An invitation

Hand in hand Lily and James walked towards the Burrow. Lily could not hide her surprise when she first saw the rickety construction which seemed to be a more or less random assortment of small rooms attached to a larger central house. It was about five stories high and obviously kept together by magic.

James grinned: 'You've never seen the Burrow before then?'

Lily shook her head: 'No, I've met Arthur and Molly quite a few times. But somehow I never really visited their home. It looks cozy though.'

'That it is.' James nodded, the few times that he had visited the Weasleys he had immediately felt at home in the small but friendly building. Although he still wondered why they had added all those additional bedrooms on top of the central building. There was more than enough space to build all of them at ground level instead. But he guessed they liked it better this way. Suddenly he grinned: 'It is not even the oddest wizarding home around Ottery St. Catchpole.'

Lily smiled back at him: 'Well, I would expect nothing less from the Lovegoods.'

James reply was interrupted when they saw four kids running towards a small orchard. All four had flaming red hair and were shouting loudly about something. James tried to remember their names, he knew he had heard them once or twice… But he could only remember Ginny's name, it had been quite a shock to hear the Weasley family finally had a daughter after seven generations with lots of sons.

'Don't wizard kids attend school?' Lily wanted to know.

James shook his head: 'No, they are homeschooled most of the time. They probably got a free afternoon because Molly knew we were coming. My parents used to do the same. Although of course I did not have any brothers or sisters.'

Lily frowned, she much preferred a real school. James only shrugged, he did not see any problems with homeschooling. Although he had to admit that Harry was learning some interesting things on his school so far. Last week, he had worked on some muggle device called a computer… James was quite sure he still did not understand what Harry meant, but according to Lily those computer things were very important somehow. He just nodded and accepted his wife's opinion. After all, since the land mine incident he knew better than to underestimate muggle inventions.

Molly was already waiting for them and she quickly led them into the small kitchen. She busily moved around until she was quite sure that they both had a cup of tea and a handmade surprisingly good piece of cake. Meanwhile James wondered if he and Lily should have dressed in wizarding clothes as well. They pretty much dressed in muggle clothing all the time now. Of course, Lily had always done so outside Hogwarts, but James used to wear robes every now and then. Still, Molly was obviously wearing her best robes right now, and he felt somewhat uncomfortable in his own muggle clothes. His mother would have been able to tell him how to dress on a casual visit to a pureblood family, but he himself had never really cared about all those etiquette rules.

As soon as Molly sat down as well Lily smiled: 'Thank you Molly, it's delicious. So, how are you?'

Molly smiled in return before she replied: 'I'm fine. I have to admit it is nice to have visitors for a change. The kids are wonderful of course, but sometimes it seems like Fred and George are only interested in pranks. And Ron only cares about quidditch… At least Percy and Ginny like to learn.'

Lily nodded in understanding, although James failed to see what was wrong with pranks and quidditch. Instead he changed the subject: 'Is Arthur still working at the ministry?'

'Yes, still on the same position as well.' Molly nodded with a small frown, 'I keep saying he could get a better job, but he just loves what he does.'

'What does he do again?' Lily asked.

'Oh, he works on the misuse of muggle artifacts office.' Molly replied with a small headshake: 'He is just fascinated by muggles.'

For a moment it looked like Lily wanted to ask more about Arthur's job, but then she said: 'Well, there is nothing wrong with that. We actually sent Harry to a muggle primary school.'

Clearly surprised Molly asked: 'Really? But why?'

'We thought it would be good for Harry to get some background in both societies.' Lily explained part of the reason. Of course, the prophecy and William's comments on it had much more to do with their school selection, but they could hardly tell everybody about that. Besides that, James had the feeling that Lily would have wanted to send Harry to a muggle school anyway.

Molly still looked flabbergasted at the idea of sending your kids to a primary school though. James just grinned, he realized it would be futile to change her mind on the topic. And so he just said: 'Believe it or not, but Harry accidentally met a muggleborn witch in his new class.'

Their host blinked a few times before she said: 'Well, that is nice for her I guess. I mean, it must be hard for a muggleborn to go to Hogwarts without knowing anyone.'

James nodded and Lily said: 'We actually want to give both her and Harry some introduction courses into magic.'

Molly frowned: 'She already knows she is a witch then?'

'Yeah.' James replied, 'Harry had some accidental magic during class and she blamed herself for it. So we just had to tell her.'

Molly distractedly nodded while offering them another helping of cake. Eventually she said: 'I guess it will be good for her. And Harry can probably use some extra training next to that muggle school.'

Lily frowned, she always was a bit upset when purebloods seemed to belittle muggle things. So James hastily continued: 'Well, actually we thought it would be a good idea to teach Harry a bit of potions, arithmancy and some other of the wandless subjects in advance. And we were wondering if your kids would like to join in as well.'

Molly visibly hesitated while Lily clarified: 'There are no costs involved, and we do not really plan on formal schooling with homework and all that. We just want to use the Saturdays to prepare Harry and some of his friends a bit better for Hogwarts.'

'All Saturdays?' Molly immediately asked, and when Lily nodded her eyes widened. After a while she said: 'I am not sure if it will be a good idea. I mean, I like to keep the kids at home, and I hardly think it is a good idea to let Fred and George learn any more magic than they do by themselves already. Their pranks are bad enough as it is.'

James wanted to ask about the pranks, but a look from Lily convinced him it wasn't a good idea. So instead he said: 'Well, we are hardly going to teach them advanced charms or transfiguration. We just want to give them a theoretical background, and maybe some practical lessons about how and when to use what kind of magic.' Especially related to duels and magical fights in general, but he hardly wanted to tell Molly about that.

Molly nodded, but she was clearly not convinced. 'I'll discuss it with Arthur. But I think we prefer to keep the kids at home. Maybe it will be different when Fred and George go to Hogwarts and Ron and Ginny will be the only ones left at home, but for now they have a lot of fun together.'

Lily wanted to say something else but James just nodded and said: 'I see.' He had been afraid of this reaction. Pureblood kids almost never left their home for more than a few hours before heading to Hogwarts. Looking back to his own Hogwarts years he figured it would have done him a lot of good if his parents had sent him to a primary school as well. He would never tell Lily, but by now he realized that he had been a bit on the arrogant side during his first few years. It was difficult to adapt from being the only kid in your parents house to a castle full of kids.

He had one more question that he needed an answer for before their talk would flow back to more innocent subjects: 'Oh, one other thing Molly. Do you know if the Lovegoods are home? We planned to make a short stop there as well, now that we are in the region anyway.'

Molly shook her head in a disapproving way: 'No, they are on their annual hunting trip.'

Lily looked up in surprise: 'I admit that I do not really know them, but they did not really seem the types to go hunting?'

'Oh, I did not mean that they are going to kill animals.' Molly quickly clarified: 'They are trying to find some mythical creature. A hornock or something. Xeno writes about them all the time in that magazine of him. They are supposed to return next week I think, but if they find some 'clue' they might as well decide to stay away a few weeks longer. I just hope their daughter is alright, it seems irresponsible to me to pull a kid along with you on such a journey. Especially when her mother is working on new spells half the time.'

'Working on new spells? During a journey?' Lily wondered, 'Don't you need a laboratory for that?'

Molly shrugged: 'Yes, but I hardly think the room she uses at her home qualifies as a safe laboratory. So I do not expect her to stop working during her vacations.'

Lily frowned, and although James was sure she was going to try and tell the Lovegoods about the dangers of researching spells in an unsafe environment he was quite sure it would be futile. Molly and Arthur would most likely turn down their invitation because they were too conservative and maybe too cautious. But the Lovegoods were pretty much the exact opposite of the Weasley's.

For a while the three chatted on, mostly about their children. Which meant that for most of the time James only listened. He was somewhat surprised to learn that the Weasley's oldest son, Bill, still had a different defense against the dark arts teacher every year. Apparently the position was still cursed.

About two hours later they said their goodbyes to Molly Weasley, who ensured them once more that she would ask Arthur's opinion about their invitation. However, as soon as they were out of earshot Lily said: 'I do not believe we will be seeing any Weasley's next Saturday.'

James shook his head: 'I warned you. Purebloods can be rather stubborn about their kids. Maybe we should have just invited them for one day instead. That way, if the kids liked our lessons they could have asked their parents if it was okay to come back again the next week.'

Lily slowly shook her head in reply: 'I admit that it might have worked better that way. But I already started to dislike myself because we had to evade the truth half the time. It was bad enough that we had to do so with the Grangers, but I do not want to manipulate people if we can avoid it.'

James nodded. It made sense, although he sometimes wondered if sentiments like those really had a place in their situation. Still, he did not comment on Lily's opinion and they apparated back to Lionfire Hall.

Back home they went to the sitting room where they were welcomed by not only Sirius and Remus, but also by the headmaster. Lily nodded to him first: 'We did not expect you today Albus.'

Albus gravely nodded: 'I know, but I have some news that I felt I had to share with you.'

This drew their attention. During the last few years all four of them had often commented to each other how frustrating it was that Albus never really shared his knowledge. So it had to be something important. As soon as they were all seated James asked: 'What happened Albus?'

'I have some good and bad news. Although…' Albus slowly replied and while Lily impatiently motioned him to go on he smiled: 'Let me start with the bad news. Some of my sources believe that Voldemort's spirit is hiding in the forests of Albania.'

'Can we hunt him down?' Sirius immediately wanted to know.

The headmaster slowly shook his head: 'I believe that will be almost impossible. Albania might be a small country, but still we will need a small army to really search it. And I can hardly see the Albanian ministry permitting that.'

'Maybe we should ask them to do something about it instead?' Remus suggested.

Albus hesitated: 'I can try. But it will be difficult not to reveal that we know of the dark lord's survival. And that might cause all kind of problems.'

'So you suggest we just ignore it?' James frowned.

Albus shrugged: 'I hardly believe we can kill Voldemort's wraith anyway while he still has horcruxes. So I would prefer to hide our knowledge about our survival. Time is our biggest friend right now.'

James reluctantly nodded: 'What is the good news then?'

'Well, it is a bit of mixed news actually. I managed to discover the location of a horcrux. However, when I went there I found only this.' He pulled a golden necklace out of the pocket of one of his robes and opened it. Then he pulled a small piece of paper out of it and handed it to James. He folded it open and read aloud: 'To the Dark Lord. I know I will be dead long before you read this but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match you will be mortal once more. R.A.B.'

'So, somebody else is hunting horcruxes?' Lily asked in surprise.

Next to her Sirius' face turned very white and he asked: 'R.A.B.?'

'Yes.' James nodded after looking at the piece of paper again.

'Those are my brother's initials.' Sirius softly whispered.

James frowned. He had never really got to know Regulus before he joined the death eaters. But he had always hoped that Sirius' brother had seen the light before his untimely murder by his new friends. Maybe he had been right.

Lily asked: 'You think your brother did this?'

Sirius slowly shook his head: 'I do not know. Maybe I should visit Grimmauld Place and see if I can find out somehow.' He had inherited his parental home when his mother died two years ago. But so far Sirius had not even visited it, there were too many bad memories. And he much preferred the new house he shared with Amelia and Susan.

'I have to admit I never thought of your brother Sirius.' Dumbledore admitted, 'Still, so far I have not been able to think of any other names that match the initials. So it might very well be true. If you do find the lockets, or even the remains, I would like to see it. I somehow have the feeling this replica reminds me of something, but it eludes me somehow.'

Sirius nodded in understanding, although his eyes were staring to a place very far away. Or maybe to a place very long ago. Albus continued: 'Let me assure you that the person that actually removed the original horcrux was quite determined in his fight against Voldemort.'

Sirius just nodded again, but Remus asked: 'How would you know that?'

'It was hidden in the middle of a lake filled with inferi. And on that island was a small basin filled with a rather nasty potion that you could only remove by drinking it.' Albus cheerfully explained.

'And you went in there all alone?' Lily asked. Albus just nodded and Lily forcefully continued: 'Next time you find a horcrux you will ask one or several of us to accompany you Albus.'

The headmaster chuckled: 'Let me assure you Lily, that I am quite capa-'

Lily interrupted him with one of her fierce glares: 'That was not a suggestion headmaster.'

It seemed Sirius cheered up a bit when that glare was directed to someone else for a change, and he happily added: 'You better listen to her Albus, she is dangerous when she looks like that.' Lily only turned to him for a second, but it was enough to make Sirius raise both his hands in a gesture that was half defensive, half an apology.

After a short silence Albus chuckled again: 'Well, I guess I can see the wisdom in your advice Lily. I promise I will inform you next time.'

'Good.' Lily nodded, 'At least it is good to learn that you are on the right track. Do you have any idea about the other horcruxes?'

'Sadly, no. I hoped this one would give me a clue. Maybe when we find the real horcrux… When are you planning to visit your family house Sirius?'

Sirius shrugged: 'Thursday?'

'Would you mind if I accompany you? I am very interested to see if your brother was actually R.A.B..'

'Sure, why not.' Sirius shrugged again.

'Did you have any other news Albus?' Lily wanted to know. As soon as the headmaster shook his head she turned to Sirius and Remus instead: 'Then I wonder how your visits worked out?'

Remus was the first to reply: 'The MacMillans seemed to think their son did not need any extra training. To be honest, I think they were a bit shocked that a werewolf suggested it.'

'Ridiculous.' James indignantly complained, but Remus just shrugged. Sirius took over: 'Amos Diggory actually thought it was a great idea. But they had already enrolled their son Cedric for some international exchange program. I believe he is going to visit some Canadian family for a few weeks and then their son will visit the Diggories. So he will hardly have any time to come to Lionfire Hall before he starts at Hogwarts next year.'

'I heard some good stories about Cedric. I wonder how he will be.' Albus mused.

'What about the Abbotts?' Lily wanted to know.

'Oh, right.' Sirius nodded, 'Amelia visited them yesterday, but they refused the offer. Amelia was sure they would have agreed if her sister-in-law had been able to ask them. She was apparently really close with mother Abbott during their time at Hogwarts. But Amelia herself barely knew the woman.'

'So, that means we will only see Neville, Susan and Hermione next Saturday. Beside Harry of course.' Lily summarized.

'No luck with the Weasley and Lovegood families then?' Remus asked.

Lily shook her head: 'Molly said she would discuss things with Arthur, but I do not expect anything from that discussion. And the Lovegoods are travelling at the moment, maybe their daughter will join us later.'

Remus nodded: 'Well, a small group might be better anyway.'

'I admit I really look forward to see how those kids will perform when they come to Hogwarts.' Albus commented, 'We once suggested a similar program, but it was shot down by purebloods.'

'Why?' Lily wondered.

'Mainly because they were afraid that their own kids would be at a disadvantage if muggleborns received additional training.' Albus shrugged, 'Even when we argued that their kids would be welcome as well they still refused it. Just like they keep forbidding a class about wizarding culture.'

Lily sadly shook her head: 'Purebloods.'

Funnily enough none of the purebloods in the room disagreed with her. They all agreed that most of the purebloods were much to conservative for their own good. For a while they chatted about the political climate, but then Albus said he had to go back to Hogwarts. To their surprise Sirius also had to go because he wanted to have dinner ready before Amelia came home. So after a few quick goodbyes the remaining three went back to their preparations for next Saturday.

A/N: Oops, almost forgot to update today. I thought I had until tomorrow. But still, two hours left of today, so I did not break my three-day-update rhythm yet;)

Once again we have a few chapters that only span a couple of days. And a chapter filled with talking… But I think there were some important events in this chapter nonetheless. So I just hope it was still interesting;)

Eight reviews this time:

Teufel1987: Well, in my defense, Harry and his friends often call it soccer. I do agree though that football is a weird name for a sport where you use your hands…

Happylady: Thanks, I figured adults would want to know things like this when they learn about some new world. In canon Harry is of course barely interested in politics during his first few years.

ILikeComps: I think being perfectly honest about the prejudices against muggleborns would have been a bit risky yeah. Although, I actually do believe that there is only a small minority actively discriminating against muggleborns, the main problem is that most others do not really care.

My Flawed Design: Thanks, and I managed to update within three days again. Only just, but still;)

JER: Thanks, good to hear!

Taeniaea: Thanks again:)

TsukiyoTenshi: DONE! :P

Man of Faith: Just like you said, they did not want to risk to scare the Grangers. Still, it not in their character to outright lie, so I hope the compromise was acceptable.