We sneak back to the common room with no problems and collapse on the couch for a few minutes. Lily and I are in the middle with Sirius beside me and James beside her. Sirius's arm is snugly around me and I'm happy resting my head on his shoulder while James seems to be trying very hard to touch Lily without seeming that he's touching her. Lily, on the other hand, is shoving her nose in her notes that she took tonight.

"I wrote everything he said down, but can barely understand it. We'll have to go over things in the morning. Maybe make a few lists for each thing he said with various possibilities." She goes on, shutting her eyes midway through to stave off the tiredness.

"Hey, Evans, not that you know this, but after a successful night of breaking rules and not getting caught, the tradition is to relax after. Not wind yourself up." He tells her and Sirius and I hum amusedly when Lily looks between us. She sighs and nods, shutting the little book to wiggle back on the couch. Her feet hop up and her cheeks darken just a bit when this puts her and James closer together. I look over at Sirius just as he looks down at me and winks.

"Thanks for coming out with me tonight," I tell the group and all eyes turn to me. "I know it was a risk and close at times, but I really appreciate it."

"Don't worry about it, Mane. That's what family does." James shrugs with a tired but pleased grin. The word family resonates in my head and I glance up to Sirius and find a little smile on his face.

"Feels good, doesn't it?" He whispers just for me to hear and I nod against his shoulder. Only he understands what it feels like to gain family like this. To choose family.

"Yeah. It does." I murmur and just can't stop my eyes from shutting.

* * * * *

SNAP

I wince at the sudden influx of light and blink, my eyes fluttering open to the blurry image of Remus with a camera. "What?" I ask anyone in the relative vicinity and see Peter giggling next to Remus, then feel an arm tighten around me. Looking up reveals Sirius holding me tight to his chest with my head tucked under his chin. My entire body flushes with fire and I'm quick to disentangle myself and stand.

"Hey-" He complains before looking around himself. On the other side of the couch sit Lily and James waking as well. Lily had fallen a bit and now rests across James's lap with her head facing the fire half on his thigh and the other half on the pillow. His wrist is just under her neck and his other hand rests on her stomach. They both face each other at the same time and their eyes get really big.

"Remus, what's the big idea taking a picture?" Sirius asks as he stands too and rubs his eyes. Moony is shaking out the picture with a shit-eating grin on his face.

"It's important to treasure your memories, Padfoot." He responds, but can't quite move fast enough for Lily. She grabs the photo and stomps over to the stairs. She hesitates before looking back to the boys as I sidle next to her.

"Mention this to anyone and I'll hex you every day for a month." She swears and they all quickly nod. Sheepishly, I follow her up the stairs and into the dorm. We both slide into bed and close our curtains to the rest of the room, leaving the curtain open towards one another. The picture is held gingerly in her hands, smoothing out a corner accidentally bent.

"Would you make me a copy?" I ask her quietly and her eyes snap up to mine. They soften as she nods.

"Would you help me animate it?" She asks back and I smile.

"Yeah."

We sleep half the day away before finishing our homework quietly in the dorm, then emerging for lunch.

"He said danger comes when we're alone. You shouldn't go anywhere alone then." Lily says, her mind tirelessly working to understand Firenze's words.

"Well, then that's going to make showering rather awkward." I tease and she nearly smiles.

"Mm, very funny. But this is serious, Arell. When centaurs talk about danger, they're not thinking failed exams or a broken arm from Quidditch. They're talking life or death." She says and I look over at her searing green eyes. I blow out a long breath and nod.

"I got it, Lily. I'll be careful." I promise and that seems to relieve a bit of the weight from her shoulders. "For now though, let's just focus on getting something to eat? I'm famished." She laughs as we enter the great hall, but stops as soon as she sees James. He looks hilariously like a deer in headlights when they lock eyes, but then Lily turns and sits on the very edge of the last bench. Trying not to laugh, I settle across from her. Food appears in front of us and it's a relief to fill my stomach.

"Tell me you have plans that I can join you in doing after this." Lily pleads and I glance over at James still staring at her. Chuckling, I nod and stand with a basket of chips.

"I'm headed to Garrett's practice. You're welcome to come with me." She almost jumps out of her seat and entwines my arm with hers as we walk out. It's brisk today. I'm just in my white tank-top, a borrowed dusty yellow cardigan from Lily, and jeans. Should've grabbed my scarf too.

"So, you're just going to this practice, for your house's longest rival, because you and Garrett are friends?" Lily asks with a little smirk on her face. I have a small smile of my own, but instead of answering I just raise my eyebrows at her.

"Oh, so we can talk about guys?" I ask and she sighs, screwing up her mouth a bit as she thinks.

"How about this, we can talk about guys with one another but everything we say is confidential. Best friend privilege." Amusement shoots through me, but I like being called her best friend.

"Deal." I agree and she looks at me expectantly. "Me first then. Right. I like Garrett. He makes me laugh, makes me feel beautiful, and makes me feel confident." A little smile alights my face just thinking about him. "But until I really get the swing of things at Hogwarts, including Quidditch, I'm not going to date anyone." She nods and I can tell she's accepting what I've said.

"And what about Sirius? You've fallen asleep on him twice now." She reminds me and my cheeks brush red.

"Someone being comfortable doesn't mean I have a crush on them." Lily laughs softly at that and I smile back. "Look, Sirius is complicated. In a lot of ways we're really alike. Our family life, how important friends are to us, a certain penchant for getting into trouble. But he likes to flirt-"

"But that's just a front, Arell, he's kissed maybe three girls since being at Hogwarts." Lily points out and my eyebrows raise. Well, he certainly is successful at maintaining an image. "He barely notices girls except the spare wink or wave excepting you. He only ever talks to other girls and that's sparingly, but he flirts with you all the time. He shared his hot chocolate with you." I snicker at the insinuation that that's a big deal but shrug.

"Okay, maybe we like each other. But the rules still apply for him as well as Garrett. We'll see maybe later into the year." I allow and Lily sighs, but seems ready to accept that. "What about you and James? There's a lot going on there and its obvious." She groans as we enter the pitch and climb the stairs.

"He's such an idiot most of the time. Reckless, rude, arrogant, cocky, ugh." She shakes her head before her expression softens. "Then there are those damn moments like last night where he's funny, caring, sweet, and he'll always do anything for his friends. Those times I think...maybe. But they're few and far between. He needs to grow the hell up." She finishes as we reach our seats, getting a few bewildered and even slightly hostile looks from other Slytherins watching tryouts.

"Lily, we're sixteen. We all need to grow up." I tease and she shoves me playfully.

"Fifteen, but I get what you're saying. Besides, Potter only looks fifteen. He's really five." We both chortle at that until I spy Garrett. I wave at him and see his eyes widen, then I see his smile.

"Oi, don't distract our players!" One of the Slytherins from down the bench objects. He's got slicked back light brown hair, brown eyes, and a sharp jaw. Both Lily and I feel for our wands reflexively.

"It's fine, Creary, they're with me." Garrett floats over and assures the boy. He sits down and I look thankfully to Garrett.

"Thanks," I tell him and lean against the edge to be a bit closer to him. "Can't wait to see you in action. Like a moving picture I've heard." He grins a bit wider and floats closer.

"Hey, you can't reuse my lines to me." He accuses.

"Oh, so it was just a line you fed me?" I ask and he chuckles.

"Actually it was off the top of my head, but it was so good I made a mental note."

"Keep talking like that and I'll knock you off your broom."

"That will be your job when we're playing with each other."

"Then you better make the team to give me the chance." I gesture to the team lining up and he glances to it, then back to me.

"Right, I should go. Got any good luck charms for me?" He asks and I pretend to think about it a moment.

"Oh right, just here." I hold out my hand and then turn it so my middle finger is up. He laughs loud enough to fill the pitch before I grab hold of his uniform and tug him close enough to just barely peck his cheek. "Good luck." I bid him and he nods.

"I'll take both, Arell." I shove him away as he laughs and joins the rest of his team. I sit next to Lily who has quite the smirk on her face before the trials start. Garrett goes last since he spoke to me, but he's good. Really good. He uses his whole body like the pros do and that means he can turn on a dime and dive faster than nearly all the rest of his team. I'll admit it, watching him is kind of a turn-on. The group of girls to our right thinks the same thing since when he waves to me, they shoot me dirty looks.

"He's good, Arell," Lily tells me and I nod happily. It's always a thrill to play with the really good ones. After it ends Lily and I hop up and are about to head down when one of those girls slides in front of the doorway. My wand is instantly in my hand.

"You've got no business flirting and being around this team." She says to both of us.

"Garrett's my friend," I tell her and tug Lily closer to me.

"There are no friends here for you, mud-bloods." Another girl spits behind us and I turn so Lily and I are back to back. My teeth grit together at the slur.

"Didn't know you spoke for the whole of Slytherin house." Lily sasses before taking a breath when wands are drawn. "If you don't want us here, then let us leave." Lily manages to grind out and a Hufflepuff hops up from the stands to whisper quickly to the girl at the door. She pulls the Slytherin aside and we're quick to slip out. We run down the stairs and slide to the side where there's an opening in the house tarps. Lily has tears in her eyes that she wipes away angrily.

"I'm so sorry, Lily. I should've known there would be prejudiced people here." I apologize and she waves my apology off.

"We both should have known. It's not your fault, Arell." She sniffs and I produce tissues for her. "You'd think we'd be used to it by now." She chuckles humorlessly and I try to smile reassuringly at her.

"We should never become used to being called that, Lily," I tell her with steel in my voice and my eyes. Her shining green eyes meet mine and she nods.

"Let's go. I'd rather not suffer more humiliation at being caught crying. Am I good?" She asks and I nod the affirmative. We head out arm in arm and catch Garrett looking around for us.

"Hey! Are both of you alright? Creary told me what happened." He rushes over and looks us both up and down, then gestures to the boy behind us that heckled earlier. He waves. "He's a Quidditch fanatic, moonlights as the announcer, but doesn't like prejudice. I'm really sorry." He apologizes to us both and it makes me feel all warm inside.

"Not your fault, Garrett, but thank you." I smooth a hand down his arm with a smile. "Anyway, you were amazing. I look forward to completely squashing you when we play." He laughs as we begin to walk back to the castle with Creary on the other side of Garrett.

"Hey, sorry about earlier. Thought maybe you both were just trying to throw off the team. You play Quidditch?" He asks and there's no malice or anger in his voice anymore. I nod.

"Hopefully you're talking to the new Gryffindor beater."

"Almost definitely talking to the Gryffindor beater." Lily corrects and I smile over at her.

"Cool. That's a tough position." He looks me up and down a bit. "You must be really muscular."

"Hey now Creary, I'm trying to woo her first so don't get any ideas." Garrett fends off his friend and I chuckle. Creary raises his hands in surrender with a grin on his face.

"Alright, alright. What about you? Lily, right?" He asks and Lily shakes her head.

"Just a spectator and supporter."

"Then you're welcome to sit beside me anytime. I'll fend off the assholes and maybe you can add a bit of softness to my image." She laughs softly and my eyes widen at bit at the obvious flirting. Good for her.

"I'll consider it, thank you." She allows as we enter the castle.

"I need a shower, but after that, we're probably headed to lunch. Sit together?" Garrett offers with those pretty, earnest, green eyes.

"But how will we decide which table?" I tease and he smirks.

"Easy. Whichever you want."