Author's note: Yay. chapter nine!!!!! This chapter has no romance in it for
once. not saying it's a bad thing, but it's my first attempt at a Quidditch
game!!! I'll point out one thing . during the game, the announcer here
calls the athletes by their last names here. All names were made up by me,
except for Robert Browning, who was a well-known poet. Also, I ask for
forgiveness. I meant to get this done faster, but I went through some
writers block and had to think up some stuff. Before I get started on
chapter nine, I'd like to thank everybody who's ever reviewed this story
and the prologue to it. Okay, let's go!
Chapter 9- Quidditch and Homework
Running as fast as she could and avoiding Peeves, Lily dashed back into the dormitory within ten minutes. She slipped off James' cloak, folded it carefully and put it in one of her drawers.
"You own an invisibility cloak? How come you never told me?"
Lily turned to the location of the curious, yet cold voice, finally not James'. However, it was Jillian, sitting on her bed. Caught, Lily covered up.
"I received it during owl post the other day."
Jillian grunted and pulled the curtains of her bed to close. Lily didn't feel like answering to Jillian's grunt, considering what just happened on the Quidditch field. Lily shivered at what she felt from James.
The next morning, Lily woke from Camille pulling her bed curtains open.
"Lily, this is one Saturday morning you can't sleep in on! Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw!"
Lily groaned and retreated under her blankets.
"Just let me know who wins," Lily's muffled voice said.
Camille sighed.
"Aruba? Ashley? A little help here!" she called out.
Seconds later, Lily was aware by the chilly air that they had taken off her blankets.
Giving in, Lily sat up.
"What time is it, anyway?"
"7:45 in the morning, match starts at 10. We can all have a good breakfast before I go get ready and you guys go out to the stadium," Camille said cheerfully, laying her Quidditch robes out on her bed to change into later.
Ashley sighed as Lily trudged into the bathroom.
"I love those Quidditch robes," Ashley said, admiring them.
Camille grinned.
"Aren't they great? Last years were absolutely awful. I hope this style will be used for a good long time. hey, did you hear James in the common room last night? He was ranting about her," Camille said softly, her head motioning to Lily in the bathroom.
Ashley and Aruba shook their heads.
"What was he saying about her?" Aruba whispered.
"He was watching her dress here last night. She went crazy, they started fighting here and it ended on the Quidditch field. Lily tackled him down because they got there by broomstick. James'.well. you-know-what, became erect and Lily felt it. And earlier this morning, maybe around 3, she was moaning his name softly."
Aruba's eyes widened.
"Was she alone?"
"She was, or else I would have heard some banging."
"Banging? What banging?"
Lily stepped out of the bathroom, dressed in her school robes.
"Camille was telling us about the annoying sound when beater bats hit bludgers," Ashley lied.
Lily frowned.
"Oh. I've never noticed that. I should attend another of your Quidditch practices, Camille. Not to play of course, just hide in the stands."
Camille nodded.
"Sure. Come on, we'd better get down to breakfast. It really sucks that Gryffindor dormitories are in a tower. I bet the other Houses' dormitories are much closer to the Great Hall than we are."
An amusing discussion about that continued amongst the four girls until they reached the Great Hall. Camille went to sit with the Quidditch team. Same as last night, Lily went to sit with the first year Gryffindors. "Good morning guys," she said to them as she sat down.
Breanna, one of the girls, looked up at Lily.
"Um Lily?"
"Yes Breanna?" Lily answered as she spread butter on her bagel.
"A lot of us heard about what happened last night."
"When I got angry and left the table for a while? Oh, that was nothing," Lily told her, smiling.
"Not that," William, another first year, pointed out.
"You and a boy on the Quidditch field."
Lily hadn't expected them to say that, and the dropping of her knife and her eyes widening were the implications of her surprise.
"How did you find out?" she asked quietly.
"A boy came into the common room around ten thirty last night and rambled to his friends about what happened between you two so loud that everyone in the room heard, as much as we didn't want to," Breanna explained.
Frowning at James' stupidity, she then, restraining herself from yelling, asked, "If you don't mind, did he sound happy about what happened?"
Another first year, Nicole, spoke up.
" I wouldn't say happy; more of excited."
"Some girls giggled, and everyone resumed their breakfast. Lily groaned as she bit into her bagel. She would have rather preferred James had talked to his friends in private.
A couple of hours later, the students were making their way out to the stadium, absolutely excited. This was not the case in the Gryffindor locker room, particularly for James, who now regretted talking to Sirius, Remus and Peter in the common room last night. Now all of his teammates had been teasing James all morning, saying that Lily wouldn't want anything to do with him anymore. As they walked out to the field, James couldn't help but feel that they were right. He swallowed audibly and turned to his teammates.
"Despite my time in the hospital wing a few weeks ago, I know we were meant to win today's game. Don't try to fall," he said encouragingly, and then flew into the stadium.
The team laughed, and then followed James. It was a perfect day for Quidditch. Just like yesterday, the sun was shining, the sky was cloudless and there was only a slight breeze.
"Welcome to the first Quidditch game of the season: Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw!" the announcer, Hufflepuff seventh year Michael, yelled over the roaring crowd as both team settled into their appropriate positions. Professor Marien stood on the ground, poised to kick open the box that held the bludgers and snitch. She was already holding the Quaffle. Once everyone was in place, she kicked the box; the three balls flew out and then threw the Quaffle into the air. The Gryffindors groaned as a Ravenclaw caught the Quaffle.
"And Mandy Perkins of Ravenclaw holds possession of the Quaffle as the game begins! Gryffindor Keeper Liam Manton prepares as Perkins passes to Robert Browning, the newest member. oh! Taken by Gryffindor Chaser Sophia Ablen, another new member.
"Passes to James Potter, who's heading to the Ravenclaw goal posts.good move, Potter! Just missed a bludgers hit by Ravenclaw Beater Dylan Dodun. Potter passes to Sean Kline, who passes to Alben. excellent set of chasers. and Gryffindor scores! 10-0 Gryffindor!"
Happy yells of delight arose from the Gryffindor stands as Sophia did a flip in celebration of her first goal.
Half an hour later, the score was 60-40 Gryffindor and neither of the Seekers had seen the snitch yet.
". and Ravenclaw Chaser Brian Morano loses the Quaffle after hit by a bludgers from Gryffindor Camille O'Brien. Perkins catches the Quaffle. now she's been hit by the other bludgers from other Gryffindor Beater Cameron Crain. Gryffindor Chaser Potter takes the Quaffle. passes to Kline."
"OH! Intercepted by Ravenclaw Chaser Morano, heads for Gryffindor goal. Ravenclaw scores! 60-50, Gryffindor!"
Ravenclaw's cheers were stopped short seconds later with an announcement.
"It seems both seekers have spotted the snitch and are flying like mad after it!" Meanwhile, all the others resume play! And here we go."
Nobody paid attention to Michael after that announcement. All eyes were on the two seekers: Anna Rosian of Gryffindor and Marianne Blasen of Ravenclaw. Both girls were small, light and fast and were constantly beside each other in the chase. They were heading towards the base of the Slytherin stands when a bludgers headed their way. Marianne screamed and pulled up. Anna reached out her arm for the snitch, and in second, secured it in her hand as Camille came to hit the bludgers away from her.
The stadium stands slightly trembled from the chaos that broke out from t he Gryffindor stands.
"And Gryffindor wins the first game of the season! If they keep this up, the Quidditch Cup will have their names on it! Score's 210- 50!" Michael shouted, although the first row of teachers sitting behind him were the only ones in the stadium that could hear him.
Luckily enough, the clouds that started assembling ten minutes into the game chose that moment to release a light rain. Not caring if they got in trouble, practically all of Gryffindor House rushed out onto the Quidditch field to meet the team, who had just landed. Most went to Anna because she was the seeker or Sean and Sophia to congratulate them for doing so well on their first game.
Lily, with Aruba and Ashley, ran out to meet Camille.
"That was a good game, wasn't it?" Camille shrieked as the three bombarded her with hugs.
"Heck yes! We're going to win the Quidditch Cup this year, I know it!" Aruba said excitedly.
"James' friends were sitting two rows behind us. From what I head from them earlier, I think there's going to be a victory party in the common room!" Ashley yelled enthusiastically.
Ashley heard correctly; by the time all the wet Gryffindors were forced into the common room by Professor McGonagall, all the Marauders had the common room set for a party.
November flew by and the Christmas season was already remarkably close. Somebody in Gryffindor had made an Advent Wreath and head already lit the first candle. Since Halloween, James had avoided Lily as much as possible, believing she didn't want to talk to him or anything like that anymore. Lily delved into her studies to keep her mind off him and spent a great deal of time poring over books and notes in either the dormitory or in the library. Being a sixth year had a lot of pluses, but she had a massive amount of homework now, as all her classes were on the NEWT level.
As Christmas drew nearer, Camille, Ashley and Aruba noticed Lily's isolation from everybody else. While walking around the school, they agreed to do something if she was still working like she was by December 18. They were hoping that teachers would lower the amount of homework as a Christmas treat. But those in McGonagall's NEWT Transfiguration class were told that there would be work over the holiday, announced December 7.
"How are we supposed to relax over the holidays?" several of the students groaned upon hearing the news.
McGonagall tapped her wand on her desk impatiently.
"Two years from now, you will no longer be in school, but out working in the wizarding world. There you will be doing work all year round. Thus in preparation, you have been given what you have. However, since I know you all want to hear this, the work isn't terribly heavy and if you work on it now, I believe a good number of you will be done with it before your holiday begins," McGonagall said, smiling.
After dinner that evening, Lily went up to the dormitory, greeted by the sight of a mound of books on her bed. She planned to follow this: work on it now as to relax later. Her plans for Christmas were just to stay in Hogwarts. So many interesting things happened at Hogwarts over the holidays, especially seeing the teachers in a very different light. It was also great sharing Gryffindor with practically nobody.
Smiling with thoughts of Christmas, Lily opened a roll of parchment, which contained her progressing DADA essay on the psychological effects of certain curses after being performed. It was one of the assignments due tomorrow and she still had five out of twelve inches more of parchment to write. As Lily opened a book to father some information for her essay, she felt a headache coming and groaned. She could no longer concentrate, her face got sweaty, and then everything went black.
........
Lily heard voices around her, but only slightly; she was very tired. she closed her eyes again and immediately fell into dreamless sleep....
.......
What seemed like five minutes later, Lily woke up but didn't open her eyes. There was silence where she was. She drifted off again...
Lily went on like that several times until she felt somewhat stronger to open her eyes. Surrounded by white blankets, Lily realized that she was in the hospital wing. Upon hearing her move, Madam Pomfrey rushed to her side.
"Lily Evans! Finally, you've stirred. Come now, you must be hungry," she said, pouring soup into a bowl.
"Excuse me Madam Pomfrey," Lily said, looking at the morning sky. "Is today December 8?" Lily wanted to get back to her homework as soon as possible.
Madam Pomfrey looked at Lily in surprise.
"December 8? No, December 12 is more like it." Lily sprang out of bed and took hold of her school robes.
"I need to speak to Professor McGonagall," she said, slipping her robes on.
Lily felt weak and wobbly on her feet, but began walking to the door. Madam Pomfrey gasped and scuttled after her.
"Oh no you're not, Lily," she said, taking a hold of her and guiding her to a mirror.
Though getting a bit frustrated, Lily looked into the mirror, and then nearly fell back. She looked paler and skinnier than usual, her auburn hair mixed with sweat sticking to the side of her face.
"You, Lily Evans, are a victim of work overload. I do not know why you're working yourself so hard, but it must stop!" Madam Pomfrey said in a motherly way, still grasping Lily's shoulders.
"But I'm in all NEWT classes and trying to get work done before holiday starts!"
"And you are also the only one in your year with all NEWT classes who's landed in the hospital wing suffering form the load of schoolwork. I'm sure there's another reason, Madam Pomfrey pointed out.
Lily shook her head.
"There's no other reason. I work hard for my grades, and a few days in the hospital wing are going to make them drop! There's no way I'm going to let that pass!"
Lily pulled away from Madam Pomfrey, only to bump into Camille, who came by to visit Lily before classes started. Lily felt as if she were in a nightmare.
"Madam Pomfrey's right; you've never been like this. there must be another reason. You know the reason; you just haven't realized it yet," Camille said, looking at Lily sadly.
A bell sounded, signaling the start of the first class. Camille turned to leave.
"I'll let them know you've woken up," she said in a melancholy tone, then left the wing.
Breaking into tears, Lily ran back to the bed she was sleeping in and hid under the covers. She stayed there pretty much the whole day, falling asleep every once in a while. After dinner, Ashley paid a visit with a cheerful approach.
"McGonagall passed out the list of who's staying in Hogwarts for Christmas on Friday," Ashley said, taking a seat beside Lily's bed.
Lily, still hiding under her blankets, refused to come out.
"Ashley, you did write my name for me, didn't you?"
"I didn't."
"Why???? You knew I was planning on staying here." Lily demanded.
"And what would you do here? Just work some more?"
"My parents and Petunia are already off on holiday visiting relatives. I'm staying here."
"No you've not, Lily. You're going over to my house for the holidays along with Aruba and Camille."
"I can't believe you're doing this to me," Lily sighed.
"The Marauders are the only Gryffindors signed to stay. What do you think of that?"
"Okay, fine. I'll go to your place."
"Great! Now Christmas is all about relaxing and having fun, so I won't have to take you to St. Mungo's?"
"I'll do my best to make sure you won't have to," Lily answered glumly.
Ashley smiled.
"I'll owl your family and let them know. Meanwhile, go and eat that soup of yours before it gets cold," she advised.
Lily shook her head.
"There's a thermulation charm on that bowl I am in no hurry," Lily replied flatly.
End of Chapter 9. Please review!!!!!!!!!!
Chapter 9- Quidditch and Homework
Running as fast as she could and avoiding Peeves, Lily dashed back into the dormitory within ten minutes. She slipped off James' cloak, folded it carefully and put it in one of her drawers.
"You own an invisibility cloak? How come you never told me?"
Lily turned to the location of the curious, yet cold voice, finally not James'. However, it was Jillian, sitting on her bed. Caught, Lily covered up.
"I received it during owl post the other day."
Jillian grunted and pulled the curtains of her bed to close. Lily didn't feel like answering to Jillian's grunt, considering what just happened on the Quidditch field. Lily shivered at what she felt from James.
The next morning, Lily woke from Camille pulling her bed curtains open.
"Lily, this is one Saturday morning you can't sleep in on! Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw!"
Lily groaned and retreated under her blankets.
"Just let me know who wins," Lily's muffled voice said.
Camille sighed.
"Aruba? Ashley? A little help here!" she called out.
Seconds later, Lily was aware by the chilly air that they had taken off her blankets.
Giving in, Lily sat up.
"What time is it, anyway?"
"7:45 in the morning, match starts at 10. We can all have a good breakfast before I go get ready and you guys go out to the stadium," Camille said cheerfully, laying her Quidditch robes out on her bed to change into later.
Ashley sighed as Lily trudged into the bathroom.
"I love those Quidditch robes," Ashley said, admiring them.
Camille grinned.
"Aren't they great? Last years were absolutely awful. I hope this style will be used for a good long time. hey, did you hear James in the common room last night? He was ranting about her," Camille said softly, her head motioning to Lily in the bathroom.
Ashley and Aruba shook their heads.
"What was he saying about her?" Aruba whispered.
"He was watching her dress here last night. She went crazy, they started fighting here and it ended on the Quidditch field. Lily tackled him down because they got there by broomstick. James'.well. you-know-what, became erect and Lily felt it. And earlier this morning, maybe around 3, she was moaning his name softly."
Aruba's eyes widened.
"Was she alone?"
"She was, or else I would have heard some banging."
"Banging? What banging?"
Lily stepped out of the bathroom, dressed in her school robes.
"Camille was telling us about the annoying sound when beater bats hit bludgers," Ashley lied.
Lily frowned.
"Oh. I've never noticed that. I should attend another of your Quidditch practices, Camille. Not to play of course, just hide in the stands."
Camille nodded.
"Sure. Come on, we'd better get down to breakfast. It really sucks that Gryffindor dormitories are in a tower. I bet the other Houses' dormitories are much closer to the Great Hall than we are."
An amusing discussion about that continued amongst the four girls until they reached the Great Hall. Camille went to sit with the Quidditch team. Same as last night, Lily went to sit with the first year Gryffindors. "Good morning guys," she said to them as she sat down.
Breanna, one of the girls, looked up at Lily.
"Um Lily?"
"Yes Breanna?" Lily answered as she spread butter on her bagel.
"A lot of us heard about what happened last night."
"When I got angry and left the table for a while? Oh, that was nothing," Lily told her, smiling.
"Not that," William, another first year, pointed out.
"You and a boy on the Quidditch field."
Lily hadn't expected them to say that, and the dropping of her knife and her eyes widening were the implications of her surprise.
"How did you find out?" she asked quietly.
"A boy came into the common room around ten thirty last night and rambled to his friends about what happened between you two so loud that everyone in the room heard, as much as we didn't want to," Breanna explained.
Frowning at James' stupidity, she then, restraining herself from yelling, asked, "If you don't mind, did he sound happy about what happened?"
Another first year, Nicole, spoke up.
" I wouldn't say happy; more of excited."
"Some girls giggled, and everyone resumed their breakfast. Lily groaned as she bit into her bagel. She would have rather preferred James had talked to his friends in private.
A couple of hours later, the students were making their way out to the stadium, absolutely excited. This was not the case in the Gryffindor locker room, particularly for James, who now regretted talking to Sirius, Remus and Peter in the common room last night. Now all of his teammates had been teasing James all morning, saying that Lily wouldn't want anything to do with him anymore. As they walked out to the field, James couldn't help but feel that they were right. He swallowed audibly and turned to his teammates.
"Despite my time in the hospital wing a few weeks ago, I know we were meant to win today's game. Don't try to fall," he said encouragingly, and then flew into the stadium.
The team laughed, and then followed James. It was a perfect day for Quidditch. Just like yesterday, the sun was shining, the sky was cloudless and there was only a slight breeze.
"Welcome to the first Quidditch game of the season: Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw!" the announcer, Hufflepuff seventh year Michael, yelled over the roaring crowd as both team settled into their appropriate positions. Professor Marien stood on the ground, poised to kick open the box that held the bludgers and snitch. She was already holding the Quaffle. Once everyone was in place, she kicked the box; the three balls flew out and then threw the Quaffle into the air. The Gryffindors groaned as a Ravenclaw caught the Quaffle.
"And Mandy Perkins of Ravenclaw holds possession of the Quaffle as the game begins! Gryffindor Keeper Liam Manton prepares as Perkins passes to Robert Browning, the newest member. oh! Taken by Gryffindor Chaser Sophia Ablen, another new member.
"Passes to James Potter, who's heading to the Ravenclaw goal posts.good move, Potter! Just missed a bludgers hit by Ravenclaw Beater Dylan Dodun. Potter passes to Sean Kline, who passes to Alben. excellent set of chasers. and Gryffindor scores! 10-0 Gryffindor!"
Happy yells of delight arose from the Gryffindor stands as Sophia did a flip in celebration of her first goal.
Half an hour later, the score was 60-40 Gryffindor and neither of the Seekers had seen the snitch yet.
". and Ravenclaw Chaser Brian Morano loses the Quaffle after hit by a bludgers from Gryffindor Camille O'Brien. Perkins catches the Quaffle. now she's been hit by the other bludgers from other Gryffindor Beater Cameron Crain. Gryffindor Chaser Potter takes the Quaffle. passes to Kline."
"OH! Intercepted by Ravenclaw Chaser Morano, heads for Gryffindor goal. Ravenclaw scores! 60-50, Gryffindor!"
Ravenclaw's cheers were stopped short seconds later with an announcement.
"It seems both seekers have spotted the snitch and are flying like mad after it!" Meanwhile, all the others resume play! And here we go."
Nobody paid attention to Michael after that announcement. All eyes were on the two seekers: Anna Rosian of Gryffindor and Marianne Blasen of Ravenclaw. Both girls were small, light and fast and were constantly beside each other in the chase. They were heading towards the base of the Slytherin stands when a bludgers headed their way. Marianne screamed and pulled up. Anna reached out her arm for the snitch, and in second, secured it in her hand as Camille came to hit the bludgers away from her.
The stadium stands slightly trembled from the chaos that broke out from t he Gryffindor stands.
"And Gryffindor wins the first game of the season! If they keep this up, the Quidditch Cup will have their names on it! Score's 210- 50!" Michael shouted, although the first row of teachers sitting behind him were the only ones in the stadium that could hear him.
Luckily enough, the clouds that started assembling ten minutes into the game chose that moment to release a light rain. Not caring if they got in trouble, practically all of Gryffindor House rushed out onto the Quidditch field to meet the team, who had just landed. Most went to Anna because she was the seeker or Sean and Sophia to congratulate them for doing so well on their first game.
Lily, with Aruba and Ashley, ran out to meet Camille.
"That was a good game, wasn't it?" Camille shrieked as the three bombarded her with hugs.
"Heck yes! We're going to win the Quidditch Cup this year, I know it!" Aruba said excitedly.
"James' friends were sitting two rows behind us. From what I head from them earlier, I think there's going to be a victory party in the common room!" Ashley yelled enthusiastically.
Ashley heard correctly; by the time all the wet Gryffindors were forced into the common room by Professor McGonagall, all the Marauders had the common room set for a party.
November flew by and the Christmas season was already remarkably close. Somebody in Gryffindor had made an Advent Wreath and head already lit the first candle. Since Halloween, James had avoided Lily as much as possible, believing she didn't want to talk to him or anything like that anymore. Lily delved into her studies to keep her mind off him and spent a great deal of time poring over books and notes in either the dormitory or in the library. Being a sixth year had a lot of pluses, but she had a massive amount of homework now, as all her classes were on the NEWT level.
As Christmas drew nearer, Camille, Ashley and Aruba noticed Lily's isolation from everybody else. While walking around the school, they agreed to do something if she was still working like she was by December 18. They were hoping that teachers would lower the amount of homework as a Christmas treat. But those in McGonagall's NEWT Transfiguration class were told that there would be work over the holiday, announced December 7.
"How are we supposed to relax over the holidays?" several of the students groaned upon hearing the news.
McGonagall tapped her wand on her desk impatiently.
"Two years from now, you will no longer be in school, but out working in the wizarding world. There you will be doing work all year round. Thus in preparation, you have been given what you have. However, since I know you all want to hear this, the work isn't terribly heavy and if you work on it now, I believe a good number of you will be done with it before your holiday begins," McGonagall said, smiling.
After dinner that evening, Lily went up to the dormitory, greeted by the sight of a mound of books on her bed. She planned to follow this: work on it now as to relax later. Her plans for Christmas were just to stay in Hogwarts. So many interesting things happened at Hogwarts over the holidays, especially seeing the teachers in a very different light. It was also great sharing Gryffindor with practically nobody.
Smiling with thoughts of Christmas, Lily opened a roll of parchment, which contained her progressing DADA essay on the psychological effects of certain curses after being performed. It was one of the assignments due tomorrow and she still had five out of twelve inches more of parchment to write. As Lily opened a book to father some information for her essay, she felt a headache coming and groaned. She could no longer concentrate, her face got sweaty, and then everything went black.
........
Lily heard voices around her, but only slightly; she was very tired. she closed her eyes again and immediately fell into dreamless sleep....
.......
What seemed like five minutes later, Lily woke up but didn't open her eyes. There was silence where she was. She drifted off again...
Lily went on like that several times until she felt somewhat stronger to open her eyes. Surrounded by white blankets, Lily realized that she was in the hospital wing. Upon hearing her move, Madam Pomfrey rushed to her side.
"Lily Evans! Finally, you've stirred. Come now, you must be hungry," she said, pouring soup into a bowl.
"Excuse me Madam Pomfrey," Lily said, looking at the morning sky. "Is today December 8?" Lily wanted to get back to her homework as soon as possible.
Madam Pomfrey looked at Lily in surprise.
"December 8? No, December 12 is more like it." Lily sprang out of bed and took hold of her school robes.
"I need to speak to Professor McGonagall," she said, slipping her robes on.
Lily felt weak and wobbly on her feet, but began walking to the door. Madam Pomfrey gasped and scuttled after her.
"Oh no you're not, Lily," she said, taking a hold of her and guiding her to a mirror.
Though getting a bit frustrated, Lily looked into the mirror, and then nearly fell back. She looked paler and skinnier than usual, her auburn hair mixed with sweat sticking to the side of her face.
"You, Lily Evans, are a victim of work overload. I do not know why you're working yourself so hard, but it must stop!" Madam Pomfrey said in a motherly way, still grasping Lily's shoulders.
"But I'm in all NEWT classes and trying to get work done before holiday starts!"
"And you are also the only one in your year with all NEWT classes who's landed in the hospital wing suffering form the load of schoolwork. I'm sure there's another reason, Madam Pomfrey pointed out.
Lily shook her head.
"There's no other reason. I work hard for my grades, and a few days in the hospital wing are going to make them drop! There's no way I'm going to let that pass!"
Lily pulled away from Madam Pomfrey, only to bump into Camille, who came by to visit Lily before classes started. Lily felt as if she were in a nightmare.
"Madam Pomfrey's right; you've never been like this. there must be another reason. You know the reason; you just haven't realized it yet," Camille said, looking at Lily sadly.
A bell sounded, signaling the start of the first class. Camille turned to leave.
"I'll let them know you've woken up," she said in a melancholy tone, then left the wing.
Breaking into tears, Lily ran back to the bed she was sleeping in and hid under the covers. She stayed there pretty much the whole day, falling asleep every once in a while. After dinner, Ashley paid a visit with a cheerful approach.
"McGonagall passed out the list of who's staying in Hogwarts for Christmas on Friday," Ashley said, taking a seat beside Lily's bed.
Lily, still hiding under her blankets, refused to come out.
"Ashley, you did write my name for me, didn't you?"
"I didn't."
"Why???? You knew I was planning on staying here." Lily demanded.
"And what would you do here? Just work some more?"
"My parents and Petunia are already off on holiday visiting relatives. I'm staying here."
"No you've not, Lily. You're going over to my house for the holidays along with Aruba and Camille."
"I can't believe you're doing this to me," Lily sighed.
"The Marauders are the only Gryffindors signed to stay. What do you think of that?"
"Okay, fine. I'll go to your place."
"Great! Now Christmas is all about relaxing and having fun, so I won't have to take you to St. Mungo's?"
"I'll do my best to make sure you won't have to," Lily answered glumly.
Ashley smiled.
"I'll owl your family and let them know. Meanwhile, go and eat that soup of yours before it gets cold," she advised.
Lily shook her head.
"There's a thermulation charm on that bowl I am in no hurry," Lily replied flatly.
End of Chapter 9. Please review!!!!!!!!!!