June 1976

Chapter 1- Friday

It all starts with a bet.

If she really thought about it, Lily Evans would probably say that it started when she stepped off the Hogwarts Express at the age of 11 and met the two dark-haired, wicked-eyed boys who would become known as "Black and Potter," or alternatively "The biggest berks I've ever met." But in her mind, the series of very strange events that heralded the last few weeks of her sixth year at Hogwarts would never have happened as they did if she hadn't placed the stupid bet with Sirius Black. And the bet begins one lovely, sun-drenched Friday afternoon.

It's double Charms with the Hufflepuffs, which is usually a good thing. Lily admires Professor Flitwick, and is generally pretty good at Charms. She, Dorcas Meadowes and Mary McDonald typically make a point of sticking together (being the three most sensible Gryffindor sixth-year girls, in Lily's opinion), but this particular day they are joined by Alice Fortescue. in their year in Hufflepuff. The class is still struggling its way through using non-verbal spells, which Lily finds to be particularly difficult, and they're supposed to be charming goblets filled with vinegar to wine without using any words. Mary, looking very pleased with herself, has already managed it. Lily can't do non-verbal spells well without a great deal of concentration, and she can't concentrate because of two sniggering voices sitting a few rows back from her.

She isn't alone.

"Mister Black!" Professor Flitwick has apparently had enough as well, unusual for him. He's usually quite accommodating of chatter in his classes, but today his eyes are narrowed. "If you don't mind keeping your voice down—your wine looks excellent, by the way, I don't know how you managed to turn it into a nice Chianti like that though I must applaud you on it. But the rest of this class is trying very hard to accomplish this and they probably find it very difficult to manage anything expensive with you carrying on as you do. If something is that important that you and Mister Potter must discuss it right now, you can tell the whole class."

Sirius Black, long dark hair, aristocratic bone structure, flashing grey eyes, smirks.

"Nothing so terribly important, professor," he starts and Lily rolls her eyes, preparing herself for the oncoming wave of bullshit. "I'm just in a really brilliant mood. Though of course it's hard not to, seeing dulcet tones and rather enviable whiskers for two solid hours on a Friday afternoon!"

He has the rest of the class's attention and he knows it. He grins. James Potter grins. Even Dorcas snorts, then tries to cover it up with a cough. Flitwick sighs good-humouredly. He seems to know what is coming.

"What on earth could make you happier than that?" he says.

"Well," Black shrugs nonchalantly. "I had sausages for breakfast, it's a beautiful sunny day and my afternoon is stretching wide and free in front of me—"

"With the exception of the essay I'm assigning you for homework, I hope," Flitwick interjects.

"Of course! Of course. And once I finish it, I plan to frolic across the lawn and tickle the giant squid. I've got a box of extra dark chocolate from Honeydukes hiding under my bed, a pretty great prank to plan, the last Quidditch match of the year on the horizon and maybe most importantly Professor, I've just started a new relationship and I'm really cheerful about it!"

"Be that as it may, please kindly refrain from discussing the particulars of your love life in my class, Mister Black." Sirius winks. "Mister Pettigrew, do not drink from that goblet! I assure you it will be quite disappointing. Back to work!"

And the class resumes order.

Black is right about one thing—it is a beautiful afternoon. Lily manages to successfully changes her vinegar to a passable Chardonnay, stays to help Flitwick clear up and then heads out onto the Hogwarts front lawn to meet Mary, Dorcas, Alice and Amelia Bones under their usual sun-dappled spot on the grass. They're stretched out underneath a tree and Lily joins them, slinging her bag off her shoulder and sitting down in the cool grass. It's May, just warm enough for Lily to want to kick off her shoes and tie her hair out of her face, and not a cloud in sight. Lily is preparing to close her eyes and enjoy the sun when Mary brings it up.

"So who's Sirius Black dating, then?" she asks, blonde hair spilling over her arms, which are crossed under her head.

"Who cares," Lily mutters.

"No, it is a fair question," Alice, brown bob, warm brown eyes and dimples, agrees. "Usually he brags about it, you know? Wants everyone to know who he's messing about with. And he has been all cheerful lately but he hasn't said anything."

"Hasn't hexed Snape in a solid week, it feels like," Amelia, who has dark curls and sensible glasses and a perfect hourglass figure, adds.

"Both of them deserve to get hexed," Lily is not in the mood to discuss Black or Snape right now. "And any girl willing to date Sirius Black's missing half a brain to begin with."

"He's not so bad," Dorcas argues.

All four girls look sharply up at her.

"And it isn't me!" Dorcas protests. "That was one kiss, and it was fourth year and I was very ill informed, thanks."

"It's someone, you're right Mary," Amelia agrees contemplatively. "He's acting far too happy considering that Gryffindor is playing Slytherin for the Cup next week. Usually he's all on edge."

"He's not because he knows, like I know, that we're gonna win!" Mary says.

"Hm," Amelia says. She's in Ravenclaw and while she doesn't play Quidditch herself, her brother does and her loyalty is first and foremost to him. Ravenclaw came very close to beating Gryffindor but lost spectacularly a few weeks ago. Amelia is still bitter about it. Poor Alice, in Hufflepuff, has been out of the running for ages.

Luckily, loud shouting and splashing from the lake interrupt what probably would have been a pretty nasty argument. Peter Pettigrew and Sirius are leaping around in the lake, trousers rolled up over their knees. One of the giant squid's tentacles is waving lazily in the air, splashing water at them as they bellow and shout and shove each other. James is lying on his stomach underneath a nearby tree, the one the four Gryffindor boys usually claim during the spring months. His shirtsleeves are rolled up over his elbows and he's making notes on a roll of parchment; probably Quiddich plans and not an essay, Lily thinks. Remus Lupin is stretched out on the grass next to him with his book bag under his head, his eyes closed.

"You would have to be mad though," Alice says.

"So it's got to be someone he's not keen to show off!" Mary says.

"I feel like one of us would have noticed something, don't you?" Alice says. "Frank hasn't mentioned anything to me, and they're pretty good mates."

"Maybe she goes to another school?" Mary suggests. They watch Sirius dance backwards out of the water and towards the tree where his friends are sitting.

"Maybe someone Muggleborn?" Dorcas asks. "And he doesn't want his family or his brother to find out so he's been really secretive about it?"

Mary claps her hands. "Forbidden romance!" she cackles.

"I don't know if he's got the depth," Amelia says.

"He does. He just hides it well," Dorcas argues.

"Oh honestly," Lily snaps. "If you're so interested, why don't you just ask him yourself?"

"Maybe I will," Mary says. "If I can't figure it out first."

"SIRIUS BLACK IF YOU DRIP ON MY BOOKS I WILL DESTROY EVERYTHING YOU LOVE," Remus bellows suddenly from the lake, and Sirius dashes away up the lawn cackling madly, water flying out of his hair.

"Ugh," Lily says.