James, Lily, Jasmine and Heather had to return to Ilvermorny on January 3, the same day that Albus had to return to Hogwarts. Robert offered to take James and Lily with them to Boston so that Harry could see Albus off as Ginny had a Quidditch match to cover. Lily sighed. Her parents had not seen her off on the train to Ilvermorny much since she started. So much for the family vacations to the states every year her father mentioned that first year.

Back in Boston, Lily met up with Timothy, Deidra, and Brandy with Qiana joining them shortly after they found their seats.

"So, is anyone here going for the co-ed option that was put forth over Christmas? My parents agreed." That was from Qiana.

Timothy said, "My brother and I are."

Brandy also confirmed that she was going into the co-ed dorms. However, Deidra said that her parents and her didn't get to the email in time to sign it up, but if it was successful in testing, it would be something that they would do the following year.

"James and I are doing the co-ed option. James didn't really need our parents approval as he is 17, which in England makes him an adult. Don't know about here in the USA though, but Mrs. Allen accepted that James was an adult in our society."

Just as Lily was finishing with her statement, Julia came in with her luggage, which she placed on the luggage rack and sat down. Julia caught on with what they were talking about.

"I am doing it. Irene is a little upset that she doesn't have the option as being a first year. Emily and Henry are, however, Renee opted out. I thought Allen would have a coronary over the holidays with the way Renee was acting, especially after he heard what happened between Lily and Renee before we let out for the holidays."

Everyone quieted at that. It was still a sore spot for them on how Renee turned on Lily. Lily broke the tensions by saying, "So, how was everyone's holiday?"

The rest of the journey was passed by talking about the holidays and the way everyone spent them. As they were nearing Ilvermorny, Qiana said, "Oh, and by the way guys, expect an invite from my parents for my Quinceanera. We are already starting to plan it for not this summer but the next."

The rest of the friend group nodded. Lily made a mental note to ask Qiana about it later, not wanting to look like a nutjob in front of her friends for not knowing about this particular celebration. They soon arrived at the station. Everyone made sure that their coats were on and fastened tightly as it was bitterly cold. Lily, Deidra, Brandy, and Julia got a cart for themselves, with Timothy and Qiana getting in the one behind them with two people they didn't know.

At school, Deidra left them to go to her dorm while the rest had to rescan their wands. Lily looked at her schedule and saw that she was in Building 7, room 110, and that Audrey was close by in room 113 should she ever need her. Where her Ancient Runes class was she had a study hall, with Tennis on Tuesday and Thursdays. It seemed that they all were in building 7. Deidra was in room 120, Julia was in 315, Qiana was in 318, and Timothy was in 216.

Inside the building, it was utter chaos. Mrs. Evans was trying to help everyone out by directing them to their floor. A few other teachers were trying to help also. Lily went up to her room and shut the door. The things from her old room were in boxes around the room.

Lily sighed, it was going to take her awhile to get everything back to the way she wanted it. She went about organizing her room, and putting things the way she wanted it. The bed was opposite a door which Lily presumed was a bathroom. The desk was underneath the window looking out with the bookshelf next to it. Her owl stand was on the opposite side of the bookshelf. Lily sighed. Belle hadn't really come with her to Ilvermorny since that first year, and she missed having the owl around at times, but she knew that Belle was happy back at Potter Manor and even had little owlets.

After making her bed, Lily put her books on her bookshelf. Just as she was putting the final book on the shelf, a knock came at the door that was opposite of her bed. Lily pondered on what. She went over and opened it. There stood a dark-skinned girl about her age, wearing a bright smile.

The girl said, "Hi, my name is Kathryn Stevens. Looks like we are sharing a bathroom."

Lily blinked. She said, "Hi. My name is Lily Potter."

Kathryn said, "Nice to meet you, Lily. Oh my, I love how you decorated your room. You see I am new to Ilvermorny. My parents homeschooled me up until the holidays but realized that it would be in my best interest that I come here to interact with children my own age. I was sorted into Wampus."

Lily giggled. Kathryn reminded her of the stories of Aunt Hermione when she first started Hogwarts. Running off at the mouth when she was nervous. Lily said, "Sorry about that, you remind me of one of my aunts."

Kathryn smiled. She said, "So, we need to come up with a bathroom schedule. I take showers at night."

Lily said, "I do too. I'm also on the tennis team here, so I'll probably take mine right after practice or a game. If I need to I'll take another, but I doubt I will have to."

Kathryn said, "Not really into sports myself, but I like to play a pickup game of basketball every now and then. I usually take my showers right before I go to bed."

Lily said, "We will figure something out. What year are you in if you do not mind me asking?"

Kathryn said, "Mrs. Allen informed me I was considered a third year."

Lily said, "Same as me! Let us compare schedules."

Kathryn went to her room and grabbed her schedule. They compared and realized that they pretty much had the exact same schedule, except where Lily had study hall, Kathryn had Ancient Runes, and where Lily had Alchemy, Kathryn had a study hall.

Lily said, "I think its cool that we have the same schedule almost."

Kathryn said, "Mrs. Allen mentioned trying to put me with a fellow third-year so that I can get easily acquainted with the school faster."

Lily said, "That is understandable. My friends and I can help you, easily."

Kathryn smiled her thanks and went back to her room. Lily unpacked her laptop and printer. She then decided to go and check on Audrey.

At room 113 which was across the hall from Kathryn's room, Lily knocked. Lily frowned when there was no answer after a couple of minutes. Lily knocked again. Once again, no answer. Lily figured she was up at the school or listening to her music so Audrey may not have heard her knocking.

Back in her room, Lily sat at her desk and opened her laptop. She pulled up her email to see if anything had come through since last night. There was an email from Mrs. Evans:

Dear Dorm 7 students,
I am Mrs. Charlotte Evans, 3rd year charms teacher. I am also your dorm parent. I would like to welcome you to the new dorms. Our dorm meeting will be tonight at 730 where I will announce the rules for our dorm and introduce you to your dorm prefects. There will be a total of 2, one of each gender. They will be fifth years. These are the only students above fourth year that will be in our building. Our building is primarily 2nd through 4th years. I will explain further during our meeting.

Looking forward to meeting each of you.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Evans

Lily smiled at the teacher slash auror's email. It was nice to see that Mrs. Evans was their dorm parent.

It was soon five o'clock and Lily's stomach made itself known. Lily laughed. She stood up and decided to check and see if Kathryn was interested in supper. Kathryn was. Just as they were leaving their rooms, Audrey came out of hers. Audrey saw Lily and smiled.

Lily said, "Audrey, glad to see you. How are you adjusting to your new room?"

Audrey said, "Good. I will miss our weekly get together in our commons area snacking feast."

Lily said, "Nothing wrong with still doing it. We will just have to do it in one of our rooms."

Audrey nodded. She turned to Kathryn and said, "Hello. My name is Audrey Sampson, second-year Wampus."

Kathryn said, "Nice to meet you, Audrey. My name is Kathryn Stevens, third-year Wampus."

Lily said as they went down to the tunnels, "I'm Audrey's mentor."

Kathryn said, "Mrs. Allen told me about the mentor program. Be interesting to do come sixth year."

Lily said, "Yeah. It would be interesting to see how they do it for us that year for those who already have a mentee. So, Kathryn. A little fun fact about Ilvermorny. When the weather is cold or bad out, we have these tunnels that will take us to and from the school. They also go out to the greenhouses for when we have Herbology. If the weather is deemed nice enough, they will not be accessible." Lily turned to Audrey and continued, "Kathryn is new to the school. She was homeschooled up until now."

Audrey nodded in understanding.

In the dinning hall, Audrey noticed her friends and went to join them. Lily led Kathryn over to her friend group. Lily introduced her to her friends. Julia and Qiana both offered to help her during Ancient Runes if she needed it. They showed her how to order her food.

Just as Lily was chatting with everyone about the coming term, she heard her name being called. She recognized it as George Morrison, the Quidditch captain. Lily sighed. She had hoped to forego seeing him on the first night, but the fates had intervened. Lily turned and saw him and Gregg walk over to her. Both seemed upset.

George said, "What the heck, Lily? Why are you quitting Quidditch?"

Lily said, "I made it plain to you at the beginning of the school year, that if I find that I can't handle the load of Quidditch and schoolwork, I would quit Quidditch. May I remind you also, that we are only allowed to practice the maximum of an hour a day, and there before the holidays, you had us practicing upwards of two hours a day. I'll get you the playbook tomorrow."

Gregg turned and glared at George. He had warned George about practicing so much, but George had not taken his warning to heart. Gregg said deflated, "I'm sorry that we are loosing such a talent as you, Lily. Get me the playbook and I'll pass it to your back-up. They've already been notified that you had stepped down from Quidditch."

Lily nodded her thanks and looked to George who was getting a thorough lashing from Mrs. Rumpke who was also the Quidditch referee about violating the rules. She had just happened to be walking by the group and heard what Lily had said. George looked properly chastised and left them.

Mrs. Rumpke turned to Lily and company and said, "Lily, I wish you had come to me about this. I would have talked to him about this sooner."

Lily said, "I was trying to work through it, but to be honest, with starting Tennis this term and all the classes I'm taking, I don't think I would have been able to keep with two sports and keep up with my homework."

Mrs. Rumpke nodded. She replied, "That is a smart decision. I am glad you are taking your studies seriously."

Lily smiled. The rest of dinner passed quietly, though Lily did catch Renee watching her with a puzzled look. Renee had known that Lily would step down from Quidditch if it was necessary, but, she didn't believe it.

As they were leaving the hall, Oliver called out to Lily. Lily turned and sighed. Lily waved her friends on. They nodded.

Oliver said, "I hope you had a good holiday, Lily."

Lily said, "It was good. Some major things happened in my life that are positive."

Oliver said, "Yeah, its already through the upper years that James and Jasmine are engaged. Look, I'm sorry about before the holidays. Things were tense at the time. I've straightened things out with my father and he understands and is very pleased that I still want to follow in his footsteps."

Lily smiled at that, but thought where was he going with his talking?

Oliver continued, "However, I've done some thinking, and I think its best that we just remain friends."

Lily answered, "I'd like that Oliver. I realized over the holidays myself that even though I enjoyed your company, that we really had nothing in common. I hope you find someone that compliments your personality."

Oliver smiled his thanks.

In the dorm, Lily sat in the commons area with her friends who had welcomed Kathryn into their little group.

Timothy said, "Did you see Renee watching us tonight?"

Julia said, "I did. It was weird."

Kathryn said, "Who is Renee?"

Lily said, "Renee is Renee Murphy. She is my cousin and Julia's sister. We found out three years ago shortly after we started here that we are related. Julia and her sisters Irene and Wanda were adopted by the Murphy's. That is Julia's story to tell. Somethings happened at Thanksgiving and led to a falling out with between Renee and me."

Julia said, "The only reason I still talk to her is because she is my sister."

Kathryn was shocked.

It was soon time for the dorm meeting. Mrs. Evans came in through her office door with two fifth years. The one shocked Lily and her friends. The boy prefect for their building was Thomas Branton.

Mrs. Evans made a bang go off with her wand. She said once everyone quieted down, "Welcome students! I'm glad that you all have decided to participate in this. It is the faculties' hope that this test is successful. So how the dorm is set up is that floors one and three are female and two and four are male. If a student is ever found out to be on the opposite gender's floor, the penalty will be severe leading up to suspension, and depending on the reason, expulsion. If you remain at the school after the incident, you will loose your co-ed dorm privileges for the remainder of your time here at Ilvermorny. Now for your dorm prefects. For this term only, we only have two prefects per building on the co-ed dorms as we limited on how many can sign up for dorms. Your male prefect is Thomas Branton. Your female prefect is Allison Forsythe. Their rooms are here on the ground floor beside my office."

Mrs. Evans continued on with her speech. At 830, she dismissed the students from the meeting. Lily excused herself to bed, telling her friends that she would see them in the morning.