Disclaimer: Okay, here's the 411, I don't own Lily or James, I am only in charge of a few characters and sometimes I think they have a mind of their own.

A/N: Here's the beginning of their 4th year and once we get to their 5th year, that's when all of the fun starts (so to speak). In this chapter we have an older French foreign exchange student, mysterious letters, and Lily's first dance.

I'd like to try something new and make some dedications for this chapter: phoenix- you're probably my biggest fan (next to my family) and I appreciate all of your feedback, Stephanie Christopher– my wonderful 'beta-reader' and #1 supporter, and mon ami Sabine– who's actually nothing like my character, but I named her after you anyway. Thanks to everyone else who reviewed as well, keep it coming.


Chapter 11: The Mysterious Letters


Lily Potter took a quick look around to make sure that this time her husband was really asleep. Lily loved James very much, but she wanted to tell this part of the story herself.

"Hello, Harry, darling. Tonight is the story of Lily and James' fourth year." Subconsciously, Lily glanced out the window. She was still uneasy about the Fidelius charm, but she found that she forgot her troubles when she lost herself in the story

"It was the summer after Raquel's death, and Lily couldn't help but think of her. However, there were other things on her mind...

________________________________________________________________________________


The summer was filled with unexpected surprises for Lily. The first being that Petunia had been selected by her school to join a student exchange program. For one year Petunia would live in Paris and a French girl would stay with the Evans'. The best part was that the program began in the summer. When Lily arrived home for vacation she was greeted by Sabine D'Orleans (pronounced door-lay-ahns), the French foreign exchange student who turned out to be a better older sister then Petunia ever was.

They shopped together, talked about boys, and did each other's makeup. Even though Sabine was a muggle, which meant that Lily had to be careful about where she put her school things, they had a lot of fun together. Lily wouldn't have to see Petunia or her boyfriend for over a year.

Then one evening Lily received an owl that both confused her and scared her. She was sitting at her desk trying to finish a difficult paper for Transfiguration. The only time she could do her homework was at night so that Sabine wouldn't see. She had just started the conclusion (In conclusion, I believe that every witch and wizard should become an Animagus because...) When a mottled brown and black owl flew in her window. Since it wasn't one of her friends' owls, she assumed it was a school owl. However, instead of a list of supplies for the coming year like she had supposed, the owl was carrying a simple folded note. Lily didn't recognize the handwriting and she was left speechless upon reading it.

Evans–

As a former friend of Raquel Delgado, I thought that you should be aware of the circumstances surrounding her death. I attempted to talk with you before, but whether you know it or not, security around you is very tight. I am sure that you are wondering how Raquel could have been lured away in order to be killed. I am writing to inform you.

Raquel was not a stupid girl. She was betrayed by a friend and that friend led her to her death. You of all people know how easy it is to trust a friend. Let Raquel's death be a warning. Be careful who you trust, the people you think are your friends aren't always your friends.

Now, if you are satisfied with that and do not wish to hear more then I advise you to stop reading now. However, I will give the details of her death as I know them. A close friend of hers, someone she would have trusted with her life, lured her out toward the Forbidden Forest on the pretext of a game. It was there she met with Lord Voldemort. Unarmed and out numbered, Raquel attempted to run, and failing that, fight for her life. I'm not sure if you are aware of this, but the Dark Lord likes to torture his victims before killing them. She was killed instantly when he used Avada Kedavra. No one heard her if she cried for help, and she lay in that spot until you and your friend discovered her. The 'friend' was long gone back to the castle.

I do know who the friend was, but I cannot divulge the name without putting my life in danger, and, frankly, I am not willing to do that. Do what you will with this information, but I thought that you had a right to know.


The note wasn't signed and Lily didn't recognize the handwriting. For a long time Lily just sat there, stunned by what she had just read. She had wondered how Voldemort could have killed Raquel. Raquel had seemed too intelligent to fall for just any ploy, but like the anonymous letter writer had said, it was easy to trust a friend. Lily trusted all of her friends, especially the Marauders. If one of them betrayed her she'd never suspect it. She really hoped that would never happen. Then she had a visitor.

They could betray you, you know.

'No, it would never happen,' she thought fiercely.

It could. Given the right circumstances, they'd all betray you in an instant.

'You're lying. You're just trying to make me doubt my friends. I trust them.'

Remember when I told you that you will be Voldemort's downfall? Your friends will be yours.

'That's ridiculous. My friends would never hurt me.'

How well do you really know them?

Lily shook those thoughts from her head. The Marauders could never hurt her. She smiled as she thought about them. They were so different: Sirius with his complete craziness and inner sensitivity, Remus with his quiet thoughtfulness, Peter, who, even though he was somewhat dull, was still a nice fellow, and of course James, who was her best friend and very compassionate.

Lily could never imagine her friends betraying her. It would never happen. She put the finishing touches on her paper and went looking for Sabine. She was about to knock on the door when she realized that Sabine was on the phone.

"Oui, zat is eet Antoinette! I do not know what I should do! 'Ow do I tell zem zat I am a witch? I am to go to 'Ogwarts, but zey are muggles! Zey will not understand, and zey will sink I am batty!"

Lily's jaw dropped. She had only assumed that Sabine was a muggle, how else had she gotten into the exchange program? But this conversation shed a new light on things. Pushing open Sabine's bedroom door she caught the tail end of the conversation.

"Well, I weel come up wis a solution. A Bientot, Antoinette." As she hung up the phone, Sabine turned around and saw Lily in the doorway.

"Lily! 'Ow long 'ave you been standing zair?"

"Sabine, you don't have to worry, I'm a witch too!"

Sabine's mouth formed a little 'o'. "Eez zis some sort of joke? I do not know of what you speak."

"Sabine, I really am a witch! I go to Hogwarts. Are you supposed to go there, too? That's wonderful!"

"Lily, zis is wonderful! Where do you go to purchase supplies?"

"You must mean Diagon Alley. My father will take us tomorrow, he was going to take me anyway. I just want to ask you a question. How did you get into this exchange program?"

"Well, ze program zat I am part of izn't for muggles. I am from Beauxbatons Academy, and your seester did not go to my 'ome. She went to a family that is part of anozzer exchange program. I was sent to zis 'ouse by my Ministry and it was supposed to be a magic 'ouse. I saw you and I assumed zat you were muggle and zat zair was a mix-up. You did not mention you were a witch!"

"Well," Lily said, feeling slightly overwhelmed, "I'm the only witch in the family, I'm muggleborn. We didn't say anything because we assumed that you were muggle, we thought that it was an exact switch."

"I am so pleased! Tomorrow we weel go shopping! It will be tres amusant!"

Lily smiled. It really would be fun, she never had gotten to shop in Diagon Alley with a female friend before.

"I can't wait Sabine!"

* * *

The next day, Mr. Evans drove the girls to the Leaky Cauldron where they went through the courtyard and into Diagon Alley. They started in Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions to buy Sabine her Hogwarts robes, and moved on towards Everything Quidditch.

"Oh, come on Lily. You 'ave to 'ave a broomstick. Anybody 'oo is anybody 'as a broomstick."

"But I don't like to fly!"

"'Ow about a Silver Arrow? Zay are very beautiful."

Lily felt a pang in her heart. This conversation, the shopping, it reminded her so much of Raquel and their shopping trip in Hogsmeade. Lily tried not to concentrate on that and tried to have fun.

"That's okay, Sabine. Let's go get a bite to eat."

"Lily!"

"Hey, Lil!"

Lily turned around in time to see James and Remus come running up to her.

"Who's your friend, Petals?" James asked, eyeing Sabine.

Lily turned back to Sabine and suddenly saw her in a new light. Sabine was a very beautiful French girl. She had waist length chestnut brown hair that shined in the light, deep, sparkling blue eyes, and full, red, pouty lips. On top of her gorgeous, super model looks, Sabine had an air of sophistication. The way that James and Remus were looking at Sabine suddenly made Lily very insecure. Lily had always been proud of her thick red hair and bright green eyes, but all of a sudden she was thinking that her hair was too orange and her eyes too muddy-green.

"This?" Lily said, her voice a pitch higher than usual, "This is Sabine. She's a French exchange student who's staying with us. She's going to be a seventh year at Hogwarts."

James didn't seem to notice Lily's emphasis of Sabine's age. "Really? Well, enchanté Sabine. It is a pleasure to meet you. James Potter at your service and this is my good friend Remus Lupin. Petals, do you and Sabine want to come with us for something to eat?"

Sabine looked at James and Remus appraisingly. "Lily, why does zis boy call you 'Petals'?"

"It's just a silly nickname he came up with for me. Because of my name."

Sabine looked confused. "I am afraid I do not understand."

"My name, it's Lily. Lily, Petals, oh, never mind. James, I don't think that we can–"

"Nonsense, Lily," Sabine interrupted. "We would love to walk around ze Diagon Alley wis such 'andsome boys."

James smiled even brighter and Remus turned bright red. Lily wondered what Elizabeth would have to say to that. Smiling charmingly Sabine hooked her arm through James' and giggled.

"Well, James, where are we to go?" she asked as she pulled him up the cobbled street.

Lily smiled and shook her head. Putting her arm through Remus', she imitated Sabine's shameless flirting.

"Well, Remus, where are we to go?" Lily repeated in a very poor French accent.

Remus laughed. "She does have poor James well caught, doesn't she?"

"She's lucky that I'm not the jealous type. I can't have her stealing my men, can I? What did you think of that essay McGonagall assigned us?"

"I laughed when I read it. I'm sure that you, James, and Sirius will get full marks. Um, have you talked to Elizabeth lately?

"No, haven't you? I thought that you were, you know."

"We broke up at the beginning of the summer. It wasn't working out."

"Oh, Remus, I'm sorry," Lily said.

Remus shrugged. "It wouldn't have worked."

Lily peered at him inquisitively. "Is this because you're a you-know-what?"

"Lily please. Now James and Sabine are quite far ahead of us, let's catch up." Remus pulled ahead, but Lily caught up and grabbed his sleeve.

"Remus, that is a stupid reason to break up with Beth. You know you like her, you shouldn't let such a silly thing stand in your way."

Remus stopped to look her in her bright green eyes. "A silly little thing like the fact that I become a monster once a month? I'm not supposed to tell anyone about that, you found out for yourself. Now just drop it."

Lily didn't want to drop it, but a quick glance ahead showed Lily that she had better keep a close eye on James and Sabine. Not that she didn't like Sabine; she did, but James was a fourteen year old boy and Sabine was a gorgeous seventeen year old woman. Lily didn't want to see James get hurt. Sabine was a terrible flirt and from the looks of things she had James tightly wrapped around her slim fingers.

"Lily, dear, 'urry up! We are going to go to Suzi's Salad et Sandweesh Shop! Eet will be tres amusant!"

"I'm coming Sabine!" Lily called back. "Come on Remus, I bet that Sabine can get James to buy us all lunch!"

* * *

The train ride to Hogwarts was long and boring, at least for Lily. Marie had a cold, so she wasn't interested in talking, Elizabeth refused to be in the same compartment as Remus, and the Marauders, particularly James and Sirius, were busy admiring Sabine. Lily got a strange feeling in her stomach every time she looked at the boys who were staring at Sabine with dreamy looks in their eyes.

Lily sighed and stared out the window. As the lush green scenery rolled by, she let random thoughts float through her head. Although she was already one of the top students in her year, Lily resolved to devote more time to her studies and less time to frivolous pursuits such as playing pranks on Severus Snape. Though they were pretty funny!

"Lily?" A voice with a heavy French accent interrupted Lily's thoughts.

"What is it Sabine?"

"Ze boys 'ave been telling moi all about ze 'ouses. What 'ouse do you sink I will be een?"

"I don't know. I can't tell."

"Oh." Sabine sounded disappointed. "Well, never mind."

She seems like a highly suspicious character to me.

'Oh, shut up,' Lily thought crossly.

She just appears out of nowhere and she seems to have firm control over your 'friends'.

'She's nothing but a flirt. She's harmless. But speaking of suspicious characters, what's your name?'

Very droll. You won't catch me that easily. Don't say I didn't warn you, I'd keep my eye on her.

Lily turned back to the window. She continued to stare out the window until she felt someone plop down next to her.

"Petals, what do you think about Sabine? I think she likes me!"

"Oh, James, she's three years older than you are!"

"So? What's age when you're in love?"

"James, you hardly know her! You can't be in love! I'm sorry to have to say this, James, but Sabine certainly doesn't feel that way about you."

"You don't know that. She's probably infatuated with my wicked good looks."

Lily laughed. "Don't be ridiculous."

James glared at her. "Excuse me for wanting to tell one of my best friends that I'm in love. I'll just leave now." He stood up and moved over to where Sabine was laughing over something Sirius had said.

Lily tried to apologize. "James, please. Oh, come on, James, I didn't mean–"

James refused to listen. He started up a conversation with Sabine and blushed every time she giggled. Lily turned away in disgust.

'I hope that Sabine is in another house or this will be a very long year," she thought.

* * *

Sabine was pronounced a Gryffindor, much to Lily's chagrin. At least Sabine wasn't in her dorm; it was bad enough that practically every boy in Gryfindor ogled her in the common room, Lily didn't want to see it in her own bedroom. Lily had to admit it wasn't Sabine herself that Lily was upset with. Sabine was new to the school and she was French. To the boys she was exotic and flirtatious. No, what bothered Lily were the boys reactions, and after a few weeks she wasn't the only girl to feel that way.

Up in the fourth year girls dorm, Lily was lying in her bed reading an old copy of Modern Witch. She flipped through the pages and tried to find something of interest. She was about to go look for one of her friends when Marie burst into the room.

"Lily, guess what? There's going to be a Halloween dance for fourth years and above! Our first dance, isn't this exciting?

Lily was excited, but she was also nervous. What if no one asked her to the dance? It would be very embarrassing.

"That's wonderful, Marie. Who do you think you'll go with?"

"I don't know. It depends on who asks me. What about you? Oh, I know, you want James to ask you!"

"You're being ridiculous. I've already told you, James and I are only friends."

Marie just smiled knowingly. "Sure. I understand. Now let's go downstairs."

Talking and laughing, they walked down the stairs. As they entered the common room Lily was practically attacked by James.

"Lily, even thought I'm still angry with you, I need some advice. I want to ask Sabine to the dance, but I'm not quite sure how to go about it."

Lily had no idea what to say. She was sure that not only would quite a few boys be asking Sabine to the dance, but she also knew that Sabine would not want to go with a boy three years younger than she was. How could she explain that to James?

"Well, James, I don't think you should ask her at all. She's too old for you. Ask a girl our age."

James face darkened. "I should have know that you'd say that. Forget that I ever asked you for your advice."

As he stormed off Lily hung her head. She wasn't tying to be mean, but she didn't want to see James crushed. Right on cue, Sabine got up gracefully out of her chair and glided over to Lily and Marie.

"Lily, what do you know of zis boy, zis Ryan 'Amilton?"

"Ryan Hamilton? Not much. Only that he's the Captain of our Quiddich team this year, he's a prefect, and he's supposed to be really nice. Why?"

"'E 'as just asked me to ze ball. So 'e would be an appropriate escort?"

So Sabine already had a date. James would be crushed. "Yes, he'd make a very good date. Ryan is one of the most eligible bachelors in school."

"Good." Sabine tossed her silky chestnut brown hair in a self-satisfied way. "Who are you going to attend wis?"

"Oh, I just found out about the dance, I don't know yet. It depends on who asks me."

Sabine looked thoughtful. "'Ow about zat James boy? 'E seems to like you very much."

Marie burst into giggles as Lily attempted to explain. "James and I are only friends. We are not interested in one another romantically."

"Oh, I see. Well, au revoir, mes amies!" With a flip of her hair, Sabine walked away. Lily turned to Marie with a look of despair.

"Why does everyone say that James and I should be dating?" Lily moaned.

"You would make a cute couple and you spend so much time together, it's just a natural assumption."

"I don't like it. What if all the boys assume that James likes me, or I like him? What if they won't ask me out because of him?"

"Lily, now you're the one being ridiculous. I'm sure that there is a long line of boys waiting to ask you out, James or no James. Relax."

"You really think so?"

"I would be willing to place money on it."

"Thanks, Marie."

"No problem, Lil. What are best girl friends for?"

* * *

It turned out that Marie was right. Four boys asked her out the following day. In the morning she was approached by a Slytherin fourth year, two Hufflepuff fifth years, and to her surprise a Gryffindor sixth year. She turned them all down.

"I though that the Hufflepuffs were pretty cute," Marie said.

"You're welcome to them. Together the could barely form a coherent sentence. Besides, I'd rather date someone my own age."

"It's one dance, Lil. You don't have to go out with them again and one of the guys who asked you out was our age."

"He was a Slytherin! How would that look if I, the girl who plays nothing but practical jokes on Slytherins, went to a dance with one?"

In truth, the Slytherin's invitation reminded Lily of the letter she had received during the summer. She assumed a Slytherin sent it. How else would the person have known how Raquel was killed?

"Um, Earth to Lily, are you there?"

Lily's thoughts returned to Earth with a bump. "Oh, yeah, sorry/"

"Don't look now, but here comes that Ravenclaw fourth year, the really cute one. I bet he asks you to the ball!"

Sure enough, Ravenclaw fourth year, David Bones, was walking straight towards her.

"Hi Lily. Um, can I talk to you alone for a moment?"

Marie looked at David and then Lily. "Oh, got it. I'm late for, um, something anyway." She ran off leaving David and Lily sanding alone in the hallway.

"Lily, I don't know if I've ever introduced myself. I'm David Bones and, well, I've seen you around in the hallways and I think that you're very pretty and smart. I was wondering if you'd like to go to the Halloween dance with me?"

Lily wasn't sure what to say. David was very cute and he seemed very nice. It might work out.

"Sure, I'd really like to go with you."

David relaxed and smiled. "Great, I'll meet you outside the Great Hall at seven o' clock. Is that alright?"

Lily smiled back. "That's great. See you then."

As soon as David was out of sight, Marie came running back.

"So? What happened? Do you two have a date?" Marie squealed.

"Yes, I can't wait!"

* * *

The night of the big dance had arrived and the whole school was abuzz with excitement. Nearly all of Lily's friends had dates. Marie ended up with one of the Hufflepuffs that had invited Lily; James recovered from his disappointment that Sabine already had a date and invited Jessica Parker, a fourth year Hufflepuff who adored him, Sirius had a date with none other than David Bones' twin sister, Sandra, and Remus and Elizabeth agreed to go with each other. Peter didn't have a date, and he said he wasn't planning to attend the dance.

Lily, Marie, and Elizabeth spent nearly three hours preparing for the ball. Lily wore the silk dress robes she bought in Hogsmeade with Raquel. Wearing them made her a little sad, but she looked beautiful. The robes were a deep green that sparkled in certain lights; they matched perfectly with her eyes. She swept her auburn hair up into an elegant bun with two curls hanging down to soften her face. She carefully applied some light makeup with a technique that Sabine showed her, and put on her black strappy sandals.

"Wow, Lily, you look fabulous!" Marie said.

Lily turned to observe her friend's ensemble. Marie had left her black hair down so that it fell across her shoulders in waves. Her robes were a pale lavender satin that were a little shorter then usual. She had light purple eyeshadow on and a pale pink lipstick. She looked wonderful and Lily told her so.

"Thanks," Marie replied. "Oh, Beth, you look so beautiful!"

She did, too. Elizabeth was wearing pale blue crushed velvet robes and her hair was half up in a French braid. Since she was tall she opted for flat shoes instead of heels and they were made of cloth with some beautiful embroidery. She looked like she had just stepped out of a fairy tale. Her eyeshadow was light blue, to match her robes and she had applied some light blush.

"Well, ladies, shall we go meet our dates?" Marie asked. The three girls swept out of the room and down the staircase.

When they reached the common room they saw that Sirius, James, and Remus were gathered around a game of chess. Elizabeth cleared her throat loudly to capture Remus' attention and the look on his face when he saw her was priceless. James and Sirius looked up as well and their jaws dropped when they saw the girls.

"Wow. You girls look brilliant," James said when he found his voice.

"Yeah," Sirius echoed.

"Thanks," the girls said in unison.

Lily grabbed Remus' arm while the others were busy chatting.

"Remus, isn't tonight a full moon?"

"Not until tomorrow. Don't worry, and you look beautiful by the way."

"Thanks," Lily whispered. She headed towards the portrait hole and was almost out when someone grabbed her arm.

"Please allow me the pleasure of your company at least until we get to the Great Hall," James said.

"Oh, all right," Lily replied.

They walked most of the way in silence. James spoke first.

"You really do look outstanding tonight, Petals."

"Thank you, James. You look very nice yourself. I see that you're over Sabine."

"Yeah, well, she was perfect, but it wouldn't have worked out. I'm just too handsome."

Lily started to laugh, but tried to stifle it in case James was offended. He didn't seem to be, though. He just shrugged and changed the topic.

"You know, I don't think I asked you who you were going to the dance with."

"I'm going with David Bones. He's a Ravenclaw. You're going with Jessica Parker, right?"

"Yeah. I figured that since she adored me, I might as well take her to the ball."

There was an uncomfortable silence between them after that, which lasted until they reached the Great Hall. Eyeing their respective dates, the two separated.

"I see David over there. I'll see you later, James."

He waved goodbye and Lily walked over to join her date. His eyes lit up when he saw her.

"Lily, you look spectacular!"

David offered her his arm, and they walked into the Great Hall. The decorations were wonderful. There were huge jack o' lanterns that seemed alive, bats that hung from the ceiling, and intricately carved oil lamps at each table. There were about twenty round tables positioned around the dance floor. The tablecloths were black and orange and were ripped artfully. The band was warming up against one of the walls.

"It looks amazing, doesn't it?" Lily asked David.

"It sure does," he agreed. "Would you like to dance?"

"Sure," Lily said.

They made their way onto the dance floor. The band, Ghost Town, which was actually a band of zombies, started them off with a fast song. According to David, it was one of their biggest hits on the Wizarding Wireless Network. Lily relaxed and started to have a good time. After a few fast dances, Lily and David found their table and took a break. They sat with Remus and Elizabeth, and Marie and her Hufflepuff date who barely said a word, but was really cute.

James and Sirius were at the next table with their dates and they seemed to be having a good time. The food appeared magically at the tables and everyone helped themselves. After the plates had been emptied, the couples returned to dancing.

As Lily waltzed around the dance floor in David's arms, she looked at the other couples dancing. Remus and Elizabeth seemed to be having a good time. Those two confused her. Sirius and Sandra looked liked they were enjoying themselves; they were dancing a little more enthusiastically then most. Marie looked a little bored but her date seemed to be having a good time. James' date looked blissful, but James didn't seem to be having as much fun.

Sirius cut in on Lily and David, and that seemed to be the cue for everyone to change partners. Lily ended up dancing with Remus, Marie's Hufflepuff date, and two other Ravenclaws. James danced with a lot of other girls of all ages. He even managed to get a dance with Sabine, who up until then had been exclusively with Ryan Hamilton; she looked like she was having the time of her life. James didn't ask Lily to dance, and she assumed he didn't want to fuel the rumors that they liked each other.

It was getting late and Lily was back dancing with David. She was getting ready to say good night and go back to the dormitory when someone tapped her on the shoulder.

"Mind if I cut in?" James asked in his most polite voice.

David stepped back and bowed. James nodded his head in acknowledgment and took Lily's arm. Ghost Town struck up a very sweet slow song and they started to dance. Neither of them spoke they just swayed to the music. After a few minutes passed by, Lily looked up at James. Neither of them spoke, but suddenly Lily felt uncomfortable. They pulled apart and went to find their dates.

"David, I had a really smashing time tonight, but I'm tired. Would you like to walk me to my common room?" Lily asked. She flashed him her most flirtatious smile.

David offered her his arm like a true gentleman. They walked up to Gryffindor Tower and made small talk along the way. When they reached the portrait hole Lily turned to David and said goodnight.

"Thank you for a lovely evening, David. I do hope we can do this again some time. Goodnight." Lily kissed him on the cheek. As he walked away Lily gave the password to the Fat Lady. "Pumpkin juice."

"He was handsome, dearie. I'd hold on to that one if I were you," the Fat Lady said as she swung open on her hinges.

All of the students who were unable to attend the dance had their own Halloween festivities earlier and were in bed. Those students who did attend were either upstairs or still dancing, so the common room was deserted. Lily made her way up to her dorm room and changed out of her dress robes. Marie was fast asleep and snoring in her bed, but Elizabeth wasn't back yet. As Lily prepared to get into bed she heard a tapping at the window. She opened it and in flew the same mottled brown and black owl as before. It was carrying another note which Lily immediately ripped open.

Evans-

I wanted to keep you informed. Perhaps it's a lack of good judgement on my part, but I feel that you are the only one who can do something about this. There will be another murder. Another person you know will die. In case this message is interrupted I will not divulge names. On the following page I have left you instructions to reach a meeting place. However, for safety reasons, they are encrypted. Decode them and meet me at that spot. We will talk. I know your reputation as the smartest fourth year, so I trust you won't have any difficulty solving the puzzle.


Lily looked up from the note. Another murder?

I wonder who it is this time.

'Like you don't already know. You always appear at the most inopportune moments, don't you?'

Whatever I can do to please. Another murder. This Voldemort certainly does get around.

'You know, you're getting punchy in your old age.'

Remember what I said about watching the French girl?

'You think Sabine is a murderer? Excuse me while I laugh really hard. Besides the anonymous letter writer says it's the same person. Sabine wasn't here last year.'

Not as far as you know.

Whoever it was, she had to prevent it, for Raquel. She owed it to Raquel. Lily looked at the second page; the instructions looked like they would take some time to decode. But she would do it, she would meet the mysterious letter writer.

For Raquel.