Chapter 3

The summer flew by and was gone I knew it. As I now walk through Diagon Alley after my haunting experience, I am starting to realize how much these past months have effected my life. A face in the crowd or a voice hurrying someone along scarily remind me of the time I spent in that horrible chamber. Bellatirx Black scowls at me as I walk down the street with Alice and Beth. Before I can say anything to my past tormentor, they drag me into Flourish and Blotts to pick up our school books. They both give me a look of warning, pull me into a corner, and Alice speaks up.

"Really Lily, you shouldn't be messing with those guys." My jaw drops to the floor. I know what I can and can't do.

Seeing the look in my eye, Beth cuts in. "She's right you know. You're going to get yourself into trouble. I snap my mouth closed.

"I know it's just," I lower my voice to just above a whisper, "they were there! It's hard to be prudent when those evil people walk free!" They understand, I know they do only by the way they are looking at me. "Forget it." I say.

"Lily--"

"Never mind. I'm sorry. Let's go get our books." So with our worries behind us we fight our way through the huge crowd and start to search our way through the hundreds of shelves of books. Picking up the literature we need (and a few extra just to prepare for N.E.W.T.'s) Our trio turns to pay when a certain voice catches my attention.

"There he goes. Sirius you head toward the front."

"Yes, Prongs my master," the taller boy said sarcastically.

"Go on..."

"Well what do we have here?" I smile as the two jump a mile.

"Oh, uh hi Lil- Evans!" He very obviously runs his fingers through his hair. I knew things wouldn't change. "I, er, didn't see you there!"

"Why don't you leave him alone?" I ask in an exasperated voice motioning toward Severus Snape, the boy they were planning to prank. "What has he ever done to you?"

Sirius scowls and says, "It's more of the fact that he even exists."

But James scoffs. "I- I don't understand you! After what he probably did to you!" My eyes widened in anger.

"How dare you even mention that!" I hiss. "It's you that doesn't understand!" Now I am practically yelling. HE wasn't there! HE doesn't even know who was there! HE doesn't understand what the Dark Lord is like!

"What!" he returns, now equally as mad as the store goes quiet. "I was doing this for you!"

"And I'm sure following me through Hogsmeade was for me too!" Having enough from the stares and the fighting I slap my money into the clerk's hand who was coming to break up the soon-to-be brawl and storm out. Alice and Beth foolow suit but in a more quiet, uptight way. "Let's go." I fume and make my way back to where Mrs. Emeren is waiting.

=O=O=O=O=O=O=

On the train, heading to the great school for the last time, I am quite embarrassed of that little escapade. I am glad to say though I haven't seen Potter since. Alice and Beth, not to mention every other person in that store, were very taken aback that smart, poised Lily Evans could be so... hostile. I have taken on this ride, being Head Girl and all, to patrolling the hallways and telling off those fooling around. The trian slows to a halt as I go to get my luggage running into, just my luck, James Potter.

"Watch where you're going Head Girl," he seethes. I push him out of the way to my trunk. "I would think some one with your authority would be so rude."

"Lay off," I whisper pushing my way through the crowd, "you weren't even a prefect!" I step off of the Hogwarts Express and into the stormy weather seemingly mirroring my mood. What a great way to start off my seventh year. I gasp as I see, standing right in front of me is a large, winged beast. I know what they are, thestrals of course. We've read all about them. It just took me by surprise. I look around and see many students staring at the creatures also. Maybe I'm not the only one who had a bad summer.

"Lily! Lily! Over here!" Alice yells over the thunder. She, Beth, and Remus Lupin are all waving me over to a carriage. I smile. They all look quite happy standing in the covered carriage as students around the give them a dirty look for taking the carriage closest to the train. I hop in and the door closes behind me.

The castle is so warm and inviting with all the friendly teachers, except for, of course, Filch, the new caretaker, who Doesn't look happy at all as we trudge in muddy and wet. I take my seat at the Gryffindor table as the Great Hall fills up. All the first years look like they swam through the lake instead of riding across it. We were lucky enough to have our sorting night on a clear night. It seems like just yesterday. The soting hat bursts into song interrupting my thought process.

Many, many years ago
When I was devoid of holes
Four people that we've come to know
Came together with a few common goals

The first was to teach the young
The second was to have strength in times of hard
And the last was to simply have fun
When rules they would discard

These four people were the best
And without their friendship
We would be without this beloved Hogwarts crest
And all our bonds would rip

For different were the founding four
With their talents and charms
But that's what made their unity more
And makes us safe from all that harms

So even though I sort you all
Into Slytherine, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Hufflepuff
We must recognize our true call
For togetherness is what makes us tough

Everyone is silent in awe besides Professor Dumbledore who is clapping. No one, not even the ghosts could remember a song like this.

A/N: All must remember that I am a very irregular upadater. Well, besides that, and the hat song which is both dreary and devoid of meter, how did you all like it? There wasn't as much about Lily I am sad to say though. What are you waiting for besides me to stop? REVIEW! Thanks to who all did and is!

Disclaimer: I own none of the stuff you recognize. I'm not that smart.