A/N: Hello everyone! Thank you so much for every review and comment, it fuels me. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: No, I'm not JKR. I don't own anything.


Chapter Five

Or

Flowers From the Mountains


(Monday the eleventh, the Quidditch pitch)

By the time the second week of October rolled around, the weather was significantly cooler and much, much wetter.

Predictably, however, never had something as trivial as a drop of temperature stopped James Potter from holding Quidditch practices at ungodly hours of the morning.

The way he saw it, it was completely, one-hundred percent justified. The first game of the season was fast approaching, and the Slytherin team had some very talented players; hence, the daily practices. Sometimes, much to the team's chagrin, James would even schedule two practices on the same day but there was, after all, a reason the Gryffindor Quidditch team was considered to be, by the majority of the student body, the best.

Nevertheless, ever since Sirius had been banned from playing Quidditch for setting Remus' furry little problem on Snape, James couldn't help worrying whether the loss would cost Gryffindor the cup. After all, he had expected to have Sirius on the team until they both finished school, and so he hadn't trained the second-string Chasers as much as he probably should have. That was not a mistake he was planning on repeating this year, even if it meant facing heavy downpours of rain.

Snapping out of his thoughts, James ordered the team to run the Porskoff Ploy one more time, and then he wrapped up practice.


(Thursday the fourteenth, the Great Hall)

"Still hung up on the Mudblood, Severus?" Mulciber asked, Daily Prophet in hand.

"Not at all," he replied with a cold voice and an even expression.

He looked over at the Gryffindor table. Black eyes sought out red hair; she was sitting next to the Marauders – her friends. They were her friends now. And that included James bloody fucking Potter. Ever since that detention she'd had with him, the two of them were always laughing at something or other.

She'd always had a soft spot for them, those Marauders, but now that she'd gotten rid of him it was almost like she felt relieved, like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, and she was free to spend her time with whoever she liked, childhood loyalties be damned.

Severus didn't even notice the way the grip on his fork tightened, so much that his knuckles turned white, the piece of toast on his plate long forgotten.

"She doesn't need you and you certainly don't need her. There are more important things than know-it-all Mudbloods. Surely you realise that, don't you, Severus?" He nodded, partly because he agreed, partly because, even if he didn't, he couldn't let it show. There was too much at stake now.

"Of course."

No, Lily didn't need him. But she would.


(Wednesday the twentieth, Potions)

Lily was positively exhausted. After such a challenging Defense Against the Dark Arts class - they were studying Inferi - and a surprise quiz in Ancient Runes, all Lily wanted was to crawl back into bed. Alas, as it was a Wednesday and not a Thursday, her last class of the day would be Potions with the Slytherins.

"Today," Professor Slughorn began, "we will begin to work on Shrinking Solution.

"A more subtle potion than many initially appreciate, the Shrinking Solution causes creatures that come into contact with it to shrink to a younger form. But of course," he chuckled to himself, "if you wrote the essay that I requested last week, you already know that. Today I shall be assigning you partners."

The class consisted of eight students, four Gryffindors and four Slytherins. Lily couldn't help but worry. While most of the Gryffindors in her year had achieved high enough marks on their O. to be accepted by Slughorn this year, aside from her, only three had actually decided to pursue the class onto N.E.W.T. level. All in all, it was far more likely that she would end up being paired up with a Slytherin rather than with one of her friends. Knowing her Professor, she could easily guess who she would wind up with.

Professor Slughorn started reading names off a piece of parchment. Evan Rosier was paired with Samuel Avery, James Potter with Mary Macdonald. Much to Marlene Mckinnon's dismay, she got Lucinda Talkalot, and, of course, Lily Evans got stuck with Severus Snape.

"Severus," Lily said in an even tone, carefully trying not to show any emotion.

"Lily," Severus replied in a cool voice, not bothering to look up from his book. "I don't really care what you prefer, but I'm not using the recipe in our book."

"Do you have another one?" She raised one of her eyebrows.

"As a matter-of-fact, I do."

"And you've tested it?"

"Obviously." Lily rolled her eyes.

"Then it's settled."

"I'm surprised you're accepting this so well," said Snape with a sneer.

"As opposed to what?"

"Throwing a fit." Lily decided to ignore the jab.

"As much as I dislike your friends and the choices you've made, you do know your potions. I'm not putting my grade at risk for personal motives."

To that, Severus didn't reply, and the two of them put themselves to work. Caterpillars were sliced, Shrivelfig was peeled and daisy roots were minced. The heat was carefully controlled and the colour of the concoction painstakingly analysed. The potion was left to simmer, and Severus turned his attention back to his book. Lily took the opportunity to look around, glancing at the table behind her, and what she saw made her smile.


When Marlene arrived at the table – right next to Lily and Snape's – Lucinda was already juicing the Shrivelfigs, light blond hair shielding her face. That was quite all right with Marlene; the sooner they were done, the less time they'd have to spend together. However, even though Marlene greatly disliked Lucinda, seeing as they would have to work together for the next hour or so, she figured she might as well be polite – although she wouldn't go as far as being friendly. After all, she wasn't Lily.

"Hello." She was met with silence. Marlene frowned, and decided to focus on the task at hand, which consisted of chopping up four daisy roots.

Eventually, she lifted her head from the cauldron and looked around – her classmates seemed to be doing well enough but Marlene had never been extraordinary at potions. She didn't even like the class; the only reason she had chosen to take it was because most courses required a N.E.W.T. in potions and Marlene wasn't sure what she wanted to do yet.

She found herself zoning out, lost in thought, so when Lily touched her shoulder, she started, accidentally dropping the rat spleen she had been holding into the cauldron. Some of the potion splashed onto Marlene. First, she looked down at her forearm; her skin looked like it would melt right off, bubbling and red, smelling faintly of smoke.

Then, she screamed.

Marlene barely registered what happened after that. She didn't notice the way Rosier and Avery cackled, as though they had been expecting it, or the way Snape ignored the whole situation, as though he was above everyone in the room – the usual. She didn't see her friends rushing to her aid. Most importantly, however, she missed the way that her Potions partner had immediately looked over, eyes wide, biting her lip hard.

Upon Professor Slughorn's instructions, the two of them rushed to the hospital wing, Marlene eerily silent, and Lucinda unusually flustered.

"You see," Lucinda muttered as she dragged Marlene behind her, "this is why I generally despise Gryffindors. You're just so loud and careless. Always throwing yourselves into these ridiculous situations."

Professor Slughorn had been right, of course. As soon as they arrived at the infirmary, Madam Pomfrey quickly cast a soothing spell and applied a salve to her burn. The skin began to mend itself and, in less than twenty minutes, they were back in the dungeons.

Eventually the class ended and, without knowing precisely why, despite her arm being bruised and bandaged, Marlene, feeling a bit light headed, left the classroom with a new spring in her step.


(Friday the twenty-second, Hogwarts)

Defence Against the Dark Arts was the only class Gryffindors didn't share with other houses, for the professor found a smaller class much more effective when it came to practical learning. As long as each student gave their best, she didn't appear to mind the longer hours.

That particular Friday, it was twelve past eight when Professor Hatheway had them divided into pairs. Due to the odd number of students, one of them would partner up with her.

"One partner will attempt to jinx the other without speaking," she began. "The other will attempt to repel the jinx in equal silence. Carry on. Potter, with me."

Predictably, Elizabeth partnered up with Susan. Mary and Marlene banded together, Sirius with Peter, and Lily with Remus. The group set themselves to work and, by the time she had next checked the clock, the entire double period had gone by.

Most of the class either had Care of Magical Creatures or Herbology next, and so they made their way to the grounds. Elizabeth, however, had Arithmancy.

"Lizzy?" James called. "You coming?"

The pair made their way to the Arithmancy classroom. Looking up at her classmate, Elizabeth remembered her older sister's words on Platform Nine and Three-quarters; this year, her goal would be to win the Gryffindor Quidditch captain.

They'd already been at Hogwarts for over a month and a half now; she could have already made a pass at him. Should have. After all, there had been plenty of opportunities. In fact, there was a Hogsmeade trip the following day. Even so, she couldn't bring herself to do it, despite the fact that it was expected of her, that there was a standard she had to uphold.

It's not like she had feelings for him – and he definitely didn't have feelings for her (or for anyone that wasn't Lily Evans) – and her sister knew it. However, there was no doubt the two of them would fit like two pieces in a puzzle. It would make sense; the king of the troublemakers and the queen of the social butterflies. Together, the two of them would rule Hogwarts.

"Lizzy, are you all right?" asked James, clearly confused. Elizabeth nodded her head, ebony hair flying everywhere.

"I am," she replied and, seeing the concerned look on James' face, she was reminded of the kindness her best friend had taken a fancy to. Elizabeth would never make the move. At the end of the day, her loyalty remained with Susan.

She decided to forget the issue for the time being (or attempt to, at any rate), and most importantly, to ignore the letters from home.


(Saturday the twenty-third, Hogsmeade)

Lily and Marlene walked through the streets of Hogsmeade. They'd already perused the shelves at Tomes and Scrolls and gotten some fudge from Honeydukes.

Despite the fact that it was extremely windy out and that the streets were still muddy from all the rain, the village was remarkably busy. It always was on the first trip of the year. By January, it would be much easier to navigate around because the novelty would have worn off for most of the younger students, and the older students would be way too busy with school work.

Marlene was about to enter Gladrags Wizardwear when something across the street caught Lily's eye.

"Oh look, it's Lucinda," she pointed out.

"Yeah," Marlene said, squinting. It was a particularly foggy day, and Marlene didn't have the best eyesight (though not nearly as terrible as James Potter's; she could still go on about her day without spectacles). All she could see was a Dervish and Banges sign, light hair and even fairer skin. "I guess it is."

"She's all by herself. Why don't you go talk to her?"

"Why would I? She's completely conceited," said Marlene, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"Oh, yeah?" Lily asked, the corner of her lips turned up in a smile.

"I don't know. There's something about her that just irks me."

"She seemed pretty worried about you when you hurt your arm." Wincing, Lily continued, "Sorry about that, by the way."

"Oh, don't worry about it. And all she wanted was to look good."

"You'd know better than I would." Lily had a smug look on her face, and Marlene felt her cheeks burn red.

"Besides," Marlene continued, "Mary's already off with her boyfriend. I don't want to leave you by yourself." Lily laughed.

"I think I can handle that, Marlene. Don't worry, I think I saw Remus going into The Three Broomsticks."

"If you're sure," said Marlene.

"I am," Lily confirmed, placing one hand on Marlene's shoulder. "Go." Smiling, she turned around and made her way to Madam Rosmerta's pub. Then, Marlene took a deep breath and a step forward.

As she got closer, Marlene started to discern a few more details. Lucinda was indeed leaning against the door of Dervish and Banges, eyes closed, a cigarette in her hand.

"That stuff will kill you, you know," said Marlene, pulling her scarf tighter around her neck.

Smirking, Lucinda replied, "Good."

She finally cracked her eyes open. Marlene couldn't tell which colour they were. Green or blue or something in the middle.

"So is this your thing?" Lucinda raised one eyebrow. Damn it. Marlene could never raise only one. It was either all or nothing. "Smoking by yourself?" asked Marlene, as Lucinda took a long drag of the cigarette.

"Nothing wrong with being on your own," responded Lucinda defensively. "But I'll have you know, I usually do have company."

"Oh. Alright." Marlene blinked.

"Jorkins had a date." That would be Bertha Jorkins. Hufflepuff. Right.

"Alright."

"Is that your catchphrase or something?"

"No, it's not my bloody catchphrase," Marlene huffed.

Grinning, Lucinda replied, "Alright."

She saw Lucinda taking another drag of her cigarette. After a second or so, the Slytherin slapped her forehead. "Shit, I always forget to ask. Want a smoke?"

"No, thanks. Where did you even get those?" asked Marlene, nodding towards the pack.

"At home?" replied Lucinda, as though it was obvious.

"Aren't you Pureblood?"

"Gryffindors. Always jumping to conclusions." Lucinda chuckled, before adding, "My mum's Muggleborn."

"I didn't know that."

"No, you wouldn't."


The four of them were sitting at a booth in the Three Broomsticks; Sirius leaning against the wall as though he was some kind of model, Remus and James sipping on their Butterbeers, and Peter drinking something that looked like an unconventional mixture of cherry syrup and soda.

As she approached the table, Lily could finally start to make out voices.

"Spintwitches closed down, you know," she could hear Sirius say.

Looking down into his Butterbeer, James replied, "What? No! Now I'll have to go to Diagon Alley for broom polish? That's ridiculous."

"You could order by owl, you know," said Lily, sitting down between Sirius and Peter, facing Remus. James was somewhere in her peripheral vision.

Upon hearing her voice, his head shot up and his hand immediately jumped to ruffle his hair. Lily smiled.

"Ah, but where's the fun in that?" James asked with a glint in his eye. "Half the excitement is looking through the shelves and the corridors, comparing each model yourself and, of course, ogling the pretty cashier," he finished, wiggling his eyebrows in the process. Seemingly out of nowhere, Remus coughed, Sirius barking out a laugh.

"James Potter," Lily started, "you are a huge dork."

"Ah, yes, but you wouldn't like me if I wasn't," he finished smugly.

"But Potter," Lily leaned forward in her seat, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips, "I don't like you."

"And yet here you are," James shot back.

"Only because the Giant Squid called in sick."

Peter and Remus clinked glasses. "Cheers."


"Well, gentlemen, it's been lovely sitting with such fine company, but I'm afraid I must leave."

"Aren't you coming back to the castle with us?" asked Peter.

"You lot go along. I have to find Marlene," explained Lily.

"We'll go with you," offered Sirius. James glared at his best mate.

"That's okay. She can't have wondered too far away. We'll catch up." Tightening her scarf, Lily got up from the booth and, weaving her way in between customers, she left the pub.

Eventually, the group decided to head back to the castle as well and, as they were leaving the Three Broomsticks, they passed Elizabeth Vane and Susan Adams, two fellow Gryffindors in their year.

Pleasantries were exchanged and, after Remus, James and Peter had started walking ahead, Sirius, who had lagged a bit behind, caught a snippet of their conversation:

"You're right, Lizzy," said Susan, linking arms with her friend. "I ought to get a move on, and soon."

"Do you think he could still be hung up on Lily?"

"Maybe he is," Susan said, smiling. "Maybe he isn't. What's life without a little risk?"


"Was Susan Adams giving me the eye or is that just me?" asked James.

"Mate, half the school has been giving you the eye," informed Sirius. "Not our fault you're so bloody oblivious."

"Are you going to do anything about it?" inquired Peter.

"Of course he is." Remus grinned. "After Lily and the squid make it official, that is."

Clapping James on the chest, his lips twisting into a smirk, Sirius interjected, "Oh, haven't you heard? Prongs here is getting over Evans."

Remus snorted. "Yeah fucking right."

"I resent that statement," said James, before continuing, "You lot are rubbish mates. Rubbish."

"If that helps you sleep at night, Prongs," conceded Remus.

Sirius, however, did not seem keen on letting the subject drop. "Say, Wormtail, what is it about the squid that just… sucks the birds in?"

"Reckon it's the tentacles?"

"Right you are, m'boy Pete."

"You lot are ridiculous," James laughed, throwing his head back.

"Squidiculous," Sirius corrected, to which Remus replied, "That was terrible, Padfoot, even for you."

"My jokes are exsquidsite, thank you very much," said Sirius, feigning offense.

"Dunno why I put up with you," James said, trying not to laugh.

"Because I'm here and I'm pretty," replied Sirius, which made James snort.

"You're a right prat, that's what you are," he quipped.

Shrugging his shoulders, Sirius responded, "It's been known to happen."

For a couple of minutes, the group walked in silence, listening to the wind, when suddenly Sirius blurted out, "Squidditch game coming up, yeah?"

And the lot of them burst into laughter.


A/N: I'd like to formally apologise for the ammount of terrible squid related puns. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Let me know what you thought? x