Huge thanks to J.K. Rowling who brought all this to life, but also to SweetandWritten whose reviews make my day (she's writing about the opposite end of the Harry Potter series, both her stories are great and you should go give them a read if you're interested to hear about the adventures Harry's daughter Lily has while at Hogwarts and before).

"Wormtail?" Lily asked once she'd gone outside to meet him.

"Hey Lily, um, I was um, wondering, I mean if it would be ok, if I could just um, talk to you?"

"At 11:30 at night?" She didn't sound too angry, just exasperated.

"Yeah I uh didn't really check the time when I left. I just-"

"It's fine Peter," the redhead cut off. "It's freezing out here though so could you make it quick?"

The boy nodded. "You see, I guess what I'm wondering is," he paused for a long time, "after all he's done, how don't you hate James?"

"Oh," an immediate blush came to her cheeks. "I've never thought about it like that, but I'd say it's because he's also shown that he's not a terrible person. I don't have it in me to hate someone for just doing stupid things

"See that's my problem though, the Slytherins don't always act like prats and yet we never forgive them."

"I'm not sure I follow Peter. They don't pull pointless pranks, they aim to hurt and in some cases kill people."

"I understand that," now he was exasperated, "but what if He has something against them. I mean what if He's threatening them. For all we know they could have no choice in the matter."

"Peter," she said staring him in the eyes. "There's always a choice."

"Is that not a cliché though? People just say that sort of stuff because it makes them feel like they can do something when it's actually out of their hands."

"Maybe, but I still think it's true. If Voldemort," Peter noticeably flinched, "is controlling them they could always fight back. Yeah he'd probably kill them, but isn't that better than having him kill others because of you?"

"I don't think they're all strong enough to do that. Not everyone has the willpower," his gaze faltered. "Anyway, thanks, I should get home."

"Peter," the redhead called. "Good will win out."

The boy gave a weak smile and a small wave before walking away.

Lily tried not to think too much about why Peter had come to her with this and not to one of his mates. In the end she brushed it off as one of his peculiarities.

Somehow that worked and for the next four days Lily didn't think once of Hogwarts.

On the 29th of December she came up to her room after breakfast to find a letter waiting for her. She assumed it was from Remus and tore into it quickly.

Lily,

Hope your holidays have been delightful so far. I've found myself in a spot of trouble and I was hoping you'd be able to help me. My mates, mainly Marvel, want to go to the huge Prewett New Year's bash. I on the other hand would prefer to be nowhere near there.

I was wondering (that is if you don't already have plans) if you'd be willing to tag along with us and before things get out of hand we can politely excuse ourselves to go get a bite to eat or something.

Get back to me ASAP because I've tried pulling this stunt solo before and no one buys it so I've got to find an accomplice one way or another.

Hope to see you soon,

Shaw

Lily smiled just imagining how distressed her fellow Gryffindor probably was. Shaw Hale was not a party girl, that much was clear to everyone. Lily had to admit that she and her dorm mates were pretty mild when it came to that short of thing.

Dorcas had had a boyfriend for two months fifth year but that was the extent of her experience. Verity was the wildest having dated a total of three blokes and snogged two others. The other three had been single their whole lives and in the case of Shaw, never gone on a date.

Lily and Marlene, back before everything with Lauren happened, had been keeping track of who had gotten asked out to Hogsmeade more. Lily was sitting at a total of 13 while Marlene had 10, but, a fair chunk of Lily's had come from James Potter who she never accepted.

Although Lily didn't really want to go out on New Year's Eve she knew she should help out Shaw, so she wrote a short return letter saying she'd come.

She came to regret that decision when she wanted to curl up and watch movies with her Dad but had to head out the door to meet Shaw.

They met up just outside the Leaky Caldron in Diagon Alley where a small crowd was forming. Lily found Shaw hanging at the outskirts.

"Shaw, hey, what's with the crowd?"

"Thank you so much for coming!" The dark blond squealed. "The of age witches and wizards are apparating the rest of us in since the Prewett's house is out in the middle of nowhere."

"Marvel's 17 now isn't she?"

"Yeah she was actually just bragging about how she's the oldest in our year. Sirius Black doesn't think much of it; he didn't turn 17 until the beginning of November."

"Oh Black's here?" Lily had thought he was still at Hogwarts.

"I'm not sure; I haven't seen him, why?"

"I just thought you meant he was talking to Marvel currently."

"Sorry it all made sense in my head," she let out a small laugh, "but no, that was actually back on his birthday when Marvel spoiled the news that she was already 17."

It wasn't five seconds later that the aforementioned bubbly brunette walked up.

"Lily! It's so great you could make it, I don't think I've ever seen you at one of these New Year's party's before."

"Well I've been at Hogwarts every other year, I didn't think I was missing much but this looks like it's going to be quite the fun night." She turned and winked at Shaw.

Marvel, who seemed to notice nothing, took a quick look over her shoulder and then looked at Shaw. "Dearborn already volunteered to take you Shaw, so I'll take Lily and we'll meet up inside."

Lily just saw the beginning of a blush appear on Shaw's cheeks before it all disappeared.

Lily had apparated a few times before so she was used to the feeling of being pushed into a confined space and she actually managed to not vomit when it was over.

"Well I'm off to find Robin; I'll catch up with you later."

With that Lily was left alone stumbling around the Prewett's front lawn. As she attempted to make her way closer to the house she realized how undeniably loud it was. What was the appeal of parties anyway?

When after a few moments Shaw hadn't arrived Lily forced herself to go inside. Sadly the atmosphere got even worse. Everyone seemed to be drunk and hanging off of everyone else.

She decided to go over and talk to Ezra Abbott but before she was halfway there Nicola Shacklebolt had attached herself to him. She ended up talking to Fabian, the older Prewett brother.

"I didn't expect to see you here, what with having graduated and all."

"Well I do still live here and I didn't expect to see you here either Evans. I figured you'd still be up at Hogwarts."

"Not this year, almost everyone came home so I saw no point in staying."

"Well I'm glad you could make it. I've got to go find Gideon, I'm trying to pass the torch, hand over the reins, or whatever it is muggles say." He gave her a smile and then disappeared into the throng of people.

She meant to go look for Shaw but before she could a familiar voice called.

"Lily Evans is that you? At a Prewett Party!"

Lily turned around, "Tessy how've you been?"

"You know, just the usual." She leaned in closer to Lily, "I pride myself in being one of only three Slytherins invited to this shindig."

The older girl was clearly drunk but Lily brushed it off. "Let me guess, you, Dung, and Robin?"

"Although it's not really a party without Dung and Marvel will only come if Robin's invited."

"Why do you think they invited you?" Sarcasm was practically dripping off of Lily's voice but Tessy didn't seem to hear it.

She did let out a loud laugh though. "I'm head girl you tosspot, they're trying to suck up so I won't bust them too often."

Lily's mouth dropped in fake surprise. "Theodosia Ellen Blake don't tell me you're letting them bribe you?"

"Not exactly, I'm just letting them think they are. If they want to give me free drinks I'm not going to say no, but I never agreed to do anything for them." The head girl gave a wink and then headed off to most likely refill her glass.

Midnight was about an hour away so Lily headed off to find Shaw. She didn't appear to be inside so Lily went to check the yard.

She had just looked around the back of the house when an arm slipped around her waist.

"Hello lovely."

Lily looked up into the dark eyes of Damon Reece. "Uh hi Damon- can I help you with something?"

"I was just thinking about how you and I haven't spent enough time together, you know?"

Lily tried to get away from his grip but it was no use. "Well, you're a seventh year I'm a sixth year, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, not like we run in the same circles."

He pinned her against the side of the house. "Well we should, has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?"

The smell of his breath was almost enough to intoxicate someone. "Would you mind letting go of my arm Damon?"

He completely ignored her. "You know you want to kiss me don't you Evans?"

"Can you please let go of me?"

"See you're not even trying to deny our chemistry."

"Damon-" he pressed in closer until all of a sudden he released her wrists and stumbled backwards as a fist hit his face.

It took Lily a few seconds before she realized who had just come to her rescue. That gave Damon enough time to recover and he then looked like he was ready to kill the other boy.

"What was that for Potter?" Damon spit the name as he held his jaw. "Evans and I were just having a little fun, jealous?"

Lily couldn't deny that he deserved the next punch that hit him right in the eye. "Go home Reece," was all Potter had to say.

Lily stood there for a few seconds trying to understand what had just happened. James approached and she snapped back in to reality but found that her mouth wouldn't make any noise.

James Potter who she'd been smitten with since third year and who had been bothering her since second had just saved her. James Potter who asked her out on a monthly basis even though she always said no, had done something nice for her.

"Lily are you alright?"

After an awkward moment of silence her mouth started working again. "Uh- yeah, thank you James."

"You should go home Lily you look terrible." It was then that she realized she was shaking and she felt as if she might collapse at any moment.

"I think I will. I'm not 17 though and I need to find Shaw." Lily headed for the front door but only made it two steps before she fell into James' arms.

"Lily you're not going to be able to go two feet like this let alone all the way home."

"Shaw will help me."

"Shaw went home over an hour ago. I guess her brother heard Dearborn was hitting on her so he came all the way out here and dragged her home. Or more he asked her to come home and she said yes, you know how she is with drinking."

Lily nodded recalling the freak out Shaw had had fifth year when she found Verity with a bottle of firewhisky. After that Lily was only slightly aware of James calling out to a distant figure. "Fabian mind taking us back to the Leaky Cauldron?"

A/N

MF – Are you sure it was Wormtail? I could've sworn it would be James.

SH – I know it was weird, but Peter needed someone to confide in and all his mates were fighting.

MF – Now what about that party? I always thought Damon was a nice enough bloke.

SH – That's the Ravenclaw in you speaking out, I'm afraid you're bias. The rest of us always knew.

I'm so happy to be posting again, and I hope you all love this chapter! MF is Marvel (Fleming) and SH is Shaw (Hale). This definitely isn't my favourite chapter but I'm still really proud of it and would love to hear your opinions.

Have a lovely day/week/month/year/life

Shaelynn