Overprotected

Chapter 2: Silver Essence

Gryffindors and Slytherins had had potions together for as long as anyone could remember. The class was in one of the lower classrooms in the dungeons where the Slytherin Common Room was rumored to be located.

Horace Slughorn, Potion Master, did not lend easily to the typical stereotype of a Slytherin (which he had been and was head of). He was jolly and outgoing instead of closed and secretive, which his students would have loved, if he didn't play favorites. Students which he thought had exceptional talent would be taken under his wing. Lily was one of the lucky (or unlucky, depending on your perspective) ones. This did however give her an advantage over the others in what she was about to attempt.

"Lily, my dear," Professor Slughorn greeted the younger child. "What can I do for you today?"

"Hello, Professor," she smiled, looking at her walrus-like Professor. All the students had quickly filed out of the classroom as soon as they were dismissed, eager to eat. Only Remus had given Lily a second glance as he left. "I was doing some research after that lesson you gave on silver, and I believe I've found a substitute."

"A substitute?! For silver?! It's nearly impossible to create one with all the same properties but doesn't cause a reaction."

"Here, I brought it with me." Lily pulled a vial out of her bag marked with some strange symbol. The liquid inside was very silver in color, but had gold flakes swirling around in it. She handed it to the older man, who looked at it with a curious delight. "As you know, there's a certain spell that causes anything that is in direct contact with silver to shimmer blue for a moment. So, if I perform that spell now," Lily waved her wand and mumble a simple charm, "you can see that there is no blue in sight."

She was right. The bottle, which the Potions Master expected to at least hint of blue was still completely clear.

"It seems, Lily, my girl, you're right. Not a trace of sliver," Professor Slughorn said becoming excited. Lily basked under the praise. "But does it work?"

"Why don't you try it out yourself?"

He did just that. Right before her eyes, Lily watched the master get to work. A simple sleeping potion was all that he seemed to be cooking up, but that was enough to test. After about half and hour, he was done and grabbed a frog out of the cage that was positioned on the desk. Quickly, the potion went down the animal's throat, and just as quickly, it was asleep.

"Well, look at that," he said with wonder. "I don't believe it. Not a trace of silver and still works like a charm. We've found real talent here. Do you have the recipe for this; I'm sure the Headmaster would love a look."

Lily grabbed a piece of parchment out of her bag and handed it to the Professor. Like always, she had a copy; she was going to need it.

"Well, Professor, I really must go. My friends will worry if I'm too late for lunch." In her head, Lily rolled her eyes; she wasn't planning on even making an appearance at lunch today.

"Oh, of course, Miss Evans. Mind if I keep this sample?"

"Sure. It only takes thirty minutes to brew. Good day, Professor!" Lily called as she headed out the door. Once in the hall, she gave a shout, throwing her hands up and leaping right off the floor. Then, all of her books in tow, the small Gryffindor ran all the way back to the Common Room and up the stairs to the boys' dormitory. She expected the room to be completely deserted (as it was lunch and "growing boys need their energy," as Sirus always put it), but instead, sandy-haired Remus was sitting on his bed. Lily was suddenly swamped by the feeling that he had been waiting for her.

"How long have you been up here?" she questioned.

He shrugged. "I went down for a bite to eat then told them I fancied going to the library. They'll never doubt that. So what are you here for?"

"It worked," she answered mysteriously, opening the door that connected her room to theirs. (Professor McGonagall had moved her here in her third year in the school, much to the delight – most of the time – of all five. Everyone knew that none of the boys would ever dare to hurt her.) Remus followed Lily in. In one corner was a desk, papers strewn all over the place, books filled every bit of spare floor space, and parchment littered the rest. To anyone who knew Lily, this would be quite expected (though maybe in a neater fashion). The only thing that seemed out of place was the classic four-poster bed, draped in crimson. No one would be able to put their finger on the reason, but Lily could tell you that it was because it was the only tidy object in the room, hardly ever being put to use. At first, one wouldn't notice the potion simmering in the corner, but by taking off a simple charm, Lily could quickly make it visible.

"What, exactly, worked?"

"This," said Lily with a triumphant grim, holding up a vile of silvery matter, an exact copy of what she had shown Professor Slughorn.

"Silver?" asked the werewolf suspiciously.

"Silver essence. Not a trace of silver in it but still works like a charm. Slughorn verified that fifteen minutes ago. Go on, give it a try."

Remus cautiously took what the red-head held out to him. Silver wasn't exactly lethal to him, not in human form anyway, but it would cause severe burns. As he put his hands around the container, he expected to feel them heat up. They didn't. Slowly, the cap was removed, and Remus put his finger closer and closer to the slivery liquid.

"Do you know any healing?" he asked, his finger hovering above the essence.

"Minor charms," Lily answered. "You won't need them."

"I'm holding you to that."

"Just go already!"

Closing his eyes, Remus stuck his finger in. As it was submerged, he expected pain, but none came. He opened his eyes to Lily with another triumphant look on her face.

"You're amazing!" he exclaimed and hugged her, after putting all he was holding down. "Where did you find this? As far as I know, there aren't any know substitutes."

"Now there are," she replied with a grin. "Slughorn was impressed too, more than he wanted to admit."

"You came up with this?"

Lily turned away and mumbled, "Yeah."

"You're brilliant!"

She started blushing and began to busy herself with the potion so she didn't have to show her face.

"Is there anything you need me to do?" Remus asked.

"Actually, yes," Lily replied. "We have a free period, and I need you to keep the boys away from here."

"That'll be difficult, especially since you weren't at lunch. They'll want to make sure you're okay."

"That's why you have to do this for me. Tell them you saw me in the library earlier, whatever. I just need half an hour."

"I'll try my best, Lils," Remus said turning to leave, but she didn't even hear him, already working furiously on the potion in front of her, muttering to herself.

Remus shook his head, knowing she didn't notice him anymore, and he exited her room going into his own dormitory. He grabbed the first book his eyes fell on. After all, James and Sirus weren't exactly the most enlightened people to talk to, and nothing was to say they'd even be in the Common Room; they were pranksters after all. So, with book in hand, he walked out of the room. Remus saw the three from the stairs, sitting in front of the fire, as they always did.

"Hey, Remus!" one called. He suspected it was Peter.

"Where've you been?" another asked, Sirus probably.

"Library, like I said," Remus answered. "Then came back here to get some work done."

"Have you seen Lily lately?" This one was bound to come from James.

"She didn't show up at lunch?" Remus pretended he had no clue where their flower was.

"No."

"That's odd. I didn't see her leave Slughorn's room."

"I'm sure she'll show up, mate," Sirus said, clapping James on the back. "You know she won't miss McGonagall's class."

Forty minutes later, Lily came out of her room. She had been trying to get the fumes out of her room, and it had taken a little longer than anticipated. Plus, her robes had splashes of silver and other ingredients, so she had to change them, or they would know she had been up to something. Standing on the stairs, she saw the same scene Remus had only with one addition. He was sitting on the edge so maybe she would say thanks without the rest noticing. They looked a little out of it anyway.

Quietly, Lily glided over to her sandy-haired friend. Just as she got there, a voice stopped her.

"Lily! We haven't seen you all day!"

"You saw me in potions, Black." Surnames came into play when the petit red-head was angry (he did blow her cover), usually preferring to use those than blow her top. It worked, most of the time.

"You weren't at lunch, and the free period's more than half way over. Where've you been, Flower?" Sirus tried this time.

"I was–"

"Slughorn's room," James interjected quickly. "Then you disappeared. Checked the library; only Remus."

"And how do you know?"

"New technology, Lily dear."

"You've been spying on me again?! I tell you, Potter, I helped create that map. I could destroy it, too!"

"You wouldn't dare!" There were collective gasps all around.

"Or I could just take myself off it," Lily finished with a triumphant air. "So, watch it, Potter!"

Lily stormed out of the Common Room, even the older students jumping out of her way. The four Marauders just watched her go, not one of them daring to follow her. Suddenly, James sprung up.

"I wouldn't–" Sirus had on the tip of his tongue.

"I'm not," James answered before his friend could finish. "I'll be at the pitch."

He was talking about the Quidditch Pitch. Lately, any time James got upset or angry, he would disappear to there for hours.

"Have you noticed that these spats are getting worse and worse?" Remus questioned once James had left.

"They'll mope for days," Peter put in. "Even I can see that!"

"Exactly. And James doesn't bounce back as quickly in Lily's eyes anymore," Sirus added. "They're more frequent, too. Three already this week!"

"He's taking the protecting a little too seriously," Remus continued.

"He's still afraid of Luke!" Peter blurted out suddenly. The other two just started, and Peter stared to doubt his answer.

"Pete, you're right!" Sirus said with astonishment.

"Aren't we all, though?" Remus asked after a minute. "Six years older and an Auror. Who wouldn't be?"

"True, anyone would have to be crazy not to, but James does fancy her. How would that look to Luke if he let anything happen?" Sirus shed more light on the situation.

That question hung in the air. What else could be said that they hadn't before? It was true though. In their first year, the four boys had looked up to Luke Evans, seventh year, Prefect. When they found out he had a sister coming in the next year, they vowed to take her under their protective wings. Luke was skeptic. After all, they were already causing trouble back then. He didn't want to hear about his favorite sister ending up as a victim. So they gave him promise after promise, and he threatened to hex their heads off if Lily told him anything even slightly negative. That next year was when this unbreakable bond of friendship was formed. Lily, of course, was terrified when these four older boys snatched her away from her brother, but he reassured her with a smile and a wave that it would all be okay. That's how these five friends came to be.

"Should someone go get James?" questioned Peter after a good elapse of time.

"Why?"

"Well, it's storming and there's only 20 minutes 'till McGonagall's class."

"Good idea, Pete," Remus praised. "Who'll go get him?"

"I'll go," Sirus said simply. "She'll expect me to be late anyway."
With that, the dark-haired, dark-eyed boy left the Common Room. Remus turned to the only one left.

"Come on. We might as well start to get ready to go."

"With 20 minutes left?" Peter asked.

"To see if we can spot Lily." At that, Peter jumped up and headed into their dormitory. Remus followed, a little more slowly but just as eager. As soon as the two were ready, they ventured into the great castle, walking in the direction of the Transfiguration room but keeping their eyes open for Lily the whole time.