M-chan: And once again, another chapter today. I'm doing pretty well...
Train: Woo... You've been busy.
M-chan: Just writing, like I usually do.
Chapter 3: Lockhart
Ron and Lily received detention. McGonagall, after hearing what happened to them, told Lily that she wouldn't get as severe a punishment as Ron. Lily, thankfully, didn't receive a howler from Petunia, but the letter that her mother sent her worked even better than a howler ever would. Uncle Sirius sent her a letter telling her never to get caught doing that again. He didn't say that she shouldn't do something similar again.
When Lily and Hermione reached Herbology with the other Gryffindors, a disgruntled Professor Sprout and Lockhart greeted them. Lily groaned as soon as she spotted him. Hermione looked at her, worried.
"Lily, are you all right?"
"Fine, just not enough sleep last night." Lily never did like lying.
"Greenhouse Three today, chaps!"
Lockhart's eyes fell on Lily. "Ah, Lily! I've been wanting a word. You don't mind if she's a couple of minutes late, do you Professor Sprout...? That's the ticket!"
Lockhart slammed the door on Professor Sprout's face. "Lily, Lily, Lily, Lily... When I heard... Well, of course, it was my fault. Could have kicked myself."
Lily raised an eyebrow as Lockhart spoke.
"I HATE him!"
"Lily..."
"What!" Draco and Blaise backed away, startled. Lily sighed, falling into a chair. They were in the Slytherin common room and a group of fifth years were staring at them.
"Lockhart, right?"
Lily nodded as the two boys sat by her. It was the beginning of lunch and the three had practically inhaled their food in the Great Hall. "I hate him. He thinks that facing Voldemort is easier than winning the Witch Weekly's Most-Charming-Smile Award. He may have most of the witches in the world in love with him, but he's really pushing it with me. I mean, honestly, the way that he talks about the fight with Voldemort-"
A group of first years winced.
"-Makes it seem like it was a street brawl! I can't believe him!"
"Lily we should be going back to the Great hall. Granger, Patil, and Brown are probably waiting."
"Fine..."
The trio headed towards the Great Hall but met the other girls on the stairs.
"Lilith! Come on, we're going to be late!"
Lavender and Pavarti grabbed onto an arm each and began navigating Lily up the stairs. Draco and Blaise followed, heading for the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. Hermione glared at a few Gryffindor boys who were making snide remarks about the pictures of Lockhart around the room. Lily slipped into one of the seats in the back, Draco and Blaise sitting on either side of her. Lavender, Pavarti and Hermione sat in front of them.
Lockhart swept in and talked as he handed out test papers. Lily snorted as she read the questions. And Lockhart said she should try to bring attention to her accomplishments. At least she didn't publish books that were full of garbage.
When the tests were passed back, Lockhart began riffling through them, correcting them out loud. Lily groaned and began taking a nap.
"...Miss Granger and Miss Lilith Black-"
Lily opened her eyes and glared at Lockhart. "It's Lily..."
"-both knew my secret ambition is to rid the world of evil and market my own range of hair-care potions—good girls!"
Draco and Blaise stared at Lily. She groaned. "'Mione talks in her sleep."
"In fact..." He checked Hermione paper. "Full marks! Where is Miss Hermione Granger?" Hermione raised a trembling hand. "Excellent. Ten points for Gryffindor each. Now, to business...
Lily had been wrong about Lockhart. He was more of a creampuff than she previously thought. For once she was glad that she could only answered one question.
Train: You sure you're not sick or something?
M-chan: Whaddya mean? I'm fine.
Train: You've been posting more and more often now...
M-chan: It's summer, and it's a good thing.
Train: Riiiight...