Well, seeing as they had to head back to Ilvermorny the day after the funeral, Lily couldn't help Lucas with his Arithmancy in England. They made plans to meet up in the study room with the others to try and figure out the issue as they weren't the only ones, but the others had been able to sit in on the lecture and they would have notes. For the trip back, everyone took a portkey. Mr. Murphy even offered to get Lucas and have them join him to the USA much to his grandfather's relief. Lord Renner had been uneasy about Lucas traveling by himself.

Back at Ilvermorny, Lily introduced Lucas to her group of friends, and they welcomed him into the study group which had grown to a couple of others that weren't in their close-knit friend group. They set about working out their Arithmancy homework, and with the help of her friends and the others in the study room that were also taking Arithmancy, quickly figured out how to work the problem.

Lily returned to her classes like she hadn't even missed anything. Everything fell back into a routine for Lily and her friends. The rest of October went by in a flurry. Wampus kicked Pukwudgie's butt in Quidditch the week after Horned Serpent beat Thunderbird.

The week before Halloween, Lily was seen combing through the library archives. Her friends were concerned for her because when she wasn't studying or at Quidditch practice, she spent all her time in the archives. Qiana noticed this also and decided to approach her.

Qiana said, "Lily, what is going on? You're not one to do just devote all your spare time to research."

Lily said, "I've been talking to my brother about the anniversary of our grandparents' death on our father's side. The 31st marks 40 years since they passed away and our father was nearly killed at the hands of the madman."

Qiana said, "And this relates to your research how?"

Lily said, "I'm looking into see if there are any wizarding old or new that we can do to celebrate their memories."

Qiana smiled. She said, "Well why didn't you just say so. It's not exactly magical in means, but with my Mexican heritage, I know something that would work perfectly." Lily raised her eyebrow in a questioning manner. Qiana continued, "Have you ever heard of something called the Day of the Dead?"

Lily shook her head.

Qiana said, "It is believed during the period between October 31st and November 2, that the departed return to the living to visit with their living relatives. We celebrate the departed children on the 1st, and on the second, we celebrate the adults. If we were home during this time, we would build an altar in our home with pictures of the loved one, and place offerings and other things around it. Then we would go to the graveyard and decorate the grave. Since we are here at the school, Mrs. Allen has allocated a room for this holiday for those who wish to observe it during the school time. Many have already started decorating it. We just set up a table with pictures of the family we wish to honor with candles and flowers. Some still do the offering and go more elaborate."

Lily said, "That sounds like a good idea. I'll need to contact my mother to see if she can send me a picture of my grandparents. Thank you, Qiana."

Qiana nodded. She said, "Let me know when you get it and I'll help you set it up."

Lily thanked her.

A few days later, Lily received a package from her mother. Lily rushed to open it. Not only did it include a picture of her paternal grandparents, but included a picture of all four Marauders, Fred, and a few other people who had died during the first and second war with Voldemort. Lily was overwhelmed. She read the note that accompanied it that explained some of the people were and how the Weasley family knew them. Lily was shocked that her Grandmother Weasley had twin brothers who had died as heroes in the first war.

That evening, she approached Qiana who then showed her to the area off the atrium of the school where they had originally gone to get their wands. Inside, Lily was stunned at the transformation of the room. There were small altars and some even bigger than herself. Qiana walked over to a student that was working on their own altar and said something to them. The student looked at Lily and the box she was carrying and smiled.

He came over and said, "Ms. Potter, how big of an altar do you need?"

Lily pulled out the photos she had. The male student said, "Wow. Okay. There is a spot over here that'll work."

Lily followed the student over to the area. He conjured a table for her and an altar that would fit all the pictures. He then said, "Here you go. I'm sorry for your family's loss, Ms. Potter. What your family went through in England, well honestly heck, all of wizarding Britain, none of us can fathom. Let me know if I can help in anyway."

Lily bowed her head in thanks. Her and Qiana started right away arranging the pictures so that they would look good, but her paternal grandparents were in the front and slightly larger than the rest of the pictures. They then conjured the flowers and positioned them around the altar.

Qiana said, "That's all we will do today. Tomorrow we will get candles and place them. Then on November 2, around eight o'clock we all will gather in here and light our candles."

Lily said, "Thank you, Qiana."

On October 31st, Lily put on her dress that she had bought back in August. She then did her hair up in an elaborate French twist. After using some light make up charms that her mother had taught her, Lily left her room. Audrey was just coming out of her room in a simple shirt and skirt.

Audrey said, "Wow, Lily. You are going to knock Oliver's socks off."

Lily blushed. In her hand, she held a small masquerade mask. She didn't want to do anything elaborate this year. She had agreed to meet Oliver in the atrium and go to one of the ball rooms that was housing the dance this year.

In the atrium, Lily immediately started looking for Oliver. She didn't notice a few of the looks coming from the guys or the jealous looks from the girls. As she wove through the crowd, she notice a few girls crowded around a guy, just grabbing all over him. He looked very uncomfortable. It was then she recognized Oliver. He caught her eye and smiled. Lily made her way over to him.

Oliver said, "You look stunning, Lily." He looked at the other girls and continued, "I tried to get them off me, but they were persistent."

Lily said, "I saw you were pretty much ignoring them."

Oliver smiled. He said, "Shall we?"

Lily took his arm and said, "We shall."

They chatted on their way to the ballroom. There were several already milling about. The doors soon opened, and everyone walked in. The room was tastefully decorated. Lily put on her mask and they walked over to a table. After eating some dinner, Oliver led Lily onto the dance floor.

After a couple of dances, the music picked up a bit, and Oliver and Lily decided a break was needed. Lily sat down at one of the tables and watched the dance floor. Lucas was dancing with Renee, Timothy with Qiana, Brandy and Deidra were dancing with different boys, and Julia was dancing with a fourth year. Oliver had gone and gotten some drinks from the drink table.

Lily looked to the drink table and saw that Oliver was making his way over to where she was sitting, a couple of sodas in his hand. He was about halfway, when several screams were heard. Lily looked up as several ghosts arrived. Lily shook her head. She stood up. It was then when she noticed one of the ghosts coming towards her. Lily's jaw dropped. It was Yolanda.

Yolanda stopped in front of her. She said, "Hi, Lily."

Lily said sadly smiling, "Hi Yolanda."

Yolanda said, "Us ghosts decided to have a fun time of it tonight and make the round of the dances. I just wanted to thank you for looking after Audrey while she is here at school. Sometimes I wish that they had implemented the mentor program before we started."

Lily said, "I think your problems here at school is what caused it to be implemented. Oh, my father has told me that the man who hurt you is dead."

Yolanda hung her head and said, "I've been told by Mrs. Allen. I wish I could speak to Audrey, but we are to stay hidden unless absolutely necessary. Though that may change after tonight. Mrs. Allen allowed this tonight so we can have a little fun."

Lily said, "How man are here at the school?"

Yolanda said, "About fifty or so. Most prominently is one of the ghosts. Nobody knows her name, but she's been around since the 1700s."

Lily smiled. She said, "Thank you for stopping to see me, Yolanda. Do you want me to pass any messages onto Audrey?"

Yolanda shook her head, replied, "The first and second years are next. I'll see how she is doing and then decide from there if I want to see and talk to her."

Lily said, "I understand sweetie."

At that Oliver joined her just as Yolanda floated back to the rest of the ghosts who were waiting on her. The rest of the evening, went by in blur for Lily. She had a great time. She even danced with a few others while Oliver talked to his friends. Mostly her friends, Lucas and Timothy.

After the dance ended, Oliver escorted Lily to her dorm building. He kissed her on the cheek and said, "I had a good time, Lily."

Lily said, "I did too, Oliver."

Lily used her wand to open the door, and stepped inside.