Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter 24: No friendship

Lily's POV

Half of the summer was over. Ylan was in France, Jenna in Germany, and Andrea in Jamaica. They sent me occasional letters but the distance proved too much on their owls, so I had no one to talk to.

I was practically finished with my animagus transformations. The only thing I had left was the stripes.

I was online shopping when suddenly an IM window popped up. It was Miranda. I hadn't talked to Miranda for months, ever since she, Megan, and Tina ditched me for Gina. But now, she was inviting me to come over. Right when I was about to respond, the phone rang.

"Lily, it's for you!" my mom shouted up the stairs.

"Thanks, mom!" I said back. I picked up my phone. "Hello?"

"Lily!" shouted a voice I recognized as Shannon.

"Shannon! Oh my God, I haven't talked to you forever!"

"I know! What's been happening? How's Miranda?"

"Miranda…well she and I aren't really on the best of terms anymore," I said.

"Really? Why not? What happened?" asked Shannon.

"Well, there was this new girl, Gina, at our school and Miranda and two other girls I was best friends with ditched me to go hang out with her. I don't know what's going on now, though, because Miranda just asked me to come over."

"You're kidding! Miranda did that to you? I can't believe it!"

"I know."

"Well go over and get her bracelet. She doesn't deserve it anymore! You still have yours, though, right?"

I looked down at my wrist on which was the bracelet Ylan, Andrea, and Jenna had given me, not the one Emily, Shannon, Carly, and Jennifer had given me.

"Yeah, I still have it, but I took it off."

"Why?"

"Well the whole thing with Miranda…and none of you are at our school!"

"That's true. Actually, I think we should get something else, without Miranda."

"That's a really good idea!" I said. "What should we get?"

"Rings?"

"Yeah! That'd be really cool," I said.

"Well, I'll tell Emily, Carly, and Jennifer. You go get that bracelet."

"Ok. I'll see you later."

"Bye," said Shannon.

"Bye," I said and we both hung up.

I turned back to the computer. I told Miranda I'd be right over and hurried out of my house.

Two minutes later I rang the Miranda's doorbell. I heard footsteps and the door opened. Miranda was standing there, along with Megan and Tina.

"Oh. Hey, guys," I said, not having expected to see the other two.

"Hi, Lily," said Tina. Miranda held the door open and I walked in. The Mitchells' home was really cozy. There were comfy chairs and couches everywhere, bookcases in every room, as well as warm inviting lamps, and beautiful plants.

"Let's go up to my room," said Miranda.

We followed her up the stairs and into her bedroom. It was big, but not enormous, and was decorated entirely in blue. Blue walls, blue curtains, blue carpet, blue, blue, blue.

"So," I said, "why'd you invite me over?"

"We haven't talked to you forever, Lily. By the way, I love that outfit. Where'd you get that shirt?" said Megan.

I ignored her.

"Miranda, what do you want?"

"Ok, Lily, I admit it. We were totally in the wrong about Gina. It cost us our friendship with you and it was really stupid. We just want to be friends with you again," said Miranda.

I stared at her.

"What do you say, Lil? Can you forgive us?" asked Tina.

"Um. I don't know," I said. "Miranda, can I see your bracelet?" She looked confused for a second but gave it to me. "Thanks," I said. "And sorry, but I have a lot better friends right now than you ever were." I pocketed the bracelet and started to leave.

"Hey!" shouted Miranda. "Give me my bracelet back!"

"What bracelet?" I asked.

"The one you just took from me! The charm bracelet!"

I gave her a blank look.

"You know, the friendship bracelet Shannon, Emily, Jennifer, Carly, you, and I all gave each other?"

"I don't know what you're talking about. To have a friendship bracelet from us, you need to have a friendship with us," I said. Miranda's face fell.

"B – but -"

"Sorry."

I opened the door and left her room. I passed through the living room and the dining room until I reached the front door. By the time they came downstairs after me, I was gone.