Blue Skies & Wishing Stones

…

Discovering the Room of Requirement had been an absolute blessing for James. When he and Lily had almost been caught by Filch in the middle of one of their meet ups, they had stumbled upon it, desperately in need of a place to hide. Now, they opted to hang out in there, knowing that it was better protected and harder to find. The room had taken to providing them with everything they needed while they hung out, and today that included a comfortable couch with blankets to a cupboard full of snacks, with a view of the stars outside the imaginary window.

Grinning, James shook his head, “What’s this, Lily Evans late for something?” he teased. Lily was typically punctual, so James knew that if she was late it was because she got caught up. Despite his teasings, he looked at her carefully, mild concern showing as he searched for any harm that might have come to her on her way here. James knew what some of the other students were capable of, and he sighed in audible relief when he saw she was unharmed. 

At her words, he smiled, “Of course, I should have known it was Slughorn that stopped you. Leave it to him to ramble for six years and a day,” he laughed. Slughorn had his favorites, that much was certain, and he knew that he could get caught up in his craft for ages if he had someone there to listen. “Did you tell him it’s because most people don’t love the same person and the smell is meant to be tailored to the person they love?” he teased, giving her a grin. 

Rolling his eyes, James smiled, “Hello, Fox, thank you for your lovely contribution,” he grinned. “I’ve provided, or rather the room has provided, a cupboard full of our favorite snacks.” 

With a huff, Lily brushed a strand of hair out of her face. “I am simply fashionably late,” she said with her best haughty air; an air that would not be cast by any proper Pureblood witch. That was how it worked after all, right? You could show up reasonably late and people would not mind or laugh it off or just tell you to take your seat and look the other way. Lily would never be able to pull that with anyone, but it was hilarious to use the line now on James knowing he would understand.

Lily shrugged. “In not so many words,” she told James with a laugh. Things were that simple and that complicated she supposed. For a moment Lily paused while she pondered the thought that came to her head. “Have you ever wondered what it would smell like for you?” It was a potion a fourth year should not be able to brew but Lily was tempted. She was not so sure what the potion would smell like. How did people even know what they were attracted to?

Instead she tossed her chocolate at James. “Hello James,” she told him as she tried not to laugh. “I would not want to impede on the great snacks that are no doubt in this cupboard perhaps...” Lily paused as she reached for the chocolate. “I should save this for later then.” It wasn’t like it was much but it would be a small bargaining chip with the other students.

…

Grinning, Dorcas shook her head, before she teased, “Our friendship has just evolved over the years. ‘Course I can read your mind.” Dorcas couldn’t read minds, but she could read people. After her parents’ death, she became overly observant, constantly trying to anticipate threats before they happened. She knew that with her parent’s status as traitors, she and her siblings were under constant surveillance, as though they were waiting for a reason to take them out too. As an adult, Dorcas had the space to properly be a friend to Lily without it coming back down on her brother and sister. As an adult, her actions and their consequences were much more her own. Lily’s friendship meant everything to her, and she’d take that risk seven ways to Sunday. 

Waving her off, Dorcas shook her head, “No, you shouldn’t. Lils, you should be able to have your hand at any career. you want, any research that pulls your fancy. You’re helping me, so you don’t have to thank me for sharing my resources,” she countered, adamantly. Scrunching her nose, Dorcas gave her a soft smile, “I know, but if you and I crack this code, we’ll be able to change everything, and that’ll be because of you. What you’re doing now - not useless, I promise.” Dorcas would ensure that all their work didn’t go in vein. 

Dorcas quietly listened, knowing that Lily needed to have the space to get this out. She couldn’t imagine what it was like for her - a brilliant witch reduced to careers that were far below her skill set. Her chest ached most days when she thought of what it would be like if Lily was inventing right along side her. Wasted potential, all because purebloods felt threatened. “I know,” she murmured, “and it’s cruel. There’s so much you’re capable of, and so help me god Lils, we’re going to make it so that you can explore it all. We’re not stopping until you’re able to invent brilliant spells on the record.” 

“You absolutely would have been. There’s no doubt in my mind,” Dorcas agreed. Her chest ached for Lily, for all the wixen like Lily that were constantly being snuffed out. “Yes, eating first, and then we go to work,” she smiled. Spooning up some stew she passed it over to her.  

“We’ll do it.” Lily assured her friend sure that with enough time and effort they would crack this code. Someone had to and why couldn’t it be them? “Then things will be as it should be in the world.” A world where everyone could study magic easily

Lily gave her friend a smile. “Just think of all the spells we could invent.” Either way, Lily took comfort in knowing their work would continue on or off the record. “Who would think of the two of us as the dream team?” Then again, part of the fun was doing things people thought you couldn’t. It was one of the many reasons Lily loved showing up the Purebloods at Hogwarts. No one expected her to be able to do it and yet, she still ran circles around most of them academically.

Once she had her dish, Lily took a seat. “Where do you want to start today? The reading is all fine but we need to actually do something about it. How are we even going to know if something we do works?” Lily inquired. It was not something they could test on an object.

…

A spluttered laugh escaped her, completely off guard by the comment. Nellie gave her the most honest grin she’d worn in months, finding the double meaning ironic and ultimately, very funny. “Well, while we’re making grand promises, I vow not to join the dark side either,” she teased, but there was a bit of seriousness in her eyes as well. “It absolutely will be,” Nellie agreed. 

Scrunching her nose, Nellie thought for a moment. “You know, I have a rather extensive study, well Evan and I do, but I’d be happy to loan you some books out of it. Is there another topic outside of charms that interests you?” she asked. Nellie had collected an obscene amount of books over the years, but she was happy to share them. 

“I imagine they were a little more relaxed. Hopefully, by the time we’re finished, all students will get to enjoy their summer’s with their families,” she mused. Nellie scrunched her nose, pushing her hair out of her face, “Yeah. I shouldn’t complain. The vacations were fun, though it was mostly just Evan and I touring whatever city our father was working in. Family obligations were -” Nellie stopped, shaking her head. Instead, she gave Lily a tight smile, not wanting to think about it further. “Hm, I suppose that’s going to vary for each person. Still, with any luck, we’ll start changing things for the better soon.”   

“Wait, really?” Lily asked practically jumping out of her chair. It should not surprise her the two of them had an elaborate study and yet, here she was offering it to her. “Um, everything.” Lily admitted with a sheepish grin. “I am not sure there is a book I haven’t read on potions unless you have something rare. Transfiguration has always been great...” She could go on all day and she hadn’t touched the subjects of Ancient Runes and Arithmancy.

Lily smiled softly. “I hope so,” she admitted softly. As a child and later a teenager, Lily had spent many nights wondering about her family and wishing she could see them again. “It seems silly, but I used to imagine what my family was doing. What they are like... If they’re happy.” It was probably crazy to spend so much time pining after the ‘what ifs’ of her old life but it helped ease the pain somewhat.

“What was your favorite city?” Lily asked. “I have always wanted to see Europe. The beaches of Spain and France. Greece. Egypt... Austria.” Each city was unique and had so much to offer in both the Muggle world and the magical one. “I also admit some of it is just so I can sit on the beach and enjoy the sun.” Not everything she did revolved around learning and information, some of it was just plain fun.

~

Narcissa opened her bag and carefully placed the letter between her notebook and the book that she was currently reading. She supposed that it could actually be important, but she didn’t want to open it up in public. You never knew what you would find, and she wasn’t looking forward to answering uncomfortable questions. It was unfortunate that Narcissa spent most of her time worried about what other people would think in the wake of everything that had happened. It got exhausting.

“I suppose so,” she agreed with a shrug. “I just see it as another thing that needs to get done in a week. I often forget to check it,” she mused with a light laugh. At the mention of it being a convenience, she nodded. “I suppose that makes all the difference, being a convenience, doesn’t it? If Lucius or I worked in Diagon Alley I suppose it wouldn’t be such a headache. I need to get better at making an effort to pop in.” 

“I’m starting to look for something to get my sister for her birthday and I know that she frequents Borgin and Burkes. Could you let me know if she comes in and seems interested in anything? I can make it worth your while.”

“Perhaps there is an errand or two that could also be done so it is not as bothersome?” Lily suggested. Diagon Alley had plenty of shops and stores for whatever you needed, but then again, she was not sure there were many of the shops someone of the wealth and fortune of the Malfoy family preferred to shop at.

Lily nodded and like most people, she did not have to ask who she was referring to. Bellatrix was definitely not one of Lily’s favorite customers or even favorite people. She was the one person determined to make her life a living nightmare. Yet this was a chance to keep herself in good standing with her boss and perhaps inch her way closer to being accepted by the same people that could help give her information for the resistance. “I can certainly do that for you. Would you like me to contact you via owl or...?”

Well practiced forced pleasant smiles were all Frank could manage when speaking to other members of the resistance. He had quickly discovered the fly-on-the-wall approach to things wasn’t good enough as a way of getting information from the others. As annoying as that discovery was, he was realizing any attempts at finding something of use would involve needing to properly play the role. The least desirable part of that requiring exchanging pleasantries with those he would have wanted nothing to do with if it weren’t for promising Alice he would go to the meetings.

He cast a sideways glance when his name was said, jaw promptly clenching shut since he wasn’t about to allow his usual tendencies to take over and result in an insult being thrown at the muggleborn that was beside him. “Right,” He exhaled after a moment spent looking her over. “Pleasure to put a name to your face. You work for the Burkes, don’t you?” Frank’s family rarely visited the store but he was prone to making the occasional appearance to pick up things if Alice wasn’t able to or it was something related to the cause he actually cared about.

Lily looked at the man and nodded slightly in response to his question. “I do,” she told him. It was likely he already knew that but was making small talk. Something Lily was not the best at either, especially with the way things were. “It’s as good as job as any I suppose,” she offered up diplomatically.

“So, um...” Lily hesitated as she was trying to decide what to talk about next. Did they talk about Resistance things? Small talk? Or something else completely. “Oh, rubbish. I am sorry I am so bad at this. Typically I talk about potions or charms or the weather with people... I doubt you want to talk about any of those?”

Marlene had made the offer with the intention of taking Lily to tea but deep down she almost believed that Lily would politely decline. What reason did she have to want to go out for a drink with her? Thus when the offer was accepted there was a widening of the green eyes, brows raising, shock clear all over her face that she didn’t bother hiding. Quickly, her shock morphed into excitement that radiated off of her. “Fantastic! I’m glad, let’s head that way then.”

Her feet were moving out of Gringotts with money she’d withdrew tucked into her coin bag now tossed into the pocket on the inside of the leather jacket she’d worn. The weather wasn’t cold enough for a cloak but Marlene was cold even on the hottest summer day, thus the jacket was constantly worn. “There’s a nice shoppe down the road that has the best pastries to go with their tea. I tend to stop in before work for the coffee.” 

Falling into step with Lily she glanced the woman over as she spoke, “Where are you working these days?” Curiosity in her words as she knew that the woman before her was likely the best in the year they’d graduated. Marlene was vividly aware that if Lily had different blood she likely could have done anything she wanted with her grades, but as the fates fell that wasn’t the case, and while it wasn’t fair, Marlene didn’t know how to voice that without putting the both of them in a dangerous position.

“Hardly.” Marlene shrugged as she  considered the question that was posed. “I work in the Hit Witch department but majority of the time I’m the one taking the hits.” Her job was far from glamorous work but Marlene adored everything about it, she was lucky if she was being honest. Other’s weren’t so fortunate.

Lily gave a soft smile and followed behind Marlene trying not to wonder how awkward this was going to be. Then again, she knew that perhaps they would be able to have a perfectly lovely conversation and it would only be slightly awkward. She supposed this was part of trying to get out more. She loved her small circle of friends but she had always wanted to get to know more people.

She frowned at the mention of work. “Borgin and Burke’s,” she said quickly hoping they could just brush past that. It was a prime position for someone of her blood status she figured, considering how highly regarded the shop was among those in power, but it made Lily’s blood run cold most days. How could she even bare to think about all the objects that she helped pass out into the world to do who knew what.

Lily perked up at the sound of something that had to be more interesting than simply dusting and faking smiles all day. “Is that so?” She could not imagine Marlene being the type to take the majority of hits in a fight. “I mean you must see some interesting things, right?”

“Edward Tonks,” Ted murmured and gently shook Lily’s hand. The use of his full name left him wrinkling his nose, not liking having had to use it but he wasn’t about to risk things seeming unprofessional when it was something work related. “Ted when there isn’t a quill and notepad attached to my hand.”

He listened in silence, managing to keep from looking concerned at how she fidgeted. It wasn’t all that unfamiliar to him since the same characteristic was one that he carried when sent to do menial tasks that involved checking in with people well above his status.

“You needn’t explain,” He sighed when she paused. “And you needn’t apologize.” That was it for a response since he was left raising an eyebrow at the mention of a story that was due for printing. Kingsley was the only person he was in the habit of tweaking articles for. That was out of fear more than anything else but there was something all too familiar about the way Lily spoke about her employer. Considering doing as he was asked would prove to be dangerous but if he could get away with doing it for one person, putting the skills to use for another would only mean strengthening the work he did.

“I’m going to need a good excuse for burying it,” Ted spoke after a moment spent thinking over what his options were. He was on the quiet side since the Leaky Cauldron wasn’t the most ideal spot for admitting he was willing to do as she asked. “That or a reason to have them pull it all together. Last time I saw the draft it was set for the bottom half of tomorrow’s front page.” He was pretty good about checking sources and adapting stories to bury the leads or more slanderous materials but the paper was desperate for an attention grabbing story to toss on the front page.

“It’s been a slow enough week that they asked me to keep an eye out for something newsworthy,” He gave a bitter chuckle then shook his head, allowing his voice to drop down to an almost whisper. “Closest I will get to writing a front page story. I’ll have to grab coffee as a way of apologizing for the last minute fact change.”

Lily made a face as she tried to think of a reason why the story should be buried. It would have to be a valid one, more valid than her boss told her to get it done or else. “Well...” If she was younger, perhaps less jaded, she would have thought of something rather interested and epic to offer up, but now she would have to settle for something logical.

If Lily was being honest she would rather have the story splashed all over the news and bring bad press down on her boss, but she had to keep up appearances. More than once she was tempted to leak stories herself if it meant that the store could get closed down and she’d have a reason to find another job without getting fired and blacklisted from ever having a job again.

“I don’t suppose some famous Quidditch player did something scandalous?” For some reason people liked reading about those type of things. Lily was not sure why. “Oh! Don’t worry I’ll buy any coffee needed...” Lily told Ted as she looked around.

“Awful shame,” she muttered. “People not being able to do things they are quite capable of.” It was as close as to slanderous as she could get in public. “I’m sure your writing is a lot better than the rubbish...” She didn’t dare call the writing in the Daily Prophet rubbish in public.

A grin equal parts genuine amusement and smug mischief was stretched across Severus’ face as he leaned backwards and raised the book higher, trying to keep it of Lily’s reach.  It was the latest edition of a theoretical research text, nearly impossible to find normally, but given as a gift (or an incentive?) by one of his pureblood clients. The memory of poring over the previous edition with Lily back in the Hogwarts library was still so vivid in his mind, he hadn’t been able to resist from taunting her with the newest version.

Of course, against Lily, he never stood a chance.

Severus made one last desperate attempt to hold on as he felt the hard cover slip from between his fingers, then flopped back down onto the couch pillows with a soft chuckle. He should have expected that when flaunting it - there was no getting between Lily and knowledge. The crackling fire and the flipping of pages were the only sounds in the room for a while, and Severus basked contently in the moment. That was, until she mentioned her sister.

His whole body stiffened and he sat up, watching her intently. He could feel the familiar old ball of guilt rising in his chest - it was partially (rather significantly, he thought) his selfishness that had led to Lily’s separation from her family.  He had never been particularly fond of Petunia, but as the years went by it was hard not to let nostalgia colour the early memories in Spinner’s End with Lily. His last memory of Petunia was after all that of a child, and time had worn away the sharper edges of his dislike.

Severus opened his mouth, and then closed it, furrowing his brows as he tried to think of something to say. He had never been one to offer words of comfort, always awkward and sarcastic, but this was Lily, so he would try. He reached over to lower the book so he could see her face clearly.  Still he hesitated, a hundred offhand comments and remorseful apologies rising to the surface. He bit them back and instead spoke quietly.

“Are you okay?”

Lily flipped the pages content to pretend she was interested in the words printed there instead for a moment. It wasn’t like she had spoken to her sister, or anyone in her family for a long time, but there were moments when she wondered about the ‘what ifs’ of what could have been. It was equally likely that her sister still would have thought she was a freak and never found their old sister bond and her parents would have still not known what to do with her... Or they could have gotten past it. There was no way to know now.

“I am fine,” Lily assured him as she brought her eyes up to meet his. Even when she wasn’t, she told Severus she was. He had enough on his plate without fretting about her own silly nostalgic notions. “I mean think about it, it has been soo long...” It was not like her family even knew she existed. “Sometimes, though, I like to imagine my sister as she should be. Like I hope she is...” Lily suppose she could find out but there was no sense opening that wound. “I figure by now she is married and maybe she has kid or two...” Lily hoped they were perfectly normal in the way Lily wasn’t.

“Anyhow,” she said with a shrug knowing there was no use in fretting about water under the bridge. “Are you hungry?”

To be honest, Alice could really not care less for dark artefacts. She just didn’t get the attraction, and they mostly just looked ugly. She didn’t get why people would want them around their houses. She had a feeling that her father was probably going to arrange to sell these on. Alice hadn’t actually even asked her father what he was buying tonight. She hoped it wasn’t too important. But she didn’t care too much. What her father brought was his business, until it starting affecting her. But simply collecting a package wasn’t that bad.

“Ahh lovely” She murmured with a nod. Not too many. Good. Her father did have a bad habit of buying more things than he really should, but none of them had been able to get him to stop. “Oh no no….” She murmured with a little shrug of her shoulders. “I have no idea what he’s brought so, I’d be useless at checking them out.” And she didn’t know a thing about dark objects anyway, not enough to check what he father had brought.

“Is there anything to pay?” She couldn’t remember if there was a remaining bill on the objects or not, so figured it was easier to just ask.

Lily nodded grateful she did not have to act like she knew what it was the man had bought anyhow. You would think working in a shop that sold and purchased objects of questionable origin and uses she would know more, but she did not want to. Part of her wanted to believe if she was ignorant it would pardon her a little bit from the fact she was handing out things that could potentially harm someone; harm people of Muggle birth and anyone else that might be called into question.

“There is not,” Lily assured her. If there was her boss had not mentioned it or they had come to another arrangement. Those kind of dealings were far far above what people trusted her with.

“Is there anything else I can assist with? Anything your father needs to know, wants or needs Mr. Borgin to get ahold of him?” Sometimes people left requests for an owl or something they were looking for.

Lily bit her lip as the hands of one of the older students found her and shoved her to the ground, the rough cobblestone floor scraping her knee and tearing at her robes. She couldn’t let them see her cry, she knew this somehow, but it didn’t stop the tears from welling up in her eyes as jeers of Mudblood rained down.

Once the mob had cleared a bit, gone to pick on some other poor first year, Lily had found herself looking up at the one who had promised her visions of grandeur and magic. “This can’t be Hogwarts,” she muttered as she rubbed at her scraped shins and keeps.

“You said...” She looked up at Severus waiting for him to tell her otherwise. Waiting for him to enchant her with his stories of beautiful, amazing magic that made flowers bloom in her hand and would change the world. Magic that could move mountains and grant her the ability to make the impossible possible and the loss of her family bearable.

“Is this really Hogwarts...?”

@potionsprince​​

Lily drew a deep breath and held it before slowly releasing it. She had not been working at Borgin’s for long but this was her test. She knew her employer may not trust her, but he needed a body to do the jobs that were seemingly below those of the more worthy.  “Right, this is incredibly awkward. I really do not want to be here...” Lily rambled. “My employer...”

Lily fidgeted in the dark dinning room of the Leaky Caldron. “There is a story the Prophet is writing...” She sighed. Ted was a fact checker and tasked with the supposed truth finding mission, however, it was probably highly subjective.

“There is a story getting ready to hit print that could look bad for him and...” The story needed to be buried and Lily did not want to be there asking but she also needed her job. It was nearly guaranteed her employer would not be implicated as a high ranking member of society but he wanted assurance.

“I am sorry,” she said softly frowning because she really did hate what she was there to do. “Please understand my job sucks just as much as yours probably does, you know?”

@tonks-edward​

When the professor brought out the unicorn, Lily had to admit she was intrigued. Unicorns were a creature she was familiar about having read all about them. Everything about a unicorn was magical and there was a clear reason why their hairs were used as wand cores.

“Maybe you should let me handle this,” Lily told her classmate, Sirius Black, who had just happened to be paired with her for these few assignments. “They do prefer a female’s touch after all,” she pointed out. It did not matter how pure someone’s blood was when it came to unicorns. “Blood doesn’t help much here.”

@hierblxck​​

“Oh, Merlin...” Lily started as she raced into the room of requirement. Halting suddenly, Lily stopped to stare at her surroundings. Typically, she was always the first one to the meeting spot which meant she got to control what the room essentially was. Only this time James had arrived first which made her curious as to what shape it would take. Would it be something outdoorsy such as the quidditch pitch? Would it resemble their secret meeting spot in Hogsmeade? Would it mirror the starry heavens outside?

“Slughorn wanted to talk about his theories as to why Amorentia smells different to everyone or the best ways of brewing Veritaserum...” Lily started before dissolving into a laugh. It was not like James Potter to care about Potions theories well above their current level.

“I mean hello, James. I brought the chocolate.” Lily told her friend as she pulled out a small collection of chocolate frogs.

@staggeringlyprongs​​

…

“Well, I suppose that’s the best we can hope for these days,” she answered, giving her a small smile. It was hard to say any of them were doing well given the circumstances. Nellie gave her a tight smile, “It’s been alright,” she murmured. 

It wasn’t that Nellie didn’t trust Lily, and it certainly wasn’t anything personal, she just knew she had to hold her emotions tightly to her chest. If she started spilling out her grief whenever it reared its head, she wouldn’t be able to contain it when she truly needed to, when her life and this cause depended on it. 

Laughing softly, she nodded, “Well I do live to please,” she teased, before adding, “I know. It seems like we’re surrounded by coffee drinkers. Don’t they know this is the UK?” she asked, joking back. 

It wasn’t often that Nellie actually had time to sit down and chat with other resistance members. Nellie couldn’t be absent for too long, not without raising suspicion. It helped that Evan knew, and that Evan joined them, because she didn’t have to try to explain where she was when she claimed she was at home. “That sounds nice actually. Charms was always a favorite of mine,” she admitted, right after Care of Magical Creatures and Transfiguration. “Find anything novel?” she asked, smiling softly. 

“Hm, I miss it sometimes too, though I think my experience was probably more something to miss unfortunately,” she acknowledged, knowing that Lily’s time in school was likely not as rose colored as her own. School had been Nellie’s first safe haven, and as a pureblood child, she didn’t have the added struggles there. 

“I will never go to the dark side,” Lily vowed with a laugh before realizing her words probably could have implied a double meaning. It wasn’t what she meant but Nellie knew what she meant. For once she wanted a conversation not to be covered with second meanings and implied overtones. “Tea will always be much better.”

Lily shook her head. Mostly she felt like she was spinning her wheels when it came to her research. “Nope, probably need to find some new books.” Where she would find this books would be another issue and if she could get the money to get them would be another. Perhaps if she offered to pick up an extra shift here or there she would not arise suspicion.

“I miss it too,” even if it was for different reasons. “It probably seems odd but summers weren’t all that bad.” There was no one there to harass her and McGonagall was surprisingly more chill in the summer. Still strict but not quite as bad. “I mean surely it was not vacations and family obligations...” Sometimes she was jealous of people that were obligated to do both because she simply couldn’t. “Though it begs the question, is this better or was the school life better?”

…

“Of course I do, Lily Bean,” she grinned. Dorcas had an arsenal of nicknames that she held for the people closest to her, and this particular one of Lily’s was one of her favorites. Reflexively, Dorcas looked her over, trying to sort out how she was really doing. She could see the tiredness and hear the hunger of her rumbling stomach, but she seemed alright outside the two. Dorcas could fix at least half of those ailments, which was something. Waving her off, Dorcas grinned, “Please, it’s Marlene and I. We keep a stocked kitchen at all times for ourselves and everyone else,” she grinned. 

Dorcas and Marlene were well known for their open door policy among their friends. They always had a comfy couch to crash on, a stocked kitchen to raid, and a safe room if it was necessary. Dorcas, in all her spell inventing, had ensured that there was at least one secret area of their home, ready and waiting for a time it was ever needed. She was nothing if not prepared for the worst, should it ever happen again. 

“Hm, seems like a great trade off to me. You certainly didn’t show up empty handed,” she grinned. Dorcas was grateful for any and all research that Lily was able to provide, and while Lily knew the Hogwarts library better than anyone else, Dorcas had the ability to get the books in full should they prove to be useful. “Of course. Come on, I’ve got homemade stew on the stove going,” she grinned. Dorcas nodded, listening carefully, “That sounds very helpful, honestly. We’ll definitely sort through it after we eat. Thank you, by the way, for coming round to help with this. Your input is really invaluable.”

“It is like you have developed the ability to read my mind,” Lily commented with a laugh as she gravitated towards the pot on the stove. It smelled delicious and made her stomach growl even more than it already was. If she was being honest while she loved everything about Dorcas, her ability to have food at the ready really deepened that love and respect. There was just something about enjoying a meal and a cup of tea with friends. Something she didn’t have much of growing up outside a small handful of people.

Lily nodded. “Of course! I should be the one thanking you...” Was more like a proper why of phrasing it. Her life held such few opportunities for flexing her intellectual muscles these days. “I feel pretty useless most days,” she muttered softly not quite sure why the words slipped out. It was typically a sentiment she kept to herself most days and had been since she was a teenager.

“I mean...” Lily paused as she threw her hands up. This was a safe place so there was little reason she needed to fall into the familiar excuses and necessities. “Oh Merlin, it’s exactly what I mean.” She admitted with a laugh. “I spend my entire day dusting shelves, without magic, and handing out shady packages to people that really should not have any type of dark objects and  I do it with a smile.” If she thought about it, it was quite sickening.

“I would have been Head Girl if I wasn’t who I was,” Lily said slightly bitter. “Okay, enough of this...” She said awkwardly wanting to move onto a happier topic. “Lets eat because I am apparently hungry.”

—

Alice wasn’t one for Borgin and Burke’s. Not really. Collecting dark artefacts wasn’t really her thing. And she certainly didn’t want to be filling her house up with them. And so, she rarely had a need to come to the shop. It was much more Bellatrix’s scene. That didn’t mean she wouldn’t come to the shop that much. It was just not usually for herself. Tonight was not different. She wasn’t shopping for herself. But instead picking up something for her father. She’d been in the area, and offered to go and collect the packages he needed.

And that was exactly how she had ended up walking through the shop in the first place. “Good evening” She murmured with a nod. She might not like most people, but she could be polite. She had been raised to be polite, even if she had been raised to hate most people. “For my father actually…. I’m just collecting” She mused with a shrug. She’d called ahead, or owled, to let them know she was coming. She did hate waiting after all. “But yes. That would be lovely”

“Right,” Lily said as she forced her lips into a weak smile. It did not matter much to her if she was being honest who was collecting what. If she knew what was in the packages customers picked up then Lily might care. It was information which could be used for the Resistance if she were to ever come across it. Borgin needed her for the simple stuff he deemed below him, but he did not need for her to know his secrets.

Without a further word, Lily walked in the back and looked for the package clearly marked with the proper name. If she was being honest she hated being in the back room more than the front of the store. The dark objects seemed to whisper and call back there and it made her feel so uncomfortable.

“Here you are,” Lily commented as she came back and placed the packages on the counter between them. “Would you like to inspect your package before you leave? Mr. Borgin is very particular about exchanges.” Lily listened to him scream at more than one person over the course of any given day. “Or is there anything else I can assist with?”

Borgin and Burke was perhaps James’ least favorite shop to visit. However, there were times his job required it. Somedays he was tasked with bringing in objects that their department needed to track down a suspect. Other days, like today, he was looking for information on a suspect that frequented the shop. It was no secret that Borgin and Burke’s was home to many unsavory people, but he tried not to judge too harshly. They used the shop too - it wasn’t necessarily their fault that they attracted less than stellar clientele. 

“Oh,” he answered, not having thought much of it when the door opened for him. Really, James should have thought to check the hours first, but then, here he was. “Sorry, I don’t mean to hold you up, Ms. Evans,” he started, before giving her a warm smile, “and James, please.” She was a friend of Severus’ and by that fact alone, she’d find a friend in him if she chose to. 

“Thank you. I promise I’ll try not to take up too much of your time. I’ve come from the Auror’s Department and I have a couple questions about a customer that frequents here. I was hoping you might be able to shed a little light for me,” he admitted. 

“It’s fine,” Lily assured him as she dropped her bag back into the chair behind the counter. She did not have any plans after work besides maybe grabbing a quick bite to eat somewhere so she did not have to cook. Lily had a bad habit of getting involved in her studies and forgetting to eat. “You’re not holding me up.”

She raised an eyebrow in his direction. “Alright, James, but only if you call me Lily.” After all, they had been classmates and shared a few acquaintances. 

Right, there were more than a few shady dealings that went on in the shop and that was not including the ones Lily was purposely left out of. Borgin was a bit dim but he wasn’t dim enough to think that Lily would not be a source for a leak if one was to occur. She had no connection to the place and the people that dealt in it. Lily would rather most of them find else where to do their business.

“Ask away and I’ll provide whatever information I can,” Lily offered up.