In a roundabout way, she was following Clytemnestra's advice, despite how quickly she had denied its usefulness. She knew how word spread through Hogwarts and was almost certain the other Slytherin had heard of it and was probably feeling pretty proud of herself. Lily wasn't happy that it had come to this. Not one bit.
But days had passed and the burn she had spotted on Apollo's hand had still not gotten any better. It was the last straw. She had seen him withdrawing, had heard stories that he was being short with his classmates, had Lux tattling on him, had seen younger Slytherin students draping themselves over him... Something was going on and despite the fact that she was supposed to trust him to come back to her all in one piece at the end of the year... she just didn't. Not now that he had been injured somehow and had done nothing about it.
She knew she could speak with him alone, and if he got a detention on his own, rumors would fly. But there was only two (maybe three) people in Hogwarts who could be 'present' while she spoke with him. And unfortunately for Ace, Christian had been pairing up with Waldorf more and more in classes, leaving Ace to bounce between Molly and Apollo. Today it was Apollo. And, in all honesty, who would suspect anything with Hogwarts' watchdog present.
The opportunity presented itself when Ace started berating Apollo for something - deviating from the instructions even though his route made for a more potent draught - and he was either flustered or angry or his burn was much worse because he dropped the paring knife and nearly sliced Ace's index finger off. He snatched up the knife, knocking into his cauldron, which began to tip.
"Zabini! Longbottom! Detention!"
Christian gave her a wide-eyed, deer-in-the-headlights look and she had to wave him off. Ace was swelling in indignation, having been no more obnoxious than her usual level, and she was pretty sure Apollo wasn't exactly pleased either. She only felt bad for Ace. Apollo should have seen it coming. It was long overdue.
She had chosen a time when the rest of the castle would probably still be at dinner and waited at her desk for the knock. She called for them to come in and was glad to see they had come together. She asked they close the door and glanced at Ace, who had crossed her arms and was looking as though the world was out to get her. She chewed on her bottom lip as Lily cleared her throat. "Ace, why don't you... read chapter seven in Advanced Potion Making? Apollo, I have something in my office I need help with."
A cloud passed over Ace's face. Oh. This was why she was being given a detention. Because she had offered to help. Right. Yes. This seemed fair.
Lily turned and walked to her office, holding the door open for Apollo so he could in. She closed the door behind them.
On the desk was a bowl with essence of dittany. She didn't think she'd have to tell Mr. Soon-To-Be Totally-Knew-Better-Than-To-Leave-A-Burn-Untreated Healer. She looked at him pointedly, before sliding the bowl towards him.
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