In my seven years of Hogwarts I have learned many things. Learning I was a witch may have been the most important, but there are other smaller things to be learned from the wizarding world. It's the way that society is so different from the lives of Muggles. Not better certainly. There are many things that I admire about the wizarding world, but Muggles know things. It may seem odd, but they truly understand the way the world works, or they try at least. Wizards feel no such need. They do what they will and that's the end of it. They consider themselves dominant in all ways.

Say using Voldemort as an example. There are dictators like him in Muggle culture, that's true. But is he any more of a threat than Hitler himself was? Where are the leaders that will lead the uprising? Why won't the other wizarding communities ban together to protect Britain? It makes no sense, the wizards believe themselves superior to Muggles, but are they really? If the Muggles have gone where we have not… It's an interesting thought none of the less.

I sighed pushing long red hair out of my face. Considering the deep mysteries of the world again, how morbid.

"Lily," Serena stated again, "You're staring."

"At what, who?" I said immediately, glancing around desperately.

"God, Lils," she said, "Sometimes you're just so helpless."

"I can't help it…. I just-"

"Stare."

"Go off in your own world."

"Annoy the crap out of your best friend."

"Drive everyone crazy."

"Stick your head up in the clouds."

"Yes!" I practically screamed, "I get it."

And the really sad thing is no one even glanced up. Not a single pair of eyes flickered to the two of us. That's just how used to us they were. To tell you the truth it kind of scared me.

My eyes flickered down the table, trying to catch up what I'd missed in my daydream. My eyes shifted over faces as I took a sip of pumpkin juice. I could already see that Leslie Trench had been dumped for the fifth time this week, bawling bright blue eyes out. Goldstein hovered over her with a predatory expression, patting her back in "sympathy". I cringed in disgust. Poor Leslie, I hope she finds a good guy. It appeared Longbottom had finally wracked up the guts to ask Alice out, because I could see them sucking face a few seats down.

I glanced down at the paper in front of me, afraid to pick it up.

I looked at Serena, who stared at me solemnly.

YOU-KNOW-WHO STRIKES AGAIN!

By: Fling Wimberskin

The Pendersons, a renowned pureblood family,

were attacked and murdered yesterday in their

home in Godrics Hollow. The family included

Robert and Rachel Penderson, two of the most

respected Aurors of the time, and their young

daughter, Maria. The couple had taken their

daughter out of school in hope of protecting her

from the oncoming war,but little passes for

protection these days. The family was staunchly

against any sort of blood-purity, though they

were a very influential and powerful family, it has

become clear that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named

has no limits, even when it comes to young people.

We wish the best to the friends and families of the victims.

"Maria," I breathed heavily.

"I know," Serena said softly.

"I never would have guessed..."

"No, neither would I."

I enveloped her in a hug, holding her tightly.

"Who will be next?" I whispered into her shoulder.

I released her glancing down the table to see how the rest of Gryffindor was taking it. Everyone seemed unaffected, eating their breakfasts in happy ignorance. Everyone except Rose Harrow and Potter, who stood, James taking her hand in his and leading her out of the Great Hall.

"But class," I could hear her quietly protest in a soft lilting voice.

"We can spare fifteen minutes," he said roughly dragging her out of the hall.

"What is he doing?" I asked moving to stand.

Serena pulled me down. I glanced at her annoyance.

"What?" I snapped.

"Don't create a scene," she whispered in my ear, "You know how gossip spreads. And besides, why would you care if James Potter and Rose Harrow are sneaking outside on a cold winter's day?"

"I don't," I said immediately.

Serena grinned and I tried to give her a reprimanding glare, which normally fails when your mind is preoccupied with a certain Chaser….. Snap out of it, Lily. You hate him. Yes hate, hate was a better emotion. Stupid, idiot, annoying, pigheaded, moron, self-absorbed, immodest, horrible, Potter. Those words went together. Jealous and Potter didn't. Unless he was the one that was being jealous…. Still, it wouldn't hurt to make sure he wasn't harming, poor, sweet, innocent, Rose. She was easily susceptible after all, and it's my duty as head girl to make sure that no abuse is going on in this school.

I stood from the table, slinging my bag over my shoulder, in no way had I noticed it was the exact same as James Potter's. I walked quickly ignoring Serena's cries. I stepped out of the Great Hall, ducking under the arm of a Hufflepuff, not bothering to apologize. I headed outside the castle, the cold air hitting me and making me shiver. I fought the urge to run back inside to the warmth of the castle, but I continued, Rose had to be saved from Potter of course.

I spotted them quickly, Rose's arms were wrapped around James's body and she let out great heaving sobs against his chest. His arm's encircled her waist and he held her tightly, his face pained. She let go first, sniffing and wiping her eyes and nose against the sleeve of her robe. She looked up at him adoringly, looking kind of sad and pathetic. And I felt bad for her, I really did. If I worshipped Potter…Ugghhh.

"Thanks," she said and then as if it were nothing she leaned over and kissed him.

On the lips. I mean really, kissing him, when he was in love with me. I mean the poor girl; she didn't really stand a chance. And him, what was he doing kissing her? Wasn't this guy in love with me? Was he a dope? Did he not love me anymore? Not that that was a bad thing, but… really? I fought off the immediate urge to stomp up to them and ask them what the hell they were doing, but that was idiotic. Stupid. Nonsensical. Ridiculous. Absurd. Inconceivable. And not going to happen.

What did happen was that Rose wrapped James's arm around her and drew close to his side. He allowed it curling his hand on her shoulder. They walked that way up to the castle and through the great doors, leaving me cold and shivering out in the rain. I huffed, stomping up to the castle and through the doors, barely feeling the warmth returning to my limbs, I shivered anyway. I arrived at the defense doorway, letting others pass me on their way in.

"Are you ok, Lily?" Remus asked me, stopping.

No.

"I'm fine."

"You look a little upset."

I am.

"It's fine, Remus. Honestly."

"If you're sure….," he said, not sounding very sure.

I'm not.

He walked past, giving me a worried backwards glance. I waited until Serena was there, looking harried and annoyed.

"Where did you go?" she asked me, pushing brown hair back with a hassled hand.

"Nowhere," I said glumly.

"I know that look," she said skeptically

"Forget it," I said brushing past her into the classroom.

People bustled with movement. Everyone was switching from one table to the next, talking to the person next to them. I moved to my normal seat at the front plopping my stuff down and glancing over the hopefully Potter free zone. No such luck. He sat scribbling frantically over a half filled piece of paper, hazel eyes blazing brightly as he worked. It was interesting to watch him work, the intense expression in his eyes, and I found that I couldn't tear my eyes away.

"Good morning, class."

I whipped my head around, hair flying out wildly behind me. Professor McKinnon stood in the middle of the room, and I wanted to slap myself on the head. Who else? Serena laughed quietly beside me.

"Shut up," I told her.

Professor McKinnon was my favorite teacher. Everyone in the class mumbled and groaned about all the work she assigned us, but inside most people loved it. It was hard work, but we'd learned a ton. I found myself in the library half the time trying to find a spell she'd only briefly mentioned in class. She inspired everyone. That was the right word. She was so young, and yet she was so much better than any of us. It never ceased to amaze me.

"Today, class," she announced, "We will be learning a complicated bit of magic that I'm sure you'll find very useful far too soon. It's called the Patronus charm."

I tried not to squeal and jump around like a four year old. I'd been trying since third year to learn to do a patronus. Each attempt had failed though, because there wasn't much information on them. They were a rare piece of magic, but deadly useful.

"Patronus's are one of the most difficult pieces of magic, so don't be discouraged if you don't get it in this class. We have two weeks to get this down. It's harder of course when Dementors are there, but it also sets a pressure upon you. Be warned."

He tone was serious and she seemed to stare everyone in the eyes. Steel gray eyes seeming to connect with each and every individual in the classroom. I found myself shivering against the intensity. Could I ever be like that?

"The incantation is Expecto Patronum. In order for the spell to work you must think of the happiest moment you can think of. Draw it to your mind, let it envelope you. Your entire being must be filled with happiness and then only then can you say the incantation. Pair up!"

Serena and I turned to each other immediately as if on instinct. We rolled our eyes at each other and stood moving to the big center of the class, standing in the middle on the large eight-pointed star. I glanced around the classroom, checking to see who had paired up. Evan Gibson had paired with Hanna Martin. I could see Leslie Trench clinging to Remus's side, as he tried to gently pry her off of him. The two twins, Vicky and Tory were talking animatedly. And last but not least Potter and Harrow stood holding hands and I tried to resist scowling at them.

I waved my wand, twirling it and then adding the proscribed jab, but nothing came out but a spout of green mist.

"That's not even the right color," Serena commented unnecessarily.

I turned to glare at her, emerald green eyes flaring.

"Forgive me," I said scathingly.

She raised one slender eyebrow, resting her hands on her hips.

"What's your problem?"

"What's your problem?"

"Have I done something?"

I sighed, not really up for the fight.

"It's just…"

"Yes," she said, looking expectant.

"I've had a lot of things going on in my life and I just don't know how to cope with them."

Serena grinned animatedly and I almost laughed at the sudden change.

"Don't we all?"