Harry came home feeling slightly put out, the cold stare from his mother still fresh in his memory. How could I be so stupid?

A loud hoot brought Harry back from his stupor. He glanced up and saw a tiny owl swoop into the window. "Pigwidgeon!" Harry exclaimed. The owl fluttered excitedly around the light fixtures on the ceiling, a parcel tied to his leg. "Come down here!"

Harry opened the letter.

Harry,

This is urgent. Could you meet me at Diagon Alley right now? I'm at the joke shop, you know, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes? I'm stuck here with Fred and George. They reckon I should be a good brother and help them sort out some products. They said they'll pay me but who knows if that's true. Would you mind coming over?

P.S. Hedwig won't leave so I used Pig instead; he got so excited he flew right away even before I tied the letter. Stupid little feathery git!

Ron

Harry laughed. He could fully imagine Ron chasing and wrestling with his owl and having the best time of his life with his brothers. He went to his room, laid the letter on the table and took a shower. It didn't take him long to get dressed. He was excited to finally see the joke shop. Ron kept nagging him to visit ever since it opened and this was the best time to do it.

Lily sat on her chair in her office two hours later looking rather disappointed. She cast one angry stare at her report and shoved it inside the drawer, never wanting to see it again.

A knock came at the door and Arthur peeked his head in. He smiled when he saw Lily.

"Did you get the approval, then?" Arthur asked excitedly.

Lily scowled at him. "Almost." Then added, "I can't believe Harry pulled that stunt right after he –"

"Harry? He was here?" Arthur looked confused.

"Yes! At the meeting!" Lily yelled in exasperation. "He spent all morning being peeved at me for not-being-in-the-moment or some such bollocks…" Lily took a deep breath. Stress getting into her.

"But, what happened at the meeting? Why was he there?"

Lily closed her eyes and said, "Never mind." She didn't want to relive it again.

"What are you doing here anyway, Arthur? Surely you didn't come just to ask about my meeting?" she asked, massaging her temples.

"Well, it's about the silver dagger with rune markings on it that we were talking about yesterday," said Arthur, as he sat down across from Lily. "I did some research and, apparently, it isn't just a regular kitchen knife. It is imbued with a very dark and powerful curse. One stab can easily kill you. No healing charm, potion, or whatsoever can undo the damage."

Lily's eyes were opened wide.

"And I think I know a place where you might find clues," Arthur informed her. "Here, let me write it down for you." Arthur seized a paper and dipped a quill on the ink bottle but accidentally knocking it over. "Blimey!" he gasped. "Sorry about that," he said apologetically, looking over at Lily, who sighed.

"This is why I prefer self-inking quills."

"I told you this place is awesome." Ron was grinning, looking around the joke shop, showing Harry a bit of everything. It was packed with customers, so Ron and Harry had to weave their way through.

They'd been helping the twins restock the shelves. Most of the products were gone within minutes.

"Thanks for coming out here and helping me out, Harry," said Ron appreciatively, carefully placing a bunch of Skiving Snackboxes on the shelves.

"Yeah. We do agree," said Fred from behind them, attempting to hold a weird-looking black horn-type object.

"You're a lifesaver," said George.

Harry smiled. "I am actually impressed. This is amazing!"

The twins beamed at him and swept off to accommodate more customers coming in.

Harry picked up a few more boxes labelled with different names, and starting to stock them on a shelf when Ron tapped Harry on the shoulder, gesturing to him to look out the window, "Is that your mum, Harry?"

Harry looked over, frowning. Lily Potter was indeed walking outside the shops.

"Wait, what's she doing in Diagon Alley?" asked Ron.

Lily stopped in front of Quality Quidditch Supplies and went inside.

Ron's eyes widened, "I bet you anything she's getting you a present for your birthday, Harry. I knew she would!" he said, beaming. "And you're top of class too!" he exclaimed proudly.

Harry didn't say anything. He knew Ron was just bluffing, but he didn't really expect his mother to actually buy him a present.

Lily knew that Harry loved Quidditch. She'd seen him fly naturally on a broomstick like James Potter, but she never acknowledged it in front of Harry, nor praised him for that matter.

Harry glanced outside again, unsure of what to feel but his heart was beating fast. Could this really be what Ron thinks it is? A surprise from mum? Harry's heart was fluttering and he smiled widely.

People in the office started packing and leaving for the night. Lily checked the time; it was six o'clock. She stood up, took long calm breaths, and left her office. She was obviously the only one in the Aurors' Headquarters. She headed for the lifts.

A very old man wearing a worn-out black suit and a fedora greeted her with a subtle smile as Lily stepped inside the lift. She nodded and smiled back.

"I don't mean to pry, but there seems to be something that's weighing on your mind," the old man asked calmly as the lift ascended slowly.

Taken aback, Lily replied, "What makes you say that?"

The old man chuckled. "At my age, I can tell."

"Hmm… I don't want to talk about it." Lily said dismissively.

"I see. The thing will probably just fix itself," he said quietly, his eyes meeting hers.

Lily felt a pang of guilt. She was aware that she wasn't really making good attempts in dealing with Harry. But there was something about this old man's sense of calmness that she felt an urge to open up. It was odd but worth a try.

"Well..." Lily took a deep breath. "I can't seem to make my son happy," she said anxiously. "How can you love someone so much and not know how… how to love them?"

"So, you do love him?"

"Yes," said Lily. "Very much."

"You know that's all that matters," said the old man simply.

"He's going away tomorrow for a month and he wants me to go with him."

"What if he never came back?" he asked, looking over to Lily.

Lily glared at him. "What sort of question is that?"

"Well… go on, picture it." The old man moved his hand in the air. "You wave goodbye at your son and you never see him again. Could you live with that?"

Lily thought about it momentarily. She never wondered until now how painful it was to lose someone you love; to lose Harry. After the death of James, she had dismissed all feelings that would remind her of pain and suffering.

"No…," she said with a sigh. "No, I couldn't."

"Well, you know what to do," the old man said softly. "Appreciate him and what you have. Just love him." He then gave her a comforting smile before the lift slowed to a halt.

As the night progressed, Harry nervously waited for his mother to come to Hogwarts. Like his housemates, he was dressed in his usual Gryffindor uniform for the Recognition Assembly.

Ron and Hermione's parents arrived early, all the while chatting together in the Great Hall where the assembly was going to be held.

Ron stayed outside with Harry in the Entrance hall, keen not to stay close with his parents after hearing that he'd gotten low marks in Divination and Potions.

"You know," Harry started, his eyes looking up in the night sky. "If my mum bought me a present and if she's coming with me tomorrow and maybe stay at the Burrow for even just a few days… then that's really sweet." He paused. "I mean, maybe she's coming around," Harry said, looking hopeful at Ron.

Ron nodded and smiled. "I hope so, you deserve it."

Harry was so relieved to see Lily emerged in the Entrance hall a few minutes before the assembly had started. They were the last ones to enter the Great Hall, Ron tailing behind them.

Mrs. Weasley kept shooting Lily a hard look, wondering why it took her that long to come to Hogwarts. But Lily remained unperturbed, eyes locked instead to Albus Dumbledore as he gave his welcoming speech.

The assembly didn't take long. As a finale, Harry was awarded last as being the top of the whole student body, much to Hermione's dismay for only being second. Still, she congratulated Harry for doing a job well done, whilst Ron struggled to keep his face hidden as he cast furtive glances in his parents' direction.

"Congratulations, Harry," said Lily.

"Thanks, mum."

"Ready to go?" she asked, restlessly eager to leave as she checked her watch.

"Uh, yeah. One moment…" Harry went over to Ron and Hermione's parents to let them know he's leaving for the night.

"Ready?" Lily asked again when she saw Harry coming back.

Harry nodded.

They descended the stairs leading outside to the Entrance Hall.

"Congratulations again, Harry!" Hermione burst out as she and Ron ran down the stairs towards them.

"Yeah, very well deserved, mate," said Ron, coming to a halt behind Harry and Lily.

"Hi, Mrs. Potter," Hermione greeted, while Ron eyed her nervously. "My parents wanted to invite you and Harry for dinner tonight."

Harry looked up at her mother.

Seeing the dark look Lily was giving off to Harry, Hermione added quickly, "Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are going to be there as well."

"Please join us. It's gonna be fun." Ron said in a pleading voice.

"We can't tonight," Lily said curtly and grabbed Harry's arm. "Let's go."

Harry's lips moved silently, mouthing the words "I'm sorry" to his friends as Lily dragged him out away from them, away from Hogwarts.