II. Forgiveness
It's the first time she doesn't come back. He can hear her mother's voice fussing over Petunia, the older girl speaking rapidly, accusing that ugly nasty boy who lives down at Spinner's End, and Lily saying nothing at all.
The pebble clacks against her window. He waits nervously in the shadows, torn between anxiety and impatience. Finally the window slides open and Lily's face appears between the dark blue curtains. "I don't want to talk to you," she says curtly. "Go away."
"Wait!" He bites his lip. "Wait, please."
Her expression is unreadable in the faint glow of the streetlights, but she keeps the window open. "'Tuney's okay," she says after a moment of silence ticks by. "She told mum about me sneaking out to see you. I'm not allowed to anymore."
"But-" he starts, but she cuts him off. "You could've really hurt 'Tuney, you know. Mum was really mad. She said her shoulder will be alright, though."
He stares down at the shadowed pavement. "I'm sorry."
He feels her gaze on him in the darkness. She stares down at him for a long time, then sighs. "I know," she says matter-of-factly. "I told 'Tuney it was an accident, but she didn't believe me."
He looks back up, startled. Hope kindles to life in his chest. "You'll still come?"
"Of course," she says. "But you have to promise you'll be more careful."
"I will, I promise-"
"And," she says sternly, "don't ever hurt my sister again. I know she doesn't fancy you very much, but she's very nice, really, once you get to know her."
He doesn't believe it, but he's too happy to care. "Will you meet me again tomorrow?"
Lily shakes her head. "I told you, Mum doesn't like it. I'll sneak out in a couple of days."
"Oh," he says, crestfallen. Lily bites her lip and glances around. "One minute," she says, and vanishes. The window clicks shut. He waits impatiently, confused. Then the front door eases open, and Lily reappears.
"Everyone's asleep," she whispers. "And I know where Dad hangs the key to the lock. I can't be long, though. And if 'Tuney wakes up and sees I'm gone-"
He's still staring at her, half-disbelieving his luck. Lily frowns. "Well, come on, then," she whispers impatiently. "We can't just stand out here all night!" Impulsively she grabs his arm and pulls him after her. He follows, stumbling, a grin slowly spreading across his face.