Chapter 17

I never really told Lily to keep our little relationship a secret.

But I think she knew. We were *both* smart enough to know that whatever we had would not be accepted by anyone.

So, we went about in public acting like typical enemies. I gave my petty little insults, and, in return, she gave her occasional green-eyed glare. With the long awaited Slytherin-Gryffindor Quidditch match only a day away, house tensions were at their peak. The Gryffindor's had a new chaser. Potter. I was going to enjoy beating him.

The old rumors had died down, and Trelawney had finally grasped the futility of chasing Lily in-between classes (that had *absolutely nothing* to do with me sending an anonymous howler threatening to curse her if she continued to harass a particular, red-headed student. Nothing at all). What Lily could and could not do was *none* of the old bat's business, anyway. It served her right to have that Dungbomb explode in her room.

It was a nothing short of miracle that I had time to spend with Her, with Quidditch practice and my unusually heavy load of homework taxing me. But we managed. We'd meet every day after dinner, always in front of the statue of Piro the Pathetic (up to now, I find myself rather fond of that statue, oftentimes visiting it when I go to collect Draco for the holidays). We'd go to the Library sometimes, just sitting there, reading books, and enjoying each other's company (always at the very back; we didn't want anyone seeing us together). As much as I hated to admit it, I truly liked having her around. Other times, we would skip dinner, and go to the gardens. However, we frequented the Astronomy Tower much more often. It was either the lack of bugs, or the excess of kisses, I don't know which. I had a strange feeling it had to do with the kisses.

I was lying down on my bed *again*, in my usual thinking position, stretched out with my hands behind my head. This time, however, Severus was asleep, and so was the entire castle. I was restless. The match was just a few short hours away, and instead of getting my much needed sleep, I was thinking. Maybe Lily's insomniac ways were rubbing off on me.

Lily.

I had a strange urge to watch her sleep. Hell, it wasn't really an urge, it was a want, a *need*, even. The fact remained. I wanted to watch her sleep.

And, you all know, what I want, I get.

It wasn't difficult to climb on my broom and fly over to the Gryffindor tower, amidst various mental objections put in by my ever-annoying conscience (yes, we villains have those as well, only we've somehow mastered quieting them during the most crucial times). In fact, I greatly enjoyed feeling the wind whistling by me. I easily remembered where I'd dropped her off last time, and it didn't take long to find my way to the girls' dormitories.

I hovered, moving slowly by the windows.

There was Figg, then Clearwater, then-- Lily. She was just as I'd imagined her, curled up, tangled in her blankets, a slender leg peeking out. She was clutching a. . . I leaned forward to get a closer look. . . it looked like some sort of pillow. . . she was clutching a teddy-bear? Words breezed through my mind, faster, and, all in all, *colder* than the November wind flowing around me. Childish. Idiotic. Immature. *Adorable*. Now, where had *that* word come from?

But, as I watched longer, entranced, for some strange reason, by her sleeping form, I realized there was no other way to put it. She *did* look adorable.

As she shifted, I even caught a glimpse of her flannel night clothes, dotted with stars and and bright yellow smiley faces. I couldn't help but see the difference between that, and my dark-green satin ones, embroidered with silver snakes at the sleeves. Flannel and smiley- faces looked nicer.

Feeling oddly refreshed, I flew back to my dormitory, and went to sleep.

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A/N: Yay!! I can finally upload chapters!! *jumps for joy*

Thanks for reviewing!!! They made me forget the horrors of school for an entire morning! :D

Addy-what would I do without you? ;D Thank you for forwarding the chapter to Dark Rose and Jen :D I really appreciated it. The more who read and review, the better, I always say. :D I've already started the sequel, but posting it will probably ruin a bunch of surprises in THOUGHTS. And yes, I *do* need to curse those horribly annoying school people!!! Grr. It's a little scary how Lucius can grow on me sometimes... I was typing up a letter to my mom, and I was surprised at some evil 'bwahahahas' and other Lucius-like phrases popping up randomly. Bwahahaha. -- see?? he *is* getting to me!!

Dark Rose- I'll have to inform Lucius of your unfortunate imprisonment in that horrid, horrid room. I'm sure he'll be happy to help (*cough cough* Avada Kedavra all your captors after torturing them for an extended period of time *cough* *cough*)

Jen- but, Lucius torture is nice!! Bwehehehe. Maybe I could lend him to you for a while... what do you think? Then you'd probably enjoy it much more :D I've *set* this chapter *free*, in your words, but it might take a while for the next one, sorry! :D Just the annoying school work. I *do* hope Lucius appears in time to Avada all those teachers to death.