Lily Evans had changed in between fifth and sixth year. During fifth year, she was bubbly, open, confident that she could take on the world. Then something happened, and everything about her changed. She didn't respond to her friends' letters half the time, she remained closed off and quiet more often than not, and some days it seemed as if she was opting to shut out the world completely. Petunia, her older sister, had commented on it as she packed up to move in with her new fiancé, Vernon.

"Lily…I know something happened at that…at that place. If you decide not to return…" Petunia glanced over Lily, who sat in her pajamas at bay window looking out over the garden. It was how she spent most of her time anymore. "If you decide not to go back, Vernon and I would love to have you."

Vernon was about as tall as he was wide, he sported a patchy moustache and suspenders most of the time, and Lily was weary of the way he spoke to her sister. Not that Tuney would listen to what she had to say anyways. Tuney had made it abundantly clear that Lily no longer held any weight in her life. Her sister's magic was anything but a gift. It made her disgusting, less than. Although Lily strongly suspected the root of her disdain lied in jealousy, Lily couldn't help but wonder how many other muggles would think the same of her. Wasn't she a freak? At least, to any random muggle off the street. Wasn't that why The Ministry of Magic had imposed such strict rules on keeping magic hidden?

Of course, the magical world didn't quite welcome her with open arms either. Well, Severus did, at first. He used to promise her that being born to muggle parents meant nothing. He promised that no matter what the others said, she was still talented and wonderful at magic. They would team up and work on spells and research just for the fun of it because magic was theirs, and they were going to be successful spellmakers one day. Sometimes other students would make comments on her blood status and he would remind her who was making top marks. He would remind her that not everyone thought that way. He used to do that for her.

Lily snapped out of her thoughts when Petunia huffed.

"I guess that's a no, then!" The blonde marched off, yanking a brown cardboard box with her as she ran out to the car.

"Tuney, wait!" Lily grabbed her arm. "Thank you. For the offer. I…I don't think I'll take you up on that, but…" She shrugged. "I'll consider it." And she would, she really would.

Severus's words had cut so much deeper than she would allow him to know. Much deeper than she dared to let anyone know. It had changed her worldview. Did she fit into the magic world? Although her personal worth would never waiver, her reputation would never be as prestigious as someone with an all-magical upbringing. Her opportunities would remain limited by those who would never hire a muggleborn. Even some of her friends have made comments on how certain things are just for muggles, as if that made them somehow worse? Pens were actually very helpful, and way easier to use than quills. Part of her would never truly fit in as a witch.

But living as a muggle would be shutting out such a strong and important part of her. She could never do it. Could she? No, that would mean no more potions. It would mean no more charms. It would mean no more trips to Diagon Alley or getting to learn about all the magical creatures Hagrid would talk about. Magic was a part of her. She could never shut it out.

"Lils, come help us load up Tuney's car, please?" Thomas Evans, her dad, asked. Lily nodded softly, running up the stairs to get more boxes.

She would find her place. She was determined to. She had to.