Disclaimer: I don't own anything that you recognize

A/N: Thanks to all of you reviewes and to Ally Serenity for betaing this chapter.

Chapter 3

Lily had started her training. Dumbledore was still amazed at Lily's intelligence. She had succeeded in learning in few months, things that people usually took years to learn. Amaris had now reached her adult height, and was now as tall and strong as a golden, due to Lily. She had developed an elaborate training for her and her dragon that had allowed them both to develop her abilities a lot. They were very close, so they could speak easily mind to mind. They shared every feeling: sadness, joy, pain, and happiness. Lily now couldn't imagine her life without Amaris.

Lily, behind!

Lily turned and saw a fireball coming right on her.

Dive, Amaris!

Amaris obeyed, and the danger passed.

Thanks Amaris.

"You always must watch your back," shouted Sir Albus.

"I know! Be careful!"

"I know,"

Amaris, Listen, I have a plan…

She explained what she had in mind.

Great! Let's go!

Sir Albus and Lily were having a flying fight that had been going on for nearly half an hour, and so far neither of them had managed to weaken his or her opponent.

Lily held up her wand; for this fight she wasn't allowed to do wandless magic. Her wand was composed of willow and unicorn hair, and was 10 ¾ inches. She preferred not using her wand, for it seemed more natural without it. However, what must be, must be.

"Insensivium!" Her spell traveled and hit Deris. Amaris then approached the golden dragon, and then went higher. When they were above Sir Albus, Lily cast another spell, "Ilusium mihi."

OK; dive my beauty. Try to pass the closest you can.

The silver dived, and got faster and faster like a silver arrow. As Lily had thought, Deris moved on his right to dodge the female. But at the moment when Amaris passed under him, Lily jumped and caught onto one of his feet. Deris didn't realize her presence due to the first spell she cast, which suppressed all sensations.

He must have a shield around him to protect him, she thought. While she was trying to find a solution, Aramis was distracting Sir Albus, who didn't realize the disappearance of Lily, for she had produced an illusion of herself.

I know a protective shield has a weak point, but which one? Ohhh!…Yes! That is it: it's like an umbrella, it does not protect bellow! Hmmm, so I can…

Immediately she placed herself just below Sir Albus, on Deris's foot. She then cast a spell she had invented; it would destroy the shield and paralyze everyone who was protected by it: the shield would be transformed into ropes.

"Metacorda shield"

The only drawback of this spell was that it had to be cast from underneath the shield.

All of a sudden, Sir Albus was tied up. Lily climbed up behind him.

"I think you are my prisoner, Sir." She said.

Sir Albus was laughing! Deris landed in a field, and Lily climbed off his back, carrying Sir Albus.

"Yes my dear, you have won, now untie me please."

"Not before you give me your wand," Replied Lily.

Sir Albus handed her his wand. As she was about to remove the ropes, a sentence rang in her head "Never trust an enemy, always expect the worse." So she cast a variant of the protective shield, it was less strong but she was entirely protected. She was right: as soon as he was released, he moved his hand and muttered Stupefy! The spell rebounded on the shield and hit Sir Albus.

"Well done my dear, I admit my defeat." He bowed in front of her.

She gave him his wand.

"You are very gifted, Lily; that was the best plan I have ever seen!" During this, Amaris had come near them.

You were fantastic, Amaris! You are the best dragon ever!

And you the best rider!

"It was very good. Lily you are my best student, and the most powerful now as well."

"Thank you, Sir,"

"I wanted to ask you, would you like to participate to the new-rider-tournament that is taking place in a month? There is a great chance that you will win it. You are the only competitor, with a few other persons, with the talent to win it, and Amaris is one of the best."

"Is not this tournament reserved to nobles?" Lily was puzzled at Sir Albus's offer; this tournament was one the biggest events of the year. How could she even think of participating?

"No; it's reserved to Dragon-riders, and you are a dragon rider."

"But…I CANNOT! There will the prince, court, nobles! I am a commoner; I haven't the chance! Moreover, they would not let a commoner participate, even if she was a dragon-rider!"

"Who said that they have to know your identity?" asked Sir Albus with a twinkle in his eye.

"I am not obliged to give my name to participate?"

"You have to give a name, that is all," explained Sir Albus.

"That is true? It could work; if I wear a mask, nobody will recognize me… You are sure I have a chance?"

Her modesty and her lack of self-confidence made Sir Albus smile.

"You will be wonderful!"

"If you're sure, then I accept! But I shall train myself and Amaris even harder!"

"I was expecting that."

Sir Albus mount Deris.

"I am going to enroll you and Amaris; what name do you want to use?"

"Lya."

"Then Lya it shall be. You can work on the trap-circuit." He said before leaving.

We will win this. Do you agree Amaris?

Yes, we will show them who is the better team!

You know Maris, a female has not won this tournament yet…

WE will win, together.

You are the best friend I could ever have…

Lily leaned on Amaris's neck who comforted her.

Lily, if you want to win, we have to train!

You are right my beauty, as always!

They spent hours on the circuit that Sir Albus had built: there were a lot of tests of strength, agility, intelligence, strategic, enduring, … There were also traps that Lily had installed. Not too soon, they were exhausted. A few minutes after finishing their training, Sir Albus came back.

"You shall participate, Lily! But I warn you, no wandless magic!"

"It is forbidden?"

"No, but as only very few people manage to do it, it will be unfair…"

"You are right…"

"So you will have to be there at 7 am. I think you know the gist of the tournament. What will you wear?"

"I have thought of wearing silver: a helmet to hide my hair, a mask to disguise my face, boots, trousers, and a long tunic. I will take care of it."

"Good! Is there someone who would recognize you?"

"Lady Bella will if she sees me. Sir Remus, Sir Sirius and Prince James may too, but I am not sure. They were looking at their horses, not at me!"

"They are all participating in the tournament,"

We can win Lily, we will train ourselves harder than before, and from now on, you will only train with your wand, interrupted Amaris, as she felt Lily's doubts. Lily laughed.

You are right as always. You are the best Maris,

I know, I know…

Lily laughed again; she had a nice laugh, but people rarely heard it. Since Sir Albus had become her teacher, Lily had been correctly fed. She was tall and athletic, her hair was now very long but messy, and they reached her hips. She had huge green eyes, and a nice complexion. People couldn't say she was pretty, but she was unusual; singled out.

The months before the tournament went quickly.

Lily woke up early, for she had to prepare Amaris. She wanted both of them to shine that day. After a quick breakfast, she took care of the dragon, and then prepared herself.

"I will escort you," announced Sir Albus.

"Thank you; I don't know what to say to thank you for all you have done for me."

"Don't say anything, you are worth it." He kissed her on her forehead. "Good luck my fairly dragon-rider."

When they arrived, all the other competitors were already there. Lily recognized Lady Bella, Sirs Sirius and Remus, and the prince James.

"I must leave you here. Remember you can do it; have faith in Amaris."

"I will follow your advice, Sir."

Sir Albus left Lily, and joined the King and the Queen.

"Do you want to bet, Albus?" asked King Regis.

"Gladly!"

"The winner will be James."

"I said that it'll be Bella," announced the Queen

"And you Albus?"

"It will be Lya; without any doubt."

Lily approached her opponents. Then a herald came and started explaining the rules and the trials. Lily listened carefully.

His speech finished, and the herald announced the first matches.

They had now fifteen minutes before the start of the tournament. Lily was one the last. She stayed near Amaris, talking with her, elaborating strategies…

Prince James was very happy; in fact his only real rivals were Bella, Sirius and Remus. He knew the others and the fact they were not a danger for him. Suddenly Tharis warned him of a new arrival. He saw two dragons: one golden, and one silver. The silver was very big, as big as the golden one. He realized that one of the riders was Sir Albus and his dragon Deris. But he did not know that anyone had found a silver dragon beside Bella, Cleia and Elianor. Her rider was a tall girl, dressed in silver from head to toe, and wore a helmet and mask. She apparently had red hair, but he wasn't quite sure. He turned to ask Bella.

"Bella, do you know her?"

"Who? …No, I've never seen her before."

The girl was talking to Sir Albus, and then he left. As James and his friends started walking towards her, a herald came to announce the rules. They stopped and listened to him, but as soon as he was finished, they headed towards the girl, who was talking with her dragon. She looked up and saw them.

"Your majesty," she curtsied, and then looked at Sirius, Remus, and Bella expectantly.

"Sir Sirius," He bowed.

"Sir Remus," He bowed too.

"Lady Bella." she smiled, this young woman reminded her or somebody, but she did not quite know who.

"It is a pleasure to meet you," said the mysterious girl. She had a pleasant voice.

"Excuse-me, but what is your name, fair lady?"

The girl darkened.

"Call me Lya." She answered simply. "May I present to you Amaris?" she pointed to her dragon, with love on her face.

The Silver bowed respectfully, and the four friends presented their dragons as well.

Then the first fight started.

Lily carefully observed the fight in order to find the weak points of her opponent. The fight went by quickly. She smiled a little; Sir Albus had been right, the odds were definitely in her favor.

The prince and his friends easily won their fights, and soon it was Lily's turn. Her rival was a short man with blond hair named Sir Peter, who mounted a blue dragon. At the first sight she saw that his dragon wasn't trained enough, he was a bit chubby. It is going to be easy, she thought. He will cast the Expelliarmus charm first.

The man held up his wand.

"Expelliarmus!"

"Reflecta!" The man's spell seemed to rebound off a wall, and traveled to Sir Peter. Surprised, he wasn't fast enough to dodge it. The spell hit him.

"Accio wand" said Lily calmly. She was a bit disappointed that it had been so easy. As she had caught the wand of her opponent, which was the purpose of the fight, she was declared winner.

Very good Amaris!

The dragon snorted That was nothing; I can't wait to have a real competitor!

Me too, Maris, me too.

Prince James and his friend had watched Lily's fight.

"She is good." stated Remus, a bit impressed.

"Yeah, I wonder why we have not seen her before." Said the Prince.

"You have competition Bella!" announced Sirius.

"You too!" replied she

"Bella, a silver can't compete with a Bronze or a Golden!"

Bella was about to answered when she was cut by another voice.

"Is that what you think?" They turned to see who had spoken.

Lily stood there, smirking.

"Us poor little weak females can't win against the big strong males?" she asked ironically.

"It's more that the Silvers aren't as strong as the male Bronzes or Golden." He stated.

"Really?" Lily looked at him with doubt. "We will see then. May the best win!" With that she left four puzzled people.

"I definitely like her," declared Bella, smiling at Sirius's confused face.

"Me too." said Remus, grinning. "I would like to know her real name…"

"It's not Lya?" cut Sirius, surprised.

"Are you really that thick Sirius! She said: 'called me Lya', not 'My name is Lya'."

"My prince, it is your turn to fight in a few minutes," said a herald.

"Thank you," answered James, before mounting Tharis.

The day passed quickly, only eight riders were still in the tournament; the others had been eliminated. There were Sirs Sirius, Remus, Severus, Lucius, Prince James, and Ladies Bella, Elianor, and Lya. The first opposing the Prince to Sir Lucius was won by the Prince. Then Sir Severus won against Sir Remus. And Lady Bella won against Lady Elianor. It was the last fight, which opposed Sir Sirius to Lily.

King Regis turned to talk to Dumbledore.

"Your student may be good, but I don't think she can win this fight; Sirius and Mneris are very good."

"We shall see; she may surprise you."

Before mounting their dragon, Sir Sirius approached Lily.

"Let us see if a female can beat a male. Prepare to loose, Lya." He said, grinning.

Lily curtsied.

"As I have said, may the best win…"

With that she jumped on Amaris. Smiling, Sir Sirius did the same. They sprang into the air, and waited for the herald's signal.

"Last fight: Lya against Sir Sirius. Go! The crowd cheered, but a Silencium charm had been put on it so that the competitors would not be helped.

He will use his strength. His dragon is stronger, but not too much, and Amaris is faster-

Amaris, do you want to have fun?

Yes, I am bored!

Show to Sir Sirius what we can do…

Amaris mentally laughed, for she had understood her rider's idea.

Lil, you're a little devil!

I know but be careful, he's coming!

Let's go!

Sir Sirius was coming very fast. Lily and Amaris stayed still until the last moment, then she dodged and flew above them. They played this game for a moment.

"Lya! Stop this! Are you afraid to fight with me?" shouted Sir Sirius.

"As you wish!"

She approached him and they started to exchange spells but could not hit the other.

While battling, Lily was thinking of a way to pass through his defenses. She had an idea.

Amaris, do you think that…

Great, he won't understand what had hit him.

Let's do it!

They Lily stopped casting spells.

"You admit your defeat!"

She simply smiled and Amaris went higher. She stopped when she was far, far above Sir Sirius.

"Sirius will win." stated Regis.

"I don't think so; she will find a way…"

Ready?

Yes.

Don't miss me!

I will never let you fall Lily!

Thanks. Go!

Lily stood up.

Dumbledore saw her and laughed he knew this strategy

"Sirius will loose, your majesty."

"What! Impossible!"

"He will not be able to dodge this attack; she has done this once against me and she managed to win." Explained Sir Albus, grinning.

Then she…. Jumped.

Horrified, Sir Sirius watched as the girl fell. He was petrified, and so busy watching her, that he didn't see Amaris diving to catch her. As she passed before him, she muttered "Accio wand". His wand flew right to her, and he didn't even realize it. When she was twenty meters from the ground, Amaris reached her. She placed herself bellow, so Lily fell onto her back. They were at ten meters from the ground.

Excellent timing Maris.

Nice jump.

Thank you, my beauty.

They approached Sir Sirius, who was still stunned by what had happened.

"What do you think of that?" asked Lily jokingly

"You're crazy!" he shouted.

"I know it. But would we continue our little fight?"

"With pleasure." He held up his hand, but then realized his wand had disappeared.

"Oh, I'm sorry! Perhaps, you will need this to battle." she added, playing with a piece of wood in fake innocence.

Sir Sirius starred at her, unbelieving. Then he burst of laughing.

"Well done! I admit my defeat, fairest lady!"

"Good!"

They landed and climbed off.

"I believe this is yours," said Lily, handing him his wand.

"Thank you, you will have to teach me that move."

"It works only once, but generally it gives you the victory." explained Lily. "The second time, the rider does not fall for it."

"Okay, but it's great!"

"So is the female sex weak?"

"Who said that?" answered Sir Sirius, an innocent look on his face.

They were interrupted by Prince James, Remus, and Bella.

"That was amazing! You have nearly give me a heart-attack!" shouted Bella.

"Thanks."

You were wonderful, Maris

"Congratulations." Said the Prince, "Who is your next opponent?"

"Sir Severus."

"Be careful," said Bella, a bit worried, "He is dangerous."

"I will, don't worry for me."

With that, she left to take care of Amaris before her next fight.

"You were right Albus; she is great. But still, I don't think she will beat James." Stated the King.

"Maybe," Sir Albus answered mysteriously.

Prince James was puzzled by this girl. She was great. He had never seen someone ride like her. It had been a shock for him to see Sirius loose. When she had jumped he… he didn't know the words to describe what he had felt.

"James?" He came back to reality.

"It's your turn." said Remus.

Lily was having a rest before her next fight. She had observed Sir Severus, and apparently he didn't attack in front, but used tricks to win.

This will be interesting; she thought. She then heard that James had won his fight against Bella.

She got up, mounted the silver dragon and rose in the air, and the fight begun.

Sir Severus was a cunning opponent; Lily had to be careful. Suddenly she heard Amaris cry out. She looked down. Sir Severus had created two giant ravens who were attacking Amaris. One of her injuries was bleeding. This wasn't fair!

If he wants to play this way, I can! Lily healed her dragon. She was mad; Amaris had been injured.

Don't be too drastic, Lily! said Amaris, worried to see her rider in this mood.

I won't kill him, but I will teach him something! What do you think of the phoenix?

All right…

Then she blew a big ball of fire…

Sir Albus was a bit worried; he didn't know how she would react to Sir Severus's unfair methods. He wasn't afraid for her, but for him.

"Worried, Albus?" asked the King.

"Not for her, but for him, she can be extremely dangerous when she wants to. She cannot bear unfair ways."

Sir Severus saw the ball of fire and dodged it; but instead of traveling towards him, it flew in Lily's hands.

"Metaphoenix!" She shouted. Immediately the ball became a huge and beautiful phoenix. Then she pointed her wand to the ravens. The Phoenix dived on them and destroyed them.

"Initiatus!" said Lily, a bit more calmly. The phoenix again became a ball of fire, and she threw it with all her strength to Sir Severus. Destabilized by the disappearance of his ravens, he dodged just in time, but was unbalanced by this movement. Lily took advantage of it to catch his wand. Once she was declared winner, she landed.

Bella was waiting for her along with Sirius, Remus and James.

"Great, Lya! It was fabulous!" said Sirius.

Lily didn't answer; she was still a bit mad due to Sir Severus's behavior.

"Is he always like this?" she asked to Bella.

"Who? Severus?"

She nodded.

"Yes. He is feared by a lot of people. He is powerful and-"

"-has never washed his hair." completed Sirius.

Lily laughed. She took of her helmet, and her hair fell. She had put it in a braid, which reached the bottom of her back.

"Come, you have an hour before your fight against James; I will give you a tour. Without you boys." She said threateningly to the boys.

She dragged Lily around the castle. Finally they stopped in the stables.

"Have you a horse?" asked Lily.

"Yes, come I will show you all of ours."

Devil, Joker, Moon and Flame recognized her. They rubbed their noses on her, happy to see her. She laughed and embraced them.

"They love you! It is unusual; in general they are very wild and nobody beside us can approach them."

"I have always loved animals…"

Suddenly they heard scared yell from the end of the stable.

"Again," sighed Bella. They ran to see what had happened.

They saw Sir Severus and Sir Lucius with a mare Lily recognized as Angel. Sir Severus was about to strike her.

Lily ran and grabbed his arm before he touched Angel. All of the time she had spent horse training had given her muscles, and she was stronger than him. He tried to escape from her grip but she tightened it.

"What?" he spat.

"If I see you trying to hit an animal again, I swear you will regret the day you were born, understand?"

"Listen, you…" he started, but she tightened her grip again. He stopped, a bit frightened.

"Do you understand?" she repeated again her voice as cold as ice.

He nodded, and she released him. He rubbed his arm, muttering, and then left.

Bella starred at her, amazed.

Lily approached Angel, her eyes full of tears.

"What have he done to you, my precious?"

The mare reared, menacingly. Lily started to whistle. Instantly Angel calmed down and sniffed at Lily. Lily took Angel's head in her hands and kissed her on her forehead. She embraced her, sobbing.

A few minutes later, a bit calmed down, she wiped her tears. She then suddenly remembered Bella, and turned to look at her.

Bella was shocked.

"Lily?" she whispered unbelieving.