Monica laid sprawled out on her bed, reading the latest copy of the Daily Prophet. Lily sat by the window, staring off into the dark forest. "Where does he get off? James Potter, I mean. 'It won't be long before you are begging me to keep you company Lily Evans. It won't be very long at all.' I wouldn't beg him for company if he was the last wizard on earth!" She nodded her head swiftly and closed the window.

Monica, who wasn't really paying attention, began to nod ever so slightly. "Uh huh. Good for you Lily." She closed the magazine and yawned. "I think I'm going to get some sleep now. I want to get up early and pack. I want my last few days at Hogwarts this year to be memorable."

Lily laid down on her bed and then it hit her. "Oh my gosh! We are going home this week, aren't we?" She could hear Monica mumble what sounded like a yes but knew that her friend was too far off into sleep to talk. Lily couldn't help but lie awake and think.

So this is the end of our fifth year? Two more years and we will be let out into the world to decide what career we want to pursue. At least I won't have to see that stupid James Potter kid anymore. Nope. Two more years and he is out of my life forever!

And with that pleasant thought, Lily Evans drifted off into a peaceful slumber.

Lily woke up to a loud bang the next morning. She sat up straight in bed and looked around the room. Monica, who had been packing, accidentally knocking her trunk off her bed. "Oh, sorry Lily! I didn't mean to wake you up. How about you get dressed and we head down to the Great Hall for breakfast?" Lily, still half asleep, nodded her head and got dressed.

On their way to the Great Hall, they passed many students who were excited about the summer ahead. Some didn't want to leave, most of them first years. It wasn't unusual. In Lily's first year she didn't want to leave either. Mostly because she didn't want to go home and see her bratty sister, Petunia. She had always felt that Petunia was somewhat jealous of her skills in magic.

"Evans! Hey Evans!" James Potter's voice rang out across the Great Hall. "My offer still stands if you want company for the summer!" Lily rolled her eyes and yelled back, "That's ok James! My sister has a pet toad that will make better company that you!" A round of laughter broke out in the Great Hall but quickly subsided as breakfast appeared on the table.

After breakfast, Lily and Monica headed outside. More than half of the students at Hogwarts were out today as it was sunny and warm. Some of them were swimming in the lake, some were tanning lazily on the grass, and others were just running around chasing bewitched objects. Lily and Monica made their way down to the lake. They sat down in the soft grass and let their bare feet skim the water.

"Well Monica" Lily said with eyes closed, embracing the warmth. "These are our last precious days at Hogwarts. I'm going to miss you over the summer." Monica smiled. "I'm going to miss you too. But remember, you are always welcome to come visit me!" Lily nodded. "I know. I just might considering my parents are going to Italy."

The two of them sat there talking for what seemed like an hour. They talked about their year and about what they thought would happen in the two years they had left at Hogwarts. Eventually they stood up and made their way back to the school. "Hey Lily. What do you supposed is going on over there?" Monica pointed to a small group that had gathered at a safe distance from the Whomping Willow.

Lily immediately knew what was happening. "I bet you anything that it's James Potter and his group of friends. They must been causing some sort of trouble!" She found herself marching towards the tree, Monica close behind her. "Leave it alone Lily. Who cares what he is doing. In a couple of days you won't have to see him ever again." But Lily, who was barely listening to her best friend, kept marching.

What she was about to walk into was something that she would never forget.