<div align="center">(http://i28.tinypic.com/dr8awj.jpg)<br/>(http://i26.tinypic.com/whfgup.png)<br/><br/>She had lived in England for all sixteen years of her life, and yet the weather never ceased to surprise and amaze one Lily Evans. Not but an hour ago had she been ambling through Hyde Park. The day hadn't exactly been <em>nice</em> per se, but had been quite pleasant enough. As well as being excited to go back to Hogwarts for another year, Lily was always very happy to spend a week in London before the start of school every year. She'd wandered through the gardens for a while, just enjoying the day before going to Diagon Alley. In true muggle style, Lily had caught the underground up to Leicester Square and had began the walk to the Leaky Cauldron. On the way, she'd come across a couple of used book stores, and she'd just <em>had</em> to take a look of course. Lily spent the best part of half an hour browsing, though she didn't even pay attention to the time.<br/><br/>As she began the short walk upto the Leaky Cauldron, Lily sighed slightly as she felt a couple of droplets of rain. Looking up, she grimaced at the sky, which was now rather black and streaked with lightning. Trying to guard a rather battered copy of Persuasion - one of Lily's most favourite books - she began to run towards the Leaky Cauldron, in hopes that the weather would magically be better in Diagon Alley. She'd never been very interested in fashion, but Lily always liked to look nice when she visited London. However, as she ran through the street in a faded denim skirt and white sneakers, she knew her white top had definitely been a mistake. Cursing her own stupidity and forgetfulness for the lack of an umbrella, Lily sighed with relief as she finally reached the pub.<br/><br/>Well, one would have expected that the Wizarding World could afford to do something about this terrible London weather... but apparrently not. As the entrance into Diagon Alley was revealed to her, Lily realised that yes: it was still raining. Hurrying towards the first store she saw, Lily was slightly disappointed that it was <em>Quality Quidditch Supplies</em>. Reaching the awning, Lily glanced at her reflection in the window. Her dark red hair was even darker now that it was wet and stuck to her scalp. It was then that she seemed to look past her reflection and discovered with a start just who was in the store she'd chosen at random to take cover in. Groaning inwardly, Lily contemplated which was worse: being around James and Sirius or standing out in the rain and dying of pneumonia. That was a tough one.<br/><br/>Finally deciding to enter the small store, she took a deep breath. She could tell that getting through this little episode would take all of the strength she had. As she walked through the door, Lily pulled her coat over her see-through shirt as best she could. Standing stiffly just inside the doorway, Lily regarded the two boys before her. "Black. Potter." She said, a little uncomfortably, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She couldn't see Remus anywhere around here, which was quite unfortunate. At least she could carry on a decent conversation with him - a fellow prefect. But no matter. Lily just let her words hang in the air. This silence was nice, but it was bound to be broken sooner or later.</div>