Lucille Rose Potter

Chapter 70

"I think it's cold out, make sure to bundle."

"Mum! I'll be fine!" Lucy said.

"Lucille, you're going to freeze," Lily said from her seat at the foot of Lucy's trunk.

"Mum!" Lucy glared, "I've lived here since I was a baby, I know the weather, I will be fine."

"Just bring a sweater," Lily reasoned.

Lucy groaned and faced her mother, "I'm going home, Mum, I have sweaters there, I don't need to pack one."

"Fine, fine," Lily held up her hands up in surrender, "where's your roommate?"

"Ginny already left," Lucy said, "Sawyer had a meeting with Professor Sprout this morning so we're a little behind."

"What's the meeting for?"

"After graduation plans," Lucy said shortly, "it's mandatory for all seventh years."

"Has he made a decision yet?" Lily asked.

Lucy shook her head, "he doesn't find out if he got into the programs until February."

"Which one is he leaning towards?"

"St. Mungos," Lucy said, grabbing her purse, "it's the closest."

Lily nodded, "and if he doesn't get in?"

"I don't know Mum!" Lucy snapped, "and I don't want to talk about it!"

"Lucy," Lily said soothingly, she instinctively reached out to touch her daughter and froze.

"Mum?" Lucy breathed hesitantly, feeling a hand on her shoulder.

"Lu?" Lily's eyes widened and she grabbed Lucy, pulling her into a hug, "oh, my baby," she sniffled, running her fingers through Lucy's hair.

"Mum!" Lucy laughed ironically "I don't understand."

She returned the hug, letting herself memorize her mother's embrace.

It was much different than any hug she'd ever experienced, it was warm and motherly. Lucy had never before experienced her mother's embrace and she was savoring the moment.

"You smell like chocolate," the words slipped flawlessly out of Lucy's mouth, "chocolate and peppermint."

Lily laughed, hugging her daughter tighter.

The moment was short-lived, unfortunately, because Lucy found herself falling forward.

"Damn," Lucy swore as she hit her chin on the edge of her trunk.

"Are you ok?" Lily gasped, reaching to touch her face.

However, her hand phased through Lucy's body.

"Yeah," Lucy rubbed the forming bruise, "what happened?"

"I don't know," Lily shook her head, "I was able to touch you."

"Yeah," Lucy said, she was feeling sluggish and her ears were ringing.

"Lucy, are you alright?" Lily's concerned tone pierced through the ringing.

Lucy nodded feebly, "I'm going to find Sawyer."

"Lucille, I hardly think..."

"I'm ok, Mum," Lucy said, heaving herself to her feet, "I just need to find Sawyer, he should be walking up about now."

"Ok," Lily nodded, "I'll stay with you."

"Ok," Lucy took a deep breath, "ok, I'm ready."

"What're you doing in Hogsmeade?" Lily asked.