Lilly woke up and her arms were sore. She looked at them and saw the Latin symbols carved into her arms. The surrounding skin was red and raw. she must have rubbed them while sleeping. She flipped off her covers and went to shower. She dressed herself and bandaged her arms to keep from scratching them.
It was the beginning of October and she was still growing more and more used to her schedule. She had not heard anything from her mother and has not had the chance to think about her father. She recieved a letter from Luna's father, Xenophilius Lovegood.

Dear Lillian,

I see that you understand the circumstances of your new found power. What Luna knows is the end of it, you see. I met your father once for an interview for my paper. He seemed to be a nice man and I had nothing against him. I wish I could be of more help to you.

Sincerely,
Xenophilius Lovegood

Lilly wished that she would have gotten more information from him but she assumed that she could gain an extra copy of the Quibbler from Luna where her father was interviewed. The dance was the next day and Lilly and Harry have practically dropped their moment altogether. He has been so kind to her but at the same time, Lilly has noticed his strange behavior. He's been distant and doesn't talk and when he does he doesn't say much at all. He only looks at her with sad eyes.

She has even seen his eyes pained and she had no idea what to make of it. Lilly even cornered Ron to ask him what was wrong.

"Ron, you had better tell me if anything is happening with him!" Lilly pointed her finger to his chest and eyed him carefully.

"I-I dunno. I can't get him to talk to me! Bloody hell, all he does is sit up in his room all day and doesn't let me go near him when he's laying in bed."

Lilly looked at him and then pondered this for a moment.

"Is he there now?"

"Yes." Ron said slipping past Lilly so that he wasn't pressed against the wall anymore.

"I'm going up there. Make sure that no one else goes in after me." Lilly said and Ron nodded. She ran up to the boys dorm and pushed the door open. It seemed empty and she wandered inside.

"Hello? Harry?" She whispered. There was a rustling of curtains behind Harry's bed and she ripped the curtain open exposing Harry lying there rubbing his eyes. They had dark circles and he looked pale and sweaty. "Harry? What happened?"

Lilly placed her hand to Harry's forehead which was burning hot.

"Nothing." He slapped her hand away and she scoffed.

"Why are you always hiding in your room. Shouldn't you be out with your friends right now? Or at least studying for a class?"

"No. Why does it matter to you what I do?" He said harshly and it kind of threw her back a little but she brushed it off.

"Come on Harry. I am your friend and I just want to help you. You've been so locked up and uptight lately and I just want to make sure that you're alright." Lilly said taking a seat next to him as he grabbed his glasses and slipped them on. Lilly grabbed Harry's hand tightly and looked at him.

"I'm fine." He said softly this time and Lilly pulled him into a hug. Lilly has grown to learn that she in fact had feeling for Harry. She just didn't know how to chanel her feelings. She knew what she wanted which was to see what it would be like being with him but she also knew what she needed which is a close friend to have in a world like this one.

Harry let her hold him for a long moment and then finally, but gently, pushed her away. He rubbed his eyes again and Lilly scooted closer to him. He didn't object or back away farther, He just looked at her with sad eyes.

That was only a few days ago and Lilly never forgot every second. She left her dorm and decided to do her homework. Her professors had been piling on the work and she had no choice but to work them into her schedule. She spent an hour doing work and then would relax anyway she could and then back to work for another hour.

This day though, Seamus walked in carrying a guitar case. "Strange." Lilly thought to herself. She had never seen anything so, normal, at Hogwarts yet.

"Seamus?" Lilly asked and Seamus looked over. "You play guitar?"

"I certainly do. It's the one thing I took up as a hobby outside of school that doesn't require magic." He smiled and walked to her. Lilly sat up straight and smiled at him.

"May I see it." She asked. Seamus's expression lit up like the fourth of July. He sat next to her and took out the guitar and showed it to her.

"No way!" Lilly said as Seamus showed her his Gibson J-250 Acoustic Guitar. "Those cost around $20,000! How did you get it?"

"Believe it or not, this was a gift." Seamus laughed "I hadn't even known the price range until now. You're a guitar fanatic?"

"You couldn't tell?"

"Well you don't express it too much."

"I know. I didn't think to mention it because it wasn't the most important thing going on in my life right now." Lilly said tapping a finger to her temple. "May I?" Lilly held out her hands and Seamus handed her the guitar. She played a chord and enjoyed the sound coming from the instrument. Then she played it again, and then another, and another until the music filled the common room.

Harry walked out of his dorm to find Lilly sitting with Seamus and she was playing his guitar. He sat silently on the stairs and watched her as she played. He thought she was so lovely. He had never felt so strongly about someone like her before. He couldn't place his finger on it but something about her spoke to him. She was special and couldn't figure it out.

When Lilly started to sing lyrics his heart stopped.

"I wanna settle down. I wanna settle down. Won't you settle down with me? Settle down.

We can settle at a table, a table for two, Won't you wine and dine with me? Settle down." She said softly. The words came so naturally to Lilly and she wanted to sing more, to play more.

"I wanna raise a child. I wanna raise a child. Won't you raise a child with me? Raise a child."

Harry listened closely. He wanted to whisk her off her feet and take her into his arms. He was falling for her and he knew it, clearly. He just knew the danger she was in and couldn't risk adding his troubles onto hers. She needed to be completely focused on Demitri and her family. She didn't need Harry and the dark lord to follow.
Lilly stopped singing and Seamus sat in silence. She smiled to herself and felt happy.

"That was really nice. Did you write that?"

"No I didn't. That was just a song that I am fond of." Lilly said handing the guitar back to Seamus. He packed it away and scooted closer to her.

"What are you doing anyway?" He asked. Lilly looked back at her homework which she had forgotten about.

"Professor McGonagall runs a tight shift around here. She has assigned me so much homework and I'm not sure how I will be able learn all the material I missed plus the new material for this year by the time OWLS turn up." Lilly huffed. She was stressed and flustered and just wanted to take a break.

"I can help." Seamus offered. Lilly smiled and agreed to his help. Harry noticed how Seamus was trying to scoot closer to her and wanted to tell him to back off but felt a tight twisting motion in his stomach that told him otherwise. He turned around and went back into his dorm.

Afterwards, Seamus took his guitar out again and started playing little chords. Lilly was sitting on side of the couch and he was on the other. They decided to take a break from the homework and wanted to relax.

"How did you get so good at potions when you've never even done any magic until a couple months ago?" Seamus asked strumming his guitar quitely.

"I don't know. I guess I have a knack for it. I suppose that's a good thing and I won't have to worry about studying potions as much." Lilly laughed lightly.
It was silent for a moment as Lilly stared up at the ceiling. Harry slipped in her mind and she suddenly wanted to go to him, just to talk. She knew it would be so rude to leave Seamus for no reason but she couldn't help herself. He was on her mind more often since their moment in his room.

"Seamus, would you mind if I left? I need to take care of something." Lilly said uneasily. He blinked and nodded slowly.
Lilly gathered her things and walked up to boys dormitory and felt Seamus's eyes following her. She knocked on the door and some boy she didn't know answered.

"Yes?" He asked eyeing Lilly and smiling at her.

"Oh, Um. Is Harry here?" She asked

"Yeah." He stepped aside and said, "Harry." Harry peeked from behind his curtains and looked at Lilly. He looked sick. Lilly walked up to him and sat next to him.

Harry pulled her inside the curtains and cast a silencing charm.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't be with Seamus?" He asked

"You saw that? No, I loved his guitar. Do you know he has such an expensive one too? Oh and it's gorgeous!" Lilly went on and saw Harry raise one eyebrow.

"Lilly, That's all fascinating and all but what are you doing here?" Harry pointed towards his bed but he meant his entire dorm.

Lilly grabbed his hand and looked at him. "Let's go somewhere else, where we truly are alone." Lilly said

A few minutes later, Harry and Lilly were dressed in warm winter cloaks and walking oustide the castle grounds where the clouds were covering the sun's rays. They decided to rest underneath a tree.

"What do you want to talk to me about?" Harry asked

Lilly didn't look at Harry, she looked at the sky, then the grass. The put her thoughts together.

"I don't know what it is about you Harry, but my new powers only work when I think about you. I feel stronger when you are on my mind. I can't exactly control them but at least I can make them... come out. I want you to help me control them. I know that's a lot to ask but I feel that you're the only one who can teach me. You make me feel, powerful."

"Lilly, I want nothing more than to help you with your new powers and help you succeed but I'm not sure if I could handle it. Hermione is smart and she could help you no problem-"

"No, Harry. You were there the other night. The way the water moved, it was all you. I thought of you and it came so easily and I want to do that again, please?"

Harry thought to himself. He knew this was one way to grow dangerously close to her and part of him wanted that but the common sense part of him was telling him to let Hermion take care of this. He decided to ignore that side and go with what he wanted.

"Okay. Fine." Lilly shrieked and hugged him. Harry wrapped his arms around her and held her for as long as he could, which wasn't very long since she broke the hug.

"Let's start right now."

"Now?"

"Yes, It's about to rain and I want to try using that water." She said

"Alright." Harry said. They waited for the rain which started a few minutes afterwards and Lilly and Harry were drenched. "Anytime now Lilly." Harry said wiping water from his glasses.

Lilly closed her eyes and thought of Harry. She had an image in her head of him holding her. His arms were draped gently around her waist and he rested his forehead against hers and she was breathless. He kissed her lips gently and then he did it again, and again. He moved to her nose and then to her forehead.

"Lilly, open your eyes."

Lilly looked to see the rain has held still in place around them. It formed a barrier around them, a tight one that pushed Harry close to Lilly. The droplets would hit the surface and then it would ripple like a puddle. It was amazing. Lilly smiled at the dome and then jumped on Harry and hugged him.

"I did it! I thought of you and look what happened!" She said and kissed Harry's cheek. Harry was instantly happy.

She went to place her hand on the surface. It was cold, and wet. and then it broke. the water surrounded them and now they were completely soaked. Harry grabbed Lilly's hand and took her inside. They walked to the dorms, which were empty besides a couple of students studying in the corner together. Lilly went to her dorm and changed into dry clothes and Harry did the same.

At lunch, Lilly was describing her experience to Hermione. She watched Lilly with concentrated eyes and Lilly couldn't help but stutter and talk loudly. She knew she was onto something when she figured out that Harry was a good inspiration for her powers.

"That's great Lilly. I'm glad that Harry can be such a big help for you. But have you figured out how to access your fire power yet?" Hermion asked.

"Well... no. I'm scared. At least with water, It can make a big mess but with Fire... That can really hurt people." Lilly looked at Harry and recalled the feeling he gave her when she accessed her powers.

Hermione followed her gaze and then smiled back at Lilly. "I bet you would do your best to keep him safe if something went wrong."
Lilly looked at Hermione who was giving her a wicked smile. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh please! I've seen the way you look at him! You like him, don't you?" Hermione laughed lightly taking a bite from her apple
Lilly was silent as she scooted closer to Hermione. she hoped that Harry was so caught up with his conversation with Ron that he couldn't hear anything that they were saying.

"It's hard to explain but whenever I'm around him, I get this feeling like, I have no worries and I can be the best that I want to be. Is that silly?"

"Of course not!" Hermione pulled Lilly into a friendly hug, "It just means that you have a little crush and he makes you want to the best you that you've ever been."

Lilly smiled to herself and peeked at Harry. He looked over quickly and smiled sweetly towards her. Lilly blushed and turned away giving Harry a slight wave of her hand. She couldn't wait for the dance the next day.

The day of the dance was mostly celebrated by girls talking about what they were going to where and who they were going with. Lilly was talking with Hermione who was going with Ron and she was very well enthralled with it. Lilly looked forward to going with Harry. She was going to borrow a dress from Hermione. It was pale yellow and floor length. It was strapless and had a waist jeweled brooch that helped accent her waist. It hung on the frame of her bed as did several other of the girls dresses.

Lilly went about her classes like normal but it seemed the professors weren't nearly as interested in teaching since all the girls were too busy being excited about the dance and weren't paying attention anyway. She didn't receive any homework and was relieved about that.

She had to waste a few hours before the dance and decided to do some studying. She was determined to be a good student and pass her OWLS when they came around. Hermione shortly joined her but somehow they both reered off into a conversation about the dance. They were talking about which songs they hoped would be played and what the decorations were going to be like.

"I can't explain it but I feel so incredibly nervous about going with Harry." Lilly spoke wringing her hands together

"For the love of god! It's because you are in love with him!" Hermione exasperated

"No I'm not!" Lilly said, "I just like him a little. You said so yourself!"

"I know but it just so obvious that you like him! I think you may love him too." She said smiling.

Lilly blushed as Harry walked into the common room and spotted them. He sat down next to Hermione. "What's going on?"

"Nothing." Lilly said

"I think I should start getting ready for the dance." Hermione said excusing herself and giving Lilly's shoulder a quick tight squeeze before she left.

"Bye Hermione." Harry said and turned his attention back to Lilly. "Are you all set to go to the dance too?"

"Of course." Lilly swallowed harshly. Having Hermione say that Lilly was in love with Harry out loud really kind of felt like a kick in the behind. Lilly had feelings for Harry but she couldn't bring herself to realize that they were any deeper than a silly crush. How could she love him when she only knew him for so long? Why would she love him anyway? How could she tell? She was so drawn to her thoughts that she hadn't noticed Harry clearing his throat, three times.

"Oh sorry Harry. I think I should get ready with Hermione. I'll meet you back here in half an hour." Lilly said and ran upstairs without letting Harry reply.

"What are you doing to me?" Lilly asked ten minutes later after she showered, shaved, and slipped into her dress. Hermione was now trying to do Lilly's make up for her and Lilly didn't want Hermione trying to get too close to her eyes but now as Hermione was almost holding Lilly down, she tried to put mascara onto her eyes.

"Just hold still!" She said. Lilly snatched the bottle from her hands and said, "Let me handle this part!"

She put the mascara on herself and continued to pamper her face and then put on her yellow pumps and a silver bracelet. She couldn't hide her marks anymore than she wanted to and she didn't want some bandages to clash with her dress. It wasn't like they weren't stylish or anything it's just she didn't want people staring at her all night.

Lilly walked out of the dorm with Hermione and they both met up with their dates. When Lilly saw Harry dressed so sharply, her heart stopped. He looked so handsome with his hair combed to the side and he stood straight with his hands in front of him.

Harry also felt the same way. Lilly's hair was curled and they fell gently around her face, which was glowing. and the dress gave her a certain look that made Harry want to keep staring. She looked so gracious and beautiful.

"Shall we?" He asked holding out his arm and Lilly took it and felt wonderful being so close to him.

They walked to the Great Hall together and Lilly was in awe at the decorations. the floating candles gave a lovely glow amongst the dancing students. The music was loud and exciting. some Professors were by the refreshments table standing around dancing by themselved or with other professors. Some were mingling with other students.

Harry led Lilly to the dancefloor just as a slow song started and he slipped his arm around her waist and held her other hand tightly in his. They began to move to the music and Lilly felt as if she were in heaven.

She rested her head on his shoulder as they moved and could feel him breathing underneath her. He was calm and she enjoyed it.

"Lilly?" He spoke softly.

Lilly looked up at him still smiling, "Yeah?"

"Whats it like when you control your powers?" He asked. He had a hidden meaning underneath the question though. He really wanted to know what Lilly thought of when she made the amazing things happen with water.

"It's the most amazing feeling in the world." She answered. Harry pulled Lilly even closer and she let him. They danced together, looking into one anothers eyes.

"May I interrupt?" Seamus asked suddenly. Lilly and Harry were in a trance and both looked at Seamus.

"Uh, sure." Harry set reluctantly giving Seamus Lilly's hand. She didn't want Harry to go but he irritably stomped off to the refreshments to get a drink.

"I hope I didn't interrupt anything." Seamus said now holding Lilly and dancing with her as the song changed.

"Of course not." Lilly lied. She smiled politely at Seamus.

"Listen Lilly." He spoke, "I don't know if there is anything between you and Harry but I want you to know that I like you very much."

"Oh Seamus. I'm so sorry." Lilly felt herself cringe, "I have feelings for someone else."

Seamus's face fell but he gave her a weak smile, "That's alright. I didn't expect anything from you. I just feel better getting that off my chest."

"We can be good friends you know. There isn't any need for anything more." Lilly said

Seamus looked at Lilly, "I know. But I do have one request."

"What is it?" Lilly asked hesitantly

"May I kiss you? Once?"

Lilly looked skeptical but thought what harm could've been done.

"I suppose that would be alright."

Seamus gleamed and leaned into her. He pressed his lips against hers, hard. Lilly didn't very well enjoy it because she was not attracted to Seamus at all but she could tell he was enjoying himself because his hands were trying to explore her and she didn't like it.

"Get your hands off her." Harry said as calmly as he could muster. Seamus looked at Harry and then at Lilly and realized that there was something between the two of them after all.

"I'm sorry Lilly." He said and let her go and walked away.
Lilly felt a pang of guilt in her stomach. Harry didn't take her hand or step any closer. He just looked at her.

"What was that?" He asked. There wasn't any jealousy in his voice or anger or any emotion for that matter.

"He likes me and I let him kiss me. What's the problem?" She asked angrily

"Do you like him?" Harry asked shoving his hands in his pockets.

"Of course not! Harry you are being so ridiculous!" Lilly felt anger building in heart and suddenly wanted to leave.

When Harry didn't say anything Lilly shook her head and turned to leave.

"Lilly!" Harry said grabbing her hand and turning her around. She was about to object when Harry's lips crashed onto hers. It was such a passionate kiss. Lilly felt the fire in her heart soar. She wanted more from him. She wanted him to keep kissing her and never stop.

"Oh my god!" Someone yelled Lilly broke the kiss and opened her eyes. The floating candles wicks were burning at an alarming rate. the fire whipped around and struck the curtains and lashed out at the students. The Professors were trying to control the growing blaze and students were trying to file out as quickly as possible.

"Oh no." Lilly said. Harry's passionate kiss had caused her to control the fire and she was burning down the building.

"Ron!" Harry said and helped Ron who was knocked down by the panicking students. Ron immediately ran off to find Hermione, leaving Harry alone where he stood.

Lilly looked left and right only to see professors shuffling students out and others shooting waters from their wands and trying to calm the flames.

"Help!" Harry yelled. A burning beam was falling on top of him.

"No!" Lilly yelled and ran to him. Her eyes were glowing bright red as she thrust her arms up and caught the beam. The fire tickling her arms and she didn't feel an ounce of pain. The symbols on her arms were glowing and she never felt so much strength in her life. She felt the power surging through her entire body. She willed the fire to stop. Each flame in the room receded and came to her. She dropped the beam beside Harry and then she wiped her hand over the flames and they disappeared.

She was breathing heavily and then noticed Harry was lying on the ground. She helped him up and noticed his pants were burnt and his leg was injured. She wrapped his hand around her shoulders. She looked up and found everyone looking at her. The Professors stopped shoving students out and looked at her. All the students that were still in were staring at her. Other students wandered back in to see why everything was so quiet.

"Quit standing there and someone com and help me!" She yelled. No one moved. "you bloody idiots! He's bleeding! Quit acting like mindless ass's and someone come help me!"

Madame Pomphrey and Professor McGonagall pushed through the other students and took Harry from Lilly and rushed him into the medical wing.
Dumbledore walked up to Lilly and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Lilly, I need you to come with me."

Lilly instantly realized how tired she was and that she was out of breath. Her dress was burned and it barely covered her body.
She followed Dumbledore trying her hardest to cover her breasts. The dress was stretched down her middle and covered her bottom and front but that was pretty much it. Dumbledore removed his cloak and let Lilly wear it.

They walked together to his office where she sat in a seat and dumbledore gave her a cup of tea. She drank it realizing how much smoke she had breathed in.

"Lillian." Dumbledore began, taking his seat across from her at his desk. "I'm afraid you may be more powerful than I estimated. I hadn't realized that you have recieved your powers already. I'm afraid tonights... indescretion, may almost have cost many students lives."

"Yes sir. I apologize for what I did. I don't know what happened."

"You understand that I can't let it happen again?"

"Yes sir."

"What caused you to accelerate your powers like that?"

"I-I'm not sure." Lilly was only half lying.

"I see. It wouldn't have anything to do with your feelings for Mr. Potter would it?"

"Sir, I-." Lilly plugged the pieces together in her head. "No, sir please! I don't want to be away from Harry!" Lilly pleaded

"I'm not asking you to seperate from Mr. Potter. I just want you to keep your relationship at a distance."

Lilly started crying. She couldn't help herself but the tears just started flowing.

"It will only be until I myself, can help you control your powers." He smiled at her.

Lilly looked up at him and wiped away her tears.

"You are dismissed." Lilly stood and walked back to her dorm. She didn't bother changing. She lay in her bed and cried silently until sleep took her in.