Chapter Three: The Seventh Floor Corridor

After a few days of almost nothing but lessons, Lilith flopped down on a couch, her books spilling out of her book bag and her quills tumbling out, the feathers squashed flat. She mournfully took out a few sheets of parchment and went to start her enormous amount of homework.

"Hey, Lestrange!" Lilith did not even look up as she began to scribble an essay restlessly.

"What?" Lilith snapped, accidentally overturning her ink bottle, thus spilling part of the floor with ink. "Ugh! Scourgify!" The ink vanished at once.

"You coming for Quidditch tryouts tomorrow?" Urquhart's face appeared in front of Lilith.

"Tomorrow? I thought tryouts weren't till next week!" Lilith gaped at the Slytherin Quidditch captain before speaking to him accusingly. "Is there any reason why you didn't tell me this before?"

"Check the billboard, genius," Urquhart rolled his eyes before snapping back into his professional and stern state. "Be there at nine, no later." And with that, he walked off before Lilith could tell him that she barely had time to breathe because of homework.

"Brilliant," Lilith muttered, taking out a new ink bottle from her bag. "Just bloody brilliant."

By ten o'clock, most of the students had filed into their dormitories for sleep. Lilith yawned, dumped her messed-up essay into her book bag, and stumbled to the sixth year Slytherins' domitory. She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

However, only hours later, she was woken up by loud tapping and hooting outside the window.

"Who's that?" Lilith groaned into her pillow, desperately wanting to get back to sleep. The tapping continued until Lilith got up groggily. She walked over her trunk to the window, rubbing her eyes and forcing them open.

Cadmus, the Lestrange family eagle owl, was perched on the window sill with a letter in his beak and a heavy package tied to his legs. His white feathers were ruffled and his orange eyes seemed relieved. Lilith opened the window sleepily and let the owl in. She placed the package on her bedside table and took out her wand.

"Lumos," She muttered tiredly as she began to read the letter.

Lilith,

What makes you think that you can do that? Walk off and not even thank me for using Side-Along Apparition to take you to platform nine-and-three-quarters? I am your mother for Merlin's sake! I deserve better treatment than this. And you really need to stop grimacing and glaring at everyone. Have you forgotten all of your manners? How do you think you'll ever be married off now? No wizard would want to be married to someone with such a careless and hateful personality!

Stop acting like a Muggle, Mudblood, or a blood traitor. These people don't have any etiquette. They are the ones who will be married to wizards who own pubs and low-selling Muggle business owners whereas purebloods will be married off to wonderful wizards that have high-paying jobs and are from wealthy and respected wizarding families.

If you want to be a pureblooded witch from a wealthy family, then ACT LIKE ONE. Be courteous. Be kind. Be polite. And, for heaven's sake, be proud that you came from a good family that actually used time to help you in your etiquette education. However, if you are dealing with Mudbloods, you have permission to be unladylike because they are scum and do not belong in our world.

I'm expecting good scores on your end of year exams this year. Your O.W.L. examination results were good. But they can be better! I received your class list a few days ago. You've told me about that Hermione Granger, haven't you? She's at the top of all classes except for Defense Against the Dark Arts! How can a Mudblood beat you in your studies? She doesn't have a single drop of magical blood in her veins and yet she got almost all 'Outstanding's! You should be ashamed of yourself, getting beaten by someone who has never set foot in the wizarding world until five years ago!

I've sent you books on your classes, especially Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, History of Magic and Potions. Read them and learn from them. I expect you to have full commitment to studying. These books are for seventh years but I want you to fully understand everything in the book. That way, you'll know muhc more than everyone else and can answer questions.

I also expect you to get on the Quidditch team and not on a reserve team. Do you know how much I spent on your Nimbus 2001? It's enough to feed a poor family for two years! Your emerald robes were made of finest velvet. Your gloves were made of dragonskin. Need I say more? You are luckier than most of the wizarding families!

I spent a lot of money on you so you can play Quidditch well. The amount I spent could ensure that the Weasleys will never go hungry again! You can reward me by getting on the team rather than a reserve team. If you don't get on the reserve team, you won't get to play at all. If you don't play, your skills will worsen. Do you want that to happen?

I expect a lot from you, Lilith. This year, I want you to get on the team and get better grades than that Granger girl. I also want you to behave yourself and act like a pureblood at all times. That is a way a real pureblood witch should act. Am I understood?

Good luck in your studying,

Your mother

After she read the letter, Lilith was thankful that it was not a Howler. Lilith knew that her mother would never do something so 'low' and 'unladylike' as Mrs. Lestrange had often put it. Lilith rolled her eyes and chucked the letter into the dormitory's fire without a second glance; she knew that she would still get scolded when she came back for Christmas at Lestrange Manor. However, Lilith was glad that she made a bold move, walking off like that. Perhaps that will keep Mother out of my life. Perhaps that will show her that I want a life of my own and am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, Lilith thought darkly as she shoved the package into her trunk and laid back on her bed.

Annoyingly enough, Lilith could not get herself to sleep no matter how she tried. She silently cursed herself for waking up to Cadmus hooting outside her window.

"Quidditch tryouts are tomorrow," Lilith reminded herself, twisting and turning to get to a comfortable position. "If you don't make it onto the team, Mother will curse the living daylights out of you and probably threaten to disown you. Again." She briefly recalled the first time that she'd been caught lounging in the Lestrange garden. Mrs. Lestrange had been absolutely furious because of that and because of the fact that she didn't finish reading her textbooks.

It was three o'clock before Lilith finally fell asleep. She felt like she'd been sleeping for only a few seconds when a sharp burst of sunlight forced her eyes open.

Lilith blinked a few times then rolled over and glanced at her clock. She rubbed her eyes sleepily.

"Merlin's striped socks, it's eight-fifty!" Lilith shrieked, wheeling around to face Tracey who was opening up all the curtains. "Why didn't you remind me to get up? Tryouts start in ten minutes!" She flung her emerald covers away and scurried to the bathroom to change into her Quidditch robes. She didn't even bother going down to the changing rooms. Lilith could've sworn that she heard Tracey giggling uncontrollably.

"Hey, at least I woke you up!" Tracey called out before descending into giggles once more.

Only minutes later, Lilith sprinted out of the bathroom, grabbed her Nimbus 2001, and dashed out of the dormitory and the common room. She didn't bother to bring an extra set of robes to change into later. Lilith's abrupt appearance had scared a few third years that were playing Wizard's Chess in the common room.

Lilith reached the Quidditch pitch just as Urquhart sauntered out of the changing rooms.

"Lestrange, what are you trying out for?" Urquhart asked. Lilith took a few deep breaths and tried to calm down.

"Chaser," Lilith panted. "And Beater if I don't become a Chaser." She quickly gathered her hair up in a ponytail and tucked her bangs behind her ears.

"All right," Urquhart nodded and walked into the center of the pitch where everyone was waiting. "Who else is trying out for the position of Chaser?" Four others stepped out of the large group. Lilith saw Vaisey, Zabini, a fourth year, and a third year. "Come on over here!"

"Now," Urquhart began sternly when all five Chasers had gathered around him. "Only two of you will become Chasers. The other three can either get out or try out for another position. Just because you've been on the team before," Urquhart eyed Vaisey who was lazily yawning and stretching. "you will not be guaranteed a spot this year. Understood?" Everyone nodded.

"Good," Urquhart said, abruptly turning to the third year, a small girl with lots of freckles and auburn hair. She reminded Lilith of the Weasleys. "Wilson, you're up first!" Annabel Wilson let out a small squeak of surprise but shuffled away from the huddled group and mounted her broom nervously. "Let's see how many goals you can score." Urquhart took out the Quaffle and threw it to Wilson.

She caught it but just barely. Lilith smirked and leaned against her broom as she saw Wilson fly towards the three hoops, her hands and body visibly shaking from nervousness and uncertainty. Wilson missed when she tried scoring for the first time.

Almost everyone broke down into laughter as Wilson, red-faced, chased after the Quaffle, grabbed it, and prepared another shot.

"The chances of her getting in are as high as the chances of the Chudley Cannons winning the League Cup this year!" Lilith snorted and laughed once more as Wilson missed.

"True, true," Vaisey nodded, rubbing tears out of his eyes. Only seconds later, he began laughing and sneering at Wilson as she, once again, failed at scoring.

By the end of her session, half of the Slytherins were on the ground, clutching their stomachs and laughing their heads off. Lilith was shaking her head and rolling her eyes at Wilson's lack of skill. She only managed to score twice out of the ten times. Even Urquhart couldn't stop sneering and mocking Wilson as she dismounted, put the Quaffle down, and ran for the changing rooms with her broom.

"L-Lewis!" Uruqhart managed to spit out from his laughing. "Y-y-you're up next!" Melissa Lewis, the fourth year, walked over to the Quaffle and picked it up. Lilith saw a competitive glint in Lewis's dark eyes and knew that Lewis wouldn't want the same end as Wilson.

Lilith watched as Lewis mounted her broom and streaked towards the three hoops.

Lewis was actually not bad. She scored six out of ten times. Lilith gripped her broomstick tightly. I'll do anything to beat her, Lilith thought in her head as Lewis walked over to the group, a proud smile on her fair-skinned face.

"Not bad Lewis," Urquhart said approvingly. "Lestrange!" Lilith's eyes shot up at once. "You're up." Lewis threw the Quaffle over to her and Lilith mounted her broom.

Lilith flew through the pitch and towards the three hoops. She was determined to do better than Lewis and get on the team. Once Lilith was close enough to the hoops, she threw the Quaffle as hard as she could, smirking when she saw it fly right through one of the hoops.

At the end of her session, she managed to score eight goals. With her head held high up arrogantly, Lilith landed and tossed the Quaffle to Zabini.

"Is that all you can do, Lestrange?" Zabini raised his eyebrows, twirling the Quaffle around in his hands.

"Good luck on beating that, Zabini," Lilith smirked, leaning on her broomstick and waiting for Urquhart to call Zabini out for tryouts.

"Good try, Lestrange," Urquhart nodded, somewhat but not entirely impressed. "Zabini, you're next." Lilith watched as Zabini zoomed towards the three hoops. She didn't even flinch when Lewis chucked her broomstick away angrily and stalked off to the changing rooms. Blaise Zabini had scored a seven. Now, there was no chance that Lewis ever make the team.

"Vaisey!" Urquhart snapped. Vaisey was lying on the ground, arms crossed behind his head. He was enjoying the sunshine but got up at once when Urquhart called his name. "If you don't take this seriously then I suggest you leave!"

"Calm down, Urquhart," Vaisey took the Quaffle and flew into the air easily. "I can still fly well when I'm sleeping."

Vaisey easily scored all ten goals and landed smugly beside Lilith, Zabini, and Urquhart who seemed even more annoyed.

"Fine. Lestrange and Vaisey, you two make the team," Urquhart muttered. Lilith smiled. Perhaps now Mother will get off my back a little. "Zabini, good try. You can try out again next year or try out for another post." Zabini just shrugged and walked off unhappily.

"Who's trying out for the Beaters?" Urquhart called to the rest of the Slytherins. About seven students came forward, including Crabbe and Goyle. Lilith gave an exhuasted sigh. Crabbe and Goyle weren't the brightest wizards ever and they were not wonderful at being Beaters. But at least they are better than the bunch of idiots that had shown up last year. Lilith thought. She leaned on her broomstick and watched the Beater tryouts.

The Beater tryouts were quite uneventful except for the fourth tryout which included a second year racing away, shrieking, as the two Bludgers chased after him. In the end, Crabbe and Goyle got the positions once more. They were grinning foolishly as they left the pitch and onto the bleachers, most likely to pig out on sweets. Lilith went with Vaisey to help with the Keeper tryouts.

The first two students to tryout were actually quite good for only fourth years. Both blocked three out of five. Catastrophe struck when the third student came on to tryout. He was a big and burly seventh year. Lilith had thrown the Quaffle at him hard. The seventh year twisted around and whacked the Quaffle back in her direction using his broomstick, causing Lilith to squeak and fly away before the Quaffle smacked her in the face.

"Hey, Hughes!" Urquhart called, running over to catch the Quaffle. "Try not to kill our Chasers!" Lilith heard a snigger from Vaisey and rolled her eyes. "Next!" Hughes gaped at Urquhart but did as he was told though he was really disappointed.

The Keeper position was soon taken by Rebecca Clarke, a fifth year who had blocked all five shots. Finally, it was time for the Seeker tryouts. Lilith looked at the rest of the group, expecting to see blonde hair or grey eyes peeking out somewhere but Draco Malfoy was not present.

"Where's Draco?" Lilith asked Urquhart before he called out the Seeker tryouts.

"He told me that he's busy and can't make the team this year," Urquhart shrugged. Lilith gaped at Urquhart.

"But he's a decent Seeker!" Lilith objected, surprise gathering in her eyes. "At least compared to the morons that have shown up for the past few years!"

"It's his own decision, Lestrange," Urquhart cast Lilith a glare. "Respect that." And with that, he sauntered off to the few remaining Slytherins.

Lilith's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Would Draco's mission be so difficult that he has to give up Quidditch? Lilith thought. Draco loves Quidditch. He wouldn't give it up for the world. Surely his mission isn't that difficult. Surely he would still have time for Quidditch! Lilith made a mental note to ask Draco about it when she got the chance.

Lilith watched the Seeker tryouts absentmindedly. She didn't even look up when a second year's broom whizzed out of control and he fell to the ground. Lilith didn't let out a single gasp when a fourth year smashed into the three hoops and fell off her broom.

At the end, Harper got the Snitch. Lilith gaped. She knew Harper, who was in fifth year. How can he catch the Snitch? Lilith thought as Harper landed. He's an absolute blockhead!

"Team, gather around!" Urquhart called. Lilith stood beside Clarke and listened. "Practices will be held on Saturday and Sunday mornings and afternoons as well as Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. We will be practicing for two-hour sessions. There will be reminders posted on the Slytherin common room billboards. Now, off to the changing rooms!"

Lilith just walked right through the changing room and to the common room as she didn't carry have an extra change of robes. As soon as she dunked her broomstick beside her trunk and changed, Lilith sprinted to the Great Hall for lunch.

Halfway through her meal, she realized that Draco wasn't sneering at Hufflepuff first years, nor was he at the Slytherin table in the Great Hall.

"Hey, Daphne," Lilith turned to Daphne who had been giggling flirtatiously at a seventh year Ravenclaw. "Have you seen Draco?"

"Nope," Daphne shook his head. "But I heard that he's sick or something." Lilith nodded and pondered for a moment as she drank her pumpkin juice. Later, she visited the hospital wing but Draco was not there.

Lilith decided to spend her day in the library, poring over the books that Mrs. Lestrange had sent her though she wasn't fully concentrating on them. She was thinking about Draco's abrupt leave from Quidditch and him not appearing at all during lunch or even tea.

By the time Lilith went to dinner, she was deeply suspicious. She had checked the owlery, the common room, and most of the classrooms. Draco wasn't even with Crabbe or Goyle who still sat on the bleachers, reading comics and snacking on Sugar Quills, Pumpkin Pasties, and Cauldron Cakes.

"Are you still looking for Malfoy?" Daphne asked as Lilith sat down, her nose in a Charms book.

"Kind of," Lilith shrugged though she perked up at once. "Have you seen him recently?"

"I just saw him," Daphne informed her. "He finished his dinner and left only moments before you came. He seemed to be in a big rush." Lilith groaned inwardly and glared at her Charms book. If she had not been reading, she would've seen Draco.

"Really?" Lilith quickened her eating pace, scarfing down her mashed potatoes and gravy. "I'll be right back." As soon as she finished the mashed potatoes, Lilith hurried out of the Great Hall carrying her book.

Lilith spotted Draco walking up the stairs. She hurried after him, though she got a cramp a few moments later. She clutched her belly but continued following Draco all the way up the stairs. Second floor, third floor, fourth floor... Lilith thought, gritting her teeth. Where the hell is Draco going? If it's a secret meeting with Pansy, count me out.

Lilith was a little confused when Draco began to walk down the seventh floor corridor. She winced a little and sighed, leaning against the wall for support. She just had to be doing the wrong thing at the wrong time. If only he had stayed for dinner a little longer! If only I didn't scarf down all those wretched mashed potatoes! Lilith groaned as she walked towards Draco.

Lilith blinked. Draco Malfoy wasn't there anymore. They had reached the end of the corridor and Draco had disappeared.

"Uh... Draco? You there?" Lilith called out nervously. No. People can't just disappear into thin air, Lilith reminded herself as she walked towards the wall. Where is Draco? He can't possibly Apparate away or melt into the ground...

Lilith looked around. Draco was nowhere to be seen. Lilith heard Peeves' cackle from nearby and groaned. Wonderful, Lilith thought, pushing the thought of Draco disappearing to the back of her mind. Now I'll have to deal with an insane poltergeist. Lilith hurried down the stairs and back to the Great Hall, her mind filled with questions that seemed impossible to ever answer.

A/N: This is a complete rewrite of 'Always There', 'We Found Love', and 'Take a Look at Me Now' with a new main character, new plot, and new point of view (third-person limited). I hope this won't cause any inconveniences to the readers of the three aforementioned stories. I will not be continuing 'Take a Look at Me Now' in the time being but may choose to continue it in the future. Again, I'm very sorry for this.

Please review! Feedback is very important to me, good or bad. Feel free to tear it apart and do your best to criticize the living daylights out of me. I will take your feedback to heart and do my best to improve this story the best I can :)

Also, I'd like to thank Yemi Hikari for being my Beta Reader for this story and looking over it before I publish the chapter :)

My apologies for the late update. School has begun for me and I didn't have much time to write.

Replies to Reviews:

SlytherinGirl26: Sorry for the late update! D: And thank you! A Pureblood Princess is exactly what I imagine Lilith as. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!

sara253xxx: Sorry for the late update! I'm happy that you did! :) Hope you enjoyed this one as well! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!

Anastasia Grigori: I'm very glad that you enjoyed it :) I'm very sorry for the late update! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!

ElektraB: I will post whenever I can :) Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!

ForeverTeamEdward13: Thanks! I hope you'll enjoy this as much as you enjoyed my old stories! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!

Ms Snape - Malfoy: Thank you! :) I do hope that you'll enjoy this! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!

~Ashlyn Malfoy