"Oh Lily I have excellent news!" Keri said sprinting towards her.

"My wand is working!"

"Really?" Lily said

"lumos" she said, nothing happened. She repeated the spell several times, every time her wand made no movement at all.

"Let's see" Lily said.

"lumos" she said smiling, her wand let out a long stretch of light.

Lily looked over at her cousin. "We should show Dumbledore" Lily said.

They took the circuitous route to Dumbledore's office. "How're we going to get in" Keri asked.

Lily shrugged this had not been part of her plan.

"Professor Slughorn!" Lily called as she saw him coming out of a door down the hall.

"Lily" his low voice boomed.

"Lovely, what can I do for you?"

"I need to get into professor Dumbledore's office."

"Not a problem"

"Goats' wine" he said firmly.

The stone gargoyle twisted into a spiral staircase. They sprinted up.

"Professor Dumbledore" Lily breathed as they reached his desk.

"My cousins' wand! It's working." Dumbledore muttered a spell.

"So it does, as does Miss Dershins'"

Lily hadn't noticed the long brown haired girl sitting behind her.

She turned to face Dumbledore again.

"May I use your wand for just a moment, Miss McIntire"

"Yes" she said.

He supplied to chairs, and handed it back to her.

"Sit" he said to the two girls.

The girls sat in the chairs before them. "Don't worry, I don't blame any of you"
Dumbledore said taking note of Lily and Keri's expressions. Brianna although looked
undaunted.

"The ministry has found a link." He sat down.

"You three are not the first to come here, it's strange how some work and others don't.
We'll just have to wait and see."

"So they found what caused it." Keri asked

"Yes" Dumbledore said plainly.

"What was it? Or who was it?" Brianna said snidely, in the light Lily could see the girls' face pale and thin, with wide-set eyes.

"All in time, Miss Dershin, you will know."

She scowled.

"You may leave now if you wish." He said kindly.

"Thank god." Keri said as they descended the spiral staircase.

"I know what a relief."

"You Gryffindors' are all the same, I wouldn't relax so quickly." Brianna said pushing
past them.

"I can't stand pessimistic people like that." Keri said glaring after her.

Lily rolled her eyes. "Come on Keri" Lily said.

"Lily, your dormitory is that way." Keri said looking at her strangely.

"I know" Lily said reddening.

"This is about Jason, isn't it you just wait until Owen finds out about this. He'll tell your parents and the-"

"You wouldn't!" Lily said interrupting her

"Owen will ha-"

"I will what?" Owen said appearing out of no where.

Why does this always happen to me! Lily thought glaring at Keri fiercely.
"Nothing" Lily said quickly

He raised his eyebrows suspiciously. "Are you sure" he said.

"We were only speaking of Lily's boyfriend" Keri said carelessly

"Keri!" Lily screamed at the girl running down the corridor

"Don't tell my father." Lily pleaded as she ran after her.

……………………………………………………………………………….
James sat on his window seat looking out the window. The grounds filled with fog, all that could be seen was grey. His window was clouded over, in the distance he could faintly make out that long red hair.

I don't care he thought plainly, taking a deep breath.

Scott deserves her. Okay so I'm insanely jealous, she worships him! Like I worship her. So you'd think I'd understand. Why him? Why not me?

He stared at her for what seemed like hours, and may have been.
……………………………………………………………………………………

Lily sighed as she pressed her gloved hands together I just love this weather.
She thought shivering on a large rock beside the lake. She checked her watch Six O'clock she thought.

She sneezed loudly.

"Bless you" someone said behind her. She screamed in shock, slipping off her rock into
the water. The cold hit her instantly. She felt herself being dragged out again.

"I'm sorry" came a hoarse whisper. She looked up at the boy.
She shivered twice as much looking at him.

"Snape" she said having to think first.

He nodded. "It's alright" she sighed turning as she walked sopping wet towards the castle.

"Wait" he said.

She turned back and looked at him.

"Are you like the others?" he said in a tone that did not subside.

She looked confused all the more. "Excuse me?" she said.

"Help me" he said falling down coughing.

Lily looked at him in disconcertedly

He is a bit dramatic but I do feel for him. She thought analyzing the pale figure.

"Please, I'll die" He said looking up at her from the ground.

"Don't say that" Lily said looking down on him awkwardly, moving closer.

"I did it" he said.

"You did what?" Lily said unaware.

He said nothing but collapsed from all fours, he lay motionless.

She gasped rushing off towards the castle as fast as she could.

Oh god, oh god, oh my god
Lily said running, water gushing out of her shoes at each step.

What if he's died? Right before my very own eyes.

"James" Lily called to the first person she saw.

"You make a point of being awake early don't you?" He said smugly.

"Potter, I have no time for small talk!" Lily said.

"Something serious?" he asked in a tone she had not heard.

"Yes, it's Severus"

"Who?" James asked.

"Snape!" She hissed.

"Can't be too important" James said waving a hand.

"How can you be so cruel?" Lily said exasperated.

"The guy's not exactly my best mate that's all I'm saying." James said looking
uncomfortable.

"You will help me, Potter." She said icily, looking strait into his eyes.

"Oh alright, as there's no one else awake." James said.

"Wise choice, Potter, now go get Severus and bring him up to Madame Pomfrey's' '"

"You mean carry him?" James looked disgusted.

"That's right" Lily said before she walked off towards the hospital wing.

What a beautiful beginning to my birthday

"Madame Pomfrey, there's a boy outside. I think he's dead." Lily said when she finaly reached the hospital wing

"Dead, Dear?" Madame Pomfrey said looking at her strangely.

"Yes, someone's bringing him round now. I just thought you ought to know."

"He's not dead" James said throwing Severus off his shoulder onto a chair.

"He's just unconscious"

Lily felt relieved, she had still not seen a death.

"I'll see what can be done" Madame Pomfrey sighed.

"Goodbye" Lily waved toward Madame Pomfrey before she left.

Lily walked on humming to herself a bit.

"Hello Lily" James said walking beside her.

"I'm in no mood for your childish antics, Potter."

"Antics? Since when have I-"

"Since always, Potter" Lily interrupted.

"You seem different, is something wrong?"

"You mean besides you being here?"

"Yeah" he said with a half-grin.

"It's my birthday today" she said quietly.

"I see." He said raising his eyebrows. "You want a hug?"

"No I think I'll be alright" Lily said snorting.

"Have it your way, I'll see you later then" he said before he turned heading towards the Slytherin tower.

She passed it off, not thinking. "Lily! There you are, we saw you outside" Crystal and Emily said running towards her.

"You look upset" Crystal said pouting.

"Oh the weirdest thing happened." Lily's friends stood in surprise as Lily retold the events.

"No way" Crystal said.

"It's not completely unbelievable" Emily said.

"What do you mean?" Crystal said staring at Emily fixedly.

"Well I mean he doesn't come from the best family… Who knows what he's up to"
Emily finished looking around jumpily to assure no one else had heard.

"That's true" Crystal said.

Lily cleared her throat. "I think those presents you have there need opening" Lily said beaming.

"Not until tonight" Emily said.

"What?" Lily said open-mouthed.

"Sorry, Lily, Keri was keeping them for us. We're just moving them to our dormitory." Emily continued.

"Ah" Lily said.

"This way you'll be able to open all of your presents together." Crystal said unable to contain her laughter.

"You two are pure evil" Lily said glaring at them.

"Oh it was dreadful but hopefully it'll be back to normal when I get this bandage off." A girl said walking up through the halls dressed heavily in winter clothing.

"You poor thing, we were so worried when you left" another girl by her side said.

"Wait until Keri finds out about this" Lily said

"About what?" Emily said

"Madison's back" Lily said looking as the three girls made their way through the corridor.

"Oh that's too bad, she was so excited when she found out she had left. Too bad it hadn't been longer." Emily said empathetically.

The students made their way through the hallways grumpily, heading towards the last class of the day. Lily enjoyed her classes and was not dispirited. Lily sat down near the middle of the classroom and began taking out her books. She rubbed her eyes wanting to clear her view. When she stopped she was surprised to find James level with her, his head resting on his hands.

"Hi" he said quietly.

"James" Lily said trying to be civil. "We've spoken once today can we leave it at that?"

"No, today is special"

"Is it?" Lily said dryly.

"It's your birthday, I bought you a present." James said placing it on her desk.

-FLASHBACK-

"I bought you a present, Lily, open it." James said passing her a package.

Lily beamed, her eyes twinkling. "Thank you, James" she said untying the ribbon.

"It is your twelfth birthday after all." He said smiling at her.

She unfolded the package neatly, when the paper was off she proceeded to open the box.
A pair of silver scissors, floated out of the package. Lily plainly looked at them not sure what to think. She screamed at they flew towards her face, swooping around her head several times. She tried to beat away the scissors with her hands, she bit her lip as she felt her hand bleeding.
The scissors vanished in mid air yet not before hacking off inches of Lily's long red hair. She screamed again taking notice of her short hair. She took one horrified glance at James before darting out of the common room. She found the first mirror she could. Her hair looked awful, it was uneven and bushy. That Potter, never again will I give into him! I will never fall for another one of his tricks, no one will ever know how dear he is to me… Was to me, they will all know I hate him… She threw herself down on her bed as she cried.

"Lily we saw the whole thing" Emily said as her and Crystal rushed in. Lily didn't even look up.

"It's not so bad" Emily said coming closer.

"Not so bad! Look at it!" Lily yelled.

"It really isn't, we'll just get you a haircut and it'll be fine." Crystal said sitting down beside her.
She then put her head back down and wept for what seemed like hours for her and anyone who could hear her.

-END FLASHBACK-

I had almost forgotten about that, and I had that terrible bob-cut for weeks.

"Lily" James said waving a hand.

"Oh" she said coming out of her thoughts.

She placed the gift on the floor. "I think I'll open it later, James" she said looking a bit peaky.

He pouted "Are you sure"

"Quite" she said as Professor Mcgonagall entered the room.

The class flew by and before she knew it they were filing out. "Goodbye, Lily" James said as he headed out.

"Oh, James, I forgot to thank you for the gift. So thank you" she said sheepishly.

"Not a problem, Evans" he said beaming before rushing off towards Sirius.

"Lily" Jason said heading toward her "I'm glad I caught you."

She smiled as though the day had been perfect. "There's a prefects meeting tonight"

Lily groaned "Today's my birthday" she explained.

"You underestimate me, I already knew that. I'll try to keep it short, oh and I had a present for you but your friend said she'd give it to you."

"Did she now, that's interesting" Lily said feeling her nose flare upward.

"I'll see you at the meeting" he said kissing her on the cheek.

Lily walked through towards the Gryffindor tower like a zombie, when she reached her dormitory. She looked around at present after present.

"You two!"

"Yes" Crystal said.
"Why have you been redirecting all my gifts today" Lily pouted.

Emily and Crystal emerged out of the clutter, two gifts in hand.

"We wanted to be around when you opened them" Emily said plainly.

"Oh fine, I see you managed to bring round some butter beer and cream puffs so I suppose I'll have to forgive you."

"You'll have to thank, Potter for those." Crystal said.

Emily snorted loudly. "We had to beg him, but then we told him it was for you…" Emily said rolling her eyes.

"The last person I want to talk about right now is, Potter" Lily said waving her hands

"Okay, open mine" Crystal said. Lily pulled off the card.

Dear Lily I know that at this point in time you are really mad at me, but I know you love me so you'll get over it! Happy sixteenth, little Lily finally sixteen it's hard to believe.

Love Always
Crystal

Lily's eyes widened as she opened the package "How…" Lily said shocked pulling out a pair of earrings.

"They were there" Crystal said smiling pulling off her cloak to reveal a t-shirt that clearly read "Love Lily"

"It's been six years" Lily said shocked.

"I suppose they were meant for us only." Crystal stated.

"This is what you wouldn't tell me" Emily said frowning at Crystal "Earrings?"

"They're not just earrings, Emily" Lily said "We saw them a while back it's a complete set, we couldn't afford them but we said we'd get them eventually." Lily said pulling out bracelets, earrings, necklaces, brooches, anklets, and everything of the like.

"They're all the same" Emily said looking confused.

"They're Crystal" Lily said.

"Mine our flowers, Lillie's to be exact." Crystal said pulling her hair back to reveal glass earrings in the shape of a Lily.

"I don't understand you two" Emily sighed as Lily pulled out her "Love Crystal" t-shirt.

Emily shook her head but she brightened at once "Open mine now" she said. Lily nearly fell over when Emily handed her the gift.

"Ties and Turns: The Founding and the Background" she read as she opened

"Emily!" she squealed rushing over to her. "I've been trying to find this everywhere."

"You two and your books" Crystal rolled her eyes.

Thoroughly satisfied Lily sat down. "Mine next!" Keri said panting as she ran threw the door.

"I'm sorry, it's been a rough day. It was really difficult getting up here too" she said collapsing on the floor beside Lily.

Dear Lily
Sorry this card is a bit rushed but happy sixteenth birthday!
Love Keri

She opened it to find five books she had wanted "Keri, you didn't have to buy all of them" Lily said.

"Oh I wanted to" she smiled. Lily leaned over and hugged her tightly.

"What's that you have there?" Keri asked.

"Oh it's from, Potter"

"Oh" The three girls said starting Lily.

"Don't you three get any ideas in your heads, okay?"

They all nodded.

"Let's have a toast" Crystal said.

Emily groaned, "Crystal every time we bring out a couple of drinks you have to propose a toast"

"Hush" Crystal said
"Ladies, raise your glasses… Well bottles"

"As long as it's not to me I'll be jinxed" Lily said panic stricken.

The three girls looked at Lily strangely.

They all raised lifted their glasses so they were level with one another.

"Well to… Men" Crystal said.
"To Romance" Keri said
"To the weaker sex" Emily said and Crystal frowned.
"To the hopeless" Lily said clinking bottles with everyone.

She realized there were many presents to open. There was only one more she wanted to open though. She waited until her friends watched her open all the gifts and Keri slipped out and back to her tower. Just before she headed to the prefects meeting she pulled out the card to read:

Dear Lily
I know this is really strange but so are you, I overheard you wanted one, and I though I should be the one to buy it.

Love Jason

P.S I almost forgot to mention that will be the last time I'll ever enter a women's' store

Lily giggled at this being sure not to wake up the other girls. She pulled out the object suspiciously. She was shocked as she pulled out a wizards' corset she'd been dieing to have since her fifth year, yet cost three hundred galleons.

Strange indeed she thought smiling.

She pulled off something softer rolled up in paper she pulled on the string and it unraveled.


A Rose for conformity's sake .
A Lily because you wouldn't expect otherwise.
A Tulip because it went with the whole white theme.

Why the flowers? Once again conformity's sake I guess.

Madison glared malevolently from behind a statue. "James what were you just doing?" said a blonde she didn't recognize.

"Just a little prank" he said grinning.

The blonde raised her eyebrows "So this is how you figure you'll win Lily over, and she'll fall madly in love with you?"

Evans, I could murder her Madison thought trying to keep her breathing under control.

"Of course not" James said. "Now what have you got to tell me?" he said grinning like a king over his gold.

"What are you grinning at me for, I never said I'd spy for you." The girl said looking away from him.

"That's not it I just want to ask you one thing" he said smiling innocently.

"Oh alright, what is it you want to know?" she said turning to face him.

"Are they really going out? I mean I know I could've asked Lily instead of getting you to come down here... I was afraid she'd bite my head off and feed it to the giant squid" he said in a mock sincere tone.

"Yeah you're probably right" Crystal laughed. "They're not, but at this point if he asked her I'm sure she'd run into his arms screaming yes." She said rolling her eyes

"You really lay it on easy don't you?" James said with a half-grin.

"Sorry" Crystal blushed. "James?" she said meekly, he nodded.

"Couldn't you just… I don't know forget about Lily. What I mean to say is she's really happy right now… It's is rare and unusual." Crystal said awkwardly.

"Forget about Lily…? Who would… I there's no one else… She's so different… Who else could I want?"

"Me" Crystal said sincerely.

She did not just say that Madison thought suppressing a gasp.

"I do like you, a lot" he said.

The girl looked shocked. "What?" She said looking like she had been hit over the head with a mallet.

He didn't seem to take any notice to her last comment. "You're gorgeous you know that" He said, the girl looked horrorstruck.

"I never knew you felt that way." He said looking confused.

"Well it's a bit difficult to say" she muttered.

This is not happening! Madison thought, if looks could kill, Crystal would be long dead.

"You know Crystal, I think I'll like getting used to those doe eyes of yours" he said smiling at her.

"Getting used… to my eyes" she barely got out.

She sighed happily, then she flashed a grin before she pulled his face roughly towards him and kissed him long and hard.

I'm going to kill her! she said breathing very heavily now, so heavily it was a surprise she was not heard.

"I didn't know you could be so forceful." James said taken aback.

"Just you wait, Potter" she said raising her eyebrows before she turned to leave and he watched her walk away.

That little… She's dead! she thought her heart beating quickly.

"I think she's even better at that then I am" he muttered. "Crystal wait up" he called.

Madison glared twirling her hair maliciously "Just you wait, blondie" she laughed.

"Lily!" Crystal screamed rushing over, she panted loudly.

"What are doe eyes?" Crystal said in her usually bubbly tone.

"Deer eyes" Lily said plainly.

"A deer, like that horse looking thing muggles have?" she said pouting, while still panting.

"Yes, Crystal" Lily said exasperated.

"Well never mind that. Guess what?" The blonde breathed.

"You won a marathon" Lily asked in a tone of mock interest.

"Funny" Crystal said scowling. "I was just with James."

"That's it?" Lily said dryly.

"He kissed me!" she said. "Okay well I kissed him but it's all the same, and he kissed me back!"

"You disgust me" Lily said shaking her head.

"At last my love has come along, my lonely days are over and life and life is like a song. At last the skies are blue, my heart was wrapped up in clover the night looked at you." Crystal sang in a very off tune tone.

"Crystal will you be quiet!" Lily hissed glancing around the corridors nervously.

"Never!" she said as she began to sing again. "I found a dream that I could speak to, a dream that I can call my own, I found a thrill to rest my cheek to, a thrill that I have never known."

"You're going to be like this all night aren't you" Lily sighed.

"And here we are in heaven, because you are mine at last" Crystal continued to sing very loudly.

"Crystal!" Lily pleaded.

"Lighten up, Evans!" Crystal said in a voice unlike her own as she went spinning down the hallway.

I need to get some new friends, Lily thought as she ran after her. They walked up to the dorms or I should say Lily walked up to the dormitories, whilst Crystal floated. Lily went to sleep while Crystal woke up Emily to tell her about it.

Lily woke up early the next morning, careful to avoid Crystal. She walked along running her hand across the wall as she walked, humming softly.

"Evans" a voice behind her snapped. She turned to look at the speaker.

"Remember me." The girl said in a harsh tone.

"How could I forget" Lily said You've started a reoccurring nightmare I've had the past three nights.

"Nice bandage." Lily said referring to the white strip over her nose.

"Why thank you, Evans" the girl replied snidely.

"Look I'm kind of in a rush, and I think I should get moving." Lily said forcing a smile.

"In a rush to get where exactly, Evans?" she said glaring. "At seven o'clock" The girl said darkly.

"Oh alright!" Lily shouted. "What is it you want?" Lily said.

"Tell your little blonde friend to stay away from, James!"

"You can't be serious" Lily snorted.

"Dead serious" she said fixing the bandage over her nose.

"What businesses is it of yours? It's not like he's going out with you." Lily said in a similar icy tone.

"Lily?" Keri asked skeptically. "Madison…?"

"What?" Lily said thoroughly annoyed.

"You two… Together" Keri said looking blankly at them.

"I was just leaving, lets go Keri" Lily grunted pointing a thumb lazily.

"What was that about?" Keri said looking disconcerted.

"Nothing" Lily muttered walking quickly.

"Obviously" Keri said rolling her eyes speeding up to walk in pace with Lily.

"She must've seen Crystal and James together last night, and she's pissed." Lily said point blank.
"Not surprised, she's had a crush on him since fourth year." Keri sighed.

Lily frowned. "Great"

"I suggest Crystal stays in hiding for the next couple of days. Madison always gets her way and she prides herself on it."

"I'm starving, let us go eat" Keri said dragging her towards the great hall.

They walked on towards the tables to their surprise there were already several other students in the great hall. Hardly an hour had gone by before the great hall was full.

Dumbledore clapped his hands from where he stood, to gain the attention of the many students. Everyone stopped talking and turned to him.

"As you may or may not have noticed, your wands do work, and let this not be cause for celebration. I advise you al to take extreme caution." He paused.

"We have set down the following set of rules. Firstly, no student will be out of their dormitory after eight o'clock. Then, wand use outside the castle walls are forbidden…"

"What use will that do?" Keri whispered.

Lily shushed her then went on to listening intently.

"The dungeons have been blocked off, the location of your potions classes have been posted just outside the great hall. Quidditch has been canceled indefinitely"

Several students groaned loudly, James looked like his family had died.

"Mrs. Parkes asks that all Quidditch captains meet her at room 304, for a brief meeting. Enjoy your day" Dumbledore finished he then received several dark looks from the students.