OMGOSH! IT WORKED! I FINALLY GOT THIS THING TO LET ME UPLOAD THIS CHAPTER! I'VE BEEN TRYING TO DO THIS FOR MONTHS! HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY THIS CHAPTER BETTER THAN LAST. SORRY ABOUT THAT! R'n'R!


Chapter 10

Lily twirled once again in front of her full-length mirror. Her hair was pulled up into a loose clip and she wore a long, slim, green, v-neck halter dress. Simple, black ballet flats and a diamond drop necklace and stud earrings finished the look. Lily giggled and Charly leaned on the doorframe.

"You look wonderful. Now get out and have a great time." Charly smiled and pushed herself upright and led Lily into the living room where James stood in a snappy tuxedo. Keely was already in bed and Charly had offered to watch her.

"Is the lady ready?" James asked and bowed most handsomely. Lily giggled and offered her hand, which James kissed lightly.

"Oh! Do me a favor Char. Give this letter to Dumbledore. I would feel safer if you were to deliver it." Charly nodded and waved the couple out the door. Charly rolled her eyes as the two practically skipped out the door.

"Why don't they just get married already?" she spoke to the comfortable silence of the small apartment.

"Because, mommy doesn't want to get hurt again." Charly whirled around to find Keely standing in a long white nightgown and a raggedy bunny, trailing by the ear, clutched tightly in her hand.

"How do you know that?"

"I hear her talking to herself at night." Keely said with a yawn. "Can I have a cookie, Aunt Charly?" Charly laughed and picked up the small girl.

"I don't think your mother would like that, but we won't tell her will we?" Keely shook her head in agreement and the sat at the kitchen counter and savored their cookies.

"Did you like your birthday party?" Charly asked.

"Yeah, it was fun." She said softly.

"I need to run an errand for your mother. I need you to come with me, 'k Kee?" Keely nodded and went to get dressed.

As the duo walked out of the apartment Keely felt the hairs on the back of her neck prickle as if someone where watching them. Clinging to Charly they set off into the darkness.

Arriving at Hogwarts by a charmed portkey they knocked on the large wooden doors. A small house elf answered the door.

" 'ello, may I 'elp you?" It squeaked in a semi-drunken slur.

"Yes, I'm here to see Dumbledore. It is a matter of utmost importance." The house elf ushered them in and closed the doors behind them.

"I presume you know where the office is." The house elf said. Charly nodded.

"The password is two tongued hornet toads." Charly nodded again and led Keely to Dumbledore's office. They stopped in front of the large stone gargoyle.

"Two tongued hornet toads." Charly spoke clearly and the gargoyle jumped aside. Ascending the spiral staircase the stopped in front of the large oak door. Charly knocked once and waited. After a few painstakingly silent moments she began to turn back, then...

"Come in."