During the break between the two school years, Lili kept to herself. She avoided her father as much as she could, sitting far away from him at the dinner table at meals and staying inside her room. She'd barely seen Draco or her mother, as they never came to visit her in her room. Lili's only way to occupy herself was to write her songs and doodle.
A knock at her door made Lili close her songbook quickly. The door opened and she realised that it was her mother.
"Lilianna," Narcissa said, holding a parcel in her hands. "A parcel came for you."
Lili walked towards her mother and took it from her. "Thank you, Mother. Do you know who it's from?"
"No, I don't. There was no address on it other than yours."
Lili looked down at the handwriting on the parcel as she walked back to her bed, instantly recognising it. "I'm sure there's a letter inside."
"Yes, I'm sure." Narcissa began to walk towards the door, then turned back to Lili. "Happy Birthday, darling."
"Thank you, Mother."
As soon as her door was closed, Lili began to unwrap the parcel. Opening the letter encased inside, her idea of who it was from was confirmed.
'Dear Lili,
Happy birthday! Living with who you do, I assume that you haven't been wished it (even though it's the same as Draco's). I can't believe that you're thirteen now, but you're probably no taller than when you were twelve.
I just wanted to get you something, since you probably haven't received anything from your family. I know about your song writing and how you don't have anywhere to store them other than in your head. I know you know how to play this because I've seen you borrowing Dakota Gosling's before to play.
Can't wait to see you when we come back to school for the new year. I'll meet you on the train.
- Cedric.'
Lili smiled, putting the letter aside to continue unwrapping. Cedric always knew how to make her smile when she was feeling down. She almost cried when she saw what it was - a dark oak wood acoustic guitar. It was absolutely stunning, and Lili immediately started playing one of her songs on it.
--
"Cedric!" Lili cried, finally finding him in a compartment on the train.
"Lili!" Cedric said back, standing up to hug her. "Did you like your birthday present?"
"Yep. Brought it with me." She smiled as she showed it to him.
"Play me a song."
"OK, fine." She handed him her songbook. "Choose one."
Cedric looked through her master list of songs. "How about...If I Could Ride A Bike? That sounds cute."
Lili smiled and began to play, with Cedric listening intently. The pair didn't realise when the blue sky turned dark grey, and barely registered the pouring rain hitting the train windows. They did, however, notice when they train lurched and began to slow down.
"What's happening?" Lili asked, slightly worried. There was no way that they were at Hogwarts yet.
"I don't know," Cedric replied, noticing the lanterns flickering. He opened the compartment door and walked out, heading towards the front of the train.
Lili let out a yelp when the train jerked and the carriage began to sway. "Cedric!" She yelled, terrified at the lanterns going out. This wasn't supposed to happen. She realised that her breath caused a wisp of steam to appear in the air, and she pulled herself into her robes.
After what felt like forever, Lili felt the train move. She didn't dare move out of her robes for fear of seeing something she didn't want to see. It was only when she heard the compartment door open and felt Cedric's recognisable arms around her that she was able to leave them.
--
At the dinner that night, Lili was still a little unease. It seemed like everyone was, including some of the professors. She looked up when a goblet was tapped, seeing Dumbledore rise for one of his speeches.
"Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say, before we become befuddled by our excellent feast. I myself am particularly looking forward to the flaming kiwi cups, which, while somewhat treacherous for these for those with facial hair..."
McGonagall cleared her throat. "Mm. Yes. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who has kindly agreed to foll the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Good luck to you, Professor." He paused for applause. "As some of you may know, Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher for many years, has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that his place will be filled by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid!"
Lili looked to see Hagrid stand and almost topple the staff table, then looked back at Dumbledore. "Finally, on a more disquieting note, Hogwarts - at the request of the Ministry of Magic - will, until further notice, play host to the Dementors of Azkaban. The Dementors will be stationed at the entrances to the grounds. While they are under strict orders to not enter the castle itself, you will on occasion see them as you go about your daily activities. Under no circumstances are you to approach them. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to be forgiving."
--
"Dementors?" Lili breathed as she and Cedric walked to the Hufflepuff common room. "They can't be serious."
"I'm sure it will be OK?"
"Do you think they can recognise families? If so, I am doomed."
"No, you're not."
"Do you know how many relatives I have in Azkaban? There's Aunt Bellatrix, and don't forget Sirius Black. He's my cousin, you know. And then there's so many more that I can't list by name because of course, I've never met them."
"Hey, you'll be fine. Just stay out of their way and they'll leave you alone."
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