Chapter 3- Goodbye, My Once Friend

After yelling at James, Lilly retreated to bed, where she fell asleep almost as soon as she touched the pillow. She woke early the next morning to find that she was very hungry - after all she hadn't eaten in well over 24 hours.

So, for the first time since Kat's suicide Lilly ventured out of Gryffindor tower, she made it all the way to the great hall & was able to get as far as the Gryffindor table before anyone spoke to her.

"Are you feeling better today, Lilz?" asked Belinda.

Lilly's reply was lost due to the arrival of the owl post; Lilly loved owls & she always stared in wonder & awe as the post arrived each day. To her great surprise one of the owls landed in front of & presented its leg, Lilly detached the letter & the owl took flight immediately, leaving Lilly alone with the letter. She went back to Gryffindor tower before opening the letter as although she was able to attend breakfast Lilly felt that she was not yet ready to face her classes.

Sitting in one of the large armchairs in the common room Lilly ensured she was comfortable before she opened the letter she expected it to be from her parents with a message like "We heard what happened to your little friend we're so sorry, blah, blah, blah etc" instead the letter said:

Dear Lilly,
My husband & I are currently arranging Katrina's funeral & as her best friend we were wondering if you would make a speech, as you knew her better than anyone else. Please consider, the service will be held this Saturday & we hope to see you there. Thank you, Megan Jones.

Lilly thought about it for quite some time & at lunchtime she took a return note up to the owlery & sent it to Kat's mum.

~*~*~

On Friday afternoon Lilly made arrangements with Professor McGonagall so that she would be able to attend Kat's funeral, then she returned to the common room to put the finishing touches on her speech.

The next morning Lilly dressed in black, then went to meet Professors McGonagall & Dumbledore who would also be going to the funeral.

When they arrived Lilly was amazed by how many people were there, she stared around wondering where all these people had come from. She spotted Kat's mum & went to let her know she was here & that she had her speech all ready.

Before long the service started & every one gathered near the grave. Lilly didn't take much notice of the ceremony & before she knew it, it was time for her to speak.

"When I was asked to talk to you all today I actually had to think about whether or not I would be ready to face all of you, because since Kat's death one week ago I have been unable to do much at all. On Monday night I went into my dormitory & I found a note on Kat's bed it was addressed to me & I read it - it was her letter of farewell to me & I somehow knew exactly where she was & immediately I went to stop her. I'm sure you'll all be glad to know that I tried my hardest to stop her, but it wasn't good enough & I watched as she stepped off that tower. I'm not telling you this because I want to rub in the fact that a girl you all knew & loved committed suicide, but to make sure that each one of you understands that it was no accident that killed Kat it was her. Kat was my best friend & I will always love her but, the ultimate betrayal is abandonment & I will never forgive her for what she did, & so I bid you goodbye, my once friend." With that Lilly stepped away from the podium & walked away from the funeral to wait for the end so she could leave, she'd said her goodbye, but she was so mad at Kat for leaving her here like this that she wanted to leave as soon as possible.

Dumbledore must have noticed that Lilly was clearly ready to leave, as he walked over to her & pulled a handkerchief from his pocket he tapped it once with his wand & then he handed it to Lilly. She took it & after a few seconds she felt the familiar tug behind her naval & she was lost in a swirl of colours then as suddenly as it all started it stopped & Lilly was standing alone in the entrance hall back at Hogwarts.

"I hate portkeys," grumbled Lilly, as she made her way to Gryffindor tower.

The common room was crowded when Lilly returned & so she went to her dormitory to think in peace. But the other 6th year girls were having a beautification session & Lilly couldn't help but laugh when she saw them all with different coloured face masks on & various styling objects in their hair, so before they could invite her to join in she went to sit under her favourite tree near the lake.