( bulletproof. )

Her dark hues scoured the sea of students, seeking out Dominique’s light blonde hair. It wasn’t until her cousin rose up that Lily finally spotted her, familiar green eyes frenzied with sheer panic. Sprinting down the flights of stairs, she didn’t waver until her feet finally met the grass. “Dom, remember, deep breaths in for four seconds, then out for four seconds. You’re going to be okay. I’m here, you’re safe.” she soothed, just like the last time this had happened. The redhead reached out her palm, fingers gripping around Dominique’s, an attempt to reground her cousin to her surroundings. Lily’s free hand began to rummage through her purse, pulling out a Calming Drought she had brought. Just in case.

“no, i did not attend the ‘party to end all parties’ last night. i prefer my fun spent outside of the  s n a k e  p i t  – and no, i’m not saying that to be mean. my best friends are in that house  - - - -  i just don’t trust anyone there, quidditch rager or otherwise, not to use ‘drunken ro escapades’ as a means for blackmail. i’m a prefect for merlin’s sake, you people will never see me in any state less than classy.” 

"I wouldn’t call it the ‘party to end all parties.’ it was abysmal at best, really. ” lily interrupted. “our family is far better at throwing celebrations, honestly. remember teddy’s eighteenth? now that was a night to fucking remember -- you were so wasted i was almost pissing myself from laughter. very classy.” she teased, letting out a light chuckle. “ -- what were you up to instead anyways, ro? tell me you were doing something at least mildly interesting and not homework.”

“You were talking to me?”

Lily sighed, briefly glancing at her cousin before fixing her eyes on Fletcher. “ -- I know you want to be there when Lucy wakes up, but she’ll be out for a while. You should take the opportunity to get some food in your belly. Or bathe. You’re starting to look a little greasy.”

“Now if only I could recall    where I put that book…”

“Just use Accio. So long as you imagine your book clearly in your mind, it should work.”

“hmm, that’s a tough one -- there’s implosion...” lily paused as she racked her brain for more. “corrosion. erosion. a lot more options if you don’t mind a near rhyme or using a different form of the word. any chance you’ll let me take a peek at it when you’re done? just this once?”

“look, i like transfiguration, i do. not as much as charms, sure. but three feet on the principle of artificianimate quasi-dominance is just excessive. it just is!”

“mm, consider yourself lucky. he’s an even tougher grader when you’re family, his way of seeming fair.” with a playful roll of her eyes, she began to flip through the pages of her transfiguration textbook. “we still on for our shopping spree on sunday by the way? or should we reschedule, seeing as we’re both drowning in an endless sea of busy work? i suppose our fashion spree can always wait -- although, i will tell you, i’m going to need to do some serious retail therapy if gryffindor loses the game saturday.”

“she says I can leave soon,” Lucy murmured quietly, fidgeting under the blanket. Staying in one spot had always irked her - the young Weasley had to be always moving, she could never sit still for more than five minutes at a time. The explosion had caught her and pulled her under like a tidal wave. She tried not to think of it. “I’ve been here three days; I’m ready to explode. Just like the castle did.” her lips twisted into a smile at the irony of her own joke.

lily strode into the sterile white hospital wing, brown eyes lighting up when she spotted her cousin. in her small arms, she bore a mahogany goat plushie, a heart embroidered in front that said goat well soon. she placed it down at her bedside and perched herself on the edge of the mattress. “that’s the best news i’ve heard all week, lu.” lily exclaimed, a smile creeping up on her face. “james and wendy and i came to see you the second we heard, but you weren’t awake yet. pomfrey nearly burst a vein trying to get us to leave -- you look miles better now though, honestly, you healed up quickly. must be because you’re so strong.” reaching out a hand to firmly clutch her cousin’s, she continued, "i’ll convince slughorn to let us out of the castle for a little bit as soon as you’re out, okay? he’ll say yes, i’m sure, he adores me. we can have a night on town, do something exciting.”

I Need Entertainment