A crash of armor (Lily)

[MOLLY PREWETT]

Molly scowled to herself as she marched the hallways of Hogwarts. She was heading to the library, with her bag swung over one shoulder and a piece of parchment held tightly in her hand. She knew the words written upon it off by heart, not because it was of any particular significance but because it was short and brief, instructing Molly to meet her best friend in the library where they would be revising Charms together. Even though Molly was a year older than Lily, Lily was exceptionally gifted at Charms and spent a lot of her time going through Molly's homework with her and understanding and practicing herself. Seventh year work was a breeze for her, and since she was also quite talented in Potions (Molly was the latter), she had been Molly's personal tutor for all of last year and the beginning of this year as well. She was incredibly grateful for her friends generosity, time and patience, but that was not why she was scowling. Accidentally kicking a suite on armor on the fifth floor, Molly jumped back in surprise when it shouted at her for her carelessness. She recovered from the shock and hastily moved down the hall, avoiding the stares of students around her that came with her collision.

"Stupid bewitched armor, telling me to watch out.." Molly muttered under her breath and picked up her pace. She'd been held back in Transfiguration asking questions about their homework assignment and wanted to see Lily and get some study done before they went down to the great hall for dinner. Groaning at the thought of her Transfiguration homework, Molly bitterly pulled back the oak doors that stood in front of the library and scanned the aisles. Being a redhead like herself had it's perks, as it made it extremely easy to find one another in crowds or open spaces. Spotting Lily facing a window near the back, Molly approached her with some relief rising in her chest when she knew her suppressed anger would soon fade in the company of Lily. Putting her bag down carefully on the table so she would not frighten her, Molly offered her friend a grin and pulled back a chair for herself, immediately slumping in front of the desk as if she had just witnessed a very long and energy-consuming day.

"NEWTS," Molly groaned, putting her head into her hands. "Fucking NEWTS, Lils." Molly expected her work load to increase tenfold in her final year, but it did not mean that she was looking forward to it. "We've been back.. how long? A week or something? I have essays for EVERY subject!" she threw her hands up dramatically to added effect. She had exaggerated, for she did not have any homework for Potions except to read the ingredients and directions for the Europium Elixir, but it still required her attention for the most part. Molly cleared her throat and put on her best voice of their charms teacher, mimicking exactly what she had told her class a few days ago. "NEWTS are the most important examinations of your magical education. Should you choose not to take them seriously, your results will seriously affect your chances in perusing your ideal career... yadda yadda ya!" Molly finished with a huff. "Easy for people like you,"

[/color] she continued, pulling out her Charms textbook as she spoke. "You're a genius, so you won't have much trouble next year. It's just me whose struggling, and after a week if that! Enjoy this exam-free year while you can," Molly concluded with a small smile, already feeling better now she had vented to her about the homework that was making her so stressed. "But anyway, thanks for meeting me here. Did you actually want to study or did you want to gossip? Because quite frankly I don't mind either," Molly threw her a mischievous grin and opened her textbook to the current topic they were covering, just in case they decided to get a tiny bit of work done.[/blockquote][/size]

[lily]

The library, if one was often going to seek out Lily Evans long after classes had ended usually the Prefect would be in the library, a home away from home only second to the Gryffindor common room. She simple felt at ease with books, given access (even if only on the rarest occasion) to those that were restricted, often times counting on Severus to grab her a book or two when she asked as he seemed to have gained the love from the librarians to take from it what he needed. Also a place like this she often didn't find Potter and his friends so she was safe from his advances when he chose to make them. Even here he really couldn't protest too much if she refused to meet him at Hogsmeade again.

Still as much as she loved books not a single novel or a theory on spells could take the place of someone to talk to. They could never be as close to her as Sev was, or as fun as the girls around the dorms as many now in the heat of school had become fully entrenched in dates to Hogsmeade and gossip, or even...

"NEWTS----Fucking NEWTS, Lils."

Molly Prewett.

Lily had shown up earlier that day to help Molly with her studies, but of course as time began to tick by minute by minute even the studious Lily Evans found herself rather bored without the company of another certain ginger haired girl. Of course as she looked out the library window watching the Ravenclaw Quidditch team flying about in practice thinking that this year they had a fantastic chance of winning the tournament, the very harsh voice made her cringe and grin at the same time as it cursed and used a name very few used for the Prefect. "I take it that it's been a long day?" Her friend had a sharp tongue, something that Lily appreciated while other girls would grumble and snipe behind closed doors, Molly, much like she was doing right now, would often make it very clear what she thought.

She laughed softly turning back towards Molly, "First off...I am not a genius. Not by a long shot. You've seen me practicing Defense. Or rather breaking part of my bed trying to not fail at practicing." She pointed a finger at the other girl moving to take her seat back with her books, "Secondly, that was a bloody spot on impression of the Professor, except you need a little bit more arrogance in your voice." She giggled leaning forward as a few younger years peeked down the aisle of books at all the commotion. With Molly Lily really didn't care about what people saw or thought, she wasn't concerned about coming off as prim and proper with the other girl being so at ease even in her ranting.

Closing her book she sat down and leaned back, "I think a bit of talking would do us some good actually. I doubt the essays and books will mind us, not like they're going anywhere. Don't you?" She joked lightly, drumming her fingers along a hard book cover, looking around before she pulled out a small bag of Bott's beans from the pocket of her robe and set it down between them, her endless sweet tooth never allowing a treat to be far from her reach or be without something to share other than gossip.

[MOLLY PREWETT]

Molly flashed Lily an apprehensive grin and promptly snapped her textbook shut, and rested her head on her hands supported by her elbow. If she could count on anybody to know her better than she did herself, it was Lily. Even if the nagging voice in the back of her mind told her that if she didn't start on at least one of her homework tasks now, she would fall behind, but Molly ignored her conscience at threw her long red hair over her shoulder. Although Lily's hair was a lighter shade of ginger to Molly, they werent much different in looks. Lily was at least three inches taller than Molly though, slim and all legs while Molly often complained of her stouty-like appearance. Though she was often reassured that her height didn't do anything to falter her body image, Molly always thought Lily was stunning. It was then at that moment that she remembered seeing Lily before she left the common room to attend the dance (the one Molly had most unfortunately missed an invite to) and straightened up with a jolt in her chair. "You still haven't told me the details about the dance!"

[/color] Molly reminded Lily excitedly, assuming she had approval to talk about things outside of study. Though she had been mildly disappointed about not attending herself, she took pleasure in knowing Lily was invited and counted on her for all the gossip. "Your dress was beautiful. Did you still end up going with.. ah,"[/color] Molly leant in closer to the table and lowered her voice "...Severus then?[/color]

Unlike most a lot of students here at Hogwarts, Molly knew that Lily did not care about her "social status" and who she thought to be popular and unpopular. Both Lily and Molly, with most modesty, were likely girls with their strong personalities and good-willed nature. But Lily was always contradicting her popularity with her refusal to date James Potter, another Gryffindor who was considered "cool" by his peers. All except to Lily, that is. Lily also was known to be friends with an less popular boy in her same year, Severus Snape, and was usually a victim of outrageous gossiping and rumors because of this. Why should some pretty, fun and outgoing like Lily waste her time with a lone, Slytherin boy who had no other friends? Molly, for one, did not know, but she respected her friends opinion on others too much to hold it against her. While other girls they knew whispered behind their hands to each other whenever they saw her with him, Molly shrugged it off. Though she wasn't a fan of Severus herself, she was careful what she said about him around Lily in case she took offense. "I mean, he was already invited anyway wasn't he? Was he nervous? Were you nervous?"[/color] Molly kept her voice down to avoid earvesdroppers but sounded anxious all the same. "I bet that kept Potter's mouth shut all night. I saw him look up hopefully at me in the common room earlier when I walked in, by the way. Not the red-head he was hoping for, I'm sure. Maybe he wants to talk to you. Who cares," [/color] Molly blew her fringe from across her forehead lazily. Considering her own love life was so dull, Molly was always up to date with Lily's, especially when it came to infamous James Potter and his one thousand and one ways to unsuccessfully woo Lily Evans. [/size][/blockquote]

[lily]

With textbooks now shut and put away, candy out, and students paying less attention to the two rather well known gingers in the upper years the girls were left to their talk. Molly, Lily remembered meeting Molly for the first time in her second year, listening to her over the table at dinner one night she'd just been surprised at the Third year, a pureblood, the fiery red hair, the personality that matched it all too well...oh she was a joy to listen to and in over hearing her complain about homework the younger Gryffindor had pipped up. When most brushed her off she slowly found herself helping Molly more and more, and just in general finding herself a new friend. At the time she realized that Severus wouldn't be around for her, and to find and have Molly became a blessing.

Now as she listened to her ask about the dance Lily gave a small groan, "Honestly that seems to be all girls are capable of talking about lately." She tried her best to hide her smirk and sound annoyed, but even she'd been surprised by how excited it made her to relate the events again to the other. Standing up she began to pace a little her body feeling like it had before...like she could barely contain her excitement...right before taking his arm and going into the dance.

"Of course I went with Severus...he's the only boy who wasn't trying to invite himself on my behalf. He doesn't act like he is deserving of the position of escorting anyone. He invited me actually. It was surprising, well more for him because I ended up shooting him across the room when he asked." She stopped and considered her words before laughing and blushing, "He was helping me with the dueling part we'd have to do, it was sweet and he still wanted to after I had hurt him like that. Here I was so worried he'd hate me for the rest of this year when we first started again. I mean I thought I'd hate him as well...but..."

Stopping in her steps her smile softened, "Things change for the better I guess...which is nice. I was worried, but now it's good. And the dance, it was so pretty Molly! I mean I've been to socials, but this was like something in a movie or novel. Of course I was nervous, Severus seemed so collected though, it's like he's already become a grown up." She laughed, a little sad to think that maybe her friend has moved on without her. Only it was short lived to feel that at the mention of Potter.

"I...I barely noticed him there." She said, giving a roll of her eyes, "Who Potter fancies is not my concern. Or maybe he is after you, I mean I've seen you tell off the best of the boys, surely a girl like you would catch his attention as well. He loves a challenge." She teased moving around the table to sit on it swinging her legs as she looked down at her poking playfully at her shoulder.

"Molly Potter! And you can babysit all his little friends too along with the kids." She joked, hands waving around the air trying to picture it now, "Though I warn you, there are better boys whose hearts will break not to get Molly Prewett."

[MOLLY PREWETT]

With a small smile, Molly watched Lily's body language carefully as she spoke about Severus. It was obvious she cared a great deal for him, and a part of Molly softened at this expression. Did it really matter what the whole school thought and gossiped over their friendship when Lily was generally happy to be in his presence? He seemed to have regained her trust, and treats her with elegance and manners that Potter could ever imagine. To what she was describing, Severus was sounding like the perfect gentlemen to escort her to a dance. Molly's smile grew wider; Lily's happiness was contagious. And with a tiny satisfied nod, she continued to watch Lily interestingly with her hands still resting lazily on her palms.

At the discussion of Potter, Molly looked to her left lazily and saw the Ravenclaw Quidditch Team practicing, not Gryffindor. That would mean Potter and his pals would undoubtedly be lounging in the common room when they returned from tea, But before she could speculate on this, Lily's absurd idea of becoming "Molly Potter" made her screw up her nose in disgust. "Are you kidding me? If I'm getting married I want my husband to be able to take care of himself at least! And to Potter, that's just gross..."

[/color] Molly almost shuddered at the thought of tiny little red-headed babies all running around with glasses and attitude. "I like how to try and suggest Potter might have a thing for me,"[/color] she scoffed, now picking at the edge of her textbook distractedly as she spoke. "There's no way he's been pining after you for sixth years to just suddenly forget about it now. Or maybe somebody finally told him that he didn't stand a chance..."[/color]

At the thought of who "someone" could be, Molly's mind crossed to Potter's best friend Sirius Black. Her brows knitted together subconsciously as she contemplated her opinion on Black. Undoubtedly, he was good looking, and he had enough charm to be a lot older than he actually was, but his womanizing intentions bothered Molly so much that she flat out refused to even hint to him that she might be interested. Molly had not shared any of these thoughts with Lily yet, knowing she would be annoyed at her for encouraging 'the Marauders' or whatever stupid name they gave themselves and had not mentioned Sirius once to her since school went back. Still, Molly couldn't help but to continue wondering whether what Lily said about a "challenge" was true to not only James but also Sirius. Shaking her head to rid the thought, Molly glanced up at Lily to notice she was now looking down and staring at her. "Well at least your love life is interesting,[/color] Molly said vaguely. "I mean if they're brave enough to go near you without Potter threatening to hex them. Like a personal bodyguard isn't he? At least you know he's horribly jealous, so next time he really pisses you off you know how to pay him back."[/color][/size][/blockquote]

[lily]

Where as most conversations with the girls in her dorm lead to how many actually would talk about a boy like Potter to date Lily knew she could count on Molly not to give her the third degree about why she lacked the same attraction and yet would go out to a dance with a boy like Severus Snape. Really she'd found herself thinking back to that night and just feeling so overwhelmingly happy despite the nerves that had mad her feel all twisted and sick. It was so hard to figure out what it all meant, but Lily didn't mind or care now as the studious student slipped away and the teasing schoolgirl grew more bold.

"But Potter is sooooo cute..." She teased again, popping a few jelly beans into her mouth only to spit them out again. Earwax....how disgusting. She didn't know why she bought them, probably because the good flavors were almost worth the uncertainty of catching a bad one. "Come on Molly, you and I should both know better. He doesn't love me, I don't know if he knows what that is. I just am someone who doesn't give him the easy road. Really it might be good for him, though I will say he's left me alone a little bit more now. I'm sure some other girl has come and taken his attention away. Which is good." She sighed looking a little contemplative over one of the pieces of candy in her hands before pressing it pass her lips.

"I don't have that exciting of a love life. Rather non-existent. That would mean I have a boyfriend or something. You though don't have the bother of having everyone assume who you should go out with." She smiled and pressed closer to her friend, "Serious Molly you can have your pick. Just have to tell the boys sometimes they need a little kick to figure out what they want. I doubt any would say no to you. Besides, this is your seventh year, soon you get to be free of all this. An adult free to do what you wish. You must let me come visit you sometime. Soon I won't have to go back to the muggle world every summer. Though I do miss my family..." She ran fingers through her hair before looking down at the ground.

"You know I wonder sometimes about it. What happens after. What do you want to do once you're out of here Molly?" She looked over at the other girl. She always seemed so well put together, know what she wanted, or at least she seemed to more know than Lily.

[MOLLY PREWETT]

Molly watched Lily curiously as she popped Bertie's Botts into her mouth and spit one out again. Suppressing a giggle, Molly now distracted herself with Lily's quill sitting idly by her hand. She listened to her friend while twirling it in her fingers, appreciating those moments when she just knew Lily and her both understood each other. Though the topic of Potter was always fun for a moment or two, Molly knew Lily had battled many conversations on him and his dedication to win Lily's affection. Molly, who was generally close to Lily because of who she was and not what boys she attracted, got tried of talking about him and his pals quickly these days, so she wasn't bothered when the conversation steered to life outside of Hogwarts after graduating.

"Hang on,"

[/color] Molly started, pointing the end of the quill at Lily accusingly after mentioning the possibility of Molly acquiring "any" boy she wanted. "You're not saying because I'm in my seventh year I have an excuse to... well, be a bit of a tart, are you?"[/color] A mischievous grin appeared on her face and she slapped Lily lightly on the arm. "You think because my time here is limited I should start parading around with my skirt rolled up a bit and my top buttons undone,"[/color] Molly joked, laughing as she ran her fingers through her hair to give it more volume and pouted. "Oh yes, I might as well start snogging boys here now because it'll be much harder once I leave!"[/color] she added, being half-serious with what she was saying this time. "You know I would; I have the confidence. But I don't fancy the sort of names i'll get thrown at me if I'm caught even snogging ONE guy, let alone five."[/color]

Molly and Lily would often speak of their intimates with other boys, only that there normally wasn't much news to tell. She remembered in her fifth year (Lily's fourth), running up the stairs to the girl's dormitories and almost tripping when she reached Lily's landing to burst in and tell her that she'd just been caught snogging a Ravenclaw prefect a year above her by a teacher. They'd laughed for days, despite Molly's embarrassment, but she was well-humored enough to cringe and laugh at her misfortune. Besides this occasion, and a few with Lily herself, the girls were quite reserved in that department. Neither of them liked the idea of guy's getting the impression that they were easy targets, and much preferred to shoot guys down before they even tried. Lily, of course, was an expert at this after having Potter tail her like a puppy for so many years, so Molly had learned from the best. Molly doubt she would seriously start looking for a boyfriend during her last year at Hogwarts, considering half the boys she knew were either dim-witted or strictly in the friends zone, but it didn't necessarily bother her how much action she was getting or whose concern it was besides her own.

At the mention of family, Molly stopped joking and thought of her own. Castor, her younger brother, was here at Hogwarts but since he was in Ravenclaw she only saw him occasionally. Unlike Lily, her family were of magical blood, and knew how to contact Molly through owls. She wondered how Lily coped half the time, only managing to see her family during the holidays and not having much of a chance to speak with them in between. Smiling sympathetically, Molly picked up the quill again and spun it in her fingers as her mind wondered to her ideal career. She had hoped to find a job in Alchemy, but wasn't entirely sure if her grades would be up to standards. "I dunno, Lils,"[/color] Molly sighed, slouching over her desk once more and started poking dots on her textbook with the sharp quill end. "Get married and have kids, I suppose. Isn't that what women generally do?"[/color] Molly half-smiled, knowing perfectly well that Lily was far too ambitious to just simple get married and have kids before getting a job. Molly, however, couldn't see herself much as a career woman, and would be surprised if she did have something lined up for her after Hogwarts. She didn't have much of a plan at the moment.[/size][/blockquote]

[lily]

When the quill was pointed at her Lily raised her hands up in the air, a universal sign that she was unarmed against the quill her friend wielded with such ferocity in her voice. “Now, now, Miss Molly I would never suggest you become a tart. that would hardly suit you I think.” She began, trying not to smirk as she teased back, “I mean first off, you already roll your skirt don’t you? Anymore and you’ll just be in knickers.” She laughed, however it seemed too late to prevent an attack as she felt the playful smack on her arm. She gripped it in mock pain.

“Oh you are so mean. do you treat all the boys who chase you like this?” She joked lightly, sighing as she shook herself out. For Lily Evans there was not a lot of time to get to be silly, or have fun like this, but when she did she enjoyed it. She’d heard others call her a stuffed shirt, a goodie two shoes, but Molly and Sev knew her best, they would know she had a mischievous streak that tended to only be sated by books, or just giving into her stubborn nature. She wasn’t as bad as some students, but then again being a Prefect meant she’d learned not to get caught the majority of the time, and often the excuse of, “I wanted to study.” Was believed when it came to her.

“It won’t get harder. If anything you’ll get better choices then some of the boys here. So have hope. No need to snog every boy you see.” She smiled, finger pushing through the pile of candy looking at the different colors that clashed against one another. “You know if you worried about the names you’d never get anywhere. I never listen to any names I’ve called.” It was a bit of a lie given near the end of last year with Severus, but that was a day she’d pushed back now, something to forget. I’m sure a lot of boys would love to snog you. I’m sure there is a Ravenclaw missing you desperately now that he’s out of school.” Holding her hand to her heart she swooned. Oh she thought of what has happened years ago. Really for Lily though she got to experience some things through Molly. She’d never been kissed, but having someone else to talk to about it, to giggle with...it was more than she’d thought she could ask for. It was better by a long shot then coming home on holidays to watch Petunia and her newest boy kissing most of the night on the porch swing.

There was so much more than boys though now. Her friend on the edge of leaving Hogwarts, her own life inside this wonderful world. “I’m almost jealous that you’re about to leave here. You can do whatever you want Molly. Anything at all.”

Really when Molly said what she did the surprise was not easily hidden on Lily’s face as her head cocked to the side, “If that is what you want...” She leaned forward a bit towards her, “I mean that’s sort of what my mum expects of me as well...but...” She scratched her head giving another shrug, “Out there in the muggle world right now, all over there is all sorts of insanity you know? And that’s not even including America.” She joked softly, “There’s a lot more for girls now. Who knows what that means for witches and even in the next few years...However...”

Trailing off a gentle smile formed on her lips as she met her friends gaze, “It would be nice, to have a family. A large family I think. I still would want to be a mum, you know...but maybe hold off on that until I make a name for myself. Take over the Ministry.” She kept her gaze even with Molly’s, giving a playful wink at the thought, “There is a whole world for us now Molly, so much to do. I mean less than seven years ago I didn’t think any of this existed. I thought my sister was right in calling me a freak. Now though, I wouldn’t give it up for anything.”

Leaning back in her seat once more she finally flipped a book open flipping through the pages. “For now though I guess we’ll have to be happy with the boys that are around and the trips to Hogsmeade.”

[MOLLY PREWETT]

Molly noticed her friends gaze; the way her voice sounded desperate when she talked about leaving Hogwarts and perusing a career to whatever she decided. She then smiled, as she continued to talk about her plans for a family and lots of children, but it quickly faded at the mention of her sister. Lily had told Molly all about Petunia and the way the two had fallen out. Scoffing quietly, Molly sat upright in her seat a little and frowned out towards the window, noticing that twilight was dawning. "C'mon Lils, you know Petunia is a git,"

[/color] Molly said bravely in an attempt to cheer her up. "She probably secretly misses you just as much as you miss her. It's her loss she can't accept the fact that you're a witch. I bet you anything if she had the chance to be one she would too..."[/color] Molly trailed off quickly. She knew talking about Lily's sister was bit of a downer topic, so she hastened to change the subject quickly before Lily became cross with her.

"Hey, you know you can do whatever you like when you leave school also,"[/color] Molly said with a reassuring smile and patted her arm comfortingly. "You're the cleverest witch I know, there's no doubt you'll get a wicked job that earns a lot of galleons!"[/color] Molly did not believe she was exaggerating for a second when she talked about Lily's prospects for the future. She would be severely disappointed if Lily didn't take full advantage of her abilities as a talented young witch. "Not only that, you're strong too. Stronger than me, at least. And I meant emotionally!" She laughed, holding up her arms in defense in case Lily tried to throw a playful punch at her shoulder. "I mean, like you said. You never listen to the names and things people say behind your back. Probably because if I heard them I'd jinx their buttocks off,"[/color] Molly found it hard to compliment Lily with a straight face when she kept making all these silly analogies. "You will do fine in the real world, and even if you don't have Petunia, you have me."[/color] Molly smiled sincerely and started collecting her books into her bag. "I think that's enough of an ego-boost today, we should probably head down to the great hall for tea, i'm starving just watching you eat those lollies!"[/b][/size][/blockquote]