Lily Potter stepped back into the warm, familiar embrace of her cousin Martha’s home in Smallville, Kansas, her mind still reeling from the encounter in the caves. She was due to return to Britain soon, but for now, she sought soce in the company of family.

  Martha was alone tonight; her husband, Jonathan, had ventured into town to run errands.

  The two women settled into the cozy kitchen, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. Martha, a year older than Lily, shared her cousin’s striking red hair, though her blue eyes contrasted with Lily’s vibrant green. “So, how are things between you and James?” Martha asked, her tone light and conversational.

  Lily sipped her coffee, considering her response. “Things are going fine with James,” she said, though her voice carried a hint of reservation. She wished he’d shed the boyish antics that made him seem stuck in their Hogwarts days. “He’s got his charms, but sometimes I wonder if he’ll ever grow up. What about you and Jonathan?”

  Martha paused, her fingers tracing the rim of her mug. “We’re managing, as best we can,” she replied thoughtfully. “They say the first year of marriage is the toughest, don’t they?”

  Lily sensed Martha was holding back. There was more to her cousin’s situation than she was letting on.

  Truth be told, Martha’s marriage to Jonathan, a man ten years her senior, wasn’t the source of her troubles. It was the life she’d stepped into—rural, demanding, and far from the ambitions she once held. Her father’s disapproval of Jonathan, sparked by heated arguments, only added to the strain.

  Then there were the practical challenges: a poor crop season, mounting bills, and financial uncertainty. Martha clung to hope, determined to weather the storm. She took a deep breath, steadying herself.

  “Is Jonathan around?” Lily asked, gncing toward the door.

  Martha shook her head, forcing a smile. “No, he’s out. You know him—farm chores keep him busy te into the night, and he’s up at dawn to start again.” Her optimism felt fragile, but she held it together.

  She caught her reflection in a nearby mirror, wondering if the farm life would wear her down. Yet, if she and Lily inherited their grandmother’s genes, they’d stay youthful and striking for years. Lily, with her magical edge, seemed especially likely to defy time.

  Martha shifted the conversation. “The war’s getting worse over there, isn’t it?” she asked, her eyes searching Lily’s face.

  Lily’s expression darkened, her voice heavy with worry. “It’s bad, Martha. A new disappearance every other day.” She closed her eyes, the weight of it pressing on her. “It’s enough to make you want to… I don’t know, just escape.”

  “You could leave, you know,” Martha said gently, though she shook her head as if to dismiss the idea herself.

  Lily gave a rueful smile. “James would never go for it. Running isn’t the ‘Gryffindor thing to do,’ as he’d put it.” Her tone carried a mix of fondness and frustration.

  Martha thought to herself, Maybe not, but it might be the smart thing. She kept the sentiment unspoken, pouring them both more coffee as the night stretched on.

  Lily’s mind drifted to the cave—the glowing crystal, the searing pain, the strange mark on her hand. She considered telling Martha but decided against it. If there were consequences, she’d handle them alone.

  Trying to lighten the mood, Lily asked, “So, any luck on the children front?”

  Martha chuckled, though it was tinged with resignation. “Not for ck of trying. Jonathan’s from a traditional family, bless him, but his… imagination in that department is a bit limited.” She raised an eyebrow. “You?”

  Lily sighed, her shoulders slumping. “There was a curse in my seventh year. It did more damage than I realized.” Her voice was quiet, the memory still raw.

  Martha gave a half-joking shrug. “Well, it’s not like the answer to my problem’s going to fall from the sky.” They both ughed, the sound a brief respite from their worries.

  The night wore on, the cousins sharing stories and silences, their bond a comfort in uncertain times.

  Unbeknownst to Lily, this would be the st time she’d see Martha for years. A new Ministry regution was about to ban magical travel abroad, trapping wizards and witches in Britain. It was a move that felt like a cage, leaving them vulnerable to Voldemort’s growing reign of terror.

  As Lily sat with Martha, the weight of the crystal’s power lingered within her, a silent promise of changes yet to come. She couldn’t shake the feeling that her life—and the world—was on the cusp of something extraordinary.

  Author’s Note: Lily’s quiet moment with Martha hints at the personal struggles beneath her magical journey. What did you think of their heart-to-heart? Let me know, and stay tuned for the next chapter as the consequences of the crystal begin to unfold!