Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Sorry, it sucks, I know. I do however own my own thoughts, which I've used to twist J.K. Rowling's universe to create this lovely (probably cliche-ridden) story.

Chapter 6. The Letter

We're in the middle of our second week of quidditch practice, when Radek calls out,"Evans, Potter, and Cas! I want you to do some passing drills. Potter lead them please."

"Sure thing Radek," Potter responds.

"Okay, so the 2v1 game?" Cas asks.

"You know it," Potter grins, "Okay, so me and Cas will start, Evans you can be the opponent."

"Um, I've never played."

"Oh, sorry Lily," Cas says sheepishly, "I forgot."

"Yeah, sorry," Potter adds, "basically, we have one quaffle, and there's two people on one team, and one person on the other. The goal is to get the quaffle to your partner as many times as you can, while the opponent tries to steal the quaffle away."

"Oh, so like Monkey in the Middle," I say.

I am met with two blank stares, "It's a muggle game," I clarify.

"Okay then. Well, then sure," Cas laughs.

We take turns being the opponent, though I've decided to call it being the monkey. It sounds a whole lot better than opponent. In the end, me and Potter actually won. We were able to pass the quaffle 26 times, Potter and Cas passed it 23 times, and then me and Cas passed it 19 times.

"That was surprisingly fun," I say after practice. The three of us are walking together to the common room.

"Of course it was," Potter says smugly, "I came up with the game."

"Oh no, what have I done!" I gasp exaggeratedly.

"It's a tragedy!" Cas joins in.

Potter looks at us confused, "What is?"

"You see," I start, "Oh it's too terrible."

"Just tell him, he's bound to find out somehow," Cas cries dramatically.

"Okay," I turn away, "I complimented.. A Potter creation!"

Me and Cas burst into laughter at Potter's face.

'You look so shocked," I giggle.

"Well, I was expecting something much worse than that. But you had to have complimented me at some point, it was inevitable, just like you going out with me," he finished smugly.

I scoff, "that's never happening Potter,"

"Sure Evans, whatever you say," Potter grins.

I finish the rest of the walk in silence while Cas and Potter continue joking around. Why did he have to ruin a perfectly good conversation with his cocky attitude. When will he understand no means no. He doesn't need to keep making fun of me by incessantly asking me out.

"Bye, Evans," Potter says.

"Yeah, bye," I grumble.

Potter stares at Cas questioningly and she shrugs. As soon as he leaves Cas turns on me, "What was that Lily?"

"He just had to ruin everything by asking me out again." I explain.

"No, something else is going on." Cas says, "Spill."

I look at her expecting face, and respond, "No."

"Lily, come on, it'll help you get it off your chest."

"Colloportus." I say smiling.

"Lily! Seriously?" Cas exclaims, "You can't just do that."

"Of course I can, that's what the code words were made for, avoiding things we don't want to talk about."

"Fine, well if you don't spill right now, I'm going to go into the Great hall and yell that you, Lily Evans are in love with James Potter."

"You wouldn't,"

Cas grins and starts walking out of the common room, "I guess Lily Evans is going to Hogsmeade on a date next weekend."

"Woah woah wait, fine," I blurt out.

"I've just been waiting for over a week for my parents' letters to arrive, and they should be coming any day now."

"And? Is that a problem?" Cas asks confused.

"No, but I wrote Petunia, and I'm worried about what she'll say."

"Oh," Cas's expression softens, "I'm sorry Lily, I know you don't like talking about her."

"Yeah," I mutter, "It's just ever since the boggarts, I've been scared out of my mind imagining what she'll say, if she'll say anything at all."

"I get it," Cas says, "I know I couldn't handle it if Taylor hated me."

"Merlin! I'm sorry, why am I here complaining to you about my stupid boggart. You saw your sister dying, I'm sorry, that's really insensitive of me."

"Lily don't do that!" Cas chides, "Your fear is the one that's closer to coming true. Don't discount your worries just because mine is 'more severe'."

"Well, I'm still sorry," I respond.

"No, believe me, you're perfectly in the right with your worries," Cas says, "Come on, let's go to bed."

"Yeah, okay."

I wake up to Ellie pecking on the window. I groggily sit up, and open the window up for her. I take the three letters from her and sit down to start reading them. Wait a second… three letters! I squeal in excitement, and messily tear the first one open.

"Lily! Be quiet!" Alice grumbles, "Some of us like to sleep."

I wince, realizing it's still pitch black outside, "Sorry," I whisper apologetically.

I unfold the first letter and see that it's a letter from my mom. I set it aside to read later, and rip the second letter open. I see that it's from Dad, and set it aside as well. Then, without hesitation, I tear the last letter open.

Lily,

I don't know what you were expecting when you wrote to me. Did you think that suddenly all of our problems would be fixed by one letter? If so you have something coming for you. I know you mean well, but I'd prefer if you don't write. Vernon doesn't like your freak stuff showing up at his house, and nor do I.

I'm sorry that you seem to be scared of us falling apart, but it's inevitable at this point, isn't it? I'm dating a wonderful man, and am soon to be married (fingers crossed), and you're gone all year at your freaky weird school. I know we used to be close, but people grow apart, and that's just what happened to us.

I'll see you at christmas Lily, don't write again.

Petunia.

I set the letter down, and feel my throat start closing, the sure tell sign I'm about to cry. I am not going to cry about my sister when she won't give me a second thought. Of course I come second to the love of her life Vernon. Petunia is worth so much more than that joke of a man, but yet she places him above me in her life. I am not going to cry.

I stand up abruptly, and grab a robe, slippers, and my wand. I know I shouldn't be out of bed at 3 in the morning, but there is no way I can go back to sleep now. I pass by the hospital wing, heading to the kitchens to get a snack, but stop when I see Potter, Black, Remus, and Pettigrew opening the door and trying to sneak into the hospital wing. Just my luck, I run into one of the people I'd least like to see at this moment. I start to turn around to avoid them, but… what are they doing up at 3 am? My curiosity gets the better of me, and I call out to them "Excuse me? What are you guys doing out of bed?"

I almost laugh at the sight of them simultaneously jumping up in the air, but instead stare at them amused.

"Erm.. Um…"

"We were just leaving a gift-throwing up," Potter and Black answer at the same time.

"Really… you were leaving a... throwing up gift..?" I ask skeptically.

"Yes," Black says, "and what are you doing up at this time, Evans? Sneaking off to meet your nighttime lover?"

I glare at him, "I, unlike you, am a prefect, and am perfectly able to be up at this time. You however have no such allowance." I turn to Remus and look at him disappointingly, "I expected you would at least adhere to the rules, Remus? But I suppose nobody can really set a good example when they hang out around these idiots. I can't believe you would abuse your role so rudely. And for these three? Potter, Black, and Pettigrew, seriously?"

Potter's eyes flash, and when he speaks, his voice is cold and emotionless, "I don't care what you think you know about us Lily Evans, but I'd suggest you don't insult Remus in front of me. Say what you want about me, to my face, behind my back even, but leave my friends out of it."

"Prongs," Black warns, "Don't say something you'll regret."

"Shut up Padfoot," Potter says angrily, "These past couple weeks I thought maybe, just maybe you were opening your mind. We've actually made it through quidditch practices without killing each other. But good to know that you're still as close-minded as the day I first met you."

"Hey!' I shout, "I am not close-minded, you're the one who hasn't changed whatsoever. You are still sneaking around after curfew with your little band of friends. You are still as childish and immature as the day I first met you."

Potter glares at me and steps closer to me, the light now illuminating him in the dark corridor, "And you are still a stuck up, bratty girl who thinks she knows everything, well I hate to break it to you, but you don't"

"James!" Remus interrupts, "Stop it."

I'm too busy staring at Potter's shoulder to fully listen to what they're saying. I reach out my arm to touch the ripped fabric of his shirt, and before he can stop me, I pull it aside. He immediately turns around to push it back into place, but I've already noticed.

"What happened?!" I exclaim, keeping my eyes trained on the long gash he is attempting to cover up.

"None of your business," he says coldly.

"But-"

"No," he snaps, "Go back to bed Lily. Just, go to bed Evans."

The four of them turn around and enter the hospital wing, with Remus giving me one last look, but I stay rooted to the spot. He's right isn't he… I was just a complete ass to him, when they were just out of bed after hours. But, they've played so many jokes across the years, so why should I have not expected them to be doing something nefarious.

I stand there for over five minutes, until I finally turn around and head back to the common room. I'm no longer hungry.

I lay back in bed, and just stare at the ceiling. What is wrong with me lately? First Petunia, now this. I'm just driving everybody away. I try to fall back asleep, but fail miserably. Instead, I walk over to the desk, and start on my charms project that's due in two weeks.

But, I can barely focus, and I end up staring out the window at the moonlit sky, tracing constellations with my eyes until the sun begins to rise.

"Lily, are you okay?" Mary asks at breakfast.

"Just peachy," I snap at her.

Mary shrinks away from me, "I'm sorry I asked." she mutters.

"Lily, what is up with you today?" Cas questions, "you've been curt towards us all morning, and I'm not going to let you treat us like that. I'm sorry if you woke up on the wrong side of the bed, but you can't take it out on us."

I look at her, Mary, and Alice, who are all staring at me, and I stand up, "I'm going to the library."

I walk away without another word, and start heading to the library, before I change direction and walk outside towards the Forbidden Forest. I need to do something right now, and the gamekeeper Ogg always has something he needs help with.

I knock on the door to Ogg's cabin, and am greeted by a large tall young man with a short scraggly black beard. "Oh, um hello? I was looking for Ogg," I say.

"Ogg! Yeh got a visitor!" The man calls, "I'm Rebeus Hagrid, nice ter meet yeh."

He holds out a large hand, and I accept it, "Lily Evans, nice to meet you too."

Ogg appears at the doorway, and says, "Ah, Lily, I see you've met my apprentice Hagrid. What brings you here?"

"I was just wondering if you had anything you needed help with before I need to get to my first class." I explain.

"Well, of course I do," he winks, "how long would you like to be out for?"

"Just 20 minutes into first hour please."

"Of course." He grabs a piece of paper and quickly scribbles a note on it. Ogg has always been understanding, and will write notes excusing me from class if I truly need it, and am willing to help out around the grounds. It started in first year when he saw me sobbing because Potter had just insulted Sev in front of me, and proceeded to ask me out as if I would jump at the opportunity. I had my next class with Potter, so Ogg offered to let me help him out around his cabin while I cooled down, and he'd write me a note excusing my tardiness.

"You can help me water the pumpkins, and pick the weeds," Ogg says.

I nod and immediately start on the task. After about 30 minutes, first hour starts, so I stay for another 20, and then bid Ogg goodbye. "Thank you," I say.

"No problem Lily, anytime you need it," Ogg responds.

"And nice meeting you Hagrid," I add before I leave.

Halfway through my walk down to the dungeons, somebody grabs my arm, and pulls me into an empty classroom. I start to scream, but stop when I see that it's Taylor.

"Taylor?" I take a look at her tear-stricken face, "What's wrong?"

She starts choking on her sobs, and I quickly wrap her in a hug, "Shhhh, shh, you're okay. You're okay."

She slowly starts breathing normally, and looks up at me with wide eyes. "What are you doing out of class Taylor?" I ask.

She sniffles, "I was looking for you, I couldn't go to Cas, she'd freak out, and-" she falters.

"And what?" I ask kindly.

She shakes her head, "He told me not to tell anyone."

"He?" my voice turns dangerous as I take in Taylor's appearance. I look for any bruises, or clothes out of place as I mind jumps to the worst conclusion, "Taylor did someone touch you, inappropriately?" I ask calmly, trying to avoid having to explain something that terrible to an eleven year old.

Her eyes widen, "what? Merlin no, nobody hurt me," She looks frightened at the possibility, "Would he hurt me?" she asks quietly.

"No, no I didn't mean to scare you," I say, "Just, what happened?" I ask.

"Well, the first day of school, I heard this guy talking about you…in a not nice way, so naturally, I went up to him and told him to stop. Just, in slightly less nice words."

"Taylor!" I half-laugh, half-reprimand her.

"Sorry," she says unapologetically, "Anyways, later that week, my friend Nathan told me that he was talking about me, and Nathan told him to-"

"Wait, Nathan, why is that name familiar?" I ask.

"Uh, he's my friend? He's a first year, maybe you recognize him from the sorting ceremony."

"No," I recall, "He's that kid that was standing up to Mulciber. Wait," I say looking at Taylor's expression, "You aren't talking about Mulciber are you?"

She slowly nods, and I say, "Taylor, he's bad news, what did he do to you."

She winces, "he just threatened me a bit, but mostly you. And um.. He tried to hit me, but I had a shield spell on, and um he ended up hitting himself in the face," she giggles.

I crack a smile at that, but ask, "then why were you crying?"

"Oh, you should've heard the things he was saying about you," she says, her eyes now teary, "I just couldn't dare think about him hurting you like that. You'll be careful won't you?"

"Taylor," I wrap her in a hug, "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine, I'm just glad you aren't hurt. You aren't hurt, right?"

She holds out her arm, "Only here, but that's just a scratch from him tripping me when I was leaving."

I quickly heal her arm, and say, "Taylor we can tell someone you know, we can tell Dumbledore, or even McGonagall, and they'll take care of him, make sure he's punished."

She shakes her head. "No. I can deal with this." she says.

"Okay…" I say skeptically, but if he ever hurts you, make sure you come to me immediately."

She nods, and I say, "Good. Now, I should get to class, but are you good with me leaving?"

"Yeah, go ahead Lily, I'm fine." she says.

"Okay, bye Taylor, remember to tell me if anything else happens."

"I will, bye Lily."

I rush into Potions, now about 30 minutes late, and I give Slughorn the note before I take the seat next to Severus. After our run in at the astronomy tower, he's been acting kind of coldly towards me, but we're still friendly towards each other in class. I'm just not going out of my way to speak with him. If he wants to hang around people like Mulciber, then he can do what he wants.

"Hey what have we done so far?" I ask.

"We've just taken notes so far," he says, passing me his.

"Thanks Sev," I respond.

I arrive at the quidditch pitch about 5 minutes late, and Radek gives me 5 laps around the field before I can come join them. I jump on my broom and quickly fly them, before coming down to stand next to Cas.

"Lily? You're never late," Cas says with a concerned look.

"Happens to everybody doesn't it," I retort.

Cas glares at me, "I don't know what's up with you today, but I'm just trying to help."

"Well stop trying." I mutter.

"Stop with the side conversation Evans, Meadowes," Radek says.

"Sorry," we both mumble.

"Okay, well we're going to play a mock game. Evans, Meadowes, and Potter, you're going to try and score, I'll be keeper, and then Black and Larner, you'll be on my team as beaters. Amy, I'm going to release a snitch, and then you can practice with some beaters working against you. Okay?"

"Yes sir," Amy smiles.

We all get on our brooms and take off into the air. Me, Potter, and Cas start on the opposite side of the field as the hoops Radek is guarding, and then have to come back here each time we score. Potter starts off with the quaffle, and starts flying over to the hoops. I weave my way around Black who attempts to hit me with a bludger, and hover in front of the right goal wide open for Potter to pass to me. But instead of passing it to me, who has already arrived, Potter turns around and passes it to Cas who is just getting around Larner. She scores, but I can't believe Potter just did that.

I fly over to the other side of the field, and quickly grab the quaffle hovering over there, before Cas or Potter can take it. Then I fly back over and score by myself. We score 80 points this way, with Cas and Potter blatantly avoiding passing me the quaffle, and me scoring without passing to either of them. However, as Cas narrowly avoids a bludger, and still doesn't pass to me, Radek blows his whistle, "POTTER, MEADOWES, EVANS! Ground. NOW!"

We all land, and Radek turns on us, "what is going on with you three?"

We all start talking at once "Lily just!", "Evans doesn't-", "they're infuriatingly-"

Radek holds up his hand, "I don't really care about whatever drama is going on, but if it's interfering with my damn quidditch practice, then I'm going to get mad. You guys are excused from practice today. Work it out, and next time you come to practice, make sure your heads are in it, and leave your drama on the ground."

We all nod, and Radek walks away, leaving us in an awkward silence. We walk over to the locker room, until Cas finally speaks, "okay, how about we all say what's making us upset right now, maybe that'd help just clear the air?"

"Oh sure yeah, that'd work," Potter grumbles, "let me go first. Evans is a total brat who doesn't care about others feelings whatsoever, and thinks anybody who breaks one measly rule in their life, is a complete failure of a person. Does that sum it up for you?"

I gape at him and yell, "I am not! You take that back Potter!"

"Nope, we're saying what's bothering us, and you, you're bothering me."

"Well in that case! You're bothering me!" I fume.

"Actually," Cas interrupts, "you've been acting like a bitch all day Lily. You snapped at me more than you ever have in the four years I've known you. And, you were late. To both potions and quidditch, that's not a coincidence. Somethings going on."

I turn to her, "can't a person just be late without somebody trying to psychoanalyze their entire life?!"

"Not when that person is Lily Evans, Miss perfect student extraordinaire," Potter scoffs.

"Nobody asked you Potter."

"Of course not, cause I'm just a no-good rulebreaker who'll never change, how could I forget?"

"Hey stop it!" Cas yells, "Lily Evans, tell me what's going on right this second, because you're making all of us miserable."

"I don't want to tell you!" I scream back.

"Well why the fuck not! I'm your best friend, so act like I am, and not like I'm some stranger off the street!"

"Best friend or not! Nothing can change the fact that-" I break off sinking onto the bench outside the locker room.

Cas sits next to me "Change what?"

"Nothing," I respond dryly.

"Potter leave for a second?" Cas asks.

"No," Potter says stubbornly, "her bad moods impacted me too, I think I deserve to know why."

Cas gives him a death glare, and he holds up his hands in surrender and starts to walk away. But, I surprise both him and myself when I say, "it's fine, he can stay. Not like his small brain will understand anything I'm about to say."

"Wow, for a second I thought you were being nice to me," he grumbles, but stands in front of us with his arms crossed, waiting.

"I'm sorry, I've been so terrible to you and Potter today," I tell Cas, "and, I'm sorry for last night, or this morning Potter." At this, cas turns to me and mouths 'last night?' but i ignore her, "I didn't really know what I was saying, and I was just angry. I didn't mean to take it out on you or your friends. You didn't deserve that."

"Well thanks for the apology," he responds.

"Yeah…"

"So what's wrong Lily?" Cas asks.

"Tuney wrote back this morning." I answer, my face crumpling.

"Oh, Lily," Cas wraps me in a hug, as I start crying softly.

"I told myself I wouldn't cry," I mutter, wiping away my tears.

"You should've told me Lily," Cas shakes her head, "you can't keep your emotions bottled up like that, you know it makes you lash out at anyone and everyone."

"I'm sorry," I mumble.

"Uhm, I'm very confused," Potter announces, "what's a tuney?"

I laugh, but it sounds more like a strangled choke, "it's my sister." I say.

"Oh." Potter responds.

"Yeah, she, um doesn't like magic to say the least," I explain.

I see a look of realization cross Potter's face, "I'm sorry, that must be terrible."

"No, I don't need your pity." I say, "just, forget about it."

He nods, "sure, I won't mention a word of it."

"Okay, are we all good here?" Cas asks.

"I am now, thank you, both of you," I say, "and I really am sorry Potter, you're not the most immature person I've met. And, you have grown up slightly since I first met you."

"Well, I'll take the compliment," Potter says, "and I'm sorry too, you're not the most stuck up person I've met."

"And that's enough cheesy makeups that I can take for now," Cas laughs, "you guys want to go get some food?"

"Yeah, sounds good," I smile.

Author's Note: Okay, that's chapter 6 now. I've actually made it above 20,000 words now, which is crazy considering I started this like 5 days ago. But, I hope you enjoyed that chapter.

Enjoy the next chapter if I have deigned to upload it yet, and have a great day/night :)