Chapter 9
Meeting Lilly

''Hmm... Beauxbatons. I see... and Durmstrang. Plenty of intelligence, willing to work hard to prove herself... so many secrets as well...'' Lilly is sitting patiently on the stool, wearing the sorting hat down around her ears. ''Ah. Yes! Plenty of courage, just like your father... and needed too, considering what sort of life you lead. Hmm... Yes, I know just the place for you. They will help you build on your courage there. Hmm... Perhaps you should look for young Ms Ginevra Weasley while you are there, I think she will make a happy friend for you.'' Lilly's heart swells at the thought of a friend. ''Yes. Very well... GRYFFINDOR! ...'' Lilly feels someone pull the hat from her head and she automatically reaches up to straiten her hair. She smiles around as one of the table bursts into applause, showing her where to sit. With a brief look at her mother (now sitting at the teacher's table), she glides over to the Gryffindor table. There is very little room left but a bit farther down she sees an open space with plenty of room for her. She strides over and bends down briefly to the closest girl there.

''Pardon moi, is anyone sitting 'ere?'' Lilly asks in her soft voice. The red headed girl looks up in a bit of shock at the sound of the girls soft accent in her ear, the girl nods and smiles as she scoots over, making room.

''Merci boucoup. Tell me please, do you know a... Ginevra Weasley ...'ere?'' Lilly asks, struggling a bit with the name. However, she is rewarded with a bright smile from the girl.

''Well yeah I should... I'm Ginevra. But please, call me Ginny, thats what everyone else does.'' The redhead replies. Lilly smiles.

''Ah, tres bon!'' Lilly exclaims happily. ''The hat told me to search for you. My name is Lilly Boudroux. My mother is 'ze new teacher 'ere.''

''Yes, I see the resemblance.'' Ginny replies kindly. ''My brother is also a new teacher here. He is the one with red hair and no sleeves.'' She giggles and points at the teacher's table. Lilly follows her finger and sets her eyes on Charlie, bursting into a grin.

''Ah mon dieu! 'E is gorgeous!'' Lilly exclaims. Ginny bursts out laughing.

''Oh my goodness. You have no idea how many people say that.'' She exclaims. ''Charlie has no clue tho, he thinks he is hideous with all the scars.'' Lilly smiles curiously.

''Why would 'e think that? Does 'e not have 'ze speaking mirrors to tell 'im?'' Lilly asks. Ginny settles a little.

''Well yes we do have them but mum has them all charmed to be harsh. She says she doesn't want any of us getting conceded.'' Ginny explains.

''You 'ave other siblings then?''

''Yep. 6 older brothers. I'm the youngest and the only girl tho so things get lonely sometimes.'' Lilly nods her understanding.

''Ah oui, I suppose I know 'ze feeling. My mother and I move to much for me to 'ave friends and I am an only child. I 'ad been at Beauxbatons for almost 3 years but now we 'ave moved again...'' She agrees. Ginny's interest skyrockets.

''Beauxbatons? I have always wanted to see what it is like there! Is that why your accent is so heavy, or did you just grow up speaking French?'' She asks

''Well, my mother taught me French when I was an infant but I know many languages. As I said, my mother and I travel often...''

''Really? Like what languages?'' Ginny asks excitedly. Lilly grins.

''Well, I know English and French obviously, Latin, Bulgarian, Romanian... and a little Russian.'' She lists off, watching Ginny's amazed face.

''Wow... you'll have to teach me something!'' Ginny declares happily. Lilly grins.

''Mais bien sûr!'' Lilly replies Ginny grins.

''I assume that was a yes then?'' Both girls collapse into giggles.

''Oui.'' Lilly says cheerfully.


Ron had watched the new girl and the new teacher in vague interest. He had watched as the girl had automatically headed for Ginny after her sorting and the pair had been talking ever since, all through the feast, laughing and chatting animatedly. He had been surprised to see Charlie there but pleasantly surprised. The new female teacher is positively stunning and most of the male faces in the room were trained on her. Now Ron turns to his friends.

''I wonder who that new teacher is.'' He asks, taking a bite of his food.

''I assume you mean the one who isn't your brother?'' Hermione asks coolly. Ron rolls his eyes at her and sticks out his tongue.

''No! Really? Thats my brother?'' He squeaks sarcastically. Now it's Hermione's turn to roll her eyes.

''I don't know who she is but she looks familiar.'' Harry says, interrupting the argument that would have followed.

''You think you've seen her before?'' Hermione asks.

''Maybe. I don't know where tho.'' Harry responds distantly.

''Well I don't know about her but the girl with her looks like a younger version of her.'' Ron says.

''It may be her daughter.'' Hermione suggests.

''Probably.'' Harry responds. ''After all, they did come in together.'' Harry is secretly glad that the new girl had gone to sit with Ginny. He had been upset when everyone had avoided the littlest Weasley but the two of them had been talking all through the feast and now are headed towards the door... along with everyone else in the hall! Harry snaps out of his thoughts and looks around.

''Harry come on!'' Ron calls. Harry jumps out of his seat and races after Ron and Hermione, slightly embarrassed. He must have zoned out... Harry catches up with them halfway up the first staircase and helps them herd the first years toward Gryffindor tower. Several of the first years note Harry's scar and begin twittering to their friends but Harry only rolls his eyes and strolls past the group of first year girls, all giggling behind their hands to each other and watching him as he passes. He enters the common room and automatically smiles, feeling a sense of home overwhelm him.


Ginny guides her new friend to the sixth-year girls' dorm, still chatting with her happily. The two had bonded beautifully and were ecstatic with the joy of having a friend. They flop on their respective beds and Lilly finds her slightly damp trunk sitting at the foot of her new bed. Thankfully her trunk seals magically, so no water had gotten in. Ginny flops down on the bed across from Lilly's.

''So, what classes will you be taking here?'' Ginny asks, propping herself up on her elbows. Lilly pulls a sheet of paper from her trunk and begins reading it.

''Well, I will 'ave History of Magic, Transfiguration, Potions, Charms, Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Divination, Astronomy, and Magical Healing.'' Lilly rattles off, opening her trunk and looking through her things.

''What order will they be in?'' Lilly hands over her schedule and Ginny appraises it excitedly. ''Oh wow! It looks like we have almost exactly the same schedule! I have 1 or 2 classes different but its mostly the same. This year is going to be awesome!'' Ginny says excitedly. Lilly smiles at her new friend, believing the same thing.

''Yes, I believe it will be. Now if you will excuse me asking... Should we not sleep now? We 'ave classes tomorrow yes?'' She smiles pleasantly at Ginny and Ginny scrambles up.

''Oh! I'm so sorry! Of course. I'm sure you are exhausted. Good night Lilly, I'll see you in the morning and we can walk to class together.'' Ginny says, turning her lamp down. Lilly smiles and bows slightly.

''Goodnight Ginny...'' And without another word the two girls crawl into bed and fall into their dreams.


Over in the Sixth-year boys dorm, Harry isn't falling asleep so easily. His mind seems to be wandering over his new teacher and her daughter, both of whom look so familiar, tickling the back of Harry's mind. Harry sits up and pulls out his photo album, turning from page to page slowly, smiling down at pictures of his family and friends... He rarely gets through the entire album... there are just to many pictures to look through. He could count on one hand how many time he had looked through the entire thing. He crosses a picture of him, his parents, Remus, and Sirius. He feels tears sting his eyes as his family winks and smiles up at him. He turns the page. On the second-to-last page of the album, Harry looks down at the smiling face of his godfather, holding a little black haired baby. He can see the joy burning in the man's eyes and Harry can't help but feel the pain claw at his throat again. Harry slams the book shut and sets it on his side table, throwing the covers over his head to block out everything. He drifts of to sleep moments later in the same position.


The next morning Harry, Ron and Hermione all walk into advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts together to find every window shuttered closed and the room lit by candles that had been placed around the room in blue and green tinted jars, giving the room a creepy, deep-ocean like feel. At the front of the room is a large... something... that had been covered with a heavy black cloth. The trio find three seats right next to each other and sit down, quietly wondering what the object at the front is and why the room is so dark. The main source of light in the room is coming from the doorway where the door had been left ajar by the passing students...

Once the last set of students enter the classroom it gets quiet as they wait for their teacher. Harry feels a sudden twinge in his stomach and he shift uncomfortably. A moment later the classroom door swings ominously shut with a heavy thud and their teacher steps into the faint candle light.

''Welcome class.'' She says softly, grinning at the soft shrieks and gasps of the class. Harry peels his fingers away from his wand handle, having just noticed the painful tingling in his fingers. A few of the braver students greet their teacher quietly and she chuckles softly. ''There is no need to be frightened of me or the darkness, children. The only thing you have to fear in this room is what lies in the covered tank at the front of the room.'' She says softly, causing all eyes to immediately turn to the dark form on her desk.

''The creature in this tank is extremely sensitive to light of any kind since it lives deep in the ocean floor most of the time. That is the reason for the darkness. Now, if you will all form a careful line in front of me... here.'' She says, standing a little to the right of the ominous black cloth, ''We will take a look at our first creature for the year.'' Harry and Ron end up near the center of the line and Hermione ends up as first, being the only one brave... or eager enough to approach the teacher. As each student slowly passes the tank, gasping and oh-ing and ah-ing all the way, their new teacher begins introducing the creature to the hushed class in her typical quiet tones.

Marie nudges each student in line toward the tank, watching as they all form a circle around the now-uncovered tank. She had found the creature on her and Lilly's trip over in one of the... shadier... stores in The Fens. The last of the class enter the circle and she steps through them to reach the tank. She smiles around at the class and opens her mouth to speak.

Instead of speech however, a tiny gasp escapes her lips and her eyes widen slightly in alarm. There, standing directly in front of her...

''Um, Professor? Are you alright?'' Marie snaps out of her shock and looks around at the concerned students.

''Yes... yes of course. I am sorry... Can anyone tell me what they know about the Oceanic Grundello?'' She asks the class, smiling as one student's had shoots up into the air. ''Yes. You there... your name please...''

Harry Potter watches as Hermione replies perfectly, as usual, and wonders why their new teacher had looked at him the way she had...


During the next few weeks of classes, Harry, Ron and Hermione are to busy getting settled into their classes to notice much of anything else. Harry had made Quidditch captain and he had nominated Ron as his assistant. They spend most of their time getting ready for Quidditch season and Hermione... well Hermione was just being herself, taking extra classes and throwing herself into her work. Hermione and Ron had been steadily getting closer and, in truth, nearly the entire school can tell that they fancy each other but the pair are just to stubborn to admit it to each other...

One Friday night, Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Ron are all sitting next to the common room fire together. Hermione and Ron are sitting across from each other at the coffee table, playing chess again, Harry is in his usual chair closest to the fire and Ginny is sitting on the sofa next to him, slightly separated from the trio. Lilly had taken to spending every Friday night with her mother so they know not to go looking for her anytime soon. Lilly had become good friends with Ginny and Hermione but somewhat avoided Harry and Ron and, wondering about this, Hermione had at one point asked her about it but had only received a shrug and a smile from her.

Harry jumps as Hermione suddenly slams her fist down on the table and groans, slumping backwards onto the carpet.

''Bloody hell, Ron... How are you so good at this game! I have studied every game you've played for the last few bloody months. How do you do it?'' She demands in frustration. Ron grins.

''What can I say, Its a gift.'' He says cockily.

''Bullocks. I think you're cheating somehow...'' She says darkly. Ron's eyebrows shoot up.

''What? No! Your just bummed 'cause you cant beat me at something for once.'' He bites back. Hermione sits up from where she had flopped on the carpet.

''How dare you! I don't have to be good at everything I just am...'' She exclaims, getting angry now. Harry rolls his eyes and tunes the pair out, quite tired of hearing their endless bickering. He tips his head back and shuts his eyes for a moment, clearing his mind but thoughts of his family pop into his head and his eyes snap open again, banishing them quickly. He turns his head to glance around the room but stops before he even makes it past the couch. Ginny is staring into the fire with a very closed look to her face, lost in her own thoughts, her red hair catching the flicker and making it appear to be on fire itself. He allows his eyes to wander generously over her figure, taking in the result of the previous summer of growing. She had certainly changed, and even more so since they had come back to school. She is still just as closed off and quiet as she used to be but now she had taken to disappearing at odd times and had taken on a very dreamy attitude toward everything. He leans over closer to the sofa, leaning on the arm of his chair.

''You'd think they would just find a closet to snog in and get it over with...'' He says softly. Ginny jumps and looks over at him, taking a moment before smiling sleepily back at him.

''Yeah, I guess so. They really should just admit it to each other...''

''Defiantly...'' Harry agrees. ''Maybe we could... help them along a bit.'' He suggests lightly. Ginny turns her eyes to him again with a dangerous glint in her eye.

''What did you have in mind?'' She asks devilishly.

''Well, It would take a bit of convincing but...'' He stands and steps over to the couch, flopping down next to her and placing one hand on the side of her neck, holding her head still so that he can whisper in her ear. As he explains his plan to her, Ginny's smile grows more and more sly. Finally she nods and, hand in hand, they sneak out of the common room, out into the dark hallways of the castle...

The two troublemakers make their way down to the kitchens, seemingly unnoticed, grinning mischievously as they go. Ginny realizes nearly halfway there that Harry had not yet let go of her hand, and appears not to want to let go. Despite herself, Ginny feels her stomach do an odd flip-flop of recognition at this and she curses herself momentarily for still having her old crush. They reach the fruit basket painting and Harry tickles the pear.

Nearly as soon as the door to the kitchens is opened, Harry is hit by a hurtling ball of odd clothing bits, also known as Dobby the house elf. Ginny giggles.

''Hello Dobby.'' Ginny says with a smile.

''Dobby! Get off! I cant breath...'' Dobby jumps away from Harry, grinning wildly.

''Sorry Harry Potter sir. Sorry miss. I is just excited to see sir and miss!'' Dobby exclaims. Harry looks uncomfortable for a moment but he replaces his smile and replies cheerfully.

''Yeah... we missed you too Dobby ...Listen, do you think you could do something for us?'' Harry smirks as Dobby nods eagerly. Ginny smiles and they step completely into the kitchen, the portrait door shutting snuggly behind them.


Charlie Weasley sits at the desk in his bedroom shuffling his papers around. In front of him is a rather large pile of papers and a bottle of red ink. He is chewing on the tip of his Eagle feather quill and staring down at the paper in front of him. He makes a mark every few moments and once he has read through the entire paper, he sets it aside, in a much smaller pile. He leans back in his chair and tucks his hands behind his head. He had taken the job gladly when he had found out Hagrid would be away for most of the year but had decided to make one or two changes. He had started using a more traditional method of teaching the class but had regretted slightly because of all the paperwork. He sighs. Dumbledore had given him a list of creatures to cover with each year and Charlie had been a bit daunted by the list. Most of the creatures on the list would be easy for Hagrid to handle but for just Charlie... well, now they are a completely different matter. He would need to speak to the headmaster. He glances at the clock and stands from his chair, headed toward the headmaster's office. He arrives, gives the password, ('Ton tongue toffee') and walks up the stairs to Professor Dumbledore's office.

''Come in Mr Weasley.'' Dumbledore calls out. Charlie pushes the door open and steps into the huge office. The headmaster is sitting behind his desk, playing with some odd object but when Charlie walks in, he sets it down and clasps his hands in his lap, twiddling his thumbs. ''Good evening Charlie, What can I do for you?''

''Good evening Professor. I was just in my office, thinking about the list that you gave me for the animals. Now, normally Hagrid would be here and he would have no problem handling those animals, but Hagrid is gone and its just me now. Now, don't get me wrong, I love this job and all of the animals that you've chosen but I don't think I could handle them on my own.'' Dumbledore nods and Charlie continues. ''Right. So I was wondering, I have this friend at the dragon reserve that I've been in contact with and I was wondering if maybe he could come to Hogwarts and help me with the animals. Y'know, like we could share the job...'' Charlie tucks his hands together behind his back and waits for the headmaster's reply.

''Of course Charlie... In fact I was just thinking about your situation and I had come to the same conclusion, tho the fact that you already have someone in mind makes my job much easier.'' Dumbledore says pleasantly.

''Then I have your permission to contact him then?'' Charlie asks eagerly.

''Yes, Of course. Please let me know if he accepts the position.'' Dumbledore says pleasantly.

''Yes sir! Thank you Professor.'' Charlie responds happily.

''Of course Charlie. And please, call me Albus.''

''Yes sir.'' Dumbledore chuckles as Charlie leaves the office, hurrying to the owlry to send his letter.


Harry sits in his chair by the fire in the Gryffindor common room. His plan for Ron and Hermione had been put into action and would be carried out the next morning at Breakfast. By now everyone had left the common room except him and he is enjoying the quiet. His thoughts drift to Ginny. For some reason, since being back at school, he had suddenly remembered his crush on her, and to make things worse she had been rather responsive... It had been all he could do not to kiss her earlier but he knew she probably wouldn't appreciate it. After all, Ginny had been very cross with him all summer, tho Harry couldn't tell why. He thinks hard for a moment. He hadn't paid her very much attention during the summer... Partly because he was cross that she was spending so much time with Malfoy ...He mentally kicks himself. Of course that was why she was mad... who wouldn't be? A thought crosses Harry's mind.

Harry had changed quite a bit over the summer and it seems that the entire female population had noticed this rather quickly, thanks to the photographers of 'Teen Witch'... He had hardly been able to get to each of his classes on time due to the unwanted amounts of attention from the women of Hogwarts and he is quickly getting tired of it. Perhaps if... no, she would never agree... would she?