Chapter Two

Lily walked through the warm common room. The couches were full of socializing students. Sirius Black sat on a crimson love seat, near the fire, with his newest girlfriend. She was blonde fifth year, who did not know that to date Sirius Black only ended in a broken heart. Lily sat down in an armchair next to Remus Lupin, the only friend of James that she liked. Remus' light sandy brown hair covered his eyes as he deeply engrossed himself in a textbook.

"Hi, Remus," Lily said. "I see that you are a prefect again this year."

"Oh, Lily," Remus jerked his head up as though he had just been ripped from another world. "Yes, I guess Dumbledore thought I did a good enough job."

"How was your summer?" Lily asked.

"It was long," Remus sighed, but then smiled. "I am happy to be back home."

"What N.E.W.T. classes do you think you'll take?" Lily glanced at the large fire place and could that James was staring over at the two of them. A little frown painted on his face.

"The usual," Remus said. "And yourself?"

"I am looking forward to potions," Lily smiled.

"Of course you would," Remus said. "You are only the best in our class, if not the whole school."

"Severus' helps me sometimes," Lily blushed. It was true that she was exceptional at potions. Severus and herself had found new ways to better potion making. It had earned her invitations to Professor Slughorn's little parties.

"Hello, Remus," James stood in front of them.

"Hi, James," Remus looked a little guilty. Lily rolled her eyes. Would she ever be rid of this curse? "Well, I better get going. See you later, Lily." Remus stood up swiftly and walked up the stairs to his dormitory.

"How was the train ride, Lily?" James smiled as he seated himself in Remus' vacated armchair.

"Why did you make Remus leave?" Lily scowled at James perfectly white smile that made girls swoon.

"I didn't make him leave," James sounded offended that his questioned had been answered by another question.

"Yes, you did," Lily stood up to go, but James grabbed her arm.

"No, you don't have to go."

"I do," Lily yanked her arm out of his grasp. "Stupid prat!" she mumbled just loud enough for him to hear as she stomped up the stairs.

The schedules were handed out at breakfast by Professor McGonangall. Lily reviewed hers, after eating toast and eggs. Her first class was potions with Slytherin. She smiled and looked over at the Severus, who was frowning as usual. His chin length black hair was a little unkempt, but it didn't bother Lily. She finished her juice and left the Great Hall to go to Professor Slughorn's classroom in the Dungeons.

"Wait for me," She turned to see Severus walking briskly to her. "Did you really think you could rid yourself of me that easily?"

"I'll have to do better next time," Lily giggled. Severus could have a sense of humor from time to time.

"So we have potions together again," Severus led the way to their favorite class.

"Yes, I am so excited for this year!" Lily exclaimed. "All the new potions we get to learn!" They waited in the hallway outside Professor Slughorn's class. He was most likely still at lunch.

"Do you want to go to the lake Friday night?" Lily asked. "You know as something to do after we finish all of our homework?"

"Alright, as long as we don't swim," Severus grimaced.

"Why? You afraid someone might see your gray undies? Because to late, everyone already has," Sirius snickered. James stood next to him and Remus was not to far behind, his nose deep in a book.

"Wont you ever leave us alone!" Lily yelled. Before James could say a smart retort back at her, Professor Slughorn rounded the corner.

"Ah, nice to see students are waiting eagerly outside my door," He chuckled, while unlocking the door. Lily marched inside towards a table at the front. Severus close behind her.

"I hate those boys," Lily hissed as Severus sat down next to her.

"Don't I know it," Severus said.

"I hate how they treat me like I am some doll that needs to be saved," She fumed. "Or how they treat you! I don't see how either of those boys have fan clubs."

"Hey, Lily," James whispered from behind her. She scooted closer to her stained table, ignoring him. More students from Slytherin and Gryffindor filed into the room and seated themselves.

"Wonderful to see you all," Professor Slughorn stood at the front of the class in his dark blue waistcoat and trousers. "We shall be learning about some more complicated potions that we will be making this year." Slughorn began to lecture about new plants and herbs they would be using. Lily scribbled down notes, until she noticed that Severus was scribbling in his potions book.

"What are you doing, Sev?" Lily whispered.

"Just writing notes," Severus closed the book, secretively. Lily eyed him for a second than decided to give up for now. Severus could be so hard to get things out of sometimes. At the end of class Slughorn came up to Lily's desk.

"I hope you will be attending the Slug Club party. It's this weekend, Miss Evans," He smiled cheerfully. Slughorn had rosy cheeks and was balding.

"Oh, of course, I wouldn't miss it," Lily smiled.

"Excellent! It is sort of back-to-school party. Feel free to bring a guest," Slughorn chortled, his walrus like moustache wiggled.

At the end of the day, Lily was packed with homework. She ate dinner quickly and rushed to her to the common room to start working on it. It was raining outside and occasionally a strike of lighting would brighten the window where she sat. Writing about transfiguration can be so dull sometimes, Lily thought mournfully, wishing she could be outside.

Several first years were snacking on Bertie Bott's beans and would yelp loudly when they got one that was vomit or pepper. Alice came and sat down in the cushy armchair next to Lily and one of the many windows in Gryffindor Tower.

"How were your classes today?"

"Oh, they were fine," Lily scribbled a few more words on her parchment than decided to give up.

"So who are you going to take to the Slug Club party? I know you were invited," Alice added.

"I haven't really thought much about it, but probably Severus," Lily watched Alice smile, but Lily knew that Alice must be thinking that she was insane for hanging around a boy whose friend were rumored to be obsessed with the dark arts.

"You know, you could at least give Potter a chance. I mean he has been drooling over you since we first arrived at Hogwarts," Alice said, nodding towards James, who was chatting up a seventh year brunette by the fireplace.

"Not even in his dreams," Lily grimaced.

"Oh, come on, Lily, he isn't that bad looking," Alice giggled.

"He is an arrogant air head who tries to hard," She avoided the thought of James being good looking, which he was, but she would never admit that to anyone.

"I am just saying that if you keep this game up, you might have James Potter's death on your hands," Alice said.

"I'll live," Lily stood up. "I am going to bed."