So originally I had intended to include a rather vile, bigoted, sexist, and altogether crude PM I'd received today in relation to my work that really bummed me out quite a bit. But rather then give them the satisfaction of knowing they got to me, I'm just going to post this as is.

Now that I'm finally over the train thing and we've got the kids at the school we're going to blitz through the first couple of months only really slowing down when a Dementor or Death Eater situation occurs, I want to write fourth year so we're going to get through this goddess damnit! *Ahem*, moving on I hope you all enjoy.

Hermione sat up with a jolt as her barely conscious mind immediately took survey of her surroundings; first item of note was that she was obviously in a hospital bed which was discerned from the stark white of the linens and the sharp odor of antiseptics. Second item, she was in a friendly environment which was clearly indicated by the cat, owl, and snake sitting across her bed all in varied states of rest; this honestly surprised her a bit but she pushed that aside for the time being. Third item, both Lillith's and her own wands were sitting on the side table next to her bed as well as the filthy set of clothes she recognized as the outfit her best friend had been wearing before she'd lost consciousness.

Willing her scrambled thoughts to make some sort of sense she was brought out of her reverie as a rectangular seam formed in the wall, a moment later it swung open allowing a billowing cloud of steam and stark white light to roil through the room. A musical voice was chirping away from the confines of the glowing rectangle and a moment later a lithe figure with a white towel wrapped around her hair and another around her chest twirled into the room singing to herself.

"-Ta peine
Les vrais délices
Passent par le supplice
Baisse les armes
Donne tes larmes

"Je ressens
De violentes pulsions
J'ai l'impression
De glisser vers le fond
Si j'ignore
D'où vient ce fléau
J'adore
L'avoir dans la peau
Envoûté par des idées folles
Soudain
Mes envies s'envol-"

Stopping mid-verse Lillith blushed as she paused her dancing about abruptly enough to nearly send herself to the ground, "Hermione, you're awake!" She managed to throw this out without deepening the embarrassed redness spread across her cheeks...much. Rushing to the beds side the towel clad ravenette pulled her bushy haired friend into a tight hug sending all three animals resting on her flying in the process, not that Hermione noticed any of this as her face was pressed into her friends modest cleavage.

"I was so worried about you! They tried to make me leave but that didn't get far when Nelle started hissing at the medi-witches, I almost felt bad for them, almost...ok not at all really, but I thought about feeling bad for them and that's what counts right? Anyway they backed down so I had Kreacher bring us a few changes of clothes. Oh right! You've never met my families house elf have you? He hates pretty much everyone but me and Aunt Cissy but he's a great bloke, I-" At this point Hermione managed to place a finger on her chattering friends lips forcing her to pause her rambling,

"I'm fine, and I'm glad you didn't leave, really, we'll talk about this elf thing later first things first...are you all right?" Lilly stared at her friend for a few moments and it shocked Hermione a bit when she realized the raven haired beauty was tearing up. After a moment the half naked witch pulled her close once again causing Hermione to squeak as the air was squeezed out of her,

"I was so worried I'd lost you..." That...forced Hermoine to grimace as thoughts that were unwelcome in a conservative society rolled through her mind, deciding discretion was the better part of valor she reached around her friend and patted her naked back gently.

"Don't worry I'm fine, but...I have to ask, what exactly happened?" Sighing lightly Lilly released her from her hug as she turned to the elf supplied pile of clothes, Hermione blushed and averted her eyes as the towel wrapping her friends torso fell to the ground as she pulled on a fresh pair of knickers. Fumbling about with the obviously unfamiliar brassier she'd chosen the ravenette began mumbling to herself,

"Bloody well swear these things were designed by a man...gimme a sec...there..." finally getting the article of clothing in place she threw on an oversize pink t-shirt covered in kanji and oddly happy looking cartoon cats; it had more then likely been one of Dora's old shirts that Lilly had inherited when her older sister had moved out. A moment later she was hopping about as she slipped on a matching red skirt and a pair of black stockings, smoothing out the light wrinkles in the slightly worn yet well cared for clothes she nodded in satisfaction as she glanced in the mirror that had replaced the doorway to the shower room, magic was brilliant like that.

Turning back to her friend she threw Hermione a toothy grin that relieved some of the tension the brunette was feeling, obviously Lilly hadn't noticed Hermione's... attention to her actions and for that she was thankful. "Well for what happened on the train Death Eaters decided to attack us," Lilly began, "They Came, They Saw, and we kicked their arses, it was a bit messy but long story made short school starts tomorrow rather then today or err...tonight rather." Lilly tapped her chin with her forefinger as her emerald eyes swung up to stare at the ceiling for a moment before returning her gaze to Hermione, "Oh and I killed a dozen men, so that's Voldemort and his Death Eaters Zero, Lillith Potter Fourteen, good times."

Raising a brow at that Hermione responded with a dry tone, "How does twelve kills equate to fourteen?" She really wasn't all that concerned with her friends thought process on kill ratios, rather that she had to kill so many people, or any people for that matter; but as always she hid her concern for the green eyed witch's mental health under a light veneer of bossy humor. Smirking Lilly fell onto the bed resting her head in Hermiones lap as she stretched her hands out to pet both Crookshanks and Nelle,

"I'm counting the night he blew himself up when he murdered my parents and our entire first year, seemed fair," Hermione tilted her head to the side before nodding once,

"Well I suppose that does seem a bit appropriate, moving along I'm assuming your rather flippant attitude indicates that everything went well in the end?" Lilly frowned at that as she glanced over to meet Hermione's eyes,

"Far too many syllables in that sentence my dear bookworm but yes, everything indicates that the Death Eaters only managed to rough up a few students and blow up a train, all it cost them was a few dozen pawns and most of their credibility." Pulling the towel from Lilly's head she forced her friend to sit up while using her fingers as an impromptu comb, it hadn't even occurred to the brilliant young witch to conjure one as she replied in an even tone,

"You sound like there's more to it then that, what else happened?" Sighing Lilly stopped Hermione's ministrations as she dropped side by side to the brunette witch, rolling over slightly she threw an arm around her friend and pulled her close, burying her face in the pillow her muffled voice was barely understandable.

"Fudge is an idiot, I ever mention that before? Now I'm only getting a bit of hearsay since it's still chaos outside that door, trust me on this one by the way we're best staying in here the rest of the night." Turning her head so she was no longer muffled she continued unabated, "Anyway as I was saying the chatter going about is that in order to protect "The Poor Vulnerable Students of Hogwarts" from further attacks Fudge has ordered the entirety of the Ministries Dementor forces to patrol the grounds around the castle," Hermione blinked rapidly as her brilliant mind tried to process that. The way Lilly had laced her words with sarcasm indicated she was likely quoting someone, and that someone just decided to surround the magical youth of the British Isles with Class 6 Soul Vampires.

"Are they daft?" She managed to grind out, "I mean really Dementors protecting children? Bloody hell do they even realize what is required to summon and bind those demons to our realm? Do they not grasp that that-" her indignant tirade sputtered to halt as she felt Lillith shaking with repressed mirth, shifting to stare the younger teen in the eyes she raised a single brow in question.

"Language 'Mione," with that the ravenette broke down into a fit of giggles quickly shared by Hermione who rolled her eyes lightly if not fondly, laying there in comfortable silence the two young witches eventually fell asleep, an hour later Andromeda Tonks poked her head in the room and smiled at the sight. Conjuring a blanket she dropped it on the pair lightly while leaving Hermione's prescribed potions on the side table, despite still having so much to do she let herself have a moment to stare down at her niece and the teens best friend.

She remembered the evening Severus Snape had brought the broken child to her clearly, too clearly really, there had been more then one occasion she'd had to take a dreamless sleep drought to avoid the nightmares; nightmares were she hadn't been talented or fast enough to save a girl who had all but become her daughter. Brushing a bit of hair from Lillith's face Andromeda couldn't help but note that she had begun blossoming into a beautiful young woman; she had the guile and light hearted nature of her father, the looks and intelligence of her mother, and all the while she never let the Darkness in her heart consume her. Oh she hid it well, but Andromeda and her sisters were Blacks after all, that being said the child managed to keep the madness their family had been known for in check all the while being a shining beacon of hope for all those that loved her.

The sad part was she likely would never realize that while she was incredibly over protective of what was 'hers' she'd picked that trait up from those that loved her, probably why Andromeda herself wasn't shocked in the slightest when she found out the little firecracker had cast the Imperius Curse on Healer Bobeck. Andromeda smirked a bit at that, she'd never liked that old hag and Severus had already reprimanded the young teen for her actions so she felt no need to draw attention to what had been done herself.

Her eyes shifted to Hedwig who was perched resolutely on the beds headboard then to the cat and snake who were now making themselves comfortable on their respective mistress, wiping away a tear she turned to leave the room. As she approached the door and was about to nox the lights she took one last glance at the resting forms, meeting the snowy owls wide eyes she whispered out,

"Watch over her, all right?" To her complete lack of surprise the disturbingly intelligent bird bobbed its head once, killing the lights Andromeda went to check on her next patient and silently hoped that this was the last fiasco involving little Lillith for a long, long time.

The following day was as hectic and chaotic as one would expect, clusters of concerned parents and still shell shocked students were being ushered about by exhausted Aurors who had been given 'Stun First, Ask Questions Never' orders when it came to the media vultures trying to get a story out of the tragedy. Dora and Shack had taken a rather malicious bit of satisfaction practicing that new protocol, the only real exception to the rule was the Lovegood's who the gathered Aurors had been made aware were only present to check up on their daughter.

As Dora was woolgathering as she ushered another group of youngsters to the Floo Kingsley tapped her shoulder once to get her attention, glancing up at the much taller man he silently pointed to a woman in acid green robes harassing a young Gryffindor who was holding a dinged up camera with white knuckled hands. He stared up at the woman with a rather surprising amount of malice,

"As I said ma'am, I have no comment in regards to my client," shifting his gaze to the now alert pair of Aurors who made their way to the confrontation he smirked lightly while nodding once to the bubblegum pink haired older sister of said client.

"Oy! What do you think you're up to!" The guilty always flinched first so the rather gaudily dressed witch turned around at the same time as her dumpy looking photographer, Rita Skeeter was a smooth one though and kept her cool as she shot Dora an insincere smile.

"Why I'm just asking Mister Creevy here if he'd like to make a statement about The-Girl-Who-Lived's actions yesterday, we've all heard it was very dramatic, and since his classmates describe him as quite the shutterbug I'd hoped he'd like to...volunteer a few photos," Shack tilted his head to the side as he deep voice cut any further discussion off.

"I do believe that the head of the DMLE made her opinion on the press quite clear Miss Skeeter, did you think the rules need not apply to yourself?" Puffing up like a rather huffy peacock the reporter pulled her sequenced glasses off as she met the dark skinned Aurors eyes sneering slightly in the process,

"Madam Bones does not have the authority to order the press around, you know the laws if it happens we're allowed to report it...and in whatever light we wish," the threat wasn't subtle, but neither was Rita Skeeter. Dora already had her hand on her Glock ready to knee cap the witch that was obviously threatening her little sister when a throat being cleared caught all their attention, Rita turned with a sigh as her eyes widened taking in the new arrivals.

"Miss Skeeter," Lucius Malfoy drawled out he as placed both hands on the head of his cane leaning forward ever so slightly, "does there seem to be a problem?" Shifting her gaze to the two women flanking him she shook her head slowly afraid to meet the condescending glare of Narcissa Malfoy or the manic lilac eyes of Bellatrix Lupin,"

"No of course not Lord Malfoy, I...this was just a bit of a misunderstanding, I'll just have to wait for the ministries official statement," nodding slowly while managing to look both bored and aloof the three aristocrats stepped aside and let the pair of reporters retreat to the hospitals entrance. Once they were out of earshot Dora turned to her uncle as her hair shifted through various shades of violet,

"That was funny Uncle Lucius, is it always that funny?" He gave the young woman a knowing smile as Narcissa and Bellatrix began chuckling,

"I have no idea what you're speaking of Auror Tonks, none whatsoever, now if you'll excuse me I must gather my son and his friends," the Lord and two Professors said their fair wells and left as quickly as they had arrived. Colin turned to follow them a moment before returning his attention to Kingsley and Dora,

"Well, thank you for that, the woman kept trying to distract me long enough for her partner to lift my film from the crash, I really don't mind selling my photos since I want my name out there but Lillith has to clear it first. She... did not like that," Kingsley sighed at that as he patted the small boy on the shoulder,

"You have a good business ethic there kid, what's your name?" Colin puffed up a bit at that his brown eyes lighting with praise,

"Colin Creevey sir, I'm Lillith Potters official photographer! Err...I suppose that bits fairly obvious isn't it? Sorry I'm rambling, anyway I need to go find my friends and get in the Floo queue, take care and thanks for helping again!" With that the boy was off like a shot, Kingsley's deep chuckle caught his partners attention as she smacked his arm lightly throwing him a grin in return.

"What has you so tickled Shack? Sure the kid was cute in a squeaky business mogul in the making sort of way but really..." Kingsley finished his chuckle off with a laughing sigh as he flashed her a bright smile, his white teeth a sharp contrast to his dark skin.

"Lillith Potters personal photographer is being harassed by the worst type of reporter when her cop big sister shows up ready for violence and not thirty seconds later three of the most politically, culturally, and industrially powerful people in our world show up and intimidate said reporter into running away with her tail between her legs. The fact that these three also happen to be Lillith Potters aunts and uncle just adds to the amusement, Dora, does that girl even realize what kind of Cult of Personality she's formed around her?" Resisting the urge to cackle maniacally the once again pink haired witch kept her response to little more then a wink and a grin,

"Ask me no questions, I'll tell no lies partner of mine, come on lets see the rest of these kiddos off and we'll hit breakfast, I could use some coffee and eggs right now." The tall man grunted his agreement as they returned to their assigned duties,

"As long as it's muggle this time, I swear our entire department acts like the Leaky Cauldron is the only place to get food in London."

Several hours later the Great Hall of Hogwarts was once again filled with students awaiting the beginning of the new term. Not unexpectedly the atmosphere was quite subdued compared to the norm, and while many still sported healing injuries for the most part everyone seemed to be adapting well enough.

Lillith shook her head at that as she poked her meal with her fork, looking around the gathered table it was fairly obvious many of her fellow students were exhibiting the early signs of PTSD, sadly most magicals refused to believe there wasn't anything that couldn't be fixed with a potion and a wand wave so it would likely remain untreated. Not helping the situation in the slightest the Headmaster confirmed that the Ministry had in fact ordered Dementors to protect the school grounds leaving a pervasive miasma of coldness and tension in the air at all times.

"I really hate politicians," she stated flatly, Hermione sighed in agreement while Blaise and Draco gave her open inquisitive looks,

"What brought that up?" Draco asked first, grunting Lilly pushed her half finished meal away and crossed her arms huffing before she replied,

"The Death Eater's break out of Azkaban, the Auror investigation is then called off while the ministry sends out the demons that let them escape in the first place to find said escaped Death Eaters, said Death Eaters attacked a train full of children destroying it, now said demons are 'protecting' us all from said Death Eaters. I mean talk about circular logic, how did that saying go about sanity 'Mione?" The bushy haired Slytherin turned away from the small book she was scribbling in while her brow furrowed lightly,

"'The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result,' or something along those lines, it's been misquoted often enough that I'm unsure who actually said it first, but regardless," she trailed off there with a shrug and returned to her writing that Lillith belatedly realized was a muggle notebook and pen.

"I see where you're going with that Lilly," Blaise stated with a contemplative look in his eyes, eventually he too pushed his meal away as he let out a disgusted sigh, "So the ministry is being run by insane, incompetent fools, what can we do about it?" As the quartet fell back into silence Tom spoke up for the first time since the crash,

"Bide our time and try to survive this madhouse, and when you graduate we take over the world," Lilly 'hmm'd' in return as she began twirling her mums wand idly, her nimble fingers spinning it about in a near blur as the hall was dismissed and she made her way to the dorms.

"You're right of course my friend, but...I have a feeling things are going to get much worse before they get better," Tom's reply was as always slightly sarcastic but completely honest,

"That's life in a nutshell love, get some sleep, remember that we have to go see the Deputy Headmistress for that 'special dispensation' you and Hermione qualified for first thing," taking the disembodied voices advice she had barely managed to change before she'd collapsed into her bed. She stared at the canopy roof for a few minutes before she saw a dim light peep through the split curtains, smiling at the fox staring at her inquisitively she patted the spot next to her as she scooted over.

"Couldn't sleep either eh?" Hermione shifted back into human form while shaking her head,

"No, there is...there is quite a lot on my mind and I'm not sure how to handle it, I'm afraid of persuing those thoughts because they could ruin everything, or make everything better...I just don't know." Scoffing lightly Lilly threw her arm over her eyes as she tiredly grumbled out,

"Well when you figure it out lemme know, I'll always be here for you Kitsune," Hermione was about to reply to that but found herself pausing in confusion,

"Kitsune?" Now half asleep Lilly turned to face her friend yawning,

"Yeah, spent most of the summer watching anime with Dora and Charlie, a kitsune is a magical Japanese fox, you're a magical British fox, you still didn't have a Marauder name so I figured why not?" Hermione smiled brightly at that,

"So we're Quill and Kitsune then?" Now barely conscious her only response was a sighed 'yup' before the ravenette was snoring lightly, Hermione stared at her friend a few minutes before returning to her own bed picking up her diary as she made herself comfortable. Staring at it a few moments she eventually opened it to the most recent entry while quickly scribbling in a new line;

September 2, 1993-Addendum: Why do feelings have to be so complicated?

Slapping the notebook shut she cast every privacy spell she knew on it before jamming it under her pillow, a moment later Crookshanks made his presence known as he curled up beside her purring. Smiling she wrapped her arms around the half-kneazle and hoped beyond hope this was just hormones.

Oh right, Kitsune, I figured why not, it'll play a part in where the girls go on holiday before fourth year anyhow so might as well set it up, plus I was really stymied on giving Hermione a Marauder name so blah, there we go. As always review!

Lyrics are from the song Le Bien qui fait mal

Your pain
The true pleasures
Pass by torment
Lay down your arms
Give your tears

I feel
Some violent pulses
I feel like
Slipping down
If I don't know
Where this scourge comes from
I adore
Having it in my skin
Subjugated by crazy ideas
Suddenly
My urges fly away