That Summer, Lily's trip to Flourish and Blotts was dreadful. It was uncomfortable enough with the stifling heat and the hundreds of pushy mothers elbowing each other, arms full of books, craning for a glimpse at today's guest author. That, added to the fact that Lily had to stand there impassively watching her rival writer pose pompously with her son for The Daily Prophet's photographer, Lily had wished that she'd chickened out before James did. Both of them had known today would be miles away from fun when they saw the enormous swarming crowds, which spectacularly dwarfed the mobs of last year's trip. To Isabelle Black's annoyance, Sirius had booked a holiday to Siberia with his family that week, leaving Lily to the company of Molly Weasley and the kids. Stupidly, she'd allowed James to go home. Alice will be bored, he'd said. Too bloody right...

"He's rather charismatic, isn't he?" whispered Molly to Lily. She had to force herself not to roll her eyes. It was bad enough having to watch Hermione and Ginny wobbling at the knees in front of her.

"A bit arrogant, though, don't you think?" Lily tried. Molly deliberated for a second.

"Well, I think if you've worked as hard as he has and achieved the success that he has, you're allowed a little over-self-confidence,"

Ron snorted beside her. Lily glanced sideways and smirked at him and Neville, who were just as baffled as she was as to why so many women were falling at Gilderoy Lockhart's knees.

"Who's this man with Harry, then?" asked a male voice. The women turned. Mr Granger stood there looking like he'd just been trampled by a herd of centaurs. It was no wonder, seeing as he'd managed to battle his way to the front of the shop.

"Daddy! Where have you been?" asked Hermione. Mr Granger took a deep breath.

"You told me you were going to 'the book shop'. You didn't tell me which book shop..."

"Oh... I meant this one."

"Oh yes, well thank you for clarifying."

Hermione grinned sheepishly at him and turned back round, trying very hard to not look as awe-struck as she had done moments ago. Lily smiled at Mr Granger. He didn't seem as antsy today.

"So?" Mr Granger began again. He nodded his head in the direction of Mr Lockhart. "Who's he?"

Ron stepped forward. "Gilderoy bloody Lockhart. He writes books about himself and does nothing else except smile."

Molly swatted her son on the arm. "Ron's just being jealous!" she said, glaring at Ron. "Mr Lockhart has had a very successful career..."

"Yeah, after knocking Mrs Potter's first book down to second place on the bestseller list!" exclaimed Ron. Lily ground her teeth as Molly swatted her son again.

"I see..." mused Mr Granger. "looks like he's enjoying himself, doesn't it?"

"Oh yes," Lily chuckled darkly. "Of course he is. I mean, who couldn't have that much fun with a camera shoved in their face? Go and grab Harry, will you, Neville? He looks like he's about to hex himself."

Neville shuffled round the side of the counter and awkwardly tugged at Harry sleeve. Harry quickly muttered a farewell to Lockhart, who didn't hear him, and hurried back over to the group.

"Erm, Mrs Potter..." said Mr Granger quietly, before Lily could rant about Lockhart again. He looked a little red. "I was wondering... if I could have a word?"

"Of course. What is it?"

"Mightn't we escape the crowds for a second?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

Lily lead Mr Granger back through the groaning hoards of women and their frustrated children to an empty space at the entrance of the shop. He waited a moment before speaking. He ran a hand through his thinning fair hair.

"It's about Hermione," he started. "Last week, she started her... her..."

Lily waited. Mr Granger went even redder.

"Her you-know-whats!"

"... oh."

"Exactly."

Lily stared at him. The poor man... she'd had this conversation with James, forewarning him that Alice's time would come soon enough. James had practically cringed into a ball. Lily had scolded him for being so immature, but even she didn't think that periods started this early.

"But she's only, what, twelve?" Lily asked. Mr Granger nodded.

"Exactly. I should've expected it, really... anyway, erm... you see, I've asked Jean to talk to her and she's not having any of it and I've tried talking to Hermione myself but she'd rather die that talk to me about it and she thinks she can learn all about it in books when actually-"

"Hang on," Lily held her hand out to stop him. "Her mother is refusing to talk to her about it?"

"Yes..." Mr Granger frowned. "Claims she's too busy."

"Rubbish!" said Lily, a little too loudly. When she saw Mr Granger look down at the floor, she herself turned pink. "I'll talk to Hermione."

He looked up. "You will?"

"Yes. I can't let that girl go back to Hogwarts without being... you know... prepared."

Mr Granger sighed with relief. "I was hoping you'd say that. Thank you. Hermione is very fond of you, you know-"

"Well, well, well..." drawled an unfamiliar voice. "Who do we have here?"

Mr Granger was looking up at someone in fear behind Lily. She turned round. Standing on the staircase was a man in sweeping black robes, with silvery hair and a horse-like face. He swooped down the stairs towards them.

"Lily Potter, is it?" he sneered. "Lucius Malfoy," he extended a leather-gloved hand. "I've heard all about young Harry and his parents from my son. I feel I know you already."

"You must mean Draco," said Lily quickly, after recognising the surname from Harry's letters. "Yes, he's quite the disciplinarian, isn't he?"

Lucius pursed his lips in a sort-of-smile. "I was surprised to hear that young Harry wasn't sorted into Slytherin. How disappointing! Although... I suppose that's to be expected, with muggle inheritance..."

Lily felt her face flame with fury. She breathed heavily.

"Tell me, does he struggle in classes?"

"No. He excels in everything."

That was a lie and she knew it. Apparently, so did Lucius Malfoy.

"How odd. That's not what I hear..." he cocked his head to the side like a curious child. "I hear Defence Against the Dark Arts isn't Harry's forte."

Lily was going to take no more. The day had been lousy and she'd had enough.

"That's because Snape is just as prejudice as the rest of Slytherin house," she growled. "And if your horrid son paid more attention to his work than the lives of Harry and his friends, I'm sure he'd be doing a lot better, too."

Lucius did little to hide his shock. Lily raised her eyebrow victoriously.

"You filthy little-"

"I say, Sir!" barked Mr Granger suddenly. Lily whirled round. He wore an expression of anger that she hadn't imagined he could ever muster. Behind him, the rest of their group were joining them, looking warily at the scene.

"You are being rather rude to Mrs Potter! We are in public and you're being obscene!"

Out of the people who were watching, Hermione looked the most stunned. Lily allowed herself a little smile. Mr Granger's attempt at laying the law was feeble, but he was standing up for her and she was grateful. She went to stand beside him.

"Mr Malfoy, this is my dear friend Robert Granger. He's a muggle!"

Lily took a great deal of satisfaction from seeing Lucius' nose twitch briefly into a snarl.

"Oh, and this is his daughter, Hermione. Brightest witch in their year group, so I here."

Hermione looked up at her with watery eyes. Lily smiled at her before Lucius flung open the door of the shop.

"You people..." he spat. "I'll be speaking to the Minister about this. Muggles in Diagon Alley... it's disgusting."

Mr Granger's confidence did not falter in Lucius Malfoy's deathly glare. Instead, Mr Granger raised his head a little. Lucius turned to Lily.

"Perhaps I'll see you again, Mrs Potter. My younger son will be joining Hogwarts next year. I'll instruct him to look out for... Alice, is it?"

"If you're talking about turning another one of your spawn into a bully, Sir," she growled. "I'll have none of it. And as you suggested before, there's no danger of our children being in the same house."

Lucius did not say another word. Instead, he stormed out of the shop and down the street, pushing groups of people apart as he went. Lily sighed. Anger made her ache.

"Mum?" asked Harry quietly. "Are you alright? What was that about?"

"Don't worry about it," said Lily seriously. "We were just batting around some harmless little words. Now, you lot go on and get Ginny a wand. Hermione, you're coming with me."

Everyone looked a little surprised and confused, even Hermione. The rest of the group were ushered out of the shop by Molly, who gave Lily a knowing glance before leaving the shop herself.

"Where are we going?" asked Hermione.

"Florean Fortescue's," answered Lily. "We're going to have a little chat, and we'll need a lot of ice cream."

oOo

A/N: Please note that this is purely for enjoyment and if you don't agree with where the plot is going, please take my advice and write your OWN fanfiction. We are all allowed our creative liscences and if you think that you could write a better fanfic, then by all means do so. I actually encourage it.

Also: Yes, yes yes! Lucius has two sons! And before you all shit in my face, I'd just like to say that I always thought that Voldemort's death would have affected EVERYONE, not just Harry. Believe me, the younger Malfoy boy is not the most shocking existence coming up in this story. Did I mention that Voldemort's death affected everyone?

I hope you're all enjoying the story so far.

Nel X