A/N: I'm loving this story, I have to admit. I'm putting a bit of me into Lily, so it's so much easier to write, using my own thoughts and experiences (including the elbow to the cheekbone, ouch!).

Bella Catherina: Yay, Cat! Thanks honey, I thought you might like this one!

maaike-fluffy: Wow... I'm sorry, I stared at the screen in shock, I've never received compliments like that before. Thank you so much, I'm still blushing now, just thinking about it.

Scandalous-girl: I recognise your name... either you've reviewed for me before or I've read one of your stories... I don't know. Thank you for the review, it was really sweet!

'Wake up!'

I gripped the bed sheets and yanked them over my head, groaning. 'What time is it?' My own voice sounded so husky and exhausted. I heard a giggle from above me.

'Lily!'

Suddenly, my bed rocked like a life raft in the middle of a cyclone as three girls pounced on my bed. Sam, Hannah and Aoife laughed as they bounced up and down on my bed, all still dressed in pyjamas.

'It's six thirty, sleepy!'

I groaned again and buried further under the blankets. The four of us hadn't gone to sleep until about two in the morning; that meant a grand total of four and a half hours sleep. I felt the sheets ripped from my face and Aoife's honest baby face appeared.

'Peek-a-boo.'

I laughed and pushed her off me. 'Ok, ok, I'm up, sheesh!'

I staggered off the bed, stumbling a few steps before regaining my balance, ripping my hair from my face. I groaned, yet again, at my face in the mirror. A purple bruise graced the pale skin on my cheekbone and I had...

'Oh, god...'

Sam laughed at the look on my face. 'They're just bags, they'll be gone tomorrow.'

I rolled my eyes. I knew that, what was worrying me was what certain people would say. Hannah skipped over to me and nudged my shoulder.

'That Potter boy likes you.'

'Like I care.'

Hannah just giggled and flashed a look over her shoulder. I couldn't help but smile.

I guess I should take some time out to explain my new found friends. Or, were new found friends, back then. Anyway, Sam looked like the sweet, innocent, angelic one. Wrong. She was more like the tomboy, always in and out of trouble, as I was soon to find out. Hannah was tall and thin, but perfectly proportioned, for her height. She had short black hair and black eyes, that kind of olive skin. Greek, she was. If anything, she looked like a Greek goddess. Aoife was slightly taller than me, with a round face, big blue eyes and that bouncy, happy-go-lucky look of someone who hadn't a care in the world. Sam and I were already firm friends by the time we finally left that table last night, and I liked the other two the moment I saw them.
I buried my face in my arms.

'I am never going to understand any of this,' I moaned, peeking up at my three friends from under my hair.

'Sure you are,' Sam said, not even looking at me. 'I mean, just because you're so wrapped up in the way you used to think things worked, doesn't mean the way we think things work, with magic things and things isn't going to...' She trailed off, looked up at me and frowned.

'Get lost?' Aoife queried, staring down at her timetable.

Sam shrugged. 'Well, you get my drift. Anyway, you'll get it. Trust me.'

I just blinked. 'Hey!' Sam cried. 'Just because...'

I sat up straight and held my hands up. 'No more! Please, honestly, you're reasoning is off the chart and bordering on insanity, no more!'

Sam just grinned, but it soon faded as someone sat beside me.

'Hello ladies! And how are you all this fine morning?' Sirius Black winked at Aoife, who blushed and looked back down at her timetable. Potter sat opposite him and out of the corner of my eye I saw him glance at the bruise on my cheek. I met his gaze directly.

'Can I help you?'

'I don't know, can you?'

'I doubt it, if it involves deflating your head, I'm sorry, I don't know enough magic yet.'

The sting in my tongue wasn't intentional, I mean, I hate people who are mean. But, honestly, the guy had elbowed me in the face less than twenty four hours ago! He scowled as my friends laughed around me.

'Watch it, Evans.'

I stood and shook my head, hitching my bag onto my shoulder. 'Take my advice, Potter. You watch it. I don't like pranksters, I don't like antagonists and I do not like arrogance. And you, my dear, have all of that.'

I remember walking off, feeling like I had won one battle. But, I reminded myself as I walked out of the Great Hall, the war had barely begun.