Outside the Great Hall

"Why yes, I am an expert, though by necessity, not by choice," Lily adds. She looks slightly confused for a moment, but then realises that it's clearly Kiora she's talking about. "Well, I'd be happy to," she smiles, "We could even study together!"

"Oh, that would be fun!" Hermione responds, her eyes lighting up at the prospect of a study buddy. "You might have to help keep me awake though - I have a tendency to fall asleep if I sit still long enough these days," she admits sheepishly.


[WOOT - leaving work in 5 ~flails~ I'm going to grab some dinner on the way home, but I should be back online in an hour or so XD]

"Don't worry, I'm sure I can think of a few ways to keep you awake, and besides, there's always coffee," Lily replies, a twinkle in the corner of her eye. "I don't blame you," she adds, "You've got your hands full!"

"Coffee!" Hermione gasps. "My old friend! How could I forget it? Coffee would solve everything, right?" she giggles.

Lily giggles also. "Yes, Hermione," she say while patting her on the arm, only slightly condescendingly. "I've also heard about this Muggle drink that helps one stay awake... Not sure what it's called."

Hermione chuckles and shrugs Lily's hand off. "Well it would want to be strong if it thinks it's got a chance of keeping me awake - screaming child is usually all that does that these days. Oh - what did you think of the last potions essay? I sort of felt like the uses of dragon's blood wasn't really a NEWT level topic, which of course only made me paranoid I'd missed something crucial and had written an entirely too superficial analysis...."

"Look, Hermione, you're a natural at all things study-related. I wouldn't worry about it. As for my essay, I'm not sure it was quite up to scratch... I did only have most of my mind on it while I was writing it. It did feel a little easy, so I wrote a little extra - just a half dozen inches or so. I hope Professor Slughorn doesn't mind." She shrugged a little, knowing that clearly he wouldn't. He did like her so much.

[DEMETRIA RIDDLE, YOU MAKE ONE FUCKING SUSHI JOKE AND I SWEAR TO MERLIN YOU WILL BE GROUNDED FOREVER AND WRITTEN OUT OF THE WILL.]


[I'll actually post now.]

"I'm sure he won't," Hermione assures the redheaded girl, her eyebrows slightly raised. "You're absolutely his favourite student ever, you could turn in one inch or ten feet of parchment and he'd give it an 'O' on principle. As you well know, I'm sure."

[You know me so well. Can I make some about Lily and not you? He did say she was "nice and tight".]

[NO. And, darling, I'm your mother. Of course I knew. ]

[Then again he said you were too. "'Nice and tight, just like Lily!'" ANYWAY... *runs for it*]

[Well, I'm sure Teddy and Kiora are grateful - your share of the inheritance is being divided between them now.]

[*steals Teddy and Dom's pick up truck and goes to sell her body in the big city*]

[*hopes her second daughter doesn't spend her life breaking her poor mother's heart, like the first one did before she ran off and got herself killed by a fat pimp named Big Daddy*]

[*knows that's the story Big Daddy tells everyone. She really got married to a really sexy, rich guy. And her mother was not invited. Ouch. But she and Big Daddy still have a book club every third Wednesday. This month they're reading Pokey Penis*]

[*is still heartbroken because Dee is dead to her*]

[-is actually going to reply now and ignore all of that-]

"I know," Lily says, turning a slighter shade of pink, "But that shouldn't mean I can slack off. Quite the opposite, and I'd never dream of turning in a single inch! I can't afford to let my grades drop. I'm impressed you managed, with Kiora and everything. I don't think I could do that." She tries to hide the admiration from her voice - it really is quite impressive.

[*And out pop one, two, three babies. They're all rich, sexy husband man's. And Mum was not informed about any of them.*]

[*has died of heartbreak*]

Hermione flushes a little at Lily's admiration - it takes a bit to impress Lily. "Thanks," she says quietly, then glances around the otherwise empty space before leaning in as if she was sharing a great secret. "Really, it's only that my vanity wouldn't suffer a slip in my grades. I can walk around with spit-up on my shirt all day, no worries, but the grades have to be perfect. I never thought I'd have to be doing this myself, you know," she admits.

[AH! AJ SKYPE HAS TOTALLY FAILED!!!! *stabs it*]

"Well," Lily agrees conspiratorially, smiling seriously now, "Who really ever knows what we're in for? Not to make this a serious philosophical conversation or anything... And I would never have picked you for the vain type. I am too. And don't worry, I'll keep it a secret for you." She winks and grins cheekily at her friend.

Hermione just shrugs, eyes twinkling. "Well, I feel like I'm allowed to be a little vain about my brains! Oh, I've got to be heading back to the Tower - Remus'll be needing a hand with Kiora soon. Are you going that way?"

"Why not?" She shrugged. "I have nowhere else I need to be, or would rather be anyway. Lead on, my friend!" Lily exclaims, allowing room for the two of them to walk back to the Tower together.

Which is exactly what they do.

Harry opens the doors to the Great Hall and, obviously walking a little bit, stands outside the Great Hall. He debates going outside, to the Entrance Courtyard. He thinks he shall not. Continuing to stand there stupidly, Harry looks around and admires the statue that I happened to see in Hogwarts.