Lily in the Shadows

Chapter 23: The Aftermath (Blurb)

(The first half takes place right after Lily drags Draco and Marcus off, and the second half takes place the next day after the last chapter.)

Swiftly walking through the dungeons, the only sounds are multiple pairs of shoes clacking against the stone and the grumbles and whines of pain from the two boys being dragged by the ear. The boys don't say anything specifically, assuming they will be taken to the dungeon and perhaps 'grounded' for the rest of the evening to their dorms after an earful. That is why when they pass the common room entrance and instead turn down the hallway leading to the potions classroom. Suddenly all four boys begin protesting in fear. They were hoping to go at least a little longer without their professor ripping into them. Professor Snape was hosting detention for a few misguided students and had to miss the match. As the group barges into his classroom, she draws the eyes of the professor, Colin Creevy, and Neville Longbottom. Releasing the two boys she walks the rest of the way to his desk as they reluctantly trail behind her.

She crossed her arms, passed Snape's desk, and leaned on his chair. "You will not believe what these fools have done now."

Burying his face in his hand she sighs, "Oh, what happened?"

"They dressed up as dementors, walked out onto the pitch, and tried to scare everyone at the match. Harry hit them with a spell. Knocked them down and made fools of them and the entirety of Slytherin's house."

Severus would've groaned in annoyance if he wasn't so angry. The last thing they need is to insight a riot. Pulling a stack of parchment from his desk, he removes four pieces and passes them to Lily along with ink and a quill. Standing he walks to the front, leaning back against the dark wood. "Write to their parents, please. Put everything you have told me along with the fact that they will each receive two weeks' detention with me. And five points from Slytherin each."

Nodding Lily walks behind the desk sitting in his comfy chair and ignoring the quiet protests of the boys left behind. Standing at his full height he makes an imposing figure. The boys go silent staring at him with fear. Severus began to scold them earnestly, his voice rising with frustration as he laid into them for their reckless behaviour. She doesn't mind the yelling, which is odd. Usually hearing yelling makes her so nervous, and makes her insides jitter, but not his yelling. Lily proceeds to write the four letters with little to no problem before pulling his wax kit out of a drawer, melting and stamping the wax on the letters with his Slytherin stamp. Man, I need to get one of these.

Gathering the letters she sees Severus getting the boys set up in their first detention before leaving for the owlery.

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The next day breakfast is tense, Sirius Black has been spotted not only in the castle but in the Gryffindor boy's dormitory. Sitting with her brother and his friends Lily cannot help but listen intently as Ron tells the story. The crowd around them gasped as well as oohing and ahhing at appropriate times. Ron flourished under the attention, having heard the story a few times she notices that his story just gets more and more embellished.

The slightly tense morning is split in two by not one, not two, not three, but four screaming mothers echoing the call via howler. Three of the four Slytherin boys can be seen running from the room as flying red notes bite at them. Looking at the lone boy sitting there, a head of white-blond hair is visible looking down at the table.

Excusing herself, Lily crosses the call and sits next to Draco. Snuffles has his head resting against the boy's leg as his head is patted. She holds his hand as the sound of his mother begrudges him. Before shredding itself the letter turns to Lily, Narcissa gives Lily her thanks for keeping Draco on track and that she should visit soon. The eldest Malfoys miss her. It then shreds itself apart and Lily rests her head against Draco's shoulder.

They both sigh, and the sound of the hall slowly fills back with talking. Draco leans his head against hers, gripping her hand harder as he closes his eyes.