Chapter 5

"Now, if you could all open you text books on page fifty-nine, and practise the wand movements."

Professor McGonagall sat at the top of the classroom in cat form. She watched as her Gryffindor N.E.W.T. students attempted the spell. Her eyes darted from side to side as she observed the various colours that whizzed by. They were an intelligent class, one of the best she'd had in a long time.

In the front row sat Alice Prewett. She had good potential, even if she did seem to be rather clumsy at times. McGonagall raised her eyebrows as Alice accidently caused a small fire to spring to life on her desk. She extinguished it quickly, however, with the aid of Marlene McKinnon, who sat next to her.

Though she did not like to pick favourites, if McGonagall had to, it would be Marlene. She had come top of the class in her Transfiguration O.W.L. It was well known that the McKinnons were especially talented at the subject, though they spent far too much time on Quidditch, in her oppinion.

Behind, Lily Evans hadn't even noticed the fire. She was studying her textbook intently with her brow furrowed. She was known throughout the school to be a very hard worker that achieved excellent results, particularly in potions.

Of the boys, Remus Lupin was the best at transfiguration. He was such a well behaved and clever student. Why he was friends with Potter and Black was a mystery to her. Dumbledore had even made him a prefect in the hope he would knock some sense into the two trouble-makers. Well, that hadn't worked. Frank Longbottom would have suited him far better.

Frank- yes, Frank was a very skilled student. It was a pity that most of his friends were in Hufflepuff.

Sirius Black, lurking in the back row, of course, always too busy messing around to even try, but at least he passed his exams.

And then, there was James Potter. He had always been playing pranks, but he was Head Boy this year. Well, that would be interesting. She had thought Dumbledore out of his mind when he appointed Potter as Head Boy. But Dumbledore refused to give his reasons. The Headmaster always had been a little mad.

The bell rang shrilly and McGonagall returned to her human-self to assign the homework.

"Potter!" James twirled around smoothly to face the caller.

"Yes, Evans?" He said it without sounding annoyed or sarcastic. In fact, Lily was surprised, he sounded genuinely interested in what she had to say.

"Er- We need to organise the prefect meetings...when do you have a free period?"

"Just after this, actually. I have potions now." He ruffled his hair and then gestured for them to walk together.

Lily sighed to herself as she moved on. She had been extremely annoyed last year upon finding out that James Potter was taking exactly the same N.E.W.T. subjects as her.

The potions classroom was dark and smelled musty when Lily strode into the room. Frank and Alice were sitting on one side of the table they had sat at last year. Potter had just sat on the other side. She looked around desperately for another seat. She spotted one, and was about to make her way to it, when she realised who else was at that table.

Severus Snape.

They hadn't spoken since fifth year, and Lily didn't plan on doing so any time soon. Severus had insulted her in the worst way imaginable, and she couldn't find it in herself to forgive him. For a moment, Lily's thoughts drifted back to that day by the lake. Potter had been picking on Sev...Potter! She had tried to blame it on him for a long time afterwards...And yet...no, it wasn't Potter's fault, Snape would have said it sooner or later. Ever since he had started hanging around with Mulciber- ugh! Mulciber!...Lily grimaced...How could anyone want to hang out with Mulciber?... Now, looking around her, Lily was left with two options- Snape or Potter? Which was worse? She didn't have time to decide, however, as Slughorn was walking into the room.

Snape or Potter? Lily was becoming frantic now.

"Now, if you would all take your seats, we will begin the year with a disappearing potion..."

Without further delay, Lily dropped her books on one of the desks and tried not to think about the reactions of certain...people. The boy behind her leaned in and whispered.

"Looks like Slughorn could do with using some of his disappearing potion on himself! Soon he wont be able to get through the door!"

Lily couldn't help it- she was smiling. The joke wasn't even that funny. And yet...oh well, perhaps the Head Boy wasn't quite so bad after all...Lily shook herself. Had she really just thought that? She must have gotten up too early.