Three months at Hogwarts and now Lily Evans finally felt completely comfortable. When she received her letter she was so excited but she was also really shocked. She didn't know anything about the wizarding world only that some of the students at the school would be muggle born, like she was, and some would have parents who were witches and wizards.

Lily was really worried.

What if she couldn't do anything magical? What if she was the worst in her year? What if she got there and they made a mistake? What if she wasn't really a witch?

However, that was three months ago. She was now confident in her abilities. She could keep up in her classes with every other student and better than some. She was a really hard worker and she had made some great friends.

She also had made one really great friend. The very best friend type, the kind of person who would be there with you until the very end, no matter what. This friend would stand right beside her.

They met on the train ride to school. All the other compartments on the train had loads of people in them so Lily chose one that had only one other girl. She asked if she could sit and then they just started talking.

They never stopped talking until they reached the school.

Rhiannon Belladonna and Lily Evans had done what girls had been doing for centuries before them. They became best friends in just one single night. In a matter of minutes, or second perhaps, they forged a friendship that would stick through boys, classes, fights, and tears.

The only little hiccup in the friendship was that they were sorted into different houses. Rhiannon was the third first year to sit under the tattered sorting hat when it confidently called out Ravenclaw. When Lily's turn came she hoped for the same house until she heard the shout of Gryffindor!

Over the next few days the two barely saw each other. They only had two classes together which didn't allow for much talking. In Transfiguration both girls were too intimidated to talk to each other. Professor McGonagall was just a bit terrifying. In Potions they were seated apart and you had to pay strict attention to what you were doing in order to do the assignment correctly.

They both also noticed that at Hogwarts the houses didn't really intermingle. Ravenclaw students had Ravenclaw friends, sat together at meals, studied together, and just generally spent all their time together. The same was true with Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, and Slytherin. Both girls wondered if maybe they just shouldn't be friends.

Two stupid boys from Gryffindor answered that question for them.

The boys were Sirius Black and James Potter. Both had met on the train and had been sizing each other up while forming close friendship. Now boys will get to bragging if they have the chance and during a Transfiguration lesson in the second week of classes one Sirius Black dared one James Potter to transfigure two items into loudly croaking frogs.

Then James Potter did it. The frogs went flying landing on the books of Lily and Rhiannon who instantly drew their wands and received all the blame.

Detention.

It was the first time since the train ride they had a chance to speak to each other. After blasting both boys in their character and behavior they decided they would never EVER have anything to do with either of them. They also made a pack to stay best friends regardless of houses they were in. They thought Headmaster Dumbledore would approve. He did mention something about uniting the houses on the first day of school but both girls were so nervous then that neither could remember what it was exactly.

The night ended with giggling, talking about boys, classes, and their houses. They made a deal to sit together everyday at breakfast alternating sitting at each houses' table. They also made a deal to study together every day in the library.

A plan for revenge on the stupid boys would be crafted over the next couple of days.

At breakfast the next day Rhiannon got some really weird looks when she sat next to Lily and her roommates at the Gryffindor table. The older Ravenclaw students thought it was just a matter of time until "that first year girl" figured out she should sit with her own house. They didn't count on everyone liking her so much at the Gryffindor table. Lily's reception at the Ravenclaw table would be the same.

Next they set off to find Professor Slughorn and Professor McGonagall.

They found Professor Slughorn first and asked, if in the spirit of house unity, if they could sit together during Potions class. When he didn't answer right away Rhiannon just happened to mention that two of her older brothers were Unspeakables for the Ministry of Magic. He then said he thought that was a wonderful idea and invited them to a party he was throwing next week for a group of some of the "best and brightest".

Next they found Professor McGonagall who told them, in no uncertain terms and rather loudly, they would NOT be allowed to sit together. Even the "Spirit of House Unity" could not persuade her. The girls had discussed this previously and decided that "drama" would work best for McGonagall. Then they claimed that they would each drink a bottle of Veritaserum to prove that they did NOT transfigure that parchment into frogs. Only after much pleading and thoughts mentioned out loud of Unbreakable Vows did the Professor say she would think about it.

Happily they went off to classes.

During the next Potions class several people noticed that they sat together.

During the next Transfiguration class Professor McGonagall called them to the front of class and had them sit together, albeit in the very front and center of the room just in case of another frog incident.

They had done it!

Now it was three months to the day after they first met and Lily had arrived in the Library to study for a History of Magic exam with Rhiannon. It was weird because Rhiannon was late. That girl was NEVER late.

Ahhhh….here she comes.

"What took you so long? Your late! I figured the world had ended or at the very least the Ravenclaw common room burned to the ground." Lily said.

"The Ravenclaw common room can't be burned down. There is some sort of charm that makes it impossible."

"How do you know that?" Lily replied.

"My father gave me a copy of Hogwarts, A History when I received my letter. I read it in there. It is really interesting. You can borrow it if you like."

Lily made a face but said, "Maybe over Christmas break. I have too much homework lately to think of reading for pleasure!"

"Well don't worry about that right now. I have been busy being brilliant today. That is why I am late. I came up with the most remarkable idea and my brother helped me fulfill it."

"One of the brothers who is an Unspeakable?" Lily asked.

"Oh no! They would never help me do anything that was against the rules. A boring lot they are. No my brother Oliver."

"The one who is a werewolf?" Lily said rather loudly.

"Shhh! Keep your voice down! He doesn't want anyone to know" Rhiannon replied in a furious whisper.

"Why? Why is it such a secret? You told me what happened with that man….Greatbeck…was his name?"

"Fenrir Greyback. It's a secret because my brother wants it that way. Werewolves are discriminated against in the wizarding world. They receive really bad treatment not only from the Ministry but from wizards themselves!" Rhiannon replied looking very sad.

"But that isn't fair! It's not like he asked to be bit!" Lily replied true to the faithful friend that she was.

Rhiannon smiled. Really and truly smiled. "That is why I like you so much. You see everyone for what they are. Not with any prejudice. I love Oliver. He is my favorite brother. No amount of bites by anything would ever change that. We are only 13 months apart in age. He should be a second year here but he refused to come. I understand why he feels that way but I hate that he has to deal with it."

Both girls were lost in thought for the next few minutes.

Neither girl noticed the other first year Gryffindor sitting behind the bookshelves. He was shy and quiet and presently lost in thought. Remus Lupin was thinking about what he just overheard and straining to hear what was now being said.

Lily broke the silence.

"What was it you wanted to tell me? What was your great idea?"

Rhiannon was shaken back to earth by her friend.

Then she smiled a truly wicked smile. "I have an idea."