Lily and company arrived in England the next day at 3 PM local time. Her mother was there to greet her. Lily ran into her mother's arms.
Ginny said, "Its so good to have you back home, Lily. Your brothers are already at the manor and can't wait to see you."
Lily smiled. Ginny thanked the Murphy's for making sure that Lily made it back to England alright. They then went their separate ways. Lily and Ginny went to the floo area and went to Potter Manor.
Lily stepped out of the fireplace and sighed. It was good to be home. She didn't have to be back in Boston until the 4th of January to catch the train back to school. Victor had offered to take Lily with them when they left on the third, which Ginny and Harry readily accepted.
As Lily was opening her suitcases, a small pop was heard. Lily turned and smiled. She said, "Hey Gertrude. I have missed you."
Gertrude ears wiggled in delight. She replied, "I missed you, too, Miss Lily. Does Miss Lily need help with her things?"
Lily shook her head, and said, "Not at this time, Gertrude, but thank you. However, could you bring me a cup of water? I'm finding myself rather thirsty."
Gertrude said, "Of course, Missus Lily."
Lily smiled. She piled stacked her books on her desk, with her notebooks. She really needed to talk to her father about getting a bookshelf in here. Gertrude soon returned with her glass of water. After finishing unpacking, Lily went downstairs to the family parlor. Her mother was sitting there reading the Daily Prophet.
Lily said, "Where is father?"
Ginny sighed. She said, "He had to go into work today, sadly. Your brothers are out back playing Quidditch with Hugo and Rose."
Lily smiled her thanks. She went outside after grabbing her winter jacket from the closet, noting that it was a little tight. The four of them were playing a pickup game with just the quaffle. Lily whistled as Hugo landed a goal.
Hugo looked down and yelled with happiness. The four of them called a halt to their game and they soon landed. Everyone ran over to Lily and hugged her.
A few days after Lily arrived home, two owls came for her. One was from Ilvermorny with her semester grades, and the other was from Thomas. Lily quickly pocketed the letter from Thomas and opened her letter from Ilvermorny. See that her grades hadn't changed, except for History was brought up to a B. She still maintained rank 3 in their year group.
Harry ruffled Lily's hair. He said, "That's my girl."
They had gone to Diagon Alley the day before and picked up some Christmas presents for their friends and other family members. Lily had stopped into Flourish and Botts to pick up some books on careers. It was never too early to be thinking about it. Lily had then stopped in to see Ollivander.
Mr. Ollivander said, "Ah, Ms. Potter. I heard that you had gone overseas to Ilvermorny for your education. What can I do for you?"
Lily said, "Mr. Ollivander, I was wondering if you could tell me what kind of classes I would need for wand making?"
Mr. Ollivander raised his eyebrows at that. He gave her details on what classes would suit her best: Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, Arithmancy, Astronomy and Alchemy if she had the chance to take the course. He also gave her a few booklets on the craft.
After lunch, the boys were already in their rooms. It was Christmas Eve and they were going over to the Murphy's for dinner. Lily went to her room and laid down on the bed. She took out Thomas' letter:
Lily,
I hope you are enjoying your break. I told my father and grandfather that you have one of our wands. They asked which one and I told them. Grandfather smiled as it was one of the wands he had made.
My holiday break is going as expected. Got my homework done and have been helping in the shop. I have a present for you but won't send it. I'll give it to you when we return after the break.
After Yule, we are going to go looking for more cores to help with making the wands. Mother does the wood looking, apparently, she has a knack for it, that even I can admit.
I don't know why, but I can't seem to stop thinking about you and the dance on Friday night. I had a great time and hope we can continue this friendship and see where it goes. I want to get ahead of the game. I do not know if you know, but there is a schoolwide dance on Valentine's Day, and I would like it if you would accompany me. If you would like to go with someone closer to your age, I don't blame you none, but you can let me know your answer when we return to school.
Enjoy your holiday.
Thomas Branton
Lily sighed. That night at Murphy Manor, Lily pulled Renee aside and told her about the letter.
Renee ran her hands through her hair. She said, "He seems to really like you."
Lily said, "But isn't it a bit early for thinking about relationships?"
Renee said, "Not really. I know you already fancy Anthony, and possibly Thomas. Just keep his friendship and if it amounts to something more…."
"Something more what?"
Lily and Renee turned and saw Lily's mother standing there. Lily blushed and looked at Renee. Renee said, "You might as well tell her, Lily."
Lily nodded and sighed. She then went on and explained about Thomas and the Christmas dance, and his invitation to accompany him to the Valentine's dance.
Ginny laughed. She said, "Is that what this is about? Oh, Lily, I fancied your father when I was ten and he was eleven when we met in Kings Cross. Now that I think about it, probably before that, even though I had never seen the him in person. Lily, as Renee may have told you, just see where it goes. I won't tell your father or your brothers about this. I know how protective they can be of you; my brothers were the same way."
Lily smiled. She was glad that her mother knew about the 'dates' with Thomas. Her mother then promised to take her shopping for a dress for the dance in February.
A few days after Christmas, Ginny and Lily made a day of shopping with Renee also. Renee needed a dress too and wanted to check out British fashion. Her mother consented but told her to behave herself.
Lily and Renee giggled over the dresses that were available in the stores. Renee did fine a light blue one that worked with her figure. Lily was looking for something nice, but nothing fancy. They ventured into muggle London and in one of the stores, Lily saw her dress. It was in a royal blue color, had lace. Once she tried it on, she fell in love.
Renee was dumbstruck. She said, "That dress was made for you!"
Lily blushed. The dress had some lacework on the bodice, and the skirt was flowing with ruffles. The dress went to her feet as it was meant to be on someone taller than her, but her mother said she would hem it up aka shorten it with transfiguration. Next, they picked out a pair of flats to go with it.
Back at Potter Manor, Emily was studying the portrait of Lily Potter which had been silent the whole time that they had been in Potter Manor.
Emily said, "I don't know why, but Mrs. Potter's portrait reminds me of my Charms teacher."
All eyes went to her.
Harry said, "What is her name?"
Emily replied, "She goes by Charlette Evans."
James' portrait spoke up and said, "Charlette is Petunia's middle name."
Harry decided to leave it. It could just be a coincidence that a lady looking like his mother had similar names to people related to him. Lily decided once they were back at the school, to go and talk to Ms. Evans.
On January 2nd, the Potters saw the two oldest children off on the Hogwarts Express.