When Lily finally got to the Ancient Runes classroom, no one was there yet. That wasn't all that surprising, considering the fact that lunch wasn't over yet, and hardly any students actually cared about showing up to class early, even if it was an exam. Besides, students had ten minutes to get to their respective classes after lunch ended, so many spent their time chatting in the hallway. Lily took her seat at the front like always and tried to block out what just happened in the halls just minutes ago. She looked down at her wrists and noticed with horror that they were already bruising. What was she to do? She didn't have any makeup with her, and she didn't know any spells that could cover up blemishes.

Then she remembered she brought her sweater with her! It was sort of chilly in the castle anyway, so no one would think it a big deal if she wore it. She pulled it on hastily just in case someone happened to come in—she didn't want someone seeing something they shouldn't.

After she got out her quills and parchment, she heard the door open, and in came the booming laughs of Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter. Sirius and Remus sat at the table directly behind her, and so James, for the sake of being close to his friends, simply chose to sit next to Lily. Bloody fantastic, Lily thought. Peter went off to sit next to some Ravenclaw girl.

She forced herself not to look at him. She heard other students shuffling in and taking their seats, but she felt uneasy. Then, she realized it was because James was staring at her intently.

After a few minutes, Professor Babbling turned around and smiled at her class. "Alright, ladies and gentlemen! Your exam should be pretty easy this time 'round, so you could all be done in about an hour or so. Remember, absolutely no copying one another's work. When you are done, you may study for another class' exam, should you have any left, but I fully expect you to not utter word."

Then, the exams appeared on each student's desk and everyone began working. Everyone except Lily, that is. She could not focus. She started tapping her quill quietly. Apparently it wasn't quiet enough though, because after about a minute, she felt a warm hand on hers, stilling the jittery movements. As she looked into James' eyes, she could feel the electricity from his hand touching hers. It was driving her insane.

Lily laughed nervously. "Sorry."

"S'alright." Just then, someone entered the classroom. Every head whipped round to see who it was. Lo and behold, it was none other than Dumbledore, the Headmaster himself.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt your exam, my dear Professor Babbling, but I must speak with Mr. Sirius Black in my office immediately. He will be excused from this Exam." Lily noticed that there was none of the usual sparkle in his eyes behind his half-moon spectacles. Whatever had happened, it was no joking matter. Sirius was really in for it this time. She turned to James, silently asking if he knew what had happened.

"Your guess is as good as mine, Evans. I have absolutely no idea what's going on."

She turned back to look at Dumbledore, who stepped aside to let Sirius out of the door first. They both left, and the door shut, leaving all the Seventh year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws to ponder what just happened.

After they had both turned in their exams, Lily and James began studying for Transfiguration. Or rather, Lily was studying, and James was trying to help her, as silently as possible. Transfiguration was his best subject. He never studied for that class and still managed to get top marks. When he grabbed her book to read something in it for a minute, she tried to grab it back from him. However, her sweater sleeve came up her arm a bit, exposing the bruise. She hastily jerked the offending limb to her chest. James looked at her quizzically, but said nothing, and placed the textbook back on the desk in front of her. Whew, he didn't see.

She was just trying to pull her sweater sleeves over her hands so that they wouldn't fall down, when the door opened once again. And once again, there stood Dumbledore, except Sirius was nowhere to be seen.

When he spoke, although he addressed Professor Babbling, he was staring directly at Lily. "I'm so sorry about this again, Professor, but I must ask our Head Girl to come with me. Miss Evans, won't you follow?"

"Does the Head Boy need to come too?" she asked, hoping that this wasn't what she feared it was.

"No, just you, Miss Evans. Thank you."

Resigned, Lily grabbed her book and bag, and got up to follow the Headmaster wherever he was leading her. Once they were in the hallway, she started leading her in the direction of his office. Lily gulped. "I shall offer up no false pretense, Miss Evans. Something has been recently brought to my attention that is a very serious matter."

"Well then I think James should definitely be here."

"Alas, what I have to say is not for Mr. Potter's ears, seeing as what we will be discussing concerns you."

Gulp.

All too soon, the pair had arrived at the gargoyle door. "Cockroach clusters," he said, some of the typical sparkle coming back into his eyes. "I know they're not everyone's favorite thing, but I find they make a horribly amusing password," he said, seeing her confusion at his word choice. They stepped in and rode the first step all the way to the top.

Lily had been in his office many times before, as a prefect and as Head Girl. What struck her by surprise, though, was someone sitting in one of the chairs across from the Headmaster's desk. As the someone turned around, Lily became more confused than ever.

"Afternoon, Evans."

"Sirius?"