Disclaimer: J.K Rowling is the one and only creator of the Harry Potter world. Anything you recognize is her wonderful work, and sadly, not mine. But, I guess that's a good thing, because this story would not exist if I were the best-selling author that is J.K Rowling.

Chapter 3. Liquid Luck

Me, Alice, Mary, and Cas are finishing our breakfast in the Great Hall before we have to leave for our first class of the day. I checked my schedule this morning, and I have Potions first, then Charms, Transfiguration, Ancient Runes, and Defence Against the Dark Arts. All the rest of my classes are on different days throughout the week.

I'm looking forward to potions this morning because we have that class with the Slytherins. Sev, my childhood friend, is going to be in that class, and we work really well together, especially in Potions, because he is a natural at it. Potions is also taught by Slughorn, who absolutely adores me, so that's a plus side too. Other than that, I'm excited for Charms, which is my favorite class, and Ancient Runes, which is a new class for me. Though, I'm also looking forward to Transfiguration and Defence Against the Dark Arts. Honestly, if you asked, I wouldn't be able to choose my second or third favorite classes. I just enjoy learning, and doing magic.

Cas, Mary and me say a quick goodbye to Alice, who is going to Herbology first, and then we head off to Potions.

"Good morning Professor Slughorn," I greet with a smile.

"Ah, too you as well, Miss Evans," Slughorn says. "Pick a seat now."

Cas and Mary partner together, and take their seats in the front. I sit down right behind them, and wave Severus over as he enters the room.

"Good morning Sev!" I say, "How was your summer?"

"Dreadful compared to yours I'm sure," He responds dryly.

Severus isn't much of a conversationalist, but he was the one who introduced me to the world of magic before I got my letter. We were neighbors, and when he realized I was a witch, he started teaching me all about the magical world. Even now that I've moved, the childhood friendship of being neighbors is still present.

"Well, I'll have to agree with you there, because Cas taught me how to fly, and let me just say, it is the most exhilarating experience in the world."

"Sure Lily, flying is okay." Sev agrees half-heartedly.

"Have you ever flown Sev, like truly flown?" I ask.

He started to answer, but Potter and Black had arrived just as class started, and had overheard my conversation with Severus, so decided to cut in.

"Snivellus? Fly?" Black asks mockingly, "As if."

Potter snorts, "I'd be surprised if he even knew what a broom was,"

"No," Sirius disagrees, "He probably knows what a broom is, and just oils it with his hair instead of flying."

I start to stand up to defend Severus, but he is already standing, pointing his wand at Potter and Black. "I know what a broom is you arrogant prats, I just wouldn't go within 5 feet of anything you ever touched." He says smugly.

Potter glares at him, "I suppose I should be thanking you then for keeping your grease away from our quidditch pitch."

Black starts laughing at that, and says "Yeah, thanks Snivellus," before the two of them take their seats in the back of the classroom.

At that, Severus starts to raise his wand, preparing to jinx them, but I step in front of him, and tell him, "I'm a prefect Sev, hexing others is against the rules, and I'll have to write you up if you do it."

"They started it," he grumbles.

"I know," I tell him, "That's why we need to take the higher ground. We're better than them."

"Okay, settle down class," Professor Slughorn announces. "Today, we will be making the Draught of Living Death. This is very advanced, so I don't expect a perfect potion, but as close as you can please. And since it is difficult, I have an extra prize for the best potion in the class. Would anybody like to tell me what felix felicis is? Ah, Miss Evans, thank you."

I smile before jumping into my answer, "Felix Felicis, otherwise known as liquid luck, is as the name suggests, a lucky potion, which will cause the drinker to become lucky in all their endeavours for a short period of time. It takes about 6 months to brew, and can be disastrous if it is misconstructed."

"Perfect, Miss Evans, 10 points to Gryffindor. Now, as an extra incentive, I have a bottle of felix felicis for the student who creates the best potion. You have an hour, and your ingredients are in the cupboards. Get started."

Everybody else rushes off to grab their ingredients, but I wait, carefully reading the instructions before I do anything. Potions makes sense to me, similar to cooking. Because of that, I can look at a potion, and make small changes to get a better consistency or color in my potion. Over the years, I've taught my techniques to Severus, who is more refined in his Potion making, where I am experimental. But, he has taken several of my suggestions, and written them down in his potion's book for later use.

I light a fire underneath my cauldron, to preheat it before I start throwing anything in, and then I go to grab my ingredients. I grab the water, powdered root of asphodel, infusion of wormwood, and a handful of sopophorous beans. But, I leave the valerian root where it is, because the ambient room temperature surrounding it, is set to freeze it, and I want to keep it cold as long as I can.

After 30 minutes of mixing and brewing, making sure to grind the powder as finely as possible, and adding a couple counterclockwise stirs as I go to reset the direction of the stirring, I grab the Valerian root, and finely chop it. Then, I mix everything together, and let it simmer until it turns a pale lilac colour. I only need to add a couple more ingredients and stir it all together, and it will turn the perfect clear colour I'm hoping for.

However, Slughorn cuts me short. The hour is up, and we all have to bottle what we have and present it. I'm slightly annoyed because I was about five minutes from finishing, but I turn to look at Severus's cauldron and feel much better. Me and Sev are the best students in the class, and if his potion is still a dark purple colour, then I am almost certain I have gotten the farthest out of everybody.

Slughorn stops at my cauldron, and his face turns giddy with excitement. "Astounding!" He exclaims, "Never in my career have I seen a student get so close to completing the Draught of Living Death."

I can't help but beam at his praise.

"I'd be surprised if anybody beat you Miss Evans, but I'm going to continue my grading, and get back to you on that liquid luck," He says with sparkling eyes.

I turn to Severus with a grin on my face, but stop when I see his expression. "What's wrong Sev?" I ask.

"I just know that I was close to winning," He glowers, "I've been in the wizarding world my whole life, and yet I'm still being beaten by a muggleborn."

I flinch a little at his words, but I know he doesn't mean it in a malicious way. He is just slightly jealous that I beat him for such a wonderful prize. "I'm sorry Sev, I know you work insanely hard in class, it just must've been a bad day today."

"Yeah, stupid Potter knocked me off my game."

"Of course, that's probably all it is." I readily agree with him, still slightly annoyed that he can't just be happy for me. I did just create the closest to finished Draught of Living Death that Professor Slughorn has ever seen. But, I just leave it."

'Well, with the most impressive Draught I have seen in my teaching years, Lily Evans has won the felix felicis." Slughorn announces.

I grin as I walk up to the front of the classroom to get the small bottle.

"Now, Miss Evans, remember this is illegal in the use of exams, sporting events, or malicious activities. Though I'm sure you'll have no trouble with that."

"Of course not." I respond.

"Well, here it is," Slughorn says dramatically, passing me a small labelled vial filled with viscous gold liquid. "15 mililiters of felix felicis. Use it wisely."

I pocket the vial, and make my way back to my seat.

Mary turns around in her seat and tells me, "Good job Lily, I knew you'd get it!"

"Yeah, great job Evans," Potter yells from the back of the room.

I glare at him, before turning to Mary and thanking her.

When the class ends, I say goodbye to Sev, and me and Mary say goodbye to Cas before we make our way to charms.

"So, what are you thinking of using your liquid luck for," Mary asks.

"I'm not sure yet," I say truthfully, "I can't really think of a use for it right now."

Mary grins, "Well, if you end up running out of ideas, I'm always here to take it off your hands."

"If I still have it in 15 years, then, and only then will I give it to you," I laugh.

Mary pouts at me, "Well maybe-"

"SHUT UP!" I hear a young boy's voice yell.

I run towards the noise, pulling out my wand, and see Avery and Mulciber standing next to a first year boy. "What's going on here," I ask.

"Nothing to worry your sweet little body about Mudblood," Mulciber spat.

I clench my jaw, and turn to the young boy. "What's your name?"

He stares at me wide-eyed for a second, and whispers "Nathan Platt."

"Nice to meet you Nathan, now would you like to tell me what happened?"

I see Avery make a threatening hand motion out of the corner of my eye, and am not surprised when the boy shakes his head violently. I sigh and turn to Mulciber and Avery, "Get to class." I say forcefully.

"Sure thing sweetheart," Mulciber sneers, his eyes travelling over my body in a way that makes me feel naked and violated.

After him and Avery leave, I take a deep breath, and turn towards Nathan. "Okay, they're gone, are you okay? Were they threatening you?"

Once again, Nathan just shakes his head. Then, he says "Nope, everything was fine," and he runs off to class.

"Ugh," I groan. "How am I supposed to do my job as a prefect if kids are just going to tell me that nothing is happening."

"I don't know Lily," Mary mutters. "Though, I can't say I blame him. Mulciber and Avery are creepy, I know I wouldn't want to cross them."

"Me neither, but I wish it was different."

I step into the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, and the new teacher Professor Barner tells us all to stand at the wall in the back of the classroom. I stand over by Alice, Cas, and Mary. The class is only Gryffindors, so we all have it together.

Professor Barner clears his throat, and says "Good afternoon class, my name is Professor Ambrose Barner, and I will be your Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher this school year. I am going to be assigning seats, and that is where you will be sitting until after Christmas break."

The entire class groans at that, but we immediately become silent when Professor Barner fixes his stern gaze at us.

"Okay, Miss Meadowes and Mister Black, up here at the front. Mister Longbottom and Mister Ducey over here. Miss Fortescue and Miss MacDonald. Mister Potter and Miss Evans, right there. Mister Lupin and-"

I stop listening after hearing my name. There must've been a mistake..right? No, of course there isn't. It's just my luck that I get partnered with James Potter. Mary nudges me, taking me out of my annoyed thoughts, and I finally move to the seat Professor Barner assigned me. Potter is already sitting there with that permanent smirk of his on his face. It'll be okay, I'll just be civil to him, and he has to behave back. If I just ignore his taunting comments, this class will go by okay.

"Sup Evans," Potter says.

I take a breath, and respond civilly, "Hello Potter," and then I promptly turn to the front of the classroom to listen to Professor Barner.

"Now, your previous teacher Ms. Alcatrat didn't leave me any notes, so would anybody like to tell me what you have learned so far? And where I should start with my instruction."

Alice raises her hand, and starts telling Mr. Barner about where we left off last year. I try to listen, but can barely concentrate with Potter next to me, running his finger up and down the side of his quill. I give him a glare and whisper, "knock it off Potter," and receive a cocky grin in return, but he puts the quill down, and turns to pay attention.

"Thank you Miss Fortescue. I will make sure to get that prepared for class tomorrow. But, for today, let's have a little fun. Today, you are going to be facing a boggart. I will have two stations with boggarts at them, so each partner pair, go to a different one please."

I stand up, and immediately go to the right station where Remus, Cas, and Alice are standing. Potter heads to the left, along with Black and Mary.

"What do you guys think your boggart will be?" Alice asks.

"I don't know," I mutter, "I've never tried to think about my worst fears before. Do you guys know what yours is?"

Cas and Remus stay silent, and shakes their heads, but Alice nods, "Mine is definitely going to be a small enclosed space, cause I get very claustrophobic."

"Oh yeah," Cas says, "I remember when we snuck into the potions classroom to get ingredients from the cupboard 3rd year, and you didn't want to go in there."

"Well you wanted to close the door so we wouldn't get caught, and I didn't want to get stuck," Alice says defensively.

Remus laughs at that, "stealing potion ingredients huh?"

"We were just trying to make a hair smoothing potion," I say, "Wasn't malicious in any way, we were just being cheap."

"Well, wish me luck," Alice says. She steps forward, and a small shrinking closet appears in front of her. "Riddikulus!" She says clearly.

Immediately, the closet flattens into a door with tiny T-Rex arms, and falls on the floor, struggling to get back up. We burst into laughter, and she steps away grinning, and Cas moves up to take her turn.

I watch as the Boggart changes from a door into a perfect copy of Taylor bleeding and sobbing hysterically on the floor. Cas's face crumples and her eyes tear up, as she stares at her sister who is screaming in pain. I feel a tear run down my face, as I watch the eleven year old girl I'd spent the summer with suffer.

"Ri-Riddikulus" Cas says weakly. Taylor lets out a piercing scream, and Cas's wand arm starts shaking.

"Cas, she's not real, Taylor's okay." Remus says comfortingly.

Cas closes her eyes, "Riddikulus." She states firmly.

The Boggart twists into a much happier scene of Taylor, who is skipping around with a beater bat hitting flying balls of sparkles, and Cas walks off, still shaken up.

Now, Remus steps up, and I watch as his Boggart shifts into a glowing white orb. I stare at it confused, trying to figure out what it is, until I realize it's a moon. Why on earth would he be scared of the moon…? He casts the spell, and the moon changes into a white balloon, which sputters and falls onto the floor. I clear the questions forming in my head, and step forward to take my turn.

I watch the Boggart take the form of what I least expect, my sister Petunia. I cock my head in confusion, and start to say Riddikulus, but then she speaks.

"Go away you freak! Mum and Dad don't want you here. You've ruined our perfect family with your weirdness. Just leave us and never come back. Who would want you here anyways, they sure don't want you in the wizarding world, your blood isn't pure enough. And we don't want you either, the stupid town freak, just go away. I wish you were never born!"

I feel tears burning at my eyes, but quickly wipe them away, and yell, "Riddikulus."

My sister suddenly is wearing roller skates, and a neon yellow big bird mask, but I can't bring myself to laugh. The boggart looks so eerily like my sister, and I don't want her humiliated, even if it is better than the previous insults.

I walk away to let the next person have their turn, and wrap Cas in a hug. She is still shaking from seeing her sister in such pain, that she really needs the comfort.

"Okay students, make your way back to your seats, please." Professor Barner says.

I pass by Potter, Black, and Pettigrew as I walk to my desk, and I catch a couple words of their conversation.

"Evans, really Prongs?"

"I don't know Sirius, it's not like I can choose my fears."

I sit down, now absolutely in shock. Did Potter just say he was scared of me? That can't be right. Who in their right mind would directly provoke someone they're scared of? Potter isn't in his right mind though.. Maybe he actually is scared of me.

I tense up as Potter slides into the seat next to me, and stare at him for a bit, waiting for him to say something, anything to me. But he sits in complete silence, not even glancing towards me once for the rest of the lesson. I asked him if he has an extra quill I could borrow, and he passed it to me quickly without any eye contact, or smug comments at all.

At the end of class, I walk over to Mary, "So, I overheard Potter saying his boggart was of me... is that true?"

Mary slowly nods, "I was about to tell you, I was absolutely shocked when I saw, and thought maybe I was seeing wrong. I was in the back after all. But, I know what my friends look like. And it was you."

"Wow." I mumble, dumbfounded. "I didn't know."

"Lily, it's not your fault if he's scared of you. He's an idiot after all."

"Of course he's an idiot, but now I feel like an idiot. I'm not a scary person. I don't want to be a scary person. I'm as friendly as I can be, right?"

"Yes Lily, but I guess I could see where he's coming from. You two do argue all the time. And.. well, you're always yelling at him for being arrogant, or a prat, or egotistical."

'Ugh, I get the point Mary."

Well, I guess that answered my question for me. Somehow, Potter is scared of me...me. Which, may not be an issue to some people, but I regard few things as being fundamental to me as a person. And, one of those things is that I try to be an approachable person to everybody. I've obviously messed that up with Potter, and I'll be damned if he is going to go through the rest of Hogwarts scared of me.

"Lily… what are you thinking." Mary asks worriedly.

"I'm not thinking anything," I respond innocently.

"Nope, not gonna work. I know your expressions, and that was a perfect example of your 'I've had an idea that I think is brilliant, but is most likely terrible' face."

"Hey! I did not just make that face Mary. And, my idea is actually brilliant."

"Sureeeeeee," Mary says sarcastically, "Then what is this brilliant idea, oh-so-wonderful Lily?"

"I am going to cure James Potter's fear of me." I say determinedly.

Mary's eyes widen, and she asks, "And how are you going to do that?"

"No clue," I say, "But, by the end of this year, Potter will never see me as a boggart. Ever again."

Author's Note: That is a wrap on my third chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. I think in the future of this story I am going to go a little bit away from canon to get my story to work. But, everything I write is something that I can imagine happening during this time, much like Lily giving Snape most of the ideas for the Half-Blood Prince's potion book.

Any mistakes you notice, or writing technique suggestions you have, I'd appreciate you pointing them out so I can improve and grow as a writer.

Cheerio! Go ahead and read the next chapter if it's posted, and have a wonderful day/night :)