The day after James and Albus returned to Hogwarts, Lily and the Murphy's returned to the United States to get ready for the start of the next school term. Lily needed to replace a couple of notebooks and pencils. Emily had mentioned that their gym class was going to be switched to music, also.

They went to Boston immediately, so that they can relax for the day and get their supplies that they need. As Lily was looking at Tennis rackets and Renee looking at brooms, Lily heard her name called.

"Lily! Renee!"

They both turned. It was Julia. They both smiled. Julia said, "You guys ready for the new school term?"

Renee said, "You bet. How was your Christmas?"

Julia said, "It was good. Thanks for the gift's guys. My parents really enjoyed the books on the wizarding world."

Lily said, "We glad that they liked them. So, you guys came to Boston early?"

Julia replied nodding her head, "We did too at the beginning of the year. Makes for a less than early start time. Plus, we flew in a plane this time! That was amazing. I was kind of afraid that my magic my do something though."

Renee said, "One person who hasn't reached their 18th birthday, won't interfere with the electronics, Julia. So, you were good. Are your siblings magical?"

Julia said, "Both of my sisters, Irene and Wanda are. I do have an older brother, Jonas who isn't, but he's happy for us that we are."

Renee smiled.

The two families went to a diner for supper. Emily said, "Lily and Julia, when you get to the school tomorrow, make sure you scan your wand. Your dorm room shouldn't have changed, but your schedule might have."

After supper, Lily was in her room. She was the only one who had gotten her own room as there were three girls and the rooms only could hold two beds a piece. As Lily was finishing her packing, her mirror vibrated. She was confused as none of her parents would be contacting her.

Lily picked up her mirror and saw her father. She did the math and saw that it was 5 am there. Lily said, "Father, is everything alright?"

Harry said, "Everything is fine, sweety. Just peachy."

Lily knew something was wrong. Her father never called her sweety and only did he use those words when he was angry or upset. Lily said, "Father, just tell me."

Harry said, "James has been expelled."
Lily's jaw dropped. What could her idiot brother done to get him expelled from Hogwarts? Lily said, "What for?"

Harry said, "It concerns your other brother Albus. Albus is fine thank god. However, James pushed him down the grand staircase, and Albus got several broken bones as a result. Minerva and I thought it would be best to get him out of Hogwarts. Minerva expelled him, and I've been in contact with several schools to see who would take him."

Lily said, "Don't tell me."

Harry said, "We think Ilvermorny would be best for him. He has you nearby and It would be away from Albus."

Lily said, "Father, Ilvermorny has a more advanced curriculum than Hogwarts. We learn non-magical studies at Ilvermorny."

Harry sighed. He said, "I know sweetie, but honestly after hearing about what happened at Hogwarts, none of the other schools would take him. We're coming to Boston in 2 hours, sleep and he'll be on the train with you guys."

Lily sighed. She said, "Okay."

After getting of the mirror call with her father, Lily went to Emily and Renee's room. She knocked. Renee answered it. As soon as she saw Lily's face, she pulled Lily into their room and saw her down on the bed. Renee said, "What is going on? Is everyone okay back home?"

Lily said, "As well as can be expected with one kid expelled and another in the hospital wing."
Emily gasped. She replied, "Who got expelled?"
Lily told them what her father told her. She said, "James was always jealous of Albus. I don't know why. I think it has something to do with a present Albus got before going to Hogwarts his first year. Family heirloom."

Renee said, "That would make anyone jealous."

Lily nodded. She said, "That's not the only news."

Renee said, "What else is there?"

Emily got it. She said, "James is coming to Ilvermorny?"

Lily sighed. Emily was always smart. Lily replied, "Yes. I honestly don't know if he'll handle it too well though. Hogwarts is nothing like Ilvermorny. At Hogwarts, they don't even have physical education, music, or non-magical studies."

Emily understood.

The next morning, The Murphy's, Donaldson's, and Lily went to the train station. After they loaded their luggage onto the train, Lily got back out and looked for her parents and James. She saw them and ran towards them. She hugged her parents and then looked angrily at James. James at least looked ashamed.

Lily showed him where they were seating, and then went back to her parents.

Harry said, "I'm sorry to do this to you, Lily. It was either this or your mother homeschool him. Seeing as your mother loves her work, she didn't want to do that."

Lily said, "I understand father. I just hope he can cope with the coursework. It's not easy."

Ginny said, "That's what we gathered from Mr. Murphy. He doesn't have his broom, as he is grounded from it until summer for now. Hopefully this is an eye opener for him."

Lily nodded. She said, "I do too."

"All aboard!"

Lily hugged her parents again and thanked Mr. Murphy for his hospitality. In the compartment, Lily and Renee talked about what they were looking forward to the new term.

Lily said, "I am curious as to what we will learn in music class."

James looked at her.

Two and a half hours later, an announcement came over the intercom. "Ladies and Gentlemen, in 30 minutes we will be arriving at Ilvermorny. Normally, after getting off the train, you will be left to your own devices, however we have a few transfer students on board the train this morning. We need everyone to go to the atrium to watch their sorting."

James sighed. He was hoping to get sorted privately. He happened to notice that Lily, although she let him sit with her, was ignoring him.

Half hour later, Renee, Julia, and Lily led James out of the compartment, to the awaiting carts. James leaned forward and said, "Is that a pukwudgie driving the cart, Lily?"

Lily said, "Yep. They are part of the security of the school and help keep the school clean along with the elves."

James was astounded.

Up at the school, Lily led James to Mrs. Allen and then went to the balcony with the rest of the school.

After everyone was assembled, Mrs. Allen said, "I know it's unusual to have a sorting in the middle of the school year, but we got some transfers." Turning to the four new students, she continued, "What you need to do is stand right where I am standing and wait. I'm sure you all have heard about our sorting process here, so don't be afraid." After seeing the nods from the transfer students, Mrs. Allen called forth the first student, "Stephanie Boettcher from Beaubaxtons Academy of Magic in France."

Stephanie was sorted into Horned Serpent. Tina Harmon from Salem Institute into Thunderbird, and finally it was James' turn. Lily leaned over the railing.

Mrs. Allen said, "James Potter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

The silence in the hall was deafening. James' back went straight, and he went to the gordian knot. Lily watched the statues. After about five minutes, the Wampus roared. Lily sighed. She knew she was going to get a lot of questions concerning her brother.

The next person to be sorted was Samuel Watson who was coming from another branch of Ilvermorny in Canada as his parents were in the states now and could no longer be attending that school. Lily quickly ducked down to the tunnels so that she didn't have to listen to questions on why another Potter had come to Ilvermorny.

Renee and Julia soon caught up to her. There was another box for them to scan their wands to get their schedules. Lily scanned hers and saw that her schedule had been rearranged somewhat but not much else has changed.

Renee smiled. She said, "My room has changed. I'm now in building 4."

Lily and Julia turned. Their schedules were the same. Lily said, "What room?"

Renee said, "207."

Lily said, "That's right next to me!"

Deidra and Brandy caught up to them then too and they all found that they were sharing the same schedule and building number. Lily said, "But why did your guys' rooms change and what about the rest of your stuff?"

Deidra said, "It was moved when they decided to change the rooms. I'm in 105. They change it up when they notice people are getting close as friends if they feel it necessary. Also, if you don't get along with your roommates."

Renee said, "I didn't get along with my roommates during the first term but stuck it out."

Deidra said, "I got along well enough with mine, but not so much with my dorm mother."

Brandy said, "I was in the same situation as Renee."

They went up to their rooms and unpacked. Lily found her music book on her desk and put it in her bookshelf for her studies.

A knock soon came at her door and Brenda and Andrea entered. They both plopped down on the bed, and said, "So, speak. Is James Potter your brother?"

Lily nodded. She said, "Something happened at Hogwarts to where he wasn't welcome anymore, but please don't tell anyone."
Andrea said, "What year he going to be in?"

Lily replied, "Fifth."

Andrea said, "Wow. Owl year too!"

Lily nodded.

That evening at supper, Lily saw her brother sitting alone at a table. After talking to her friends, Lily walked over to him and said, "Want to sit with me and my friends, James?"
James looked up. He said, "Are you sure, Lils? You're not mad at me?"

Lily said, "Of course I'm mad at you, but you shouldn't be sitting alone. You haven't even ordered supper."
James said, "Nobody has told me how."

Lily gasped. She pulled him over to their table and showed him the menus and how to order food.

Lily said, "You got your schedule yet?"

James nodded and said, "Yeah. Thankfully, I've been exempt from some of the non-magical studies since I haven't taken them at Hogwarts and with it being OWL year, Mrs. Allen doesn't want me to feel overwhelmed. I get to keep my studies from Hogwarts. They are going to test me tomorrow to see where I stand to see if I need any help in certain areas."

Lily nodded.