In Really Hot Water (Lily)

[luvs2dance]

Brooke nodded simply. Hardly ever was she at a loss for words, but now was one of those rare times. She couldn't think of anything to say. How horrible it must be for Lily though. She didn't know where her brother was, her mother had died, and her father abused her. That was just awful. There had to be something Brooke could do to help her, but what?

"Did your brother say anything in the letter about where he might be? Anything at all that might suggest something about his whereabouts? Is he a muggle or a wizard?"

Brooke knew that if he was a muggle it wouldn't be so easy to find him. Oh, how much harder it would be to search through all of the muggle cities and towns. There were just so many of them! But if her brother was a wizard . . . well there were only so many places a wizard could be. And it would be easy to track magic. If they could only find out what kind of wand he was using. But wait, she said something about a girl's grandmother.

"So, who's grandmother is it that is looking for your brother?"

[lilyanne]

"A girl named Dana Coran. She's a Ravenclaw. Her grandma works at the Ministry. The thing is, so does Papa. But Dana said that she told her to make sure and search in secret."

Lily tried to remember the note the Johnny had written her as Brooke asked her questions. "Well, he said that he couldn't tell me where he was going, because he feared that Father might search for him to kill him, as he was accused of doing to our mother and sister. He swore to me that he didn't intend for them to get killed. He tried to shield them from the curse."

Brooke asked if he was a wizard. "Yes, he is a wizard. He went here, actually. My whole family did."

[luvs2dance]

Brooke smiled. Lily was lucky in a way, being able to know her whole family at one time or another. Brooke wished more than anything that she knew her father. She really wanted to meet him, but it seemed as if everyone was trying their hardest to keep her from him. Why would they do that to her? Isn't your family supposed to want what is best for you? Wouldn't the best thing be for her to know her real father? Brooke was so confused. Nothing about her life made any real since to her anymore.

"That's really cool. My mother went here. My godmother went to school in America, though. I think my grandparents went to school here at Hogwarts, but I'm not sure of that. Don't worry though, if she can't find your brother Rachel can. She's an auror and I'm sure she could find him for you."

Brooke smiled and leaned back in her chair. It was nice to relax. She would have to come to this room of requirement more often. "So, Lily, if you aren't going back to your dad's place then where are you going to go for the summer?"

[lilyanne]

Lily thought a moment. "Well, I hadn't thought that far. Maybe I would have to go back there." She shuddered. Imagine what he would do to me if I waited 'til then to face him, and had to. I hope someone will find Johnny."

[luvs2dance]

Brooke shook her head. "Lily, are you insane? You can't go back there! Why the heck would you go back to a place where you're beaten and abused! That's just absolutely . . . insane!" Brooke jumped up off of the couch and started pacing. The girl was crazy to think that she could just go back there and all would be fine. It was absolutely crazy! Why? Why would anyone do that? The man beat her for heaven's sake! There was just no way that Brooke would let her go back there! No way!

"Lily I can't let you go back," she said softly, still pacing back and forth, "Stay with me, stay with your brother, stay with someone else. You don't have to go back and face him again and you're not going to, you understand me? I won't let you. I just won't!"

[lilyanne]

Lily looked away. "Do you really think that I would be allowed to stay with you? I don't want to go back to my father's house. I really don't I just thought it was the only way." Lily's sobs renewed as her eyes pleaded with her new friend to help her.