The weeks past and the seventh year were just staring to feel the strain of the heavy workload that was set for them. Any chance for sleep was welcomed with open arms.
Lily ran through the long maze like corridors. She knew she would pay dearly for her post-lunch dose. She looked at her watch, 10 minutes late already. Her mind started racing, as she imagined the possible detentions the lovely Professor Boyd might concoct. She shook her head bitterly, but before any more thoughts could be processed she found herself on the floor with a harassed James standing over her.
"Sorry about that" he said distractedly and with a quick look behind him a soft curse to himself, he walked hurriedly down the corridor and out of sight.
"Humph, damn good for nothing," she said miserably dusting of her hands and brushing her hair out of her eyes.
"Are you alright?" inquired a cheerful voice behind her.
"Does it look like I'm alright?" she responded bitterly. She turned to see who had addressed her.
"Oh I am so sorry" she said flushing slightly as Remus Lupin helped her to her feet. "I didn't mean to sound so rude, it's just-"
"It's alright," he said cutting her off, shocked to see her cheeks redden from embarrassment.
Lily dropped her gaze and her eyes soon found her watch.
"Oh gosh, I am so late! I really have to go, see you later" she said as she sprinted to the Defence against the dark arts.
When Lily reached the classroom she snuck into the seat closest to her hoping to go unnoticed. She appeared to have been successful as Professor Boyd was too busy making essays to notice her arrival. She quickly pulled out her books and turned to her neighbour to ask what page they were on.
To her disgust it was Sirius, whose handsome face broke into a wide smile at the sight of her.
"Ooh late for classes Lily? You rebel!" Lily rolled her eyes and looked over the shoulder of the person in front of her to find that they were studying the unforgivable curses.
Lily, aware that Sirius was still smiling at her, turned to him and raised her eyebrows trying to give him a hint, instead he continued to talk to her.
"You know what? I bet I can guess your favourite sweet." He said with an overly confident smile and nod.
Lily's eyebrows rose even higher in disbelief, but then she turned to face him " Go on, try me," she said smiling smugly.
Sirius' expression became very serious. He looked at his book and then at Lily his eyes narrowing.
"Aha" he said so suddenly Lily nearly toppled off her seat in fright. "Sugared Almonds!"
Lily looked shocked, "You probably asked my friends," she said accusingly, turning back to her book.
"Ha, I'm right!" he said in a singsong voice "Your turn!"
"Haven't you got any friends?" Lily inquired rather rudely.
"Sure I do" Sirius said cheerfully apparently still pleased with himself.
"Well why don't you go and bug them?" she said huffily.
"Where's the fun in that? I bug them every day, besides James got sent to McGonagall for being rude -"
"Typical" said Lily under her breath
"- and… well… I have no idea where Remus and Peter are," he said matter-of-factly "So looks like it's just you and me."
Lily grumbled but Sirius continued playfully "Go on guess, or is Lily scared she will get it wrong?" patronising her.
"Jelly Slugs" said Lily not removing her eyes from her book. Sirius looked awestruck and seemed to be at a lose for words.
"Wow" he finally managed to get out "wow" he kept shaking his head and stayed silent for the rest of the lesson.
Meg flung her book across the common room making a small group of first years jump in fright. "I'm fed up, I just can't concentrate. Do either of you want to come for a walk?"
Ashleigh jumped up grabbing her cloak, "Anything to get away from this hideous transfiguration essay. Lils are you coming?"
"Nah. I have to finish the potions essay." Not looking up from the parchment in front of her.
"Oh come on you can do that when we get back, it's dead easy." Said Ashleigh in a whiney voice.
"Easy for you maybe, but not all of us are brilliant at potions" said Lily bitterly.
"Yeah well not all of us are brilliant at charms but you don't see me practising" Ashleigh said picking her nails.
"And she wonders why she has trouble" Lily said sardonically, more to herself than to the others. "Just go without me you are big girls now, you can handle it"
"Humph" said Ashleigh now biting her nails
"Stop it!" said Meg slapping her hand away "and lets get going. We could try and find the kitchen" trying to tempt her friend.
"Ooh goody, I was starting to crave sweet food!" said Ashleigh excitedly.
"You know, you're starting to sound like Black," commented Meg
"Yuck don't compare me to that egotistical git" Ashleigh said giving Meg a fake look of disgust and pushing her lightly. Both girl burst into laughter and Meg had to drag Ashleigh towards the portrait hole.
Lily laughed inwardly at her friends' antics and then got back to work.
"I'd better go to the library and work on the Transfiguration. I'll see you back in the Common room later." Ashleigh told Meg stuffing the remains of the chocolate éclair into her mouth.
Meg rolled her eyes "whatever" she turned and left.
Ashleigh made her way along the vast shelves pulling out books that looked relevant and piled them onto the table. She sat down and started sifting though the books.
After about an hour four boys came tearing into the library and over to where Ashleigh was sitting amid the piles of transfiguration books. She looked up to see Remus, Sirius, James and Peter, red faced and sweaty, sitting down and grabbing a book each. Seeing the questioning look on Ashleigh's face, Sirius who was beginning to catch his breath, spoke.
"Just played the best prank on old Snivellus. Covered him in slugs" he smiled, breathing hard. "Had to get away before we got caught."
A smile played on Ashleigh's lips. She leaned forward to Sirius, grabbed the book he was holding and turned it the right way before returning it to him. Just in time too, Professor Boyd, head of Slytherin house, came sweeping into the library smiling maliciously with a furious and slimy Snape, following in his wake.
"There they are!" yelled Snape, pointing at the four boys, all of whom tried to look innocent. "They were the ones who did this to me!"
Madam Prince looked up from her desk and looked disapprovingly at Snape, caught one look at Professor Boyd, tutted loudly and returned to her work.
"So." Said Professor Boyd silkily "thought it'd be funny to shower Mr Snape here in slugs did you? I think a months worth of detentions and fifty points from Gryffindor will be a sufficient punishment for your actions." He said lightly with and evil smile fixed on his face.
"B-but" spluttered James, but before he was able to finish Ashleigh stood up and took over.
"Professor, it couldn't have been them, they have been with me for the past hour or so helping me with transfiguration. I have been having trouble with it and James and Sirius are at the top of our class and agree to tutor me." she said smiling sweetly.
Professor Boyd glared at her, took one look at the books the boys were reading and started towards the library doors.
It was now Snape's turn to splutter. "But she's lying, they did this to me" to Snape's dismay Professor Boyd continued out of the library without another look. Snape rounded on the five Gryffindors "You'll pay for this, mark my word."
"What are you going to do, snot on us?" said Sirius, snorting with laughter. The other four buried their faces behind their books laughing. Snape glared at the group and left the library.
Ashleigh stood up with a broad smile on her face. "I'd better be going too. See you later." The boys thanked her and with one last smile she too turned and made for the library doors carrying her essay.
Remus watched her retreating back thoughtfully, "Why do you suppose she helped us? After all we've never really talked to her before"
"Probably dazzled by our good looks," Sirius replied with a grin, stretching out his arms behind his head and yawning.
James shook his head with mock solemnity, "honestly can't you ever be serious?" he asked.
"But I'm always Sirius!" he retorted, pleased with the pun he had made with his name.
Remus groaned, "The next person I hear make that joke is going to great pain!" he vowed.
"One might go as far as to say Sirius pain," said Peter quickly hiding behind Sirius to escape the blow Remus aimed at him.
"That a boy, you learn quickly. You'll be wooing the lady's in no time with the Sirius courting method" said Sirius proudly
"Come on Peter, it's not too late to save you" Remus said, gently pushing the smallest of the four of them towards the doors. James and Sirius followed, rowing playfully.
"Ah! At last, finished!" said Lily yawning and rubbing her eyes "Hey where's Ash?"
"I dunno. She's probably stuffing her face with more food." Replied Meg also stifling a yawn.
"Gee thanks guys," said an indignant voice behind them "I'm glad you think I'm a complete pig" the two girls turned to see Ashleigh stand with her arms folded trying to suppress a grin.
"Oh, well if it isn't darling Ashleigh, most brilliant girl in the world, best at potions in our class-" Lily went on dramatically.
"Oh stop your making me blush," said Ashleigh with fake modesty.
"Yes, please do, her head is starting to swell." Said Meg rolling her eyes.
"Since your so fabulous, can you read through my potions essay. Please" Lily pleaded shooting a wink at Meg who started laughing.
"I knew it was to good to be true." Said Ashleigh sitting grumpily down on the lounge next to her friends "Hurry up then, pass it here" she said holding her hand out and tapping her foot impatiently.
"Just make sure I haven't left anything out." Lily said handing her the parchment and a quill. Lily now turned to Meg, who was now staring at a group of people who had just entered the common room. Lily followed her gaze until her eyes met Remus Lupin. "Meg Meg Meg," Lily said shaking her head and smiling. "You make it way too obvious"
"Sorry?" said Meg quickly tearing her gaze from Lupin.
"You have no finesse!" Lily said in utter exasperation. "So how long have you liked him for?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," said Meg avoiding Lily's eyes.
Lily raised her eyebrows "I'm talking about your infatuation for a certain boy called Remus Lupin"
Meg's eyes narrowed "I do not like him, I mean he's cute and funny and charming and…" Meg went silent, lost in her own thoughts. Lily cleared her throat making Meg start. The colour rose in Megs Face "That doesn't mean I like him you know!"
"Of course it doesn't," said Lily smirking.
A/N: There you go two chapters in one night. Hope you enjoyed and don't for get to review!!!