Disclaimer: Harry Potter characters, places, and ideas belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers, not me.
by Auror5
Wesley, Petunia, and Zinnia watched television while Lily sat on the floor placing objects into a medium-sized box. The items were the gifts Snape had given to her over the past few years: the Enchanted Glass, Pacifera Painting, and Erato Music Box. After they were sealed inside, she addressed the parcel to "Severus Snape." She stood with the package in her arms intending to walk upstairs to summon two owls to help Heidi deliver it. However, the television broadcast distracted her.
"We have breaking news," said the handsome anchorman grimly.
"We just received word of a deadly fire at Strawberry Gardens Tenement in Blairstone, Surrey." The beautiful, blonde anchorwoman picked up her cue. "Stan Utz is live on the scene."
She turned slightly to the monitor to her left, where the image of a reporter holding a microphone was seen against a backdrop of a flaming three-story building.
"Stan, what details can you provide?"
"Paula, I'm here on Cornwall and Starr, in Blairstone, where a deadly fire has claimed the lives of two hundred and seventeen residents of Strawberry Gardens. As you can see, behind me, fire fighters are still struggling to gain control of the fire."
The view switched to a close-up shot of the building. The entire structure was completely gutted with flames, with minor explosions occurring at random intervals.
Stan resumed. "According to the fire department, several calls were placed around 7:30 this evening about a fire on Cornwall and Starr. When the firemen arrived, the building was already completely engulfed in flames with no means of entering the structure. According to Fire Chief Mason, the heat was too intense to allow his fire fighters inside. He also stated that the building appeared to have been burned from the outside in, leaving the trapped residents no means of escape."
Paula broke in. "Were there any survivors, Stan?"
"Yes, Paula. Robert Stix, the landlord, stated that there were a total of two hundred and eighty seven occupants. Precisely seventy managed to survive only because they were not present when the fire struck. There were a few residents who attempted to leap to safety, but unfortunately, they didn't make it. Fire fighters watched helplessly as a few individuals, their bodies on fire, jumped from the upper floors."
Mitch, the anchorman, cut in. "Stan, what was the cause of the fire?"
"Right now, Mitch, it is being labelled as arson. According to eyewitnesses, several male youths were seen running from the building about the time it went up in flames. They were apprehended by two off-duty policemen."
"Stan, have they been charged with setting the fire?" Paula adjusted her microphone.
"Not at this time. However, they are being held as suspects. According to Police Chief Harvey, the boys have provided sworn statements of their innocence."
"What were their statements?" prompted Mitch.
"The boys claimed they were smoking cigarettes in a vacant lot next to the building when a number of figures supposedly materialized out of thin air. These figures then branched out and walked around the building.
"According to the suspects, they became frightened and hid behind a rubbish bin. They watched as the mysterious figures pointed sticks at the building. Then the boys heard the phantoms say something they could not make out. At that point, the suspects stated that the building went up in flames. They heard laughter, and then a shout. One of the figures, according to the suspects, raised the stick he was holding to the sky and shouted..."
Stan glanced down at a piece of paper in his hands.
" 'Mossmodre.' The boys glanced up and beheld a large, glowing, green vapour in the shape of a skull floating in the sky above the building. Of course, no one else saw this apparition, only smoke billowing into the air from the fire."
Paula shook her head. "What an outlandish tale, Stan! Are they claiming some sort of supernatural experience caused the fire?"
"That seems to be the case, Paula. They claimed the figures vanished into thin air after the image appeared in the sky."
"I should hope that no one at the police station bought that rubbish," remarked Mitch. "Sounds like something straight out of science fiction!"
"Yes, I agree," said Stan, "and so does Chief Harvey. The youths are being held as the primary suspects in this horrific crime."
"Stan, have the names of the deceased been released?"
"Not yet, Paula. The names aren't being released until the next of kin has been notified. Also, I was told that it is going to be extremely difficult for the bodies to be identified as they were burnt beyond recognition."
"What about the names of the suspects, Stan?"
"Their names will not be released, Mitch, due to their ages. They range from thirteen to sixteen years old."
"All right, thank you, Stan," Paula said while shuffling some papers in front of her.
"This is Stan Utz reporting to you live from Blairstone, Surrey, on Cornwall and Starr, the scene of a deadly fire that has claimed the lives of two hundred and seventeen people. Back to you, Paula and Mitch."
"Thank you, Stan." Paula shook her head with a mock sad expression on her face. "What a terrible tragedy! All those lives...."
Mitch grimly added, "We feel for the survivors."
Paula then turned to face the home viewers. Her expression instantly brightened. "And now on to...."
Lily, trembling and standing behind the couch, leaned over and wrapped her arms around her father's neck.
"Lily?" Wesley turned to look up at her with a concerned expression on his face. "What's wrong? You're trembling."
***
"I hope they show up soon. These two are heavy," Lily exclaimed while attempting to keep her trunk, Snowball, and Heidi on the trolley.
"Is James going to use his Invisibility Cloak to sneak Heidi in like last time?" Fiona readjusted the hood of her rain jacket.
"No. We decided to let Remus pretend that Heidi belongs to him."
"Oh."
Patiently waiting for James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter to arrive at King's Cross, they stood in the chilly January mist.
"Oy! There they are!" Fiona jumped up and down while waving an arm. "Sirius! Sirius! Over here!"
The boys reached Lily and Fiona. After greeting one another, Lily gave Heidi, in her cage, to Remus. The snowy owl gazed at Lily with her large, amber eyes as though in reproach.
"Oh, Heidi, don't look at me like that! I'm not giving you away."
The owl snapped her beak and ruffled her feathers indignantly.
Remus laughed and peered into Heidi's cage. "Don't worry; I'll take good care of you. Would you like an owl treat?"
Heidi hooted softly. Remus reached into his pocket to present the bird with a treat. After the owl finished the tasty morsel, she stared up at Remus with an expression seemingly of adoration. Feeling jealous, Lily turned away.
James whispered in her ear, "Don't worry, Tiger Lily, I'm still very fond of you."
Lily smiled up at him.
"Er, we better start going through the barrier now." Peter glanced at his watch. "It's about a quarter to eleven."
"Let's go in groups of twos like last time," added Sirius.
Lily and James, gripping their trolleys, approached the barrier between platforms nine and ten at a fast walk. When they arrived at the barricade, James said in a hushed voice, "Now" at the same time as a large Muggle family passed by. They entered platform nine and three-quarters.
"Let's wait here for the rest to show up," James stated.
"All right."
Peter and Remus burst onto the platform slightly out of breath. Fiona and Sirius immediately appeared behind them.
"I hope that...." began Fiona.
Sirius interrupted her. "What's he doing here?"
They turned in the direction in which Sirius gazed. Konrad was striding their way with a group of Slytherins trailing behind him in single file.
Konrad reached them. "Stop gawking like a group of village idiots, and get on the train," he snapped as he walked by.
Several of the Slytherins snickered.
"Oy! Village Idiots, you heard what he said," Evan Rosier shouted as he drew level with them.
"Shut up, Rosier," snarled Sirius.
"Professor!" Damien Wilkes called out. "Sir, they're insulting us!"
Konrad stopped, and then retraced his steps. "What did I just tell you? Get on the damn train. Now!"
He turned on his heels and went back to the train entrance.
The Slytherins filed past their group. Snape, near the end of the line, brushed past. Sirius glared balefully at his back.
"Filthy slime ball," Sirius muttered.
They followed the Slytherins onto the Hogwarts Express. A few minutes later, the train started its long return journey to Hogwarts.
***
About an hour into the trip, while they were playing a lively game of Gobstones, Konrad barged into their compartment.
"Potter, Black," barked Konrad. "Follow me."
Perplexed, James and Sirius briefly stared at each other.
"Erm, why, Professor?" James ventured. "We haven't done anything wrong, sir."
"Because I said so, Potter!" Konrad hissed. "I want you and Black out of this compartment. NOW!"
James and Sirius reluctantly gathered up their belongings, and left. Konrad slammed the door behind him, which nearly shattered the glass window set inside the frame.
"What an...." Remus referred to Konrad as a certain part of the human anatomy concerned with eliminating waste.
"Why is he so wretchedly horrible?" Fiona said to no one in particular.
"That's how all Slytherins are," replied Peter.
Stroking Snowball on her lap, Lily quietly said, "I think he's a Death Eater."
"I think so, too," Remus agreed.
"How can you tell whether or not someone is a Death Eater?" said Peter.
Fiona snorted. "Slytherin equals Death Eater."
"Not all Slytherins are bad," responded Remus. "Lily, why do you think Konrad is a Death Eater?"
"Well, erm, he doesn't think it's wrong to call someone a Mudblood." She blushed, and then resumed. "Also, he's always defending the horrid Slytherins, even when they are guilty or wrong. He always talks highly of Salazar Slytherin, and he doesn't seem to have a problem with, erm...Lord Voldemort."
They were silent for a moment.
"Wouldn't Dumbledore know if Konrad was a Death Eater?" ventured Peter. "I mean, Dumbledore wouldn't let a Death Eater teach in Hogwarts, would he?"
"No, of course, not!" Fiona exclaimed.
"The only reason Dumbledore would let a Death Eater become a Hogwarts professor is because he wouldn't know it," replied Remus.
"So, how can you tell if someone is really a Death Eater?" Peter said. "Just because someone is horrid doesn't make that person a Death Eater."
"True," remarked Remus.
"Maybe...Maybe Death Eaters have some sort symbol they wear...I don't know." Lily frowned in thought.
"Oh!"
"What, Fiona?" Remus exclaimed.
"Haven't you noticed that some of the Slytherins wear a serpent pin on their robes? Even Konrad has one! I saw it once when he leaned over. It was hidden!"
"But, Fi, wouldn't that be too obvious?"
"No, it wouldn't. If Dumbledore asks about it, Konrad could say something like it's just a symbol for Slytherin."
"Yes, that's true," added Peter. "The Slytherin crest is a serpent."
"That could be it," Remus said. "No one could ever prove that it wasn't to represent their house."
"Erm, I don't know...Perhaps," replied Lily pensively. "I still think they probably have...."
She never finished her thought for, at that moment, Konrad re-entered the compartment.
"So."
Lily, Fiona, Remus, and Peter stared up at him. Konrad then sat down next to Fiona, who slid closer to Lily, who was seated by a window.
"I do hope you boys and girls have been behaving yourselves." Konrad placed an arm on the back of the seat, directly behind Fiona. Fiona edged even closer to Lily, thereby crowding her against the window.
Remus gazed at Konrad with a combination flabbergasted, disgusted expression on his face.
"Lupin, I would strongly recommend that you wipe that look off your face or I'll do it for you."
Remus lowered his gaze.
"That is much better, fairy."
Peter's mouth dropped open in surprise while Remus' face reddened.
Konrad turned to Fiona and Lily. "Tell me, what is your opinion of these two fairies?"
"They aren't fairies," Fiona snapped while glaring at Konrad.
"Oh, and what do you know, McKinnon?" He stared at Fiona with contempt, and then dismissed her.
"Ah...yes...Miss Evans, you've been awfully quiet." Konrad gazed at Lily with an expression full of malice. "I would think that you would be an authority on this subject. Tell me, what does Hogwarts' Muggle-born tease think of the two fairies sitting before me?"
Seething, Lily gazed at Konrad briefly and then turned her attention to the view outside the window.
"Move over to the other side, McKinnon. NOW!"
Lily continued to stare out at the passing scenery while trying to keep her temper in check.
"Turn around and look at me, witch, or so help me God, you will regret it."
Slowly and insolently, Lily turned to face Konrad, who was sitting only a few centimetres from her.
"Don't you ever, ever, ignore me while I am talking to you," he said in a deadly whisper. "Do you understand me, girl?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Konrad remained in their compartment for two hours. Lily thought to herself that the ride with Snape, Rosier, Nott, and Gothic about two years ago had been nothing compared to this one. When Konrad finally exited the compartment, they waited a few minutes and then cheered loudly. He did not return.
After they arrived at Hogwarts, James and Sirius informed Lily, Fiona, Remus, and Peter that Konrad had separated them and placed each in a compartment full of first years.
***
During the following weeks, the students returned to their typical school routine, with nothing out of the ordinary occurring. James was still unaware of what had happened between Snape and Lily during the Yule Ball. Lily preferred to keep it that way.
***
On the eighth of March, on a Saturday, Lily busily wrapped a gift she purchased for James while Snowball purred beside her. James' sixteenth birthday was a week away.
Fiona and Samantha noisily entered the room.
Lily glanced up at them.
"Oh, you poor dear!"
Lily frowned. "What do you mean?"
"That pimple in the middle of your forehead, silly." Samantha plopped down on her bed. "Why don't you see Madam Pomfrey for some bubotuber pus?"
"I don't have a pimple on my forehead!" stated Lily indignantly.
"Yes, you do," said Fiona.
"I do?"
"Yes! Look in the mirror."
Lily climbed off the bed and walked to the mirror. Lo and behold, there was a small, pink pimple right in the middle of her forehead. Lily sighed.
"Drat. It wasn't there a few hours ago."
"Go see Madam Pomfrey," Samantha reiterated while flipping through the pages of a magazine.
"It'll go away in a day or two, so I'm not going to worry about it."
Almost fours days later, the pimple had doubled in size and was angry red in appearance. Also, it was quite tender to the touch.
"Lily, you ought to see Madam Pomfrey about that pimple," Fiona said as they headed for Care of Magical Creatures. "It has become perfectly dreadful. It's not normal!"
"Oy! Evans! What's that growing out of your forehead? A tentacle?" baited Azusa Kernville while her Slytherin friends, Tara Yolke and Inga Erstwhilst, cackled.
"Shut up, Kernville," Lily muttered, her head aching slightly.
"Perhaps they should study you in Care of Magical Creatures, Evans," added Yolke while sniggering.
A number of Slytherins had joined the crowd, and all doubled up with laughter at Yolke's remark.
"C'mon, Lily. Let's ignore the idiots," Fiona said while gazing at the group of Slytherins with contempt.
Later that day, at the Prefect table, Lily had a difficult time eating for her head throbbed painfully.
James gazed at Lily with concern. "Lily, you really ought to see Madam Pomfrey about that, erm, thing on your head."
"It's not a thing, Jamie. It's a pimple. It'll go away."
"Erm, I don't think so," said James sceptically. "It's getting worse, not better. It's...hideous."
"Take James' advice and go see Madam Pomfrey...before the pimple from hell erupts like Vesuvius, spilling your brains everywhere."
"Shut up, Sirius!" Lily uncharacteristically snapped shrilly. Then she turned to James.
"If you're embarrassed to be seen with me, why don't you say so?"
"What? I'm not!" James stared at her with a baffled expression on his face. "I just think you should see Madam Pomfrey; that's all. That pimple isn't normal."
"Oh, why don't you two leave me alone?" Lily shouted, and then leapt up from the table.
She stormed off to the Gryffindor tower.
About fifteen minutes after Lily entered the fifth year girls' room, Fiona quietly stepped in.
"Lily, are you all right?"
"Yes," she mumbled with her eyes closed. "My head just hurts. That's all."
Fiona sighed. "Lily...Please, see Madam Pomfrey. Why don't you want to see her? I don't believe you're thinking very clearly."
"Leave me alone!"
"All right! Then be that way!" Fiona angrily exited the room.
The next morning, Lily woke up and moaned. She was feverish and had a splitting headache.
"What's wrong, Lily?" said Ivy.
"I don't feel very well...My head feels like it is about to split in two."
"Go see Madam Pomfrey. Now," Daisy said in a bossy voice.
Fiona walked over to Lily's bed and peered closely at her. She gasped.
"Oh my God! C'mon, Lily. Let's go to the hospital wing!"
Samantha, Daisy, and Ivy joined Fiona. Their breaths caught in their throats when they saw Lily's forehead. Each girl wore an identical expression of revulsion on her face.
Fiona pulled Lily off the bed by her arm. "C'mon! Before it bursts or something."
"It's just a pimple. It'll go away," Lily wailed.
"It's not!" the girls cried in unison, and then glanced at each other.
Exasperated, Fiona dragged Lily to the mirror. "Look closely, Lily. Is that a normal pimple? Don't you dare say that it is!"
Lily stared at her reflection in the mirror, her vision slightly blurry. The so-called pimple had spread across nearly her entire forehead and was pulsating sickly. It had become a purplish, greenish colour like that of a bruise. Also, her eyes were red and cheeks tinged with the signs of a high fever.
"All right. I'll see, Madam Pomfrey," she mumbled.
Throwing a robe over her pyjamas, she headed for the hospital wing with Fiona acting as an escort.
When they entered the infirmary, Madam Pomfrey examined the swelling on Lily's forehead. She shook her head and tutted a few times.
"Should have come to me much earlier about this," Madam Pomfrey said with disapproval.
Fiona gave Lily an "I told you so" expression.
"It looks like you will have to stay here for at least two nights, dearie."
"Why? What is it?"
"Remove your robe and climb into bed," ordered Madam Pomfrey.
Lily climbed into bed while Madam Pomfrey poured a toxic-green coloured liquid into a small goblet.
"Drink this straight away to start killing the infestation."
"What?!"
"You have been bitten by a denberry lug beetle." Madam Pomfrey sighed. "I daresay that Filch will need to fumigate the castle now."
"Erm, what's a denberry lug beetle?" said Fiona.
"It's a very unusual insect. It bites its host and then burrows inside the wound. Once inside, it begins to multiply on its own."
Lily gazed at Madam Pomfrey with horror and revulsion. "D'you mean that I have heaps of little beetles multiplying inside my head?"
"Yes. So, please drink the medicine. It will eventually kill the beetles, reduce your fever, and lessen the pain you are no doubt experiencing."
Lily, with some hesitation, brought the goblet toward her lips. The medicine smelled remarkably like turpentine.
"Come, drink up! I don't have all day. There are other patients who need my attention."
Holding her breath, Lily quickly gulped down the medicine. She grimaced and gagged for the potion left a disgustingly bitter aftertaste in her mouth.
Madam Pomfrey took the empty goblet, and glanced at her watch. "In three hours, I will return to give you another dose."
Lily groaned.
"That is your fault for not seeing me sooner!" Madam Pomfrey snapped, and then turned to Fiona. "I must ask you to leave now. Lily needs rest in order to recover."
"All right. Bye, Lily."
"Bye, Fi," Lily said, sleepily.
On her fourth and last day in the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey gave Lily a mirror and asked whether she would like to have the scar, left by the denberry lug beetle infestation, removed. Lily looked at the crooked, red blemish on her forehead, and, without hesitation, requested that it be taken away. Madam Pomfrey spread a white, fish smelling paste on the mark, which she allowed to sit for a half hour. When the allotted time was up, she wiped the smelly material from Lily's forehead and announced that the scar was gone.
***
On a mild Saturday in early April, Lily approached Hagrid's hut and knocked on the door.
"Hullo, Lily! C'min."
Lily stepped inside. "Hello."
Hagrid, with eyes twinkling, asked for James' whereabouts.
"Erm, he's in the castle."
"He didn' want ter come with yeh?"
"No. He didn't know I was coming here."
"Oh. Would yeh like some tea? How abou' a fudge treacle? I jus' baked a batch."
"Erm, no, that's all right. Thanks! Actually, I was wondering if I could pick some of the flowers on the grounds. They're so pretty, and I would like to put some in our room."
"Why, sure yeh can, Lily! Yeh don' have ter ask. Take as much as yeh like!"
"All right. Thanks, Hagrid!"
Lily proceeded to walk out the door.
"Bye, Lily."
She turned and waved. "Bye, Hagrid."
"Tell James ter stop an' visit me when yeh see him, eh?"
"Okay!"
Lily strolled toward a large bed full of pansies, petunias, and daffodils. Sitting on her knees, she selected flowers in hues of vivid orange, fuchsia, vibrant yellow, red, blue, purple, and white. After she finished, she headed toward a bed full of marigolds, sunflowers, cornflowers, and zinnias. Completely lost in thought, Lily was unaware that she had started to hum. Strands of her long and loose, dark red hair lifted gently in the slight breeze. Then a shadow fell over her. Startled, she glanced up and saw James. The bright sunlight obscured the features of his face. Lily quickly rose to her feet while holding onto the flowers so carefully chosen for the fifth year Gryffindor girls' room.
"Jamie!" A smile started to overspread her face, but then faltered when she observed James' expression full of cold fury.
"James? James, what's wrong?"
"How could you, Lily?"
"How could I what? What are you talking about?"
"Snape! That's what I'm talking about."
"Erm...I'm...I'm not sure what you mean."
"Yes, you do! The Yule Ball! While I was being punished, you were snogging with Snape! How could you, Lily?"
"I didn't! That's not what happened!"
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was embarrassed. I was afraid that you'd be upset. And you are!"
"I had to hear it from Sirius. He just told me everything! He said that he found you and Snape together in an empty room on one of the upper floors. You were kissing him, Lily!"
Unnoticed, she dropped the flowers so carefully picked. "I didn't mean to, James! It wasn't my fault!"
"How could you let him put his slimy hands on you? How could you let him kiss you?"
"I didn't let him!"
"You did! You even let him undress you."
"I – DID- NOT – LET – HIM! He slipped a love potion in my butterbeer! I didn't know it!"
"THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU FIGHT IT, LILY? You told him that you loved him!"
"James, it wasn't my fault! I wasn't myself!"
His face twisted in anger and hurt, he snarled, "I thought you cared about me, Lily! But as soon as my back was turned, you ran to Snape of all people!"
Unbidden, hot tears began to course down her cheeks. "That is so unfair, James. I didn't run to Snape! He put a love potion in my drink. I DIDN'T KNOW IT!"
"But that didn't stop you, did it? Did you enjoy him touching and kissing you? You're some kind of scarlet woman now, aren't you?"
She recoiled as though she had been slapped. "I hate you. I HATE you! Do you hear me, James Potter? I HATE YOU!"
Lily turned and fled heedlessly in the direction of the Forbidden Forest, and missed James blanching at her careless remark...and the tears welling up in his eyes.
"Lily!" he cried, hoarsely.
Ignoring him, Lily foolishly plunged into the Forbidden Forest. Tears blurring her vision, she raced through the woods. Eventually, with a stitch in her side and gasping for breath, she collapsed at the base of an ancient redwood tree near a clear stream and sobbed.
She slowly glanced around after her crying finally abated. Fear began to settle over Lily once she realised her predicament. She stood and tried to determine which direction the castle was in. Unable to figure out which way to go, she decided to follow the stream. Wary of the prospect of some monstrous creature leaping out at her from between the trees, she walked along the bank quietly and cautiously. After awhile, Lily admitted to herself that she was hopelessly lost. Close to panic, she stopped and sat on a large stone near the stream.
"What am I going to do?" Lily whispered.
For several minutes, she agonised over whether or not to send up a distress signal. If I signal for help, she thought, I will be found, but I will also be expelled from Hogwarts...But, I don't want to stay here, lost, either...especially after dark. Perhaps if I explain that I didn't mean to go into the forest, I will not be expelled...perhaps. Maybe...if I follow this stream, it will lead me out. It has to end up outside the forest, somewhere. But...what if it doesn't? What if it takes me in deeper? Oh, I wish I had my broom! At least it has a compass.
She sighed heavily. I can't stay here. I'll have to risk being expelled.
Standing on the stone, she raised her wand high into the air and said, "Invoco!"
A bright, orange-red beam of light shot into the sky. Above the treetops, it silently exploded into a fireworks display.
"Someone has to have seen that," she said, aloud. "I'll just sit here and wait for a bit."
Lily became increasingly worried as the minutes passed. About twenty minutes after the first signal, she conjured up another flare and hoped desperately that someone saw it.
Thirsty, she bent and cupped some water into her hands to drink. Suddenly, she heard the sound of hoof beats behind her. She jumped up, with her wand ready.
A centaur burst onto the scene. Her mouth agape, Lily gazed at the creature. It was a female! The mare had long, wavy, white-blond hair; striking blue eyes; and the markings of a palomino.
"You must be the lost one," the mare said, softly.
Speechless, Lily nodded her head.
"Come, climb onto my back. I will return you to safety."
The mare gracefully bent her forelegs. Lily, with a brief hesitation, climbed onto her back. The centaur straightened, and Lily gently grabbed onto her bare shoulders.
"I am Drisana. What is your name?"
"Lily. Lily Evans."
Drisana stopped and turned her head to gaze at Lily.
"Yes...the eyes...the emerald green eyes...."
"What about my eyes?"
Drisana continued her trot through the forest without replying.
After several minutes, Drisana said, "The heavens have foretold of a powerful force whose purity and goodness of heart would one day destroy the Evil One."
"Lord Voldemort?"
Again, Drisana ignored Lily's question. Sadly, she added, "But it will come at a great sacrifice."
They proceeded on in silence. Soon, through the gaps in the trees, Lily could make out the sloping grounds of Hogwarts. Drisana stopped several paces from the edge of the clearing.
"You are relatively safe now," Drisana said as she bent her forelegs.
Lily slid off her back.
"Erm, thank you for rescuing me."
Drisana gazed into the late afternoon sky. "Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are in near alignment."
"Oh...erm...all right. Goodbye!"
Lily went toward the castle. As she entered the clearing, she heard Drisana call out in a soft, mournful voice, "Fare thee well, Lily Potter."
Lily abruptly halted and then whisked around.
Nothing was there. Drisana had left, and the forest was silent.
***
Lily marched up the castle grounds musing over her encounter in the Forbidden Forest, and feeling depressed over the exchange she had with James. Near the entrance, she became aware of an unshakable sensation of being watched. She slowed, and furtively took in her surroundings. Lily spotted a slight movement between two projecting outer walls. Cautiously, she stepped behind one of them and came face to face with Snape, who was nearly concealed in shadow. He appeared tortured with deep regret. Lily took in his shoulder-length, limp, jet-black hair; piercing, midnight eyes; pointed nose; thin lips; and pale skin. Through the planes of his face, she caught a glimpse of the man he might someday become.
"Lily, I'm sorry," he whispered. "Please give me another chance."
A fierce rage bubbled up inside her: anger that Snape had attempted to force her into loving him and fury that Snape was the cause of the rift between her and James. With tears threatening, Lily stepped up to him; raised her hand; and slapped him hard across the face. She then turned swiftly on her heels, and, without looking back, entered the castle.
***
During the following few weeks, Lily and James avoided contact with each other. Fiona was also no longer on speaking terms with Sirius for breaking his promise to Lily. Sirius attempted to apologise to Lily for breaking his word, but each time he tried, either Lily or Fiona rebuffed him. Lily felt miserable over the fight she had with James, and especially regretted the last words she had spoken to him. She was willing to give anything to take them back, and desperately wanted to tell James so. Unfortunately, her pride prevented her from doing just that.
***
"Bye, Professor Flitwick!" Lily waved at the diminutive teacher as she left his office. She had spent the last hour with him working on a Charms project.
On her way to the Gryffindor tower, she happened to hear whispers coming from a classroom up ahead, to her right. Slowing, she quietly approached the room from which she heard the voices. The door was slightly ajar. Lily peeked inside, and spotted Remus and Ivy. Ivy was leaning against the wall. Remus had a long, curly lock of her hair twisted around his finger. They kissed, and then Remus pulled back.
"Promise me that you will marry me, Ivy," he said huskily, "when we leave Hogwarts."
Ivy giggled. "That's so far away, Wolfman."
Then she kissed him.
"No, it isn't. It's only two years away. You're the only girl for me. No one else would want me because of what I am." He kissed her on the nose and on each eyelid.
"You love me, don't you, Ivy?"
"Yes. Very much."
"Then marry me after Hogwarts."
They kissed some more.
"All right, Wolfman."
"I'm lucky to have you."
Feeling a funny sort of ache, Lily backed away and continued on to the Gryffindor tower.
When she arrived in the common room, Fiona, Daisy, and Samantha greeted her excitedly, each speaking to her at once.
"Wait!" Lily exclaimed. "All of you are talking at the same time! I don't know what you're saying."
"You tell her, Daisy, because you saw it," said Fiona.
"Did you hear, Lily?" Daisy began.
"Hear what?"
"James turned Snape into a cockroach!"
"No!"
"He did!" retorted Samantha.
"Why?"
"Because he was angry with him about something," replied Daisy. Continuing, she said, "He turned Snape into a cockroach, and then tried to step on him. But Peter and Sirius grabbed him before he could do so. Then...."
"Tell her what else happened," jumped in Fiona. "Go on!"
"Fi, I was about to when you interrupted!"
"All right. Sorry. Continue."
"Then that wretched Konrad showed up and gave James detention...and took one hundred and fifty points from Gryffindor."
"Too bad Konrad didn't leave Snape as a cockroach," added Fiona. "Perhaps McGonagall would have...."
***
One day, in mid-May, Lily spent time alone in the library studying for the upcoming Ordinary Wizarding Levels or O.W.Ls. She wanted to receive at least ten O.W.Ls, which would place her at the top of the fifth year. So far, each year, she ended up behind James and Sirius in marks. She was feeling the strain from so much studying.
While jotting down some notes from a thick volume entitled, The Rise and Fall of Lord Grindelwald, she was disturbed by someone sitting down at the table. She looked up and saw James sitting directly across from her. In silence, they gazed at one another.
Lily had never really looked at James until that point. She noticed that, for a boy, he had delicate, almost feminine features...framed by a very untidy mop of jet-black hair. He was pretty and slightly bookish in appearance as opposed to being handsome. She liked the way he was, and found him endearing.
"I'm sorry," they blurted out at the same time.
Lily sighed. "I...."
"No," he interrupted. "I was a prat. I shouldn't have said those ugly things, Lily. I'm sorry. I was just so furious over what Snape had done. I know you wouldn't do something like that. I'm sorry. Please forgive me."
"I forgive you, Jamie. Please forgive me for saying that I hated you. I don't hate you. I was really mad when I said it. I didn't mean it. I take it back, and I'm sorry."
He smiled. "You're forgiven, Tiger Lily. Besides, I deserved it for being so horrid."
"No, you didn't."
"Yes, I did."
"You didn't."
"I did."
"Did not."
"Did too."
"Not."
"Too...."
***
A week before exams, a hippogriff attacked Professor Kettleburn, the Care of Magical Creatures teacher, during a lesson with the Slytherin and Hufflepuff first years. A number of students were wounded before Hagrid rushed out of his house and took control of the animal. Unfortunately, Professor Kettleburn lost his left leg to the beast. The prefects called an urgent meeting to discuss the gruesome incident. Unanimously, they submitted a proposal to Headmaster Dumbledore stating that Care of Magical Creatures no longer be offered to first and second year students. The prefects believed that the third year students and higher knew enough magic to defend themselves against a rampaging beast.
The exam results were posted. Lily ended up receiving eleven O.W.Ls, placing her again behind James and Sirius who tied for first place at the top of their year. She returned home satisfied, and supremely happy that she and James were back together again.