IMPORTANT A/N This is the updated version of my story. There have been a few cosmetic changes to old chapters with the assistance of amazing reviews and feedback from readers like you! For a list of changes please see my profile page, as I don't want to clutter up the story with tedious author's notes. Thanks to my amazing beta, TwilightMoonbeams, you should check out her stories. Any remaining mistakes are mine after I messed around a bit more. Without further ado...

Lily had been late to Theory of Magic. It was becoming a bad habit.

The same teacher taught the Theory of Magic and Transfiguration classes back-to-back. Professor Penelope Clearwater was a tall and collected witch wearing well-fitted sky-blue robes. She had glossy brown hair in a tall bun. A few curls fell on either side of her equine face. Her sharp blue eyes flicked from student to student and seemed to catch every error in appearance, technique, pronunciation, and attentiveness. She had not been pleased when Lily had arrived, panting, and late. The Slytherins had received the lessons alone and had started laughing when Lily, the last to arrive, had been exiled to the back of the class. Professor Clearwater had produced a whip-crack sound from her wand and quieted the room instantly.

The authoritative teacher had proceeded to explain the principles of modern magic and why Transfiguration was the ideal class to provide an examination of the intersection of theory and praxis. Lily had sat at the back and struggled to stay awake. The lesson was incredibly dry and stuffy. Professor Clearwater was precise and clear, but Lily had no interest in theory. That was Albus' preferred subject. The only interesting thing was when Professor Clearwater had transfigured her desk into a dinosaur and sent the ankylosauros trampling back and forth along the edge of the room as everyone cheered. Then she had assigned twelve inches and seventy pages to read and the cheering had died at once.

Lily took advantage of her seat at the back of the class and was first the first depart the classroom. She raced down the first floor corridor, adjusting her book bag and wondering when she was going to find time to write twelve inches. Lily had better things to do. She could hear Deloitte, Laila, Reginald, and Damien all laughing and chatting as they emerged into the corridor. After hours of theory and transfiguration everyone was heading down to lunch. Lily broke into a run and outpaced the rest of the Slytherins. She arrived in the Great Hall along with the first year Hufflepuffs.

"Lily! Join us!"

Lily beamed. "Hi Alice! That would be great."

Lily followed the others to the Hufflepuff table, receiving a few odd looks on her way. She did her best to ignore them.

At the Hufflepuff table Monty Wipplemore, Magnus Cuffe Samantha Smith, and Barbara Sadler greeted her cheerily. Duncan Goyle grunted in a friendly sort of way. But Hugo flushed and looked away from her. Lily went pink and swallowed.

"Lily," Gideon said coolly.

"Cuz." Lily said stiffly.

Alice giggled nervously, "Come on, sit down, Lil."

"Thanks," Lily said. She hesitated, and then sat next to Alice. She fell onto a ham and pickle sandwich.

Magnus burped and spewed chips across his plate. "So, I 'ear we have P.E.W.W. together this afternoon, Potter, us Puffs and the Slytherins."

Lily scowled.

"What's that?" Barb asked curiously.

"Physical Exercise for Witches and Wizards," Alice sighed, "It's the worse."

"Oi!" Magnus said, "We get to play Quidditch!"

Hugo turned a little green.

"Not all the time, we also play Quodpot," Monty tilted his shoulders, "And we don't play like the House teams. We only sort of skim along the ground."

"I still want to see if our Potter has it in the blood, wot!" Magnus grinned.

Lily shrugged disdainfully. "Whatever, it's just a few pieces of wood with some hover charms. Not like a real racing or sports broom."

"True," Magnus admitted.

"There's always Quodpot, though," Alice says, "My brother plays."

"Oh!" Samantha and Barbara beamed.

Lily rolled her eyes and then stuffed a second sandwich in her mouth.

Everyone spent lunch discussing the differences between Quidditch and Quodpot. Quodpot was a Colonial sport developed only a few hundred years ago. Unlike Quidditch, it did not require brooms and could be played on the ground or in the air. The Quodpot was a leather ball that had a tendency to explode in a burst of fire and the goal was to get the Quodpot into the magical kettle in the center of the pitch before it blew up in your face. If you were holding the Quod when the ball exploded, you were out. It was the most popular sport in America, but it had only recently made it back across the pond. However, it was becoming more popular at the wizarding schools because you did not need an expensive racing broom. Lily was more partial to Quidditch herself, but who wouldn't enjoy the pyrotechnic displays that a good Quodpot match could produce! Before Magnus Cuffe and Monty Wipplemore could elaborate further on the extremely important distinctions between the two games the clock chimed the end of lunch and everyone grabbed their bags.

Both Gideon and Hugo avoided her in the press of Hufflepuffs entering the aisle on the other side of the table. Lily refused to fight her way to them. Of course, she had enough trouble making her way back through the crowds of Upper Years, all of whom were too large and going far to fast. She lost track of the Slytherins and had to find the Defence Against the Dark Arts room on her own. This meant that Lily was last to join the crowd of first years hanging around the closed classroom door. The Slytherins formed one group while the Gryffindors formed another. Lily shot daggers at Cormac and Ali. Cormac noticed her attention and elbowed his friend and they both laughed.

The D.A.D.A. swung open and a voice boomed, "Enter, students!"

Everyone jumped at the echoing boom of the door hitting the stone wall and then nervously filed into the classroom.

Wooden shutters covered the windows leaving the room din and mysterious. As they entered the lanterns sprang into life and revealed yellowing skeletons hanging from wires on the ceiling. Faded purple posters with Ministry slogans and warnings covered every of the walls.

"Welcome, welcome, welcome to Defence Against the Dark Arts!" Professor Hoarwell said ponderously. He stood on the flight of marble steps leading down from the door to his office, above. Descending slowly, he waved a thick hand at the desks. "Be seated, quickly now, there is no time to lose in the eternal battle against the Dark Arts!"

The mismatched desks were quickly appropriated into two halves, one for the Gryffindors and one for the Slytherins. Lily hung back as the excitable Gryffindors and the haughty Slytherins took their seats. She glanced at the barrel-chested professor and frowned slightly. The yellow-haired giant was stroking his neatly trimmed beard. He had a velveteen burgundy suit and robes and a plush, red wizards' hat. "Be seated, be seated, Miss Potter, Miss Thorne, no dawdling."

Lily's lips twitched. She pointed herself at the closest desk and sat with a thump, slouching in her seat, and slammed her bookbag down beside her. She realized that she was once again seated next to Sabine. This did not make her feel better.

"Welcome to Defence Against the Dark Arts!" Professor Hoarwell said loudly. "I am Hengist Hoarwell, holder of the Order of Merlin, Third Class, member of the Dark Force Defence League, and Professor of Hogwarts. But you may just call me Professor, or Sir. Now, students, this is the most important and dangerous subject you will endeavour to take at this school. The world, young lads and ladies, is a dark and dangerous place, consumed with the forces of the Dark Arts. Your best defence against it is a stout heart, bravery, courage, and determination, isn't that right, my boys?"

He beamed at the Gryffindors seated in the front row, who smiled back a bit nervously.

"I believe that there is no substitute, none at all, for moral fibre! That's right, moral fibre! Spells and wands can be used by anyone, but those with moral fibre, they will end up holding the field! The Dark Arts may look enticing, even powerful to some of you," Hoarwell shot a squinting look at Lily.

Lily started, and then realized that he was looking at Sabine. The girl hid behind a fringe of dirty blonde bangs and didn't reply. Lily bit her lip. The whole class held its breath.

"That's right, some of you," Hoarwell nodded sagely and his hat shook, "But in the end what do we know about the practitioners of the Dark Arts, eh? Cut and run, they do, when the going gets tough. Dark spells and curses are no match for a steady head and a good wand-arm. Any wizard with the determination to see it through, the industry, the moral fibre! Has an unbeatable defence against the darkest and most heinous magic."

"Sir, sir!" Cormac McLaggen waved his hand the in the air.

"Ho! Yes, m'lad?"

"I've got the courage, Professor," Cormac said ingratiatingly, "But surely you don't mean that we're not going to learn the spells?"

"Of course you are, m'lad! What I mean is that a good wizard, armed with a strong heart, can use proper spells, protective spells, and know that their moral fibre!" Hoarwell's hat fell off and he caught it, squashed it back on his head, and cleared his throat, "Ahem, moral fibre, will enable them to stand up to the most terrible of foes."

The Gryffindors grinned at each other.

"Now! That means that I am here not only to teach you things you can learn from books," Hoarwell said disdainfully, "No, any old codger could do that!" he chuckled, "No, I'm here to teach you how to stand tall. Not everyone... Well, some of you might not be able to. But I'll do my best."

With a word and a wave of his wand Hoarwell vanished own desk and away creating a large open area of flagstones. Everyone leant forward.

"When I call your name you will come up here," Hoarwell pointed vigorously with his wand, "There, you see? And I'll be here," he marched over to the stairs, "And you will stand your ground while I use a potent Dark jinx!"

Someone gasped. Lily smirked. There's no way he's going to jinx us.

Hoarwell stroked his beard and peered around. "Now, I'm not allowed to use the truly despicable stuff, of course, but I can demonstrate some of the dirty tricks that you little blighters use on each other! And, well, that are quite dangerous in the wrong hands! All you have to do is stand fast, stand tall, no flinching now, and that's the ticket. Let's start with someone to show us how it's done, eh? Mister McLaggen! Come right on up here, that's a good boy. Stand there."

Cormac swaggered up to stand in the cleared area.

"Right-o!" Hoarwell said. "Stand tall, there's a good boy, and—" Hoarwell jabbed his wand forward and there was a loud bang and blast of red light, sudden and sharp in the dim room. Someone screamed. Lily blinked, surprised that Hoarwell had actually used a spell on Cormac!

When the light faded Hoarwell roared, "Oh, excellent, m'lad, didn't flinch at all, true Gryffindor. Sit back down now."

Seemingly unhurt, Cormac returned to his seat.

"That's how it's done. Standing tall in the face of fear. As you can see, children, it's a test of courage, and I won't throw anything at you that will leave a mark or anything like that. But Cormac now, he faced the real test, not knowing what I was up to, ho! Twenty points for Gryffindor! Now, who's next?"

One by one Professor Hoarwell called the students up to face his test for the trace of moral fibre. The loud professor continued to give excruciating commentary and awarded each Gryffindor House Points. Lily slammed her head against her desk in silent protest when he praised Mister Shafiq for the outstanding courage in the face of fire. Later, Lily was disappointed when Deloitte emerged unfazed, examining her nails, from Professor Hoarwell's test. Lily was also worried that Professor Hoarwell sounded just as disappointed as she felt. Julia Fawley, a Gryffindor, screamed when Professor Hoarwell sent a jet of purple light at her, as did Grace Li, and the Slytherin Reginald Bletchley flinched and jumped sideways into a desk.

"Of course it is to be expected that some among us don't have the right character, of course," Hoarwell shook his head, "It is to be expected."

The Gryffindors laughed. Lily clenched her fists.

"Well now, Miss Thorne, why don't you come on up."

A sudden hush fell over the dim room. Without pause, Sabine Thorne rose and padded silently to the front of the room, every eye on her.

"Look up, now, girl. Look up," Professor Hoarwell said loudly and slowly, as if to someone very slow and dull, "Come on, look up now! Finally. Stand to now, and..."

There was an explosive hiss of air and Professor Hoarwell sent a jet of red light at the tiny girl. Lily felt her heart seize in sudden worry and tried to shake it off.

Sabine emerged from the fading light unperturbed.

Professor Hoarwell scowled. "Well then, well then, seen that one before, have you? At home perhaps? Well? Miss Thorne?"

In the silence that followed Lily could hear her heart beating.

"Yes. Sir." Sabine said roughly, as if she were unused to speaking.

"Speak up. Couldn't quite catch that." Hoarwell scowled.

"Yes. Sir. I must have seen it at home."

"Right then. Thought you had. Why don't I try—this!"

And Professor Hoarwell sent a second, yellow, blast of light at his student. The girl swayed slightly but didn't jump or make a sound. Professor Hoarwell stroked his beard. "Seen that one too, well then, this should do the trick and show us what you're really made of!"

Hoarwell sent another blast of light at the little girl and when that didn't work he raised his wand again and—

"Stop it!" Lily yelled.

She hadn't realized that she had stood up and jumped into the aisle. Before she could stop herself she was running towards the front of the room. "Stop it!" she yelled again into an echoing silence. Chest heaving, Lily glared at Professor Hoarwell.

"What did you say?" Hoarwell goggled at her, swiveling so that his wand was pointed at her.

"I said stop it! You've shot three spells at her already, just stop it! No one else got more than one." Lily swallowed and held up her chin. "Try me, next, why don't you, with your stupid test."

Hoarwell was getting redder and redder. "Sit down, Miss Potter! This inexcusable behavior for young lady in my classroom! I'll give you some leeway given for your situation—"

"I will not sit down until you leave her alone!" Lily said furiously.

"That's it, twenty points from Slytherin! And because that probably won't work, detention, Miss Potter. And if you don't sit down—"

"You'll what?" Lily yelled, "Hex me? See if I can't take it!"

"Miss Potter I am not hexing anyone! I am sending beams of different coloured lights, you stupid girl!" Hoarwell roared, "Now! You!" he pointed his wand at Sabine, "Sit down! And you!" he jabbed his wand at Lily, who felt an involuntary spasm of fear, "A week's worth of detentions and if you don't sit down I'll see you scrubbing pots until Christmas!"

Heart hammering Lily turned on her heel and marched back to her seat, stiff as a board. She slouched down as low as she could and then crossed her arms.

Chest heaving, Professor Hoarwell looked around the room at the stunned students. "Miss...Potter...there has just demonstrated that there are young witches who do not have the right character. Even when you would expect them to."

Lily flushed and ground her teeth. The entire classroom was deathly silent.

Professor Hoarwell was obviously struggling to regain his composure.

"Now. Open your books," Hoarwell said with a forced smile, "I said open you books!"

There was a sudden series of thumps and the rapid rustling of pages. Lily stared at her blank desk stubbornly.

"We'll all read Trimble together so start with but after that I will show you the very spell for shooting coloured lights, lads and ladies, that can be quite good for distracting, confusing, and sending out alerts."

His normal bombastic tones returned to the Professor as he caused his desk to reappear and sat down heavily before smoothing a large hand across the front of his beard.

Lily glared at her desk. Lousy, mean, bad-tempered old git.

She glanced at Sabine out of the corner of her eye and caught a pair of bright green eyes staring at her through parted blonde locks. Sabine looked away quickly and toyed with the cover of her book. Lily flushed and stared down at her chest. I don't know why I did that. It does seem that she's the daughter of a Death Eater, everyone seems to think so. She probably did see lots of dangerous spells at home. I just... It wasn't right.

The rest of Defence Against the Dark Arts was taken up reading about and practicing the Coloured Lights spell, a modification of shooting coloured sparks with more versatility in dueling. "While you can't use wordless spells, of course," Professor Hoarwell said, "As you can see they can be effective distractions if you just whisper the spell I've taught you. My job will be to start building a foundation of simple, effective, proper spells like this, spells that demonstrate effective, defensive magic and how it relies on your good hearts. That will be all for today, lads and ladies. For homework simply practice this spell and we'll review it next lesson. No questions!"

Professor Hoarwell sent a quick, searching look across the room and then marched up the stairs into his office.

Lily jerked her book bag off the ground and stalked towards the door.

"Oi, Princess! Being in Slytherin rubbed off on you already? Defending nasty little traitors like Sad Sabine?"

"Shut up, Cormac." Lily hissed.

Most of the other students had already left, leaving just Cormac, Ali, Lily, and Sabine Thorne.

"Careful, Mac, she might hex you again," Ali said disdainfully, "Of course, she'd hex you in an ambush. Not like a real duel. I think you're scared right and proper, Potter, because you're realizing that we're all figuring out that you're really a nasty little Snake on the inside!"

"Stop it!" Sabine said suddenly, surprisingly everyone, "She's Lily Potter, that stuff you said is a lie!"

"I don't need you to defend me!" Lily said without thinking, throbbing with anger still.

Sabine went red and hung her head, hair swinging in front of her eyes, and Lily felt a spasm of guilt, "Fine, I just..."

"Shut it," Cormac said, "Nobody wants to hear what you have to say."

"You shut it, Cormac!" Lily said, moving closer to the two boys, "I don't need anyone to defend me. But that doesn't mean that she wrong! You're the coward, Ali, I'll duel you to prove it, and you Cormac. Whatever you can throw at me."

Cormac's eyes widened. Sabine stood, poised like a small animal, uncertain whether to run or hide.

Ali's eyes sparkled, "You're on, Princess."

Lily wracked her mind for stories her brothers had told her. "I'll pick the place. You pick the time," Lily said, "The library. In the stacks."

"Uh," Ali's brows narrowed, "Uh, midnight! Tomorrow night! Cormac's my second. Who's yours?"

Lily's throat constricted. "Uh, I..."

"And it can't be one of your older cuz's or what like," Cormac scowled. "That's not fair. And you can't tell 'em, either."

"Scared your older brother would stop you? Or mine?" Lily said swiftly, "I won't tell! I'll tell you who my second is tomorrow." She fought down a sudden surge of panic.

"Don't leave it too late," Ali smirked. "See you around, Princess."

Cormac and Ali laughed and headed towards the door.

Ali turned in the doorway, "Looks like you finally made a friend, Sabine. Go join the rest of the Slytherins where you belong!"

"Shut it!" Lily yelled again, resisting the urge to hex him in the back. He'd deserve it, but...

Cackling, Cormac and Ali disappeared.

Lily glanced at Sabine, looked away, adjusted her book bag and sighed as she turned for the door.

She was so wrapped up in thinking about what had just happened that she almost didn't notice when Sabine Thorne fell into step beside her. Lily looked her over surreptitiously. Sabine looked reluctant to speak, neck stiff and head held back. Lily didn't know what to say as they trudged down the corridor. When they reached a deserted stretch of corridor Sabine stopped. Lilly stopped too.

"What?" Lily asked after an awkward pause.

"I didn't ask you to do that." Sabine said.

Lily went pink. "Well, I know, it's not just about you. I didn't ask you to jump in either.

"That's not what I meant," her voice cleared a little, but she still had a dry, hesitant tone.

"What did you mean then?" Lily asked bluntly.

"I..." Sabine looked away.

Lily bit her lip. "No, um, look, I've been... A bit..." She trailed away.

"I could be your second." Sabine said as if surprised she was saying it.

Lily hesitated. "I'm not sure that would be—"

"Oh. Okay. Never mind." Sabine hid her face behind her bangs.

"It's not that, well, actually I don't know if you're any good, but, well, with your father—"

Sabine turned frigid. "I said never mind."

Lily flushed, "No, look—"

"I have to go."

Lily threw up her arms. "Fine!"

"Fine!" Sabine hissed, and stalked away.

Lily's mouth opened and closed. She didn't know what she had meant to say, or even what she was thinking anymore. Lily tugged at her hair and let out a silent scream.

Of course, she was going to be late for P.E.W.W.