A/N: Please note that for the purpose of the story, the movie (Ten Things I Hate About You) was made then, okay? I really can't be bothered to have them watch the Sound of Music. *grins* I'm not bagging it, you know what I mean.

If this chapter's here twice, I'M SORRY!! I think I made a mistake, so *gets on knees* please please please forgive me!!

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except the things that are mine. *grins* Nah, you'll know the characters that are mine, coz you won't recognize them, like Summer, Mr Chen, Phoebe etc. The plot, as unoriginal as it may seem, is also mine. I also don't own the movie name, that belongs to...um...er...people? They know who they are, anyway.

****CHAPTER TWO: 'Dragon' Alley, Tall-ish Guys With Dark Hair and the Green Eyed Monster****

Petunia sat on her bed, staring out the window. She could hear footseps on the stairs, and knew automatically who it was. Only Lily had that light, bouncy step. Petunia knew Lily was going to knock on the door and want to talk to her. Sighing, Petunia waited for the inevitable. Three...two...one...

'Petunia? Can I come in?' Petunia glared at the wall for a second, and then relented.

'Whatever.' Three seconds later, the door opened, and Lily walked in hesitantly.

'Are you mad at me?' Lily asked. Petunia looked over, determined to scowl at her, but failing when she saw Lily's sad, green eyes.

'Why would I be mad at you?' Petunia asked. You're only a witch, Lily. Nothing out of the ordinary, Petunia thought wryly.

'You've been acting strangely all evening,' Lily explained patiently. 'Ignoring me, you know. Is it because I'm a witch?' Petunia closed her eyes.

'Lily, you know what I'm scared of? I'm scared that some day you'll get hurt at...that school because of who knows what. Have you even heard some of the stories Gypsy tells? Stories of an evil wizard killing people, stories of duelling, stories of people ending up with four arms.' Petunia took a deep breath, then realized she had run out of things to say. 'Plus you'll be gone until Christmas. Has it occured to you how long that is?' Petunia couldn't bear to add to Lily that she was also extremely jealous. Lily had always had everything: looks, personality, humour. And now she had this?

'I'm glad it's because you're worried about me that you're ignoring me. I'd hate it if you were ignoring me because of what we were talking about this morning.' Lily looked hurt at the thought. 'So, you're not going to hate me forever?' Petunia sighed.

'No, Carrot-Top, I'm not going to hate you forever. I still hate magic, I still think it's all stupid, but I won't hate you forever like I promised. As long as you don't put any curses on me, or scare me, or do something really bad.'

'Like make Vaughn fall in love with you?' Lily giggled, and Petunia attacked her with a pillow. Lily shrieked, and tried to defend herself, but she was laughing too much. 'Okay, okay, I give! I give!' Petunia finally stopped attacking her.

'And his name is Vernon, get it right,' Petunia teased, trying to pretend that everything was okay. But inside she still felt...well, 'against' the fact that Lily was something Petunia despised. But, for her sister, Petunia would have to put that behind her.

'Ooh, so you do like him?' Lily asked delightedly, then ran from the room as Petunia held up her pillow warningly. Once Lily had left, Petunia got up, smiled ruefully, then closed the door, turned off the light, and lay down, trying to will herself to an early sleep.

In the room down the hall, Lily was feeling as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Petunia wouldn't hate her forever, she was just worried. Which was understandable. If it had been Petunia going, Lily would be worried. Jealous, of course, but also worried. Lily, after checking the time and deciding it was too early for any form of sleep, turned the radio on. Just softly, to help her clear her thoughts. Lily's mind was in such a whirl she couldn't comprehend anything. She was so excited she thought she'd never get to sleep, but eventually did, dreaming of the 'tall-ish guy with dark hair' that Summer had described.

***

The next morning, Lily woke up late, which was surprising, considering how excited she was. Lily was just brushing her hair into a ponytail when she heard a knock at the door. It sounded suspiciously like 'Happy Birthday', which didn't make any sense.

'Lily? It's Summer, can I come in?'

'What? Oh, sure.' The door opened, and Summer walked in, looking...well, different in denim shorts and a blue top. She had two delicate braids in her hair that hung in front of her face. Complete with a bandanna and sunglasses, Summer looked half way between hippie and cool. 'Hmm, that's a different look, Summer.' Summer grinned and took her sunglasses off.

'I dress to please myself, and no one else.' It was then Lily noticed that Summer had three earrings in each ear. And they were all different.

'Obviously,' Lily commented, then grinned. 'You look great, though. Me, I'm boring in these oh-so-chic white shorts and absolutely 'funky' red top.' Summer giggled.

'Whatever. Anyway, you never know who you'll see in Diagon Alley. Especially now.'

'I thought your father said I was behind in getting school books and stuff,' Lily said, searching around her desk for a hair tie. Summer sighed, toying with the beads at the ends of her braids.

'You're not, really. He's just comparing you to the Camdens, all of whom are extremely organized. Not to mention the up-themselves Malfoys.'

'What's wrong with them?' Lily asked, finally finding the hair tie. She grabbed her sunglasses, and headed for the door. 'The Malfoys, I mean.'

'Who knows?' Summer shrugged. 'All I know is that Lucius is in the seventh year this year, and as nasty as they come.' She giggled. 'Rumour has it that a Ravenclaw fourth year's in...'

'Ravenclaw?' Lily asked, puzzled. 'What's that?'

'Oh, it's one of the four school houses. There's Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin,' Summer explained. 'Anyway, a fourth year in Ravenclaw is in love with Lucius or something. That's what one of my brothers told me. I'm not so sure about it, though. Ravenclaws are meant to be smart, and you'd sure be stupid to be in love with a Malfoy.' Lily grinned at that.

'That's not very...oh!' Lily cried, suddenly remembering something. 'I have been meaning to ask...how do you do that fireplace thing?' Summer looked bemused, then smiled.

'Oh, that. Well, it's magic, duh. You just take a pinch of Floo Powder, throw it into the fireplace, say the name of where you want to go, and you end up there. We added your house to the 'map', but we'll take it off soon. Oh, and we can now light fireplaces long distance, as you can only use Floo Powder if the fireplace is lit.' Summer raised her eyebrows. 'Any more questions?' Lily shrugged.

'Nope, that's about it. Come on, race you downstairs!' The two girls ran for the door and raced each other down the stairs.

***

'Now, Diagon Alley is past the Leaky Cauldron,' Mr Chen explained. He pulled the car up, and got out. Sara, David, Lily and Summer got out as well. Petunia already had plans; she was going to the movies, then to the park for some lunch/party thing. Sara and David looked towards where Mr Chen was pointing, puzzled.

'I don't see anything,' David commented.

'Muggles can't see it,' Summer whispered to Lily, who nodded. Mr Chen guided them inside the wizarding equivalent of a pub. There were quite a few people there who took absolutely no notice of the group that had just entered. Mr Chen waved to the barman, then directed them outside the side door. Lily looked around, puzzled. They were in a small courtyard, with nothing there except a couple of bins and a cat. Mr Chen walked up to the wall, took out a wand, and tapped a brick on the wall. As Lily watched, it widened, and suddenly, where the wall had been, was an entrance-way. Lily's parents looked stunned. Mr Chen grinned at their amazed faces.

'This, ladies and gentleman, is Diagon Alley.' Before Lily could take in everything, they were swept across to a large, white building. 'Gringotts. It's a wizarding bank. Do you have any money to exchange?' This question was guided at Sara and David, who exchanged glances, and handed some money to Mr Chen. 'Excellent. I'll go and get this converted, and then we'll do some shopping, eh?' He grinned at Lily. 'This may take a while, so Sara and David can come with me, while Summer can take Lily around, show her the sights.' Mr Chen winked at his daughter. 'Eh, Summer?' Summer went slightly red.

'Of course. Ollivanders in half an hour?' Mr Chen nodded, and beckoned to Lily's parents. As they walked away, Summer put her sunglasses on.

'Well, Miss Evans. This is Diagon Alley. Shops galore, you'll find everything you need.' Lily gazed around at everything in astonishment. The strangest people were there, talking about the oddest things.

'I don't believe it, thirty galleons for two full grown Mandrakes, unbelievable...'

'If Gryffindor doesn't win the Quidditch Cup this year, it'll be just plain wrong. With the team they had last year, I'm surprised they lost. I guess Slytherin just got it together...their Seeker cheated, anyway.'

'I don't understand why I can't have a gold cauldron, mother. I don't care what the stupid list says, I'm not a Mudblood, I should get to use what I want!'

Summer and Lily walked past dozens of interesting shops. Eeylops Owl Emporium, Florean Fortescue's, Ollivanders...

'It's unbelievable!' Lily exclaimed. Summer grinned, obviously happy about her friend's amazement.

'What do you want to check...it's him, it's him!!' Summer gripped Lily's arm. 'It's the tall-ish very cute guy with dark hair!'

'Where?' Lily asked, trying to see who Summer was looking at. 'Summer, I can see two tall-ish very cute guys with dark hair. Which one?' Summer laughed.

'The one on the left.'

'Long-ish dark hair?'

'No, no, sort of messy-ish. The one on the left, Lily. The left.' Summer hit her head with the heel of her hand. 'Are you telling me you don't know the difference between left and right?'

'Our left or their left?' Lily asked. 'Oh. Our left. Hmm.' The two boys were standing outside a shop, obviously quite happy with whatever they had bought. 'Well, I guess we should introduce ourselves.'

'Are you kidding?' Summer exclaimed. 'Just go up to them and introduce ourselves?'

'Good point,' Lily said regretfully. 'That wouldn't be good. Well, we'll just stand here and look at owls, and wait for them to come past.' Summer shook her head.

'That's your plan?'

'You have a better one?'

'Mmm...no.' Summer and Lily looked at the owls, and Lily got quite engrossed.

'I like that one,' she said, pointing to a tawny owl. Summer nodded.

'Yeah, but I prefer snowy owls, myself.'

'Me too,' a voice said, and both Lily and Summer whirled around. It was the two guys they had been looking at earlier. 'Not only because of how they look, but because I've heard they're more reliable.'

'They're just owls,' Lily said. 'It doesn't really...' Summer kicked her, and Lily shut up.

'Do you have an owl?' Summer asked.

'Nope. I'll hopefully be getting one.' The messy haired guy laughed at that.

'Your parents will never trust you with an animal after the incident with the cat.'

'You never know. They are gullible nitwits.'

'That's not very nice,' Lily said, frowning slightly. 'They are your parents.' Mr Messy Hair laughed again.

'That's my point,' the other guy said. 'They're my parents. So they're gullible.' Lily and Summer exchanged glances.

'I'm James Potter, by the way,' the messy haired guy said. 'And this is Sirius Black. Hey, have I seen you around somewhere?' he asked Summer.

'Uh, no, I don't think so,' Summer replied quickly. 'Not that I know of.' She checked her watch. 'Oh, no, we're late! Come on, we've gotta run. Bye!' Lily and Summer turned and ran back to Ollivanders.

'There you go,' Lily said, panting, as they met their parents in front of Ollivanders, ten minutes late. 'Now you know his name. Piece of cake, eh?' Summer growled under her breath, and Lily laughed.

'So, where did you two girls go?' Sara asked.

'We looked at owls,' Lily replied, looking up at Ollivanders. 'Are we going in here now?'

'Yep,' Mr Chen replied. He held up a money pouch. 'Plenty of money here. Inside we go!' The five people entered the shop, to find it was empty of any other customers. A strange man came up to them.

'Welcome, welcome! Michael Chen, Summer Chen, good day to you. And who would your lovely friends be?' Summer and Lily exchanged glances and giggled.

'I'm Lily Evans,' Lily introduced herself. 'Um...I guess I need a wand.' Summer snorted, and Lily kicked her.

'Certainly, certainly, do come over here...' Lily followed him. He got down a box and handed it to her. 'Try this one. Eleven inches, quite pliable, holly and dragon heartstring...'

'Dragon heartstring?' Lily whispered to Summer, who shrugged.

'Now, which is your wand arm?' Ollivander asked.

'Um...well, I'm left handed,' Lily told him, and he pushed the wand into her left hand.

'Now, give it a swish!' Ollivander instructed. Lily held up in the air, and he took it off her. 'Hmm, how about this one...' The door to the shop opened, and James Potter and who Lily presumed to be his father entered. 'Good day, Mr Potter! No, no, how about...hmm, beechwood and holly, eleven and a half inches...' Lily moved it through the air. Ollivander grabbed it and pushed another wand in her hand. 'Mahogany, eleven inches. Quite pliable.' James watched, amused, as Lily went through wand after wand. 'Tricky, eh?' Ollivander looked quite delighted about this. 'Okay, nine and three quarter inch, unicorn hair and phoenix feather...no, no, how about ten and a quarter inches, willow.' Lily held it up, and as she swished it through the air (she felt quite an expert now) sparks shot out of it. 'Excellent, excellent!' Lily hopped down and paid for the wand. James walked over, and Ollivander immediately started trying out wands. Lily, because of her competitive nature, was secretly hoping that James would have a tough time of it, but was immediately disappointed when it was only the second wand he tried.

After getting her wand, they headed to Madam Maulkin's to get robes for both herself and Summer.

'Greetings, greetings! Now, I'll measure you both.' Madam Maulkin got out a tape measure, and Lily found it measured her by itself. Madam Maulkin took it when Lily pointed out she didn't think the width of her ears would affect her robes.

'Plain black?' Lily said doubtfully as they left the shop. 'I was hoping for something more colourful, something funkier.'

'Funkier?' Summer repeated. 'What's more funky than basic black?' Lily scowled.

'Black doesn't suit me, I just don't wear it.'

'Oh, stop fussing,' Summer said airily as they entered Flourish and Blotts for their books and stationery. 'Come on, cheer up.'

'I'm not upset,' Lily told her. 'I'm just...black robes!'

'What were you expecting, bright green?' Summer retorted. 'Ooh, I like the look of that book!'

'Death Omens. Hmm, great bedtime reading,' Lily said sarcastically.

'No, the book next to it. Curses and Counter-Curses. Cool.' Lily shook her head.

'Don't get any ideas.'

'I couldn't do any of them yet anyway,' Summer replied. 'Ooh, shimmery green ink! I have to get some!'

'I prefer the rainbow ink,' Lily commented, pointing. Summer shook her head.

'You have no taste, Lily.' Lily glared at her, and they both laughed.

By the time they left the shop, they were laden down with books, parchment and quills, not to mention the ink bottles they had bought. To make it cheaper, Lily and Summer were going to share the really good ones: emerald, rainbow, gold, silver and invisible.

'Now the Apothecary for your Potions ingredients, then the animal shop for an animal. And then for the best part of the day!'

'What?' Summer asked her father suspiciously.

'Sundaes at Florean Fortescue's!' Lily and Summer grinned.

'How are you doing, dear?' Sara asked her daughter.

'Good. What about you?' Sara still looked quite dazed.

'Oh, fine, fine.' Liar, Lily thought.

The Apothecary was an interesting shop.

'It stinks in here,' Lily whispered.

'What do you expect? It sells frog brains. That gives you an idea of what's in here,' Summer whispered back, enjoying making Lily go green.

'Gross.' Sara and David had stayed outside the shop, while Lily and Summer went off in search of the grossest item the shop sold. They decided that it was a draw between the dragon liver and frog brains, both which looked absolutely disgusting.

'The frog brains are kind of cute, though,' Summer commented once they were outside. 'You know, like little human brains. But different.'

'Did you see the mashed one? Ew.'

'I bet you a Malfoy did that.'

'I wouldn't put it past that Sirius guy,' Lily said darkly. Summer laughed.

'Sirius? I've met him before. He's not like that, he's just insane. Pretty funny, too.'

'And here we are,' Mr Chen announced, steering them inside the animal shop. Summer promptly bought herself a cat, while Lily bought a snowy owl, deciding against the tawny. Lily had stared at the wall of owls for so long Summer thought she'd gone into a trance.

'Care for a rat?' Lily giggled, pointing to a group of rats on the counter. They were turning somersaults and doing all kinds of tricks. 'They're more athletic than I am!' Summer rolled her eyes.

'Honestly, Lily...don't you think she's cute?' Summer asked, cuddling the little black fur-ball she'd bought. Lily had to agree.

'Sure you wouldn't like a bright orange one?' she asked with a grin, pointing to an almost orange coloured kitten. 'You could get two, and you'd have lots of little orange fur-balls running around.' Summer snorted.

'I'll stick with my black kitten, thank you very much.'

'What about a toad?' Lily asked, pointing. Then she wrinkled her nose. 'They don't really do much, do they? And I doubt they would turn into princes if we kissed them.'

'Willing to kiss them to find out?' Summer asked, grinning at the look on Lily's face.

'Ah, no thank you. I think I'll just buy an owl,' Lily said hurriedly.

Summer had explained to her the use of owls, and Lily was amazed.

'So you're saying I can just tell it where I want the letter to go, and it'll take it?' Lily asked as they left the shop. 'Amazing!'

'I guess it is,' Summer said, thoughtful. 'I've grown up around magic, so it never seemed that amazing to me.'

'Having fun, girls?' Mr Chen asked, the question mainly directed at Lily.

'Sure,' Lily replied. She sat down at one of the tables outside Florean Fortescue's. 'It's been heaps of fun.'

'Absolutely,' Summer agreed, sitting down next to Lily. 'Man, are my legs tired, though.'

'A sundae will cure that,' Mr Chen said heartily.

'Dad, ice cream isn't the answer to every problem,' Summer commented patiently.

'Then what is?' her father retorted. 'If it's not ice cream, what is it?' Summer didn't have an answer to that.

'Hmph,' was all she said. Lily had a look at the menu.

'Peppermint and grass sundae?' she exclaimed. 'Uh, maybe I'll stick with the peppermint chocolate one.' Summer giggled.

'Strawberry and cola for me, definitely,' she told her father. 'They are heavenly.' Sara and David looked uncertain, so they had a cappucino each, as did Mr Chen.

'Now, Lily, the train to Hogwarts departs from Kings Cross Station at eleven o'clock on the first of September. From platform 9 3/4.'

'Platform 9 3/4?' David interrupted. 'That hasn't been made yet.' Mr Chen laughed.

'It's easy to get there. You just need to go through the barrier between platforms nine and ten.'

'Huh?' Lily was confused. 'You mean climb over it?'

'No, I mean climb...no, wait, what?' Mr Chen confused himself. 'I mean go through it,' he corrected.

'How?' Sara asked. 'Is that even possible?'

'Yes,' Summer told them. 'I've been doing it every year since my eldest brother started at Hogwarts.'

'Oh, okay,' Lily said, taking a mouthful of ice cream. 'Any tips?'

'Just lean demurely against it and you'll go through,' Summer told her. 'You'll see other people there, so if you get worried, just ask. Not Muggles, I mean our people. I'll try and wait by the barrier for you. I'll get there at quarter to eleven, right Dad?'

'Something like that, anyway,' he said. They finished their ice creams, and headed back to the Leaky Cauldron with their assorted packages. No one even batted an eyelid.

***

Sara, David and Lily carried Lily's bags and owl up to the house. Lily hadn't been sure that all their packages would fit in the boot, but it had been magically enlarged. Summer and Mr Chen waved to Sara, David and Lily as they drove off down the road.

'I'll need help getting these upstairs,' Lily told her mother pointedly. 'So no escaping to the kitchen to make cake.'

'Yes, I know honey.' Sara smiled to herself as Lily carried the owl cage up the stairs and into her room. Several trips later, everything was up there.

'Good!' Lily announced, collapsing on her bed. 'I'm tired, but I'm so excited I can't sleep! I want to read through my textbooks, have a look at my owl, try out the inks...' Lily yawned. 'But maybe that can wait until after dinner,' she finished sheepishly, her eyelids closing. Sara smiled and left the room, closing the door behind her.

***

'Lily! Phone!'

'Ssh, she's asleep!'

'Sorry Mum.' Loud footseps on the stairs, and knocking on the door. 'Miss Evans, you have a phone call,' someone said in a posh voice. 'Would you like me to flirt with James for you?' What? Was it Summer? What the...?

'Huh?' Lily said, struggling to wake up. The door opened, and Petunia burst into the room, holding the phone. 'Who is...how do you know James? Is he on the phone?'

'Phoebe, I don't, no.'

'Huh?' Petunia sighed with fake impatience.

'I answered your questions in order. Phoebe's on the phone, I don't know James, and no, he's not on the phone.'

'So why did you mention him?' Lily asked. 'And how do you know about him?'

'I heard Mum and Dad talking,' Petunia answered, handing Lily the phone. 'I heard you mention some guy called James. And so I mentioned him just to annoy you or embarrass you, either one. There you go, dearest sister of mine.'

'What? Oh, thanks.' Lily took the phone. 'Hello?'

'Lily! It's Phoebe, how'd it go?'

'Hi Phoebe, how did what go?' Lily asked, almost wide awake.

'Today at Dragon Alley or whatever, your Mum told me, how awesome was it, who's James? Can I come over for dinner, my parents are going out, and asked me to go over somewhere. Better yet, can I stay the night?' Lily tried to keep up with Phoebe's chatter.

'Um, Diagon Alley went pretty well, James is a guy we met there, I'll ask Mum if you can stay for dinner and stay the night.' Lily hopped off the bed and ran to the head of the stairs. 'Mum!'

'Yes, Lily?'

'Can Phoebe come over for dinner and stay the night?' Lily shouted. Silence. 'Mum?'

'I'm thinking, honey. Yeah, sure, whatever. But it's five thirty, she'll need to come over...'

'You can come over,' Lily gabbled into the phone. 'The sooner the better, I'll tell you about today when you come over. See you in ten?'

'In ten. Bye!'

'Bye!' Lily pressed the 'end' button on their cordless phone, and ran downstairs to put it in the holder/recharger. Sara was in the kitchen trying to do ten things at once. Petunia clattered in.

'What's for dinner?' she asked, grabbing an apple and sitting down in one of the kitchen chairs.

'I don't know, I hadn't thought about it, Phoebe's coming over...pizza?' Sara winced. 'Sorry, guys, but I'm trying to do a hundred things at once, I don't have time to cook dinner.'

'That's a mother with her priorities straight,' Petunia remarked. 'Here she is baking a cake while she claims to have no time to cook dinner.'

'Pizza's cool, can we get popcorn? We'll need soft drink, movies...' Lily counted on her fingers.

'We've got microwave popcorn, we've got soft drink, Phoebe always brings movies. Now, shoo so I can get my work done!'

'Cooking a cake is work?' Petunia asked innocently.

'Out!' Petunia and Lily left the kitchen. Petunia floated upstairs, while Lily waited for Phoebe to arrive.

***

'That's amazing!' Phoebe gasped. Well, quietly gasped. It was eleven thirty that night, and the two girls were in the living room, sprawled on sleeping bags. Lily had filled her in on the happenings of the day. 'That's amazing, Lily! I'm so envious!' Lily grinned and rolled over. Earlier she had been full of pizza, but now she felt peckish.

'Put a movie on. What'd you bring?' Lily asked, looking at the pile.

'Um...' Lily pounced on a movie. 'Ten Things I Hate About You? Okay.' A/N: If confused, see author's note at start of fic.

'So what do you think of being a witch?' Phoebe asked as the movie started. Lily thought for a moment.

'I'm excited...but scared. I can tell I'm going to be a total dunce. Being Muggle born...did I explain that?' Phoebe nodded, so Lily continued. 'All the people like Summer that were born into this will know so much more than me.'

'Yeah, but they haven't been to school, have they?' Phoebe asked reasonably. She held up the Transfiguration book. 'I'm pretty sure they wouldn't already have been taught how to turn matches into needles, or else they wouldn't teach it.' Lily had to agree.

'But I still feel nervous,' she told her friend. 'I really don't know what to expect. I didn't even find out until yesterday. I was planning to go to Petunia's school. My parents were so pleased. I haven't even asked them if they're disappointed I'm going to Hogwarts instead. I'm not about to back out of Hogwarts, now am I?'

'You could,' Phoebe told her. 'But, unfortunately, you've already bought everything, and you've already sent out the first payment. Not much point backing out now. Are you scared?'

'No, not scared. Just nervous.' Lily was silent for a moment. 'Okay, yes, I'm scared.' Phoebe laughed quietly.

'Don't worry. You're the strongest person I know, apart from myself, so you'll be fine.'

'Your modesty amazes me.'

'Just one of my many talents,' Phoebe declared, bowing deeply. Which didn't quite work, as she was sitting cross legged.

'Unfortunately, you're not a contortionist, so that bow reminded me of an emu,' Lily said, giggling. 'Pecking for the little whatevers they eat.'

'You know so much about them,' Phoebe said in retaliation. 'The Book on Emu's by Lily Evans. Chapter One: Diet. They eat whatevers.'

'Um...good recovery,' Lily said sardonically, silently applauding. 'Excellent.' Phoebe through a pillow at her head, and that resulted in a furious pillow fight. But once they had calmed down and watched the movie, Lily's old fears began to return: the fear that she wouldn't fit in.

'You okay?' Phoebe asked suddenly, noticing Lily's silence.

'I'm kind of freaked out,' Lily confessed. 'What if I don't fit in? What if I don't make any friends? What if...'

'What if you're over-reacting?' Petunia came into the living room and sat down. 'Mind if I join you? I can't sleep.'

'No, Petunia, we don't want you,' Phoebe said immediately, then giggled. 'Have a seat, have a seat.'

'So, when do you leave?' Petunia asked Lily finally.

'September first,' Lily told her, feeling nerves run through her. 'September first at eleven o'clock.'

'Looking forward to it?' Phoebe asked.

'Yes. And no. Mainly yes.' Lily wasn't certain anymore. The three girls sat in silence. Finally, Lily lay down. 'I'm going to have a little rest if that's okay. It's been a busy day.' Petunia lay on the couch, and Phoebe got in her sleeping bag. Once Petunia was certain Phoebe and Lily were asleep, she got up and went into the kitchen. She remembered her words at breakfast on Lily's birthday, just the day before. "Just don't come up to me waving a rotten piece of paper, declaring you're a witch. If you do that, I'll hate you forever." At the time, Petunia hadn't meant it. She still didn't, it had been a joke. But...Petunia couldn't deny she hated magic. She had been scared of it ever since that strange person in a shop had stared at her. She had never seen such a strange, pale face. Petunia had turned around to tell them off, when they had disappeared. Just disappeared. Petunia shivered unvoluntarily. She had never forgotten that eery day, and it was that fear that caused her to hate magic. For Petunia, it was associated with bad memories and fear. Petunia didn't need to live with those memories and fears every day with Lily being a witch. The sooner she goes, the sooner I can forget that stupid man in the stupid shop! Petunia thought fiercely. I love Lily, but sometimes...

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Well, that chapter was shorter than I was hoping, but it'll be easier to do the next chapter with...stuff. Anyways, hoped you liked it, and (yep, you guessed it) please review! Flames are laughed at. I'll try and make the next chapter longer (maybe) but at the moment, I just want to get this one done because I've got a horrible head-ache that doesn't seem to want to leave me alone.

If there's a big space at the end of this, oops. Also, if I made a mistake with the editing (my one big fear) I sincerely apologize.

~Dragonlady~