The students were leaving on Tuesday afternoon after their last class of the day. Lily had made sure she had everything she wanted to take with her two suitcases that she had mail ordered. Renee had recommended she get these for holidays so she didn't have to haul her trunk back and forth all the time. Lily quickly thanked her. One suitcase held her school books and the other held five sets of clothes for the holiday break.

Mrs. Cutter had come through and shrunk everything down for everyone so that they could just carry them with them in their pockets instead of having to lug them. After the last class of the day, Lily and her friends went back to their dorms and got their luggage and went to where the carts would be waiting.

Julia was going home to Georgia, Deidra lived right in Massachusetts, Brandy was going to California, and Anthony was going to Ohio, but first they all had to take the three hour train back to Boston.

Renee said, "My mother, Victoria would be waiting for us in Boston. We will take a portkey to our ranch outside of Houston."

"Ranch? Your joking right?"

Renee shook her head. She continued, "My mother's side of the family owns a well known brand, and raises long-horn cattle. She's the last of her line, so our main house is the ranch. Father commutes to Houston via apparaition on a daily basis for work at the Magical Congress of the United States branch there while mother runs the ranch."

Lily was thankful that she had bought a camera. Her father would never believe this. On the train ride back, the six friends got a compartment together. There was no assigned seating on this ride, only on the train ride on the first day.

Anthony said, "So who is going shopping on Friday?"
Lily raised an eyebrow at him. What was so special on Friday?

Renee said, "We usually do, but we are going to have some guests that may not want to, so we shall see."
Lily said, "What's so special on Friday?"

Julia said, "It's the biggest shopping day of the holiday season. It's called Black Friday. Don't ask me why its called that. All the retailers offer great deals to shoppers especially in the non-magical areas, but the magical shopping centers have gotten in on it from what I have gathered."
Brandy nodded. She said, "Yes they do, but my family don't usually partake in that as we usually go out of town for the holidays so we wait to get where we are going to get our gifts so that we don't have have to carry them with us on our luggage. This year, however, we are staying home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Everyone is coming to us."

Deidra said, "We don't participate in it. My parents think it's a stupid tradition."

Brandy agreed. Lily wasn't sure about this, but if Renee and her family went on this shopping trip, she was probably going to be expected to go. The six of them enjoyed the ride as they chatted about various things.

After three hours, they arrived in Boston. Lily stayed close to Renee as they exited the train. The platform was busy of course.

"Renee, over here dear!"

Renee smiled as she saw her mother. She rushed over, with Lily quickly following in her wake. Emily was already there, and Henry arrived soon after. After Victoria hugged her daughters, and nephew, she turned to Lily.

Victoria said, "Hello, Ms. Potter. It is always a pleasure to meet my children's friends."

Lily replied, "Thank you, Mrs. Murphy. Renee is a great friend and so is Emily even though we don't hang out that much."

Victoria smiled. She said, "We have to wait a few minutes before we can activate the portkey."

Brenda called Lily's name. Lily turned and smiled. There was Trinity, who helped Lily with her wand. Brenda said, "I wanted to introduce you to my parents, Lily."

Trinity said, "Brenda, I've already met Ms. Potter. How is your wand suiting you, Ms. Potter?"

Lily replied smiling, "Wonderful, Mrs. Branton."

Lily fingered her wand in her pocket. She was going to get a wand holster as soon as she could.

Trinity said, "I've heard a lot about you thru Brenda's letters. I'm glad to see you guys are getting along smoothly as roommates."

Lily smiled. Brenda, Andrea, and Lily were getting along great. They helped Lily and her friends with their homework if they needed.

Victoria said, "Trinity, how nice to see you again! How is it going?"

Trinity said, "A pleasure, Mrs. Murphy. Its going good. Business is booming."

Victoria said, "That's great to hear. Did I hear that Lily has one of your wands?"

Trinity said, "Yep. I think Renee does too, but not sure."

Renee replied that she did.

Victoria looked around and saw that the platform wasn't as crowded, so they bid their good-byes and everyone grabbed onto the portkey. A few minutes later, Lily found herself in the grass looking up at a beautiful two story ranch house with barns and other buildings surrounding it. With one of the barns, there were horses.

Lily smiled. Victoria said, "Welcome to Franklin Ranch."

Victoria and the others went into the house. Victoria said, "Lily, I hope you don't mind, but we will be limited on bedrooms with everyone coming in on Thursday, so we are going to have you room with Renee."

Lily said, "I don't mind at all."

In Renee's bedroom, the Murphy's had set up a twin bed on one side of the room for Lily. Renee still had her full size bed. Lily was surprised at the size of the bedroom.

Renee said, "Room expansion charm. After my mother inherited the place, she used magic to enhance everything a little bit. She's a non-magical born. Victory!"
"Ms. Renee called?"

Renee said, "Victory can you enlarge our suitcases for us?"

"Yes, young mistress."

Renee said, "Victory, this is my friend from school, Lily Potter. Lily, this is our house-elf, Victory."

Lily smiled. Victory enlarged their suitcases, and they unpacked. Renee showed Lily where she could put her clothes, and books.

Renee said, "Have you ever been on a horse?"

Lily said, "Not really."

Renee smiled. She said, "We'll have to squeeze in sometime tomorrow horse riding. Emily and I love it. Its easy."

Emily came in then and saw that they had unpacked. She said, "Supper is ready you two."

Renee said, "Yes, miss bossy."

Emily glared. She left the room. Everyone knew the comraderie between Emily and Renee, and that they were joking most of the time. Renee led the way to the dining table where Lily was reintroduced to Allen, Emily and Renee's father. Henry would be staying with them at the ranch since his parents were workaholics and this way he would be kept busy.

Allen said, "So, Lily. How are you finding Ilvermorny?"
Lily went on to explain how she loved Ilvermorny and the way that the classes were set up. Lily learned that Allen was the oldest of four children. After Allen, there was Heather, Amanda, and Kyle. Amanda lived in Los Angeles with her husband, Michael Allen, and their two children: Georgia who was 11 and going to a local magical school in the Los Angeles area, and Michael Jr. who was 9. Kyle was living in Montana on a magical wildlife preserve with his life partner, Wayne Hutton, and they had two adopted children: Troy and Eileen.

Michael said, "Wayne and his family will be here on Thursday. Unfortunately, Amanda and Heather cannot make it as their careers are keeping them busy."

Amanda was an actress and her husband was her agent.

The next day, Lily was woken up at 9 am by Renee. Lily groaned. She said, "Its our holiday, Renee. Have you ever heard of sleeping in?"

Renee said, "You don't get to sleep in on a ranch. We gave you a break as you are our guest, but even for you, Lily. 9 am is late."

Lily sighed, knowing that Renee was right. She quickly changed into something comfortable. Victory gave her a quick breakfast of cereal and juice.

Renee said, "I thought we would go horse back riding this morning."

Lily said, "I've never been on a horse in my life."

Renee said, "We have the perfect horse for beginners. She just follows the other horses."

Lily said, "Let me grab my camera. I'm sure father will want a picture of this."

Renee chuckled. She knew that Lily's parents were going to surprise her tomorrow at Thanksgiving dinner. Outside, Lily saw that Emily was already bringing out the horses. Victoria was with her. Renee handed her one of the riding helmets that was on the porch, and then grabbed a step stool.

She said, "Watch me, Lily."

Lily watched how Renee and then Emily put one foot in the stirrup and then swung the other leg over. Victoria came over and said, "If you need help, that's what I'm here for. Plus, I'm going to be riding with you guys."

Lily said, "Where's Henry?"

Victoria said, "He decided to hang out with Uncle Allen."

Lily smiled. Lily was able to get on her horse easily. Lily said, "Mrs. Murphy, will you take a picture with my camera of me on the horse, and then a picture of all three of us?"

Victoria said, "Sure, and please call me Victoria. You are my daughters friend after all."

Lily blushed. Renee had told her Grandfather hadn't told his children the discovery and that was going to be done at Thanksgiving or Christmas. Depending on how things panned out. After a few pictures were taken, Victoria mounted her steed and they led the way amongst the trails. Lily was enjoying the ride, but she also knew that she was going to be sore the next day.

Victoria led them to a hill top that overlooked the ranch. She said, "Break time."

Renee and Emily hopped down. Lily was helped down by Victoria. Her legs wobbled. Victoria handled her a potion. She said, "Here is a pain potion. It'll keep you from getting sore."
Lily thanked her. Lily took her camera and took a picture of the ranch. Victoria then took a picture of the girls together arm and arm in front of the picturesque scene.

The next day, the ranch was a hubbub of activity. Thankfully the pain potion helped Lily not be sore after riding a horse all day. Renee showed her how she could load the images onto their home computer and print them off. Victoria then did the charm to make the pictures move.

At 3 o'clock, the guests started to arrive for dinner. Lily immediately liked Kyle and his family. Then Henry's mother, Heather showed up much to the children's surprise. Henry was nonchalant towards his mother. Lily wondered if Victoria was more of a mother than Heather was. Next came Amanda and her family.

Allen said, "We're expecting a portkey here soon, with three more people. Father is bringing two more guests with him."

Victoria smiled knowing who the guests were. Everyone wondered who Victor was bringing.

Five minutes later, the portkey arrived. Victor smiled and said, "Hello family. Glad you could all make it. May I introduce you to Harry and Ginny Potter."

Lily squeeled with her delight and ran to her parents. Harry picked her up and swung her around. Ginny hugged her daughter.

Victory popped in then and announced that dinner was served.

After they all sat down at the enlarged table, Victor stood up at his place of honor and said, "Welcome family. I know most of you weren't planning on being here today, however, I have an announcement to make. As most of you are aware of my search for my sisters that my parents gave up for adoption before I was even born due to the Tom Riddle back in England. Well, I can finally announce to you all, though some of you are already aware of this, that I have finally found my sisters. Their names are Petunia Dursley nee Evans, and Lily Potter nee Evans. As most of you are aware of the story of October 1981, so I'm not going to repeat it. I welcome my sister, Lily Potter's son, Harry James Pottter and his family into our family for the first time. Harry has three children, James, Albus, and Lily."

Everyone but Emily, Renee, and Lily were shocked.

Over supper, Lily talked to her parents and cousins about anything and everything. Her mother looked like she was about dead on her feet.

After supper, Harry and Ginny retired to their rooms to rest. Lily picked up the pictures that she had printed off and wondered if she should give them to her parents now.

Lily said, "How long are my parents going to be here?"

Renee said, "Til we go back to Ilvermorny on Sunday. I don't know how your father got that much time off."

Lily said, "Probably wasn't much going on in England and he has a lot of vacation time accumulated over the years."

Renee smiled.

The next day, Lily and her parents elected to stay at the ranch house instead of heading out to go shopping. Lily showed them the pictures that she had taken at Ilvermorny of her roommates and the school. She even had a picture of her group of five friends together with her, which was taken by another student.

Harry said, "I'm glad that you have such a good group of friends, Lily."

Lily then came to the most recent photos that she took on Wednesday. She had shuffled them to where the ones where she was on a horse was on the bottom.

Her mother was awed by the photos.

She said, "This is a breathtaking view, Lily. We'll have to get them to take us there." Then her mother came to the pictures of her on the horse. "Lily? Are you on a horse?"

Lily smiled.

Harry looked at the picture and laughed. He said, "I tried to get you on a horse at Potter Manor, but you refused."

Lily said, "None of those horses made me feel easy. The horse they had me on in those pictures, was really good. Needed no guidance. She followed the others without me guiding her."

Harry smiled. He said, "Thank you for these memories, Lily. I think I know what I'm going to get you for Christmas now."

Lily laughed.