Disclaimer: I own none of the characters or settings involved with Harry potter, and am not making any money off of this story.

Memories

Part two: Gifts

A loud squeal from upstairs made Loretta flinch and drop her plate and saucer. Muttering softly to herself as she picked up the pieces, her daughters feet thundering down the stairs caused her to look up as a head of long black hair flew out the door.

Loretta stood up and looked out the window to see her daughter leap into the arms of her boyfriends Sam. At the age of sixteen, Rhia swore that Sam was everything in her life, and that she could never live without him. Watching as he put Rhia down and gave her a present stashed in his pocket for her birthday, Loretta smiled sadly as her memories of her sixteenth valentines day caused her to feel an ache in her heart she hadn't gotten for a long time.

It was Valentines Day at Hogwarts, and students were all excited as they received packages and cards from one another, and various friends, throughout the day. The most shocking of all had been at dinner, when James potter had surprised his girlfriend lily with a batch of roses that filled the banquet hall and spilled over into the entrance hall of castle. It was over three feet high, and many students were forced to eat their meal waist deep in roses. Well, everyone except the Slytherin's, who had quickly cast charms to make the roses disappear from around their table.

And the surprise had gotten even better as, at the end of the meal, James potter had gotten down on one knee and asked lily to marry him, with all the school and staff there to see.

She of course said yes, and Loretta had smiled happily as her friend had leapt into James's arms after he had placed the ring on her finger.

"Sickle for your thoughts."

Loretta smiled and looked over shoulder into the eyes of Sirius black as he smiled at her flirtatiously. "My thoughts are worth more than a sickle."

"True," Sirius agreed, taking over the seat Loretta's friend had vacated in order to congratulate lily. Loretta didn't bother. She would see the older girl alter in the common room. There was no need to rush. Sirius took a bite of Loretta's fruit salad and looked thoughtful before saying, "I'd say you're thoughts are worth more than all the gold in Gringotts."

Loretta smiled at the compliment, and picked a rose petal out her plate before spearing a slice of potato and popping it into her mouth. "That's good to know," she said, after swallowing. "Maybe when I'm broke and in desperate need of money, I can sell them off for a fee.

Sirius just grinned and Loretta smiled at him before returning to her meal. After a few moments, he cleared his throat and asked, "So how ahs your valentines been going?"

"Fine," Loretta said, glancing over quickly at her boyfriends table before returning to her meal.

"Get any presents?"

"A few."

That was a lie. Loretta had yet to receive anything. Her boyfriend was mad at her and she suspected he was ignoring her on Valentines Day as punishment.

"I see." Sirius fumbled in his pocket for a moment before taking out a beautifully wrapped package and placing it in front of her. She looked up at him in shock and he grinned widely before leaning down and kissing her softly on the cheek. "Happy Valentines, Loretta."

"Happy valentine's Sirius," she said, staring off into space as the young man walked off to congratulate his best friend on his engagement. She sat that way for awhile more, letting giggles and cheers over the happy couple float around her as she sat in a daze with Sirius' present resting in front of her.

"Mom! Mom! Look what Sam gave me!"

Loretta was jolted out of her thoughts as her daughter came running through the door and showed her the delicate necklace placed around her neck. Loretta smiled. "It's beautiful honey."

Rhia grinned widely and ran back out the door to wrap her arms around her boyfriend lovingly.

Loretta just sighed and placed the broken pieces of cup in the wastebasket and conjured a fresh, unbroken, cup so that she could pour herself another serving of tea.

She'd been taking her first sip when a small owl came flying threw the back door and into her kitchen to deposit a package and take off again before she could tip it.

Curious, Loretta picked up the small package and began to unwrap it as a second owl came flying in. Instead of just letting her open its delivery second, it just pecked her and forced her to drop her package before shoving a letter into her hands.

"Fine," Loretta said, taking a knife and slicing the letter open quickly before unfolding it and reading its contents.

Dear Loretta,

I hope his letter finds you well. I am sorry to say we are in need of your expertise here at the Order. Please come quickly. Someone to accompany you will be arriving shortly.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore.

Loretta swore and lit the letter on fire before depositing it in the sink and rushing up to her room to pack, calling for Rhia to come inside as she did so.

On the table, the owl that had delivered the letter peeked at the paper on the package Loretta had received moments before. A letter slipped out as it was torn, and the owl curiously glanced at it before hooting and flying off out the window.

Slowly the letter floated to the floor, its words standing out brightly against the pale parchment.

In bold, strong script, was written one sentence.

For the woman whose thoughts are worth more than all the gold in Gringotts...

And below it was a paw print.

A/N: Yay, second chapter's up. I'm hoping people like this story. If not, oh well. And I am proud to say that the next two, and final chapters are written. I just need to edit them and make sure everything's spelled right. I don't have a spell checker, my computer's in the dark ages. It's sad, really…Oh well, hope you liked it. Feel free to review.

pennygirl