Ebb and Flow

Hogwarts, Late March 1976

***

"Althea, there was a post for you upstairs," Lily said and walked toward Althea. "Here," she added, handing Althea the envelope. "I'll see you after the meeting."

Althea took the large, awkward manila envelope into her hands. "Right, thanks," she muttered as she turned over the envelope to discover the sender.

Althea felt Lily's apprehension.

"It's probably nothing. Look, it's from Gran," she said reassuringly and pointed at the return address. "She probably wants to remind me of what a waste it is for me to go to this place."

Lily bit her lip and, with a troubled look in her eyes, stared at the envelope. "It's odd, that's all," she said, frowning. "Receiving owl post at this time of day."

Althea smirked. "It's Gran and everything's odd about her--that woman lives to torture me," she replied, and flung the envelope next to her as she sat on one of the common room couches.

"Althea," Lily admonished and folded her arms, "you shouldn't talk like that--she's your Gran."

Althea wrinkled her nose.

"She's all you've got here."

"Yeah, well, my daddy's coming back," she said eagerly, smiling.

"Are you sure? What about Christmas?" Lily said and stared into Althea's eyes. Uncomfortable, Althea shifted her gaze away from Lily. "Just don't count on him for Easter Holiday," she added softly. "I have to go. I'll see you after the meeting."

"Right, then," Althea muttered--annoyed--and looked at the envelope.

I should toss this thing in the fire, she thought, taking the envelope in her hands. I don't need a lecture from Gran. Lazily, she tore off the end of the manila envelope, and a narrow, cream-colored envelope dropped onto her lap. Gran still doesn't trust owl post, she thought and took the envelope into her hands. Sighing, she read the address on the back flap of the envelope: Darrow Earnest & Torvald, Hastings--an address Althea did not recognize.

What could I possibly have done now, she asked herself as she turned the envelope over. Maybe this is a letter telling me that Gran disowned me, she thought and laughed as she stood. If only it was, but of course, she was never that generous. Althea read the name on the outside of the envelope:

The Rt. Hon. the Countess of Northfield.

This is addressed to Gran, why did Gran send me her post, she thought as she ran her fingers across the black ink. She gently tapped the letter against her hand, annoyed that she would have to go to the Owlery so late. Her father was the Earl Northfield and she was just Lady Althea...unless--Althea stumbled backward and shook her head. No, this letter had to have been sent by mistake, addressed by mistake, or detailed some boring legal matter Gran or her father could not take care of for her. Althea licked her dry lips--her Gran wouldn't tell her horrible news in a letter, would she? The small sick feeling in her stomach grew as she thought of the disappearances. Her father was in Romania--away from the disturbance. Althea sat down, shakily unfolded the crisp white paper, and read:

Dear Lady Northfield,

It is with the utmost sympathy and regret that we write to inform you of your father's untimely passing....

Althea placed the letter on her lap and covered her mouth as she started to shake. Her mind swam in confusion as she tightly clutched the letter. Her feelings petrified, Althea violently rocked back and forth. Her father, dead? The thought triggered Althea's stomach to jerk forward and she clamped her other hand on her abdomen to prevent herself from vomiting on the common room floor. How? How could her father have died? He was in excellent health. He had written her a week earlier. He was supposed to return for Easter Holiday. Althea continued to read the solicitor's letter--her body and mind gradually numbing:

...The Rt. Hon., the Dowager Countess (of) Northfield requests your presence on Easter Holiday to overlook arrangements for your future. Those arrangements include the cessation of your attendance at your present school and entering a school for girls close to your home at Northfield. The provisions for your entrance are complete, you will have ample time to settle your affairs at your current school, and you will expect to arrive to continue your education 1 September....

The words mixing and blurring, Althea refused to read the rest of the letter. She stood and let the letter slip from her fingertips, and with a soft thud, the letter landed at her feet. She did not bother retrieving the letter--maybe if she did not the letter would go away and her father would be alive. Althea numbly walked out of the common room, through the Fat Lady's portrait and into the corridor. Without hesitation, she walked down the many staircases, and through the corridor that led outside to the Hogwarts grounds. Her eyes fixed and her hands clenched at her sides, Althea walked toward the broom shed. She removed her wand from her robe, and muttered the charm to open the door. Effortlessly, the door unlatched, and the musty smell of earth and timber wafted into her nostrils.

As Althea looked upon the brooms, she was unsure of what she would do. Run away? Where would she go? Her father dead, she would no longer be a student of Hogwarts, and her life uncertain once more. Lucky that Lily had the Charms Club meeting tonight, Althea thought darkly as she unlocked her broom, and lucky Jane went with her. Easily, she lifted into the unusually warm early March air. She flew recklessly, high, and fast--she did not care anymore. Over the lake, weaving between trees, inches above boulders--if she fell off, she would make damn sure she would not wake up. She circled high above the lawn, at each revolution increasing her speed, until she gained so much momentum to splatter herself against the Whomping Willow. The Whomping Willow, she thought morbidly as she spotted it in the distance. Gran would only get pieces. She wouldn't have to spend any money, and she could put me in a shoebox. Althea dove in altitude and leaned forward to increase her speed. Her sight blurred by tears, she closed her eyes and waited for impact....

***

Death is soft, Althea thought, her eyes still closed. Slowly, she opened her eyes and felt the cool damp grass beneath her. She disappointedly stared at the night sky as she realized she was not dead and she was not hurt. Groggy, she gradually raised herself onto her elbows to see where she had landed. How did I get on the other side of the lake, she thought as she glimpsed the moonlight reflecting off the blackened lake.

"I thought you could fly better than that," Sirius said casually as he knelt next to her. "Some Seeker you are."

"Bastard!"

Althea thrust her clenched fist toward Sirius and it collided with Sirius's left cheek. The feeling of her fist hitting his soft skin and strong cheekbone felt sickeningly pleasant to her. Sirius fell backwards, groaning, and Althea flew on top of him with her left fist waiting to collide with his right cheek. Sirius grabbed her left fist before she could punch him, and with his other hand pushed her off him. Althea landed on the soft grass, fuming.

"I just saved your life!" Sirius roared angrily and clutched his hand to his cheek.

"Oh, and I bet you're so proud," Althea snapped and folded her arms. "I'm so grateful for you saving me," she added, feigning gratitude. "How could I ever repay you?"

Sirius shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair. "I don't understand you," he commented disbelievingly. "Look--look at what's left of your broom," he added and pulled out the splinters of her broom from his robe pocket. "That could have been you."

Althea watched as he sprinkled the splinters onto her lap. "Heh, I wish it was," she mumbled mournfully.

"Morrigan--"

Althea lowered her head and let her long curls fall into her face, obscuring her tears. "My father is dead," she said barely audible--her throat excruciatingly tight. The repulsive words echoed in her ears.

The large, warm droplets easily slid down her cheeks and she did not bother to wipe them away. Suddenly, Althea sensed Sirius arms gently wrap around her and pull her closer toward him. Althea buried her head against Sirius's chest and vigorously sobbed, clutching his robes with her shaky hands. She should have fought against him or felt embarrassed at allowing Sirius to comfort her, but she did not care anymore. Sirius silently held Althea as she shook against him. He did not murmur pleasantries, or that it would come right, or try to quiet her. Instead, he quietly rocked her and held her tighter with each violent shake.

She was devastated and enraged--at her father's death, her grandmother's request, but most of all, at herself. Why had she not insisted on his return over the summer? Why had she not put up a fight when he cancelled his Christmas visit? What could have been more important than spending time with his daughter? Maybe if he missed me so much he should have come home, she thought, taking a deep breath, then he might still be alive.

Althea, although weak from crying, managed to push herself away from Sirius. "You probably think I'm pathetic," she said, wiping her eyes with her hands.

Sirius reached in his robe pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. "No, here," he replied soothingly and gently wiped her eyes.

"You don't need to do this," she said, lowering her head.

She did not like experiencing the vulnerability she had hidden inside, and most of all she did not want to share that with someone else. She felt like a child.

Sirius lifted her chin. "Don't argue," he replied as he dabbed the corner of her eye.

Althea sighed. "Really, I'm fine. You don't have to be so noble."

"I can't help it. It's one of my many character flaws," he responded, smiling tenderly.

Uncomfortable, Althea gently lowered his hand from her face. "I--I'm fine now," she said awkwardly, staring at her skirt. "You can go away now."

"I think the last thing you need is to be left alone," he said and tugged at her skirt. "I'm not going to leave you."

"I'm not going to--"

"I just know what it's like, that's all," he interrupted and sighed heavily. "You're not really sad--you're angry--blindingly angry," he added and pulled at blades of grass.

Althea frowned, puzzled. "How--but how would you know?" she asked and sniffed loudly.

Sirius took a deep breath. "My dad--he died when I was thirteen," he replied, staring at the broken blades of grass in his hand. "Heart attack two weeks before the start of my third year."

"Oh, I--I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Sirius replied bitterly. "He left me with that woman."

"You shouldn't talk about your mother like that," she replied, wiping new tears from the corners of her eyes. "At least you have a mother."

Sirius laughed bitterly. "What a great one she is--the old hag. I could scarcely stand her when dad was alive, but now..." he trailed off, shaking his head.

"But she's your mother," she began and swallowed her tears. "I hardly knew mine. You're so lucky."

"Heh, lucky? Please, you've met other members of my family. She's just like them," he said and threw the blades of grass to his side. "I'm the first Black not sorted into Slytherin in centuries. You remember the Howler?"

"I thought you didn't want to be sorted there?" she asked quietly.

"I didn't," he said, staring into her eyes. "I hate the whole lot of them. Well, except for Andromeda, but she's blasted off the family tree and disowned," he finished and sighed bitterly.

"How terrible," she whispered and moved to Sirius' side.

"Yeah, well she eloped with some Muggle-born two summers ago. My mother said the shock of her betrayal caused my father's heart attack. Can you believe that?"

"Awful," she murmured as Sirius bit the inside of his cheek.

"That woman had us stand and watch as she blasted Andromeda's name off the tapestry of the family tree," he continued, and mimicked his mother blasting Andromeda from the family tree. "She warned us that she could easily do the same to us."

"She's your mother! How--how could she do that to you?" she asked--amazed that another person could be as heartless as her Gran.

"Easy, but it was harder when my dad was alive. He thought it was a phase."

"A phase?" Althea repeated, puzzled.

"Yeah, he believed Muggles and the like were good for a few things," he answered with palpable disgust.

Althea gasped when she realized what he was insinuating. "Disgusting."

"I agree," he said and brought his knees up to his chest.

"But--but wouldn't it be easier just to pretend to agree with them? You don't want to lose your family?" she asked and rested her hand on his shoulder.

"It would be, but you can't change who you are, can you?" he remarked and stared into Althea's eyes.

"I guess not," she responded quietly.

"Anyway, they're not my family. I'm just the scourge of her flesh--an unwanted disgrace--a mistake," he replied and attempted to laugh.

Althea recognized that the words his mother spoke genuinely hurt him, and that most of all he needed to be wanted. It was depressing, and Althea felt sorry for him. What is wrong with me? I'm feeling sympathy for Black, she thought and slightly shuddered. I never thought we'd have something in common.

"Sounds like my Gran."

"I'm sorry," he replied, pulling up more pieces of grass and throwing them at his shoes. "I only thought there was one of my mother."

Althea sighed and stretched out her legs. "At least your mother doesn't enroll you in a Muggle public school without your knowledge," she said and blinked heavily--her eyes ached and were raw from crying.

"What are you talking about?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "What Muggle school?"

Althea licked her lips. "I'm leaving Hogwarts...my Gran sent me a letter."

Sirius quickly turned toward her, which caused Althea to sit back. "What?"

Althea took a deep breath. "My Gran--she sent me a letter about my father's death--"

Sirius slammed his palm against the earth. "Wait, she told you about your father dying in a letter?" he asked--his eyes narrowing.

"Yes, I got it by owl this evening--"

"Unbelievable," he muttered, shaking his head. Sirius's jaw tightened and his face paled in the moonlight. "No--no, you can't go. I won't let you leave."

Althea raised an eyebrow--mildly amused that he thought he could defy her grandmother's wishes. "You won't let me leave?"

Of all people, I'd think Black would be happy to see me leave, she thought as she studied Sirius. Maybe he's upset that Gryffindor loses its Seeker.

"You can't leave. You don't belong in a Muggle school," he explained and jabbed the earth with his forefinger. "You belong here."

"I know that," she said sadly, looking at her skirt. "I don't want to go there, but I have no choice--"

"Yes, you do," Sirius said, determined. "Dumbledore."

"Dumbledore?"

"Yes, go see him," he said, placing his hands on Althea's shoulders. "If you tell him, I know he won't let you leave."

"I'm fifteen."

"So?" he snorted and pulled her closer to him. "What does that have to do with asking Dumbledore's help?"

Althea caught her breath as she looked into Sirius's grey eyes. She was unnerved by how intensely he stared at her.

"It's already been decided," she said quietly, her gaze unwavering from his.

"No," he murmured.

"All is not lost," a calm voice said behind them, and Sirius quickly removed his hands from her shoulders.

Althea wondered how long Professor Dumbledore had stood behind them and how much of the conversation he had heard. She hoped he had not heard her express her suicide wish, or else she would be committed to St. Mungo's by early morning.

"Professor Dumbledore, sir," Sirius said and hastily stood--shoving his hands in his pockets. "I was just--"

"Yes, Sirius, that will be all," Dumbledore said, stepping forward. "Please return to your dormitory."

Sirius looked from Dumbledore to Althea.

"You can be assured that Althea will not be leaving Hogwarts anytime soon," Dumbledore said, with a barely noticeable, amused smile.

Althea noticed Sirius's face flush slightly, and quickly shook her head to combat her own blushing.

"Thank you," he murmured, looking to the ground.

"I must ask Althea if she will join me in my office," Dumbledore said, observing the pair over his crescent moon glasses. "Goodnight, Sirius."

Sirius inhaled and nodded.

Dumbledore offered his hand to Althea to assist her in standing. As the two walked toward the castle, Althea realized she was still holding Sirius's handkerchief in her hand. I really should give it back to him, she thought, looking at the handkerchief in her hand. She noticed his initials embroidered in silver at the corner. Sensing that Sirius had not left the grounds, Althea turned her head to see him looking at her. Althea inhaled a sharp breath and clutched the handkerchief tightly in her hand as Sirius, realizing she was looking at him, quickly turned away, massaging the back of his neck. I don't understand, she thought, as she resumed looking ahead of her. I really don't understand what happened just now.

***

The last place Althea wanted to be was in Dumbledore's office. She sniffed and listened to the tinkling and clinking of the gadgets around her. At any other time, she would have enjoyed exploring the many gadgets, trinkets and the endless collection of books, but Althea wanted to escape. What could Dumbledore possibly say that would comfort her? Her Gran was her guardian and she decided Althea's future. Althea had no choice--she would return to life as a Muggle. No Hogwarts. No Quidditch. No magic. No Lily. At eleven, Althea would have gladly returned to life as a Muggle, but at fifteen, she finally was finding her place. She would be a Healer--even Flitwick praised her as a natural with Healing Charms. Were there Muggles like her? Doubtful.

"Oh, Althea," Professor McGonagall sniffed as she hugged Althea. "I'm so sorry."

Althea awkwardly wiggled her way out of Professor McGonagall's tight grip. "Thank you," she murmured, twisting Sirius's handkerchief in her hands.

"If there is anything--"

"Minerva, please sit."

Althea heard McGonagall sit behind her, and McGonagall continued to sniff as Althea waited for Dumbledore to speak.

"Althea, please sit down," Dumbledore said politely.

Althea nodded and sat before Dumbledore's desk. She had only been to the Headmaster's office once before--with Sirius--when they dared one another at the broom shed. Her eyes drifted past Dumbledore's concerned face to the portrait of the man with the pointy beard. She sneered at him and he sneered back.

"I have been in contact with your father for many years," said Dumbledore and leaned back in his chair. "I found his adventures and research to be very interesting, and I must say, highly entertaining."

He smiled to himself, and Althea wondered how someone could smile after such devastating news.

"Recently, I received a letter from your father," he added and produced a thick envelope. He carefully took out a bulky letter in her father's handwriting. "It included a new version of his will."

"My father knew he was going to die?" Althea asked, leaning forward. "Was he ill? He never told me he was ill!"

Dumbledore raised his fingertips to his lips. "It is a very uneasy time. We've had three other students' parents die or disappear this year alone...and I'm sorry to say that more will follow." Dumbledore sighed sadly. "Althea, do you remember your mother's death?"

Althea nodded her head as Dumbledore's piercing blue eyes stared at her. She shifted uncomfortably in her very comfortable chair. She wondered what her mother's death had to do with any of it. Althea thought about that morning--or was it afternoon--her mother's voice (she can't truly remember), Marie, the cupboard--she quickly shut her eyes. She did not want to remember anymore.

"The three other students, your mother, and your father are all connected--"

"Wait, my father's death wasn't an accident?"

Dumbledore nodded his head.

Althea gasped, clasping her hand over her mouth. "My father was murdered?"

Dumbledore nodded and McGonagall let out a sob.

Althea's hands slowly began trembling and she forcefully held them together in her lap.

"Your parents made very powerful enemies," Dumbledore continued calmly.

"Who? My father is an anthropologist! My mum took care of me!"

"Before your birth," Dumbledore said over Althea, "your mother researched a highly controversial topic in the Wizarding world."

Althea frowned. Her mother--controversial? In her mind, her mother was beautiful and serene. Dressed in fine robes, she read to Althea and allowed Althea to help her in the garden. Her mother baked cookies and painted exotic scenery. She certainly did not provoke controversy.

"Professor Dumbledore, sir, what did she--"

Dumbledore continued--ignoring Althea's question, "After her death, your father continued her research, and I must say, I found the findings intriguing."

Althea's contempt slowly simmered inside her and she roughly sat back in her chair--she had a right to know.

"Recently, your father was on the verge of a breakthrough in his research, but was murdered before completion," he finished and frowned. Althea did not know if he was frowning for her father or his lost research.

"Where is the research now?"

"Safe," he replied firmly. "Safe until it is time to reveal its findings."

Althea was annoyed at his replies. He probably won't tell me who murdered my parents, she thought looking at her muddied shoes. She did not bother to ask.

"Sir, my Gran--"

Dumbledore nodded. "I, too, received a letter about your departure."

Althea's stomach sank. "I'll--I'll have to go, then?"

"Of course not! How could you leave?" McGonagall shouted and wiped her eyes. "What is that woman thinking? It's not safe--"

"Minerva," Dumbledore warned, looking over his half moon glasses.

McGonagall nodded. "Sorry," she muttered, wiping her eyes. "So unfeeling, cold, she doesn't deserve..." she continued to mutter.

Dumbledore lifted a thick stack of folded parchment. "Your father left a copy of his will with me, and according to this will," Dumbledore explained and unfolded the thick parchment, "you decide whether or not to continue your education at Hogwarts."

A small, but happy feeling erupted inside her. "I'm staying."

"I thought that would be your answer," he said, folding the thick stack of parchment. "I've taken the liberty to send a letter to your grandmother detailing your plans and the stipulations in your father's new will."

"Thank you, sir," Althea replied and mustered a weak smile.

Dumbledore nodded. "I suppose you would like to return to the dormitories. I assume a few Gryffindors are concerned about your whereabouts," he said, staring at her over his glasses.

Althea swallowed uncomfortably.

Althea entered the Gryffindor common room to find Lily, alone, sitting next to the fire. Lily looked as though she had been crying--her nose red and her eyes puffy. Althea walked over to the fire and sat across from her. For a few moments, the girls stared at each other in silence. Althea was not sure what to do, and she deduced that Lily did not know what to say. She did not want her to say anything. She did not understand what it was like to lose a parent. Sirius knew what it was like to lose a parent--a parent that protected one from a monster. Strangely, she would rather talk with Sirius. He understood and he did not judge her. She thought he would have laughed at her crying, but instead, he comforted her. Maybe Remus was right, Althea thought disappointedly. I might have his character all wrong.

Althea realized that Lily had sat next to her and had wrapped her arms around Althea. She rested her head on Lily's shoulder and started to cry again. Althea felt warm tears drip down her forehead--Lily was also crying.

"I'm so sorry," Lily whispered and held Althea tighter. "I love you, Althea."

Althea held Lily tighter at those words. She loved Lily more than anyone alive.

"You don't have to leave Hogwarts, too," she whispered and kissed Althea's forehead. "My parents will take you in without hesitation, I know it. I'll owl them immediately."

Althea calmed herself to a point where she could reply. "I don't have to leave. My father wrote a new will," she replied and gently pulled away from Lily. "Nasty shock to Gran, I must say."

"Still," Lily replied and wiped her eyes, "I don't know what to say."

"I really don't need you to say anything."

"No, it's not good enough," Lily said plainly. "I need to do something.... Here, look at me."

"What?"

Lily placed her hands on Althea's shoulders. "Look at me," she said and pointed to her eyes.

Althea looked into Lily's deep emerald eyes. Lily tapped her wand against Althea's temple and murmured, "Conspicio clarum empathia."

Suddenly, Althea was aware of herself being jolted from her body and swiftly speeding through a tunnel of thousands of photographs. The images began to slow, and Althea realized each photograph was a movie of Lily's life. It was an overwhelming sensation to see and to feel from Lily's eyes. She furrowed her eyebrows at a suspiciously familiar pair of hazel eyes closing exceptionally close before her face. She heard Lily gasp and giggle. Althea attempted with all her strength to pull away, but the memories continued until the last image she saw was just before Lily had Althea look into her eyes. The tunnel widened and Althea stared into Lily's eyes.

"What--what was that?" Althea asked, blinking. "I saw...everything."

"An Empathy Charm--a type of Memory Spell," she replied. "I wanted to help you."

"How would that help me?" she asked, staring before her. "I don't know what to make of it," she said, rubbing her forehead. "I saw..."

Althea felt disturbed by what she saw as Lily would know her secrets. Lily had led a charmed, pleasant life with her mum, dad, and sister, but Althea's life--despite its overwhelming privilege--was not as happy. That charm, which Lily used in such goodwill, should not have been used so cavalier.

A small crease appeared between Lily's eyebrows. "I wanted to know," she said, looking to her hands. "It wasn't good enough--"

"Lily--"

"I didn't want you alone!" she said, looking into Althea's eyes. "I thought it the best way to understand, and I do!" She wiped the tears from her eyes--Althea thought of handing her the handkerchief, but thought better of it.

Althea placed her hand upon Lily's hand. "Thank you," she murmured and tenderly pressed her hand.

Lily blushed.

Althea knew immediately what Lily was blushing about, and she began to blush as well.

"You and--oh, I can't even say it!" Lily said and covered her mouth.

Althea surveyed the room--it was still empty. She nodded.

Lily gasped.

"Please, don't say anything," Althea said, resting her hands on Lily's shoulders. "We made a promise never to tell."

"I won't," Lily said solemnly. "Oh and he!"

"Don't say one word about that! No one is supposed to know!"

"I would never say anything," Lily replied, smoothing wet hair from Althea's face. "You--you knew before?"

Althea nodded.

"Wow," Lily breathed.

Suddenly, her eyes grew wide. "You--you and Potter!"

Lily sat upright and folded her arms. "I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Three years ago, you were dared to kiss Potter," she said, pointing her finger at Lily. "No wonder he doesn't leave you alone."

"I'm not proud of what I did," Lily said defensively. "It's Mary's fault."

Althea sighed. "Anyway, how long does this charm last?" she asked, stroking a curl behind her ear.

Lily sighed as well. "It doesn't," she answered, standing. "Come on, you need your sleep."

Althea and Lily quietly crept up the girls' dormitory staircase. Althea exhausted and decided she would sleep the entire next day--thankfully, it was the weekend. She slipped into her lilac silk nightgown and quietly walked toward her bed.

"I'll join you," Lily whispered and kissed Althea's forehead.

"It's not--"

"Who crawled into my bed when I was homesick?" Lily asked, smiling as she looked down at Althea.

As Lily readied for bed, Althea noticed out of the corner of her eye a somewhat large box upon her bed. What is this, she thought, taking the box in her hands. Quietly, she shut her drapes and carefully opened the box. Althea gasped and covered her mouth as she discovered the ingredients for the Animagus transformation. She unfolded a small piece of parchment and read the note:

New moon is almost here. Thought you'd like this.

Sirius

Althea folded the note, placed it in the box, and quickly tucked the box underneath her bed. She opened her curtains to see Lily's pleasant smile. The two girls crawled underneath the bedclothes and waited for sleep. However, as Althea felt Lily's protective arm around her waist, she could not sleep. Thoughts of her father, her grandmother, Hogwarts, and Sirius crowded her mind. She winced as she tried to suppress each one, but the thought of Sirius would not go away. She caught breath as she remembered the intensity at which he stared at her. What is happening, she asked herself as Lily shifted next to her. Why did he comfort me on the grounds earlier? Why did he give me this box? What does he want?