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Chapter 4: The situation
Looking up from her text, Lily rested her chin in the palm of her hand, this class was taking forever she thought. It always did as she recalled of previous years, History had always been the subject that least interested her, and so she often found herself drawing I her notebook whilst taking notes. At this current moment, the professor was speaking about the economy of the sixteenth century in Ireland. Professor Hayward was known to be quite dull not only in his lecture but appearance as well; he was very traditional, always wearing formal robes and studious look about him. Lily continued her note taking as he continued speaking.
Leaving happily forty minutes later, she, Laura, and Helena headed to the great hall for lunch. They each sat down and began to eat and talk.
"I'll be so glad when we don't have to take his class after this year," Lily said as she buttered a roll. Helena and Laura nodded in agreement.
Laura took a sip of juice and looked to Lily, "So are you working again In the Library this year?" she asked. Lily look to her and shook her head.
"No, since I'm Head, the Headmaster said I could choose if I wanted to or not, depending on my situation, but I'll probably take it after the holidays, because I still owe money to the school, so . . ."
"What about during the holiday, where are you working?' Helena asked. Lily shrugged, "Some place, probably the pub, I mean I know I'll have a job once school's done with, Aaron said I would, he's actually in talks with Donnie, who's the owner for me becoming the head Bar tender, hopefully that will go through." Lily said; Laura nodded.
"Hello Ladies, mind if we join you?" James asked, the girls shook their heads, and the guys sat down.
"So was it just me or was that history class terribly long? Sirius asked. Everyone nodded. Lily began to fill her plate and eat.
"So James, when's the first quidditch practice?" Helena asked, she was a beater on the Gryffindor team.
James thought for a moment. "Well Lily and I need to set up the rounds for the prefects and us, so I imagine they will start two weeks from now, I think Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw for the first two weeks." Helena nodded. Soon finishing her lunch, Lily took out her daily planner. Opening it she looked to her week's schedule. She had many things to do, all of which took most of hr time. After her last class today she had a private meeting with Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall, to discuss her school financial aid situation. Then at six she had to meet with Professor Slughorn for the first official meeting of the Slug Club to discuss coming events. They she had exactly four hours to complete her homework and then at eleven she and James had to complete their rounds. This was going t be a hectic day.
"Dame, Lily your planner is bulging out the seems, you have so many little notes and stuff, how do you manage all of that?" Laura asked. Lily smiled and looked to her.
"I just have an organized system in my head, don't worry its not that bad." Lily responded. James looked to her planner in surprise. Putting it away Lily slung her bag over her shoulder and got up from the table. Helena and Laura followed her to their next class. James ad the guys followed as well.
Lily sat in Professor McGonagall's classroom, sitting next to James; she had assigned seats for everyone for the entire year. Taking notes diligently, she looked up to the professor and then back t her notes. James, sat beside her taking notes as well, though couldn't help but look to Lily every so often. He loved her concentrated expression, she was wicked smart and he knew he could beat him at a duel; she was after all one of the most skilled in their year. Class soon ended and Lily packed her things up.
"You coming Lily?" James asked. Lily looked to him and shook her head.
"No, um I have a few things I need to discuss with Professor McGonagall," She said. James nodded.
"Well I'll wait for you, it's okay, wouldn't want you to walk back by yourself," he said. Professor saw and heard this conversation and strode over to the two students.
"Mr. Potter I need to discuss some things with Ms. Evans privately, it's best if you go on ahead." James looked to McGonagall then back to Lily, feeling a bit concerned he nodded and exited the classroom.
Professor McGonagall lead Lily to the Headmaster's office and they entered together. Professor Dumbledore greeted them with a smile. Lily took a seat in front of the Headmaster whilst McGonagall stood beside him.
"Would you like some tea, Ms. Evans?" Professor Dumbledore offered. Lily said no thank you and sat patiently.
"Well seeing as you will be graduating from Hogwarts this year it is important that we speak of your tuition situation. (Lily nodded) When you first came to Hogwarts Ms. Evans it states in your records that you were given financial aid to pay for the required expenses for your studies, and since then you have been on financial aid." He said calmly.
"And it has come to our attention as of your fifth year that your parents have passed on leaving you financially unstable not only in the wizarding world but the muggle world as well, is that correct?"
"Yes sir it is, when my parents passed my sister was already an adult in the muggle world and we agreed that she would not take custody of me."
"Knowing that where have you been living whilst not here at school?" He asked.
"My father left me a car for which I use t get around London and I also live in the car, I make as much money as I can by working at a bar as well as various other jobs, unfortunately none of which have been able to support me fully nor be able to pay for the debt I owe in the muggle and wizarding worlds." Lily explained. Dumbledore nodded and became silent for a moment.
McGonagall stepped in, "You say you have debts in the muggle world, for how much and for where do you owe money?"
With a sigh, Lily continued to explain, "When my parents died we lived in Spinners End an industrial area of London, a very dodgy area, and our home, because I' not of age and Petunia, my sister decided to sell the house I was left with only my car, I had medical payments I needed to pay off, which cost quite a it, currently I owe around four thousand galleons worth of muggle pounds. Not only do I not have the money but I also am afraid I don't have the complete sum I owe to the Wizarding gammon of education."
"I understand, did you wish to continue work in the Library?" Dumbledore asked. Lily shook her head, "Not now, I think my head duties and school work should come before I work, I need to focus on my studies if I want to make good marks on the NEWTs. I thought about starting after the holidays, I plan to work during the holidays." Dumbledore nodded.
"Your deadline for the wizarding educational gammon is, I'm afraid by the end of term, when you graduate, though I think I can talk with several people to see if it can be extended, though I can't promise anything."
"As much as I appreciate it Professor, I don't wish to have my deadline extended, I have until the end of term and I'll accept that, I don't want to make anymore deals, I've done that in the past and it unfortunately has lead me to where I' am now, broke and in debt. I can't afford to lose any more money. Thank you though." Lily said getting up from her chair.
Lily left the office and had a bit of time befor she had to see Professor Slughorn. On her to her dorm she turned a corner and suddenly ran into another student, knocking the other's belongings to the floor.
"Damn it" A tall, thin young man said looking down to his papers. Lily looked to him and realized it was Severus.
"Oh sorry, Severus, I wasn't looking ahead." Lily said apologetically. Severus heard the sound of Lily's voice and looked to her a bit surprised.
"Oh, well I suppose neither of us was paying attention," He said, picking the last bit of the papers. Lily picked up one of his books and handed it to him.
She stood in front of him for a few seconds, not sure if she should strike up a conversation.
"So how are you?" she asked, adjusting her shoulder strap. Severus adjusted his things as well and replied, "Ugh, I- I'm g-good, you know the usual, studying and such, how are you?" lily smiled.
"I'm doing . . . alright, you know how it is," she said. Severus nodded.
This is so awkward Lily thought, she hadn't spoken to him since the end of fifth year, he knew of her financial situation and had even offered to loan her money, but Lily had refused.
"Well I best be off, Slughorn is having another slug club meeting . . . are you attending?" Lily asked. Severus shook his head,
"No, I have a bit of work to do tonight, so" Lily nodded and began to pass him.
"Ugh Lily?" Lily heard Severus say from behind. She loked back and sa Severus walk u to her.
"Look, ugh, I know we haven't spoke in a while, and I may be out of line with ths but, would you like to get together and talk, perhaps?"
Lily thought for a moment. Should she? After all she had broken off her friendship with him, though he was always easy to talk to and knew of her home situation more than anyone.
"sure, how's about Thursday six in the library?" she offered. Severus nodded. Lilly turned back around and continued to her dorm room.
As she walked Lily began to think what she had just done. She had reopened the door which had lead to an enormous part of her youth. I hope he doesn't think that I want to rekindle old feelings lily thought to herself.
"Shit." Lily said aloud. Lily made it to the haed's dorm and entered. Finding all of her friend sitting around with their work sprawled out on the tables and chairs, they looked up to her.
"Oh hey everyone," Lily said walking into the room.
"Busy as hell with all of this bloody work if you ask me," Sirius stammered, Lily nodded.
"So what did McGonagall want to talk to you about?" Laua asked, Lily set her things down beside the couch, looking up.
"Oh nothing just some things about my schedule and school for this year." Lily replied.
"Is your schedule different from ours?" James asked. "No, I just have a few things I need to do before I leave Hogwarts for good, is all."
"Oh that's so sad I don't even want to think about leaving Hogwarts yet," Helena said.
"Yeah I know its going to be so weird," Remus said.
"Well let's not thin about it eh, " Sirius said.
"Agreed," James added. Lily sat down next to Remus and took out her Charms homework.
Lily looked to her watch after finishing her homework, and it read five till six. Lily put her things away.
"Remus were going to the meeting tonight for the Slug Club?" she asked. Remus gave a look of surprise. "I completely forgot, yeah, thanks for reminding me. James are you coming as well, Laura?" he asked, Laura nodded, as did James.
"You guys want to come, Slughorn always likes it when we bring friends, I'm sure he wouldn't mind." Helena and Sirius nodded.
"I could use a break form all of this work." Helena said.
They all made their way to Professor Slughorn's classroom. Several other seventh years were already there, some of which James knew from qudditch.
They entered and saw Professor Slughorn seated at a large table, which had been replaced for the chairs. Once all of the students arrived and were seated Slughorn spoke.
"Well I'd like to welcome the new members of the club and welcome the old members back. I'd like to welcome back old members as well.
"This year mostly we will e socializing, having several parties and talking about the career aspects of the wizarding world, for seventh years specifically I encourage all of you to attend if you can."
Slughorn continued his meeting and soon let the students go.
Returning to their dorm the gang hung out the rest of the night, finishing homework and talking about the coming year's events.
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