Hello everyone! ducks to avoid sharp, pointy things Sorry it took so late! Honestly, I am. Damn writers block. Anyway, the 6th Harry Potter book comes out today! Yay – only this story won't be finished in time. So, if there is anything in the book that contradicts my story – I'm sorry. But I'm sticking with my storyline. Thank you to my reviewers – 27 reviews! I'm so happy, reviews give me confidence. Yay! Bye the way, my bday was on the 13th! 'Happy birthday to me, happy birth--". Er—right. On with the story….

Thank you to brw1001, jmarit17, Jingle Bellz, Sazinous, mandakhristine07Fairy-GYAKUTENNO-MEGAMISelene Romanovdracomalfoysdragonlemmingally, and OTHCharmedHPFreak

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Lily woke up early, blinked and looked around. The other girls were still sleeping soundly. She rolled out of bed and walked over towards the window seat. It was still dark outside, and only some pale, dusky pink could be seen.

She sighed softly and pulled her legs up to her chest. Her thoughts drifted towards the prank that they (Lily, Allison & Jade) would pull today. She laid her head against the cool glass and mulled over her situation.

Had it really come down to this? Her, bragging and gloating -- almost as bad as the…Marauders? True, they had started it, but hadn't she gotten them back?

She concentrated, thinking back to her earlier days at Hogwarts. Had it started when they were twelve, and James had turned her hair blue? No – must have been before that. First year? Did she really hate him at that age?

Do you really hate him dearie?, her inner voice said.

/Of – of course./ another, voice replied loftily.

Mmmhm…

/Mmmhm? What mmmhm? MMMHM? What's that? What are you implying/ Her second voice shrieked.

Well…

/Well WHAT/ she demanded a little nervously.

Love, cool down. You've got that famous redhead temper in you. Listen, sweets. I just want you to stop and think for a moment. That boy has a weakness. Now his, it seems to be that – monkey. He's covered up that weakness, hidden it where he doesn't think anyone will find it. His friends don't even know. Now, you've found that weakness. What are you going to do with it?

Lily's second voice stayed silent. She curled up tighter and looked out the window. Is that what she was doing? Playing off his weakness?

She shivered. She had a weakness too. What – what if someone…found…out? Lily squeezed her eyes shut. Pain…fear…bruises…footsteps…crunching bone…breaking glass…please…knuckleskickpunch…bleeding…my blood?…Daddy?…

Her eyes flew open, her breathing erratic. She gasped and tried to take deep, calming breaths.

Lily looked down to her arms, where her fingernails had made small half moon scratches. She took a deep breath, and tried to forget that last…memory. Her mind wandered back to her previous thoughts.

Sure the Marauders had pulled one on her before, but wouldn't this be targeted at James alone?

/So/ her bossier voice said. /He deserves it./

But this would be personal, deeply personal.

/And what would you call that last prank? Hmm? They were flaunting your UNDERWEAR! As well as stating some embarrassing facts about them. You can't say that's not personal./

Lily mulled over this for a long time. She didn't notice the sunrise or the girls in her dorm waking up.

"Lily?" a voice asked behind her. Jade was standing there, still in her pajamas. "Er--what are you doing?"

"Oh," Lily mumbled, scrambling off the window seat. "Uh--couldn't sleep." Jade nodded and looked concerned. Then she started pulling out her clothes.

Lily walked over to her dresser and started to get out her uniform as well. As she finished brushing her hair, Allison walked in from the bathroom, her eyes bright.

"Ready guys?" She grinned and stuck her wand into her pocket.

Lily exhaled quietly and tried to push away her previous thoughts. She smiled, and looked at her friends. "Let's go."

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I hate Wednesdays, James Potter thought as he strolled down to the Great Hall with his friends. First the hot water runs out. Then, the shampoo runs out. And LASTLY, Padfoot used up all the hair spray. He scowled deeply as he saw Sirius patting his hair. And now my hair looks--un-James Potterish! It's my hair! It's famous! He wrinkled his noise. The gods are against me. Yup. That's it. It's ALMOST the weekend, but they just pile ALL the crap meant for the week onto Wednesday. He looked up at the ceiling. Yeah, I'm talking to you.

James was jolted out of his rant, when Remus stopped suddenly in front of him.

"Hey! Mooney – why did you…" he trailed off. His wyes widened and he made a feeble noise in his throat.

His once beloved childhood friend (or pet), was now in the middle of the Great Hall, exactly as he was on that terrifying night. Panic gripped James as he looked up at the 15-foot monkey. He squeezed his eyes shut and re-opened them, only to find the entire population of Hogwarts staring at him whimpering. His faced paled, and he grabbed the doorframe to steady himself. This isn't happening…

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Lily's gaze slid between her slightly (A/N: ahem ) hysterical best friends and James Potter. She looked at James' pale face and cringed.

Allison gasped for breath, tears of mirth forming in her eyes. "And that's not the best part," she said gleefully.

Allison took out her wand and muttered something under he breath. Then she flicked her wand, and grinned at Lily.

Pop!

Large streaks of color zoomed and morphed into huge letters that hung in the air, in front of James.

THE RETURN OF OOGERPOOKEY – BE AFRAID JAMES…BE VERY AFRAID…

Lily glanced at James. Her stomach twisted as his face looked terrified. Maybe…maybe it was just the sun reflecting off his glasses…but was he…tearing up?

She watched him stumble backwards and run out of sight. Lily bit her lip, threw down her napkin and ran after him, not noticing the stares she was getting.

"Lily?" Jade called after he. "Where--"

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Lily gasped and panted for breath, as she ran through the corridors. Where is he? She finally caught sight of a mess, raven-haired boy striding towards the Gryffindor Tower.

"James!" she called out. "James!" He didn't stop, but she noticed him pause – just for a second. "JAMES!" she said loudly, finally catching him at the entrance to the Tower.

"Dammit," he cursed softly, staring at the portrait of the Fat Lady – sans the Fat Lady right now.

"James," she said nervously. "Listen…I…I…just--"

James whirled around, tears threatening to spill over. His eyes, now of a darker hue reflected anger, confusion, sadness…but the overwhelming hurt made Lily's stomach twist even more.

Lily opened her mouth to speak but James cut her off.

"No," he whispered angrily. "For once in your damn life, shut up and listen to me Evans." He advanced on her, his eyes glittering dangerously. "I have no idea, where or from whom you learned about--" he faltered "—about the monkey." He paused and shook his head. "You know Evans, I kinda respected you…before. Those were good pranks you pulled. I admired that you took on the Marauders – no one else did." He set his jaw and the steely glint returned.

"But I never would have thought that you could sink this low. You – are – nothing­ – Lily." He spat. Then he turned around, and walked away.

Lily sank to the floor, her head I her hands. 'You are nothing Lily' rang through her head. She drew in a ragged breath. Suddenly the scenery changed. She wasn't sitting in the Gryffindor corridor anymore. She was lying on the ground, whimpering, in a pool of her own blood. She looked up at her father, drunk and filthy. He bent down, roughly pulling on Lily's hair.

"You – are – nothing – Lily," he snarled in her ear. "Nothing." He stood up again, his tall dark figure, looming over he. "Nothing."

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It's done! Not quite as long….And bye the way lemmingally – anon. reviews are now accepted. Well….review….please?