Turbulence

Chapter Ten - Stress relief

Lily hadn't had a real conversation with her friends for a long time. She missed the fun and talks they used to have. It wasn't that James wasn't funny and interesting, but it just wasn't the same. Her friends knew her better than anyone else on the planet.

Lily arrived down at breakfast and found her friends straight away, who were, for once, not with the Marauders. It was perfect timing.

"Hey guys." She said, sitting down next to them.

"Hi Lils," Morgan greeted.

"We haven't seen you in a while." Louise smiled.

"Exactly why I'm here," Lily said happily.

"What do you have in mind?" Morgan asked.

"I was thinking a little girls night... We can all camp in the Heads common room and I'll kick James out. Oh, and I'll bring some food." Lily suggested. The girls' faces lit up. They'd all been under so much stress lately, what with homework and You-Know-Who out there. They could use some fun.

"That sounds perfect," Louise said, "what time?"

"Nine o'clock tonight?" Lily said. The girls nodded. "Great. I've got to run; Divination first."

Lily stuffed a piece of toast down her mouth and walked out of the Great Hall. The Divination classroom was at the top of the North Tower; it would take her a while to get there. After travelling up several staircases, she arrived at the classroom. She climbed the ladder to the overly-heated and decorated room. Her usual seat near the window was free. Lily still didn't know why she continued Divination. It was much more interesting a couple of years ago, but now she knew it was just plain stupid. Lily daydreamed through the whole class. The pondered about tonight, James, her soft comfy bed - not that they were related... Still, her Divination teacher didn't know when she hadn't even touched her moon chart. How ridiculous, trying to read the future through moons. Divination finished and now she had History of Magic, which wasn't much more interesting, but she took notes like a good little girl. It didn't turn out to be as bad as she thought it would be. Lily had to stop herself from laughing out loud when James turned the teachers wig green, so he looked like an old wrinkly clown, or when he levitated his books over Snape's head. Next subject was Potions, which Lily excelled at but usually dreaded. Her teacher, Professor Slughorn, wouldn't stop fawning over her and her potions skills, sometimes commenting that she was better than Severus. Snape didn't seem to like that much. He used to be happy for Lily when they were friends, but now it just made him shoot dirty looks at Lily and Slughorn. At lunch break, it was a frosty Friday afternoon and she was sitting with the Marauders in one of the many courtyards in Hogwarts.

"What's everyone up to tonight?" Remus asked. He was sitting next to Louise again. They had been spending quite a lot of time together. Whenever Lily and Morgan asked about Remus, Louise blushed and quickly changed the subject. They never expected that she and Remus would like each other, but opposites attract, right? It seemed that way with James and Lily.

Morgan was about to answer but Lily quickly cut in. "Nothing, just having a quiet night." She said, sitting next to James on one of the benches, hands entwined. Morgan and Louise cast Lily questioning looks. Lily quickly shook her head, telling them to play along.

"Alright then..." Sirius said, looking between the girls, and then looked to James. "Is she always this weird?"

James laughed. "She's usually worse." Lily scoffed and punched his arm.

"Women..." Sirius whispered under his breath, but Lily knew he meant for Morgan to hear, who was right next to him.

"I heard that!" She slapped the back of his head.