Chapter 2-Rose

It was time for the event that I'd been both looking forward to and dreading for almost a full year: the Sorting. I walked down the central aisle of the Great Hall, trying to take in all the sights as I did so: the many candles hanging from the ceiling, the four long tables crowded with students, and the ghosts that sometimes flew through the walls to converse with kids.

Albus went first. The Sorting Hat took a while to decide and stayed quiet for a moment, deep in thought. Finally, he said the last thing anyone expected him to say: "Slytherin!"

There was a long silence in the room. No one really knew what to do or what to say. Finally, I started to clap and everyone joined in, albeit very slowly. Albus's face was bright read as he took a seat at the Slytherin table and my heart went out to him. I wondered what his parents would think. I couldn't think about it much though, because my turn came soon after. I was Sorted into Gryffindor, and so was Roxanne. So was Scorpius Malfoy, for that matter. This surprised me. Dad had told me a lot of stories about Scorpius's father, Draco Malfoy: basically the book definition of a pureblood Slytherin. I was excited though. This year was going to be great, especially if Roxanne was in my house, too.

The first two months passed in a blur of new faces, new classes, and lots and lots of homework. I had a lot of fun, made some new friends, and learned a ton. Hogwarts was an amazing school-way better than the muggle elementary school I'd been enrolled in the year before-but it didn't seem like it would be a year full of 'unending adventure' like my parents' had been. Mum would have told me that this made me extremely lucky, but for me it was boring. No dogs with three heads, no dementors, no Triwizard Tournament, no evil teachers, and no Death Eaters. It was a normal year.

At least it was until Vic woke Roxanne and me up at two in the morning the week before Halloween.

"Uhh…what is it?" I asked, pulling a pillow over my head to muffle the sudden rush of light and sound.

My cousin looked scared, and her face was pale and ashen. Something was terribly wrong. I immediately forced myself to wake up. "Meet me in the Gryffindor common room. Hurry!" she instructed.

We ran downstairs as fast as we could . Our other relatives were assembled around the fire, seated on couches and chairs. They all looked nervous and a little scared. Everyone was there, even Dom and Vic, who are Ravenclaws, and Albus.

"There has…been an attack." Teddy said in a rush. He sounded cool and confident, but I could tell that he was extremely shaken up. My blood ran cold. It takes a lot to rattle Teddy Lupin.

"On who?" Albus asked, looking scared. I knew we were thinking of our siblings and cousins who were too young to go to Hogwarts this year.

"Lily. She was found in her bed, unmoving. The healers think she might have been cursed. Harry and Ginny transferred her to St. Mungo's, but she doesn't seem to be harmed in any way. Headmistress McGonagall has given us all permission to go and see her." Teddy was holding an old book that seemed to be faintly glowing-a Portkey. "Let's go." We all grabbed on. Soon enough, I felt myself being yanked away as the Portkey left, bringing us to the wizarding world's finest hospital.

The next thing I knew, we were standing in the front reception room of St. Mungo's. Witches and wizards bustled around, talking to the receptionist, reading the Daily Prophet around a blazing fireplace, or just standing around waiting for their turn at the desk. Some were missing appendages (or had extra ones), were croaking like frogs, or were flying in circles high above us. Uncle Bill and Aunt Fleur were talking to a healer and waved us over when they saw us. Bill looked worried, and Fleur's eyes were red, like she'd been crying. My heart beat double time and Albus swallowed hard, slipping his hand into mine. James came over to stand by us, trying to look tough but obviously worried. I knew I'd look the same way if it was Hugo that had been attacked.

"She's going to be all right." Bill said. "It's strange. Harry went to check on Lily just before he went to bed. Someone was trying to strangle her, but when the figure saw Harry, whoever it was fled. Harry didn't see the figure's height, coloring, or anything that could help us identify him. Lily is really shaken up. She'll be okay, though. That's something to be grateful for at least." He paused before adding "We're all shaken up right now." quietly.

Every great once in a while, our family gets a threat from some dark wizard, but usually it's just empty words. Except for Louis's murder over the summer. However, Uncle Harry had followed up every lead he could think of and had eventually arrested some old Death Eaters. We'd thought that the case was locked down. This new attack was a huge blow to us-it reminded the family that we were never fully safe.

In silence, we trooped up the stairs to Lily's room. Uncle Percy, Aunt Audrey, Molly, Lucy, Uncle Charlie, Uncle George, Aunt Angelina, and Andromeda Tonks (Teddy's grandmother) were all waiting outside. Bill gently nudged the eight of us forward and we went inside. "She's been asking for you."

Lily was sitting up in bed, surrounded by Uncle Harry, Aunt Ginny, Mum, Dad, and Hugo. Her eyes were wide and she looked terrified. Harry was trying to get her to answer some questions. "Are you sure you didn't see who it was? Do you remember anything that could help us discover who did this to you?" She shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Just then, Mum saw me and immediately rushed to hug me. For once, I didn't try to squirm away. "We were so worried."

"I'm fine. I came as soon as I could." I turned to Lily. "How're you feeling, Lily Bee?"

"All right." she said, trying to smile and failing.

Just then, James and Albus jumped onto the bed next to her. "How are you doing?" James asked, concerned. Albus just hugged his sister tightly.

"Okay." Lily said, relaxing a little.

"Does anything hurt?"

"No."

"Good."

Just then, Uncle Harry turned to Dad. "Please tell everyone in the hallway to come inside. Everyone should hear this." Dad nodded and left. One by one, the other relatives trickled in, until we were all standing in the room. It was a little crowded, but for once it didn't bother me. I wanted to be close to my family right now.

Harry stood up and glanced around at the assembled family members, making eye contact with each of us. His face was grave and serious. "It appears our family is under threat." He began to pace, assuming his role as an Auror. "I would advise that we use more caution from now on. Make sure all doors and windows are locked, and trust no one."

I shivered. There's a big difference between threats and murder attempts. We stayed at the hospital for the rest of the day, talking in low voices in small clumps of people. By the time we had to go back to Hogwarts, we were all wound up and nervous. We had good reason to be, too.

After all, if whoever had done this tried once and almost succeeded, who was to say they wouldn't try again?

Anyone could be next.