I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters. I only own Riley Patton. Any of the story line that seems familiar, I most likely do not own.

Riley POV

The earliest memory I have is of my mother and father. They were kind and loving. My mother is dead now, my father a shell of what he used to be. My family has fallen apart and I can't stop it. My parents were involved in the magical word. Makes sense since I'm a witch. I'm in my fourth year of wizarding school at Hogwarts Witchcraft and Wizardry. It's an amazing thing, magic. I love learning about it. But my days are usually filled with teasing. I only have one friend. Even then I'm still miserable. But school is a lot better than at home. My father can't keep himself together. I don't get support anymore. I'm breaking down and I can't help myself.

Someone please, save me from myself.

Riley,

I'm going to Diagon Alley for school shopping tomorrow at two in the afternoon.

Will you meet me in front of Gringotts?

Lily

I smiled as I put the letter from Lily back down on my bedside table. I went downstairs to the living room where my father was. I was in my fifth year at Hogwarts. Lily and I were going shopping for school supplies.

"Papa? I'm going to Diagon Alley with Lily. Do you want anything?" I asked.

"No. Thank you." my father whispered.

I sighed. At least he wasn't deadly quiet like he used to be. I've known Lily since my first year. She was my first and only friend. My mother died a month before my third year began. Lily's mum was very helpful and tried to help us the best she could. My father had gone silent. He wouldn't speak. The pain of loosing my mum was still fresh and I was afraid the wound would become infected. For awhile I was afraid my father would die from loneliness. I had Mrs. Evans checking up on him. This was the first year where I didn't ask her to watch him for me. Just last year he began to talk. He even sent me letters during my fourth year. He was slowly, but surely, improving. I went to the fireplace so I could use the Floo Network to leave for Diagon Alley.

"Bye. I'll be back later tonight." I told him.

Papa just nodded his head.

"Diagon Alley." I said clearly.

I stepped out of the fireplace in Diagon Alley and made my way to Gringotts. I checked my watch. 1:59. Just like clockwork Lily walked up at exactly two.

"How do you do that?" I asked.

"Do what?" Lily replied.

"Arrive at the exact time you're supposed to be at some place."

"I guess I'm just that amazing."

I laughed. We hooked arms and walked inside of Gringotts. We both got some Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts.

"Where to first?" I questioned as we walked out of Gringotts.

"Flourish and Blotts."

We walked to the bookstore and got our books for this school year. After Flourish and Blotts, we got our other necessities and decided to get some ice cream at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. I got a small cup of ice cream and some water. I heard Lily groan and I turned my head in confusion.

James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew.

The goddamn Marauders. Great.

"My precious Lilyflower! Did you miss me?" James asked.

I rolled my eyes. James just didn't get the point of the term personal space.

"Go away." Lily snapped.

I watched wearily. I sincerely hoped that they would just go away but no such luck.

"But flower, you know I can't stay away from you."

"Listen here Potter! I-" Lily stood up.

"OK! We'll be leaving now. Let's go." I stood up, grabbed Lily and I's bags, then grabbed her arm and pulled her away.

Lily was flustered and annoying as we walked off. I pulled her into Magical Menagerie. This is where I got my calico cat Starlight. Star for short. Lily was still fuming. I put our bags down into the corner and went to go grab one of the Kneazels. My mum had two before she died. Papa and I kept them. They, uh, mated or whatever and we had a litter of eight. Papa wanted to keep them because they, in a way, reminded him of my mum. Both Papa and Mum had licenses to own Kneazels. Papa didn't want them to continue breeding so he had one of the animal healers make sure they couldn't, repopulate. I loved cats. Dogs too, but cats just a little more. I was thinking about getting Papa a niffler. But I wasn't sure. Kneazels were pretty easy to take care of so I wasn't worried about that. But nifflers are a bit harder to take care of. Maybe I'd wait another year until I got him one.

"I'll meet you at the train station tomorrow when we start school. I can't believe it's our fifth year." Lily exclaimed.

"Yeah I know. See you then." I replied.

Lily used the Floo powder and then I followed her.

"Patton household!"

I was back in the living room of my house. Papa wasn't in the living room. Strange. He wouldn't have gone to bed now.

"Papa?" I called.

I walked into the kitchen. Papa was making something at the counter. The Kneazel kittens were roaming around the living room. I had no idea where Starlight was.

"What are you making?"

Papa jumped and turned around, wand at ready. He saw me and lowered his wand.

"Sorry. I uh. Decided to make some dinner." he informed.

I smiled.

"What are you making?"

"Just some fish and chips."

"Would you like some help?"

"Yes please."

I smiled again. This was the biggest improvement I've seen from him yet. Maybe he was getting better. We had a small conversation as we made the food. He asked me about Diagon Alley, Hogwarts, and Lily. I haven't seen him smile like he did in such a long time. Maybe things were finally going to be okay.