Tears pricked at Lily's eyes as she closed the latches on her trunk. It was a silly thought, she had been in and out it all summer, but the last time she held her trunk was when she watched her parents house burn to the ground. She might have been imagining it, but it smelled a bit like smoke.

"Lily, it's time to go." Charles Potter stood in the doorway, adjusting his tie.

She turned to him and looked up, remembering last Christmas when her dad did the same exact thing before bringing her back to the train station. "One minute, sorry," she muttered as she got to her feet.

"Are you alright?" he asked. "You do know this isn't a goodbye, it's a see you later. Agatha and I will see you at Christmas, then during the summer."

"It's not that, I just miss my parents," she explained. "The last time I saw them was at Christmas and the last time I carried this trunk was when I was standing in front of my burning house."

"I don't know what to say," he said. "But can I ask you a question?"

"What?"

"On your first day here, I made James promise to leave you alone."

"I voided that agreement," Lily said.

"You asked me if I could make him leave you alone at Hogwarts."

"Mr. Potter-"

"It's Charles, Mr. Potter makes me feel like an old man." At that he laughed before continuing. "Lily, he doesn't I don't know what's going on between you, but I think you should watch out for him. You're good for him, he's changed this summer, behaved more than usual, which is strange seeing how Sirius hasn't left his side since he got here."

"They're not so bad, they just got a little stir-crazy."

"The rules are for your safety, even Hogwarts is going to be heightening security."

Lily looked at feet, wiggling her toes, suddenly her new shoes felt too tight. "What can you tell me about the Order of the Phoenix?"

The color drained for Charles' face and he took a step forward, grabbing Lily's shoulders. "Who told you?" he demanded. "Do not even think of lying to me."

"Frank Longbottom," she stuttered out, bracing her hands against her chest. "You're scaring me, Mr. Pot-Charles."

"Sorry," he muttered. "Don't speak about it, alright? It's a secret organization, Frank probably overhead his parents."

"A phoenix starts it's life by arising from the ashes, its a symbol of rebirth, hope…"

"The War is turning this world into an ugly place."

"I want to join," Lily said. "After graduation."

"Three months ago you were telling me that Dark Arts was the only class you didn't get an O, that you didn't think you have what it takes be an Auror." Charles took a few steps back. "I haven't known you for very long, but I see something in you that I look for in my trainees."

"Frank said that the Ministry was cutting back on resources and some-"

"Don't finish that sentence," Charles ordered. "We can talk about this later, right now you need to worry about your sixth year, you have two full years left to make any decisions."

As Lily enclosed her hand around the handle she knew that something was brewing in the ministry. Whatever it was Charles didn't want it getting out.

Lily followed James and Sirius through the barrier. Behind her stood Charles and Agatha, their hands intertwined. For the second time that day she thought she was imagining things, but she could swear at least half of the students were staring at her.

"Evans, relax," Sirius hissed.

"Everyone's staring."

"They're wondering why we're standing within ten metres of each other without being at each other's throats." James slipped an arm around her shoulder. "We could give them a show."

"How about no?" she said with a teasing smile stepping away from him. Her face lit up even wider as her friends approached. "Alice, Marlene!" Lily dropped her trunk and took a few steps forward to envelope her friends. "We should never go this long without seeing each other."

"Agreed," Marlene said.

"We missed you too," Alice replied. "Why don't you come with us? We can board the train in five minutes and several of the girls want to see you." They all pulled away.

"Just a moment, I need to say goodbye." Lily left her trunk on the ground as she walked toward the Potters. Agatha was smiling, but was clear that she was sad. "Thank you again."

"You're welcome, promise that you'll come over for Christmas." Agatha embraced her tightly. "And if you ever need anyone, please Owl me. James only talks to Charles about his personal problems, I get all the detention notices."

Lily hugged her back, trying to take in the moment. The last time she saw her parents was a hazy memory…"Bye mum, bye dad. Tell Tuney it was nice seeing her." Lily quickly gave each of her parents a hug before she spotted a third year boy trying to impress a fourth year girl with a spell that he performing so inaccurately it made it dangerous. She wasn't even back on the train and she already had prefect duties. By the train she saw Marlene waving up and down as Frank planted a kiss on Alice's cheek.

"Wait, Lily…" her mom reached for her hand as she turned around to face her. "Write us, please. I know things aren't great between you and Petunia, but we will always be here for you."

"Mum...I have to go, bye." Lily pulled her hand away, barely managing a smile at her father before turning her back on her parents and heading towards the train.

By the time Lily stopped spacing out Agatha had released her and went toward her sons. Charles stepped forward looking down at his feet. "About this morning...There are some things that I try to keep from you all. I wasn't angry at you, but Frank shouldn't have known about what's going on...He shouldn't have told you about…"

"I understand," she said.

"Can you not tell James? He and Sirius like to disregard rules, they also like to act impulsively."

"I don't think you need to worry as much, Charles." Lily turned to see James squirm as Agatha kissed him on his cheek. "Now, I can't promise someone else won't tell him, but I'm not going to say anything."

"Thank you, Lily."

"No, thank you." She looked around. "I have to go, Charles."

"Stay safe," he said.

"Hogwarts is the safest place to be." With that Lily gave him a side hug before gripping her trunk and walking towards the train, hoping she was right.

Coming out of the prefects car, Lily stumbled as the train seemed to lurch forward. "Watch out," a boy called, grabbing her elbow.

"Michael," she said, a smile crossing her face. "It's great to see you. I haven't heard from you since…"

"It's fine Lily, the most adventurous thing that happened in weeks."

"Were you put on house arrest too?"

"What are you talking about? Charles and Agatha didn't ground-"

Before Michael could finish speaking a group of boys in silver and green ties marched forward. "Evans, did the Potters take in another wayward teen?" It was Regulus Black. It was easy to tell that he was brothers with Sirius, but they looked like night and day. They had the same build, the same eye, hair and skin color, but Regulus seemed to have a sterner expression. His mouth was either scowling or in a straight line, his hair was short and impossibly neat and his robes immaculately cleaned and pressed. "I heard that they've started a sort of halfway house for blood traitors that besmerch their family name and orphaned mudbloods."

Lily's face fell as her right hand hovered over her holstered wand and her left went to Michael's arm. "I'm warning you…"

"Oh, sensitive topic. I do know how much you despise that adjective, ever since-"

"Do not talk about Snape," she hissed.

"He was never your friend, he pitied you. A mudblood that thought she could compete with us." Regulus stepped forward, his face arranged into a rare smirk. "Enough about that, I have a question though. Everyone always thought you were secretly sleeping with Potter, are you sleeping with my brother as well? Perhaps, even Potter's father? I mean it is good payment for all they've provided for you...New robes, books, room and board…" Regulus' eyes passed over her body. "Besides, if you got pregnant at least the baby would have some good blood pumping through its veins, what's the price?" His smirk widened. "If it's not too expensive, I'd like a chance."

Lily couldn't hold back any longer, she released Michael's arm and drew her wand out. Before she could do anything she heard a voice yell, "Expelliarmus!"

"Accio Evans and Regulus Black's wands," the voice followed. Lily saw Frank Longbottom emerging from the prefect cart. "Someone overheard you, Black," the seventh year said.

"She pulled her wand on me!" he protested.

"Out of defense," Frank said. "I suggest you head back to the compartment before I inform the Head Boy and Girl."

"We were having a conversation, she's crazy, just like her sister says." Regulus looked her over. "Snape told us everything, that your sister lies about where you go to school and I think that a place for crazy muggles would suit you better."

"Black, I am warning you."

"Warning me? What are you going to do, hex me? My wand is in your hand."

"I am going to give you back your wand and you are going to turn around and go back to your compartment." Frank was in a defensive position, Michael and Lily stood behind him. "And you did provoke Miss Evans. Making allegations against a woman's virtue are fighting words." He thrust the wand into Regulus hands before gently pushing him forward. Once they left Frank turned around, his features softening. "Are the two of you alright?"

"Fine," Michael said. "I was looking for the cart when I saw Lily, but I'm going back to my compartment."

Lily and Frank watched as Michael scurried away. The redhead sighed, but before she could open her mouth, he did. "Can you please not yell at me for interfering? I saved you for losing your Prefect's badge and you know it."

"I was going to thank you, who overheard?"

"Remus, he thought that if he came it would only escalate the situation."

"I see."

"Let me take you to Alice and Marlene, I'll cover for you."

"Actually, I think…" Lily paused, biting her lip. "They won't understand and this might only add fire to Slytherin rumors, but I would feel better with James and Sirius."