Lili decided that she liked Transfiguration class. The woman from the night before had introduced herself as Professor McGonagall, and she had been very nice so far. Professor McGonagall was, at that moment in time, perched on her desk in the form of a cat. Draco had noted that Harry Potter was nowhere to be found.
And then he burst in, along with Ron. Neither of them seemed to notice that their teacher was indeed the cat on the desk. Certainly not Ron, who was talking loud enough for the whole class to hear. "Whew! We made it, mate. Can you imagine old McGonagall's face if we were late first day out."
Lili glanced up, seeing the cat's eyes narrow. It was no surprise when the cat transformed into McGonagall, though it was clearly a surprise to the two boys.
"That was bloody brilliant!" Ron said loudly.
McGonagall was not impressed. "Thank you for that assessment, Mr Weasley. But perhaps it might be more useful if I transfigured Mr Potter or yourself into a pocket watch. That way one of you might be on time."
"We got lost," Harry said simply.
"Then perhaps a map. I trust you don't need one to find your seats?" McGonagall waited for the two boys to take a seat. "Transfiguration is some of the most complex, dangerous and valuable magic you will learn at Hogwarts. Use it skillfully and it may, one day, save your life. Make a mistake and you could find yourself with a toad's head and a monkey's tail." She opened a book. "All right then. Shall we?"
--
Lili decided that she didn't like potions. Or more specifically, she didn't like Snape. She already knew him, as he'd visited the Malfoy Manor many times before. She got bad vibes from him.
"There will be no foolish wand waving or silly incantations in this class. As such, I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion making. However, for those select few..." Snape glanced at Draco beside her, and then Lili felt his gaze move to her. She ignored him, not wanting to make eye contact. "...who possess the predisposition, I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death. Then again, maybe some of you have come to Hogwarts in possession of abilities so formidable that you feel confident enough to...not pay attention."
Snape's eyes burned into Harry, who seemed to suddenly share Lili's hatred for Snape. "Mr Potter. Our new...celebrity. Tell me. What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" Harry didn't know, but Hermione did. Snape ignored her completely. "You don't know. Well, let's try again. Where, Mr Potter, would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"
"I don't know, sir."
"And the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"
"I don't know, sir."
"Pity. Clearly fame isn't everything, is it, Mr Potter?"
"Clearly Hermione knows. It seems a pity not to ask her."
A few Gyffindors laughed, and Lili couldn't help but giggle softly herself. Snape did not like that.
"Silence! And put your hand down, you silly girl!" Hermione wilted, and Snape stepped menacingly towards Harry. "For your information, Potter, asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of the Living Dead. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons. As for monkshood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant, which also goes by the name of aconite."
Snape stood up, gesturing to the other students. "Well, why aren't you all copying this down? And Gryffindors. Note that five points will be taken from your House for your classmate's cheek."
--
All the first years were in the Great Hall, hanging at their respective tables during a break between classes. Not really having any friends in Hufflepuff yet, Lili was sitting with Draco. When the mail began to arrive, both of the siblings got a letter. They were both similar, but Draco's was more warming than Lili's.
"We are greatly disappointed in you, Lilianna." She was reading aloud to Draco. "You should have gotten sorted into Slytherin. Draco did it. It's not too hard. Just be lucky that we do not disown you, as that is a real possibility. Do not strike out. We are warning you."
"I bet you Mother had no part in that letter."
"Of course Mother had no part in it. It's always Father. He's the one who pushes me to be like you, even though it's very clear that I am not. Mother doesn't like that I'm different, but she would never act the way Father does."
"But he says you aren't being disowned. That's a good thing. As far as they are concerned, you are still a Malfoy. And you won't be removed from the family tree like the traitors."
"If I'm being perfectly honest with you, I don't think any of them were truly traitors. They just did things that weren't liked by our family."
"Of course you would think like that."
"Did you ever stop to think that the people in our family aren't good people? Because they're not. Don't think I haven't seen Father's Dark Mark on his arm, or Aunt Bellatrix's in photos. I'm just glad Mother doesn't have one."
"I do suppose you're right about that."
"Just...promise me you won't ever get one? A Dark Mark. Please don't join Voldemort or his Inner Circle. He's not a good person, Draco. And you are. I know it."
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