Lily in the Shadows

Book 2 Chapter 1: The Masons

Summer, a time for relaxation, a time for peace, that is unless you're a Potter. Lily-Kathryn Hazel Potter was very excited for summer, she was so ready to hang out with her brother and bond as they used to before he went off to Hogwarts. When Harry stopped writing she was heartbroken but tried not to let it show. Even though Harry had been back for almost two months it felt like he wasn't home at all. He wouldn't hang out or talk with her no matter how much she tried to get him to, he was too worried about the fact that he hadn't gotten any letters from his friends.

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Uncle Vernon has investors from his drill company coming over to the house this evening so everything is in an endless cycle of hustle and bustle. Aunt Petunia is baking her famous meringue, Harry is diligently cleaning everything, Dudley and Lily are in her room getting ready for the festivities, and poor Uncle Vernon is stressing while on his way to pick up Mr. and Mrs. Mason. Dudley stares at Lily funny while she fixes his tie.

"Are you alright," Dudley asks. "You seem to be sad."

"Yeah, I am alright," She replies, refusing to look away from his tie. "I'm just a little upset because Harry won't spend any time with me. I get it, he wants some letters but we used to have so much fun over the summer. We would go swimming or hang out at the park, now I'm lucky if he'll talk to me during dinner." She finishes his tie and plops down at the vanity, running a brush through her flaming curls with frustration.

Dudley looks at something on Lily's dresser as she watches through the mirror, he walks over with it in his hands. He has the necklace Harry gave Lily for her tenth birthday, he clasps it around her neck and she touches it gently as they share a look through the mirror. Dudley smiles and starts gathering and braiding Lily's hair, he braids it into a lavish up-do. Aunt Petunia taught Dudley how to do hair when he was seven years old. She didn't have enough time to tame Lily's curls every day but it had to be done or it was too crazy. He was happy to learn too, it's how they became so close. He and Harry never understood why Lily liked the other but hey, they're family.

Once Dudley finishes her hair Lily tells him to sit down and fixes his hair with some gel so it isn't so flat and boring. They double-check that they're presentable and walk downstairs to stand with Aunt Petunia near the door. After Uncle Vernon arrives with Mr. and Mrs. Mason, everyone sits in the dining room for a delicious dinner of spaghetti bolognese, steamed broccoli, and buttered ciabatta bread; one of Lily's favorites. They eat quietly as Uncle Vernon and Mr. Mason talk about their plans for the future, Mr. Mason plans to build a cabin for the winter up in Scotland, far away from any birds that would scare poor Mrs. Mason. Uncle Vernon brings up the type of work that would be needed to build such a place and the many types of drills that would be helpful. Everyone is very glad when dinner is finished and they retire to the sitting room to let their food settle before dessert.

After sitting in the living room for a while listening to conversations about drills and the neighborhood in Scotland, Lily grows bored and leans on Dudley in tiredness. Mrs. Mason looks at both children suddenly and she sits up quickly so Mrs. Mason won't see her bad posture. Auntie is always getting on to Lily about her posture, 'Ladies do not slouch Lily darling, sit up, sit up!' She can practically hear her lecture,

"Your children are just darling," Mrs. Mason coo's. Lily jumps when she speaks suddenly, grabbing Dudley's arm for comfort.

"Well, actually, Dudley is our son but this little angel is our niece, Lily," Auntie says, rubbing her back gently. "We've been raising her since her parents died."

"Poor dear, well, I think that you both are doing a wonderful job." The lady made funny faces at the young girl, she looked so ridiculous Lily couldn't help but giggle. "She is so cute!" Everyone laughs with them, as we calm down Lily sees something move behind the Masons, she freezes. Auntie scoots closer to ask her what's wrong when she herself sees what Lily does. Auntie's meringue, floating above the ground, moves toward them without being touched. Harry is visible not far behind, arms stretched out as if to either guide or grab it.

Why is Harry following the floating pudding? Lily couldn't help but think. Harry suddenly rushes forward and the pudding crashes onto Mr. and Mrs. Mason's heads, splattering everywhere. All over their heads and the couch, it flies onto the lamp on the side table and drips onto the floor. Lily jumps as a lavender meringue swirl hits her on the cheek and falls onto her dress. I hope this doesn't stain, it is one of my favorite dresses.