Lily boarded the Hogwarts Express. She had been waiting on the platform for quite sometime and there was still no sign of her friends. She found an empty compartment, or so she thought. In the corner Amy was crying. "Amy, what's wrong?" Lily asked.
"It's Isabella," She said through tears, "She's dead, Voldemort killed her family and several others."
Lily paled, "Oh, Amy, I am so sorry."
Amy just nodded and cried more. The train started moving and increased Lily's panic. Her friends were no where in the sight. "Do you know which families also," Lily started to say looking for the right way to say it, "Perished?"
Amy looked at her through thick tears, "No, sorry," she said softly.
Lily nodded and hugged Amy in attempt to console her. When the train arrived at Hogwarts Lily led Amy to a carriage. They sat down and were soon joined by the Marauders. James looked at Amy with concern, "What's a matter Amy?"
"It's Isabella," Amy said, "She's d-dead."
Lily hugged Amy again and James said softly, "Oh, I am so sorry."
Amy nodded softly and the group sat in silence for a while. When the carriage approached Hogwarts James helped Amy out of the carriage. The group walked in Silence and entered the Great Hall. As usual the sorting started after the Hat's song:
As you enter Hogwarts times grow darker,
Not quite as dark as the next couple of years,
You may recognize me as a rhyming hat,
But please this is too important for silly rhymes,
Listen closely and careful for this is your warning,
People are dying, their loved ones crying,
But now as we enter dark times,
Remember there is always light,
Stick close to you friends,
And closer to you enemies,
Be aware of strangers lurking nearby,
And keep your doors locked at all times,
When offered something that seems bad,
Deny the offer in a heartbeat,
For you may be pulled into a disaster,
A never ending disaster,
So hold hands with your loved ones,
Steer clear of fights,
For this may be the last time you'll ever see,
Your friends and family,
That's all I have to say,
You've been warned.
Instead of the usual applause the hall was silent. All through the sorting Lily thought of her friends. 'They're dead,' Lily thought with a pang of pain. Dumbledore stood up and welcomed the first years. "I have a grave announcement to make Miss Isabella Figg was killed by Lord Voldemort and his followers. Beware of this man and his cronies. They may try to lure you in to a trap. Isabella died bravely protecting her sister Arabella, who didn't die and is living under the care of an orphanage. There was also attack on the Prewitt house."
Lily paled. Tears began to fall as she listened to Dumbledore. "Fabian and Gideon were killed as well as Ryan Prewitt. Katy Riddleson and Emma Prewitt were injured badly. But, they will return next week."
Lily let out a sigh of relief and Amy smiled softly at her. "I'm sorry," Amy said softly.
"I'm sorry too," Lily said.
Food appeared and the feast began. And the girls ate in silence. The girls walked to the Gryffindor tower and Lily flopped onto her bed. "I'm home," she whispered.
The next day classes began and the teachers lectured the Seventh years on NEWTS. Students began to worry over there grades. "What happens if I fail," Lily wailed to Amy.
"I'm sure you'll be fine," Amy reassured Lily.
"I hope so," Lily said.
They began to study and concentrate more on their school work then ever before. It was the day before Emma and Katy were due to return and Amy and Lily were sitting in the Library cramming information for a test to be taken the next day. Early the next morning Lily dragged a tired Amy to the great hall. Everyone was eating breakfast when the doors burst open and two figures appeared. Smiling Katy and Emma stepped into the Great Hall. Emma was limping slightly, and there was still a bandage wrapped around Katy's stomach, but went unnoticed by the hall. Lily got up and ran towards her two friends. Embracing them in a hug she whispered, "I missed you guys so much."
"Us too," Emma said smiling.
Katy nodded wincing since Lily was hugging her stomach. "What's the matter?" Lily asked.
"I hurt my stomach is all." Katy said.
"Oh, sorry," Lily said as the girls sat down.
James, Sirius, Remus, Sean, and Felix ran over to them. "It's great to see you guys again," Emma managed to say from the tight embrace of all five boys.
Lily had told them not to hug Katy because of her stomach injury. "Oh, hello Amy," Katy said noticing Amy.
"It's great to see you girls again," Amy said smiling shyly.
Erica walked over to the group, "I was so worried about you," she said sincerely.
Remus nodded wrapped his arms around Erica. "Always the concerned one," he said.
James expression turned very serious, "You guys are still playing Quidditch right?"
"Not the right time Potter," Lily said hitting him on the head.
The group parted to walk to classes. At least for now they were all together.