Lili had not enjoyed the nine week holiday between her first and second year. It had been close to hell, with Lili's only happiness coming in the form of her twelfth birthday. But even that was short-lived, and soon it was time to go to Diagon Alley to purchase books for the new year.
Lili was waiting outside Borgin and Burkes, having refused to go in with her father and brother. The store creeped her out, and she didn't feel a need to go in anyway. When they came out, she just trailed behind. She became excited when they approached Flourish and Blotts, running in to have a look at the books right in the front of the shop. She didn't care for the very obvious crowd surrounding the author Gilderoy Lockhart.
Lili was distracted by Draco getting up and walking down the steps, so she put the book away and looked over the balcony. Her eyes trailed over the conversation that was happening, seeing George standing behind his family just below her. She swung her legs over the balcony railing and dropped the short distance, popping up and surprising him.
"George! Hi!"
"Oh, hey Lili. Your brother and father are being assholes right now."
"Oh, yeah. They do that. I've come to ignore them. Anyway...I looked over how to play Qudditch in the holidays and I think I got the hang of it. I want to try out for the Hufflepuff team."
"That's awesome! You look like you have beater spirit in you."
Lili opened her mouth to say something more before her father interrupted her. "Lilianna! We are leaving now. Leave that filthy Weasley boy alone."
"Ugh, I'm sorry about him. I guess I'll see you at school?"
"Yeah, see you at school."
"Lilianna!"
"Bye George."
--
Lili sat on the train, boredly staring out the window. Draco sat opposite her, and she could feel his eyes burning into her shoulder. She turned to face him.
"What do you want, Draco?"
"You need to stay away from that Weasley boy. And the Diggory boy."
"Cedric is my best friend."
"He's not a pure-blood."
"But he's been nicer to me at school than you have been so far. Why would I give that up? And using your own argument, why should I stop hanging out with George? He's a pure-blood."
"You know why, Lilianna."
"Excuse me? Since when have you ever called me that?"
"Since you started acting like a brat."
"A brat? I believe that you're the brat. Oh, sorry. The asshole."
"Don't speak to me like that."
"So I can't stand up to you but you're allowed to talk condescendingly to me? Why are you suddenly treating me like Father treats me? I'm your sister."
"You won't be much longer if you keep acting like you're acting."
"Well maybe I don't want to be your sister, Draco. Did you ever think about that?"
"And why wouldn't you?"
"You're an asshole! And you're rude. You seem to make it a daily occurrence to nag Potter when he's done absolutely nothing wrong. You're turning into Father."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"Yes!"
"If you dislike it so much, leave!"
"Fine! I will!" She stormed out of their carriage, walking down the row to find Cedric's one. The Weasley twins were inside. She knocked on the door, then opened it. They could tell that she was angry.
"What's up?" George asked.
"Had a fight with Draco. He's an asshole. Don't want to talk about it."
--
The next morning, Lili was feeling better. She was still annoyed at Draco, but it wasn't as much as the previous day. In the greenhouse, Lili figured that she would like Herbology. The teacher was her House head, and she seemed very comforting.
Professor Sprout tapped her wand on a stack of pots. "Welcome to Greenhouse Three, second-years. Today, we will be re-potting Mandrakes. Now, who here can tell me the properties of the Mandrake? Yes, Miss Granger."
"Mandrake, or Mandragora, is use to return those who have been transfigured to their original state. It's also quite dangerous. The Mandrake's cry is fatal to anyone who hears it."
"Excellent. Ten points to Gryffindor. As our Mandrakes are only seedlings, their cries won't kill yet. However, they will knock you out for several hours. That is why I have provided each of you with a pair of earmuffs. If you would then..."
Lili put her earmuffs on, as did the other second-years in the greenhouse. Sprout lead them to the garden area, pulling one of the tufty plants out. An ugly and muddy baby popped out of the pot, screaming it's head off. Out of the corner of her eye, Lili saw Neville faint to the ground.
Sprout plunged the Mandrake back into the pot and then took her earmuffs off, with the students doing so as well. "Hmm. Looks as though Mr Longbottom neglected his muffs."
Seamus looked down at Neville beside him, then back up at Sprout. "No, ma'am. He's just fainted."
"Very well. We'll just leave him then. Come now. Four to a tray, plenty of pots to go round..."
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