October
Lilith had fallen asleep in the library of all bloody places, her head using a guide to advance occlumency as pillow despite the fact it was Monday morning. A late night studying had completed wiped her out, and when she had gone to retrieve a book for homework that morning she had found herself closing her eyes for just a minute.
But now she was wide awake and slowly realising potions was starting in five minutes, and she was halfway across school.
As she ran through the empty corridors at top speed she was thinking about all the ways her head of house was going to punish her for this. She had heard rumours, of course, about what he did to students in detention, but fortunately in her six years she had never dealt with the wrath of Snape. If only that bloody Weasley hadn't decided to come around the corner at the same moment.
The crash sends both to the ground, forcing her to land directly on her wrist. Books go flying and they are both cursing as they lay on the floor.
"Damn it Weasley! She yells as she sits herself up. "Why weren't you watching where you were bloody going!"
"Well why the bloody hell were you running!"
"Because I'm late for potions, you idiot!"
"Well so am I!"
They stare at each other from their spots on the floor once the yelling subsides, breathing heavily as the adrenaline starts to drain and the pain slowly spreads through her wrist. .
The ginger rubs the back of his head and finally pushes himself up, steadying himself. Then he does something completely surprising, offers her a hand. "You alright?"
"Like you care." She snaps at him as she finally pushes herself up from the floor ignoring the gesture, noticing him flex his fingers as he drops his hand to his side. Lilith ignores it as she starts picking up her fallen books, but as soon as places any weight on her arm she drops them again, letting out another cry.
He's stood there watching her with the slightest look of concern, another thing she chooses to ignore. She wasn't falling for fake sympathy, especially not with him.
"Enjoying seeing me in pain, are you Weasley?"
"Don't even know which one I am, do you Lestrange?"
"As if you care, but i do actually. We have been in the same classes for six years, Fred."
He cocks an eyebrow and eyes her slowly. "Didn't realise you noticed me Lestrange."
Lilith rolls her eyes and looks down at the stranded book, her wrist is now starting to burn. Of course it was her wand hand.
"All you have to do is ask." He says with a slight smirk and she can't help but grimace.
"A gentleman would offer."
"Who said I'm a gentleman?"
If she could use her hand, she would've wiped that smirk off his face. She hated giving this sort of satisfaction to someone, especially a Gryffindor.
"Fine. I need help."
"And?"
She grits her teeth, but it just seems to make him smile more.
"Please."
"That looked almost painful," He says with a chuckle as he bends down and starts gathering her books. "But then again it is probably the first time you've used it in your vocabulary."
"That's a big word for you isn't it? I'm surprised you were able to use it in a sentence."
He drops the books and looks up at her with an annoyed glare and a slight ping of quilt hits her stomach. "Well, if you're going to insult me..." She murmurs.
"Touché." He responds and gathers up the books for her a second time before standing up again, eyes fixed on her arm. "I could fix that, you know. I'm good with that sort of thing." "It's not broken." She stretches her fingers, winces. "I don't think...Although I might need to go to Pomfrey." "I could...well I could walk you, if you like." Her eyes meet his and she's surprised to see them full of genuine concern and her stomach drops slightly again. The anger and annoyance have seem to subsided now from both of them. She's not quite use to it.
"No." She says sharply. "Could you just go to class and tell Snape that I'll be getting my wrist fixed, seeing as it was your oath- " She stops. Tells herself to be nice. "If you wouldn't mind, that is."
"Well, I don't mind. I hate the hospital wing so I wouldn't mind if you wanted company."
She's surprised in the sincerity in his tone, but she wasn't falling for it.
"Weasley, just take my books to class for me."
She sees the edge of a smile. "Since you asked so nicely."
One horrible potion and a Ferula spell later Lilith walks into potions to meet Snapes glare as she slinks into her seat next to Cordelia whose only question was. "Why did George Weasley have your books?"
"It was Fred actually." Lilith murmurs, looking back over her shoulder to Fred who's now sat with his twin. He points at his wrist and mouths 'How is it' in exaggerated movements but she just snaps her head back and opens her book to the page Cordelia had hers on.
She spends the rest of potions trying not to look back over her shoulder and avoiding eye contact with Fred when he does happen to appear in her line of vision, she's also not doing a good job of avoiding Cordelia's questions either. She knew Snape would be already furious about the lateness, let alone if she didn't manage to get any work done.
When class is finally over she breathes a sigh of relief.
"Ms Lestrange, Mr Weasley. Stay where you are."
There are a few oohs from other students, but one glare from Snape shuts them up quickly as they filter out of class leaving the two of them stood there while Snape stands at the front of the Dungeon. She already knew this wasn't going to end well.
"Professor," Fred starts, but a hand from the professor shuts him up.
"I do not want...any...excuses. You will both serve detention with me, at seven o'clock, every night this week."
Both their mouths drop open.
"Professor that seems rather harsh." Lilith chimes up. "I mean, I was hurt and - "
"And as I am to understand it, you would have been late, regardless."
Her eyes shift to Fred who is now staring at the floor.
"I do not tolerate tardiness. And I would expect a student from my own house to know bette. Especially a prefect. I will see you both at seven and I expect neither of you to be late."
Without another word they both leave the classroom, Fred shutting the door behind him with a sour look on his face.
"Well, now I get to spend my Evenings with that greaseball." He sighs as he trails behind her. "Hey, how's your - "
"What did you say to him?"
Fred looks surprised by the tone in her voice, but she can't help the anger.
"Shockingly, the truth... That we were both running late..."
She cuts him off before he can even finish. "Why didn't you just lie!"
"Maybe dishonesty doesn't come as easily for the rest of us as it does for you Slytherins." He snipes back.
"I apologise, I forgot Gryffindors main trait was stupidity." She's rather pleased when his smirk turns to a frown. "Do you really think I want to spend my evenings stuck in a dungeon with you."
He scoffs. "Oh, because you're such a delight! I'd rather spend my evenings with Moaning Myrtle."
"The poor girls been through enough already without having to add that to the list!"
As she turns, thinking she's had the last word, that stupid boy had to open his mouth.
"See you tonight then! Can't wait to spend an evening in your delightful company!"