Living in a castle where magic is an actual thing and practicing this sort of magic was honestly on of the best things Lily has ever done. She missed her family dearly and was awaiting a letter back any day now. Schoolwork has been quite a change from what she was used to. No math or English or Physical Exercise. She would sometimes talk about it with the girls and while Leah and Emma listened closely and were in complete awe over how different a life it was, Caitlin would chime in with her own stories on how her life was different. Caitlin told stories of a muggle life growing up but knowing magic existed even though her parents both did not practice it at home. Her mother was the witch in the family, her family was murdered by dark wizards and after that she never used magic again unless absolutely necessary. Of course she was happy when Caitlin got her letter and told her about her own time at Hogwarts but she was still happy with her decision not to continue with magic. Her husband knows about the magical world and supports his wife and his daughter. She was an only child and grew up with a dog at home.

Lily always wanted a dog but her sister was allergic.
"I am not very fond of dogs." Leah said.
Emma nodded "Yeah, I mean we have 2 owls and a rabbit but dogs are just not really that magical."
Lily smiled "Maybe that is the charm in it."
"Maybe. Over the summer break I definitely want to visit you guys to see how you live. And you have to come and stay over at our house. My dad hosts this Ministry party every summer break and it is just so much fun."
"How was life growing up just plain magical?"
Emma started "Well I know some Muggle stuff, right. My grandfather on my mom's side is a Muggle, but he was really into magic, still is, he's just a bit old now. My dad is a Half-Blood too, even though it has been a long line of Half-Bloods. So I grew up knowing some Muggle stuff but mostly just through my gramps telling stories and walking through the cities of course. We do vacation like muggles I think."

Leah nodded "Well we are mainly a Pureblood family, like some of my relatives married Half-Bloods and thus their kids are Halfs but both of my parents' families go back ages. Pure Purebloods. My Dad's family was a mix of Slytherins, Gryffindors and Ravenclaws, so we are a complete mix. Some of my aunts are from France and they were in Beauxbaton."
Caitlin interrupted "What is that?"
Emma answered "The Wizarding school in France."
Leah continued "Yeah, anyway, growing up I guessed us normal, I mean nothing is really normal and all when your dad is running for and then winning the position of Minister of Magic. He has been Minister for 6 years now. Before that he worked in Magical Law, but his name was known. His family has always held a certain power. Everyone knew the Parker family and with my mom's family is very popular. A lot of them are celebrities, some major singers, some models and authors and my mom is a singer. That they then connected was a major hit. You should see some of the magazines stories after my parents got together. They never had a moment alone. My dad said it was really stressful but they worked through it got married after a year."

Cait went and asked "How do you deal with that? And your siblings? The press and attention I mean."
"Mom and Dad have tried to steer us as much clear of it as they can but with a big family like ours it isn't easy. Almost every week one of the family names will be in the paper. I guess I had a normal childhood. I had my friends, who were most of the times children of friends of my family. But I had Remus from the start and he helped a lot. What about you Lil? I don't want to sound rude or anything but I heard that sometimes witches or wizards who are from a Muggle family have it a little hard. Not everyone of course I just know some of the stories from my relatives."

At that point Snape sat down beside Lily underneath the oak tree they were all sitting under.
"And once again Parker you said something rude to Lily. Why can't you just shut up."
Leah rolled her eyes but ignored him, turning expectantly towards Lily.

"I guess I did not have a normal muggle childhood, I never really completely fit in. Especially after my sister thought of me as a freak. After things got a bit magical, stuff kept happening and I couldn't explain it, since I didn't know. But maybe that was just me being weird."
Leah rushed "Lil you are no weirder than any of us."
"She isn't weird at all!" Snape shot at her.
Lily continued "So when the letter came, which explained some of it I really could not refuse. I mean the chance to understand everything and then Dumbledore of course said that I would fit in here more and have a normal, well normal magical life."
Emma frowned "What do you mean Dumbledore said that?"
"Well he came to my house and talked to me and my parents about all of that."
"NO WAY!" A collective gasp was heard from the three girls.
"I can't believe Dumbledore actually did that. That is so wicked." Leah rambled .
"Doesn't he do that with everyone?" Lily asked curiously.
"Nope, he doesn't even do it for every Muggleborn. Only some special kids." Emma said
"That's why he was with you when I saw you in Diagon Alley. Oh wow."
Lily was a little freaked, having just thought that this information would deem her as more of a freak but her friends were looking at her with astonished eyes and then Leah started telling stories of Dumbledore as she knew him.

"So my parents were here when Dumbledore was still Professor and he loved them. He loves everyone but whatever. Anyway after my dad got his reputation high enough and started having these formal parties where anyone from the Ministry was invited, he would invite Dumbledore too. And let me tell you guys he is so funny. He tells these incredible stories and wears the most ridiculous outfits and oh gosh I will have to invite you guys when there is another one. They are so much fun."

Snape said "My mother was never invited to one of your fathers' parties."
Leah turned to him "I wouldn't know. I don't write the invitations, someone else does."
"Of course, why would the Parker family have to work."
"What is your problem with me?"
"I don't like arrogant people who have everything handed to them on a silver plate."
Emma rushed "You have no idea of her life and yet you constantly judge her."
Leah smirked "Oh but Emma, he is right. We do have some silver plates at home for when guests arrive."
Emma giggled.
"Is my mother not good enough for the Minister?"
"Honestly I don't know your mom."
"You said her name! In the train."
"Well growing up I had nothing better to do once I was in the Ministry and go introduce myself to everyone. I just pick up names really easily."
"And your father…"
"My father is a busy man, and most of the times he doesn't even know half of the people at these parties. And now I am done justifying myself to you." She turned.

Lily was scared. Severus kept trying to ruin her friendship with the girls and she really liked them.

A scream was heard from up at the castle. It was Remus, James, Sirius und Peter. Remus was calling out for Leah. "Leah did you forget what day it is?"
Leah jumped up "Never!" The boys walked down to them. Caitlin looked up at Remus and asked "How are you feeling Remus? I hope Madam Pomfrey was able to help you."
Remus stuttered "Yes thank you I am feeling a lot better already." He then turned to Leah "What do you want to do today? The guys and I wanted to check out some more of the castle."
"Oh sounds like fun. I'll join. But you know what today is."
"Chess day, how could I forget?" Leah grinned evily.

Remus had explained that. Leah and Remus had been best friends ever since they were 4. They had made a pact there. They were playing chess and Remus had always beat her and while they were playing, cute little Remus the gentleman asked her if she wanted to be his best friend. Leah obviously agreed but only if she were allowed to win on every 15th of every month. That day was a Wednesday so Leah continued by saying that on every Wednesday they would have to do something together. Once their Hogwarts letters came she altered the agreement stating that on every Wednesday they would have to sit beside each other if possible, because she was scared they wouldn't be in the same House. Well they were but they just continued with it. It was kind of sweet.

James turned to the rest of the girls "Anyone else want to join?"
Emma and Cait nodded, who then turned to Lily. She turned to Snape with whom she hadn't been spending as much time with. "No it is fine. I will be spending some time with Severus."
They nodded and smiled and then left.

Severus smiled at his best friend "What do you want to do?"
"I don't know, maybe walk around the grounds and see new things."
"Okay let's go."

Walking with Severus with him talking about his House and the Potions homework was different. "Have you started the homework already?"
"Yes I have but we wanted to do them all together."
Severus looked shocked "We did? Oh Lily, I forgot but I can give you mine to copy."
"Oh no Severus I am sorry, I meant me and the girls."
"Oh yes, sure."
"I am sorry Severus, I just haven't seen you this week except for in class."
"No it is alright, did you hear Quidditch tryouts are next Friday?"
"No."
"Are you planning on going?"
"To try out?"
"First years are not allowed to try out."
"Oh. Then why would we go?"
"People are allowed to watch."
"I don't know, maybe."
"Lily do you want to walk around inside maybe. It is getting a little cold."
"Alright" She smiled and they walked around Hogwarts for a bit, talking and reconnecting.