At The Burrow

After supper, in the Great Hall, everyone waited around, hoping to get to talk some with Lily, and so, she accommodated them as best she could by being with them. She wanted to be with the students as much as possible, some, she deeply felt, really needed her.

Lily shook hands and put her arms around many of the students and whenever she could, she would just drape her arm around their shoulders, talk with them.

Finally, after most of the students had left, Lily saw still sitting at her Houses' table a young witch she immediately recognized – Rachel. She was just sitting there waiting, hopefully, for Lily to have some time left for her.

Rachel looked up, when she felt a hand gently placed on her shoulder.

It was Lily.

"Hello, Rachel," Lily was standing beside her. "Its' good to see you again."

Rachel reached up and held onto Lily's' hand. Something was wrong.

Lily sat down beside her, still holding her hand. "What's wrong, Rachel?"

Rachel and Lily sat together in the Great Hall, the young student pouring her heart out to her friend, the Headmistress. They had known each other for a couple years now, and Lily was concerned about her, so a good friendship developed.

"Rachel, would you do me a favor?"

Her eager eyes lit up in surprise, eagerness shown all about her. Lily saw that.

"I'd like for you to go see Hagrid tomorrow anytime you're free, and give him a message from me and introduce yourself to him when you see him."

"What's the message? I'd be very happy to help you, Lily."

Tell him its' from me, tell him 'Do you remember Hermione in her first year?' He'll understand."

"Thank you, Lily, thank you, for letting me help you."

"You do know who Hagrid is, don't you, Rachel? I just wanted to make sure."

"Yes, I do. He is the giant, the gamekeeper. He's a nice man."

"He is, indeed, a nice man, and a good man, too. Just talk to him, and listen when you see him tomorrow. And the next time you see me, we'll talk some more."

"Ok, Lily, I will."

The halls were all silent since the students had all gone back to their Houses and Lily and Rachel walked down the Hall together, Lily had her arm around Rachel's shoulders; Lily knew Rachel was an orphan and growing up magical in a Muggle environment with no parents or relatives was hard on a person, so Lily took it upon herself to be a 'mum' to Rachel, even if only a surrogate Mum, it was better than none at all.

The hardships Harry endured while living with the Dursleys, Lily, well, Hermione, remembered, so she didn't want Rachel going through any of that pain.

"Here, Rachel, these Gargoyles are the defenders of my office gateway. Just say the password and you may enter."

"What's the password?"

Lily looked at Rachel and smiled a 'knowing' smile, "Families are Forever", She whispered to Rachel.

Rachel looked up at Lily with surprise written all over her face, "I like that, Lily."

"I thought you would, now, go ahead and use it."

"Families are Forever." Rachel said aloud to the Gargoyles, and when she pronounced the password, the Gargoyles immediately jumped aside.

"Rachel, you may talk with me anytime you feel a need to, but also go see Professor McGonagall, too. You would not want her left out. She does have a tender heart, trust me on that."

"Thank you for trusting me and talking to me. I needed that."

"I know you do. You do remind me of someone else from the not too distant past. That's why I want to be with you and help you."

"You've thought of me?" She was pleased that someone as nice as Lily and who had an important job as Headmistress, would take the time to be with her.

"May I ask who? I don't want to pry."

"It's ok to ask. You remind me of Harry."

"Harry?"

"Yes, Harry, my son. It's a very long story, but this is just for you and no one else. I don't want you growing up raised without love and affection. Not having a Mum for you to go to is rough on a young witch. That's why I want to help you, If you'll want me to." Lily hesitated.

"I've been hoping you'd want to. It's a dream for me." Rachel told Lily, hesitantly, almost afraid to look up at Lily.

"Rachel, everything will work out well, you'll see. Just come see me everyday, keep me apprised of what you're doing. I know I'm not your Mum, but like I told you previously, I'll be here for you when you need me, just like your Mum. Ok?"

"I'd like that, Lily. It's nice to have someone for me to talk to and I'll always try to do my best."

"I know you will, Rachel." Lily held her hand and gave her a gentle squeeze.

"Now, Don't forget the message for Hagrid and don't forget to see your Head of House when you need her and, also, see me tomorrow sometime."

"Ok, Lily."

"Now, here's a hall pass so you can go back to your house without detention, you'll be ok."

"Thanks, thank you for everything. I'll never ever forget you for your kindness."

With all that said and done, Rachel took her leave. Very happy.

Lily was happy she'd helped one of her students, and this was only her first evening as Headmistress.

"Dobby?" Lily called aloud, seemingly to herself.

There was a faint 'pop' and there stood her house elf, her very loyal elf.

"Lily Potter! How good to see you again. Congratulations on being our new Headmistress, we elves were rejoicing at this!"

"Thank you, Dobby. I do appreciate your years of service to me and to my son, also, I want to give you a belated 'thank you'" and at this point Lily got up and went to Dobby, bending down on one knee, kissed him on his forehead, "for protecting Harry from Lucius Malfoy when you were freed from serving him."

Dobby had never been treated so special and kind as by Lily; tears were forming in his great eyes and his ears were drooping.

But, he was happy.

"Now, Dobby, I want to give you some general instructions to remember. I'll be living at the Burrow. Also, I have a room here," with that Lily walked over to an obscure hidden corner of her office and opened the door to show Dobby; "In case you need me, I'm giving you direct authorization to contact me at the Burrow by floo or if its' really desperate, you go there yourself personally and get me. Also, if I'm here, staying in my room, you come in and get me immediately. Is that ok with you?"

Dobby's eyes widen with the bestowal of such unusual permission that was given to him, an Elf.

Dobby started crying, he just couldn't help himself, from happiness, over being treated with so much respect.

"Yes, yes, it is alright with Dobby, I will do as you ask. Dobby wants to thank you for trusting him so much."

Lily bent down and hugged her much beloved elf and Dobby patted her on the back in appreciation.

"Now, Dobby, it's time for me to be leaving for home now, I'll see you in the morning."

Dobby left and Lily left by the Floo network for the Burrow.

It was still early evening and James and the rest of the family had gone back to the Burrow, to wait for Lily. They were, indeed, all anxious for her to be home.

Whoosh! Lily appeared in the massive fireplace at the Burrow and after dusting herself off, went immediately to her family.

Molly and Ginny immediately went to her and hugged her, both were asking questions at the same time.

"Before I answer your questions," Lily was walking up to James, "there's something I've got to do." Lily looked up at James and wrapping her arms around his neck, said "James, my dearest, beloved husband, thank you for coming up and standing beside me. When I needed you beside me the most, you were there. I'll love you forever, dearest." In addition, Lily gave him a most passionate kiss.

Fred spoke out "uh, how about the evening? Aren't you afraid all this display of passion might give a certain red headed young witch some passionate ideas?"

Everyone laughed, but Lily spoke up: "No more ideas than she's already had!"

Ginny blushed a brilliant shade of crimson, even her already red hair shone a brighter shade of red. Harry was standing beside her; he just held onto her hand and squeezed slightly to show that he still supported her. He didn't leave her side.

"It's alright dear; we all love you and understand all too well." Molly said sweetly.

"Now for the questions." Lily asked.

"How do you feel about your new job?" Ginny asked.

"That's the best question, Ginny. I feel good at being able to finally do what I've been asked to accomplish. This job is just a tool for me to use to help everyone. I'll eventually get to know everyone in the Magical community."

"What did you do after supper? We didn't see you." Molly asked.

"After supper, so many of the students came up to talk to me, I just had to take the time to be with them, afterall that's part of my job. They all were just so supportive and sweet."

Lily hesitated and had that far away look in her eyes that her family knew so well – something happened, something very important was bothering her.

" . . . her name is Rachel, and she's an orphan."

The biggest tears came to her eyes, her lower lip quivering. Lily walked quickly over to her son and wrapped her arms around him and held him. "Oh, son, I just never knew how much you really missed me and your Dad, until I'd met Rachel; It just now struck me how lonely she was."

Harry didn't know what to say, except he just held on to his Mum, whom he knew had a very soft heart and he loved her that much more for that very quality.

Lily quieted down and gradually composed herself some, looking 'sheepish', but Molly went to her, "Lily, would you like a cup of hot Chocolate with me?"

Lily nodded her head shyly and went with her.

The two Mums talked for a very long time, far into the night, Molly acting as a sounding board for Lily – a counselor for things pertaining to being a Mum, especially to others. This was much needed advice that Lily was given, both to help her and to teach her.

The Early morning hours at barely before sunrise found James and lily standing outside, still in their night clothes, watching the sunrise: It was Lily's favorite time of the day, that, and evening watching the blazing sun color the sky.

It reminded her of something – faintly – of the authority, Father had and just the smallest portion of His Grace she'd had bestowed upon her.

Lily held onto her husband, relishing the touch of him and his presence. 'I need him more now, that I ever have,' she thought to herself. Her duties had been increased, so her need for James' support also increased.

"Well, sweetheart, how have I done so far?" Lily asked. James continued holding her hand, "You've done the best job anyone could have ever done, you've met every challenge with grace and dignity, but most important, Father approves."

James kissed his eternal bride for a long time, and whispered sweet endearments to her, quietly so that only she heard.

Lily giggled some, just like a schoolgirl.

Evening was upon them, but they didn't mind. As the night gradually deepened, the Light of her Bestowed Grace that emanated from her lit up not only themselves but the surrounding landscape like a newly risen Sun. James and Lily were deeply in love with one another, and Lily was so happy. This was what 'fueled' her – her husband, son, and family.