Chapter Three:

The conversation with Albus had unnerved Lily. So much so that even James noticed, and didn't seem to bother her. Sitting in the front seat of the car, next to his mother, James kept glancing back at his youngest sibling. Lily was staring out the window, her eyes very distant. Of course, she was always distant, but never to the point where she ignored him completely. Usually, when he said something, she would always have a snide retort. But nothing came from her. She didn't sigh, she didn't roll her eyes, she didn't really move, except to push her hair out of her face. They fought, but James could honestly admit (only to himself) that he loved his little sister.

"Mum, are we there yet?" Albus complained. He had enjoyed the silence between his brother and sister, and took pleasure in the long, quiet car ride. Every year, it had been the same thing over, and over, and over again. Yelling and arguing, and then turning to him for support, but neither got any. His earlier conversation with his sister spooked him too, but he had meant every word. He wasn't going to take anyone's side. He knew they were both wrong for fighting the way they did, but he was going to push them along anyway, say they were right, until one of them finally took it too far. He had a feeling it would happen soon, but he didn't know who would do it.

Ginny Potter smiled at her son through the rear-view mirror. "Soon, Albus. Don't you remember the route?"

"Mum, we're in the sky! How could I possibly remember the route we take?"

She chuckled and shrugged her shoulders. "You'll have to learn pretty soon. James already knows how to fly the car, but you can only drive it on the road. James learned at fifteen. You'll be learning this summer."

"I'm already sixteen." Albus deadpanned.

Ginny smiled again. "I worry over you more than I should. But you'll learn."

Albus sighed very loudly and leaned against the door, pressing his forehead against the glass, watching as the clouds flew past them. His eyes flickered over to where Lily sat, still very silent. Had what he said upset her? Or had she taken what he had said to heart, and finally decided to not fight with James anymore? She was obviously deep in thought, not unlike any other day, but everyone in the car seemed to notice she was more distant than usual.

As the car began it's descent both Albus and James seemed to forget their worries over Lily and began thinking about going back to Hogwarts. It had been a very long Thanksgiving break, and they both missed all of their friends. When the car landed neatly in a parking space, Albus nearly tripped over himself trying to get out of the car and to the trunk to gather his things.

"Careful, Al, don't hurt yourself." James chuckled as he sidestepped his brother, who was desperately trying to right himself. Slowly Lily dragged herself from the car, not dreading going back to school, but dreading her detention with James. Albus was very right. She and James had dragged their brother into their fight, very unfairly. And it was very obvious that neither of the two would be getting over their differences anytime soon, but how could they keep Albus out of it? Maybe act like normal siblings when they were around him? Lily had pondered this idea for quite a while, and though it seemed like the best option, it had the potential to backfire. And what about ignoring James completely and totally? That may also work. Not ever talking to him, looking at him; never acknowledging his existence. That one also had the potential to backfire. Lily just wanted to stomp her foot and scream like a five year old having a temper tantrum. But she was doing so well at keeping quiet and keeping her emotions in check, and she wasn't about to ruin that.

"Hey Lil, hurry it up will ya? The train leaves in thirty minutes and we've got a crowd to fight through!" Albus handed Lily her trunk and her pet cat, Jinx, and quickly followed after his mother and brother. Lily quickened her steps so she could keep up with them and, for the time being, forgot her problems. She took a deep breath and let it out as quietly as she could.

"Back from dreamland, huh, Lil?"

James had slowed down enough so he was walking right beside her. He kept his voice low, so he wouldn't alert Albus and his mother. "Listen... I'm pretty sure I know what you were thinking about in the car."

"Oh really?" Lily sneered.

"Yes," James glanced at Albus and then back to Lily. "You were thinking about him. It's okay, he talked to me, too. So, why don't we just... pretend nothing has ever happened between us?"

Lily raised her eyebrows in disbelief. "Pretend nothing has ever happened? Are you joking?"

"Okay, okay, jeez... then why don't we pretend for Albus's sake that we love each other and we're one big happy family. Just like the old days. You know, when you couldn't talk."

Lily narrowed her eyes, but knew she had no choice. She held out her hand, and James grabbed it and shook it once. "Deal."