Another chapter for you all! Aren't you lucky? Creds to JK etc - CO x

I looked around the now Sixth Year Girl's dormitory and felt my heart beat faster. I was ready for the new term and the new challenges the year would bring as well as seeing just how well her little plot would pan out. I flipped open the lid of my trunk at the end of my bed and pulled out pens on pens on pens – some from the pot on my windowsill, others I'd stolen from Petunia and some that I'd found lying around the kitchen and living room. The solitary peacock feather quill that I only used for exams stayed firmly where it was on top of my folded clothes. Several of the pens were for my bag and the rest were to be stowed in my bed side table.

"Are you coming to the feast Lily?" Marlene McKinnon asked as she closed the lid of her own trunk. Some of the students from the upper years had snuck up to their dormitories before the welcome feast to sort out their stuff. However, seeing as the first years were probably already getting off of the boats we now had to hurry back to the Great Hall.

The golden blonde haired girl and I slid into our seat with no time to spare. The great wooden doors opened to reveal McGonagall leading a scared bunch of slightly damp looking first years. As the sorting started and they started filing off to the different house tables my mind wondered to what classes would be like the next day. I was broken out of my daydreaming my a voice hissing "Evans, hey Evans"

"What do you want Potter?" I murmured back not averting my eyes from the top table.

"Your hair looks nice tonight, slightly wild and crazy looking" he smirked back.

"Well yours looks like you've been dragged through a hedge" I said sarcastically, smiling sweetly.

"Ouch. Evans, you wound me"

"Somebody needs to keep that inflated ego in check".

"Mr Potter, Miss Evans", Professor McGonagall called from the front of the hall "if you are quite done I'm sure the rest of us would like to carry on with the sorting". Shoot, I hadn't realised how loud our exchange had actually been in the silent hall. I blushed crimson.

"Yes Professor, sorry" I said back. I was so going to get Potter for this, we'd been back at school for an hour and he'd already started causing trouble. I glared at him down the table but he just winked at me and looked back at the teacher's table. After all the new students were seated and Dumbledore had welcomed us all back, the food appeared and noise filled the hall once more. I chatted and laughed with my fellow Gryffindors when a cold pair of beady black eyes locked on me caught my attention. Snape was watching me from the Slytherin table from in between Mulciber and Avery. I stopped for a second before remembering that he'd chosen his path and I'd chosen mine. Our gaze held for another second and I thought that I might have seen something akin to pleading edge into his expression. But then he was distracted by another Slytherin and any pity I could have had for him was lost.

I forgot all about that moment on the long walk back to Gryffindor Tower as myself, Marlene and Alice Prewett skipped along with the other students singing the Hogwarts song loudly. Back in the dorm there was a letter resting on my pillow:

Dear Lily

Did you take all of the pens from the house? I couldn't find a single one to do my crossword so I tried to use one of your quill things! I'm not angry but I can't say the same for my crossword puzzle, it's in such a state. I've already paid a visit to the stationary store so there's no need to send any back but next time just ask. I hope you've settled in okay and I wish you luck with your first day of lessons tomorrow.

Love, Dad.

Thanks to all my previous reviewers, I'd love to hear what you think about this chapter!x