The summer after Lily's first year was different. She could feel a separation between her family that wasn't there before, it was more prominent in Petunia than her father. While he was supportive of his daughter, even helping her with her summer homework when he could, Petunia would glance at her sister with odd looks before disappearing into her room. She did this, even more, when Severus came over, not even coming out to eat lunch.

Lily was miffed, her sister seemed accepting about magic when she returned home but now she would squeak and run to her room whenever a magical question was asked. With a sigh Lily put her dishes into the sink, letting Lasagna wash them. What could she do to make Petunia not be afraid?

BOOM!

A smoke could burst from Petunia's door blasting it open and the thick scent of sulfur covered the house. Lily grabbed her wand and dashed over to her sister, screaming her name.

The scene before her made her want to giggle or faint. There was Petunia 'I'm too good for magic' Evans standing amidst a blown-out cauldron with soot on her face. Her room was no better, Lily's books were scattered on the floor, her curtains were charred, and the room was stained with vibrant neon green streaks. Petunia was shaken, her eyes were glassy and the hand holding a spoon was vibrating. Lily stepped into the room.

"Tuney? You alright?" Petunia whipped around wide-eyed.

"Lily, what-? You shouldn't be here!" Petunia's eyes narrowed and her face got red, she moved in front of the cauldron as if her body could hide the evidence.

"You're doing voodoo!" Lily launched herself at her sister, pulling her in a hug. Petunia pushed her away while biting her lip.

"You weren't supposed to find out."

"Why not?"

"It's embarrassing, okay! Me trying to do magic," Petunia kicked the ground, "you're the magic-wielding person, not me!" Petunia's eyes welled with tears, this has been nagging at her for a while and with the sudden revelation all Petunia's insecurities came out. "You're the one who gets to go to Hogwarts, you get to have a wand, and a pet! I've never gotten a fish! You get to spend time in New Orleans, you get everything! And I have nothing," her screaming stopped as she feebly whispered, "not even you."

And that was the truth, while Lily went off on magical adventures she left behind her sister. One who might not always be the nicest still wanted to be a part of Lily's life, one who thought that if she had magic as well Lily would want to be with her, instead of leaving her behind. Petunia fiddled with the spoon still in her hand as she watched Lily nervously, she had very angrily spilled her guts out and didn't know how Lily would react. Petunia wasn't expecting her sister to hug her.

"Petunia, you dummy. I'm so sorry you've felt this way," she stepped back and held her hands. "I never meant to leave you behind, I didn't even realize. You've always been a constant, always there in the back of my mind that I took you for granted. You don't need magic to be with me. Look," she held up her arm, which had the two charm bracelets that Petunia had given her, "you're already with me."

Petunia sniffled and smiled wobbly, "I wouldn't mind learning some magic though." She said, offering a metaphorical olive branch.

"I know a few things," Lily said jokingly.

With two daughters both knowing magic Mr. Evans had his hands full, it didn't help that his younger one was also a witch and friends with a wizard. The three children quickly became the bane of his existence, constantly getting into things no sane person would, he pulled them out of creeks during thunderstorms, graveyards at night, mushroom circles, rabbit holes, roadkill. He often noticed the looks the neighbors gave him, and more often than not the condescending words as he passed by. A single parent was enough material for gossip but add on two girls who practice what most would consider devil-worshiping the neighbors had enough ammo to verbally knock him dead.

But his girls were happy, they always were laughing about one thing or another and cared for each other in a way only true siblings can. So he ignored the looks and words, after all not many can say they know two witch doctors.

When Lily's letter came the two girls were rather tearful at the thought of leaving after finally coming together. Mr. Evans had to remind them that there was Christmas break, so after a compromise that Lily spends half of the break with Facilier and half back home the family of three plus one went to Diagon Alley to get new school gear.

Without having to do more than get a couple of books, replace some potions ingredients, and extend the hem of their robes. The four went in and out of Diagon Alley much faster than last year. While going through Lily got Petunia an early birthday gift, a baby Kneazle.

Watching her sister and father freak out as Severus ran through a wall amused Lily, but pushing them through the wall made her cackle.

The platform was the same as she remembered, the people as well. Potter's parents still smothered him with love and affection, Sirius seemed cocky and prideful, but his younger brother was the exact opposite. Lupin and Pettigrew were chatting away. Alice waved at her and gestured to a compartment that already housed frank. And Lucius passed by in all his snotty noble airs making a passive-aggressive comment to Lily's family.

Ignoring Lucius, and her father's questioning stare, Lily dragged Severus toward Alice and Frank after goodbyes toward her family. The four friends talked as if no time had passed and barely even registered the train leaving. It wasn't long till Severus and Frank got into an argument over which Berty Botts bean was the worst flavor, Severus thought it was dog barf while Frank hated farts. Alice and Lily got roped in and the argument only ended once Lily did a train-wide tally, dog barf was decidedly worst.

The carriages to the castle were a fun experience but meeting and learning why Lily could see the thestrals put a somber mood over the four.

Having a different transportation method than the first years the four made their way with the rest of the school. The school carriages' lights gave off a warm glow but any pleasant feelings were squashed by the skeletal black horses pulling them. Lily gawked at the creatures that passively moved around the students, shying away from any accidental touch.

"What are those things?" She pointed at one, which huffed. Severus looked at her and then at the horse but his eyes passed over it like it wasn't there.

"Lily there's nothing there. You feeling alright?" A fifth-year grimaced sympathetically at Lily.

"Those are thestrals, you can only see them if you've seen death." A heavy silence covered the four as the fifth year walked away, cautiously they moved around the horses only speaking again once the carriage moved.

"It was my mother," Lily said bluntly, tired of the glances Alice and Frank was giving her, "she was in an accident and I saw her." Alice blanched.

"Oh, Lily, I knew- I mean, it must have been awful having to lose your mom but seeing that too?" Her shoulders trembled as Frank comfortingly held her hand, "that's awful."

Lily nodded and looked out the window, not wanting to get into it. It was a long time ago and while it still hurt, the pain of losing a mother is something that can never fully heal, it had numbed down. Plus she had a new family to focus on, her father, Petunia, Facilier, and now her Hogwarts friends as well. She smiled at them as Severus once again argued against Frank. Yes, she was doing quite well.

AN:

UnnaVox: The second year has started and it's a bittersweet beginning. I didn't mean to make it so depressing but yeah sometimes it be like that and you just gotta go with the flow. Real excited about this year because we are introducing some new characters and other cool stuff!

DuoAnimi: Please like the chapter and follow us! We love hearing from you guys so review all you want!