Lunar New Year

Friday morning started cold and snowy, but nevertheless, January 30 is always an excellent day for Lily, since it is her birthday. Lily received many gifts from her friends including her favorite gift which had arrived bright and early that morning from her boyfriend, Severus. From the Gryffindor table, Lily visibly brightened up at the sight of Severus and sent him a heart-filled smile, who gave her a half-bow in jest and acceptance.

Looking rather grumpy Rowan rolled her eyes at the two of them before sitting down with their friends. Bethanie, Tiffany, Sylvia, and Terry, all flashed Lily smiles having had family house elves deliver their gifts earlier that morning. There was even a faint smile and a nod on Quyen Crowley's face, the girlfriend of Peter Pettigrew, who wasn't that bad once one truly got to know her.

Lily smiled gratefully at everyone and suppressed a chuckle at the dark scowl on Severus's face aimed at his twin, Rowan, before returning her attention to her friends and her roommates, Willa Sands and Mary MacDonald. Her two friends had grown so much since their first year. At times, they seemed like practically different people.

Willa Sand's once short chestnut curly hair had been grown out and now reached just past her shoulders. Willa's skin is a healthy cappuccino color with eyes that are bright and sparkling as ever. She and Thomas Bell, (the Hufflepuff Chaser) were officially dating and it seemed to be rather serious at that. Many of their friends in common fully expected the couple to end up marrying after Hogwarts. And it certainly made sense that Willa would fall for a Quidditch player since she had a fervent passion for all things Quidditch.

Frankly, it had come as a surprise to everyone that the once quiet, shy Mary MacDonald had beat out Willa to become the Gryffindor Quidditch team seeker. Over the years, the shy girl had transformed into a confident young woman in her own right. Her once long dark brown hair had been cut short just under her chin. Her shy golden-brown eyes had hardened and it seemed far more mature than her age. And far more interesting, she and Remus Lupin were dating. They were at times the polar opposite of each other, but they were so good with each other that even Lily was envious at times of their easy-going relationship.

Lily chatted happily with her friends and housemates. She received congratulations and greetings from many of the younger Gryffindor years. It was rather nice and before, she knew it was time for their first class of the day, Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Ogden. Not that Lily didn't like Professor Ogden, but she had rather preferred Professor Georgine Prince. She knew she was being biased since the two professors were excellent teachers, but she had always found Professor Prince's crisp nature refreshing.

As the fifth-year Gryffindor girls made their way up to the classroom, Lily is nudged pointedly by Willa in the ribs. Lily narrows her emerald eyes at the tall girl, before glancing down the hall. There standing further down the hall is the handsome form of James. After the presentation ball, James' untidy black hair had been grown out and now was pulled back with a hair tie. His once dark-rimmed spectacles were thin, round, and silver-rimmed drawing attention to his bright hazel eyes. He was still rather slender, but he had grown a bit over the holidays despite the tragic loss of his mother in a giant attack.

Lily's emerald eyes darkened sadly at seeing the grave solemn nature of mourning surrounding James. Though she knew that James's solemn new attractive looks had attracted a flock of female admirers. Despite the countless efforts of James' admirers, he had not paid the least attention to any of them.

A streak of guilt flashes across Lily's face, but she can't bring herself to regret her decision. She knew that James liked her, but she had been unable to accept his feelings nor reciprocate them. It simply would not have been unfair to James, and he was a close friend that she had no desire to further hurt. Far more importantly, she could not ignore her own feeling for Severus.

Lily abruptly began to flush as bright as her red hair at the mere thought. However, she would not trade her tender feelings for Severus. She knew that she really LIKED Severus and even more so. She had the inkling that her feelings would only grow stronger and truer with the passage of time to one day become love.

Lily out a soft sigh as she caught the glint of the ring on James's hand. With Rowan and James now betrothed, she truly wished them the utmost happiness. She did not understand how it had happened, but she knew it had. She could only hope that the friendship that James and Rowan shared would grow into something more like her friendship with Severus had.

Lily is pulled back to the present as they all enter their classroom. They quickly sit down in their usual seats with Lily carefully placing her bag on the seat next to her to save the seat for Severus. She didn't have to wait long when Severus arrived and nodded at her. However, instead of sitting next to her, he went to sit next to James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter.

Confused Lily chewed on her lip anxiously. Was Severus angry with her? She wondered. She unconsciously tugged on her fiery red hair. Unable to think of a single reason why Severus would be irritated with her.

The sound of her books being moved brings Lily back to the present. She hopefully glances over only to see the hope die in her emerald gaze at spotting Rowan sitting down next to her. "Hi Rowan," Lily tried to cheerfully say but failed miserably.

Seeing Lily's confused, anxious gaze Rowan privately curses Severus on the inside. "Don't worry, Lily; Severus, is not angry with you," Rowan firmly said gazing into Lily's emerald eyes. "However, he is still recuperating after his stay in the infirmary, and he just needs some space to process everything that has occurred. That's all."

Lily's emerald eyes peek over at Severus only to meet his onyx gaze. Severus's onyx gaze is firm and warm making Lily feel warm and secure on the inside. Severus offers her a faint smile, before turning away to chat with Sirius. Lily privately lets out a breath of relief that she had been holding in. Everything would be alright in the end that much she was certain of.

Feeling much better, Lily flashed Rowan a bright smile. "It's alright, I'm glad you're sitting here, Rowan." And she truly was because she knew Severus. And just like a wounded cat, Severus at times had to hide away to lick his wounds in peace.

"Mm," Rowan hummed as she pulled out her school things.

The chatter of Lily and the rest washed over Rowan, who glanced at the textbook. From what she knew, they would be learning about Protective enchantments today. The spells were used to protect an area for an extended period of time. These spells were utilized to shield specific areas but more importantly had a wide variety of applications that could be combined with many different types of protective enchantments.

It would be useful knowledge to learn Rowan thought so. Still, it would be a very long day as all the Prefects had all been summoned during the next class period to help put up Lunar Year Decorations. It was bound to be interesting at least…