"You need to get your Medi-wizard certification first in case you have to administer emergency medical treatment and of course that requires at least an Exceeds in Potions and Herbology. It best to have a least an Exceeds in Defense too as sometimes the abusive parent or parents gets violent when the object of their abuse is being taken away. An Exceeds in Charms wouldn't go amiss either."
I think I can manage that," Harry said softly.
"I think you can manage anything you set your mind to, Harry," Severus remarked. Secretly he was happy that Harry had no interest in becoming an Auror.
After Reg had left, Lily asked Severus if it was okay with him if she and Cissa took Harry and Draco shopping next weekend. Severus gave his permission as head of house for Draco to go and as Harry's dad for him to go.
On Monday after she finished her classes with Filius, Lily and Cissa made good on their promise to go shopping for a new wardrobe for Lily. Narcissa used a glamour charm to change her appearance. She couldn't risk being seen with Lily even though most of the prominent Death Eaters, including her older sister, were residing in Azkaban. They went to Twilfit and Tattings and Lily was amazed at all the fashionable dresses, robes, shoes and accessories the store contained. They both had an exciting time picking out a new wardrobe for Lily. Afterwards they stopped at Fortescue's for ice cream before returning to Hogwarts.
"I wish we could be friends openly instead of hiding it all the time," Lily said in a wistful tone.
"I wish that too, but if there's the slightest chance the Dark Lord could return, I can't risk Luc's safety. Luc and Severus both believe he will return; that it's only a matter of time."
"Why do they think that? I mean the killing curse rebounded and blasted him into ashes not to mention blasting half the roof off the house."
"There are some very evil ways to ensure immortality and both Luc and Severus are certain he used one of them. I feel sorry for the children like Millie Bulstrode and Theo Nott because they're parents will force them into joining the Dark Lord if he returns."
Lily shivered. "I hope Sev and Luc are wrong, but they're usually right. They both know a lot about the dark arts. Dumbledore believes it too. That why he wants Harry so he can sacrifice him like a sheep or a goat at You-Know-Who's altar!" Lily said angrily.
"Well, we won't let him have Harry," Narcissa assured Lily. "We'll protect him from Dumbledore, my cousin, and your soon-to-be ex-husband."
They flooed back to Hogwarts loaded down with bags and boxes. Lily was putting away her things with Cissa's help when there was a knock on the door. Lily checked over the door and saw Harry Potter and friends spelled out.
"I'd better leave," Narcissa said. "I know Millie and Theo won't be comfortable with me here because they think Luc and I are still loyal Death Eaters."
"Why don't you stop by tomorrow for tea?" Lily urged and smiled. "You know we still have got all that gossip to catch up on."
Narcissa agreed to come back the next day and flooed back to Malfoy Manor.
Lily answered the door and invited Harry and his friends inside. She gave him a hug. "Come on in. I just got back from Diagon Alley. How was your day?"
"It was great, Mum. We're learning how to transfigure beetles into buttons in Transfiguration."
"I remember doing that," Lily laughed. "It took me at least three classes to get it so it looked like a button instead of one with legs and feelers."
"Mum, these are my friends. Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger. Neville Longbottom I think you know or at least when he was a baby.
"Yes," Lily said softly thinking of Alice who'd been her best friend, after Severus, all through Hogwarts. Neville reminded her strongly of his mum. "Your parents were good friends of mine and you were born the day before Harry."
Neville nodded. "My gran mentioned it. She's probably going to invite you over for tea soon."
"Tell your gran I'm looking forward to it."
"Mum, this is Dean Thomas, Greg Goyle, Vince Crabbe, Millie Bulstrode, and Theo Nott." Harry nodded at the three redheads standing together behind him. "And last, but not least, Percy, Fred, and George Weasley."
"Of course, but the last time I saw you I believe Percy was five and Fred and George were three," Lily laughed.
"You mean Percy was actually a little kid at one time?" George asked in amazement.
"Yeah, we thought maybe he sprang from mum's head a full grown Prefect," Fred added.
Percy frowned. "Very funny, you two."
"We were only kidding, Perce," Fred said slapping on his back. "We know you were only eleven when you were born and went right off to Hogwarts."
"Would everybody like to sit down and I'll get some refreshments," Lily said.
Harry smiled. Now they had another place they could study and hang out together.Sirius was sitting outside of James' room, reading Quidditch Illustrated. He'd been there vigilantly for the last week He wondered where Remus was. He didn't seem as happy that Prongs had returned.
Albus came striding through the doors and sat down next to Sirius. "How is James today?"
Sirius threw down his magazine. "The same. Why?"
"We have an unforeseen problem. Lily also came back on Halloween night. I would have told you sooner, but I had to verify for myself that she was really Lily Potter and not some polyjuiced woman that Severus was trying to palm off as Lily."
"Why isn't Lily here with her husband?" Sirius demanded.
"She says she and James are through. She's planning on getting her mastery in Charms."
"That's bogus! Prongs and she were in love! It's that damn Snivellus – he's got her convinced that everything is James' fault, I'll bet! He always did have an abnormal amount of influence over her!"