Chapter 9: Summer Break

The summer holidays were half over, and Riley found herself surprisingly missing school. She hadn't seen any of her friends, nor any other person than Remus and Lyall. She did enjoy to spend time with both of them, but now that she had experienced this new world, her pre-Hogwarts life was not as good as before. Therefore, she had reached a new level of boredom that even riding her broom wasn't helping.

One particularly night, Riley was lying in her bed, flipping through an astronomy book. But, she didn't bother to read it. She was just going through the moving images, wondering what it would feel like to be there. The sound of something hitting her window, made her startle. She looked at its direction, and saw a brown owl crushed against it. She quickly got to her feet and opened the window, allowing the owl to enter her bedroom. Riley's lips curled into a smile as she recognized the owl. She took the letter the owl was carrying and fed him with a biscuit.

Dear Riley,

I hope you're doing fine and enjoying your holidays. I was wondering if you could come and visit me (crossed out) us in our house. I told my parents about you and they are looking forward to meet you (not only because of your last name, I swear). Anyway, I would have asked you earlier, but things here were pretty tense with my brother Charlie going to Romania to study dragons, mom went crazy, she was really expecting him to find a job in the Ministry, like dad. She even threatened to hide all his belongings, but he went anyway. So now, there are only me and George, Percy (I think you've met him), and my other two siblings Ronniekins and Ginny. You'll like them. Hope to hear from you soon!

Fred

Riley smiled at his letter. When she hadn't received any news from him, she thought that maybe he had forgotten about her, about his proposition. It would be very nice to see him again, away from Hogwarts and away from all his Gryffindor friends. She read his letter over and over, smiling to herself. She truly hoped Remus would say yes.

Riley was about to leave her room, when another owl landed on her window. She had never seen an owl like this before, with purple plumage. She wondered if it was some kind of incantation. She approached the owl and took the letter, giving him a biscuit as she usually did. But the owl arrogantly refused and immediately took off. Riley frowned and turned her head at Errol, who had passed out on her bed.

"At least, you're polite." She opened the envelop and started to read the pink parchment.

Dear Riley,

As you may know, my birthday is coming up in a couple of days and to celebrate it, I'm throwing a slumber party this Friday. It's with great pleasure that I inform you that you have been invited. Please let me know as soon as possible if you can attend.

Love, Lauren Harley

P.S. You'll find the gift list on the back of this letter.

Riley stared at the letter surprised. Lauren and her friends had been nice to her, and it was great to have people in Slytherin that actually liked her. But she never imagined being invited to one of the girls' house. She turned the piece of parchment over and saw a list filled with things she had never heard of. She would just pick the least expensive.

She exited her room, looking for Remus. She was a little apprehensive about asking him to see Fred, but she couldn't see any reason why he would refuse her to go to Lauren's. She found him sitting in an armchair talking to Lyall, with a drink in his hands. She discreetly approached them.

"…Don't worry, I'm not acting alone, but something must be done, he can't get away with it!" She heard Remus' voice.

"I know son, but this isn't your battle! You'll end up doing more damage than good."

"I know why you're saying that, but I'm not you."

"You'll be putting Riley in danger." Lyall's voice was more tense than before. Remus didn't retort, instead he lowered his eyes to his drink, swirling the liquid inside. Riley, who had been caught by surprise, thought that it wasn't the best time to ask him anything. She turned around to leave, but stumbled upon a chair.

"Riley!" Remus exclaimed. "Didn't hear you coming."

"I just got here."

"Is everything ok?"

"Yes, actually I just wanted to ask you something." She said, sitting down in front of him.

"What is it?"

"Well, some friends of mine sent me a letter, asking if I could meet them."

"Oh, how wonderful." Lyall said enthusiastically, but Remus didn't seem to share his father's contentment.

"Who are those friends?" He asked.

"One of them is Fred Weasley, he's a Gryffindor." She thought that it would be nice to add this information. "He's asked me if I could come to visit him in his house."

"I know the Weasleys. They're wonderful people." Lyall stated, smiling at his son. But Remus didn't look at his father, he had his eyes set on Riley.

"You said some friends."

"Yes… The other one is a Slytherin girl. She's having her birthday party on Friday and she invited me."

"A party?" He raised an eyebrow. Riley immediately regretted saying that word.

"Well, it's not really a party, it's a sleep over. There'll only be girls there." She said nervously. Remus studied her for a moment.

"And who is this girl?"

"Her name's Lauren Harley."

"Harley?" Remus asked dryly.

"Yes… Why?"

"Is she related to Michael Harley? The daily prophet editor-in-chief? I've met him once, not really a decent person."

"Yes, he's her father."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"Well, I'm sorry you don't like him, but I'm not going to his slumber party."

"Don't play smart!"

"I'm not! Aren't you supposed to teach me not to be prejudiced and judgemental?"

"That's different…"

"How? How is that different? You're only saying that because she's a pureblood Slytherin! Well, guess what, I'm a Slytherin as well." She said raising her voice.

"That's not the reason Riley, you're twisting my words."

"You may don't like her father, but you don't know her!" Remus sighed, this was bringing back some memories. He remembered his old friend Sirius Black, who was nothing like his family. Of course, he had been accused of betraying James and Lily. But he never thought the accusations were true.

"I just don't think that's good for you, Riley."

"Fine!" She snapped and went back to her bedroom, slamming her door behind her.

Riley was feeling extremely angry. She had never fought with Remus like this, she couldn't understand why he was being so difficult, it was just one night. Then, she realised that he hadn't answered about Fred. Although, she didn't feel like going back in there to ask again. Someone knocked on her door.

"Go away!"

"Riley, it's Lyall. Let me in."

"Oh, ok. Come in." Lyall opened the door and stepped in. He sat down on her bed next to her. "It isn't fair."

"I know, pumpkin."

"He has to understand that I have Slytherins friends."

"He's just worried about you, that's all."

"I can take care of myself! He's overreacting!"

"I'm sure you can." He chuckled and then sighed. "You can go to your friend's house."

"What?" Riley asked surprised. "Did Remus change his mind?"

"Well, not exactly."

"Then what?"

"I'll handle him, pumpkin. I also think he's overreacting. After all, how much trouble a girl your age can get in, huh?"

Riley thought that it would be wiser not to answer, so she just gave him a soft smile.

"Thanks." She hugged him.

"Yes, of course. But not a word about this, ok?" He stood up.

"Sure. But what about Fred?" She asked before he could leave the room.

"Fred?"

"Weasley."

"Oh, right. Well, let's not push it. Why don't you ask your friend to meet you in Diagon Alley instead?"

"Hmm, all right, I can do that."

"Very well." He smiled and left her bedroom.

When Friday came, Lyall took Riley to Lauren's house. Remus wasn't home, so it wasn't difficult. She would be going to meet Fred in Diagon Alley the next day. Remus would probably be very mad, but she would deal with him later. They apparated in front of the largest house Riley had ever seen. She knocked the door, and a house-elf opened it.

"Hi. I'm Riley Potter. I'm here to see…"

"Riley!" Someone yelled her name while coming at her.

"Hi Lauren."

"Don't stand there, come on in!"

Riley entered the house. She was inside a very large marble room, with an exceptional double sided staircase. She looked up at the ceiling in admiration. It was like being inside a palace.

"The girls are already here. Follow me."

She followed Lauren up the stairs, looking amazed around her. She saw several paintings hung on the wall of the corridor leading to her bedroom. The people on the paintings were mumbling things to each other.

"Are they your family?" She asked.

"Yep. They're always expressing their opinions. It's like 'You're already dead, no one cares anymore', very irritating!"

"Watch your tone young lady." A fat woman holding a silk fan, snorted. "Young people those days, they have no respect."

"Come on Riley, this is my room." Lauren opened a double door and entered her bedroom. It was a very luxurious bedroom. It had one white king four-poster bed with two black nightstands in each side. There were also a large dresser, a white and gold couch with two armchairs, and a boudoir that looked more like art than furniture. Riley saw Melinda and April sitting on the couch next to twin girls she didn't know.

"Riley, you already know Melinda and April." The two girls waved their hands. "And those two are my cousins."

"Hello." Riley said to them. The twins didn't say anything.

"They don't speak English, they're French." Lauren turned towards the twins. "C'est ma copine de Hogwarts, Riley Potter." The two girls started to whisper to each other at the mention of Riley's last name.

"Hmm, seems like Potter is a universal word." Riley said, a little annoyed. Lauren laughed.

"Is this for me?" She asked, pointing at the small pink package in Riley's hand.

"Err… Yes. Happy Birthday!" She handed Lauren the package. Lauren took it and put on a small table without even opening it. Although Riley didn't mind, she didn't want everyone to see what she had picked. She sat down alone in an armchair.

"Aren't your parents home?" Riley asked.

"No. Dad's travelling on business and mom is probably in a spa somewhere. We just got back from Monte Carlo. We have a house in there. What about you Riley? Where did you go for your holidays?"

"Actually I stayed home." Everyone turned their heads towards Riley, including the twins, who Riley thought understood everything they were saying.

"Oh." Lauren said, as if Riley had just said that her puppy died.

After they started gossiping and talking about girl stuff like clothes, make up, boys… Riley was feeling a little out of place, as if she was talking with some beings from another planet. It was a little boring, she wanted to talk about Quidditch, make jokes… Maybe she was spending too much time with boys.

"Riley?" Melinda broke her out of her thoughts.

"What?"

"If you had to choose a boy in Hogwarts, who would it be?"

"I don't know."

"You have to pick someone!" April said.

"Err…" Riley really didn't know how to answer that question. "Diggory I guess…" It was the first name that crossed her mind, every girl in her year fancied him. The girls giggled.

"Well, It's not a bad choice I guess." Lauren said. "Hey! I have an idea. What about a makeover?"

"A what?" Riley raised an eyebrow.

"A makeover, a transformation." Lauren rolled her eyes. "Let me do your hair!"

"What? No." Riley said, putting her hands protectively over her head.

"Come on. It will be nice! I have the most efficient hair potions money can buy!"

"I don't know…" Riley said, reluctantly and a little offended, she saw nothing wrong with her hair.

"I promise you won't regret it, and maybe you'll finally get Diggory." She winked at Riley, who rolled her eyes in response.

"Fine." She finally gave in.

Lauren made Riley sat in front of her boudoir and took several potion bottles. All the girls were around her, observing her, so she couldn't see herself in the mirror. Riley hated it. Lauren put some products on Riley's hair, and then she took a little tube from the drawer.

"What's that?" Riley pulled away.

"Chill out. It's just eyeliner." The other girls snickered. "Have I told you that you have beautiful eyes? Aren't they beautiful?" The girls nodded quickly. Next came black mascara and a pink lip gloss. "Ok, now a little blush." She said, adding a dust of pink powder to her cheeks. "Perfect." She said, taking a step black to contemplate her work of art. The other girls also stepped back, allowing Riley to see her reflection in the mirror. She almost didn't recognize the girl in front of her. It was like an updated version of herself. Her hair was straight and shining, her eyes looked bigger and her pale skin looked amazing.

"You look beautiful." April said. "You're a genius Lauren!" Lauren rolled her eyes, but she was grinning.

"Of course I am! Now, let's change your clothes!" And before Riley could say anything, Lauren went to her closet. She got back holding a very beautiful tank top and a mini skirt.

"Put this on!" She handed the clothes to Riley.

"I can't wear this." Riley said, taking a closer look at the skirt.

"Why not?"

"Well, I don't wear skirts!"

"It's part of our uniform, Riley." Lauren said rolling her eyes and folding her arms.

"Yes, but they're… longer."

"And uglier, put those on!" Riley obeyed. She looked at herself in the mirror, feeling extremely uncomfortable. It wasn't her. However, all the other girls, looked at her with admiration.

"You can keep it. They look very cute on you."

"Thanks." Riley forced a smile. There was no way she would wear these in public.

The rest of the night went normal. They mostly talked about boys and ways of kissing them. Riley who had no experience in this matter, just stood there listening to them. It was rather late when they finally went to sleep, Lauren asked Riley to sleep next to her and Riley noticed that it bothered Melinda. The next day, the girls had breakfast on the porch and Lyall picked her up around noon. Lauren gave her some of her make-up, saying that she should use it more often. Riley nodded politely, but just like the clothes, she had no intention of wearing it.

"You look nice. Did you do something to your hair?" Lyall asked her.

"Yes." She smiled softly. "How's Remus?"

"Oh, don't you worry about him pumpkin." He smiled trying to reassure her. But unsuccessfully. They apparated to Diagon Alley.

The weather was lovely, it was a nice day to be outside. Riley was in front of the Quidditch shop window, admiring the new Nimbus 2000. Fred and Riley had agreed to meet in Diagon Alley. She arrived a bit early, so she went to the place she liked most. Riley wanted to buy a new broom, maybe it would help her to make it to the team. Even if at first she was considering to buy the latest Cleansweep, she couldn't take her eyes off the new Nimbus. It was so robust, so powerful. Someone tapped her shoulder.

"Hey, I thought you would be here." Fred hugged her.

"Hi, Fred. How are you?"

"I'm doing good. Wow, you look different." Fred said studying her.

"Is that bad?" She raised an eyebrow.

"No, no. Actually, you look nice. Pretty." His cheeks turned red as he spoke. "Not that you usually don't look pretty, but, you know…"

"Thanks." She blushed.

"So do you want to get inside?" He asked, indicating the shop in front of them.

"Maybe later. Is George here?"

"Yes, he's in Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop with Lee." Riley unconsciously frowned at the mention of Lee. "Do you want to join them?" He asked, although Riley could tell that he didn't seem too enthusiastic with this suggestion.

"Perhaps we could go get some ice cream?" She suggested. His face lit up.

"Let's go!" He put his arm around her shoulder and leaded her to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.

Riley chose a mix of vanilla and strawberry while Fred chose a chocolate ice cream. She took some sickles from her pocket, but Fred insisted on paying for her ice cream along with his own. They sat down at a table outside.

"How's your ice cream?" Riley asked him.

"It's very… chocolated." He grimaced, making Riley chuckle.

"Well, I think it's kind of relieving that your chocolate ice cream tastes like chocolate."

"Truth." He agreed.

"Swap?" She asked.

"Good idea." They swapped their ice creams.

"Much better." He said with his mouth full. Riley smiled, the chocolate ice cream was indeed too sugary.

"So Fred, how's your family?" She asked.

"They're fine, mom's buying Percy new vests. You can meet her later if you want to." Riley nodded. They finished each other's ice cream and then, decided to return to Broomstix.

"Wow, that's the new Nimbus 2000!" Fred exclaimed. "It's the fasted broom in the world."

"I'm buying it." The words came out of Riley's mouth.

"What?" Fred asked, surprised.

"I'm buying it!" Flint wouldn't refuse her if she showed up riding this broom.

"Are you sure? How can you afford this?"

"I have some money my parents left me. I've never used it, but… Well, it's worth it."

So, she bought it. Fred was amazed and was constantly asking her if he could ride it in school. They spotted George.

"Hello Riley." George said, winking at her.

"Hi George." She said, smiling.

"Where's Lee?" Fred asked his brother.

"He had to leave. Mom is waiting for us Fred."

"Ok." Fred turned to Riley. "Do you want to come with us?" Before Riley could answer, she heard someone call her name. She turned around and looked where the voice had come from. Remus was ten feet away from her. He didn't look happy. Riley looked back at Fred.

"I'm sorry I have to go." She walked away from the twins.

"I hope you had enough fun, because you're grounded until the end of the holidays." Remus grabbed her hand apparated back at their house.

"I can't believe you went to get her!" Lyall stood off his chair, when he saw Remus and Riley arriving.

"I can't believe you let her go behind my back!" It was the first time that Riley saw Remus yelling at his father, and she felt a pang of guilt.

"She needs to have fun, Remus! You can't lock this child in this house forever!"

"It's not you call to make! I'm her godfather and guardian, I'm in charge!"

"Stop acting childish!"

"Riley is my responsibility!"

They continued to argue, but Riley couldn't take it anymore. So, she ran off to her bedroom. She was feeling extremely sad. Because of her, Remus was arguing with his father. They had always had a great relationship, and she spoiled everything. She didn't mind being grounded, after all she did deserve it.

The next days, the mood was tense in the house. Remus was almost never home, and when he did come home, he was distant with Riley and Lyall, almost as if he was only a tenant in his own house. Riley spent the rest of her holidays quietly in her books, she was still allowed to write to her friends, but she couldn't play Quidditch outside.

The day before returning to Hogwarts, Riley was busy packing her things when someone knocked her door.

"Yes?"

"I just wanted to know if you have everything you need." Remus entered her bedroom.

"Yes, I have everything." She shrugged, without looking at him.

"Good. I just thought that something was missing."

"What?" She looked up at him. Then, he showed her a cage with a black cat inside.

"Wow, that's for me?" She asked, her smile insisting on appearing.

"Sure. Unless you don't want it."

"Of course I do!" She said, taking the cage from his hands and freeing the cat. "It's a she or a he?"

"It's a female."

"She's beautiful."

"You have to name her."

"Raven."

"Raven?" He chuckled, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I know it's weird, but she reminds me of a raven, all black and everything."

"Well, that's your cat." He shrugged.

"Thank you." She smiled weakly at him. He sighed and sat down next to her.

"Look Riley. I know that you're probably mad at me. But I just want what's good for you."

"I know." She said.

"Maybe you don't understand yet why I'm doing this, but you will. I promise."

"I understand that you care for me. But sometimes I feel like you are way too overprotecting of me!"

Remus smiled. "You're probably right. I just don't want any harm to come to you."

"I know." She said, stroking her cat.

"I have another surprise for you. I think you're ready."

"What is it?" She asked. But he only grabbed her arm and apparated. They were in a village that looked somehow familiar, but it took a while to Riley to realise where she was. She saw the statue of a man holding a woman tightly. She decided to approach it, she looked down to the sign and read it, "In memory of Lily and James Potter". She looked around her, she was back at her childhood home. She recognized her house, she recognized the street where she used to play with her father. She recognized the sound of the church's bell. She turned to Remus.

"I want to see their graves." She said. He nodded and took her to the graveyard of Godric's Hollow. Riley sat down by her parents' grave. The grave was colourful with fresh flowers, she noticed some notes there, "We're never forgetting what you did", "Rest in peace", "James and Lily Potter forever!".

Riley was trying very hard to hold her emotions together. Her eyes were filled with tears as she buried her face in her hands. Remus touched her shoulder. She wiped her tears.

"I remember everything that happened." She said.

So this chapter was supposed to be very short, oops! ^^

Hope you enjoyed it, and the next chapter is half way done.

Again, thanks a lot for reviewing :) I love to read what you have to say!