Okay, new chapter - hope you enjoy!

"Where were you yesterday?" Ally whispers as we slip into Potions, seconds before the bell rings.

"I was in the library."

"And why were you in the library on a Sunday?"

I shrug. "Loads of homework – I needed the quiet." And it's true. I didn't want people to ask me about James' grumpiness (Marlene) or to make me even angrier (James) or to just make me feel worse about myself (Sirius). I also had to mull over what Sirius said about James changing. Did he mean personality? Because I had noticed that. In fact, that was why James and I were, sometimes, getting along so well. If he was still the arrogant, immature boy he used to be then, well, let's just say the Head Students would have been a very bad combination this year. But I don't know why that made James so annoyed with me. I'd noticed it, and I was trying to get on with him. What more could the boy need?

It seems like a good enough excuse, because she just shrugs it off and goes over to join Remus at their cauldron. Funny, if they had wondered so much about my disappearance, then they could have easily just looked for me in the library. I do spend quite a lot of time there. Then again…I was holed up right at the back, far away from students who, amazingly, also decided to be in there. On a Sunday!

I join Severus, where he has already gotten out everything. Slughorn does his normal introduction, and just leaves us to get on with our projects.

"Right," I start. "How about today we take some notes on the appearance of the potion? I know we made it last time, but I think we should take some more notes?"

He nods. "Good idea. I'll go get the ingredients, you find the page number."

I turn to page 27 and look at the instructions. It's quite a complex potion to brew, but we've done it before. As soon as Severus comes back with the ingredients, I start chopping up some herbs, whilst he gets started on the poppies. After we have finished the brewing, I add the final touch – celandine flower petals. Hopefully the potion will go yellow as soon as these are added, and it does.

I look at the bright yellow colour of the potion, and Severus and I start taking notes, only exchanging small talk in between. My mind is focused somewhere else in the classroom – on James. He's working with Dirk on their potion, and it appears to be a red colour. They must have decided to brew the Death-Cap draught. Otherwise, theirs is going seriously wrong.

"Why are you looking at him?" Severus asks me.

I turn back to him and sigh. His mutual hatred of James and his friends does get slightly irritating at times.

"Does it matter?" I reply.

Severus lifts his shoulders in a blasé sort of way, but his expression is quite the opposite. "I thought you weren't friends with him?"

"What does it matter to you?" I ask coolly.

"Because he's an arrogant jerk who thinks he knows better than everyone! I thought you knew better than to mix with that lot."

"He's not a jerk. He's changed, a lot. He's a lot more mature now. Do you really think Dumbledore would have made him Head Boy if he wasn't?"

"He probably just did it so that he could keep the rest of his friends in line. Especially Black," Severus says sourly. "All he does is make trouble. They don't care about anybody but themselves Lily! All he'll do is hurt you!"

"Like you did?" The words slip out of my mouth before I can help it, but I don't regret them.

Severus flinches. "It was an accident," he whispers. "I said I'm sorry. Really."

"I know. But it's no longer your concern with whom I hang out with. Actually, it never was your concern. If I want to be friends with James, then you can't stop me." I conveniently fail to mention that James and I aren't friends; we're barely on speaking terms at the moment. But Severus doesn't need to know that; I'm just making a point.

"Oh, so he's James now? Since when?" He asks, acid dripping from his tone.

"Since we decided that we're not stupid and immature, and that we can actually call each other by our first names. Got a problem with that?" I snap.

He frowns, before shaking his head.

"Good." And we continue with our project.

It really isn't Severus' business, I was right. So why do I feel so guilty? We're not friends, I've accepted that fact for a long time. In fact, it was me who ended our friendship in the first place. I think back to the day it happened, in fifth year, the day where it all ended.

'Ally, Marlene, Lucy and I are sitting by the lake, cooling our feet in the cold water. We have just finished our Defence Against The Dark Arts OWL and all the fifth years have escaped outside. It is boiling hot, the air almost stifling, but it's lovely to finally be rid of the classrooms.

"So how did you find it?" Lucy asks. "Personally, that question on werewolves almost fooled me, but I just remembered the snout shape five minutes before the end! Thank heavens."

"I probably failed," Marlene mutters.

I snort. "Yeah, right. Marl, you're fabulous at Defence, you know that!"

"Maybe…"

"But we've still got Transfiguration!" Lucy exclaims anxiously.

Ally splashes her lightly with water, laughing. "Lucy, you're fine! Don't panic, you're great at Transfiguration. What's the worst that could happen?"

Lucy appears to be personally offended by that question and stares at Alison. "What's the worst that could happen? I.." she blanches, before shaking her head. "I'm going to get my notes, I need to revise." And she hurries off before the rest of us can stop her.

Ally rolls her eyes. "Mental."

"She just wants to do well," Marlene says, sticking up for Lucy. "Just because we're all not perfect at –" she breaks off and stares, eyes wide, at something over my shoulder.

"Mar, what?" Ally asks.

I look over my shoulder and anger immediately surges up in my chest. I jump up, already starting to make my way over to where the crowd of people are forming.

"Lily, no!" Marlene grabs my arm. "Don't get involved!"

I shake her off angrily. "Why can't they just leave people alone? Stupid gits just like making people feel worse about themselves!"

I stride over to where Potter and Black are pointing their wands at Severus.

"Scourgify!" I hear Potter say as he points his wand at Severus. Pink soap bubbles stream from his mouth, choking him.

Why in Merlin's name can't they act mature for once in their lives?

"Leave him ALONE!" I shout, reaching them at last.

"All right, Evans?" Potter asks.

"Leave him alone," I repeat. I glare at him, and the feeling of utter loathing bubbles in my chest. "What's he done to you?"

Potter appears to deliberate this for a minute before replying. "Well, it's more the fact that he exists, if you know what I mean…"

Many of the students surrounding us laugh. I glance at Remus, wondering why he hasn't put a stop to this, but he's intent on his book. Convenient.

"You think you're funny," I tell him. "But you're just an arrogant, bullying toerag, Potter. Leave him alone."

"I will if you go out with me, Evans," Potter says quickly. I bite back a snide laugh. Yeah, right. "Go on, go out with me, and I'll never lay a wand on old Snivelly again."

Behind him, I see Snape inch towards his fallen wand, spitting out soap as he crawls.

I turn back to Potter, glaring at him as coldly as I can. "I wouldn't go out with you if it was a choice between you and the giant squid." I know it's cruel, but it's true. I would never go out with someone as arrogant as Potter. Ever.

"Bad luck, Prongs," says Black briskly. He turns back to Snape and yells, "OI!"

However, Severus has already sent a curse towards Potter, one that creates a large cut on the side of his face. It spatters his robes with blood. Potter whirls around, and a second later, Severus is hanging upside down in the air, his robes falling over his head. They reveal his skinny legs and his greying underpants.

Many people cheer, and Black, Potter and Wormtail guffaw.

I try not to laugh, because it is a tiny bit funny. But I glare at them all the same, because I'm not giving Potter the satisfaction of me laughing. "Let him down!" I command.

"Certainly," says Potter, and flicks his wand, making Snape fall into a crumpled heap on the ground. As he gets up however, Black points his wand at him and shouts, "Petrificus Totalus!" Severus kneels over again, rigid as a plank of wood.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" I shout again. Will they ever listen to me? Fine. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I whip out my wand.

"Ah, Evans, don't make me hex you," Potter says.

Pft. As if he could.

"Take the curse off him, then!"

Potter sighs deeply, but mutters the counter curse none the less. "There you go," he says as Severus struggles to his feet. "You're lucky Evans was here, Snivellus – "

"I don't need help from filthy little Mudbloods like her!"

I blink.

Did I hear him correctly?

No. He didn't. He wouldn't! But everyone around me has gone silent, and I know I heard him correctly.

My heart thumps in my chest. "Fine," I say coolly, trying not to show how hurt I feel. "I won't bother in the future. And I'd wash your pants if I were you, Snivellus."

"Apologise to Evans!" James roared, pointing his wand at Severus in a threatening manner.

"I don't want you to make him apologise," I shout, turning round to glare at him and trying to ignore the tears that threaten to spill. "You're as bad as he is."

"What?" Potter yelps. "I'd NEVER call you a – you-know-what!"

I scowl. "Messing up your hair because you think it looks cool to look like you've just got off a broomstick, showing off with that stupid Snitch, walking down corridors and hexing anyone who annoys you just because you can – I'm surprised your broomstick can get off the ground with that fat head on it. You make me SICK."

I turn on my heel and hurry away from him, as fast as possible.

"Evans!" He yells, running after me. "Hey, EVANS!"

I keep walking, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry.'

I shake my head. I need to focus on this project. But Severus was right about one thing – James was arrogant then. But he isn't now. At least, not all the time. So that's fine, right? No, I tell myself firmly. I can't have him getting into my head like this. I can choose who I want to be friends with, and that's final.

The bell rings, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I can finally escape these awkward questions.

"Lily," Sev says as I pack up my books. I ignore him. He's making everything harder than it needs to be – we're not friends anymore. "Lily, I was just hoping things might've changed after the holidays."

But I walk away, without a second glance.

I enter the dorm later in the evening, just planning on dropping off my bag before heading over to the library for a book. But when I enter, I realise that there's no chance that I'll be leaving here tonight.

The dorm is full, but it's not cosy. There is a cold atmosphere in the room, and the way everyone stands just accentuates this.

Lydia and Eileen are standing up near the doorway, haughty expressions on their faces. Ally and Marlene are sitting on the floor, looking extremely angry. I wouldn't cross either of them with that expression on their faces. And in between them is Lucy, with tears running down her face.

"Lucy!" I rush towards her. "What's going on?"

Lucy sniffs and rubs her eyes, looking down. "S'nothing Lily. Don't worry."

"It's definitely something!" I turn to look at Lydia and Eileen. They definitely look smug. "What have you said?"

"Nothing," says Lydia. "We were just questioning Lucy about her little crush she has. Nothing's wrong with that, is it?"

"Well if you're making her this upset, then there's definitely something wrong with that!"

Eileen laughs coldly, tossing her ash blonde hair. "She's just getting worked up about nothing."

I glare at them, before turning back and crouching down in front of Lucy, Marlene and Ally. I turn to Marlene. "What were they saying?"

"They were making fun of her, just because she was in a good mood when she came in. They were asking her about a crush she apparently has, though," she raises her voice, looking straight at Lydia. "It's none of their business!"

"Oh come on!" Lydia says, shrilly. "We were just curious who ickle Lucy likes!"

"At least when she likes someone she just has to talk to them! Lucy can get guys to like her because of her personality, not because her skirt barely even covers her bottom!" Ally snarls.

Lydia's eyes flash. "You're just jealous because you haven't had any action from Albert the bore! Is he getting bored of you?" She sneers. "No, actually. You're both equal. Average on the outside, but completely dead on the inside."

She cackles, and Ally grabs her wand from her robes.

"No!" I shout, grabbing her arm.

Ally turns to me, her eyes blazing. "Didn't you hear what that hag said?"

"Yes I did," I say, in my most soothing voice. "But you can't let her get to you, you know she's just jealous."

"She's a slut," Marlene adds. "No wonder no one wants to date her."

I nod. "You can't stoop to her level, Ally. If you hex her then you'll be in the wrong, not her. Leave it as Lydia being the cruel one okay?"

Ally sighs, nodding. "Fine. But I'm changing her shampoo to be extra volumising!" She whispers.

I smile, before looking to Lucy, who has shrunk back into the corner. "Lucy? You okay?"

She nods, forcing a smile onto her face. "I think so." She looks at all three of us in turn. "Thank you for defending me. She just came out of nowhere, and I just cracked."

"Pretty soft one, aren't you?" Lydia smirks. "Perhaps you shouldn't be in Gryffindor. You'd be more suited to Hufflepuff."

Eileen looks at her best friend warningly. It makes me feel better that at least she has the good sense to see that Lydia is moving into harsh territory. I glower at Lydia. "You should leave," I tell her. "You've done enough damage."

Lydia shrugs, stalking out the room. "Whatever. Come on, Eileen."

Eileen moves to follow, but glances back at me. At least she looks sorry. "Lily, I really didn't mean for it to get this far. It was just a joke and-"

"A joke that you both took too far," I say harshly. "Go."

She sighs sadly and leaves. I put my head in my hands. I really did just want a quiet evening.

Ally looks at me, concerned. "Lils?" She asks concerned.

I look up. "Yeah?"

"We'll stay up here, I have to show Lucy my new edition of 'Witch Weekly'. You go down, give Mr Darcy and Elizabeth some love."

I look at her, grateful for what she's doing. "Are you sure?"

Marlene rolls her eyes. "It's Ally, Lil. Of course she's sure. Go."

I grin, grabbing my book and making my way down to the common room. I know I should be going to the library, but it's quite late, and there isn't really any point in going now, right?

At least, that's what I tell myself as I settle down in the corner of the common room, ignoring the sounds of gobstones, exploding snap, and, especially, Lydia and Eileen.

"Lily?" NO! Why can't I read in peace? Does the world have something against me reading about Elizabeth and Darcy? Is there something wrong with it?

Then I recognise the voice. I look up, surprised at who it is.

"Finally talking to me, are you?" I ask, trying to hold back the bitterness in my tone.

James sighs, running his hand through his hair. "I'm really sorry. I was just trying to process it all and I guess I was hurt that you just assumed that I hadn't changed one bit. But it's not your fault, and I get that. It's my fault that you don't believe me," he smiles softly. "I haven't exactly given you reason to before."

I nod, trying not to let myself hope. "So you're saying…?"

He smiles fully this time. "I was an arse for storming off the other day, and I completely forgive you." He frowns a little, and I sigh inwardly. What is it now? "As long as you can forgive me for being annoyed with you for no reason?"

I grin. "Forgiven. Finally!" I fail to mention that Sirius told me why he was annoyed with me, and that I know that it wasn't for no reason.

"So we're good?" James asks nervously.

How much reassurance does the boy need?

I smile and nod. "Yes James, we're good."

"Good." He says.

Uhm…yes. You've said that dear, quite a lot.

"What are you reading?" He asks.

I hold up my book. "Pride and Prejudice."

He frowns slightly. "Er…Pride and what?"

I laugh. "Prejudice. It's like judging before you know the full story." I blush faintly. "Sound like someone you know?"

He opens his mouth to reply, but is interrupted by a shout.

"Oi, Prongs! Quit your nattering and get over here!"

James rolls his eyes, and yells over his shoulder, "In a minute, Padfoot!"

"I've never heard of it," He says, gesturing to my book.

I grin. "That's because it's a Muggle book. But it's a classic, you really should read it."

He eyes the cover doubtfully. "Looks a bit old to me."

I roll my eyes. Of course. "Doesn't mean it's not good, though."

"Prongs!"

I snort. "You'd better go before he comes over here and physically drags you away."

James chuckles. "True, there is a huge probability that he may do that. But," he says, smirking. "You'll have to tell me all about that book, 'kay?"

I grin and nod. "Dutifully noted. And I'll hold you to that!"

He laughs, backing away. "Wouldn't expect anything less."