The Department of Mysteries was completely empty at this time of the night. It was past midnight, and while all Unspeakables were dedicated workers, it was a bit too late for most of them. Only one woman was still there, sitting in the largest of the working rooms in front of a piece of parchment, furiously scribbling notes. She was beautiful, with long, dark red hair flowing down her back, and brilliant green eyes the colour of emeralds. She was still young, only about twenty years or so.
There was a smile on her face as a she discovered a mistake in on of the equations. Maybe she would finish earlier than she had planned. But this was important, and she shouldn't let her concentration slip. Still, she wished she was at home, with Harry and James. She sighed softly. She had no choice. It was war, and many people's hopes lay on her. She reached for a book on the table- "Werewolves: all you need to know" and flipped it open. For the last three years, Lily Potter had been working on trying to find a cure for lycantrophy. When she had started, the thoughts in her mind were of Remus. Now, with the war going on, this had become even more important.
A couple of minutes later, she looked up again, distracted by the sound of a quill writing. She stood up, moving closer. This quill was special. It was as old as the Ministry itself, and charmed to inform the Department members of changes in the Department. Outside of the Department, it was a secret, but inside…well, they had all sworn an oath to secrecy and ranking wasn't really important here.
So, she began reading. A prophecy has appeared. As she read the next lines, she collapsed into the nearest chair.
"The Chosen will appear
The One who can defend the Dark Lord
But he mustn't stand alone
Seven by his side
Shape shifter, Dragon boy,
Together they shall be raised
Siblings in all but blood
Warrior, flower, Perseus's princess
Mothers in all but blood."
Red Snake and snake's victim,
more than a sister.
Leontes' queen, She is his strength,
And his hold with the choices to make
She who continues where mother left of,
She is his lady, his love.
Tears were running down her face. She was sure she knew what this meant. Only months after the last prophecy, another one had appeared. And Lily Potter would never leave her son as long as she lived- and neither would James. And that she was afraid, meant that she and James would die. She cried for over an hour. For herself, the man she loved and her precious little son, so young and destined to face so much.
Finally, she took a deep breath. The future might change, she didn't know. There was no reason to give up hope. For now, she had to protect her son as well as she could. There were important things to do, and now, she had to figure out who exactly the prophecy meant. Pulling her wand, she summoned the Giant Magical and Muggle Lexicon to her, opening it to P. Pandora, Persephone, Perseus, there it was.
Perseus, son of Danae and Zeus. He rescued Andromeda, the daughter of Kepois and Cassiopeia, from the sea monster Ketos and married her.
And Lily knew exactly one Andromeda. She threw another look at the prophecy. Suddenly it all fit. Pieces of information she had long forgotten, stored in an almost blocked back of her mind fell into place again. Wasn't Andromeda's daughter a Metamorphagus? Molly Weasley had mentioned that once. She continued. Flower. Dragon boy. She wiped a tear away, as forgotten memories came up again. Narcissa. Draco. Two sisters and their children. Just like she had once down in Arithmancy, she continued the equation. She did not like the answer. Still there was nothing she could do. The future is not set in stone, but she had to know. With trembling fingers, she entered Bellatrix. Answers sprang up a moment later.
Bellatrix (translates to warrior): a star in the constellation of Orion.
"Oh god. I don't want this, I really don't want this", Lily groaned. Tears were running down her face, but she didn't bother to wipe them away. In the last two hours a prophecy had destroyed her life- again. She could just hope it didn't mean Harry, and that the future was indeed able to change. She ripped herself out of her depressing thoughts. She was a mother, and her first duty was to protect her son.
But she couldn't do that alone, not any longer. A voice echoed in her head. "I know we will not see a lot of each other anymore. It would not be wise, under the circumstances. But remember, if you ever need my help, I shall be there."
Biting her lip, Lily reached for a piece of parchment and a quill.
Dear Cissy,