"Fred, George, stop shoving each other," Mrs. Weasley barked as they loaded off the Knight Bus hours later, arriving at the small village of Ottery St. Catchpole. "You nearly knocked your sister out of her seat."

"We did knock Ron out of his," Fred said.

Ron rubbed his backside, clearly still sore. He kept shooting glares at the twins, who always shot one back in response between their grinning and jokes.

Gran didn't join them on the bus, although she did give Mrs. Weasley the change to pay for the fare. She went to the Longbottom Estate by herself, waiting for Mr. Weasley. They'd leave there together, hopefully after finding all of Lily's things.

Lily took a deep breath, enjoying how fresh the air was out in the country. There was a distant taste of farmland on the wind. The village itself was quite comfy, with villagers going about the end of their day; the time for work was almost over, and soon they'd all be heading to home or pub.

Fred and George tried to sneak off into one as they passed it, but Mrs. Weasley was soon dragging them by the ear back towards the main street. That made Ron feel better, and he was soon laughing with the rest of them.

Ginny went back to being silent, although she, at the very least, was no longer avoiding Lily. She supposed that was a good start, and she hoped to get a full sentence out of the girl before bedtime.

"Which one is yours?" Lily asked as they passed a few homes. She didn't know what the Burrow looked like, but she assumed it couldn't be too much further.

"Oh, we're nowhere near there quite yet, dear," Mrs. Weasley said. "Can't live too close to Muggles, now, can we? They'd notice the boys flying their brooms around."

Lily groaned; her feet were killing her from the day's activities. Plus, she was itching to try out her new wand.

"Oh, it won't be that bad, dear," Mrs. Weasley said. "I'm sure the twins would be willing to carry you, if you'd like."

"Oh, absolutely," the twins said at once, grinning.

"They'll drop me," Lily said.

"Oh, no, we wouldn't think of it," Fred said.

"Yeah, we'd come up with something much better than that," George said.

"Like tossing you into the pond," Fred said.

"With the other Lilypads," George said.

Ron and Neville trailed behind, Ron going on and on about Quidditch. Neville was messing with a necklace Lily bought him for his birthday; it had a strain of enchanted ivy growing around the chain. The owner said it would grow depending on how happy the wearer was, and wilt if they were miserable.

Lily fidgeted with the wand in her pocket. She had her robe slung over her shoulders, having grown tired of wearing it hours ago. She also untucked her shirt, leaving it hanging messily out of her waistcoat. Lily brushed aside some loose hair from her ear, blowing her fringe out so her head would feel less hot.

"I like your earring," Ginny said, quickly looking away.

Lily smiled, satisfied that she didn't even need to try. "Thanks!" she said. "I used to have a matching one, but I- err- lost it."

Ginny muttered something Lily couldn't hear.

"Pardon?" she asked.

"She asked how you lost it, dear," Mrs. Weasley interpreted.

"Oh," Lily said. "I dropped it somewhere."

Lily wiped the sweat from her forehead again. She was quite thirsty, and could really use a cold drink.

"How much further do we have to go?" Lily asked, hoping for the best.

"Oh, about another half hour," Mrs. Weasley said, confirming the worst. "Fred! George! Put that down this instant!"

Lily turned, just missing whatever it was the twins had picked up. They were doing their best to seem inconspicuous. George was even whistling, while Fred pretended to be interested in a nearby tree. Mrs. Weasley wasn't buying it, and she ran off to scold the two, leaving Lily with Ginny.

"Err-" Lily said, trying to think of what to say. "Do you know where to go from here?"

Ginny paused for a moment, face flushing again. It was amazing how quickly it could cycle between normalcy and complete embarrassment; it reminded Lily of her own.

"There's only one road that goes home," she said, pointing ahead of them. Lily couldn't spy a road splintering off from their current one, so she assumed they were meant to keep on trudging forward.

"Let's go, then," Lily said, trying to stretch the aching out of her feet. "I really need to rest."

Lily grabbed Ginny by the hand, dragging her along with her. She wanted to put some space between them and her mother; she'd never get Ginny out of her shell with Mrs. Weasley around guiding every conversation.

Lily and Ginny walked together for what felt like ages. Lily did let go of Ginny's hand after they got a good lead, and the other girl seemed thankful for it. Her face was the same shade as her hair by the time they were alone.

Lily scratched at her scar again, wishing she had worn a hat; she could feel the back of her neck burning. She hoped Mrs. Weasley knew how to cure it; she knew Gran wouldn't do it.

"Is that house yours?" Lily asked, squinting at the outline on the distance. The house looked taller than it was wide, and Lily could have sworn it was lopsided. She also saw a shed in the yard, which Lily heard all about; she knew it was where Mr. Weasley tinkered with all his Muggle belongings.

"Yes," Ginny mumbled.

"You can talk to me, Ginny," Lily said with a friendly smile.

"I'll try," Ginny mumbled.

"I'm nice, I swear," Lily said. She took a look around, trying to find somewhere comfortable to rest her feet.

Ginny, once again, mumbled something Lily couldn't make out. She didn't ask the girl to repeat herself; she assumed it was just another 'I'll try.'

"Should we wait for the others?" Lily asked, glancing behind. They were in view, but still quite a way behind. She yawned, stretched, then sat down on a nearby tree stump. She briefly wondered what cut it down, but seeing how the Weasleys were really the only option, she supposed that mystery solved itself.

Ginny hesitated, then took a seat on the same stump, right next to Lily. Lily thought that awfully bold, considering the girl's previous reactions.

"Do you want to see a spell?" Lily asked, whipping out her wand.

Ginny looked nervously towards her mother. "We aren't supposed to use magic outside of school."

Lily briefly wondered what sibling of Fred and George wouldn't jump on the opportunity to break some rules. Then, she remembered Percy existed, and she decided that wasn't very fair.

"Gran taught it to us before our first year," Lily said. "It'll be easy."

"Well," Ginny said, scratching the side of her head. "Just make it quick, so mum doesn't see."

"Lumos," Lily said, lighting up the tip of her wand. "You try, hurry."

Ginny pulled out her own wand. "Lumos," she said, lighting up the tip of her own wand.

"See?" Lily said, throwing the wand back in her pocket. "Easy enough, right?"

"How do I make it go out?" Ginny asked trying to hide the wand to the side of her body not facing towards her mother.

"'Nox,' but I've always just dropped mine." Lily didn't bring up that she had never meant to drop it.

"Nox," Ginny said. "Why would you drop it?"

"It's faster," Lily said, leaving the other part unsaid. It was best Ginny did not find out how much a of a screw-up Lily was quite yet; she kind of liked having somebody look up to her.

"But then you don't have your wand in your hand, so what's the point?" Ginny was asking all of the right questions, it seemed.

"You're awful talkative all of a sudden," Lily said, trying to distract Ginny.

Ginny blushed. "Well, you asked me to, is all."

"Where's the Quidditch pitch?" Lily asked, glancing back towards the house.

"It's around back," Ginny said. "It's more of a field, really. Dad put up a few hoops for us, so we can play."

"How do you fly?" Lily asked, hoping Gran and Mr. Weasley would be able to find her broom. She was itching to get into the air again.

"The boys don't let me fly with them," Ginny said. "But I did anyway while they were at school."

"Well, you can fly with me," Lily said. "I'll even let you try out my broom."

"Really?" Ginny asked, voice filled with excitement for the first time Lily had heard. It was almost enough to touch Lily's heart.

"Sure, why not?" Lily said.

"Ron said you had a Nimbus, are you sure?" Ginny asked. "Those are really expensive, I don't want to crash it."

"I really don't mind," Lily said. "You can take it for a spin tomorrow, if you'd like."

"Yes, please!" Ginny said, trying to contain herself.

"What are you two going on about?" Ron asked as he and Neville finally reached the two girls.

"Lily said I could fly her broom!" Ginny said, hopping up.

"What?" Ron asked, locking onto Lily. "What are you doing that for? I haven't even gotten a chance to fly it yet."

"You can fly it after her," Lily said. "And you did too get to fly it, you got a turn right after McGonagall bought it for me."

"Well, that didn't really count," Ron said, ears turning red.

"Just because you fell off the thing doesn't mean it doesn't count, Ron," Lily said.

"I thought you didn't like flying," Neville said.

"I didn't like Quidditch," Lily said. "And- err- that was only at first, really."

"Why haven't you flown over the summer, then?" Neville asked.

Lily glanced back down the road. "Gran wouldn't let me."

"Can we go back to where you said you 'don't like Quidditch,'" Ron said.

"I'd prefer if we didn't!"

"Why don't you like Quidditch?" Ginny asked.

"She almost died last year," Neville said.

"And Quirrell won't be there this year," Ron said. "You have to try out again, Lily, nobody else is as good as you are."

"I don't know," Lily said, biting her lip.

"You'll be fine, Lily, nothing bad will happen," Ron said.

"That's not really-"

"Nothing bad will happen," Ron repeated, this time with emphasis.

"Fine," Lily said, giving up.

"Great," Ron said, smiling widely. "With you, we'll be-"

"But you have to try out with me," Lily interrupted.

Ron's smile faltered. "Pardon?"

"If I'm trying out, you have to," Lily said. "Otherwise, Gryffindor will have to make do without me."

"I don't know if-"

"Let's shake on it, Ron," Lily interrupted, holding out her hand. "I'll do it if you do it."

Ron hesitated. "I don't have a good enough broom," he said.

"I'll let you use my Nimbus," Lily said. "If you make it instead of me, then you can borrow it for the season."

"What if we both make it?"

"Then I'll buy you a broom," Lily scoffed. "Think of it as an early Christmas present."

Ron considered it for a moment, then took Lily's hand.

"Fine," he said, "but it'll be a late birthday present, instead, you didn't get me anything. And I get to pick the broom."

"What's this about a broom?" Mrs. Weasley asked as she finally caught up to the pack.

"Lily and Ron are both trying out for the Quidditch team," Ginny said. "Lily said-"

"That he can borrow my broom if he makes it instead," Lily said, cutting her off before she could spill the beans.

"Fat chance of that," Fred said.

"Ron has never been much of a Seeker," George said.

"And all the other positions are a given," Fred said.

"It'll be nice to have you back, though, Lily," George said.

"That McLaggen was a real headache," Fred said.

"What are you all waiting here for?" Mrs. Weasley said. "You should be inside, come on, now, let's go."

Mrs. Weasley led the way, taking Ginny by the hand (despite the girl's protests). Lily followed behind with the others.

"Was he really that bad?" Lily asked.

"What do you mean?" Fred said.

"Didn't you see him?" George said.

"No," Lily said, looking away so they couldn't see her guilty expression. She didn't realize they hadn't noticed her absence.

"She skipped the rest of the games," Ron said in a taunting voice. "She was too busy studying, she said."

Lily muttered a curse under her breath, condemning Ronald Weasley to a fiery demise.

"Studying?" The twins said together.

"I know," Ron said, shaking his head.

"All right," Lily said, blushing further. "I don't need to hear it, I've already had enough."

"I don't think you have, dear Lily," Fred said.

"Not really showing off your Gryffindor pride, are you?" George said.

"Not even bothering to show up for a couple of games," Fred said.

"What would Mum think?" they said together.

"Don't tell her," Lily said.

The twins smiled, looking at each other.

"Not a word, then," Fred said.

"Although, perhaps, a word or two might just slip out," George said.

"Unless a little Lilypad were to do us a favour," Fred said.

"Maybe even two," George said.

"You're blackmailing me?" Lily said, horrified.

"Not at all," Fred said.

"It's an exchange of favours, that's what we said," George added.

"Consider it payment for our gift," Fred said.

"You know," Lily said, crossing her arms. "It's not really a gift if I have to work for it."

"We'll discuss it later, then," the twins said, smiling at each other. They ran ahead, past their mother and sister. Mrs. Weasley shouted after them, then stormed ahead, trying to reach a confrontation.

"You shouldn't give in to those two so easily," Percy said from behind. "They'll get you into an awful lot of trouble, way you've been so chummy with them."

"Sod off, Percy," Ron said. "You're just sore because they put itching powder in your socks last week."

"Itching powder?" Lily asked, horrified.

"It wore off in a few hours," Ron said. "They aren't cruel."

"Yes, well," Percy began. "I'll still be keeping an eye on them this year, and you, too, Lily, since you're now in cahoots with them."

"I'm not in cahoots with anybody," Lily said. "I can say no if I want to. What's the worst they could do?"

"You really underestimate those two," Ron said.

"Are you all coming or not?" Mrs. Weasley called from the front door. Percy strode faster, pushing past the second-year students.

"Sorry it's not much," Ron said, ears turning red. "But it's home."

Lily took a look at the ramshackle house. It was most definitely lopsided, and it looked like large chunks of it were added long after the initial construction. There was paint chipping off of several walls, and it looked like it was held together entirely by magic. She could make out a garden at the side of the home, and it was largely tangled with weeds. She thought she saw a lumpy, potato-like creature dart into the bushes, but that could have been her imagination.

"I think it's brilliant," Lily said, smiling as she spotted the overgrown pond. It looked exactly what she always imagined a magical household should. She gasped, eyes locking on to something else, moving through the long grass of the lawn.

"What?" Ron asked.

"Is that a chicken?" Lily asked.

"Yeah?" Ron said. "So what?"

"I've never seen a chicken before," Lily said, resisting the urge to chase after it.

"Well, watch out," Ron said. "If you scare them, the rooster will come after you. He's mean, he is. He'll tear right into you."

"Do you think I could pick it up?" Lily said, losing the battle and taking a step towards the bird.

"What did I just say?" Ron said.

"I'm not going to scare it," Lily said, inching closer. "I'm just going to scoop it up."

"If you say so," Ron said from behind. "We'll meet you inside. Come on, Neville."

"Careful, Lily," Neville said as he followed his friend.

"It's just a chicken," Lily said, continuing to move forward. "What's the worst that could happen?"

Lily found out quickly enough, and returned to the house defeated and ashamed a half hour later, covered in scratches, her clothes utterly ruined. As she attempted to enter through the front door, she ran into a rather large mass and almost fell backwards onto the walkway.

"Good Lord, Lily, what have you done to yourself?" Gran asked, catching Lily by the arm.

"I just-" Lily started.

"Shush," Gran said, stepping outside and closing the door behind the two of them.

"But-" Lily started.

"I said 'shush,'" Gran repeated. She sized Lily up, getting an estimation of the damage.

"It was-" Lily started.

"A chicken, I've heard," Gran interrupted.

"Did you-"

"Find everything?" Gran interrupted again, sounding more stern. "Yes, girl, I found where you hid everything."

Lily couldn't hide the hurt she felt. "I didn't hide anything, it was-"

"You just stuffed it all into the office next door, Lily," Gran said, grabbing her by the arm and dragging her further away from the house so nobody could overhear.

"I didn't-"

"You did," Gran said, putting her hands on her hips, "And I won't hear otherwise. I've had enough with your lies and cover stories. I don't know what you were thinking, locking the bloody cat in there, too."

"I would never-"

"That's enough, Lily," Gran roared.

Lily's argument froze in her throat, and she could feel her eyes watering.

"I don't know where this behaviour is coming from, but you need to get ahold of yourself."

"Gran-" Lily said, finding her resolve again.

"I don't want to take a more active hand in your schooling, but I will if necessary," Gran said.

"Gran, I-"

"I've already written to Dumbledore and McGonagall, and the Governors will be having a meeting this weekend to discuss some new policies."

Lily was flabbergasted that she wasn't allowed to get a single word in for her defense. It was just like the Dursleys, things were supposed to be better now. She opened her mouth to try again, but Gran waved her hand and cut her off once more.

"Hogwarts students have to be up to a higher standard, Lily, and if you can't behave yourself, I can arrange for you to attend a different school until such a time where you can."

Lily was now getting angry. "Gran, will you please-"

"If I hear so much as one thing from Minerva about you misbehaving again, I'll be bringing you straight home. Is that clear?"

"Gran-"

"Is that clear?" Gran repeated.

Lily pursed her lips. "Yes," she said, trying to keep her tone cool. "But if you would just-"

"And if you misbehave while you're here, you won't be getting on that train at all," Gran said. "I don't want to have a single complaint from the Weasleys. Not one word."

"Gran-"

Gran whipped out her wand. Lily flinched, thinking she was about to be physically disciplined. Gran waved her wand over Lily, and her clothes magically stitched themselves back together. Lily's cuts and scratches still remained, though.

"I'll leave the wounds as a punishment," Gran explained. "They're not bad enough to cause issue. Make sure you disinfect them before bed. I'll let Mrs. Weasley borrow some diluted dittany. It won't heal them, but it'll keep you healthy."

"Gran-" Lily said, trying one more time now that Gran was in a slightly better mood.

"Mrs. Weasley needs your help in the kitchen. Wants you to help her with dinner. I'll see you inside." Gran turned and left, leaving Lily standing in the yard alone. The door shut behind the old woman, and Lily continued standing there, unsure of what to do.

She blinked away the tears from her eyes, giving a quick rub with her newly repaired sleeve. As she looked up, she thought she briefly saw a pair of large, green eyes before they vanished from the rooftop.

"What just happened?" Lily asked herself, voice choking up.