When darkness return

Chapter 2

Lily was just finishing her make up before tying her short hair in a tiny bun. She was wearing a green sparkling dress, the most christmas like clothing she could find, and a pair of black stockings.

"Rocky!" she called for her five year old daughter. "Time to get dressed!"

Rocky didn't respond. She sighed and went to get her herself, just to find her in the living room flipping the pages of a book.

"Come on, kiddo. Where leaving in ten minutes and I need to get Greta ready."

Greta was her second daughter, only two years old.

When Rocky didn't give any response the second time Lily went to pick up her favourie christmas shirt along with a pair of black trousers. She knew that Rocky wasn't a dress person.

"Get dressed now", she said and threw her clothes on the sofa. "I picked your favourite shirt."

When Rocky finally did as she was told, Lily went to get Greta dressed. She gave her a green dress to match her own and Rocky's shirt, and brushed the little of her hair. Rocky's hair was so short she didn't need to brush it.

Once they were ready to leave, after picking up Lily's handbag and all the presents, they stepped inside the fireplace together and flooed to her parents' place, where this christmas would be celebrated.

"Hi Lily!" Ginny greeted once they arrived.

"Grandma!" Rocky said and ran up to her for a hug.

"Merry christmas, mum", Lily say and gave her the bag of presents. "Could you put these by the tree?"

"Of course", Ginny said and grabbed the bag. "The others are in the living room. We're just waiting for James and Claire now."

"I'll go with you, grandma", Rocky said.

"Will you go with grandma to?" Lily asked Greta. She nodded. "Go to your sister then."

Greta did as she was told and Rocky was happy to grab her hand.

Before Lily could join the others she had to get some fresh air, an opportunity she rarely got with two children around.

"Aunt Lily", a familiar child's voice was heard once she was in the hallway. She turned around to see her niece Tori. "Aren't you joining us in the living room?"

Lily kneeled down to hug her. "Of course I'll join you", she said and released. "Just going for a short walk. I'll be back soon, I promise."

"I made you a gift under the tree", Tori said. "And some for Rocky and Greta."

"Aww you're too sweet", Lily said and rubbed her cheek. "If you wanna say hi to your cousins they're with grandma."

"Okay", Tori smiled and ran off.

Once Lily stepped outside she grabbed a cigarette and lit it. She sucked the smoke in with a deep breath and then blew it out. She flinched by the sound of the door opening. She didn't want any of the children to see her smoke. Luckily it was just Albus. He shut the door behind him and went up to his sister, avoiding the smoke.

"Don't tell anyone about this", Lily said holding up the cigarette.

"Like I'd ever do that", Albus said, who always kept her secrets. "It seems to me you might be going through a hard time. So incase you wanna talk about it I'll just let you know that I'm here."

Lily took a deep breath. "I've been offered a job at the West End."

"That's awesome!" Albus said.