The Gift
or 'A Second Chance, the Story of a Mother's Love'
by 'Dumbledor' alias William Thomas (Tom) Whitehead
Flashback
The Beginning
1Music: Hedwig's' Theme
It all started with Lily.
Somehow, it just seemed to be the 'right thing to do', or so it seemed.
It always was.
Especially, for Him.
Afterall, He was her Father, and He had many concerns to look out for. But, Lily was a very special daughter to Him, in this dispensation. He had given her qualities that would stay with her quite literally, forever . Not to mention the Gifts that, in time, the proper time, she was to inherit from Him.
Unbeknownst to any of His other children, and He did have many, Lily had Grace Bestowed upon her even before she attained her Mortal Estate.
This Was, for He knew her Heart.
And that's how it should be. After all, Lily is a Mother, a 'Mum', the bringer of Life into this world and the one around whom the Family revolves.
It is she who is the heart of the Family.
And so, this story starts at the beginning, with Lily, and what transpired that caused such a cascading of events that virtually changed the Magical World.
It was all a part of His Grand Design.
It all started with Lily, who was a Mother, a 'Mum' to her little boy, her first born. She is of the House of Godric Gryffindor, the House of the Brave, the Noble, those for whom bravery and sacrifice are second nature. And it is Lily who wanted to be a Mum, that's all, nothing more, just a Mum to her son, to raise him, teach him and be with him in his life when he'd need someone to help him.
This, then, was Lily's aspirations.
And, Unknown to her there was Someone who had His Eye upon Lily and knew her heart.
Even before Lily herself even knew, there was Grace Bestowed Upon Her.
Lily was sitting in her office, in the Ministry, the Office of Experimental Charms where she was the Department Head, even at her very youthful age. She was the holder of such talent in the area of Charms that few surpassed her, that is, even IF they could be found.
Her dearly beloved husband and lifelong companion, James, was an Auror, a Wizard who went after and caught 'Dark Wizards', those who broke the Magical Laws and harmed others. He was good at his job, very good. At times, he'd have Lily accompany him on his Missions, and it was on three of these Missions that they both encountered a Wizard named 'Voldemort', he was the Darkest Wizard ever to walk the Earth in the entire history of the Magical World, even more so than Grindenwald, the Dark Wizard of a couple generations previously who was defeated by Albus Dumbledore, the current Headmaster of Hogwarts. Only one other couple of Auror's faced Voldemort and lived, and they were the Longbottoms, Frank and Alice. James and Lily stood up to Voldemort and fought him, dueled with him, and survived. Lily stood beside her husband, never fearing for her own safety, but instead, defending her husband. She felt that her place was by his side, and there she stayed. Lily never backed down.
It was on a fall day that Lily was sitting at her desk, her thoughts going over the previous night's Dream that she had. She'd always slept peacefully, dreams for her were a rarity and it was this Dream that caused her much concern – she had been given a message, in fact, a job to preform:
Lily, Lily my beloved daughter. I have come to you in your dream to give you a message. I have a job for you, designed especially for you and no one else. You are much loved by Me and so have found Grace in My Eyes. In the near future, a few days hence, you'll be facing your enemy, one whom you've faced thrice before. This, my beloved Daughter, is to be a lesson for you, a lesson in Sacrifice and Love Unfeigned with no guile nor fear in your heart. Your enemy wants your son dead and I want you and your husband, James, to face this enemy and defend your son with love in your heart, not anger, only love for each other and love for your son. I want you to stand up to your enemy and give of your very life to defend your son with. You do this and I promise you that with the sacrifice of your lives, your son will live, and that all you give up, all that you sacrifice will be given back to you with an Eternal increase. Always remember, my Beloved Daughter, I will always love you and be with you in your darkest hour.
Lily thought over what was told to her in her Dream. The person talking to her, she'd felt that she had known him, or of him previously, but she just could not place him. He talked, so she felt, that he talked from a position of authority, absolute authority and with a peacefulness that calmed Lily's heart.
She had to follow this direction, as fearful as it sounded, she was not afraid. All day, she'd just thought and thought of what she knew she'd be doing, be facing in just a couple of days and she felt no fear. That, she could not explain. She just didn't want to at this time. It was unnecessary.
James Lily Harry we will return Love Sacrifice No fear nor anger Voldemort
Lily went downstairs to the Department of Mysteries where she met one of the Wizards she
personally knew – an Unspeakable. As an Unspeakable, their jobs are so sensitive that they are
not allowed to talk about what they do nor are any other people allowed to ask them about their
jobs.
Lily was that sole exception.
"Hi. I'd like to ask a question."
"What is it?"
"Have you ever heard of anyone 'coming back'"?
"Coming back from where?"
Lily bit her lower lip and hesitated before answering. "Please, don't think of me as having gone
around the bend, but I do need this question answered truthfully."
He looked at Lily momentarily, nodded his head as if he'd made a decision. "Ok, I'll answer to
the best of my ability."
"I need to know if you've ever heard of anyone returning from the dead, other than as a ghost."
The Unspeakable looked at Lily as if she'd grown two extra heads. "Lily, what you ask . . .
there have been rumors that through the use of the Darkest Magic. But even that, Lily, is highly
questionable. When you die, you don't come back. It's just not within our power. Now, I've got
a question for you: Why do you ask?"
"Oh, no reason, really." Lily turned and paced some. The Unspeakable was very patient.
Lily turned and looked at him and saw that he didn't really believe that answer. Lily took a deep
breath and continued.
"I had a dream. It concerned my family – Me, James and Harry, and . . ." Here is where Lily
hesitated.
"And ?"
"Someone else who wants my son dead. He wasn't mentioned by name, in my dream, but, I do
think it was Voldemort. This is just more than some bad nightmare or whatever. It's something
that I feel strongly about. That's why I was asking."
"If you need protection, or if you feel you do, James is in the perfect place to ask for help. Don't
ever hesitate."
Lily smiled at him. That's all, she just didn't want to tell him, or anyone else other than James,
what she'd discovered. Of the two sources: her Dream and what the Unspeakable told her, she
believed in her Dream. This was something that she could not put her finger on but whenever
she thought about what she had dreamed about, she felt at peace, and that was what she counted
on.
Lily went to find James while she was here at the Ministry. It was time she told him what she'd
found out, her discoveries and what they needed to do. It was going to be difficult. That was the
most understated thought she'd ever had, but it was needed. The most important part of her life
was her son. If her dream was truly right, then she'd do it. Her son was more important than
her own life. He needed this chance to live and she would do all she could to make sure that her
son would have that chance.
She was his Mum, and that was her job.
It was evening; Godric's Hollow was quiet for such a holiday night.
Halloween was upon them.
The Potter home was like any other Magical Home on this wonderful night – full of joy, laughter
and love for one another, for a very good reason: They had a fairly new 'little one' in their home.
He was the product of their love, looking much like His Dad, but with his Mum's eyes, her startlingly
Emerald Green Eyes.
Out of the fireplace came a message, someone was flooing in to give them a message.
"James! Lily! Run! Get out now! The Death Eaters are coming for you! Take Harry and get out
NOW!"
Just as suddenly, the messenger was gone, but the two experienced Aurors understood – and feared.
Even though they were both members of the Order of the Phoenix and had confronted Voldemort on three
separate occasions together, they feared meeting him and his Death Eaters especially in their home with
their son present. They knew what that meant.
James was the first to react.
"Lily, take Harry and run, I'll hold them off as long as I can."
Fear was in Lily's heart. Not just for herself and James, but for her son.
"James, I can't leave you here, you'll be killed like all the others."
"Lily, you and Harry are more important than me. Just go!"
She grabbed Harry in her arms and ran upstairs to the nursery, not knowing what else to do with her
son. Downstairs, the front door burst open and James started firing the Killing Curse – he never hesitated
because he knew what was at stake: The very lives of his wife and son. He knew what was to happen: He
and Lily had seen the aftermath before: Dead witches, wizards and their children. Whole families gone.
These people took no prisoners and left no one alive.
They were merciless.
James took out a few of the Death Eaters, but they were just too many of them.
James' last conscience thought was of his much beloved wife and son.
He died, valiantly, defending them to the last.
He never gave up.
Upstairs, Lily could hear the fighting, the curses being expelled when suddenly, all was quiet.
Fear struck her heart, she KNEW, felt, what happened.
She'd lost her husband.
She knew he'd died defending them, and she knew what was to come. Her charm had been
activated by the manner of James' death, by his sacrifice. James had finally paid the ultimate price
out of love for his family, but he knew why he'd done so
And, it was not in vain.
Lily reached out and picked up her infant son, held him in her arms for, perhaps, the final time,
for now. "Son," she said "I love you. I'll always love you, for worlds' without end, I shall love you.
But for now, I have to sacrifice myself to protect you, My son, its' all I have left to offer, but it'll be enough."
Lily cried, while holding the most precious, the most valuable Gift ever – her son. And with her, just
just slightly out of sight of all mortal eyes were her Father and His Legions of children all of whom heard
every word that Lily said, they each and everyone, heard, and felt Lily's plaintive heartbroken cry.
Including her Father.
But, He was protecting her, keeping her for His own Planned Ends of which His dearly beloved
Daughter would play a major role.
The door to the nursery burst open and there stood the most feared Dark Wizard ever to have walked
the earth in a thousand years.
Lily placed her son down in his crib and stood in front of him, protecting him in the only way she
could, for now, and that was with her body.
"Give me the boy!"
"No! I'll never let you have him. He's my son! You can not have him!" Lily was of the House
of Gryffindor, the house of the noble, the brave hearted, those for whom courage was unbounded and
unequaled by any others. But, even as she said this, she had a small, but faint premonition, or deja vous
that it'd happened before or was about to happen, or something like that. It didn't make sense, but that feeling was a good
feeling. No matter the outcome, she felt her heart at peace. But, there, just outside of her sight and yet
standing next to her were her Host of Siblings, each one supporting her, all, though Lily did not know it.
It was this feeling that she felt, for it came directly from them.
"Get out of the way you silly little girl – or die!"
"No, you'll have to kill me first!"
"Get out of the way." He raised his wand pointing it to her chest.
"Please, take me, but leave my son alone, let him live, please!"
"One last time: MOVE ASIDE!"
"No! I'd sacrifice my life to help my son live!" Even as she cried out her statement a brief thought
crossed her mind: WHY was he so anxious for her to get out of his way? Why ASK her instead of
forcing her?
"So be it. Avara Kadavra"
Lily saw the flash of green light and with her last conscience thought being of her baby, she died.
But, Harry was not left alone. Lily's charm, her Master Charm had been activated by James' death,
had now been sealed – permanently – by her sacrificing of her life.
One Promise had now been fulfilled.
Voldemort looked down upon the girl whom he'd just killed and then looked up at the baby she'd
been trying so desperately to protect. Pointing his wand, pronouncing the killing curse, he fully expected
death to take Harry.
But something went wrong.
Horribly wrong.
The curse rebounded from Harry and Killed Voldemort.
All that was left was a broken husk of a dead body and his wand. The Death Eaters discovered him
moments later and knowing the Ministry's Aurors were soon to be here, they left quickly.
Peter Pettigrew picked up the wand and left, walking behind Lucius. They all disappeared into the
night never looking back.
Meanwhile a small baby, left by himself, tried to hold on to his Mum.
…………………………………………..
Somewhere, relatively close by were two women who were about to give birth, one was magical and
the other was a Muggle.
Back at the Ministry, a few days later, Cornelius Fudge, the Current Minister of Magic called Albus
plus an Unspeakable to meet with him in his office. He told them it'd be a fairly short meeting.
"Albus, I've asked you both to come over so I could have you both with me when I went into Lily's
Office."
"That's understandable, Cornelius. Shall we get started, then?" Albus asked.
"Yes, best to get this over with. She's a great lost to us here at the Ministry. I just don't know how
I'll be replacing her."
They went down to her office and unsealed her door and walked in. Left outside the office were
four Auror's for protection, just in case, due to the circumstances.
They looked around and saw nothing fairly unusual, except when Albus walked around her desk
and looked down at that lone piece of Parchment that Lily had left there a few days previously.
"Humm, I wonder what she was . . . , thinking . . . ," Albus Dumbledore mumbled to himself as
he looked at the paper left there. He recalled their conversation in his office and looking at what she'd
wrote, surmised what she'd been thinking. "Cornelius, have you thought, just WHY the Potter boy
survived?"
"Albus, what a question. Everyone in our world has been asking that very question.
To have survived the Killing curse – why, no one's ever done that – never in our entire History. It's just
not possible. . . . , yet, it was done. I've not come up with a single answer. Have you?"
Albus just nodded his head in the affirmative. Both Wizards there notice that small indication of an answer.
But, he never gave any verbal reply, instead, "Cornelius, may i suggest that you seal this office and not let
anyone in it until the appropriate time?"
Cornelius looked back to his old friend wondering what he met by that unusual statement. "What would
be the appropriate time? Who would be coming in here and for what?"
"I wish to tell you both something, but what I'm going to say, it must NEVER leave this room, nor be
inferred to, until the appropriate time. You'll know when that is, believe me. There's to be only one person
to enter here."
"Albus, explain yourself, neither of us understand you."
Albus looked at both Wizards, directly into their eyes, "Lily will be returning, as will James. She and I
discussed this possibility in a round about way. I know what Lily did and why. She will be returning. She
has a reason to, a very good reason, the most powerful of all reasons. And when she does return, she'll be
the one I've been searching for. All the evil that permeates our world will not be able to so much as even
touch her, not ever again."
"Albus, what do you mean, that Lily and James will be returning? They're both dead, and the dead
don't come back – ever!" Cornelius said this with a harsh finality while looking directly at
his old friend, Albus.
Albus looked at Cornelius for a long moment in time, and barely shaking his aged head, "You're
wrong, Cornelius, I know what I know. It's an absolute fact that just hasn't come to past – yet. But, it will."
Albus shook his head in wonder at his student, of all his students, of all the generations he's
spent here as Headmaster, he's never come across one such as Lily.
Never.
Not even close.
"As you wish, Albus. I only hope that day is not too far off. You be the one to seal it. You'll know what to
do since it's your idea."
"Agreed."
Standing outside the door, the Wizards stood by as they watched Albus place a sealing charm upon Lily's
Office Door, a rather unique one that would allow only one person to enter, and that would be Lily herself.
These three Wizards – the Minister, the Unspeakable and the Headmaster, together knew quite a few of the
Ministry's secrets, but together they didn't know not even a small fraction of what Lily herself knew. And
that included the amazing secret that was held within Lily's office. Of all the secrets concerning the Magical
World that the Unspeakables knew, and Lily knew them all, even they did not know the most amazing secret
that Lily knew, that Albus inferred to. It was this secret that would help change the entire Magical World.
As this meeting was taking place, there was a rather joyful occasion in a small Wizarding home and a
Muggle home. Two brand new babies had come into the world and their respective families were overjoyed.
Later, at the Ministry, where the measurements of magical activity are recorded, a sudden leap of Magical
Energy was recorded. It was unprecedented in its' size and magnitude and scale so much so that it went off the scale.
It went off like a concentric circle and covered the entire British Isles. Every Magical Being felt IT. Then,
IT was gone, gone as quick as it came.
Later, as the Ministry tried to locate its' source, they couldn't find it. It was in a Muggle section where
no known Wizards or Witches had ever lived or been known to have lived. It was noted, recorded and
then forgotten.
Forgotten by all but by one Wizard, and that was Albus Dumbledore. He made a mental note of it
and it's approximate location for later reference. He had his suspicions but never discussed them with
anyone.
Now was not the time. That would come later, in about eleven years and it was THEN that he would
start looking. He knew what he was to look for - it was the answer to a Thousand Year Long search ever since
Hogwarts was founded.
And, it happened on his watch.
He felt that now he could make his final preparations for his final Task. He felt good about it.
1Music: Hedwig's Theme