CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

EXPECTED ARTICLE AND A LETTER FROM HOME

Beep. Beep. Beep. BEEP, BEEP, BEEP. The alarm clock gets louder and louder until I finally get up. Mel's already in the bathroom but I showered last night so I quickly pull on my uniform, throw my hair up and put on some light make-up. Rikki groans loudly into her pillow. The alarm is still going off.

"Lily," She moans at me, "Turn it off." I laugh.

"It won't turn off until you get up Rikki, you know that." She sighs and lies still for a minute. At first I think she's fallen back asleep but then she sits up suddenly, throws off the covers on her bed and runs to the bathroom door. She starts banging on it. The alarm has stopped.

"Mel, hurry up, I have to shower!" She shouts.

"In a minute, I'm doing my make-up!" Mel calls back.

"Why? Come do your make-up out here, I have to get ready."

"But I'm naked." Mel says, like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

"I'm just gonna go down, guys, I'm starving." I tell them, But I doubt Mel can hear me and Rikki ignores me. The last thing I hear before I shut the door is Rikki shouting:

"Then get dressed and GET OUT of the bathroom!"

The walk down to the Great Hall in quiet. And then I get there. People look at me and whisper - exactly like the time they thought Al had punched me except it's different. They aren't looking at me with sympathy. It's like I'm new to them. They seem ... Curious. I look at the paper in everyone's hands and my theory is confirmed. I had a feeling that my very public argument with James wouldn't go unnoticed - escpecially by Hailey Frockler. I ask the person nearest to me, which happens to be a third year Hufflepuff, if I can borrow her paper and she hands it to me with a smile. I start to read, expecting the worst.

TEEN TO TODDLER TO TEMPER-TANTRUMS

Sitting in The Three Broomsticks yesterday, quietly enjoying a butterbeer, I did not expect to discover my next big story. I certainly did not expect my next story to literally march into the room, screaming and yelling. I'll give you three guesses to who this mystery person could be... I'll bet 10 galleons that none of you guessed it.

Lily Potter, yes Lily Potter, the once-innocent younger sister of James "Troublemaker" Potter and Albus "The Golden One" Potter, has had a very busy year. Lily, who for the last 3 years has been so quite it's like she was invisible, has this year been punched in the face by her brother, Albus, had to deal with her best friend, Melody Whitmore, and her cousin, Louis Weasley, becoming one of the cutest couples in school and now it seems has herself a secret boyfriend.

Yesterday Lily marched into The Three Broomsticks to confront older brother, James, who was currently on a date with her other best friend, after he had sent a letter to their parents, outing her secret relationship. Imagine my surprise when "The Quiet One" starts screaming at James in front of everyone, creating quite a scene. At first he was apologetic but, of course, being James, he didn't hold back for long. Soon they were both shouting. Lily was pulling out all the stops, threatening to report all of James' mistakes to their parents. But James really crossed the line when he called her a "Moody Little Bitch". Poor, Lily fled the room in tears. However, surprisingly, she came down to dinner with her head held high. The question still remains though - who is Lily Potter's mystery boy?

Reported By Hailey Frockler

Honestly, it's not as bad as I expected. And technically it's all true. At least she doesn't know about Caleb. I hand the paper back to the Hufflepuff and sit at my usual seat. I pile my plate high with scrambled eggs and toast and dig in. Mel comes down and waves at Louis, who is sitting at the bottom of the table with his friends, before coming to sit with me.

"Not leaving me for Louis today?" I grin at her.

"Nah. Maybe tomorrow." She jokes.

Suddenly my Mother's owl, Darcy, comes swooping down and drops a letter, just left of my plate. I suddenly don't feel hungry anymore. Dread grows deep in the pit in my stomach. I pick up the letter and turn it over in my hands.

"What's that?" Asks Mel.

"A letter from my Mum." I tell her without looking up.

"Well? Aren't you going to open it?"

"Umm, yeah. Yeah, I am." I say and take a deep breath. Then I tear open the envelope.

Dear Lily,

How are you darling? I hope you're well. Things have been really quiet here. We all (Aunts and Uncles included) miss you all dreadfully and can't wait to have you home for Christmas. I miss you so much darling. I know we talk all the time through letters, but I'm so excited to see you in person. The house is just too quiet without you and your brothers.

Now, as you can probably guess, this isn't just another weekly letter. Yesterday your Father and I got a rather ... interesting letter from James and you can guess what that would be about. To say it came as a surprise to find out you have a boyfriend would be an understatement, escpecially since you never mentioned anything. I thought you knew you can tell me anything, Lily.

Your Father obviously isn't thrilled that his little girl is growing up and he says you have to remind this boy that he defeated the Voldemort, but I'm sure he'll get over it. His reaction was actually quite funny. He decided he was going to go to Hogwarts, demand you tell him the boy's name and then threaten the poor boy with hexes and spells. Your Uncle Ron said he would help. And although it probably doesn't feel like it to you, James was only trying to help you by telling us. So at least you know you have a loving family.

I will admit I was a little bit disappointed that you didn't tell me but if you're happy, darling, I'm happy.

On a completely other topic, any idea what you want for Christmas? You're older now and I don't quite think teddies and dolls cut it. James and Al are quite easy to buy for - Quidditch, Pranks and more Quidditch. So give it some thought and get back to me.

Write Soon!

With all the love in our heart,

Mum (and Dad) xxxx