Chapter Two

Rent. Lily never knew it was so expensive, she had enough money for the night she just stayed in The Leaky Cauldron. But although Lily had a fair amount, it wouldn't last long if she stayed in hotels every night. It was her plan to find a temporary job and a flat to rent.

Only everywhere was overpriced or had a long waiting list. The last place she had to try, was her favourite store; Flourish and Blotts. The small bell rang as she entered, and the frail man looked up his face curving into a wide grin.

"Lily Evans! My favourite customer. What can I help you with today?"

She smiled softly and raised her hand to wave. "Hello Mr Martin, I was wondering if you have any jobs for the summer available?"

There was a small pause as he studied her for a moment but moved on without questioning her. "It just so happens I do Miss Evans. It's a very meanial task but it's a job. I need someone to help stack the shelves with new books and take out the old ones. You will be helping my new assistant Daniels. The job is yours if you want it."

"I will take it." She said quickly, making him chuckle as his dark eyes danced. "Welcome aboard."

Lily swallowed the lump that appeared in her throat, something told her that the kind old man wasn't really looking for help, but had hired her anyway. "There's something else."

He raised his eyebrows curiously. "I am afraid I cannot offer your cat a job." Lily smiled weakly glancing down at the ginger cat that sat against her legs.

"No it's no that. I am looking for a place to rent, just for the summer, but everywhere is so expensive. Do you have any recommendations?"

A flicker of worry fell across his face before he covered it with a broad smile. "I know a place. But it's not the nicest of areas and its above a apothecary. Would it be suitable?" Lily nodded bending down to stroke her cat. Leo purred affectionately.

"Very well. Tell the owner I sent you. If you carry on down this street till you reach a dead end, turn left then it's the first shop on your right." Lily nodded reaching over to give him a brief hug. "Thank you for all your help."

Mr Martin patted her back holding back a frown. "The pleasure is all mine Miss Evans. Take care. You start whenever you are ready."

The girl with fiery left the shop wearing a distant smile that looked almost sad to anyone who looked at her. "Who was that?" A teenage boy asked the older man, appearing from behind a stack of shelves.

He sighed sadly resting his head on his hands. "A girl, a girl who needs a friend right now."

Lily found the shop easier than she thought she would, there were very few shops in this far part of Diagon Ally. A smell of rotten fish assaulted her nose as she entered, it was hard not to gag at it. But she forced a smile and called out, "Hello is anyone here?"

A grubby middle aged man appeared from a door to the other side of the shop. He scowled darkly when he saw Lily in the doorway. "Yes?"

His harshness took her by surprise but she carried on smiling not wanting to offend him. "Hello Sir, my name is Lily Evans. Mr Martin sent me about a room you were offering to rent?"

A small snort of disbelief came from the stout man as he stared at Lily. "You want the attic room? Why? Are you running from someone? If you are I want nothing to do with it."

Lily shook her head immediately, "No Sir. I just need a place to stay whilst I work."

"Twenty sickles a week, I will stay out of your way if you do for me. Deal?" Lily shook his hand trying not to think about the brown dirt that covered his hand.

The room was on the third floor up a spiralling staircase, it was basic to say the least but at least the smell of rotten eggs had faded slightly. There was a single bed and a wardrobe that looked like it might collapse, Although everything had a thick layer of dust, it was essentially clean. Lily sighed softly to herself as she sat on the bed, Leo jumped on the bed next to her.

The cat ran his tail over her legs as he paced up and down the bed looking distressed. Lily stroked him whispering softly, "I know. I know. But it's the best I can do. Don't worry, we can make this place nice."

…

It had taken a few weeks, but the small old flat had started to improve. It was now clean and Lily had even bought a small soft blue rug for Leo to sleep on that brightened up the room. She sat with her legs crossed on her bed reading her new charms book for the year. It was now the fourth time she had read it but she had to keep her mind busy.

The moment she stopped doing something, her mind started to wonder and it always led back to the two black coffins that haunted her nightmares. She shuddered just thinking about it. When she wasn't at the shop she was reading new books that Mr Martin had recommended for her, he let her borrow them as if it were a library.

A small scratch at the window made her jump. She looked up to see a small strong dark brown owl that belonged to her best friend Alice. She let in the owl as it held out its leg to give her the role of parchment.

Dear Lily,

I hope this letter finds you well. We are all really worried about you.

No one has heard from you and our owls can't seem to find you. Are you still with your sister?

We miss you so much and I hope you are okay.

Please let us know if there is anything we can do.

Love you,

Ali x

Lily groaned and pulled at the ends of her hair. She felt bad that her friends were worried about her. This was her own problem and no one else's. Grabbing a spare piece of parchment she began writing a response as the owl waited patiently. She was sure Alice would have instructed it till Lily had written back.

Dear Ali,

I am so sorry you all have been worried! Tuni and I have gone to the countryside for a while to take a break. We needed a bit of space from everything. That's probably why the owls couldn't find me at my usual place.

I promise everything is as fine as it can be.

How are things with Franks mother?

I miss you so much, but I will see you soon at Hogwarts.

Love you more,

Lily x

The letter was shorter than those she usually sent to her friends but she didn't have the energy to write a longer one. She didn't have much energy for anything anymore.

She rested her legs on the bed as she lay down on her pillow. Across the room in the rusted mirror a stranger looked back at her. Lily didn't recognise herself anymore. The version that everyone knew had died with her parents. Her face looked gaunt and the skin was pulled tight across her face, she was paler than she had ever been.

A lone tear ran down her face.

It was her fault her parents were dead.

If it hadn't been for her muggle born status her parents would have never been on the death eaters list. The past year they had heard about stories of students who became orphans just because of the way they were born. She just never imagined that it would one day be here.

She was empty.

…

"Red, try this one, I swear, just like carrots." Lily took the bean Aidan was holding out to her with an amused smile.

The simplest of things that amused Aidan Daniels, he had been home-schooled for the past six years in magic but he had never experienced in the wizarding society. Aidan had lived in Ireland and had come to England this summer to experience life among other witches and wizards.

"Just be glad you haven't had a vomit flavour bean yet." She smiled sitting across the table from him. Her auburn hair kept falling in her face.

Aidan grimaced pulling a disgusted expression. "Seriously? I can't think of a worse flavour."

Lily smiled looking down at her watch, "Come on, we better get back. Our break is almost over."

The boy twisted a face but didn't complain, he jumped up holding out his hand to Lily. She took it, and he pulled her up with surprising ease. They crossed the road to the bookstore where they both worked, lost in a conversation that would be described as trivial.

Wilson Martin looked up from his counter with a small smile as he watched the two teenagers enter his shop. He was glad for their company with each other, and if he was honest, he enjoyed their company too. Sometimes it could get too quiet in his old store.

"On time again, you're a good influence Lily," He teased watching the girl smile. She was still unhappy, that part was obvious but her smile didn't seem as forced as it had that first day.

"Looks like we might have to keep her." Aidan said shooting her a furtive smile as he nudged her.

Lily blushed her freckled cheeks lighting up, making Aidan and Wilson both laugh. "Careful boy, she might end up taking your job."

Aidan pulled an overly shocked expression that made Lily smile again. This time she nudged him raising her eyebrows, "See, you might want to watch yourself Daniels."

The petite girl squared her shoulders, Aidan Daniels held back a chuckle as he towered over her. "You going to do something about it, Red?"

"You shouldn't underestimate me." Lily warned raising an eyebrow as she bent over to begin sorting the pile of books that had been waiting for them.

Aidan joined her. "I wouldn't dare."

Their hands briefly touched as they sorted through the pile and Lily felt her heart jump a little. They laughed a little and Lily pilled back quickly. She didn't enjoy the way her stomach twisted in a knot. He was an attractive guy and it was something that even Lily couldn't ignore.

Aidan had soft curly light brown hair that had started to turn slightly blonde in the English summer. He had dimples that curved into his cheeks whenever he smiled. But it was his optimistic personality that Lily had been drawn to. Aidan was eternally excited and his childlike enjoyment was infectious. She caught herself sometimes smiling with him, before the magnitude of her situation drew her back to earth.

Lily glanced outside the window staring out to the empty streets, it was too early for the students to be shopping so business was slow at the moment. But she could have sworn she felt someone watching her. The hair on her arms stood up as she shivered slightly.

"Red, is it true that you have a giant squid at your school?"

This made her chuckle. The way he phrased questions made Hogwarts sound crazy at times. "Yes, and he is rather friendly. The mermaids are not quite as friendly though."

"Mermaids?!"