Maraudette

One

Lily's P.O.V
My mind wandered as I strode briskly down the corridor, thinking back on what had happened earlier; my best friend, Severus Snape, had yet again been sent off to the hospital wing, this time covered in boils and sprouting antlers.

I had been furious, of course, because it just had to be Potter and his friends—they loved to taunt Sev and bullied him constantly, so I knew it was them.

Potter had been looking a little too smug for my liking after that, that pompous prat....

Without warning, I crashed into someone and we both went stumbling back, and my books all spilt from my bag and flew in different directions, scattering everywhere.

I looked up to find Alexa Rider crouching on the floor, one hand bracing herself. It appeared that she'd landed much more gracefully than I had, considering I fell flat on my back.

I grumbled to myself quietly, my bad mood already intensifying due to the fact that I just had to run into one of them.

Alexa glanced up through her dark hair and seemed to notice me for the first time, for she looked surprised. I ignored her as she got to her feet, and I went about searching for my books, thinking she had gone away since I could no longer hear her footsteps.

"Alright there, Evans?"

I jumped slightly, whirling around to find her kneeling next to me and holding out a couple of my books.

"Yes, thank you," I said stiffly, swiftly taking the books and stuffing them in my bag. Now, where were the rest of them....?

"I think you're looking for those," Alexa told me, pointing to some books to my left. I gathered those and placed them in my bag as well. "Ah, sorry I ran into you—I wasn't paying attention."

"Well...look more carefully next time." I stood, and she got to her feet as well; I began to walk off, only to find that she was following me. I whirled on her, slightly irritated. "What do you want?"

She shrugged. "I'm late enough to my class as it is, so may as well be sure you make it to yours. I could always tell McGonagall I ran into you."

"I don't need your help." I turned away and she simply continued following.

"You don't really like me, do you?" Alexa quirked a brow at me as she stuffed her hands in her pockets and languidly strolled alongside me.

I finally glanced over at her, scowling a bit. "No, where could you have ever gotten that idea?"

She made a face at me. "Thanks so much for that. But, why don't you? You don't even know me."

"You're a bully." I adjusted my heavy bag on my shoulder. She noticed, and without warning yanked it off my shoulder and slung it over her own. "Hey!"

"Yeah?"

"Give me my bag back." I held out my hand expectantly, but she didn't hand it back.

"I only want to help." Alexa rolled her eyes a little.

"I can handle it myself."

She snorted. "Alright, I'll give it back—if you can explain why you don't like me."

I huffed. Well, if this was the only way to get my bag back, then I may as well. "Fine. I don't like you because you're a bully. You prank others for your own amusement and pick on Sev just because he's in Slytherin; you and your friends act like you're the rulers of the castle—especially Potter—but you're not. You break all the rules, and it's all so...so...frustrating!" I crossed my arms. "Now, can I please have my bag back?"