A/N: Insert disclaimer here. Worship JK rowling's world here. Note that story is NOT finished and subject to editing. Have a lovely day.
Oh, and this is actually a Severus/Lily :P It's getting there. Please R&R. No more author notes I promise.
Chapter 1: Clean your pockets
Lily Evans stared distastefully into the mirror. It seemed that not a year went by without her height rising another five inches.
"Will I ever stop growing?" she pondered to the figure in the mirror? She knew she would, but it didn't stop her questioning it. Especially as she flung her robes into a pile – they had barely fitted her chest and were far too short. Madam Mankins' would be happy to see her again.
She examined her body. It certainly wasn't gorgeous... but it had certainly improved in the past few years. It did look horribly stretched. She would have to grow her hair a bit.
"Lil!"
Petunia's voice broke in, and Lily snatched up her jeans, rather annoyed at her vanity. There was another rap at the door.
"May I borrow a pound for the bus?" Petunia asked dully through the door, very politely she noticed with a smirk.
"Hang on a minute," Lily called as she dug for a top, "I'll bring it out with the washing." She scooped up a pile of robes, socks, and pajamas; throwing her wallet on top under her chin. Petunia followed her through to the laundry, and grabbed the wallet as she pushed the clothes into a small wicker basket.
"Where are you going anyway?" Lily asked.
Petunia scowled. "Billy needs a few hours covered while he takes off to the football. I promised I'd take them." She stuffed the money in her jacket pocket. "Of course, if he doesn't pay me double, I'll tell the boss what he's really up to. Said it was a family event he couldn't excuse himself from."
Lily chuckled. "I'm guessing it'll be busy tonight then?" While she couldn't see reason why football was so fantastic, nor why the pub Petunia was waitressing at 2 nights a week managed to stay in business, she was pleased Petunia worked there. Although they got on well enough, it was nice to have her out of the house sometimes.
Petunia just rolled her eyes and left. A yes then.
Lily sighed and wandered back to her room, flopping down on the bed. There was a heavy thud as her textbooks slid of onto the floor in a heap. Actually, she mused as she pulled her head up from the pillows, there was stuff everywhere. The Hogwarts letter was lying unopened on her desk, amongst a spray of quills and parchment. A potions kit was lying open, she should really replace the beetle droppings, they were starting to ferment in the heat. Her suitcase was open and overflowing with stacks of parchment from last year, they should really be moved to a box to stop them fading. And who knew when her wand had last been seen. Ah, Summer...
"Lily Evans, just what do you call this?" Her mum was calling from the laundry. She jumped, and remembered when she had last worn those robes.
"Look, I can explain. I managed to rip the sleeve when..."
"You did what? No... It's not that. But you should really clean out your pockets."
Lily had grabbed the robes by now, checking for anything else. There was a small roll of parchment in her mum's hands. She was looking at it in distaste.
"So, who thinks you should eat a dungbomb?"
Lily flushed scarlet. "Potter, of course." She took the note and stuffed it in her pockets. "I'll chuck it out later."
"You really do have delightful friends at school, my dear. I would love to meet them." The hint of sarcasm, well, wasn't very hint-like.
"Most of them are fine, mum. It's just a few, and they do cause a lot of trouble, but mostly they stay out of my way." Lily made a mental note to remind James exactly how far. "Advantage to having authority, I guess."
Her mother just smiled. Then handed her a small pile of coins, more parchment, a collection of safety pins, a empty ink bottle, a handful of honeydukes wrappers and a length of fine chain. "As I said dear, clean your pockets. And make sure you get your father something nice. He's driving you to London tomorrow."
Finally! After asking about it for weeks, she finally had a ride. Lily grinned. "I can't wait."
