Over the din caused by several tipsy wizards, a few cheering hags that were counting down the seconds till midnight, though it was only ten in the evening, and the chatter of everyone else, the five managed to hear each other relatively well. A comfortable hour was passed with the sharing of candy, jokes, and laughter. When things threatened to become too quiet, Sirius and James livened the atmosphere up a little by cutting off, inch by inch, the six-foot long mane of hair of the witch sitting behind Peter.
As the witch stood up to leave, she seemed to notice something was missing, and though she hadnt quite forgotten that she was extremely tipsy, she did forget that drinking more rum with raspberry syrup wouldnt help that condition and would not make her gain back the five feet eleven inches of hair that she lost. The result of that was that she started to lean on Peter and question him about whether or not to go home to see her husband for New Years, apparently forgetting that it was a bit too late to do anything about that at the present moment.
Sirius and James almost had to be strapped down, blindfolded, and gagged if they were to stop laughing at all, and even Madam Rosmerta snorted into the glass of punch she was refilling and had to get a clean one out of the cupboard before anyone noticed.
The five friends left the Three Broomsticks before the witch regained her senses, and even in the street Remus and Lily had to pin the two almost hysterical boys down and have Peter stuff snow in their respective mouths so they would at least calm down a little.
They meandered along the comfortably packed streets, admiring the candles and torches beaming twinkling light out onto the frozen and falling snow from shop and pub windows. The Christmas trees in the show windows were decorated with miniature, real candles that wouldnt burn down, as were the evergreens in the village streets and in the pubs, though those were enchanted to stay lit even when they got wet, which was an advantage in the Three Broomsticks, as people had started clinking their mugs together rather forcefully and sending splatters of butterbeer flying everywhere.
James stopped to say hello to several Ministry wizards he knew, they got into a snowball fight in the front yard of the Shrieking Shack, and by the time what was left of the Honeydukes chocolate slabs was almost frozen, it was eleven-thirty, and they retraced their steps to the Three Broomsticks.
Inside, the trees were still throwing their twinkling light everywhere, and the family of customers was cheery, warm inside, and extremely good-natured. Sirius was the one who picked up the warm butterbeers from Madam Rosmerta at the bar, and the rest seated themselves at a table near the wall, with a tree on either side and a family with two little girls on another.
Sirius distributed the drinks, and, sliding into his seat, was the first one to open his. It ended in a sort of race between Remus and Sirius to see who would finish their bottle first. Peter won, though he hadnt intended on playing. Peter had upset his drink and it was dripping through a crack on the table on the snoozing cat that was lying beneath it. The whole pub started to shake with laughter at the antics of the furious cat, who obviously didnt seem to like the fact that she was now covered in butterbeer. Lily was resting her forehead in her hand, shaking her head.
Peter!
W-what?
You absolute rocket scientist!
Im sorry! I didnt know that the cat was underneath my spilled drink!
For some reason, that set everyone off again, and when they had all gotten somewhat in control of themselves, a loud signaling bang, sounding oddly like a cannon, echoed down the streets. Chattering noisily, the crowd moved towards the stone bridge that spanned a tiny part of the Hogwarts lake that extended into Hogsmeade.
Lily, James, Sirius, Peter, and Remus were pushed onto the front row of the people on the bridge. Facing the village, Lily reflected on how beautifully it resembled a postcard of the type her grandfather used to send her mother around Christmastime-the thatched roofs covered with a three-inch layer of snow, flakes trickling down onto lantern-like street-lamps, and the candles smiling onto the icy streets and lake.
She hadnt much time to reflect on that, though, for as soon as she had wrapped her cloak closer about her, a stream of golden fireworks shot up from a boat near the edge of the lake, exploding in the deep black sky and plastering the viewers eyes with a momentary golden reflection.
As the village clock struck midnight, the heavens were illuminated with golden, blue, violet, pink, scarlet, and sea-green lights and flashing sparkles, all crossing each other and dashing from one end of the village to another, only to fall onto the streets, where a small permanent glitter remained. Towards the end of the performance (sponsored by Zonkos), several thousand glittering streaks slashed the cloudless sky, finally gathering and forming the shape of England. The viewers burst into applause, wild and stormy, as the shape condensed into a familiar figure and continued long after the sparkles had faded away.
Everyone was disappointed at having to leave, but as the public mass started to vanish into their respective homes, Lily and the four boys had to return to Hogwarts before Honeydukes closed.
As it was, they only just made it into the cellar, and James, Peter, and Remus had to zoom on ahead with the broom to get things ready in the common room while Sirius and Lily lagged behind. It was supposed to be something like s surprise for the only Gryffindor girl at Hogwarts, and they werent about to let her walk the way from Hogsmeade to Honeydukes alone, and James was needed to guide the broomstick, so Sirius volunteered to walk her back to Hogwarts.
They made their way around the earthy walls of the corridor, Lily dreamily recounting the events of that evening, and Sirius listening, throwing in a few words every now and then.
I dont believe it-that firework display was wonderful. Nothing like that could ever have been managed in the Muggle world.
Sirius grinned. It was amazing, wasnt it?
And you and James cutting off that poor womans hair-oh, you really had to do that, didnt you?
But of course!
I should have figured. Lily smiled as she replayed the scenes of that night over again.
Sirius had been wondering about something for some time, and he decided that this was as good a time as any to ask her this.
Lily?
Hm?
What do you think about James?
Lily frowned. Why?
Oh- Sirius shrugged. I know he took you to Hogsmeade the day after Christmas, and he talks about you some-I just wanted to know, thats all.
Oh. Lily released her face of the wrinkles. Hes a rather overstuffed prick when he wants to be, but when he doesnt, hes quite nice to be around. I like him when hes not trying to be an idiot and succeeding very well-hes got sense, hes pretty smart, and-well, I suppose thats all I can think of right now.
But you could think of more in a heartbeat, if you werent so tired, right? And you could go on forever about how good he is at Quidditch-
Staring up at Sirius with a more-than-concerned manner, Lily tugged hard on his cloak.
Sirius, are you out of your mind?
He caught himself quickly. Never mind. Im being an idiot-dont pay any attention to me.
Too late for that.
Yeah-I suppose. Hey-just forget I said that, all right?
Er-
Just say yes. I dont want him to think Im jealous or anything
Jealous?
Er-forget I said that, too.
Sirius. Lily stepped in front of him and stemmed her fists into her sides. There is something you arent telling me.
Um-
Speak up so I can hear you.
He shrugged, letting his frown deteriorate into nothing. I said forget it. Lily, really, Im just not in the most perfect of moods right now. Cant we just erase this?
Not unless you have a Time-Turner, which I rather doubt.
He sighed. You would doubt correctly. Say, just dont mention this to the three, all right?
Realizing she wouldnt get anything else out of Sirius, Lily gave a similar sigh and headed for the common room, Sirius trailing her.
They walked into the common room just as Peter finished pinning a large amount of candy beneath his bulk as he fell off of a chair. Laughing, everyone helped repair the smashed Chocolate Frogs and other things, and when they were finished, Lily had to admit that the common room had never looked as-well, as appetizing as it did then.
Strands of Sugar Quills, all strung together, hung from the walls as streamers; large slabs of chocolate covered the walls, a large cauldron hung over the fire with boiling chocolate in it, several Levitating Sherbet Balls had been charmed so as to actually levitate about six inches over their heads, cockroach Clusters had been substituted for dust bunnies, and where candles were usually placed in the chandeliers, the boys had turned several bottles of butterbeer upside down and fit the heads inside the candleholders.
Several Cauldron Cakes had been arranged and magically pasted onto picture frames, Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans had been dumped inside pillowcases knotted at the open end, forming rather interesting pillows, and several packs of Droobles Best Blowing Gum had been converted into tiny bubbles that floated around the sherbet balls.
All in all, it was quite satisfying, and though Professor McGonagall or Filch would have thrown several large fits, the four boys and Lily were content to label it as their dream of the afterlife.
They didnt sleep at all; they merely entertained themselves with pulling gum bubbles out of the air and sticking them in their friends hair; also by conjuring up strawberries and dunking them in the boiling chocolate (Lilys idea), then eating them along with the levitating sherbet balls.
At two in the morning, everyone was rather giggly, as they were tired and had stocked up on enough sugar to last them four years, besides floating two feet above the ground as an effect of the sherbet. As soon as they landed after two hours in the air, they spent the rest of the morning with butterbeer, chocolate, and skits they made up on the spot, steering clear of the sherbet balls, though one always had to be on the watch for James stuffing one of them into ones bottle of butterbeer. Lily was giggling herself sick at one about Professor McGonagall. It was a very faithful imitation of her style of walking, but Sirius was imitating it. Enough said.
The rest of the students were scheduled to come back that week, and when they returned, Lily almost found herself missing the familiar, cozy, almost quiet atmosphere that existed while the rest of Gryffindor Tower was gone. Almost. It was nice to have Eva back, and of course, Miranda-and Amanda was also back, all of them full of energy and stories. Severus and Lucius, filled to bursting with news that they simply had to tell her, kept owling Lily during breakfast, telling her to meet them in the library or other places, that they had big news.
The classes started the day after the students returned from holidays, and everyone went to breakfast almost unnaturally excited at the prospect of classes. It seemed that Lily was the only one, though, to notice that Sirius and James were trying fruitlessly to look innocent of something. She figured, however, that shed find out what theyd done pretty soon, and she was right.
She, Eva, and Amanda were heading to their first classtrue, they didnt have it together, but the classroom Eva and Amanda were going to was on the way to the dungeons. Lily had Potions first. Hurriedly saying goodbye as they reached the Charms corridor, each of them hurried towards their respective classrooms.
Frank Longbottom got to the dungeon door before Lily did, and he was the first to turn the knob. When he did, however, the door didnt swing open. The knob did. Swing off, that is. It fell off the door.
Lily groaned. Potter!
Moving forward, she knelt down and scooped the pieces of brass up off of the floor. It was a quite simple Muggle prank. The doorknob had been unscrewed and the screws had been stolen. She didnt have much time to examine it, however, before Professor Cauldwell pushed his way through the ever-widening group of students.
Whats all this? Whats all this! Make way, now, its not that hard to enter a classroom! Make way! Listen, now, dont shirk your privilege of being able to attendhullo, what have we here?
He had spotted the hole where the doorknob used to be.
Luckily for the pranksters and their intentions, the locks werent attached to the doorknobs so that they would fall off when the knobs werent attached; they were buried further down. Which really meant that, right now, they were locked out.
With a maddening air of superiority, Professor Cauldwell moved on to the next dungeon. By now the bell had rung, and James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter had arrived, with large grins crossing their faces as Professor Cauldwell moved from one dungeon to another, seemingly breaking the knobs off of each door. Lily moved over to Sirius.
Wouldnt Alohomora work?
A grin that he couldnt repress was idiotically pasted almost across his eyeballs. Nope. For some reason, Alohomora turns the knob. Thisersituationdoesnt have that particular appliance.
They were by now moving up a staircase, in search of a classroom that hadnt been attacked.
A good hour later, the whole school had been ransacked, and it turned out that only one classroom had been overlooked and that Professor Trelawney was locked in her tower. The students almost had several miniature heart attacks at hearing the frantic banging on the trapdoor when the dragonfly-like witch found out that the house-elf that provided her with her food was physically unable to enter her room.
The studentseveryone except the ones that had Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures during that time--were herded into the Great Hall, to sit there until the teachers were able to enter the rooms, but since they hardly left adequate supervision (Filch and Professor Zimmermann), almost three-fourths of the student body escaped the Great Hall and got to their common rooms, where Lily found that the kitchens had been rummaged so as to turn out a sufficiently delicious feast for the four boys. No one had proof that they did it, of course, but everyone knew it had been them, and they didnt stint in their praise for their heroes that had gotten them out of class before it even started.
Wonderful, boys! Getting to think youd given up on this!
This is so much better than that traditional turning robes pink junk. I mean, really!
I know! This got us out of class. What does that other stuff get us but a detention?
Seriously!
But did you see Cauldwells face when he saw that he couldnt get to his napping chair? He looked like a right pillock!
He did! Ive never seen anything so entertaining!
They had to return to classes after lunch, however, since the teachers had managed to make about seventeen classrooms re-enterable, which was somewhat of a disappointment. It was also impossible to find out who had done it, though Professor McGonagall had the about-to-take-ten-points-from-Gryffindor glint in her eye every time she stared over at the four fifth-year boys, who were the center of attention of a large group of Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws. The Slytherins mostly contented themselves with doing homework for classes they hadnt finished the night before.
They had quite a bit of fun with un-expected Muggle pranks that couldnt be fixed that easily by magic. Of course, the locking-Filch-in-the-underground-dumpster one was easily remedied once someone found him; still, it did take some time to do so. Professor McGonagall finally gave up trying to punish them and started to retaliate.
Her first opportunity came when Sirius and James fell asleep in class. Quickly, she shuffled the rest of the students out of the room, drawing the curtains over the sole window and extinguishing all the lights. Then, assuming a ferocious and outraged manner, she stalked back inside, and the class huddled against the door was repressing loud snorts of laughter as they heard her berate them for this late hour, and generally losing her temper over their oversleeping. Then Sirius asked what time it was.
Professor McGonagall cooled down instantly; almost as if someone had put the Full Body-Bind Curse on her.
Three-thirty.
The boys stared at each other, horrified. Three in the morning? they gasped.
No. Businesslike as usual, Professor McGonagall shook her head Three-thirty in the afternoon. I suggest, Potter, Black, that you stay awake in the future. Ten points each from Gryffindor.
There had never been anything so ludicrous as James and Sirius face when the class tromped back in, trying fruitlessly to hold in giggles as they slid into their seats.
It was almost like a war, Lily reflected, only this one was accompanied with a lot more mirth than the one in the Alendoren Cove. Which reminded her. The Alendoren Cove. Tom. How was it going down there? She knew that he planned to move to England eventually; she just didnt know when, and whether he was still capable of it. In other words, she wondered how hard his army had been hit by the fights, and whether he and his followers were in Azkaban or not. Frankly, she rather doubted the last partTom seemed too surreal to ever have mortals catch up with him.
She asked James what he thought about this one night, and he agreed with her, saying that Tom was too brilliant to let himself be caught.
How do you know?
How do I know what?
That hes brilliant, of course.
I have run-ins with Filch, dont I?
I fail to see how those two things have any relation whatsoever.
Doubting creature. I get detentions whenever I do anything annoying like trek frog brains all over the third floor, right?
Nooo.neverFilch is much too kind
Well, Ive been stuck with polishing the trophy room several times. Tom Riddle is on a placard for old Head Boys and has an Award for Special Services to the school. It jumped out at me a month ago, when Id just learned Toms last name and had my newest detention.
For what this time?
Disemboweling the wrong creature on purpose.
Fill me in.
Disemboweling a creature whose parts would make my potion have an extremely different effect than what it was supposed to have.
Ah.
I dont like Cauldwell.
Pity.
Isnt it, though?
Not really. But Ill let you think so.
Why, thank you!
Yes; Im simply the picture of graciousness.
Not really. But Ill let you think so.
Er.
Eurgh.
I dont know you.
James laughed. You know, if anyone were listening to this, theyd call us both insane and lock us up in St. Mungos?
I hope you dont think I didnt notice. Im talking to you, after allhow much more insane can one get?
Hey! He pretended to be hurt. Im desolated!
Je suis dsole sounds so much better.
Okay then. Je-erwhat was that rest?
Sirius came to the foot of the boys dormitory stairs. Hey, Prongs, whatcha doing?
James waved. Learning French!
Ooh! Sirius whizzed over and plunked himself on a cushion. However, Lily stopped him before he even had a chance to open his mouth.
No, Sirius Black, I will not teach you swear words in French.
Sirius sulked playfully. But!
No buts.
Other than
No other thans.
Excluding
No excludings.
Except
Sirius!
Okay, okay. Ill stop.
But why?!
James, dont you start!
Geez, James sulked; you take out all the fun.
That would be the point.
Er.
Er?
I guess. James shrugged.
O.W.L.s were coming up quickly; the teachers were piling so much work on them that the fifth years were lucky if they got five hours of sleep. Generally, the common room would be filled with about ninety students at two in the morning, numbly reciting the fourteen potions using bicorn blood or mumbling something about the proper wand movements to Transfigure a chair into a current newspaper. There was also a newly-founded buffet table near the fireJames and Sirius had managed to persuade the house-elves to bring them a never-ending supply of hot cocoa, and then they would add their stores from Honeydukes to the pile.
Easter vacation was hardly a vacation. Lily stayed at Hogwarts, along with all of the fifth, sixth, and seventh years. The sixth years had their N.E.W.T.s to take care of, and the seventh years had a graduation exam, not to mention their Apparition test. Of course, Lily was overworking herself drastically; going off food and sleep in order to make one thousand per cent on each exam and making herself look like a ghoul, as Remus put it.
Sirius approached her one morning; it was four-thirty, and Lily was still trying to find the countries where gillyweed was known to flourish, under what conditions it grew, and how exactly it transformed ones body.
Rolling his eyes, Sirius slammed a mug of hot cocoa on top of her book. Drink.
But Sirius
Drink.
She obeyed like a numb sort of pillow, gulping the searing hot drink and feeling it almost blister her throat with its heat. Then, unexplicably, her eyelids started to droop, and she fell forward onto the table she was using as a desk, head on her arms, and her long red hair tumbling everywhere. Sighing, Sirius slipped his arms underneath her, and, picking her up, carried her to her dormitory.
He let her fall onto the bed gently, and, after hed slipped off her shoes, pulled out a small blue bottle from his robes.
Sleeping Potionshould last twelve hours. Good. She needs that. I dont think Ive ever seen anyone that cares as much about her grades as she does.
He almost ran into Remus outside, who was a bit curious as to where Sirius was dragging a sleeping Lily.
Sirius? Whats wrong?
I figured this was necessary. Shes hardly sleeping at all.
Remus nodded. Wise. No one overworks as much as she does.
My thoughts exactly.
Were not supposed to be up here, though.
Sirius grinned. Were the Marauders. Have rules ever stopped us?
No, Remus admitted, but the Head Boy might.
Oh. True.
Silently, Sirius swung the door to Lilys dormitory shut, and, tiptoeing down the stairs, managed to leave the girls side of the Tower before the current Head Boy caught them sneaking around and breaking another couple of rules. He, unfortunately, was a Gryffindor, while the Head Girl this year was a rather shy Slytherin. Which really meant that Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff could get away with much more than their fellow Houses. So far, Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter had refrained from inflicting bodily harm upon him; the only thing they had done was the Full Body-Bind and the Stunning Charm. Lily was surprised theyd held back so much.
When Lily woke up, she was surprised to find herself in her bed. The last thing she remembered was Sirius handing her something to drinkand now, judging by the clock, it was almost dinner-time. She groaned, sat up, and immediately fell back onto the cushions.
Lily fell into a sort or half-doze till the door opened to reveal a house-elf and Remus. The house-elf scuttled out quickly after setting down a tray on Lilys lap, while Remus sat down on the edge of the bed.
Lily?
Hm?
Here. Have something to eatyou look dead on your rearend.
Gee, thanks.
Well, youre not exactly on your feet. Have some apple pie. He pushed the dessert plate over to her, and she started attacking it ravenously.
He let her finish off the steak pieces, the baked sweet potatoes, the creamed peas, and the kidney pudding without interrupting; it was only when she had, with a sigh, pushed the tray away from her that he ventured a remark.
Are you all right?
Sure. Fine. Couldnt be better.
I mean, how tired are you; how hungry?
Im kind of tired, and Im stuffed.
Relaxed?
Well---I guess. Thanks, Remus.
For what?
Erwell, making me go to sleepbut do you think you could hand me that Herbology volume?
Oh, no! Wand out, Remus Banished the book to the other side of the room. You. Need. A. Vacation. Badly.
Lily scowled. Remus, I want to pass my O.W.L.s, for screaming out silently!
Lily! Youre going to pass them with two hundred per cent already! Stop, I beg you! This is going too far! We know youre smart, but this is frightening!
Then dont pay any attention to it!
Remus sighed and dug around in his pocket for something; he pulled a mirror out and held it in front of Lilys face.
Look.
Lily obeyed. She wasnt surprised at what she saw. The rings around her eyes she had gotten used to, and the wrinkles underneath them werent that hard to seethe tangled hair she hadnt had time for lately. So?
So we cant not pay attention to it! Look at youthis is terrible!
I dont care what I look like, and since no one else does, I dont see that it matters.
Remus frowned as he tucked the mirror away. Youre a hopeless case.
Thank you.
That wasnt a compliment.
I know.
Scowling, Remus banged the door of her dormitory, running into someone outside. This running into people seemed to have become a habit, he reflected.
James, watch it!
Hey, Im sorry. I just came to check on Lily. I know she was doing too muchandwell, I wanted to see if I could do anything.
Remus sighed. Shes hopeless. Still thinking that were trying to reform her into obsessing about her hair, and the only thing I did was point out the circles around her eyes. I mean, wouldnt you know what I was referring to if Id said that to you?
James frowned. Remus, buddy, we did put her through quite a bit in third year.
We? I would put that more in terms of you.
Er.
True?
True. He sighed. StillI think it might do her good to talk a bitdo somethingoh, I dont know. She needs to get away from the books for at least an hour every day.
James, in case you didnt notice, she did sleep beforehand.
Yeah, something like two and a half hours a night.
True, Remus admitted. Well. I guess, that if you want to put up with Padfoots teasinggo ahead, talk to her.
You dont think hell refrain from doing so, do you?
No.
James sighed. I thought not.
Remus meandered slowly down the stairwell while James pushed Lilys door open.
Lil?
She raised her head from where shed dropped it on the pillow. Hello.
Feeling better?
I never was sick.
You were tired, though.
Oh, well. Im not anymore. Hand me that Herbology book over there behind my trunk, will you?
Oh, no. James sat down on her bed. Oh, no. Absolutely not. Youve got to rest.
Lily was growing impatient. James, its not as if Im a deathly sick skeleton with triple pneumonia. Get me the book.
Lily!
James!
Lily Evans!
James Potter!
Oh, bleeargh.
Spurgle.
He snapped his head up. What?
I thought thatd gain your attention. Spurgle was what I said.
Er.
Ermph.
Huh.
Humph.
He broke the train of odd noises. Say, you going anywhere over the summer?
Lily shook her head. Petunia and my father need me at home.
Frowning, James fiddled with the end of a blanket. But hang it all, they cant ask you to be a mother and wife to them! Youve got to have some free time, dont you?
Lily smiled indulgently. James, our situation at home is rather different from yours. We dont have house-elves to wait on us hand and footweve got to work for our money.
I understand that, but still
James, Im the only one in the house who really knows how to manage. Petunias learning, but she learns that slowly. And my father always used to depend on my mother for things like budgets and monthly payments on the house. Ive got to help them.
Oh. He gave in. I dont suppose youd like to come visit us once in a while?
Oh, theres no question about that; of course Id like that his face lit upbut the question is whether I can or not. And the answer to that is, decidedly, no.
ErI guessall right, then.
You understand? She ran a frail hand through her hair.
Yes. Im sorryI didnt really understand.
Lily smiled. Potter, the last thing I want is sympathy.
Oh, fine. Say he cast an anxious glance around the dormitoryyou up to visiting the A-thing place anytime soon? I never really got to see itso I was wondering.
Lily laughed. OhI guessmaybe. Only if you promise not to drown me or kill me in any other way you can manage to think of. I want more dignity than to be accidentally killed by a pillock.
Hey!
And Im not going before I finish the O.W.L.s. Live with it.
Sure. I wasnt expecting you to.
So were agreed on that?
He grinned, sticking out his hand. Of course, yeah, for once!
She laughed again as she shook it, though she almost fell out of bed, seeing that he was seated at the far end of her bed and she had to reach clear across it.
Though Lily didnt, by any means, stop studying, she did ease up on it, sleeping almost regularly and going to meals. True, she brought her books down to the Great Hall and wouldnt let anyone interrupt her study, but still, she was eating. James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter themselves were studying almost franticallyespecially Jameshis mother had threatened to cut his ears off if he didnt get at least a dozen O.W.L.s.
Easter break passed much too quickly for anyone, including the teachers, and very soon it was the third week before school let out; one week before exams. Nervous and jittery, everyone from fifth year up had relinquished all activities except studyingLily even heard James voice the opinion that he was glad they werent doing anything related to Quidditch; that the matches that year had been canceled, because this way theyd had more time for studying. It was the strangest remark Lily had ever heard to come out of James Potters mouth; obviously, the rest of the common room agreed, judging by their bug-like eyes and the flapping mouths.
Lily was flipping through the sixth of seven Defense Against the Dark Arts encyclopedias outside, next to the lake, one afternoon, with several rolls tied up in a napkin, when a shadow fell across her book. She ran her eye over the last sentence on the page, then looked up.
Yes?
Severus smiled. Hello. I havent seen much of you lately.
Lily slipped the corner of the napkin inside her book, shutting it and placing it on her lap. I knowits just the examsthe O.W.L.s She stopped, making several irrelevant hand gestures. I meanyou know how it is.
He nodded. YeahI know. Well, I guess I came over here to ask, in case I forgot laterI wanted to know whether you were going to visit Luciusor methis summer.
Lily frowned. SeverusI dont know. James asked me that, and I told him I had to stay at home, because of my father, but I guess Id have to see.
Severus sat down next to her. Sure. I dont have to have an answer straightaway.
Slightly smiling, Lily reached her hand out, dipping it in the lake, and then flung several droplets over the calm surface. They both sat there in silence as the water rearranged itself in a still sheet of silvery blue-green.
SayLily?
With an effort, Lily detached her eyes from the glittering lake. Yes?
I wanted to ask you this for some timewell, you havent spoken to me much lately.
She shrugged. Weve got exams coming up. Ive been studying.
I know. And every time I see you, youre buried in Volume Thirty-six of Sixty on Extremely Rare Spells that are Extremely Useful in All Sorts of Situations or something like that. But stillI dont knowyouve been around Potter and his friends a lot lately. Thats not why you dont want to see either me or Lucius over the summer, is it? His gaze was almost painful in its pleading.
Lily was rather taken aback. Severuswhat on earth gave you that idea? I should think you know me better than that! Ive got more respect for my friends than to let myself be cajoled out of them by a couple of prats.
He sighed; a sigh of relief. Good. I was worried there for a bit.
Smiling, she elbowed him in the side. Youre not anymore?
Nope. Thanks.
Sure. Anytime.
Coming to see us over the summer?
I said Id see! Listen to me for once, my friend!
I do!
No, I mean really!
They were both in much better moods when they parted; Severus going back up to the castle and Lily re-opening her book and taking a bite out of a biscuit.
That week sped by so quickly that it seemed like merely seconds had passed before the one hundred and forty-five fifth years were herded into a section of the Great Hall to take the Ordinary Wizarding Levels. Placed in every other seat, they were first given a long Transfiguration paper to answer, and then three essays to write.
Lily was one of the only ones to be relieved at the short answers; she had gone over them so many times that she could practically recite the two books she had used for extra reading in Transfiguration. It took them until lunch to finish, and when they did, no one wasnt glad of the existence of ice-cold pumpkin juice, chocolate ice cream, and other cold dishes the house-elves had prepared.
After lunch, they had to stay in the Great Hall, and, one by one, they were called into a room off of the teachers table to perform a tricky bit of Charms; bewitching a desk to whistle a tune and dance around the room; bonus points were given for the amount of figure-eights the desk did and whether or not the song was rather intricate and hard or simply Mary Had a Little Lamb. Lily, having the Queen of the Nights first aria running around in her head, blocking out any other thoughts, had the desk sing that, while gliding across the carpet as if on ice skates. Professor Flitwick was very pleased; he gave her a large grin as she exited the room.
Others didnt do as well, however; Elspeth exited the room with a rather greenish tint to her face. It seemed that the desk had gotten out of control and had done a double flip, wrecking itself and a portrait frame.
That day, everyone felt as if something very large had been taken off of their stomachs; something in the line of iron weights. Next days exams were going to be easier; Professor Cauldwell was giving them ingredients to make a potion with from memory; some of the ingredients they needed, some were just there to confuse them. They were to be making an Advanced Draught of Sleeping Deaththe one the legendary queen used to try to bury Snow White alive. It had been interesting for Lily to learn that the old Muggle fairy tales had been rooted in wizarding legendsthe poisoned apple was actually possible, under the circumstances.
