They cord parted to let her through. She stood and looked up at the bow. It was made from a rich red wood, brighter and more vibrant that mahogany, and covered in intricate golden embossing. If she was holding it then it would reach from the floor to about her chest. The shaft was covered in intricate engravings in symbols she didn't recognise all seeming to point to the central design. It was almost disappointingly simple; a circle filled with a five pointed star. It was strung and the rope was just visible as it glinted in the light. Lily was about to reach up to touch it when she heard someone hiss her name behind her.
"Lily! What are you doing?"
She span round and noticed where she was. Hurriedly she stepped back over the line, the cord joining up again behind her, "I-I don't know," she replied.
"You're lucky Binnsy didn't see," James continued, "he'd have thrown a fit! How did you get past that line anyway?"
She shrugged, "I don't know," she smiled at him and walked off to catch up with the rest of her party now in the next room.
As she wandered round all she could think about was that bow. She didn't dare go back to it, but – she sighed, it was probably nothing, it was just incredibly beautiful that was all.
But she still hadn't forgotten by the next day. She almost caused her cauldron to explode during Potions and in Transfiguration she dropped the racoon she was supposed to be transfiguring on the floor.
"Honestly Miss Evans, I don't know what's with you this morning," McGonagall said, not unkindly.
She passed Professor Dumbledore on the way to dinner, he smiled and nodded politely to her, "Good Evening Lily, I do hope you're having a nice day." His pleasantry lost somewhat of its…well ordinariness, when accompanied by his penetrating glance.
Lily shifted uncomfortably, she always had the feeling that he knew somehow about the spell she did every week, to keep others from thinking she was anything out of the ordinary. But if he did then he had never done anything about it and so things went on as usual, "yes thank you professor," she replied with a smile. Maybe he'd heard about her carelessness today; no, that was stupid. She shook it from her mind and walked to sit down at her table.
That night the moon shone brightly through into the common room. Most people had gone to bed and Lily was left sitting by herself in front of the fire. She was reading a letter that had just come from back home.
Dear Lily,
How are you? We're all doing well here; your mother got her hair done recently. She went with Aunt Clare to that new salon that opened up down the road…
Lily smiled, just like dad to open with meaningless gossip.
…it was exciting to hear about that trip. I've always been interested in Classical Mythology all those stories, I would have studied that at university if my dad hadn't wanted me to become a doctor like him. I can't believe that there's some truth to those myths-imagine seeing the Golden Fleece! Anyway, I'd better let your mother have a turn. Love Dad. xxx
Hello dear, we're all missing you back home. And yes, I have had my hair done, I had some blond highlights put it. I wasn't too sure about it myself, but Clare persuaded me- 'It's all the rage,' she told me. Well, your father seems to like it and that's all that matters to me. I've included some of your favourite biscuits, I made a batch earlier today. Take care of yourself honey, love Mum xxx
To Lily's surprise there was a note from Petunia.
Making up more stories again Lily? I would have thought you'd have grown out of that by now. Well obviously not. Just wanted to say that my pen friend from France is coming over at Christmas, so I'd rather you didn't come back. Petunia.
Lily blinked, feeling tears rising in her eyes. Why did Petunia always have a way of making her feel so unwanted and ….
She stood and walked over to the window. Behind her she heard a couple of fifth years come in noisily. She hoped they'd leave, but they settled down in front of the fire. Sighing she picked up her cloak, which hung over the back of a chair from where she had dumped it after Herbology that afternoon.
Putting her hand over the bright blue stone muttered the password before climbing out of the hole that appeared in the wall in front of her. She walked silently down the corridors; she just needed to clear her head.
Suddenly she heard voices up ahead, it sounded like Dumbledore. She shrank against the side of the wall and peered round. Looking down she saw Dumbledore stood with Remus Lupin in the Entrance Hall. What was he doing here? And why wasn't he in trouble? Now Dumbledore was leading him out of the doors and out into the grounds.
She glanced up abruptly, hearing a sound coming from the other side of the corridor. It had sounded like voices, but she couldn't see anyone. She shrugged and with a quick look around ran quietly down the stairs and out into the grounds.
"Well, what do you make of that?" breathed Sirius.
"Do you think she knows?" added Peter.
"More importantly will she tell?" James mused out loud.
"I don't think so," said Sirius, "she doesn't seem the type. Who is she anyway?"
"A prefect," replied James, "L something, it's so odd but I can never seem to remember her name, or what she looks like when she's not right in front of me. It's like trying to hold water in my hands, the knowledge just slowly slips away from me and I forget it."
"Write it down then idiot," said Sirius.
"Oh good idea," replied James, fumbling in his robes for something to write on. He scribbled a brief note to himself and then the three of them carried on to meet Remus.
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A/N: Isn't Petunia evil?!!
Thanks to all chapter 4 reviewers!! And Skysong, I know I haven't mentioned the Huntress yet but this is a mystery fic ;) well it's coming…soon…this is the beginning in a turning point for Lily, things are about to take a very unexpected turn for her…
You want to know what it is? Well review people and I'll post sooner. If I get more than 30 (in total people, I'm not that greedy^__^) then I'll post the next chapter, if not it'll be the weekend before the next chapter arrives.