This chapter is dedicated to Gabrielle, my adorable American cousin who eats pork blood and duck eggs better than I do.

Christmas came fast for Lily… to fast. She was once again in their house, trying not to fall asleep while her sister, mother, and future female in-laws were taking about the upcoming wedding of Petunia. She was dragged into their discussions despite her protests. She would rather lock herself up in her room and finish her homework than listen to their loud chattering.

Her gaze fell upon the two female Dursleys. The two, especially Marge, were complete girl versions of Vernon. Lily hated them from the moment they began to talk. Both were very aggressive and too opinionated. Lily felt a twinge of sympathy for her sister. They were talking her into accepting a dog-themed party, as the Dursleys loved dogs. She saw her sister cringe at the corner of her eye. She knew Petunia liked dogs as much as she likes owls.

"I think a classic wedding is more appropriate." Mrs. Evans finally said. "A lot of our relatives are, er, allergic to dogs. It's a genetic thing in our side of the family."

"But of course, dear." Mrs. Dursley said. "We can't have everyone sneezing, can we?"

Surprisingly, Lily felt relief for her sister. But she tuned their conversation out once they started to talk about color schemes (fuschia or neon green?). She focused more on her more important problems.

She received the letter from Jason that Savio warned her of. She was very bothered by what Jason told her and she understood how hard it must have been for him to write it. It was hard for her too, to be suspicious of Gabriel, though she couldn't help it.

I will always be on your side.

Lily sighed. She wanted to believe what he said, but Jason's warning made it harder for her to trust them. It also didn't help that she rarely saw Gabriel anymore. He was always out and the last time they talked was when he told her those words.

"I can't really blame him." Professor Slughorn told her when she asked him why Gabriel was always gone. "Theses take time to finish, even for Advanced Guards. I am happy he's taking it seriously. Of all the topics available, he just had to choose the improvisation of the Felix Felicis. It's not an easy choice, but once he finishes it, it would be very impressive. It would be a fine thesis to present to his superiors. Imagine what it could do for his career."

She didn't question him any further. It seemed like Gabriel had a very good excuse for being away all the time. The Felix Felicis potion had ingredients that were found at other parts of the earth. He had good opportunities to get out of the castle and plot on something.

She couldn't bear the thought of him siding with the Death Eaters.

"What do you think, Lily?"

Lily's head snapped up and she saw her mother's expectant face. Everyone else was looking at her like she's about to make a mistake. They probably knew she wasn't listening.

It only took Lily a split second to enter their minds.

"I think silver is perfect for a winter wedding. I'm not very fond of neon green. It's absolutely hideous. I think the country is a much better venue than the city because the country is more spacious. I know we've got really big sponsors from the Dursley's side."

She'd never forget the look on Marge's face.

(--)

Ebony Savio looked at her son as he hungrily ate his lunch. He was just visiting her before his father came back. The two men were not in good terms at the moment and Ebony was having a hard time adjusting for the two of them.

"Thanks for letting me eat here, Mum." Gabriel said. "I had to use up my entire budget of the day to buy that stinking Ogre-tree sap from the Solomon Islands so I have to take advantage of free stuff."

Ebony smiled at him. She didn't really understand why her husband was so suspicious of him. Sure, she felt bad because she rarely saw Gabriel, but she knew that his career thesis was no joke. It took up most of his time and he was very weary. There were dark circles under his eyes and he lost weight over the year. She hoped that it was caused by nothing but his studies.

"Don't mention it," Ebony told him. "What kind of mother would starve her own son, especially when he looks like the Inferi?"

Gabriel gave her a sheepish grin. "Tell me about it. I fell like I've wrestled a troll and a chimaera at the same time. Last week I had to rush to the Amazon to levitate up a tree and get a naturally sunlit Amazonian grapefruit."

"It couldn't be that bad. You just have to climb the canopy."

"You haven't seen how sharp the teeth of their monkeys are."

Ebony laughed and went up behind her son. "Don't worry. It will all be worth it in the end."

She placed her hands on his shoulders. Gabriel flinched at her touch.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," he answered. "The monkeys had fun scratching my back."

Ebony's eyes narrowed. "I don't need Legilimency to know that you are lying, Gabriel."

"But I'm telling the tru-- hey!"

She had ripped the back of his robes to see the scars across his skin. Ebony's eyes widened at the sight of his injuries, but more at how his scars were placed. Several different emotions came through her at the same time: anger, fear, disappointment…

"Mum," Gabriel cautiously said. "I can explain."

"The third rule," Ebony muttered, stepping away from her son. "How could you?"

"I'm sorry Mum." Gabriel said. She looked at his eyes. In it were both determination and sadness. "But I have to do this."

Before Ebony could even reach out for her wand, Gabriel already had his.

"Obliviate!"

She fell unconscious after the strong impact of the spell. Before the spell took effect, she tried very hard to cling to the word that was formed by the scars on Gabriel's back:

IMPOSTOR

(--)

"Tell me, why are we here again?" Remus asked.

"James needs expert advice." Sirius answered, absentmindedly flipping through a men's magazine. "Why aren't the pictures moving?"

"It's a Muggle magazine, Padfoot."

"Bizzare." Sirius said. "Ooh, I like this picture."

Remus rolled his eyes upon seeing a non-conservative ad in the magazine. They were in a Muggle tailoring shop, waiting for James as he purchased the Muggle men's formal suit. Remus puzzled over why James needed one, as he had enough dress robes. James didn't offer an explanation, but he did hint that his father wanted him to come to a Muggle function. He was now in one of the dressing rooms, trying out some of the things he picked.

Sirius got bored with the magazine and began to move around the shop. There were a few women there, all casually sneaking glances at him. Sirius took his time to wink at the younger ones over the racks. Remus rolled his eyes once more.

"Hey Moony," Sirius said. "How do you wear this?"

Remus went over to him to see that he was holding a silk gold bowtie. Remus raised an eyebrow at Sirius's choice of color. He was about to tell him to try the classic black one instead. But then he was Sirius Black, and he can get away with anything.

"Here." Remus put it around him and tied it correctly. As expected, Sirius looked hilarious wearing it against his jumper. He began to roam around the shop with the tie on, much to the other costumers' amusement. Remus followed him around, laughing as other people laughed at him.

In the middle of Sirius's exploration of a Fedora hat, the door of the shop opened and closed. "Remus?" a familiar voice called from the entrance.

He peered around to see Lily Evans, cheeks pink from the cold.

"Hello, Lily."

"What are you doing here?"

Remus sighed. "James needed something. We just went with him."

"So he's here?"

"He's trying a suit on, I think."

"What for?"

"Good question. I have no idea."

"Nice to see you, Evans." Sirius greeted her, still with the bowtie with a mass of different ties around his neck.

"Er, nice to see you too." Lily said, stifling a laugh. "First time in a Muggle shop?"

"Yup! Does this hat look good on me?"

Lily eyed the feathered Fedora on his shaggy mane. "Yes, Black. You look dashing as always."

"Aw, shucks! Don't go telling that to Jamesie though. He might get jealous. What are you doing here in this fine-weathered morning?"

"Sirius, it's freezing outside."

"Makes no difference."

"I'm just going to pick something up," Lily answered, making her way to the counter. After a few minutes, she came up with a classic black man's tuxedo.

"I think that's too big for you, Evans." Sirius commented. "Though it might look good with this bowtie."

Lily smiled. "It's for my Dad, and no thanks. He's wearing this with a hot pink tie."

At that moment, James got out of the dressing room in a bright purple suit.

"So what do you thi-- Lily?"

His hand automatically shot to his hair. Remus stifled a laugh. Lily couldn't hide her amusement.

"Wow James." She said. "Nice suit. This is definitely the most colorful day I've ever had."

"Take it off, mate," Sirius said. "You look stupid."

James eyed him from head to toe. "So do you."

"I'll be going," Lily announced. "Before I get kicked out of this shop with you lot. Happy Christmas."

"Why don't you join us for a while?" James offered. "We can carry your things for you."

He earned himself a smile. "No thanks. I still have my sister's dress to pick up. She'd manhandle me if I'm late." She turned to leave the shop with her father's tuxedo on hand. "Oh, and James, I think a black one would look better on you."

Once she's gone, Remus and Sirius broke into a laugh. "Way to impress a girl, Prongs. Show up in a purple suit."

James threw him a fake smile.

"Great job at being gentlemanly though," Remus said. "But it could've been better if you don't look as stupid."

(--)

Lily fought back a yawn as she stood by the entrance of her family's country home in Scotland. It was the night of the wedding and she was supposed to welcome and usher the guests to their great room, where the reception was being held. Petunia insisted on having a church wedding in the local cathedral and a lavish reception indoors.

Lily smiled and greeted the people who came, took their invitations, and invited them to the great room. She thought that Petunia gave her that job to keep her out of the celebration. Petunia was a little scared that Lily might do some magic during her wedding. Lily scoffed at the thought. As if she was that immature.

"Lily," two slim figures glided up the grand stone steps leading to the entrance of the house. "How lovely to see you!"

"Aunt Maria!" Lily greeted with fake enthusiasm. "How lovely to see you too!"

Her aunt kissed the air around her cheeks and she fought back an eye roll. Aunt Maria was probably the most pretentious, if not bitchiest, sister her father ever had. Her daughter, Geraldine, was worse.

"Lily!" Geraldine's high-pitched voice cried. She hugged Lily lightly and pulled away as if she smelled bad. "Wow you look… tasteful!"

"Why thank you." Lily said through gritted teeth. "Come in. Everyone is dying to see you."

Once their backs were turned, Lily's smile turned to a grimace and she turned back towards the entrance.

That seemed to be the latest of the guests. The ones with chauffers had parked their cars out at the back garage. There was no one else outside but the hideous gargoyle-like statues flanking the banisters of the stairs, their stone heads powdered with snow.

She tightened the thick shawl she had on around her. Though she was still indoors, the cold coming through the open door was enough to give her goosebumps. It also didn't help that Petunia forced her to wear a thin white and silver dress (she won them over with the color scheme… she'd never wear neon green as a bridesmaid dress).

Suddenly, there was a distant pop from the trees flanking the driveway. Lily squinted to take a better look at the shadows. The driveway was lit with lamps, yet they were not enough to illuminate into the trees.

Lily waited, feeling her heart beat faster than normal. She stepped forward, ignoring the cold. She saw something move through the trees. By instinct, her hand traced the wand beneath her shawl. She wanted to take it out, but the proximity of Muggles prevented her. She had to wait.

Finally, two grown men emerged from the trees. She tried to make them out in the darkness, but she only recognized them once their masses of messy hair were illuminated by the light.

"James?" Lily mumbled, confused, as James Potter and his father went up the stairs, both dressed in black formal suits underneath their coats.

"Hi Lily," James greeted her.

"I hope we're not that late." Mr. Potter said. "We wanted to make sure there are less Muggles outside so we could Apparate."

"Oh," was all Lily could say. It was only when Mr. Potter handed out their invitation that Lily remembered his meeting with her parents back in France. "My parents didn't tell me you were coming."

"Well, they did send their invitation to us at the last minute," Mr. Potter explained as Lily took their coats and hung them on the rack. "James here had to rush to the store and get his suit."

James had the decency to blush.

"Well," Lily said. "Welcome to our humble Muggle wedding. Everything is just starting." She gestured to the direction of the great room, which was getting louder with music and chatter.

Mr. Potter smiled at her before heading to the room, leaving her with James. Lily turned to him.

She had to admit that James didn't look bad in a suit, as long at it wasn't purple. His hair was messy as ever, but you could see the effort he put on it to make it look presentable.

"I see you took my advice on the black suit."

James laughed. "It was either this or the yellow one that Sirius picked out."

Lily smiled. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

James shrugged. "I didn't know how you would react."

"But you went anyway,"

"Yeah well, I figured that maybe this would turn out to be as boring as the wizarding weddings I've been to so I thought you might like the company. Besides," he looked around the well decorated hall. "It's my first time to attend a Muggle wedding. It's why your parents invited us in the first place."

They stood there in silence for a while. Lily felt James' steady gaze on her. She cleared her throat.

"Shall we come in?" she said.

James raised an arm out to her. Lily shook her head.

"I'm just the usher," she said. "I am to lead you to your seat."

James sighed but raised his hands up in surrender before following Lily inside.

They were seated in separate tables. Lily had to sit in a table for the family while James sat with his Dad a few tables away. As they ate, Lily felt even more bored than she was while standing by the door. If it wasn't for Petunia's strict seating arrangement, she would've traded the seat next to James.

She was sitting with her female cousins. They were more like Petunia than herself. There were a few she was friendly with, but she was not close to any one of them, except for little Gabrielle sitting on her right. She was ten years old, but was more mature than 18 year old Geraldine who was sitting on her other side.

"So what do you think of that guy?" Geraldine asked everyone on their table, as she discreetly pointed at a blond teenager at the Dursley's side.

"Nice one. But I think that brunette over there is much better."

Lily met Gabrielle's gaze and they both rolled their eyes. Everyone else was man-hunting during the best man's speech. Lily smiled and looked around, not bothering to listen to the best man. Her gaze met James', who was staring at her. He grinned and sent her a wink. Lily turned away with a small smile on her face.

"Oh my god!" Geraldine suddenly whispered.

"What is it?"

"That cute guy just winked at me!"

Lily's eyes widened. She didn't know if she should laugh or be angry. She chose neither. Laughing would only embarrass her in front of all the guests. Being angry would mean that she was jealous.

She was not jealous.

Geraldine was now looking at James with a smile. Lily had to admit that she looked really seductive. Her cousin was the prettiest in the family, her Aunt Maria's pride and joy, though Lily wouldn't be surprised if she had a few nose jobs.

She looked at James. He seemed confused by Geraldine's stare. Lily shrugged at him. James raised his eyebrows and looked away.

"He's definitely interested."

"Maybe he'd ask you to dance with him later?"

Lily fought the urge to laugh as her cousins continued to chatter excitedly over James. It seemed like they were more fascinated by him because none of them knew who he was. Lily decided to keep mum about their being schoolmates. As they ate, James kept on sneaking glances at Lily. Sometimes, Lily would look at him too and they would share a smile and look away, as if some joke was passed between them.

At last, the center of the room was cleared for dancing. The bride and groom danced first, then the father-daughter dance. After all the necessary dances, the sound system they rented began to play a cheerful melody and couples began to flock the dance floor. Petunia and Vernon were amongst them. The groom was already tipsy.

"Oh my god, here he comes!"

Lily watched her cousins try their best to look nonchalant as James approached their table. He locked eyes with Lily for a moment and he sent her his most charming smile. Lily heard the others swoon behind her. Once again, she wanted to laugh.

"Ladies," he casually greeted them.

"Oh hello," Geraldine quickly greeted back, aiming the spotlight on herself. "My name is Geraldine. We're all cousins of the bride. Would you like to join us?"

Lily pretended not to be repulsed by her cousin's sweet tone.

"Er, that's fine thank you." James politely answered. Then much to Lily's surprise, he turned to Gabrielle, bent down and offered his hand. "May I please have this dance?"

The little girl's cheeks turned red. The rest of the table gaped in shock. Lily couldn't help herself. She laughed as James took her cousin's small hand in his. He led the little girl towards the dance floor with a goofy grin.

"It's not funny!" Geraldine snapped at Lily, who was still laughing at their shocked expressions.

"Maybe he's some sort of pedophile?"

"Relax," Lily told them. "Maybe he just thought it would be a good joke."

"Well it is rather funny."

"Shut up!" Geraldine cried. "He was looking at me the whole time!Trust me when this dance is over, he's going to ask me next."

"Why are you so persistent with him?" Lily asked. "There are other guys around."

"Beause he's the dishiest one." Geraldine replied as if it was the most obvious thing.

"Er, no offense Geraldine," Lily began. "But judging by the way he brushed you off earlier, I don't think he's interested.

"How would you know?" Geraldine spat. "You don't know the first thing about boys, you being held up in a girls' boarding school or whatever nunnery you're in."

Lily just rolled her eyes at her cousin. It took her long enough to drop the act. Geraldine was glaring at her angrily. Her other cousins were quiet, noting the tense atmosphere in the table.

"I'm going for a walk," Lily said, breaking the ice. "Excuse me."

She stood up and left the table, hearing the word "bitch" mentioned between her cousins as she moved away. It was too cold to go outside and she had no one else to talk to, so Lily decided to go to the ladies' room for a while.

Once inside, she entered one of the cubicles and sat down the toilet. Perhaps she could stay there until it was all over? No one would notice her absence, right? And Geraldine can have James to herself.

While she was immersed in her thoughts, she heard footsteps enter the bathroom.

"Petunia's right!" Geraldine's voice cried from outside the cubicle. "She's such a know-it-all! He did not 'brush me off'!"

"Calm down, Ger," Lily recognized the voice of her other cousin, Laura. "You shouldn't listen to her. People say she's sent to this school for juvenile delinquents."

Geraldine chuckled. "I heard that one. It's very unlikely. That brat would squeal to her parents whenever someone does something wrong. But they did say she's really sent to this institute for the retarded. That's why her parents rarely mention her boarding school. Even Petunia won't talk about it."

Lily heard Laura scoff. "Yeah right!"

"I wouldn't be surprised. I mean, do you remember that time when we were ten? Before she was sent away to school? You and I hid Mum's jewelry in our dollhouses so we could play dress-up at the end of the day. Mum was looking for them for a week. It was hilarious! Then Lily came for the weekend and she knew exactly where the jewelry was by the time she stepped into the house."

"Oh yeah. And she claimed she can make flowers bloom in winter,"

"And she could make things move without touching them,"

"And she could jump off a swing and fly."

The two laughed loudly as they talked in front of the mirror.

Lily did remember those things. Back then, she didn't know about wizards and the magical world, but she knew she could do magic. Everyone doubted her, even her parents did. Petunia was the only one who saw the proof of her claims. She couldn't control them. Whenever she tried to show her cousins, the magic would fail her.

Once her cousins were gone, she got out of the bathroom to see that the festivities were merrier than they were before she left them. Most of the guests were dancing to the music's fast beat. She could see some uncles of hers in a corner, drunk enough to be as loud as they were.

"Lily,"

She turned to see James approaching her, his hands in his pockets. He sent her a small grin.

Lily returned the smile. "Hello again, James. Where's Gabrielle?"

"Over there." James answered, tilting his head in the direction of the little girl already half-asleep in her mother's arms in a corner. "I danced about three dances with her."

Lily arched her eyebrows. "You didn't dance with anyone else?"

James shook his head. "I only want to dance with one person." He held out his hand to her. "May I have this dance, Ms. Evans?"

Lily barely recognized that she was smiling through the short conversation. Once James offered his hand, she decided to forget what she heard in the bathroom.

"Of course." She gave him her hand and James led her to the dance floor.

There were not as many people dancing as there were at the beginning, as most of them were too drunk to maintain their balance. The bride and groom were still on the dance floor, swaying madly to the sappy song that started to play.

"So what do you think of Muggle Weddings?" Lily asked James as she placed her hands on his shoulders.

James shrugged. "They're pretty much the same. People always get drunk and spill out deep dark family secrets."

"Have you heard ones about my family?"

"Oh yes." James said. "Your Uncle Gerard often takes a piss on your Mum's favorite bamboo whenever he visits you just to piss her off. That Tristan bloke at the back of the room has a side-job of fortune-telling. Your Dad used to date your mother's sister and that girl on your table who introduced herself to me is your half-sister."

Lily chuckled. "I hope none of them are true, especially the last one."

"I take it that you don't like her very much?"

Lily's thoughts drifted to what happened in the bathroom. "No. Not really. Besides, I think one sister is enough." Her gaze went to Petunia, who was chatting loudly with Geraldine. Lily saw her cousin glaring at her, but said nothing of it.

They danced on for two songs while talking about anything that came up and laughing at the ridiculous antics of several of Lily's uncles. Lily had to admit that if it weren't for James, she would have been in one corner, fighting sleep by now. She was not into dancing or socializing or drinking. In fact, she avoids those three like a plague. With James however, the wedding turned out to be not as bas as she expected.

She was actually having fun.

The dance ended and the two agreed on taking a break.

"Would you like something to drink?" James asked Lily as they reached an empty table. No one followed the seating arrangements anymore.

"Sure." Lily answered.

"Stay right here then."

"I hope you're not planning to spike my drink with anything." Lily teased.

James smirked. "I won't need to. You're already intoxicated by my very presence."

Lily laughed as she watched him move towards the bar. After a while, she realized that the comment James made would have infuriated her if they were back at Hogwarts. It was nice seeing him outside of school for once.

(--)

James lined up at the punch bowl holding two glasses. The line was not long. Most of the people flocked around the cocktails. James just hoped that the punch was not too strong.

"Excuse me," James turned to see the same girl who introduced herself to him earlier.

"May I help you?" James said, keeping a polite tone.

"I just realized that I didn't get the pleasure of knowing your name earlier." The girl, whose name James forgot, said with a demure smile.

James pondered on giving a false name, but decided against it. "It's James. James Potter."

"Potter? Are you from the groom's side?"

James suppressed a scoff. He wasn't that beefy, wasn't he? "No. I'm a friend of the bride's family."

Before James could excuse himself, the girl went on. "Really? Petunia hasn't mentioned anything about you."

"Our parents are friends. It's actually the first time I've--"

"Geraldine!" a shrill voice interrupted James' sentence. James saw the bride approach them. Her face was flushed from alcohol and there was a noticeable sway as she walked.

"Petty!" the girl named Geraldine greeted back in the same tone. "Look who I found here. It's James Potter!"

James cringed at the way she said his name. It was like he was a product being advertised in the Wizarding Wireless.

"Mr. Potter's son?" Petunia inquired.

Of course, James thought as he nodded. What else would my Dad's name be?

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Weren't you the one dancing with my sister earlier?"

"Yes." James answered. He grinned. "She's a lovely person."

"Ah." Petunia said through gritted teeth. "Of course my sister is lovely-- if she's not in her moods."

James frowned. "Moods?"

"Oh I don't mean to talk ill of anyone today," Petunia began. "Of course, it's my wedding. But there are some times when I don't understand Lily."

"Petty!" Geraldine exclaimed with a false reprimanding look. "Don't be mean!"

"I'm not being mean! I just said I don't understand her. At her age, she still believes in magic."

The last word made James alert. He hoped that Petunia would not go on to spill the secrets of the Wizarding World. If she would, he hoped that she's drunk enough so that no one would believe her.

"Really?" Geraldine says with wide eyes. "Well I suppose that's alright. I mean, a girl can have her fantasies."

"Ugh! Don't talk to me about fantasies." Petunia said, waving her hand as if dismissing the thought. "I'm sorry if I sound too rude or anything, but I personally believe that my sister is becoming a… some freak."

James tried hard in controlling his anger. He quickly filled the glasses with punch as quickly as he could so he could get out of there, but Petunia continued.

"Right now it's gotten into the level so high that I'm anxious when I'm with her, especially in public, because something weird always happens when she's around. Do you know when we locked her up in the toilet when we were kids?"

Geraldine encouraged her. "I remember that. The loo exploded! It really scared me a lot."

"Yes, and now, though our crappers don't explode anymore, she still talks about… magic… as if it's such a normal thing. Even Mum and Dad are so used to it that they just leave her alone."

James couldn't hold his silence any longer. He picked up the glasses, careful not to break them in his hardening grip.

"Don't you think you're talking badly about her now?" he asked the bride, trying to maintain his calm. He didn't want a commotion. "I know it's your wedding, and I wish you all the happiness, but I don't think Lily deserves to be talked about like that."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Petunia slurred. "I just wanted to clear things up, just in case she'd been acting strangely, you know. She's been like that since we were little kids." She let out a small sigh. "Would you like me to introduce you to some of my cousins, James? My new sister, Marge, was inquiring after you earlier. I think she'd like to be introduced."

"No thank you," James curtly answered. "I'd like to go back to Lily. I'm sorry you think she's… queer. We go to the same school, and I think she's one of the most amazing people I've ever met."

James turned away from the two cousins' stunned faces, especially Petunia's. He wondered how she felt upon knowing that she just talked to one of those freaks.

He reached the table where he left Lily and saw that she was still there, gazing out on the dance floor. He felt his expression soften upon seeing her.

"Long line to the punch bowl?" Lily slyly asked him as he gave her glass to her.

James just smiled and shook his head in answer.

(--)

The two of them sat there, watching other people about. Lily saw James's Dad with her parents, talking animatedly with each other. He was glad to see Mr. Potter still sober. James wouldn't want to get splinched during sidelong Apparition.

The elder Mr. Dursley was snoring on a tabletop amidst the noise, ignoring the boisterous talking of the other men on the table. Empty bottles were grouped in front of them. The women were equally loud. Petunia, which seemed to have forgotten the earlier conversation, was amongst them.

Lily sighed at the sight of her newly acquired relatives. Some of them were casting her looks and whispering to each other. Marge, in particular, was glaring at her for a reason unknown to Lily.

She decided to ignore Marge and glanced at the boy beside her. He's been quiet since he returned with their drinks. He looked as if he wanted to tell her something, but didn't know how to begin.

"I can do Legilimency, you know." Lily told him with a smile. "But I'm not of age yet."

She partly meant it as a joke, but the look James gave her was serious. After a few seconds, he looked away.

"I had a talk with your sister."

So that was what he was thinking about.

"What did you talk of?"

James looked back at her. "You."

Lily cringed. "What did she say?"

"Just… stuff."

Lily gave him a sad smile. He looked awkward as he talked, but it seemed like he wanted to ask her a lot of things. Lily decided to answer his unspoken question.

"Don't mind her." She told him. "She's been like that for a long time."

"Since when?"

Lily paused before answering. "Since I got my Hogwarts letter. It's alright though. I'm quite used to it."

"But it's not right!" James cried. "What's so bad about being the only witch in the fa--"

"Would you like to take a walk?" Lily asked before he could finish. She didn't want anyone to hear them talk of anything magical.

James sighed. "Sure."

They went out of the great room and Lily got their coats from the racks in the hall. She led James out to the back of the house and into was a small empty unlit pavilion in the garden.

"Nothing's bad with being the only witch" Lily calmly answered once they were within the vine-covered pillars. "But being different is another story."

"Why is it so bad to be different?"

"Don't be naïve, James!" Lily cried impatiently. "Why do you think Purebloods hate Mudbloods like me?"

James stiffened. "Don't say that word!"

"It's reality, James!"

James broke their gaze and looked down.

"A war is raging in our world just because of the difference." Lily continued. "Not everyone is as understanding as you or as my parents."

"It's not fair," he quietly said. "You're the best in our class. You probably know more magic than any other kid in school. Hell, you probably know more than the teachers'. Even though you suck in Transfiguration," Lily rolled her eyes. "You're the best in everything else."

Lily felt her face warm up as James continued.

"As for the Muggle part, I don't know why your sister doesn't like you. But I do know that you are a way, way better person than she, or anyone else inside that house, is."

Lily looked down, conscious of the ball of emotion forming deep inside her. "That doesn't change things," she said. "Whatever happens, James, I will always be treated unfairly by both sides. No matter how hard I try to get Es in school, or how many times I volunteer to pick up Petunia's dresses, they will always look at me like I'm different! It's just the way things are."

James fell silent at her outburst. Lily fought back the tears that had started to build up. No, she would not cry.

Suddenly, James' arms were around her. At that moment, she couldn't hold the tears back anymore. After ten years, she finally cried once more.

"I'm sorry," James whispered.

(--)

Gabriel watched the exchange from a good distance. It seemed like James was doing a good job of listening to Lily. He watched as their silhouettes merged together.

"Aww, now that's a nice picture." A dry voice said from behind him. "Remind me, why are we here again?"

"Just checking up on them."

"I don't get it," his companion said as he too, watched the scene. "If you care about the Laedan so much, then why are you giving her up to Potter?"

Gabriel turned to the person and smiled. "I'm not giving anyone away, Greengrass. I don't see Lily the way Potter does."

The gray-eyed boy raised an eyebrow. "Is that why you're leaving her under his care? Because he sees her the way you don't?"

"Precisely. I thought you wouldn't be able to get that through your thick head."

His companion chuckled. "So do we get out of here already and start the actual job?"

Gabriel cast one look on the pavilion's direction and turned back to his friend. He nodded, and the two dark figures silently stepped back from the trees.

"I can't believe I'm actually doing this with you." Elijah said.

"Just be thankful I'm saving your sorry hide."

"Ouch. You're not in the mood."

"What we're about to do is something no one in the history of Hogwarts, has ever done. You know that, right?"

"I know it perfectly."

"Aren't you a bit skeptical about this then?"

"Frankly, yes, I am skeptical about all this. I just hope your plan works."

"I hope so too."

They were far from the pavilion already, and out of its hearing range. With a swift "pop", they were out of the Evans' property and inside a small, dingy room.

"Ew," Elijah said as he opened his eyes to a mass of cobwebs. "Where are we?"

"Shrieking shack."

Gabriel ignored Elijah's small sounds of disgust. To Gabriel, Elijah Greengrass was not a bad kid, but his pureblood family's wealth often gave him a lot of pressure, though they weren't going to be hexing Mudbloods anytime soon.

They went through the passageway leading to the grounds of Hogwarts.

"Where in the grounds does this lead to?"

"Whomping Willow."

"You're kidding, right?"

Gabriel didn't answer.

"Right?"

They got out of the passage and got away from the Whomping Willow unscathed. Gabriel checked on Elijah. He was still following.

They got into Hogwarts undetected. It was almost too easy to get in. It was very late, so the teachers and students (well, most of them) were probably in their quarters already. The two went through the dark corridors, discreetly donning their dark hooded cloaks and masks, just in case.

Gabriel mentally opened up the painting and the two entered the arena's foyer.

"Well," Elijah said. "This is it."

"Good luck."

"Same to you too."

They reached the main battleground and quietly started to work.

They separated. Elijah went up to the marble bleachers. Gabriel went down to the archives.

The archives were contained in a circular room downstairs. It was heavily guarded by lots of spells and curses. Gabriel reached its supposed entrance. It was made of thick stone, with the etchings of ancient runes saying the rules that only the Laedan and Speaker can access them.

I, the Laedan of Fracas, command an entrance.

The stone wall didn't move, but the runes on it slowly disappeared. Gabriel patiently waited. It was not his first time to enter the room. It was the archives' usual security measure to open fifteen minutes after you've commanded it to. After the said fifteen minutes, a door silently appeared on the wall.

Gabriel entered the room and the door quickly disappeared behind it. The room only admitted one.

It was not as grandiose as one would expect. The place was made of ordinary stone with etchings on it. All the names were in runes, and were categorized by eye color, not by year, which made things harder.

Gabriel sighed and took out a Quick-Quotes quill and parchment. Time to write down names.

(--)

(--)

Sorry this one took so long. But I'm glad I managed to make a longer than usual chapter.

Q&A

Is Gabriel really evil?

Nah. He's not. So it's okay to still like him.

Does he have feelings for Lily?

Platonic ones, yes. He cares about her and believes that she should stay unharmed.

What is Elijah doing here?

Well, he's going to play a role here, though I won't tell you what it is yet.

So I haven't been thanking people lately. So thanks to…

An Aspiring Author.

Kassandra (thanks for the comment. I'll try to improve)

Thestoicwarrior (yup, the first chaps of BD were blah)

Barnabus III

lilyre

TOPY (No, I won't buy you Gossip Girl, and writing is not spelled with an h)

0Rosina0 (Don't worry about Gabriel. He's not an idiot.)

SoIGaveUp

The Labyrinths Scribe

Jaliy

scribbles.pooksta

Read and Review, please!