This year's been a little slow so far but that's all about to change. Please review, it makes me update faster.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" a voice sounded from nowhere, causing Lizzy to drop her drink in surprise.

She whipped round in the empty room "Who is that?"

"In the fire" a voice shouted "This is the Potter residence right?"

Lizzy knelt down in front of the fire "Err yeah, who are you?"

A man of about nineteen looked at her nervously "Kingsley Shacklebolt; I think I must work with your dad. Are you Lizzy?"

She nodded and glanced at the clock "I don't think my dad was going to work today; he was coming Christmas shopping with us."

Kingsley bit his lip "Could you go and get him for me?"

Lizzy nodded and quickly ran up the stairs and into her parents room "Dad?"

Both her parents were asleep and she snuck quietly over to a snoring Mr Potter "Dad?"

"Huh?" he woke with a start "Lizzy, it's seven in the morning"

Lizzy glanced over at Mrs Potter, who thankfully was still fast asleep "Someone for you in the floo; a Kingsley Shacklebolt?"

Mr Potter swore under his breath and hurriedly clambered out of bed "Go and tell him I'm coming!"

Lizzy ran back downstairs; what could have happened?

She knelt down quickly "He's coming but what's happened?"

Kingsley sighed "Another muggle attack but this time in London's Oxford Street. It's that gang again..."

Lizzys stomach clenched "What gang?"

Mr Potter pulled her back from the fire "Elizabeth Potter!"

Lizzy glanced guiltily up at her dad "But..."

Mr Potter had one eye on the fire "I'll deal with you later Lizzy. Well Shacklebolt where am I going?"

Kingsley was almost standing to attention "London Oxford Street"

Mr Potter turned to Lizzy "Tell your mother that I'm sorry but its important work"

Lizzy grabbed his arm "But what going..."

Mr Potter shrugged her of and pulled out his wand "Later Lizzy"

He dissaperated with a crack, leaving Lizzy with her lukewarm tea.

"It can't be helped, still that means that it will just be us girls" Mrs Potter said with a small smile.

"I'm sure that it'll be loads of fun" Marlene said brightly "Though we did promise to meet up with Millie and Edgar"

Mrs Potter looked a little relieved "Well with the twins as well they`ll be quite a crowd of you"

Lizzy wasn't really eating her cereal "But what about Dad? I mean it sounded like a really serious..."

"That's enough Lizzy" Mrs Potter snapped "There is nothing to worry about!"

Marlene swallowed nervously as Mother and Daughter glared at each other "So...Millie didn't think they`d get there until one. Do we need to go anywhere?"

Lizzy looked back at her breakfast "Vixen has lost her collar again; I need to buy her another one"

Mrs Potter sighed "That reminds me; I owe you two pocket money don't I?"

Marlene bit her lip "Oh its fine..."

Mrs Potter frowned "Don't be silly Marlene, you`ll just have to go to Gringotts with me"

Lizzy was suddenly reminded of Regulus and his obsession with paying for everything and she smiled.

Marlene smiled "What's so funny Lizzy?"

She shook her head "Nothing; are we flooing to London?"

Mrs Potter started gathering up the breakfast plates "Well actually I think we'll go to your Aunt and Uncles to floo. That way we can go in pairs as they have a bigger fire place"

Marlene blushed "I'll be fine Mrs Potter; I was just a bit nervous last time..."

Lizzy grinned "I still can't believe you ended up in Piccadilly!"

Mrs Potter frowned at her unhelpful daughter "That's quite alright dear; you wouldn't believe what your Uncle Marius did when he tried..."

Lizzy frowned "I don't have an Uncle Marius..."

Mrs Potter blushed and moved away "I meant your Uncle Pollux of course!"

Lizzy stood up "No you didn't; come on Mum, who is he?"

Mrs Potter slammed the teapot down on the work surface "Elizabeth Potter! You should learn to mind your own business!"

"I'm not the one who's lying through my teeth" Lizzy shouted as she stormed from the room.

"She definitely said Uncle Marius!" Lizzy stormed as she and Marlene walked down through Tlidon.

Marlene looked very uncomfortable "I know Lizzy; but maybe it is none of our business..."

Lizzy glared at her best friend "But don't you want to know what's going on?!"

Marlene took a deep breath "Not really Lizzy; I mean your Mum looked really upset when you left. So I think it may be a sore subject if you know what I mean."

Lizzy pouted, knowing Marlene was right, "But I don't get it...if it's her brother then why would she pretend he doesn't exist? I mean even James isn't that bad..."

Marlene shrugged "Maybe you can ask your Dad or your Aunt Cassiopeia..."

Lizzy winced "No way; she is scary!"

Marlene raised her eyebrows "Lizzy Potter, scared?"

Lizzy nodded "Remember Sirius`s mother? Same sort of person really but unmarried with a ton of cats."

Marlene grimaced "I see. She doesn't visit often does she?"

They turned up the Prewetts driveway as Lizzy shook her head "You're alright Marley. Hang on, how come no lights are on?"

Marlene laughed "I'm getting them both alarm clocks for Christmas!"

Lizzy hammered on the door "What's an alarm clock?"

Marlene peered through the round window by the door "A machine version of Millie"

Lizzy shook her head "On second thoughts I don't wanna know; morning Uncle Defius"

He smiled at them both "Hello girls, Arctua is just feeding the boys. Come on in"

They went through into the large kitchen "Hiya Auntie Arctua" "Hello"

Lizzy raised her eyebrows at her cousins "What is this, a completion to see who can shove the most food into their mouth at once?"

Fabien managed to swallow first "Shut up Lizzy, morning Marley"

His mother put some more bacon on his plate "Do you girls want anything?"

Marlene shook her head "I'm fine thank you"

Lizzy shook her head "No thanks. Are we going to Diagon alley soon?"

Gideon helped himself to more bread "When your parents get here duh"

Lizzy closely watched her Aunts reaction "Oh my Dad can't make it; an emergency at work..."

The nervous glance that the Prewetts shared was proof enough for her that something was wrong.

"I haven't heard anything about a muggle attack Lizzy, and it wasn't in the prophet this morning" Edgar said finally as the two of them waited outside Madam Malkins.

Lizzy bit her lip "Oh...it's just a bit...Never mind. So who are you buying for?"

Edgar raised his eyebrows "Lizzy, what's up?"

Lizzy took a deep breath "It's just...well when I was little my dad got attacked and...he nearly died. I'm just worried. These attacks seem to be happening more and more"

Edgar patted her arm awkwardly "I...it'll be o.k Lizzy"

Lizzy glanced towards the window "I know...what's taking them so long?"

Edgar suddenly elbowed her "What's going on over there?"

A crowd had gathered and there was shouting and catcalls of "Blood traitor!"

Lizzy and Edgar exchanged a frightened glance "What do we do?"

Lizzy scanned the crowd as saw an unattended Narcissa Black who appeared to be crying "Come on"

She dragged Edgar over to Narcissa "What's going on?"

She was sobbing loudly "Bellatrix..."

Lizzy nodded impatiently "Yes, but what's going on?"

"Narcissa!" a voice barked and Lizzy swerved around in time to see Lucius Malfoy throw Edgar into a nearby wall "What are you doing with this scum?"

Lizzys hands balled into fists but she felt an arm pulling her back "How dare you speak to my daughter like that?!"

Mrs Potter was almost a head shorter than Lucius but he was the one who stepped back.

"And who might you be?" he said with an attempt at a sneer.

To Lizzy it looked like her Aunt Cassiopeia had suddenly appeared "Your father may have mentioned me; my maiden name was Dorea Black"

Lucius's face fell "I can't...Come along Narcissa"

Mrs Potter glared at his retreating head "Like father like son"

Gideon laughed while Fabien wolf whistled "Go Aunt Dorea!"

Millie grinned "That was frigging awesome...I mean really good"

Marlene was knelling next to Edgar "Your heads bleeding Edgar"

Aunt Arctua was smirking slightly but at Marlene's words she went over to Edgar "Let me see"

Lizzy glanced at her mother "You never told me your maiden name was Black..."

The twins glanced at each other "Oh..."

Lizzy turned scarlet "Shut up you two!"

Millie burst out laughing "That is so ridiculously messed up!"

Lizzy saw red and turned on her "As messed up as you and Gideon?!"

"Lizzy!" yelled Marlene angrily as it hit Lizzy what she`d just done.

Millie's face drained of colour and she turned and pegged it through the growing crowd.

"I'm screwed" Lizzy sighed as she read over her messy letter

Millie

I am so sorry!!!

I forgot that he was there and I wasn't thinking! I didn't mean to tell him you know I wouldn't do that Millie! I wish you hadn't run of though if it's any consolation Marlene really laid into me when we got home. She not actually talking to me...Ugh how stupid am I you don't care about that. I suppose you never want to talk to me again...

Well I'm going to go down to the twin's house to go and sort things out with Gideon. I suppose I should tell him I was joking or something like that. Though he ran of pretty soon after you did so I don't know what he's thinking. What do you want me to do?

Please don't hate me

Lizzy

"You know in my day we didn't use that sort of language" Mrs Potter said quietly as she came into the room.

Lizzy crossed her arms "It's appropriate under the circumstances"

Mrs Potter read the letter quickly "Well what else are you supposed to do?"

Lizzy looked at the floor "Doesn't mean that they'll see it like that does it?"

Mrs Potter sighed "I think you're over worrying this Lizzy; think of all the stupid things you`ve done..."

Lizzy pulled a face "This had better be going somewhere"

Mrs Potter smiled "Well what about when you were seven and you accidently broke Fabien's broomstick?"

Lizzy nodded "Yes mum but this is different!"

Mrs Potter raised an eyebrow "How? I remember you solemnly asking if we could move to France because you were scared Fabien would kill you"

Lizzy shook her head "But this is more important than a broomstick!"

Mrs Potter suddenly laughed "Don't let your father hear you saying that"

Lizzy groaned "Besides even if Gideon forgives me Millie won't!"

Mrs Potter sighed "Lizzy I'm sure that everything will work out in the end"

Lizzy just looked at the window; miserably contemplating lunchtimes at the Slytherin table.

"Hey there!" a voice called from the left of Lizzy's rock on the beach.

She looked up to see a muggle girl she`d seen in the village running towards her "Err hi?"

The tall black girl was about James`s age and had a London accent "Hi, I'm Daisy Thomas. What's your name?"

Lizzy automatically smiled "Lizzy Potter, are you from London?"

Daisy grinned "Yeah, I'm a proper cockney girl; good old rosie lee and up the apples and pears"

Lizzy laughed "Whoa, I'm not fluent in cockney. You here on holiday?"

Daisy nodded "Staying at my Grandmas; you know a Mrs Dawson?"

Lizzy shook her head "Sorry; say...you didn't see any ginger kids up top did you?"

Daisy raised her eyebrows "Sure ginger twins in the playground; which ones your boyfriend?"

Lizzy shook her head quickly "Neither they are my cousins; did they look..."

Daisy frowned "They didn't look too happy; why what did you do?"

"Messed up; big time" Lizzy said quietly "I don't wanna talk about it"

Daisy bit her lip "Err there was a blonde girl with them if that helps..."

Lizzy smiled "Oh well; so sorry did you want to do something?"

Daisy shrugged "Whatever; I just wanted to get away from my older brother"

Lizzy laughed "You have an older brother; they are such a nightmare aren't they?!"

Daisy nodded "Tell me about it!"

"See you around Daisy" Lizzy yelled as she started climbing the hill up to her home.

Fabien suddenly appeared from behind a tree "Who's your friend?"

Lizzy jumped "Just this muggle I met on the beach"

Fabien nodded and seemed to be bracing himself "Lizzy..."

Lizzy turned to him "I know I was so stupid and now everyone hates me! I didn't mean to tell him you know I didn't!"

Fabien took one look at her and burst out laughing.

She hit him on the arm "Stop laughing at me!"

Fabien clutched his arm and swore "Sorry Lizzy; your just so funny when you freak out."

Lizzy glared at him "You are just unbelievable..."

Fabien held up his hands "Look Lizzy Gideon doesn't hate you. Neither does Millie."

Lizzy crossed her arms "You`ve spoken to her?"

Fabien pulled a face "Well I doubt she does hate you!"

Lizzy groaned "Of course you wouldn't understand Fabien, you're a boy!"

He merely grinned at her words "Thanks for noticing cous; now come on. Everyone's coming round to yours for fish and chips remember?"

Lizzy bit her lip "And what does Marlene think?"

Fabien shrugged "No idea but she hasn't said anything to us"

"But has she spoken to Millie?" Lizzy asked.

Fabien groaned loudly "Do I look like an owl, ask her yourself!"

"Hey what's keeping Uncle Charlie?" Fabien asked as he was shooed into the living room by his mother.

Mrs Potter had a tense smile "I'm sure he's just got a little caught up at work kids"

Lizzy bit her lip "Yeah, he`ll be home soon"

Uncle Defius handed Marlene and Lizzy there food "Well he`d better hurry up or there won't be any chips left"

Gideon helped himself to a few of his cousins chips "Cheers Lizzy"

Lizzy bit her lip and quickly looked at her mother "Did you manage to finish your shopping?"

The front door slammed and Lizzy could hear her Aunt Arctua "Charlus where have you...Morgan le Fay!"

This was enough to send Lizzy running into the hallway, the twins and Marlene on her heels.

Her dad and Aunt appeared to be supporting a bleeding and unconscious Andromeda Black.

Marlene gasped "What happened?!"

Mr Potter wanted to lay her down "Get out of the way!"

The children scattered and Mrs Potter jumped out of the way of the sofa.

Uncle Defius swore repeatedly "What the bloody hell happened Charlus?"

Mr Potter watched his sister examining Andromeda's wounds for a moment before speaking "I found her like that. They`d just left her for dead in Knockturn alley. I don't even know her name."

"Andromeda Black" Gideon said quickly "She's the Head girl"

Aunt Arctua sighed "Druella and Cynus Black's daughter?"

Fabien nodded "Must be; but who did this?"

Lizzy felt sick, thinking back to Narcissa's words "Bellatrix, her own sister!"

Mrs Potter had tears streaming down her face "Lizzy, it was her own family. What did she do?"

Marlene collapsed into a chair "I...it must be because of her...she's dating Ted Tonks"

Mr Potters face was steadily growing darker with fury "I'm assuming that Mr Tonks is..."

"Muggleborn" Lizzy finished numbly "That's...disgusting!"

Aunt Arctuas face was set "That's what some families are like Lizzy, isn't that right Dorea?"

Everyone spoke at once; Mr Potter turned on his sister "Arctua!"

Uncle Defius held up his hands "Dear I don't think..."

"How dare you!?" Mrs Potters face was terrifying "How dare you compare me to that!?"

Aunt Arctua stood up defensively "Oh I forgot Marius was a lot younger than seventeen wasn't he?!"

Mrs Potter ran from the room in tears as Mr Potter turned on his sister "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

She stood her ground "You know full well that it's the same thing!"

"And you know full well how Dorea felt about her...the idea!" Mr Potter shouted.

Lizzy and the others exchanged a frightened glance "Dad, please calm down"

Mr Potter looked at his daughter and then stormed from the room.

Aunt Arctua dissaperated and Uncle Defius gave his sons a look which quite clearly meant behave or else before following.

Lizzy could hear shouting from the kitchen and quickly closed the door before turning to the other "I can't believe..."

"I know" Fabien said; none of them could talk much and a tense silence followed.

Suddenly Marlene let out a strangled sob, prompting Gideon to wrap his arm around her.

Lizzy started pacing; the blood pumping through her head.

Fabien coughed "What do you think we should do?"

Grinding to a halt Lizzys face set "I'm going to call Sirius"

Marlene shook her head "That's a really bad idea..."

"Why?" Lizzy asked bluntly "Why is it a really bad idea?"

Marlene sighed "Because you know what he is like about his family"

Lizzy started pacing again "Fine"

Fabien bit his lip "Lizzy, do you know who this Marius is?"

Lizzy glanced at Andromeda, who was still unconscious "My Uncle...I guess he married a Muggleborn too"

Gideon glanced at Marlene "But your mums not like that, surely you`d have met him?"

Lizzy shrugged "Didn't you see Narcissa earlier, maybe she couldn't keep in touch?"

Fabien shook his head "I don't think so Lizzy; I mean your dad would have dragged her."

"Well what do you think happened then?" Lizzy snapped.

Mr Potter opened the door "Has Miss Black woken up yet?"

Lizzy looked at her dad "No; dad what happened with my Uncle Marius?"

Mr Potter groaned "Lizzy I don't want to..."

"Dad" Lizzy whined "What's the big secret?"

"Look boys I think you should go home. Lizzy and Marlene, bed now"

Marlene and the twins scuttled from the room but Lizzy stood her ground "No! I want to know what's going on"

"Elizabeth Potter you are trying my patience" Mr Potter growled.

Lizzy persisted "What aren't you telling us?"

Mr Potter picked his teenage daughter up by her t-shirt and pushed her towards the stairs "Go to bed now!"

Marlene pushed her up the stairs "Come on Lizzy"

When they reached the landing Lizzy took a deep breath and massaged her stinging neck.

"Are you o.k?" Marlene asked nervously.

Lizzy walked towards her bedroom to hide the tears forming in her eyes "I'm fine, night Marley"