Chapter Four

"Where are we going?" Lily asked as Poppy led her by the hand around the large estate of the Potter gardens. She was sure she could see the tops of Quiddich hoops to the east of the manor but that would be insane. After all, how large could a house be?

Lily had always known James Potter had come from money, but since she had arrived at his home she had realised how much. It had been a few days since she had joined her classmates for the end of the summer, and Lily had yet to see the majority of the mansion.

"Somewhere to talk without Sirius or James." Poppy said heading towards a small group of benches near the small lake.

"I didn't realise you knew his house so well." Lily murmured looking around, it was a perfect view of the entire estate, the house looking like it belonged in a fairytale.

Poppy stopped at a bench and sat down, dragging Lily along with her. "Well I have known James since I was nine. It was expected that Pure Blood families visit other families. Then our parents actually became friends and we visited all the time."

"How long have you known Sirius?" Lily asked curiously, she had known that Poppy knew the Marauders before Hogwarts but she hadn't realised how long they had knew each other.

"Since I was seven. Regulus pushed down my sister and Sirius punched him. Always been a Gryffindor. We were friends ever since, my family hated theirs but they always accepted Sirius." Poppy shrugged then eyed Lily suspiciously. "Stop trying to go off topic!"

Lily smiled faintly, she and Poppy could always pick up on each others moods. They were the kind of friends who were happy to call the other out on their bullshit. "Okay then Poppy. What do you want to talk about?"

It took Poppy time to gather her thoughts. She needed to word it in the right way without Lily being offended. "What happened? You know whatever it was. You could have come to me."

Her friend hesitated, she hadn't told anyone what had happened between Petunia and herself. "She kicked me out." Lily murmured in a quiet voice, her eyes fixed on her shoes.

Warm arms wrapped around her as Poppy pulled Lily in for a hug. "That bitch." She swore darkly making Lily smile. 'Why didn't you let me know, any of us?"

"I couldn't. You were all busy," Lily paused sighing knowing that wasn't the truth. "I couldn't tell you. You would demand that I come here. I didn't want to prove Sirius and James right. My own sister can't even stand to be in the same house as me."

"That's not true Lily. You have to know that."

No matter what Poppy said to her that morning, Lily simply didn't believe her friend. And there were only so many times she could tell her not to blame herself. After the pairs morning talk, Lily retreated to her room whist Poppy wrote letters to their other friends explaining the situation, and asking for help.

Lily was sat on the plain white bed staring out of the window when a knock interrupted her thoughts. "Hello?" She said thinking it was Poppy again. But James' head appeared round the door wearing a wide grin. "Pack your bags Evans, you're moving."

"You're kicking me out already?" Lily joked, her smile not reaching her eyes.

James shook his head snorting, "Just follow me Evans." He reached over and picked up the trunk that was perched neatly at the foot of her bed.

She followed him through the hall and up another set of stairs so that they were on the same floor as Poppy's and James room. Although she had not been on this floor before, she was getting a rough idea of the east wing were most of the bedrooms and guest rooms were situated.

"I don't know if you know, but Sirius and Poppy have their own rooms here since they are here a lot. And since we want you to feel at home here, we got you one too." Just as she was about to protest he opened a door to the right revealing a spacious room.

The walls were cream with the slightest hint of pale pink, the opposite side of the room was taken up by a large window that jutted out wards forming a window seat. Then to the left there were several wide bookcases holding a variety of books with a large desk in front of it. Several soft sofas were also close by a fireplace that reminded Lily of the common room.

Across from the comfortable miniature library was a large four-poster bed that was larger than her one at Hogwarts. The covers were a pretty blossom spread of white and pink reminding Lily of the blossom tree in her parents back garden.

"Its so pretty." Lily gasped her eyes wide, no one had ever gone to this much trouble for her before.

James smiled happily but ran a hand along the back of his neck. "Yeah its pretty cool. Sirius and Poppy helped fix it up." His confidence started to waver as she carried on staring at him.

"We can change its if something's no right." He offered. But she shook her head with a smile that finally reached her eyes.

"Its perfect." Lily said simply then added, "Is Poppy's similar?"

James snorted shaking his head. "I'm surprised you haven't seen it yet, I'm sure Poppy would gladly show you. It has more wardrobes and vanity mirrors but the best part is the ceiling. It shows the stars above night or day, kind of like the great hall."

The red haired girl smiled softly sitting on the edge on the edge of one of the chairs. "I'm amazed how close the three of you are. I had no idea."

He shrugged with an easy grin. "Its mostly in summer we see each other. Sirius stays for every holiday since fifth year but Poppy only comes for some of summer. This is the first year she is staying for the whole time. It's been a blast, and I am glad you are here too."

They stared awkwardly at each other for a minute before James ran a hand through his hair making messier than it already was. "I will see you later, leave you to get settled. If you need anything, I'm just down the hall." He paused smiling softly, "Bye Evans."

Lily spent the next few hours unpacking some of the essentials she would need for the next weeks before they all headed back to Hogwarts. Surprisingly no one bothered her until the friendly house elf informed her that tea was ready.

"Sorry, I didn't know I was late." Lily said apologetically seeing that everyone was already sat down at the long dinner table in the main dining room.

Mrs Potter smiled brightly shaking her head. "Don't be silly dear, your not late. Its just these boys always think with their stomachs so they are always early."

She took the empty seat with the only place setting that happened to be between Poppy and Sirius. Now that Lily sat down she noticed how dressed up the two were, which was odd since they had not been like this for the last few nights.

The chatter began again giving Lily a chance to question Poppy. "What's up with those leather jeans?"

However Sirius butted into the conversation before Poppy had a chance to answer. "Its for the club later Evans. Pops might have a spare she can lend you."

Lily crossed her arms over her chest huffing indignantly, "Well have a nice time. I have work to do."

James leaned over the table raising his eyebrows, "Evans, we don't have that much work to do! Plus I bet you've already done it all."

They glared at each other until Mr Potter broke it with a chuckling cough. "James, if Lily doesn't want to go you cannot force her to by kidnapping her." He joked making the rest of the table laugh and James went red resting his head in his hands.

Mrs Potter slapped his arm lightly shaking her head, "Harold don't tease the poor boy. Now, this is your last time out since you really should be grounded for sneaking out without my permission."

Sirius grinned confidently at her, "Of course Mrs P, we wouldn't dream of doing it again." He winked at Lily.

"There's not need for that. Lily will come willingly, wont you." Poppy added with a pointed look at her friend.

In the end Lily said that she would go, but only because she want to prove James and Sirius wrong; for the entire meal they were making sarcastic remarks. She settled on wearing a simple black dress that Poppy lent to her, a tad shorter than she would normally wear.

Sirius and James were waiting for both girls in the entrance hall at the bottom of the staircase. They expressions shifted slightly as they caught sight of the girls, Sirius grinned broadly winking cheekily whist James stared at Lily his jaw slacking open.

There was something about the contrast between the blackness of her dress and the beautiful autumn colours in her hair. It captivated James. Not to mention her legs looked longer in the velvet black wedges that she was wearing.

"Alright Potter?" Lily asked with a small smirk as they reached the bottom of the stairs.

Sirius swung his arms around the two girls shoulders leading them towards the doors. "You both look stunning. Evans, for a bookworm you scrub up well. Ignore Prongs he clearly can't handle seeing you in a different light. Come on, I can't wait to corrupt you."

James shook his head unable to keep the grin from his face and followed after his friends sheepishly. It was a fairly small bar in the heart of the city that was usually quite popular. They apperated into the city since it was over ten miles away which was too far for the girls to walk in heels.

"I should warn you about something." James whispered in Lily's ear as they opened the door the club.

Lily raised her eyebrows and James continued, "It's Karaoke night and Sirius will probably force us all to sing." She shrugged pulling a face, "He can't force me."

It was clear from the welcoming cheers and cries that Poppy, Sirius and James were well known at this bar. Lily couldn't help wonder how many times they had snuck down here over the past summers.

"Let me give me favourite singer a drink." The young barman winked at Poppy as they sat on the stools opposite him.

Sirius scoffed loudly rolling his eyes, "Come on Tony, we all know that I'm your favourite singer."

Tony shook his head raising his eyebrows but poured both James and Sirius a free drink too. It was only then when he noticed Lily sitting on the end on the other side of Poppy with an amused smile. He tilted his head to one side questioning, "Well hello there, I didn't know it was possible for Poppy to have a friend as beautiful as her."

James choked on his shot as Sirius howled with laughter at his friends shocked expression, but it was Poppy who laughed when she noticed the blush on her best friends cheeks. "If you think I'm as beautiful, don't you think I deserve a drink too?" She teased eyeing him slowly.

He cocked a wide grin and opened his arm, "You can have anything you want hun."

At this point James' began to scowl but Lily merely smiled sweetly and shook her head. "Somehow I doubt you have what I'm looking for."

Poppy and Sirius jeered wearing the same bemused expression, both slightly surprised that Lily was flirting with Tony. The barman's grin seemed to widen if possible as he rested his hands on the table, "And what is it your looking for?"

Lily leaned forwards her lips parted slightly, for a heart stopping second James thought she was going to kiss him. But then she pulled away smiling sweetly, "Something a little more magical." She winked making the three Gryffindors laugh loudly.

The barman shrugged looking slightly disappointed, "Here's a champagne on the house, sorry we don't have anything more magical than that."

"Thank you." She smiled brightly pulling Poppy away from the bar and towards a leather booth, the two boys followed behind still laughing.

"Merlin Evans! That was hilarious! I didn't know you had it in you." Sirius grinned with a new found respect for the girl he first assumed as boring.

Lily shrugged sipping her drink calmly, "I was just being honest, I wouldn't want to lead him on." James looked away for she seemed to be giving him a disapproving glare. "Whose going to sing first then?"

It was the girl with the dark brown hair that was first to answer, she jumped up eagerly before either James or Sirius could answer. Poppy stood talking to the few guys behind in the band for a moment before the music started to play.

Lily's mouth fell open slightly, she knew that Poppy liked to sing, she did it often enough in the shower. Though Lily never knew how good she was until today. Neither of the boys looked surprised they were just watching Poppy, clapping along like the rest of the audience. A small pang of shame filled Lily as she watched her friend, in the few days that she was at the Potters it was clear that Sirius and James knew more about Poppy than she did.

It wasn't just her ability to sing, Poppy captivated the audience in much the same way that her appearance did. People were joining in whilst others were gazing at her in a way which Lily had only seen men do. But it wasn't just men now, other girls were watching and dancing to the music, raising their glasses on the chorus.

When Poppy finished the song most people were on their feet cheering her on. She didn't shy away, she just grinned broadly and waved at everyone practically bouncing.

"Come on Sirius, let's do a duet!" She squealed into the microphone and without hesitation Sirius leapt off his seat and jumped onto the stage next to Poppy.

They both whispered quietly, deciding on music as the crowd began to settle down again. James frowned slightly to himself as he watched his two friends laugh animatedly, he lent over to Lily wearing the same expression. "You don't think anything is going on with them, do you?"

Lily struggled not to laugh at how serious James looked. "No Potter I think Poppy knows how much of a man-whore Sirius is and wouldn't go there. Come on, they are just friends."

Looking slight reassured James sat back in his seat as the music began again.

Sirius sang loudly, his voice reminding Lily of someone from a muggle boy band. They both began the chorus stepping closer together on the stage. Poppy pulled away stepping onto a small table that was close by, her cheeks darkening slightly but no one complained. The audience clapping along with some people dancing in the middle of the floor.

Sirius watched her with a smirk and jumped onto a table that was directly opposite hers. Groups of men gathered around Poppy's table as she danced provocatively her eyes shining brightly.

Girls filtered out doing the same thing to Sirius who held out his hand as if he was a famous singer. They both ended up back on the stage pressed against each other both breathing heavily and avoiding each others eyes. Everyone cheered again and Sirius sung an arm around Poppy as they bowed sarcastically.

Poppy stepped gracefully off the stage ignoring the men's calls and joined James and Lily back at the table. "You were amazing. You should consider doing it after Hogwarts." Lily hugged her friend proudly, Poppy merely smiled just pleased that Lily was smiling again. James winked at her and used this as a moment to buy everyone a new set of drinks.

"Alright Ladies, this is for you. Please hold your panty throwing to the end of the song." Sirius joked winking cheekily at the groups of girls on the dance floor.

Lily raised an eyebrow at Poppy but for the first time didn't comment. She just watched Sirius as he began to dance with the music.

More girls were up dancing along now, and as Lily looked around she noticed that herself and Poppy were the only girls under thirty that were still sitting down. The others were all dancing together next to the stage trying to get Sirius to notice them. Lily snorted to herself as Sirius began to dance in a way which she could only describe as stripping.

He unbuttoned his shirt one by one as he let a girl jump up next to him and start to grind against him. James made whooping noises as Poppy began to laugh shaking her head with a small smile.

Lily clapped along with everyone else feeling the buzz from her alcohol start to take effect. "Potter, can you get me another please?" She called out over the table her cheeks flushed slightly. James nodded winking slightly before ordering another set of shots for the table.

After getting groped half to death Sirius managed to get back to the table wearing a casual smirk. "I've got the drinks." James yelled over the noise of the next singer who seemed to think she was better than she actually was.

"Nice one Prongs." Sirius nodded taking his glass and drowning it in one go. Lily and Poppy tapped glasses before drinking theirs, Lily wincing painfully as it stung the back of her throat.

"Anyone up for round two?" Sirius asked watching the girls with a knowing grin.

It didn't take long for Lily to get drunk, she hadn't had that much experience with alcohol and quickly learnt she couldn't keep up with Sirius and Poppy as they carried out without her. James sat back and watched with an amused smile, deciding not to drink so that one of them could apparate them home.

Although Lily would never admit it, she was secretly awed by his sensibility that she had never seen before. "Come on Jamsie! Its your turn!" Poppy cheered as another person left the stage.

James shrugged lightly watching Lily as she giggled with Sirius. "Only if Evans goes on first."

Lily looked up hearing her name her eyes wide, "Evans goes where?"

Poppy giggled clutching her friends hand. "To the stage, its your turn to sing."

Even in her drunken state Lily shook her head quickly. James smirked his lip curling upwards, "I didn't expect her to. At least we now know something Lily is scared of."

She scowled darkly at James and stood up suddenly knocking over the empty glasses. "Up yours Potter." She spat glaring at him. Sirius looked at his friend expecting him to yell something back but James only smiled looking smug.

Drinking her last shot in one go, Lily stormed toward the stage in an angry daze. Poppy sent James a look and rolled her eyes, "James, that's not cool."

He shrugged watching Lily closely as she took the microphone, her eyes widening as she looked at the large crowd. Both Poppy and Sirius cheered loudly, their arms over each others shoulders as an slow tune began.

She wasn't a bad singer, in fact compared to most of the people who had sang that evening she was very good. Although she was not to the level of Sirius and Poppy, she was able to hold a note. But it was the emotion she sang with that drew people in. Lily had such sad eyes it captured everyone. Even Poppy and Sirius stopped humming, their eyes both saddening at the sight of her.

It was clear to the three Gryffindors what she was singing about, there was an ache of grieve in her voice as she blinked back tears forcing a smile.

"I'm way too good at goodbyes."

Everyone clapped and cheered loudly, and Lily left the stage with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Poppy slapped James' arm glaring at him. "Happy now? She didn't want to sing and you made her."

Poppy looked up and smiled brightly as Lily reached them, "You were great Lils!"

"Guess its my turn." James said into no one in particular as he stood to walk onto the stage.

The beat to his song was slightly quicker than Lily's had, but there was something similar in the country tone. The girls in the audience watched him curiously, silently wondering if he would be as good as his friend.

Although Lily would never admit it, James was really good, he had a smooth velvet voice that made her stomach tighten at the sound. It seemed he had the same affect on everyone else as people stopped conversations to listen to him.

His eyes were fixed on Lily, he didn't dance around like Sirius and Poppy had. James stood in one place with his eyes fixed on Lily almost as if he was singing to her. She looked anywhere else but the boy on the stage, sometimes she couldn't help but stare back at him.

"With me you'll never be alone. With me you'll always have a home."

….

"You can't tell me what to do Sirius! You don't own me!" Poppy yelled pulling her arm out of his grasp.

Sirius staggered drunkenly his eyes narrowing. "Fine, do whatever you want! Who cares if he kills you!"

"You are doing the exact same thing with that whore!" Poppy screamed waving her hands about madly.

Something caught in Sirius' throat as he struggled to reply. "Well your doing the same thing! Are you a whore?"

James cringed awkwardly not knowing what to say, both his friends were being as bad as each other. "Guys, let it go. Just come home." He said slightly desperately.

They both ignored him completely and carried on yelling, late passers by watched them disapprovingly. "Fuck you Sirius Black! I am going back with that guy and you cant stop me!"

"Fine!"

"FINE!"

The two both pushed each other as they stumbled back into the bar to find their dates for the evening. James sighed to himself running a hand through his hair. "Do you always do that?"

He looked up and saw Lily watching him curiously. She was leaning against the building wall, clutching her stomach as if she was about to be sick.

"Yeah it's a habit." He muttered distractedly trying to decide what to do.

"It's going to make me puke." She whispered retching slightly.

James grimaced but walked over to her and scraped her hair away from her face. She retched again moaning softly as she spewed chunks into the gutter. Trying not to comment James carried on pulling her hair back and drawing comforting circles on her back.

"I didn't want to do that." Lily murmered leaning into James her balance tilting to the side.

Trying not to gag, James muttered a few spells under his breath to clean her mouth and hands. Lily stood up suddenly feeling the difference in her mouth, "Did you just clean me Potter?" For the first time her voice wasn't sharp, she just seemed surprised.

"It was a selfish move, I know. Its just I didn't want to smell your sicky breath." He chuckled dryly leading her down the road as she stumbled in her heals.

Lily sighed sweetly wrapping her hands around his arm. "You're funny Potter."

"Well you've never told me that before." He admitted his mood lightening almost instantly.

"I wouldn't want to make your head any bigger." Lily replied with a playful smile. James grinned back holding his laughter, he liked this side of Lily. It was something he had only ever seen at a distance, was this what she was like with her friends?

Lily stopped for a moment, a small frown appearing on her grave face. "Can I tell you a secret Potter?" She whispered clinging onto his jacket.

James took off his jacket wrapped it around her bare shoulders, frowning slightly to himself. She was shivering. "You can tell me anything, Lily."

"I'm not really smart." Her voice was so small he could barely hear her. Lily's eyes were so heartbreaking that James felt a lump chock his throat. But he forced a smile shaking his head.

"You're the smartest person I know. You are top in our year." It was something that she never let him forget on a daily basis.

Lily shook her head her frown deepening. "Its not real. I have to work so, so hard. For you, it's natural. That's why I'm not smart. Its fake."

It took James a moment before he was able to answer her, Lily's statement completely baffled him. "Well if we are sharing secrets I better be honest. I do study. I study with Remus, he helps me when I don't get something. And Sirius, he would never be caught studying. Only I know he stays up in the middle of the night to revise then."

Her mouth dropped open and she gazed at him before continuing her stumble muttering three words under her breath. "I was wrong. I was wrong. I was wrong."

….

A blinding headache shot through Lily as she opened her eyes, groaning loudly she buried her head back in her pillows. As she did this a booming chuckle filled the room, followed by someone yelling. "Oh Evans you have it bad."

"Please, whoever you are, don't yell at me." She rasped trying to block the sunlight out of her pillow by pulling the duvet over her head too.

Another chuckle and the voice yelled again, "I'm whispering Evans. Here, just drink this."

Someone's hand wriggled under her covers holding a small flask of potion that she took cautiously. "Its not poison. Its for your hangover." He added still laughing.

It was a good job that she was hidden as Lily felt the heat flood to her cheeks making them match her hair. She felt silly for even considering it now, so she took the potion from his hand and drank it in one gulp. Surprisingly it tasted of the sweetest vanilla, which was strange for a potion.

As quickly as it came her head stopped throbbing almost immediately, leaving her with only a little dizziness. "That stuff is good." Lily murmured settling back down handing James the empty flask.

"A Marauder concoction." Although she would never admit it, they were very talented.

"What are you doing here Potter?" She asked, only just realising how strange it was for him to be in her room as soon as she woke up.

He paused slightly as if he was embarrassed to answer. "You asked me to." It was such a simple answer. But yet so complex, for why would Lily ask James of all people to stay with her.

She poked her head out of her bed to glance at him, wincing slightly from the light. James Potter sat on an armchair that had been pulled half way across the room, he was huddled amongst blankets and pillows. It was clear he had spent the night. Dark rings hung around his eyes but he still wore the same grin.

"Why did I ask you to?" James pulled his eyes away from hers shrugging causally. "Who knows. I wanted to make sure you were alright. You were pretty ill last night Evans, I didn't know you had it in you." He winked getting off the seat and headed towards the door.

"Thank you." It was a quiet whisper, so faint that James thought he imagined it at first. Then he smiled and nodded before leaving her room.

After making herself half way presentable Lily headed down to the living room for lunch, curious to see if her friend was back from last night. But instead of Poppy sitting on the sofa, she saw Sirius spread out doodling something on the parchment. He looked up at the sound of her footsteps and smirked fondly.

"If it isn't little Miss Throw-up-on-her-worst-enemy." Sirius teased scrunching up his paper and throwing it into the fire.

Lily glared at him before groaning loudly. "He told you?" She checked.

Sirius nodded cocking one eyebrow. "It was something worth telling. Just wish I could have seen it. We all saw a whole new side to bookworm Evans last night." He winked turning onto his back.

Hovering awkwardly at the fireplace Lily shifted her weight from foot to foot. "Have you seen Poppy this morning?"

His expression darkened. "Yes."

Lily sighed rolling her eyes, he was really testing her patients. "Where is she then?"

"Last I saw her was in the grounds by the pitch, bloody bad mood though." He added under his breath still scowling.

"Okay… well thanks." She replied, Sirius nodded and returned to his doodling still scowling slightly.

It was the first time Lily had been on the quiddich pitch, it was the other side of the grounds to the lake. Slightly smaller than the one at Hogwarts, it was still enormous, surprisingly in the Potters garden it didn't look out of place.

Sitting way above the ground in the middle hoop, Poppy waved down at Lily. "COME DOWN I NEED TO TALK!" Lily yelled, Poppy shook her head, her chestnut hair flying out behind her.

"Come up!"

Unwillingly Lily took a broom from the shed and swung her legs over the strong wood. It wasn't that she couldn't fly, or didn't like it. It was more of a social standing, she hated the attention it got from the school.

As she got closer to Poppy, Lily noticed how miserable her friend looked, it wasn't just Sirius in a bad mood today. "I've never seen you fight with Sirius before." Poppy had always been the first to defend the Marauder when Lily had been in a bad mood.

"I've never seen you drunk before." She replied with a ghost of a smile.

Lily hovered close to the hoop, whilst Poppy sat perfectly balanced on the metal. "Guess there is a first time for everything."

Poppy shrugged looking out into the cloudless sky. "Is he still mad at me?"

"I've never seen him this worked up before." Lily replied honestly, the only time she had seen Sirius yell was at Slytherin's. Even when they would fight he never became properly annoyed.

The other girl let out a strained sigh. "I'm so sick of it! He can't tell me what to do when he is doing the same thing!"

It was Lily's time to shrug, "Maybe he was worried or something. I am probably the worst person to guess what Sirius Black was thinking."

Poppy let out a dry laugh, "Yeah, you are right."

Lily hesitated watching her friend closely, something James had said last night was bothering her. "Can I ask you something? Don't be annoyed, just be honest."

"If this is about homework, then no I haven't done it."

She laughed the broom shook slightly. "No, I was just wondering. Is there more to you and Sirius? Are you just friends?"

Poppy held out a hand to Lily, gesturing to pull her onto the hoop as well. Trying not to look down, she stood up and gently climbed next to Poppy, holding her broom in her hand. Poppy stared at Lily her expression nervous.

"He's my Sirius Always been there. I know what you think of him but he isn't always like that. He means so much to me." For once there was no sarcasm or confidence in her voice, Lily had never heard her friend sound so vulnerable.

"Oh Poppy." Lily whispered hugging her friend as Poppy rested her head on Lily's shoulder. "I just don't know what to do anymore."

It was a situation that Lily had never expected, one of her friends was already dating a Marauder, she never thought Poppy would join them. "Just talk to him Pops, I've seen the way he talks to you. He wouldn't laugh."

"I know that, it's not that." Lily frowned, "What is it then?"

Poppy rarely cried, and when she did; it was over something big. So when tears rolled down her face Lily started to become concerned. "My family has arranged marriages, as soon as I leave Hogwarts I have to get married, they told me my match. Even if I got with Sirius, it would only be for a year. And it would be harder then."

That was the last explanation Lily expected to hear, her mouth feel open as she struggled for words. Her expression must have been funny as Poppy laughed wiping away her tears.

"That's insane! They can't make you do that!" Lily protested.

"I have no choice. I don't want to dishonour my family, it's hard for you to get. But its tradition. Anyway, can we talk about something else?" Poppy asked her eyes begging Lily to change the subject.

Lily looked away unable to force a smile. "Do you think you will be captain of the quidditch team this year?"

Her friend clutched her broom slightly tighter, "It would be nice, but somehow I think James has that. He done so well filling in for the captain last year when she was in hospital."

Poppy stood up, winked at Lily then jump off the ring. She flew through the air her arms spread out, if it had been anyone else Lily would have screamed. But this was Poppy, and it was her signature move. Just inches from the floor she swung the broom between her legs and soared back towards the sky.