"Now, for the last time Miss Macdonald, are you quite sure you want to give up this opportunity?"

Mary nodded, "I'm sure, professor,"

Disappointment was evident on the face of their stern head of house, but she took a deep breath in and gave a single nod, her nostrils flaring. Mary appeared to be hardly able to look her in the eye, instead choosing to look down at her lap.

"Very well then, you may leave. I wish to talk to Miss Evans about what this means for her,"

Lily watched Mary leave the room, her friend had been so down the past few days. Lily and the other girls hadn't had a clue what to do to make her feel better. She had been so tough last year after her attack, but it appeared the memory was still affecting her, and the idea that Mulciber would continue getting away with his actions appeared to have completely disillusioned her towards the wizarding world.

"First of all I suppose congratulations are in order," said McGonagall, handing Lily the prefect badge, "and thank you for making it easy and volunteering as Miss Macdonald's replacement. Though I have to say, you would have been the obvious choice anyway,"

She actually gave Lily a small smile, which Lily returned nervously, she thought she might be in for a lecture about making sure she kept up with work.

"You will have to make sure you learn from one of the other prefects exactly what it is you will be doing, I will let the head boy and girl know that you have replaced Miss Macdonald and they will no doubt contact you soon for a meeting. You've always demonstrated good leadership and the ability to get along with members from each house so I have no doubt you will do a good job in the post. Not to mention this year you seem more capable of organising your time, if you don't mind me saying."

Lily blinked up at her, if she was being honest she never thought that her head of house thought much of her. While Lily herself had thought that she stood a good chance of becoming prefect at the start of fifth year based on her grades in subjects other than transfiguration, she knew that McGonagall valued her own subject the most. She had also always appeared to like Mary a lot more than she did Lily, possibly due to her organisational skills and actual transfiguration talent, which explained fairly well why Mary had originally been chosen. Based on this Lily never considered that McGonagall might be observing her in other ways, like on a personal level. Then again maybe Slughorn had mentioned Lily so much in the staff room that it was impossible for her not to.

"Oh, thank you," Lily said after a moment, finding her voice, "though the time keeping thing is partially because of Mary being on my case about not procrastinating,"

"Well then, let's hope that her good influence remains," said McGonagall, "between the two of us, why has she decided the position is not for her anymore?"

Lily hesitated, this wasn't really for her to tell, and she doubted McGonagall had any power to stop Avery and Mulciber returning so no good could come from it really. She also thought she may get Slughorn into trouble if she revealed they knew about the appeal; she wasn't sure students were supposed to know about the governors' actions. Though looking into the usually stern face of McGonagall and seeing it filled with concern almost made Lily want to tell everything.

"She's just feeling disillusioned …with members of wizarding authority at the moment," Lily said finally.

"I see," said McGonagall, she appeared to know what Lily was talking about as she nodded, "and have you felt this way?"

"Sometimes," said Lily, "…with some people."

McGonagall looked like she wanted to say something more, but couldn't. Instead she said, "Very well Miss Evans, I will see you tomorrow in transfiguration, which I am sure you will have your essay ready for,"

"I actually am nearly finished," Lily grinned, "thank you, professor,"

Back in the Gryffindor common room Lily found Bethany sitting with the Marauders minus James. She knew she would be in for some teasing about her new position from James and Sirius, and was not disappointed as she sat down.

"Do you have to confiscate your own cigarettes now then?" Sirius asked her with a grin, "Macdonald said she took them off you sometimes,".

"Well I don't know about that, but I may get a lot of free packets from now on if I see you with them,"

Sirius grinned at her, "ah Red, I'd like to see you try. You know prefects have no control over me, look at Moony here,"

"Yeah, well, he's you friend isn't he? Of course you don't listen to him. I'll be willing to let you off though, if you share with me,"

"Hmm I'll consider it. Though mainly because if I duel you Prongs won't let me hear the end of it, and you do powerful hexes,"

"Right, that's something I've noticed a few times now," Beth suddenly interjected, "Prongs? Moony? What's that about?"

"Sorry Vane, Marauder secret," said Sirius with a wink, and turning to grin at Remus and Peter.

"I still find it hilarious that they've named their group," Lily stage whispered to Bethany, "who does that?"

"Only the most fun people," Remus grinned.

"Or the saddest," Lily said innocently.

"Says the prefect," put in Peter, causing Sirius to laugh.

"Hey, watch it!" shot back Remus.

"Well you're barely a prefect anyway," said Sirius, "haven't we already decided you have no control over me or James? Evans on the other hand probably won't hesitate to jinx us if we annoy her,"

"Hmm, I could ruin that pretty face of yours with a decent boils hex," Lily pretended to muse.

"I'd still be the best looking guy in school," he said arrogantly, though with a grin, "but I take your point. Cigarettes will be shared from now on,"

"I should think so," smiled Lily.

"Did Mary have a class then?" Bethany asked Lily.

"Erm, no," said Lily, "she's on pretty much the same timetable as me. Has she not been back?"

"She's not upstairs," said Beth, "but you know what, she's probably just gone to the library. You know what she's like, it soothes her to work in the quiet sometimes,"

"Yeah, that'll be it," said Lily, "she probably just wanted some quiet. Though if she doesn't show up before dinner I'll go and look for her."

"She's seemed really down recently," said Remus with concern.

Beth nodded, "she has been for a few days now. She's not even snapped at us for being too messy in the dorm,"

"It's at least partly because certain future Death Eaters are probably getting another chance," said Lily, "I think she feels that there's no justice for muggleborns at the moment. And to be fair I get where she's coming from,"

"We all do, Evans," said Sirius, "I know it's not the same as actually being muggleborn, but you'd have to be incredibly ignorant to not see what's happening,"

Lily looked at him, and got the feeling she had truly misjudged Sirius Black. She had never seen him look so serious and mature before. When it came to the Marauders what she could say for James was that he had always been one to speak out against dark wizards. It was a judgement he had put on Severus, and which he had wrongly stereotyped all of Slytherin as being; but at least it could be said that his heart was in the right place. Remus Lupin had always appeared kind hearted, if a little too unwilling to stand up against injustice when his friends were responsible; even after being given the authority to do so. Peter Pettigrew had always appeared to be happy to believe whatever James told him to, though Lily would admit she probably knew the least about Peter so she couldn't really judge. Yet Sirius was different. While he had always joined in with the dark wizard accusations James threw about, Lily had always assumed this was just that he enjoyed the taunting, the power. She had never thought that he may truly care about such things, he just seemed like he wanted to have fun all the time. Now she was having to re-evaluate that opinion.

A distraction came in the form of the Gryffindor quiddich team returning from practice before she could say anything more about it. They all looked tired and sweaty, but very happy.

"What're our chances against Ravenclaw?" Peter asked James as he, Marlene and Dorcas came to sit with the group. James of course made sure he sat on the sofa next to Lily.

"We're gonna destroy them!" He said with a grin, casually dropping an arm behind Lily. Or at least Lily assumed he meant it to be casual. She glanced around to see if anyone looked like they had figured out that the pair were snogging in private whenever they got the chance. Not that she knew what such an expression would be exactly. Luckily though, everyone appeared to have taken it as James attempting to flirt.

"I snuck in to watch their practice session before we had ours, they don't have anywhere near the team chemistry we have." He continued.

"Well you'd better be right," said Sirius, "I already put a bet on with Aubrey,"

"You'll get your money," assured James, before he glanced at Lily. A grin came to his face, and he said in his 'Superior Lily' voice "Ooh! I see you've got a new badge!"

"Trust you to notice it on her chest," Marlene rolled her eyes at him.

James didn't even look embarrassed, "So you got that today, huh? Mary really didn't want it?"

"No she didn't," Lily sighed, "I just hope she doesn't regret it,"

"As long as you don't start nagging me about the mess I make in the dorm," said Dorcas, "as much as I love Mary there's only room for one of her."

"I doubt there's any chance of that," said Lily laughing, "especially since I'll still need Mary to remind me to tidy up,"

"Does this mean you'll have to confiscate anything we might use for a prank from now on?" James said to her, playing with a strand of red hair.

"Not if I don't see it," Lily smiled back, "If I do? Well, you'd better hope I'm in a good mood,"

"Hmm, well maybe I'll innocently show your fags to McGonagall if you do," James said.

"You wouldn't!" Lily mock gasped, "besides, I've now got a deal with your mate here; free fags whenever I want them. So maybe I won't even buy my own,"

"That wasn't quite what I said," grinned Sirius, while James exclaimed, "you hardly ever share with me!"

As the group descended into random chatter James appeared to decide that attention was not on himself and Lily anymore, and took the opportunity to whisper to her. With his breath so close to her ear she felt goose bumps erupt, he muttered, "prefect patrol is going to make things so much easier for us. You'll have to let me know exactly which day and time a certain pretty redhead might check the classroom on the second floor."

"Oh will I?" Asked Lily, wanting to laugh at his attempt to be smooth, "maybe I won't want to skive off patrol,"

"Well, I think you will," he grinned at her. There was an intense look in his eyes as they dropped down to her lips. Lily felt warmth flare up throughout her chest. The moment passed however when James appeared to force himself to look away, and joined in the conversation his fellow Marauders were having beside him.

Lily turned to Marlene, who was looking half asleep, "Mary disappeared after the meeting with McGonagall. She might've just gone to the library to be alone, but I think we should look for her if she doesn't come back before dinner, just in case she's sat feeling miserable somewhere,"

"Yeah that's probably a good idea," nodded Marlene, "how does it feel to be prefect?"

"Well, I don't really feel any different yet to be fair," shrugged Lily, "I've not even been told what to do or anything. Maybe I'll feel the power when I'm on my first patrol and I get to ruin the fun of couples in broom cupboards,"

Marlene laughed, "maybe you'll get to patrol with Aubrey, and the two of you will actually end up in a broom cupboard,"

"Mar!" laughed Lily. If she was being honest she felt a little uncomfortable having Marlene make that joke when James was next to her, and Lily was sure he had heard when he appeared to stiffen next to her. Though it wasn't as if she could tell Marlene that.

"That won't happen," Lily continued instead, "the crush went away when I realised what a prat he was,"

"Ah, you're boring," grinned Marlene.

"Well you pull him then," retorted Lily.

"Maybe I will," said Marlene, "Mary always refused to be part of my pulling plans, but you could help now you've got a way in with him,"

"Sure," laughed Lily, "it's always fun to watch your ridiculous plans fail,"

"I resent that! They only sometimes fail! Remember, I went out with Stebbings last year,"

"That's true, but I think the first date was out of fear," Lily grinned, "then after that he realised you weren't quite as weird as he thought,"

"Well, as long as it works," chuckled Marlene, then in a whisper she added, "and it seems like foolish behaviour works on you too missy,"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you seem to be much closer to James this year,"

Lily felt her face get warm and hoped she wasn't as red as she imagined herself to be. She glanced round at the boy in question; either he didn't hear, or he was good at pretending otherwise because he gave no sign of acknowledgement. She forced herself to relax as she whispered back, "Okay we've become friends, but if anything he's managed to stop himself being quite so daft around me,"

Marlene looked considerate, "that's actually kind of true now I think about it,". She shrugged, "anyway, do you want to go find Mary now? I'm getting really hungry already,"

As expected, Lily and Marlene found Mary sat in the library surrounded by parchment. Though it did not seem as if she was getting on with any work, rather it appeared she was just staring into space. About three lines of writing were at the top of the roll of parchment Lily could see was closest to Mary. It appeared to be the start of a letter.

"Mary?" Lily asked, "you alright?"

She turned to them with a small smile, "I was just thinking of writing a letter to the governors, to see if maybe I could stir up some feelings in the ones who aren't anti-muggleborn,"

"That …might help," said Lily actually wishing she had thought to do it, "maybe we both should, and even find other people who have been attacked by Mulciber and Avery? That wouldn't be too difficult,"

"Lily, I mean I was going to write a letter, but isn't there a good chance it will be intercepted by the ones in line with You-Know-Who? Or even just people sympathetic to his cause,"

"I know neither of you is going to want to hear this," Marlene began, after a moment of silence, "but maybe some pure-blood influence would also help,"

Lily supressed her immediate urge to insist that muggleborns couldn't always rely on purebloods to get them out of trouble. This was her friend wanting to help.

"My uncle has influence because he's in the Wizengamot. While he can't directly tell the governors what to do he could organise it so he watches them all read your testimonies against Mulciber and Avery. A couple of members have to observe each meeting so that the governors keep everything legal. Not that all current members of the Wizengamot care about that,"

Lily definitely thought it might be worth a try, and Mary actually managed a genuine smile.

"I could send a letter to him tonight," Marlene continued, encouraged.

Lily looked at Mary, who, after a moment, nodded. There was a genuine smile on her face.

The following evening Lily took herself off to the library to work on her own letter. Marlene's uncle hadn't written back yet but she saw no cause for delay. If he did write back and say it was a good idea she wanted to be able to send the letter immediately. She had already spoken to Dirk, who, as a fellow member of the Slug Club, had always been on Mulciber's radar. She knew there had been more than one occasion where the Slytherin had attempted to ambush her friend, and as he was a prefect she felt his testimony would hold some weight.

When she had a neatly presented argument she felt happy with Lily began to pack up her things, thinking she would grab a book she needed for Transfiguration on the way out. Unfortunately, there was someone sat at a table right in front of the shelf she needed. A long black haired someone who was leaning extremely close to a book he appeared to be scribbling in. She felt her stomach clench. She had noticed he had been constantly alone for the past week or so, ever since they had been removed from the school. It wasn't as if he had always been an extrovert who was constantly surrounded by people. However, Lily knew he did get lonely. That he did want to be accepted by people.

Yes, said a voice in her head, but these days only by wannabe murderers.

Whether that was genuinely true or not Lily couldn't say for sure, but he had been willing to reject her in favour of a chance of power. There had of course been a point where she had believed that he valued her opinion of him above all others. The summer prior to fifth year had made it fairly obvious that he was hiding an attraction to Lily. It may have developed before that- they had never talked about it so she couldn't know for sure- but that was when Lily had first noticed. At the time she had been willing to consider the possibility of a future relationship, but only if he appeared to stop going down the path he was so clearly aiming for. Yet all fifth year had brought was further drifting between the two, and while Severus may have had an attraction to Lily he made it incredibly obvious that in reality he didn't value her opinions much.

It was with this thought that Lily forced herself to walk away from her former friend without saying anything. His loneliness was his own fault.