Greetings and salutations everyone!

...lemon drop? chocolate frog? tea?

He he... *throws in some corn flour into the plot, and watches it thicken*

As for my reviewers:

Rickman's Girl: You saw through my people, didn't you? Indeed I composed a new trio, but this time I placed the hermione (Nigel) in the RIGHT house. hehe. I am glad you like it. I am thinking of having Lily wear glasses. Or is that too obvious? As for her favourite class, of course it is potions! She does mention testing Severus' birthday gifts on her daddy... hee hee.

Angel Baby: *accepts the R-fuel with a smile* thanks! it is truly needed. You like Harry a lot don't you? He's a babe. As you will see, he's a hit with the ladies-- even the very young ones.

Sparrow: Ron is currently a little obscure, but yes, I do think that he is going to surface pretty soon. As for Harry, he IS working-- just not for the ministry. He doesn't need a boss to have a big role in a story :)

Zardiphillian Beryllix: Good to have you back on board! As for Lily-- do you really think that a Mary Sue could survive Snape, even in his not-so-terrible, non- death eater version?? heh. Didn't think so.

Ar itish poedaer Cynara: Oh my, that will take a LOT more reviews than what I got. *heh*

Tabitha: I couldn't really part Harry from his glasses, and his hair probably will have his daddy's own's fate. As for canon and characters... I am still not sure whether Lily should be wearing glasses or not. Your opinion? *makes a poll* *L* as for Snape automatically assuming Lily somehow left part of her robe there, you have to admit that he was conditioned for more than 7 years (if you also count the Marauders) that Potters somehow manage to meddle, even when he cannot explain in what way they did it. *will not say whether he is accurate or not, as it shall be answered today!*

Jaimynsfire: Your wish is my command. *watches a fidgeting Snape* he'll say it, eventually.... like, in 1000 years. hehe.

Now on with the story.

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~~~~ Lily Potter ~~~~

I wish I had dad's invisibility cloak. Then the whole sneaking business would be so much easier. Alex and I wait on pins and needles until everyone in the common room has retired or is too sleepy to bother asking us why we are going out on curfew.

"You know that if anyone catches us, we will have to work until spring to even up the house points." Alex whispers, but doesn't seem too worried about the House Cup.

"There is no reason for anyone to catch us, if we are careful. I can't see the caretaker. Now be quiet. Do you see Nigel anywhere?"

"Sush, what a racket! You actually think we can sneak anywhere while chatting?" Nigel's hushed voice from behind us. We both jump, and I scowl at the Ravenclaw when my heart resumes beating.

"You scared me, you twerp!"

"Better me than the caretaker." Nigel smirked. "Now what are we doing here exactly?"

"We are following Snape. I am POSITIVE he is going somewhere where there's trouble tonight."

"How can you be so sure?" Alex asks as we walk towards the Slytherin side of the castle.

"Because he left dinner early, and Professor Lupin had a worried look about him."

"He seemed quite calm to me," said Nigel skeptically.

"I know him more than you do, believe me." I say and then put my finger in front of my lip to indicate that we shouldn't talk anymore.

I am not mistaken. Like a wraith, silent and gliding, Professor Snape walks quickly towards the main double doors of Hogwarts. We let him put at least an aisle between us. He is awfully jumpy-- keeps glancing behind him every ten seconds, and turns sharp corners. We almost lose him twice in the castle itself and then in the gardens.

"I think he knows we are following." Nigel whispers.

"Why?" Alex asks.

"Because this is the fourth time we pass through here-- unless he needs a compass, he is leading us in circles." Nigel says irritably.

"Well at some point he will either have to try and catch us or go to where he intends." I snap at them both, but Nigel grabs me and Alex from each arm and stops us.

"Okay... let's try something else." he says tentatively as he retrieves his wand, and points at all three of us. With three flicks, he mutters "Pas Silencio."

"What did you do?" Alex says alarmed.

"I have made our footsteps inaudible. Useful charm when parents wake up at the least sound."

I grin to myself and pat Nigel on the shoulder. Perhaps we have a better chance with Snape now.

About 30 minutes later, we all agree that watching someone isn't all that's cracked up to be. I am tired and slightly chilled by the night, and nothing is happening fast. But finally, it seems that the Professor has decided that he has lingered enough. We have allowed him as far ahead as possible-- he is barely discernible in the darkness of the night.

It is no real surprise where he is going-- but I am chilled when I realise it, and by my friends' breaths I think that so are they. The Forbidden Forest looms ominously. I know it is not all dangerous, but so many things can go wrong, and it can be home to so many evil creatures, that I am not sure if I want to follow the Potions Master in there. Without looking at each other, we all linger, as we watch that tall man light his wand and weave into the wood.

"My, whatever are you doing here?" a cheerful, chirpy voice makes us all jump out of our skins.

Oh, Merlin no.

Nelly Fudge is grinning at us with excitement.

"Are you off on an adventure? Just like your dad? Why are you out here in the night? I mean, I have been harvesting night time plants for Herbology, but why are -you- here? Or did you lose the way to your dorms, perhaps?" she fires off questions boisterously.

"Eh, Nelly, actually, we..." I stammer, my mind racing for an explanation. Why did the stupid Hufflepuff have to be here, now out of all times?

"... were looking for Alex's remember ball. He forgot it here after the flying lesson." Nigel says quickly. I think I will start worshipping the Ravenclaws. Alex and I nod quickly, and kinda dumbly. Nelly seems to be believing it.

"What is going on here? Lily? Mr. Diggory? Mr. Veris?"

We about turn to look at a not-so-pleased Professor Lupin.

Foiled.

~~~~ Severus Snape ~~~~

After jumping about trying to get a good aim in the moonlight, I manage to slow the pixie down and catch it in my hands. It is good that it hasn't been trying to fly off, odd as it seems to me. The creature is trembling in my hands, trying to bite at my fingers so that it will escape. I hold the little blue trembling lump in the moonlight... and it is no mystery anymore why the pixie that had been making the sharp noises never attempted to fly off.

It has no wings with which to do so. They have been cut off neatly, the dark bluish- purple juices trickling down its back. It looks painful. Very painful. I make sure that my grip on the little body does not aggravate the already nasty situation. I point my wand to the pixie. It feels far too cold.

"Rechauffis."

The pixie relaxes a little bit as its body warms, and I turn to leave with it in my hand. I feel angered. Although I am not attracted by creatures and animals, and I have never been keen on keeping a pet or a familiar, cruelty such as this to a helpless animal revolts me. It reminds me of older situations and experiences, of Lucius and Voldemort and dark gatherings, and I truly do not appreciate the reminder.

I have barely taken a couple of steps before my musings are yet again cut off, far more abruptly than I expected. I feel a jolt, a powerful jolt of magic shoot up painfully like hundreds of daggers through my arm and I am forced to drop the pixie. A flash of crimson grey flashes through my mind for split seconds. I feel my feet lose contact with the ground, and seconds later I bang against something hard. A tree, I think absently as the angry tree's branches grab me and throw me away roughly.

Upon landing, everything goes black.

~~~~ Lily Potter ~~~~

I have never seen Uncle Remus unwavering when I try to look at him with pleading eyes. I blink a little in surprise, and then downwards. I do believe that we are in deep trouble. Nigel looks irritated, and Alex is blushing, as if he is ashamed. I ... just hope that dad is in London, not in our house in Hogsmeade.

But then I get a mental image of mom, and I hope that dad is in Hogsmeade after all. We are led in Uncle Remus' office. He is our Head of House, since the Headmistress can't be head of any house. And he is one really unhappy Head. His eyes turn to me.

"Lily. What were you doing in the gardens with Alex and Nigel, is it?"

Nigel nodded. I swallow, and take a deep breath. But Uncle Remus still cuts me off.

"Whatever you do Lily, don't try to lie to me. This is not a joke, or a game of hide and seek."

I swallow and look down, then nod. I can feel both my friends looking at me.

I hear my voice, wavering a little.

"I was trying to see where Professor Snape was going. Alex and Nigel were trying to talk me out of it."

Gosh. I can't bear looking into Uncle Remus' eyes. I think I'll cry. How can he and dad DO that? He says in a guarded voice, not allowing me to see if he is disappointed, or angry, or both.

"Why, Lily?"

I swallow again. I feel Alex's hand at the small of my back in muted support. It does help.

"Because, we wanted to see if there was trouble with Dark Magic." I realise I have used the 'we' only a few seconds later. There goes my effort to cover for my friends. I feel my head heavy, and I bend it.

"And if I told you there might be some trouble, what would you do then?" he asks, and I look up again, feeling that this is terribly important an answer. Nigel tries to interject on my behalf, finding his voice.

"Professor Lupin, we wouldn't get in harm's way. We would always--"

"Thank you Nigel, but allow me to know that that might not be accurate where Lily is concerned. Or you boys, seeing as you were there with her tonight."

We all fidget. He is right, of course. And I know I can be impulsive at times.

"I can't allow you to go unpunished for breaking rules, especially when you all three are aware -- no, invited! -- the possible dangers. You shall have detention with Professor Snape and I shall have to deduct a hund--"

"Remus, something serious has happened at the Forbidden Forest." a woman in a nightgown and pillow hair barged in the office, aloof and blinking. Nigel drew in his breath.

"Mom?"

Professor Veris blinked in surprise at her son.

"Nigel? what are you--"

"We'll discuss it later, Pythia. Now what is wrong?"

"I have already told Minerva, and she told me to get you. There was-- a sharp disruption in the magic web, and I felt a lot of pain. A sharp image-- grey or red or both I should think. I saw Severus." she concludes and stops to catch her breath. Uncle Remus pales and runs out the office with Professor Veris.

I breathe, and so do Alex and Nigel.

"Well, at least there were no points deducted." Alex tries to smile a bit.

"Yet." Nigel slumps over.

~~~~ Severus Snape ~~~~

The chill of the night air wakes me. That and Paloma's unwelcome ministrations. I open my eyes, and realise that I am looking not at the infirmary ceiling, but at the night sky. Turning my head slightly, I see tree roots a few feet away. We are just outside the forbidden forest.

"What happened...?"

"We were kind of hoping you would tell us that." Remus' voice. I look at him, he looks frazzled.

"The pixie..." I sit up abruptly and my head swims. "We have to find the pixie!..." and after a small pause, as an afterthought, I add ".. and Lily Potter.."

Remus blinks at me, as he supports me, helping me up.

"What do you mean, Severus?"

"The brat followed me to the Forbidden forest." I say through clenched teeth, both from anger and the shearing headache. There is a pause, and then a female voice, says

"They can't have followed you, Severus."

Pythia Veris. I arch an eyebrow at her attire. What could possibly have brought the Divination professor in the outdoors wearing nothing but her nightgown? She fidgets much like her son does in class and looks at Remus.

"They did try to follow you, but they didn't. I found them before they ventured in the forest. They are in my office as we speak, and have been for the past hour."

My head is reeling. How is this possible. And if it is not a meddling Potter that left the scrap of Hogwarts robe behind, then who did? I feel dizzy again, and Lupin grabs my arm tighter. I swallow and nod.

"Fine. Still, it is imperative that we find the pixie."

"What pixie is that, Severus?"

"The pixie, Lupin. The wingless pixie that I was holding in my hand before it blew up!" I snap at him as I walk forward with him attached to my arm.

~~~~ Lily Potter ~~~~

After about 15 minutes, we dare to get up from our seats.

"Do you suppose we can leave?" I ask my friends.

"I don't think so. Nobody said so, and better be safe than sorry." Nigel sighs, putting his hands in his pockets. Alex nods in agreement.

"Yeah. Let's not invite any more trouble."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for us to get caught."

"Yes, well. Let's not do it again." Nigel sighs.

"Yeah. If my father is notified, I won't hear the end of it. How Cedric was never frivolous and irresponsible like me, and how he was head boy and won the Triwizard Tournament before he died." Alex sighs and glances at a grindylow in a glass box. The animal is sleeping and not in the least interested at us.

I feel bad about it. Idly I think that when Uncle Ron was telling me of his escapades with dad and Hermione, he never mentioned feeling bad and guilty about getting your friends into trouble. But then again, perhaps that is why father never really talked about his adventures during school.

"We won't do anything like that again. Not on my call, anyway. Anyway, I suppose it was rather naive to try and follow Snape successfully." I swallow. I wonder if they will still be my friends now.

"Rightly said, Miss Potter."

Great. The Headmistress' voice. What better than to top the night with extra punishment from the Headmistress. I turn to look at her. She is standing erect and rigid, barely a few hairs escaping her tight bun. I don't know what to tell her, but I don't have to, as she continues.

"Professor Lupin informed me of you being here before he left. I could not help hearing your last statement, Miss Potter. I am glad to hear it coming from you unprovoked. I take it then that whatever Professor Lupin told you or did got the point across."

She pauses to let what she said sink. I look at Alex and Nigel, they they look as perplexed and hopeful as I do. We look at her again and she speaks up.

"Therefore, I see no reason to deduct the points I intended from Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. Instead I will deduct 20 points from each of you, and consider the matter closed. You are all free to go to your dormitories."

We file out meekly, but once safely towards the dormitories, we grin to each other. That was definately not the penalty in points that we expected.

"We are home and dry! Thanks for thinking out loud, Lily!" Alex smiles at me widely, and so does Nigel.

"We are indeed shamefully lucky. I'll see you both at breakfast." he says and leaves after he winks at us.

I am thankful. Not so much for the points, but for the fact that I still have my friends.

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*keeps stirring plot* perhaps it has not thickened as much as I intended t in this chapter... *glare at a sneering Snape* ... but each plot has to go through its stages. Coming up: detention with Snape, screaming parents, and more dark creature trouble! So, be a sport. Gimme my encouragement cookie.