"Lily? Are you all right?"
Lily glanced in Hermione's direction. She had a cloth pressed up against her nose and mouth to block out the smell of decay. Lily just dealt with it. They were partnered up for Care of Magical Creatures, where they were cleaning up after a batch of Bundimun, a green, ooze like creature that did nothing but eat and spew foul secretions and gases.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Lily said. She turned her attention back to the trail of mess that their ooze left. It was trying to move towards the Forbidden Forest. Lily had to occasionally use a well-placed scourgify to keep it from entering. They hated being cleaned.
"You're not speaking much," Hermione said.
Lily just grunted in response. She was still thinking about all the nasty things Pansy Parkinson spent the morning whispering in her ear. She wasn't feeling very good at the moment. Hermione kept glancing over at Lily occasionally. Lily pretended not to notice. She turned her gaze to the skyline above them.
She could see a dementor not too far away, patrolling the edge of the Forbidden Forest. It was gliding over the tops of the trees, its billowing cloak brushing the leaves. Lily could have sworn it kept looking over at her. Even when she wasn't watching it, she occasionally felt a pang of cold and fear rush through her body. Every single time, she glanced up, certain that it'd be coming for her.
It was the first time she ever wanted Care of Magical Creatures to end quickly.
Thankfully, they were right at the end of it. Three whole hours of tasting nothing but rot and death, and Lily could finally start herding their Bundimun back to the crates. Hagrid was the only person that seemed happy about it. He kept kneeling down and giving each foul slime words of encouragement as they crawled back into their crates. Lily didn't see the point. They could just eat through the wood. She didn't care enough to say anything.
She left while Hermione took over the duties, working her way back up to the castle by herself. She needed a shower. She always felt better after the warm water rushed over her.
Plus, she didn't want to smell like death when she met Katie later.
"Normal," she repeated to herself as she sped up the pace.
"You're getting really good," Katie said. She was leaning close to Lily, watching her sketch the Lake and its immediate surroundings. Lily had to disagree, personally. Her hands kept shaking from the nerves. It took all her concentration to draw a straight line.
"Thanks," she said instead. She leaned closer into Katie, just so show off the sketch. She was still drawing the setting sun in the background. She'd add the reflection on the surface of the water, later. It was hard to do with just charcoal. She was just supposed to be sketching today, for practice, so she didn't bring any colours with her.
"I'm serious, Lily," Katie insisted. "You know, the Prophet runs a contest on occasion for artwork. You should enter!"
"Maybe," Lily said. She didn't usually like to share her art. It was just for her. It usually made her uncomfortable when people commented on it, but when Katie did it, well, she felt good.
We're normal.
"You know, there's an art store in Hogsmeade," Katie said. She leaned in a bit closer, resting her head on Lily's shoulder. Lily felt strange again. "We should go!"
"Yeah," Lily said with a thick voice. This was the first weekend students were allowed to visit Hogsmeade, and everybody was talking about it. That was partially why she'd been in such a foul mood earlier; Ron and Neville wouldn't stop talking about it before class started. Everybody was anxious to go, and they were making plans together.
And Lily wouldn't be able to go. She still hadn't told anybody.
"You should come with me to the Shrieking Shack," Katie continued. "Oh, and we have to get a butterbeer at Rosmerta's, you'll love her!"
Lily already met Rosmerta last year, when she returned from having her spine vanished. She remembered very little about the woman, other than the spectacular way her robe clung to her-
Normal, Lily thought, shaking her head to clear her thoughts.
"I should be going," Lily said, making up her mind. She grabbed her bag, where her forgotten textbooks were still waiting. She had a bit of homework she needed to get done so she could turn them in tomorrow.
"Do you have to?" Katie asked. Her hand lingered briefly on Lily's arm as she stood.
"Sorry, Katie," Lily said far too quickly. "Just remembered I've got an essay to write, and I left the book downstairs. Meet back here tomorrow?"
"Love to," Katie said.
Lily wasted no time, hopping down the Astronomy Tower stairs three steps at a time. It was a miracle she didn't slip and break her neck, but she didn't want Katie to see where she was actually heading. Thankfully, it was only a short jog over, just in the adjacent hallway, and Lily quickly spoke the password so the gargoyle would hop aside.
She had to try, she really wanted to go with Katie. That meant she had to try Dumbledore again.
She got nervous when she reached the door at the top of the stairs, but she knocked before she could change her mind. It was best to get these things over with when you were scared.
"Enter," Dumbledore called from within. Lily took a deep breath, then pushed the door open. Dumbledore looked up from his desk, where he tucked away a sheet of paper he was writing on. He seemed surprised to see her, and he offered a kind smile. "Lily? Whatever can I do for you?"
"I need you to sign my permission slip, Professor," Lily said. She hurried forward, digging the slip from her bag. She'd been trying to work up the courage to do this for days now, but it was Katie's offer that finally gave it to her.
Dumbledore frowned at the paper. His hands didn't move forward to take it. Lily felt her heart fall.
"I believe we already had this discussion, Lily," Dumbledore said. He was still wearing that smile, but it felt more fake now.
"I can't be the only third year who doesn't go, Professor," Lily said desperately. "I promise I'll stay out of trouble, sir, but-"
"I am sorry, Lily," Dumbledore said, raising a hand to push the paper away. "I cannot sign it at this time. Not with Sirius Black so close. It would put you into far too much danger."
"You really think Sirius Black would walk into a crowded street just to murder me, sir?" Lily asked.
Dumbledore nodded. "If anybody is capable of it, Lily, it is Sirius Black."
"Then he would have murdered me when I was at Diagon, Professor," Lily said. She was still holding the slip out. "Everybody knew where I was. It would have been easy for him."
Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, scratching at his beard in thought. Lily took that as a good sign.
Dumbledore sighed, and her heart fell again. "I am sorry, Lily. You have given me much to think about. I will not sign your slip on this occasion."
"But-"
"On this occasion," Dumbledore repeated. "We will revisit the topic soon. I have some questions I had not considered before, and I need answers before I consider changing my mind. You will have to be patient."
Lily considered arguing further. She felt like she was close.
But she didn't know the right words to say. She'd only make things worse, just like she always did. She tucked the slip back into her bag, nodded to the Headmaster, then left his office without another word. She felt stupid for bothering, even though she had been close. She could see it on the Headmaster's face. Something she said got him thinking.
Lily was still thinking about her next step as she turned the corner, heading for the stairs.
"Lily?" Ron asked in a tone of surprise. "What are you doing up here?"
Lily stopped in her tracks. Ron and Neville were coming up the stairs, presumably from a late supper.
"Had to meet with Dumbledore," she said truthfully. "Where have you two been?"
"Library," Ron said in disgust. "We needed to look up some things for Divination. Trelawney's- doesn't matter, I don't want to talk about it. What are you in trouble for this time?"
"Nothing," Lily said, feeling a spike of anger. "I just needed to ask him about- never mind. It doesn't matter."
"Suit yourself," Ron said with a shrug. He seemed bored by the conversation. Lily clenched her jaw, feeling irritated.
"Want to meet us in Hogsmeade, Lily?" Neville asked. "We were going to Honeyduke's, first."
"What's that?" Lily asked before she could help herself.
"You'll love it," Neville said fondly.
"It's the largest sweets shop this side of the UK," Ron said, suddenly much more excited. "They've got everything, Fizzing Whisbees, Ice Mice, Peppermint Toads, Jelly Slugs, you name it, they've got it. Lucky I still have my Merlin money, eh?"
"Yeah," Lily agreed with a hollow smile. "Sounds lovely. You'll have to- to-"
"Lily?" Neville asked.
Lily shook her head. She was going to say, "You'll have to tell me all about it."
But now she was determined.
"Never mind," she said. "I'll see you two later."
"Hazel, if I may have a word," Lupin said with a hand on her shoulder. The bell was ringing overhead, signaling the end of class. Parkinson and Malfoy were sniggering about it as they passed. She was sure she'd be hearing about it later. He made a kissy face at her as he left, and that had Parkinson howling in laughter. Lily clenched her jaw again. She couldn't risk another detention with Snape.
Lupin sat across from her, at the next desk. His face looked worn and ragged, his hair peppered with gray despite his young age. He offered her a kindly smile. She was getting sick of those.
"What is it, Professor?" Lily asked. She wanted to be going.
"I was wondering if you'd like to join me for tea this weekend," Lupin said. "I can answer some more questions about your parents, if you wish."
"Hogsmeade is this weekend, Professor," Lily said.
Lupin frowned at her. "I was under the impression that you have not gotten your slip signed."
"Impressions can be wrong, Professor," Lily said.
Lupin was silent for a moment, then he leaned forward, becoming more serious. "Hazel, if you are planning on sneaking into Hogsmeade, I'm afraid I must advise against it."
"I don't know what you mean, Professor."
"The dementors will be guarding the entrance to Hogsmeade," Lupin continued, "And I assure you they will not take kindly to somebody attempting to sneak past them under an invisibility cloak."
That surprised Lily. "You know about the cloak?"
"I do," Lupin said fondly. "McGonagall and Snape have both warned me about it. And, besides that, many times I watched your father slip under it. It was normally followed by him doing something incredibly stupid and very-much-so against the rules."
Lily considered that, then leaned forward. "The dementors can see under the cloak, then?"
"They cannot," Lupin said, "But they will be able to tell you are hidden. They will be able to sense your presence."
"How?"
Lupin almost answered the question, but he stopped himself at the last moment. Lily jumped on the chance.
"If I'm not obviously sneaking, they won't know, will they?" Lily asked in her excitement. "They can't tell if I'm up to no good if I'm not-"
Lupin sighed. "Hazel, I must advise against this. You do not want the dementors catching you, especially after how you reacted to a single one on the train."
"How did you drive that one off, Professor?" Lily asked. Lupin gave her another smile.
"With the Patronus Charm," he said. "If you're thinking of using it against them, Hazel, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. It is an exceptionally difficult spell during the best of circumstances, let alone during the presence of an actual dementor. Most fully-aged wizards cannot manage it."
"I'll figure it out, Professor," Lily said, standing from her seat. "If you need me, I'll be in the library."
Lily couldn't even find the spell in the single day she had. There were far too many books to check on her own, and she didn't want to ask Madame Pince for directions. That would tip the faculty off to what she had planned and ruin her chances of pulling it off. She'd have to settle for the cloak on this weekend. She was waiting in the common room for the other third year girls to leave, feeling nervous. She had a plan, but she wasn't sure if it'd work, and she had no idea what she'd do if it didn't.
She had the cloak over her, so nobody would ask why she wasn't getting up to leave with the rest of them. A few girls kept glancing at her empty bed, for whatever reason, but nobody bothered checking it. Weasley was curled up next to her, a little unhappy that he couldn't see her, but just pleased to be in her presence. He was losing more weight. She was starting to get really worried about him. She was going to leave him at the Burrow over the Holidays if he didn't get better.
Once the last of the Slytherin girls left, Lily took her chance, and slipped down from her bed. Sae was laying on her own below, reading from another textbook. Lily moved as quietly as she could, but she was pretty sure Sae could hear her. She kept glancing at where Lily was, as if trying to find the source of the sound. Lily slipped out of the common room proper before Sae could investigate further. She saw the girl getting up from her mattress as she went around the corner.
All the prime spots in the sitting room were taken as Lily passed through. The first and second years seemed excited to have them. Lily wondered briefly why Sae wasn't joining them. She got over it quickly enough, a smile coming to her face when she imagined walking around the bustling little village with Katie.
"Normal," she repeated to herself as the blank wall closed behind her.
There weren't many people on the grounds. A small assortment of students still milling their way towards Hogsmeade, mostly. Lily followed behind a group of Hufflepuff girls, listening to them talk and gossip among themselves. She tried to walk naturally under the cloak, as if she wasn't trying to break the law. She stood close enough to the Hufflepuff girls to appear as if she was one of them.
"Cedric really said that?" a blonde one said. Lily couldn't see anything other than her wavy hair, but she had a squeaky voice and was much shorter.
"I said he did, didn't I?" one of the brunettes said. She had a very long nose, but Lily kind of liked that. "He said he wasn't interested in seeing anybody right now, plain as that."
"But why?" The blonde said in a whiny tone.
"How would I know?" the first brunette said.
"Maybe he fancies someone else," the other brunette said. She had very curly hair, far more-so than Lily's (or even Hermione's, for that matter). It seemed utterly untamable, but, somehow, she made it work for her.
"Maybe he's not interested in girls," the red head said with a giggle. That got the rest of them giggling, too, although the blonde seemed offended by the comment. Lily seriously considered finding another group to follow; this conversation was making her very uncomfortable. There was nobody else in sight, though, so she had no choice but to stay.
"He can't be," she said. "Adeline saw him snogging Margarette just last year!"
"I was only joking," the red girl said with another giggle.
"I dunno," the second brunette said, "He has been very close to Daisuke lately."
"Dai just made the Quidditch team, Carrie," the blonde girl said. "Of course they've been around each other!"
The other girls laughed again, but Lily could feel the blonde girl's frustration. She wondered, briefly, what Sae would think of this conversation. Mostly, though, she just wished that these girls would stop talking. She tried counting stones in the road to distract herself, but it didn't seem to help much.
"I wish they'd get rid of those things," the red head said as they approached the wizarding village. Lily followed her outstretched finger, but she didn't need to; she could already feel the presence of the dementor. The pressure in her stomach was making her feel sick.
"Blame Potter," the brunette with the long nose said. "If she wasn't here, they wouldn't be."
"Don't know why they haven't shipped her off yet," the other brunette said. "What's she done for the rest of us, other than set a Basilisk loose?"
"I thought she killed the Basilisk," the blonde said.
"She did, Liz," the red head said. Lily appreciated the bit of anger in her tone. "Those two just don't like the attention she's been getting. Cedric's been asking after her, you know?"
"Oh," the blonde said. She sounded almost disappointed. Lily picked up her pace as they approached the dementors. She looked straight ahead, ignoring the feeling of cold that was creeping into every pore of her body.
"I don't know why she still comes to Hogwarts," the brunette continued.
"Yeah," the other brunette agreed. "It's not like anybody likes having her around. Have you heard what Carrie's been saying? She struts all around the Slytherin Common Room like she owns the place, telling anybody who'll listen that she's 'the Heir of Slytherin.' I wish somebody would just tell her off, already. I mean, really, who does she think she-"
Lily stumbled, almost grabbing on to the girl in front of her. Two of the girls turned, looking blindly for the source of noise. Lily went to one knee, trying to quiet her breathing. She felt very cold. The blonde was staring at where she was, looking perplexed and just a tad frightened. Lily risked a glance further.
The dementor was staring at them. At her. She felt her insides turn to ice, felt the bile rising.
"Nobody wants you here," Petunia said. The cupboard door slammed, leaving her in the cramped darkness, where nobody could hear her crying.
She clutched her cloak closer to her and ran for it, back towards the castle. The Hufflepuffs screamed as she ran off. She could feel the cloak slapping against the back of her legs, but she didn't care if they saw the soles of her boots. They wouldn't know what had happened. She just needed to get away.
She ran for three minutes, then knelt next to the bushes that lined the path, letting the vomit she'd been holding back out of her. A nearby group of Ravenclaws looked towards her in horror, but they couldn't see her. She let out another wave, wishing it at least made her feel any better.
"Are you all right?" one of the Ravenclaws called out. They came closer, searching for the sick person, and Lily saw, to her horror, that it was Cho Chang, with her pretty, straight her pulled back by a blue hairband. Lily crawled as far as she could manage, so the other girl wouldn't be able to find her, then got carefully to her feet and crept away, not sparing the group another glance.
"Stupid," she grumbled to herself. She still felt sick, and her skin was clammy and covered in sweat, as if she was actively fighting a flu. Every time she blinked, she could see the stovetop in front of her, covered in shades of black, yellow, and red.
She was still feeling a bit ill when she made it back to the castle. She started up the stairs. Then she remembered that Pomfrey absolutely would not appreciate her showing up showing symptoms of being near dementors. She didn't think she could talk her way out of that one, not when she was feeling so ruddy.
She started back down the stairs, deciding a long nap would do her some good. She smelled lunch coming from the Great Hall, but that just got her stomach rolling again, so she ignored it in favour of the dungeons entrance.
Professor Lupin came out just as she was heading in. She nodded to him, hoping that would be the end of that interaction, and attempted to pass by him.
"Hazel," he said kindly as he grabbed her shoulder instead. "You seem to be feeling ill. Dementors, perhaps?"
"Bad sausage," Lily lied. "Had some for breakfast."
"The house elves of Hogwarts have never once served an expired meal, Hazel," Lupin said with a tired smile.
"Hagrid made it."
Lupin laughed. "Well, he has, I'm certain. You will follow me to my office, regardless. I think a cup of cocoa will do you some good."
Lily nodded, deciding not to argue, and followed him up the stairs.
"Better?" he asked as Lily took her first sip of delicious chocolate, the steam rising from the mug she rested between her cold hands. She took another sip.
"Loads," she said. She liked how much more confident she sounded. She could hardly hear Petunia anymore.
"I warned you not to approach Hogsmeade, Hazel," Lupin said with a sigh. Lily avoided his eyes, instead peeking around at his office. She'd never been in here before. At least, not while he was the inhabitant.
His office was just as neat as Lockhart's had been, although there was significantly less self-indulgent paraphernalia lying around. There was a water tank in the corner, containing some sort of spindly looking creature, as well as a couch and a couple of comfortable looking armchairs sitting in front of the fireplace.
"Grindylow," Lupin said, nodding towards the cage. "Thought we'd use it in our next class. The fingers are brittle, you see, and you can easily bend them off of you with just a bit of pressure."
"You're putting us in the tank with it?" Lily said in horror, although probably not for the reason Lupin thought.
"Only volunteers," Lupin said with a reassuring smile. "And in a much smaller tank with my supervision. There won't be a thing to worry about, I assure you."
Lily took another sip of cocoa, not quite believing him, but wanting to. Lupin kept staring at her, as if he was trying to guess what she was thinking about. She didn't like that.
"You haven't asked about your parents since that first day," he said at last. Lily's cup was almost empty.
"You blew me off," Lily said with a shrug.
"I believe I invited you to speak with me later," Lupin countered. "I did have a class to teach."
"I've been busy," Lily said, feeling a bit of frustration.
"Yes, I remember how much homework we got in our third year," Lupin said. "James absolutely refused to do it, until McGonagall had a stern talk with him."
"What did he do then?" Lily asked eagerly.
"They compromised," Lupin said. "He stopped doing History of Magic and Astronomy and started keeping up with his Care and Divination."
"He took Divination?" Lily asked curiously. "I thought it might be-"
"A bit of a waste," Lupin said with a nod that told her he understood. "Yes, so did he, as a matter of fact. He took them because he thought they'd be the easiest. Give him more time to focus on- well, we'll say other pursuits."
"What do you mean?" Lily asked.
"Perhaps another time," Lupin said. "I'm surprised you didn't ask about your mother."
I don't care what she took, Lily thought, a spike of anger accompanying the sound of Snape's voice.
"She took them all, of course," Lupin said, not catching her feelings. "Lily was the star pupil of our year, all the professors loved her. Slughorn inducted her into the Slug Club during her first year. She was the only first year to ever manage it without a prior recommendation."
"Slug Club?"
"Slughorn was our Potions master. He had a club of those he believed to be exceptional, the people he thought would be especially important once they left Hogwarts."
"And my mum got in in her first year?"
"She did," Lupin said with a nod. "Your father got in eventually, too, once he proved himself in Quidditch during his fourth year."
Lily took a sip of her dwindling cocoa. She couldn't help but feel that she wouldn't have made it. The only thing special about her was that she wasn't dead.
"You look just like her, you know," Lupin said after another pause. "I'm sure you're tired of hearing it."
"I'm nothing like her," Lily said quietly. She left her reasoning unsaid. Lupin didn't ask. He seemed aware of the misstep he made, but also as if he didn't know how to fix it. She finished the rest of her cocoa, set the empty cup on his desk, then stood. "I should get going, Professor."
Lily wandered the school for a bit, thinking and moping. The castle felt emptier than it should. It felt cold and sterile, not a single laugh echoing through the halls and chambers. Even the library was eerily still. Not a single soul was visiting it, not even the first or second years who weren't allowed to visit the village. Lily couldn't even find Madame Pince.
Lily wandered back down towards the Great Hall, lingering on the exit towards the grounds. She knew she wasn't supposed to go out if there weren't classes, but she couldn't stop thinking about what the Hufflepuff girls had said. She couldn't bring herself to bother any of the people in the school.
"Sod it," Lily said. She took off onto the grounds, heading straight for the Lake.
She cheered up slightly when she spotted somebody already sitting beneath the tree. She broke off into a run, hardly able to contain herself.
"What are you-" she said as she approached. She slowed, realizing the person was Sae, who looked very surprised to see her there.
"I'm studying," Sae said, gesturing to her book. "Some of us actually want to pass our classes."
"Sorry," Lily said as she sat down nearby, leaning against the tree. "Thought you were- it doesn't matter. Do you need any help? I could-"
"No," Sae said quickly. Lily felt a spike of anger at the quick dismissal. It reminded her of the Hufflepuffs.
"You've been ignoring me," she said. "What's wrong, Sae? Did I do something?"
"No," Sae said after a long pause. "I just- I don't know if we should be around each other, Potter."
"Why not?" Lily asked. Sae looked like she wanted to say something, but she couldn't bring herself to say it.
"You haven't been back to the common room yet, have you?" she said instead. She wouldn't meet Lily's eyes.
"No," Lily said. "Why?"
Sae opened her mouth to speak, but she was interrupted by a voice from behind the both of them.
"There you are, Potter," Malfoy said. He sounded amused. "Too scared of the dementors to come to Hogsmeade, are you?'
"Stuff it, Malfoy," Lily said. She stood quickly, her hand going for her wand.
"Watch it, Heiry," Malfoy said. He held up his palms. He was alone. "Wouldn't want you to get suspended, now, would we?"
Lily's hand hesitated over her wand. "How did you- What do you want, Malfoy?"
Malfoy smirked at her. "Father wanted you expelled for striking me, Potter, but you should be thanking me. I talked him out of it."
Lily snorted. "Grow a heart, did you?"
"Spending time with Asari?" Malfoy continued. "I'm surprised, Heiry. After what she did, I thought for sure you'd-"
"Stop," Sae said from where she was sitting.
Lily frowned. "What did you do, Sae?"
"Figures she was too much of a coward to tell you," Malfoy said with a sneer. "Didn't bother asking who'd done your maggots in, did you?"
"You didn't," Lily said in horror. Sae was still sitting, but Lily could see her hands shaking.
"Course she did," Malfoy said, "Did it while you were in the Hospital Wing, didn't she? Course, I can hardly blame her, what with-"
"Stupefy," Lily said after whipping her wand from her sleeve. A bright, red blast flew from the tip, striking Malfoy in the chest, and he fell to the ground unconscious. Lily tucked her wand back into her sleeve, looking angrily at Sae.
"You shouldn't have done that," Sae said. She was looking at Malfoy, shaking her head. "They'll know, Lily, I'll have to take him to Pomfrey."
"How could you?" Lily asked, absolutely fuming.
"Didn't have a choice," Sae said, staring back down at her book. "Not after what you did."
"What are you-"
"You lost everything, Potter," Sae said, sounding angry. "I bet everything on you, and you lost it all when you kissed his bloody boot."
"What are you-"
"You were supposed to help me, Potter," Sae said, standing up in her fury. "I thought that, with you in Slytherin, Aiya would want to join, and I could keep her safe. And then you had me all convinced she'd be fine in Gryffindor, but now he's going after her, too! She's miserable, and I can't do anything to help her because of you."
"You should have told me," Lily said, "I would have-"
"Done something stupid," Sae interrupted, "And gotten yourself kicked out of school. I didn't need your help, Potter. You should just leave me alone; that's why they're going for her. They think we're friends."
"I thought so too," Lily said as she stormed off.
Lily waited in the Astronomy Tower as the sun set. She was hoping Katie would come up to visit, but she'd been wrong. Nobody bothered checking for her. She spent the entire time alone.
She knew she should have gone back to the common room, but she didn't want to bother seeing any of them yet. Besides, something was waiting for her downstairs. She garnered that much from what Sae said.
"Best get it over with," Lily said as the last of the light vanished from the horizon. The sixth years had Astronomy on Saturdays, and they'd be coming up soon. She needed to be gone by then.
Lily's stomach was in knots as she passed by the Great Hall. Most of the school was still feasting inside, but she wasn't in the spirit, even if she hadn't eaten all day. She did peek in, though, just to see all her friends laughing and having a good time without her. Hermione was talking animatedly with Lavender and Parvati. Neville and Ron were both completely red, laughing about whatever Seamus was telling them. Katie was talking with Alicia and Angelina, a huge smile on her face. Lily waved when she looked over, and Katie looked away, the smile vanishing from her face. Lily tried not to care. She turned back, heading for the dungeons, and walked straight into the waiting form of Professor Snape.
"I warned you, Potter," he said with loathing in his voice as he paced around his office. "I warned you of the consequences."
"I didn't strike him," Lily said, sinking further into her chair. "I cast a spell."
"Detention, Potter," Snape said. "Three of them. And if you put another toe out of line, the Headmaster won't be able to stop any harsher punishments. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
"No, sir," Lily mumbled.
"You're just like your father, Potter," Snape continued. "You don't care for the wellbeing of others, you care only about yourself, you deem everybody else below you. Your mother would have been so disappointed."
"Don't talk about my mother," Lily said. She refused to look up from the floor.
"Another detention, Potter," Snape said. "You may look like her, but Lily Evans you are not. Get out of my sight."
Lily ignored the eyes as she crossed the common room. She felt like people were staring at her more than usual, but whenever she checked, nobody was looking at her. She decided on a quick shower, just to make herself feel better. Then she'd get started on the homework she had left. She'd yet to finish what was due on Monday, and she only had a day left to spare.
Other Slytherin girls were sitting amongst their friends, chatting away, as she walked sullenly to her bed. She passed by Parkinson on the way. She was chatting with Millicent Bulstrode. The two girls laughed loudly about something as she passed. Lily tried to ignore it, but she definitely heard her name. She wished they'd just leave her alone.
Sae didn't look at her. Lily didn't look at her, either. She climbed up into her bed, pulled off her boots, and then went to put them on top of her trunk, freezing in place. She glanced around the room, saw half the girls staring at her, laughing, waiting to see her reaction. Lily placed the boots over the words carved into the top of her trunk. She didn't want to work on her homework anymore. She buried her face into her pillow, still wearing her clothes from the day.
Nobody wants you here.