She wasn't the same. I could tell. I know her expression, her walk, her eyes. There was no spark. She wasn't the same.

Dear Lily Evans,

I would like to offer to you, the placement of Head Girl at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You are a capable and bright young woman who I know can make a positive difference in our school.

I do however know that you've been through a great amount of heart ache and loss in the past eight months and wouldn't be surprised if you chose to decline my offer.

This being said. I know that since you were a very young girl, you had always strived to achieve everything you set out to achieve. You and I both know how proud your family would be of you receiving this position of Head Girl, and I know that you can do this. You are a strong, willing and incredible student who has already proved herself to be able to overcome anything.

I personally still believe you are the best choice for this position.

Sincerely, Albus Dumbledore

LILY'S POV*

Lily placed the letter down and picked up the Head Girl badge. She ran her fingers over the gold embroidery and pressed her lips together. Dumbledore has such faith in her. Ever since she had known of the Head Girl opportunity she had worked hard to make sure she achieved that position. But how could she take it, she thought and she slouched into her kitchen chair and dropped the badge on the table. "I can't do this, not now," she thought.

She thought of what her mother would say.

"You have to do this! Especially now! After all your hard work you're going to throw it all away? No, that's not the Lily I raised."

Lily wiped a tear from her eye and gathered herself. "No more crying," she thought. Lily frowned and sat staring at the letter for what felt like hours, before she went to her room and started to write a letter. Not to Dumbledore, but to her best friend Marlene McKinnon. The best thing about Marlene is that although she was a great friend, she was also honest and never told a lie in order to help you feel better. It might sound harsh but that honesty is what makes her the best person to go to for advice. If Lily wanted a sugar coated answer, she would've gone to Mary Macdonald, she's too sweet and innocent to be harsh yet true.

Lily's hand moved swiftly and smoothly as she wrote to Marlene

Marlene,

Can we meet up? I have something to tell you and I need an outside opinion. Nothing's wrong, I just can't make great decisions without some help at the moment. I'm home basically all the time, did you want to come around for some tea sometime soon? Let me know when and I'll have the kettle boiled.

Love, Lily Evans

Lily placed the letter in her owl Francis' beak and watched him fly into the sun. Anxious to see how fast Marlene was to reply, she waited for Francis to return with her Letter.

Only an hour later, did Francis return flapping his little wings as he approached Lily's room. He dropped the letter onto Lily's desk and took a long drink from his water bowl. Usually Marlene replied pretty quickly but this had to have been instantly replied to.

LILY EVANS MY DEAR GIRL

I can come right this very second if you would like? Whatever it is, it doesn't sound like you can wait too long anyway! If you don't reply within 2 hours I'm taking that as a yes! I'll bring some muffins mum made this morning, blueberry is your favourite right? I can't wait to see you!

Love, Marlene

Lily rolled her eyes. Marlene was extremely spontaneous and always has that kind of way of seeing things as 'why not now?' she doesn't see the point in giving notice, to say the least. But Lily loved her for it, she kept her on her toes sometimes.

Through this period of her life, Lily really has appreciated Marlene being there for her. She was a perfect distraction as well as the best shoulder to cry on. When Marlene was around, Lily didn't feel so lonely.

Lily knew as soon as it had been 2 hours that Marlene would apparate straight outside the front door. Timing it perfectly, Lily put the kettle on, 2 minutes before Marlene would arrive.

As the kettle startled to whistle, the front door opened, along with a,

"I'm heeee-reeeee," in Marlene's sing song tone.

Lily quickly stopped the kettle from whistling and grabbed her badge and letter from the table before marlene could see them. As Marlene walked in she went to embrace Lily in a hug before she saw that Lily was hiding something behind her back.

"Alright then, what're you hiding hmm?" she said raising an eyebrow.

Lily very slowly presented the badge and letter in front of her. It took Marlene only seconds to figure out what was going on.

"OH LILY! I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU!" she yelled as she hugged and picked Lily up, swinging her around.
Lily couldn't help but smile a little. Marlene was so proud of her, and Marlene wasn't easily impressed.

"But wait," Marlene paused," is this what you're unsure about? Surely not!"

"I don't think I can do it Marls, after everything that's happen-" Marlene cut Lily off.

"Don't you dare," she said frowning and holding Lily's hands in hers.

"But-" Lily protested.

"No buts. Lily, you were made for this. Your mother wouldn't believe you'd turn this down. She'd be so proud of you Lils, you can't turn this down," Marlene said whilst shaking her head.

"I know, but Marlene. I hardly made it through the end of sixth year. First Severus destroyed our friendship and then-" Lily couldn't finish.

"But you know what Lil? You did finish sixth year. You made it through, and to be quite honest with you, I don't think I could've done that. You've already proved how strong you are," she said smiling," can I read the letter?"

"Sure," Lily replied.

They both sat at the table while Lily poured the tea. Marlene's eyes wondered Dumbledore's letter, her expression changed back and forth from a sullen frown to a small smile.

"Dumbledore has no doubt in you Lily, so why should you doubt yourself?" Marlene said smiling and shaking her head.

"I just-… I don't-" Lily struggled to explain herself.

"By you doing this, you're honouring your mother, your house and more importantly yourself. You deserve this more than anyone! Just by you accepting, you can show everyone struggling in this horrible time, that we need to be strong." Marlene said without any hesitation.

The more Marlene spoke, the more Lily began to think. "I have to do this? Especially now. For my mother."

Lily paused and thought for what seemed like forever until she had decided. She picked up her cup of tea, took a small sip and said, "Well, whoever Head Boy is, is gonna have to give a little more to help me out,"

Marlene smiled, "Soooo, you're accepting?"

"You're looking at your new Head Girl," Lily smiled.

"Yes! Oh my Merlin Lily I'm so proud of you! I cannot wait for you to rub it in the faces of all those snooty Slitherins," Marlene laughed.

Lily's eyes widened. "Oh no," she though.

"What's wrong?" Marlene asked.

"What if Severus in Head Boy!" Lily panicked.

"No surely not. Even if he was eligible, Dumbledore wouldn't do that to you? He knows everything about everything? Surely he knows what happened between you two?" Marlene shrugged.

"I guess we'll see," Lily shrugged.

"I guess," Marlene agreed, "Who else would it be do you think?"

"I'm not too sure, there aren't many lads who are even eligible," Lily frowned.

"Oh my Merlin! Remus, surely it's Remus! He's almost as strict as you are," Marlene teased as she elbowed Lily.

"Yes, maybe Remus," Lily thought unlikely due to circumstances but she wouldn't blab to Marlene about that, Remus trusted her.

"That or maybe Amos Diggery?" Marlene suggested.

Lily's eyebrows rose. She and Amos had a sort of back and forth flirt every now and then. For a Hufflepuff he was quite brave with his words.

"That wouldn't be awful?" Lily said, thinking of what the year would bring made Lily excited. Her mind began to wonder, what if her and Amos were the heads of school? What if they miraculously fell in love, and rode off into the sunset. She was getting ahead of herself, sure Amos was handsome and charming but… She wasn't taken by him in particular. If something were to happen, it would've happened already. "Plus," Lily thought to herself, "I plan to plunge into my studies to keep myself distracted."

The thought of why she needed a distraction sent a plunge of pain into Lily's heart. It had been nearly 8 months since tragedy struck Lily. She was getting through, but she had her good days and her bad ones. When she surrounds herself with her friends like Marlene, Mary and Hestia she felt her friend's warmth and love for her. It helped her hole in her heart and she was grateful for their support throughout the last eight months.

"Muffin?" Marlene offered, already stuffing her face with one whilst Lily was lost in her thoughts.

"Thank you," she laughed while taking a small bite of the delicious blueberry muffin. Just how Marlene conducts herself can make Lily happy if not for a few moments.

"So Marls, what've you got planned for the rest of the day?" Lily asked.

"Um, not too much. Mum said we're having dinner at the Potter residence tonight if you'd like to join me," Marlene played.

"Oh Merlin, no thank you. I'd rather have dinner in the forbidden forest than see Potter," Lily made a gagging gesture.

"He isn't all that bad Lily, surely you'd have to expect he's grown up at least a little bit this break," Marlene laughed, knowing all too well, he probably hadn't.

"How did you grow up with that prat? I can't handle the school year with him around, let alone spending all my childhood with him. Ugh," Lily shivered.

"We were neighbours and our parents are old friends, there was no escaping it. To be honest, he's not unbearable by himself Lily. I think Sirius brings out the mischievous side of him," Marlene giggled.

"One mention of Black's name and you're blushing, my Merlin," Lily teased.

"Oh shoosh, you know nothing!" she rolled her eyes laughing.

"I know everything! You can't hardly keep your mouth shut! 'Sirius is so cute, he's so funny blah blah blah' you're obsessed," Lily said giggling as she spoke to Marlene's reaction.

"I have never said anything like that in my life!" she protested.

"Okay, but you basically do!" Lily said.

"If you don't stop teasing me about Sirius, I'll tease you about James," Marlene smirked.

"They're hardly the same situation!" Lily cried with disbelief.

"Sure they are. You and James are sure to get together one day, I can see it now," Marlene said staring off into the distance.

"I think I'm going to be sick just thinking about it," Lily sighed.

"Okay miss defensive. I'll stop,"

"Thank you!" she said in triumph.

A few cups of tea and far too many muffins later, Marlene headed home and Lily wished her on her way. As Lily walked back inside and towards the kitchen she could tell Petunia was there to meet her. She leant against the bench top with her arms folded and a frown on her face.

"What's wrong with you?" Lily asked rolling her eyes.

"Do you have to bring someone into the house that you know I can't stand," she huffed.

"You bring Vernon? What's the difference?" Lily replied.

"Vernon hardly comes here and I don't blame him. I can hardly stand living here anymore. Especially with dad being away," Petunia said with a stern look on her face.

"Leave then, go live with your precious Vermin,"

"Don't call him that! You're so rude!" Petunia shook her head in disapproval.

"Rude? I'm rude!? You're the biggest hypocrite I know Petunia!" Lily shouted, walking out of the kitchen.

Petunia tried to reply but Lily was too far gone, up the stairs and into her room in a huff.

She was unbelievable. Thank Merlin I only have to deal with her for another two days. Then it's back to Hogwarts living with my girls. It couldn't come any sooner.

If you've read this Chapter, please please please, let me know what you think. I have a story in mind that I'd love to tell!

Hope you enjoyed, another chapter should be up within the next week!

-Kels xo