Chapter 2

Lily awoke early the next Monday morning, ready to do her Hogwarts shopping. There was only a week of summer vacation left. The following Monday she'd be boarding the Hogwarts Express for the journey back to school. She'd certainly miss her muggle friends and the muggle world, but there was something about Hogwarts Castle that made Lily feel like that was where she truly belonged.

"So, Petunia," said Lily, as they were eating breakfast. "Care to join us today? We're going to Diagon Alley." She enjoyed the look of disgust and horror that quickly overtook her sister's face.

"I'm going to visit Vernon's family." She stood, spun around, and with a flounce of her stiff blonde hair, headed for the back door.

"Won't you at least finish breakfast, Petunia dear?" asked Mrs. Evans, sitting mugs of steaming hot tea onto the table.

"I would, mother, but looking at that freak made me suddenly lose my appetite." She left quickly, slamming the door behind her.

"Oh, Lily, don't take it so personally," said Mrs. Evans, noticing the frown that had appeared on Lily's face. "She's been treating everyone that way lately. It's just a stage."

"And it's not as though you don't antagonize her," added Mr. Evans, raising his eyebrows at her. Lily was used to her parents never taking her side on her battles with Petunia, and tried very hard not to get angry. After all, she did need to get to Diagon Alley to buy supplies.

Several hours later, the Evans family, minus Petunia, trudged down the street, rain pouring, heading for the tiny black door which was the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron, through which they would get to Diagon Alley.

Several hours later, the pub's regulars saw the same red-head witch and two middle aged muggles head back out through the very same door, this time, arms full of packages. They headed for their car, an old blue Ford Anglia, and placed Lily's new things in the trunk, all except for one.

Lily climbed into the back seat, and sat a small cage next to her. Inside was a tiny, snow white owl, which her parents had unexpectedly bought for her. She decided to call him Esprit, the French word for spirit, because he seemed very lively and spirited, judging by the way he flew back and forth in his cage.

"Well, I think we did pretty well with your shopping this year, Lil," said Mrs. Evans. "Your father and I are very grateful that you didn't mind buying those used books this year."

"They're fine. I mean, a book's a book." Lily tried to forget the tattered state of her Intermediate Transfigurations book, which was practically losing its cover. Perhaps I can transfigure it into a new book, she thought.

"Money's a little tight this year, even more than usual," Mr. Evans sighed, pulling out into the street. The car sputtered. "And this old thing isn't going to hold up much longer, I'm afraid." He patted the dashboard. "We'll be okay though."

"You shouldn't have bought this owl for me," said Lily, feeling guilty.

"Nonsense, dear. You deserve it. Things aren't that terrible." Mrs. Evans smiled at her daughter.

The next day was Tuesday, which meant Lauren was supposed to be back. Lily woke up early to the sound of Esprit squawking loudly in his cage. He was quite annoying at times, Lily was finding. She got ready and walked across the street to Chris's house. They were planning to already be at Lauren's house when she arrived.

"Lee!" Chris shouted from his front porch, throwing up his hands enthusiastically.

"Chris!" Lily returned, mocking his enthusiasm, so he sulked.

"Oh cheer up, you! Lauren's coming!" Lily ran up the front steps. She froze. "Christian Aubrey, WHAT are you wearing?" Chris had traded in his typical jeans and t shirt for a blue and white checkered shirt, and bright orange bell-bottoms.

"What?" Chris asked stupidly. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" Chris looked down self-consciously at the bright red shoes barely sticking out from the bottom of his pants. "It's the shoes isn't it? I knew I should have gone with green!" Lily rolled her eyes.

"You look fine," she said to make him calm down. "Now let's get going. If we don't get to Lauren's soon, she'll be there before we get back. They walked around the corner and four houses down to a dainty Tudor house, and seated themselves on two rockers on the front porch.

"No, we wait," said Chris. "Oh, and I almost forgot!" He reached into his pocket and pulled out a lime green bow tie. Lily snatched it quickly.

"Trust me, don't." Chris pouted, and Lily tossed the tie into a bush.

"Chris, did Lauren tell you what time she was getting back?" Lily asked.

"Uh, no… but she said sometime Tuesday. At least, I think she said Tuesday. Or maybe it was Thursday…" They heard a familiar giggle from behind them, and both turned around.

"Lauren?" said Lily, as her grinning, blonde friend stepped out of the front door.

"Hey mates!" she said cheerfully. "I told you I was getting back Monday night, Chris. I've been here all night." She laughed. "What ARE you wearing?" Lily fell into a fit of hysterical laughter.

"You don't like it?" asked Chris.

"I love it!" cried Lauren. "It's great!" She threw her arms around him, Lily still laughing hysterically.

"And Lee, how are you girl?" Lauren turned to her best friend.

"Great, and you? I mean I'd really know, seeing that you wrote me so often," Lily taunted.

"I'm sorry! It's just that I was so busy!" said Lauren. "France was so cool! And we saw the Eiffel Tower, and that museum place that used to be where the kings lived…"

"The Louvre?" asked Lily.

"Yeah, that's it!" said Lauren. "I'm getting the pictures developed. I can't wait to show you! So, how's stuff been here?"

"Well, the other day, Lily threw chocolate out her window, and I was fortunate enough to get hit on the head by it," Chris explained.

"Okay then," said Lauren, looking slightly puzzled. "So, when does term start for you, Lee?"

"Next Monday," Lily replied.

"Aw, really? We've got two more weeks! I'm hardly going to get to see you at all! And you never come home for holiday breaks!"

"I can't help it. If you had Petunia for a sister you wouldn't come either!" Lily defended herself.

"True," said Lauren. "We visited Steve in Nice. He's doing pretty well."

"That's good," said Lily. Steve was Lauren's older brother, who was an aspiring author, looking to be inspired.

"So, you mates up for some breakfast? I thought we could go down to the café on the corner," suggested Chris. Lily and Lauren exchanged glances.

"Under one condition," said Lauren.

"What?" asked Chris.

"That you change those clothes!" shouted Lauren and Lily together, laughing.

"Oh fine, you win!" Chris threw his arms up in defeat. "I'll be right back." He jumped the porch railing, got his foot caught in a bush, and fell flat on the ground.

"Serves you right!" cried Lily between fits of laughter. He stood up and began to run home.

"It was all you, Lee! You and your freak magic!" he screeched, mocking Petunia. "And I'll get you for it! You just wait!" Lily shook her head.

"Sometimes I swear he's crazy."

"I know, isn't he great?" asked Lauren, grinning. Lily refused to respond.