The Year of the Revolution II. The Discovery of Friendship

9. Farewell

That's how it was. As soon as Lily entered the Great Hall with her housemates, all excited about the impending trip, she the most, of course, and saw Sev in uniform, standing out strongly among the rest of the students dressed in black robes, she knew that he was not going to take the Express. 'Tobias.'

She held back her huge disappointment and managed to pretend faking smiles until she reached her seat. She looked at him, he was giving her the Haven gesture. She nodded and watched him speak briefly to Avery and walk away.

In the brief glance that she had given him she had known perfectly, because a month ago he had looked the same for almost two weeks, that he must have spent the night awake, ruminating. 'So he's known since yesterday and he hasn't done anything to warn me.'

Her disappointment turned to anger, thinking that he could have sent an owl to the Gryffindor Room or her dorm. She began to eat, and after the first few bites she pretended to be sick. Her housemates were talking animatedly making plans for the holidays.

She told Cecile, "I think breakfast is making me sick," putting her hands to her stomach.

"It must be the nerves for the trip, I'll accompany you to the bathroom," Cecile replied, making a gesture of getting up.

"No, no, I'm going alone, otherwise you're going to miss out on breakfast..." she said, taking her forearm and squeezing it tightly.

Cecile looked into her eyes for a moment, understanding. "Okay, but stop by the Infirmary so Poppy can give you something, otherwise you're going to have a bad time on the Express." She sat down again.

"Yes, calm down, I'll do that." She hurried out as if she were indeed feeling ill, but calm because Cecile, with a single gesture and look, had understood everything, had provided her with a good alibi and knew that she would cover her back before the rest as she did that time in the Astronomy Tower. And without having told her anything.

She left the Great Hall while numerous students were still entering, and went to the second floor, which was empty, since no house was located there. She went up the passageway to the fifth and then down the east corridor. She walked all the way unhurriedly, fighting to contain her deep disappointment and her anger. When she arrived at the Haven's door, took several deep breaths before opening it, so as not to storm in.

But when she opened the door and saw Sev on the couch, on his side, with his legs drawn up and hugging himself, and hearing her he turned to her, with surprise but above all, deep sadness in his eyes, she lost suddenly all her anger.

Sev didn't expect her until after breakfast. "Lily... How did you come so soon...?"

"Easy, Sev, Cecile covers me," approaching the dais.

He questioned her with his gaze.

"I'll tell you later. You aren't coming home. Tobias, right?" Meanwhile she climbed the high step and sat next to him, adopting the same posture as him, symmetrically facing each other, looking into his eyes, and took his hand in hers.

'I've get out of words. Lily has figured it all out and she's not desperate, she's very much in control of herself.'

He only managed to say, "Yes..."

"Since when do you know?" she asked very sweetly.

"I got an owl from Mum at the end of dinner..."

Lily shook her head but she did not lose her calm or softness. "And instead of notifying me and deciding it together, you spent the night without sleeping, ruminating," removing a lock of hair from his forehead.