(a Harry Potter fanfiction by Catherine)

The distribution of this story is for personal use only. Any other form of distribution is prohibited without the consent of the author.

Needletooth’s Treasure, Part 1

The Usual Disclaimers: These characters don’t belong to me, nor does J.K. Rowling’s wonderful world. I merely hope to enjoy it a small while longer through visiting with her characters, and I intend to make no profit whatsoever from this work.

The Usual Author Request for Internet Fan Fiction: You can only download this for personal use unless the author gives express permission for other purposes.

Author Notes:

1. This story takes the book as canon. Mrs. Petunia Dursley, as a result, is a blond.
2. This story takes place after GoF, but before Voldemort’s Eyes, the first story I wrote with Amanda in it. You can read this story without having read Voldemort’s Eyes, but you have to take the Amanda’s extraordinary senses as a given. If you are interested in how they came to be, I invite you to read the aforementioned story.

For everyone who's ever wanted to tell off the Dursleys.

Beta-reader Thank You: Thanks to Zsenya for a very thorough beta reading, and some interesting thoughts about facial gymnastics. :)

The Story Itself

Prologue: From Voldemort’s Eyes

Remus turned. He smiled softly. Amanda’s scars were silver in the light from the window. "Then we’ll be seeing each other again. And you’ll meet Harry. You’ll be awfully proud of Harry. He looks just like his dad, except his eyes. He has Lily’s eyes."

"Lily’s eyes," she repeated happily. She closed her eyes, and saw Lily smiling at her, eyes a brilliant sea green. "Lily’s eyes."

"I’ve met Harry," she said softly to Remus. "He does have her eyes."

Hogsmeade

The letter made it clear to Amanda that Dumbledore thought if she would visit her uncle Alastor, it would do him a world of good. There had been some problems this past year at Hogwarts. The letter had explained all of them carefully. It had been waiting for her at the Department of Mysteries. Amanda had asked Ms. Meachum for some time off for personal matters and Ms. Meachum had surprised her with the news that for the indefinite future, Amanda would be working with Professor Dumbledore. It took Amanda very little time to gather what she needed, and less time than that to Apparate to Hogsmeade. From there she would take a carriage to Hogwarts.

She had expected to be met there by Hagrid, the Hogwarts gamekeeper. Instead she Apparated right in front of Professor Minerva McGonagall, and dropped her luggage immediately upon arrival. "Miss Welkin," said Professor McGonagall. Professor McGonagall, generally prim, bent over to help Amanda gather up the things that had begun to spill out from her suitcase.

"Professor!" Amanda said. "I’m sorry. I didn’t expect to see--"

Professor McGonagall smiled like a confidant. "You’ll have to learn to call me Minerva now, I believe. You haven’t been a student of mine for some years."

"No," said Amanda, laughing. "I don’t think I could do that. Sorry."

Professor McGonagall’s eyes lingered for a moment on the three long scars on Amanda’s face. They ran from top to bottom, barely missing her right eye. Amanda reached down to gather the last remaining items into her suitcase. "I hear you’ve been making something of a reputation for yourself, " Professor McGonagall commented.

Amanda stood up and dusted off her robes. "I hear that things have been very chaotic here, Professor. How is my uncle? Professor Dumbledore wrote and told me that he’d been imprisoned?"

"Moody," Professor McGonagall said, "is mostly recovered. He will want to see you, but unfortunately he is not at Hogwarts. Your letter took a little longer to reach you than we would have liked, but given the nature of your work, your uncle understood."

"He’s probably the only one who really would," Amanda sighed. "When will he be back?"

"I imagine as soon as possible." Professor McGonagall was leading their footsteps toward The Three Broomsticks. "I think that maybe you’ll see him once you return from Surrey."

The two women went inside. Madam Rosmerta set them up with two glasses of pumpkin juice, then went about her business. "I know that Professor Dumbledore has something he wants me to do," Amanda commented. "His letter says he is gathering forces. It’s true about Voldemort, isn’t it? Everything I’ve seen in the last year underscores it."

"Yes," Professor McGonagall said grimly. "It’s all true. Of course, you were one of the first people we thought to write to. There’s something that Professor Dumbledore needs you to do right away for which you alone are uniquely suited."

"I’m to spy on someone? Take some pictures? Gather information?"

"No." McGonagall leaned in closely, her voice almost a whisper. "Can you tell if anyone is listening to us?"

Amanda closed her eyes. She expanded her senses. Her ears heard the whole town. She opened her eyes, and she began to process images inside the inn like snapshots. Everyone’s pulse was normal. No one’s muscles leaned eagerly in their direction. No one lurked around a corner. Amanda willed her eyes and her ears to dim. "We’re safe, Professor."

"You were good friends with Lily Potter—er—Evans in school, weren’t you, Amanda?"

"Yes." Professor McGonagall had a singular gift for understatement.

"Are you aware of her son, Harry Potter?"

"Professor, there isn’t a witch or wizard who isn’t aware of Harry Potter. Even those of us who travel full time for the Department of Mysteries."

"Dumbledore wants you to be Harry’s Watcher until he goes to the Weasleys this summer."

"I see." She’d never met Lily and James' son. "He doesn’t have a Watcher now, after all that happened to him during the Triwizard Tournament?"

"He is not unprotected," said Professor McGonagall. "Familial magic has protected him for all this time. We would just like to be extra cautious this year."

"Blood magic?" asked Amanda.

"When did you find out about that?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"A standard course at Durmstrang. Every seventh-year has to take it." Blood? Amanda was deducing Harry’s blood ties, and she wasn’t liking where the evidence was leading her. "Where is he, Professor?"

"With Muggles. His mother’s sister, her husband, and their son."

Amanda spat out the mouthful of pumpkin juice she was about to swallow. "Petunia? Lily’s son is living with Petunia?"

Professor McGonagall nodded curtly and properly handed Amanda a handkerchief. "I agree. They are Muggles of the worst sort! Every communication I’ve had with them has led me to believe that they as unsupportive of Mr. Potter as they are capable of being! You would not believe the difficulty we had in getting young Harry’s letter of acceptance to him! However, Professor Dumbledore was right to place Harry with them for two reasons. Harry has been protected from Dark magic largely because he stays with them. His safety counts for a great deal, perhaps more than his familial comfort. Secondly, Harry has not grown up with conceit and has not had his head turned by his fame. I just wish there had been an alternative of a more savory nature."

Amanda tried to clean the sprayed table. "Professor, I’ll do it. Of course I’ll do it. I’ll tell you right now that my Muggle skills are rusty. I haven’t spent any time among Muggles since my accident."

"I could imagine. That you’ve spent anytime with Muggles at all makes you again uniquely suited. Professor Dumbledore would like to suggest that you be as inconspicuous as possible. We would suggest that you make a Pouch and you listen inside it from nearby. If anything of an unsavory nature arises, we expect that you will take steps to prevent it, including magical means if necessary. And of course, notify us immediately."

"Petunia most assuredly will not like my using magic, Professor. I remember what she was like."

"Mr. and Mrs. Dursley’s opinions on the matter of magic are not sought," said Professor McGonagall tersely. "They are aware of Harry’s connection to our world. They should not be entirely unprepared for the possibility." Professor McGonagall’s eyes softened. "Amanda, I’m worried about him. He’s had so much happen to him! There’s no one among that dreadful family to support him, or care for him." Her eyes were misty. "If we could have kept him at Hogwarts for the summer, or sent him with his friends, anything! Those Dursleys won’t care about Voldemort, or how he saw Cedric Diggory die, or any of it!"

Amanda handed the professor a clean handkerchief from inside her own robes. "Harry saw someone die?"

Professor McGonagall nodded, dabbing at her eyes. "It’s too much for a boy, you know!"

Amanda nodded. "I do know, Professor."

"Of course you do. You understand very well." Professor McGonagall put her slender hand over the top of Amanda’s.

Across the Street from Number Four Privet Drive

The Pouch had been an excellent idea. Amanda had cast the spell that allowed her to slip into a magical chamber. On the outside it looked like outside. On the inside, it was a small room. She had a sleeping bag, a lamp, and a window that only she could look out. Occasionally Amanda would turn on her senses to the full, and look around the neighborhood. There were no Death Eaters, no signs of Lord Voldemort, no signs of Sirius Black, mass murderer. As if Harry didn’t have enough danger to worry about. She was surprised Dumbledore didn’t have an army camped outside Four Privet Drive.

She had been watching for three days. The only sign that a wizard lived there was the white owl that occasionally flew into and out a second floor window at night. She had seen Harry. He looked listless and tired most of the time. She had seen the other residents of the house as well. Petunia was skinny when Amanda had first met her, but now she was extremely bony and horsy. She was always peeking out the window, as if she were looking for Lord Voldemort. There was an enormous boy with piggy eyes and fat cheeks. The husband Petunia had picked for herself was a square man with no neck whose face turned from red to purple at the slightest provocation. Usually this provocation concerned Harry.

The three Dursleys treated Harry like he was some sort of slug under their collective shoe. The boy would try to beat him. Petunia would barely talk to him. Dursley was constantly volcanic at him. Every night Amanda would expand her hearing. She heard every single word they said. How he wasn’t worthy. When they told the neighbors that he went to some school for criminal boys. How they would not tolerate magic in their household. How they had sacrificed to put him in the raggy, oversized clothes that he wore. He was sent to his room without food twice in three days. He was professing to be not very hungry anyway, but that didn’t mean they shouldn’t try.

Harry was a clever boy, Amanda had to give him that. He would occasionally insult his uncle in a crafty way that the man couldn’t fathom. Usually, though, Harry was quiet. She heard him one night calling out in his sleep. No one came to him. Amanda had long held Petunia in disdain. She was happy to extend that feeling to the rest of Petunia’s family.

Amanda held out against it for about a week. Wednesday night, Amanda was listening. Muggle television. A cat in the garbage. A couple of walkers on the street. Dursley yelling at his nephew. "Those people!" he yelled. "The ones who destroyed our fireplace?"

"No," said Petunia. "They are not coming into our home again!"

"I can meet them some place," said Harry. His voice sounded very tired. "Or I can tell them not to come by Floo Powder."

"No!" Dursley roared.

"What they did to poor Dudley!" Petunia said.

"Absolutely not! I won’t have anyone like that in this house again!" Amanda could tell Dursley was simmering.

"You’re as bad as your mother and father! A freak!" Petunia yelled shrilly. "I won’t have it! I won’t have Dudley exposed to that sort anymore!"

"Don’t!" said Harry. Amanda heard his voice change, like someone had thrown a switch. He had clearly reached his limit. Amanda left the Pouch and moved across the street toward number four, Privet Drive. She had reached her limit too. "Don’t say anything about my parents!" Harry shouted. "You don’t know anything about my parents! You don’t know anything about anything! The people that you call freaks, they’re nothing like you! They’re good and decent! All you can think about is yourselves!" Harry’s voice rose. "Well, there are things that are more important than that! They know that! You don’t! You can’t say anything about my parents! My parents cared about people, even people like you! You don’t care about anything! You’re the freaks!"

"Stop it!" Petunia yelled. "I will not be spoken to in that way!"

"Boy, if you don’t show your aunt some respect, I will beat some respect into you!"

Amanda heard the Dudley boy laughing. She heard a slap, and the Dudley boy stopped laughing. She heard another slap, and decided that she was going in. "Alohomora!" she said to the front door of number four, Privet Drive. She immediately dimmed her senses, so she could just concentrate on the Dursleys living room. Fat piggy Dudley had a red mark across his cheek, and was staring at Harry in shock. Harry sported an identical mark. His glasses were askew. Petunia, her face a scowl, still had her hand raised, and was starting to swing it for another backhand.

"I wouldn’t!" said Amanda. She wore Muggle jeans and a sweatshirt, but they couldn’t mistake her for anything but a witch, her maple wand still sparking, bits of magic making her red hair copper.

"You!" Petunia Dursley spat out.

"Me!" Amanda said, narrowing her eyes.

Harry looked at her quizzically with Lily’s eyes, and straightened his glasses. "Déjà vu," he muttered.

Dursley stood up. "Get out!" he bellowed. "Get out of my house!"

"Are you all right? Amanda asked, ignoring Dursley.

"Yeah," said Harry. He was embarrassed, she could tell. He wouldn’t look at her.

"Good." She froze Petunia with a look of ice. "What a good mother you turned out to be!"

Petunia smiled at Amanda’s silvery scars. "The years haven’t been kind, have they?"

Dursley moved his whole body. Having no neck, Amanda decided, he couldn’t turn his head. He looked at his wife incredulously. "You know her?"

"Yes," Petunia’s lip curled. "I do."

Dudley slipped behind his father. "You ugly woman!" Dudley cried out. "Leave us alone!"

Amanda lowered her wand. "Well, you must belong to Petunia indeed," she said. "Dudley, isn’t it? There are two kinds of ugliness, Dudley. I wear mine, rather than keep it hidden. Either way," she looked pointedly at Petunia, "you can’t escape wearing it in the end."

Dudley’s face was blank with confusion. Dursley turned scarlet. Petunia’s face blotched like strawberries in cream. "Get out! Or I’ll call the police!"

"I wouldn’t dream of staying longer," Amanda’s voice was as hard as steel. She pointed at Harry. "Make no mistake, though. I am watching you. You will take care of him. You will be civil to him. You will let him go to his friends. And make no mistake, if you don’t do what I say, there is nowhere you could hide from me." She nodded at Harry. "Bear up. If you need anything, at all, I’ll be around until you go." She closed the door and started down the front walk. Just as the door closed, she heard Dursley say tentatively, "Petunia, darling, who was that?"

Amanda was boiling. Petunia Dursley! We were all so much more mature now, weren’t we, now that we were adults? Blast it! She was still rotten, through and through! That horrible woman! Of course, Amanda had meant what she said. If they didn’t behave themselves, there would be consequences. "Oh Lily," Amanda sighed, looking skyward into the stars. "I am so very sorry that one of us couldn’t have done taken him in!" She hated to think of it. Peter dead, Remus cursed, Sirius a betrayer. Amanda had foolishly taken herself out of the running, although she had convinced herself she was being necessarily noble when she had done so. Harry had paid the consequences because there had been no one. "What a grand lot of friends we turned out to be!"

"Er—excuse me?" Harry Potter was catching up with her rapidly. Amanda turned around. Of course! She couldn’t create a scene like that, and just expect to walk away.

"Sorry," she said. "I’ve been listening to that rubbish for days! I can’t understand why you didn’t hit that cousin of yours sooner. Impolitic overall, I’m sure, but I couldn’t have held out."

"Who are you?" he asked.

"I’m your Watcher. Dumbledore thought that we couldn’t be too careful this year."

"Right. I’m Harry. You seem to know that, though." They walked to the end of the driveway. "Thanks."

Amanda blinked. It wouldn’t do for Lily’s young man to see how angry and upset she was. "Has it always been like that?"

"Well, it’s usually better. Usually, I know how to manage things a little better." Harry shoved his hands into the pockets of his too baggy pants. "I’m a little off my game right now."

"I’m not surprised." They stopped at the bottom of the drive. "Good night, Harry." Amanda started across the street.

"Er—" Harry hadn’t moved.

"Yes?"

"Who are you? I don’t mean what are you. You know my aunt. She knows you. You’re a witch."

Amanda nodded once. "Correct."

"You probably don’t realize how unlikely those three things are together." There was an uncomfortable pause.

Amanda came back to him. She stuck out her hand. "Amanda Welkin. I suspect there might be questions?"

Harry shook hands with her. "Friend of my mother’s?"

"Absolutely. Your aunt doesn’t like me much, though. Makes things a little difficult right now, doesn’t it? Come on," said Amanda. "I have Muggle money and I’m not afraid to spend it. You have questions. I’ll do what I can to answer them."

MacMaster’s Fish and Chips Shop

Amanda and Harry sat across from each other at a Formica table, in Formica chairs. Formica was not anything a wizard would have invented, Amanda thought. Nothing was less magical than a plastic chair that couldn’t keep you comfortable for more than five minutes. Harry had helped her decide on fish n chips. Depression seemed to rob him of his appetite. He salted his, and barely ate at all. Well, at least he was eating a little. She was watching him, she hoped not too obviously. He had grown into a handsome young man. It was similar to sitting with James, except Harry’s eyes didn’t have the same laughter in them that she remembered in his father’s.

Amanda sprinkled vinegar on her fish. "It was too much to hope that chips had become tastier," she said. "These aren’t bad, as chips go."

Harry wiped his mouth with a paper napkin. "Actually, they’re pretty wretched."

"Oh." Amanda smirked at the chips, then crunched into a piece of fish. "Glad it’s not just me, then." Harry was looking at her face, and she pulled her hair back, so he could see more clearly. "It’s all right," she said. "It’s almost the first thing everyone does. You know that."

He rolled his eyes. "You’d think I’d know better," said Harry.

"Yours has much more character," Amanda said.

"How did you—?"

"Werewolf," Amanda found she couldn’t make eye contact. Painful memory, that one, every time.

"Sorry," said Harry.

"Me too," said Amanda. She drank some of the sugary drink, and put it down, a grimace on her face. Chalk one up for pumpkin juice! "I bet you’re looking forward to staying with your friends. Weasley, right?"

"Yeah," said Harry. "They’re great!"

Probably everything your real family isn’t, from the look on your face, Amanda thought. Mentally, she noted a reminder to tramp on Petunia’s flowerbeds when they returned. "There’s a Weasley in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office."

"That’s Ron’s dad."

"Don’t know him. Seems like a good sort though. My uncle thinks highly of him."

"He is. A good sort, I mean." Harry rolled brown paper around his barely nibbled meal, and pushed it away. "Are you an Auror?" Harry asked.

"Oh no!" Amanda thought for a moment, how to explain. "I sort of work with whatever department needs me. I’m needed around here for a bit, so I’ll be staying for a little while. Not in Surrey. In Hogsmeade."

"Did Professor Dumbledore write you?"

Amanda nodded. "I’m sure among others." She sighed. "I suppose you know current events better than anyone else. You saw Lord Voldemort come back, after all. I can’t believe that there are wizards and witches that want to pretend nothing happened! Unfortunately there are. That might be more dangerous than the Death Eaters themselves, because they’ll look the other way, and the Death Eaters will be more effective."

"You call him Lord Voldemort?" Harry sounded surprised.

"Yes. Well, I do use You-Know-Who in polite company. If you’re anything like me, Harry, I thought you’d call him by his name. You-Know-Who makes people more scared of him."

Harry leaned forward. "You’re not scared of him?"

Amanda waved her hands. "No, I’m petrified of him! Maybe more so than most people! For most people, he’s a monster they haven’t met!" She stopped herself. A little breath, and her voice resumed its normal level. "Who wouldn’t be afraid of him? Only wizards and witches without sense. However, I’m not helping him become more terrible. I’ll call him his name, and when it comes down to it, I’ll fight him in anyway I can."

"Me too," Harry said quietly. They both sat in silence. Amanda watched the Muggles come in, order dinner, laugh and chat. Harry spoke first. "Can I ask you about my mother?"

"Yes. Anything you like."

He leaned his chin on a hand. "I saw her, you know. She came out of Voldemort’s wand when he tried to duel me. She talked to me, told me to run to the Portkey. My father was there too."

Apparently there was more than the letter had told. She listened.

"I know they were ghosts, maybe not even ghosts. Just memories in Voldemort’s wand, perhaps. I couldn’t stand it today when Aunt Petunia—" he stopped.

Apparently, it also wouldn’t do for Lily’s young man to let her see how angry and upset he was. "Harry," Amanda said. "Your parents were the most forthright, wonderful people I have had the privilege of knowing. They were brilliant together. They were wonderful to the people who knew them. You are right about them. Your aunt and uncle don’t know anything about them at all!"

He still wouldn’t speak. She thought it best not to notice exactly why. "Look, Harry, you wanted me to tell you about your mother. I will happily tell you about Lily. I don’t know if she thought so about me, but I certainly believe she was the best friend I ever had. Your father was fantastic. They saved me during the bleakest moment of my life! Your aunt and uncle are dead wrong about your parents! I know you’re too smart to believe anything they say."

He looked at her then. "I know," he tried smiling. "I don’t believe it. People keep telling me that my mum and dad were all right."

"’All right?’" Amanda drummed her fingers on the Formica. "Right. I’m going to tell you a story about your terribly ‘all right’ mother! You will owe me an apology for addressing my friend Lily Evans as merely all right. It’s a story about your aunt too. Your mother was always looking out for your aunt, although she hardly deserved it…"

Needletooth’s Treasure, Part 2

by Catherine

The Usual Disclaimers: These characters don’t belong to me, nor does J.K. Rowling’s wonderful world. I merely hope to enjoy it a small while longer through visiting with her characters, and I intend to make no profit whatsoever from this work.

The Usual Author Request for Internet Fan Fiction: You can only download this for personal use unless the author gives express permission for other purposes.

Author Notes:

1. This story takes the book as canon. Mrs. Petunia Dursley, as a result, is a blond.

Beta-reader Thank You: Thank you to Zsenya for suggesting certain necessary improvements about the ending.

The Story Itself

The Bus Station, Swindon

Amanda looked through the coach window as soon as it pulled up in the station at Swindon. There had been a delay of a couple of weeks before she could see Lily, so Amanda was even more happy to arrive. Lily was at the curb, dressed conservatively in jeans and a white shirt. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and she shielded her eyes against the glare of the sun as she tried to peer into the coach’s tinted windows. Lily was not alone. The tall lanky blond fellow in the short-sleeved shirt had to be her dad. Lily’s mum was about Lily’s height, and had the same hair color. Her eyes were also sea green. The little sister, Pet, as Lily called her, was also present. Her straight mouth occasionally twitched on one side. Her hair was tied into curly blond pigtails.

Amanda grabbed her bags and fell into the line of passengers leaving the bus. She bounded down the steps, and looked at the Evans family. “Hi!” she said. “Er—peace!” She put up her index and middle fingers just like the book had instructed.

The Evans family had a wide variety of reactions. Mr. Evans, who had been smoking a pipe, had to catch it from falling out of his mouth. Mrs. Evans’ eyes crinkled with mirth. Pet turned red and busied herself looking elsewhere. Lily couldn’t talk for laughing. She came forward and hugged Amanda.

“What is it?” Amanda looked at her through tiny, round lenses, mortified.

“Look at you!”

Amanda couldn’t imagine what Lily found wrong. She had done a lot of research for this, her first Muggle vacation. She had even read Muggle Youth: Gear and Gab. Her clothes were perfect, by the book. The jeans were bellbottoms and hip huggers. She wore a close-fitting t-shirt with a peace sign on the front. Amanda had taken the time to paint a flower on her cheek, and took great pride in her wavy rimmed hat and tiny sunglasses. “What?”

Lily had to wipe tears out of her eyes, she was laughing so hard. “You’re about ten years too late, Amanda, my dear.” Lily put her arm about Amanda’s shoulders, and steered her toward the family. “Come on! Introductions!”

Lily’s father had recovered his grace sufficiently to remove his pipe and shake hands. “Hello, Amanda. Welcome.”

“Sir,” said Amanda. She was starting to laugh herself.

“My dad, of course,” said Lily. “Robert, just like your little brother. And my mother, Rose.”

“Hello, Amanda. Lily’s talked about nothing else but your coming for days.”

“I bet nothing she said could have prepared you for this,” Amanda laughed.

“Oh, no. Indeed.”

“This is Pet,” said Lily, pushing her sister forward. “She’s in second year grammar school. One year behind us.”

“Hi, Pet. Nice to meet you.”

Pet pursed her lips. “Please call me Petunia.”

Lily commented, “We’re in that serious full name stage right now.”

Pet’s eyes shot daggers at her sister. “I would prefer to be called Petunia.”

“Right you are, Petunia.” She winked at her sister. Amanda tilted her head and smiled with Lily. Petunia was not amused.

“Lily, you might give Amanda a chance to freshen up,” said Mrs. Evans, “Once we’re in the car, your father won’t want to stop until we’re at the campsite.”

“This way,” Lily said, leading Amanda back into the station. It was run-down and concrete, slightly grungy from travelers and a lack of upkeep. Lily led Amanda into the W.C.. Removing a handkerchief from her purse, Lily ran it under the cold water faucet. “Honestly, Amanda! Didn’t you wonder why people were staring at you?”

“I thought it was because I had done such a good job. That and my glasses are fab.” Lily began to rub the flower off. “Ouch! Don’t worry. The rest of my kit is more like what you’ve got on. I figured once we were camping, no one would care what I looked like.”

“Thank goodness!” said Lily, wringing out her handkerchief. “That hat is disappearing into the wild.”

“I LIKE this hat,” Amanda said. “Mother found it for me at a jumble sale.”

“It stays in the car while we’re camping,” Lily said with finality. “I will not be responsible for you looking like Janis Joplin during our camping trip. I don’t think Pet could take it.”

“She did look a bit sour,” Amanda commented.

“Mmm,” said Lily. “More and more these days.” The spot where the flower had been was now scrubbed a beautiful red. “There. Now give me that hat!”

“No,” Amanda said.

Lily held out her hand expectantly. Amanda stared at her friend, hands on her hip huggers. They both started laughing again. An elderly lady who walked in looked at them with disapproval, and that made them giggle more. Amanda finally took the hat off. “You win this round, Evans,” she said. “But I do get to keep the fab shades.”

“Fine. Better the sunglasses than that hat!”

“I think it’s a very fine hat,” said Amanda, following Lily to the family car.

Amanda had never seen a Muggle car before, up close. The Evans car was a cozy tan. “It’s fantastic!” Amanda said.

“Thanks,” said Mr. Evans. “It’s new.”

“Dad’s pride and joy,” Lily pitched in.

“Now, Lily,” said her dad, “You’re my pride and joy.” Amanda’s pack soon joined the rest of the family luggage, and they were on the open road.

They were driving from Swindon to Exmoor National Park. Amanda sat in the middle. It was a little tight, but she didn’t mind. Sitting between Lily and Pet, Amanda could hear what everyone was saying. Mrs. Evans turned the radio off, and asked Amanda, “Did you have a nice trip?”

“Yes ma’am. I’ve never been by bus from London before.”

“Lily was telling us this is the first time you’ve had a vacation with Maggles, ” said Mr. Evans enthusiastically.

Lily covered her eyes. “That’s Muggles, Dad.”

“That’s right, sir. First one,” said Amanda, shielding her grin.

Lily’s dad quieted abruptly. Mrs. Evans commented, “You’ll have to forgive Robert. He’s very interested in things magical ever since Lily was accepted to Hogwarts. Sometimes all the new words get a bit mixed up.”

“Please don’t worry about it,” Amanda said. “I plan to make a lot of mistakes while I’m here myself. I think it’s great that you’re interested, Mr. Evans!”

Amanda’s comment seemed to cheer the driver up. Mr. Evans said, “Thank you, Amanda. Members of my own family could follow your example. Only my Pet remains uncritical.” Pet said nothing. Amanda noted that she was watching out the window, her face stormy. Mr. Evans continued. “I do think it’s a dirty trick of the Ministry of Magic that they don’t let you girls practice magic over the summer holidays. How are you supposed to improve?”

Lily said, “We manage. There’s more to magic than wand waving, you know.”

“Well, I’m not adverse to you practicing at home. I think there ought to be a parental permission form or something.”

“I’m sure if more of us non-magical people had your attitude, love,” said Mrs. Evans, “they’d be happy to let us have Lily practice at home.”

Pet turned her attention back inside the car. “Do you think we could have some music? Maybe Amanda would like to hear some music?”

“Good idea, Pet,” said Lily.

“Who do you have?” Amanda asked. “Do you have any Evaporating Potions?”

“I’m afraid,” said Petunia pointedly, “that not everything this vacation is going to center around magic.” Lily threw Pet her angry look, the one that made other students run when it made a rare appearance. Pet smiled at it, egging it on. Amanda suddenly wanted to be out from between them.

“Sure,” said Amanda. “I’d love to hear some Mug—some music.” Petunia buried her nose in a book as soon as the radio started playing. Mr. and Mrs. Evans occasionally interjected comments. Discussion about magic had come to a halt.

Amanda was fine with that. What she wasn’t fine with was how Petunia would sigh, purse her lips, or furrow her brow every time Amanda and Lily began to talk about something that was new to Amanda. Amanda found the scenery fascinating. She loved the way the fields were plowed and cultivated into careful squares. She liked the other cars and the highway itself. Petunia seemed to think Amanda some sort of idiot. Although Petunia said nothing, her body language did all the talking for her. Lily looked like she wanted to box Petunia’s ears in, but she kept her tone pleasant.

As they entered Exmoor National Park, Amanda was mystified. Mr. Evans drove along the coast, and Amanda saw that the ocean stretched forever. They were to camp on a craggy area of the coast, near the Valley of the Rocks, close to Lynton. Mrs. Evans commented that they could just as easily stay in one of the inns at Lynton.

“I hope not!” said Amanda. “Lily’s promised me a tent that’s the same size on the inside as on the outside.”

“And spaghetti from a tin,” added Lily.

“COLD spaghetti,” Amanda emphasized.

Mrs. Evans shook her head. “I’ve a better picnic than that in the boot. Sorry to disappoint.”

“All tents are the same size on the inside as on the outside,” said Petunia condescendingly.

“You know,” said Amanda to Lily, “you ought to bring Pet with you next summer. Might expand her world a bit for her to get a little familiar with magical culture. She’d understand you better anyway.” Lily’s eyes thanked Amanda. Amanda winked at Pet, trying to soften the impact of what she had said. She hoped, however, that Pet had not mistaken her meaning in any way. Enough was enough.

The car stopped down the road from a large outcropping of rock. Mr. Evans turned to the backseat, looking over his shoulder. “I thought we’d explore first, and then head for the campsite. Pet, would you mind helping me and your mother set up lunch?”

“No, Dad,” said Petunia stiffly. “Not at all.”

“You two girls,” said Mrs. Evans. “Do you want to go looking at the sandstone?

“Sounds good to me,” said Amanda. “I wish I could have brought my camera!”

Lily smiled, and held up an interesting box. There were a large red button and a slot on the front of it. “Instamatic. You’ll only get flat pictures, and not very good ones at that. Still, we thought—“

The passengers climbed out of the car. “Thanks!” Amanda smiled. “Let me see that!” Lily handed over the contraption. Amanda marveled at the plastic casing and the flash bar. “Wicked!”

“We should be ready for lunch in about fifteen minutes,” said Mr. Evans, “so don’t go far.”

Lily and Amanda headed toward the tall sandstones that poked jaggedly out of the green landscape. “This is breathtaking!” Amanda said. “You must come here all the time!” Amanda looked through the viewfinder and found the world distorted instead of sharpened. She pulled the camera away from her face, blinked, and tried it again. The effect was the same.

It’s like that,” said Lily. “Not as clear as your magical camera. It will also spit the film out at you with a bit of a hiss. The pictures do develop instantly, however, so that’s an innovation.”

“You Muggles!” quipped Amanda. She pressed the button, and a print spat out the front slot. “How long do your parents really need?”

“Well, it sort of depends on Pet.” Lily held the photo up so Amanda could see it began to develop. Amanda was reminded of the silhouettes that began to form in Uncle Alastor’s Sneakoscope whenever there was difficulty coming his way. “I should have told you. You might not have wanted to come. She’s not doing well this summer.”

“Really? She was certainly nasty in the car, wasn’t she?” The rocks were beginning to sharpen in the photo.

Lily’s hands moved as fast as her words came out. “Magic. She’s decided it’s the magic that’s the problem. Amanda, I don’t know what to do. She’s the youngest, and maybe she’s been a little used to more attention. Maybe we spoiled her. I never thought anything of it. Mum and Dad are scolding her all the time now. She thinks that they don’t care about her at all anymore.

“I’ll admit they do talk a little much about me and Hogwarts. Sometimes, I try to draw the attention back to Pet. That’s only fair. I talked to Mum and Dad about it. Honestly, I think they’ve tried to be balanced, and more so now. There’s no dealing with her now if she’s not the center of attention most of the time. Mum and Dad won’t let that happen, and for some reason, she blames me for that.”

Lily crossed her arms and looked toward the water. The wind blew her long red ponytail away from her face. “Do you know why I cancelled our Bristol trip? Originally Pet was going to have her friend Ellen over. I was going to have you. The week before, Pet cornered me. She was hysterical. Pet railed at me about how I couldn’t let Ellen see one scrap of anything unusual. My friend from Hogwarts would be impossible!” Lily scoffed. “As if I hadn’t spent eleven years being a normal girl! As if you couldn’t have caught on!

“Mum and Dad heard us arguing. Pet was in for it. I thought it would be better if we didn’t have you come. I told Mum that we’d re-schedule your trip. After Mum and Dad cooled down, we decided that would be for the best. So, the camping trip.”

“It’s okay, Lily,” said Amanda. She could see the rocks in jagged detail in the picture. “I liked the idea of the camping trip.”

“You would think problem solved, wouldn’t you? This morning she was a royal pill and asked if you had to come at all!”

Amanda said quietly, “And then I showed up like this, and all we talked about was—“

“Oh no!” said Lily angrily. “Don’t even begin to pretend this is your fault! It’s Pet’s problem! Dad says it’s a phase. Some phase! I think she hates me! I think she wants to hate you and any connection I have to the magical world! Well, too bad! That’s my world too! Pet’s going to have to accept that if she wants to accept me!” Lily’s voice dropped off. “Except I don’t think she wants to accept me anymore. She never used to be like this. She used to pretend to be all sorts of things. We had tea with faeries in the backyard. I’ve lost her, Amanda. We used to share magic. When I became magic, I think she thought I’d left her behind.”

Lily looked at her watch. “They’ll be ready for us. I’m sorry. I guess I needed to get this out, clear the air. I wanted to apologize to you. Pet’s going to be difficult. If you want to go home, I’d understand. We can send you right back.” Lily stamped her foot. “I so wanted you to have a good time!”

“I will,” said Amanda. “I’m here with you.” Amanda put her arm around her friend’s shoulders, and the two girls began to walk back. “Lily, your parents are grand. I have to admit, Pet has not won any points so far. She’s shown remarkably poor taste in my eyes, not treating you well. However, we will make the best of it, and you and I will have as good a holiday as we can. Fair?

“Fair.”

“Well,” said Amanda lightly, I wouldn’t want to muff my first Maggle vacation.” Lily laughed softly, and Amanda silently thanked Mr. Evans.

They returned. A blanket was spread on the ground. Mr. and Mr. Evans had put out bread, cheese, fruit, and drinks. Pet was sulking, her face buried in her book. Mrs. Evans sat in a camp chair, and Mr. Evans was rooting around in the trunk, pulling out more chairs. He joined them, and set one up. “Right here, Amanda.” He patted the chair. Amanda sat down. Lily tossed her an apple. “Let me tell you about our plans.”

Lynmouth Lanes Campground

All day the family had explored parts of Exmoor, getting pictures of the moorland, the buzzards, and the curlews. Amanda was excited about how the Instamatic camera reloaded with a cartridge of film. Much less mess than her magical camera! And now the tent! The tent that Mr. and Mrs. Evans had helped the girls pitch was indeed the exact same size on the inside as on the outside, which tickled Amanda no end. It smelled like old canvas, and had just enough room inside for their sleeping bags and packs. It was wonderful!

Now the three girls were down for the night. Pet was lying in her sleeping bag, trying to read her book by torchlight and ignoring Lily and Amanda. Amanda noted she had said little to her parents and even less to Lily and Amanda over the course of the day. Mr. and Mrs. Evans had their own smaller tent some feet away. Lily and Amanda knew it was late, but they weren’t sure how late. They had been talking about school. After next year’s classes, and a report on their circle of friends, the conversation had turned to the prospects of fourth year dating. Lily claimed she wasn’t interested in any of the men at school. “So there’s no one then?” Amanda teased.

“No,” said Lily.

“Not even one?”

Lily’s voice came to Amanda from the darkness. Amanda could make out her shape, sort of a giant inchworm in the sleeping bag. “I think if you took parts of all of them, you could make a very good sort of boyfriend, maybe.”

Amanda rolled over onto her stomach. “Good idea! Where would you start?”

“Frank Longbottom’s pretty smart. Maybe his mind.”

Amanda cleared her throat. “Excuse me,” she said. “But if this is a fantasy, you might as well choose a Ravenclaw for intellect. We are the smartest. Errol, I think. What about Errol?”

“No!” Lily giggled. “I could never take Errol’s brain! I’m not half that smart! I’d take Errol’s manners though. He does know how to treat a lady.”

“Very observant. I approve of your taste!” Errol would be amused when she told him later on. “You know,” Amanda added as an afterthought, “James Potter’s pretty smart.”

“Oh, he is. He’s nicer than he is smart, though. I’d take Frank, because he’s clever, and I’d take James’ personality.”

“Don’t forget his athletic prowess.”

“That’s the problem. How smart can he be? He plays Quidditch!”

“We call that stereotyping,” Amanda scolded. “Things are never what they appear, you know.”

“Except for Sirius. I mean, no, not his personality. He’s good looking though. Sirius’ Black’s looks,” Lily continued. “At least the eyes.”

“Oh no,” said Amanda. “James has much better eyes.”

“Really? I never noticed.”

“James’ eyes light him up when he’s happy. There’s too much of the devil in Sirius’ eyes. I mean he’s a good chap, but he’s not steady.”

“And you know this how?” Amanda could hear the skepticism in Lily’s voice.

Amanda’s voice puffed up with pride. “I’ve taken their pictures. I look at such things.”

“I’m so glad I have you here to tell me all this,” said Lily. “What’s the tally so far?”

“So far, then. Frank’s intellect, James’ personality, Errol’s manners, and Sirius’ eyes. Anyone else?”

“Maybe Milo’s sense of humor.”

“That’s a good call.”

“Ian’s loyalty.”

“Score one for Hufflepuff. You don’t fancy anything of Remus?”

“No. I can’t take anything from Remus. He belongs entirely to you.”

“I don’t know where you get these ideas,” Amanda protested.

“No indeed,” said Lily, good-naturedly. “What did you see when you took his picture?”

“I—“ How did Lily know to get to the heart of the matter? What hadn’t she seen when she’d taken his picture?

Pet closed her book with finality and wriggled out of her sleeping bag. “Fine! I didn’t want to sleep anyway!” She began to pull on her sneakers.

Lily sighed. “Pet, what is it?”

“You two, that’s what it is! Talking like I’m not here, keeping me awake!”

“Us?” It was out of Amanda’s mouth before she could stop it. “You haven’t said anything to us all day! We thought you wanted to be left alone!”

“No one likes to be excluded. It’s very rude!” Pet pulled on her jacket.

“Pet,” Lily said, her voice gaining a hard edge. “Get back into bed. We’ll stop. You’re right, it’s time to sleep.”

“No! I’m going out for a walk. I suppose you may talk about your school and your oddly named friends all you wish. I certainly won’t miss it, or be missed.” She swung back the tent flap, and stormed out.

“Well, that was a surprise, wasn’t it?” Amanda said when she could talk again. “Should we go after her?”

“Give her a second. We’ll have to, of course. We’re close enough to the coast that she’ll break her neck if she’s not careful. She wasn’t smart enough to take her torch either.” She heard Lily slipping on her shoes. “No topic is safe.”

“It’s not your fault, Lily.”

“I know.” Lily felt around Pet’s sleeping bag and grabbed the torch. “You know, if this were a television program, or a book or something, I’d go outside, and say something incredibly wise, and we’d patch it up, just like that. Pity about real life not following the right rules.”

Amanda slipped her sneakers on, and found the other torch. “Let’s go. Then we can get some sleep.”

They were outside. The night breeze was chilly, and they could hear waves breaking in the distance. Stars dotted the sky. While their camping area was flat, Pet could find some steep paths and uneven ground not too far away if she wasn’t careful. Mr. and Mrs. Evans’ tent was dark and quiet. Lily and Amanda walked in silence, shining the flashlight in front of them. When they felt they could risk it without waking up Lily’s parents, Lily whispered Petunia’s name loudly. There was no answer, but they could hear footsteps in the darkness ahead. “Petunia!” Lily said, a little more loudly. “Not that way! Come back!”

Amanda and Lily quickened their pace. Pet was silhouetted in the torchlight’s shine at the top of the hill. The ground in front of her sloped steeply down. “Go away!”

“Come on, Pet! Back to bed! We’ll talk about this in the morning!”

“Oh no, we won’t!” said Petunia. “We’ll talk about it now! I am tired of getting in trouble because I am the only one in this family who sees you for what you are!”

“Wait a second!” Amanda started to go forward, and Lily stopped her by sticking out her arm.

“Don’t do anything,” Lily said in a tone that brooked no opposition. “I will handle this. Petunia,” said Lily, “that’s enough. I’m going to get Mum and Dad. We’re going home.”

“We’re not!” Petunia said.

“We are,” said Lily. She took a few steps toward her sister. “I know that you feel very upset right now. I think going home will help that.”

Petunia began to back away. Rocks crumbled down the mountain behind her. Lily stopped dead. Amanda felt in her jacket pocket. Her wand was there. Just in case. Ministry of Magic rules be hanged! “Amanda,” Lily said slowly. “I want you to go and get my parents.”

“Lily, I—“

“Do as I say.”

“All the time!” said Petunia hysterically. “It’s about you! Pretty Lily! Smart Lily! Clever Lily! Lily the witch! Never about Pet! Poor Pet! Never about me!”

“Pet,” Lily walked forward again. “It’s going to be all right.”

“Stay away from me!” Petunia took another step backward.

“No,” Lily continued toward her sister. Amanda was rooted to her spot. Lily’s sister had gone mad. Lily reached out to Petunia and pulled her away from the edge. “No, Pet. Everything will be fine. Let’s go back.”

With a strength that surprised Lily, Petunia wheeled the two of them around, and pushed Lily off the edge of the slope. Amanda felt herself moving, but too sluggishly. Lily held onto Petunia. Together they tumbled down among the rocks, toward the shore. Amanda reached the top of the slope. She tossed the torch aside, and lit her wand. “Lumos!” “Lily!” she yelled. “Lily!”

Lily had also pulled out her wand. Amanda could see two figures by wand light, beginning to levitate up the slope. From some lesson or other, a good witch always carries her wand danced intellectually through Amanda’s mind. Lily was levitating them up the slope. Then another strange thing happened. The ground opened up underneath the sisters, and they disappeared into what looked like a mouth. Amanda half fell, half ran down the steep slope. She felt the rocks bruise and cut her. The opening was still there, but it was getting smaller. Amanda dived through. “Lily? Lily!” Amanda thought about calling Petunia’s name, but was too angry to say it.

“Amanda! We’re here!” Amanda scooted over to where another wand was emitting light. Both she and Petunia looked disheveled and dirty. Lily grinned at her. “I don’t suppose you thought you might have been more use outside, then?”

“What were you playing at?” Amanda yelled at Petunia. “You pushed her!”

“I’m sorry!” Petunia was blubbering. “I didn’t mean to! I just wanted you to leave me alone! I didn’t mean—!”

“It’s all right, Pet. It was an accident.” Lily stood up, and dusted herself off. “Let’s see where we are.”

“Accident my—!”

“Enough,” Lily said flatly. “That won’t help, Amanda. Since you were so kind as to join us, you should help me figure out how we’re going to get out.”

Amanda noticed that her wand gleamed off the cave walls. She looked at them more closely. “Lily,” said Amanda. “We have a bit of a problem actually.”

“Now you’re catching it,” said Lily.

“I mean more of a problem.” Amanda had noticed that the light of her wand shined off the surface of the cave. “This isn’t rock.” They were in a cave full of galleons, gold plates, gems, and jewels. “I think we’ve fallen into someone’s vault. Or trove.”

Petunia’s eyes grew large. “Look at all of this!” Her tears were quite forgotten.

“Before you get too excited,” said Lily, “bear in mind this is a place full of magic.”

Petunia didn’t seem to hear Lily. She picked up a gold barrette. Three strands of gold twisted around each other. Blue stones were sprinkled throughout. It shimmered beckoningly in the wand light.

“You should put that down,” said Lily.

“I think it would suit me,” said Pet, her eyes big.

“Put it down!”

Pet started to look around at other jewels and shiny things. “Well,” said Lily to Amanda quietly, “it looks like we’ve passed from emotional trauma to shopping trip.”

The footsteps were echoing as if someone were making an effort to be heard. Lily looked at Amanda. Amanda looked at her. They both looked at Petunia, who was crouching over a sparkling gem necklace. Wands at the ready, they tried to pinpoint the sound of the echo.

“We could be lucky,” said Amanda nervously. “It could be someone from the Ministry of Magic here to give us probation.”

“Oh happy thought!”

“Boo!” said a scratchy voice from behind them. Pet jumped away from the sound. Lily and Amanda’s wands sparkled. The little figure had sharp features and lengthy hands and feet. It was as if someone had stretched his face and fingers a little too long. His eyes glittered like the jewels in the room. When he smiled, they saw all of his pointy teeth, seemingly too many of them to fit in his mouth. Pet hid her face in Lily’s shoulder.

“A goblin,” commented Amanda.

“Well, that’s a good girl, knowing what I am. If you were less rude, you would have waited for introductions.” He straightened the waistcoat he wore, pulled down the sleeves of his jacket, and smoothed back the few strands of hair that topped his head. “Needletooth, at your service,” he said, smiling specifically at Pet, who would not look at him. “You. You in particular have business with me.”

“Sir,” said Lily, carefully, “we’re very sorry to be here. It was an accident—“

“She,” said Needletooth, pointing with a long finger, “has taken something of mine. You two, holding wands, would no doubt know how we goblins feel about thieves.”

“Lily!” Pet wailed. “What is it?”

“Mr. Needletooth,” emphasized Lily, “is a goblin. You have done something very wrong. Give him back what you took.”

“I didn’t take anything!”

Needletooth gnashed his teeth. “As if I’d make something like that up! Is it to be endured? I’d be within my rights if I made a stew of all three of you and gobbled you down!”

Pet blanched. Lily looked at Amanda questioningly. “No,” said Amanda, “I don’t think he would. It’s a Muggle scare tactic.”

Lily stepped slightly in front of Pet. “Mr. Needletooth, my sister doesn’t understand your ways. My friend and I do. Let us talk to her for a second.”

Needletooth crossed his arms and tapped his foot impatiently. “You may have a minute.”

Lily turned on Pet. Amanda closed in. “Pet,” Lily said. “I don’t want to hear that you didn’t do anything. Life or death here, Pet. Understand?” Pet was stunned. Lily grabbed her sister’s shoulders and shook her slightly. “Understand?”

Pet nodded. She put her hand in her pocket, hesitated for a second, and pulled out the golden barrette. Lily removed it from Pet’s hand and offered it to Needletooth. Needletooth snatched it from her. He looked at it like a loving parent might look at his child, then stuffed it greedily into his pocket. “Now, sir,” said Lily, “if we could just see the way out, we’d be going.”

“No,” said Needletooth. “This is far from over. There is the matter of recompense for the offense.”

“Great,” said Amanda. “Recompense.”

“What does he want?” Lily asked. “I’ve heard of it, but there’s never been any examples in the books.”

“Oh, something valuable from us. Or, if we don’t have anything valuable, he might put a curse on us to punish us, something like that.”

“I want,” said Needletooth, “her hair.” His long fingers clutched at the air, and he smiled as though he could imagine Pet’s hair between them.

“My…hair?” Pet’s voice was shaky.

“Or,” said Amanda matter-of-factly, “we could be lucky and have some sort of quirky goblin who wants something strange.”

“Lily!” Pet pleaded, “not my hair!”

“Your hair,” repeated Needletooth. “It’s shiny and golden. I like gold, as you can see.”

“Please, not my hair!”

“Lily,” Amanda whispered, “I know what this sounds like, but I say give it to him! It’s a clean deal. Her hair will grow back, and it’s all he wants, no strings attached.”

Pet’s face twisted and reddened. “I hate you!” she spat at Amanda.

“Well, that’s lovely!” said Amanda. “I would hate to think that all this ill will I’ve been harboring toward you has gone unnoticed!”

“Hush! Both of you! This is hardly helpful,” said Lily. “Now, quiet, while I think!”

“You can’t have my hair!” Pet yelled. “You vile little thing!”

“This keeps getting better and better,” said Amanda.

“I can’t?” mocked Needletooth. “Well, what would you give me instead?”

Pet looked about wildly. Her eyes lighted on Lily. “She’s much prettier than me!”

Amanda wanted to strike her. Lily’s face hardened.

“You would give me your sister to protect your vanity?” Needletooth laughed. “Sister, if I were you, I would leave her here! She’s a viper! She’ll ruin you! I’ll give her a good home, put her to work. Reform her.”

“I’m sorry,” said Lily. “My parents would miss her. There must be some other recompense that I can offer you.”

“Well, I don’t want your hair,” Needletooth said. “It is copper. Valueless, really. What could you offer me?”

“We’re witches,” said Amanda. “Perhaps we could render you a service?”

“Oh ho! You’re involved in this now, are you?” Needletooth’s eyes dance mischievously. “What magic do you work, Goldilocks, that two witches jump to your aid? And you so undeserving!”

“I understand your anger, sir,” Lily spoke. “Quite frankly, I’m a little angry myself. We came upon your cave quite by accident. I think my wand must have triggered your door. We are in the wrong, and believe me, we would have left as soon as we could have, but we were just beginning to look for the way out. You really don’t want to keep us here. You see, the Ministry of Magic will be looking for my friend,” here Lily indicated Amanda, “and myself, because we performed magic when we shouldn’t have. You really don’t want a bunch of wizards and witches to know about your vault.”

Needletooth shrugged. “I am indifferent. What’s mine is mine. I can take care of unscrupulous people.” He grinned broadly at Pet. “Quite effectively. I should just curse her, and be done with it!” Amanda kept her thoughts to herself. It was ungenerous of her to think so, but she agreed with Needletooth. Pet ducked behind Lily.

Lily crossed her arms. “I’m sorry, sir. If that’s the case, I’m sorry, but I challenge you.”

“Oh, no, Lily! No!” Amanda shook her head.

“You…would take her punishment on yourself if you fail?”

“Yes. I regret to challenge an honorable goblin like yourself. You are in the right. Pet is in the wrong. However, there is more to this than that. She is my sister, my family. I can’t go back without her. I love her.”

Pet ‘s shoulders slumped as she stood behind her sister.

“You are aware that few wizards and witches are clever enough to pass a goblin challenge?” questioned Needletooth.

“Yes, sir.” Lily’s eyes flashed at him. “I am very aware of that.”

“Well, let’s begin, then.”

Lily looked at Amanda. “As a favor to me,” she said, “can you take care of Pet?”

Amanda nodded. “Count on me, Lily.”

“Pet, stand by Amanda.”

Pet walked over to Amanda. They walked, a small parade, down to a special room beyond the vault. In the room were four doors. On the four doors were four rhymes. Needletooth indicated them to Lily with a flourish. “My particular challenge. I hope, Sister of Goldilocks, that you choose well.”

Lily faced the doors, and read them. The first door was large and wooden. A painting of a phoenix flying from a fire covered the door, its wings spreading to each side. Between the phoenix’s wings in gold letters read:

From the ashes of despair I fly forward like a phoenix to live anew.

The second door was blank, except for the following verse.

I take many forms: the silent one who waits against odds, the child who struggles against the dark, those who step even when their heart pounds.

On the third door was painted a pair of cup hands, empty except that they held the following words.

I give infinitely and am always replenished. I come from nothing and everything.

The fourth door had a brightly painted butterfly perched on the following words.

I can be found again in laughter or in fear. If you misplace me, you might never find me again.

Lily turned to Needletooth, Amanda, and Pet. “All of us have to go through a different door, don’t we?” she asked Needletooth. “Not one of these doors suits all of us.”

Needletooth bowed. “You must do as you see fit, Sister. I cannot tell you.”

Lily nodded. “If each of us takes the correct door, we’ll come through on the other side. The first door is hope. The second door is courage. The third door is love. The fourth door is imagination. Amanda, you take the second door. That’s easy. Pet, I’d like you to take hope, but I think it might be more right for you to take the fourth door.”

“No!” said Pet. “I’m not going!”

“Trust me,” Lily said. “I will get you out of this. Just keep walking, no matter what. I’ll take the third door. Are we ready?”

“Yeah,” said Amanda. She stepped up to the second door. She glanced at Pet, who had moved nervously to the fourth door.

Lily grabbed the handle of the third. “Right, everyone. Together!” The three girls opened the door, and shut them behind them.

Needletooth watched the riddles solve themselves. Door One—Hope. Door Two—Courage. Door Three—Love. Door Four—Innocence. “Right door, Goldilocks,” he said, “even if she guessed it wrong.” He opened the door and followed Pet inside.

After a brief time, Amanda appeared at the top of the slope, where their adventure had begun. She fell to her knees. Her senses were catching up with her, now that everything looked normal again. She immediately hunted for Lily and Pet. Lily appeared seconds later, shaken.

“Did you see something?” Lily asked.

“Not exactly. Everything was a blur, and I couldn’t sort anything out,” said Amanda slowly. “I was afraid, horribly afraid. I think I saw, maybe, well, You-Know-Who.”

“Me too.” Lily was shaking. “Amanda, I’m glad I chose love.”

Amanda wanted to ask Lily more, but Pet appeared. Lily pulled her close to Amanda. The three of them kneeled together, huddled. “Pet, how do you feel?”

“I’m fine! Lily, that stupid goblin tried to give me something! He said it was mine! That I had misplaced it, and I should pick it up again! He kept insisting, but I didn’t fall for it! I kept going, Lily, just like you said!”

“Good girl,” said Amanda.

“Yeah,” said Petunia. She smiled, the first time Amanda had seen her do so. The ghost of the little girl Lily had talked about shined for a moment, than vanished almost as quickly. “Thanks, Lily.” She glanced at Amanda. “You too. For getting me out of there.”

The three girls headed back to their tent by torchlight, watching their steps in the darkness. Lily was quiet and hugged herself with her arms. Pet glanced over her shoulder, as if she expected to see Needletooth running after them. Amanda’s eyes were clearing, the mélange of senses from behind her door slowly making its way out of her memory. Goblin challenges, Amanda had heard, never left the challengers unmarked, and that worried her.

Across the Street from Four Privet Drive

Harry and Amanda were sitting on the sleeping bag in the Pouch. “Thanks,” said Harry.

“Any time,” said Amanda. “I mean, I’m no storyteller or anything, but any time, you know.”

“She was pretty smart, wasn’t she?”

“I think your mother was more brave than anything, and better than most at thinking on her feet.”

“Did you and Mum get in trouble?”

“Oh yes. But the first time you use magic when you’re not supposed to, luckily, you only get a warning letter. Also, circumstances were mitigating, as the Ministry of Magic said.”

Harry nodded. “What do you suppose my mum saw behind the goblin door?”

“If she saw what I saw, she saw part of her future. The part where love would play the most prominent role.” Amanda stood up. “Let’s get you home.” They left the Pouch and walked up the drive. “We must do this again some time,” Amanda spoke. She noted Petunia glancing out the window, and then hurriedly closing the drapes. “Especially the chips and the nasty sugary drink.”

“Next time we’ll have something at Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor,” said Harry, “on me.” He paused. “Since you’re going to be around and all.”

“Since I’m going to be around.” Amanda put out her hand, and Harry shook it. The formality of the situation struck her as ludicrous. She drew him in and embraced him. “Sorry,” she said. “Should’ve asked about that. Couldn’t help it though.”

“Quite all right.” Harry smiled. “I reckon my mum would’ve approved.” Harry slipped in the front door. Petunia Dursley looked out again, and Amanda wiggled her fingers in greeting. Petunia closed the drapes abruptly.

Amanda walked back across the street. There was a lot she wanted to ask Petunia Dursley about, but she would never have the chance. She hadn’t told Harry the entire ending. At the end of the camping trip, Petunia had been sporting earrings that looked like the barrette in Needletooth’s vault. She had claimed that she had bought them at a tourist shop. Then she had insisted that Needletooth had given them to her behind her goblin door. Amanda and Lily hoped Petunia had been telling them the truth, but they had felt it was a lie. For some reason, Needletooth had let Petunia take the earrings, but not the barrette. The crafty little bugger had something in mind and seemed to want some claim on Petunia. If Needletooth had yet to claim recompense, what would it be? Petunia’s husband? Her son? He had seemed to want someone to clean up around the vault, after all.

There was another possibility. Amanda and Lily had seen their future in Needletooth’s challenge. Amanda guessed that Lily had seen the night she died for Harry. Amanda had seen her own night in the Shrieking Shack, although she had no way of knowing that at the time. Forewarned was forearmed. The difficulty was that Lily and Amanda had no way of knowing exactly what they’d seen, or how to prepare for it.

Petunia’s future had been different. Petunia had seen Needletooth trying to give her something. If Lily had been correct, if the door Petunia had gone through represented imagination, Lily had sent Petunia through a door that restored wonder, the belief in magic, and childlike innocence. Needletooth might have been giving Petunia a second chance. That sort of gift, the one that might bring back the Pet Evans that Lily loved, might frighten Petunia Dursley most of all. Her conventional life might be shattered. What would her neighbors think if Petunia Dursley started having tea with the faeries in her own backyard in the suburbs?

As much as Amanda disliked Petunia, Amanda couldn’t help but remember how Lily sounded when she talked about the little sister she had lost. Did Needletooth want to return Petunia to what she had been? Why? When had Petunia made the choice to leave the magical part of herself behind? Would she receive a second chance? Amanda wondered if Petunia had seen Needletooth again, or if that was yet to come. Perhaps the goblin was the reason she constantly looked out the window.

Amanda disappeared into the Pouch, closing the door behind her. She watched Petunia Dursley look out the window one more time, her hair done in rollers, her face covered in cold cream. Magic was a wonderful thing, full of second chances, even for someone like Petunia. The trick was getting her to take the gift. Amanda wondered if even a crafty goblin like Needletooth would be up to the challenge.