God life gets so busy…nonetheless here is the next chapter folks! Feedback is great!
After much convincing Lily's parents finally agreed to allow their daughter to spend the rest of her summer over her friend, Alice's house. Alice left later in the day, leaving Lily to her thoughts and to her packing
While packing, she had taken to talking to Leo aloud. The young kitten probably did not understand a word, but he was pretty good at pretending.
"Well I will need all my books, quills, parchment, and ink," she murmured, piling it all organized into her trunk.
"What else am I missing?" she asked, looking around before resting her eyes on Leo. "Oh of course, I need some clothes for while I am at Alice's." She rummaged through her wardrobe and closest, searching for most of her summer clothes, knowing there was still a few weeks left until school.
She sat on her knees in front of her trunk, pulling clothes from the dresser drawers straight to the trunk. "And I can get new clothes and books, everything I need for school before we go." She mumbled. After awhile, she slammed down the top of her trunk, causing Leo to skid off of the bed and fly underneath it. Lily giggled at him as she went and sat on her trunk to get it to close. Finally she got the darned thing to latch and she stood up, giving her room another once over with her green eyes.
"Well, that is it, I am ready to go…" she said her voice trailing, suddenly Leo poked his out from under the bed with a loud meow. "Don't worry," said Lily smiling as she swept the small cat in her arms, "You are coming too, you are going to love Alice and Hogwarts too, don't worry." She gave him a pat on the head before placing him on the bed.
Alice would be coming to get her tomorrow and Lily couldn't be more excited! Not only was the prospect of her 5th year at Hogwarts going to be exciting, so was this month at Alice's.
Lily left her room and bounded down her stairs, calling in a singsong voice as she went, "I finished packing," she said repeating the little tune twice before stopping at the living room where Petunia sat by herself. Lily wiped the smile from her face immediately and stepped into the room quietly.
"Hey Petunia," she said quietly and tentatively, "Are you alright?"
Petunia looked up at her slowly, her face sad and impassive. Suddenly she blinked and her face contorted into an evil snarl. "Of course I am fine you brat. I'm fine as long as weirdoes like you aren't around me!" The older sister stomped out of the room and up the stairs; Lily watched her go, not about to go after.
Lily frowned and continued through the house, moving towards the outdoor patio where her parents could be found. Sure enough there was her father sitting in his chair with the newspaper in his hand. Her mother had a water can in hand and was watering the potted plants around the cement patio.
"Hello Lilly Billy," said her father fondly as she walked in, he quickly noticed her frown and commented. "What do you have to be frowning about, you are heading off to Alice's tomorrow."
"Oh nothing, I'm fine," she said quickly, putting a smile on her face. "Thanks for letting me go mum and dad, I am really excited."
"Of course Lily darling," said her mother, putting the can down to give her youngest child a hug. "Just remember to be careful, mind Alice's parents, and work hard at school."
"Of course I will mum," she said smiling, giving her dad a hug before she left the room. She went back upstairs and walked past Petunia room, she could hear the TV going, but she could hearing her sister talking animatedly on the phone. Lily ignored it and walked past into her room.
She looked around, she knew she had nothing to do except wait for tomorrow to come.
The next morning came quickly as soon as Lily fell asleep. She jumped up excitedly out of bed at first light, giving Leo a bit of a start. "Today is the day boy!" she said fondly, stroking his head. The cat gave a purr and followed Lily around the room and waited for her outside the bathroom, as she got dressed. He trailed after the teenager as she lugged her heavy trunk down the stairs. Her parents were already waiting for her in the living and her mom looked a little misty-eyed.
"Morning mum, morning dad." She said smiling.
"Morning darling," her mom said, obviously restraining sobs. "Everything all packed?"
"Yes ma'am, Alice and her parents should be here any minute." She looked pointedly to the fireplace knowing that would be the way they would be coming.
As if on cue the fireplace gave a large groan and well magically widen and was made taller. As the fireplace stretched out a large green fire grew inside of it and out was spat Alice, and her two parents. Both Alice and her parents wore regular Wizarding clothing; all of them were wearing robes. Probably to protect their clothes underneath from the ashes and dirt that came along with Floo travel
"Hey Alice!" said Lily, quite excited.
"Hey Lily," responded Alice looking up at her parents.
"Mum, dad." She started, looking towards Lily's parents, "These are Lily's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Evans."
Both of Lily's parents looked slightly apprehensive meeting an adult witch and wizard. Thankfully. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wood were friendly and smiled largely, and Mr. Wood extended his hand to Lily's father.
"A good morning to you both," he said, clapping Mr. Evans on the shoulder.
We just wanted you both to know that we will take good care of Lily while she stays in our home," said Mrs. Wood kindly, looking towards Mrs. Evans. "It will be like having another daughter," she said looking at Lily.
Lily smiled and grabbed her trunk, which was still beyond heavy. "Oh don't worry about that darling, I will get it." Spoke up Mr. Wood.
He swiftly pulled out his wand from somewhere inside his cloak. "Locomotor trunk" he said loudly and clearing, lifting the trunk into the air.
"Well I guess we will be off," he said smiling stepping into the fireplace, which surprisingly fit him, his wife, and the trunk. Mrs. Wood pulled some floo powder out of her pocket and yelled, "Wood Manor." She dropped the powder onto the ground and the pair was engulfed in flames along with Lily's trunk.
As the flames flickered away, Alice looked at Lily. "Well, ready to go?" she asked.
Lily nodded and strode over to her parents giving them both a large hug at once. "I'll write you," she said, pulling away from them.
"We love you dear," said her mom, smiling and dabbing her eyes with her handkerchief.
Lily turned around and calling Leo who jumped into her arms. "Come on, Lily," said Alice, who was standing inside the fireplace, waiting for her friend. "I'm coming," said Lily, walking over clutching Leo tightly in her arms
"Ready?" asked Alice as her friend stepped into the fireplace.
"Ready." Responded Lily, clutching Leo even tighter
"Wood Manor." Said Alice, loudly and clearly, tossing the floo powder. Suddenly Lily was engulfed with a green flame and ashes were swirling around her. She closed her eyes and Leo gave a cry from her protective arms.
"We're here," said Alice suddenly. Lily realized the roaring had stopped and she tentatively opened her eyes. She looked around and stepped out of the large fireplace she found herself standing in.
Looking around, there stood Mrs. Wood and her trunk. Next to the trunk was a small gangly creature Lily knew to be a house elf. Looking around she saw how big this room was; she could only imagine how large the rest of the house was. Everything was draped in rich colors and patterns, everything immaculate and well designed.
"Wow," stammered Lily as she continued to marvel at the room around her. Leo jumped from her arms and started to do the same, poking around. "Your house is beautiful."
"Thank you dear, are you too kind. I'm sure Alice would be happy to show you to you room. And Jena here will be bringing up all your luggage shortly." Mrs. Wood turned around to exit the room, but she looked back and said. "Oh do not forget Alice, we are going shopping today for yours and Lily's clothes for next week." With that the sophisticated woman left the room
"Next week, what's next week?" questioned Lily as soon as Alice's mother had left the area.
"You remember, the ball?" prompted Alice, grabbing Lily's arm and leading her out of the room, Leo trailing at their heels.
"Oh yes, how could I forget," she drawled with fake sophistication. The girls laughed and the bounded up the stairs and continued walking down the hall giggling.
"Well, here it is." Announced Alice loudly, "Your room awaits you," she finished giggling.
Lily just smiled and rolled her eyes at her silly friends' antics. She pushed open the door and gasped at what she saw inside. In the center of the room against the wall was a large bed, Lily had no idea how big, but it sat on the raised part of the room. There were two luxurious wardrobes and another door.
"That connects to the bathroom," said Alice, as if she read her friend's thoughts.
"Its wonderful," whispered Lily stepping inside; there was even a large bed for Leo. The growing kitten could tell it was for him and jumped on it immediately. He purred as she stepped all over it, before rolling on it playfully.
"As much as I am sure you would like to stand there with your mouth wide open you need to get ready for a trip down Diagon Alley." Said Alice, laughing as she left the room, closing the door behind her.
Lily was in the room for only a moment by herself before the bathroom door opened by itself. Lily let out a scream and jumped backwards, causing the house elf Jena to jump as well
"I am so sorry, miss." Stammered the small creature, "I did not mean to frighten you miss. I was just putting your things away in the bathroom, miss."
"Oh it is alright, I am fine." Lily managed to say after her heart stopped racing. 'Thank you, you may call me Lily."
"I am thankful, Miss Lily. Shall I lay you out some clothes for Diagon Alley, Miss Lily?" questioned the house elf
"Oh no thank you," said Lily, "I think I'll just freshen up in the bathroom."
"As you wish, Miss Lily." Said the house elf that went back to her work with the trunk that was not suddenly sitting near the bed.
Lily went into the bathroom; it was large, and full of white stone. The tub was huge, but there was also a shower and toilet. There was one sink that had a large mirror as well.
Lily sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror, her face had some black ash on it and her hair was a red mess. She ran hot water in the sink and splashed it onto her face, scrubbing it to remove all the black. Now that all that was finished she lifted up her face, which was dripping with water. She grabbed a nearby towel and dried her face off. She wet down her hair and fingered through some of the wavy tangles.
She stopped as soon as she looked decent enough. She set the towel down and got out of the bathroom. Jena was gone but the trunk was empty and her things filled the room. Her books were all organized and one of her favorites was even on the nightstand.
"Wow," murmured, but she was distracted as Leo came up and rubbed against her legs. "Hey boy," she said, scratching him on the head. "I'm going out, but I will be back later." Leo meowed dismissively and bounded back over to his bad, showing that he didn't mind, he would rather sleep here anyways. Lily gave a short laugh and walked out of the room.
Before she left the room she saw that Jena had left her a robe on the bed. It was one of her nice robes; it was a deep subtle jade, near black actually. Lily was thankful, realizing she would look downright silly not wearing a robe to Diagon Alley.
She looked up and down the hallway, before walking down and continued down the steps. In the room she had first seen when she came she saw Alice and her mum waiting for her.
"Sorry I took so long," said Lily breathlessly as she walked in.
"No problem, dear. Alright girls, let's get ready to do some shopping."
The trio of shoppers flooed their way to Diagon Alley and Lily was glad to be there. The air was clean and open and the streets were bustling crowdedly with people. Mrs. Wood led them through the thick crowd before they reached this large shop and she ushered the two girls inside.
Inside the shop was a tall woman with many pins in her hair. "Oh Mrs. Wood," she drawled as the younger woman entered the store with Alice and Lily.
"Hello Madame Harris, so good to see you, my daughter and her friend are here for their gowns for my daughter's birthday." She said, a proud smile on her face
"Ah yes, of course," starting the tall Madame Harris. She pulled out her measuring tape grapping Lily and forcing her onto a tall platform in front of tons of mirrors. "The annual ball for dear Alice," she said pushing Lily from the platform, grabbing Alice and taking her measurements just as quickly as she had done Lily.
"I believe I have the perfect things for you two," and with that she disappeared behind the counter.
As Mrs. Wood browsed the little shop, it took all of Alice and Lily's energy not to embarrass themselves and burst out into giggles. But they kept some self-control.
"Just the things!" shouted Madame Harris from the back.
"Be prepared for the worst," said Alice warningly. "These parties take old Wizarding dress to a new painful level."
Madame Harris came back with two large gowns in her hands, shoving them in the girls' hands she shooed them into the dressing rooms.
Lily looked down at the large bundle in her arms and suppressed a giggle
"Oh god Alice, what is this mess?" she managed to get out
"Oh just put it on so we can suffer together," she said.
Lily untangled the gown and without difficulty put it on. All she knew about it was that it was a deep green color. Thanks to these dressing rooms without mirrors, she didn't know much else
"Ready yet girls?" called out Mrs. Wood who was positively giddy.
"Ready," the two called in unison stepping out of the dressing rooms
The two stepped in front of the mirrors and gasped at what they saw.
Lily knew she, and Alice too, would not of chosen these dresses themselves, but on them, they did the girls much justice. Just like Lily's deep green, Alice was a dark mischievous red, perfect for her friend, thought Lily. Despite the color differences the two dresses were exactly the same. Both dresses were long sleeved and opened with a vee-neck. They held high collars showing the girls slim and fit necks. It hugged their curves until it opened at the waist with shining silk and intricate lace. The end of each vee-neck was dawned with a jewel the same color as the dress.
Both girls best features were accented by practically the same dress which surprised them both greatly, but pleasing none the less
"You look lovely girls," said Mrs. Wood, deciding the matter, "We will take them."
"You look great Alice," said Lily, examining herself in the mirror, her red waves falling over the back of the green gown
"Me? What about you?" exclaimed Alice, spinning in front of the mirror, her brown curls trailing after her.
"Okay, so…we both look great!" said Lily, the girls laughing and heading to the dressing room
After the dresses were removed and paid for the spree continued. They bought a few things here and there, and some shoes of course, everything in preparation for the ball. Lily did not realize how huge an ordeal this would be. After all the shopping was said and done, the idea of the party made her quite nervous. When she thought about it, there would be so many different wizards there. All the pureblood families she could think of would probably be attending.
Late that night Lily was kept up by these thoughts as she wondered about it. She began to list off all the pureblood Wizarding families she knew in her head.
The Potters and the Blacks. Unfortunately the Malfoys, Crabbes, and Goyles too. There would be the Longbottoms and Lupins, and so many more she knew.
Wow good thing this house is big, because this was going to be one big awkward ball.
Well there you are, please review, or I may not give you the next chapter, and you would not want to miss the ball!