LILY

It wasn't like her sister to not check in at dinner time. Lily knew Genevieve generally preferred alone time, and she tried to respect her need for solitude whenever she could, but they always went to the Great Hall together for meals, assuming she did go. Sometimes she would neglect to eat, which Lily had begun to suspect was on purpose. 

So the first day came and went and she didn't think too much of it, but when the second evening came around and she didn't join them, that's she really began to worry.

"She's still not here," she said as she sat down at the Gryffindor table with the boys. She had gotten used to the routine of being with her friends, and she was glad to have them to turn to when she was upset. They had listened to a lot of her rambles through the years, so this was nod different. "I'm starting to worry."

"I'm sure she's fine," Peter said, taking a bite out of his toast. "Besides, she's probably just doing nerd stuff. Damn Ravenclaws."

Lily frowned at Peter's comment, though she knew he meant well. His abrasive personality was something she had gotten used to over time, too. "I know she's a Ravenclaw, but she at least comes to check with me before heading out. Something's off."

James, who had been quietly listening, looked thoughtful. "Have you tried checking the Ravenclaw Common Room? Maybe she's just been caught up in a project or something."

Lily shook her head. "I haven't gone there yet, but I think I will after breakfast. I just... I have a bad feeling."

He did have a point, though she tried to avoid the Ravenclaw Common Room if she could. It wasn't like there was anything wrong with it - in fact, aside from the Gryffindors, she had the most friends with Ravenclaws, but she didn't like hanging out in other house areas if she could help it. Even when she was with Genevieve in the Ravenclaw Common Room she felt out of place, and she didn't like to linger long. It was a matter of respect. 

Sirius, who was the most indifferent, leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "If you want, we can help you look for her. Maybe she's just lost track of time, but better safe than sorry, right?"

"Thanks, guys. I know she's probably fine, but I just need to make sure," Lily said, feeling a bit more at ease with their support. To be honest, they were good sports. She tended to get worried about things a lot, and she felt bad for pulling them into her anxiety sometimes, but for the most part they went along with it. While she over thought most of things, they didn't really seem to think twice about it. Maybe it's just a guy thing. 

"Well, let me come with you," James offered. She wasn't entirely surprised, he was always the first one to volunteer for any excuse to be near her. This time seemed a little different, though, more earnest. It was sweet. 

Lily glanced at James, noticing the sincerity in his eyes. He genuinely wanted to help. She smiled softly, appreciating the gesture. "Okay, thanks, James. I could use the company."

"We're all coming, duh. Stop one-upping, James," Peter said, giving him a grin. He knew perfectly well what he was doing, attempting to make James flustered.

James rolled his eyes at Peter's teasing, but he couldn't hide the small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I'm not trying to one-up anyone," he protested, though the faint blush on his cheeks betrayed him.

Sirius smirked. "Yeah, right. But Peter's right, we'll all help out."

As they finished their breakfast, Lily's mind raced with possibilities. Best case scenario, Genevieve could simply be buried in her studies, the way she tended to do when she was lost in thought, but something nagged at her, a sense of unease she couldn't shake. The last she had heard from her was right before the dinner party, and she hadn't seen her since. 

She was starting to get the feeling that something didn't go well. Her sister was the type to lock herself away whenever she was upset. 

A while later, the group left the Great Hall together, their light-hearted banter providing some comfort to Lily, though she remained on edge. She drowned out their voices as they teased each other, a sound she had become accustomed to in her time of being there. Even Remus, with his sighs and eye rolls had become such a familiar trait to her that she didn't think much of it anymore. There were so many things that seemed normal for her that she had taken for granted. 

 When they reached the staircase leading to the Ravenclaw Tower, the boys slowed down. They all seemed to understand that this was as far as they could go.

"Good luck," Sirius said, giving her a reassuring smile. "Let us know if you need anything."

Lily nodded and turned to James. "I'll be quick. Just wait here, okay?"

James nodded, watching her ascend the stairs. Lily felt his gaze on her, a mix of concern and support that gave her a little more courage. She would need it whenever she interacted with the Ravenclaws. She liked most of them, but sometimes they had a pompous air about them. She had to brace herself for anything, mainly the subtle judgemental glances they gave each other whenever they were around. 

Reaching the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room, she paused before the bronze eagle knocker, taking a deep breath. As she raised her hand to knock, the eagle's voice rang out, asking its riddle: "What has keys but can't open locks?"

Lily thought for a moment before answering, "A piano."

The door swung open, and she stepped into the airy common room, her eyes scanning the space for any sign of Genevieve. The room was quiet, only a few students were scattered around, engrossed in their books. She walked up to a group of Ravenclaw girls she recognized and hesitantly approached them.

"Hi. Have any of you seen Genevieve? She hasn't been to meals lately, and I'm getting worried," Lily asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

One of the girls looked up, her brow furrowing in thought. "I don't know, now you mention it, I haven't seen her. She's been keeping to herself more than usual. Maybe she's just in the library?"

Lily's heart sank a little, but she managed a smile. "Thanks, Kyra. I'll check there."

As Lily left the Ravenclaw common room and made her way toward the library, her mind raced with possibilities. What could have happened to make Genevieve so withdrawn? She knew her sister could sometimes overreact when it came to social situations, but even this was a bit strange. Genevieve had been looking forward to spending time with Orion, but maybe it didn't go as well as she had hoped. 

She loved her sister dearly, but she knew that Genevieve had a hard time handling rejection sometimes, so maybe it was something along that effect. 

Lily pushed open the heavy wooden doors of the library, the familiar scent of old books and parchment greeting her as she entered. The library was Genevieve's sanctuary, and if something had gone wrong at the dinner party, it made sense that she would retreat there.

Her eyes scanned the rows of desks and shelves, searching for any sign of her sister. The library was quiet, only a few students were scattered around, most of them deep in study. She moved deeper into the room, checking the back corners where Genevieve often liked to sit, but there was no sign of her.

Lily's heart sank as she realized Genevieve wasn't there. She had been so sure she would find her in the library, but now, the absence of her sister only intensified her worry. She paused for a moment, trying to think of where else Genevieve could be. The possibilities raced through her mind, each one more unsettling than the last.

There was no sign of Genevieve, and Lily felt a wave of helplessness wash over her. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She wasn't going to give up. If Genevieve wasn't here, there had to be another place she could be.

"Any luck?" James asked as he rejoined her at one of the tables, his brow furrowed with concern.

Lily shook her head, trying to hide the anxiety gnawing at her. "No, she's not here. I really thought she would be, but...nothing."

James frowned, glancing around the library as if Genevieve might suddenly appear. "Maybe she's in one of the classrooms or somewhere else she goes to be alone?"

"Maybe," Lily said, though her voice lacked conviction. "But she usually tells me if she's going to be somewhere for a while. This isn't like her."

James reached out, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "We'll keep looking. She can't have gone far. Let's try some of the empty classrooms or the Astronomy Tower. She might be somewhere we haven't thought of yet."

Lily nodded, grateful for his support. "Yeah, you're right. She has to be somewhere."

Together, they left the library, determination in their steps as they continued their search for Genevieve, hoping that wherever she was, she was safe.

***

"Hey, Simmons. Have you seen Genevieve?" Lily asked as she approached Orion in the hallway, her voice tense with concern. He was surrounded by a group of his friends, as usual, with Katelynn casually linking arms with him. The sight made a wave of bitterness rise in Lily's chest. If Genevieve had been hoping for something more with Orion, it was clear things hadn't gone as planned.

Orion looked up, surprised by Lily's sudden appearance. "Genevieve?" he repeated, his brow furrowing. "No, I haven't seen her since the dinner party. Why? Is something wrong?"

Lily hesitated, glancing at Katelynn, who was watching her with mild curiosity. "She hasn't been to meals, and no one has seen her around much. I thought maybe she'd been avoiding everyone, but now...I'm starting to worry."

Orion's expression shifted to concern. He disentangled himself from Katelynn's arm and took a step closer to Lily. "That doesn't sound like her. Did you check the library? She likes to spend time there when she needs to think."

"I already looked," Lily said, shaking her head. "I've checked almost everywhere I can think of. I was hoping maybe you'd know where she might be."

Orion's worry deepened as he realized the seriousness of the situation. "I wish I did. We'll keep an eye out," he said, glancing around the hallway as if Genevieve might suddenly appear.

Lily nodded, feeling a mix of frustration and helplessness. "Thanks, Orion. Just... let me know if you see or hear anything. I'm really starting to worry."

"Of course," Orion replied, his tone sincere. "I'll let you know right away if I find her."

Lily turned to leave, her mind racing with thoughts of where else she could search. As she walked away, she heard Katelynn whisper something to Orion, but she couldn't make out the words. It didn't matter. All that mattered now was finding Genevieve.