End of Year One
"All staff, there is and urgent meeting being held in the restricted section of the library- all students are to report to their houses immediately," Dumbledore announced two months later.
"I wonder what's so 'urgent'," Sirius said.
"Probably just a prank," Lynn shrugged it off, walking into the common room.
"I'm sorry to interrupt all your classes," the headmaster started, "but this is very important."
"I trust this isn't about a prank then," Williams laughed at her own joke.
"I wish it was," Dumbledore said unhappily, "but there has been an attack in Wizarding London- and many people- people who work for the ministry of magic- were injured. It is believed to be the worker of a man of some sort. By poor choices of the ministry officials, however, the whole story is being published in tomorrow's Daily Prophet. My conflict, however, is mainly that many students know, or are related to the ministry workers. I would like your opinions on my three choices- I can simply let the students read about this in the paper tomorrow, inform them at supper this evening, or keep the prophet out of the school so that students do not find out at all," Professor Dumbledore finished.
"The students must be told this- even if by the prophet," One tall thin professor put in.
There were murmured, "yes"'s throughout the section of the library, as well as a few grunts.
"We should tell them now, Albus," McGonagall spoke up, "I will give them the remainder of the evening to settle down, and classes can go as usual tomorrow."
"Everyone in favor of Minerva's suggestion, raise your hand," Dumbledore said. All but a few raised their hands. "Majority rules, I'll announce this at supper."
The staff then left the library with the exception of the transfiguration teacher.
"Who did it, Albus?" She asked. "I can tell you know," she added.
"When I know for sure, you will be the first to be told, let me assure you," Dumbledore responded. McGonagall then left him to his thinking.
"Settle down, settle down," Dumbledore said calmly a few hours later. "We have a bit of unfortunate news for you, so remain calm- there has been an attack on many Ministry of Magic workers today. Some were injured, but none killed. If you have a parent of parents working for the ministry, please see me after supper, and I will tell you if they were among the injured," he finished.
"I guess the meeting wasn't about a prank," Rebecca sighed.
"My father works at the ministry," Christine said, a bit worried.
"So does mine," James added. "But I'm sure they're fine- after all, nobody was killed, so the worst is probably a broken leg, of confused memory- nothing that can't be fixed."
"Does this sort of thing happen often?" Serenity asked.
"No," Sirius sounded confused. "Not twice in such a small amount of time- I can't wait until they give this guy a trial,"
"Only your would say that, Sirius," Marie commented with a grin.
"I know," he said with a wide smile.
"Just eat, Sirius," Marelda ordered.
"So," Lily said later, "What's everyone doing for vacation?"
"I'm going home," James said.
"Me too," Christine added.
"We're staying here," Rebecca motioned towards Marleda and herself.
"I'm definitely staying," Sirius declared.
"I have to stay," Remus said.
"Why?" Lily asked.
"Because," Remus shrugged.
"And I have to go home," Lynn answered, "My family's traveling."
"I'm not sure what I'll do," Marie put in, "but I'm leaning towards staying here."
"I'm going home," Lily decided. "Are you coming, Serenity?"
"Sure," Serenity smiled.
"Does anyone even care what I'll do?" Peter asked.
"Of course," somebody answered. "What are you doing, Peter?"
"I don't know," he said. "I just wanted to be asked."
Everyone with the exception of Peter burst into laughter.
"What?" Peter asked. "I'm not the only one who wasn't sure,"
"Sure, but you're the only one who brought attention to yourself because of it," Marelda pointed out
"Yeah, so?" Peter complained.
"Peter, be quiet before you get too behind," James advised.
Peter reluctantly shut up.
The vacation passed with no incidents, and soon it was time for final exams.
"Shouldn't you be studying?" Marelda asked her friends, who had just started a game of exploding snap.
"Cut them some slack," Lily suggested.
"She's right," Remus looked up from his book. "They've been studying for an hour, and they started their first break two minutes ago."
"Fine," Marelda huffed, "but when they fail," she emphasized the word fail, "don't come crying to me."
"We won't," Sirius said, smiling.
A while later, Christine declared, "Well, I don't think I can get anything more into my head- but I am glad we get Defense Against the Dark Arts over with first- that class is like a horror movie."
"You know what movies are?" Lynn asked. "I thought you were pureblood."
"I am," Christine replied, "but I've seen some movies with a few muggle-born witches. You know, my brothers' girlfriends."
"Oh," Lynn said, grinning.
"Well, I for one, don't want to fall asleep during the exam, so I'm going to bed. Goodnight," Rebecca said.
"I'm with her," Lily added following Rebecca, causing the others to follow.
"It's finally over!" Marie exclaimed a few days later, after exams as the boys collapsed onto the bright green grass.
"Yup- we can relax now- at least until we get our scores," Remus said, earning a groan from Peter.
"Don't talk about scores!" He exclaimed.
"I can't believe we go home tomorrow!" Sirius exclaimed unhappily. "Our first year is all ready over!"
"Well, we can always look forward to the second one," James pointed out. "We might even be able to make the Quittitch team!"
"First I have to get through the summer though," Sirius sighed.
"Don't worry- we'll keep you alive," Remus assured.
And basically the same things were said the next day getting off the train.
"Bye everyone," Lily exclaimed, climbing into her parents' car with Serenity.
"Welcome home, Lily and Serenity," Mrs. Evans said sincerely.
When they got home, Mr. Evans sat on the couch and motioned for the girls to sit down.
"I have a bit of news for you girls- Petunia all ready knows," he started, "You girls know I've been reporting for the Surrey News. However, I have been offered the opportunity of a lifetime- to be an anchor for the Paris News. I've decided to accept this offer, but it means we're moving to France- before the end of the summer."
Lily's jaw dropped. "Are you kidding me?! This is a joke, right?!"
"I'm sorry, Flower, but look on the bright side-" Mr. Evans said.
"What bright side?!" Lily asked.
"We'll get to live in Paris!" Mona said, sounding much more enthusiastic that she looked.
"But we don't speak French," Petunia pointed out, earning a glare from her father.
"What about my friends- it's bad enough I only see Ruth and Arabella on holidays- and now I have to transfer schools!" Lily exclaimed, while Serenity looked on.
"The floo network- you can stay part of every vacation with Briana, Arabella, or possibly Remus. Think of the opportunities you'll have in a new school- All the friends you'll make!"
"I have friends at Hogwarts," Lily exclaimed running to her room, "Some welcome!" She shouted at them.
"Lily," Mona said the next morning, "Come out. At least get something to eat."
"Fine, "Lily responded.
"We want to tell you that we've been thinking," Mona started, "And we're not selling the house."
"So we're not moving?" Lily looked up.
"That's not what I said," Mona responded, "but we're only renting out this house- so that you or Petunia can have it when you're older."
"Oh," Lily replied, taking a bite from her sandwich. "I guess I'll pack then," and Lily went to find her sister and friend packing their things. "Time to brush up on our French," Lily sighed.
"Hello and welcome to France! Bonjour et bienvenu à France!" An announcer said.
"Welcome to the second chapter of my life," Lily said to herself.
Dear Lily, Petunia, and Serenity,
I hope Paris is nice. Now that you're settled in you new house, I wanted to invite you over to spend a week or two at my house- you can floo back and forth any time you like. It's bad enough I can't see you all winter, let alone the summer. I mean, even Petunia is in a different grade...Write me back as soon as you have an answer. Thanks.
Arabella
P.S.- We're surprising Briana and Ruth.
P.P.S.- Remus offered his place, but we decided mine was a bit more appropriate.
Petunia read the letter aloud. She then looked at the two other girls, both smiling. "Mum!"
"Yes," she replied a moment later. Petunia shoved the letter at her mother.
"Since you've nothing to do here, go ahead- but practice you French every day," Mona warned.
Lily ran to her room, got her bag, and ran out.
"I take you've been waiting for an invitation," Serenity laughed.
"Well," Lily defended, "Sight seeing is nice, but now what? I mean, if I spoke French it might be different..." Lily trailed off.
"Then you can help me," Petunia stuck her head our of her room and said.
Lily stuck her tongue out, but did help her sister.
"Figg House!" The three girls shouted, going to Arabella's.
"Bella! We're here!" Lily exclaimed, looking around, "or at least I am," Lily said, quieting down.
Where am I? She wondered. Then someone started to walk near her. She immediately threw her extra powder into the fire and said firmly but quietly, "Figg House!"
"Where's Lily?" Mrs. Figg asked Petunia.
"I don't know- she went first," Petunia responded.
"I hope she isn't too far- she probably ended up at the wrong gate. Did she have extra powder with her?" Mrs. Figg questioned.
"I did, thank goodness," Lily said hopping out of the fireplace.
"Lily!" Arabella said happily. "It's so boring here without you," she said, motioning towards her three friends. "Come on, we'll put your things in you room."
"We're not staying in your room?" Petunia asked.
"My room is nice enough, but do you really want to stuff four people in there?" Bella asked.
"She has a point," Serenity said with a smile.
"Yes I don," Arabella commented. "Here's you room."
Lily's eyes opened wide. "We're staying in this room? It's your special guest room..."
"And you're the special guests," her friend stated. "Now put you things down, and let's go."
"Where are we going?" Petunia asked.
"Going to Remus's- bring you bathing suits- he has a nice pool," Arabella added for Serenity.
"Aye-aye," Serenity saluted, then rummaged through her bag, getting it.
"Ruth and Briana will be there," Arabella added, "remember, they don't know you're here, so if you want to, cook something up," she winked.
"You know me a little too well," Lily commented with a slight smile.
"And that's a bad thing?" Arabella asked.
"It can be," Petunia answered for her sister. Serenity nodded in agreement.
"I've got a plan," Lily cut in, smiling evilly, "Come on..."