A/N: I do not own the rights to 'Lilah' by Don Henley.

The next Monday, the usual flurry of school owls dropped various notes and parcels to students at the breakfast tables in the Great Hall. While Lilah was working on her porridge, a grey-feathered own dropped a sealed note right in the bowl.

I'll bet that's from Professor Sprout, thought Lilah. She carefully unfurled the note, and it read as follows:

"Miss Darling,

Thank you for reaching out to me. I truly appreciate you being so proactive regarding your predicament. If it is agreeable, I would like to see both yourself and Mister Potter during your shared free period today to discuss the situation in greater detail. I have also owled Mister Potter the same message.

In the meantime, please note that you are in not any trouble whatsoever. In fact, I feel quite privileged to have such a principled and caring witch wearing the yellow and black. Keep being you, Lilah. I am very proud of you.

Sincerely,

Professor P. Sprout"

Several minutes later, Harry and Hermione came over to the Hufflepuff table to visit Lilah and Susan.

"Hiya Harry! Hiya Hermione!" Lilah exclaimed.

"Hiya Lilah! Hiya Susan!" Hermione greeted her Hufflepuff friends with hugs.

"Good morning, Lilah and Susan," said Harry. He appeared to be carrying a similar note in his hand. He also had a somewhat nervous expression on his face.

"Hullo, Harry and Hermione," Susan replied with a smile.

"You look a bit shaken, Harry. Is everything okay?" Lilah asked. "I take it that you got the note that Professor Sprout sent?"

Harry nodded. "I did, Lilah. I don't think there's anything to worry about, but I still can't help being a little anxious."

Lilah smiled warmly at her friend. "Harry, there's nothing to worry about. Relax. I got assurance from Professor Sprout that we're not in any sort of trouble; in fact, she truly wants to help us. She's a lot more reasonable than Professor Snape."

Harry eased up a bit. "I suppose you're right, and it doesn't take much to be more reasonable than him. He has it out for anyone that's not a bloody serpent."

Lilah, Hermione, and Susan could only nod in agreement.

Hermione couldn't help but notice Lilah's honey-blond locks cascading down past her shoulders. "Lilah... I like your hair down like that - that's a really good look for you. It's so beautiful... and so silky smooth. What's your secret?"

Lilah grinned like a Cheshire cat. "Nothing but good genetics, Hermione." Both girls giggled.

Later that morning, Lilah and Harry went to Professor Sprout's office as instructed in their notes. Lilah knocked on the professor's door politely. "Come in, you two," the Head of Hufflepuff called out in a friendly tone.

Professor Sprout was seated at her desk and had a rather pleasant expression on her face. "How are you two doing today, my dears?" she asked cheerily.

"I'm good, Professor," responded Lilah. "All in all, I enjoyed my birthday yesterday. It was great having some new friends to celebrate it with."

Professor Sprout smiled warmly at her pupil. "I'm very glad to hear that, Miss Darling. In addition to Mister Potter, I understand that you've become very close with Miss Bones, and Mister Potter's housemate, Miss Granger. I'm very glad to see that you've branched out and forged inter-house friendships. I have always encouraged my students to do so."

Harry gently took Lilah's hand as he addressed Professor Sprout. "Lilah is a credit to the Hufflepuff house, Professor. With all due respect to Hermione Granger, Lilah is perhaps the most gifted witch I've ever met. She's kind and industrious as a Hufflepuff should be, but she's also clever like a Ravenclaw, and she's brave like a Gryffindor. She would do well in all three houses, I have no doubts."

Professor Sprout smiled at Harry. "I'm inclined to agree with your assessment, Mister Potter. Miss Darling is a very rare witch, indeed. I consider myself very lucky to have her in my house."

She then turned to Lilah. "I have some very good news for you, Miss Darling. I have talked to both Professor Snape and Professor Dumbledore last night, and we have agreed on a compromise of sorts. In addition to awarding you the ten points back - for both defending your friend's honor and standing up to Draco Malfoy, who clearly instigated the incident, as there were several eyewitnesses, you are also excused from having to write the apology letter."

The smile on her face faded somewhat. "However, you still struck a student, and I'm sure you know that sort of conduct is unacceptable. You do not have to write the note, but you will report to the Headmaster's office tomorrow after dinner and apologize to Mister Malfoy in person."

Professor Sprout's smile returned. "That said, what's fair is fair. Mister Malfoy will also apologize to you for the epithet, and to Mister Potter for tripping him. In addition to you three - Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape, Professor McGonagall, and myself will all be present to witness the apologies."

Lilah nodded. "Thank you, Professor. That is both reasonable and agreeable. I will be there. Shall I wait for you in the Great Hall to be escorted to Professor Dumbledore's office?"

Professor Sprout beamed. "Thank you, Lilah. I'm glad you find this arrangement agreeable. Yes, you may wait in the Great Hall for me, and the same goes for Mister Potter. That is all I have for you two, unless you have any questions for me. If not, then you are dismissed."

The two friends still had some time before lunch, so they spent it outside under the same oak tree as last time being that the weather was pleasant again.

"I'm so relieved, Harry. I'm glad Professor Sprout stuck up for us like that. Snape would let Malfoy get away with murder," Lilah said softly.

"Me too, Lilah," Harry agreed. "So, what's that song you were referring to yesterday? The one that some non-magical people thought you might have been named after?"

Lilah giggled. "The Don Henley song? He was in this American Muggle rock band called the Eagles in the 1970s, I believe. The song 'Lilah' came out in 1982, when I was almost three, so I could hardly be named after it." She whispered into Harry's ear. "Don't tell anyone this, but my father used to sing it to me when I was younger. It was 'our song'... I rather miss that."

Harry beamed. "I can sing a fair bit. I'll learn it and sing it for you. Though, it might be hard to find since I reckon Muggle-based items are fairly scarce here."

Lilah put her index finger on her chin. "I believe they teach a Muggle Studies class here; if anyone here knows where to find that album, the Muggle Studies instructor would be a terrific starting point."

Harry chuckled. "One way or another, I'll learn that song and sing it for you someday. You have my word."

Lilah gave Harry a look. "You really mean that, don't you? You're not the type that just makes empty promises."

Harry shrugged. "You're my friend, Lilah. My best friend, even. If I make a promise, I do my best to keep it."

"You're my best friend, too, Harry. I've never met a boy quite like you before." Lilah replied.

Harry's cheeks turned red. "And I've never met a girl quite like you, Lilah. Susan's sweet, and I really like Hermione a lot, but they're not you."

Lilah looked into Harry's emerald-green eyes. "Would you mind telling me a little bit more about yourself, Harry? I still don't know your whole story yet."

Harry shrugged. "Well, if you really want to know, I spent most of my childhood trapped in a cupboard under the stairs while my aunt and uncle doted on my cousin. It wasn't fair."

Lilah stared blankly at Harry, then shook her head slightly in disbelief. "You can't be serious... you lived in a cupboard? Under the stairs? You mean to tell me that you didn't have a proper bedroom, or proper clothes, or a bed or anything?"

Harry shook his head.

Lilah looked like she was about to cry. "Harry, I can't tell you how rotten I feel. I didn't have a luxurious childhood, but it was definitely comfortable. I always had plenty of food, clothes, and toys... and my heart breaks knowing that you never got to experience any of that."

She then composed herself, and offered Harry a gentle smile. "I know it's still a good couple of months away, but I would be delighted if you would be our guest during Christmas break. Please think about it. I don't want you going back to your relatives, and I don't want you to be by yourself at the castle. I really want you to have an actual Christmas with a family that wants you to celebrate with them. My parents will treat you as their own, I promise."

Harry smiled. "That does sound rather lovely." He brushed a strand of hair away from Lilah's face. "A request, please?"

Lilah beamed. "Anything, Harry."

"Can you sing part of that Lilah song for me? I'm sure it's a lovely tune."

Lilah nodded. She started singing in a sweet soprano:

"Oh Lilah, to sleep like a baby-
To open the window and feel the fair wind
Oh Lilah, to sleep like a baby again

All these comings and goings that cut like a knife
These small, simple pleasures that make up a life
A man needs a home, and a child, and a wife
To always be there-always"

Harry felt his eyes stinging a little bit. "That's a beautiful song, Lilah." He then smiled at her. "I most definitely will learn that one for you."

That evening, after dinner, Lilah and Susan were relaxing in the Hufflepuff common room. Lilah was scribbling away on parchment for seemingly an eternity.

"You've been writing an awful lot this evening," Susan remarked. "Who are you writing to, if I may ask?"

"Professor McGonagall," Lilah replied matter-of-factly. "It is a bit of a personal matter, I'm afraid."

Susan arched an eyebrow. "It's not about Harry now, is it?"

"That," Lilah squeaked, "is strictly need-to-know."

"All right, Lilah, I can take the hint," Susan sighed.

Lilah then did a once-over, simultaneously admiring the pristine penmanship of her black quill-ink cursive handwriting, and proofreading for any spelling or grammatical errors:

"Dear Professor McGonagall,

How are you? I've gotten Harry to open up ever-so-slightly. Yesterday he told me that the Dursleys were less than great to him, and today, he basically told me that he had a deprived childhood. He lived in a cupboard under the stairs of all places! He went without while his cousin was indulged. My heart breaks for the poor boy.

I'm not sure if this means that he's ready for therapy sessions, but the tidbits that he's shared with me so far definitely signifies a breakthrough because it's more than he told me on the train. You have a terrific young man under your care, and I find our friendship deepening with each passing day. He is quite unlike any other boy I've ever known - wizard or otherwise.

Sincerely,

Lilah L. Darling"

She then rolled up the parchment and sealed it, and placed it in her robe pocket to carry with her to the breakfast table the next morning.

Susan then gave Lilah a funny look. "Lilah?"

She couldn't quite look Lilah in the eyes, as she felt a little embarrassed to ask. "The way you look at Harry... do you find him to be, erm... cute?" she asked in a quiet voice.

Lilah giggled softly. "Susan, that is also very much need-to-know." Her cheeks turned bright pink.

Susan arched an eyebrow again. "No, it isn't, Lilah. And if you're that worried that rumours will spread, I promise I won't tell anyone."

Lilah continued to giggle. "You won't leave well enough alone, will you? Fine," she said in a rather forceful whisper, but not in a truly serious manner. "If you really must know, I do find him to be rather cute."

Both girls giggled.

Susan gave Lilah another look, something along the lines of I-know-something-you-don't. "Truth be told, Lilah, I think he rather fancies you," she whispered. "He's my friend - and I'm glad he is because he is a sweet boy - but that's all we are, and ever will be. And I know he really likes Hermione; a lot really, but he doesn't look at her quite the same way he looks at you. He really, really likes you. You're a truly special witch, Lilah. You obviously connect with Harry in a way that Hermione and I can't."

Susan paused. "I saw you two alone under the tree earlier today. He definitely doesn't do that with Hermione."

Lilah shook her head slowly. "You don't know that for sure, Susan," she replied gently. "For all you know, they could be spending some quality time together in their common room. They're both Gryffindors, after all. Anyway, it doesn't really matter. We're just good friends; we're not dating or anything. Merlin, I just turned 12 a few days ago... I'm not anywhere close to being ready for that sort of a relationship. But one day... I could see myself with him..." She sighed softly. "I think I'm falling for him little by little each day."

The following morning, Lilah waited for the school owls to arrive at the tables to deliver post in the Great Hall. She hailed an owl, and instructed it to carry the note to Professor McGonagall. After it was delivered, she went over to the Gryffindor table to greet Harry and Hermione.

"Hiya Harry! Hiya Hermione!" Lilah squeaked.

"Hiya Lilah!" said Hermione as she gave her friend a warm hug.

"Hello Lilah," said Harry as he embraced Lilah.

Lilah smiled at her friends. "Would you two like to study in the library with me this evening? There's a ton of stuff to go over in History of Magic and I want to make sure I get all my dates and names straight." Her face then briefly flushed with frustration. "And I thought I was bad at remembering names, Professor Binns keeps addressing me as Miss Daniels or Miss Darwin or some-such, it's annoying, really..."

Harry cleared his throat. "I'm fine with that Lilah, but we have to meet at Professor Dumbledore's office immediately after dinner, remember?"

Lilah gave Harry a funny grin. "I know that, Harry. I don't expect it would take very long. I think seven-thirty would be doable. Is that okay with both of you?"

Harry nodded. "I'm sure the meeting'll be short, so that's fine."

Hermione arched an eyebrow. "Why are you going to the headmaster's office, exactly? I hope you two didn't get into any further trouble from yesterday."

Lilah smiled sweetly. "It's a good thing, I promise. Harry and I spoke with Professor Sprout, and she worked out a deal with Professors Dumbledore and Snape. She gave Hufflepuff the ten points back that Snape took away because I stood up to Malfoy, and defended Harry, and she was able to get me out of that ridiculous apology letter. I have to go there tonight to apologise to Malfoy in person for slugging him, but he will also apologise to me for calling me that... horrible word, and to Harry for tripping him. I found that a much better alternative."

Hermione smiled. "Yes, that's a much better way of handling it. You have a good head-of-house, Lilah. I know Professor Sprout is a kind and reasonable witch, much like Professor McGonagall."

Lilah beamed. "I like Professor McGonagall too. She's a very honest and fair witch as well." She then saw several students getting up and leaving to go to class. "I suppose that's my cue to get up and get going. I'll be seeing you two soon. Enjoy your class," she said as she waved good-bye.