Chapter Thirty Six: Moving on.

I woke up the next morning with a swirly feeling in the pit of my stomach. Only two days to go till we're back at Hogwarts! I grinned sleepily and shot my head up. Sighing, I rubbed my eyes and swung my legs out from under the duvet and made my feet touch the lovely thick carpet. One thing I definitely do NOT miss about Hogwarts is the medieval central heating system! (There isn't one).

As I collected a towel, I spotted the necklace Aunt Alexandria gave me. It was on top of my pyjama top, showing itself to the world. Hastily, I shoved it underneath my clothes and hurried into the communal bathroom across the hallway.

I turned on the hot water and let it run over my body, washing away all the awful things that have befallen me. I grinned suddenly. James and I were friends! If there's one thing I know about James Harold Potter, it's that he is deadly loyal to his friends. I too am loyal, so loyal that I will pull anyone's head off if they hurt one of my girls.

"You're probably thinking that I want those things
Cash, cars – diamond rings
Thinkin' on my side the grass is green
But you don't know where I have been
I could be a wolf in disguise
I could be an angel in your eyes
Never judge a book by it's cover." I sang happily. Finally, I turned off the shower and clambered out, grabbing my towel and wrapping it firmly around me.

I dreaded the trudge across the hallway, back to my room. Then again, why should I? This is my house, let the guests be embarrassed.

"Kids! Breakfast is ready!" Mum hollered up the stairs.

Five voices yelled back; "Thanks Mrs. Evans!"

"Call me Rosalyn!" Mum shouted.

"Okay!" Six grinned. I had joined in with the last part. Oh, how annoying can I be?

I quickly pulled on a pair of shorts and a strap top, before wandering down into our large family kitchen.

"Hey Rosalyn." I grinned as I sat down.

"Hey Lilykins." Mum answered, her eyes twinkling. I scowled.

"Let's start again; hey Mum!" I giggled.

"Hey Lil." Mum smiled as she put a large plate of pancakes down in front of me.

"Thanks." I said. Picking up a fork and a knife, I began to demolish the huge pile of sweet circles.

Soon, the others joined me and ate theirs in a similar fashion.

As I was first to finish, I stood up and carried my plate to the sink. I washed that and the various pans and utensils that were littered around the kitchen.

"What are you kids gonna do today?" I heard Mum ask.

"Dunno, Rosalyn." Cassie and Bella chorused.

"Mum? Are you going to look at that Arab today?" I called from the kitchen. I entered the lounge, wiping my hands on a tea towel.

"Yes hun. You wanna come with?" She asked absently.

"Yeah! Oh, um I suppose you guys don't really wanna go looking at horses all day, do you?" I looked at my friends hopefully.

"Of course we'll come!" James replied indignantly.

"And if I see one I like, I'll get dearest Daddy to come pick it up!" Belle grinned.

My face lit up. If there was one thing I loved the most, it was horses.

"Should I get riding stuff?" I asked suddenly.

"Um, no. Just bring your boots with you and you can try out the horse before we buy it." Mum grinned at me suddenly. Ever since Dad died, we had never had enough money for a horse, but now it seemed that we did.

All the way to the farm where the Arab was, I chattered incessantly.

When we finally got there, I was the first out. I ran to the farmhouse door and rapped on it.

A jolly old woman opened the door and beamed at me. "You're here for the Arab, are you?" She asked kindly. Then she spotted Mum behind me. "Rosalyn! How long has it been? This can't be Lily! She's too tall!"

"Sue, you have no idea!" Mum smiled. "Is Rod ready?"

"Yes woman. Hold your horses." A graying man stepped out from behind his wife and grinned at me. "You gonna test Jewel before you buy her?"

"Yeah, if that's okay. What's her show name?" I asked hesitantly.

"Jewel of the Night." Rod replied. He led me to a large barn, in which there were loads of stables. At least 50.

I shoved my feet into my riding boots and followed Rod. He stopped infront of a stable and grinned at me. "She's in here."

I looked in and gasped. She was as black as night, with a tiny jewel shaped patch of white on her forehead.

"She's a beauty, isn't she?" Rod whispered.

I smiled at the horse and let her smell my fingers. She snorted softly and nuzzled my shoulder.

Rod led her to an iron ring on the opposite wall and tied her up. Lifting a large saddle from a rack, he placed it gently on her back and fastened the girth. "Climb aboard milady." He grinned, giving me a leg-up. He put on a bridle and handed me the reins.

"Follow me." He murmured.

We trotted after him and entered a light and airy indoor school.

Mum and the others were sitting in the large gallery with Sue. Mum smiled encouragingly at me as I trotted in. Jewel threw her head insolently and whickered. I grinned and patted her long, elegant neck.

~~ James' POV ~~

Lily entered on a large black mare and trotted to the middle, patting her and whispering encouraging things to her. Rosalyn smiled at Lily and Lily beamed back.

"Do some light work with her Lily." I heard Rod say. Lily nodded and started Jewel in walk.

After a few minutes, Lily began to trot, and then canter. She looked beautiful, her auburn hair flying out behind her, her emerald eyes glittering and her expression of sheer joy.

I heard Rosalyn sigh happily and Cassie and Bella shared knowing glances.

Lily finally stopped, trotting over to the gallery.

"Mum, she's a dream! We have to get her. But first, you must try her out." Lily raised an eyebrow at her mother.

"But Lil, I can't…" Rosalyn began.

"Mum, Dad is dead. Not riding will not bring him back. You have to move on. He would want you to ride. And you know it." Lily replied sternly.

"Fine." Rosalyn snapped suddenly. "I'll ride the damn thing."

"Glad you agree. You were going to anyway." Lily smirked at her mother's frustrated expression.

"But I haven't brought my boots." Rosalyn grinned triumphantly.

"Borrow mine. They fit you." Lily had won. And both women knew it.

Rosalyn threw a glare at her daughter and descended to the school. Lily dismounted gracefully and gave her mother a leg-up.

"Light work." Lily smiled at Rosalyn.

Rosalyn rolled her eyes and took off, trotting and cantering in turn.

"Your mum's a great rider." Bella mused.

"We both know." Lily replied, her eyes on her mother.

~~ Lily's POV ~~

I kept my eyes fastened on Mum, watching her as Jewel performed a flying change. She coped well, for someone who hadn't been in the saddle for over five years.

Jewel began to get bolshy and Mum stopped near us.

"Mum, you were great." I breathed as she dismounted.

"We'll take her. For the full asking price." Mum smiled at Rod and beamed at me. "I won't give a penny less."

"I see the connection you both have with this horse and have now decided the asking price has been deflated by, say, £7500. What say you?"

"But that means we only pay £5500…" Mum trailed off. I flung my arms around Rod's neck and kissed his cheek. Then I moved on to Sue and Mum, hugging and kissing. Jewel snorted indignantly and I laughed as I kissed her too.

Mum was speechless.

I was beaming.

We led Jewel into our horse trailer and Rod carried in her tack and rugs.

Finally, we were moving on.

Thank you for all the support and CONSTRUCTIVE criticism that my wonderfully wonderful reviewers have given me.

I love you all!

*Eyes start to water* And I really do want world peace!

Also, if anyone's interested, can someone draw/paint/print a picture of what they think Lily's room looks like and email it to me? I'd be very grateful.

If you need more info, email me.

Lol

M

xxx