Lily in the Shadows

Chapter 23 (Edited)

The train ride back home is uneventful but enjoyable. Lily-Kathryn spent her time in the Slytherin cart with her friends. They laugh and play. They all make sure to exchange owl information before disembarking the train. The hustle and bustle of the train station throws Lily right back into the beginning of the year except, this time instead of feeling lost and scared trying to find her brother. She's leaving feeling excited and happy, ready to see her family. While still keen to go back the following year. Once the train gets close to the station she makes sure to run and change into muggle clothes, pulling on an off-the-shoulder light green, daisy summer dress and a pair of white heels.

Draco keeps her with him once they leave the train, unwilling to let her go off alone. Holding her close to his side he guides her through the busy station to his family. Reaching them he wraps his arms around his mother, very excited to tell her all about his school year.

"Hello darling it is so wonderful to see you, I've missed you so much," Narcissa says, hugging her son close to her body, and kissing the top of his head. "Oh," she gasps, seeing Lily-Kathryn standing close behind him. "I'm sorry dear, I didn't see you there. It is so nice to see you again."

"Hello, Mrs. Malfoy, Mr. Malfoy, it's nice to see you too. I hope you don't mind my standing with you, I'm just looking for my brother." Kathryn nods to them.

"We completely understand and hope you plan on visiting this summer, I know Draco would enjoy it." Lucious intervenes, standing behind his son, and placing his hands on his shoulders.

"Kathy!" They all turn to see the aforementioned boy standing near the platform, waving her over. Bidding the family goodbye she goes to rush away when Draco stops her. "Look for my owl, alright?" They smile at each other and split up.

Lily-Kathryn pushes through the platform, grabbing onto Harry's arm, and out into King's Cross Station. Looking around platform 9 she ignores the looks from the muggles all around trying to find her aunt. Being tugged along by her sleeve she is blinded by a sea of red. Ronald Weasley and Harry do a handshake and a woman whom Kathryn can only assume is Mrs. Weasley draws Harry into a hug.

"Harry dear, it is wonderful to see you again. Don't be a stranger this summer, although if you would like to visit just owl. No need for the boys to kidnap you again. My goodness, you look positively peaky, did you even eat at that school? Ronald, you need to make sure Harry eats more, look how thin he is..." Mrs. Weasley inspects Harry's face rambling to herself.

Casting another look about the station she doesn't see her Aunt at all. A tug at her dress sleeve has her turning to see Ginny standing behind her, eyes to the ground. "Ginny!" Kathryn shouts joyfully, jumping at her with a hug. They giggle together, drawing the attention of the weary girl's family. "I haven't seen you in class and I was worried, how are you?" Kathryn asks.

"I'm good, it's been a crazy couple of days," Ginny responds, glancing at her parents, and Harry.

Nodding, Lily grins, "Understandable, I hope you have an awesome summer. We'll have to get together sometime." Before Ginny responds Mrs. Weasley buts in.

"Ginny dear, are you going to introduce us to your new friend?" The mother is understandably worried for her daughter, who hasn't been herself since the chamber incident. "Oh, yes," Ginny clears her throat, gesturing towards Kathryn. "This is my friend Kathryn, she's a Slytherin and we had potions together."

"Oh, how lovely." Mrs. Weasley says joyfully. "It's nice to meet you, dear, I am Ginny's mother, Mrs. Weasley." Mrs. Weasley reaches forward and gives her a hug, Kathryn is shocked, having just met her. "Are your parents meeting you on the platform?"

Ron, Ginny, and Harry all suck in a breath but Lily-Kathryn doesn't miss a beat. "Oh, no ma'am. Harry and I are waiting for our Aunt and Uncle. I'm sorry we forgot to mention that he is my brother." She holds herself with an air of authority and maturity. Not letting a slip of tongue from someone who knows no better get to her.

Mrs. Weasley looks mortified. "I am sorry my dear, I had no idea." Lily shrugs, what can you do? "But like I told Harry you are also welcome to come to visit for the summer, I would love to get to know you better." Nodding Kathryn hastily agrees.

"Lily!" Petunia shouts to her from where she and Vernon are standing. Lily, whips around to see her standing not too far away. Letting out a happy shriek she rushes over, throwing herself into her aunt's waiting arm. "Hello Angel, I've missed you so much." Looking up she sees the boy with a group of red-headed freaks staring at them. "Vernon," she turns to her husband. "Get the boy, it's time to go." She leads Lily from the station, tucked gently under her arm.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arriving back home Lily sighs, glad to be back. Her uncle and cousin work together to bring in her trunk and her kennel for Claude. Walking over, she opens the container, reaching for some books. When her aunt stops her, going through the chest, pulling out all of the clothes and robes that she neatly folded inside. Once she is sure to have every piece of cloth from the inside she closes the chest, dragging Lily with her to the utility room. They quietly put all of the clothes in the washer and get it running.

"You can't do this, it's not fair!" Harry shouts out down the hall. Lily rushes from the washroom in time to see Uncle Vernon locking their trunks in Harry's old cupboard. All of their books, homework, and wands are locked away and out of sight.

"Shut your mouth, boy." Vernon practically snarls. "We won't be having any of this funny business this summer, no sir!"

Perplexed, Lily turned to her aunt, who walked up beside her. "Auntie, Harry, and I need our books and such, they gave us homework. We have to do it before the school year starts."

"You have no need for such menial things," Petunia lets out an airy sort of laugh, brushing her hair out of her face. "Besides, you need to focus on your dancing. You've been out of practice for months, and even I can see you're not as skilled as you were before you left. How about this, tomorrow we'll go shopping to get you some new summer clothes and then we'll go

to the studio so you can get back up to par. We don't want the other girls who've been practicing all year to be better than you now do we?"

Lily loves the idea although she still isn't sure. "But, I still need my stu-"

"YOU DON'T NEED," Petunia begins to yell, causing Lily to flinch back. Taking a deep breath she starts again, calm and joyful. "You don't need to worry about any of that. It's summer, a time for fun. So let's focus on the fun things." Petunia runs a hand through Lily's red hair. Lily nods absentmindedly, her aunt had never yelled at her before. It was a little frightening. Sharing a look with Harry, she just knows this will be a long summer.

End of Book 2