Rating: K+

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or names in this story created by J.K Rowling (who is a very talented lady.) I only own the plot, and new characters you won't recognise.

Chapter Five: The First Week

Later that week, at breakfast, she sniffed at her pumpkin juice and discovered that it was a Shrinking Solution in disguise. These little incidents being almost routine to her, she Vanished the potion.

"What's up?" enquired Alice , chewing on a fried egg.

"Nothing – it was only those anonymous pranksters again," Lily muttered.

"Pranksters?" asked Wyona, interested.

Lily was explaining to her the whole business with the anonymous note when a hundred or so owls swooped into the Great Hall. Everyone in the vicinity looked up edgily. One thing that was covered up in Hogwarts was that, every morning, there was a risk of being the target for a large dose of owl waste. Today wasn't Pettigrew's lucky day. He squealed as something white and sticky splattered onto his hair.

Charms was first up, and Lily was in a good mood because it was her favourite subject. Flitwick had asked them to practise Aguamenti, the spell to produce a pure fountain of water.

"It's almost certain to be in you N.E.W.Ts!" he squeaked. "You must master it!"

Lily, who could have shown him the Aguamenti spell in her third year, decided to flip through her textbook ('Charms for the Charmed') and turned to the very last chapter, our of pure curiosity. It was titled, 'Self-Charming.'

While humans do not have a choice in what genes they inherit, it began, there are many ways of changing your appearance. The most popular method is to learn to be an Animagus. A rarer occurrence is being born a Metamorphose. These people can change their appearance at will. But those not being able to? Fortunately, the world of Charms has made minor modifications on a person possible.

Lily read on, about changing hair colour and length – changing colour of the eyes, charming on freckles, pimples, moles, warts –

"Miss Evans? Why are you not practising with the rest of the class?"

Lily looked up – or rather, down. Professor Flitwick was looking at her questioningly. "Please show me your Aguamenti spell."

Lily straightened her back, her wand hand out, and said firmly, "Aguamenti!"

A jet of pure water, clear and shining, burst out of the tip of her wand and cascaded in a perfect arch, not a single drop out of place. A ray of golden sunlight shining through the window caught the glistening baubles of water, and a misty rainbow broadened across the classroom.

Professor Flitwick, momentarily speechless, regained the use of his voice and said, "Well done, Lily! Everyone, see how she gave the wand a gentle 'flick' – not the thrusting motion most of you have been doing."

After Charms, Lily pondered on the chapter which she had read. Maybe a change would be good – her long, straight red hair was now getting a little boring.

Flitwick kept her in after class, to congratulate her on being selected Head Girl.

In Transfiguration, Professor McGonagall lectured the class again on the importance of their final year at Hogwarts. "Stop prattling, Narcissa – settle down, everyone. Now, I am going to stress the urgency of your N.E.W.Ts this year – did I hear a groan there, Diggory? - and what you all must realise is that after this year, you all must find a path of your own interests, to put your talents in this world. Careers Advice will be conducted next week, as of last year, and now you shall all turn to Chapter Two and practise the wand movement described on page six."

Wyona looked bewildered. "Swish, forward flick, left sweep, under sweep, while chanting the word, Halesperoux" she recited. She turned to Lily. "What the heck is an under sweep?"

"Watch me," said a voice from behind them. It was Sirius Black – Narcissa's cousin, but very good-looking, no doubt. He performed a series of complex movements. "Halesperoux!"

There was a bang, and Wyona promptly turned into a rabbit.

"Black!" screeched McGonagall, "I thought I said to practise the wand movement!"

"Sorry, Professor," said Sirius meekly.

"Detention! Today!"

She performed the counter-jinx and Wyona reappeared, looking furious. "Why, you – Black – "

"Calm yourself, Wyona," said McGonagall crisply. "We have wasted a good portion of the lesson. Class dismissed."

As the seventh-years forwarded out into the corridor, Lily accidentally brushed against a sullen-looking boy with lank dark hair.

"Get off, Mudblood," he said, pushing her away roughly. A second later, he rose up into the air.

Lily knew what was about to happen. "No, Potter! Put him down!" she said without looking behind her.

"Snivellus deserves it," said James. "He shouldn't – say that word." Severus Snape rose higher into the air, his head brushing the ceiling. There was an expression of mingled fury and frustration on his face.

Lily turned and glared at James. He took a step back, as if her intense green gaze had physically pushed him.

"Potter, you'll get in trouble –" she warned. To her great surprise, a smile broke over his face.

"So – it matters to you - whether I get into trouble or not - does it?" he said, almost gleefully.

Lily was at a loss for words. "I – I just don't want you to lose any points for Gryffindor!"

James chuckled madly, not releasing the spell he had on Snape.

"I'll let him go – if –"

Lily knew too well what he was about to say. "No! Potter, no! For the the last time, NO!"

And with that she walked away, leaving a bewildered James, with Snape still dangling above him.