You'd think being thirteen with magical powers, a very high sense of humor, a knack for trouble, and tons of brains would make you exhausted. But that's not the case for Andrea Potter. She was always thinking up new pranks and running from people. Isabel Crane was the same, though she wasn't quite as smart as Andrea. Izzy was the kind of girl who could make anyone laugh. I would've thought she was James Potter's sister instead of Andrea. But things are never what they seem, are they?

I was going over this in my mind while having breakfast one morning at Hogwarts in my fifth year. Izzy and Andrea were sitting a few people away from me and I could see them whispering things to each other. The Marauders were sitting a few people away from them and were also whispering to each other. I wasn't surprised. Both groups were constantly pranking. I couldn't stop them but sometimes I didn't want to. Their pranks were sometimes funny.

I spotted Severus at the Slytherin table and smiled at him. He smiled back and we went back to eating. After breakfast, I started to my first class but was stopped by Andrea. She smiled shyly at me.

"Hey Lily, can you hide me? A group of people are trying to hurt me." I raised my eyebrows at her.

"What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything. They're calling me a squib, Lily. You have to help me." I looked down at her face and saw sadness and fear. She was a sweet girl and extremely smart, but sometimes her words aren't completely clear and her spells don't work quite as well. Therefore, she was called a squib many times even though she wasn't one. Suddenly, I heard people calling her name. We turned to see a group of Slytherins coming our way. I was shocked and disappointed to see Severus part of the group. Andrea hid behind me, terrified. She had a reason to be terrified. They were all older than her and were more powerful.

"Hello, Potter. How are you today? Have you continued your weak magic? Or are you really a squib?" Avery sneered. I narrowed my eyes.

"That's enough. She is not a squib and you know it. Now leave her alone!" I growled. They ignored me and sent a curse towards Andrea, who had stepped away from me to see who it was. It hit her arm and she cried out in pain. I heard a shout and all of the Slytherins that attacked her were on the ground unconscious. I turned to see James running towards us. He knelt next to Andrea and looked at her arm. In big black letters, it said SQUIB. I felt rage course through my veins and I looked over at the Slytherins. They were starting to get up and I raised my wand and shot a curse that would make them all think twice before hurting Andrea. I saw Severus looking at me with an apologetic and shocked look. His face, like the others, was covered in boils. I turned back to Andrea after I glared at him. James was helping her up and I wrapped my arm around her shoulders as we led her to the hospital wing.

Madame Pomfrey was quick about cleaning it up. She didn't even ask what happened. Andrea was still crying, however. I watched as James hugged her and allowed her to cry on his shoulder. He looked at her with worried eyes. It was clear that he loved her very much. She was his sister and he loved her dearly. Huh, maybe he isn't just an arrogant toe-rag. Maybe there's something else hidden under the arrogance. There might even be a better person hidden under there.

oOo

Later that day, Severus tried to talk to me but I didn't let him. He had hurt one of my friends and I wasn't going to forgive him that easily.

"Lily, I'm sorry. I didn't even do anything. Why are you so mad at me?" he whined. I spun around and glared at him.

"You did do something. You let them hurt her. She didn't do anything wrong and you hurt her. She isn't a squib and you know it! So why did you let them put that on her arm? She was so upset that she cried for ages! But you don't care, do you?" He looked hurt.

"Lily, I do care! I didn't mean for them to do that! I didn't want it!"

"But you didn't stop them! You didn't help her! And that's why I'm mad. You let them do something that would hurt an innocent little girl!"

"She's Potter's sister! You hate Potter! But you helped him carry her to the hospital wing! After all he did to you, you help him!" I was shocked. Why would he bring this up? Just because she was James's sister didn't mean she should be hated too!

"Idiot! I was helping Andrea not him! And at the moment, he's acting a whole lot nicer than you are!" I hissed.

"But, you still helped him! And now you're defending him! What has gotten into you, Lily? You've snapping at me and defending Potter and helping Potter's sister. What's wrong with you, Lily? Has he given you something?" I stared at him and gave a hollow laugh.

"Is that what you think this is about? Is that why you think I'm helping Andrea? She's my friend, moron! I have not been defending Potter and I don't seem to recall snapping at you for no reason. The real question is what has gotten into you? You've been hurting innocent people and hanging out with people who also hurt innocent people!" People had gathered to watch. I wanted to hex Severus and leave. I was sick of this conversation. He was always accusing me of defending, liking, or befriending James and getting ready to leave him. But after what I saw in the hospital wing, I think I would be better off friends with James. Everything would be so much easier than being friends with Severus.

I narrowed my eyes at Severus, silently daring him to speak. He didn't. "Severus, I don't understand you. Why would you hurt people who have never hurt you? She has done nothing, nothing, to you and you helped curse her. I really think we shouldn't be friends." With that, I turned and walked off.