𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴 (𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘰 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘧𝘰𝘺 𝘹 𝘧𝘦𝘮!𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺)

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It was surely the worst summer of Lily's life. After the battle, as she was homeless, the Weasleys offered her to move in with them; practically adopting her.

She was happy that she had a family, but the house, oh the house held a lot of memories that were haunting her. She could see Will everywhere, it was almost impossible to walk or think straight.

The loss of William Weasley affected her even worse than it affected the family. She didn't even yell at the twins when she woke up one day with dark blue hair, of course until she realized that she had to attend a trial at the ministry, the twins were already at work. Luckily, they've left the counter spell on her bed when they left.

'Cleared of all charges!' Kingsley Shacklebolt said and the court began to leave.

Lily couldn't help but gaze at the blonde and his family. She just helped them escape Azkaban, because of Narcissa Malfoy and her lie to Voldemort.

'Potter!' his voice pierced her ears, but it wasn't how she remembered it, it was soft and warm.

Lily turned on her heel, at the entrance of the court hall, the three Malfoys were still standing.

They changed, she told herself. Narcissa and Lucius looked better, their faces weren't as pale as she remembered from the war, their hair was back to its perfect look and Lucius had his beard shaved.

But the one who certainly looked at his best was Draco Malfoy. Lily had never seen the boy so handsome, because for the first time in her life Lily didn't see Malfoy's smirk or cold eyes or his evil laughter. His features were soft, his eyes were sparkling with joy and he was smiling, genuinely smiling.

She forced herself not to look as shocked as she felt; Draco looked like another man, of course he still had his annoying grey eyes and blonde hair, but he looked like another person.

'Malfoy,' Lily greeted the family.

She received a nod from Lucius and a sweet smile from Narcissa.

'Er-thank you,' Draco breathed out with a shaky voice.

A small smile appeared on Lily's face. 'Anytime.'

'How are you?' Draco was attempting to do some small talk, was she hallucinating.

'I've been better,' she softly said. 'How about you?'

'Certainly better now because of you, dear,' Narcissa replied in a soft tone.

'I'm happy I could help, so Mal-Draco, are you going back for eight year?'

Draco looked at his mother and she nodded.

'Yes, I think I will,' he mumbled. 'And you?'

'I believe I will,' her feet were very interesting suddenly. 'Well then, I'll see you around,' Lily announced and attempted another smile.

Draco was shocked when he realized it was fake, what had happened to Lily Potter, the sweet yet brave girl who had faced a lot and always decided to smile? And it hit him right in the gut, William Weasley. He had been to his funeral and after everyone left, he saw Lily, crying, more than anyone had seen her, more than after the battle.

'Yes, see you around,' she breathed out before the redhead turned on her heels and walked along the corridor to the lifts.

What. Was. That.

And the summer continued. The decision of going to Hogwarts sounded the best. Ron and Hermione were also going so instead of staying in the house where a lot of happy memories took place, in the house were he lived, to leave was the best decision. The nightmares never faded and Lily looked more terrible by each day that passed, but she always hid it from the Weasleys with some make-up and a smile, but they saw through her facade and understood her.

So her summer went on and the nightmares never left, nor the sorrow and Hermione found Lily crying herself to sleep every night.

She didn't know how to comfort her friend, but she felt some of the pain. She couldn't bring herself to talk to her about it, because the thought that Ron could have been in William's place was haunting her.

'Head boy and head girl?' Mrs. Weasley squealed and pulled her redheaded son and his girlfriend into a bone crushing hug.

Lily was smiling, genuinely smiling for the first time in weeks, she couldn't help herself; the happiness that came with the news made Lily not hate her birthday.

A huge red cake that was baked for the three of them slowly landed on the table after Mrs. Weasley levitated it there.

The garden was lit because of the fairy lights that Hermione conjured, each of them hanging from a tree. They had to host the little celebration in the garden, as they were too many. Mrs. Weasley and Mr. Weasley were staring lovingly at the three and the feeling of having a family like them made Lily's heart beat faster. Bill and Fleur helped with the tables and chairs before dusk, making sure they all had a seat. Charlie and Percy came running into the garden, each holding a box full of decorations and they fell to the ground when another two gingers helped them hang the decorations almost instantly; Fred and George. Penelope Clearwater, Percy's girlfriend walked out of the back door, levitating some of the dishes while Ginny had to carry them in her hands.

'Why can't I use magic?' she growled for the 100th time that summer.

'Because you are not seventeen yet!' Mrs. Weasley snapped, walking right behind her daughter, levitating other dishes to the table.

Lily couldn't help, but chuckle at the situation.

'You two!' Ron's scream was heard and all of them turned to look at Ron's window. He was peering out of it, his face as red as his hair. 'You two!' he repeated and Lily looked at Fred and George almost instantly.

'Oh come on, Ronnie, it was just a joke,' Fred giggled and George smirked at his brother.

'A joke-' Ron's tone was filled with anger. 'I'll show you a joke!'

'Ronald!' Hermione's voice was heard, then someone furiously descended the stairs and burst through the open door to the garden, chasing after the twins.

So Lily had to watch how her very mature best friends were running after Fred and George (Hermione was actually running after Ron), they too very mature.

There was only one person missing, red flaming hair and chocolate brown eyes. She felt him piercing a whole into her heart with his stare from heaven and she muttered as she did many times 'Stop staring, you git.'

Lily would always imagine his amused expression while he ran a hand through his hair and the answer...'But I won't my dear Lily Potter, because I love you idiot.'

And the words would quietly and slowly leave her mouth, for no one to hear, but for the entire world to know.

'I wish you were here,' she whispered and a tear rolled down her cheek, just when the happy birthday song was lost into the wind and the others had attacked the cake.

Happy eighteenth birthday, Lily Potter.

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