"Oh, sod off," Lily said quietly for the tenth time that day as a familiar figure approached her once again. Ron sniggered from her side, doing his best to hide his smile so Lily wouldn't say anything.

"Hello, Lily," Colin Creevey said while fiddling nervously with his camera in hand. Lily didn't know how the mousy-faced boy could balance it; it seemed too top heavy.

"Hello, Colin," she replied, her voice devoid of any warmth. She was getting sick of Colin following her around constantly, and even more tired of hearing the distinctive click of Colin snapping a picture of her.

"Do you mind if I get a picture of you?" Colin asked, tapping the camera he was holding. "I never got my last one back from Lockhart, and I was wondering if-"

"No," Lily said.

"No problem, then," Colin quickly said, backing up. "Sorry for bothering you, I'll see you around."

"Right," Lily said. At least Colin was learning, even if it was very slow. Maybe tomorrow he'd only ask nine times.

"You should be nicer to him," Ron said bravely. "He just fancies you, is all."

"I don't fancy him," Lily grumbled. "He only asked permission this time because I threw a fit when he didn't the other hundred times."

"Good times," Ron said fondly.

"He's been hanging around Ginny, did you know?" Lily asked.

"He has?" Ron said, warmth leaving his voice. "What's he want with her, do you reckon?"

"They're in the same year," Neville said.

"Still, though," Ron grumbled.

"She said they've been studying together with the rest of the first year Gryffindors," Lily said. "They've formed a study group."

She thought she managed to hide her hurt feelings well enough; she found out when she asked Ginny to study Transfiguration with her and completely got blown off. At least the first-year girl seemed sad about it. Lily got the feeling she wasn't super fond of her fellow Gryffindor first years. She saw her with a Ravenclaw girl far more often, and once even a Slytherin, although that could have just been her eyes playing tricks on her.

"Unnatural, that is," Ron said. Lily and Neville both chose to ignore it.

"What was your note?" Neville asked after a few more minutes of silence, hands shoved in his pockets.

"Hagrid wants us over for tea later," Lily said, passing the small note over to Ron so she could get back to her breakfast. She had enough interruptions for one meal, thank you very much.

Ron grunted as he read the note, chewing toast slathered with a distressing amount of butter. "We could go for lunch, I suppose, but we'll have to tell him no rock cakes."

"We could always skip Herbology," Lily suggested, hiding her smile behind her glass of cold pumpkin juice.

"No!" Neville said in shock.

"It's a joke, Nev," Ron said with a roll of his eyes. "She's just teasing you."

"Yes, I'm just teasing," Lily agreed. She wouldn't mind skiving off, but Professor Sprout would definitely notice and report their absence. Hard work was a core tenant of being a Hufflepuff, after all, and she was their Head of House.

"We've been skipping History of Magic too much as it is," Neville grumbled. "We should really go to class today."

"Fine, we'll go," Lily said with a sigh. Ron groaned in response; he advocated for never attending another class session with Professor Binns. He thought the ghostly professor wouldn't notice. Lily agreed, but she knew their fellow students would report them eventually if they just stopped coming.

"Percy's been dropping hints lately, anyway," he grumbled. "I think he's on to us."

"Do Fred and George go?" Lily asked.

"No, but nobody expects them to," Ron said. "Even Mum gave up on them, so long as they keep attending everything else. They only show up for exams and tests."

"We have one in Transfiguration today," Neville added helpfully. Lily shot him a glare, sipping her pumpkin juice.

The Transfiguration test went about as well as Lily could have hoped, considering how much effort she put into studying for it. At the very least, she didn't horribly embarrass herself in front of McGonagall like she feared she would.

Charms was always a nice breather afterwards, and while the rest of the class was busy practicing the Dancing Feet Charm (Tarantallegra), Flitwick moved Lily a unit ahead, working on the Freezing Charm (Immobolus). It was a good time for the practice, Lily thought, since Neville needed constant help to get his feet still.

With only an hour left to them for lunchtime, they hurried off onto the grounds, jogging over to Hagrid's Hut. Neville puffed along behind them, while Ron and Lily raced on ahead, each determined not to lose to the other. Lily was the faster runner, but Ron had more endurance. She still managed to take this one.

Fang barked loudly inside as they knocked, each low growl shaking the fabric of air around it. The terrifying effect was ruined once Hagrid opened the door, as the gigantic boarhound moved forward skittishly and then rolled over onto his back so Lily could scratch at his belly.

"Hello, there," Hagrid said cheerily. "Come in, come in, don't be strangers, now."

Ron and Neville pushed past Lily, who enjoyed one last lick on her cheek from Fang before she went inside herself. She plopped herself into the nearest, comfy chair, and Fang dutifully dropped his head right into her lap. He always drooled, but she didn't mind; she quite liked dogs.

"How have classes been?" Hagrid asked as he maneuvered himself through his cramped kitchen towards the tea kettle.

"Dreadful," Ron said first. "Snape has us working in partners with the Slytherins."

"He does, does he?" Hagrid asked, setting a cup in front of each of the second years. Lily sipped at hers reluctantly, then stealthily dropped two sugars into it, smiling to herself as she imagined Gran's reaction.

"The rest aren't so bad," Lily corrected, satisfied with the sweetness in her cup. "But, yes, Potions is dreadful this year."

"For you too, eh?" Hagrid said with a chuckle. "I seem to remember you liked it, last year."

"Well, he has me working with Malfoy," Lily said with a sneer.

"No!" Hagrid said, shocked.

"He does," Neville confirmed.

"He has me working with Parkinson," Ron added. "Lily has it worse, though. I don't know what I'd do if I had to work with that slimy git."

"It's not all bad," Lily said, leaning forward. "I've- err- been messing with him a bit. Just to blow off some steam, you know?"

Ron smiled at that, leaning in himself. "Go on, then, what have you been doing?"

"Well, do you- err- do you remember that time where his cauldron melted?"

"You didn't," Hagrid said disapprovingly.

"Well, I might have used a Softening Charm on the bottom," Lily said, "But you didn't see what he was doing beforehand! He had it coming."

Hagrid thought about that for a moment. "Well, I suppose I can't argue that the brat needed it, but still. Don't go letting me hear about anymore, will you? I'm 'sposed to tell Dumbledore when I hear about any troublemaking."

"I won't, then," Lily said.

"What happened to your chickens, Hagrid?" Neville asked instead.

"You have chickens?" Lily asked excitedly. "How come I never noticed?"

"Mate, that's on you," Ron said.

"I dunno what happened," Hagrid said, staring out his window at the empty coop. Lily couldn't help but stare as well, eyes glancing about for any signs of feathers. "Found em dead a few days ago. Think a fox got to em."

"I thought animals couldn't get onto the grounds unless they were brought in on purpose," Ron said.

"Depends," Hagrid explained. "Magical creatures are kept out by the wards, but nonmagical critters can still get through."

"Did you find the fox yet?" Neville asked.

"No, but don't you mind that," Hagrid said. "Heard you two made the Quidditch team."

"As a reserve," Ron grumbled.

"Still, though, that's great!" Hagrid said cheerily. He thumped Ron on the back, causing the younger boy to sputter out some tea. Hagrid quietly offered him a napkin.

"Who is the new Slytherin Quidditch Captain?" Lily asked, curious to who they'd be up against.

"Montague," Ron said, perking up a bit with his near-death experience. "He plays Chaser. He's just as mean as Flint was, and twice as stupid. We'll have to watch out. They'll be playing really dirty."

"Why would Snape choose him?" Lily drained the rest of her tea, happily accepting another cup from Hagrid.

"Probably because he's a greasy eel," Ron suggested.

They spent the next half an hour discussing various topics in Hagrid's cozy cabin, drinking copious amounts of tea and even eating some (very tough) jerky Hagrid prepared over the summer. Once it was time to go, Hagrid stood, raising his cup in the suggestion of a toast.

"To Ron and Lily," he said (much to Lily's embarrassment), "Quidditch champions."

"To Ron and Lily," they all repeated, raising their own cups. Lily pretended to take a sip; her cup had been empty for a while. She desperately needed to pee, and didn't want to risk taking in any more liquid.

The students ran to the greenhouses soon after, barely making it before Professor Sprout shut the doors. They panted at their station, struggling to catch their breath as the Hufflepuff mistress started a lecture on mandrakes. Lily spent the entirety of the class not paying attention and fidgeting where she stood, counting the seconds until she could make it back to the castle.

Unfortunately, Fridays were a Double Herbology day, and so the hours dragged on, time slowing to a crawl. Lily left the class covered in sweat, absolutely sure her bladder would burst before she could make it to a bathroom. She sprinted on ahead of everyone else, running into the Great Hall. The nearest restroom had an out of order sign up, so she ran up the stairs to the first floor.

That bathroom, unfortunately, had an enormous line, likely due to the one below being unusable. Lily danced in place for a moment, considering her options, then dashed up to the second floor. That bathroom was never used, except by the most desperate. Lily, unfortunately, was at that point.

The second-floor bathroom was, as expected, empty. Lily hurried into a stall, hoping Myrtle wouldn't notice somebody's presence. The ghost was well-known among the female student body, and would scream and cry if somebody dared to use the same bathroom she refused to stop haunting. Lily didn't think it was fair; they had few enough bathrooms as it was. She spent enough time in here last year, back when she was fighting with all her friends. Myrtle didn't seem to mind Lily's company, but that almost made it worse. She definitely did not want people to think she was friends with the spectre.

The bathroom was oddly quiet today, aside from the occasional wail or sniffle coming from Myrtle's stall. Lily quickly washed her hands at the ornate sinks, then hurried outside, pleased that she got away with it without ever having to say a word to Myrtle.

"Miss Potter!" a squeaky voice called out as Lily attempted to return to the staircase. Lily turned, spotting Professor Flitwick hopping towards her eagerly.

"Professor?" she said.

"I was just about to send for you," Flitwick said. "I just got word from Minerva; she has given full permission for you to begin private lessons."

"Really?" Lily asked, not quite wanting to get her hopes up.

"We shall begin next Thursday," Flitwick said. "You shall have one meeting with me a month, and every other week shall be with a higher year student."

That was even better than Lily hoped, and she could feel her feet wanting to dance in exuberation. She chose to hide that feeling, since she didn't want to embarrass herself at the moment.

"I shall see you on Monday, Miss Potter," Flitwick said with a bow. "Do enjoy your weekend."

"You, too, Professor," Lily called back as she skipped away happily. She stopped as she neared the voices of others, but she did enjoy that one brief moment.

She rejoined Ron and Neville at History of Magic, taking up position near the back of the room so that Ron could get away with a nap. Lily chose to stay up; she was far too excited to sleep. She was also far too excited to pay attention, and spent her time doodling the Gryffindor Quidditch players on her parchment. It was about as productive as she ever got in this particular class. She spent far too long drawing Katie Bell, only to realize she completely forgot the rest of the team.

Speaking of Quidditch players, they ran into Oliver Wood as the Fat Lady swung open to let them into the common room. He ran up from behind, quickly placing a hand on Lily's shoulder.

"Ah, Potter, there you are," he said.

"Bloody hell," Lily said, almost jumping out of her skin. "Merlin, Wood don't do that, you almost-"

"I have a revised training schedule for you," Wood said, handing over a scroll. Lily took it with a shaky hand, snapping it open. She gave it a onceover, then looked up at the smiling, annoying sixth year boy.

"First thing Saturday and Sunday?" Lily asked with a raised eyebrow. Previously they at least got the Saturday off for resting.

"And an evening on Wednesdays and Fridays," Wood said, tapping on the paper. "Slytherin has those 2001s. We need all the practice we can get if we're going to take the cup."

"Oliver, when am I supposed to do homework?" Lily asked. "These weekend sessions are five hours long."

"We'll manage," Wood said. "If we stick to this, we'll be unbeatable this year, I'm sure of it."

"But-"

"And I want you there, too, Weasley," Wood said, placing another scroll into Ron's hands. Ron looked shocked, staring at the scroll in utter disbelief.

"Me?" Ron said, mouth stuck open. "But I'm only-"

"Yes, you," Wood confirmed. "I've decided all of our reserves should come to practice. Just in case something happens, you should still get used to the rest of the team."

"But-" Ron said, clearly showing the same horror Lily was already feeling. Their schedules were already jampacked, and now had even less wiggle room.

"See you both after supper," Wood said, patting them each once and then pushing inside the common room. Ron muttered a curse under his breath.

"What a load of-"

"Will you lot get inside?" The Fat Lady interrupted. The three second years hurried inside the warm and crowded common room, not wanting to earn the portrait's ire. Neville did that a week ago when he couldn't remember the password, and she almost made him sleep outside in the hallway. He was saved by Lily checking the Marauder's Map before bed, spying her friend tucked away in a cold, dark corner.

"I was hoping we could join a club," Neville mumbled as he threw his things on an open table.

"Tuesdays are still open," Lily said.

"No, they aren't," Ron disagreed. "We have to have at least one night free to ourselves, Lily, I'm not doing anything on Tuesdays."

"Tuesday evenings only leaves the Gryffindor Pride club, anyway," Neville said. "We could try a weekend club, you won't be in practice all day."

"Do the other houses have their own?" Lily asked. "The Pride club, I mean."

"Probably," Ron said.

"I think it's called Pride because we're lions," Neville asked. "It's just somewhere else for Gryffindors to gather."

"Would Ravenclaw be a Murder?" Lily asked.

"That's crows," Neville said.

"What in Merlin's name are you two talking about?" Ron asked, shooting glares at the more comfortable, older students. They were far from the fireplace and windows. Even if the weather was still warm, Lily wished they were at least a bit closer. She always got cold too easily.

"A group of crows is called a murder," Neville explained. "And Ravenclaw has an eagle, anyway, not a raven."

"What's a group of eagles called, then?" Lily asked, brushing a lock of hair from her eyes.

"I don't know," Neville said. "I only knew the crow thing because of Hermione."

Lily looked around for the bushy-haired girl. She'd still answer the question, if they weren't currently friendly with each other, and Lily was more than willing to ask. She wasn't in the common room, though, so she gave up.

"We should probably get down to supper," Ron grumbled, standing. "Wood'll kill us if we're late for the first practice."

"I suppose," Lily agreed reluctantly, standing as well. "I'll go ahead and change. Meet you downstairs?"

"Sure," Ron said, waving her off. Lily waved back, then began the climb upstairs. Her legs were already hurting from all the activity today, and they'd likely be aching by the time she finally got to bed if Wood had his way. She'd be lucky if they made it back inside before curfew.

Lily felt a brief pang of sadness as she pushed the door open to her empty dorm; she still wasn't used to her cat not running up to greet her anytime she came back home. At the very least, she didn't have to deal with the equally painful reaction of Weasley snuggling with Lavender and refusing to come say hello.

Lily tossed her trunk onto her bed, then placed her broom next to it far more gently. She threw her bag down on the ground, pushing it under the bed with her foot so nobody would go through it. She clicked the trunk open and tossed back the lid, then scattered a few of its contents around. She had to dig almost to the bottom to find her Quidditch robes.

She changed as quickly as she could, throwing on her slightly musty school robes for the fresh, clean Quidditch ones. They'd be far smellier soon enough, but it felt nice in the moment. Lily stood up, giving herself a nice, long stretch, then looked around at her untidy surroundings. She tossed her robes around a little more than she probably should have; one almost managed to land on Hermione's bed.

"Should probably clean that up," Lily muttered to herself, wondering if she really had the time for that. She grabbed the robe from Hermione's bed first, rolled it into a ball, then tossed it back into her trunk. As she picked up the robes she just shed, she remembered the map. She removed that so it wouldn't get caught in the wash, then tucked it gently into the trunk, right where she would have normally stored the Invisibility Cloak.

She was still looking for a good opportunity to report that it was missing. She knew McGonagall would give her a lecture when she did, so she'd been putting it off. She didn't even mention it to Neville or Ron yet, although she should probably get to that soon. Ron, at the least, kept asking why they haven't gone out yet after hours and she was running out of excuses.

There was a click at the door, and Lily quickly hurried to throw some of her things back into the trunk, not caring about any spillover.

"What are you doing in here?" Lavender asked rudely, crossing her arms across her chest. Her pretty hair was in curls and flowed down her back. Her makeup was also perfect, as it always was.

"I live here," Lily said, cramming a few more things back into the trunk. She threw her books in last before clicking it shut. A sleeve was poking out from one side, but she paid it no mind and placed the trunk back on the floor where it belonged.

"Why did you make such a mess?" Parvati said in a nicer tone.

"I was changing into my Quidditch robes." Lily gestured at her far more colourful robes, then slung her broom over her shoulder.

"And you had to throw your things all over the room to do it?" Lavender asked.

"No, I- err- couldn't find them at first," Lily said, scratching at her scar. It always itched when she got hot, and she was suddenly feeling very warm.

"Well, get out," Lavender said rudely. "We need the room."

"Okay, Lavender," Lily said, taking any excuse she could get to leave this situation. "Why are you two up here, anyway? Dinner starts soon."

"We needed to do some studying," Parvati said, patting her satchel. Lily nodded in understanding; just yesterday Snape yelled at the two of them for twenty minutes about the poor quality of their work.

"Why didn't you do it downstairs?" Lily asked.

"It's too crowded down there," Lavender huffed. "Why are you up here, anyway? Your friends are downstairs, aren't they?"

"Fine, I get the hint," Lily said, pushing past the two. "I wouldn't want to intrude on your private time together."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lavender called after Lily. Lily chose to not answer it and skipped down the steps. She could always get over any fight with Lavender very quickly, even if she got angry in the moment. She just couldn't stay mad at Lavender for very long.

Ron and Neville were sitting on the couch as Lily arrived, Ron wearing his Quidditch robes and holding his broomstick gently across his legs. They both stood as Lily joined them, falling into stride with her.

"Did you ask Hermione about the eagle thing?" Neville asked.

"What? What are you- Oh, that. No, she wasn't up there."

"What took you so long, then?" Ron asked.

"I was changing, Ron," Lily answered. "Anyway, Neville, I don't know where she is, and I don't particularly care."

"Lavender said earlier that she's been spending a lot of time in the second-floor bathroom," Neville said. "Well, actually, Parvati told me, but she said she heard it from Lavender who-"
"Why would she be spending all her time in a bathroom?" Ron asked.

Lily bit her lip at the sudden feeling of anxiousness. "That's where I went last year, when we were fighting, remember?"

Neville frowned. "You don't think she's doing the same thing, do you?"

"Who cares?" Ron said. "Quaffle's on her side at this point, Lily already apologized. Let's just forget about her already. There's no use spending all your time worrying about whether or not somebody likes you."

Lily sped up, pushing past the two boys and through a throng of nearby Gryffindors. One of them shot her a look, but she ignored it. She could hear Ron groaning from behind.

"What did I do now?" he said in a defeated tone as he struggled to keep up with her.

"Is that what you said about me last year?" Lily snapped.