As Lily was packing up her things for the train back to Boston, she was thinking about the coming summer. Her little sibling was going to be born in July and then also two more cousins in August, but first she needed to get through this week that she was staying at the ranch, and then she'd be able to go home.

Just then a knock came at her door. Lily stopped her packing and went to answer it. It was Mrs. Evans. Lily said, "Mrs. Evans, what a nice surprise. What can I do for you?"

Mrs. Evans said, "I've got some bad news, Lily. You will not be going home on the train with your cousins. Your father has instructed that you are to stay here with your brother this week."

Lily said, "Did he say why?"

Mrs. Evans said hesitantly, "No. I'm truly sorry, Lily."

Lily watched as Mrs. Evans left. She picked up her planner and threw it at the wall. Why was her father restricting her to the school? The way Mrs. Evans hesitated that way made her think that she knew why that she was being held at the school with James and Jasmine.

Lily went to her desk and picked up her cell phone. She texted Julia to please come to her room. Julia arrived with Renee. Renee and Lily had patched things up and were once again friends.

Renee said, "What's up? Why aren't you packed?"

Lily laid it out for her friends. For that was what they were at that moment. They weren't family, but were friends. She had asked Julia to come as a friend and was thankful that she had brought Renee.

Renee said, "That is troubling. I'll call my father to see if he has heard anything about this."

Lily said, "Don't worry about it, Renee. I'm sure father has his reasons."

Renee said, "He should've given you more notice."

Julia said, "I want to know why you can't go home with us and then come back for James' graduation."

Lily grumbled. She said, "You and me both. What am I going to do all week? All the events are being catered to the graduates."

They had heard about the events every year since they arrived at Ilvermorny that the school put on for the graduates to help finalize their plans after graduation and to network with professionals. Universities and colleges had even come to try and entice undecided graduates into their programs.

Renee said, "Why not network yourself? Look into the colleges and see what might interest you."

Lily said, "That's not a bad idea."

Julia said, "We could ask Uncle Allen if we could stay at school to keep you company?"

Uncle Allen is what Julia, Irene and Wanda were comfortable calling Allen.

Renee said, "I don't know about that, Julia. I think mom had plans for us for when we get back."

Lily crossed her arms. It was really annoying that she was going to miss out on these plans that Victoria probably made with her in mind in coming to the ranch.

The next day, Lily saw her friends go to the train station via the carts. James and Jasmine were lounging in the courtyard.

James looked up and said, "Lily, why aren't you on the train?"

Lily said, "Apparently, father saw fit to want to keep me here at the school this week rather than letting me go to Houston with the rest of the family and then come back to the school for your graduation."

James said, "That's weird. He didn't mention anything to met about it."

Lily said, "I just found out yesterday from Mrs. Evans."

Jasmine said, "What do you plan on doing this week? There's tons of events for us seniors, but not much for underclassman."

Lily said, "Renee suggested that I use this opportunity to look at any possible colleges that I might be interested in and what kind of programs they are offering."

Jasmine said, "That's not until Thursday though."

Lily said, "I'll figure something out."

James said, "Have you called father and asked him about it all?"

Lily said, "Hard to get a hold of him. You know that James."

James nodded. With the time difference it was hard to get a hold of anyone in Britain.

Jasmine said, "Why not go to Mrs. Allen?"

Lily said, "There's a thought. I'll go do that now."

Jasmine and James waved her off. Lily started fast walking towards the principal's office. Many of the seniors were staring at her as she walked by wondering why an underclassman was still at school. Lily knocked on the office door.

"Come in."

Lily opened the door and said, "Mrs. Allen? I was wondering if I could have a word with you."

Mrs. Allen looked up from her paperwork and smiled. She said, "Of course, Ms. Potter. Have a seat. Would you like something to drink?"

Lily shook her head no at the question.

Mrs. Allen said, "So what can I do for you, Ms. Potter?"

Lily said, "Well, I was just wondering what my father was expecting me to do here at school for this week or if you can even tell me why he wanted me to be confined to the school?"

Mrs. Allen said, "I do not know why your father wanted you to stay here at the school. Even if I was privy to that information, it would not be my place to tell you without your father's permission."

Lily said, "Can I have permission to go to Ilvermorny village?"

Mrs. Allen said, "I would need to get permission from your father for that. If you need something to do, Ms. Potter, why not offer your teachers some help? I know several need help with their final things for the school year. I also know that Mrs. Kellersmith would love some help on a project she is working on and the Creature teachers need help with the animals."

Lily said, "Thank you, Mrs. Allen. I will look them up, but if you can, please contact my father and see if I can get permission to go to the village a day or two this week. Even if I must have James with me, I'm willing to accept that."

Mrs. Allen said, "I'll see what I can do."

After Lily left, Mrs. Allen picked up her phone and called Mrs. Evans. Mrs. Evans came by ten minutes later. Mrs. Allen said, "Have you heard any more from Mr. Potter Sr. on what is going on with Lily and the threat against her?"

Mrs. Evans said, "No, I haven't. I hate that she is having to stay here at the school. She is a teenager; she needs to be with her friends."

Mrs. Allen said, "I agree. I'm going to email Mr. Potter and see if he can let her go to the village with an escort. I don't know about having James escort her though. If he would be agreeable, would you be willing to escort Ms. Potter around the village?"

Mrs. Evans said, "Of course, Sara."

Mrs. Allen said, "Thank you. I'll let you know what the decision is."

After leaving Mrs. Allen's office, Lily went to Mr. Fox's office. He was in. He said, "Ms. Potter, what a nice surprise. I thought you would be on the train."

Lily said, "I have to stay here per my father's orders until James' graduation on Saturday."

Mr. Fox said, "I'm sorry to hear that. What can I do for you? Questions about the homework that we set?"

Lily said, "Actually, no. I haven't even looked at the homework assignments for the summer yet. I talked to Mrs. Allen and she said that the other Creature Care teachers and you were might need help with the animals."

Mr. Fox said leaning back in his chair, "Of course. I know I definitely need help with the animals that we learned about this year and I'm sure that if we asked Mr. Ward he can teach you how to care for the animals that he presents in fourth year."

Lily said, "That sounds great!"

Mr. Fox said, "Come by the stables about five. That's usually when I do my evening rounds. In the meantime, I'll talk to Mr. Ward."

Lily nodded.

Back in her room, Lily worked on her homework. She worked on her creature homework first. It was an essay about which of the animals that they had learned about this year was their favorite. They were to then describe how to take care of said animal. Lily had taken copious notes during her creature class. She turned to her notes on her chosen animal. It was a type of winged horse. The Aethonan.

At five o'clock, Lily walked to the stables. Mr. Fox was there waiting on her. Mr. Fox said, "Thanks for coming, Ms. Potter. So, this evening we need to feed and water all the animals that require two a day feedings. If you want to, grab some of the grain. You know what to do."

Lily nodded. She went to work. The last ones that she fed were the Aethonan's. The last one that she fed was her favorite. A lovely, light chestnut colored one. Mr. Fox said that she had yet to receive a name when she was first introduced to the class back in April as the Aethonan was just recently acquired. Lily had gotten the opportunity to name her, and named her Liz in honor of Queen Elizabeth.

Lily said, "Hi there, Liz. Are you hungry? I've got some grain for you."

Liz rubbed her shoulder with her nose.

The rest of the week, Lily helped Mr. Fox and Mr. Ward with their animals, along with Mrs. Kellersmith with her project.

On Saturday, her father showed up. Her mother wasn't able to come due to being too far along in the pregnancy. James hugged his father. Lily stood apart, with her arms crossed.

Harry said, "Lily, please. When this is said and done, I will explain everything to you. I understand you are upset with me, but I have a very good reason that I had you stay at the school."

Lily said, "Whatever."

James and Jasmine's graduation ceremony was the next day. The auditorium was packed with friends and family of the graduates.

Mrs. Allen said, "Welcome friends and family to the graduation ceremony of the class of 2022. We are here to celebrate the achievements of these exemplary students. I have watched each and everyone of these students get through some difficulties and have overcome each and every obstacle. I now turn you over to the class valedictorian, Jasmine Young. Ms. Young achieved a 4.0 all 7 years of her schooling. Along with such an academic achievements, she was on the tennis team since third year. Ms. Young has also received a full-ride academic scholarship to Boston University."

Jasmine got up on stage and gave her speech. 3 hours later, the ceremony finished.

They all went to Key West to celebrate after the graduation. Jasmine's parents were hosting a graduation party for both Jasmine and James. Both of their friends came. Lily stayed inside the house. They were staying the night before heading back to England.

Heather came in and said, "Come and join the party, Lily."

Lily said, "I don't feel like it, Heather."

Just then, Harry came into the room. He said, "Heather, can you give us some time to talk?"

Heather said, "Sure, Mr. Potter."

After Heather left the room and then the house to the back yard, Harry turned to Lily. Harry said, "I know you are upset with me for not allowing you to go to Franklin ranch and then to the village by the school. Trust me that there are very good reasons."

Lily said, "I sure hope so. I was looking forward to spending some time on the ranch before returning to the manor and the craziness of our family."

Harry had to admit that the Weasley family was a bit much. Sometimes on the weekend, they would have several of Ginny's family members over to enjoy the grounds of the manor.

Harry continued, "The reason why I had you confined to the school was that MACUSA had received a tip that you were in danger. More specifically, possibility of being kidnapped. We've been working this week to find and capture those responsible for the plot. Unfortunately, we were not able to get very far."

Lily said, "So you are going to confine me to the manor for the summer? How could you father after what Professor Dumbledore did to you growing up?"

Harry slumped. He felt like he was slapped in the face. His children knew that Professor Dumbledore had confined him to the Dursleys and the Burrow after he started Hogwarts. All for his safety.

Harry said, "I will rethink my decision."