The rest of the month flew by for Lily and her friends. Lily always made it a point to get her homework done ahead of time, and she had even asked her teachers if she could turn it in ahead of schedule. They said that she could turn it in anytime before the due date, but they advised not to study ahead in the syllabus as it could confuse her on what they would be working on. Over the weekends however, she would work on the homework for the next week so she would go into the lectures prepared on what they would be learning along with questions that she had from her reading. Some teachers even liked the idea. On Monday she would hand in the homework, and then on Tuesday, they would give it back to her and if she wanted to revise it for a better grade she could, but most of her work was exemplary.

On September 1, Lily was sitting on the grounds in front of the school with her friends, Renee, Julia, Anthony, Deidra, and Brandy when her mirror chimed. Lily knew it was her parents or one of her siblings. She excused herself and went to a secluded corner and pulled it out.

It was her father. Lily looked at the background and saw that he was on the Hogwarts Express. Lily frowned. She said, "Father, what are you doing on the train?"

"Lily, don't be alarmed, but there was an attack on the muggle side of the platform. Everyone is fine, but when the explosion happened, the barrier cast magic onto Platform nine and three quarters that protected everyone there and the only way out was on board the express. I've already sent an owl to the ministry and to Hogwarts to let everyone know what is going on. It is very crowded here, but I wanted to let you know as I know they have televisions there and that the attack probably will make international news."

Lily sighed. She said, "As long as everyone is okay."

Mother came onto the screen and said, "We are. Dudley and his family is even thrilled to be on the train. We've expanded the compartments as magically as possible. Some kids and parents are even riding in the head boy and girl compartment to space everyone out. The engineer is trying to get us there as quickly as possible but can only do so much."

Lily sighed. She said, "I'm glad you guys are okay. Let me know when you reach Hogsmeade and get everyone to Hogwarts. What about the non-magicals that are on board? Are they going to be going into Hogwarts too?"

Father said, "I do believe we are going to have to get them into Hogwarts at least for supper. I'm sure Minerva is scrambling to figure everything out. We have to sign off. We love you."

Lily said, "I love you too."

After signing off with her parents, Lily slumped into the wall of the castle that she was next to. What a thing to happen today of all days.

Renee came around and saw her slumped against the wall. "Lily, what's wrong?"

Lily replied, "Attack in London at Kings Cross."

Renee said, "Is your family alright?"

Lily nodded. "Yes, though due to the security measures on the platform for the Hogwarts Express, everyone that was on the platform is packed onto the train taking the long trip to Hogsmeade, including the non-magicals."

Renee said, "How long does that usually take?"

Lily sighed. "Father said, "Usually about 6 hours, but apparently the engineer driving the train is trying to get them there sooner."

Renee said, "I would hate to be on a packed trained that long."

Her parents were right. The attack on Kings Cross station was all over the school and news by dinner time. Many students were talking about it. Lily had received word that her parents were okay and back home at Potter Manor with Dudley and the rest of his family. Minerva had gotten the non-magicals fed and then were put in guest rooms that Hogwarts supplied with the help of the house-elves. All the magicals used the floo to head home or apparated there after arriving in Hogsmeade. Hogsmeade villagers stepped up and helped also. Any non-magical that wasn't at Hogwarts or wasn't comfortable staying there were put up in homes in Hogsmeade. The next day they would be put on trains back to London with compensation for the day of work they would be missing. Hermione was working with the non-magical government to let them know what was going on and to see if magic was involved in the attack. It could be weeks before they knew the results of that investigation.

In her rooms, Lily watched the news coverage. Kings Cross was devastated by the attack. It looked like someone had set a bomb off. They were still pulling the dead and injured out of the rubble.

Brenda said, "Hope they didn't loose any magical people in the attack."

Lily said, "Every Hogwarts student that was supposed to be on the train arrived safely to the school. Not saying that any families or parents of those on the train that had gone back through the barrier before the attack might've been hurt or killed is to be seen."

Andrea said, "Such a devastating thing to happen on what should've been a happy day for many first years at Hogwarts. Now, instead of a happy day, they have this to remember also."

Lily nodded. She said, "I'm going to bed."

Andrea and Brenda looked at each other. They knew that Lily's family was alright as they had already contacted her via some special mirror she had, but they knew this attack shook her, which they didn't blame her for.

The next day, Lily was pulled into the Principle's office by Mrs. Allen.

Mrs. Allen said, "I know you are fully aware of the attack on Kings Cross and that your family is safe. I was just wondering how you are holding up, Ms. Potter."

Lily said, "I'm doing okay, Mrs. Allen. Its just a shock is all. If it hadn't been for those security measures that the ministr had put into place after Voldemort's downfall to protect Platform Nine and three quarters, magical Britain would've receive a devastating blow yesterday."

Mrs. Allen sat back in her chair and said, "That they would have. Just remember, that we here at Ilvermorny support our students. If you ever need someone to talk to, especially an adult, don't hesistate to go to Mrs. Cutter or even come to me. Even if its just to get things off your chest." She sighed. "I've heard good things about you, Lily. You are a dedicated student. Your teachers rave about how you pick up material quickly and even study ahead. Just remember to have fun and enjoy your time here at Ilvermorny. It isn't all about school work."

Lily said, "I know, Mrs. Allen. Renee and Brandy are constantly reminding me."

Mrs. Allen said, "Good students to have as friends."

Lily said, "Can I admit something to you that my family just found out. Not many know about it."

Mrs. Allen sat up straighter. She said, "What is it my dear?"

Lily then proceeded to tell Mrs. Allen what they had found out recently. To say that Mrs. Allen was shocked was an understatement.

She said, "I'm happy for your family to be introduced to even more family, Lily. I'm sure it's a shocker for your father and Mr. Murphy as well. I knew Mr. Murphy as a student here. He never once mentioned that he had sisters that had been adopted out."

Lily said, "I don't think he knew until he was an adult, Mrs. Allen."

Mrs. Allen said, "True."

After supper, Lily sighed. She pulled out a fiction book that she had found in New York and started reading it. She needed a break from reading her textbooks. Everyone else was working on their homework or just chilling in their rooms. It was something they agreed on after the first week. They would get the time after supper for themselves, unless of course somebody needed help with their homework more or understanding certain concepts.

Just then the room phone rang, Lily knowing Brenda and Andrea were out, went to answer it. She picked up and said, "Room 205. This is Lily."

"Lily, its Sarah, one of Julia's roommates. I was wondering if you could come down to our room. Julia has locked herself in her room. I know you guys are close."
Lily replied, "Of course."

Lily knew this was out of the norm for Julia. She grabbed some sweets and went down to floor one. She quickly found Julia's room having been there before. Julia was one of the brightest students too. However, she was struggling with being away from her family, something that Lily could relate to. Lily knocked on her door and Sarah quickly answered.

Lily said, "I take it she's down again?"

Sarah said, "I don't know what's going on. We've tried talking to her, and everything just like you told us, but it seems like you're the only who can bring her out of this slump."

Lily replied, "Call Mrs. Cutter. I think its about time we bring the teachers into this. This is getting bad."

Sarah immediately went to the phone while Lily went to the closed bedroom door. She knocked.

"Go away, Sarah!"

"Julia, its Lily."

Lily heard the bed move. The door opened and when Lily entered, Julia shut the door again. Lily said, "What's going on, Julia?"

Julia said, "Just another one of my bad days which wasn't helped when Victoria bullied me some more today."

Lily said, "Why haven't you reported her like Sarah and I have been telling you to, Julia? This has got to stop. As we have said before, Victoria is a vicious and jealous of your abilities. It doesn't help that it took her house statue nearly ten minutes to choose her at the sorting where as your double sorting was within minutes. What does that say about her?"

Julia giggled.

Lily said, "Now, here are some sweets. I've had Sarah call Mrs. Cutter. I think you need to tell her everything that's been going on including the bullying. That's what she's hear for. Renee, Brandy, Deidra and I are your friends, but we can only do so much. Mrs. Cutter I'm sure can put you in contact with your family so you can at least contact them without owl post."

Julia wiped away her tears. She said, "I know I'm being foolish."

Lily said, "You are not being foolish. I miss my family, too, Julia. Its tearing at my heart that I can't be with them right now as Britain is trying to cope with this attack, and if it is somehow connected to us magicals and the evil that has torn us apart before, but I know that my family is happy with my choice of schools and that I'm not there to see how it is affecting them." She sighed. "You know what, I bet your parents are even missing you just as much as you are missing them."

Julia nodded. She said, "They've written that the farm isn't the same without me there."

Just then a knock came at the door. Lily got up to answer it. It was Mrs. Cutter. She smiled when she saw Lily was there. She said, "Lily, its nice to see you here." She came in and closed the door. "Now, Julia, tell me what's going on."

And Julia did. She let everything out and with a nudge from Lily, she even told Mrs. Cutter about Victoria Engle's bullying. Mrs. Cutter was alarmed at this. Victoria was in building 5, but had several classes with Julia.

Mrs. Cutter said, "I will arrange something for you to talk to your parents, Julia. Thank you for telling me this. Being homesick is nothing new as I'm sure Sarah, Monica, and Lily have told you. As for Ms. Engle, I will make sure she is punished. I will talk to her hall mother, and see what we can do. One thing that Ilvermorny does not tolerate is bullying, Julia. I'm just thankful it hasn't gotten to the physical stage yet, but emotional bullying is just as bad if not worse in my book."

After that meeting, Julia opened up more and started acting like herself more often. However, Victoria Engle still was a pain in their butts, but started targeting them as a group instead of one individual.

One day, Lily, Brandy, Deidra, Julia, and Renee were sitting by the pool, talking about their classes, when a spell came out of nowhere and knocked Brandy unconscious. Lily jumped up. She stood in front of the group looking around for the source and she found it. Victoria Engle was walking towards them with her wand out.

Lily said, "Julia, run and get a prefect."

Julia nodded knowing that Lily had learned some defensive spells from her father before starting school.

Lily said, "Ms. Engle, I see your out enjoying this day."

Victoria said, "Shut up, you half-blood. Your no better than your friend, Julia."

Renee stood up and said, "That's where your wrong, Victoria. Lily and her family are not half-blood's at all in England as you put it."

Everyone stood around watching as Victoria was about to fire off another spell, but Lily did a quick disarming spell."

Prefects were coming over as Lily caught Victoria's wand. Mrs. Cutter, Mrs. Sumter, and Mrs. Allen was seen running from the school. Jasmine, one of the fifth year prefects came over and took Lily and Victoria's wand from Lily.

Mrs. Allen said, "What is going on here? I demand an explanation right now!"