Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Lily and Petunia or any other
characters you may recognize throughout this story. I also don't own the
wizarding world or basically anything else you recognize from the Harry
Potter series. That all belongs to the wonderful goddess of writing, J.K.
Rowling. So don't sue me!
A/N: See how quickly I updated this time? Cool, huh? I actually had a lot of fun writing this chapter. This is the first one I've written that is primarily focused on Lily, and boy was she fun to write. Thanks to my reviewers:
Radioactivekitten: That threatening fist wave really got to me! That's why I updated so fast! :) Don't worry, I'm still waiting for my Hogwarts letter too! And that line that you liked I actually put in just for you. See I listen to my reviewers' suggestions! As for Rabastan, you're right he was a death eater, he's Rodolphus's brother (Rodolphus being Bellatrix's husband) however, I already told you about him in chapter 6 (I know that was a long time ago) so that's not it. Good guess though. Here's a bigger hint, look for the mention in this chapter as well! ;) Anyway, I hope you like this chapter, I think it may be one of my favorites so far! Enjoy!
Prisoner-of-Shadows: Thanks for the review. There isn't as much Lucius as originally anticipated, but there is indirect Lucius, so hopefully you'll still like it. And there is definitely a confrontation! So yeah, enjoy the chapter!
And on with the story!
**********
Chapter 12: Narcissa's Jealousy
Lily woke up the day after Petunia had left and felt empty inside. Her bed had been removed from the room sometime last night, probably while everyone was at dinner, and Lily had almost started crying.
It was so unfair. Petunia clearly had some magical inclination, even if she couldn't actually perform wand magic. Everyone had been impressed by her flying abilities the time they went out to play quidditch. Even Mr. 'I'm too good to admit anyone besides me and my best friend has any talent' was impressed by her flying.
Then after Professor Zabini had given her his stamp of approval, there was no doubt in anyone's mind that Petunia was no ordinary squib. Sometimes Lily felt guilty. Lily LOVED being a witch. Magic and Hogwarts filled a hole in her heart that she had never even realized existed. But if it would give Petunia the chance to study magic, Lily would give up her abilities. In her heart of hearts, Lily knew Petunia deserved it more.
"Life isn't fair," Lily said out loud without realizing it.
"You're telling me," Sirius responded, looking up from the letter he had been writing.
Lily was startled by his voice, having forgotten that she was sitting in the middle of the common room, where she was supposed to be working on her essay for Herbology.
"Who are you writing to?" Lily asked, even though she knew the answer, she could never stem her desire to know everything.
"Petunia," Sirius said, blushing slightly. While Sirius was definitely not Lily's type, she had to admit he was handsome, and when he blushed he looked downright adorable.
"You really like my sister," Lily said. It was a statement, not a question.
Sirius merely nodded, and went back to writing his letter. Lily curbed her desire to find out more, and decided to turn her eyes to the others in the common room. James appeared to be regaling Peter with some hilarious story, though it was likely that the story was only mildly amusing. Peter laughed at everything James said as if it was the cleverest thing ever, even when it was pretty lame. Remus and Amelia were looking over each others' Potions essays (Lily flinched to herself, realizing hers was only half done and it was due tomorrow) while Alice appeared to be in heaven as she had gotten up the nerve to ask Frank for some help with her DADA homework and he had happily obliged.
Lily smiled to herself and pulled out her half finished Potions essay, figuring she'd finish her Herbology one tomorrow, and began writing. Though even as she wrote she couldn't help but think that this scene would be absolutely perfect if Petunia could have been there admonishing Lily for waiting until the last minute to finish her essay.
**********
Life at Hogwarts had continued as usual over the past few months for Lily. She received owls from Petunia almost every other day and had been happy to learn that she and Severus had made up.
Petunia had sent him an owl explaining that Sirius was her friend and the handholding and arm touching had just been him comforting her and her protecting him. She told him that she cared about him a great deal and couldn't stand to lose his friendship. He had written back saying that he didn't want to lose her friendship either. Apparently they had continued writing. In fact between writing to Lily, Sirius, and Severus almost daily and writing occasional letters to Alice and Amelia as well, Lily didn't know how she had time for anything else.
She did though. Besides relaying (most of) what was written between she and Severus and she and Sirius, Petunia also talked a lot about what had been going on with her in muggle school. She was doing well, making great grades as usual and had even made some friends. Spending the winter at Hogwarts had improved her people skills greatly and apparently the girls at school had noticed. Petunia had her own group of friends, though she confided in Lily that she still preferred her friends at Hogwarts.
Lily was so happy when she had read the statement "my friends at Hogwarts" in Petunia's letter. She was so afraid that Petunia would consider them all Lily's friends and not hers that it took a great weight of her chest when she saw that Petunia realized Alice and Amelia and the boys all adored her.
In fact not a day went by that one of them didn't mention Petunia. Of course Lily mentioned her every day, just like before winter break, but now the others would bring her up randomly as well. Most often it was Sirius. Severus also talked to Lily about Petunia occasionally when they could find a spare moment to talk where James or Sirius wouldn't say something stupid.
That had actually become a big problem. As the year progressed, James' head seemed to be getting bigger and bigger, and as James became more arrogant so did Sirius. Lily tried to deal with it, because she knew that Petunia thought a lot of him and Lily herself was rather fond of Sirius, as long as he was apart from James, that is. But when those two were together, it was all Lily could do to keep herself from performing charms on them to keep them silent and still.
This is basically how the year progressed, homework, arguing amongst James and Lily with Sirius jumping in every once in a while, Alice taking advantage of every chance there was to talk to Frank, everyone missing Petunia, and just normal-for-Hogwarts happenings.
However, one day, something very not normal happened to Lily. Something that she didn't know then, but would find out much later would have a huge impact in her life, and Petunia's as well.
**********
"Hey mudblood, hold it right there. I want to talk to you."
Lily turned. She had been on her way to Gryffindor Tower having just finished classes. The others had gone ahead while Lily talked to Professor Meadowes. It was a sad thing that Lily had been trained to answer to that name, but it seemed that after Petunia's stay, the Slytherins had taken even more of a liking to the name in regards to Lily.
However, Lily was surprised to see that rather than the voice belonging to one of the first year Slytherins, it belonged to Narcissa Black. While Lily knew the tall blond by face and name she had never actually talked to her. Someone like Lily wasn't worth the time of the noble Miss Black. When one came from a pure blood family like the Blacks and had a Head Girl for an older sister, one didn't associate with mudbloods like Lily, even if it was just to call her a mudblood.
Lily was not the least bit afraid. Narcissa may have been a Black, but she wasn't anyone to quiver over. She looked Narcissa straight in the cold blue eye and said with enough sass that would have made her mother gasp in shock, "What do you want?"
Narcissa had obviously not expected that. Her usually snooty expression, the one that was permanently glued to her face preventing her from displaying the beauty she possessed, faltered for just a moment before she narrowed her eyes and simply said, "Stay away from Malfoy."
At this Lily lost a bit of her attitude, very confused. She had not so much as spoken to Malfoy since the day she had slapped him back before school had started. She had passed him in the halls occasionally, but had never even glanced his way.
"Why would I go anywhere near that slimy git?" Lily genuinely questioned, with just a bit of incredulousness.
"I have no idea why someone like you would think you had a chance with someone like Lucius," Narcissa said Malfoy's name in such a way that Lily had to fight with all her strength to keep from giggling, "And frankly I don't care. Just know that he's mine, and you need to stay away from him."
Now Lily knew she wanted nothing to do with Malfoy. Malfoy knew Lily wanted nothing to do with Malfoy. Hell, the entire Western Hemisphere knew Lily wanted nothing to do with Malfoy. But if there was one thing in this world that Lily hated, it was being told what to do, and even the disgust that filled her every time she thought of Malfoy couldn't stop her from doing what she did next.
Narcissa had turned with a flick of her long blond hair upon finishing her threat, but she stopped dead in her tracks when Lily folded her arms, wand ready in her right hand and said simply, "And if I don't?"
Narcissa slowly turned, wand in her left hand, and said, eyes wide in disbelief, "What did you say?"
"I said, what . . . if . . . I . . . don't?" Lily said taking one step towards Narcissa with each word until they were standing face to face.
Narcissa was a couple of inches taller than Lily, but that didn't frighten her. In fact, Narcissa didn't really frighten her. The fact that Bellatrix Lestrange was her older sister, that frightened her, but Lily never did think straight when she was angry.
"Listen mudblood," Narcissa spat, pushing Lily back a few steps, Lily regained her balance instantly, "Lucius is off limits. You hear me? Off . . . limits. And if you think he'd ever even touch you, you're dreaming, so just forget about it."
Lily smiled an evil smile very un-Lily like and said in a deadly whisper, "If he'd never touch me, then why are you so worried?"
Narcissa's eyes flashed and her usually pale white face became flushed with pink. She stood there unable to form any words.
Lily knew she should stop, but now that she had started she just couldn't. "I mean, you stand there and say he's yours, but I've never seen you two together. I've never heard him call you his girlfriend, seems to me, he's up for grabs."
Narcissa's face was getting pinker by the second and Lily knew that she would explode any minute, but she had to deliver one final blow.
"Seems to me, 'Cissa dear," Lily started figuring if shortening her name annoyed her half as much as it annoyed Petunia it would be worth it, "That Lucius, as you so sweetly call him, may have not shown you an interest, and maybe, just maybe, he showed an interest in me. Now I don't know this, I'm just going on what you've told me. But I got news for you blondie," and Lily stepped close so she was whispering in Narcissa's ear, "I don't want him. You can have him. But just know that when he does go out with you, he's settling, because he knows he can never have me."
With that Lily turned, flipping her own hair over her shoulder, and walked away, fearing with every step that she was going to get a hex to the back. She turned the corner and gave a sigh of relief at still being alive. She trembled all the way back to Gryffindor Tower, half out of fear and half out of exhilaration. She knew what she had just done was very mean, and very stupid. But she had never felt so good.
**********
"Lily . . . Lily," Severus called running up to the redhead just as she was about to enter the Great Hall for dinner.
Lily looked at Severus and was instantly surprised. Besides that one night that she had spent with him and Petunia when he had laughed, she had never seen anything other than a scowl on his face, but right now she was met with eyes filled with worry.
"Merlin Severus, what is it? You look like you just found out the world's coming to an end," Lily said trying to contain her anxiety.
"Oh Lily, what did you do?" Severus asked and Lily started at the heaviness of his words. She had never heard anything spoken with so much concern.
"Severus, I don't understand what you're talking about, unless . . . Narcissa?" Lily asked thinking back to earlier that morning.
Severus nodded and pulled her into an empty classroom on the main floor.
"I tried to find you this morning when I first heard about what was going on. Apparently last night Malfoy and the other fifth year Slytherins were comparing the girls of Hogwarts. They were naming who was prettiest in each year. Lucius named you for first years and Narcissa for third year. Then when it came time to compare the two of you, he said you were prettier. Well, Narcissa was livid when she heard this. You know the Blacks and Malfoys are really close, with that whole pureblood thing and everything, and Narcissa and Malfoy are practically betrothed. When I saw her this morning she was just a little angry and I wasn't too concerned, figuring she'd talk to you and you'd set her straight. After all everyone knows the last thing you'd want is to have anything to do with Malfoy. But I just saw her a few minutes ago, and she practically had steam coming out of her ears. She was positively screeching to Bellatrix. What did you DO Lily?"
After Severus had recounted everything, Lily told him about what she had done. And while she still believed it was the most satisfying moment of her life, she would have given anything to take it back.
"You actually said that . . . to Narcissa Black?" Severus asked looking somewhere between shocked and impressed.
"Yeah," Lily said hanging her head, "And I don't know why, I don't even like Malfoy, hate him actually, but the way she just ordered me to stay away from him. With so much superiority, I HAD to say something."
"Yeah, I get that, but all I have to say is you better watch your back for the rest of the year. Bellatrix is who you really have to look out for. The sisters aren't that close, but if she thinks there's even a chance of the Black family name being soiled, which it would be if a Malfoy deserted one for a . . . well someone with your family background, she'll put a stop to it. She is very particular about her family name, you've seen the way she treats Black," and Lily knew he was referring to Sirius.
It was true, Sirius had to watch his back every day, because Bellatrix was always sending curses his way. Andy had had her fair share of close calls as well.
"Well then, I'll just have to watch my back for the rest of the year. But I tell you Severus, seeing the shade of pink that Narcissa's face turned was worth it."
Lily couldn't be sure, but she could swear that Severus smiled just a bit.
**********
Severus wasn't wrong though. Lily did have to watch her back for the rest of the year. Either Bellatrix or Narcissa would try to curse her every day. Once even Malfoy himself had tried to curse her. He was not happy with the rumors going around school that he was interested in a "mudblood."
She was never alone in the hallways and James had even deflected a curse aimed towards her once. When she had thanked him he had just turned red and muttered something about him being the only one allowed to curse her.
In fact, James was much less annoying when Lily was in danger. Sure he was still arrogant, and he still bragged about his magical abilities, and as the year came to a close they all had to listen to him talking about the fact that next year he would be able to tryout for the quidditch team. He was convinced he would make seeker. But overall, his worry about Lily's well being was actually endearing.
Lily did manage to make it to the end of the year, and even made it through her end of the year exams. She passed all of her classes with flying colors, earning the highest grade in Charms (of course with a 125% on the final, what did anyone expect?) and her greatest accomplishment was succeeding in not physically harming James as he bragged about his unbelievably high grade on the Transfiguration final.
But the best thing to happen to Lily came during the end of the year feast. No, it wasn't Gryffindor winning the House Cup (though they did), it was seeing two people holding hands and sneering smugly at everyone in the Great Hall. Narcissa and Malfoy had finally gotten together, and while Lily was not looking forward to having to see them snog all over the castle next year, this did mean the curses should end. Narcissa gave an extra smug look to Lily as if to say, "You lose."
Lily couldn't help but think that getting stuck with Malfoy would make Narcissa the loser, but she didn't dare voice that.
The next day when Lily boarded the Hogwarts express and readied herself to return home to see her parents and Petunia again, she took one last look at Hogwarts and smiled.
As she was walking down the corridor to the cabin the boys, Alice, Amelia and she had all smashed into, she heard a cold voice whisper from one of the cabins, "It's not over mudblood. Oh, you can bet Malfoy is mine, but if you think this is over, you're wrong, it will never be over."
Lily kept walking, pretending she hadn't heard the voice, but she felt a chill go down her spine and she knew that Narcissa was right. This wasn't over. In fact, it was just beginning.
**********
A/N: Check it out, it's a long(er) chapter updated quickly, am I good or what? Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm happy to hear any theories you have going of things I've put in this chapter. There are a couple of teeny tiny things that will be important later on in the story. Next chapter we will have Petunia back and within the next two chapters will be that important thirteenth birthday. If you've been paying attention you'll know what that means. So hopefully I'll have the next chapter up within the week. And just remember, reviews help writer's block! :)
A/N: See how quickly I updated this time? Cool, huh? I actually had a lot of fun writing this chapter. This is the first one I've written that is primarily focused on Lily, and boy was she fun to write. Thanks to my reviewers:
Radioactivekitten: That threatening fist wave really got to me! That's why I updated so fast! :) Don't worry, I'm still waiting for my Hogwarts letter too! And that line that you liked I actually put in just for you. See I listen to my reviewers' suggestions! As for Rabastan, you're right he was a death eater, he's Rodolphus's brother (Rodolphus being Bellatrix's husband) however, I already told you about him in chapter 6 (I know that was a long time ago) so that's not it. Good guess though. Here's a bigger hint, look for the mention in this chapter as well! ;) Anyway, I hope you like this chapter, I think it may be one of my favorites so far! Enjoy!
Prisoner-of-Shadows: Thanks for the review. There isn't as much Lucius as originally anticipated, but there is indirect Lucius, so hopefully you'll still like it. And there is definitely a confrontation! So yeah, enjoy the chapter!
And on with the story!
**********
Chapter 12: Narcissa's Jealousy
Lily woke up the day after Petunia had left and felt empty inside. Her bed had been removed from the room sometime last night, probably while everyone was at dinner, and Lily had almost started crying.
It was so unfair. Petunia clearly had some magical inclination, even if she couldn't actually perform wand magic. Everyone had been impressed by her flying abilities the time they went out to play quidditch. Even Mr. 'I'm too good to admit anyone besides me and my best friend has any talent' was impressed by her flying.
Then after Professor Zabini had given her his stamp of approval, there was no doubt in anyone's mind that Petunia was no ordinary squib. Sometimes Lily felt guilty. Lily LOVED being a witch. Magic and Hogwarts filled a hole in her heart that she had never even realized existed. But if it would give Petunia the chance to study magic, Lily would give up her abilities. In her heart of hearts, Lily knew Petunia deserved it more.
"Life isn't fair," Lily said out loud without realizing it.
"You're telling me," Sirius responded, looking up from the letter he had been writing.
Lily was startled by his voice, having forgotten that she was sitting in the middle of the common room, where she was supposed to be working on her essay for Herbology.
"Who are you writing to?" Lily asked, even though she knew the answer, she could never stem her desire to know everything.
"Petunia," Sirius said, blushing slightly. While Sirius was definitely not Lily's type, she had to admit he was handsome, and when he blushed he looked downright adorable.
"You really like my sister," Lily said. It was a statement, not a question.
Sirius merely nodded, and went back to writing his letter. Lily curbed her desire to find out more, and decided to turn her eyes to the others in the common room. James appeared to be regaling Peter with some hilarious story, though it was likely that the story was only mildly amusing. Peter laughed at everything James said as if it was the cleverest thing ever, even when it was pretty lame. Remus and Amelia were looking over each others' Potions essays (Lily flinched to herself, realizing hers was only half done and it was due tomorrow) while Alice appeared to be in heaven as she had gotten up the nerve to ask Frank for some help with her DADA homework and he had happily obliged.
Lily smiled to herself and pulled out her half finished Potions essay, figuring she'd finish her Herbology one tomorrow, and began writing. Though even as she wrote she couldn't help but think that this scene would be absolutely perfect if Petunia could have been there admonishing Lily for waiting until the last minute to finish her essay.
**********
Life at Hogwarts had continued as usual over the past few months for Lily. She received owls from Petunia almost every other day and had been happy to learn that she and Severus had made up.
Petunia had sent him an owl explaining that Sirius was her friend and the handholding and arm touching had just been him comforting her and her protecting him. She told him that she cared about him a great deal and couldn't stand to lose his friendship. He had written back saying that he didn't want to lose her friendship either. Apparently they had continued writing. In fact between writing to Lily, Sirius, and Severus almost daily and writing occasional letters to Alice and Amelia as well, Lily didn't know how she had time for anything else.
She did though. Besides relaying (most of) what was written between she and Severus and she and Sirius, Petunia also talked a lot about what had been going on with her in muggle school. She was doing well, making great grades as usual and had even made some friends. Spending the winter at Hogwarts had improved her people skills greatly and apparently the girls at school had noticed. Petunia had her own group of friends, though she confided in Lily that she still preferred her friends at Hogwarts.
Lily was so happy when she had read the statement "my friends at Hogwarts" in Petunia's letter. She was so afraid that Petunia would consider them all Lily's friends and not hers that it took a great weight of her chest when she saw that Petunia realized Alice and Amelia and the boys all adored her.
In fact not a day went by that one of them didn't mention Petunia. Of course Lily mentioned her every day, just like before winter break, but now the others would bring her up randomly as well. Most often it was Sirius. Severus also talked to Lily about Petunia occasionally when they could find a spare moment to talk where James or Sirius wouldn't say something stupid.
That had actually become a big problem. As the year progressed, James' head seemed to be getting bigger and bigger, and as James became more arrogant so did Sirius. Lily tried to deal with it, because she knew that Petunia thought a lot of him and Lily herself was rather fond of Sirius, as long as he was apart from James, that is. But when those two were together, it was all Lily could do to keep herself from performing charms on them to keep them silent and still.
This is basically how the year progressed, homework, arguing amongst James and Lily with Sirius jumping in every once in a while, Alice taking advantage of every chance there was to talk to Frank, everyone missing Petunia, and just normal-for-Hogwarts happenings.
However, one day, something very not normal happened to Lily. Something that she didn't know then, but would find out much later would have a huge impact in her life, and Petunia's as well.
**********
"Hey mudblood, hold it right there. I want to talk to you."
Lily turned. She had been on her way to Gryffindor Tower having just finished classes. The others had gone ahead while Lily talked to Professor Meadowes. It was a sad thing that Lily had been trained to answer to that name, but it seemed that after Petunia's stay, the Slytherins had taken even more of a liking to the name in regards to Lily.
However, Lily was surprised to see that rather than the voice belonging to one of the first year Slytherins, it belonged to Narcissa Black. While Lily knew the tall blond by face and name she had never actually talked to her. Someone like Lily wasn't worth the time of the noble Miss Black. When one came from a pure blood family like the Blacks and had a Head Girl for an older sister, one didn't associate with mudbloods like Lily, even if it was just to call her a mudblood.
Lily was not the least bit afraid. Narcissa may have been a Black, but she wasn't anyone to quiver over. She looked Narcissa straight in the cold blue eye and said with enough sass that would have made her mother gasp in shock, "What do you want?"
Narcissa had obviously not expected that. Her usually snooty expression, the one that was permanently glued to her face preventing her from displaying the beauty she possessed, faltered for just a moment before she narrowed her eyes and simply said, "Stay away from Malfoy."
At this Lily lost a bit of her attitude, very confused. She had not so much as spoken to Malfoy since the day she had slapped him back before school had started. She had passed him in the halls occasionally, but had never even glanced his way.
"Why would I go anywhere near that slimy git?" Lily genuinely questioned, with just a bit of incredulousness.
"I have no idea why someone like you would think you had a chance with someone like Lucius," Narcissa said Malfoy's name in such a way that Lily had to fight with all her strength to keep from giggling, "And frankly I don't care. Just know that he's mine, and you need to stay away from him."
Now Lily knew she wanted nothing to do with Malfoy. Malfoy knew Lily wanted nothing to do with Malfoy. Hell, the entire Western Hemisphere knew Lily wanted nothing to do with Malfoy. But if there was one thing in this world that Lily hated, it was being told what to do, and even the disgust that filled her every time she thought of Malfoy couldn't stop her from doing what she did next.
Narcissa had turned with a flick of her long blond hair upon finishing her threat, but she stopped dead in her tracks when Lily folded her arms, wand ready in her right hand and said simply, "And if I don't?"
Narcissa slowly turned, wand in her left hand, and said, eyes wide in disbelief, "What did you say?"
"I said, what . . . if . . . I . . . don't?" Lily said taking one step towards Narcissa with each word until they were standing face to face.
Narcissa was a couple of inches taller than Lily, but that didn't frighten her. In fact, Narcissa didn't really frighten her. The fact that Bellatrix Lestrange was her older sister, that frightened her, but Lily never did think straight when she was angry.
"Listen mudblood," Narcissa spat, pushing Lily back a few steps, Lily regained her balance instantly, "Lucius is off limits. You hear me? Off . . . limits. And if you think he'd ever even touch you, you're dreaming, so just forget about it."
Lily smiled an evil smile very un-Lily like and said in a deadly whisper, "If he'd never touch me, then why are you so worried?"
Narcissa's eyes flashed and her usually pale white face became flushed with pink. She stood there unable to form any words.
Lily knew she should stop, but now that she had started she just couldn't. "I mean, you stand there and say he's yours, but I've never seen you two together. I've never heard him call you his girlfriend, seems to me, he's up for grabs."
Narcissa's face was getting pinker by the second and Lily knew that she would explode any minute, but she had to deliver one final blow.
"Seems to me, 'Cissa dear," Lily started figuring if shortening her name annoyed her half as much as it annoyed Petunia it would be worth it, "That Lucius, as you so sweetly call him, may have not shown you an interest, and maybe, just maybe, he showed an interest in me. Now I don't know this, I'm just going on what you've told me. But I got news for you blondie," and Lily stepped close so she was whispering in Narcissa's ear, "I don't want him. You can have him. But just know that when he does go out with you, he's settling, because he knows he can never have me."
With that Lily turned, flipping her own hair over her shoulder, and walked away, fearing with every step that she was going to get a hex to the back. She turned the corner and gave a sigh of relief at still being alive. She trembled all the way back to Gryffindor Tower, half out of fear and half out of exhilaration. She knew what she had just done was very mean, and very stupid. But she had never felt so good.
**********
"Lily . . . Lily," Severus called running up to the redhead just as she was about to enter the Great Hall for dinner.
Lily looked at Severus and was instantly surprised. Besides that one night that she had spent with him and Petunia when he had laughed, she had never seen anything other than a scowl on his face, but right now she was met with eyes filled with worry.
"Merlin Severus, what is it? You look like you just found out the world's coming to an end," Lily said trying to contain her anxiety.
"Oh Lily, what did you do?" Severus asked and Lily started at the heaviness of his words. She had never heard anything spoken with so much concern.
"Severus, I don't understand what you're talking about, unless . . . Narcissa?" Lily asked thinking back to earlier that morning.
Severus nodded and pulled her into an empty classroom on the main floor.
"I tried to find you this morning when I first heard about what was going on. Apparently last night Malfoy and the other fifth year Slytherins were comparing the girls of Hogwarts. They were naming who was prettiest in each year. Lucius named you for first years and Narcissa for third year. Then when it came time to compare the two of you, he said you were prettier. Well, Narcissa was livid when she heard this. You know the Blacks and Malfoys are really close, with that whole pureblood thing and everything, and Narcissa and Malfoy are practically betrothed. When I saw her this morning she was just a little angry and I wasn't too concerned, figuring she'd talk to you and you'd set her straight. After all everyone knows the last thing you'd want is to have anything to do with Malfoy. But I just saw her a few minutes ago, and she practically had steam coming out of her ears. She was positively screeching to Bellatrix. What did you DO Lily?"
After Severus had recounted everything, Lily told him about what she had done. And while she still believed it was the most satisfying moment of her life, she would have given anything to take it back.
"You actually said that . . . to Narcissa Black?" Severus asked looking somewhere between shocked and impressed.
"Yeah," Lily said hanging her head, "And I don't know why, I don't even like Malfoy, hate him actually, but the way she just ordered me to stay away from him. With so much superiority, I HAD to say something."
"Yeah, I get that, but all I have to say is you better watch your back for the rest of the year. Bellatrix is who you really have to look out for. The sisters aren't that close, but if she thinks there's even a chance of the Black family name being soiled, which it would be if a Malfoy deserted one for a . . . well someone with your family background, she'll put a stop to it. She is very particular about her family name, you've seen the way she treats Black," and Lily knew he was referring to Sirius.
It was true, Sirius had to watch his back every day, because Bellatrix was always sending curses his way. Andy had had her fair share of close calls as well.
"Well then, I'll just have to watch my back for the rest of the year. But I tell you Severus, seeing the shade of pink that Narcissa's face turned was worth it."
Lily couldn't be sure, but she could swear that Severus smiled just a bit.
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Severus wasn't wrong though. Lily did have to watch her back for the rest of the year. Either Bellatrix or Narcissa would try to curse her every day. Once even Malfoy himself had tried to curse her. He was not happy with the rumors going around school that he was interested in a "mudblood."
She was never alone in the hallways and James had even deflected a curse aimed towards her once. When she had thanked him he had just turned red and muttered something about him being the only one allowed to curse her.
In fact, James was much less annoying when Lily was in danger. Sure he was still arrogant, and he still bragged about his magical abilities, and as the year came to a close they all had to listen to him talking about the fact that next year he would be able to tryout for the quidditch team. He was convinced he would make seeker. But overall, his worry about Lily's well being was actually endearing.
Lily did manage to make it to the end of the year, and even made it through her end of the year exams. She passed all of her classes with flying colors, earning the highest grade in Charms (of course with a 125% on the final, what did anyone expect?) and her greatest accomplishment was succeeding in not physically harming James as he bragged about his unbelievably high grade on the Transfiguration final.
But the best thing to happen to Lily came during the end of the year feast. No, it wasn't Gryffindor winning the House Cup (though they did), it was seeing two people holding hands and sneering smugly at everyone in the Great Hall. Narcissa and Malfoy had finally gotten together, and while Lily was not looking forward to having to see them snog all over the castle next year, this did mean the curses should end. Narcissa gave an extra smug look to Lily as if to say, "You lose."
Lily couldn't help but think that getting stuck with Malfoy would make Narcissa the loser, but she didn't dare voice that.
The next day when Lily boarded the Hogwarts express and readied herself to return home to see her parents and Petunia again, she took one last look at Hogwarts and smiled.
As she was walking down the corridor to the cabin the boys, Alice, Amelia and she had all smashed into, she heard a cold voice whisper from one of the cabins, "It's not over mudblood. Oh, you can bet Malfoy is mine, but if you think this is over, you're wrong, it will never be over."
Lily kept walking, pretending she hadn't heard the voice, but she felt a chill go down her spine and she knew that Narcissa was right. This wasn't over. In fact, it was just beginning.
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A/N: Check it out, it's a long(er) chapter updated quickly, am I good or what? Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm happy to hear any theories you have going of things I've put in this chapter. There are a couple of teeny tiny things that will be important later on in the story. Next chapter we will have Petunia back and within the next two chapters will be that important thirteenth birthday. If you've been paying attention you'll know what that means. So hopefully I'll have the next chapter up within the week. And just remember, reviews help writer's block! :)