"The paintings! Wow!" That was the first thing Zoe said upon entering the Potters' house-or mansion, which describes the Potters' home more accurately. From the outside, the Potters' house looked exactly like the ones next to it – but the inside was another story.

The entrance hall was decorated with cream-colored wallpaper. There were magnificent paintings on the sea – Wizard ones, no doubt, as the waves kept crushing on the shore. "This is nothing," Lily said, rolling her blue-green eyes, identical to her own, but also grinning. "Wait till you see my room!"

Before they could sneak upstairs, however, Ginny came bustling in the hall. "Oh, sweetie, you must be feeling terrible!" She exclaimed while giving Zoe a bear hug. Feeling Ginny hugging her, hearing the love and worry for her in Ginny's voice, and realizing that her mother would never hug or kiss her ever again – all this made fresh tears swell up in her eyes.

Zoe allowed her tears to fall on Ginny's fresh-smelling robes. She didn't bother to wipe her tears as they dripped down her cheeks. "Sweetheart, don't cry. Harry and I love you just as much as our own children," Ginny comforted her, handing her a fresh tissue. She led Zoe to the sofa where she sat down, motioning for Zoe to sit beside her. Zoe did so, blowing her nose. "Feeling better?" Ginny asked gently. When Zoe nodded shakily, Ginny gave her an understanding smile. "I lose a brother once," Ginny said softly. "He had a twin brother. They were always playing tricks on the other members of the family. He was killed by a Death Eater in the Battle of Hogwarts. I used to cry for days afterwards…"

"And?" Zoe's curious voice broke into her thoughts. "It not important," Ginny replied with a shake of her head. "Come to me if you have any problems, alright?" Ginny asked intently. "Okay," Zoe answered.

Ginny gave her a small pat on her shoulder. "You're sharing a room with Lily," Ginny said briskly. "Second floor, third door on the right. Oh, and what would you like for lunch? Spaghetti with tomato sauce?"

"Yes, that will be fine. It's very nice of you, Mrs. Potter.""Nonsense," Ginny said in her most businesslike tone. "It's no trouble at all. And you could just call me Ginny, that's fine with me."

"Thank you very much… Ginny," Zoe said hesitantly. Smiling slightly, she tuned for the grand stairway and began to climb the steps.

Zoe couldn't believe her eyes. Lily's bedroom was glorious compared to the entrance hall. Lilac-colored wallpaper coved the walls and there was a crystal chandelier, throwing rainbow sparkles on the nearby walls. There was a painting of the seaside, completing the image of the perfect bedroom.

"Zoe!" Lily squealed as soon as she stepped into the room. "How do you feel? And by the way, this is your bed, dinner is starting in 15 minutes and what did Mom said?" She said all this in a rush without stopping.

"Whoa, slow down! Let me get my stuff unpacked first," Zoe said with a small laugh. "I'm not telling you what Ginny said," Zoe replied with a mischievous smile when she finished unpacking. "It's nice keeping a secret every now and then."

"Please! I beg you on bent knees!" Lily really got down on her knees. "No, and that's it," Zoe said firmly. "Oh, come on!" Lily whined all the way down to the dining room. They sat down and were served spaghetti with tomato sauce as Zoe requested.

"Where are the boys?" Lily asked towards the end of the meal. "At a friend's house. They'll be back for dinner," Ginny replied. "'The boys', as Lily said, are her brothers," she said at Zoe's dumbfounded expression.

"I see," Zoe replied simply. "By the way, the spaghetti was absolutely delicious. You're a wonderful cook, Ginny." "Hear, hear!" Lily piped in, grinning.

"Now, what shall we do until supper?" Zoe enquired as Ginny lifted all of the dishes off the table with a wave of her wand.

Lily frowned with concentration. Suddenly, a triumphant smile replaced her frown. "I know just the thing! A tour of your new house!" She announced.

A few minutes later, Zoe was struggling to remember where the various rooms are.


Please, please give me some ideas for the next chapter! Criticism is welcome!