Chapter 5

Strifes and Trails

"Get away from the mirror, James. I need to see how I look." said Sirius running a hand through his hair.

"But Sirius," James whined, "look at this twinge at the back. It's always standing up. Shall I cut it?"

"Come here, let me have a look." Sirius beckoned James forward and then without any warning mussed up his hair. "That's much better."

"Sirius, you git! What have you done!?"

In answer Sirius just wheeled him toward the mirror. At first, James eyed his reflection with dislike, but then his expression changed to that of awe and his face broke into a lopsided grin.

"That handsome bloke in the mirror looks just like me, doesn't he?"

"Sure, he does," came Remus' voice, "but he'll have to hurry up now or everyone will miss breakfast."

"I am ready," said Peter brightly, "Frank has left already."

Together the four friends made their way into the Great Hall which was buzzing with chatter. They sat with Frank Longbottom, their fellow first year, and had their breakfast. Professor McGonagall gave the first years their timetable and then they set off to their much awaited classes. The lessons at Hogwarts were fun too. The strict Professor McGonagall who was the head of Gryffindor house also taught Transfiguration. She gave them loads of notes and just as much homework. The first years left the Transfiguration classroom grumbling in injustice. The tiny little Professor Flitwick taught Charms. The jolly Professor had to stand on a pile books to teach. Thrice a week they had Herbology with Professor Sprout in the green houses. The head of Slytherin house, Professor Slughorn, taught Potions. He was a wonderful teacher, though slightly dramatic. Still, Potions was hated by the Gryffindors as they had to endure the Slytherins throughout the class. Every Wednesday midnight was spent on the Astronomy tower with Professor Sinistra. Professor Livingstone taught Defence Against The Dark Arts. He was a retired Auror and told them stories of his adventures as an Auror. So, quite obviously, the first years simply loved the DADA lessons.

It was lunch time and the first years were all sitting together in the great hall, a week after the start of term.

"Flying lessons this afternoon!" Said James enthusiastically.

"I don't see why you have to be so excited about it." Said Peter who looked terrified at the idea of flying. James and Sirius looked at him as though he had come from another planet.

"Peter, mate, we'll have to work a bit harder on you." said Sirius, while James shook his head in disbelief.

"Why do you want to work harder on me?"

James and Sirius deliberately avoided each other's eye.

"Drop it, Peter." Remus advised.

Across the table Lily too was having second thoughts about flying.

"I don't know why they have to make such a fuss about it." Lily said to her friends. Unfortunately it was James who answered.

"Fuss of it? We never make a fuss of it. Evans, it's the best thing taught at Hogwarts, for goodness' sake. Not that I need it of course." he said, mussing up his hair, "Oh, but you are always welcome if you want to learn from me, Evans."

"Just because you like flying doesn't mean that everyone likes it, you overconfident prick." said Lily, annoyed.

James smirked but did not reply. If anything this annoyed Lily even more.

"I'll meet you in the lesson." she said to her friends and stormed out of the great hall.

"What did I do?" said James.

"Drop it." said Remus again. He had a feeling that this could go on for ages. The first years gathered on the grounds after lunch for their first flying lesson. Madam Hooch, their instructor, arrived and without any further ado started barking instructions at them.

"Everyone, stand by a broom. Stick your right hand over it and say 'Up'"

"Up" shouted James and his broomstick jumped into his hand. Same went for Sirius and Remus. Peter's broom just rolled on the floor while Lily's didn't move at all. Across them, a few Slytherins had managed to get hold of their brooms but Severus' broom shooted upwards and hit his nose. James and Sirius laughed loudly. Lily threw the pair of them a filthy look. James sniggered while Madam Hooch helped her out. When everyone successfully managed to get hold of their brooms Madam Hooch told them all to mount them. That took another five minutes.

"On the count of three you will kick hard from the ground, rise a few feet, then lean forward slightly to land back. On my whistle, three - two - One!"

James soared effortlessly in the air. Unlike the others he rose higher and higher and did a couple of loop - the - loops. Many of the Gryffindors cheered but the Slytherins looked sour. Sirius winked at him. He dived but hit something which he could tell was definitely not ground. He almost lost his balance but managed to steady himself on his broom by gripping it tighter and landed on the ground. But the person he had hit was no so lucky. Severus toppled spectacularly on the ground to much worse laughter from the Gryffindors.

"Need a hand, Snivellus?" James asked mockingly.

"I'll manage." Severus replied through gritted teeth.

"Out of my way, out of my way" Madam Hooch said, pushing her way through the crowd. She helped him to sit up and inspected of any injuries.

"I'm fine." he said, embarrassed.

"Just be careful when you fly next time." she instructed.

"It was Potter's fault, Madam Hooch."

"Mine? It wasn't my fault. Sniv- Snape was in my way."

The Gryffindors hastened to support James while the Slytherins backed up Severus. But Lily was only glaring at James. Madam Hooch had to shout to make herself heard over the babble.

"Enough! Enough, that's it! The lesson's over, back to the castle."

All the students walked back to the castle, chattering, but Lily fell behind to talk to Severus. He saw her approaching and signalled his friends to go ahead.

"You are not hurt, are you?" Lily asked him softly. He shook his head in response.

"Potter's an evil git! Just ignore him."

"I know but he infuriates me! I just hate him! You saw how he was showing off his flying skills before Madam Hooch."

"I told you, just ignore him."

"I would like to see you try it when he knocks you off your broom."

" How are lessons? Are you getting along well with the Slytherins?" Lily attempted to change the subject.

"Lessons are fine," said Severus, "the Slytherins are great."

"That's good! I've heard some particularly nasty rumours about them." Lily admitted.

"They're just jealous," Said Severus dismissively, "you tell me about your housemates."

"Oh, they are wonderful. Janet's really funny. Aletha and Dorcas are good too. Alice is a little shy but a great friend, and yes Remus and Frank are nice too. But I don't like the other boys."

"It's good to see that you are coping up."

"I had thought that we would be in the same house," said Lily, a little disappointed, "but it's alright if you're happy."

Severus stopped in his tracks and faced Lily.

"So you don't hate me?"

"For what?"

"For being in Slytherin."

"Of course not. You are my friend, Severus, my best friend. I could never hate you."

He smiled warmly at her.

They were now in the courtyard that led to the entrance hall.

"There is this thing I wanted to ask you for a long time," said Lily, relieved that Severus had now brightened up, "what's a saintmungoshealer?"

"A what?"

"Saint-Mungo's-healer." She said, blushing.

He burst out laughing.

She appeared annoyed and glanced sideways. She spotted Professor Dumbledore approaching the castle.

"I've got to go." she said suddenly, "I'll see you later, Sev."

She ran towards Dumbledore but stopped in her tracks and hid behind a pillar. How could she ask him here? She couldn't let everyone hear about Petunia. So she decided to follow him in the hope that he will go to his office. Very quietly she sneaked behind him. They were now approaching the Great Hall. But suddenly Dumbledore stopped and turned around. This took Lily so off-guard that she stumbled back and stared at him in surprise. How did he know?

"Would you be so kind as to tell me why you are following me, Miss Evans?" Professor Dumbledore asked pleasantly.

- Explicaturus Mysterium