Thank you for all of your kind reviews! Sorry it took me so long to update… hopefully you still know what's going on lol. Anyway, I'm not JKR, of course!

Big thanks to my beta iphooqui!

Chapter 9— Dandelion

Severus's thoughts were purely sexual from the time he woke up Wednesday morning until Defense Against the Dark Arts class. He couldn't stop his mind from replaying his and Lily's trip to the astronomy tower the night before. Thinking of it brought a smile to his face at first, but after a few hours it had started to cause him an annoying sort of discomfort below the belt. He had been completely unable to focus during Ancient Runes and expected Defense Against the Dark Arts to be worse considering that he'd be sitting right next to Lily, but that class ended up bringing a welcome distraction. Professor Barringer had a surprise speaker— an auror from the ministry of magic.

The auror was a woman appearing to be in her late forties. Her hair was pulled back into a severe bun that gave her already determined looking face a taught, sharp appearance. Her voice was surprisingly feminine and light when she began to speak. "Good morning students. My name is Tabitha Gorgerby. As professor Barringer stated, I am a trained auror, employed by the Ministry of Magic. It is my job to hunt down and take into custody dark wizards and witches. Today I will be teaching you what exactly constitutes a dark wizard and the ways in which we aurors bring them down and keep innocent citizens safe. I know that many of you may be aspiring aurors but today you will get a real picture of this career path. Rewarding it is, but you will find that the glamour often associated with it is complete folly. The dangers are real… the dark magic that exists and is currently being practiced is unfathomable to you at this point in life. These are not the only reasons for my visit with you today, however. I have also come to deliver a message about Lord Voldemort— the most powerful dark wizard the ministry has encountered in hundreds of years and possibly of all time." At this, gasps and chatter erupted throughout the room. "Silence!" shouted Mrs. Gorgerby, her sweet voice transitioning to one with a strong authoritative tone. "My purpose is not to frighten or disturb. You must be made aware of the real danger we may be facing as a society. You need to know the facts and how you can protect yourselves and those around you in potentially trying times."

Severus was captivated by everything Gorgerby had to say and was thankful for his self-inking quill as he quickly scribbled down notes. After the mention of Voldemort, most of the other students just excitedly, or nervously whispered and passed notes to each other about the topic, as opposed to actually getting the facts from someone who knew them. Granted, the room was filled with Gryffindors and Slytherins and there was a good possibility that some of the Slytherins knew more about what Voldemort and his death eaters were doing than all the aurors combined.

After class Severus was talking a thousand miles per hour about how amazing he found the lesson to be and how he thought that Dumbledore should hire retired aurors to teach the class. A few seconds later, he arrived at the grim realization that not many aurors were likely to survive until retirement. Lily had heard enough in class and wasn't really listening to him. She did think it was cute how excited he was though as they parted ways.

Mary and Sirius caught up with Lily as she entered the grounds, heading for herbology.

"Boyfriend of yours was a little too keyed up about that lesson, don't you think?" Sirius prodded.

Lily shot him a look like daggers before responding. "You were a little too into in your game of footsie with James, don't you think?"

Mary laughed out loud.

Sirius faintly blushed, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It's supposed to mean you're a fucking cocksu—" Mary started before being interrupted by Lily.

"It's not supposed to mean anything. It's supposed to just be mean, like you are," she said loudly hoping to avoid any unnecessary confrontation between Mary and Sirius.

"…I'm not mean. I'm honest. The Snape boy is a creep, Lils. You are the only one who found all of his eager weird ass questions endearing."

"Shut up," Lily said quietly, feeling a bit exhausted and absolutely tired of these kinds of conversations.

"It's okay, Lily," Mary said draping an arm around her shoulders. "I didn't think he seemed creepy. Nerdy? Absolutely. But not creepy. He's growing on me honestly. He's actually kind of attractive in that mysterious, intellectual bloke kind of way. Does he say smart things while you snog? He's tall too, that's nice—" she was cut off by Sirius making gagging noises nearby. "Bugger off, idiot!" Mary shouted at him, giving him the finger.

"Oh where is the love, darling?" Sirius responded with a sly grin, arms open wide as his silky black ringlets blew in the wind.

Mary ignored him as they entered greenhouse number five.

"What is it with you two? I thought you were… "

"Oh I don't know, Lily. I like him. I do… and it doesn't help that I think he is the most gorgeous thing I've ever laid eyes on. I know you don't understand it… nobody does, but—"

"I think now maybe I might."

Mary looked at her friend curiously for a moment. "Yes, maybe so. I really like him but," she sighed before continuing, "he is such a fucking pansy. One moment it seems like he truly fancies me. The next moment he just wants to shag me and the next it's like he despises me or something. I'm thoroughly exhausted, truly. I think it is time to just move on. Has Severus got any nice, eligible friends? I've heard Slytherin boys are excellent lovers. Always wanted to give one a ride personally, if you know what I mean. Wait— you wouldn't happen to have a personal opinion on this matter would you?"

Lily's face turned nearly the color of her hair.

"Lily Evans! Don't tell me you've kept from me what I think you've kept from me! I could slap someone's grandmother!" Mary shouted obnoxiously loud before dramatically throwing her books on the table and knocking over a juvenile Devil's Snare plant that proceeded to angrily wrap itself around Sirius's arm.

"Karma is sweeet," Mary hissed as she watched Sirius struggle with the plant. "Too bad it isn't strangling his dick," she said crossing her arms. Lily released a breath she'd been holding in and laughed out loud until Professor Sprout brought the class to order. "Don't think for a moment that you will get out of this one my friend," Mary said out of the corner of her mouth as Professor Sprout scribbled directions on the chalkboard.

"Do you know that you somehow gave Severus the impression that you are a sweet, polite, innocent young woman?"

"Oh, no surprise there. I've done the same to every professor in this school. I can be supremely cunning when I want. Perhaps I would do well with a Slytherin man…"

Lily didn't see Severus at lunch so she rushed to potions after she ate hoping they'd get a chance to chat before class started. Severus was there when she arrived. He was sitting at their table with a large stack of books. He must have chosen to go to the library instead of lunch. Lily only needed one guess about the subject matter of the books he'd checked out. She was familiar with the whole "don't judge a book by it's cover" thing, but these books were literally snapping, growling, smoking and doing all sorts of evil looking things. She felt irritated as she approached him but said nothing. Luckily he closed the book and put the rest on the floor when she sat down. He smiled at her. "How are you? How was herbology?"

"I'm good. It was…um, entertaining," she said with a laugh, thinking about all of Mary's side comments throughout the class period. "Why didn't you go to lunch?"

Severus looked a little confused but shrugged it off. "I told you I wouldn't be there… I wanted to check out some of the books Mrs. Gorgerby recommended." Lily wasn't listening, again. She noticed a few people walk by and give disapproving glances at his suspicious stack of books.

Severus noticed her preoccupation and looked down at his books before speaking. "I guess they look a little strange. Could be distracting…" He cast a quick spell to shrink them down so they would fit in his bag feeling suddenly self conscious and uncomfortable, not a feeling he was used to getting around Lily. She noticed his change in demeanor and placed a warm hand on top of his as Professor Slughorn called the class to attention.

"Today, we will be brewing cosmetic potions! Our focus will be on temporary blemish masking." Most of the students seemed very intrigued. "These potions are great fun to brew and, as they are topically applied, are perfectly safe to try on yourself! An incorrect brew usually has no effect or will simply exaggerate the blemish— nothing that can't be easily fixed! A correct brew should flawlessly mask acne, scars and any discoloration of the skin. You will note, the more severe the blemish, the more temporary the effects of the potion. Turn to page 86 in your text and begin!"

Most students began brewing immediately but Severus and Lily always read completely through the directions before starting. "This is very simple except for one detail" Severus said when they'd finished. "I imagine Professor Slughorn chose this potion so we can review the importance of timing. In a topical treatment like this, the final consistency will be the major indicator of a proper brew and achieving the correct consistency is directly related to a carefully timed addition of ingredients. That's first year potions stuff. I think the key here is specifically the addition of the boomslang, which is clearly the most significant ingredient. Boomslang is used in polyjuice potion, which of course is mainly about transformation and concealment, just as this cosmetic potion is. I have my notes from last year with me. Professor Slughorn spent almost two whole class periods lecturing on the properties of boomslang and I know he said there was something specific to watch for to know exactly when to add it, especially when used in conjunction with Agrippa. He told us the textbooks rarely make note of it. I bet that is what he will be watching for today."

Lily just stared at him.

"What?"

"Your brain… it turns me on."

Severus laughed as redness crept up his neck. "You can't say things like that, Lily."

"I can't tell you how hot you make me?" she said moving closer so only he could hear her.

"Yes. No. No you cannot," he said taking a step away.

Lily stepped closer again with a mischievous grin. "Why not, Sev?"

"You can. Just not… now."

"Why not now?"

Severus didn't say anything.

Lily stared at him for a moment. Feeling extremely naughty, she reached under the table and inconspicuously groped his crotch. Severus gasped loudly and dropped what was in his hand as he reflexively jumped away. Lily was shocked by his expressive response but the look on his face caused her to burst into hysterical laughter as the rest of the class watched.

"Good fun! Good fun!" Professor Slughorn shouted clapping his hands together. "Back to work!"

Severus put on an awkward smile as he picked up his materials and returned to the table. Lily was still sniggering but felt kind of bad. "I'm sorry, Sev! I didn't think you would react that way. I'm just… I just want to… I'm horny."

Severus was redder than Lily had seen him in a long time. "You almost made me add the goosegrass well before I was supposed to."

"Did I? That's really bad. I actually remember that the early addition of goosegrass commonly leads to unwanted congealment."

"Indeed."

"I should be punished or something."

Severus looked her in the face, astounded by her impish behavior. "Yes. You should. I will keep that in mind. Now let's finish this ridiculous potion."

Lily was surprised by her behavior herself although the blame could probably be transferred to Mary. Regardless, she got herself together and helped Severus make the potion.

Thirty minutes later they had a perfectly pale blue potion that was thick and creamy in consistency, just as it was expected to be. Professor Slughorn raved over their work and gave them approval to test it out.

"Let's see if it will hide my freckles."

Severus looked at her like she was crazy. "Let's not. Those aren't blemishes or scars."

"I think they would qualify as discolorations."

"No. I like them." He pushed some of his hair to the side exposing the little bit of scarred skin from his childhood scald that reached to his lower neck.

Lily touched it. "Well I like this how it is."

"If it works at all, I doubt it will last very long. Professor Slughorn said it would wear off more quickly on bad scars or blemishes."

"Let's see," Lily said picking up the little brush that was provided to apply the potion. Professor Slughorn wandered back over to watch. Lily carefully applied the cream. When the blue color faded, so did his scar.

"Perfection, as usual" Professor Slughorn said cheerfully, patting the two on the back.

It only took a few minutes for Severus's skin to return to normal. Neither Lily nor Severus wanted the brew so Professor Slughorn asked them to bottle up the rest of it so he could add it to his collection and use it as an example for his classes later. Because Severus and Lily were the only ones to correctly make the potion, they were excused from the homework assignment meant to review the characteristics and behaviors of boomslang.

The rest of the day passed without incident, with the exception of dinnertime. As always, Lily scanned the Slytherin table for her boyfriend and to her dismay he appeared to be in deep conversation with Eddie Mulciber. Mulciber was a notorious pure-blood supremacist with a sadistic sense of humor. To add insult to injury, Severus and Mulciber decided to take their conversation outside of the great hall, something that did not go unnoticed by those around her. Some girls she didn't even know where whispering and pointing at her. She wanted to throw something at them or tell them to fuck off. It'd almost be worth giving up her role as a prefect just to be able to mouth off at any deserving asshole. Alice leaned in and spoke quietly, "Remember what we talked about, Lily. You and Severus are together… not you, Severus and every other student at Hogwarts." Lily nodded her head but was still seeing red. What good reason could Severus have for talking to that guy?

Thursday was awful for Severus. He'd only seen Lily a couple of times and when he did she acted strangely, like she was keeping something from him. On top of that, he'd completely embarrassed himself in Wizarding Recreation. He had been forced to play Quidditch and Potter and his crew had taken it upon themselves to make it absolute hell for him. He didn't know if it was worse that Lily saw the whole thing or that she had said Potter was "just being competitive" when he brought it up later. Severus didn't think bludgers jinxed to repeatedly knock someone in the head was part of a normal competitive game. He'd fallen off his broom so many times that his entire body throbbed and ached. He knew a quick trip to the hospital wing would have had him feeling better in no time but collapsing on his bed and shutting himself out from the world won out. He didn't even bother getting up for dinner. Instead he relaxed on his bed thinking about his and Lily's plans to meet in the room of requirement the next day. He'd have to get his soreness treated before then… assuming he hadn't done something to set Lily in a foul mood.

It was raining when Lily awoke Friday morning. She felt rather grumpy as she went down to the great hall and grabbed a piece of toast and fruit before wandering up to the deserted 3rd floor corridor that she and Severus had established as their rainy/cold morning meet-up location. He was down at the far end of the chilly hall reading a book.

"What do you have there?" she asked, giving his shoulder a squeeze. Severus stayed buried in the book and just lifted the cover a bit so she could read it.

"Dark Magick IV: Secrets of Potioneering. Severus, why do you insist on reading things like that? That is exactly why everyone thinks you're just waiting to join up with You Know Who."

Severus stopped reading and looked straight ahead. "I suppose, in that case, it is good that I don't care much what everyone thinks of me."

"And does that include me? Do you not care what I think? Because it doesn't look good to me either. It seems like you are all but begging people to say awful things about you."

Severus just stared at her. He could feel himself growing frustrated and opted to say nothing rather than risk losing his temper before he understood her fully.

"I mean, every time I see you lately you are buried in another book about dark magic. It's like you're obsessed with it or something. And really… it doesn't help that you're always talking to your housemates— especially that Mulciber. Why are you so fascinated by this stuff? I can see the temptation in your eyes, Severus and I don't like it," Lily said awkwardly, not even believing the words as they rushed from her mouth.

"Where is this even coming from? I've spoken to Mulciber one time and it was about his remedial potions homework for Merlin's sake. We haven't even been back here a week yet. You are blowing things way out of proportion and I think you are confusing inquisitiveness with temptation— and you know, I really can't help but find it rather insulting that you think any of this," he waved the book in his hand, "would tempt me. But then again, you are practically ignorant on the subject to begin with so I really can't give those particular comments much credit," Severus responded, a bit of ice to his usual soothing voice.

Lily turned bright red, "Oh I'm blowing things out of proportion? You're just being foul now, Severus. And honestly I am damn proud to be ignorant when it comes to dark magic! It's not exactly looked upon positively, you know and I definitely have no reason to use it!"

"Oh don't be thick Lily, ignorance is not bliss. And you know, I'm sick of it honestly. You go around turning your cheek to Potter and Black and their nasty little hexes and rather malicious 'practical jokes' but I read a book and you're ready to jump down my throat. There is a whole other side of magic that we aren't taught at this school. My wanting to be aware of it or my respect for the boundaries it pushes has no connection to my moral beliefs about the use of it. I would hope you, of everyone on this ridiculous planet, would realize that. I've always been academic; I've always wanted to learn more about everything. It's nothing new. That auror that visited Defense Against the Dark Arts on Wednesday said herself that the best weapon in combating dark magic is to understand the dark wizard. Maybe I was the only one awake but tell me, how do you understand the dark wizard without understanding the magic that drives them— the power they wish to possess? Why is it that you automatically assume some weakness in me, some temptation? I have no interest in becoming a death eater. Do you forget how much you mean to me? Do you honestly believe there is anything I'd put before you or between us? I'm just trying to be smart, Lily. We are surrounded by idiots and if things are really going to get as bad as I've been hearing, I'd like to know as much as possible about what we're up against." Severus finished his rant with a sigh, gathered his things and as much as he wanted to rush away, his muscles refused, so instead he angrily hobbled his way down the hall toward the ancient runes classroom. Lily watched him go, realizing she'd allowed to happen the exact thing Alice had warned her not to.

Lily wandered off toward the library. Apparition classes wouldn't begin for another three weeks so she had a free period before she'd join Severus in Defense Against the Dark Arts. She decided to write him a letter. Even if he were interested in talking to her, he was far too committed a student to have an outside conversation in class. The sound of the quill scratching against the parchment was soothing to her as she began to write.

Dear Severus,

I'm sorry…

I can hardly stand to be around myself. I feel so terrible. I said so many hurtful things but I promise it was all out of frustration. I didn't and don't mean any of it. Some people have just been hounding me about our relationship— and I've more than proudly defended us— but I guess I just let so much tension build. I know you don't care what everyone thinks but it really hurts me when I hear people say bad things about you. To me you are this amazing, wonderful person and I just can't stand to hear people sprout total… well, bullshit about you. What is really tough though, is when I explain how wrong they are about you and they come back with something like "well I saw him reading this book about dark this or that." I tell them it's not what they think and they look at me like I'm some naïve child. I was just so sick of it and completely blew up on you. I should have just been telling you how I felt all along; I just didn't want you to take my complaining as me implying that you needed to change something. Obviously that plan went to shit. We just got to school and I've managed to work us into our first big row as a couple. It's going to be tough figuring out our flow here but please know that I'm completely committed to this. You must think I'm an awful person, which is absolutely called for, but I do hope you'll forgive me soon. Regardless, I'll be outside of the room of requirement at 8pm… thinking of you… perhaps you'll be inside.

All my love,

Lily

She put down her quill and read over the note thinking it didn't come close to expressing what she wanted but hopefully it would be enough to get him to talk to her.

Severus took his time getting to Defense Against the Dark Arts. He wasn't ready to be done being angry. He was still irritated and knew that Lily would try to talk to him and he'd forgive her in an instant. Just as he thought, when he entered the classroom, Lily was standing by their table looking terribly nervous and very apologetic. He avoided eye contact as he sat down. He didn't deny to himself that he'd said some things worthy of an apology as well and he wanted some time to come up with a thorough one. Lily sat down, leaving more space between them than usual. He could feel her looking at him. After a minute or so she scooted closer to him and shoved a folded piece of parchment into the pocket of his robes. "Read it later," she whispered before distancing herself from him again. He was distracted most of the class period, spending most of the time just wanting to make up with Lily. Potter and Black caught his attention for a few minutes about halfway through class. The two kept exchanging odd looks and must have been highly amused by some inside joke because Professor Barringer was not being the least bit entertaining. Severus rapidly let those thoughts fade out of his mind and allowed Lily to creep back in. Her curtain of thick red hair hid her face as she scribbled down lecture notes. He knew she was only taking notes as a distraction. She always struggled to write quickly enough to keep up with lectures. Because of this, her notes were almost always illegible or completely incoherent. Severus looked at the neat stack of notes he'd taken on today's subject before even arriving to class. Professor Barringer hadn't said anything he hadn't already written down… at least not while Severus was listening. He'd probably be bored out of his mind if he didn't have to worry about how bad he'd hurt Lily's feelings.

Lily suddenly put down her quill and began rummaging through her bag on the floor. "Damn," she said under her breath when she sat back up. Professor Barringer dismissed class and noise instantly erupted as students packed their things and began filing out. Lily was quickly stuffing her materials into her bag when Severus decided to speak.

"What happened?"

"I left my herbology book all the way in the library and Professor Sprout hounded us about making sure to bring it today," she said, distraught, but happy that Severus was talking to her.

He opened his bag and pulled out his herbology textbook. "You can use mine. I'll check the library for you. It's on the way to charms."

"Thank you, Sev. You don't even have herbology today. Why do you have this?" She asked slipping it into her bag.

"Well, we have potions later— could come in handy."

Lily wanted so badly to tease him about being an overachiever but she decided not to push her luck before they talked about what happened this morning. Instead she gave him a feeble smile, gave his hand a squeeze and set off.

Lily nervously made her way to the seventh floor of the castle that evening. She kept her head down and concentrated as she walked back and forth three times in front of the ordinary looking span of stone wall. When she opened her eyes, a door had appeared. She felt a little worried even though Severus had seemed rather cordial in potions. A wave of relief washed over her when she pushed open the door and saw him. The room looked almost exactly as it did in the dream she'd started to describe to him earlier in the week: a mix of Severus' bedroom back home and Flourish and Blotts. Severus stood with his shirt un-tucked, his tie loosened, and his tousled raven hair shinning in the dim glow of the room. Lily thought his hair was sexy and effortlessly so, not like James' who purposely messed his up in attempt to look like he'd just jumped off a broomstick. As Lily approached him, she couldn't help the quick image that flashed through her head of her locking her fingers in his hair as he feasted between her legs. She had to physically shake her head to focus on the apology she wanted to give him.

"Severus, I'm so sorry I said all those things this morning. I don't know what I was thinking— well no, that's not true, I obviously knew what I was thinking because I said what I was thinking but it wasn't really— I mean I don't—you know—"

"Yes, I know," he said with a little smirk directed at her rambling. "Your letter was perfectly clear and it's alright, Lily. I owe you an apology as well, I didn't mean to lose my temper."

"No you were right. I guess I let it slip my mind that we are 'surrounded by idiots' and I allowed their senseless comments to get to me," she said with a small laugh.

"You let it slip your mind? Hm, not sure how that happened… especially with the stories you have after prefect duty but it happens I guess," he said, teasing.

"Stop, Sev. You're awful,"

"You're beautiful," he said taking her hand and pulling her closer.

Lily was so relieved they weren't angry with each other anymore. So many insanely lascivious thoughts were racing through her mind that she just couldn't help herself when she eagerly went to kiss him. Unfortunately her timing was off and Severus had made to speak or move at the same time and they ended up smashing their faces together in an awkward painful way rather than kissing. As both of them gripped their mouths and checked for blood, a small table with two cold compresses and some ice appeared near them causing them both to laugh.

"Sorry," Lily mumbled as Severus pressed one of the compresses to her slightly swollen bottom lip. He just smiled at her. They sat for a few moments, appreciating the silence and each other's company.

After a while Lily stood and walked across room leaving Severus sitting on the floor. She stopped in front of a large, sturdy table and ran her fingers across the shiny cherry wood. "I never did get to finish telling you about my dream," she said.

"I remember the beginning," he said, suddenly appearing behind her.

Lily felt her hairs stand on end as he ran his hands up the sides of her body and placed a chaste kiss below her ear.

"I think then you said I…" Severus trailed off and let his hands speak for him as crept them under her skirt and moved them up her thighs. His touch was feather light, a stark contrast to his hard dick, which she could feel pressed against her ass. He removed one hand from her thigh and began to fiddle with his belt. A few seconds later she heard the sound of his pants falling to the floor which sent hot excitement coursing through her body. She reached behind herself and felt for his cock, which was still sheathed by his underwear. He pulled them down so she could wrap her hand around the veiny skin. "What happened next, Lily?" he asked, voice deep with lust. She ran her thumb across the head of his penis, feeling the precum that had gathered there and bent herself over the table. Severus pushed her skirt up around her waist and placed his member between her legs, right against her most sensitive region. Lily gasped at the contact and he could feel her wetness through her underwear. She made a desperate attempt to free herself of the clothing but Severus pushed her hands away. He slowly slid them down to her knees before she wiggled the rest of the way out of them— a sight he very much enjoyed. Lily eagerly waited to feel him enter her but nothing happened. Her frustration was not hidden when she spoke, "What are you doing, Sev?"

He gave a half smile as he groped her ass, "I'm not doing anything."

Lily furrowed her brow. "W-Why not?"

"Well I was thinking…"

"Oh come on Severus, you think all day long. Right now I'd like it if you would just—"

"I was thinking about what happened in potions earlier this week."

Realization hit her like a slap in the face. "Oh come on, Se—" She was momentarily distracted by the way he lightly ground himself against her… his dick effortlessly sliding across her slick folds, delightfully caressing her clit. "…Come on, Sev. I'm sorry. Please… you can get me back for that later. Please."

"Please what?"

Lily hesitated for just one moment, "…Fuck me."

Severus, torturing himself just as much as, if not more than Lily, conceded and quickly pushed himself inside of her. She moaned, enjoying the different feelings the new position brought. He moved himself in a few circular motions to open her up to him, something she found rather delicious. Sensing her enjoyment, Severus kept that motion up as he began to also thrust back and forth. Lily was seeing stars and was apparently attempting to let the whole school know it. She knew it would not take her long at this rate and as if he read her mind, Severus reached around her pelvis and began working magic, no pun intended, on her clit. This young man was talented. Severus leaned over Lily and wished they'd removed all of their clothes so he could feel the skin of her back against his chest. He kissed her neck and let her come for him twice before finishing himself.

After their heart rates returned to normal, they realized how much time had passed. It was nearly curfew so they quickly got dressed. Lily sighed and took his hand in hers. "The sad part is that we can't stay here all night because I would really love to do that all night."

"We'll have to meet up earlier next time," he said with a kiss. Before the kiss escalated into something more, Lily pulled away.

"Definitely."

They both exited the room of requirement and looked around. The hall was deserted.

"You should hurry up. You've got a longer way to go than I do and about three minutes to get there," Lily said.

"Okay. We should meet up tomorrow. It's should be nice outside. We can get started on that Potions project."

"Sounds good," she said pulling him into a tight hug. "Love you."

"Love you too, see you tomorrow," he said breaking off into a jog. Lily giggled at his awkwardly stiff way of running before heading for the Gryffindor common room. She arrived there just a minute after curfew and was surprised by the emptiness of it.

Lily was startled when she noticed Mary sitting in a big chair by the fireplace, staring her down. "Merlin's beard, Mary, what are you doing?"

"Mhmm, I should be asking you the very same thing. Lily Evans, the prefect, strolling in after curfew, looking rather… frazzled and yet… satisfied," she said with a mischievous grin. "Come…you've got some explaining to do. Remember… I comprehend only information laden with what others would consider irrelevant or inappropriate details."

"Mary I—"

"Shh… don't fight it, dear friend. Just sit and let's get this over with because you know I will retrieve this information from you eventually. Plus, I'm sure I have some valuable words of wisdom to offer. I should probably get Alice down here too. We'll have a little party."

Lily settled into a chair. She'd play Mary's game but there were some details that would inevitably be kept to herself… the ones that couldn't be put into words even if she tried.

Thanks a bunch for taking the time to read!