Welcome back to another installment of 'Before the Beginning'!

I hope you're enjoying the story; I'm having a lot of fun writing and researching for it.

December 22nd, 1971

"Hey, Lily!"

I look up from One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi and put my quill down. Severus is trying to catch my attention.

"Yes?"

"Would you like to- that is- would you mind-"

"Spit it out, Snivellus," James Potter whispers from his table. "Or maybe we should call you Stutterus."

Rolling my eyes, I turn back to Severus. "What were you trying to say?"

"Would you like to eat lunch with me today?"

I nod. I'd been eating with Alice everyday and, on the occasion, Remus, when he wasn't surrounded by James and his posse. Severus had made been hanging out with Mulciber and some of his group, or at least that's what it looked like to me. They were always sneaking around, and I never really got a good idea as to what they did together.

"Oooooooh, Stutterus managed to get a lunch date!" the voice I know all too well taunts.

"Zip it, James."

"Ooh, what're you gonna do about it, Evans?"

"I'll tell Professor McGonagall that you've been sneaking out after hours."

He clutches at his heart dramatically. "You wouldn't! Oh, please, whatever shall I do?"

I open my mouth to respond, but Professor Slughorn cuts me off. "Students, at this point you should be almost finished with your essays. I'll be around to collect them."

I quickly write my name on top of my parchment and hope that I wrote enough. 16 inches ought to be plenty.

Professor Slughorn walks over to Alice's and my table and takes my essay, reading the first few lines. I watch his lips move and he smiles. "Brava, Miss Evans! A very good job indeed." He smiles at me and proceeds to James' and Peter Pettigrew's table.

The bell chimes and I gather up my books.

"Hey," Severus says as I sit down next to him at the Slytherin table.

"Hello," I take a sandwich and unfold my napkin. "Have you heard at all from your family?"

His face clouds. "No." He doesn't say anything else.

"Will you be staying here for the holidays, then?"

He nods.

"Oh."

He looks up at me and his eyes meet mine. "You're leaving, I take it?"

"Well, yes. I can hardly stand the idea of not seeing my mum or dad or Petunia during Christmas."

Grunt.

"Will you write me?" I ask him.

A smile spreads across his lips. "Of course."

I smile back at him. Then Mulciber and his friend, Avery, materialize as they so often do and sit down on the other side of Severus. "Hey, Ginger," Mulciber says slyly as he winks at me. "You're far away from home, aren't you?"

I look him in the eyes. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, Mudbloods think they're so smart. It's no wonder she hangs out with filth like Remus Lupin," He laughs. "Go back to Gryffindor."

I have absolutely no idea what he just said, but something in my heart doesn't feel right.

Severus raises his voice. "Take that back!"

Mulciber laughs again. "Come on, I was just having a little fun."

"Didn't sound that way. Don't talk about Lily or her friends like that."

"Whatever." Mulciber stands up. "Come on, Avery, let's go."

I watch them as they walk away. I don't say anything.

"Lily?"

"Yes?"

"Are you all right?" Severus' face is full of concern.

I don't answer his question. "What does it mean? What he called me?"

He pauses. "Nothing."

"It didn't sound like nothing to me."

He doesn't respond to me, and I'm stunned and confused. The bell chimes, and I say goodbye to him as I gather my books and leave for Transfiguration.

I'm still confused by the end of the day. Remus and I walk back to the common room together after Herbology.

"Lily, are you all right?"

"What do you mean?"

"You've been very quiet today."

I sigh. I tell him what happened at lunch that day, and I explain word-for-word what Mulciber said. "He called me a... a Mudblood, I think."

Remus gasps. "He didn't!"

"I'm quite positive that he did. What does it mean?"

He looks at the ground. "It's not very nice."

"So I gathered. Please tell me. It's worse to not know the truth."

He looks up at me. "It means exactly what it sounds like... dirty blood. That's what they call wizards and witches who are Muggle-born."

"I see."

"Don't let it get to you. I know... lots of people who have been called horrible names and looked down upon. But you're strong, Lily. Just ignore it."

We smile at each other. It's good to have a friend who you can confide in.

The next evening, Alice and I board the train for London. We can feel the excitement in the air as we travel home for the holidays.

The trip flies by, and before we know it, we're at King's Cross Station. I put on my coat and hat, and hug her goodbye.

I step off the train, and suddenly I'm in Mummy's arms and I'm holding on tight. All thoughts of the previous week are forgotten as I am reunited with my family. This is the greatest Christmas gift of all.

I know that this chapter was a bit short in comparison to Chapter 1, but the next one proves to be quite long.

Please leave me a Review, I'd love to have your input!

Happy Holidays,

~cphfairies