Author's Notes- ok, this is chapter 18. Wow! This is getting long, and I'm not even a year into it! Well, let's see, where did I leave off last time? Ah, yes, the two gangs had just escaped from a terrified Hogsmeade. Well, it's Christmas, and Lily's going to her Aunt Lucy's for Christmas. Over Christmas the gang meets up and goes to look at apartments, and goes shopping.
Disclaimer- OK, this is the same old "I don't own anything" phrase: I don't own anything. It all belongs to Ms. JK Rowling, not me, not anyone on this site. Don't sue me, since I have a meager 11 dollars, and only get 10 dollars a week. I don't think my money would be of any interest to you.
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My friends, the boys, and I walked down the path towards the station. We were all leaving to go home for Christmas. We were still pretty shaken up from what had happened the week before. I can still remember Dumbledore standing up that night at dinner announcing, "It has come to my attention that the Dark Lord appeared in Hogsmeade while our students were visiting the village. He disappeared soon after he came. No one from our school was hurt or killed, and all is well again. There is no need for panic."
Of course, it had only caused more panic. A small Ravenclaw first-year started crying. Everyone started talking at once.
"What was he doing there?"
"Why would he go there?"
"Who was he after?"
Those were the most common questions. No one had answers. More people had signed up to go home after that.
We walked up to the train and found our trunks, which we dragged up into compartments.
"See ya later, Lil'," James said, and kissed me quickly.
"Bye," I answered.
The girls and the boys split up.
When we were in our compartment I confronted my friends.
"Um… remember when we were in Hogsmeade, in the kitchen trying to get out?" I asked.
"How could we forget?" Andrea asked, not looking up from the game of chess her and Anya had set up.
"Well, when I was leaving, I swore I heard some voice in the front say, 'There were four girls from Hogwarts here! Where are they?'," I said, pretending to try to remember.
I had no trouble remembering it.
This time Andrea and Anya looked up from their game and Netta look up from her camera, startled.
"I was probably just imagining it," I quickly added.
"Did you tell Dumbledore?" Netta asked.
"No," I said.
"It probably wasn't us. I'm sure there were four other girls from Hogwarts there, at the same time!" Andrea said.
"But even so, we were the only ones that got out, and he was looking for them and didn't see them," Anya added.
A shiver ran through me. The Dark Lord had came after us. Sure, he had come after me before, and he had burnt my house and… But we had barely escaped. If he had came into the kitchen or came outside while we ran, or even if he happened to glance through the window I wouldn't have been here right now.
After that I changed the converstation.
"Should we go shopping in London? They have all the coolest stores, and I'm sure we can find some nice stuff," I said.
"Sure," Netta said, happy about the change in converstation.
Anya and Andrea returned to the game and the compartment went quiet, despite the occasional victory chants from Anya or Andrea.
After my friends had found their own separate families I met Vi by the barrier. Together we went looking for Aunt Lucy.
"She said she'd meet us right here," Vi said, stopping at platform 9.
"Well, she's not here," I added, gazing around.
"Lily, you don't think she forgot, do you?" Vi asked.
"Of course not! She's our aunt, after all. She wouldn't forget about us," I answered, looking around.
Fifteen minutes went by. Just as I was about to think about hiring a cab to take us to her house, a limo pulled up and Aunt Lucy got out.
"Lily! Violet! I'm so sorry we're late! The traffic was horrible!" Aunt Lucy said, giving us both a hug.
Mellie got out behind her, and the driver put our trunks in the car. Then we got in.
"Lily, look at the ring Frank got me! Isn't it wonderful! Look at it, Violet, it's beautiful," Mellie said once we were in.
I looked at the ring on the finger on the hand Mellie had thrust out at us.
"It's beauitful," we answered, nodding.
"Petunia would have come, but she was busy with her moving. Her and Vernon just bought a flat. They're moving in tomorrow," Aunt Lucy explained.
"I'm sure she would have, and pushed us back on the train, no doubt," I whispered.
"What was that, dear?" Aunt Lucy asked.
"Nothing, nothing, Aunt Lucy," I answered sweetly.
"Such good children," Aunt Lucy replied, smiling at us.
"Will Petunia be there when we get home," I asked, forcing the word home out.
"Oh, yes," ("killjoy!" "What was that, dear?" "Nothing!") "But she'll be leaving again with her things. I asked her to wait for you three to come back to sort through your parent's things, since I thought you three might like some," Aunt Lucy said.
"Thank you, Aunt Lucy. Is it still alright if my friends come over?" I asked.
"Of course. I'll even send out Johnny to get you some snacks and drinks, OK?" Aunt Lucy asked.
"That be nice," I answered.
Just as Aunt Lucy said, Petunia was there when we got back. She was waiting for us in the living room (not to be confused with the parlor and front hall).
"There you are! Finally! I want to go through Mum and Dad's stuff, NOW! Vernon wants to bring it over," Petunia said, standing when we entered.
"You're not taking it all. We get some too. It said in their will that everything would be divided between the three of us, so that doesn't mean you get it all," I argued.
"Really, sister. Fine that, what do you want, and I'll give it to you," Petunia said.
"What about Vi? She gets some too. Here, Aunt Lucy, can you ask someone to bring all the boxes down?" I asked.
"Sure."
The next morning Petunia left again, and this time for good. She didn't even look back, and I didn't go to say goodbye. Two thirds of Mum and Dad's things were still in the attic, waiting for Vi and I to claim them when we moved out (which wouldn't be too long for me, hopefully). Aunt Lucy got all tearful during it, and so did Mellie. Daniel was getting home that day, so he didn't need to see Petunia's not so great leaving (she was scowling at me and tripped over a box. It was hilarious!).
For a minute I actually missed her, then I remembered how she called me "witch" like it was bad thing, or blamed me for Mum and Dad's death. That was what hurt the most.
I was glad she wasn't coming back for Christmas. I thought it was about time she got her own place to stay.
That day was just about one of the best days of my life, and I planned on never seeing Petunia again.
On Christmas morning, Vi and I had presents under the tree. Aunt Lucy told me that owls had shown up last night with gifts for us. Mandy (my owl) was still off delivering the gifts to the boys from LANA, and then my own to James.
"Addie, Annie, and Sum sent me gifts," Vi said, happily as we observed the wrapped gifts.
I unwrapped my gifts. Despite the tons of gifts Aunt Lucy, Mellie, and Daniel (including a new car), I got: a make-up kit from Andrea, a bag of sweets from Sirius and Remus (along with a really funny card), a sneak-o-scope from Netta (who said in her card she would explain later, but she thought I would like it), a bag of trick-makers from Anya, and a box of chocolate frogs from Vi. Then I unwrapped the present from James. It was a charm bracelet, with little dangling charms of a star, moon, sun, heart, and a few other things.
"Oh, that's really pretty, Lil'," Vi told me, watching as I put it on.
"Isn't it?" I answered.
"Oh, it is pretty. You're lucky, Lily," Mellie told me.
I turned to face here, a look of question clearly on my face.
"You're lucky to have such a great boyfriend, Lily," Mellie finished.
"I guess I am," I whispered.
"What's that gift?" Vi asked, pointing to the smallest of my gifts.
I shrugged, and opened it. Inside was a silver locket, without a box or anything. I opened my mouth.
"But I thought I lost this," I said in awe.
"Read the note," Vi told me.
"It says: 'I found this that night you had a fight with James. I figured you would like it back'," I read.
"Weird, I wonder who could have sent it," Mellie told me.
"So do I," I said, but clasped it around my neck anyway.
It felt nice, having it once again my neck.
On December 27th I went to Netta's house via floo powder. So far, only Andrea, Sirius, and I were there (well Netta was too). We all sat down on the couches, talking and waiting for everyone else to arrive. Peter arrived five minutes after I did. Of course, Anya, Sirius, and James were late. Anya said she was in trouble for pulling a prank on her sister, and Sirius and James were late because Sirius' mom had made the two go outside since they had blew up her casserole. They had to sneak inside to use the floo powder to get there.
"Oh, I can't wait until I can apperate!" Sirius commented.
"Well, the salesperson should be here any minute. I did plan on having her come a half and hour later, but some people were late," Netta said, glaring at the three who were late.
They smiled and tried to look innocent (not a good look for them). The doorbell rang and we all waited while Netta answered it. She came back in with a tall woman, dressed in a white dress suit, a huge purse and laptop hanging from her shoulder, and the hugest wart I'd ever seen on her cheek.
Everyone noticed, and Netta glared at us, telling us with her eyes not to laugh.
"Ms. Wartholler, I'd like you to meet my friends and soon to be apartment mates, Anya Jones, Lily Evans, and Andrea McKinnon. These are the boys, I mean young men, (Sirius puffed out his chest at Netta calling him a young man), James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew," Netta said, pointing to each of us.
"Well, would you all please follow me to the dining room, we have to sign some papers," Ms. Wartholler told us.
Just as she left the room we all hissed "Warholler!" in an amused voice and snickered at her own wart.
Netta turned around and said, "Come on!"
Sometime later we were crammed in two cars, driving towards London. We had been graced enough to sit with Ms. Wartholler, who was sitting in the passenger side of the front seat while Netta drove her father's car. The boy's followed us in Sirius' mom's car (she had been against the whole borrowing Mom's car thing, but gave in when Sirius let her borrow his broomstick).
We saw 6 apartments in London and we fell in love with one. It was perfect for us. It was three bedrooms. There were two goodsized bedrooms, where we figured we could share rooms, and one small bedroom, that Netta could use from her dark room. The livingroom was right off the bedrooms, with a counter seperating the kitchen and livingroom. The stairs to the apartment were outside, and there was a small porch with a clothes line (not that we would use the clothes line, since we thought the Ministry would hardly like it if we had long black robes hanging from it), with the door opening into the kitchen.
We had Aunt Lucy's driver come and pick us up, since I had left my car at her house. When we got there the first thing Anya did was look around.
"Wo, Lil'! You live here?" Anya said.
"Yeah, are you sure we aren't at the wrong house?" Netta asked.
Andrea rolled her eyes.
"Oh, Lily, you're back. And you must be her friends, Anya, Andrea, and Netta, right?" Aunt Lucy said, walking into the hall.
"Hi, Aunt Lucy. Guys, this is my aunt, Lucy," I said.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Andrea, and this is Anya and Netta," Andrea said, smiling.
"Hello, Andrea, Anya, Netta. Lily, there's some things for you in the kitchen," Aunt Lucy said, smiled, and left.
We stopped at the kitchen, got some snacks, and went upstairs to my room.
"Wo, Lil', you're Aunt is loaded!" Anya said, sitting in one of my chairs.
"Yeah, and she seems really nice and spoiling," Netta added.
"She's that way by nature, plus she knows we miss Mum and Dad, and knows she can't make up for them not being here," I said solemly.
"Where's Violet?" Andrea asked.
"Probably in her room or with Mellie. Mellie volunteered to keep her out of our hair tonight and tomorrow night," I told them.
"Oh, too bad. The little witch always seems to cheer us up," Anya said.
"Why do we need her to cheer us up with you around, Anya?" Andrea asked playfully.
The next day we drove my car (I had gotten my licsence and was very happy) into London again. This time, we were going shopping. We all had tons of money on us, and were in a good mood.
"We look in Muggle and Wizarding stores, right?" I asked.
"Yeah," we agreed.
First we went to Diagon Alley. We found tons of stuff, but bought basically nothing though, deciding we would wear dresses to the dance. But we did find some really good stuff for our hair.
We ate lunch at a wizarding resturant, exchanged some money for muggle money, and then went shopping in the Muggle world.
"Oh, how does this look?" Anya asked, holding up a dress.
(A/N- I'm not going to tell you what they bought for the dance and give it all away!)
"Um, a little too bright, Anya. I think you should try something darker," Andrea said.
Anya rolled her eyes, and went back into the dressing room. Meanwhile, Netta and I were at some shelves and racks trying to find our perfect dresses.
"What about this? Should I try it on?" I asked, holding the dress up for Netta to see.
Netta nodded, and said, "It looks allright, at least I think so. Andrea might have a different opinon."
Andrea had become our unoffical clothing taster, which meant that if she didn't like a dress on us, she was right.
"Ugh, Lily, what do you have on your arm?" Andrea asked, coming up to us.
"A dress. What do you think?" I asked.
"Oh, no. It's much to dark. You need something to make your eyes shine out… like that!" Andrea cried, and pointed up to a dress hanging on a manaquin.
"Oh, Lil', that's perfect for you," Netta said.
"It really is. Go ask for it, and try it on so we can see it!" Anya hissed.
I got the dress in my size from the rack beside the maniquin, and then went into the dressing room.
After I put it on I looked at myself in the mirror. It looked wonderful on me. I came out of the dressing room.
"Perfect, Lil'! Just perfect!" Anya cried.
"Now that's what I want to see! You'll have the eye of every boy at the dance!" Netta cried.
"Nets, she already does," Anya reminded her.
"Oh, yeah, right. Anyway, you will that night," Netta said.
"Very nice, Lily. I think you've found your dress," Andrea said.
I went back into the changing room, and put my old clothes back on, and put the new dress back on its hook, and waited outside for my friends.
Anya, Netta, and Andrea rushed through the store. Andrea inisisted on make-up, shoes, and everything. Around seven o'clock we emerged from the store, and went to eat dinner.
"Speaking of having all the boy's eyes, who are you all going with?" Anya asked.
We shrugged.
"Anya's going with Sirius," Andrea stated.
"Andrea!" Anya hissed.
"Well, she is," Andrea added.
"He hasn't asked me yet…" Anya started.
"But he will!" Andrea finished.
Anya rolled her eyes.
"And Lily's going to go with James, as usual," Netta told us.
"Come on you guys, he hasn't asked me yet. I'm not even sure if he will," I told them clearly.
"But he will. I mean, come on, you are boyfriend and girlfriend, afterall. You have been since, fifth year was it? Who else would he go with?" Netta said.
"She has a point, a very good point. Sirius and Anya aren't even dating," Andrea added.
Anya coughed.
"You are! You little wench, you didn't tell us!" Andrea cried, ready to jump her.
"He asked me out on a date yesterday, and I said yes," Anya whispered.
"You didn't tell us! We are supposed to be your best friends! Well, now I feel betrayed," I said.
"Ah, stop sulking, Lil', you guys have been predicting Sirius and me getting together for ages, just like we have with you and James," Anya told us.
"So?" I asked.
"It's exactly the same," Anya answered.
"Urgh. Come on, let's find someplace to eat so we can get going. My feet ache," Netta complained.
The next morning my friends left, and I put my new things away. We had also gotten a few non-ball related things, like a few new outfits. Aunt Lucy insisted on Netta taking pictures of us at the ball, and send one to her for her collection. Meanwhile, Vi and I prepared to return to school right after the New Year.
Mandy flew in my window one day, clutching a letter from Netta.
Dear Lily,
GREAT news! I just talked to Ms. Wartholler. The boys got the apartment they wanted, and we got the one we wanted. We'll be closing on it the day after we get out of school! Isn't that great! Well, talk to ya later.
Netta
"Aunt Lucy! Vi! Mellie! Dan! We got the apartment!" I screamed.
My family ran into the hallway were I stood. They all hugged me, and made me describe the apartment again.
I couldn't believe it. I was finally getting a place out of the hair of adults! Oh, and I didn't plan on giving Petunia the adress either, not that she did wanted it. I was so excited.
Author's Note- I know, kinda short, but hey, get over it. Ok, next chapter will include the next half of the year, and I'm thinking about making the dance a separate chapter. Anyway, don't forget to be a dear and review. Thanxs! ~Starlight Eve~
P.S.- It might be a little while before the next chapter, since I'm back in school.
P.S.S.- Mr. Err, please, tell me who you are and why you're bothering me, or LEAVE ME ALONE!
P.S.S.S- If you have any extra comments, or just feel like e-mailing me, chose between