Prologue
I had heard the room called many names. James called it, "The Room of Death," both for dramatic effect and to irritate me. Albus followed Mum's lead and called it "Dad's office." Dad himself, if it ever became necessary for him to mention the room, simply called it, "The Room." I, being the only who had not visited the room, was unsure what to call it.
In my earliest memories, my young self simply pondered the room. The small child named Lily stood outside, confused, whenever she heard her father crying within. She asked her older brother James what was inside the room. He himself looked troubled, still deemed too young to see its contents, and doesn't provide a real answer. Yet within the week, I had heard his voice conversing with Dad inside the office.
Albus too had the chance to visit the mysterious chamber, although he was at a much younger age than James' first visit. Mum says people have a different age at which they can handle something. I asked him what was inside after his visit, but he simply responded, "It's a room where Dad goes where he is not feeling well." I pouted at his response, replying, "Daddy doesn't feel well a lot, doesn't he?" Albus just smiled sadly, promising to play Quidditch with me later.
I still wait for the room to open to me now, at 9 years of age.
Chapter 1
The feeling came over him suddenly, and his chest tightened with fear and pain. He excused himself from the dinner table, and stumbled to the room. He fumbled for the book given to him so long ago, at the end of his first year. He found solace in his parent's eyes. When the pain was overwhelming, only her eyes could comfort him. When his breathing had slowed and his vision had cleared, he felt her hand on his shoulder. After the matching green eyes met on more time, he allowed her to lead him from the room. By the time he reached his children, a smile was forced on his face once again.
Today the letters arrived, and I sulked in my room all afternoon. Not only would James be leaving once again for his third year at Hogwarts, but Albus would be leaving me as well. Albus had always been there for me, my rock when Dad was sick, and now all he cared about was school. He was especially concerned over what house he would be in, as his middle name came from a Slytherin. I was unsure as to whom this Severus was, but I knew that Dad held him in high regard.
The only good news to come from the letters was a trip to Diagon Alley this evening. I had been there many times in my life, through the Leaky Caldron and past the beautiful shops. Best of all was a trip to Weasley Wizard Wheezes, Uncle George's joke shop. From what I understand, he used to have an identical twin (although with both his ears) that was his partner in crime, but he died about 20 years ago. My cousin Fred, George's son, was named after the twin.
The shop was amazing. All kinds of bright objects lined the walls, and I was always allowed a birthday gift of my choice from Uncle George. I was building a collection of Muggle Magic Tricks to rival with Granddaddy Weasley.
As we approached the Leaky Caldron, I saw a shock of turquoise hair. I grinned from ear to ear as I sprinted to Teddy Lupin, my Dad's godson. As soon as I reached him I was swinging through the air, and then brought down suddenly as he kissed my cheek. "What are you doing here?" I cried happily. "Gran dropped me off to shop with you guys," he explained with an equal grin. Teddy has lived with his grandma since his parents died, also about 20 years ago. At least once a week he appears in our fireplace for dinner, and he always sits by me to entertain me with his Metamorphic abilities.
Walking into the Leak Caldron, Teddy's hair lit up the room like a beacon, drawing all attention to us. Unfortunately, this meant everyone saw Mum and Dad, and that meant everyone needed to talk to them. As James and Albus unsuccessfully (and quite obviously) tried to eavesdrop, I turned my attention to my godbrother. But to my dismay, he was not behind me. Instead, a different man stood there. While I gaped at the stranger, he gave me a toothless grin and murmured, "Looking for someone?" About to turn for my parents to fend off this creepy man, he suddenly morphed back into a chuckling Teddy. Hitting him playfully, I scolded him, "Aww, Teddy you meanie! I suppose I should have known, because of the eyes." His deep blue eyes gleamed back at me, raising a burning question. "Why do you never change your eyes? It would be so easy, yet you never do it." His smile turned slightly sad, and I instantly regretted my prying. "Well," he began slowly, rubbing his oceanic eyes, "If I was always changing everything about myself, I would have nothing to ground myself with. Nothing to keep me Teddy." He looked as though he was going to say more, but he stopped himself. He was silent until we reached the cobbled street.
I forgot all my regrets regarding the conversation as we walked down the sunny street, shopping at our leisure and stopping numerous times for Mum and Dad to talk to strangers. Each time Albus and James tried to listen in, shushing me for talking to Teddy too loudly.
Each time Mum insisted on buying something for Teddy, or Dad proudly introduced him to an acquaintance, he blushed a bright, bubblegum pink yet looked undeniably happy. I often wondered what happened to his parents, but I was afraid to ask.
As my brothers bought their school supplies, I desperately wished for my own turn to go to school. It was only 2 years away, and it couldn't come soon enough.
Finally reaching the joke shop, my mood soared. As we entered, Auntie Angelina waved brightly at us, and Uncle George immediately appeared at our sides.
"How's my favorite brother-in-law?" George said jovially, clapping Dad on the back. The two embraced, then George, feigning surprise, turned to his sister and proclaimed, "Ah, and it's my lovely sister too. Fancy seeing you here!" They too embraced, and then fell into (yet another) grown-up conversation about how "bloody brilliant" business was. Thankfully, the conversation ended quickly and he turned his attention to my brothers and me.
He gave us an entire tour of the recently renovated shop, including the section with the Muggle tricks. After much hushed debate, James secretly purchased Extendable Ears (to improve his eavesdropping skills), Albus a variety of interesting quills for school, while I held a deck of supposedly "magic" cards.
After purchasing our items, we walked out of the store with little dignity, having been tricked into eating a strange assortment of body-altering candies (James himself had spectacularly turned into a canary) once again. The statue by the door, featuring the late, two-eared twin, laughed at us as we left.