We kept getting sick this past month. I think we are finally in the clear so hopefully I can post more regularly.

Year 2

Vivian sat in the train's empty compartment. The last school year had ended without a single clue as to the whereabouts of that book. Her dreams simply repeated the things she'd already seen or of little consequence. Lily had made sure to write to her all summer. Both of them were readily looking forward to another year at Hogwarts. Butterflies of a different sort filled her stomach this year as Vivian searched the families that were beginning to make their way onto the platform. There! Lily's red hair stood out against the dark clothing of those around her. She was kissing her mother goodbye before running towards the train. As much as she would miss her parents she wouldn't miss being home. Petunia had made it down right miserable the last few weeks. Her only solace had been the letters from Vivian and meeting Severus to go over school books. It had annoyed her to no end to be told she couldn't practice magic outside of school. How was she supposed to get better at it without practice? It was utterly ridiculous. She had to shove her way through a few groups of students to finally make it to their compartment. It was a relief to finally be back into the world of magic. Being without it had been a deep ache in her chest and had honestly been really boring.

Lily's smile widened even further at the sight of her friend. Sitting next to her she immediately started bombarding Vivian with questions. Before Vivian had a chance to respond the door slammed open and the four boys strode in.

"You've got this compartment to yourselves?" Peter asked, scrunching his nose in distaste.

"Looks like there's plenty of room for us then," Sirius grinned sitting next to Vivian. "The rest of the places are packed. Thought we'd be left standing."

James snatched a book on charms from Lily's lap and began flipping through it. "Already got notes, huh? Want to be a goodie two shoes again this year?" Lily grabbed the book back, glaring at him.

"Unlike some people I wasn't allowed to practice magic over the summer." James rolled his eyes.

"They say that, but they don't really mean it. I do magic at home all the time. They just think it's my parents."

"Lucky you. Some of us don't have magical parents" Lily said flatly. James's smile fell and he opened his mouth several times before finally saying, "Oh. Right." Lily raised an eyebrow at him waiting for an actual apology.

"Yes I am right. And you are an entitled git who apparently doesn't know the phrase 'I'm sorry'" With that she stood and crammed herself into the small space between Vivian and the window. Both Vivian and Sirius quickly moved over while Peter took Lily's seat grinning. They had been in a perfectly fine compartment earlier when James had decided to take a walk and see if there was one with more room. Peter had known it was simply to find the girls. Blast it all, they always ruined everything. Now Peter was glad they'd come. Maybe this fight would last long enough for James to finally get over his silly crush. He couldn't help grinning to himself.

"You were invited to the Malfoy's party a couple weeks ago weren't you Sirius? How was it?" Peter asked. He couldn't help leaning forward eagerly. He'd heard a lot of death eaters had attended and rumors had it even the Dark Lord himself had made an appearance. Sirius rolled his eyes.

"I didn't go. I burned up all my fancy clothes. My parents were bloody mad, but it was well worth it."

"You should have gone," Vivian sighed. "Lucius Malfoy was the most dull individual I've been forced to talk to. I think he spent most of the party telling Narcissa and I about all his ridiculous achievements. I don't think either of us got a word in edgewise. I thought I'd die of boredom or that my ears would fall off from his constant prattling," she changed her voice to mimic Lucious' pompous way of speaking, "Professor Slughorn invited me into his club and I was just a fifth year when I became prefect."

"Why the bloody hell did you go?"

Vivian glanced at Lily quickly before answering, "I'd have had to burn my whole wardrobe to get out of it."

Sirius raised an eyebrow, "Why do I feel like that wasn't the reason?" After the snake incident the girls had mostly laid low, but both he and the boys knew they'd been searching for something. Vivian stared at him a moment more before sighing exaggeratedly.

"I went to gather intel. I'd hoped you'd be there too. Having a rule breaker around would've come in handy I'm sure. I was just stuck trying to listen to the adults over Lucious' babbling."

Sirius narrowed his eyes, "And what intel are you looking for." Vivian glanced at Lily again who shrugged.

"We are looking for a book….Voldemort's book to be precise."