Thank you so much for you reviews. Disclaimer: I DO NOT own "Harry Potter"

It was the third week after begin of holidays. Petunia had hardly gotten out of her room and not talked to anyone. She was the first to leave the house and the last to get back. Her parents became desperate.

Lily met with her friends several times. She had met Hailey and Bridget in her first year. Hailey was in Hufflepuff, Bridget in Gryffindor. They had been in the same boat that brought them to school and were talking after some minutes.

It was a sunny Wednesday in July when the door bell rang. Lily shouted: "I'll open", and hurried down the stairs to the door. Her father sat in the kitchen and read the newspaper, her mother was outside. Petunia was already out, meeting some friends.

Lily opened. In front of her stood Amber, a Ravenclaw girl, who was in the same year as Lily, but who Lily didn't really know and didn't really want to know.

She threw her long blond hair over her shoulder and smiled at Lily brightly. "Hey."

Lily looked at her in surprise. "Um, hey, Amber. How are you?"

Amber shrugged. "Alright. Can I come in?"

"Sure", Lily said quickly and let her in. Surprised she watched Amber throwing her bag on the couch and sitting down.

"I don't want to be rude", Lily began, "but what are you doing here? Why do you know where I live?"

Amber smiled patiently. "Your friends told me. I asked… Brenda…?" "Bridget", Lily corrected quickly. "Right. So I talked to Bridget. I have a question, she told me you could help me."

"Tell me", Lily suggested and sat down.

Amber seemed to consider. "You know something about this muggle make-up, don't you?" "Um, not really…"

Amber smiled. "I need your advice. Would you wear red eye shadow with red or pink lipstick?"

Lily stared at her. "I guess… I guess pink…" "Okay", Amber continued eagerly, "when you wore a blue dress would wear transparent or notable lip stick?"

"Transparent, I guess", Lily said, "but I really have no idea. Why don't you ask your friends? Surely they know something like that." Amber hesitated. Then she shrugged. "Maybe. I'll ask them. Thanks for your advices."

Lily smiled and said: "Have nice holidays, Amber." Amber smiled and nodded, then she turned around and left the house. Lily closed the door behind her.

Shaking her head, she went up the stairs into her room and cried out.

Everywhere were pink heart shaped balloons. Petals lay on the floor and a magic pink source of light lighted up the room.

In the center of the room stood James, wearing a shirt and shorts, his hair sticking out as usually, and gave her a bright smile.

"Surprise", he yelled and threw his arms in the air.

Lily stared at him. "What… what are you doing here?", she asked, blushing.

James approached her. "You read my letter, did you?", he asked, uncertain.

Lily's face flushed an even deeper red. She nodded quickly. "I… yes, I did."

"Good." James shyly beamed at her. "I meant every word. Everything." "I do believe you, but…"

Lily hesitated.

James's face was near her own. She could feel his breath on her cheek. Lily saw his lips and suddenly she knew that James did mean every word.

She closed her eyes and leaned forward until her lips touched his.

James put his arms around her shoulder and he let her go for a moment to smile at her. "I love you, Lily", he whispered.

Lily opened her eyes.

"What about Amber? Did you send her?"
James blushed. "I had to prepare this all."

"Give… give me a sec."

Lily wound in his arms and took a step back. "What did you give her? She doesn't even like me? What did you give her to show up here?"

James looked away. "I helped her with something."

Lily shook her head angrily. "You made out with her, right? Oh, how could I fall for you another time? Get out, now!"
James looked at her in surprise. "What… what?", he asked helplessly

Lily looked at him, aghast and desperate. "Just go. Go."

To Lily's surprise James just nodded and with an abrupt crack he Disapparated.

Lily sat down on her bed slowly and buried her face in her hands.

Her mother found her sobbing quietly. She came in, sat down beside her and carefully put an arm around her shoulder. She said nothing.

Lily stopped sobbing and looked up to look at her mother.

"Do you think", she began, "I should give James a second chance?"

Jane smiled. "I have no idea who James is, but when he did this", she pointed at the balloons, "he must be a nice boy."

Lily smiled wryly. "It's hideous, isn't it?"

Jane shrugged. "Some people like pink." She laughed quietly and Lily smiled. She gave her a hug and stood up.

"I actually wanted to talk to Tuney, but she's never at home, so I'm going to look for her. Do you have an idea where she could be?"

Jane shrugged and sighed quietly. "She's with this Vernon. He has a flat round the corner. But don't go near there, it's a sleazy quarter."

Lily nodded. "See you." She went down the stairs. She should forget about James for a while and take care of Petunia.

When she finally went down the street she realized how much had changed. Some houses looked older than ever, others had been renovated.

She looked at the old house of the Browns, their neighbors. The Browns lived in this house since Lily could remember. Mr and Mrs Brown were a nice couple, the age of Lily's parents. They had a son, Danny, whom Lily had hung out with when she was eleven, twelve. At least in the holidays.

This boy Danny was now sitting on a bench in front of the Browns' house and let the sun shine in his face. He opened his eyes and blinked twice. Then he saw Lily.

"Lily", he said, "is that you?"

"Danny?" Lily looked at him, surprised. "How are you?"

She was surprised how handsome he looked. His dark hair hung in his face. He was tall and looked strong when Lily neared him.

Danny beamed at her. Lily hesitated and hugged him. "I've missed you", she said smiling. He nodded. "I've missed you too. Long time no see, huh? How's school?" Lily shrugged. "Alright. I'm happy. How about you?" Danny nodded shortly. "It's OK. What are you doing?"

Lily frowned. "I'm looking for my sister. She… seems to have some… problems."

Danny looked at her seriously. "She's… complicated, Petunia is. Fights, beer, strange guys." He shrugged. "I can't help her. But if you want me to I can help you find her."

Lily gave him a wide smile. "That would be great. I have no idea where she always hangs out."

Danny shrugged. "We can just go."

Lily nodded. They turned round a corner and walked along a small street until Danny stopped in front of an old house which had a lack of tiles. Lily could see a sleazy front yard.

"This is where Vernon lives?", Lily asked hesitantly. Danny nodded. "Yes. But he doesn't seem to be here. Maybe they are at one of their favorite pubs in the center of town. Let's go."

Lily nodded. They were just going when a surprised voice shouted: "Lily?" Lily turned around.

A boy hurried towards them. He wore a too long, black coat and had long greasy black hair. His name was Severus Snape.

Lily sighed, took Danny's arm and wanted to pull him away. "C'mon, let's go."

But Severus caught up easily. His smile lighted up his usually sad face and Lily couldn't help but be happy to see him.

"Hello", he said. Lily smiled at him. "Hey, Sev. Are you alright? What are doing here?"

He shrugged. "I was actually looking for a flat."

Lily frowned. "You want to move out?"

"Yes, finally." Severus seemed to be proud of his decision. Lily nodded and said: "Good for you. I hope you'll find something. Um, Danny, this is Severus, a friend… from school. Sev, this is Danny, an old friend."

The boys shook hands. "What are you doing here, then?", Severus asked.

Lily sighed. "Looking for Tuney. She… seems to be on booze." Severus laughed quietly. "I can help you. I think I saw her and some big guy near Berney's a while ago. If that helps you."

Lily beamed at him. "Can you show us the way?"

Danny interrupted. "Lily, I… know where the pub is. I could show you."

Lily smiled at him. "Sure, thanks, but Severus can come with us. I don't know, maybe you two can talk, you're both boys, so…"

Severus and Danny looked at each other, not really happy, but nodded. "Good. Then let's go."

She walked through the streets of the small town until they arrived at Berney's. Lily looked around, stepped into the pub and came out again. "They're not in there", she said, shrugging. Danny lifted a hand but Severus stared into a small alley. "I don't think you need to look for them anymore." He pointed at something in the alley.

Lily took a look.

Petunia sat on the floor, leaning against the wall, and murmured something. She had a beer bottle in her hand and took now and then a gulp.

Around her sat three guys. One, a big bulging young man, had put an arm around her shoulder. The others talked to each other with muffled voices.

Lily pressed her hands over her mouth. "Tuney", she whispered.

Petunia looked up. "Lily", she yelled, "what are you doin' here? Go away."

Lily could hardly understand her.

She took a step towards her but Danny grasped her arm.

The man next to Petunia looked up. "Petty, who is that?"

"My little sister", Petunia murmured. "It's alright. She's going."

Lily looked at her desperately. "I'm not. Tuney, you've got to get away from here. You're totally drunk."

Petunia managed to get up and staggered towards her. "Go", she yelled. "I'm fine."

"You're not. C'mon, I'll take you home."

"Leave her alone." The man had risen and stood behind Petunia.

"You… must be Vernon", Lily said quietly.

Suddenly she realized Petunia's behavior and condition was Vernon's fault.

Her face flushed red. Danny and Severus looked at each other, scared. Lily took a deep breath and yelled: "You asshole brought my sister here. Don't you have something better to do than to drag some girls down with you? You… how can you let her fuddle herself like this? Do you have any sense of responsibility?"

Vernon clenched her fists. "How dare you yell at me like this?", he roared. "You little…"

"Hey", Severus said angrily, "leave her alone!"

He stepped forward and Danny followed. Vernon grinned at them scornfully.

"And you think you can do what?"

Lily saw the look in Danny and Severus' eyes and cried: "Leave it, boys. Let's just go."

She grasped Petunia's arm and pulled her with her. Petunia tried to free herself but Lily's grip was stronger. Lily shouted: "Sev, I'll take Tuney home, you should do the same." She gave him a small smile and he nodded.

Lily drew her wand and Disapparated with Petunia.

I hope you liked it. Please read & review.