On March 1st, classes ended at 2pm for the Tennis matches that were to start that day. The tennis team met in their locker room by the courts that were outside. It turned out to be a nice, sunny day although a little chilly.

Ben said, "Okay team. Here is the line-up. Stephanie, I, Kevin, Sarah, and Jewel will be playing. Stephanie, you will be playing against the Pukwudgie captain, Jennifer Wappelhorst. Kevin, you are against Anthony Thompson. Sarah, you go against Nancy Walters, a fifth year Thunderbird. Jewel, you will be going against Lucas Renner. And finally, I'm paired up against Elaine Vinton. The rest of you I want you to observe your teammates. If your doubles partner is playing watch their match. The idea is to get the games finished before suppertime. Hence why they let classes out early. We begin in ten minutes. Any last minute questions?"

Jewel said, "Will we always be playing against a fellow year mate or…?"

Ben said, "No you will not. You got lucky honestly, Jewel. Kevin is playing a third year also. Okay. Everyone gathers around." Everyone gathered around and putu their hands in the middle. "Go Horned Serpent!"

Everyone cheered and they walked out as a team. They were playing on 3 of the four courts. The fourth court was being renovated.

The announcer said, "Welcome to the beginning of this year's Tennis season, everyone! The teams know what changes have been made this year, and I think it was a great change. Now for those who don't know, these matches are broadcasted on the Ilvermorny's website so parents can watch from anywhere in case they couldn't make it. So, lets announce the teams!"

The teams were announced. Then the scoreboards were shown and the players that were playing first went to their respective courts. Lily followed Stephanie to court three. Jewel wasn't playing until one of the other matches played out. If Stephanie was finished with her match, Lily would go and support her fellow third year. Although Lily had heard some of the matches between the upper years could last sometime. Honestly, Lily didn't understand why the matches were played during the week, instead of on the weekends.

Stephanie did her warm-up stretches. Lily helped her. After warming-up, Stephanie took off her warm-up clothes to reveal her team uniform. Shorts that were turquoise in color with gold stripes and a gold shirt with the horned serpent emblem in turquoise.

Lily shook her head. She said, "Whoever thought these colors looked good together, don't know what they were talking about."

Stephanie said, "You're not saying something that hasn't been said before."

"Ms. Harris and Ms. Wappelhorst, lets get this started."

Lily went to the area behind where Stephanie had placed her bags and watched as the coin was tossed. Stephanie won the coin toss and elected to play with her back in the slight breeze and wanted to receive first. Lily noted that Ms. Wappelhorst was wearing a uniform of green shorts and a beige top.

The match was brutal. Stephanie lost the first set and won the second. It came down to the third set.

Stephanie came over to Lily who had her water bottle uncapped and ready. After taking a drink, Stephanie said, "What do you think?"

Lily said, "She's good. Don't underestimate her."

Stephanie nodded and took another swig from the bottle. She wiped her brow. Stephanie then stepped back onto her side of the court for the final set.

The final set was intense. It went back and forth. The match had drawn quite a crowd. Jewel had sidled up to her in the meantime. She looked harried.

Lily said, "Done with your match?"

Jewel nodded but looked down. Lily squeezed her shoulders. More than likely Jewel lost her first match.

"Win to Stephanie Harris!"

Lily blinked. She had missed that in trying to comfort her other teammate. The crowd roared with cheers, even the ones who had been rooting for Ms. Wappelhorst. Stephanie and Jennifer met up at the net and shook hands. Both were breathing hard.

Stephanie walked over to Lily and Jewel. She grabbed her water bottle and took a big, long drink. Stephanie then grabbed the towel and wiped her face off.

"Stephanie, that was amazing."

Stephanie, Lily, and Jewel turned to see none other than her boyfriend, Christopher St. John, who was a fifth year Pukwudgie. Jewel and Lily giggled when Stephanie blushed.

Stephanie replied, "You're not mad at me for beating a fellow housemate?"

Christopher said, "Nope. Never met her, honestly. We have a big class. I probably don't know three-fourths of my year-mates."

Lily could only nod. Stephanie went to say more but Benjamin came up then. He was all sweaty also but was smiling. He said, "All matches are done for the day. So, let's head to the locker rooms, and discuss a few things."

Lily, Jewel, and Stephanie bid Christopher bye, and followed Benjamin to the locker room. In the locker room, Benjamin continued, "Well done today guys. Sarah, Stephanie, and I won our matches. Jewel and Kevin, you both played very well. Kevin you were up against a guy whose brother was undefeated on the tennis court while he was here at the school."

Kevin smiled at Ben's praise. Jewel smirked, but Lily could tell that she was still upset that she lost. Ben then released them, promising to go over the results at their next team practice.

Jewel and Lily walked back to the dorms in silence. Jewel had decided not to do the coed option. She bid Lily goodbye to building 3. Lily went towards building 7.

"Lily!"

Lily turned and saw James and Jasmine walking towards her together. She smiled at her brother. She was so happy for him.

James said, "I didn't get down to the tennis courts today, how'd you do?"

Lily said, "I didn't play. I'll play next time." Lily went onto explain how the way that they have the new system set up.

Jasmine said, "That makes sense."

James said, "Well, I'm glad that I didn't miss my sister's first tennis match. How'd your team do?"

Lily said, "We won 3 out of the 5 matches that we played in today. Benjamin, Stephanie, and Sarah all won their matches. Jewel and Kevin lost. Kevin was going up against a boy whose brother was undefeated his time at Ilvermorny's."

Jasmine said, "Victor Thompson will go down in Ilvermorny's history for that streak. So, Kevin went against Anthony. Wish I had been there."

Lily said, "You should have seen the matchup between Stephanie and Jennifer Wappelhorst. It lasted awhile."

Just then Ben and Stephanie caught up to them. Ben said, "That match is going to be the talk of the school for a while. Lasted about an hour. Don't think Victor Thompson even pulled that off."

Stephanie blushed.

James said, "Good job, Stephanie, and congratulations on winning. When do the double matches start?"

Ben said, "Double matches will be March 22, April 12 and 30th. I'm hoping that Lily will get to play on the 22nd."

James nodded.

Spring break was March 13th through the 19th. Deidra had invited her to her house after receiving permission from her parents. Lily was still waiting to hear back from her father. She had no desire to contact her cousin, Allen, to drive a wedge between him and his own daughter.

On the 8th, Lily finally received an email from her father.

Dearest Lily,

I'm sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. I know James is going to spend time with Jasmine and her family. He's seventeen and can do as he pleases on that front. As I have not met the Little family, I had inquired to Victor to see about them. They seem like a good family. I have no problems with you staying with them, but please do remember your manners that we have taught you. I look forward to hearing about your visit to Seattle.

Love,

Father

Lily smiled. She couldn't wait to tell Deidra. At dinner, Lily broke the news to Deidra. Deidra was ecstatic. She said, "Wait until you see the shopping district! Its underground!"

Everyone looked at her. They had not heard of this concept.

Deidra, "Seattle's magical shopping district is in the Old Pioneer Square in Seattle. It's under the new one. Non-magical just get tours of the tunnels. Whereas magical and non-magical in the know with a special bracelet can see the magical side of the tunnels."

Everyone was awed as Deidra described the different ways that they had used the tunnels to make it a magical shopping district. However, she said, her parents had put their broom shop at the end of the tunnels, just outside of them, in a notice me not ward, with a backyard expanded so that magical could try out the various brooms that they offered before buying them. Several of their friends were wanting to go and visit the district, and was talking of ways to get their parents to agree to the visit.