2 – Business

Lily sank into a luxurious armchair. She still couldn't believe that this was happening. Two months ago no-one had ever heard of her. Now she was the most wanted artist in Europe. Now here she was at the house of some rich headmaster, parents in tow. She couldn't help but wonder if it would have been this way if her first parents hadn't been killed. Maybe none of this would have even happened. Maybe she would have been a normal kid in a happy family…..

A woman arrived at the door to the antechamber they were in. She wore a neat black dress and oval spectacles. Her shoes were black in color and looked as if they were made of wood. The woman's hair was in the tightest bun Lily had ever seen. It looked as if she hadn't let her hair down since the beginning of time. Silently Lily promised herself that she would never set foot inside a school governed by such a prim woman. At the same time she realized that this was Miss McGonagall, the one who was interested in her art. Lily plastered a customer smile onto her face, making sure her true feelings didn't leak through in any way. She rose out of the armchair and stretched out her hand. Behind her she felt her parents do the same.

'Hi, my name is Lily Potter. May I present my mother and father, Kylie and Jake Smith?' Lily spoke in an extra polite voice. McGonagall ignored her hand and merely raised an eyebrow at her parents' last names, but Lily ignored her and continued to speak.

'I understand you are interested in purchasing some of my works to display in your school?' she asked. The woman surveyed her for a minute before answering.

'Yes, I am. But first, would you care for tea? I am eager to know more about the best artist since Pablo Picasso. Let us retire to the rumpus room!' With that she turned on her heels. After shooting an exaggerated look at her mom and dad Lily followed.

The rumpus room was elegant and large. Every spare centimeter of wall space was covered by paintings. One painting in particular caught Lily's eye. Just above an ancient fireplace hung a painting she was positive was a Picasso. Hadn't the woman said something about being fond of him? Her mom nudged her from behind, signaling her to keep going. Lily blushed and followed their hostess.

McGonagall led them to a high coffee table with four teacups on it. She motioned for them to sit while she filled each cup to the brim. Lily's parents were having a silent conversation while Lily herself turned and stared at the painting above the fireplace. She was enthralled by it. A hand on her shoulder made her jump. McGonagall's eyes were intent on her.

'Do you like it?' The old woman's request surprised her even more.

'Y – y – yes, I do,' she said. 'I like it very much.' There was something really strange about this woman. McGonagall nodded.

'I thought you would. It's a Monet. I have a Picasso in the upstairs hallway. My nephew is here today, perhaps he could show you?' Lily looked at her mom and dad to see if this was alright with them. At her mothers nod of approval she forgot all her feelings about the woman and sprang to her feet. Again McGonagall nodded.

'Harry!' she called as a black haired boy the same age as Lily entered the room, 'I would like you to meet Miss Lily Potter.'

The boy – Harry – was about the same age as Lily. He had messy black hair and green eyes exactly the same as hers. On his forehead was a lightning bolt scar. Lily thought that he was somehow familiar. He eyed her cautiously, his eyes then holding hers. She gave him the most annoyed look she knew. McGonagall proceeded as if she hadn't noticed this little exchange.

'I would like you to show Miss Potter the Picasso painting in the upstairs hallway.' Harry nodded and held the door open for her. She passed by him as if he didn't exist. Before Harry could follow McGonagall added, 'And be polite!' Again Harry nodded and walked out after his sister.

She walked out of the door feeling confused. She was somehow sure that she had met this boy before, only she couldn't figure out where. McGonagall had said that he was her nephew. Maybe he was an orphan that she had met while she was in the orphanage when she was little. He came into the hallway and smiled.

'Hi, I'm Harry,' he said, holding out his hand. She eyed it and held out hers.

'I'm Lily,' Just then, as their fingertips touched, Lily felt a jolt go up her arm. There was a flash of green light and a scream, then, just as suddenly, she found herself back by the stairs with the boy named Harry. He was staring at her, having obviously completely forgotten about showing her the painting. She returned his look, then rolled her eyes.

'Weren't you going to show me a painting?' she reminded him. She smiled as he realized he was stalling, apologized, and fled up the stairs, blushing. i\ Not to bad, considering his aunt /i , she thought.

Downstairs McGonagall was explaining herself to Lily's adoptive parents. As quickly as possible she explained about the Dark Lord, the death of Lily's parents, and Harry. She performed a levitation spell, a summoning spell, and transformed the table into a rock slab. Finally they were convinced. It was the woman, Kylie, who spoke first.

'What do we do? She's still our daughter, you know.' Tears filled her eyes and she pulled out a tissue to dab them away.

McGonagall nodded to herself as much as to the couple sitting before her.

'You, Harry and I will tell her the truth. We can only hope that she doesn't react to harshly. Hope.'

---

i\ Author: About to get interesting! It's quite difficult to put the stuff in your head into words, it's almost never exactly right. Oh, well, I doing my best and I hope that you like it! Please read and review, it's really appreciated! /i