Lily had a hard time falling asleep after that, but for entirely different reasons than she was used to. She felt warm all over, like something very important inside her changed, or was stitched back together. She had no idea how to explain it. After two hours of failing to sleep, she rolled back out of her head, giving up entirely, and dressed for a quick jog in the morning chill.

The grass was still slick from dew as she ran, the sun still lazily appearing over the distant horizon. Lily ran laps around the field and pond, once chasing after a chicken and scooping it into her arms. She never held them for very long; they loved to scratch and peck her arms, and Lily always felt bad about asking Mrs. Weasley to heal them. She could do it herself, but she wasn't supposed to know the spell, let alone be using it outside of school.

When she was done (and thoroughly exhausted and sweaty), she jogged back towards the house, wishing she'd settled for more sleep instead. She was in for a rough day. She could smell breakfast cooking as she approached, steam billowing through the open window of the kitchen. She approached it carefully and silently, scooping a grasshopper from a nearby blade of grass and holding it between her closed palms. Mrs. Weasley hated the little creatures. The window was normally charmed to prevent insects and animals from passing through it, but Lily learned the hard way from Fred and George that it was easily circumvented by a human being tossing one through.

She was stopped by voices coming through. She expected Mrs. Weasley to be up, but not anyone else. The last person she expected was Ginny.

"I saw her, mum," Ginny said.

"You could have seen wrong," Mrs. Weasley said plainly. "It could have been any number of things."

"They were kissing!" Ginny hissed the last part in a whisper, but it carried through the quiet room well enough for Lily to hear it.

"That's enough, Ginny!" Mrs. Weasley said sternly. "I don't want to hear any more on the topic."

"But-"

"I'll talk with her later," Mrs. Weasley said, "but you're reading too much into this. Go wash up, the food is almost ready. And make sure Ron and Lily are up, they'll need to get ready."

Lily set her grasshopper down on the grass and stalked away again, her cat playfully trotting along at her heels. She was still sitting a top her favourite tree half an hour later when she saw Mrs. Weasley exit the house and start moving towards her. Weasley squirmed in her lap, once he noticed the woman approaching as well, and Lily stroked his back, hoping that would be enough to make him stay. She didn't much fancy being alone right now.

"Already up, dear?" Molly called out from the base of the tree, her traitorous cat jumping from her lap. "Fancy some breakfast?"

"Not hungry," Lily called down.

"Better come get washed up, then," Mrs. Weasley said.

Lily supposed she couldn't argue with that. She was sure she smelled quite dreadful.

"Alright," she said, reluctantly beginning her climb downwards. Mrs. Weasley waited at the bottom for her, and Lily wished she'd just go on ahead. She really didn't want to talk about it.

"How long have you been up?" Mrs. Weasley asked as Lily's feet touched the ground.

Lily shrugged. It was hard to answer that question when you never really slept.

"You look dreadful," she said, pressing a kind hand to Lily's forehead. "Maybe you should stay home today."

"I'll be alright," Lily said.

"Are you sure?" Mrs. Weasley asked, hand moving to pry Lily's eyelid open, to check that instead. "You feel a bit clammy."

"I went on a run."

"You know, you don't need to exercise so much, Lily," Mrs. Weasley said. "I know Sirius wants you to, but there's no reason to worry about your weight when you're so young."

"I like running," Lily said. She'd never worried about her weight at all, as a matter of fact, but now she certainly was.

"Well, let's get you inside," Mrs. Weasley said, herding Lily forward with an arm around her shoulders. "If you're feeling better after a quick soak, I see no problem with you going." Lily didn't see that it was up to her; she was definitely going.

"I just didn't sleep very well," Lily said.

"Another nightmare?" Mrs. Weasley said.

Lily shook her head. "Was up all night painting."

"Yes, I could tell that much by the colour of your nose," Mrs. Weasley said. "I know you enjoy it, dear, but you really shouldn't be up so late, it isn't good for your health. Your art can always wait until the morning."

"I needed to get it done last night," Lily said, shaking her head. "Hermione comes tomorrow, and I wouldn't have had another chance to work on it while she's here."

Mrs. Weasley sighed. "I supposed you wouldn't be a member of the family if you didn't put things off until the last moment." Lily didn't think that was quite fair; she didn't even think about it until the last moment. When else was she going to work on it?

"Sorry," she said, not sure what else to say. Mrs. Weasley was slowing their pace as they neared the house. Lily didn't like that, but she supposed it was important to get this over with, even if it did make her uncomfortable.

"Are you ready for Beauxbatons?" Mrs. Weasley asked. "A big change like that's got to have you feeling a bit nervous."

"I'm looking forward to it, actually," Lily said. "They have an art program after classes, and I already sent off my piece to apply for it." She thought it was quite nice, too, although she didn't know if it was good enough.

"Have you given any thought to what you want to do after school?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

Lily shuffled her feet, not quite ready to admit that she had put a lot of thought into it, as a matter of fact. Sirius was asking the same sort of questions, as of late, stressing how important the next couple of years were going to be. She scratched at the side of her nose as they came to a complete stop, trying to get some of the dried paint off of it (her finger came away with a bit of white under her fingernail).

"I don't know," Lily mumbled, kicking at a loose stone, her eyes staring at the ground. There were plenty of things she wanted to do. She wanted to play Quidditch, she wanted to paint, she wanted to manage her little shop, she wanted to brew potions, she wanted to duel, she wanted to travel the world, she wanted to do nothing at all.

"You'll figure it out," Mrs. Weasley said, gesturing for Lily to take a sit at the nearby table under the shade of the garden. "I don't know how Beauxbatons handles it, but at Hogwarts, they start meeting with students in fourth year to discuss options. Ron will have four of them before the year's out. I'm sure if you asked, Professor McGonagall would be more than happy to sit with you, too."

Lily noticed she didn't say Snape. That was wise.

"Maybe," Lily said, sitting reluctantly.

"No matter what you choose to be, I'm sure you'll be brilliant," Mrs. Weasley said, patting her hand fondly. "You just have to figure it out for yourself. You have to figure out who you are."

Lily stared at Mrs. Weasley for a while. It felt like the older woman was expecting her to confess to something, or that she was saying something else without directly saying it. Lily felt a lump in her throat, and when she opened her mouth, she couldn't get her voice to come out.

"Arthur and I will be here for you," Mrs. Weasley said. "No matter what you decide on. We're proud of you, Lily. If you ever need to talk, or if there's anything you want to tell us, anything at all, I promise we'll be there."

"Thanks," Lily managed to say.

"Is there anything, Lily?" Mrs. Weasley asked carefully. "Anything that's been bothering you?"

Lily opened her mouth again, trying to find the words. Mrs. Weasley nodded, trying to urge her on. She wanted to tell her. The words were on the tip of her tongue. She couldn't remember what happened, what the Dursleys did, but the Weasleys would never. She could trust them.

But she wasn't willing to take that risk. Not yet. Not while she could still be normal.

"I should go get that bath," she said, standing abruptly.

Lily was still eating by the time Ron made it downstairs, looking very sleepy (although not as tired as she felt). Her hair was still wet and pinned in a bun. She couldn't be bothered to do anything else with it.

"Morning," Ron said in a grumpy tone. Lily just grunted back in response. That was about all the two could usually manage in the morning.

Neither of them understood why they had to leave the house so early, but Mrs. Longbottom insisted that if they were going to come at all that they were going to do so "at a reasonable time." Lily was just hoping Neville would let them nap somewhere. She happened to know where a very nice tree was that she was very much looking forward to climbing. Gran never liked her doing that when she used to live there, but, well, now that she didn't, what would be the harm?

"Well, you two best be going," Mrs. Weasley said, glancing over at the clock (the actual one, not the family one). "Ron, if they don't feed you enough while you're there, you can always nip back home for a little extra."

"Blimey, mum, it's Lily you should be saying that to," Ron grumbled. His mother was currently busy fussing at his face, trying to wipe away some dirt from the side of his nose. "Don't know where she keeps putting it all."

Lily just shrugged at him. It was true. It used to be that he'd easily outdo her, but once she started her regime of potions and training, she was always hungry. She'd taken to secretly stashing as much food as she could in her room, obtained discreetly on her daily trips with Sirius. She knew the Weasleys wouldn't mind feeding her as much as she wanted, but that made her feel bad.

"Hush," Molly said as she loaded two more eggs onto her son's plate. Lily shoveled the rest of her food into her mouth, finishing at the same time as Ron, and then stood from the table.

"See you tomorrow, mum," Ron said.

"You two come straight home if that woman's insufferable," Molly said with a special glance towards Lily. Lily understood. This was the same woman that berated her and threatened to remove her from Hogwarts.

Lily should have let her, all things considered. Would have saved her a lot of time.

They took the Floo to the Longbottom Estate, coming out in the large, furnished sitting room. Neville was immediately on top of them, pulling Lily into a hug and giving Ron a firm clap on the shoulder.

"You lose more weight, mate?" Ron asked, sizing up his friend. Lily gave him a glance, too; his blonde hair was much longer than it used to be, his skin was tanned (which it always was after spending long summer hours in the garden), and he was looking a lot more gangly and stretched than the last time she saw him.

"You're ignoring the extra foot he's gotten," Lily said. She was still taller than him, but she wasn't sure how much longer that would last. She was almost certainly done gaining height and was working on filling out what she had.

"It's not hard to do, is it?" Ron asked, waving a hand over Neville's head to show him how much further he had to go. Ron was by the far the tallest of any of Lily's friends, looking like a stretched-out piece of taffy at times.

"Want some breakfast?" Neville asked sheepishly.

"Absolutely," Lily said, rubbing her stomach. "I'm starving."

"Gran's not here right now," Neville said as he led them through the hallway. "Had a meeting with the other Governors. Said she won't be back until well after lunch."

"See, Lily, nothing to worry about!" Ron said, thumping her on the back.

"It was your mum who did the worrying, Ron," Lily said. "I'm over it. Have been for a while."

"If you say so. I saw your face when the letter came in."

"Shut up," Lily said, punching him on the arm.

"You didn't have to come if you didn't want to, Lily," Neville said awkwardly as they entered the kitchen.

"Oh, you shut it, too," Lily said, sending another punch his way. "Happy Birthday, you knob."

"No magic while Gran's gone," Neville said as he started fussing about in the cabinet for pans. "She told me to tell you that, specifically."

"Well, that's no fun," Lily said, putting her feet up on the table since nobody was here to tell her otherwise. "I was looking forward to showing you a few things."

"It can wait until tomorrow," Ron said.

Lily rolled her eyes when Neville started looking for a switch on the stove and then got up. She moved the boy gently to the side and then got to work, letting the birthday boy sit at the table instead.

"Did you get your list from Beauxbatons yet?" Neville asked, sounding very relieved.

"Not yet," Lily said. "Hermione said she hasn't got hers, either. Shouldn't be too much longer, though."

"When does term start?" Neville asked.

"Same day as yours," Lily said. "We don't end until the Muggles do, though."

"Shame," Ron said. "That extra month is a lifesaver."

"It's alright," Lily said with a shrug. "It's no different than when I was in primary. Ron, how many eggs do you want?"

"Blimey, Lily, we just ate!"

"Answer the question."

"Three," Ron grumbled. "And I'll take some sausage, too, if they've got any."

"Your exams are later, then?" Neville asked.

Lily shrugged. "I guess so. Just gives us more time to study for it."

"What classes are you taking?" Neville asked.

"Didn't we already cover this?" Ron asked.

"Right," Neville said. "I just want two eggs, Lily, no sausage."

"Bread?" Lily asked as she flipped an egg. Ron liked his fried hard, flipped once.

"Please," Neville said.

"Me too," Ron said.

"Say 'please.'"

"Fuck off?"

"More for me, then!"

"Oi, what's this?" Ron asked. Lily turned her head, just to check. Ron was unfolding The Daily Prophet.

"Since when do you read the news?" Lily asked, turning back to her food.

"Since it has your name on the headline," Ron said.

"Pardon?" Lily asked, an egg nearly spilling from her spatula to the floor, her head almost turned fully around.

Ron turned the paper around so she could see the photo. They chose to reprint the one from previous year, with her and Ron standing side by side, their Order of Merlin ribbons pinned proudly to their chests (hers was currently sitting in her box of treasures).

"What rubbish are they saying this time?" Lily asked, remembering the last time the papers decided to grace her life with their presence.

"Don't let the food burn, Lily," Neville said nervously. Lily turned back to her work, grumbling to herself.

"I don't think you want me to read this to you," Ron said.

"Probably not," Lily said, remembering his father told her to ignore today's paper, "but I should know, anyway."

"You sure?" Ron asked. "You're not going back to Hogwarts, Lily. Nobody's going to go after you."

"Ron!"

"Fine, fine," Ron said. "Keep your skirt on."

POTTER LEAVING HOMELAND:

EXPELLED FROM HOGWARTS?

Lily nearly dropped the whole pan as she moved to dump some food on Ron's plate.

"You have got to be kidding me," she said.

"You want to read it?" Ron asked, offering her the paper, "or can I keep going?"

"Fine," Lily said, muttering to herself as she turned back to the stove.

Hazel Potter is, by all accounts, a wonderful girl. A hero by the age of 1, an Order of Merlin at 12, a champion of justice at 13, and, now, a business owner at 14. And, if we're to believe the ever-esteemed Teen Witch Weekly, she also happens to be an exceptional beauty (although an unusually tall one, at that). If you don't believe me on that one, you can check out this week's issue; a thrilling read that I had the pleasure of viewing early.

"Well, that's not too bad, is it?" Lily said optimistically, a nervous laugh escaping her throat.

I had the wonderful privilege of visiting Potter Publications on their opening day (wonderful little place, despite not stocking a single work of my own), where I had the further pleasure of meeting with The-Girl-Who-Lived. Imagine my surprise when the young lady came off as standoffish and cruel, her Quidditch-honed eyes snapping on to any personal defects of those around her, her clever tongue spilling insults and slander to anybody who cared to listen just as soon as her target's backs were turned.

"This is Skeeter, isn't it?" Lily said with a little sigh.

"Sure sounds like it," Neville agreed.

And I do, most surely, mean a surprise. Even I was fooled by previous reports of her kindness and generosity. At first, I believed I simply must have been hearing her incorrectly, but when I approached to introduce myself, I was immediately belittled, insulted, and threatened into leaving the store (they certainly won't be getting my business again anytime soon).

Even afterwards, I assumed I simply must have caught her on a bad day. We all have them, even I. I was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. But then I did a bit of digging.

You see, while I was there, I happened to be informed by an anonymous source close to the Potter girl that, in the upcoming school term, she will be attending Beauxbatons Academy of Magic instead of Hogwarts.

"From who?" Lily said, dumping the next set of food on Neville's plate (one of his eggs rolled right onto the table). "I bloody well never told anybody."

"Maybe she heard Sirius talking about it?" Neville suggested.

"Or maybe we'll find out later!" Ron said in a fake, excited tone. "Let me finish the article, will you?"

"Yeah, yeah," Lily grumbled.

How could that possibly be? I refused to believe it. Hazel is a national treasure; how could Hogwarts have managed to push her away? How could the Ministry allow that to happen? How would it even be feasible without a leak of some sort?

It wasn't adding up. I did some digging, bringing in every favour I've racked up, reaching out to every contact I had at both Hogwarts and the Ministry. I was completely disgusted by what I found out.

Hazel is a bully, and of the nastiest sort. Her spotty record goes back all the way to her days in Muggle Primary (and, imagine that, a wizarding hero attending a Muggle school) with everything short of murder on it. She's stolen, she's been violent, she's put three poor, innocent girls in the hospital. And that's only what she did before Hogwarts.

I reached out to a few students, all of whom wish to remain anonymous, and have found out that all that rotten behaviour extends to there as well. Hazel will threaten anyone and anything to get her way; she'll cheat, she'll hex you in the hall just because she doesn't like you, she'll spread nasty rumours, and she will hound you until the point of suicide.

"I would not!" Lily said, biting into a sausage fresh out of the pan. "Blimey, how evil do they think I am?"

Headmaster Albus Dumbledore refused to comment on the matter, but the Ministry records show that there was at least one confirmed suicide attempt at the school during the last year.

And now Hazel Potter is leaving Hogwarts? Very interesting. What could have possibly caused this?

According to one student, Hazel is completely without mercy or empathy. When one brave soul attempted to stand up to her, they found themselves at the wrong end of her wand, and then, later, in the Hospital Wing, their injuries quite severe. And that isn't all, either; Hazel Potter made a demonstration of this poor individual, snapping their wand in front of the entire common room and proclaiming herself "The Heir of Slytherin." And we all know who the last person to claim that was.

The only possible conclusion is the following: Hazel Potter is leaving Hogwarts because she has been expelled (or, perhaps, to avoid the expulsion entirely, as not even the Ministry would be able to keep that under wraps). She has already had the honour of being the first suspended student from the school in decades. She is torturing her fellow classmates. I can only assume that this news hasn't reached us commonfolk because the Ministry and Hogwarts are attempting to cover it up, so as not to tarnish their trophy girl.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, it appears to me that this particular trophy needs quite a bit of polish.

Rita Skeeter

Special Correspondent

"Well," Neville said nervously once Ron was done, "that wasn't very good, was it?"

"No, mate," Ron said, "I'd reckon that's about as bad as it comes."

"Did you really send three girls to the hospital?" Neville asked.

Lily pushed her food around on her plate. The truth was that she couldn't remember doing anything of the sort, but if it happened during Primary, then it was certainly possible. She was still missing a lot of memories from that particular period of time.

"I'm more interested in this part," Ron said, pointing at the paper. "Whose wand did you snap?"

"Malfoy's," Lily mumbled.

"Well, can't say I blame you for that one," Ron said with a grin.

After second breakfast, they joined Neville for a bit of garden pruning. Ron didn't seem excited about in the slightest, but Lily was really getting into it. Physical activity almost always got her feeling in a better mood. She just liked to be moving. She wondered if that was why she could never stop pacing during her sessions with Lupin.

Neville's garden was far more impressive than the last time she saw it, just two years ago. All the plants she bought for him were in a special little quarter (which touched her heart), while everything else was arranged in the most aesthetically pleasing way. Lily was sure that was more Gran's decision than it was his.

The bushes, properly trimmed, were lined with bright flowers of pink, red, and yellow, all of which smelled vaguely fruity. There was a fountain in the center of the courtyard (which Lily was very tempted to dip her feet into). Lily didn't remember that being there at all.

Neville finally relented (after an hour of Ron complaining), and then they settled at a nearby table to chat and enjoy some tea.

"So, how's your French going, Lily?" Neville asked.

"Good enough," Lily said in the language, adding a shrug. "I have to talk slowly, but Hermione reckons we're as good as we're going to get without some real experience."

"Gran almost sent me to Beauxbatons," Neville said with a shudder. "After second year." He didn't take his eyes off Lily. Lily got the impression he knew just what she was thinking.

"What for?" Ron asked.

"Probably because he got petrified by a Basilisk, Ron," Lily said. She took a sip of her tea.

"Yeah, that," Neville agreed. "She even tried to get me French lessons, but I was hopeless at it."

"Speaking of being hopeless," Lily said, setting her cup back down. "If either of you need help in Potions, just write me. I don't know if we're learning the same things, but I'll still help if you need it."

"Could just let you go through our text before you head off," Ron said.

"Not a chance," Lily said, shaking her head. "I already have enough to do before term starts."

"Like what?" Ron asked.

"It's a secret," Lily said with a wink.

It took a few more hours before Gran returned home, during which Lily cooked them all lunch. They were all in the sitting room, having another cup of tea, when she came in through the Floo, eyes narrowing at the three of them. She was a bit thinner than the last time Lily saw her, although she was still wearing that horrid stuffed bird on her head.

"Thought I'd have to hunt you down," she said with a grunt. "Well, get over here, then."

"Why?" Ron dared to ask.

"Healer Murton sent me a message, Neville," Gran said, ignoring the redheaded boy completely. "I think we should pop in for a visit. She thinks it might help them, seeing you on your birthday."

"I dunno," Neville said nervously, glancing over at Lily and Ron.

"You have a few minutes," Gran said. "If you don't want them to come, they can wait here or head home. Should let them come, though. You shouldn't be ashamed of your parents."

"I'm not," Neville said quietly.

"Lily," Gran said, nudging towards the hallway with her head. "A word, please?"

Lily shrugged, pat Neville on the shoulder, and followed Gran out. Gran shut the door behind her and then gently pushed her towards the front door, where they couldn't be overheard.

"Just finalized your transfer," she said, handing Lily a sealed envelope. "You're officially a student of Beauxbatons."

"Thanks," Lily said, feeling a bit putout that she wasn't already a student. She thought everything had been taken care of already, seeing as how she already picked her classes. The envelope had the wax seal of Beauxbatons on it, a fancy 'B' in sky blue, with wings trailing off the sides, and the front was addressed to her in ink of the same colour. The handwriting on the letter inside was miniscule vertically, although it was just a bit too wide horizontally. It was also, as expected, written entirely in French.

Dear Hazel Potter,

Congratulations on your acceptance into Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. We are most excited to have you. Please be advised that a list of your required items and directions to attend are enclosed as a separate parchment.

Transfer students are housed together for their first year. From the second out, they will be randomly assigned a new roommate of the same year, same as the remainder of students. As you applied to transfer with Ms. Granger, I have elected to allow the two of you board together, in order to help you acclimate to our campus.

Professor Dumbledore told me you're quite brilliant at Charms and Potions. If you are interested in giving tutoring services for younger students, you will receive a credit in each respective class, so long as your own academic ability remains suitable. Defense Against the Dark Arts is not offered here at Beauxbatons; related spells and creatures will instead be folded into Charms, Transfiguration, and Care of Magical Creatures (which I see you have already signed up for). We also offer a course on Dueling (which you've also taken), so students may learn to apply their abilities in a combat setting.

We have received your marks from prior years. Your poor results in Transfiguration and Astronomy will result in a special tutor provided to you. Your tutor will approach you within the first week of term. Seek me if they fail to do so. History of Magic is an elective after third year. I highly suggest you do not transfer into it, if you wish to keep in good academic standing. Our Professor Chikuma is a more adept teacher in the subject than your Professor Binns, but your lack of background knowledge will make it almost impossible to keep up with your peers.

In addition to our course catalog, we also have a wide assortment of extracurricular activities available. If you wish to join any, you need only attend their first meeting upon commencement of term. Your entry into our art program is being assessed; you will receive your results at a different date, prior to the beginning of term.

We are very much looking forward to your attendance. You may write me if you have any further questions or requests. We will be happy to accommodate you.

Best Regards,

Madame Olympe Maxime

Headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic

Lily took a quick glance at the list of required materials, but she could practically sense Gran's impatience and decided to tuck it away into her robes instead, for later perusal.

"Don't let anybody try changing your mind, Potter," Gran said. "I think getting away from Hogwarts will do you some good."

"You just want to be rid of me," Lily said teasingly.

Gran shook her head. "I'm sorry about all that. I should have known better than to listen to Lucius Malfoy. Don't know what I was thinking."

Lily privately agreed with that.

"It's alright," she said publicly, adding a shrug for extra effect.

"No, it's not," Gran said, shaking her head again. "Frank would have been disgusted with how I treated you, as he'd have every right to be. I'm not expecting your forgiveness, but I wanted you to know."

"It's alright," Lily said again, more quietly this time.

"Dumbledore told us a bit about the problems you had last year," Gran said, placing a hand carefully on Lily's shoulder, as if it would break her. "I couldn't see that you needed a gentle hand. All the records we received from your primary school days showed you were a troublemaker, and I believed it. Thought a stern hand could get you on the right path."

"You read the paper," Lily mumbled.

"Course I did," Gran said. "I always do. But it shouldn't have taken that to get me to realize. I should have seen that. If you need help at Beauxbatons, you need only write me. I'll do whatever I can to help you."

"Thanks," Lily said, feeling unsure.

"We're trying to figure out how it all leaked," Gran said. "Records should have been sealed in the Ministry. They weren't supposed to ever be opened, except by court order. Ministry is looking for who done it, but I don't think they'll turn up anything. Skeeter knows her stuff. Nobody's ever been able to find a single one of her sources, and the Ministry can't punish her if they can't figure out how she got it all."

"You believe it wasn't my fault, then?" Lily asked.

"Of course, I do," Gran said, pulling Lily into an awkward sort of half hug. "You're a good girl. Always done right by Neville. That says all that matters. That should have been enough for me before."

"Thanks, Gran," Lily said awkwardly as she let go.

"You take care of yourself down south," Gran said. "Show those French what a British witch is capable of."

"I will," Lily promised.

Fifteen minutes later, the four of them were arriving, by Floo, into the pristine, marble foyer of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, Gran leading the charge up to the front desk. Lily and Ron lagged behind the two of them, not quite sure why they were here, but both feeling like they had to be.

The attendant at the desk seemed to be expecting them, as she just nodded to Gran as they passed, heading straight up the stairs. Lily ignored the portraits and paintings calling out to them, attempting to diagnose them with anything they could possibly think of. It was the usual routine around here. Lily thought they just wanted to feel useful.

Gran led them to the fourth floor, the wing for spell damage and permanent injuries. A few Healers nodded solemnly to them as they passed, although one joined Gran, leading them down a hallway.

"Alice has been doing much better," the witch said. "She's still moving around, although we can't figure out the pattern for it. Some days, she's even making noises that almost sound like words."

"That right?" Gran asked with a broad smile. "Hear that, Neville?"

"We're confident that she may be able to form basic sentences within five years," the witch said.

"What about Frank?" Gran asked.

"He's still unresponsive," the witch said reluctantly. "Although, his eyes are now following movement around the room."

"Does he still scream in his sleep?" Gran asked.

"No," the witch said. "Neither of them do. We seem to have gotten them past that point."

"That's great," Gran said, sounding genuinely relieved.

"I don't think we should be here," Ron whispered to Lily, the two falling back to follow well behind the others.

"Neville needs us," Lily said, nodding to the dejected boy. He was trailing his feet as he shuffled behind Gran, eyes locked straight onto the ground.

"It was supposed to be his birthday," Ron said, ears going red. "I hate seeing him like this. He almost looks like- like-"

"Like me?" Lily asked.

"Yeah," Ron admitted sheepishly. "I hate it on you, too. What are we doing here, anyway?"

"Seeing his parents," Lily guessed.

"I thought they were dead," Ron said.

Lily shook her head. "Gran told me they were here in second year. Haven't met them, though."

"Blimey," Ron said. "I should have asked him. I always wondered how he seemed to handle it better than you did. Sorry."

"Don't be," Lily said, eyes lingering on Neville's back. "Neville had family left. I didn't."

"I'm sorry what I said earlier," Ron said, his ears going red again for a different reason. "Last year, I mean. I shouldn't have. I made it sound like you weren't- well- you know."

"It's alright, Ron," Lily said with a smile. "I know it took me a while, but I'm better, now. No harm done."

"Still," Ron said. "I shouldn't have said it."

"Drop it, Ron," Lily said. "Going on about it is only going to make me feel worse, and I really don't want to- is that Lockhart?"

"It is," Ron said, sounding just as enthused about it as she was. The Healer that was leading them ushered the smiling, golden-locked man away from the door and back to his mattress, even though he was doing his best to fight it. Lily could hear him trying to introduce himself, pointing to some nearby, smiling photos of himself.

"If I'd known he was here, I wouldn't have come," Lily said, her stomach rolling in anger.

"Calm down, Lily," Ron said, squeezing her shoulder. "Your hair is bristling again."

"After all he did?" Lily said, trying to pat it down. "How am I supposed to-"

"He doesn't remember anything," Gran said quietly, leaning into them. "He's been in here ever since you reflected that spell back on him."

"Good," Lily said, still glaring at the man, even as the Healer placed a stack of fan-mail in front of him as a distraction.

"Been practicing my autograph!" he said, winking at Lily, as if her look of disgust was instead one of curiosity.

"I don't disagree," Gran said, "but you need to control yourself. Paper's already hurting the public's opinion of you, don't go giving them anything else. Don't let him get the better of you."

"Fine," Lily said, turning her gaze away, her head still pounding.

"This way," Gran said, motioning for them to follow her. "Murton said she'd give us some privacy."

Neville was already sitting in a chair between two beds. One had a thin man with straw like hair, his eyes unfocused and staring into the distance. The other had a woman, the lines on her face once denoting decades worth of laughter and mirth. Now, they just seemed haunting. She, at least, was capable of looking around the room, although her eyes never focused on one particular thing for too long.

"Hello, Alice," Gran said, patting the woman's hand as she passed. "Hello, Frank. A bit early, but thought it'd be nice to check in."

Neville stayed silent, staring at the ground. Neither Lily nor Ron moved to sit. Lily, for one, felt entirely unsure of what to do, and she very much wanted to leave. She felt like this whole thing was a terrible mistake, and she was sure Ron felt the same.

"Sit down, you two," Gran said, glancing back at them. "Don't be strangers."

Both teenagers sprung into action, although they sat far enough away to give the two a modicum of privacy.

"This is strange," Ron whispered to her. "Why'd she bring us?"

"'Cause we were there, I guess," Lily said with a shrug. She had a hard time looking at the two patients and settled instead on counting how many tiles lined the floor.

"I guess," Ron agreed. "What happened to them, anyway?"

"Tortured," Gran said, causing both kids to jump from fright. "Bellatrix Lestrange, Rodolphus and his brother, and Barty Crouch Jr. They tortured them for weeks straight before the Aurors finally managed to track down their location. Far as anyone can tell, the both of them held strong the whole time, only breaking just a few hours before help arrived." Gran wiped at her eyes as she said the last part, one of her hands going to grip on her son's.

"Sorry," Ron said as if it was his fault.

"Don't be," Gran said. "They're heroes, the both of them."

"What happened to them?" Lily asked. "The ones that tortured them, I mean."

"Azkaban," Gran said. "All four of them, although the Lestranges took a while. Got 'em in the end, though, and Crouch ended up dying in there not long after."

"Right," Ron whispered. "This was a terrible idea."

"Why did it take so long to get them?" Lily asked.

"Lily, please don't make this any worse," Ron said.

"They managed to get out when the Aurors made their move," Gran said, squeezing her son's hand tighter again. "Spent a few years on the run, that poor kid of theirs dragged along with them. Don't know what happened to her. Seemed to disappear from public eye right after."

"Good," Lily heard Neville mumble from next to his mother.

"They had a kid?" Lily asked, ignoring Ron trying to nudge some sense into her.

"Bellatrix did, anyway," Gran said. "Rodolphus was sterile, everybody knew that much from his first wife, and nobody knows who the father was. Some rumours it was You-Know-Who, but that's nonsense. Timeline wouldn't work out, anyway, the kid was born after all three of you, and he was gone by that point."

"Why'd they go after the two of them?" Lily asked, looking back at Neville and his mother.

"Don't right know, to be honest," Gran said quietly. "They said it was because they thought Alice and Frank had something to do with You-Know-Who vanishing, but that's nonsense. They had nothing to do with it." She didn't elaborate any further, and Lily started squirming in her seat, now that she was left with nothing but her own, torturous thoughts.

"Ron," Lily whispered. "Can I tell you something?"'

"No, Lily, of course not," Ron said, rolling his eyes. "Go on, then. I'd take anything over any more of this." Ron motioned towards the scene in front of them, both Longbottoms now talking quietly to the respective adult they were near.

"I think this is all my fault," Lily said nervously.

"How's that? You would have been, what? Two? Three?"

"It doesn't matter," Lily said, swallowing down the lump in her throat. "But they only went for Neville's parents because Voldemort failed to kill me. If- If I hadn't-" Lily found she couldn't finish that sentence.

"Hang on," Ron said slowly. "What's that got to do with anything?"

"You have to promise not to tell anybody," Lily said, wringing her hands together, eyes darting back and forth between Neville and Gran, Alice and Frank.

"Go on, then, you know I won't."

"There was a prophecy," Lily said, leaning in and lowering her voice even more. "It said that a boy would be born near the end of July, and he'd be the one to defeat the Dark Lord."

"Hang on," Ron said, leaning in further himself. "Are you saying Neville's some sort of chosen one?"

"No," Lily said. "My- my parents- do you remember that newspaper your dad got me for Christmas?"

"No."

"It said I was 'Harry Potter,'" Lily clarified, waiting patiently for it to click.

"Oh!" Ron said as it did. "Right. So- so, then, your parents- what, they just pretended?"

"Exactly," Lily said. "Dumbledore reckons the prophecy is broken now, but- but that's why they went after Neville. That's why they're here." Lily glanced over at the two broken people before turning her gaze, ashamedly, back at the floor.

"Well, I reckon this is better than the alternative," Ron said glumly.

"What do you mean?" Lily asked.

"Think about it, Lily," Ron said. "If your parents hadn't done what they did, then Voldemort would have gone after Neville, instead, and who knows what life would be like now. What if whatever kept you alive didn't work for Neville?"

"What if it did?" Lily asked. "I mean if- if they- if they hadn't done what they did, then- then they'd still be alive." Lily's voice trailed off as she finished, a surge of emotion welling up her throat. Ron put an arm around her shoulders, pulling her a bit closer.

"I'm sorry, Lily, really, I am," Ron said. "But would you really want that for Neville? He can see them, here, and you heard the Healer- they might even be able to talk to him eventually. You'd really rather they were dead, instead? That he wouldn't have that chance?"

Lily chewed her lip as she watched the scene in front of her. As she watched Neville and Gran, his mum, Alice, handed Neville what appeared to be a gum wrapper. She saw Gran roll her eyes, but Neville tucked it carefully into his pocket.

"Thanks, mum," Neville said, wiping at his eyes and smiling warmly.

"Happy birthday, son," Gran said, pulling Neville into a rare hug. Lily swallowed down that lump in her throat, hating the answer she wanted to give and hating herself even more for thinking it.

"I don't know," Lily said at last, hoping the lie would suffice.