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 had been very excited for summer; she was ready to knock about and have a proper catch-up with her brother and bond as they did every summer before he went off to Hogwarts. When Harry stopped writing, she was heartbroken but tried not to let it show. She made excuse after excuse in her mind. He must've been busy, acclimating to a strange school, with all new people, and being famous on top of that. But it didn't quell the feelings of desolation that seemed to surround her. Even though Harry had been back for almost two months, it felt as though he had never returned home at all. He was so focused on the fact that he had received no letters from his friends that no matter how much Lily tried, he would not spend time with her. The summers before this one had always been spent in the sun, at the park, together. Even on days when it was storming and ugly out, they would read or play games together. Always together. But now, now it is like she doesn't recognise her brother anymore, this is a stranger to her.

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Uncle Vernon has worked very hard for this investor. He has been trying to convince Mr Mason to invest in Grunnings for weeks, and this dinner may be what pushes him over the edge. They had all been cleaning for days, things Lily had never even thought to clean. The underside of the oven top, the crusty area around the bottom of the fridge. Lily was luckier than her brother and cousin; she mostly worked on the gardens, which she enjoyed doing anyway. Finally, Vernon left to pick up Mr Mason and his wife. Aunt Petunia is baking her famous meringue as Harry diligently cleans the floors. Dudley and Lily are in her room getting ready for the festivities. 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. She knows not to brush it dry; all she's accomplishing is frustrating herself and making her hair all frizzy.

Dudley looks at something on Lily's dresser as she watches through the mirror. He plucks the item off the dresser and walks to his cousin. It is 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, creating a lavish updo. Aunt Petunia taught Dudley how to do Lily's hair when he was merely seven years old. Petunia 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 has him sit down and does his hair with some gel, so it isn't so flat and boring. She gave it some volume, and they each studied how to fix the other's hair so they could do things such as this. Once they double-check that they're presentable, the children walk downstairs and stand with Aunt Petunia at the bottom of the stairs. Lily straightens out her absolutely favourite dress. Once Uncle Vernon arrived with Mr and Mrs Mason, everyone, minus Harry, enjoyed a delicious dinner of Spaghetti Bolognese, steamed broccoli, and buttered ciabatta bread. It is one of Lily's favourites. 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 types of work 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, letting their food settle before dessert.

After sitting in the living room for a while, listening to conversations about drills and the neighbourhood in Scotland, Lily grows bored and leans on Dudley, tired. Mrs Mason suddenly looks at both children, 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 coos. Lily jumps when she suddenly speaks, 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 and freezes. Auntie scoots closer and asks her what's wrong when she 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; the pudding goes everywhere. Splattering 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 favourite dresses.