Professor Slughorn was almost always to blame for these odd little errands, this time fueled by the news that a large spider had passed away on the western side of the forest. Horace was keen to collect the venom and Lily was keen to continue to be in the good graces of her favorite professor, visions of recommendation letters for her postschool career dancing in her ambitious head.

It didn't hurt that it was nice to have an excuse to be out of the castle and in the sunshine either, though she hadn't exactly anticipated having company for it.

Lily wasn't going to think about this too deeply. She refused to let her mind latch onto the almost criminally befuddling idea that Sirius had elected to come along with her and she had not objected. She voiced no issue while they left the castle, nor had she tried to dismiss him as they descended past Hagrid's hut and through the first line of trees.

In fact, she'd stayed so quiet that when she finally spoke, she surprised herself slightly. "If you're coming then you're doing the disgusting bits," and it should come as no surprise when it came to harvesting venom from a dead spider - it was all the disgusting bit.

Maybe they would get lucky and be unable to find the poor thing.