They returned to the Franklin ranch on the fourth of August. James came with them. Mr. Murphy bought James a phone and put it on his plan. James immediately sent a message via owl to Jasmine with his phone number.

Lily had all her summer work done before the tenth. Lily, James, Renee, and Emily went to the AstroMall as it was called by the magical community. Victoria told them to stick together. Emily took pity on James and helped him out by taking him around the mall and getting things that they needed.

Lily and Renee were walking around, window shopping. It was then that Lily noticed a shop that was very eye catching. Lily recognized the décor. She said, "You have got to be kidding me."

Renee said, "What?"

Lily said, "My uncles, George and Ron have opened a storefront here. I didn't think they were that big yet."
Renee looked up and saw the sign of the store, "Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes."

Lily pulled Renee into the store. She looked around.

"Lily!"

Lily turned and saw George standing there. She ran over to him and gave him a hug.

George said, "What are you doing here?"

Lily said, "Staying with the Murphy family until school starts back up. James is somewhere in the mall with Emily."

George said, "Oh. I forgot about that. Been kind of busy trying to get this store up and going."

Lily said, "Why didn't you say you were opening a store here?"

George said, "I didn't think it would take off as it has. It was actually Mr. Murphy Senior's idea that we open a shop here."

Lily smiled. She said, "Where are my manners? George, this is my cousin and friend, Renee Murphy. Renee, this is my Uncle George Weasley, part owner and founder of this wonderful store."

Renee said, "Its wonderful to meet you, Mr. Weasley."

George said, "And you, Ms. Murphy."

Renee and Lily left at that. They continued going around the mall. Lily stopped into the music store to see if there was any new music out that she could update her music player.

"Ms. Evans, fancy meeting you here again."

Lily looked up and saw Oliver Stanton standing there again. Lily smiled and said, "Nice to see you again, Mr. Stanton. Just getting last minute things before school starts again."

Oliver nodded. He said, "I understand that. My mother is around here somewhere getting my younger sister her things."

Lily said, "Mr. Stanton, I lied to you last time and I'm sorry, but I didn't want anyone to know who I am."

Oliver said, "I understand, and I know who you are. Your secret is with me, Ms. Evans."

Lily smiled her thanks. Renee and Lily picked up a few more things that they thought they could use in the coming school year. Lily saw a dress in one of stores that spoked to her and went in and bought it in her size.

Renee said, "Why'd you buy that? Thought you were going to break it off with Thomas?"

Lily said, "I am."

Lily thought back to the conversation that Renee and she had shortly after getting back to Houston.

Lily pulled Renee into her room and closed the bedroom door. Renee raised an eyebrow at her.

Lily said, "I need to talk to you without ears dropping."

Renee said, "Is this about Thomas bothering you?"

Lily nodded. She said, "He was texting me non-stop at father's birthday party. He knew that the party was that night. Thomas tried to play it off that he forgot that it was that night- and the-time difference."

Renee said, "Hmm, I would suggest you break it off."

Lily sighed. "Mother said the same thing. I just wonder what made him change."

Renee said, "Men like him, tend to show you their good side and then when you get close, the other side comes out."

Renee said, "Then why are you buying this dress?"

Lily said, "Just in case someone else asks me, plus there is always the Valentine's Dance in February."

Renee said, "You have a point."

Back at the Murphy ranch, Lily added her new purchases to her trunk. They were leaving for Boston the next day, and the train was the day after that. Lily then called Brenda.

Brenda said, "Lily! Excited for a new school year?"

Lily said, "Of course! Hey, I need to talk to you about Thomas."

Brenda sighed. She said, "What's he done?"

Lily said, "He won't leave me alone. Its like he wants to know what I'm doing every waking moment. I'm going to have to tell him its over. I can't stand what he's doing."

Brenda said, "I was wondering about that. I thought he was just texting his friends, but I guess not. What are you going to do about a phone?"

Lily said, "I've gotten a pay as you go phone, and will activate it tonight. When I break up with Thomas, I'll return this phone. As soon as my new phone is activated, I'll text you. I would like to stay in contact with you at least. You were a really good roommate."

Brenda said, "Okay. You and Andrea should still be roommates this year, but things could've changed."

Lily said, "Right."

They talked a few more minutes, and then got off the phone. Lily quickly activated her new phone and transferred all numbers but Thomas' to the new phone. She texted everyone that this was the new number that they could reach her on.

In Boston, everyone settled into their rooms. Lily once again had her own room, with Emily and Renee sharing and James and Henry sharing. At dinner, Lily and Renee laughed and talked about the upcoming year. All their friends agreed to meet up on the train.

The next morning, Lily dressed in her uniform. On the left-hand side of her shirt was a patch with her house with a turquoise border. In her bag, she had a book to read on the train and one of her robes. The sorting ceremony was one of the few times where they had to wear their robes. The robe was blue with a cranberry lining and over the heart it also had a patch with the turquoise border.

At the train station, Lily and Renee easily found their friends and sat in their compartment talking about their summers. Julia had a nice tan from working on the farm. Brandy and Deidra both had excursions overseas for their vacation.

Lily said, "Wait a minute! You guys were in England in June, and you didn't even tell me!"

Deidra said, "I wanted to see you, but we were constantly going. I had hoped my parents would have a relaxing day, but nope. Constant seeing the sites and not to mention working."

Lily sighed. It would have been great to see her friends.

Brandy said, "My parents were actually on a working vacation. I was forbidden to leave our hotel unless accompanied by them. I tried to tell them I had a friend that live in England that would more than be happy to see me while they were working, but they wouldn't listen."

Lily nodded.

The door to their compartment opened and in stepped Thomas. Thomas said, "Lily, come and sit with me."

Lily said, "I'm sitting with my friends, Thomas."

Lily pulled out the phone he gave her, and said, "By the way, we're through. I can't believe how you are. You are very controlling. I hope one day you change to a respectable young man, but right now, I can't stand the sight of you."

She threw the phone at him, pushed him out of the compartment, and closed the compartment door, locking it. Lily slumped back in her seat. Deidra, Brandy, and Julia were wide-eyed. The rest of the trip to Ilvermorny, they spent talking about what happened between her and Thomas.

As they were approaching the station close to Ilvermorny, Lily said, "Has anyone heard from Anthony?"

Brandy said, "He's sick and will be at school later."

Lily nodded.

They hopped on the carts to the school where they went upstairs to the balcony overlooking the atrium. The view from here was amazing. Lily could see the gordian knot in the center of the room. The statues were still, but Lily could have sworn she felt the magic coming off them.

Lily watched as the first years were led into the hall and put off to one side. She also noticed that there were about only a hundred students in this year's class. Lily made a mental note to mention it to Renee when they were in private. There were whispers around the hall that seemed to say that she wasn't the only one who noticed the size of the class of first years.

Mrs. Allen said, "Welcome students, new and old to another year at Ilvermorny! Third year charms will now be taught full-time by Ms. Charlotte Evans, as Mr. Thompson will not be returning." More whispers. "First years, when I call your name, please step here where I am standing, put your name on your gordian knot on your robes, and wait. When a statue decides they want you as part of their house they will respond."

Two hours later, all the first years were sorted. There was nothing to note amongst them. Most of them were chosen by only one or two houses, with the rare third house thrown in. Lily and her friends went down to the great hall and grabbed a quick snack. They then went to their dormitories.

At the box, Lily scanned her wand, and got her schedule. Her room was the same number, but she got bumped up to room B instead of C. Lily wondered if Andrea would be her roommate. Everyone compared schedules and they saw that they had similar schedules.

In her room, Lily put her bag on the desk, and opened her trunk. "Lily? You here?"

Lily perked up. That was Andrea's voice. Lily said, "Yeah, room B."

Andrea popped into the room and said, "Its different not having Brenda here."

Lily said, "It is. I just hope her brother, Thomas doesn't give me any crap. He asked me to be his girlfriend, and I agreed. Then he became possessive. I couldn't do anything without his say so. So, on the train back here, I broke up with him."

Andrea said, "Wow. I never would have thought that would have come from someone of the Branton family. So, how was your summer?"

Lily and she talked.

"Hello?"

Lily and Andrea smiled at each other. Their new roommate had arrived. They stood up and went to the sitting area. There stood a first-year girl who was unsure of what to do.

Andrea said, "Hello, there. My name is Andrea Little, I'm a fifth year and am in Wampus house."

Lily said, "Lily Potter, and I'm in my second year, Horned Serpent."

The girl said, "My name is Audrey Sampson."

Lily recognized the girl from Yolanda's funeral. She didn't say anything though. Lily said, "What house were you chosen by?"

Audrey said, "I was chosen by Wampus and Pukwudgie, but I went with Wampus in honor of my big sis."

Andrea raised an eyebrow at that. Lily mouthed later. Lily said, "Which room is yours?"

Audrey said, "C."

Lily led Audrey over to room C. She then helped her unpack. After she was unpacked, Lily showed her the bathroom facilities.

Audrey said, "Thank you, Ms. Lily. I do remember you from summer."

Lily said, "If you need anything just say so."

Audrey nodded and went into her room and shut the door. Andrea came out of her room where she had been unpacking and said, "What's going on?"

Lily said, "You remember the incident at the end of the year with Mr. Thompson?"

Andrea said, "Of course. It was the talk of the school."

Lily said, "Well, the girl involved with that, killed herself over the summer."

Andrea put her hand over her mouth. She said, "I take it that girl was Audrey's older sister?"

Lily nodded. "I was at her funeral as my friends and I had become close with her in those final weeks of school. Just don't mention it to her. I'll keep an eye on it. What time is our hall meeting tonight?"

Andrea looked at their bulletin board and said, "Eight and it looks like Mrs. Cutter is our dorm mother again."

Lily said, "Who is our floor prefect?"

Andrea said, "It doesn't say. Hmm, that is different. The board usually has a list of the floor prefects and then the dorm head student, but none of that is listed."

Lily said, "Maybe Mrs. Cutter will announce it tonight at the meeting. I'm going to go and unpack."

Andrea nodded. She said, "I need to finish up some assignments."

Lily smiled.