My books tumbled out of my arms for about the fifth time that day. I huffed, annoyed, as I bent down to gather them. Were people purposely bumping into me, or were they just idiots who had no coordination?

Beside me, Declan Allen was rolling his eyes. Dec was the only friend Scor and I had. Not only had he been friends with us since first year, but also we had known of Dec`s family since we were born practically. The Allen family was famous for having every single one of it`s members be in Slytherin since ever. Dec was the first. And, to add further anger and disdain to the mix Dec had already created, he was sorted into Hufflepuff; the worst place for an Allen, apparently, to be.

So, Dec was the black sheep of his family, along with Scor and I. Well, mostly Scor. Dad didn`t take too badly to Scor being in Gryffindor, just was a little put down that his boy wasn`t a snake, but Grandpa Lucius…He was livid.

Let`s just say that Dad isn`t in contact with Grandpa Lucius anymore.

"Ignore them, Andie," Dec said as he grabbed a few of my books, piling on top of his already big stack. "They`re all just idiots."

"So they`re all doing this on purpose?" I asked, even though I knew very well they were. Dec seemed to sense I did too, because he didn`t answer. "Will you meet Scor and I at the Black Lake after in an hour or so?"

"Why not now? I see Scor right there. We can just head down now."

"I`ve got to head to the library to study," I said. A smirk appeared across Dec`s tanned face.

"Ravenclaws," he scoffed jokingly. I pushed his shoulder softly before turning to walk down another corridor, straight to library.

I sat down in the far corner, away from prying eyes and people who would want to bother me. What I didn`t notice was somebody just a few feet away.

I heard a noise, like a trying-not-to-cry-but-obviously-unsuccessful sort of noise. I turned my head turned the noise, following it where it lead me and I was suddenly a bookcase away from the sound. I moved two books aside for a better look and felt my face drop when I saw whom it was.

Lily Potter was a third year Gryffindor, the youngest and the only female Potter at Hogwarts. She was gorgeous, even at just 12. She had beautiful long red hair that she always kept down and was fierce and feisty. She was a chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team and was, to me, the nicest Potter. I mean, she was all right. She didn`t try and ruin Scor`s and my life every chance she got…

I tried to ignore her cries. But, I couldn`t. I may be a Malfoy, but I`m neither evil nor heartless. I couldn`t just sit there and study while she blubbered in a corner. And I don`t know how many times I had cried before and wished that somebody, even the person I hated the most would have sufficed, would ask me what`s wrong and help me. So, I got weak.

Doing the worst and definitely most self-destructive thing I could do, I walked around to the spot she was, and sat down crisscrossed next to her.

"Um, hello," I said awkwardly.

"Malfoy?" She sniffed. "What are you doing here?"

"I sort of heard you crying."

"Right. Sorry, I`ll be quieter," Lily mumbled. I felt sympathy growing in me.

"No, no… I just, um…I wanted to see if you`re…a-alright?" I stammered. Wow. Look at me, a fifth year, nervous about speaking to a third year. "I mean, if you don`t mind?"

Lily swiped at her eyes. "Aren`t you supposed to hate me? Why do you care?"

"Who said I hated you?" I asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"Um, it`s practically a rule for Weasleys and Malfoys to despise each other. I`m a Weasley/Potter, which is even worse," Lily scoffed.

I shrugged. "It may have been a rule for my parents, my grandparents, your parents, and your grandparents, but it isn`t one of my rules."

"It`s definitely one of James and Al`s rules. They tell me to steer clear of you and your brother at all costs," she admitted.

"I`m not very surprised," I said dryly. "They`re right gits, your brothers. No offense, of course."

She hesitated before replying. "Yeah, I guess you`re right. But, I mean, we all assume you two are terrible. We sort of got the idea when we were younger from the way our parents described Malfoys."

I laughed. "Funny. Our dad told us stories about how amazing your parents are."

Lily turned to me, a shocked look on her face. "But Dad said Mr. Malfoy hated him, Uncle Ron, and Aunt Hermione! Why would he do that?"

"Sort of a personal family story. Maybe one day you`ll know," I replied. "But there`s also the fact that your dad sort of saved him from a burning Room of Requirement. He was sort of grateful for that."

"You sure you can`t tell me?" Lily asked. "I`m sure Dad would love to know that Mr. Malfoy`s been saying very good things about him."

I shook my head, chuckling. "Nope. One day, Lily. One day."

"Sigh."

I laughed. Then I looked at the redhead. "If you don`t mind me asking, why were you crying?"

Lily blushed. "I-it`s nothing."

"Obviously something."

"It`s really stupid."

"Obviously not to you."

"You`ll laugh at me."

"Or not."

Lily sighed, and then smirked. "Maybe I`ll tell you, one day."

"That`s cold," I said, chuckling.

Lily stood up, and so did I. "Thanks, Mal—Andromeda."

"You`re welcome. Anytime," I said, smiling slightly. "And it`s Andie."

"Alright. Thanks, Andie," Lily smiled, before walking off. Hm. I actually had a civil conversation with a Potter. That`s new.

As soon as she left, I went back to where I was sitting. I cracked open my books and began studying.

That is, until I heard a faint scratching noise.

I checked my journal, in case Scor had written. He didn`t. I shouldn`t have been so bothered by the noise, but I was. So, when it became too much, I gathered my things and ran out of the library.

[EDITED]

Yes, the Lily and Andie scene and the scratching might look really random and unimportant, but just wait. It`s both really significant and relevant. Thanks for reading! Reviews, perhaps?

-JennWho12