Lily Potter and the Potions Professor

AN: Since last chapter was so short I thought I'd post this one a bit early. Thanks so much for the reviews. I also have some news in regards to this story that I was going to keep until I posted the last chapter but I thought I may as well tell you now. I've already drafted most of the chapters for this story including the last one. I've also been working on a companion piece to go with it which I will start posting after I have completed this one. I won't say anymore at the moment just that it will be called; Draco Malfoy and the Potions Pupil. Anyway happy reading...

Chapter 17: Said Too Much

"Miss Potter! Are you listening?" Lily was brought back to reality by the harsh voice of Professor Naos, the Astronomy teacher. "We only have a very short time to see this constellation and you're wasting it day dreaming. You'll miss it."

The class sniggered at their Professor's comment; it was the middle of the night and she'd accused Lily of day dreaming. She was accurate, however, Lily had not been listening; she had been deep in thought and she wished that it had been one of those occasions when you're interrupted and can't remember what on earth it was that you'd been pondering. Alas, she remembered exactly what it was that she'd been dwelling on; her father. She'd seen that look on his face when she'd left the Great Hall after their discussion about her Patronus. She knew that he may well have realised a lot more than she'd have liked. She cursed his inquiring mind and cursed herself for telling him as much as she had. Things were just starting to go right with her and Malfoy and now because of her big mouth and terrible lying skills her father was probably going to ruin it all. She was worried about what he might do; he could be such a hot head sometimes. Act now and think later; they were both guilty of that.

By the time her class was finished at 2:00am Lily was exhausted. She reached her dormitory and flopped back on to her bed without changing into her pyjamas. She stared up at the canopy of scarlet fabric and sighed; she couldn't sleep even though see was dead tired. Absentmindedly Lily began to play with the 'Patronus Charm' around her neck. She had to do something to deter her father from his suspicions, but what? She sat there thinking for an extended amount of time but came up with absolutely nothing. In the end she decided that she'd at least have to warn Malfoy about what her father may or may not have figured out. That was something that she knew she should do but didn't necessarily want to do. She knew if she told Malfoy he'd back off and she didn't want him to but she didn't want him to be completely unaware of the situation either. She knew the right thing to do was to give him the heads up.

The next morning Lily rolled out of bed and dressed herself in a fresh set of robes. She felt like her eyes were hanging out of her head, maybe they were judging from the looks she was receiving from her fellow Gryffindors.

"You look terrible Lily!" exclaimed Rose as Lily entered the common room.

"Thanks," replied Lily sarcastically, which was something she didn't usually do.

"Sorry," mumbled Rose, before adding in a concerned tone; "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, sorry, I just didn't sleep well last night," replied Lily.

"Not thinking about lover boy?" said Rose slyly with raised eyebrows.

"I had an Astronomy class," replied Lily. It wasn't a lie.

"Oh ok," said Rose a little disappointed but still satisfied with this answer. "Maybe you should've slept in, it is the weekend."

"I wish I could've but I'm supposed to be meeting Mum and Dad in at the Three Broomsticks for lunch," said Lily looking around the common room.

"Lucky you," said Rose sulkily. "I'm stuck in here all day. I've been loaded with homework since we got back from Christmas. A word of advice; don't do your NEWTs."

Lily wasn't really listening anymore, she was scanning the common room for her brother, Albus.

"If you're looking for Albus I think he headed off down to breakfast about ten minutes ago," said Rose noticing Lily's searching gaze.

"Oh, right, thanks," said Lily, a little surprised that Rose had realised what she was doing. "I better get going to, I wanted to get some shopping done before lunch."

X

Once Lily had crept past the doors to the Great Hall where Albus was no doubt stuffing his face, she hurried past Professor Evergreen who was ticking off student names, out the front gates of Hogwarts and straight to the Hogsmeade branch of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes which occupied the old Zonko's Joke Shop building. She peered around and was relieved to find that George hadn't decided to pop in today; the last thing she needed was for him to tell everyone that she'd been into the shop and what she was about to buy.

Lily pulled her cloak down off her head as she entered the shop and took in the sight. Even though she'd been to her uncle's shop hundreds of times she couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the masses of brightly coloured, oddly shaped and strange sounding products that lined the many shelves. They had one of everything and two of everything else. Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes had definitely revolutionised the joke market.

Lily wasn't looking for a tool to use in a practical joke however so she made her way down the aisle that she knew contained the spell checking quills and invisible ink. It only took her a minute to locate what she was looking for.

Secret Message Parchment, she read the label on the outside of a small, flat box; All you need to pass on those secret messages. Contains two sheets. Price: 1 Galleon, 9 sickles & 3 knuts.

Lily approached the counter after picking up a few other items and put them all out for the salesperson to see.

"That'll be 2 Galleons, 10 Sickles and 5 knuts, today," he said after adding up all of the items.

Lily paid the amount and quickly gathered up her items before hurrying out of the shop. She stashed the secret message paper in her pocket and threw the rest of the items into her bag just as she heard someone calling her name.

"Lily, Lily!" cried Professor Longbottom from across the street, waving.

"Oh, hi Professor," she called back as he approached her.

"Are you going to lunch with your Dad?" he asked.

"Yeah, you?" she replied.

"Yes," he answered and they started up the street towards the Three Broomsticks together.

"How's Hamlet?" Neville asked as they walked.

"He's great," replied Lily smiling, she'd always liked that Neville appreciated her pet toad, no one else seemed to.

"I've been experimenting with a new herb that was only recently discovered," he said enthusiastically. "Toads really love the taste of it and it's remarkably good for their skin."

Lily giggled, she didn't know anyone else who could get so excited about plants or toads or both at the same time.

AN: Don't forget to review! Please. Oh and if anyone else is wondering Scorpius is going to make more of an appearance soon, maybe in a few chapters time...