So, it's been a while... I should perhaps update more often. :) But here is chapter two, where you won't meet Scorpius, but instead you'll become acquainted with someone else.


Chapter 2

Invitation

While in Hogwarts, Lily had been a Gryffindor. From the moment she had hurried to the red-and-gold table after her sorting, she had been quite amused by some of her housemates' attitude – the "I'm too pretty to be afraid of anything" -motto. Lily had no problems with admitting that she was afraid of many things – of snails, of little white poodles, of being orphaned, to name a few – but there was only one thing in the world she was truly terrified of.

That thing went by the name Scarlett Chambers and was the owner of Silk & Stocking. Miss Chambers (Lily simply couldn't bear to call her Scarlett in any situation, not even inside of her own head) was a small woman with unnaturally bright red hair and a temper that made Uncle Charlie's dragons look like darling little angels. And Lily wasn't the only person who felt this way – every time Miss Chambers came into same room, babies tended to burst into tears, teenagers tried to hide behind each other's backs, and older people started to mumble something about You-Know-Who's rebirth. Everyone was afraid of Miss Chambers – everyone but Nancy.

Nancy Bailey, Lily's co-worker in Silk & Stocking, was a strange one. She knew and liked (or appeared to like) everybody, was always cheerful and so positive it was disgusting, and she never ever lost her temper with any customer, no matter how picky they were – no, Nancy's smile and voice were always full of sweetness and honey. Lily had no idea how she managed to do it – the only solution she had come up for Nancy's constant chirpiness was that she must have hidden a bottle of Firewhiskey somewhere in the store.

Today Nancy was in even higher spirits than usual. Lily hadn't even taken off her jacket when Nancy already started gushing.

"Guess what, Lily! Guess! Oh, you will never guess this! It's amazing! And I know you won't say no – it will be so fun!"

"That's nice, Nan", Lily said calmly and took off her scarf. "What is it?"

Nancy jumped up and down, her brown curls bouncing, and clapped her hands extatically. Physically she may have been twenty-two, but mentally she could hardly have been older than fifteen. "Oh Lily!"

"Yes?"

Nancy clasped her hands. Her big blue eyes were full of excitement and cheeks glowed. "Oh Lily – I have invitations for the Daleys' ball!"

Lily stared at Nancy in disbelief. "You what?"

"I've got one, two, three, four invitations", Nancy said proudly and drew four envelopes from her pocket. "One's for me – well, obviously – and then there is one for you, Merry and Angel each."

Lily felt her heart starting to pound with alarming speed. The Daleys were an old wizarding family, never really noticed or appreciated before Voldemort's fall and the confusion which followed it. After the war many other old families had faded to the background, disgraced or near extinction, but the Daleys were different. They had made a fortune seemingly overnight and had been the domineering family in the wizarding Britain ever since the early 2000s.

The Daleys' Christmas ball was easily the most important society event during the whole year. The invitations were sent only to a selected few – even the great Harry Potter couldn't count on receiving one. And Lily had to admit that that was one of the reasons why she had always been so anxious to get an invitation herself.

"But – but – how did you get these – and it's so late!" she said, staring the envelopes.

Nancy shrugged. "The usual way. You know. I made a favour for a friend who has a friend. Which reminds me – I have a date for you."

Lily had heard those five words far too often. She groaned and covered her face with her hands. "Nancy, you promised."

"He's handsome and rich", Nancy said. "And nice, if that matters to much. You'll love him."

"No."

"But –"

"No means no, Nan."

Nancy sighed. "Fine", she said with very tragical tone, "do what you want. But if you don't go, I'm not giving you the invitation either."

Lily's jaw dropped. "You can't do that!"

"Try me."

"Blackmailing is illegal."

"Boo-hoo", Nancy said using the tone which made Lily want to strangle her. "It's your choice."

"You – you", Lily stuttered while trying to find a word that could describe all Nancy's evilness, "you witch."

A charming smile found its way to Nancy's lips. "So you are going?"

"Yes. But I won't like it."

"Great!" Nancy chirped. "You're going to love him. He is handsome and tall and athletic and did I already say he is handsome and well-educated and intelligent –"

Lily raised her hands to stop the flood of words. "Breath, Nan. Now, will you give me my invitation?"

Nancy looked at the piece of parchment she was holding and shook her head. "No. I'll give it to you after you've had your lovely date."

"I hate you", muttered Lily.

The other girl's smile widened. "And I love you, Lily. Endlessly."


So, what did you think?