Third Year's End

It took the pair some time to make their way to the Headmaster's office. James was all for keeping the sword for himself, but Lily put her foot down and insisted that they take it to Dumbledore. Eventually he gave in, though he refused to allow her to put the sword into her pouch insisting on carrying it. There were surprisingly few students in the corridors given the hour, so they only had to hide in side corridors or behind suits of armour the twice on their way to their current location standing in front of the gargoyle, where they were arguing in low tones about how to access the office beyond. Their whispered debate was interrupted by the man they were trying to see.

"Miss Evans, Mr Potter, it is a surprise to see you here. Together at that," the old man looked over his half-moon spectacles, his blue eyes twinkling. He waved a hand and the gargoyle sprung to the side, leading the way up the staircase he continued, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Lily and James glanced at each other before following, after some silent debate Lily spoke. "At the start of the year I experienced a series of dreams that lead me into the Garden." She looked over to see if he knew what she was referring to, Dumbledore nodded, recalling Hagrid mentioning the Garden when Lily had been missing. "We…that is Potter and I followed the instructions in my dream and have retrieved an item from a hidden room beneath the Lion statue in the middle of the garden."

Reluctantly James placed the sword on the Headmaster's desk. Dumbledore took his seat and leant forwards steepled hands pressed to his lips as he gazed at the ruby encrusted sword.

"Are you aware of what it is that you have discovered?" he reached out a hesitant finger to stroke the ruby in the hilt.

"Well, given it's got his name monogramed on the side, we believe it's Godric Gryffindor's sword," James replied cheekily.

"Potter!" Lily hissed sharply.

"What?!" James turned innocent wide-eyes on Lily.

"Behave!"

"Indeed it is," Dumbledore cut across the exchange. "And what is the purpose behind its re-discovery, I wonder?"

"There was writing on the wall it was embedded in Professor that said it would be needed in the war."

Dumbledore looked momentarily startled. "Mmmm, perhaps I should have a look for myself? Would you mind dreadfully?"

Lily looked confused.

"Your memory Miss Evans, may I extract it and view it?" the old man explained.

"How do I….." she began to ask, still confused.

"Merely think of the memory and I will do the rest." Dumbledore rose to his seat and extended his wand to Lily's temple, grasping a silver strand and gently pulling it free and placing it into a phial that suddenly appeared in his left hand.

"Did you want mine as well Professor?" James asked.

"If you don't mind," the process was then repeated, and the pair were dismissed.

"Well I guess you'll be heading to lunch then?" Lily said as they walked down the staircase that led away from the office.

"Mmmm," James agreed as his stomach gave a loud gurgle.

"Well it was….nice," Lily winced at how lame she sounded, "solving the puzzle with you."

"Yeah," James nodded awkwardly as they arrived at the doors to the Great Hall. Lily reached out a hand ready to push them open. James couldn't explain the feeling vague feeling of loss he experienced as she moved to join the twins. Deciding it must be hunger pains and not anything to worry about he strolled over to join Sirius who was having a pie eating competition with Peter. Shaking his head, James wondered why Sirius bothered, after all these competitions only ever ended one way.

"A knut says that Pete wins," Benjy said from beside him as he shovelled pie into his own mouth.

James laughed, "I don't take sucker bets!"

In the end, as always, Peter reigned triumphant consuming 10 pies to Sirius' rather measly 6. As they walked away from the table James patted his friend on the shoulder.

"Maybe next time Sirius, you'll get him next time."

The second last day of term dawned and the common room was alive with conversation. Tiny muggleborn firsties exchanging addresses so that they had someone to write to who would understand, and the magic world wouldn't seem like such a dream. Little second years heads bowed together as they plotted ways to work around the reasonable restriction for under-age magic not so little third years had done all this before so they merely trooped through the room and headed down to breakfast, which for the boys at least was the most important thing going on at the moment. After all who cared about the evenings leaving feast or the fact that the exam results would be posted later that morning?

A ministry barn owl winged its way to the redheaded muggleborn seated at the Gryffindor table just as she served herself a portion of the pancakes. Interrupted before she could squeeze the lemon quart she held in her right hand over the stack, she relieved it of its very official looking letter. Wiping the juice from her hand she opened the letter right there at the table, it was too important to wait!

"Interesting news Squirt?" Gideon asked as he climbed over the bench to sit down beside her.

"Mmmmm," she distractedly replied, a glazed expression on her face.

"Lily…..Lily!" After being unable to gain her attention Doc clicked his fingers in from of her face, which caused her to jump.

"Doc," she complained, one hand over her rapidly beating heart. "You startled me! When did you get here?"

"About five minutes ago, I called your name and everything,"

"Oh, sorry," Lily apologised, "Did you want anything?" She indicated to the plates in front of her.

Doc shook his head, "Just checking in. We.." he gestured to Gid and Fabe before continuing, "were getting worried as you after reading your letter you appeared to have 'checked out'."

"Yeah, so what is in that letter Lils'? If you don't mind us asking that is?" Fabian asked.

"Well," Lily started, "You remember that article about Lily Moon, and all the disappearances?" They nodded so she continued. "That whole incident made me worried about my family, especially during term when I'm not there. So I wrote to the ministry to see what they could do. The short answer is nothing. So I changed tack and asked if I could have a reprieve from the restriction for a couple of days, and under the advisement of an adult witch or wizard, of their recommendation, set up some alert wards at my place. This is their reply."

"Well don't keep us waiting what did they say?"

Lily grinned, "They actually said yes, which surprised me! I had plans to set up the wards regardless and take the warning for breaking the restriction on the chin. Sometimes it's better to ask forgiveness than permission."

"Wards are a tricky business," Gideon warned.

"I know, I've been talking about it with Flitwick and Babbling. I have a meeting with them today to show them my final plans."

"So, who have the Ministry in their infinite wisdom decided will supervise you."

Lily grimaced, "Charlus and Dorea Potter. You don't suppose they are related to…"

"Yep," Fabian chortled. "They're his Aunt and Uncle. On the plus side though they are top Aurors, both of them, so I should think they know a thing or two about wards."

The dark-haired boy waited awkwardly silent for the girl to notice him.

"Hey, um…Evans….I," Sirius scuffed his feet on the flagstones.

"Yes," she paused and turned to face him.

"About last year… well I know I should have said it before but I needed a chance to…..you know, think about things. " Sirius had his gazed trained on the floor, not daring to look at the girl in front of him.

"Meant what Black," she prompted when he stalled.

"That I'm….sorry," he said finally meeting her steady green gaze. "For being a prat last year, we didn't think…

"Clearly," Lily replied nonplussed. "I'm glad you've thought about it, but you'll excuse me if I don't forgive you right away. I'll need to….think about it."

"Yeah, that's fine," he shrugged a shoulder. "Um, well, I'll just go then." He waved awkwardly and practically sprinted back to where the Marauders were seated around the fireplace.

After lunch two girls from Gryffindor were called to the Headmaster's office. Like a disappointed Grandparent Albus Dumbledore looked at the pair over his wire rimmed spectacles.

"I expect you know why you are here?" he said solemnly.

Louisa shook her head.

"Is it because of my marks? I really did try my best you know. It's just I can't study with the people that I used to study with since SHE started hanging around. If she would just go away again, I am sure my marks would improve. It's not like I need good marks anyway, I'm going to marry Frank Longbottom and the Longbottoms are wealthy so it's not like I need a job after school, so really, I don't know why you bothered to call me her. Or is it because you want evidence of Lily's cheating. I just know that she is, not that I've seen anything personally, but how do you explain the mark she gets when she is just a mud…"

"That is enough!" the Headmaster said firmly. "I did not wish to speak to you about your marks. Last year your actions were reprehensible, and you were required to apologise to the other party. I have been made aware that you have not done so. You will now explain why?"

"Why?!" huffed Louisa. Allison snorted. "Because I shouldn't have to apologise to that …"

"Yes why," Dumbledore cut through what he was sure was building into a lovely little speech.

"Because," Allison drew herself up haughtily, "I am a pureblood and she is a mud.."

"That language will not be tolerated Miss Flaherty. You were in the wrong, you will apologise. A letter has been sent home to your parents requesting they address this matter with you over the holidays."

Allison gave a sniff, "I…."

"You will do this before you go to bed this evening and if you do not, when you return for your fourth year, assuming your marks were adequate, you will serve detention."

"Fine," Allison huffed, crossing her arms across her chest and refusing to look at the Headmaster.

"The pair of you may go."

Dismissed from the Headmasters office the pair made their way up to the Gryffindor Tower and into the common room. A quick glance revealed that it was empty except for the Marauders as almost all the students were busy packing their trunks. The girls stomped over to the group and fell dramatically onto a sofa with a groan.

"We just saw the Headmaster and guess what he wants us to do?" Louisa started.

"What?" said Peter barely glancing up from the fiercely fought game of exploding chess the boys were playing.

"Apparently he wants us to apologise to Lily!" Allison whined.

The smallest boy shrugged and continued with his turn.

"Well?"

"Well what?" Remus asked.

"Don't you have anything to say about this?"

"Not really," Remus took a card from the deck and laid another one on the discard pile, where it began to smoke.

"Not…." Allison cried, "How could you be so horrible!"

"I really don't see what the problem is," said James. "You did the wrong thing so you should apologise. It's not that hard."

"Not that hard!" Her voice went up an octave and boys winced. "I don't see why we should apologise and you don't, not that we did anything wrong. It's just that spoilt little princess, she always gets what she wants."

"First of all," Remus started, "We have..." here he stopped for a quick glance at Sirius who nodded slightly, " all apologised. Second of all, why no-one could have predicted the outcome would be so severe, the fact is all of us, you included, were responsible for landing another student in the hospital wing. Regardless of what you think about Lily, it still isn't right."

"Well I never…" The two disgruntled girls stood and made their way up to their dorm, the sound of a loud explosion following them.

Finally, the year was over. Lily traipsed down the stairs making her way to the final feast. She hoped that Sev would be waiting at the bottom of the stairs as he had done previously, though she couldn't see him in the press of people, perhaps he was late. So she took a step to the side out of the stream of students and stood watching.

"Lils'!" Nerida waved as she wandered down. "We'll try and get our usual carriage on the train tomorrow won't we?

Lily smiled and nodded in agreement, "Sure, feel free to ask Pandora too!"

A tap on her shoulder had Lily turning around only no one was there. They tapped her other shoulder and she whipped around again.

"Ouch Evans! Your hair is lethal," James said while rubbing his eye.

"It's always good to see karma in action right away," Lily grinned.

"What's karma?" James asked.

"Remus grabbed his friend by the shoulder as he reached the bottom of the staircase and began to lead him away, "I'll explain it you over dinner."

"Use small words Remus."

After a while the flood of students turned to a trickle. It was clear that Sev wasn't coming. With a disappointed frown Lily made her way to the Great Hall. As she reached the door way a hand on her back roughly pushed her to the side.

"Get out of the way mudblood."

MacNair, Malfoy and Sev, pushed passed her. Sev mouthing 'sorry' to her as he passed. Lily felt sad that her friend had to act that way to be accepted in his house. At least Malfoy wouldn't be back the following year, maybe that would mean that Sev could visibly be her friend again. Shaking her head she moved to the Gryffindor table and took the seat that Doc had been keeping for her with Alice on her other side. a seat between Alice and Doc.

"What's got you so glum, Squirt?" Gid asked from the other side of the table, as they waited for the last few stragglers to enter the hall.

Lily shrugged, "I thought I'd get to have a quick chat to Sev before the feast, so we could arrange things for tomorrow, but….."

Gid glanced over his shoulder to the Slytherin table were Snape was sitting between Malfoy and MacNair. "He's hanging out with his other buddies."

"Yeah."

Doc slung an arm around here shoulders, "Well at least you have us." Lily gave a wry smile and leaned her head against his shoulder.

Any further discussion was interrupted by Dumbledore standing to give his speech and then with a clap of his hands the feast appeared on the tables. Only it didn't stop on the tables the platters rose into the air, with many a giggle and laugh the students went to take the food they wanted. Only to the diner's consternation the platters moved away from them. Where two students thinking to hold a plate, steady approached from both sides of the platter it rose further into the air until it was out of reach. One boy from Hufflepuff was diligently chasing a side of ham around the hall. Frank Longbottom being particularly tall did manage to grab a chicken leg, which he presented in triumph to Alice.

"That is enough," Dumbledore waved his arms. Nothing happened. So he drew his wand, a twinkle in his eye, the platters all fell to the tables with a crash, accept for the side of ham which landed on the poor Puff.

Noise returned to the room as everyone filled their plates.

Lily pulled her trunk out of her room and was levitating it down the staircase when she say Allison and Louisa loitering in the common room. Deciding to ignore them she made to walk by, when Allison spoke.

"Now you listen to me. You might think you are the best, but you're not. Your just a no good.."

"I don't think you want finish that sentence," Frank walked down the stairs a trunk floating behind him. "And you should consider just completing the task the headmaster gave you."

Affronted Allison turned on her heel and flounced out of the room. Before she followed Louisa briefly glanced at Lily and whispered "sorry."

"Well that was…unexpected," Lily said to Frank.

"I'm not really sure how that pair got sorted into Gryffindor," Frank shook his head. "Can you run up an see if Alice is packed yet?"

"Sure she was nearly done when I came down."

Lily ran up the stairs only to meet the other girls at the doorway.

"Frank's asking for you Alice," Lily drawled.

"Oh is he," Marlene joined in. "What did he say Lil'?"

"Well…." Lily's eyes twinkled, "It was actually really boring, he just asked if she was packed yet. Though I think he might want to offer to take her trunk down to the hall."

"Ooooooh,"

"Shove off, you guys," Alice blushed and gave Lily a gentle push towards the stairs.

A short time later they were again ensconced on the train, Lily in the carriage with Nerida and Pandora. As the train departed there was still no sign of Sev. With a sigh Lily watched the countryside passing by.

"Any exciting plans for the summer Lily?" Pandora asked.

"Not that I know of. I think Mum and Dad were just wanting to us to spend time as a family," the red-head shrugged. "You?"

"Well we are going on an expedition to Bora bora, looking for Gulping Plimpies and other exotic animals," Nerida offered.

"I assume that was your brothers influence?"

Nerida nodded, "Interestingly," she leaned over and said in a stage whisper, "he also insisted that we invite a certain someone to come with." She pointed to Pandora who blushed.

"I'm not sure if I'm allowed to go yet."

"I'm sure it will be very exciting," Lily offered.

"Oh, yes!" Nerida divulged the rest of her holiday plans and before they knew it the witch was there knocking and asking if they wanted any of her wares.

The quiet that had settled in as the girls were al absorbed in their books was broken when the door to their carriage was wrenched open suddenly. Lucius Malfoy stood in the doorway, his wand in his hand.

"I will not warn you again. No one wants your filthy presence in this school. Steps are being taken to ensure your type knows where it belongs." He raised his wand.

"Levicorpus!"

Malfoy was suddenly hanging upside down in the corridor.

"Well!" said Lily, unable to cease her laughter. "I've always been curious about what a pure blood wears underneath his robes!" She looked out into the corridor to see Beth and Mary, the first years she had been tutoring, giggling with their wands still aimed at the seventh year Slytherin. "Nice work girls. I don't suppose you know how to get him down?"

The two Hufflepuffs, covered their mouths in an attempt to control their laughter as they shook their heads.

Lily shrugged, "Oh, well. It services him right. You'd best head back to your carriage. I expect will arrive soon."

The girls waved as they turned to head back up the corridor. As if predicted by her words the train began to slow. Lily looked out the window and saw the close press of buildings that indicated that they had entered London. She dodged around the still hanging blonde to re-enter the compartment. Nerida and Pandora were beginning to organize themselves to disembark.

"We'll write this summer, I promise," Ned said, Dora nodding in agreement.

"It would be nice. Just tell your owl to meet me outside. My sister isn't fussed on birds."

Her friends said that it was no trouble to do so and dragged their trunks into the corridor, leaving Lily room to levitate hers down from the rack just as the train pulled into the station.

"See you next year," the girls said as they departed.

Lily looked around at the crowd trying to spy her family. They were standing back against the wall, out of the press. A man whom absolutely must be related to James Potter was talking to them. There was a dark-haired woman with her arm threaded through his. They must be Charlus and Dorea Potter Lily thought as she made her way off the train. Elevating her trunk, she set her shoulders preparing to battle her way through the crowd.