Lucy yawned and looked at her watch. 4 a.m. They wouldn't return for another half an hour. She had stayed awake in the common room. Every full moon, while Remus, Sirius, Peter and James were off exploring the grounds, Lucy waited in the Common room for them to come back. Normally, she fell asleep and was woken by their return. Tonight, however, was different. She couldn't sleep. A sudden sound made her sit up straight, her heart pounding. She gripped her wand. These were dark and dangerous times- who knew if Voldemort had infiltrated Hogwarts?
She let a quiet sigh of relief escape her lips when she saw the slippered feet of Lily Evans padding down the staircase.
"What are you doing up?"
"Couldn't sleep. What about you?"
"I had a bad dream. So, I got up to sit beside the fire." Lily looked at the smouldering embers of the fire. "Looks like I'm too late." Lucy became slightly worried when she saw Lily take a seat. If the boys walked in now and Lily saw them, there would be awkward questions asked. She tried to think of a way to get Lily back to bed. But it was too late. The portrait hole swung open as James, Sirius and Peter walked in. James had a shallow cut on the side of his head and a livid bruise was already blooming on Sirius' forehead.
Lucy groaned when Lily's eyes widened and she stood up.
"James Potter, you are Head Boy! What were you doing out at this hour? And what has happened to your face?"
James sent a panicked look towards Lucy, who shrugged helplessly. "Look, Lily can you just forget about this. I'm fine, it's just a cut."
"No, I will not just forget about it! Where were you, out hexing Slytherins again? Tell me what you were doing, or, I swear I'll go to McGonagall."
James expression turned stony. "Stay out of this; it's absolutely none of your business. I can't believe you'd even consider squealing on us."
Lily's cheeks grew hot but she raised her chin defiantly. Her retort was cut off by Sirius- "Give us a minute Lily."
Lucy, James, Sirius and Peter went over to the corner and began a whispered discussion. "She's not going to let this go," Sirius remarked grimly. James was furious. "She isn't the girl that I thought she was. I can't believe she thinks I'd… I can't believe she would even consider telling!"
"She doesn't realise how serious this is though James, she thinks you were just off on a prank," Lucy mollified him. She glanced over at Lily, who was looking mutinous.
"Well, we can't tell her the real reason," Peter whispered. Sirius nodded. "It's not our secret to tell."
Lucy looked thoughtful "I would trust her though. Look, we're going to have to speak to Moony."
Sirius nodded again. "I'll calm her down; buy us a bit of time." They walked back over to Lily. Sirius chose his words carefully. "Lily, we can't tell you what we were doing. Not yet. Please, don't say anything until tomorrow. I promise that you'll get your answer." He spoke sincerely. Lily frowned and sighed. "Fine. But I want to know. Tomorrow." She turned on her heel and stalked up the stairs.
James sat heavily on a chair and put his head in his hands. "Moony is going to kill us. We've just blown his cover."
Peter threw a look at Lucy. "Why was she here?" he glared at her, as if it was her fault.
"She just got up, I didn't have time to get rid of her!" she answered indignantly.
"There's no point in arguing," Sirius said wearily, "Let's just go to bed. Tomorrow, we'll sort this." He rubbed a hand across his forehead, wincing when he passed over his bruise. Silently, the boys and Lucy all went to bed.
Thanks for the reviews! Happy (belated) Hallowe'en!