A story that I am writing with drgns grl. Thanks, babe. This story has been flagged by us for an asterisk, L for Language. If this offends you, please, click out now. Thank you.


Disclaimer: We own nothing Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling has that honor.


Dedication: To each other, the Soul-Twins.


The seat-belt sign went off. "You are now free to move about the cabin." echoed the captain's voice through the commercial airplane's space. Lily Thurman instantly undid her seat-belt and squeezed past her parents.

"I'll be right back." she said with a smile to her fidgety Father, hurrying up the aisle to where Rose Horton was sitting, glaring at the back of the seat in front of her. "Rose? Are you doing alright?"

"I'm fine," she huffed, blowing a strand of her long blond hair out of the way. It always seemed to be falling out of her pigtail braids and into her face, as if it had a mind of its own. "Why wouldn't I be? I'm only leaving my high school, our friends, my house, and my boyfriend behind."

Lily nodded understandingly. "Yes...I know you miss him." she said with a smile, taking a liberty and gently laying a hand on Rose's shoulder. "But you'll keep in contact, yes?"

Rose sighed and smiled up at her friend. "Yes. I couldn' le' him forge' a gal like me just because I'm across an ocean, righ'?"

Lily laughed with a smile. "Got that darn tootin' right. How could he forget a gal like you anyhow?" She gave her friend a gentle hug. "Is there anythin' I can get cha?"

"...Off this plane and back to Manha'en?" Rose asked innocently, twirling a braid around her fingers.

"Cynthia May!" The distinguished older woman sitting next to her exclaimed. Rose shuddered.

"It's. Rose. Mother... I hate that name."

"It's the name you were born with, like it or not. And you know very well that we are moving because your father got the promotion. We've been over this time and again."

Lily nodded, sighing quietly. "Yes, ma'am." she said automatically, smiling at her friend/mistress's Mother. She looked back at Rose. "Just think of it as a new adventure. You'll have so many stories when we go back."

"I'd rather skip the stories and adventures and just go back..." Rose glowered, sinking deeper into her seat, arms folding stubbornly across her chest.

"It's time to go back to your seat, child," Rose's mother nodded haughtily to Lily.

Lily nodded quickly. "Yes, ma'am." she said with a small bow, smiling encouragingly at Rose. "I'll talk to you later, Rose." she said quietly, turning and hurrying back to her seat.

Hours later, the plane finally landed, and the two families made their way to the grand new house in London--masters and servants. The two teenagers had been friends since a young age, to the dismay of Lily's parents and the horror of Rose's. It was an oath that kept these two families together, generation after generation. And in truth, neither one remembered or really even cared what that oath originally was.

The first thing that caught Rose's attention upon entering the house were two hand-written letters on the entrance hall table, just waiting for them. They weren't the regular letters that came in the every day mail. They were written on heavy parchment and were sealed with a wax seal on the back. And they were addressed to the two girls. Rose quickly snatched them up before any of the adults could see them and kept marching into the house, heading up the grand staircase. "Lily and I are going upstairs."

Lily quickly followed Rose up the stairs, carrying both of their carry-on bags. The rooms had been decorated already, the furniture set up and all ready for the family. "What is it, Rose?" Lily asked as they entered the rooms set aside for them. She set the bags down on the floor, looking about. "They did everything wrong..." she sighed, going to start moving some of the furniture about.

"Leave it. I have a feeling we won't be needing it..." Rose waved the letters. "They're addressed to each of us." She held out Lily's as she stared at her own.

"For us?" Lily questioned, reaching out and taking hers. "Strange crest." she mused, looking at the wax seal.

"I know. How much you wanna bet it's a boarding school for us? Mother would just do that to us..." She broke the seal and pulled out the papers. "...HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY. I knew it... Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore, Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards. ...What the fuck?"

Lily couldn't help but at Rose's comment as her eyes scanned her letter. "Dear Miss. Thurman, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry..."

"Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31. Yours Sincerely. Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress." Rose lowered the letter that was covered in emerald writing, disbelief on her face. "Oh, my GOD. We just got here, and already they're sending us away. Just like that. You know my parents aren't going to let us refuse going."

"I know..." said Lily quietly, full knowing the arguments that would happen anyways. "But it's better than being stuck here, isn't it?"

Rose let out a growl, staring at the rest of the papers. "They even sent a list of everything we'd need...AND there are uniforms...! That's it. You can stay and do whatever. I'm having it out with them." With that, she stormed out of the room.

Lily groaned. Rose just HAD to give her an order. Fabulous. She slumped down into a chair and looked at the list of equipment and uniforms needed. How could she afford all of this...? She would have to go to what would be a thrift or second-hand shop.

Even through the floor and closed doors, Rose's voice could be heard, though none of the words could be made out. There was a crash, more shouting, and then a door slammed. Lily winced as she heard the crash, desperately wanting to go and make sure that Rose was alright, but...she couldn't. If she ever cursed, she would have.

It was hours before Rose came back. And when she did, she just went straight to her room, looking exhausted.

Lily looked up as Rose came in and went to her bedroom. She sighed, then stood, putting her book to the side and finally able to leave the room. She silently went to her parents' apartments, unsure of how they would react to the letter. To be honest, she was almost excited to go...Hogwarts!


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