Second

The party ended after midnight but Lily couldn't sleep. She was tossing from side to side and sleep would not come. She knew it was probably because of all the emotions that had been plaguing her over the past 24 hours. She felt like she was on a roller coaster and instead of making a circle and getting off she was stuck in an endless loop.

Finally she gave up sleeping and stood up. Glancing at her watch, four in the morning. She slipped her bare feet into the warm down slippers Grandma Molly had bought her, threw on a robe and went downstairs as quietly as she could.

The kitchen was full of leftover sweets, open bottles of alcohol, and unwashed dishes.

Lily Luna smiled - at one time that would have been impossible. But since Grandma Molly was getting into her eighties, she had been learning to relax over daily chores.

Lily Luna took a glass, poured herself some water, and looked out the window. There was someone sitting on a bench in the garden. She gulped down the drink and went outside. She smiled to herself as the shadow realized he had company.

"Lilu, it's four in the morning."

She sat down next to him on the bench and drew her knees up to her chin.

"I know. I could say the same."

The figure laughed and Lily Luna poked him in the ribs. He poked back until she screamed softly. They sat in silence for a moment as he handed her a cigarette. He had already lit his own. She took hers and waited for a light.

"Smoking is unhealthy," she said nonchalantly but he didn't care. He took a drag on his cigarette and blew out a couple of perfect circles.

"You might be a little young to tell me about morals, yeah? " He retorted and she sighed, resigned.

She held a cigarette in her hand and watched the tobacco burn slowly. This is how she had felt since yesterday evening. As if something was burning her.

"Charlie." She started hesitantly, and the man looked at her carefully. She noticed crow's feet appearing around his eyes and laugh lines at his mouth. That single white hair that appeared in his fiery red hair. But despite the passing years he was still himself. Free, independent, breaking the rules. He lived his whole life as he wanted. He had his entire body tattooed, wore long hair and extravagant earrings. Bracelets, eccentric clothes for the wizarding world. He didn't care about the opinions of others, he just did what he wanted.

The ashes from her cigarette fell on the grass, Lily Luna did not even notice.

"Have you ever regretted your life choices?" This question had been bothering her for several years, once she realized that the usual patterns were not necessarily what she wanted out of life.

Charlie laughed softly. He tossed his cigarette under his boot, then crushed it. "You realized that an era in your life is over, Lilu?"

How he knew her.

"This world is so fucked up, Charlie." She put her chin on her knees and saw only her fluffy slippers.

"Says Lily Luna Potter at four in the morning." He summed up and took something else out from under the bench. Lily Luna snorted as he handed her the bottle of wine.

"Do you really think drinking wine here is the best idea in the world?"

Charlie shrugged and answered her. "Do you have a better one?"

They moved to one of Lily Luna's secret places. It was a disused part of the beach located near Shell Cottage. It wasn't the most visited place here so she treated this place as her sacred zone.

They sat down on the slightly damp sand and Charlie handed her another bottle of wine. Before Apparition, Lily got dressed, and he arranged for extra alcohol from the kitchen.

It was the first official time that grown up Lily could drink with Charlie. Until now she had always done it illegally. Last summer she spent a month at the Sanctuary in Romania. There, their relationship had turned into what it was today.

Lily took a long sip of wine and looked out at the sea. The waves crashed lazily onto the shore and their sound soothed her heart. She also saw the first rays of the sun emerging behind the horizon.

"I've never regretted any of my decisions, Lilu."

She had expected just such an answer. After all, it was Charlie.

"But I'm an old bachelor already, so don't take it to heart. And don't tell Ginny I said that," he took a sip of wine, "because she will kill me."

Lily chuckled but then she became serious.

"A lot has happened in the last year," she bit her lip as Charlie waited patiently for her to continue. "And..." She looked at the bottle of wine and twisted it in her hands. Charlie took another cigarette from his pocket and lit it. He propped himself up on one elbow and stared out at the sea.

"And you don't know what to do with your life?" He prompted lazily.

"That too but that's not the point." She gasped and felt very hot. She had never dared to disclose what was deeply in her heart to anyone before. "I did something very stupid, Charlie."

The words got his attention. He was not concerned but attentive. Charlie never ignored her and did not try to dismiss her. She respected that about him and knew she could trust him. Mentally he was more like her twin brother than her uncle.

"Can I help you? " The question was asked lightly but he was quite serious.

She shook her head and tilted the bottle. Charlie stared silently out at the sea for a moment, then said, "We need volunteers at the Sanctuary. We will have many new dragons in the fall."

Lily took the hint.

He finished his cigarette and swallowed some more wine.

"My parents won't be able to understand it, but…" She hesitated but the thought trailed off. Charlie didn't push.

They sat in silence for the next several minutes until they realized that the sun was starting to rise. The first warm rays of the sun climbed up from the horizon.

She started again. "A year ago, at Teddy and Victoire's wedding, I got drunk." Charlie nodded.

"I know, I kept your hair up in the morning when you vomited." Lily was amused for a moment by his nonchalant statement. In fact, it was exactly the truth.

"Truth," she confirmed, and her thoughts inevitably returned to the wedding. "But before ... Before that, things got complicated."

At a quarter to midnight Lily realized that the guests were slowly changing outfits. She herself thought that throwing off the pink meringue and changing into an outfit that cost a fortune would feel amazing. And the new dress looked like a million dollars.

It was beautiful - a front with thin straps of black, densely woven lace. It revealed a lot but also left enough to the imagination. The hem of the dress was shiny silk satin with a high cut to underline her slender legs.

Lily was not a classic beauty like Rose but her figure was perfect and for a woman she was tall.

While trying on her dress and mask, she realized that anyone could recognize her which would skip the purpose of the convention brought by Victoire. She decided to darken her red hair and gave it a soft, slightly brown shade. This effect could only last two hours because the spell was imperfect.

Lily Luna looked at herself in the mirror, a few more wand strokes and she could go back to the party. Get drunk among the crowds, alone.

She looked much older and was pleased to find that the dress emphasized her predatory nature. The perfect outfit to enter adulthood.

She returned to the party and noticed that there were only two minutes until midnight. And she didn't even have a glass of champagne in her hands.

Lily looked around and the crowd looked different. They were all wearing masks, elegant dresses or disguises. Some she could easily recognize but the identity of some remained a mystery.

"Champagne?" She heard a deep male voice. She nodded and accepted the glass without hesitation.

And then the clock struck midnight and Lily whispered silently to herself, "Happy birthday," and gulped it down. She felt tears welling up under her eyelids. No, she can't cry. She must be tough.

She felt herself being watched and only realized that someone had given her a glass a moment ago.

"Rough night?"

Lily Luna blinked several times before she realized he was waiting for her answer.

"Hardly." It was not a convincing answer. She wouldn't believe herself. "Perhaps."

She heard a husky laugh and looked at the man for the first time. He was wearing a perfectly fitted tailcoat in a non-obvious color. Bloody, burgundy - Lily Luna couldn't define the color. He certainly stood out from the crowd.

The mask carefully covered every inch of his face so all she noticed was the gray irises of his eyes, smoldered with amusement. And his lips. Well-cut but thin male mouth. His hair was smoothly combed but she couldn't tell for sure whether it was grey, blonde or white - they were fair.

"More champagne?" He offered, and she accepted the offer eagerly.

Lily had no idea who he was but didn't really care. She needed alcohol today. Conversations seemed redundant. The company wasn't a problem for her as long as it wasn't intrusive.

After a while he returned with the whole bottle and offered to refill it. She nodded. She drained the glass in seconds, which surprised him a little. But he didn't comment on it, just refilled the glass once again

.

"Toast?" He proposed with slight amusement in his voice, smirking.

"I don't care. We can," she answered back and realized she felt strangely comfortable. Anonymity removed barriers. She blushed - good that she had a mask on.

He laughed softly and said: "I have no idea who you are but I like your directness." He held up his glass and held his hand out toward her. "What would you like to drink for?"

Lily Luna thought for a moment, then replied, "For having a good time. To have only good times in life."

"So let's drink for a good time!" They clinked their glasses and involuntarily their hands touched.

Lily Luna felt the current pierce her skin as if there had been a short circuit. It was short-lived but her fingers were paralyzed for a moment. The man seemed surprised by the sensation but said nothing. All he did was drink champagne to the bottom. Lily Luna followed his footsteps.

"What's your name?" He asked softly, and she laughed and shook her head.

"Mystery." She replied, and he poured her champagne.

"That's a beautiful name.'' He summed up with a twinkle in his eye."Why don't we sit down here?" He pointed to a nearby bench that was hidden in the garden.

"We can," Lily Luna agreed. They started heading that way and Ginny and Rose passed them.

"Rosie, haven't you seen Lilu?"

Lily Luna smirked, since her mother did not recognize her and her disguise was perfect.

They sat down and Lily Luna asked: "And what's your name?"

"Enigma." She snorted at his answer, and he poured her champagne. "It is running out, we will have to arrange a new bottle." He put down the glass and said, "If you like."

Lily Luna nodded so he got up and walked over to the waiter. The girl felt that the imposed drinking pace had an effect. She felt dizziness, so the fact that she was sitting was a life saver. In addition, one more glass and she wouldn't be able to fully control her behavior. She knew she did stupid things while drunk.

She put down her glass and sat more comfortably on the bench, resting her head and staring at the stars. The sky was exceptionally clear today.

She heard he came back and sat down next to her.

"Do you like astronomy? Because I can see you are staring at the stars."

She laughed and replied, "I hate it. One of the worst classes at Hogwarts."

"Truth. I've always preferred Quidditch." He stared at the sky.

"Oh."

"You don't like?"

"Well, I've always been surrounded by Quidditch."

Lily Luna reached out and traced the air with her finger.

"This is the Auriga constellation. If we're lucky, maybe we'll see a meteor. It's the time of their activity."

"So you like astronomy," she heard the amusement in his voice, she smiled at herself under the mask.

"You're smiling," he stated, and she snorted. She looked at him and didn't see much more than before - and probably even less.

"You can't see my face."

"Certainly," and she felt his hand touch her cheek.

The whole situation was unobvious, she was talking to a stranger to the accompaniment of a large amount of champagne. And that champagne eased her usually acute senses.

She didn't shake off his hand, and he traced the line of her jaw, stroking it gently. His fingers were remarkably long and slender, masculine but… sophisticated. Smooth as silk.

He slid his fingers to her neck, which was exposed. He ran over her skin and Lily Luna felt a shiver. She trembled and he withdrew his hand.

"Don't stop." She whispered, completely against what her mind was telling her. For a moment she saw a hesitation in his eyes but it was replaced by a gleam.

"Are you sure you want to continue it here?" His voice was muffled.

She shook her head and took his hand, while the other picked up the champagne.

"I know a better place."

Morning came too early. If one considered twelve o'clock to still be the morning.

'Lilu!" The knock on the door was aggressive. "Lilu, do you want everyone to be pissed off since the early morning?"

Lily Luna opened her eyes and yawned.

"Jamie, fuck off," she hissed and tried to ignore her annoying older brother.

"I'm opening the door!" His voice was closer and closer to her ear.

"I said fuck off!" She screamed, when her blanket was harshly ripped away.

"Language!" James was really smug. "You received an owl earlier. With a letter attached. Unfortunately, no idea from whom. "

He was playing with her but it had an immediate effect.

Lily Luna jumped up from the bed and asked angrily, "Where is the letter?"

James Potter wouldn't be himself if he was too nice to his beloved little sister. He shrugged and said nonchalantly:

"I don't know, the owl wouldn't let anyone touch her. And flew away."

Lily froze and he must have noticed the slight dismay on her face as he corrected promptly:

"I'm kidding. She's waiting in the kitchen. Like the whole family. " He added significantly and Lily sighed. "Which does not change the fact that she couldn't be touched."

Lily was no longer listening to him as she ran down the stairs from the second floor. Everyone was actually sitting in the kitchen except for her, James and… Charlie.

"Lilu, finally," Ginny's warm voice was ignored by her daughter as she gasped.

"Where is the owl?"

Ginny raised an eyebrow at the sudden question, "Waiting outside."

Lily stormed out of the kitchen, everyone looking at her like she was crazy. But she didn't care.

A white, tiny owl was waiting for her. And as she saw Lily approaching she began to hoot softly.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Mei," she stroked the owl with a smile and untied the note from her leg. "Go fly home," she whispered and Mei flew away.

Even his owls were aristocratic, she thought wryly, and tore the note open.

"Six p.m. You can use Apparition."

And the page burned with a hiss. Lily looked up at the sky and bit her lip. Six p.m.

Lily was feeling anxious. She felt uncomfortable like never before. Maybe because they had only met at the White Wyvern or at Hogsmeade so far. Lily had, of course, been to Malfoy Manor countless times before - it was inevitable. But all those times were before it all started.

Lily touched the necklace around her neck and remembered something that made her blush.

During her last year at Hogwarts, she had sneaked out whenever possible for trysts with Draco. She did this mainly by taking advantage of the fact that she was a prefect and the trust in her was greater than in the average student. And maybe because the headmaster was Neville, one of Dad's best friends, so she was a little less afraid of the consequences.

She had managed to roll up the Marauder's Map from James's treasures at the beginning of the year which made it even easier for her to sneak out.

In December, just before the holiday break, Draco asked her for an urgent meeting. This worried her because they usually stuck to the schedule. Lily Luna had to sort it out, because she was going to study with another student that evening and write her final essay. She told her friend she had a headache and canceled the meeting. But that was just the beginning.

She wished she had an invisibility cloak; it would have made it easier for her to slip away. After a brief reflection, she decided to use the Room of Requirement. Ariana Dumbledore had helped her once before but Lily knew she couldn't abuse her kindness. But today she was completely upset - they weren't supposed to see each other until Christmas, but that wasn't certain either.

Lily, standing in front of the picture, called the girl in a low voice.

The Hog's Head was as dingy as ever but the advantage of this place was that no one asked unnecessary questions. Draco often rented a room there so his presence wasn't out of the ordinary. Although still strange.

Lily Luna pushed her hood tighter as she emerged from the picture and dashed into the familiar direction, directly to the room.

Aberforth, who was standing nearby, only sighed and ignored her presence. As always.

Draco waited for her and looked at her with a smile. He pulled her close and kissed her hard, possessively, as if she was just his.

"I thought you weren't coming," he said, and she felt a little bit irritated.

"I thought something serious had happened," she snorted in response and he laughed.

"You wouldn't have come otherwise."

It was true. Lily Luna wrinkled her nose and wanted to say something but it was too late.

"I have a Christmas gift for you." He walked over to the desk and took something out of his coat. Lily Luna saw the little box and felt a shiver.

Draco turned and, noticing her expression, rolled his eyes and snorted, "I'm not going to propose to you. I've already had a wife."

Lily swallowed and realized at the same moment that she had nothing for him.

Draco, as if reading her mind, walked over and handed her an ornate wrapper tied with a ribbon. He softened and she even saw that he was smiling gently.

"Your presence is the best gift for me, Lily. That you came." He said softly. That you are.

Lily Luna unrolled the ribbon and discovered a necklace with a pendant in the shape of wings inside. It was very delicate, the complete opposite of the jewelry she usually wore. Lily, like Charlie, loved solid jewelry.

Lilu took it and ran a finger over them, the wings felt warm, as if they reacted to her touch. She looked questioningly at Draco, and he nodded.

"They have been enchanted. I'll know if you're safe."

Lily Luna bit her lip, he knew when something was happening. "But you know."

He nodded once again and stood behind her back. He took the necklace and waited for her to reveal her neck from under the scarf.

"I know," he confirmed and hung the wings on her neck. "But I must always know."

After this evening she didn't see Draco until Christmas at the Weasley house. He accompanied Scorpius.

James, Albus, Lily Luna, along with Harry and Ginny attended the extended family event. It was also the first time Lily Luna had met Draco on completely neutral ground. This time she was prepared and had a gift for him.

She waited a long time for the right moment but finally they met in the kitchen and she used the opportunity.

"I have a gift for you," her voice was slightly nervous. She handed him a box that was oblong and carefully wrapped in colorful paper.

Draco was surprised but he accepted the gift and opened it. Inside he found a fountain pen.

He nodded and jostled her with a smile. "I would do more but someone might catch us," he just whispered, and Lily felt his warm breath close to her ear. She licked her lips.

She wasn't sure if she would ever be able to step into the Weasleys' pantry again in her life without dirty thoughts after what happened.

By six, she had realized Scorpius had gone to Rose. Rose had told her yesterday about this; it meant they would be alone at Malfoy Manor. Most likely, because she wasn't sure if Mr. Malfoy would be there. Lucius had shunned social life recently and all she knew was that he was working at the Ministry as an Unspeakable.

Lily packed a few things in her purse and went downstairs. She knew she had to tell Ginny that she was unlikely to be coming back for the night.

Ginny was surprised - you just got here - but she just sighed and said that the kids were growing up too fast. Lily smiled and left the house.

The Malfoy Gardens had always delighted her. It was evident that it was an integral part of the property, and therefore was cared for with the greatest attention. As far as she knew when Astoria was still alive, she took care of them. She loved it and very often Scorpius accompanied her.

Draco had no particular affection for the gardens and she had no idea about if his father cared as well.

This year, the gardens looked even better than she remembered. It felt as if a whole new life had been breathed into them. The question was - who cared for them?

Lilu admired all the flowerpots full of flowers, neat flower beds and small fruit bushes. The smell of the summer.

As she stood by the windows, she saw the curtain moving upstairs.

Perhaps Draco was getting impatient.

She sighed because she didn't quite know what to expect today. She had bent the rules, she knew it. They had a strange bond that she couldn't logically explain. In extreme situations - or stressful situations - she was able to get to Draco's mind and vice versa. Lily had the vague impression that Draco knew something more but so far he had not shared it.

Lilu entered Malfoy Manor from the back and crossed the two rooms, then climbed up to the second floor. She was pretty sure the curtain had moved in the library.

The library door was slightly ajar so she pushed it gently with her hand and took a step.

Draco wasn't in the library but she saw another person whose presence shocked her.

Hermione was sitting in a deep armchair with a book in her hands. Several other volumes lay on the table next to her.

"Lily," she said to her, and the redhead stood silently, unable to say anything wise. "Please sit down. Draco was pulled away for business, but he should be back soon."

Lily hesitantly walked over to the nearest armchair and sat down, still unsure. Hermione's mere presence at Malfoy Manor was strange, kind of surreal.

Was she actually having an affair with Draco? No, it didn't make sense after all.

"Everything that is shared in this room today must absolutely remain between us, in secret."

Hermione's voice was very warm, as if they were talking about completely trivial things. Lily nodded and this was bringing a smile to Hermione's lips. Hermione put the book down and waved her wand. Tea appeared before them. She handed Lily the cup and took a sip herself.

"Anticipating your question, I knew about you from the very beginning."

The cup in Lilu's hands trembled dangerously. Lily Luna felt her heart start racing. She was so screwed up, she could feel it.

Hermione put down the porcelain and leaned towards her, this time her eyes grew serious.

"I'm not going to tell anyone about it, and if you are concerned, I can tell you my secret."

Lily swallowed, loud enough that Hermione lifted the corners of her mouth.

"Secret for secret," she clarified, and Lily shifted uncomfortably, feeling her lips tremble slightly.

What secret could Hermione have?

"After my divorce from Ron, I chose to pursue a career. For a very long time there was no one in my life - no one to fill the void in my heart. After all, years later I became the Minister of Magic and well... someone showed up."

Lily was sure she was about to hear Draco's name. Hermione must have seen her face because she snorted.

"No, it wasn't Draco," she answered the unspoken question, and Lily raised an eyebrow. "But my relationship with Draco is quite close." She paused for a moment and waved her hand. "I have been his stepmother for almost a year."

Lily was clearly surprised, maybe even a little shaken by the latest discovery. She doubted it for a long moment, thinking it was a joke. But it wasn't a joke - Hermione spoke quite seriously. In confirmation of Hermione's words, Lily Luna noticed the wedding ring on Hermione's left hand.

"Only those who know can see it."

There was silence between the women for several minutes. Lily bit her lip as her mind had been whirling the last fifteen minutes with the greatest force. Hermione watched her closely.

"Lilu." Hermione's voice snapped Lily Luna out of her thoughts.

"It took me many years to understand that I decided far too quickly to start a family, to marry Ron, to have children."

Hermione sat closer to her and took Lily's hand. Her eyes were large, clear, dark brown, filled with wisdom Lily had only seen rarely. Wisdom and intelligence, what made Hermione so special. The brightest witch of her age.

"And I absolutely don't want you to think I regret it. I have absolutely no regrets."

Her tone of voice was completely different from Ginny's. Reasonable, balanced, but still warm.

"But I know one thing - if I could live my life once again I would have lived it a little differently," she hesitated, and Lily felt her hand tighten."I would give myself more time to get to know myself, be with myself and understand what is most important to me," she smiled at Lilu. "Because, you know, it's easy to lose yourself when you have someone else in front of your eyes. And to forget what it's like to be yourself. Lose your identity."

Lily blinked a few times and moved because she was still for a long moment. Hermione released her hand and stood up.

"I'm telling you all this because you're only nineteen. You are young and you have your whole life ahead of you," she went to the window and pulled aside the curtain to let in the evening sun. "The sooner you understand that you are special, the better."

She turned her face to Lily and only now did Lily realize how beautiful Hermione was.

"I know about your relationship with Draco and I'm the last person to judge or comment on that," Lily blushed at the mention of Draco but Hermione continued. "But you are an adult, I assume that nobody forced you to do anything," her smile was slightly amused when Lily shook her head.

"I just wish you could understand that you don't need a man to be really happy. First, you have to understand yourself, find what makes you happy, what makes you smile. You have to achieve harmony and find that you are enough for who you are. No man can make you find freedom unless you find it yourself."

Hermione opened the window and let air into the library.

"No man can give you what you need if you don't know what you want."

Lily felt a wave hit her chest, as if the wind had possessed her body.

"And while Draco can give you everything that is available in the world, he will not give you yourself. You have to fight for yourself alone."

Lily felt her breath run out, her head spinning. As if Hermione's words hit her and knocked her out. As if she lost the ground under her feet, the arm in the armchair, the ability to think straight and logically.

"Are you happy, Lily?"

The question struck her like a bolt from the blue and opened her eyes.

"I'm gonna be."

Lily Luna fell asleep in the chair in the library while waiting for Draco. She had spoken with Hermione earlier but after some time Lucius entered the room. Lily felt embarrassed, it was hard for her to meet his eyes. She was well aware that he also knew. But Lucius Malfoy wasn't going to create an awkward situation - he just came for Hermione because they were going to go out to dinner.

Hermione flashed her a smile and thoughtfully said, before closing the door, "Take care, Lily. If you need anything, you know where to find me."

Lily reached for the book and tried to focus on reading, but the dream beat her.

"Lilu."

A soft whisper close to her ear woke her from sleep. She opened her eyes and saw Draco's face dimly. She was amazed to find the library very dark and surprisingly cool.

"I'm sorry, Lily," he stroked her cheek and she pressed her face against his warm hand. After a moment he kissed her gently but she shook her head. Draco stepped away and helped her up. "Hungry?"

Lily Luna realized she was hungry so she nodded.

After the meal, they went to the east wing, which Lilu rarely visited. This was actually the first time she had seen Draco's rooms. Draco and Astoria's .

They did not differ much from the rest, although the decor was austere. Masculine, with dark, sophisticated decorations. The only element that could be called warm was the fireplace that was lit by the house elves.

Draco shed his robes and stood in front of her in loose pants. Lily could see that he was very tired, his mood was completely different than yesterday's. She hesitated debating whether to start a conversation or not.

In the meantime, Draco walked over to her and took her face in his hands. He stared into her eyes for a long moment, as if he was searching them for answers to unasked questions.

"Draco..." His hand touched her mouth and brushed her lips in a way that made Lily's knees weak every time. She opened them and he gently stroked them, running his fingertips over them. His other hand touched her neck.

"Draco," Lily tried again but she could see his eyes turning dark, filled with lust.

"Lily," his voice was husky.

Once again. Only today.

They met on the beach where it all began. History was about to come full circle.

Lily Luna stood by the seashore, struggling to focus on the breaking waves. She was holding back tears; though, the sobs were already stuck in her throat.

"We have to stop seeing each other."

That was all she could choke out in a trembling voice. It was a tough decision but she knew it was right for her. She had to find her own way, and clinging to Draco ...

She was only nineteen, he couldn't expect such a sacrifice from her.

Draco was silent and just stared at her face carefully, studying every inch of her. He did not come near her, nor did he extend his hand. He was standing like a stone figure with a constant grimace.

Lily expected some sort of retort, comment - something to show he had heard.

After a while, she heard him sigh heavily and replied:

"Fine, Lily."

Lily didn't expect such a reaction, she thought he would reproach her. And the reality was surprising.

"You're free, you can fly, you can fly away," he added in a softer tone. "Look after yourself. Don't do silly things."

She could see the sadness in his eyes but she had made her decision. In two days she was going to the Sanctuary, there was no room for being sloppy here. She wanted to say something, but he was gone before she opened her mouth.

She was left alone. She was free.

She wiped her eyes and mechanically grabbed the necklace, which was one of the few souvenirs she chose to keep.

Lilu squeezed it tightly until the wings were warm with her hands.

She will spread her wings and she will fly. She will be free.