Behind the Shadows [Lily Luna Potter Fan Fiction] (On Hold Indefinitely)

Chapter Twelve: The Key

The two little elves were wiping down the frost covered windows as Lily sipped her cappuccino. A blanket hugged her shoulders with warmth, as did the fireplace that lit the entire room. It was now the first week of December and the coldness hit Hogwarts hard. Lily peered past the elves. The snow covered the grounds thickly and Lily couldn't help but shiver at the sight of it all. Cold was not her thing. 

It was really early in the morning but Lily had gotten up early to spend time with the two elves that she adored so fondly. 

"How that look, ma'am?" Tags asked, the checkered cloth resting in her hand. 

"Fabulous. You two really go out of your way to clean up! I bet this common room is the cleanest in all of Scotland!" Lily smiled at them.

"No, no, ma'am. Ravenclaw is clean. We was in there last week, yes we was," Tippy said, jumping off  the windowsill and onto the couch that Lily was residing. 

Lily laughed as she inadvertently traced the handle of her mug with her thumb. "Well, then the cleanest room in the dungeons, that's for sure. I mean, have you seen the vacant classrooms in this place? You'd probably die from spider bites." 

Tippy smiled ear to ear. "Tippy likes spiders, oh yes he does."

"I bet you do! And I'm guessing you don't...?" Lily asked Tags as the poor little elves bright green eyes were wider than dollar coins.

She shook her head fervently. "Spiders is icky, ma'am. Tags does not like spiders."

Lily nodded her head gently. "I'm with you on that one. And you guys can stop calling me ma'am! I definitely am not one. I mean, I am just eleven, after all." 

This time, Tags grinned. "Okay, ma'am." 

Tags then inched slowly towards Lily. Her hand was reaching towards her. Lily gently took the elf's hand in hers and was astonished at how tiny Tags's rough little hand was. 

Tags, who had been shivering slightly in fright just seconds before, stopped, a smile inching upon her face as her head cocked to the side.

"You is too kind, ma'am. But Tags and Tippy must go now, oh yes we must," said Tags as she stepped back and waited for her brother to join her. 

"Yes, yes. Tags be right, ma'am," Tippy said as he jumped off the couch and grabbed Tags's outstretched palm. 

"Bye ma'am," they both said as they apparated out of sight with a bright flash and a loud crack.

Lily sipped another douse of her cappuccino as she curled up even more onto the couch. In just 2 weeks time, she would be free of school. She'd be on vacation, roaming around the grounds of Hogwarts. Free of her parents's watchful eyes.

Later that morning, Lily was sitting with Natalie and Jacky in the Great Hall when the owls came through. Masses of black, white, and brown flocked into the large dining area, colorful parcels dangling in their feet. 

"I can't wait till Christmas!!" Jacky exclaimed, across the table from Lily. Lily, meanwhile, was rubbing her freezing shoulders.

"I can't wait for winter to just be done with!" She announced.

"Oh, Lily, you're so bitter. Just think. the smell of pine Christmas trees and stacks upon stacks of presents laying under them!" Her eyes were wide as she carried on. 

Lily zoned her out. She knew she was supposed to go back home. She was supposed to have Christmas with Harry and Ginny and open her presents with her 2 older brothers and cousins. But she wouldn't. She couldn't. She just plain didn't want to. She just wanted to stay at the castle and have Christmas in solitude for once. Without her fathers watchful eye; her mothers guidance. She didn't need any of it.