What are Friends For?

She flopped onto the soft, plump armchair in the Gryffindor Common room, dropping her bag beside her – her red hair flaring behind her as she lay her head against the armrest. A groan escaped her lips as she ran her fingers across her face and through her hair in frustration. Beside her another person sat, folding their legs beneath them. A moment later a third body found its way to the couches and made up the trifecta. The first, Lily, looked to her friends – after scraping her fingers back down her face. She opened her mouth to speak but could not find the words, so instead let out a loud, "Argh!" and threw her head back again.

A small smile appeared on the face of the girl beside her and, as she rest her hand on Lily's knee, she said:
"It'll be okay." In return she received Lily's mothers' trademark glare.
"Okay?! Althaia, how will it be okay?"
"Lily, you might be overreacting?" The third member of the group said more harshly.
"Hugo! I failed. I failed a paper and my mum's going to kill me!" Lily said shrilly, gathering the attention of the few other students in the room.
"She won't –" Hugo began, but was quickly cut off.
"It's a paper on my own father. I should be able to at least pass!" She reached into her bag and retrieved the parchment, reading aloud the inked remarks. "Could have gone into better detail. Shows lack of commitment or understanding – T." She put extra emphasis on the 't' as she read. Lily looked pointedly at her friends as she held out the essay, titled 'the Boy Who Lived through the Second Wizarding War', for them to see. "No, my parents won't be mad as a copy of this is sent to them."

Hugo glanced at Althaia and sighed as she shrugged her shoulders. Lily, who felt her friends did not understand her impending doom, continued:
"It would be almost as bad as Gus failing one of his dad's Herbology exams, or a muggleborn failing Muggle studies." Althaia coughed to cover a chuckle as she imagined that scenario.

The three Gryffindors sat silently for a moment before Lily softly said, "I'm thinking of leaving school, growing a beard and joining the circus." Hugo chuckled lightly.
"Stop being so dramatic, Lils," he sighed, pushing her shoulder playfully. Althaia smiled at her friends.
"You'd look good with a beard," she joked, stroking her own chin playfully.
"Thanks," Lily replied.
"But I think they're going to be fine with it," Althaia said honestly. Lily smiled.
"I know… thanks guys."
"But, you might have to rewrite it…" Hugo pointed out, earning a low groan from his cousin.
"You ruined this lovely moment, Weasley," Lily scoffed, but he just smiled.
"I try!"


A/N: Words – 478

Chocolate Frog – Lily Luna Potter (bonus)

Quote – "I'm thinking of leaving school, growing a beard and joining the circus." – Cassie, Skins.