The snow was falling faster as they reached the castle, the vast swathes of white fluff covering the school grounds. Through the windows to the Great Hall, she could see the Christmas decorations and a large, festive set of trees. That was all she could see from outside, since she wasn't anywhere near the right angle to see any of the students that must assuredly be eating supper.

Thinking of food set Lily's stomach grumbling. She ate at the hospital, but that felt like days ago at this point. Her feet were aching from the trip, and her legs weren't getting any sturdier. As they pushed into the Entrance Hall, she could smell the wonderful delights awaiting her in the next room, wafting straight towards her with a gentle breeze, as if it was trying to tempt her to enter inside, to join the feasting and merriment. She took a step forward, mouth watering from anticipation, dreaming of roast chicken and plump helping of potato.

"Potter, where do you think you are going?" McGonagall's shrewd voice asked. Lily turned apprehensively, noting the professor's quizzical look.

"Supper, Professor?" Lily said in a high tone. She pointed to the Great Hall with her thumb over her shoulder.

"I'm afraid we do not have the time for a feast tonight," McGonagall said. "You have already fallen too far behind your peers. We will need to get started immediately if you have any hopes of catching up."

"But, Professor-"

"No arguments, Potter. If you are that famished, I shall send for something to be brought up for you."

McGonagall turned, cloak flowing behind her, and proceeded towards the staircase. Lily looked back one last time at the Great Hall, listening to the chatter coming from within. She dragged her feet as she pouted, following behind the professor. The container of fudge tucked safely in her robes was suddenly very tempting, and she licked her lips as she thought of it.

"Filius will be instructing you after the Holidays," McGonagall called out as they reached her office. "He believes he can get you up to speed in just a week for Charms. I, on the other hand, think it will be a miracle if you're caught up in Transfiguration by the end of term."

A quick wave of her wand, and the door was unlocked and swinging open for the two of them. Lily popped one last piece of fudge into her mouth, and then tucked the rest back inside her robe. She had to chew quickly. McGonagall was clearly looking at her for some sort of response. She swallowed, wishing she had something to drink.

"I can do it, Professor," she said thickly.

"I certainly hope so, Potter," McGonagall said sharply as she closed the door behind the two of them. "I must admit, I find your lack of talent in Transfiguration disappointing. Both your parents were quite adept at the subject."

Lily didn't know how to feel about that one, so she tried not to think about it at all. She couldn't be good at everything.

Another wave of her wand, and the office space magically expanded, allowing them more space to maneuver. Lily was impressed by that one, although she couldn't help but wonder why Flitwick never did the same. He'd have a lot more space to leave books and papers lying around if he could expand it.

"Were they really that good, Professor?" Lily asked. She just couldn't help herself, really, now that the thought of her parents had been placed into her brain.

"Oh, yes," McGonagall said. "Your father managed an O on both his OWLs and NEWTs. I've never seen a student so proficient. I tried to convince him to make use of the talent, but he quite insisted on becoming an Auror. A pity."

She remembered somebody mentioning her father being an Auror, but she couldn't remember who it was. It was hard to combine that with the mischievous look she'd gotten from the mirror, with his cocky smile and messy, black hair.

"And my mother?" Lily asked hopefully. She knew hardly anything about her mother; people talked about her far less. All she knew was the original Lily was proficient in Charms and Potions and, by all accounts, was a very nice girl who happened to be extraordinarily pretty. Lily wished she looked half as nice.

"Oh, yes, Lily was good at everything, wasn't she?" McGonagall said fondly. "She had more of an aptitude for Potions and Charms, like yourself, but she still managed to earn an O on her OWLs and an E on her NEWTs. With a little luck, we should be able to do the same for you, provided that you stop getting yourself killed."

"I haven't died yet, Professor," Lily said with a smile. McGonagall gave a disapproving scowl in response.

"Well, then, perhaps you'll find yourself actually attending classes in the future?" McGonagall asked. "Another month in St. Mungo's and you might have found yourself in extensive remedial classes. You've already missed far too much as it is."

"What are we working on first, Professor?" Lily asked, desperate to talk about something else.

"Do you remember what we were working on before the Quidditch match?" McGonagall asked, long, thin wand held comfortably between her hands.

"Err-" Lily stammered. "We covered the Softening Charm the week before, but-"

"Reparifarge, Potter," McGonagall said with a sigh. "Do you remember what it does?"

"No, Professor," Lily admitted. She hadn't even begun to study whatever it was Reparifarge did, and she hadn't lied; she'd been working on the Softening Charm before her hospitalization. She'd already been behind before that, when they'd been working on transforming rabbits into slippers. Her face felt hot, but she met the Professor's eyes.

"It is an incantation used to revert a transfigured item back to its original form," McGonagall explained. "For instance, should you be transfiguring a bird into a goblet with Vera Verto, and the wings or head remain, you can use Reparifarge to turn the bird back to normal. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Lily said quickly. She couldn't help but wonder why they didn't cover that last year. She could still hear the taunting from her friends about the unfortunate mice she tortured during her study sessions. She hoped the poor things were doing well; they escaped her grasp right before the summer break.

Upon reflection, this was probably the easiest spell Lily had covered thus far in Transfiguration. McGonagall seemed impressed at her progress, even if she did keep her for an hour before finally, mercifully, sending for a platter of food to be brought up. Lily ate a hurried dinner of roast chicken legs and baked potatoes (with McGonagall sniffing disapprovingly at her table manners) and then was dismissed.

"I shall see you tomorrow, Potter," McGonagall called out as Lily placed her hand on the knob.

She paused, turning to look back at the Professor, who was already working on grading some other assignments.

"Tomorrow is Tuesday, Professor," Lily said. "We don't have Transfiguration."

"I believe I already explained to you that we shall be having nightly meetings," McGonagall said exhaustedly. "I shall see you tomorrow at the same time for some more practice."

"But-" Lily began, "but, Professor, I won't have time for-"

"I shall send for food again, Potter," McGonagall said, cutting her off with a wave of her hand. "I'm afraid we do not have the time to wait. We must get you caught up."

"But-" Lily began again, "but, Professor, I have lessons with-"

"With Miss Clearwater, yes, I know," McGonagall said, looking up shrewdly this time. "Your weekly meetings will be moved to Saturdays, after your Quidditch practice. Miss Clearwater will explain further at a later date. You are dismissed, Potter."

"But what about Quidditch, Professor?" Lily asked. "We're supposed to have practice on-"

"You will be missing the weekday practice sessions," McGonagall said. "I have already had word with Mr. Wood. In addition to the practice on Saturday mornings, you will also have an additional practice on Sunday evenings. You are dismissed, Potter."

"But-"

"You are dismissed, Potter," McGonagall said one last time, shooting Lily a look that said there would be no further discussion. Lily took the hint, turned the knob, and pushed the door open, grumbling under her breath in defiance.

"Lily!" Neville's voice rang out. He hopped up from the floor, where he'd been sitting with Ron, and quickly threw his arms around Lily in a warm embrace. Lily let out a little squeak of surprise, arms failing to close around the boy in return.

"Saw you come in," Ron said as he stood, patting a hand firmly on his robes.

Lily returned the hug finally as her senses returned to her. "Does anyone else-"

"You are dismissed, Potter," McGonagall said loudly from behind. Lily took the further hint, sidling outside and closing the door firmly behind her.

"Does anyone else know yet?" Lily asked. She was hoping for a nice, quiet night. She was rather tired, and wanted nothing more than to crawl into her bed for a long rest.

"Fred and George were with us when we checked the map," Ron admitted. "They've probably told half the school by now."

"Sorry," Neville said sheepishly as the trio turned to make their way upstairs. "We needed their help keeping an eye on it, like you asked."

"Well did you see anything strange?' Lily asked in return.

Ron shook his head. "Malfoy keeps going to the same room in the dungeons, but otherwise nothing."

"Malfoy?" Lily asked sharply. "What's he up to?"

"Dunno. But he's staying here over the Holidays. We think he might be up to something."

"Then why did you say you haven't seen anything?" Lily asked.

"I was watching the map during the last attack, Lily, Malfoy didn't do anything," Neville explained. Lily grabbed both boys by the arm as they passed a portrait of Circe. The beautiful enchantress smiled at Lily fondly, twirling her goblet of wine expectantly.

"Wiggypiggy," she said. Circe winked at her, then swung open, revealing a staircase upwards.

"I thought that went down!" Ron said in an impressed tone. "Map says Piggywiggy takes us to the Entrance Hall."

"I said it wrong the first time I used it, and she let me go up," Lily said, grunting as she pulled herself up into the alcove. She lent Neville a helping hand, but Ron pulled himself up with no assistance. She lit her wand for the group as the portrait swung closed behind them. "Fred and George couldn't get it to work, though."

"Why couldn't they?" Ron asked.

"Well, Circe turned men into pigs, didn't she?" Lily said as they began their ascent. "Maybe the stairs up are just for girls."

"That doesn't seem fair," Ron said. "First, boys can't go up your dorm tower, now we can't even take a secret staircase?"

"Oh, stuff it, Ron," Lily said. "I'm sure there's plenty of places only boys can go in the castle. Are we sure Malfoy isn't the one behind the attacks? What if whatever he's doing in the dungeons is on a delay?"

"Could be following orders, too," Ron suggested. "Maybe he's just leaving instructions for it and then hiding away when the attack actually happens."

"He didn't go," Neville said. "I was watching him all day."

"Who else did you watch?" Lily asked.

"Malfoy and the other Slytherins, mostly," Neville said.

"Are we sure it's a Slytherin?" Lily asked.

"Course it is," Ron said snidely. "They're the Heir of Slytherin, aren't they? I reckon it has to be Malfoy, that git's been ecstatic after every single attack."

"Half of Slytherin was, Ron," Lily pointed out. "They've been cheering me on, haven't they, since the Prophet ran that slander piece? Keep an eye on him anyway, if it's any second year it has to be him."

"Who do you reckon it is, then?" Ron asked.

"I reckon it has to be a first year," Lily said. "Think about it: Dobby didn't come to me until this year, and we never even heard of the Chamber of Secrets until now. You don't think that's strange?"

"What about the seventh years?" Neville asked.

"Good point, Nev," Ron agreed. "Could be one of them, waiting to do anything until they're about to leave."
"Do either of you know any Slytherin seventh year's names?" Lily asked.

"No, but Fred and George might be able to tell us," Ron suggested.

"Then we'll keep an eye on them, the first years, and Malfoy," Lily said, stopping before the exit on the seventh floor. She turned around, holding her free hand out towards Ron.

"What?" Ron asked, giving her a strange look.

"The map, Ron," Lily said, thrusting her hand out one more. "I'm back now, hand it over."

"Right," Ron said quickly, shoving his hand into his pocket and wrenching out the wad of papers, map still showing.

"You're supposed to deactivate it when you're not using it, Ron," Lily said, giving it a once over to make sure nobody was outside their hidey-hole. The coast seemed clear.

"Sorry," Ron muttered.

"Mischief managed," Lily said, wand placed on the parchment. "Nox."

Lily pushed open the exit, hopping down on the ground below. That particular hallway wasn't dusty, for whatever reason. In fact, anything hidden behind a portrait never seemed to be, while the one behind tapestries were always covered in a thick layer.

Neville hopped down next, landing far less gracefully. Lily helped pull him up as Ron jumped down, the wall swinging closed behind them, then stuffed both map and wand into her robes.
"How come this side doesn't have a portrait?" Ron asked, looking behind them curiously.

"It only works one way," Lily explained. "Can't open it from this side. Did either of you bring any food back with you?"

"No," Ron said.

"We didn't notice you were back until after we left," Neville added.

"Figures," Lily said grumpily. She rubbed at her stomach as it let out another grumble. She stopped sharply in front of the Fat Lady, glancing back at her two companions. Neville, in turn, turned to Ron, who was their sole hope.

"Password?" The Fat Lady asked.

"Nicholas Flamel," Ron said, the Fat Lady swinging open to reveal the portrait hole.

"That seems a bit cheeky," Lily said as she proceeded through.

"A bit, yeah," Ron agreed. "But the Fat Lady likes to have fun, doesn't she? She knows what she's about."

"Lily!" a feminine voice called out before a set of arms clamped down tightly around her torso.

"Lavender!" Lily said in a voice of feigned excitement. She was just a bit too tired and sore to truly appreciate the affection.

"I missed you!" Lavender said in real excitement, breaking off the hug and flashing an expression of pure delight.

"And I missed you!" Lily said in return as Parvati joined them. Lily pushed onward, heading straight for the Girl's Tower. She had to cover her mouth as she let out a huge yawn.

"Do you want to come study with us, Lily?" Parvati asked.

"No, I think I'm going to head to bed early, actually," Lily said with another yawn. "It's been a long day, you know, and my legs are killing me."

"Lily, we have Astronomy tonight," Ron said.

Lily stopped in her tracks, hand on the railing. "Right. Monday. A nap, then."

"I'll wake you up when it's time!" Lavender said excitedly, clapping her hands together.

"Looking forward to it!" Lily said, letting out another big yawn.

"Lily, can I borrow a bit of scratch parchment before you go?" Ron asked sharply. "Have some homework to do, you know?"

"Right," Lily said, digging the map back out of her robe and handing it over. "See you in a bit, then."

"Goodnight, Lily!" Lavender called after her. Lily waved sleepily, but chose not to respond otherwise. She was worried nobody would be able to wake her, to be honest. There were still a lot of stairs between her and her bed, and she didn't know if she'd be able to make it. As she passed by the open third-year's dorm, she considered asking Katie if she could nap in there, instead, but gave it up when she saw the girl, alone, reclining on her mattress with a book open on her lap. She let out a curse as she stubbed her toe on the next step, hand quickly grasping onto the railing to steady herself.

"Lily!"

"Katie!" Lily called back. She could hear the Chaser springing off her mattress. She took the chance to sit on the steps so she could massage her foot. The appendage felt much better out of the shoe, and her toes cracked loudly as she stretched them out. Maybe she needed new shoes, too. Her feet were bigger than she remembered.

Katie's face appeared in the door way, her hands clasping onto the walls around it as she searched around. Her smile lit up as she finally found the Seeker.

"You're back!" she said.

"I'm back!" Lily agreed with a friendly wave.

"Do you want to come in?" Katie asked, gesturing inside her dorm.

"Maybe later," Lily said. "I was heading up for a nap, I have Astronomy later."

"Oh," Katie said. Lily didn't like the sound of disappointment she heard in that tone.

"Well, maybe for a couple of minutes," Lily said, standing awkwardly on her one (almost) bare foot. The cold stone felt weird through her sock.

"You don't have to," Katie said quickly. "Really, I don't want to keep you up."

"It's fine." Lily pushed her way past the girl, taking a seat on the bed Katie had been just moments before.

"Well, if you're sure," Katie relented. Lily thought she was trying to hide her smile. "Are you feeling all right, now?"

"Loads, thanks to the Strengthening Solutions." Lily gave a little flex with her arms. "Built up a decent amount of muscle, too, since I basically had to carry myself that first week."

"We were all really worried about you, you know?" Katie said shyly. Lily briefly remembered the look of horror she had on her face right before Lockhart arrived.

"I have a knack for almost dying," Lily said with a confident wink. "I'll probably be back in the Hospital Wing before the year is over."

"Well, at least we can visit you there," Katie said. She finally took a seat next to Lily, the mattress sagging a bit from the extra weight.

"Have I always been taller than you?" Lily asked, now that she was comparing their heights.

Katie shook her head. "No, but you caught up really quickly. I don't think I'll get much taller, though, I'm already bigger than mum."

"What about your dad?" Lily asked.

"He's got over a head on me," Katie said with a scoff. "He used to play Beater in school, so he's huge. How about you? How tall are your- sorry, that was a stupid question."

"It's okay," Lily said sadly. "I didn't know them, but I saw them in the mirror last year. I think I'm already as tall as mum, but my dad was a good bit taller than she was. My Aunt was- never mind."

"I didn't know you had family, Lily," Katie said. "Why don't you stay with them instead of the Weasleys?"

"They're Muggles," Lily said, hoping to leave it at that.

"Oh. I didn't know you- err- cared about all that."

Oh, Merlin, you really screwed that one up, Potter.

"I didn't mean it like that," Lily said in her defense. "It's fine that they're Muggles, it's just- they're not very good people. So, I left."

There was a bit of an awkward silence after that, and Lily briefly considered leaving, although she didn't think she'd be able to nap anymore now that her mind was racing.

"I always wondered," Katie said, "Why do you go by Lily instead of Hazel?"

"It was my Mum's name," Lily simply.

There was a bit more to it, but she was definitely not touching that one.

"I should have realized that, we all grew up hearing their names," Katie said shyly. She seemed genuinely embarrassed about it, as far as Lily could tell.

"I suppose it must have been a bit strange when I showed up last year," Lily said.

"Well, we all knew you'd be coming to Hogwarts eventually, I just- I don't know, I didn't expect it, at least. My dad's always telling me I need to pay more attention to- to things like that."

"You probably knew more about me than I did, at that point," Lily said. "I was still trying to wrap my head around being a witch, and then I was told there would be a test, and then suddenly a hat was singing a song to us. It was a strange day."

"I'm glad you're in Gryffindor," Katie said sweetly.

"Me, too," Lily agreed. "Even if it does keep almost getting me killed. The hat wanted to put me in Slytherin."
"Really?" Katie said in shock.

"Really," Lily confirmed. "I asked to be in Gryffindor, though, so he put me here. Don't think I've told anybody about that one."

"Well, now I'm really glad you're here," Katie said as she put a hand on Lily's. "Could you imagine if you were in Slytherin? Half the school already thinks you're the Heir, they'd just take that as confirmation."

"I think I'd just freeze to death," Lily said with a laugh. "Their common room is in the dungeons, and I can hardly last long enough to get through Potions. I'd never be able to live down there."

"I think you'd be fine, I'm sure they keep fires going constantly."

"If they didn't, they'd all be covered in frost," Lily said as she stifled a yawn. "I should go, I really need that nap."

"I'll see you tomorrow, then," Katie said. "Want to go down to breakfast together?"

"Sure," Lily agreed happily. "It'll be nice to have someone down there for once, Neville and Ron never get up until they absolutely have to."

"I'll get up early, then," Katie said with a wink. "Wouldn't want to disappoint you."

"Goodnight, Katie," Lily said as left the doorway. She left it open, assuming Katie liked it that way, and resumed her sleepy shuffle up the staircase. Her own down was still closed, like it always was. She pushed the door to their dorm open without knocking, taking another moment to yawn.

"Lily!" Hermione's voice called from within, followed by a quick shuffle as she got to her feet.

"Hello," Lily said as she shuffled her feet towards her four-poster. It was just as she left it: trunk propped lazily on top of the mattress, books and belongings scattered around. That might have made her a little anxious before, but the invisibility cloak was still missing, so she didn't have anything to worry about. Who would want to steal some dirty robes and scuffed textbooks?

"How- err- how are you?" Hermione asked sheepishly.

Lily glanced over as she began to pile her things back into her trunk. Hermione was standing near her own bed, looking over nervously, fidgeting with her hands. Lily knew that feeling all-too-well.

"I'm walking," Lily answered. "That's an improvement. You should have seen-"

Hermione crossed over quickly, throwing her arms around Lily tightly. Lily didn't mind, even if her ribs were starting to get really sore from all the hugging.

"I'm sorry, Lily," Hermione said as she squeezed even tighter, voice growing thicker. "I- I- I-"

"It's all right, Hermione," Lily said reassuringly, sliding her own arms around Hermione's back. "I'm fine, really, I'm-"

"It's not that," Hermione said with a sniff as she broke the contact. "I've- I've been so horrible to you, lately, and I thought- I- I didn't want that to be the last way I treated you. I'm so sorry, Lily."

Lily pulled Hermione into a hug, this time, holding the bushy-haired girl close. "I'm sorry, too, Hermione, I shouldn't have said what I did, I-"

"It's my fault, Lily, I'm the one that refused to listen to anything you said," Hermione interrupted, hugging Lily tight again. "Ron and- and Neville, they told me about Dobby and the letters and everything else!"

That surprised Lily, and she faltered for a moment, unable to think. She would have thought they'd mention something like that, but she would have, apparently, been wrong.

"I'm sorry, Lily, really, please, can we just go back to being friends?" Hermione asked, voice full of hope and pain.

Lily squeezed a little tighter, then let go, quickly rubbing at her eyes before Hermione could see. "You never stopped being my friend, Hermione."

"Thanks, Lily," Hermione said, wiping at her own eyes far less subtly.

"I was going to nap before Astronomy," Lily said as she moved her trunk to the floor. "I can stay up, instead, if you want to talk."

"No, no, no, you go ahead!" Hermione said quickly, grabbing her bag from her own mattress and quickly slinging it over her shoulder. "I have to talk to T- I have to write home, and I best hurry if I don't want to be out after curfew."

"Wake me up before class," Lily called out as Hermione opened the door.

"Goodnight, Lily, I'll see you in a bit," Hermione said as she closed the door quietly behind her.

Lily tucked herself in nicely, feeling warm and toasty and loved. She didn't expect to actually fall asleep so quickly, especially once her scar resumed its familiar tingling, but soon enough a hand was shaking her awake.

"Come on, Lily, it's time to go," Hermione's voice said.

"Ten more minutes," Lily said as she rolled over.

"I already gave you ten more minutes, Lily," Hermione said, shaking her friend's shoulder once more.

"Fine," Lily grumbled, sitting up. "I'm up. I'll meet you downstairs in five minutes."

"I'm waiting right here," Hermione said, crossing her arms in defiance. "If I don't, we'll be late. We both know you'd go back to sleep."

"Fine," Lily grumbled, rolling out of bed. "I'm up. Let's go."

There was no need to dress or prepare anything else, since she slept in her robes. She felt a little gross, sure, but she'd shower tomorrow morning. Half the class would be worse off than she was, anyway, since they had a long day of classes. Lily glanced over to Hermione's bed, watching the other girl pack up a few things, tucking a black journal into her robes.

"That all wasn't there when I went to bed," Lily said with a raised eyebrow.

"I- err- I came back a while ago, and- and did some homework while you slept," Hermione admitted, face aflush. "You grumbled in your sleep a few times, but I didn't wake you."

"Why didn't you work downstairs?" Lily asked as she hoisted her telescope under her arm, covering her mouth with her free hand as she yawned. Hermione set her own back down, likely hoping to partner with Lily. Lily didn't mind.

"Too crowded and I- I needed the privacy," Hermione said.

"Privacy?" Lily asked.

"I'll tell you later," Hermione whispered. "We have a lot to catch up on, I think."

"We do," Lily agreed as she pushed open the door, leaving behind her very cozy bed.

"How did you sleep?" Hermione asked.

"Dunno," Lily said, suppressing another yawn. "Couldn't have been too well, if you woke me up that easily."

"What were you dreaming about?" Hermione asked.

"Dunno," Lily said, failing to suppress this one. "I don't dream, remember?"

"Well, you have to dream," Hermione said. "We all do. You just can't remember them."

"I don't remember it, then," Lily said, taking a step into the common room proper. She glanced around, noticing how empty it all was. "Where's everybody else?"

"Already left," Hermione said. "I told Lavender to go on ahead, and she must have told everyone else."

"So, what did you have to tell me?" Lily asked as they pushed out into the seventh floor.

"Later," Hermione said once more, voice dropping into a whisper again. "He told me not to tell you, but I think I should. But I can't yet, I at least want to try convincing him first."

"Him?" Lily asked. "Who? Ron? Why would Ron want to-"

"Not Ron," Hermione said quickly. "Nobody you know, actually, I just-"

"Hermione," Lily interrupted, "Do you- err- Did you get a boyfriend while we weren't talking?"

Hermione looked shocked and appalled. "Merlin, Lily, no, I- Where did you even-"

"Well, it's just all the secrecy and the him is all," Lily explained. "I just thought-"

"No, Lily, I- I don't know if- No, it's not that," Hermione said, looking supremely flustered.

"Well once he makes up his mind, do let me know," Lily said, patting her embarrassed friend on the back as they began their ascent up the Astronomy Tower. One of the few perks of having a common room on the top floor was they didn't have to go very far to reach Astronomy. The rest of the second-years weren't so lucky, especially the Slytherins. The Gryffindors could easily snatch up the best spots, and they always did.

Lily continued teasing Hermione throughout the class period. The other girl didn't seem to appreciate it very much, but she let Lily do it anyway. She just seemed happy to be working with Lily once more. Ron and Neville stood nearby, laughing at any joke Lily made, but otherwise let the two be. They did join in the conversation when Lily decided to tell Hermione everything they knew about the Chamber of Secrets, at least, and even filled in a few gaps Lily forgot about.

"You really think it's a Slytherin?" Hermione asked in a whisper as Lily turned their telescope towards Jupiter.

"Who else would it be?" Ron asked, his eyes flickering over to where Malfoy was lazily leaning against the tower railing. "You saw the writing on the wall, same as we did."

"None of us saw it, Ron, it's been sectioned off all year," Hermione said.

"Fine, then, but Lily saw it, didn't she?"

"That doesn't mean it has to be a Slytherin, though," Hermione argued, "It could just as easily be someone trying to frame them. And, just because someone is an heir, doesn't mean they're in Slytherin, it just means they're related to Salazar's line."

"Who do you think did it, then?' Ron asked smugly. Lily thought he never really got on well with Hermione, but she pushed his buttons just as much as he pushed hers, so she let the frustration pass.

Hermione blushed. "Well, I- I have a suspicion, of course, but I don't think I have enough evidence to share it."

"Then we'll be going off ours until you deem otherwise," Ron said. "Should we tell her about the thing, Lily?"

"What thing?" Lily asked as she looked up from the eyepiece. She really needed to sketch those moon positions before they left her brain.

"The scratch parchment," Ron said.

"Oh! No, we'll just show her later. Who has it right now?"

"I don't understand," Hermione muttered to herself.

"I do," Neville said as he raised his hand shyly. "It's my turn, tonight, or, at least, it was before you got back."

"You can have it," Lily said. "I need to get some more homework done before I head to bed."

"What scratch parchment?" Hermione asked.

Class ended far too soon for Lily's taste, and they were soon walking back to the common room, Hermione dragging her feet along sleepily. Lily didn't mind the slower pace; she happily let the other second years stream ahead. Lavender kept trying to lag behind, seemingly to talk with Lily, but Parvati kept tugging her onwards. Lily appreciated the privacy.

The common room was completely empty as they arrived back inside. Lily waved to Ron and Neville as they climbed their staircase with Seamus and Dean. Parvati hauled Lavender up their own, and she waved to them as well. She wasn't tired in the slightest anymore. She blamed the nap, but she absolutely needed it at the time.

She chose to sit on the couch, instead, placing herself right next to the fire. She leaned back into the cushion, enjoying the warmth, doing her best to relax. Hermione sat down next to her, letting out a yawn and glancing furtively at the staircase.

"You can go to bed, if you want," Lily suggested. "You don't have to sit here with me. I don't mind."

"Aren't you tired?" Hermione asked, eyes glancing over at the staircase again.

"Not yet, I just napped. I'll be up in a bit, though."

"Why sit over here?" Hermione asked, nudging towards the flames with her head. "Normally you sit in the corner with Ron and Neville."

"I dunno," Lily said with a shrug. "How often do we get a chance to sit here? Normally Percy hogs it with his 'Prefect Privileges.'"

"Are you saying you wouldn't do the same?"

"I absolutely would," Lily said with a grin, "And I will, too. Just wait until fifth year."

Hermione smiled back at that, although hers was slyer. "You think you're going to make Prefect? After all the grief you've given McGonagall?"

"Dumbledore picks them, doesn't he?" Lily asked. "I think he likes a bit of trouble. Ron said so, too, last year."

Hermione shook her head at that. "Didn't you hear? The Governors changed it. The Heads of Houses pick their own Prefects now."

"Bloody hell," Lily groaned, "there goes that, then. It'll be you, for sure."

"Me?" Hermione asked incredulously, hand raised over her mouth.

"You really think she'd choose Lavender?" Lily said sarcastically.

"What about Parvati?" Hermione suggested.

Lily shook her head. "Hermione, you're top of the class and follow the rules to the letter. In what world wouldn't it be you? My only hope was Dumbledore."

Hermione bit at her lip. Lily smiled fondly.

"I- I don't think it'll be me, Lily. Not after I- Just- It won't be me."

Lily's smile faltered. "Why are you so sure?"

"I-" Hermione started, eyes glancing up at the staircase again. "I'll explain later. I think I'll get to bed."

"Wait-" Lily called out as Hermione rose from their couch.

"Goodnight, Lily," Hermione said as she rushed to the staircase.

"Night," Lily said quietly as she watched Hermione's retreating figure climb up the spiral staircase. She turned back to the fireplace, staring into the crackling logs.

"Did I do something wrong?" she mumbled to herself. She tried to pour over the day's activities, wondering if she said something weird. The only thing she could think of was the boyfriend remark, but that was just teasing. And even then, Hermione seemed like she had something to hide.

"Maybe she cursed that bludger," Lily said to herself, chuckling at the mere thought of it.

"I am sorry, Hazel Potter," a familiar voice said from behind. Lily jumped up in surprise, pulling out her wand from her robes as she whipped around to find-

"Dobby?" Lily said in a harsh whisper, lowering her wand. The house elf smiled sadly at her, holding up his wrapped hands as if to apologize once more, green eyes blinking slowly as they met Lily's own. They flickered downwards as he noticed her staring back, as if he was ashamed and frightened.

"What are you doing here?" Lily asked, glancing back at the staircase to make sure Hermione wasn't coming back down.

"Dobby comes to apologize, Hazel Potter," Dobby answered, wringing his bandaged hands together. Lily couldn't help but stare at them. "Dobby musts try one more time to convince Hazel Potter. Please, Hazel Potter, do not return to Hogwarts once the holidays is over."

"I'm not staying, Dobby," Lily said with a sigh, storing her wand back into her robes. "What happened to your hands?"

"Dobby had to burn them for punishment," Dobby said, trying to hide his hands behind them. "Dobby- Dobby had to be punished after what he did to Hazel Potter."

"What did you do?" Lily asked curiously. She thought she heard a noise from above, and jumped a bit, but nobody came down.

"Dobby-" Dobby started to say. Then, he let out a shriek, and ran towards the fire, trying to throw himself into the flames face first.

"Dobby!" Lily yelled out as she grabbed the house elf by the dirty sack he was wearing. She yanked him back, and they both collapsed onto the floor, Lily maintaining a firm grip on the struggling House Elf.

"Dobby, Dobby stop-" Lily said as she attempted to pin the sobbing elf. "Please, Dobby, shut up, you're going to wake everybody." On second thought, though, that didn't seem like a bad idea. If she could capture Dobby, she could bring him to Dumbledore, and he could make Dobby confess to who was behind the attacks.

Dobby stopped writhing, then blew his nose loudly onto his sack. Lily let go out of disgust, completely abandoning her plan.

"Why do you wear that thing, Dobby?" Lily asked.

"It is the mark of Dobby's servitude, Miss," Dobby said with weepy eyes. "Dobby cannot wear anything else. A house elf is only freed when they is presented with clothes, miss."

Lily let the house elf cry it out, listening to his long, exaggerated sobbing with pity. She was finding it hard to believe that she'd ever been scared of this thing.

"Who is your master, Dobby?" Lily asked once more in a whisper. "Maybe- Maybe I can help you."

That offer only seemed to make Dobby more distressed, as his howling began once more.

"Dobby- Dobby, shh, please, just be quiet," Lily said, kneeling on her knees and making her best attempts at soothing noises. Dobby seemed to flinch from her touch, something she knew all too well.

"Dobby heard you was good, Hazel Potter," Dobby said in a thick voice, wiping his eyes with his dirty sack, "But Dobby never expected this kindness from a wizard."

"Who is it, Dobby?" Lily asked once more. "We can- we can stop this, we can fix everything if you'll just tell me."

"Dobby is sorry, Hazel Potter," Dobby said. "But Dobby cannot say."

Lily thought for a moment; she didn't want to press the issue any further. She was terrified somebody would come down at any moment.

"Why did you come here, Dobby?" Lily asked. "You said you had to apologize, but you didn't say what for."

"Dobby thought miss already knew," Dobby said sheepishly, wringing his hands together once more. "You was talking about it as Dobby came in."

"I was-" Lily began. She let her mouth hang open as her brain computed the solution. Then her brow furrowed, and she glared down at the house elf. "You sent the bludger? Dobby, I almost died!"

Dobby howled again, jumping up and snatched a platter off a nearby table. He dumped the fruits off of it, then began beating himself over the head with it.

"Bad Dobby! Bad Dobby!"

Lily tried her best not to feel pity, but pity came anyway. She snatched the platter from Dobby's hands then caught the back of Dobby's sack as he attempted to run over to the fireplace once more.

"Will you give it a rest, already?" Lily said. "I forgive you, Dobby, it's fine. I didn't die, I'm back, it's-"

"Dobby- Dobby almost- almost killed Hazel Potter," Dobby said in a loud sob. "Dobby- Dobby should have thrown himself from the tower, just- just like Master always says but- but Dobby was too scared!"

"Dobby," Lily said sternly, "If you can't tell me who's behind them, can you at least tell me what is attacking the students?"

Dobby sniffed several times. "Dobby does not know, miss. Dobby doesn't believe master knows, either."

"Do you know where the Chamber of Secrets is?" Lily asked.

Dobby shook his head vigorously. "Master- Master didn't know w-what would h-happen, he only knew it would be bad for Albus Dumbledore and Hazel Potter."

"Dumbledore?" Lily asked. "What about him? Why would it be bad for him?"

"Dobby cannot say, miss," Dobby said. "Dobby is already saying too much, miss."

"Is your family pureblood?" Lily asked.

Dobby hesitated. "Yes, miss."

"Do they have a child currently in Hogwarts?" Lily asked.

"Dobby cannot say, miss," Dobby said.

"Are they in Slytherin?" Lily asked.

"Dobby cannot say, miss," Dobby said. He stared up with his big, green eye, willing Lily to understand him. Thankfully, Lily did. Withholding information was as much a confirmation as just outright saying it.

"Is it-" Lily began. She let out a gasp of pain, hand shooting up to her scar as her vision became watery. Not now, she thought, not when I'm so close.

"Dobby must go," Dobby said quickly. "Dobby- Dobby will help you, first, get you to bed where you is safe."

"No," Lily said, reaching into her robes as she blinked the pain away. "No, I have to check the map- I have to check-"

Her hand only brushed her wand. The map wasn't in her pocket. She looked at Dobby, briefly worrying the elf stole it, then her memory clicked in. She gave it to somebody earlier in the night, right before her nap.

"Ron," she gasped as she stood. She used one hand to steady herself against the couch, the other pressed firmly against her forehead. "Have to get Ron."

"I am sorry, miss, but Dobby must go, and he must make Hazel Potter safe."

"Not yet, Dobby," Lily said as she reached the boy's tower. She placed a hand on the cool metal railing and took a shaky step. "Not yet, I have to see-"

"There is no time, Hazel Potter," Dobby said once more. Lily heard a snapping noise, and then fell unconscious, collapsing into a heap on the staircase.

She woke up the next morning to a harsh voice, laying in a heap on top of her four-poster, curtains drawn together. She was still wearing her robes from the previous night, and her head was still pounding.

"Lily, you have to get up," Hermione's worried voice said. "There's- there's been an attack and- and McGonagall is waiting for you."

"Waiting for me?" Lily said in a tired voice. She barely recognized it as her own. "What's she want me for?"

"I don't know, Lily, but she's- she's really mad about something," Hermione said. Lily pulled her curtains back, to get a good look at her friend. She also seemed to be wearing the same robes from last night, and she looked equal parts exhausted and worried.

"Where is she?" Lily asked. Lavender and Parvati weren't in the room.

"She's- She's downstairs," Hermione managed between bouts of biting at her nails. Lily never noticed her doing that before, but they looked a mess. She must have been doing it for a while.

"You look terrible," Lily said with a tired smile.

"I hardly slept," Hermione admitted. "I kept having nightmares. Get up, Lily, she's waiting downstairs."

"Let's get it over with, then," Lily said as she stood. Her legs were still sore from yesterday, and she had to hold on to Hermione briefly to steady herself. She walked forward on her own. As she pushed the door open, a set of arms threw themselves around her.

"Lily," Katie Bell said, "I'm- I'm so sorry."

"Sorry about what?" Lily asked as she returned the tight hug.

"The- the victim, Lily," Hermione said. "It- It was Neville."