"I didn't do it, Professor," Lily mumbled as she was escorted out of the common room. She was happy to be out of eyeshot; she couldn't stand the looks they were all giving her.

"I'm afraid this is out of our hands now, Potter," McGonagall said gravely. "The Headmaster will do what he can, but the Governors have already met on the issue."

"Am I expelled?" Lily said, the feeling oddly familiar. She shook away the pain in her head.

"I'm afraid I cannot say, Potter." McGonagall smiled at her, perhaps to reassure her. It didn't work. Lily had to choke back her tears.

McGonagall led Lily silently down the seventh-floor corridors. The portraits whispered as they passed, and she couldn't help but believe they were condemning her. Even the normally friendly ones were solemn as they made their way through the empty halls. They stopped in front of a gargoyle, the same one from the first day of term.

"Lemon drop," McGonagall said seriously.

The gargoyle hopped aside just as he did the last time, making way for the speaker to pass. A grand staircase unfolded from the walls, leading ever upwards. Lily briefly wondered where it went; there was no tower in this section of the castle that could be seen from the outside.

"In you go, Potter," McGonagall said. "They are waiting for you upstairs."

Lily pushed her way into the stairway, trying to ignore her increasing feelings of terror. It seemed a lot longer this time around. She could hear the gargoyle hop back into place as she finally found herself standing in front of the door. She raised her hand nervously, then knocked a single time, as softly as she could. She hoped an answer wouldn't come, that she could just make her way back downstairs.

"Enter," Dumbledore's aged voice called from within. He sounded as tired as Lily felt.

Lily hesitated, then pushed the door open. The shelves were just as cluttered as they always were, lined with various magical objects and instruments. The Sorting Hat sat at the very top, just as quiet and wrinkled as usual. Fawkes, the phoenix, was looking much better than the last time Lily saw him, although he was significantly smaller.

"Have a seat, Lily," Dumbledore said kindly, gesturing with his left hand at a comfy armchair sitting in front of his desk. Normally it'd be tucked into the corner of the office. He must have moved it, just for her. It was even her favourite one, with the yellow flowers and pink lining. There was another seat on the other side, currently occupied by Lucius Malfoy, perfectly coifed hair and all. He had a cane resting in his right hand, and he was tapping it against the ground.

Lily shuffled forward nervously, the portraits of previous headmasters mumbling above her. The only one who would meet her eyes was that of Phineas Black, who offered a gesture of encouragement and a smile. Lily thought that strange until she noticed he was wearing Slytherin colours.

"Do you know why you were summoned here, Lily?" Dumbledore asked as she took her seat. Lily was about to answer, but a fluttering from nearby startled her as Fawkes took flight, perching a top the armrest before Lily could claim it. He nuzzled at her hand while Dumbledore watched them both fondly.

"The attack, sir," Lily mumbled as she stared at her feet. She didn't feel like she deserved the phoenix's support. She heard Lucius chuckle from next to her.

"You see, Dumbledore?" he said. "He already admits to it."

"She has done no such thing, Lucius," Dumbledore said sternly. "It is only natural that she has already been informed of this predicament."

"Am I being expelled, sir?" Lily asked quietly.

"No, Lily," Dumbledore said in a reassuring tone. "You are here because we have some questions for you."

"Sir?" Lily asked in surprise.

"Dumbledore," Lucius said as he leaned forward, "I believe you have already been informed that a decision has been-"

"I have agreed to nothing as of yet, Lucius," Dumbledore interrupted, holding up his hand to stop the blonde man from speaking. "And before I do so, I will hear what Miss Potter has to say."

"It isn't up to you anymore, Dumbledore," Lucius said hotly. "My fellow governors have already-"

"Your fellow governors refused the expulsion, Lucius," Dumbledore said. "And I believe I am in the tiebreaker in the case of suspension."

"Longbottom has yet to vote," Lucius said, leaning back and grabbing his cane with his other hand. He continued drumming it on the floor, this time held between his legs. "And seeing as how it was her grandson who was attacked, I believe her decision will be coming soon enough."

"Even so," Dumbledore said, "It is best that we have all the information so that she may cast her vote in full confidence. Lily. What happened last night?"

"Sir, I-" Lily began, swallowing hard to force down her nervousness. "I was sitting in the common room after Astronomy, talking with Hermione and- and Hermione- she went up to bed, sir, but I napped right after I came back from St. Mungo's, so I wasn't tired. I- I sat there in front of the fire for a while when- when my scar started hurting. I remember passing out, sir, but I don't know how I made it back to bed."

"And you expect us to believe that you simply woke up in your bed, innocent of all charges?" Lucius Malfoy asked with a sneer that rivalled his son's. "Come now, Dumbledore, you can't possibly believe-"

"I do," Dumbledore said, nodding his head solemnly. "Miss Potter has never shown anything but the utmost integrity. She would not lie about this matter."

"He had dozens of detentions just the last year, Dumbledore," Lucius said.

"And she has received only a single one this year," Dumbledore said calmly, eyes transfixed on Lily's. "For failing to complete a homework assignment. Tell me, Lucius, does that scream criminal mastermind to you?"

"What it tells me, Dumbledore," Lucius said slowly, "Is that young Harry here is being extraordinarily careful to not bring attention to themselves. Why would that be, do you think?"

That name again, Lily thought. And he kept using the wrong pronoun. She didn't understand, but it bothered her immensely.

"My name isn't Harry," Lily spoke up. "It's Hazel."

"Apologies," Lucius said with a smirk. "I misspoke."

"And you will be careful not to do so again, no doubt," Dumbledore said calmly.

"No doubt, indeed," Lucius said equally calmly.

Lucius drummed his cane on the ground harder, although the frustration didn't show on his face. He ran a hand through his hair as he thought. Lily glanced up nervously occasionally, unsure if she should speak up again.

"With all facts considered, I'm afraid I must vote no, Lucius," Dumbledore said. "On both matters of expulsion and suspension. Lily will be staying at the school for the foreseeable future."

"Unfortunately," Lucius said coldly, "the matter is not up to you. Not yet. Augusta has yet to cast her vote."

"Abstaining is an equally valid choice, Lucius," Dumbledore countered. "As I believe you already know. The vote would not be tied if Mrs. Greengrass had not abstained, and we would not be here, sitting in my office, at this very moment."

Lucius drummed his cane on the ground once more, staring silently at the headmaster. Dumbledore stared back at him, smiling softly, blue eyes twinkling with some private knowledge. Dumbledore always had the effect on people, as if he knew far more than anybody else in the room. Or, at least, he had that effect on Lily. She felt like she really hadn't done much to defend herself, but she could do nothing other than squirm nervously in her seat, her hands wringing together.

Dumbledore opened his mouth to speak, as if to put the matter to a final rest, but was interrupted by a sharp knocking on the door. His smile faltered as Gran pushed the door open without authorization, storming her way in. Her manner of dress was far sloppier than it would normally be, and the woman looked a mess. Her stuffed vulture hat was nowhere to be found. Her tired eyes glanced furtively over at where Lily was sitting as she strode across the room, and she snorted as a greeting.
"I see you've already brought the girl," she said. "Saves us the trouble of hunting her down."

Lily didn't think that was a very good sign. Fawkes nipped at her hand again, and she tried to brush him away.

"I believed it was important to hear her side of the story first," Dumbledore said again. "Would you like her to recount it for you?"

"No," Gran said. "I vote no on the count of expulsion."

Dumbledore smiled again, tension leaving his aged face. Lily didn't. She could already see where this was going, even before the headmaster could.

"You see, Lucius?" Dumbledore said, "there was no need to-"

"I vote yes on suspension, Dumbledore," Gran said. "I don't know if she's behind everything, but the possibility can't be ignored. She has a spotty record, and it can't be a simple coincidence that the attacks stopped while she was in the hospital and immediately resumed upon her return."

Dumbledore looked shocked, ever so briefly, and then his face became solid stone once more. He smiled at Lily reassuringly, but Lily didn't try to return it. She couldn't stop staring at her feet. She could hear Lucius Malfoy chuckle from his seat nearby.

"We will be revisiting this matter in the future, Dumbledore," he said, "It is not nearly settled yet, not until these attacks are stopped for once and for all."

"If this matter is truly settled," Dumbledore said quietly, eyes locked onto Gran in a quiet fury, "then I believe I shall see Miss Potter back to her dorm before we continue the day's discussions."

"No need for that, Albus," Gran said. "Minerva is waiting for the lass downstairs."

She put a firm hand under one of Lily's arms and hauled her upright. Lily allowed it. She didn't have any fight in her at the moment. Fawkes squawked at her, then took flight again as he returned to his previous perch.

"I will ask you not to touch my student, Augusta," Dumbledore said coldly. "She is perfectly capable of standing on her own."

"It's all right, Professor," Lily said quietly as she shuffled away from the seat. Gran immediately took it, not even bothering to spare a glance for the girl who once lived with her. "I'll- I'll go see McGonagall, Professor."

"I shall see you after the Holidays, Lily," Dumbledore said sadly. Lily nodded, and closed the door to the Headmaster's office behind her. She sat down at the top step for a moment, taking in a series of deep, rattling breaths, squeezing her eyes shut to stop the stinging. She could hear the adults talking in the room behind her, Dumbledore's voice in particular sounding uncharacteristically angry.

"She's a liar, Dumbledore," Gran shouted. "And I will no longer tolerate it."

"Your son would be ashamed," Dumbledore said.

"Don't you dare mention Frank to me, Dumbledore. Don't you dare."

"Indeed, Dumbledore," Lucius said smugly. "I think you'll find you're not in a position to argue any further. We'll be meeting in a few weeks discuss your own tenure here at Hogwarts, after all."

"Are you threatening me, Lucius?"

"Of course not! But, seeing as how you have refused to remove the oaf responsible, we have no choice but to bring into question your own responsibility. If you had allowed us to remove him weeks ago, and the attacks stopped, Potter's own record would never have been brought into question."

Lily scooted further from the door. She didn't want to hear anymore. She couldn't stand the thought of Dumbledore knowing who was behind this, saying nothing, and letting her take the fall for it all.

Lily heard voices outside as she descended the spiral stairs ten minutes later. She tried to keep her face stoic, just like McGonagall would.

"Come on, Professor, we can help her if you'll just let us in," Ron's voice said.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Weasley, but there are to be no distractions," McGonagall's said. "And I highly doubt there is anything you can say that will change her situation."

"But-" Ron said again.

"It's fine, Ron," Lily said solemnly as she sidled past the gargoyle. It didn't jump out of the way for her, for whatever reason, and it was a tight fit, the sharp edges grabbing at her cloak as she attempted to pass.

"Lily!" Katie and Hermione called out as one, both throwing her into a tight hug.

"How did it go?" Katie asked, placing a hand under Lily's chin so she couldn't look away.

"Are you e-expelled?" Hermione asked, biting her lip.

"Suspended," Lily said, trying to offer a smile. "I'll be back after the Holidays."

"Thank Merlin," Ron said, earning a sharp glare from Professor McGonagall. Lily had to agree, though; at least she was allowed to come back.

"This is not happy news, Mr. Weasley," their head of house said sharply. "This will reflect poorly on Miss Potter's future."

"So would getting expelled, Professor," Ron said.

"I will give the four of you a moment," McGonagall said. "Say your farewells, Potter, and then meet me in the Entrance Hall. I must send a message before we leave. Mr. Weasley will carry your trunk for you."

"Thanks, Professor," Lily said sadly. McGonagall nodded, and then swept off, leaving the four of them standing in front of the gargoyle, Ron resting his hand on Lily's packed trunk.

"We should get going," Ron said after an awkward silence. "It could take us a while to get down there. Merlin, Lily, what do you keep in this thing? It's much heavier than mine."

"Our books," Lily answered quietly. "I don't know if McGonagall packed all of them."

"She did," Katie answered.

"We helped her," Hermione said.

"Thanks," Lily said awkwardly. They were already on the sixth floor, their journey going by far quicker than Lily would have liked. The tension in the air was palpable, with nobody knowing quite what to say. They passed by the fifth floor just the same, the only sounds that of Lily's trunk knocking against the steps and Ron's heavy breathing from the effort.

"Broom's not there," Lily noted, pointing to the top of the trunk.

"Bloody hell," Ron groaned. "Want me to run and grab it?"

"You can't go up the stairs, Ron," Hermione said. "I'll go get it."

"No, I'm faster," Katie said, already hopping up a few steps.

"Don't," Lily called back. "Ron can- can just bring it with him. When he comes home."

"Right," Ron said awkwardly.

"I'll give it to him later tonight," Hermione offered.

Lily nodded, then turned to continue on her way. She really didn't know what else to say.

Katie cleared her throat on the third floor, after a couple more floors of silence. "Do you want us to write to you, Lily? Over the Holidays, I mean."

"Yes," Lily said quickly. "I'm staying at the Burrow with the Weasleys, if you need to know the address."

"I think Monty can find it," Katie said. "That's my owl. He's a Great Gray. Can't miss him. He won't leave until you give him a biscuit, though, so try and keep them on hand."

"A biscuit?" Ron asked curiously through his heavy breathing.

Katie smiled. "He loves them. Not the chocolate kind, though, but everything else he can't get enough of. Don't know why."

"I'll keep a tin near me," Lily promised.

"Mum keeps a few tins in the cupboard," Ron said. "Fred and George go through them really quickly, so she always keeps them stocked."

"Lily," Hermione said hesitantly. "If you- err- if you need to send something while you're here at school you're- you're welcome to use Hedwig again."

"Thanks, Hermione," Lily said with a soft smile.

McGonagall was waiting for her in the Entrance Hall, as promised. Hermione and Katie each gave Lily one final, tight hug, while Ron cleared his throat awkwardly. Lily took the initiative, pulling him into the tightest hug she could give. He hesitated, then put his own arms around her.

"See you at home," Lily said awkwardly as she wiped at her eyes with her sleeve. McGonagall took the trunk in hand, then pushed the great doors open with a wave of her wand. The wind blew through, sending the cold and the snow directly into Lily. She was already shivering from it all.

"Oh!" Katie piped up. She quickly tore her scarf from her own neck, then tied it snugly around Lily's.

"Thanks," Lily said with a genuine smile. "I'll- I'll give it back after the Holidays."

"Keep it," Katie said nicely. "I've got loads upstairs, I won't miss the one."

"We'll see you soon, Lily," Hermione offered.

Ron nodded in agreement, although he couldn't bring himself to speak. Lily waved at them all nervously, then followed McGonagall into the snowy outdoors, pulling Katie's red and gold scarf tightly around her face. It smelled like the fruity perfume she always wore.

"Comfortable, Potter?" McGonagall asked from ahead. Lily had to struggle to trudge through the thick snow to keep up with her. McGonagall was simply vanishing what was in front of her as she walked, but Lily had no idea how to do that herself.

"Yes," Lily lied. She was still frozen to the bone, but she was fine with it. She didn't feel like she much deserved being warm.

"I hope so. I have some more questions for you, and I will have the truth for once."

Lily nodded her consent, almost stumbling as she hit a patch of ice.

"When I met with you after Mr. Creevey was attacked, you hid something from me after a glance from Mr. Weasley. I will have you tell me what it was."

"Oh," Lily said. She thought for a moment, considering another lie. She decided to tell the truth, instead. She'd already gotten into enough trouble today.

"I heard a voice, Professor," she said. "During- during the night. That's why I was awake. Well, that and the scar. It- it kept saying it wanted to kill, Professor, and that it was very hungry."

"And you didn't think this was important information for us to know?" McGonagall said shrewdly.

"I- I was going to, Professor, just like I said, until- until I saw Ron saying not to. He- He said a wizard hearing voices is never a good thing, and that- that I shouldn't mention it to anybody else."

"Fifteen points from Gryffindor, Potter, for keeping vital information a secret," McGonagall said. "You should have brought this to our attention immediately. This could help us immensely in catching the culprit."

Lily didn't try to argue. The professor was absolutely correct. She should have turned around right after the meeting and told her the full truth, regardless of what Ron wanted. She wished that she had.

"I didn't hear it last night, Professor," Lily said, deciding on full disclosure. "I only heard it before Mrs. Norris, Colin, and- and Angelina."

"And neither Miss Johnson nor Sir Nick heard it?" McGonagall asked.

"No, Professor, just me," Lily said. Then she gasped as she thought of something else. "Oh! But Nick did mention hearing some noise, right before I passed out, Professor, when the voice was at the loudest."

"And do you remember anything else?" McGonagall asked. They were almost fully off the grounds, and Lily's toes were completely numb.

"It- I think, whatever it is, Professor, that it came from somewhere below Flitwick's office. There- it- it sounded like it was moving up, Professor, to where we were."

"And you are certain of this?" McGonagall asked.

"Yes," Lily answered, nodding her head seriously. She considered mention the map, as well, but-

Who has the map? she thought in a panic. She remembered thinking Ron had it, but, now that she thought about it, Neville said during Astronomy that it was his turn

He saw somebody, Lily realized. He was trying to follow them. Who was it?

"I do wish you told us before, Potter," McGonagall said. "Your suspension could have been avoided entirely with this information. Thank you for at least coming forward now."

"You believe me then, Professor?" Lily asked.

"I do," McGonagall said confidently. "You are a troublemaker like your father, of that I have no doubt. But these malicious attacks are not you. And, at the very least, it all makes logical sense."

"It does, Professor?" Lily asked.

"You said you heard no voices during the last two attacks," McGonagall repeated. "Based on your positioning, it makes sense. You were too high up in the castle to hear the voice, but not far enough away to escape the headache."

Lily decided to jump on the chance.

"Professor? Where was Neville attacked?"

"The third floor," McGonagall answered, "Although I could not possibly tell you what he was doing there. Mr. Weasley didn't know, either. He simply slipped out without notifying anybody, well past curfew, and with a known assailant within the castle walls. I would have thought he learned his lesson after the last year."

"I didn't put him up to it, Professor," Lily said quickly. Not this time, at least. Why didn't he wake Ron?

"No, you've been quite obedient without that cloak of yours," McGonagall said. "The Fat Lady has not reported a single instance of a student leaving after hours before last night, aside from the occasional foray from the Weasley twins."

"The Fat Lady reports on us?" Lily asked in a shocked tone.

"All portraits have been asked to be especially attentive this year, Potter," McGonagall answered. "Or have you not been paying attention to our current circumstances?"

Lily frowned, rubbing her arms to fight off the chill. "And they haven't seen anything, Professor?"

"Not a thing," McGonagall answered. "Whatever it is, the Portraits cannot see it, that much is for certain. Now, Potter, as this is supposed to be a punishment, I must ask you remain silent for the remainder of our journey, as hard as that may be for you."

Lily didn't try to argue. She could feel her teeth clattering together from the cold, even with Katie's scarf wrapped around her. At least McGonagall was dragging her trunk. She needed her arms to rub some semblance of heat into her chest.

Unfortunately, that confidence didn't last long, as she found herself wondering about the interrogation she just went through.

"P-p-p-professor?"

McGonagall sighed. "Yes, Potter, what is it?"

"M-m-m-Malfoy s-said something w-weird while I was up there, P-Professor," Lily said.

McGonagall stopped in the snow, then turned to look at Lily with that piercing gaze of hers.

"And what, exactly, did he say?"

"He c-called me H-Harry, Professor," Lily said. "H-he did it b-before, t-too, but I t-thought I just h-h-heard him wrong."

McGonagall frowned. Lily shivered in place, wishing they'd at least kept moving. She needed it to keep her blood flowing.

"You have never been told?" McGonagall asked.

"T-told what, P-Professor?" Lily asked curiously.

McGonagall hesitated a moment, then began moving forward again, without so much as a word. Lily followed along silently, even more confused than she'd been before.

"It is not my place to say," McGonagall said at last. "Although I do not know why Professor Dumbledore has not mentioned it, he must have his reasons for doing so. I will not go against him. If you truly wish to know, you should ask the Weasleys. They'll know the story just as well as I do. Everybody who was around at the time does."

Lily didn't know how to feel about that answer. It didn't solve anything.

They arrived in Hogsmeade after what felt like an eternity, and Lily felt frozen to her core. Her feet were frozen, sore, and soaked, her hands and ears aching from the cold despite the layers of protection, and she was coughing every few steps from the air hurting her lungs. She thought it was a miracle she ever reached the village at all.

The village was bustling, since it was a busy shopping day near the holidays. A few people stared awkwardly at the two figures coming from Hogwarts, but McGonagall waved the few off who dared to approach. McGonagall led her to the town square, pausing next to the frozen fountain. Lily gladly took the chance for rest, sitting upon the trunk after McGonagall set it down.

"I don't believe sitting on your trunk is proper Hogwarts etiquette, Potter," McGonagall said sharply. Lily almost shot her a glare, but managed to play it off at the last moment.

"We're not at school, Professor," she said instead. "And I've been suspended, anyway."

"Even so, you are a representative of Hogwarts, and should behave like one at all times."

Lily sighed, but she stood on her stiff feet regardless. She couldn't even have that one thing, apparently.

"Why are we waiting here, Professor?" she asked after five minutes passed. She kept eyeing a café where customers were enjoying hot, steamy drinks by the window. She wondered if she had the time to grab one herself; she had the coin on her.

"We are waiting for the Weasleys," McGonagall said. She eyed the clock tower on the nearby church. "Should only be a few more minutes at the most, Potter. Have patience."

"Do they even know we're coming, Professor?" Lily asked. "I didn't even know I was getting suspended until an hour ago."

"I sent word as you said your goodbyes," McGonagall said. "Mrs. Weasley promised to meet us here. There she is, as a matter of fact."

McGonagall tilted her head in the direction of the crowd. Lily's eyes followed, and she felt a smile come on when she saw Molly Weasley making her way towards them. That smile quickly faltered once she saw the expression on Mrs. Weasley's face; Lily had never seen her look that angry before. Her face was as red as her hair. Lily felt her heart sink, and she wasn't sure if it'd ever come back up.

"There you are," Mrs. Weasley said loudly as she drew up in front of the two. Lily cringed away as the woman grabbed onto her shoulders. "It hasn't even been 24 hours, and you've already gotten yourself into trouble? Suspended? What on Earth did you do this time, Hazel Lily Potter?"

"I-I-I-" Lily stuttered in fear. She looked to the bystanders for help; Mrs. Weasley was attracting a lot of attention with her outburst.

"Just you wait until your father hears about this," Mrs. Weasley said harshly as her hand reached for Lily's ear. "Suspended! Not even Fred and George have done that!"

"Molly," McGonagall said softly as she put her own hand between Mrs. Weasley's and Lily's appendage. "I'm afraid I didn't have the time to fully explain. The suspension was not Miss Potter's fault."

Mrs. Weasley looked shocked for a brief moment, the expression quickly changing to relief as she processed this new information.

"Oh, thank Merlin for that, then. Was it the twins? They didn't get her into trouble, did they?"

McGonagall shook her head. "I'm afraid not, though I wish it were so. There has been another attack. The Governors are blaming Miss Potter for it. She has been suspended while they conduct a full investigation into the matter."

Mrs. Weasley looked angry again, and Lily could feel her body tense once more. She tried to make herself seem as small as possible, which wasn't hard to do when everybody was already ignoring her presence.

"Suspended for being a suspect? Is that all it takes these days? Oh, Augusta better hope she doesn't run into me anytime soon, the words I'll have with that woman. Did you know she tried to lecture us for two hours while we were getting Lily's things? I'm sure this was all her idea, wasn't it?"

"I'm afraid I am not yet privy to the full situation," McGonagall said calmly. "Us professors have been promised a full debriefing by the day's end. For now, I was told only what I needed to communicate to you."

"I suppose Dumbledore did his best to stop it?" Molly asked, eyes flickering over to where Lily was still crouched. She needed the moment to collect herself.

Lily flinched from the sudden attention, nodding her head to confirm but otherwise remaining silent.

"I must be getting back to the castle," McGonagall said as her eyes flickered over to the clock tower once more. "All staff are required to patrol the castle. I trust you can escort Miss Potter safely from here?"

"Course I can," Molly said quickly, taking the trunk by one hand and Lily's hidden one in the other. Lily allowed herself to be pulled up, not wanting to fight against the motion.

"Then I shall see her once the Holidays are over," McGonagall said with a nod. "And, should we be so lucky, I shall see you during the conferences in the spring."

"Arthur and I will both be there," Molly said with another nod. "For all of them." She said the last part while giving Lily's hand a squeeze.

"Happy Holidays," McGonagall said with another sharp nod. She didn't wait for another word, but swept off in a hurry, her cloak trailing behind her in the snow.

"Ready to apparate, dear?" Molly said with a cheery smile. Lily nodded, missed what Mrs. Weasley said next, and then turned as the older woman did. In a flash, and with a pulling at Lily's stomach, they were now standing in front of the familiar, crooked frame of the Burrow. There were no chickens running amok this time, although Lily could see a few gnomes patrolling the garden. There wasn't any snow on the ground, and it was far warmer here than it had been moments before (albeit still freezing).

"Let's get you inside, dear," Mrs. Weasley said as she led Lily by the hand once more. "I'll show you your room, then I'll get some lunch going for the both of us, how's that sound?"

"Fine," Lily said quietly.

Mrs. Weasley wrenched the door open to the warm kitchen, ushering Lily in ahead of her. Lily did so, standing absentmindedly in the middle of the room as Mrs. Weasley lugged the trunk inside. It was far cleaner than the last time Lily saw it, even with the remains of an unfinished teatime sitting on the table. Mrs. Weasley was eating a scone before she left, it seemed, with the paper opened next to it. Lily's eyes couldn't focus enough to catch the headline. An earnest meowing was coming from nearby, and Lily passively scooped her cat into her arms, letting him snuggle into her chest.

"I'll have to send Arthur another message, now that I know what you've been suspended over," she said grumpily. "Oh, he won't be happy for certain. I have a feeling he'll be dropping Augusta a visit on the way home. Do you know who was attacked, that they're blaming you so heavily?"

"Neville," Lily muttered.

"Oh," Mrs. Weasley said. She hesitated, then threw her arms around Lily in a tight hug. Lily flinched again, then relaxed a bit. Weasley was squirming in her arms, and Mrs. Weasley quickly let the two of them go.

"I'll show you to your room first, then," Mrs. Weasley said with a sniff. "You look like you could use a good nap, you're barely standing as it is. I think we'll wait on that lunch, we'll have a bigger supper instead."

Lily nodded to everything Mrs. Weasley said as she followed behind, climbing the cramped stairs that creaked with every heavy step she took. Lily's trunk made a loud thunk on every board as Mrs. Weasley pulled it behind her. They went up two floors higher than where Lily previously stayed in Ginny's room.

"Here you are, then," Molly said as she swung the nearest door open with a click. "I think I told you it was Bill's old one. He picked up his things a couple of months ago, but he left his desk and mattress for you. Dumbledore donated an old wardrobe for you, and Ginny happily offered you a few of her posters. She said you really liked looking at them while you stayed with her. Big Gwenog Jones fan, way she tells it."

Lily nodded as she entered the room. Mrs. Weasley placed the trunk carefully at the foot of Lily's new bed, then turned to face the girl with a great, big smile. Lily took the chance to check her new home, wondering if she'd still be allowed to live here if they decided to change her suspension to an expulsion.

There was a small desk tucked into the corner near the door, the other side of the room almost entirely taken up by a rather large bedframe (certainly far larger than Lily had ever had before). The desk shared a wall with a wardrobe that Lily was almost certain came directly from Hogwarts (she was pretty sure she recognized the graffiti carved into the side of it, although she didn't know what the symbol came from; it appeared as a triangle containing a circle, with a line drawn down the middle). Ginny donated three posters, two of the full Holyhead Harpies team sitting right in front of the desk and a larger poster of the tall, dark-skinned Gwenog Jones sitting on the ceiling above Lily's bed, just where it had been for Ginny's before.

"I'll leave you to it, then," Mrs. Weasley said from near the door. "Lots of unpacking to do, I know, and I'm sure you'll want that nap. I'll come get you when supper is ready, if you're not up by then."

Lily nodded, and Mrs. Weasley shot her one last smile as she closed the door behind her. Lily walked slowly over to her new bed, sitting on the firm mattress edge. She set Weasley gently on the bed, and the cat curled up next to her. She pulled her boots off one by one, letting her frozen and sore toes breathe as she tore the sodden socks off. She tossed the remainder of her clothes into the corner, and removed only her pyjamas from inside the trunk. She slipped those on, closed the curtains on her window, crawled into bed, and stared up at the dark ceiling, where Gwenog Jones winked at her.

Weasley crawled into the nook she left between her arm and chest, curling into a tight ball. Lily scratched at his head absentmindedly.

"You've done it now," Uncle Vernon said in her mind. "You'll be lucky if you ever see the outside again."

"Not my fault," Lily muttered as she rolled over. She threw the pillow over her head to block out the light.

"Not my fault," she said again.