She thought her life was over – but fate gave her another chance, in a world of magic. Now, running around Hogwarts with James Potter and his friends, she's about to make choices that will change the future in ways she never thought possible…

Marauder's Phase

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Floo Powder

The next day, I overslept. I was lying in my bed, dreaming about flying on a broomstick called a Silver Arrow. I had just managed to catch the Snitch seconds before James did in a friendly game we were playing, and was enjoying the look of shock on his face, when I felt a hand shaking my shoulder.

Groaning, I turned to see Lily standing over me, holding a letter in her hands.

"This arrived for you in the post today," She said, handing it to me as I sat up. "That fluffy grey owl brought it in, and flew into James' bowl of Cornflakes."

I snickered. The letter was addressed to me, and written in green ink with a familiar script.

I opened it up and read it. "Dear Miss. Pax. I would like to extend this invitation for you to accompany me to Diagon Alley, to collect some things that you will need for your year at Hogwarts. Please meet me in my office at nine o'clock. Sincerely, Professor Dumbledore…" I trailed off, and then noticed a post-script: "PS, the password for the stone gargoyle is 'Chocolate Frog'."

I glanced up at Lily.

"Do you know where Professor Dumbledore's office is?" She asked me and, when I shook my head no, she offered to take me there herself. "It's twenty to, we'd better hurry." She added, glancing at her watch.

***

Fifteen minutes later, Lily Evans and I were standing in Professor Dumbledore's office, although he wasn't there.

The red-head and I looked at each other. "Now what?" I asked.

Lily shrugged.

I was fascinated by the headmaster's office, however, and took my time looking at certain things. There was a perch where I knew would usually perch Fawkes the Phoenix.

And then there was a Pensive.

"Oh…wow…" I breathed, and something made me walk closer to it, leaning over it to get a better look at the swirling silver mist. I could see something moving in there, and wanted to see whatever it was…

I swear to God, I think I saw a boy…a familiar-looking boy…wearing Slytherin robes, and enquiring a younger-looking Dumbledore about something…I leaned forward eagerly, ready to fall head-first into the memory but, just then, Lily's hand grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back, because Dumbledore had just come in.

He coughed slightly, and I straightened up, looking embarrassed. "S-sorry Professor. I was just curious about this Pensive thingie." I gestured behind me.

Dumbledore smiled. "Ah, yes, a wonderful thing, a Pensive is. I find it useful for storing memories that I wish to revisit from time to time."

I'll say. I thought, remembering the young Tom Riddle that I'd seen in the Pensive. That reminded me about the Chamber Of Secrets hidden under Hogwarts but, just then, Dumbledore said: "Are you ready to go, Miss. Pax? We will be travelling to Diagon Alley by Floo Powder, so…" And then his eyes flickered to Lily. "Would you care to join us, Miss. Evans?" He extended the invitation to the red-haired Prefect.

Lily smiled her special, Lily-smile. "If you don't mind me coming along, Professor." She said.

"Not at all, not at all." Dumbledore told her, stepping over to his fire place and taking up a small pot filled with shimmering green powder. He held out the pot to me, and asked me: "Miss. Pax, is this your first time travelling by Floo Powder?"

I nodded, stepping forward to take some of the powder. "But I know how it's done." I said. But then my hand hovered uncertainly, remembering Harry's first experience with the stuff. He'd come out one grate too far, down in Knockturn Alley.

"Maybe I should go first?" Lily suggested, and so she did. She stepped into the fireplace and said: "Diagon Alley!" She threw the powder into the fire, and disappeared in a flash of emerald fire.

It was my turn. Dumbledore held out the pot toward me, and I took some of the Floor Powder. I stepped into the fireplace. Dust suddenly filled my mouth, and I found myself coughing as I said: "D-Dia-gon Alley!" But I'd said Diagon Alley, not Knockturn Alley, so it was going to be okay.

I was sure of it.

I felt like I'd been sucked down a giant plug hole, and I thought I was spinning very fast. The swirl of green flames made me feel very sick…so I shut my eyes…

And then I fell face first onto cold stone.

"You don't belong here, do you?" Asked an oily voice, and my heart stopped.