Chapter 9

Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the Harry Potter series and I don't own the Lyrics below.

"All around me are familiar faces,

Worn places, worn out faces.

Bright and early for the daily races,

Going nowhere, going nowhere.

Their tears are filling up their glasses,

No expression, No expression."

Lyrics - Mad World, Michael Andrews ft. Gary Jules.

Joan

Oh Merlin! Oh Merlin! Oh Merlin! I went on a half date with a thief! They do say that its always the quiet ones though. I can't believe he had the nerve to steal Lily's purse and then lie about it when he got caught in the middle of a crowded pub no less!

I can only imagine what people are going to be saying about me tomorrow. What if they think that I knew about it and was just angry because he'd gotten caught? Well it's settled, all guys that I date from now on have to prove that they aren't future inmates of Azkaban or potential Death Eaters. So basically I can't date any Slytherins and certainly not the Marauders. I just know that one day one of the Marauders is going to end up in jail even though their good guys. They've already committed a crimes by being underage illegal animaguses. Even though they are just helping Remus.

This is what murderers wives must feel like, completely and utterly humiliated. Everywhere I go people are always going to remember that I went on a date with a thief and don't even try to tell me that they won't.

I couldn't face walking up the main path to the school with everyone whispering and feeling sorry for me. So when I reached the Shrieking Shack I took a left and with my wand at the ready I started to walk along the back route through the Forbidden Forest. It was far darker and still slightly creepy in daylight. I still couldn't see much because of the trees being so dense.

"Lumos!" my wand lit up the narrow and winding path which disappeared into the trees and undergrowth. The rain wasn't even hitting me as much anymore. I felt something wet slowly roll down my cheek and settle at the corner of my mouth leaving a salty taste there. I raised my free hand to wipe it away only for the tear to be replaced to a second later.

Great. Now I'm crying. Over what though? I had nothing to be crying over, I hadn't even wanted to go on the stupid date and now I'm crying because it ended badly? Or was it just because I am so embarrassed? I couldn't give you an answer to those.

It wasn't long before I was back in the Gryffindor common room sat in my favourite armchair. I had changed and am now just passing the time away. I had bought down Lily's copy of the Daily Prophet. The headline was glaring at me from the coffee table I'd thrown it on.

"Crouch Promises to Capture Death Eaters"

Underneath the fancy print was a picture of Crouch looking stern and shaking his fist. They've got him pinned as the next Minister for Magic. I don't think he'll make it. I let my eyes skim over the article from a distance. It was the same one that they published almost fortnightly to take the pressure off of the Ministry.

""We've almost caught them" Crouch observed to us, "I feel confident that in two weeks the main culprits will be in Azkaban.""

I hate liars and Crouch is most definitely a liar. My dad works in the same department as Crouch and he says that they haven't got a clue where to start let alone who to arrest.

I needed some good news to read. I flipped to the back pages where all the Quidditch news would be. It's the height of the Quidditch season, its ice to know that no matter what happens one thing will always remain the same. My favourite team hadn't let me down.

"Windborne Wasps' Winning Streak Continues"

Now this is more like it. There is nothing like Quidditch to brighten a horrid day.

It wasn't long before people started to trickle back from Hogsmeade. Robert was among some of the first back. The bored face had been replaced with one of hurt, the pain in his face became more intense when he saw me sat by the fire. Well it serves him right for being a thief doesn't it? What did he expect me to have stayed? If he couldn't afford the drinks and stuff then I didn't mind paying he shouldn't have stolen Lily's purse. I scowled at him and hid my face behind the paper until he disappeared into his dormitory. I hope he's feeling really guilty.

Lily was one of the last ones back from Hogsmeade even though she had chased after me. I bet James caught up with her and told her to leave me alone either that or people kept on stopping her to ask what was going on. You know our Lily can't say no to anyone except for James.

Lily spotted me instantly and walked over. She sat in the armchair next to mine and stared into the fire.

"Thanks." She whispered softly, I looked at her.

"No Problem. I can't believe he stole it though."

"I know it was a shock to me as well." Lily shifted guiltily in her seat.

"You never forget your wand." I said and it's true. In all the years that I have known Lily she has never once forgotten her wand. Especially since she became part of Voldemorts target group.

"I did today." A stern determination was blazing behind Lily's eyes. She stood up. "Are you coming to dinner?" I nodded and put the paper down.

Lily

I don't feel good about what I did to Robert and I certainly didn't feel any of that sweet satisfaction James had promised me especially when I saw him walking dejectedly back up the track to Hogwarts. I had helped ruin Roberts reputation and for what? Because he asked us to clean up after practise?

I looked down and pushed my potatoes around my plate. James keeps on grinning at me from the other end of the table. How can he be fine with all this? It must be all of them pranks that he's played on Snivellus over the years.

Robert hadn't come down to dinner. That made me feel even more guilty. Did everyone know? Had I really ruined his reputation forever? I'd thought he'd been kidding.

After dinner it was time to start rounds. With James.

I left Joan in the Girls dormitory doing her homework that was due in tomorrow. Sometimes its so hard not to roll my eyes at her, she lectures me on homework all the time yet she's just as bad as me if not worse. I know all about the annual first night back rush, Remus told me in fifth year at a prefect meeting. Ha! See I do know everything.

James was leaning against the One-Eyed-Witch statue when I finally found him.

"How're you feeling?" he asked almost sympathetically.

"Guilty" I whispered ashamed to admit it in front of him.

"That'll pass," he linked arms with me in a jokey manner and patted my hand like hw was my mentor or something, "We'll make a prankster out of you yet." He let go of my arm and it felt cold as it fell limply to my side.

"I don't want to be a prankster." I said like a stroppy child just because I could. James looked at me funny and tucked a lose strand of my hair behind my ear.

"Did you read the paper this morning?" He asked me suddenly. Great he wanted to talk about the news again, I know all this Voldemort stuff is really tragic and I should be concerned but please I don't want to talk about it.

"Yea, Crouch was talking out of his arse again."

"I meant the sports section Evans." He interrupted me brusquely. I grinned wildly. My team the Wimborne Wasps had kicked his team the Transylvanian Tornados butts in last nights match. I couldn't resist it.

"We beat you! We beat you!" I chanted. I can't explain it I'm in a really playful mood ok? James pulled a sneer at me. I knew he didn't mean it.

"Yea Yea laugh all you want but one day my team will win." His eyes were sparkling. They were a dark hazel colour behind his glasses showing his genuine happiness.

We turned down the steps towards the dungeons and their notorious broom cupboards where Slytherins and other perpetrators hide in the darkness waiting to jump out on their unsuspecting prey. The dungeons, although cold, were surprisingly calm at night. At least I'd never been frightened while I was patrolling down here, I used to actually volunteer to do it as most people are so scared to be down here at night that you never have anyone to catch. It gives you time to think. I think that means that I'm either very foolish or rather brave.

"Lily!" A booming voice echoed down the corridor making me and James jump. James visibly tensed when he realised whose voice it was, he hated Slughorn. I still don't know why James is taking his class, he doesn't want to be an Auror so unless he wanted to be a Healer he wouldn't need potions. I tossed a warm smile at James and turned to face a man fast losing his youth with his arms outstretched. A smoky pipe was hanging from his lips and his stomach was protruding from under his waistcoat. Horace Slughorn seemed to think that I was some kind of angel when I clearly wasn't and he had often proclaimed that I was one of the brightest he'd ever taught, much to the Slytherins chagrin.

"Professor," I elbowed James in the side who was scowling heavily at the man like he was a stag about to charge, "Are you having a nice evening?" I asked him sweetly.

"It's been lovely Lily," Slughorn looked between me and James, "Not up to mischief are we?" He rocked on his heels sending a sickly puff of smoke my way.

"Sir I wouldn't dream of it."

"You should be in Slytherin dear" He patted me on my shoulder and stared down at me with tears in his eyes. I tried not to show my offence at his statement. I wouldn't last two seconds within the walls of the Slytherin common room I am , after all, only a mudblood to them.

"I wouldn't be half as good at potions though sir." I replied cheekily. Slughorn laughed and glanced at James again.

"I'm having a little gathering in my office on Friday night, your both invited." Before he could get a reply from either of us he'd turned and left. I groaned, how was I going to get out of this one? I couldn't see any way that I could. It was already Tuesday, Joan will have to come with me again.

"'You should be in Slytherin dear." James mimicked beside me, "Merlin could he be anymore forward with you?" I laughed, "Honestly Lily your lucky I was here or he would've jumped you." I laughed even harder.

"I'm sure I could've handled an over zealous potions master." I opened a couple of broom cupboard doors to check if anyone was hiding in them.

"I think I'm going to have a serious vomiting fit and fever on Friday night." James muttered thoughtfully behind me.

"What your going to leave me with him?" I jerked my thumb sarcastically in the direction Slughorn had walked off in.

"You said you could handle him." James pretended to be posh and walked off with his nose in the air.

"I can." I muttered under my breath and chased off after him as I tried to ignore that my heart had sunk when he hadn't asked me to the 'Slug Club' party.