Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the characters
The trainees were woken before the sun came up, but Lily had already expected that. From the little bit that her bothers had told her about their experience Lily knew two things. Firstly that she would not sleep well for the next year, probably the rest of her life. Secondly that there was a lot more to training than knowing spells, and she would learn how to survive in the war.
They started with the initial PT test, which Lily knew she would fail before they entered the gym. Cam eyed all the girls, as if calculating which would pass the test, and those that were wasting their time. He paused at Lily, but didn't seem to come to a conclusion. Marlow hadn't spoken much since he woke the trainees up, only sneering as the sleepy, miserable faces emerged from their dorms. Lily was surprised when he left them with no further instruction.
"What the hell?" Eric snapped. He was clearly not a morning person. "He wakes us up before dawn and then just dumps us here. What is this some kind of sick joke?" Lily had to admit there was some sense to his logic, but before she could agree with him she was cut off.
"I'm Frank Longbottom. I will be evaluated your physical tests, and helping you prepare for further evaluations that will determine you eligibility to stay at this training facility." Lily briefly evaluated the man in front of her. He seemed vaguely familiar, like many faces, but it was his large build that struck her. He was not particularly tall, but held himself well. He was handsome, and probably in his mid twenties, though that was only a guess on Lily's part. Before she could thoroughly examine his face he clapped his hands together and called out a name off the chart he held under his arm. "Don't just sit around while I evaluate individuals."
Lily and Eric took that cue and headed toward the weights. Tash wondered off in another direction, which Lily didn't pay attention to. The two didn't talk, mainly due to the effort Lily had to exert while she tried to lift more than she could handle. Finally her name was called and she was led into a smaller room with several machines she couldn't even fathom working.
"Lily Potter," the man, Frank Longbottom, said as she entered the room.
"Yes," Lily said, still eyeing the machinery. He followed her line of site, and smiled down at his paper.
"I haven't seen you in years. You probably don't even remember me, but I used to babysit you." He gestured for her to take a seat, and as she did, began hooking her up to several wires. "Nothing to worry about. First I just have to test your vitals, make sure you are fit according to the machines."
Lily nodded and put her hand on the table, and relaxed herself as much as she could.
"How's little Rosie?" Frank asked without looking up at Lily as he continued to hook up wires, first to her arms and then her neck, and finally her legs.
"She's not so little anymore," Lily said without thinking. Rose was almost a head taller than Lily. "She lives out in the country. Away from the war. Away from all this." She said the last part without thinking. Frank finally looked up from his papers, with an unreadable expression.
"She always was smart," was all he said and then smiled. "You know she asked me to marry her when she was four. I was eight, so naturally I wanted no part of that."
"She lives in a little house filled with books on Teddy and Vic's land. It's a quiet life, one that only she could appreciate." Lily flexed her fingers, finding it hard to hold still for the detectors.
"Well," Frank stood up. "This part of your test looks all good. Now for the run. Tomorrow we do strength training." He seemed to forget about the conversation they were having and morphed into training mode. "You need to do two and half miles in twenty minutes. It isn't as easy as most people think."
"I didn't expect it to be," Lily murmured as she stepped on the machine. She knew she wouldn't make that time, but hoped she could work up to it. She didn't think about it, and just started running. Her mind was racing with thoughts, and she struggled to clear it. She focused on a rhythm for her feet, but knew it wasn't enough. She didn't keep track of time or distance, so when Frank told her she could stop she did. The machine slowed her to a walk, and she was heaving, sweat dripping down her face.
"Ok, Potter," Frank said, all business. "Not too bad, but not good enough. You're in the category that is allowed to stay for a month, but after that you have to improve your time. You're at twenty two and a half minutes, so it is doable, but you are going to have to work. Work hard." He pushed a button causing the machine to stop completely.
She stepped off, her legs wobbly. The more she stood on them, the more she thought she would collapse. Her cheeks were bright red and she had small beads of sweat dripping off her forehead and neck.
"Lily," Frank said before she left the room. "Could you tell Rosie I said hi?"
"Sure thing." Lily said before closing the door. She looked around for Eric, but only spotted Tash, who was on a treadmill running faster than Lily ever could. It suddenly struck Lily that perhaps Tash was quiet, but she could also be dangerous, especially if she was any good at spells.
Trying to find any energy to continue her workout was useless, so Lily took a seat. She briefly wondered what she was doing at the Academy, but quickly dismissed that line of thought, She was sure with little effort she could convince herself that her mother had been right, that she didn't belong here, and that she should just give up.
"You shouldn't just be sitting here," Eric said, taking a seat next to her. "Tash has energy for days. That's the reason she wanted to come here to the Academy." The dark boy watched his sister as she moved from a running machine to one that had an incline. It hadn't occurred to Lily that perhaps the only reason Eric joined was because his sister did. She figured it was the other way around. "Come on," Eric said standing up and pulling Lily with him. "We'll do something easy." Lily stood with Eric reluctantly.
"If you have time to flirt, then we clearly aren't pushing you hard enough," said a familiar voice. "Zabini I think your name was just called, and after that you can give me fifty push ups. Potter why don't you go to the rope." Malfoy looked serious as he spoke to them, and Lily felt a flare of anger run through her as Eric nodded and quickly went to his PT test. Lily hated the rope, and though Malfoy would know that, she was sure he chose one of the hardest exercises for her. Not only was it hard, but everyone could see when she failed, and she knew she couldn't make it to the top. It was bound to be embarrassing.
The rope burned in her hands as she began pulling herself up. The tears were there as she pushed her body, but she suppressed them. She wouldn't let Malfoy make her cry. But she just couldn't reach the top. She was over half way there, but her arms wouldn't let her go any further. They were weak, and she was weak. Instead of trying to maneuver herself down, Lily let go of the rope and dropped to the ground, She was at least twenty feet off the ground, and Malfoy was the first one to her. She had survived worse falls, and quickly stood up, brushing herself off. Without looking at him she walked past him and out of the building.
Of course she couldn't get away with that, and Marlow was outside, almost as if he knew she would be coming.
"Giving up already?" He mocked while taking a drag off his cigarette.
"No." Lily said, her eyes hard. Despite his smile, she knew he was dangerous. "I-I just needed some fresh air, that's all." It was clear he enjoyed her anxiety.
"Well unless you are given permission you aren't allowed to leave the gym." He took a step closer and threw his cigarette on the ground. "Do you know what the punishment is for disobedience?" He lowered his voice, and Lily could smell the cigarette on his breath.
"Marlow leave the girl alone." Lily wanted to jump when she heard the voice from behind her, but she held her position.
"Come on, I'm just having a little fun." Despite his words, he backed away from Lily, so she could turn to see her brother's face. Albus almost choked on air when he saw his little sister. "I suppose you have some attachment to this one," Marlow said nonchalantly. "Don't think I'll go easy on her." He turned his attention back to Lily briefly. "And don't make the mistake of thinking you big brother will always be there to save you. When I get back you better not be out here." With that he turned on his heel and left.
Lily wanted to cry after Marlow was out of sight, but held it in. Albus pulled her in for a hug. "Thank you," she choked out.
"Listen to me Lils," he spoke quietly and quickly in her ear. "Don't trust anyone. Marlow is a dangerous bloke. I've seen what that asshole can do. Stay as far away from him as you can." He pulled back Lily could see the worry written all over his face, making him look like an exact replica of their father.
"I'll try, but he is one of my instructors." He didn't say it, but Lily knew Albus was worried about that.
"Who else?" he said quickly. His voice was still low, and Lily had a feeling they weren't supposed to be talking.
"What?" She felt confused, or maybe just tired.
"Who else is your instructor?"
"Oh, um, Malfoy. And Frank Longbottom for PT." Lily was looking at her brother, trying to find some kind of hint at what he was thinking, but he gave none. Before he could respond he looked up at something or someone past her. He pulled her in for another quick hug.
"I have to go. I wish you hadn't come here, Lils, but I love you. Be careful." With that he released her and was gone before she could even respond.
Subtly Lily reentered the gym. She worked on a machine in one of the corners, away from the others for the remainder of the time. When it was finally time for lunch she stayed in the back of the line. Eric and Tash were in the front, but both made their way to where Lily was. They didn't speak, but Tash put her hand on Lily's shoulder to comfort her, which did. They ate together, and Lily spotted Malfoy eyeing the three of them, while a pretty brunette was talking to him.
She lost her appetite when Marlow entered and looked directly at Lily. He smiled and looked around, as if to say "your brother isn't here now". She knew she was going to have to watch her back. She put her fork down, pushed her auburn braid behind her shoulder and stood up to leave. After lunch the trainees had free time, and Lily spent hers away from everyone in the library. She curled up in an armchair with a book on potions, and fell asleep there. She was only asleep for twenty minutes when she jerked awake, not wanting to oversleep. Next on the schedule was class, which they would have twice a day. She went early to the classroom, and spent her time reading from the textbook on defensive spells.
Marlow taught the class on defensive spells, and Lily dreaded it, after only the first day. She didn't like seeing him, but then he found any excuse to pick on the trainees. On the first day he picked on Tash. He cast a fire spell, in a contained area with her in it. Lily was happy that she seemed to need little effort to block the fire.
After class ended it was time for dinner, and Lily couldn't stop her eyes from roaming the room. Her eyes locked on a table in the distance, where her brother was sitting. He didn't seem to notice her, and Lily figured that was for the best. Lily had one more class after dinner, but already felt ready for the night to be over. She wanted to rest her eyes, and forget the past twelve hours.
As opposed to the afternoon class the evening class went somewhat smoother. Malfoy taught it, and it focused on offensive spells, which was something that Lily was exceptional at, like her mother. Unlike Marlow, Malfoy only took a cursory glance at the material, saying they would practice applying techniques soon. He wanted the class to gain an understanding of the written material before forcing anyone to perform spells they were unfamiliar with.
Once class was finished Lily took her time gathering her things. Her body was still sore from earlier that day, and she thought she might just fall asleep in the classroom. She took out a piece of parchment and wrote a short letter to her mother. She took a little longer and wrote a more detailed note to Rose, knowing she appreciated longer letters. She wrote about her encounter with Frank Longbottom and their interesting conversation. She finally stood packed her things and left the classroom. She let out a loud, unpleasant sigh when she spotted Malfoy just outside.
"Potter can we talk?" He was leaning, casually against the wall. He made no move toward Lily.
"It's late," was all she said. She kept a distance between them.
"I can see that. You really shouldn't be out alone at this hour." Lily knew he was probably thinking of Marlow, and he was probably right.
"Right. I'll keep that in mind. But I am a big girl, I can take care of myself."
"I don't doubt that." He pushed himself off the wall. "I'll walk you back to the dorms."
"No thanks." Lily said brushing past him. "What makes you think I would feel any safer with you than with Marlow?"
"You should" was all he said. His smirk was no longer on his face, and despite her rejection of his offer he fell into stride next to her. "Look," he finally said once they were out of the building. "you can get into serious trouble for being out after curfew, and curfew is in about five minutes, so I suggest you let me walk with you."
Lily gagged. It was just like him to use his authority to get his way. "Fine." They walked in silence, and though he was escorting her, she refused to lose her dignity. "I'll be fine from here," she said when they reached the dorm ten minutes later.
"Not what you were expecting?" The smirk was back on his face, and Lily wanted nothing more than to slap it off.
"Huh?" Her drowsiness was weighing on her and she wasn't as sharp as she should have been.
"The Academy. Too much for you?" There was an arrogance to his voice, and it only spurred Lily on. Why did that smirk have to look so damn good on him? She didn't know if she wanted to hit him or pull him in for a kiss. Either would be a mistake, and she reminded herself that, and just who it was that was standing in front of her.
This was the second time her body was put to the test that day.
AN: I'm back with this story. I finally found some inspiration, though the chapter is shorter than I wanted it to be. Hope you all liked it, and please let me know what you think, because I am not too sure if I am taking this in the right direction or not, though I have big plans for this story!