Chapter 15:

The sun crept into the Gryffindor common room and a thin stream of light swept right across Harry's face. He blinked a few times, trying to focus his eyes as he reached haplessly for his glasses.

"Morning," Neville said as he casually strolled past Harry's bed, heading in the direction of the door.

"Morning," Harry grumbled as he put on his glasses. "Where are you going?"

"To breakfast," Neville said. "It's eight…"

"It's eight already?" Harry said sitting up and glancing around the room. Dean and Seamus were gone as well, but Ron was still fast asleep in his bed.

"Yeah," Neville said. "You might want to get going. You really need a shower."

"Guess so," Harry said as he looked at his dirt stained slacks that he hadn't taken off.

"See you in Potions," Neville said as he started to leave.

"Potions…" Harry said as he fell back down on his bed. "******, we have potions today…Hey Ron…?" Ron rolled over.

"We are not going through this again," Harry said as he heaved one of his pillows across the room, hitting Ron right in the face.

"What the…" Ron grumbled sleepily, as he sat up and looked over at Harry. He started laughing hysterically as he looked at Harry disheveled appearance. "Damn Harry, you really need to take a shower." He threw the pillow back. "Your pillows are trying to escape.

"Stuff it," Harry said half laughing. "We need to get up, it's eight."

"Where does the time go," Ron said as he pulled himself out of bed and headed straight for the bathroom. Harry followed suit.

"We've got potions today," Harry said as he walked into the bathroom.

"****…" Ron said as his voice echoed off the cold walls.

"Yeah exactly," Harry said as he walked behind the shower curtain and quickly ran the water. After about five minutes he shut the water off, dried off, and wrapped the towel around his waist.

"You want me to wait?" Ron said as he put on his shoe. He was all ready fully dressed in his uniform and robes.

"Nah," Harry said. "Go ahead, I'll catch up."

"All right," Ron said grabbing his bag. "See you downstairs."

"See you," Harry said as he walked over to his dresser and started to pull out his uniform clothes. He got dressed and threw on his robes, grabbed his bag, and quickly headed downstairs and out to the Great Hall.

"Harry!" said a voice from behind him. It was Hermione.

"Hey," he said as she caught up to him. "Running behind?"

"I overslept," Hermione said smiling as they starting walking. "If it wasn't for Lavender and Parvati arguing over whose lip gloss was whose, I don't think I would have ever woken up."

"Where's Lily?" Harry asked.

"Dunno," Hermione said. "She was getting up when I was, but when I came back from the bathroom, she was gone. She's probably at breakfast already. Where's Ron?"

"Breakfast," Harry said.

"He's probably with her then," Hermione said. Harry made a face that Hermione couldn't see. He had a sudden flashback to the day before, and thought about Ron and his mum together.

"So you and Ron are going to the ball together?" Harry said casting her a sideways glance. "You must be excited…"

Hermione blushed. "What do you mean?"

"I don't know," Harry said shrugging. "You tell me…"

"Whatever," Hermione said shaking her head. "About this whole Sirius thing…"

"Wait a second," Harry said laughing. "Why are you changing the subject? You always try to change the subject when it comes to something besides school, studying, or saving the world."

"I don't know what you're talking about, Harry," Hermione said as they walked though the corridor.

"Look I really don't care," Harry said. "But you are my best friend…and so is he…and its just…well…is this a date for a dance, or is it going to end up being something more? I think I have the right to know if I'm going to suddenly become a third wheel."

"That won't happen," Hermione said flustered. "I mean I don't even know what he wants. Do you know what he wants..?"

"Whatever," Harry said smiling. "About that Sirius thing…"

"You're wretched," Hermione said rolling her eyes. "You know that?"

"I really don't know what you're talking about, Hermione," Harry said shaking his head as he picked up his pace and walked into the Great Hall. He walked over to the Gryffindor table where he found Ron laughing and talking with Seamus, Dean, Lavender, and Neville.

"Morning," Harry said as he stood next to Ron. He glanced at Hermione and motioned for her to sit next to Ron. She glared at him before taking the seat.

"Morning," Seamus said groggily.

"He says we kept him awake last night," Ron said looking at Harry.

"Well," Seamus said trying to defend himself. "You all came in at who knows what time and just wouldn't shut up!"

"Damn teenagers," Ron said rolling his eyes. "Hey Harry, where's Lily?"

"I was just about to ask you the same thing," Harry said looking around the Great Hall for a trace of his mother.

"Is that her?" Lavender said pointing to a red headed girl walking into the Great Hall.

"No," Ron said looking at her. "That would be my sister."

"Oh," Lavender said. "Well, you really can't blame me. I mean they look very similar."

"No, they don't," Harry said looking at Lavender and then at Ron. "What?"

"Ironic," Ron said shaking his head.

"What is?" Harry asked, all though he had a slight feeling he knew where Ron was going with this.

"Well," Ron said leaning back so that Hermione was blocking what he was saying. "Just a little funny that my sister happens to resemble your mum, and you happen to be the exact replica of your dad…"

"I knew it!" Harry said leaning forward. "I knew that's what you were going to say. And I'm not the exact replica…"

"Yes you are," Ron and Hermione said in unison. "If your mum couldn't tell you apart…" Ron whispered very quietly, "then that's saying something."

"Hi," Ginny said suddenly.

"Hey," Ron and Harry said grinning.

"So," Ginny said directing her smile at her brother. "I head you finally wised up and asked Hermione." Hermione blushed.

"Wised up?" Ron said laughing. "Like you knew…"

"I did!" Ginny said defending herself. "I mean I kept trying to tell you…"

"Sure…." Ron said nodding. Ginny scowled at him before sitting down.

"I really wonder where she is?" Harry said still searching the Great Hall.

"She's a big girl, Harry," Lavander said smiling as she pushed her hair behind her ear. "I mean really, the way you carry one about her I would think you fancied her." Ginny's started to push her porridge around in her bowl in a aggravated manner.

"Yeah really," Dean said nodding.

"I don't," Harry said glaring. "Trust me I don't."

"Sure," Seamus said throwing a smile at Lavender. "That's why you two are pretty much inseparable. I mean how much you want to bet that she was with you all last night."

"Well, so was Hermione," Harry said point to Hermione. "That doesn't mean that I fancy her."

"Yeah, but Weasley does," Neville said. The other all nodded, while Ron turned pink and Hermione pretended to be extremely fascinated by a crack in the table.

"I mean it's really nothing to be ashamed of," Lavender said. "She's quite pretty. Almost the prettiest girl in Gryffindor."

"Almost?" Ron asked.

"Well," Lavender said flipping her hair. "I mean who can really judge whose the prettiest anyway."

"Ok," Harry said standing up. "This conversation is over. I'm going to go…"

"And find Lily?" Seamus said interrupting.

"To class," Harry said looking Seamus directly in his eyes, but as he did that he noticed a figure approach out of the corner of his eye. It was Lily

"Hi," she said smiling as she came stood right next to Harry. Ginny glared at her.

"Hey," Ron said. "Where have you been?"

"I walked around a bit," Lily said shrugging. "I wanted to see what Hogwarts was like nowadays."

"By yourself?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah," Lily said. "I needed a little time to myself."

"I thought you were going to class, Harry?" Seamus asked looking at Harry.

"I am," Harry said looking at Ron, Hermione, and Lily.

"I'll come with you," Lily said. Seamus, Lavender, Dean, and Neville all exchanged looks.

"Don't say it," Harry said annoyed as he turned to leave.

"God forbid, the 'boy who lived' showed some weakness," Lavender mumbled.

"The what?" Lily asked. Harry just shook his head and walked away. Lily followed, and surprisingly enough, so did Neville.

"Stupid," Harry said as they walked through the corridor. "Some girls are so petty."

"Well," Lily said smiling. "From what I've gotten off Lavender, she not exactly the sharpest quill…"

"She's dense," Harry said cutting her off. "She's got Seamus all wrapped around her little finger. He's completely superficial anyway though."

"I can tell," Lily said smiling.

Harry suddenly noticed that Neville was standing there. "Yes?"

"You're going to class?" Neville asked.

"Yes," Harry said aggravated.

"Well," Neville said shrugging. "Thought I'd come with you."

"Whatever," Harry said shrugging as he continued to walk.

"Hey Harry," Lily said quickening her pace to keep up with him. "Where'd you get your nickname from?"

"What nickname?" Harry asked.

"Whatever it was Lavender said," Lily said pointing back into the direction of the Great Hall.

Harry looked at Neville. "What'd Lavender call me?"

"I don't know," Neville said. "I didn't hear anything other than the usual comments she makes about you."

"Well," Harry said turning to Lily, "jerk isn't exactly my nickname…"

"Not that," Lily said smiling. "I meant the other one. I've heard a few people call you it…the boy who lived?"

"Oh," Harry said awkwardly. "That…"

"You're joking…" Neville said smiling. "Everyone in the entire wizarding world knows how he got that name!"

"Oh," Lily said a little embarrassed. "Well, I spend a lot of time in the muggle world…"

"It's ok," Harry said as he grabbed Lily's sleeve. "It's really not worth telling. Come on."

"Oh come on Harry," Lily said laughing and turning towards Neville. "Is it embarrassing?"

"No," Neville said watching Harry skeptically. "I mean it's history…"

"It's really nothing," Harry said tugging harder at Lily's sleeve.

"Harry never talks about it," Neville said. "I guess when everyone calls you that, it gets old."

"Neville," Harry said sounding annoyed and worried. "Neville, please…"

"Oh come on," Lily said. "Let's here it!"

"No…" Harry said shaking his head. "No…"

"It's because he's the sole reason that You -Know-Who disappeared in the first place," Neville said. Harry's eyes widened.

"What?" Lily said as the smile disappeared from her face. She turned to Harry. "You defeated You-Know-Who?"

"I didn't defeat anyone," Harry said.

"So modest," Neville said grinning.

"Is he not still luring around out there!?" Harry yelled.

"He was only a baby too…" Neville said turning to Lily. "You-Know-Who came to his house…"

"NEVILLE!" Harry screamed.

"Harry!" Neville said. "Its not like she couldn't just go and read it in a book!"

"It doesn't matter!" Harry said. "It doesn't need to be told…!"

"Wait," Neville said slowly. "I know why you don't want to talk about it…"

"No, you don't," Harry said seriously.

"It's because of your parents…" Neville said solemnly. "Sorry Harry. I mean I know how it is. I do. It's just that I always forget that part of the story. I mean it's always so impressive that you defeated He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, that I always over look the part where…"

"I didn't defeat him," Harry said again.

"Sorry," Neville said rubbing his hands together awkwardly. "I'm going to go to class…" He stepped around Harry and Lily and began to head up the stairs.

"I swear…" Harry said watching Neville leave. "He didn't used to be like this…" He turned to look at Lily who was staring straight at him. She hadn't taken her eyes off him.

"You ok?" Harry asked concerned.

"The part of the story…" she said quietly. "The part that makes you upset…" She paused. Harry thought he saw tears welling up in her eyes.

"Lily, it's not…" he began.

"He killed James," she said sniffling. "Voldemort killed James.