Disclaimer: I definitely do not own Harry Potter and the wizarding world.

Author's Note: Sorry about the really late update! I was actually contemplating discontinuing this but I realised that I already had the third chapter written, so I've decided to post it. If you still like it, then I think I'll continue.

Lily got up, dusting herself. Looking around her, she saw that she was in a garden with blooming flowers covering every inch of it. This was Beauxbatons. Her gaze moved up the magnificent castle that was radiating a silver glow in the pale moonlight. Decorations were hung, no doubt, to welcome the Hogwarts students and teachers. The lights inside the castle even illuminated the surrounding are.

Lily gasped in awe, turning to exchange an impressed look with Kathy, only to see her still gaping at the castle. Slightly amused, she shifted her gaze to Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout, who were engaged in a serious discussion. While waiting for further instructions from them, Lily turned back to the rest of the students, who were still staring at the Beauxbatons castle.

"Follow us, all of you," McGonagall's voice pierced the quiet atmosphere.

The students tore their gazes away from the castle and looked at her, as if they had just realised that she was there.

Professor McGonagall led them towards the huge doors of Beauxbatons. She made as if to tap the door with he wand, when they swung inwards to admit them all.

The teachers stepped inside the castle, while behind them, the students tentatively took a step forward, peering expectantly in front of them.

In the dim lights of the entrance, they saw the huge shadow of a woman moving towards them. She was moving so gracefully for a woman her size that they were quite surprised.

" 'ello 'Ogwarts!" exclaimed Madame Maxime throatily, glittering in her bright red dress. (Lily inwardly wondered who had been able to sell her that large a dress.)

"I 'ope you arrived safely. 'Ow are you finding Beauxbatons?" Madame Maxime asked with a wide smile on her face.

"Very nice," Professor McGonagall replied, reciprocating the gesture with a rare smile, while the Hogwarts students all smiled politely from behind her.

"We weel be 'aving dinner Let us proceed to the dining room. Pleez follow me."

Madame Maxime ushered them through a narrow passageway lit by torches.

"Hey, look!" Kathy whispered, nudging Lily and Alice.

"Wow!" Lily whispered back in awe, looking at the huge torch before them that was emitting a swirling blue mist that glowed.

They turned right into another corridor, and were greeted by the copper statue of a mermaid, which winked playfully at James and Sirius as they passed. Sirius, in turn, blew her a flying kiss.

They finally stopped at a door. Madame Maxime traced something on the door with her wand and they swung open again.

A sea of blue awaited them in the Dining Room. As they walked to the table allotted to them at the other end, the Beauxbatons students craned their necks to catch a glimpse of them. James and Sirius took mock bows, winking at a group of girls who burst into giggles. Lily, meanwhile, could feel the heat rising up her neck as she looked down, and promptly seated herself on the nearest chair she saw.

"Good evening to all of you," Madame Maxime's voice sounded. "I am pleezed to introduce ze 'Ogwarts students. Zey weel be joining us for a few days here, and I 'ope zat you weel cooperate wiz them."

Madame Maxime gave the indication for them to start their dinner and they tucked in. The clank of forks and spoons against the plates was soon drowned by incessant chatter.

"That was a little too much, don't you think?" asked Sirius, patting his belly.

The Hogwarts students, after dinner, had been ushered to a guest room that consisted of a common room and girls' and boys' dormitories. The teachers had another guest room just next to theirs.

"Yeah," Kathy replied, groaning in discomfort. "I should have just left the Bouillabaisse."

Annabelle suddenly sat up. "How about we explore Beauxbatons for a while? We still have time." She glanced at the clock. "Thirty-three minutes precisely."

"I'm definitely going with you!" Alice said, putting the book she had been reading aside.

The rest of them stood up in response to Annabelle's question and proceeded to the door.

Looking behind, Alice realised that Lily was still sitting on the couch with her head in her hands. Surprised, she asked, "Lily? Aren't you coming?"

"No, you carry on. I've got a headache," Lily muttered from behind her hands.

"It's ok, Lily. We'll stay and help you," Alice said, indicating Kathy and her.

Having insisted that they go on without her, Lily was alone in the common room in the same position they had left her.

Groaning, she rubbed her head, which felt like it was going to split. She felt like there were little invisible fists pounding her head from the inside. The throbbing headache was even disabling her ability to think rationally.

Suddenly, Lily heard a voice that sounded very distant to her.

Frowning in confusion, Lily slowly raised her head. Hadn't they all gone?

James hurried to the armchair in front of Lily. His voice concerned, he asked, "Lily, are you ok?"

Unable to think properly, all that escaped Lily's mouth was a groan.

Shifting himself closer to Lily, James continued, "I thought I should just come in and check on you."

Lily didn't show any signs of having heard him. She had her eyes closed. Mustering the little energy she had, she said, "I'll go to bed."

With that, she stood, pushing herself up. After taking a while to arrange her bearings she took a step, only to sway precariously.

Author's Note: Well, that's the third chapter. But I hate the way the story is going and that Annabelle is such a goody-goody though she is in Slytherin. Maybe I'll have to make some changes to that. Sigh… Anyway, give me your feedback about how you think this is(even though I know it's horrible) and whether you would want me to continue.