Chapter 1

Autumn descended on Hogwarts like a breath of fire, setting the grounds and mountains ablaze with russet, gold and orange. The air was just beginning to bite with the coming chill of winter, and students returned from their outdoor endeavors with pink cheeks and noses, and windswept hair; the sun shone brightly as if to make sure the world knew that winter was not here yet; and a pair of ice blue eyes took this all in as their owner strolled casually down the lane towards Hogwarts' grand front gates.
Lucius Malfoy looked reminiscently up at the old castle walls, a smirk of haughty amusement played about his mouth, though his eyes gazed coolly up at the castle, immense dislike apparent in their glint. He was a tall, elegant young man, with shoulder length white-blonde hair that hung gracefully about his face. He wore flawless sapphire robes, and a sleek traveling cloak of lustrous black fur, neither of which seemed to be the least bit affected by the dusty pathway. The cloak clasped at his neck with a silver serpentine broach encrusted with emeralds that glinted and glowed in the sunlight, and was cast over one shoulder in a manner that suggested pompous vanity, yet somehow made him all the more attractive. As he passed the gargoyle guarded gates to Hogwarts, however, the exquisite quality of his appearance could not hide the merciless harshness of his clear blue eyes.
Malfoy's long strides soon carried him up the front steps, and just as he raised a silver headed cane to rap upon the doors, they opened silently before him. With a look of slight surprise, laced heavily with disenchanted amusement, he marched over the threshold. Malfoy stopped when he reached the center of the entrance hall, hesitating slightly, the crisp October sun warming his fur coated back uncomfortably.
"Welcome, Lucius Malfoy." A booming voice greeted him. For a moment the young man was disoriented, and the voice seemed to emanate from the walls of the castle itself. But then he saw the man on the staircase and regained his haughty composure.
"And such a lovely welcome it is," Malfoy returned, his voice resonant and cultured, with a long, smooth, drawl. "I daresay it's nice to be back in the old Alma Mater." though his voice said differently, and he was only partly able to disguise the derisive sneer which threatened to break through his lips.
"No need to waste unnecessary pleasantries on my behalf, Lucius, it does not become you." The man who spoke was Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He was tall and thin, with improbably long white hair, and a beard to match. He wore deep amethyst robes that were covered in twinkling stars and planets, and if you watched him long enough, you would swear you saw them traversing the cloth, as if truly in orbit. His half moon spectacles sat delicately on his long crooked nose, and above them danced his sky blue eyes, eyes which seemed to belie his age.
"I will assume then, Headmaster, that you know why I am here."
"Yes Lucius, I was alerted to your coming by the Ministry. I believe that my office would be the most appropriate place to conduct this meeting," Dumbledore said, turning to walk up the stairs, "if you would follow me, we can get to business directly." And without another glance backwards, the headmaster continued up the stairway. Malfoy hesitated for a moment, his dislike of the headmaster growing by the minute, then strode up the stairs after Dumbledore.
As they walked in silence through the castle Malfoy could hear the drone of teachers lecturing behind closed classroom doors, and the chatter of students practicing incantations and charms. He was brought back, though not fondly, to his own school days, so recently passed. Dumbledore had been very newly appointed when he was at school, having been the transfiguration teacher for many years previously. Malfoy had disliked the man since the day he set foot in the school. The dislike was an inheritance from his own father, but Malfoy found more ways every day to justify it.
Dumbledore was the essence of understanding and tolerance. He had new fangled ideas about acceptance of all people, muggles and wizards alike. His only desire in life seemed to be to pass on knowledge to generations of school children. He was a powerful wizard, so powerful many called him the greatest wizard of the time, and he was still young, by great wizard standards. This in itself would have been of trivial importance to Malfoy, as he was a very powerful wizard himself and just barely 23; no, it was the apparent lack of ambition in Dumbledore that was so unsettling to Malfoy. A wizard that powerful and accomplished should be clamoring for the world, trying to overthrow the Ministry, at least expressing some desire to control other people. But no, Dumbledore's only concern appeared to be for the students in his school, and every student too, not just the ones from established wizarding families. Dumbledore was letting in all sorts of riff-raff these days. Malfoy seethed inside at the thought of it; this was getting out of hand, and he was here to set gears in motion to stop it.
Lost in thought, Malfoy was caught off guard when the man in front of him finally stopped. "Pepper Imp." Dumbledore said to the stone gargoyle that stood in the niche in the wall in front of them. With a deep rumbling sound, the gargoyle began rotating slowly upward, followed by a spiraling stone staircase. Dumbledore stepped on and motioned Malfoy to follow him. The staircase came to a stop in front of a heavy wooden door. Dumbledore took a step forward and the door swung open in front of him. Malfoy followed, and stepped into the headmasters office. The room he stepped into was circular, with at least three visible tiers reaching up into the tower, and the walls were covered with bookshelves, display cases with glass doors, and hundreds of portraits, all of which greeted Dumbledore warmly as he entered. The cases were full of delicate silver instruments, ancient magical relics and artifacts, and dozens of other magical devises. Directly in front of the door was Dumbledore's desk, and beyond that a double stairway that led up to the first tier. This level wrapped around the rim of the room, providing access to the millions of books that stood on bookshelves lining the walls. It also led to what appeared to be an observatory. "Please, sit," Dumbledore said, indicating a handsome leather chair in front of the desk. He himself tucked his beard into his belt and settled into his own enormous chair. Malfoy removed his cloak and hung it on a conspicuous looking coat rack to the right of Dumbledore's desk, then sat and reclined back luxuriously in the chair.
"So," Dumbledore began, "you are here on Ministry business. Presumably to discuss my support of the proposed Registration Act."
"Yes, that is correct. I am heading the campaign, as I'm sure you know, and we have all agreed that your support in this matter is essential. As it is you who currently oversees the acceptance procedures at this institution, we would prefer your cooperation. In the event that cooperation is not an option, you must know that restrictions will be set upon you in accordance with the new law. However, we feel at the Ministry that a peaceable agreement would be more beneficial to both organizations." Malfoy smiled widely at Dumbledore.
"Yes, I'm sure you do," Dumbledore muttered almost to himself. He was gazing at Malfoy in a way that made the young man feel as though he was reading his mind. He shifted in his seat uncomfortably, his eyes dropping away from the penetrating stare of the Headmaster.
"You are familiar with the proposed guidelines of the Registration Act?" he said.
"I am, but please, remind me again. If I am to agree to this, I should have a secure grasp on it don't you think?" a small twinkle was apparent in Dumbledores' eye, and Malfoy knew that the man was mocking him slightly. He decided to ignore it.
"Well, as you know, the law is being proposed to ensure the safety of our, er—non-magic community members. We are proposing the registration of all muggle families who are raising wizard children, or who are married into wizarding families. By registration I mean that we would keep records of names, addresses, birthdates, etc. The purpose of this of course, would be to keep tabs on the families, make sure they are up to the task of raising a magically gifted child, make sure they are not exploiting the powers in any way, and just generally keep an eye on them."
"Yes, yes, just another way of controlling one more group of people." Dumbledore sighed.
"Now Dumbledore, control is a harsh word. These laws won't restrict the muggles in any way, or harm them. It is in place for their protection."
"Protection from what Lucius? From their magical children? From their wizard in-laws? Or is it protection from them that you seek, Lucius?"
"No, Dumbledore," Malfoy said, any trace of friendliness gone from his face, "the Ministry is simply interested in protecting what is rightfully theirs. Magic. We want to protect the sanctity of magic. The gift that is ours should stay ours!" His eyes were ablaze with cold fury, and he sprung to his feet, slamming his fists down on the front of Dumbledore's desk. At this gesture there was an outcry from the portraits, who all happened to be previous headmasters and mistresses of Hogwarts. "Outrageous behavior!" "No manner's whatsoever!" "I've never seen the likes of this, not from a Malfoy!" Malfoy straightened up, visibly trying to relax himself. He took a step back from the desk and brushed a strand of hair from his face.
"I see, Dumbledore," he said in a measured tone, "that the Ministry will not be able to count on your cooperation in this matter."
"If my cooperation means the endorsement of a law that will allow the Ministry to dog tag innocent people in order to control their motives and actions, then you most certainly will not have it. If my cooperation means I should stop admitting gifted students of non-magic parenthood into this school, then again and ever more so Lucius, my answer is and always will be, NO." Though the headmaster had not risen from his seat, nor raised his voice, his eyes radiated power like the blue flames of a fire. For a moment, fire met ice as the younger man clashed gazes with him, but then Malfoy averted his eyes and reached for his cloak.
"I will assume this means our meeting is over. I would not want to keep you from your precious charges any longer." And with that he turned on his heel and marched from the office.
"I say," said the portrait of an elderly wizard with a long pipe as the door shut behind him, "the Ministry has gone too far this time, too far indeed."
"Well really it's that young Malfoy," replied a witch in a purple robe, "they've always been purists and evil to boot, but that one really has his ambitions set."
"Yes," said Dumbledore, suddenly sounding very tired, "ambitious, and clever. Two things that are never a good combination."

Once Malfoy had descended the stairway and stepped into the hall he stopped for a moment. Dumbledore's response, while not unexpected, had infuriated him. For a moment, the old man had actually made him feel wrong, and Malfoy was never wrong. The other thing that bothered him was that deep inside, he knew that Dumbledore would see straight through this scheme, if he hadn't already. The Ministry was blind to his goals, and seemed dumb enough to stay that way. Malfoy had powerful friends, strong allies, and this game they were playing would reveal it's true nature in due course. But Dumbledore would be a difficult obstacle. Malfoy wondered if even now Dumbledore was planning counter measures that would bring trouble to his allies. But none of this was of immediate importance; the first thing to do was get this law passed. And it would happen for him, he grinned finally as he imagined this accomplishment.
"Malfoy!" the call brought him out of his thoughts. He looked up to see who had called him, and spotted in the throng of students a tall, skinny, sallow looking teen striding towards him. Classes must have just let out, because he was suddenly swallowed in a sea of students; many of the older ones glancing at him curiously, and some of the girls running past in fits of giggles, throwing smoldering looks at him over their shoulders.
"Severus," he replied as the boy approached, "it is good to see you. How are your parents?" he asked, a smile seeping into his features.
"Fine actually, my dad hasn't quite managed to kill my mum yet, but thank you so much for caring." The youth replied with a glare.
"Now, now Severus, bitterness will get you no where."
"Yeah," Severus snorted, "so what brings you to dear old Hogwarts?" he inquired.
"Oh, a matter of state to attend to with the Headmaster. Nothing interesting I can assure you, Master Snape. Although he did manage to make a fool of me, and my mood is not in the least bit good at the moment."
"I see, matters of state did you say?" Snape said, raising an eyebrow. "I'm not an idiot you know Malfoy, it's not been so long since you and your gang left this place. I may have been good at not being noticed, but I am also good at noticing things, and hearing things..." Malfoy considered the boy for a moment, absently rubbing the silver head of his cane.
"You graduate this year, do you not, Severus?" he asked suddenly.
"Yes."
"Indeed," mused Malfoy, "I believe it is time to pay a visit to your father. You will be needing continued training after your escape from this place." He fell silent for a moment, gazing off into space seemingly deep in thought.
"I would not recommend a visit to my father Malfoy," Snape said, bringing the man out of his reverie, "he doesn't like to be reminded of my presence, really of the fact that I exist for that matter. No, if you have something of my future to discuss, I suggest you come to me. Independence is a treasured commodity in my family." The younger man spat this out contemptuously, the bitterness and hurt apparent in his dark features. Malfoy considered him hard for a moment; it was apparent that this youth was desperate for a chance to prove himself. He needed a father figure, or someone powerful to look up to. Indeed...someone powerful. This time Malfoy's thoughts were distracted by a shout from the stairwell behind them.
"Oy, Snivellus! I see you've found a friend," a tall dark headed boy yelled. "I thought the point of graduating was to get out of this place, but it seems some of us need additional schooling, eh Malfoy?" The boy had now reached the foot of the stairway and the crowd around them quieted, students slowing to catch the show. The speaker was Sirius Black, a handsome youth who's dark hair and chiseled face were accented by piercingly intelligent dark eyes. He had the lean graceful body of an athlete, perhaps a runner, or a swimmer. The look in his dark eyes now was one of utmost loathing, and was matched viciously by Malfoy.
"I have important business here, Black, of which you would regrettably know nothing about. It is a shame how poorly your generation seems to respect their parents, or listen to them for that matter. I would have thought your proud and noble heritage might have had some effect on you, but apparently you seem to have forsaken it," as he said this another student appeared at Black's shoulder, "and I see you have taken up a, ah, dirtier pathway." He finished, spitting these last words with incredible malice. A cry came from Black and he moved as though to lunge at Malfoy. The boy at his shoulder grabbed the back of his robes assisted by another youth that seemed to materialize out of the crowd.
"Shut your mouth Malfoy!" Black spit back, then slapping at his friends, "and let go of me, James! Remus!!"
"If you stay put, we'll let go," the boy named James said under his breath, easing his grip on his friends' robes. However, he then turned to Snape, "Finally found the biggest bully in the playground huh, Snivellus?" he said with utmost loathing. "I guess Malfoy could use your talents, seeing as they all involve insulting and degrading other people."
"Shut up Potter," Snape shot right back, "at least I have pride. At least I'm not some filthy little mudblood loving pet of Dumbledore's!" the crowd had gone completely silent, and the opposing parties stood a good ten feet apart, glaring daggers at each other, with an almost palpable heat of anger separating them.
"Well my family may accept people for more than their just their blood, but at least my parents know the meaning of love, and my father doesn't beat my mother." James said this with an icy calmness in his voice. Before Snape could throw another insult at James though, an unexpected sound broke the silence: laughter, a girls laughter, floated down the staircase toward them. At the sound of it James spun sharply on his heel; he knew who that sound belonged to, and she was the last person who needed to walk in on this scene. The two girls descending the stairway seemed to have noticed that something was wrong, because they had stopped talking and as they came into view, slowed and then halted on the stairs. The girl who had laughed was Lily Evans, a slender red head, with bright, almost shocking green eyes. Her friend, Alice Parker, was petite and curvy, with thick dirty blonde hair and grey eyes. Lily seemed to take in the scene in a moments glance.
"What's going on?" she asked tentatively, looking between James and Severus.
"Nothing Lily, nothing's going on." James said quickly, but he was run over immediately by Snape.
"Just exchanging the usual insults." He sneered at her, "So glad you could join us, we were just getting to the good part," he paused here, as if for dramatic affect, "the part about families. I believe you might have something interesting to contribute, hmmm?" the sneer had grown now into an evil grin, and Malfoy seemed to be sharing in the same private joke because his eyes danced dangerously as they took in Lily.
"Don't you dare talk to her like that!" this time it was James who tried to lunge at Severus. Sirius and Remus leapt to catch him.
"Now, now, Potter, you know the rules against fighting in the hallways, that is, unless they've changed since I've left." Malfoy said. "I believe that Ms. Evans has a right to defend herself if she wishes, and certainly her family as well." As he said this his eyes moved once more to gaze at the rigid red head, taking all of her in, in one insolent look.
"You disgust me Malfoy, I'm amazed that you have set foot back in this castle. I know why you are here and it is sickening." She seemed to be frozen in anger. Alice was looking at her fearfully, knowing how her best friend felt about anything that had to do with her muggle parents. Lily was the strongest and most opinionated person she had ever met, but she was also fragile, and sensitive when it came to some things.
"Well, well," smirked Malfoy, "Ms. Evans, you seem to have a passionate opinion about this. I wonder, why ever could that be?" knowing full well that his presence here reminded her of what he was trying to get accomplished, and what that might mean for her family.
"I said don't' speak to Lily that way Malfoy," James repeated, but this time he had his wand out, held at arms length and pointed at Malfoy, "if I have to repeat it again you will be sorry."
"James," said Remus softly, as if trying to pacify his friend.
"Yes, Potter," said Malfoy, his face now an ugly mask of hate. "I would listen to your friend. Besides, I must be getting on, it's late, and this trip has already taken more than enough of my valuable time. Ms. Evans, I do hope we might meet again, and perhaps discuss this more, I would be fascinated to hear your point of view...fascinated..."
"You are evil and sickening Malfoy. If I ever speak to you alone you will be sorry." Lily said this without the slightest trace of emotion, and Malfoy marveled for a moment at her strength.
"Well Severus, it has been an enlightening visit, I will be in touch," and with that Lucious Malfoy turned on his heel and swept down the grand staircase and out the front doors.

Frustrated, Lily kicked a pebble into the lake, which promptly hit the basking squid on a lazy tentacle. The squid retreated reproachfully to a further bank of the lake. Stopping for a moment, Lily gazed around the grounds; students from all years were lounging under trees, sitting along the edge of the lake, playing Gobbstones and Chess; a couple of muggle born wizards were tossing a Frisbee (though the strong gusts of wind blowing down from the mountains were making this more difficult every minute), as their Hogwarts friends looked on incredulously. However, nothing outside looked appealing at the moment, and it was beginning to grow chilly. It was a Friday afternoon; she had no immediate homework to attend to, and she was growing restless. Without really thinking about it she strolled up to the castle and into the entrance hall.
"Lily. Hey, Lilith!!" Snapping out of her reverie, the red headed girl realized that someone was calling her name. At hearing her full name, Lilith, she knew it could only be her best friend Alice. Looking up she saw Alice beckoning her from the marble staircase. "Are you with us, Lil?" she inquired laughingly. Alice had developed over the last few years into a more womanly figure than Lily, something which she often envied her friend, but as Alice put it, what Lily lacked in curves she made up for in grace and stature. "So what's up with you?" Alice asked her friend as Lily climbed the staircase.
"Other than wanting to kick some serious slytherin tail?" she said darkly "Ha ha," laughed her friend sarcastically, "I did mean other than that." "James," Lily said, throwing a glance down into the entrance hall where James and Sirius had begun a mock wrestling match.
"Potter! Black! I realize that a Friday can be cause for celebration, although they do not seem to be in particularly short supply, but I must insist that you take that primitive rough housing OUT side!" Professor McGonagal's stern voice could be heard echoing through the hallway. James and Sirius looked up, James held tightly in a headlock.
"Sorry Professor," Sirius replied, relinquishing his hold on his friend, and sounding earnest, "Just needed to burn off some steam. You know, so I don't' actually end up harming someone I really do dislike, as opposed to pretending to beat up on and hate my best friend here." James straightened up, struggling to keep a straight face while trying to look sincere.
"Well," McGonagal muttered under her breath, obviously trying to work out what on earth Black was saying and if he could possibly have been serious. At that moment however, Remus Lupin entered the front hall and the three boys strolled off towards the Great Hall, Peter hurrying in their wake.
"Ah yes," said Alice with a sigh and slight smile, "Well, let's go sit in the tower shall we?" and she headed off up the stairs, Lily following a reluctant second behind.

The two girls climbed staircase after staircase, following the well worn pathway to their favorite hideout: the perfect place for a bit of girl talk, or undisturbed studying, or simply to get away from the crowds of students in the building. Lily had discovered it while James was showing her a map he and his friends had created in their 5th year and christened the 'Marauder's Map'. She knew they had devised it after their many exploits around the grounds and castle itself while out at the full moon with Lupin. These were both things that she was not technically supposed to know, but James's infatuation with her over the years had led him to confide in her about things he normally wouldn't have. For instance, as soon as the Marauder's Map had been created he couldn't keep such an achievement inside, and had immediately shown it to her in secret. Although she had not admitted it at the time, she was deeply impressed. The map was a piece of very complicated magic, and she was sure that not many wizards had the knowledge or even patience to create something like it. The map showed the layout of the Hogwarts castle and grounds, including any secret passageways or doors. It also showed the inhabitants of the castle in their present locations as tiny labeled dots. It was obviously a tool used for rule breaking, but it had also proven to have several practical applications. At the time that James had shown Lily the map, he had been so busy impressing her that he didn't notice she was keenly eying the map, looking at all the secret passageways and rooms. It was here that she saw a tower that appeared empty. The entrance to it was hidden behind a girls lavatory stall, and Lily had sneaking suspicion that she and Alice would not be the first friends to use it as a secret getaway. It was perfectly hidden, as girls, who are usually less inclined to rule breaking, do not go looking for secret passages and doors in every place they encounter.
Today the bathroom was again deserted. This was not surprising, as the bathroom was notorious for being haunted by the ghost of teenage girl who had died there about ten years ago. The ghost had earned herself the name "Moaning Myrtle" because of her incessant wailing and whining. She seemed to think that there was nothing more enjoyable than sobbing and sniffling miserably to anyone who would listen. Fortunately, this kept most girls out of the bathroom, unless it was an absolute emergency. However, as Lily and Alice had soon found out, Myrtle was usually not in the bathroom either, so they had yet to answer any awkward questions. Taking out her wand Lily and Alice squeezed into the stall. Lily tapped the wall behind the toilet and whispered "Alohamora". She had thought it particularly clever that whoever has created this entrance used the simple and common unlocking spell to open the secret doorway. While most wizards knew the spell, it was only supposed to work on something that you could see was obviously locked; so if one didn't know the door was there, they would hardly chance to utter "Alohamora" at a solid wall. Today she watched absent mindedly as for the thousandth time the wall in front of them slowly and silently opened like a pair of double doors, revealing a tightly spiraling staircase. As Alice and Lily stepped onto the foot of the stairs, they began to move slowly up like an escalator, the same way they did at the entrance to the Headmasters office.
The girls stepped off the stairs into a small circular room. The ceiling was cone shaped, and was home to the odd owl, especially when the Owlery grew too crowded. The floor was paneled with a warm, soft colored wood, and worn to a dull sheen from years of wear. The walls were hung with tapestries, similar to those in the Gryffindor common room, and torches burned in elaborate brackets around the windows, of which there were many. A worn and rickety table stood to one side flanked by three chairs. The room also contained a number of old but comfortable cushions, scattered around the floor; a rocking chair by one of the windows; a bookshelf stuffed to bursting with books of every kind; and also, for some reason, a small but magnificent canopied bed. When they had first seen the room, furnished as it still was, Lily and Alice had wondered if it wasn't perhaps a Professors room. But that idea had been quickly extinguished, as the entrance to it was behind a students bathroom stall. Lily had sensed there was a history to the room, and that it had lain untouched for a long time, but this simply added to majesty and mystery of the room, and made it that more dear to her. The bed had proven useful, for sleepovers and afternoon naps. In recent months however, after much discussion, it had also provided a useful place for Alice and her boyfriend to meet. Lily had been opposed to this idea at first, since it was their sacred feminine sanctuary, but in the end had given in; she really liked Frank, and they didn't use it often, and as Alice pointed out, there was bound to be a day soon when Lily would want the room to herself as well. Lily had thought that Alice said this with a slightly ominous air, and realized that her friend was trying to urge her in that direction. Looking at the bed Lily scowled and plopped down in the rocking chair by the window.
"So talk to me, what's eating you today?" Alice asked kindly, settling herself on the bed, "James?"
"Of course James. He's so exasperating." Alice smirked; Lily always used the most complicated word to describe a situation. It had annoyed her at first, as Alice was never the brainy type, like Lily, but still, once she got used to it, it became one of those endearing little idiosyncrasies she adored about her friend. "I mean, today, there he was, sitting under that tree by the lake, with that darn snitch that he stole, letting it fly away so he can catch it, and practice those already flawless reflexes he has...and always messing up his hair, so that it looks all windswept, and so good!" As much as the fact that he did it annoyed her, she couldn't help but think it was attractive. It was unavoidable that he was just that good at Quidditch. She was a good flyer herself, and maybe that was why she appreciated it so much. And while he wasn't the best looking boy in the year, Sirius was certainly the gorgeous one, there was something about that long, lean frame of his, and those catlike hazel eyes, and that untidy black hair—she knew she had to face the fact that she liked James Potter.
"Look Lil," Alice said gently, "I know how you feel about James. He's really a great guy. I know, I know," she said as Lily opened her mouth to contradict the statement, "Just hear me out OK? He's a great guy. He's intelligent, way beyond his year, like you. He's good at Quidditch, plain and simple. He's good looking, not in that drop-dead-gorgeous way, but still, intriguing. And when he's not playing games with the boys, or showing off for girls, or" her face darkening "being a git to Snape, he's a genuinely nice guy."
"Yes, but how do you know? I mean, that scene earlier, the way he looked, it was scary. It was like he was as bad as Snape and Malfoy, judging them the same way they judge him, and ready to resort to violence if he had to. I just don't understand him sometimes." Lily appreciated her friends concern, but just wasn't sure what to believe.
"Well, Frank talks about him. They are actually on really good terms. I know they don't really hang out, but they get together for homework and stuff, when Sirius feels too high and mighty to study, and Frank says that he's really pleasant to be around."
"Really? Frank thinks that?" this gave Lily reason to pause. She had always been jealous of Alice and Frank. He was the perfect guy, generous, sweet, and caring. He didn't seem to have an ego, and was the perfect gentleman.
"Really, so don't worry yourself about him. I know that display in the hallway was despicable, but really, I mean, you saw how Snape was to you, and you can't imagine that James started that conversation anyway. Snape is just evil Lil, evil, and that's not to mention Malfoy. He makes my skin crawl. So don't judge James on that, he doesn't really threaten other people all that much. And he does genuinely like you, I mean really like you." At this Lily couldn't help but grin. The grin got bigger and more foolish as she thought about James liking her, and it wasn't long before both she and Alice dissolved into giggles.
"Come on Lil," Alice said, trying to stop laughing, "let's get to work on this transfiguration. I still can't manage to change my hedgehog completely." So the girls pulled out their books and Alice pulled the hedgehog she had swiped from class out of her bag and set it on the table. Lily stole one last furtive glance at the bed and pushed her fantasies aside. She still had three essays and a chapter of charms to get through, and fantasies of James on the bed were not going to help her.

Lily and Alice practiced until darkness had fallen outside, completely forgetting about dinner. After an hour or so, Alice had finally managed to turn her Hedgehog into a rose bush, and Lily had made her practice until she could do it every time. Then Lily had left Alice to her Herbology, while she proceeded on to Ancient Runes. It was half past eight when Alice finally dragged Lily out of her book and they began to gather their stuff.
"We really need to set up some sort of alarm up here, for times like this," Alice commented as they moved down the staircase. "If we're not careful we'll be caught out after hours by Filch!" Lily mused at her friend's idea. It did seem miraculous that they had never once been caught in the two years they had been using the room. It was true that when she got lost in a book and Alice got lost practicing a spell, time passed without either of them paying it any attention. As it was, they only had barely twenty minutes to reach their common rooms, neither of which was in the same vicinity of the castle as their tower. On the third floor they split up, Alice going down the stairs to the Hufflepuff common room, and Lily proceeding up towards the Gryffindor tower. She was lost in thought as she passed someone in the hall, and didn't pay attention until she was snapped out of her reverie by a smooth, drawling voice.
"Why Evans," the man said to her back, "where are you off to at this hour of the night? Perhaps I should call Filch, and alert him to the presence of an out of bounds student." The taunting voice belonged to Lucius Malfoy, and Lily apprehensively turned to look him in the eye.
"I don't remember it being any of your business where and when I go where I do, Malfoy." She retorted coolly.
"Oh, my mistake" mocked Lucius, moving slowly closer to her. "I guess I thought after our encounter earlier you might have something to say to me. Perhaps a threat, a curse...maybe even a jinx or two. You really were quite convincing you know." He was advancing slowly toward her, "but then again, I should have known, those were just the idle threats of a worthless little mudblood like yourself!" Lily gasped sharply at the insult. It had not been thrown at her often since her coming to Hogwarts, and she never got used to hearing it. "That's right," he said, and grabbed her by the arm, pulling her closer to his sneering face, "I called you a mudblood, and there's no Potter here to stick up for you this time." His bright, blue eyes seemed to pierce through her as she struggled to free herself from his grip.
"Let me go Lucius!" she gasped.
"Oh? On a first name basis are we, Lily? No, I don't think I will." He raised one hand to brush a stray hair from her face, "you know, it's a shame you aren't a clean, pure wizard...you are devastatingly beautiful." His light eyes met cruelly with her bright green eyes, and she stopped struggling suddenly. Her eyes widened in fear.
"Don't do anything stupid Lucius." Her voice trembled as she leaned away from him, "We're in the middle of a hallway." She wanted to look around, run away from him, anything, but his eyes had her locked in a deadly stare.
"Oh but it's late dear sweet Lily, or didn't you notice? Most self respecting students are in their common rooms where they are supposed to be, aren't they?" With that he pushed her up against the wall, in between a painting of an elderly man who seemed to be asleep, and a suit of amour. She felt him crush his body against hers; felt his warm, heavy breath on her face; smelled his clean, perfumed, aristocratic scent; felt his groin digging lustfully into her stomach. He leaned in and smelled her hair, "No wonder Potter has been after you for so long, you are delicious...and untainted..." he taunted her softly. "I know why you resist him, where most girls would dash at a chance to be his slave," he was now whispering in her ear, "that's right, virgin-saint-Evans. Your reputation precedes you, even outside of school. Besides, don't think I didn't watch you when I was here; you were always so self respecting and proper. Don't want that chaste reputation to go down the drain now do we?" Lily was beginning to panic; when Malfoy had pushed her into the wall he had pinned her arms behind her back, and she could not access her wand. With one hand he held her arms firmly behind her back, and he was strong, there was no chance she could break free. The other beautifully manicured hand began to snake up her thigh. Repulsed and horrified she gasped and struggled, but he was too powerful for her. His fingers teasingly grazed between her legs, and the touch sent a terrible shock wave through her body. With a lightning realization, she knew that while she was terrified for her life, and hated Lucius and what he stood for more than anything, she wanted to be had in the way this man wanted to have her. Her teenage body was crying out to be touched as her mind cried out to be away from this nightmare.
"Yes," Malfoy breathed tantalizingly into her ear, "you want it don't you? As much as you hate me, you want me too. Just like as much as I loathe your mudblood, I want you. I want to posses you!" His hand now roughly caressed her stomach and reached up towards her breasts. At this she tried to lash out and bite him, do anything to get away, but this just seemed to excite him more. She could feel him rise against her and was disgusted. In one swift movement he released her hands and tore open her shirt, and had her pinned down again before she had had time to think. The maneuver made her wonder in horror how many other girls had fallen prey to this beautiful monsters hands. Just as she thought this, she also thought she heard someone coming. Malfoy was now consumed by her exposed breasts and was caressing them, cupping them, teasing them, turning her on against her will. But he was too occupied to hear the approaching footsteps that Lily was now hearing. Desperately she cried out.
"Help! Someone, please he—," but she was cut off by Malfoy slapping her hard across the face.
"Lily?! Hey! Let go of her now! Locomotor Mortis!" she heard someone yell and suddenly Lucius fell to the floor, his limbs locked together motionless. Trembling, Lily looked up to see James running towards her. His face looked almost as frightened as hers, and as he approached her he grabbed her shirt and pulled it shut looking earnestly into her eyes. "Are you OK?" His voice trembled slightly, and she saw real fear and horror in his face.
"Yes-I mean, No-No-I'm not hurt..." she finally managed to gasp out, and then collapsed onto him, and he grabbed her to stop her from falling. After a moment, when they had both stopped breathing so hard, James seemed to remember that Malfoy was at his feet. He turned quickly and pointed his wand down at the immobile form sneering up at him.
"I don't even know a curse that would come close to what you deserve!" he snarled, his face suddenly a horrible mask of hatred and anger. Lily hugged closer to him, scared of what he might do, but at the same time wishing it would be something terrible. Malfoy laughed quietly.
"I do," he offered back, a devilish grin on his face. "But then again, three years in the real world will teach you how to- ah- adequately defend yourself. Release me Potter!" Lucius demanded, and his tone was suddenly more commanding and powerful than anything James had ever heard. Almost against his will it seemed, James raised his wand and muttered "Finito Incantatem". Malfoy's limbs relaxed and after a moment he gracefully returned to his feet.
"Yes, Potter," Lucius quietly spat, "I am powerful, you would do well to remember that." His eyes glinted dangerously, and his face held a cool sort of anger, hiding just behind his elegant façade. James was starring daggers at Malfoy, and for a moment the young mans dangerous gaze faltered. It was as if for a moment he saw a flicker of something disconcerting in James face.
"James, please, let's go..." Lily whispered hoarsely, she just wanted to put as much distance between herself and this hallway as possible now. James looked at her, and then his face softened slightly, and turned worried again. He turned away from Lucius and guided her away up another staircase. As they left Lucius called out to their retreating backs, "Don't make the mistake of thinking that this encounter will go unreported. You attacked an employee of the Ministry of Magic. It is not wise for school boys to meddle in things they know nothing of!" but Lily and James had begun ascending a stairway and were ignoring him.
"It's after hours, Lily," James said gently, "we need to get out of the halls." He sensed that she might not want to go back to the noisy, crowded Gryffindor common room, and for that she was grateful. As she thought about it, that was the last place she wanted to be. She needed somewhere quiet, somewhere safe, somewhere out of the way. Of course she knew she needed her secret tower...but to take James there now?
"There's a place Alice and I know about, I'd like to go there...if that's ok..." she trailed, off not knowing what she wanted.
"Sure it is Lil," James said gently. At the use of the pet name, Lily's eyes darted to his for a moment, quizzically. "Just hold on a tic." At that James guided her into an empty classroom and sat her at a desk. Then he pulled a mirror out of his pocket and breathed on it, muttering "Sirius" as he did so. Intrigued, Lily watched as the mirror turned milky then revealed the common room, with Sirius's face.
"What's up Prongs?" the handsome boy asked carelessly.
"Padfoot, it was Malfoy again," James said darkly. The look on Sirius's face instantly changed.
"Just now? God, the same again?" he said sharply. James glanced ever so slightly at Lily, "Yes, the same." "Bloody hell...alright, what do you need?" there was suddenly uncharacteristic concern and urgency in his voice. "I need you to get the cloak and nick down to the Puff's and find Alice and Frankie. I'm waiting in the old Charms classroom. Let me know if you get held up."