Part 5:

"Out for an evening stroll, Miss Evans?" He asked.

Lily sighed. I can't believe I made it this far just to get caught. "Visiting some friends."

"Ah, the Snapes. They must be very good friends to you if you are willing to risk getting another detention with Mr. Filch." Guiding her towards his office, he smiled as they sat down. "Do you want to tell me why you felt it necessary to visit them so late at night?"

"I was rather busy with the detentions I was serving, it was the only time I had free." She answered.

"But I can tell that something happened. Do you want to tell me what it was?"

Lily shook her head. "We just talked for a bit, sir." She was reluctant to break confidence with them, though she badly wanted to confide her fears to someone.

Dumbledore studied her pale face. "Are you sure? You seem a little ill."

Only fools are sure, she thought wryly. "It is nothing, Headmaster. I was just shocked by how weak they seem."

"I understand. I'll let this visit slide but don't make a habit of it." He said, pretending not to hear her sigh of relief. "I'm glad that they trust you, Lily."

"Thank you." She walked to the door, his voice stopped her.

"Hold on to them, Lily. You could be their saving grace." She turned to face him, confused by his odd choice odd words. He didn't explain. "Go to bed, child."

"Good night, sir." She left and quietly walked into the common room.

"Where have you been?" James asked quietly from a large red chair.

"Eep!" She squeaked, glaring at him. Oh, Merlyn! Now I sound like some ditz from a trashy romance novel. Not that I would ever read one, she quickly added. And why am I talking to myself? "I was out walking around. I needed to clear my head, all those cleaning fluids were playing with my mind."

"Next time, ask for permission to use my cloak. They aren't easy to find." He soothed, feeling guilty for startling her.

"I'm sorry." She handed it to him, with a small smile. "Good night, James."

He watched her walk up the stairs then asked. "How were the Snapes?"

She faltered on the top step and turned to stare down at him, her eyes were hard.

"Lily, I'm not Sirius. I don't like Severus. I don't quite trust him. But it isn't my place to judge him-nor your relationship with him."

"Good night, James." Her voice was hard as she turned away.

"What happened to our friendship, Lily? We used to be able to talk. And you look like you need to talk." He was quiet, trying to encourage her to speak to him again.

Lily stopped again, turning to face him. For the second time that night, she was angry. Instead of hiding it from him like she usually did, she allowed him to see it. "I can't talk to you, not anymore. You don't trust me enough to tell me what happened to Remus over the winter holiday. Granted, it is his problem, not yours. If he wants me to know, he'll tell me. But you didn't trust me enough to tell me that you, Siri, and Peter became animagi. I found out by accident. You were the one who shut down first, not me. So, don't you dare lay the blame for our lack of communication at my feet because I'm not the one who started it. James, you are the one who kept secrets from me."

James had no words for her. She was right. "I'm sorry, Lily."

She sat down, staring at her hands. "I know you are. But communication goes both ways, James. I can't be giving all the time and getting nothing in return."

"And the Snapes trust you?" He asked skeptically.

"Not totally." She knew that from personal experience. "But they are trying."

He sat beside her. "I will be here for you, Lily."

"I know, James. I hope you know that I will be there for you."

"I know that." They sat in silence for a while, before he looked at her. "Lily, you should try out for the team. You'd make a wonderful seeker."

"Really? Why do you think that?"

With a grin, he squeezed her shoulder. "I saw you catch Septina, remember? That was some brilliant broom work."

She laughed, then yawned. "I'm turning in, James. You should to. We have a charms quiz tomorrow."

"Which you will ace, as usual." He teased.

"Not if I don't get sleep. Sleep a certain someone seems intent on keeping me away from." She reprimanded.

"Guilty as charged." James watched her go, a smile on his face. He was relieved to be on easy terms with her again. It hurt to think about how he'd cut her out of his life, though it hadn't been deliberate.

"I told you she was smarter than you give her credit for." Remus quietly said.

James nodded, studying his friend. "Are you going to tell her?"

Remus shrugged. "I don't know. Though you were there when it happened, I wasn't supposed to tell anyone else. And we both know how well that worked out."

"Sirius found out by following you. And once he knew, it was hard to keep it from Peter."

"Exactly." He was quiet. "James, we don't have to solve the problems of the world tonight. Lily is right, we still have school in the morning. It is time to turn in."

"Just one thing: do you think Siri is right about them being a bad influence on her?"

"I think Siri is just being himself. They haven't done anything to her. They won't." Remus walked past him. "Night, James."

"Night." He said. After a while, he went upstairs.

Severus waited until Poppy had left them alone. "Septina?"

"Yes?"

"We aren't going to see him."

"I didn't think so." Her voice was resigned. "Good night, Sev."

"Good night." He rolled over and let sleep claim him.

But Septina remained awake for a while longer. It bothered her more than she would admit that she wanted to seek help. Finally, sleep claimed her.

After School:

Quidditch Practice.

"Sirius, I need to speak to you." Professor McGonagal called up to him as she walked onto the pitch.

"What is it?" He asked his head of house, landing by her. Dread forming in the pit of his stomach.

"Your grade in your classes. I'm afraid if they don't improve, you will be dropped from the team. And, as we have already lost Remus, we cannot afford to lose you too." She said, trying to be firm. Sirius had a way of charming his way out of trouble and it wouldn't do to give in on this.

It exploded when he heard the words. "Oh, come on. It can't be that bad."

"I'm afraid that it is." She paused, looking at him compassionately. "I'm sorry."

"What do you suggest I do?"

"Hire a tutor or concentrate harder, try to get extra-work." She suggested. "I know you can do better."

"Of course I can. But except for transfiguration, the work bores me. I'm just not interested." He wasn't flattering her. Of all his classes, the only one he that fully engaged his attention in was hers.

"You have to chose, Sirius. Give up quidditch or work harder to improve. I'm sure your friends will help you." She checked her watch, noting the time with a frown. "I must meet with the Headmaster now, you think about what I said."

"All right. Thank you, Professor."

"What was that about, Siri?" James asked, floating beside him.

"My grades. I have to improve them or lose my spot." He grumbled.

James pointed out reasonably. "Well, you are smarter than your grades show."

Siri glared. "But the classes bore me!"

"Unfortunately, you need to do well to play the game." Remus said, walking up to them. "It won't be so bad, we'll help you. Well, except in potions. All those fumes gives me a headache."

"Don't look at me." James said. "You know I don't like potions, to much work. Ask Lily for help, ever since she partnered up with Snape, she's become a genius."

Sirius shuddered. "I can't believe that she trusts those two."

"I do. And if you continue to refer to my friends as 'those two', I won't help you at all." Lily said, coming up behind them. Her broom was in her left hand but she didn't look happy to be there.

"How did you know?"

"I saw Professor McGonagal. She told me about Siri's problem." She said shortly. "Then she told me to report to the pitch. It seems that someone put my name down to try out for seeker."

James held up his hands, a gesture of surrender. "It wasn't me."

"I did." Remus was quiet.

Her eyes went wide in disbelief. "You? Why?"

"I think you could do it." He said.

Before she could respond, the whistle blew. The captain of their team, Molly Linly stepped onto the field. "All right, those who are here to try out for seeker, come and form a line right here." She pointed to a faint line in the grass.

Under the encouragement of her friends, Lily moved to stand where Molly had pointed. As she watched the snitch dart around the sky, her blood warmed up. More than anything, she wanted to prove that Remus was right to place his confidence in her. And she wanted to prove to herself that she could do it.

"Evans, you're up!" Molly hollered. She held up the stop watch, waiting for Lily to get ready. "And, go!"

The snitch took off, Lily was right behind it. She sped up, reached out and caught it. "Time!" She called down.

"One minute and fifteen seconds." There was some cheering from below, Lily smiled. "Best time so far, Evans." After everyone had their turns, the team huddled and discussed, each weighing all the competitors. Lily made it onto the team by one vote. After practice, the four of them retired to their common room to help Sirius.

"I'm going to the Infirmary to tell Sev and Sept that I made the team." Her look dared Siri to make a comment. Wisely, he held him tongue. She smiled. "I'll see you at dinner."

James stood up, remembering something. "I'm coming with you."

"Why?" She demanded, wondering what he was up to.

"Lily, I just want to see their faces when you tell them. Besides, I have to see Madame Pomfrey about something." It was true, he did need to see the medi-witch. Remus couldn't go himself.

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "All right." She finally said. The two made their way down the hall in silence, both caught up in their own thoughts. "Hey, you two!" She greeted as they entered.

"Oh, my! Severus, look. We are being visited by Lily Evans-and her shadow, James Potter." Septina teased. "What ever did we do to deserve such an honor?"

Lily grinned, sitting down on the bed beside her. Her face took on a serious expression, erasing the twinkle from her eyes. "Well, being so far above everyone else gets boring, so we relieve it by visiting those who aren't so blessed."

For a moment, they stared at her in shock. Then they laughed. "You are a treasure, Lily." Severus finally said.

"I know." She laughed then. "Guess what happened today?"

"The sun rose in the sky?" Septina guessed, playing along with her. She was also wondering why James was there. What is he doing here? Protecting her from us? I thought that was Black's job.

"That happens everyday." Lily rolled her eyes. "Try again."

Severus pretended to think a moment. "Lockhart actually got a potion right without any help?"

"Black will become your friend before that would ever happen. Come on, Sev, be serious."

"You made it onto the quidditch team?"

Her face fell when she heard that. "Did someone tell you?"

His eyes widened, shocked. "You mean, you did?!?"

"Yes." Lily said. "Do you think it so impossible?" Half angrily.

"Of course not." Severus denied. "I didn't know that there was any openings on your team."

"There weren't until Remus had to be dropped."

Septina stopped trying to figure Potter out for the moment. "Remus was dropped?"

"He had to, health problems." Lily explained.

"I'm sorry to hear that." Septina said, then smirked. "Of course, now your team may actually have a fighting chance against Slytherin."

James snorted. "We've always had a chance."

"Right." She drawled, amused now.

"We've just been taking it easy on you." He said.

"Did I deny it?" She asked, quirking her eyebrow at him.

"What is going on in here?" Poppy asked, hands resting on her hips. She looked at the four students, surprise in her eyes to see that they hadn't weren't squared off. Nor did the rival houses seem to be angry at each other, which was normal whenever they met up.

"A discussion." Severus answered, he was careful to keep the amusement out of his voice. "It is possible for us to have one that doesn't become a feud, Madame Pomfrey."

"Of course it is." She said, turning to James. "I see that you are on time, Mr. Potter. Come with me."

They left and Septina looked at Lily. "What's wrong with Potter the Perfect?"

"I don't know. James has been acting odd lately." Lily shrugged. "As far as I know, this is the first time he's had to come here."

"Only lately? Black must be losing his touch." Sev said.

"Now, Severus..." Lily warningly began.

"Lily, you know I appreciate your friendship but please leave our enmity with Black alone. We are quite content with hating each other's guts." Severus requested. "We don't harm each other, merely tear each other to shreds whenever we can. Don't worry about it."

She shook her head. "I don't like it."

"You don't have to like it." He said. "Just accept it."

Again her head shook. "All right."

"Lily, did you get any sleep last night?" Septina asked. "We did hit you pretty hard with our news."

"I've had better nights." She admitted.

Severus nodded. "We know the feeling well. Do you trust us?" He suddenly asked her, watching her closely.

"You never given me a reason not to." She was surprised by the question but answered it honestly.

"We never will."

"Severus, you can't guarantee that." Lily said.

"In this situation, I believe we can."

And somehow, she believed him.

"We are doing everything we can to counter, to destroy the threat, though our methods may seem questionable."

"Let me help you." She pleaded. "I may not be as adept as others in the fight against the dark arts but I can learn."

"You don't know what you're asking of me." Septina said. "It won't be like our classes, you would have to learn the dark arts in order to understand them enough to fight them."

"I think I do." Lily denied, turning towards her. As partners, no one would find it any odder that they already did if the two spent time together outside class. "Teach me."

"This isn't a game."

"I never said it was." Her response was firm. "Knowledge is the only tool we have to fight against ignorance. I am ignorant when it comes to the dark arts, I freely admit it. Teach me." She reiterated.

"You have no idea what you are asking, Lily." Septina stated. "What you want to learn may kill your soul. I cannot have that on my conscience."

"Septina, you know me. You know how stubborn I can be. If you don't teach me, I will find someone who will."

The dark eyes closed, hearing the truth in her words. Holding out her hand, she focused and a book appeared on it. "If you are determined to learn, read this first. This book will tell you exactly what you plan to get involved in."

Lily accepted the book, feeling a shiver of dread crawl over her skin when she touched it. Knowing that James would freak if he saw it, she charmed it to look like any other book. "I won't change my mind."

"That's what I'm afraid of." Septina whispered, staring at her hands.

James walked back into the room, something in his hands. "We'd better get to dinner, Lily. I wouldn't want to have Siri come looking for us." He also didn't want to have Severus figure out what it was.

"I'll see you in potions tomorrow, right?" Lily asked, heading for the door.

"Yes." Severus said, his sensitive nose twitching. Now why, I wonder, would Potter have a wolfs bane potion? "We are being released finally." There was a note of exasperation in his voice.

"Mr. Snape, one would think you haven't enjoyed your stay here." Poppy was amused. "Run along you two, I think it is time for my patients to have a bath." She chuckled at the expressions of horror that crossed their faces.

"Have fun you two!" Lily called as they left.

"We would if you'd take our place!"

The redhead leaned around the doorframe, smiling as she teased them. "Would I deny you of that pleasure?" The pillow bounced off the wall as she ducked, laughing.

"Remind me again why we're friends?" Septina asked, half seriously.

"Because you like me so much." Lily said, her eyes wide with innocence.

"Heaven help me then." She teased, then looked at Sev, asking him. "Do you think I should have my head examined?"

Lily shook her head regretfully, answering for him. "I think you are in to deep, my friend. You both are stuck with me."

"Out!" Poppy finally ordered them.

"I'm going." Lily sighed dramatically. "I get no appreciation at all for my sufferings."

"But you encourage it." Severus pointed out. "See you later, Lily."

"Bye." She finally left them to Poppy's tender care.

Evening in the Infirmary:

Septina looked at her brother. "What's the matter?"

"Just wondering about the potion Potter had." He murmured.

"Why?" She asked, rolling over to look at him. "It was just a potion."

"Sis, didn't you smell what was in it?"

"Sev, I may understand potions but I don't have your gift with them." She pointed out.

His head nodded slowly, recognizing the truth in her words. "There was wolf's bane in it."

Her black eyes widened as the implication sunk in. "Wolf's bane? But there's only one potion, a highly experimental one at that, that uses it."

"Exactly. So the question is, which one of Potter's friends is the werewolf." Then they were silent, letting the sleeping potion do its job.