Chapter 11

Daddy and I were frozen in the doorway watching Rose chase James around the living room in a bright green face mask while he waved a camera back and forth. Albus and Hugo were lying on the sofa laughing hysterically at them while trying to play Wizard Battle on the MagicBox. I looked around at the scene and could barely hold my own laughter. Then Elise came into the living room with an identical green mask to Rose's carrying a tray of sandwiches. Unlike Rose who was very angry over people seeing her in the mask, Elise was an effortless beauty green gunk and all.

"Me made sandwiches!" she beamed as she placed the tray on the coffee table. "Aw Lily! Vous ĂȘtes chez vous!" Elise exclaimed skipping across the room into my arms, being careful not to smear gunk over my jumper. I had to laugh at her joyous reaction as she pranced around the room. "After lunch please come pamper with I and Rose!" Elise pleaded as she released me and picked up a sandwich to nibble on daintily. I glanced at Rose to see her reaction to Elise's request but she was being carefully blank so I agreed meekly with Elise. "Merveilleux!"


A few hours later we were hanging out in my room with my bathroom in constant use. We were finished masking, exfoliating, buffing, shaving and everything else imaginable. Elise was in the bathroom finishing showering off and I was in the uncomfortable position of sitting in my room with Rose. So far we had made a point of not speaking too much as she flicked through a fashion magazine on my desk.

"I'm just dry my hair here and then Lily, I'll do you are hair." Elise called from the bathroom before turning on the magical hairdryer. Most witches and wizard used drying charms but there were magical hairdryers for under aged people, Squibs etc. I smiled at the door towards the bathroom before I heard a "ppft" behind me. I turned to see Rose setting her magazine down and stepping towards me.

"I don't see why Elise bothers with you. Who'd want to be your friend, you're not interesting or smart or funny or cool. Ha, you're not even pretty. Offering to do your hair what's the point, it's not like you are ever going to look remotely attractive next to Elise and I. This ball tomorrow night, you are going to realise just how alone you are. You don't fit in this family, you don't deserve a friend like Elise... you are worthless! You come back here with your blonde hair and French accent, almost like you are proud of being a reject. I hope that when you feel really alone tomorrow night and you realise what it is really like to be a reject!" Rose threatened glaring at me.

"Rose Weasley! I have never done anything to harm you and I don't deserve to be spoken to like that.." I began trying to defend myself before being cut off with Rose's rising tone.

"You deserve to be spoken to like the scum you are! You are a blot on the Weasley family tree! A mistake that should not have happened, surely you realise that! Haven't you realised no one missed you when you were away. You aren't wanted here and you certainly weren't wanted at Hogwarts. Even that pathetic little Scorpius boy you've been writing too doesn't want you, he is probably trying to use you to get to Elise, I mean, who in their right mind would want to be your friend!"

It took everything in me not to break down and bawl my eyes out. Each little insecurity I had ever had, Rose was baring and telling me that I wasn't paranoid, truly I was unwanted. The bit about Scorpius and Elise hurt the most. At Beauxbaton I felt at home, wanted and here was Rose destroying that little hope and peace that I had. Suddenly the bathroom door banged open and Elise stepped out in all her furious Veela glory.

"YOU HORRIBLE WITCH, HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO HER LIKE THIS!" Elise was damn right scary when she got all Veela mad, and here she was screaming, and I do mean screaming, full force at Rose, defending me. She began to rant and rave in French every so often slipping in, "You nasty piece of work", "you horrid girl" etc. Throughout Elise's tirade Rose just stood there shocked. No one had ever spoken to her like that before. No-one every spoke back to her. The part that killed the most was when the angry cooled and became an ice cold even scary voice.

"Lily Potter is a wonderful kind, smart, beautiful, talented girl and you are jealous of her. I don't deserve to have a friend as good as her! Scorpius is also very lucky to have her as a close friend. This is not my house but I would suggest that you leave right now because I am barely restraining my magic from hexing you to bits!" With a hateful glare at the pair of us Rose spun on her heel and fled the room.

"Oh Elise..." That's all I said before she wrapped me into her arms whispering reassurances and apologies in calming French. To have a friend like Elise, no words can describe, she is truly my shoulder to lean on.


I'm not sure how long we sat there, me crying and Elise reassuring. I had tried to keep from my friends at school just how much of an oddity I am. Rose had to go and ruin that! I believed her, she was right. I was the opposite of everything a Weasley girl should be and I didn't deserve to have a friend like Elise. I could feel Rose's words building a wall in my soul disconnecting me from my friends and Beauxbatons. I didn't deserve such happiness and I became withdrawn in those hours Elise held me while tears streaked by face. We went to bed silently that evening without bothering to go down for dinner. I didn't know what to think or how to ease this ache in my heart. I woke early at about 6:00 the next morning and stole down to my dance studio in the basement.

I changed and began to warm up before putting on Tears and Rain by James Blunt.

I guess it's time I run far, far away; find comfort in pain,
All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble.
Hides my true shape, like Dorian Gray.
I've heard what they say, but I'm not here for trouble.
Far, far away; find comfort in pain.
All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble.
It's more than just words: it's just tears and rain.

As I grace about the floor of my own wee world I began to feel damp, it was only then did I recognise the tears pouring down my face. I hit repeat on my mmp3 and just kept going again and again. Spinning, twirling not to express happiness but to express the confusion and turmoil I felt. Torn between family and friends, where was my place in the world? I think I am very young to be feeling such a need for identify and security but daddy would say like him I grew up fast. With mum being out at work and my stubborn need to away from the crowds at the Burrow I spent much of my childhood reading Muggle and wizarding classics and thinking about the world and everything in it. I began to think about the differences between me at home and the me at school, I was a vastly different person. At school I felt confident around my friends, my sense of adventure was strong and I could let these people see the real me. At home I was hiding behind a mask, not wanting to be singled out further for my un-Weasley hobbies and I was very introvert here, beyond shy I the name of keeping a low profile. Was it me that was choosing to be these different people or am I being forced into this charade? My contemplating was shattered when I caught a movement beside the stairs. I drew my wand and marched over, ready to rebuke whoever had chosen to watch me. My family knew they were not allowed down here! I dropped my wand when I saw Elise sitting on the bottom step with tear stains down her face. It was my turn to be the friend to be leaned on.

"Elise, what's wrong?" I asked gently in French as I sat beside her and pulled her towards me.

"Aw Lily, it's nothing, I heard you get up and decided to follow you down here. I've been watching you for the past hour and a half and it's heartbreaking, Lily. Tell what you were thinking about?" Her tears started afresh and to my surprise I realised my friend was crying for me, for my pain. My mind flashed back to the day Scorpius had told me about Hogwarts, I wanted to take his pain from him, is this how Elise was feeling?

"My dear friend, I was thinking about my family. It is silly, I have no right to complain when I have such a big family and here you are without. I am just being self-centred." I replied wiping the tears from her face.

"Lily, at school you all have become my family. I don't feel that I have missed out on anything but you seem so heartbroken over your family, why? Maybe I can help. I could hex Rose for you if that would help." She quipped trying to make me smile.

"I was just thinking about the difference between school and here. Rose was spot on, I don't belong in this family, and I'm not like them. But do I really belong at Beauxbaton? What happens when you and Bella discover I'm not good at lots of things or when Dmitri and Scorpius get sick of hanging out with little first years? I'll be alone again and I can't stand being alone, Elise, I'm sick of feeling like an outcast!"

"Lily, we are your friends and we will never desert you! I promise!"

"Thank you, Elise. I'm sorry for all this moping about. Let's go get dressed and have breakfast. We have a ball tonight to get ready for."


The ball would begin at 8:30 this evening with a banquet of food and finish around midnight with a display of Weasley fireworks. Elise and I were really excited as we flitted around all day doing little bits and pieces. At 7 o'clock mother sent us to go get dressed because we were heading to the ball with Auntie Hermione's family. We hurried up to my room and as we sat on my bed a note appeared.

Evening Lily and Elise,

I hope you are still going to be attending this ball tonight, looking forward to seeing you both. Save me a dance

Scorpius

"Aw, that's so nice of him!" Elise squealed and began rummaging in her trunk for Scorpius' Christmas present to take tonight. I began to worry if my present for him would arrive on time or not. Daddy hadn't mentioned it at all today. Rose's words were still echoing in my head, that Scorpius was only friends with me to get to Elise, but that didn't seem right at all. I mean; why would Scorpius be so help and tell me about Hogwarts etc if he was just trying to get closer to Elise. He wouldn't do that anyway because Dmitri was interested in Elise. Aw well I can keep thinking about this as I get ready, mum wants me to wear the blue dress.


It was now 7:45 and we were waiting on James to apparate to Ron and Hermione's. He started getting ready half an hour before Elise and I but he still wasn't ready. Finally he came down the stairs in black dress robes with a big grin on his face.

"How do I look?" he asked giving a twirl at the foot of the stairs. Of course we all burst out laughing as daddy reach over and said "you look great sport" and tousled his hair. The look of sheer incredulity passed over James' face as he ran to a mirror to fix his hair again.

"Good work dad, now we're going to be another 20minutes while he fixes his hair," Albus groaned as James began to separate his messy brown hair into spikes again. In all honesty I thought it looked better tousled. It seemed Elise agreed as she approached James and put her hand on his shoulder. She tousled his hair and said, "Parfait!" James just smiled and allowed her to lead him back to the family. She gave me a discreet wink while daddy led us outside to apparate.

"Lily and I have a detour to make so Ginny will you be apparate the boys and Elise over. I know that four is a lot to apparate but Lily and I have a message to run." He announced smiling at me. He remember about the present for Scorpius, goodie! Mum didn't look pleased but held out her arms for the boys and Elise to take hold of.

"You better be at Ron's in 10 minutes or you will both be in trouble!" With a whirl of her cloak everyone disappeared.

"Ready to go, Lily dear?" Daddy asked extending his arm to me. I gave him a big hug before taking his arm and closing my eyes to apparate.

We arrived moments later in Diagon Alley but daddy stopped me as I headed towards the store we bought Scor's present in. I looked at him confused, was that not the message we had to run.

"We'll go pick up Scorpius' present in a minute Lily but there is somewhere I want us to stop first. Let's go to Gringotts. This might take a little longer than 10minutes but mum will forgive us, hopefully." He said with a smirk as we walked towards the imposing bank. I hadn't a clue what was going on but I knew just to trust my father and let him have his fun. We bowed to the goblins guarding the bank and then to the head bank manager once we were inside. The manager took us down to the vault but I realised this wasn't the everyday vault this was the valuables vault where the Peverell, Black and Potter heirlooms were kept. The manager opened the special locking system before gesturing them inside before taking up watch outside. Once we were inside I began to look around, I had only been in the vault once back when daddy decided we were old enough to hear about his story. He brought us here to show us our history but to prove that money doesn't change anything. We lived in a modest house that had been rebuilt from the ruins of the old house and none of us led lavish lifestyles. The majority of the money was invested and improving the wizarding world.

"Lily, for many years you know I have been researching our families ancestry and I have discovered the first daughter in the Peverell family. It was through her that the invisibility cloak was passed down to my father. Her name was Diana Peverell before she married. The reason I am telling you this Lily is because I found a bracelet with her name on it. I want you to have it." He pulled out an ornate bracelet with a quartz crystal semi-sphere embedded in the silver. On either side of the quartz there was crescent moon engraved in the silver.

"Aw daddy it's beautiful. It's far too good for me, should we not leave it in here with the other heirlooms?" I asked reluctantly with my eyes fixed on the beautiful bracelet in my father's hands. He chuckled and he fastened the bracelet to my wrist.

"Such a beautiful piece of jewellery deserved to be worn by a beautiful girl. It is becoming apparent that you are something special, Lily. There is an old, and ancient type of magic, that very few have the ability to wield. This magic is connected to the moon, and lunar cycles- much like lycanthropy- and those who can draw from that power source are known as daughters of the moon. I hadn't known about Diana when we named you Lily Luna but then when your wand turned out to be made of Willow wood another link to the moon was made. You are the second daughter of the peverell family, Lily Luna, and it seems only right that you too are a daughter of the moon. Therefore I think it's only right for you to wear this bracelet, please Lily." He explained as he brushed the hair out of my face and looked into my eyes. My mouth hung open in a way that Madame De Chagny would bawl at, and I was speechless. I had never been anything special- not really. Sure, I was Harry Potter's and Ginny Weasley's daughter, and I was a direct descendant of the Peverell line- but that wasn't me.

"If you turn it over you will see Diana's name inscribed on the back and I also added your name. Please wear it with pride." I began to cry and crawled into his arms. "Thank you daddy" was all I could manage. After a few minutes I smiled up at him and we left the vault.

The entire way to the watch shop I couldn't tear my eyes away from my beautiful bracelet. It looked wonderful with my dress but it was so perfect. Fitted perfectly, exactly my style and filled with meaning. I couldn't wait to show Scorpius and Elise. I only looked up when I felt daddy stop. He was standing outside of the closed shop when the shopkeeper appeared from the back alley. In his heads he held a small brown bag. Daddy greeted him with the standard handshake but he beamed when I greeted him with the standard French kiss on both cheeks before thanking him profusely.

He brought the watch out of the bag to show everything was correct before parcelling it up again. Daddy pointed his wand at the package and beautiful bows of periwinkle blue wrapped themselves around it. Scorpius would love it.

"Thank you very much; here is the rest of the money plus a tip for your speedy work. We must run along here for the ministry ball, my wife will be going spare."We waved to the man before disapparating.

When we arrived at the Weasley's I could hear mum before Dad even opened the door. "That had better be Harry because if he is not here in two minutes we are leaving without him and Lily! I will not be late because he wants to run around London like a teenager!" Daddy looked at me guiltily before transfiguring a twig into a rose and winked at me. I had to giggle; he was such a silly man. He opened the door before shouting, "Darling Ginny, don't kill me, we were out picking you up a present to match your dress." I watched as he held the rose behind his back and it magically changed colours until we walked into the living room and saw everyone gathered, it then settled on the dark purple of mum's dress. I stepped out from behind dad and walked over beside Elise giving her a side hug. Her beautiful smile barely distracted me from the hateful glares I was receiving from Rose on the other side of the room.

"Aw thank you Harry, the rose is beautiful. You are forgiven for being late but let's hurry and take pictures before we need to leave. Lily, Rose and Elise get together and smile."

I tried not to groan as Rose joined us and smiled for the picture. Then I got the shock of my life, Rose turned and apologised. "Lily, Elise, I am so sorry for the way I acted the other day. It was completely uncalled for and I hope you can both find it in your hearts to forgive me." She was apologising quietly so not to draw the attention of the adults but as I looked into her eyes it was clear to me that everything she was saying was directed at Elise. She needed someone to hang out with at the ball tonight...

"Please forgive me?" and Rose opened her arms to invite us to hug her. I hugged her reluctantly but Elise didn't see through the guise wanting to see the good in everyone.

A few more photos in different groups and poses were taken before we were ready to leave for the ball. I hadn't the opportunity to show Elise my bracelet yet so I would have to wait until the ball. Scorpius' gift was in my clutch and I had a simple string of pearls round my neck that fell to the white ribbon below my bust. Elise told me I looked like an effortless beauty but she was the stunning one, dressed in a black sheath dress that showed off her pearlescent skin when combined with cute leather ankle boots and turquoise jewellery. Mother wasn't terrible impressed with Elise's edgy look for the ball nor my simple accessorised look. She thought that everyone should wear full length borrowing dresses that look identical aside from the colour. Admittedly she always looked well for each ball but she also looked boring and uncreative. I like to think even as 11 year olds Elise and I will turn heads at the ministry ball instead of blending in. We're about to leave so it won't be long until we find out.