Days in Avalon

Chapter Fifteen: These Days

The summer holiday brought a lot of changes for the students of Hogwarts; some good and some bad. Over the break, Lily not only had to deal with Vernon Dursley's visit, but Petunia's love sick puppy act as well. When he first arrived, Lily didn't really think much of him except for the fact that he looked liked an over stuffed turkey in his clothes. She mostly kept to herself while he visited the Evans household, busying herself with schoolwork and reading about the latest developments in the Wizarding world from the comforts of her bedroom. For almost two entire weeks, Lily gave off no hints that she was a witch while Vernon was over.

But that all changed three days before Vernon was suppose to leave. Mr. and Mrs. Evans went off one day to run some errands leaving Lily, Petunia, and Vernon alone in the house. Lily came down from her room to get something from the kitchen when she over heard Petunia and Vernon talking about Lily behind her back. Vernon made fun of everything from the way she looks and dresses down to the fact that she spent so much time in her room. After hearing enough about how she was being made a fool of, Lily's temper got the better of her and caused the cushy chair that Vernon was sitting in to engulf him and spin around in mid air madly.

Although she had performed serious magic and had broken the underage restriction law, the Ministry of Magic let Lily off with a strict warring due to her impeccable record and grades had Hogwarts. Her parents on the other hand grounded her for a few weeks, much to Petunia's dislike. She wanted her sister to be thrown out of the house for her attack on her boyfriend. For the rest of the summer holiday, Petunia made it her sworn duty to punish Lily and make her life miserable.

Lily had grown use to her sister's cruel nature and hatred, but she unfortunately had to endure it without any contact with her friends. She heard from them the first week or so before they all went off on holiday trips. It was pretty common for Felicia, Karen, and Kelly to not write until a couple of weeks before school started. But what was odd was the fact that Andy hadn't written a letter at all. The last thing Lily heard of her best friend was that her parents had something important to discuss with her before they went on their trip to France. When Andy told her this, Lily couldn't help but notice that this didn't sit all to well with her.

As September first neared, she started to get more letters from her friends talking about their trips and how they couldn't wait to see her and tell her more in person. But when Lily received a letter from Andy a few days before they were due back at Hogwarts, she seemed rather blunt and monotonous. So unlike their other friend's letters. Lily didn't really tell the others about what had happen with Vernon Dursley in her letters, but was fully intent on telling them on the train ride up to Hogwarts.

When Lily arrived at King Cross Station, she quickly said good-bye to her parents and casually passed through the barrier onto platform 9 ¾. Once she was through and making her way toward the train, a familiar voice came up from behind her.

"Well look who it is. Everyone's favorite prefect," said Felicia who was with Karen.

"And if it isn't the boy-crazed wench. Ready for another year of dates?" said Lily jokingly.

"More like chasing after a certain dark-haired boy again?" said Karen.

Felicia looked a little ashamed, but quickly brushed it off with an eye roll and her response, "I've learned my lesson. I must not chase the boys."

Karen and Lily were astonished with her response and the tone of maturity in her voice. That was until Felicia added, "I actually plan on having them chase me."

Lily couldn't help but let out a small groan and felt somewhat of a naïve girl for thinking that one of her best friends would change for the better. Karen let out a small chuckle and noticed a couple of boys gawking at something down at the other end of the platform. From where they were standing, the three friends noticed a highly attractive looking girl making her way through the crowded platform.

"Looks like you're going to have some competition this year," stated Karen. The girl had light brown hair flipped up in a clip, and was wearing a pair of jeans, a white lacey tank top, and a black sweater duster with dark sunglasses.

"Who do you think she is?" said Felicia right as the girl stated to walk toward them. When a couple of people moved along, they could see Kelly was along side the so-called mysterious girl.

"Wait a second…is that…?" said Karen in shock when the pair were only a few feet away.

"Oh my…" whispered Felicia, stunned.

"Hey gals! What's up?" said the cheerful voice of Andy. Lily, Felicia, and Karen stood in absolute astonishment at their friend's transformation from a few months ago. Kelly and Andy began to get a little worried of their friends when they hadn't said a word for a couple of moments.

"Uh…hello?" said Andy as she waved a hand in front of their eyes to snap them back into reality.

"You guys alright? Who are you staring at?" inquired Kelly as she glanced around behind her.

"A-Andy?" stuttered Lily.

"Yeah, last time a checked," said Andy, not knowing what was going on.

"Ummm…uh w-w-what happened?" said Lily, saying the first thing that came to mind.

"What do you mean?" inquired Andy as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear that had fallen out, and realizing what had caused her friend's to go temporary mute. "Oh this?" The three of them simply nodded, while Kelly stifled a giggle.

"Well I told you that I was going for a new image. What? Do you think it looks bad?" said Andy a little worried.

"Heck no!" stated Felicia. "It's a little surprising, but it looks great. Especially the hair."

"Thanks!" exclaimed Andy as the group of friends greeted each other with hugs.

"Andy are you okay?" said Lily, while the others began to chatter about their trips.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?" inquired Andy.

"Don't know…just…never mind," finished Lily with a smile.

"So Kelly, now's Braden doing?" asked Felicia.

"Oh, he's fine. Busy with his job at the ministry," said Kelly. The girls started to make their way over to the train to load their trunks on.

"Ministry? I thought he was going to be a professional Quidditch Player?" said Andy a little surprised.

"Well that was the plan. But he changed his mind for some reason."

"Weird," said Felicia. "Well I guess we should get on."

As the girls began to heave Lily and Kelly's trunks up onto the train, Karen happened to see a few cars down, some highly familiar faces.

"Oh, look if it isn't the resident losers," huffed Karen as she tried to catch her breath.

"I'm sorry does it look like I care," grunted Andy as she helped push Lily's trunk up into the car.

"Still on that trip are we?" strained Felicia as she helped Kelly lift up her own trunk.

"Sirius, look. There she is!" said James noticing Lily on the train, trying to pull a trunk in the car.

"Oh geez, not this again. I had to deal with you and your infatuation with her for the entire summer," sighed Sirius as he rolled his eyes. "Come on, Prongs. You've already asked her out and she told you no. Why bother chasing after her?"

"Sorry mate. I'm not like you who had a date every night since you ran away," said James, finding it hard to tear his eyes away from Lily.

"Would you keep your mouth shut about that!" roared Sirius as he looked around to make sure no one heard. "I don't need people looking down on me more then they already are."

"Sorry. Besides I thought you didn't care about what people thought."

"I don't. I just don't like people giving me that 'no good scoundrel' look."

"You know I still think you'd make a better dog than a man," chuckled James. Sirius simply let out a dog-like growl.

"So what will it be this year gents?" said Remus coming back from storing his trunk away with Peter in toe.

"Hunting down Snivellus again or picking on some of the new Slytherins?" said Peter excitedly.

"Calm down, Wormtail, before some gets wind," said James.

"I don't know about you mates, but I'm thinking about taking on a personal task. And that girl there will become my first prey," said Sirius gesturing over toward a light brown haired girl with her back to him.

"Right like you could get a girl like that," said Remus jokingly. Sirius simply glared at him and began to make his way over to where she was standing.

"Well, good luck there mate," said James trying to contain his laughter.

"Hey James. Is it just me, or does that girl look familiar?" said Remus as he noticed Sirius's target talking to Kelly and Karen.

'Now to put on the ole charm,' thought Sirius as he came up behind his new target. He had a sly sort of grin on his face, and didn't notice the two people the girl was talking to.

"Mmm…Excuse me. I don't mean to sound like a creep or anything, but you've got to be the most prettiest girl I've ever laid eyes upon," said Sirius in a deep smooth tone.

Kelly and Karen stood in shock as to whom he was addressing, but tried to contain a fit of giggles that began to rise in them. Andy bit her tongue from trying to keep the laugh that wanted to come out. She shook her head slightly to tell her friends to keep quite. In the mean time, Felicia and Lily returned from the train looking a little confused.

"Oh, really," said Andy in a false French accent. 'Oh I'm going to have so much fun with this!'

'Ah, a French girl! This should be fun,' thought Sirius. "Yes. Forgive me, but I can't help but be captivated by your beauty. Would it be appropriate if I asked you out on a date?"

Andy tried desperately to keep from busting out laughing, turning her face a bright shade of red. But upon hearing the word 'date', Andy almost began to choke on her contained laughter. Lily, Kelly, and Karen looked as if they were about to die from laughter. They couldn't believe that this was actually happening. Felicia on the other hand, did find it highly amusing, but couldn't help but be a little jealous.

"Date?" croaked Andy. She quickly cleared her throat and continued to speak in her false accent. "Wouldn't you like to know who you are asking out before you make an offer?"

"Uh Sirius. I don't think that's such a good idea," said Lily right as James, Remus, and Peter came up.

"Uh, Padfoot. I'm not sure…" started Remus.

"Would you guys shut it," said Sirius in a low tone.

"Actually they're right. You definitely don't want to do that…Blackie!" said Andy as she turned around to face Sirius.

Sirius stood in absolute shock and horror at what he had just did, and who it was he did it to. He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. By this time, the roar of bottled up laughter had finally burst, while James, Remus, and Peter looked on with amazement, before joining in on the laughter. After a few moments, Sirius regain a voice that was not his own.

"S-S-Sparky?" he said in a high voice.

"I have repeatedly asked you not to call me that," said Andy with some disgust.

"Oh, God," said Sirius in a low voice. He looked like he was about ready to either loose his breakfast, or pass out.

"Hi, Jay, Rem, Peter!" said Andy as she looked over Sirius's shoulder. "Wow. This is amazing. The great and all mighty Sirius is speechless once again! Man, I must be on a roll or something. Although, I must say your pick-up line is a little bit better than that last one. Now what was it again…oh yeah that I looked like an angel that fell from the heavens or to something of that nature," she added smugly.

"W-what are you playing at?" stuttered Sirius regaining some of his composure.

"I'm not playing at anything! It's not my fault that you can't recognize an enemy when you see one."

"Enemy? I thought I was picking up an easy date," said Sirius, knowing that this would get her riled up. Sure enough, Andy could feel her temper rising, but she tried to force down the words that wanted to be let out.

"Miranda," said Lily in a warning tone.

"Nah, I'm not going to go all postal or anything. I won't drop down to his level. He's not worth it," said Andy to herself. 'Ooohh, I hate that smug look on that conceded arse.'

"Okay Blackie. You want to start that again? That's fine, but I'm not going to get involved in another adolescent row with you at all this year or next. So why don't we just state the obvious and make the next two years as painless and less aggravating as possible. You think I'm a great target for your pranks and crude comments. While I think you are stuck-up, insensitive, chauvinistic dumbass. Well, now that I've clarified that you hate me and I hate you, why don't we agree on that and not speak to each other unless it is absolutely necessary," stated Andy. Sirius just stood there slightly stunned at the turn of events, and slowly began to think of ways to make her speak. Andy could see a slight smirk creep up on his face and knew exactly what he was thinking.

"Before you start to think of ways to get around it, the only time I will ever speak to you or vice versa, is if one of us is on fire, is bleeding to death, has been poisoned, or has a rabid dog attach to one of our asses. Savvy?" Sirius simply nodded in response seeing the look in her eyes, that told him not to mess with it.

"Good. Hope you enjoy the last two years. See you at a class reunion," said Andy before turning on her heals and getting onto the train. The train began to give the final whistle to board.

"I guess she told you, mate," said Remus.

"What was that about a dog?" said Sirius as he glared in the direction the girls walked off in.

"Padfoot," said James simply.

"Hey you were the one who said I'd make a better pooch than a man," said Sirius with a smile. "Come on, you can drool over Evans on the train."

"Well that was mighty big of you," said Lily as her and Andy quickly jumped on the train behind Felicia, Kelly, and Karen.

"Like I said, I'm turning a new leaf," said Andy.

"Right. So what's up with you? How was your holiday?" inquired Lily as the girls made there way down the narrow hallway to a compartment.

"Oh it was…" started Andy as she began to dig through her pockets for something.

"What's that?" asked Lily when she saw something fall from her pockets.

"Huh? Oh," said Andy quickly as she grabbed the small metal object. "It's nothing really…just…my…badge," she said in a mumble.

"Badge? Andy you're a prefect!" said Lily a little louder than she wanted.

"Well you don't have to shout it," said Andy jokingly. "Yeah, I'm still a little dazed about that. I think Dumbledore's finally lost it. So, anyway…how was your break?" she added eager to change the subject.

"Urgh, I had to deal with Vernon Dursley," said Lily with disgust.

"Oh that's right. You said Petunia's over-sized boyfriend was coming over. So how did it go, or do I not want to know."

"Well…everything was fine until a couple of days before he left," said Lily trying to avoid eye contact.

"Well? What happened?" said Andy after a few moments of silence.

"W-well…" said Lily before she told Andy the whole story. She told her about how he had been nice and polite to her face and cruel and mean to her behind her back. ("Oh that fat bastard!" stated Andy) Lily also told her about how she let her emotions get the better of her and caused Vernon to be eaten by a chair and spun around.

"After that, I got a letter from the Ministry giving me a warning since I did magic outside of school. My mum and dad were so mad. But they didn't really blame me as much as I thought they would have," said Lily.

"Hey, it's not that bad. I got one of those things a couple of years ago for getting back at some punk kid that lived down my street," said Andy with a giggle.

"Whatever. So what happened to you? Why didn't you write?" said Lily.

"Yeah sorry about that. I was a little bit busy."

"With what?"

"Well, I played a little bit of Quidditch. Got a make over. Parents got divorced. Went on a shopping spree in Paris. Hung out at a couple of clubs," rambled Andy.

"Whoa, wait. What was that again?" said Lily.

"Shopping spree?" said Andy.

"Before that."

"Quidditch?"

"After," said Lily not enjoying this little game.

"Oh, that," said Andy just realizing what she wanted to talk about. "Yeah, apparently they had been fighting for quite some time and it got worse, so they decided to call it quits."

"Andy, I'm so sorry," said Lily.

"Hey, it's okay. I guess after almost twenty years of marriage they've had enough," said Andy trying to lighten the mood. "Hey listen I forgot something in my trunk. I'll see you up front for the whole prefect thing. Okay?"

"Sure," said Lily.

"Oh, Lil? Could we keep this between us?" said Andy with pleading eyes.

"Of course. Secret's safe with me," said Lily with smile before Andy left.

As Lily made her way up to the front, she couldn't help but feel sorry for her friend, and for the fact that she wasn't there for her when it happened. Lost in her own thoughts, Lily accidentally ran into someone in the hallway.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't see where I was going," said Lily sheepishly.

"Ah, it's alright. It was probably my fault anyway. I'm kinda of a klutz," said the boy before her. He was a fairly good-looking guy with dark brown hair and brown eyes. He stood about six feet tall and looked to be about Lily's age or a year older.

"I'm Everett Hayes, by the way," said the boy with a smile.

"Lily Evans," she said as she shook his hand.

"Are you sure you're all right, Lily," asked Everett.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I kinda have to say I don't really remember seeing you around school?" said Lily as she mentally scolded herself for saying such a thing.

"Oh, well I'm a seventh year, and I'm in Ravenclaw," said Everett with a smile.

"Oh! Well…it was nice meeting you Everett. I guess I'll see you around school," giggled Lily. She couldn't understand why she kept smiling at this boy she only just met.

"See you around, Lily," said Everett, as Lily continued her way up to the front. "Hey Lily!"

"Yeah?"

"Um…well, I know we just met and all, but…I was kinda wondering…if you care to hang out sometime at school. Say next week Friday?"

"Uh…well…sure…I guess," said Lily awkwardly.

"Great! Okay I guess I'll talk to you later, then. See you later, Lily!" beamed Everett.

"Bye!" said Lily. As Lily continued to head toward the front of the train, she couldn't stop smiling at the fact that a very cute guy she just met, had just asked her out.

Disclaimer: Okay how many time do I have to go over this? I'M NOT J.K. ROWLING! I am my own person who only owns this story and the characters I made up. Everything else belongs to her. Okay?