"Your need to press down a little harder, Maggie," Lily said, walking up behind the first year girl. "They're kinda tough, and all you're doing is grazing it. Don't be afraid of cutting yourself. I've enchanted all the knives so they won't break human skin." Lily thought about demonstrating but trying to stab through her hand with a knife in front of a bunch of children seemed like a terrible idea.
"But Snape's aren't like that," Maggie said, still chopping her Dreamleek stalks with a nervous energy, her blonde hair tied up in a bun high on her head, little hairs frizzing out of the tie.
"No," Lily admitted with a shrug, "but I'll let you in on a little secret." She winked at the girl and then turned to the rest of her first years, raising her voice so they could all hear. "The knives you're all using are a gift, from me to you: you can keep them to use on your own personal potions!"
"What if we lose them?" Arthur said.
"Then come find me," Lily said. "I'll make you a new one, I promise. And if you want to learn how to do it yourself, I'll happily show you that, too. Now, everybody got their leeks sorted? Because, next, we need to prepare our rat paws."
"Lily!" Hermione called from near the center of the Great Hall, where she was talking with McGonagall. "Can I have a moment?"
"Be right back," Lily said, removing her pinny and placing it across her desk. "Remember: you need to remove the nails from your paws. Do not put them in until I get back. Alright? I'd really prefer not having to carry any of you up to the Hospital Wing."
"Potter," McGonagall said when she approached, a small, approving smile on her lips. "I will leave you to it, Granger. Enjoy your weekend."
"What's wrong?" Lily asked once they were alone.
"Nothing," Hermione said. "How is it going with the first years?"
"Err- it's fine? A bit rubbish at potions, but so are most firsties. Why did you-"
"Cedric!" Hermione said, waving at the seventh year boy. "Can I have a moment, please?"
"What are you up to?" Lily said, narrowing her eyes at the other girl.
"Nothing," Hermione said, an innocent little hum in her voice.
"What is it?" Cedric asked, doing everything he could not to look at Lily.
"How are the third years?" Hermione asked.
"They're alright," Cedric said, looking over at the group. "Running them through some basic drills. With how often we switch defense professors, they seemed like they could use the-"
"Oh!" Hermione said, slapping her forehead as if she'd just remembered something. "I'll be right back. I should make sure Anthony is adjusting to the second years well."
"Wait!" Lily said, trying to grab on to her only to be ignored entirely.
Well, this is just great, she thought, crossing her arms. She looked back towards her first years to make sure they were all working instead of chatting. Most of them were diligently pulling at their rat paws with pairs of silver pliers (and, as she watched, Arthur managed to pull too hard and smack himself in the face with his own hand), but Magdalene and her friend Jasmine were bent close together, whispering and giggling to each other about something that was undoubtedly asinine and irritating. Lily sighed, scratching at her nose. She'd need to have another word with the Gryffindor girls. If they wanted to talk during a lesson, they at least needed to actually do the-
"So," Cedric said, interrupting her thoughts. "Teaching them Potions, huh?"
"Somebody has to," Lily said, still watching her students. "Snape sure isn't. Honestly, we'll probably be spending the rest of the year on it." Lily sighed.
"What potion?"
"Just a basic Toenail Grower."
"I don't remember learning that in first year."
"We didn't, but it's got a lot of good skills in it that should provide a good foundation. Hermione helped me pick it out."
Speaking of Hermione, she seemed to be taking way too long for a quick check-up. She turned her head and found her standing near Anthony, laughing at something he was saying and laying a hand on his arm, and then turned her attention back to the first years, jaw clenched.
"Look," Cedric said, sighing deeply. "I've been doing some thinking, and- I just wanted to say I'm sorry."
"For what?" Lily snapped. "Being a tremendous prat?"
"Yes, actually," Cedric said, bringing her attention to him out of complete surprise. He was standing there, awkwardly rubbing the back of his head and trying not to look at her.
"Come again?" she said.
"I should have just talked to you before getting so angry," Cedric said. "But- well- you said you 'wanted to talk,' so I was already nervous, and then that girl- well, she just seemed to know an awful lot. Like- err- she said that she found you-"
"Stop right there," Lily said, holding up a hand. "I do not want to know what lies she's been spewing."
"Fair enough," Cedric said, rubbing the back of her head. "It just- it got into my head, is all."
"Seriously, Cedric, don't," Lily said, already determined the kill the girl.
"I didn't believe her, at first," Cedric said quickly. "I mean- when you- err- when you kissed me over the summer, you seemed awful embarrassed about just that much. Only- err- her boyfriend backed her up, said that- that you 'came onto him,' so- I don't know, it felt more real."
I'll kill both of them, then, Lily thought irritably. It was no wonder there were so many rumours; Clara probably told everybody that was willing to listen.
"But then he came back a month later," Cedric said, "and told me he'd made the whole thing up because she made him."
"Couldn't bring yourself to apologize then?" Lily said, foot tapping faster.
"Sorry," Cedric said quietly. "I wanted to, but- you looked like the last thing you wanted was to see me. And then- well-"
"Yeah, yeah," Lily said dismissively, waving a hand. "Skeeter outed me. It's whatever. We don't need to talk about it." Just thinking about it was enough to make her feel physically ill. Part of her was very much hoping Skeeter wouldn't accept her offer.
"Right," Cedric said awkwardly. "Well- anyway, I just wanted to say I was sorry. I shouldn't have just-"
"Don't mention it."
"But-"
"Really, don't," Lily said. "Just don't be such a twat next time and go believing something a random stranger tells you."
"Right," Cedric said. "I'll- err- I'll do that, then."
Honestly, Lily wasn't sure the apology did her much good. She certainly just felt much angrier about it, but at least now she had something to focus it on. She took a deep breath before leaving Cedric's side to return to her students; it was fairly obvious to her what Hermione was doing, and she didn't want to bring any negativity to today's activity.
Thankfully, Hermione had enough sense to approach her alone once their S.P.E.W. session was done.
"So," she said pleasantly, "how did it-"
"Don't do that again," Lily interrupted.
"What are you-"
"You set me up to have Cedric apologize," Lily said. "I get it, and I'm not angry, but don't do that again."
Hermione stared at her, blinking slowly.
"Sorry," she said. "Err- it didn't go well, then?"
"Not really," Lily said, slinging her bag of potion supplies over her shoulder. "Come on, I'll tell you on the way."
"That horrible woman," Hermione hissed quietly as they sat at their favourite library table.
"I know," Lily said with a sigh. "Honestly, at least it all makes sense, now. I mean, Beauxbatons has been treating me like a two-knut-whore all term, haven't they?"
"Language, Lily."
"Oh, get over yourself," Lily said, rolling her eyes. "Honestly, how come everybody else is allowed to swear but me?"
"Because I happen to hold you to a higher standard," Hermione said with a dignified sniff. "We'll talk about Clara, later, she's not worth the time. What do you need to work on today?"
"Astronomy," Lily said, sighing.
"Easy enough," Hermione said, reaching into her bag. "Make sure you actually memorise the star chart, alright?"
"What's the point? You know, real Potioneers can just look at one if they need to."
"Yes, well, we won't be able to do that on exams, will we?"
"I just so happen to not be taking those this year, thank you."
"Actually, I've had an idea on that," Hermione said, leaning forward and whispering conspiratorially.
"And that is?"
"See," Hermione said, getting a manic, excited twinkle in her eyes, "I've been thinking about all those different appearances you were trying out lately, and-"
"Oh, those," Lily said, her face growing hot. "Err- I'm pretty sure I was having a mental breakdown during those, Hermione."
"Really?" Hermione said, blinking slowly.
"I mean- err- come on, 'Abigail Anniversary?' Really? That was clearly a cry for help."
"Yes, it definitely wasn't one of your best," Hermione said, suppressing a little smile.
"Why do you think I haven't been doing it anymore?"
"You told me it was because Belby is missing."
"Yes, well- err- that was mostly just an excuse. Honestly, it was like I woke up one morning and realised I've been completely embarrassing myself."
"Well, regardless," Hermione said, continuing onwards, "I've been thinking about how many students are going to be taking exams this year. See, if you were pretending to be a Hogwarts students, they'd catch you, since our class size is so small. But if you were, say, from Beauxbatons, then-"
"Absolutely not," Lily said, crossing her arms.
"You didn't even let me finish!"
"I'm not doing it."
"It'd be good practice!"
"I'm not pretending to be someone else just to take exams, Hermione," Lily said. "I'm not even supposed to take them!"
"But you wouldn't be," Hermione said, failing to suppress the smile this time. "Abigail would be."
"Abby is a Hogwarts student, thank you very much."
"It's not like it really matters, Lily," Hermione said, speaking more softly. "I mean, it's just to see how you'd do and what we need to work on next year. They won't reflect on your marks, since you won't be taking them."
"Hermione, please don't make me take exams."
"Oh, hush. You'll be brilliant."
"I think I'm going to cry."
"Come on, you know I'll help you. And we both know you've got plenty of cute little ideas in mind."
"I- I do not!"
"Lily," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. "I live with you. I've seen you trying on dresses and changing how you look. You even do a little spin when you think I'm not paying you any mind."
"Well," Lily said, crossing her arms and pouting. "I'm certainly not doing that anymore, then."
"Oh, come off it. It's cute."
"And it was supposed to be private."
"Don't do it in front of others, then?"
"Well, what's the point of buying all these dresses if I can't fish for a few compliments?"
"I knew you were doing it on purpose," Hermione said.
"And I'm still waiting."
"Err- on what?"
"A compliment," Lily said, inspecting her paints nails. "You don't get to just enjoy a free show, you know. I have it on good authority that a good deal of people would kill to see my dresses."
"Err- they make your legs look nice?"
"Good enough," Lily said, nodding happily. "You know, if you want, I wouldn't mind letting you try some. I bet you'd look brilliant."
"I- I don't think they'd fit."
"That didn't seem to stop you before."
"Err- that's- I was just-"
Lily leaned forward, intending to take full advantage of her flustered friend, when somebody else decided to sit with them without being invited.
"So," Anthony Goldstein said, setting his bag down in front of him. "How'd I do?"
"Oh, you were brilliant," Hermione said pleasantly. "Honestly, the second years seemed to have loads of fun."
Lily crossed her arms and leaned back in her seat, grumbling to herself.
"Well, I was worried I'd muck it up, at first," Anthony said, "I mean, I couldn't stop stammering when we started, but I seemed to get the hang of it, didn't I?"
"How did the lesson itself go? Did they get it?"
"I think so? I mean, it's just Astronomy. It's mostly just routine memorization. What's so hard about that?"
Right, Lily said, narrowing her eyes at the lad when he put a hand over one of Hermione's.
"Oh, there's Mandy!" Hermione said, perking up further as the Ravenclaw girl approached their table.
"Sorry I'm late," Mandy said, sitting across from Anthony. "I was just-"
"We'll continue this later, Hermione," Lily said, handing her star chart back. "Think I'll go have a walk."
"You sure?" Hermione said, glancing between the Slytherin girl and her two new friends. "We could go with you, if you'd like."
"No, I'm think I'm good," Lily said, plastering a fake smile on her face. "You three have fun. I'll go drown myself in the Lake."
"Come again?" Hermione called after her. Lily just waved as she walked away.
Lily walked with her hands tucked into her pockets, letting her feet carry her. She didn't really feel like going outside, at least not alone, but she also didn't really feel like moping about inside, either. It was just one of those days. All she really wanted to do was chat with Hermione, get their work done, and then head back to the dorm where she could get some studying done with her cat purring in her lap, Hermione helping her through her slowly shrinking backlog of work. It was bad enough Hermione invited Anthony to take over the second years during their tutoring sessions, she didn't need them showing up everywhere.
She also didn't need Fleur showing up the instant she turned down a second floor hallway that was supposed to be empty.
"You've been avoiding me, Lily," Fleur said, falling into step with her.
"No, I haven't," Lily lied, her face growing hot. What was the point of sneaking around so somebody couldn't find you if they just did it anyway?
"Your performance in the task was exemplary," Fleur said. "You did not deserve such low scores."
"Err- thank you?"
"Of course, there is one thing that bothers me," Fleur said, tapping a single finger against her lips. "Your movements. You did not know how to swim prior to the task, did you?"
"Err- that's- I mean, I-"
"I thought so," Fleur said, nodding satisfactorily.
"Listen," Lily said, accidentally slipping back into English for a moment, "if you're about to offer me swimming lessons, don't. I don't want to go in the water ever again, thank you very much."
"I was not going to," Fleur said. "As a matter of fact, I was going to take you up on that offer for a Hogsmeade visit, provided things- err- 'didn't work out weeth Katie?' Are zose zee words?"
Lily stopped midstride, mouth hanging open stupidly, blinking in wonder at the French vixen. "You- you were?" She was suddenly very much in need of a pinch to bring her back to reality.
"Yes," Fleur said, holding her chin up proudly. "Strictly nonromantically, of course. I don't want you getting the wrong idea."
"Oh," Lily said, her shoulders completely deflating.
"I have not had much time to explore the village," Fleur said. "I would very much like the opportunity to do so, and a guide seems appropriate."
"Oh," Lily said, her shoulders sagging even further. Of course she was just going to be a glorified chaperone. Why should she expect anything different?
"We can conduct zee 'ole zing een Engleesh," Fleur said. "Madame Maxime says zat I need a great deal of work. Ridiculous, no?"
"The 'th' in 'thing' doesn't make the same sound as 'that,' Fleur," Lily said, sighing. "And you're drawing out 'ridiculous' too much. Just say it nice and fast."
Fleur nodded, absorbing the information. "Per'aps a beet- err- bit of practice zen, no? 'ow about eet?"
"Why do you want to practice, anyway?" Lily asked.
"Because I intend on staying in Britain after I finish Beauxbatons," Fleur said. "Professor Dumbledore personally requested it, as a matter of fact, and I've already found a position with- 'ow you say?Gringotts?"
"Great," Lily said under her breath. "Just what I needed. Another babysitter."
"Lily?"Fleur said. "what does zat mean?"
"Nothing," Lily said quickly. "Listen, I'd love to, but-"
"Magnificent!" Fleur said, placing a soft, warm, wonderful hand on Lily's shoulder and rendering her complaints pointless. "'ow about we meet up after lunch, zen? Say, twelve o'clock?"
"Alright," Lily said, laying a hand over where Fleur's had been just moments ago.
"I will see you then, Lily," Fleur said, giving a wave, a smile, and then leaving her in the crowded hallway feeling like a complete fool.
"You have got to learn how to say 'no,' Lily," Hermione said when she told her later that night. "You can't keep going and accepting every little offer just because you think a girl is pretty."
"I know," Lily said, sighing and stroking the cat in her lap. "Honestly, I do. It's just- it's really hard. I mean, I look them in the eye, and then my mouth goes all dry and it feels like my brain stops working."
"What are you going to do, then?"
"I don't know," Lily said, sighing again. "Probably just not show up, to be honest."
"Lily. You can't keep ghosting people, either."
"Don't say that in front of the Bloody Baron. I don't think he'd appreciate it."
"I'm serious, Lily."
"Then I'll just have to bring Lavender with me," Lily said. "I mean, Fleur made it clear this isn't a date, so what's the harm?"
Hermione was shaking her head and giving her a very strange look.
"You have a lot to learn about girls," she said.
"You'd think it wouldn't be so hard, seeing as I am one."
"And, yet, here you are."
"I'll figure it out," Lily said, scratching the side of her nose. "What did you get on question 13?"
"Oh, no, you don't. You know how this works."
"Oh, come on!"
"You're not copying my answer. You have to at least try first."
"I did! I just- we both know it's not right."
"What did you get?"
"I- I'd rather not say."
"Lily."
"It's embarrassing!"
"Oh, just tell me, and I'll-"
Hermione was interrupted by a knock at their door, and Lily started to receive flashbacks of Daphne Greengrass coming to ruin their friendship. She was almost hoping Hermione wasn't going to open the door, and her heart fell when Hermione slid off the bed and crossed the room to the entrance. Her heart fell a bit more when her traitorous cat hopped down to follow after her, leaving her thoroughly alone with their spread out books and notes.
When Hermione opened the door, Mia Alderton stepped right in without asking, an angry look on her face, her Quidditch robe's muddy and ragged, some grass stuck in her blonde hair, and the Captain badge pinned to her chest.
"Potter!" she said. "Why weren't you at practice?"
"Because I'm studying?" Lily said, holding up her book.
"You should be flying!"
"Listen, Alderton," Hermione said, crossing her arms, "we're a little busy here. What do you want?" Lily pointed at the girl to emphasize the point, but she wasn't sure it helped at all.
"You've got to start coming to every practice, Potter," Alderton said, voice breaking just a bit in her desperation.
"Do I?" Lily said, crossing her arms just like her good buddy.
"Yes!" Alderton said, running a hand through her hair, knocking some of the grass free.
"I seem to recall the rest of the team not wanting me there."
"Forget about them! This is about Krum!"
"Krum?" Hermione said, raising an eyebrow. "What about him?"
"Slytherin plays Durmstrang next," Lily answered.
"And we need you!" Alderton said.
"I don't really have any interest in playing Krum," Lily said, inspecting her nails. She was staring to think the light pink didn't pop enough.
"I- what? Have you gone mad?"
"Why would I need to beat him in Quidditch when I'm going to beat him in the tournament?" Lily said, gesturing to where her golden egg was sitting on top of her wardrobe.
"It's Krum!" Alderton said disbelievingly. "You have to play!"
"You want me to play?" Lily said. "You know who to bench. I'm not playing with Carlyle, Broodstone, or Michaels."
"They're our best Chasers!"
"Then you've got to pick what's worth more: me as Seeker, or Booker."
"Fine," Alderton said after a long pause. "I'll bench them for the game, but you've got to come to every practice before then."
"I'll be there," Lily said with a smile. "Anything else?"
Hermione smiled at her, too, and then made sure the door was firmly closed behind the girl as she left.
"Now," she said, turning back to face Lily with a mischievous look. "What was your answer?"
"I'm not telling," Lily said, holding her assignment closer to her chest.
"It's cute that you think you have a choice in the matter."
"I don't have to tell you a-"
Lily made a little squeak of fear when Hermione ran towards her suddenly, scrambling to the far corner of her bed just as Hermione leapt towards her. There was a brief wrestling and tangling of limbs, during which Lily accidentally kicked off most of the objects that were resting on her blanket, before Hermione finally managed to pin her down while straddling Lily's waist and snatch the homework from her hands.
"Let's see," Hermione said holding it up high with one hand while pushing Lily down with the other. "Question thirteen."
"Stop!" Lily said, laughing and allowing Hermione to force her back down.
Thankfully for Lily, Hermione was more than happy to help her adequately finish her homework before their first set of classes Monday morning. They had to start with Potions, but Snape was no longer present, since it was no longer Beauxbatons' turn for him to fill in. Lily couldn't help but notice that quite a few of the French students simply weren't attending and spent the class time wondering if they were witnessing a student protest. She and Hermione sat at the front of the room, and she was thankful she couldn't listen to Ron's conspiratorial mutterings. Not during class, anyway; Hermione ate with her 'boyfriend' and Mandy Brocklehurst, forcing her to sit with Ron and Neville.
"I just want to know what she's up to," Ron said, drumming his fingers on the table and staring up at the staff table.
"Does it matter?" Lily said between forkfuls of shepherd's pie. "Maybe she just quit."
"Maybe she's been sacked," Neville added helpfully.
"Then why won't they just tell us that?" Ron said. "I mean, if you haven't noticed, Maxime's been talking to Dumbledore during every meal since the bint disappeared."
"They could just be friends," Lily said mockingly, pulling a few peas out of the next bite. She liked the stuff, but sometimes it was just too much.
"Oh, come on, just look at them!"
Lily rolled her eyes and then did just that. She expected to just find them amicably chatting about their schools or whatever, but, instead, they head they head lowered, faces serious, and, occasionally, one of the two would look in her direction.
"Right," Lily said, shoving hot potato and meat in her mouth. "Ish defnily 'bout me."
"Exactly!"
"But it doesn't matter," Lily said after swallowing, "because, obviously, they've decided it's not worth telling me."
"But-"
"So just drop it," Lily said. "If it comes up, it comes up, but I'm sick of hearing about it all the time."
"But why won't they tell you?"
"Probably because I have a track record of putting myself in extremely dangerous situations on purpose. Drop it, now, please?"
"So, I had a word with Katie," Neville said, getting in before Ron could continue. "Like you asked me to, you know."
"I don't really want to talk about Katie, either," Lily said quietly, poking at her pie.
"What? But- she said she'd meet with you? She even seemed excited about it!"
"She already did," Lily said. "It didn't exactly go well."
"But I just talked to her last night, and she didn't say anything about it."
"Yeah, she probably wouldn't," Lily muttered, shoving more pie in her mouth and chewing slowly.
Charms cheered her up, but only because she got to use a Tongue-Twisting Jinx on Clara when she was called to answer a question. Only Hermione didn't seem amused, although she suspected that Flitwick saw something, if the way he kept looking at her during the remainder of class was any indication. Still, he didn't say anything, and Lily and Hermione moved on to Arithmancy. Professor Vector didn't usually do partner work, as she much preferred her students to work in silence and puzzle things out on her own, but with Hermione quietly coaching her, Lily managed to not only finish their day's work but also get every question correct. In exchange, Lily bullied Hermione into trying on some of her cutest dresses so she could compliment her and boost her ego. Win-win, in her books. It would have even been better if she had succeeded in convincing Hermione to wear one up to Astronomy, but the girl wasn't willing to break the uniform rules quite yet. She'd work on it.
Lily was a bit sleepy during the next day's Transfiguration lesson, on account of Astronomy running so late, but she turned in her homework with a confident smile on her face (that the Durmstrang Professor completely failed to notice). She and Hermione spent the class period working on their partner project, where they had to design and construct an intricate set of objects on their own, using only plain, boring blocks of wood as base material. Easy enough, in Lily's fine opinion, although Hermione seemed stressed out how just what Lily wanted to do.
"Lily," she said, chewing her nails. "You still fail at basic transfigurations half the time. How are we supposed to do this?"
"Very carefully," Lily said, her face crinkled in concentration. What Lily wanted to do was create a large music box, complete with little dancing figures that would stroll out when the musical number started. So far, it was proving difficult to produce a melody that wasn't dissonant and chaotic, but Lily had quite a bit of experience working with gears, at this point. She'd figure it out, she knew she would.
She swore softly when the metal turned out all blocky and malformed, and Hermione's finger chewing continued.
She intended to continue the work during Care of Magical Creatures, since she found the Streelers they'd been taking care of the past few weeks exceptionally boring (they were just giant snails that left a trail of acid slime), but those plans were completely shattered when she found Hagrid waiting for them. She couldn't just ignore her babies, not when the rest of the class refused to interact with the Skrewts. There were only two left, and they now had to leave full cow carcasses in their paddocks just so the little guys could eat (both were male; Lily managed to figure that out the last time she saw them). Hagrid did most of the carrying, on account of Lily not being able to drag them so much as a single inch, but Lily was more than happy to draw the feeding and take extensive notes.
"Honestly, Lily," Ron said on the way back, "I don't know how you can find those monsters interesting."
"They're not monsters," Lily said with a dignified sniff and pulling her sketchpad out of her satchel. "They're adorable. See? Look at their little stingers!"
Lily spent their Ancient Runes class sketching out further blueprints for their music box, all the while Hermione tutted and huffed at her side while she actually took notes on the lesson. Lily continued all throughout their supper, occasionally looking up between bites of food or furious scribbling to ask those around her what they thought. They just tended to look at her awkwardly, and she'd roll her eyes and get back to work. Hermione would offer words of encouragement or praise, but Lily could tell she didn't really get it. That was alright, though. She kept working on the lead dancer's skirt, a bread roll held firmly in her mouth.
That night, when Lily sat down to continue working on homework, she had a profound realization; for the first time in ages, she had nothing due the next day that wasn't already done. Sure, she could do something and get ahead, but his was an opportunity that she felt she couldn't waste, especially when she was so rapidly running out of time to her self-imposed deadline.
"What are you working on?" Hermione asked, leaning behind her and resting her chin on Lily's shoulder, her arms draped around her chest.
"Watches," Lily said, happily humming to the record she had playing in the background.
"Watches?"
"See?" Lily said, holding up the one she was working on. "This is Ron's. I've got it down for 'Home' and 'School,' but the rest of the locations are tricky. I mean, how do you even account for 'Mortal Peril?'"
"This one must be yours, then," Hermione said, picking up a different one, the labelled hand for herself stuck permanently at the aforementioned position.
"No, I don't have a hand for myself on mine," Lily said. "That one's Ginny's. I just wanted to make sure I had the settings right, so I put one hand on it."
"Which one is yours, then?"
"Those two," Lily said, pointing at the ones in the back with her little screwdriver.
"Two?" Hermione asked, setting Ginny's watch back down. "Why do you have two?"
"I don't know," Lily admitted. "I- I guess in case- err-"
"Go on, Lily," Hermione said, pulling her arms higher up and turning it into a hug.
"I guess in case the Weasleys don't want me to have one," Lily finished.
"Lily-"
"Yeah, I know it's stupid," Lily said, sighing and setting down Ron's watch. "But, I just- I can't stop the little nagging voice in my head that says it isn't. You know?"
Hermione gave Lily's shoulder a squeeze and then walked over to her desk, Weasley trailing after her heels and meowing loudly.
"Here," Hermione said, pulling her chair over to sit beside her, Weasley hopping up in her lap a second later. "I'll help you."
"But-"
"It'll be faster with two people," Hermione said, picking Ron's watch back up gently and taking a peek at the insides. "Err- I don't know much about watchmaking, but I can help with the magic, at least."
"Well," Lily said, awkwardly rubbing the back of her neck. "It- it's just that- err-"
"What?" Hermione asked, setting the watch down and reaching for Lily's checklist of spells to cast (and in the exact order, or it'd all be messed up). "Lily, some of this is really impressive magic. You'll have to show me how."
Lily blinked at her, still chewing on her lip while Hermione read, her own lips moving soundlessly along with the incantations, as if she was testing the feel of them.
"You- err- don't have S.P.E.W. stuff to work on?" Lily asked.
"I'd rather spend time with you," Hermione said, pulling her wand out and eyeing the spell list nervously.
Those six words were all Lily needed to hear. She picked her own wand up from where it'd been laying on her desk, scooched her chair closer to Hermione, and grabbed a watch.
"Here," she said, "I'll show you."
They were still discussing the watches over their morning porridge the next day.
"It's like a very basic version of the Trace, see?" Lily said, adding a dollop of honey to hers. "Only just the location part of it."
"Then how does 'Mortal Peril' work?"
"That's what I've been saying," Lily said with a sigh, eating a spoonful and giving a satisfied nod. "See, when I started, I was casting the spell while I was actually in the place- which is why I think I'm stuck there, since I always am- but, obviously, that doesn't work since I'm not the others."
"So you're using the Spoofing Spell to cheat it?" Hermione asked.
"Exactly!" Lily said, pointing at her with her spoon. "Only, it still isn't quite working. Or- err- I don't know if it is or not. The kids are all stuck at 'School,' since we're here, I'm stuck at 'Mortal Peril' for the rest of my bloody life, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are- well, I think it's working for them. I don't know for sure until I've tested every setting, but that requires actually going to places." The less said about the 'Dead' setting, the better. Lily didn't want to know if that one worked.
"How did you even tie the hands to each person?"
"Also tricky," Lily said, eating another spoonful. "When I asked Mr. Weasley how the clock worked, he said the maker had the person present so he could tie their essence to it. I had to settle for stealing hairs from the brush and experimenting until I finally got one for everybody."
"How did they make yours?"
"Ginny got one of my hairs without me knowing. Anyway, the locations are harder. Spoofing Charm works well enough, but sometimes I get some funky results. Plus, every little part of the watch has to be enchanted individually, and you've got to make sure they all line up proper, and it's a nightmare. I've got mine working, I'm pretty sure, but I can't be 100% until I'm out of this god forsaken tournament."
"Well," Hermione said, playing with her porridge. "There's one easy way we can test it."
"And that is?" Lily said, scraping the last bit of sustenance out of her bowl.
"We'll make one for me," Hermione said, nodding. "Then, since you can apparate, we'll use the Hogsmeade weekends to test other locations and see if it changes."
"You want one?" Lily said, dropping her spoon and jaw.
"Maybe," Hermione said, her little cheeks turning pink. "I- it's just for the science of it, mostly."
"And you're want me to sneak you out of bounds and break a ton of rules?"
"Err-"
"Well, blimey, Hermione," Lily said with a cheeky smile, "you sure know how to charm a girl."
"I- I- err-"
"I'll have to buy another set," Lily said, standing suddenly. "I'll see you in class, I better put this order in or it'll never make it in time."
"Wait!" Hermione said quickly. "I- I've changed my mind! Get back here!"
She almost made it to class on time. She was so close, she could see the classroom from where she stood. Unfortunately, Fred and George refused to move aside when they saw her legging it, and since the bell was already ringing above, she figured she could give them the time of day. In for a penny, in for a pound, and all that.
"Can you hurry it up?" Lily asked as they dragged her to a nearby window cubby. "Just because McGonagall isn't our professor this week doesn't mean Hermione won't murder me for skipping out."
"We'll make it quick," Fred said.
"We just have a favour to ask of you," George said.
"See, we've been testing our latest round of products, and it's occurred to us that we might have a little problem."
"The stuff might work on us, but we have no way of knowing if it'll work on others."
"And as we currently have very little product to spare on testing-"
"Not to mention lack of funds and resources."
"-we figured it's time to rope in the third member of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes to do her part," Fred finished.
"What do you mean lack of funds and resources?" Lily asked, crossing her arms. "Merlin, I just gave you twenty Galleons last week!"
"And it's all gone," Fred said, clapping his hands together and making a poof sound.
"Funny how that works, isn't it?" George said.
"But we don't need more money quite yet," Fred said. "Right now, we just need you to test a few things."
"Don't think our digestive systems can take much more, right now," George said, rubbing his stomach.
"That," Fred said, pointing first at this brother and then to Lily, "and that we have no idea how any of this will work on women or- err- people who can shapeshift." Fred said the last part very quietly, and only after looking around to make sure no one was dropping any eaves. "And we happen to be very curious."
"Alright," Lily said, sighing. "What am I testing, then?"
"First," Fred said, pulling out a familiar tan coloured item connected to a long wire. "We've got a new Extendable Ear for you. Should sound less tinny."
"Plus, it actually looks like an ear, now," George added.
"Second," Fred said, gesturing to George pulling out a series of coloured lumps. "We've got some edibles. Taste just like candy. Very delicious."
"Right," Lily said suspiciously, taking a soft blue and purple one from George's hand. "And what do they do?"
"Well, the purple side of each is the cure," George said. "The other sides do different things, depending on the colour."
"The blue one you've got there," Fred said, poking it, "is the most complicated one. Eat it, and you might find that someone's gone and shat your trousers."
"Lovely."
"This brown one," George said, holding it up, "is a sneezing fit."
"Don't ask why that one isn't the 'Loo Stew,'" Fred added. "Getting the colours right is proving to be quite the hassle."
"I don't want to go around shitting myself in front of half the school, mates," Lily said, trying to hand it back. "I have enough problems as it is, thanks."
"Neither do we," Fred said. "We've just been thinking about selling it to the Ministry, to be honest."
"Or maybe Mungo's, if they need some laxatives," George said.
"Seems like a bit too much power to give to everybody, you know?"
"That being said, we still need to test it."
"So just go sit on the loo for a few minutes and then pop in the cure."
"And what happens if the cure doesn't work?" Lily asked nervously.
"Well, your bowels have to be empty eventually, don't they?" Fred said, shrugging. "Just head on up to Pomfrey at that point. That's what we do."
"Can we not talk about bowels, please?"
"You asked."
"Right, well," Lily said, readjusting her bag's strap as the twins loaded all sorts of goodies into it. "If it's alright with you two, I think I won't be trying that one out on myself, thank you."
"I wouldn't, Lily," Fred said. "Honestly, there's a reason we said we won't be selling this one to normal people."
"We didn't even mean to," George said. "We were trying to just make people exceptionally gassy. Only- err- it happened to be more solid than we would have liked."
"Lovely," Lily said, sighing. "I'll try them this weekend. Maybe. I'll get back to you."
"Thanks, Lily!" both twins shouted after her.
"What's that you're holding?" Hermione asked over supper, pointing at her left hand, where she was currently trying to hide a curious shape.
"Something Fred and George gave me," Lily said, showing her the blue lump. "I'm trying to figure out how to slip it to Clara without her noticing."
"Why on Earth would you do that?" Hermione asked.
"Because Malfoy's always got Crabbe and Goyle with him?" Lily said as if it was obvious. "They might be stupid, but the prat's got them trained to watch his food for poison, at least."
"That is not what I meant," Hermione said. "Honestly, Lily, just leave the girl alone."
"And why on Earth would I do that?" Lily said teasingly.
"Because all you're doing is stooping to their level," Hermione said. "Just because they're bullies doesn't mean you need to be."
"I'm just putting them in their place."
"And when has that ever worked?"
"I made Malfoy switch schools, didn't I?"
"And now look at him!" Hermione said, gesturing to where he was sitting with his former Slytherin friends as if nothing had ever changed. "Honestly, at this point, it's only a matter of time before he transfers back to Hogwarts, too."
"Bet he wouldn't if I told him I was," Lily said.
"Lily, of course he would," Hermione said with a sigh. "This is what always happens. You fight back, you get a bit of relief, and then they come back and treat you even worse. I mean, who knows what Malfoy's got cooking after you snapped his wand in front of the entire common room."
"So you're saying I shouldn't try to fight back?"
"Of course not! I'm saying you shouldn't escalate the issue."
"It doesn't matter, anyway," Lily said dismissively. "I'll deal with it when it comes, just like I do everything."
"Lily-"
"Are you honestly trying to tell me that Clara doesn't have it coming?"
"I don't even know what the little blue thing does, but, no, I don't."
"Fine," Lily said, tucking it back in her pocket. "I'll do something else, then."
"Lily."
"Hermione."
"What are you going to do?"
"Try out a fancy new spell I've been itching to use," Lily said, turning her attention back to her plate of food. "Just need the right moment. What are we working on after Quidditch?"
Hermione sighed reluctantly. "Ancient Runes."
It took forever for the weekend to finally roll around, all of Lily's time consumed by homework, studying, and chasing a tiny ball in the chilly evening sky. The few moments she got to relax, she spent sitting at her desk and working on her watches with Hermione. And then it was Saturday, and despite getting up early, Lily was in a frantic rush to ready herself.
"I've got to look perfect," she said when Hermione questioned it. "Lavender's the prettiest girl in the whole bloody school, I've got to at least match her halfway."
"Lily," Hermione said, sighing, "I'm pretty sure most people would say that about you."
"Would not. I'm the freaky mountain gorilla what kissed a mermaid, remember?"
"I- you're just combining everything now, aren't you?"
"Maybe."
"Well, move aside," Hermione said, nudging her gently on the hip. "I need to get ready, too."
"But my hair!" Lily said, letting out a groan of frustration when it frizzed and stuck up again. "Why won't it just stay down?"
"Lily, you're a Metamorphmagus. Just make it."
"I'm trying!"
"Just focus."
"I am! You know what? Sod it."
"What are you-"
Lily crossed her eyes and drew her back into her skull. She stopped it when it was significantly shorter, giving herself a nice, dazzling pixie cut. It took a bit more focus to get it to settle right, make sure everything was in the right place and didn't look ridiculous, but she thought it suited her quite well.
"What do you think?" Lily asked, running her hands through it. "Too much? Hermione?"
Lily turned to see what why the girl was being so quiet, only to find Hermione staring, her mouth drooping slightly open, a certain liveliness in her eyes that made Lily's heart skip a beat.
"You look brilliant," Hermione said a bit breathlessly.
"Thank- thank you," Lily said, clearing her throat to hide her little voice crack. "Err- I should- I should be going. See you tonight?"
"Yeah," Hermione said, head turning to follow her as she made her exit.
Lily found Lavender Brown waiting for her in the Entrance Hall, looking just as radiant as she feared she would. She almost retreated right back into the dungeons, where a troll like her belonged, only Lavender caught sight of her before she could. With a deep breath and a bit of forced confidence in her step, Lily walked over.
"Hullo," she managed.
"I like your hair," Lavender said, immediately raising a hand to touch it, her fingers even brushing lightly against her face. "It looks great on you. You've got to tell me what you treat it with."
Lily just grunted. That was all her feeble little pea brain was capable of doing at the moment.
"Come on," Lavender said, linking their arms together. "We need to get there before it gets really crowded."
Lily wasn't sure she made very interesting conversation on their walk to the cosy little village. Mostly, Lavender did the talking for her. Make-up, gossip, fashion trends, magazines, celebrities, bands, singers, seemingly whatever popped into her mind, she brought up. All Lily could think of was Quidditch or painting, but both times she tried, Lavender changed the subject very quickly back to something she cared about.
When they arrived at Hogsmeade, Lavender dragged her immediately over to her favourite store. All Lily really wanted to do was get a bite to eat, since they skipped breakfast, but Lavender needed to replenish all her beauty supplies. Lily bought another bottle of her usual perfume, and when asked, claimed she had enough of everything else. Smell was the only thing she couldn't replicate.
After that, Lily tried to drag them to a nearby pub so she could get something, but Lavender got easily distracted by the local pet shop.
"Isn't he just adorable?" Lavender said, cooing over the tiniest owl Lily had ever seen in her life.
"Honestly, I'd be afraid of breaking it whenever I needed to attach a letter," Lily said, eyeing the mewling kittens in the nearby cages.
"Oh, I think I might get him," Lavender said, now eyeing the price and chewing on her lip thoughtfully. "Seven Galleons is an awful lot for an owl, though."
"Yeah," Lily agreed, sticking her finger through the cage so the little black kitten could gnaw on it. "Do you think Weasley would like a little friend?"
Lavender was walking down the street in front of Lily moments later, holding the owl's equally tiny cage in both hands and up to her face, making little noises at the baby while it tried to sleep. Lily walked behind, hands tucked in her trousers, wishing Hogwarts allowed more than one animal. All she wanted at that particular moment was to go give her cat a big hug to make up for the lack of it (which he definitely would not appreciate). She did have a bag dangling from her wrist that contained a new toy and some treats for the chap, at least.
Lily followed Lavender from shop to shop, wondering where the girl was getting all this money that she was spending. It was starting to feel like Lavender only really asked her here to be her personal pack mule. As the hours waned on, Lily's arms became more and more laden with bags and goods. Sweets, clothes, hats, gloves, scarves, more sweets, a freshly baked bread, books, magazines, and a pillow, all piled precariously and blocking Lily's sight. She followed behind Lavender purely based on sound alone.
She hoped Hermione was having a better day out than she was.
"Say," Lavender said, stopping suddenly, Lily almost ramming into her on accident. "Want to get a butterbeer? There's- err- something I wanted to tell you."
"Yes, please!"
Lavender had the sense to drop all her new belongings off at the Owl Post to ship it back to Hogwarts. Only once she got her confirmation did they make their way over to Rosmerta's. Lily was back to running her hand through her hair nervously, wondering if she made it too short after all and if Lavender would prefer, or even notice, if she made it just a tad longer. That nervousness found her sitting in front of Lavender in the crowded pub, a warm mug of butterbeer held between her hands, fingers drumming on the glass as she tried to think of anything to say to the other (equally quiet) girl.
"Say," they both said at the same time.
"Err- you first," Lavender said.
"No, you go," Lily said. "You're the one who had something to tell me." Plus, she really wanted to hear it from someone else for a change. Why did she have to do all the chasing?
"Well, I- err- I was just wondering if- well- really, it can wait, it doesn't matter!"
Lily and Lavender both lifted their mugs, taking a long, deep drink. They then set them down in unison, both girls staring down at the table. Lily could feel her face was hot, but she could keep it from showing up, at least. She ran a finger over the rim of her glass, just hoping to hear Lavender say what she wanted to hear.
Just ask me out. You know you want to!
"I'll be right back," Lavender said, standing suddenly. "I- err- need to freshen up."
"Alright," Lily said, feeling better when she noticed Lavender's face was a bright red. That had to be a good sign. Things had to be going well for her. Her eyes followed Lavender's back all the way to the women's loo, up until Katie Bell followed right after her and she decided to hide her face with a frothy drink.
She downed the rest of her glass and then got up to get another, hoping no one would steal their table in the meantime. Talking to Madam Rosmerta was always difficult for her, and she had to stutter her way through the order, especially when Rosmerta laughed and placed a hand on her arm when she tried to tell a joke. New drink in hand, Lily started the walk back; their table was stolen. Just her luck. She decided against causing a scene in the middle of the crowded pub and turned towards the nearest empty table.
And then she saw Lucius Malfoy sitting at the table just next to it, speaking with Ludo bagman in a crouched whisper.
Lily didn't waste a moment. She pulled her hat lower over her eyes (bought for her by the beautiful girl she was currently waiting on), kept her head bowed, and took a seat directly behind Lucius Malfoy. Her brain was telling her to mind her own business, the same way she'd been telling Ron to mind his, but- well, it was hard to pass up such a perfect opportunity when it presented itself.
Perhaps she was being too hard on the boy. She'd apologize later and volunteer to help track down Belby; it only seemed like the right thing to do, seeing as how she was currently actively digging in her pockets for the new Extendable Ear. Holding the end of the wire to her real auditory mechanism, she moved the fake one in her hand, pretending to lower her arm to her side, and then tossed it gently behind her where it landed on the floor under the table.
"-don't know, it seems awful risky," Bagman was saying.
"You may need not do anything at all," Lucius said. "If matters go well, our issue will go away in just a matter of hours."
"It's just- really, you have no idea how much trouble I could get in just speaking with you!"
"We are merely two private citizens discussing a political matter," Lucius said smoothly.
"How did you even find me here?"
"Please, a star Quidditch player walks into the busiest pub in the country, and you expect me not to hear of it? You insult me, Ludo."
"What you're discussing is-"
"You fool, not here," Lucius said, quickly cutting him off. Lily could have sworn she heard him stomp on Bagman's foot. "You are running out of options, Bagman. If you do not accept, the goblins will be on you soon enough."
"The goblins are no issue," Bagman said, sounding panicky. "I- I have a wager in the works that will-"
"Fail to cover half of your debts," Lucius said dismissively. "We will cover all of them- and then some. Your financial worries will be a thing of the past, Ludo, and all you need do is perform a little favour for us, should our plan today fail."
"And if it doesn't?"
"You will still be compensated," Lucius said, "provided you agree before the task has been completed. Consider it another exciting gamble. With a little bit of luck, your worries will be taken care of, all without lifting a single finger."
"I- what do I have to do?"
"At a later date," Lucius said. "Agree, now, and you will receive my financial backing. Disagree, and you will never hear from me again, but your debts will be your own."
"I- I-"
"Time is running out, Ludo. Choose, now, or I will let those goblins in the corner have their turn. They seem most upset that I interrupted in the first place. I'm sure they would love to have you back."
Lily could hear Bagman squirming in his seat.
"Alright, alright," he said desperately. "I'll- I'll do it. I just- I won't be hurting anyone, will I?"
"Of course, not, Ludo," Lucius said, sounding exceedingly pleased. "I'm simply arranging a bit of entertainment for my wedding. Come, why don't you meet my blushing bride-to-be? She speaks of you quite fondly."
"Bertha?" Bagman said, sounding surprised.
"Yes. Why don't you join me? I'm due to meet her for lunch in an hour back at the manor. I'm sure she'd love to see you."
"Ah, I- I'm afraid I have a meeting with the Minister."
"Then I will go with you," Lucius said, standing. "I have a matter to discuss with Cornelius myself."
"I- very well, very well."
Lily almost followed after the two men. She was rising out of her seat to do just that, wanting to hear more about their little deal, when she spotted Lavender walking right towards her. With a little swear spoken silently to herself, she sat right back down just as Lavender reached the table, tucking the Extendable Ear back into her robes in a hurry.
"All fresh?" she said congenially, laying her hands in front of her innocently.
"Yes," Lavender said with a firm nod, standing awkwardly next to the table.
"Err- want to have a seat?"
"No, actually," Lavender said. "In fact, I wanted to tell you something."
"Err- alright, why don't you-"
"I can't stand you," Lavender said.
"Come again?" Lily said, blinking slowly.
"I think you're creepy and unnatural and strange," Lavender continued. "I think you're stupid and a complete waste of oxygen, let alone skin. Why somebody like you gets so much attention from boys, I'll never know. You're not even pretty. You're too big and mannish to ever be confused for a girl. You're not fooling anybody by walking around in skirts all the time, and you've given up the game by chasing after girls. Just stop pretending you freak. That's all I wanted to say."
Lavender ended her little speech by sounding incredibly pleased with herself before turning on the spot and walking straight outside. Lily could hear sniggering from a group of Beauxbatons students sitting nearby, while the rest of the tables close enough to hear were mostly silent, choosing to whisper amongst themselves.
Lily, for one, felt sick to her stomach. She left her butterbeer untouched and rose from her seat as calmly as she could, fighting against the urge to just leg it as quickly as she could to the nearest hidey-hole. She felt like everybody was staring at her, even as she made it outside, while Lavender's words kept echoing in her head. Right now, all she wanted to do was find Hermione or Ron or Neville or somebody that would put her back in the right headspace.
The day only got worse when her foot caught on something hard. Lily's hands reached out wildly, searching for something to grasp onto and stop her fall, but it found only air as she tumbled into the mud below to a chorus of further snickering. She wiped the nasty stuff from her eyes and attempted to push herself off the found when someone's boot stepped onto her back and forced her right back in.
"Stay right there, Potter," Clara said, her friends laughing behind. "Not quite the kind of facial you're used to, I'm sure, but mud can be very good for the skin."
Right, that's it, Lily thought, reaching for her wand. She looked up, only to find herself surrounded by Beauxbatons girls.
"What's wrong, little snake?" one of them said, covering her mouth as she laughed. "Lost all your venom?"
"Like she ever had any fangs to begin with," Clara said, putting more weight on her back.
"Get off," Lily said as a one and only warning.
"Oh, so sorry!" Clara said, immediately removing herself and the pressure. "Didn't notice I what I was stepping on. I thought you were-"
Clara flew back ten feet with a casual flick of Lily's wand. Lily pushed off the ground, sweeping her arm left to disarm another girl. Lily turned again, raising her wand as a few of the girls scattered, including the now wandless one. Only three stayed, although one seemed to be completely frozen in fear. When the other two raised their wands, Lily was already moving.
But she didn't finish her spell before their wands flew from their hands. Lily didn't check to see who was joining in on her side; she had a final lesson in mind. There was a certain girl who needed to learn she wasn't to be trifled with. Clara was sitting up, and Lily began swinging her wand downwards in a slicing arc when her own instrument of destruction was knocked free of her hand.
Viktor Krum stepped in front of her, wand held confidently in his hand, which he swapped between her and her attackers.
"Leave," Krum said in a thick accent, gesturing to the three remaining Beauxbatons students. The frozen one bolted at once, the second girl reluctantly following after her, leaving only Lily's least favourite.
"Not yet," Clara said, face furiously dark. "Not until I-"
Krum responded by pointing his wand straight at her face.
"Leave," he repeated.
Clara looked like she was going to stay and fight, but then she finally turned and stomped off, pushing past the crowd of onlookers. Krum pocketed his wand and then picked Lily's up from the ground. He smiled at her as he came close, wand outstretched in his hand.
"Here," he said.
"I didn't need your help," Lily said, snatching her wand free.
"It vos four against one," Krum said, blinking slowly, his smile disappearing.
"And I could have handled them," Lily said, still shaking slightly and wiping some more mud from her face.
"Yes, I agree," Krum said, nodding along. "That is not vhy I stepped in. The spell you vere casting. Vot vas it?"
"None of your business," Lily said, the incantation running through her mind. She could still feel the itch at the tip of her fingers, her magic eager to get to work.
"You should not use dark magic," Krum said, leaning in and dropping his voice. "It can change a person."
"How do you know it's dark?" Lily asked, brushing some more dirt from her front.
"By the feeling in the air," Krum said, gesturing awkwardly with his hands. "You Hogvarts students do not understand. You do not learn the Dark Arts like ve do. That is vhy I stopped you."
"Well, next time," Lily said, voice still trembling. "Just mind your own business."
"I vos only trying to-"
"Save it," Lily said, turning on her heel.
Lily walked quickly and with purpose, all the way to the forest trail at the edge of town. She passed a few students on the way, some of which laughed at her (since she'd still yet to clean the mud off her robes). Lily clenched her jaw and did her best not to murder them.
The Shrieking Shack ended having quite a few people there. Lily supposed that was because it was finally warm enough to suffer through the long walk. She made her way left, following another trail that led deeper into the forest, towards the Hogwarts Lake. It was even longer and almost always proved an unpopular destination. Even with Lily's current quick pace, it would take her half an hour to reach there. She didn't see a single person during the little hike. Just as she hoped, the stony lakeshore was abandoned. Lily hopped right up on a nearby rock, pulled her knees up to her chest, buried her face between them, and had herself a good old-fashioned cry.
Honestly, she wasn't really sure what she was expecting. Of course Lavender wasn't going to ask her out. Merlin, she was so stupid.
"There you are," a voice said, a warm body sitting next to her a second later, a clinking of glass bottles audible.
"Hullo, Katie," Lily said into the darkness of her limbs.
"I saw," Katie said, awkwardly laying a hand on her back. "Back at Rosmerta's, I mean. I- err- that was rough, wasn't it?"
Lily just nodded.
"Here," Katie said, nudging the back of her hand with a glass bottle. "Brought you a butterbeer. You looked like you needed it."
"I'm sorry," Lily said, pulling her knees closer.
"Look, forget about it, alright? I- I'm sorry I shoved you. I- Ginny had a very strong word with me, and I needed to hear it. I'm just trying to apologize, is all. Please drink the butterbeer?"
Lily pulled her face free of her legs and then wiped at her puffy eyes.
"Thanks," she said, taking the already opened bottle from Katie. She cleared her throat. "I- err-"
"We should go flying," Katie said, taking a sip of her drink. "I still need that broom, of course. I- err- I'm sorry, I don't know why I said that, you don't need to get me one. I can just use one of the school brooms."
"I'll get you one," Lily said, taking a sip of her own drink. It felt a little warmer than usual. "The old one was a gift, anyway. Your parents never should have taken one."
"Yeah," Katie said, awkwardly taking another sip. Lily joined her, enjoying the companionable silence, if not the warmth that refused to leave her chest. It felt a bit strange. Butterbeer didn't usually linger that long. She supposed it was just different in the bottle- or with someone that actually liked you, anyway.
"Come on," Katie said, downing the rest of her drink. "We better get a move on. We've got a long walk ahead of us. Plus, I can see someone coming, and the only ones willing to come out this far are up to something."
"Like you?" Lily said, letting out a little laugh and wondering where it came from. She didn't much feel like laughing.
"Maybe," Katie said with a shrug. "I was meeting you out here, wasn't I? Most couples only come out here to- err- come on, finish your drink, let's go."
"Yeah, alright," Lily said, downing the rest of hers, in turn, the warmth spreading throughout the rest of her body exceedingly quickly. She blinked, her vision going slightly fuzzy, and shook her head to clear it.
"You coming?" Katie said, motioning over to the path back.
"Yeah, just- just a-"
Lily tried to stand, but her feet gave out from underneath her, and she fell to the ground hard. She could hear her wrist snap, but she couldn't feel a single thing. All she felt was happiness.
Something is wrong, Lily thought, her vision going blurry again. She tried to speak, but nothing came out except slurred, unintelligible noises.
"Come on, Potter, up on your feet," Katie said, hauling her up by the injured hand and slinging her arm over her shoulder. "We have an appointment to keep."
Lily shook her head, trying to clear her vision again, but everything just kept getting less clear. She let out a laugh, unable to stop it, and tried to push away from Katie, her limbs not moving when she ordered them to.
"Merlin, you're heavy," Katie said, panting. "Just a bit farther, Potter, then it'll all be over."
"Over?" Lily managed to repeat, her following question cut off by another bout of giggles. Something was very wrong. She heard Katie swear, and then they were stopping, the other girl still holding up her weight.
"Lily?" Fleur asked. "Is everything alright? Why are you covered in mud?"
Lily tried to shake her head, although whether it was to say 'no' or to actually be able to see the French girl, she had no idea. Regardless, neither result was successfully achieved. Her head just lolled downwards, her neck unable to support it.
"What ees wrong with 'er?' Fleur asked.
"She just had a bit too much to drink," Katie said, pulling her closer and redistributing her weight. "Had a nasty fight with someone. I found her downing half a bottle of Firewhiskey. She'll be alright, I'm just taking her back to the castle."
"Lily?" Fleur said, switching back to French. "Do you want to go with her?"
Lily couldn't open her mouth- or maybe it was already open, and she couldn't get any noises but a laugh to come out.
"Oi," Katie said, "you know, it's rude to speak in a language the rest of us can't speak. Come on, Lily, let's get you to Pomfrey."
No. That wasn't right. That wasn't right at all.
"Lily," Fleur repeated. "Are you alright?"
Elation, Lily realized, laughing again. 'Katie' was in the hallway. She took some. Merlin, she needed an antidote, and she needed it soon.
Lily tried to shake her head again, trying to communicate that something was very wrong, but it was like she wasn't in control of her own body. She needed to say something. She took a deep breath, trying to force her mind to clear long enough to warn Fleur.
"Right, well," Katie said, getting them moving again. "If you'll excuse us, I really need to get her to-"
"Fleur," Lily said, her voice a whispered, slurred mess. "Not Katie." She laughed again. "Speaks French. Not her."
Katie stopped moving.
"Ah, hell," she said. "Knew I forgot something."
"I theenk you should let 'er go," Fleur said. "I will take 'er."
"Come again?" Katie said dangerously.
"I said I will take 'er. Drop 'er."
"You got a problem, you frog?"
"Not Katie," Lily repeated, shaking her head weakly, finally managing to push herself away from the girl, falling to the ground face first. She felt the pain in her wrist, that time, albeit very weakly.
"Put your wand away before you get hurt, girl," Katie said, sounding oddly cold.
"You first."
Lily tried to crawl further away, and the last thing she heard before she passed out was the sound of spells launching.