potter and Black.'

James and Sirius groaned, and Professor McGonagall continued.

'How dare you attack that poor girl. I'm very disappointed. I expected better from even you.'

Sirius opened his mouth to protest that. He wanted to tell McGonagall that James was actually trying to attack Snape, but then realised that this piece of information wouldn't really help his situation all that much, so he shut it quickly.

'Saturday morning. You'll be in separate detentions. Putting you two together doesn't seem to be getting us anywhere. Potter, you're to do your detention with Professor Slughorn in the dungeons. Black, Mr Filch will be waiting for you at the Trophy room.'

Sirius groaned and Professor McGonagall turned and walked away promptly.

Sirius cast James an annoyed look. 'I told you we should've run,' he muttered as they both walked to next period Charms. They were already late as it was. 'I didn't even do anything and I get stuck with Filch.'

To this, James couldn't help but laugh.

There was no doubt that Lily was angry with James. She ignored him all through Charms class (though this wasn't new) and she didn't laugh at any of his jokes and pranks (this also wasn't new) but she didn't even bother to shoot him annoyed looks (and James was sure that this was her favourite past-time). What was puzzling was the fact that James had no idea why Lily hating him was bothering him so much...

***

It was Saturday morning and James and Sirius were both in their dormitories, ready to depart for their detentions. Momentarily, Sirius was rummaging through his trunk.

'Hey, wait, I've got an idea,' said Sirius, straightening up. 'Here.' And he thrust a small mirror into James' hands. James held it up.

'Er... thanks, but why would I need a mirror?'

Sirius grinned, holding his mirror up to his face. 'Say my name into it.'

James looked confused for a moment, held up the mirror and said, 'Sirius Black.'

He gasped. Sirius' face was looking back at him, though through the mirror.

'Cool, huh?' the mirror Sirius asked. 'It's a two-sided mirror. Really handy in detention, I reckon.'

James grinned and pocketed it. 'Thanks, mate.' He checked his watch. 'Right, we should go now. McGonagall's going to go crazy if she finds out we were late for our detentions.'