Lily; From Princess to Queen

Disclaimer: the plot for this Fic belongs to the book Nurjahan by Jyoti Jaffa. While most of the other characters belong to J.K Rowling

A/N: this takes place at the time of the French revolution. Not all the stuff in my story is facts. There is no petunia in this story. In my story muggles didn't mind wizards actually wizards are the majority.oh and im ignoring peter (the RAT) in this story

Anyway on with the story R/R

Prologue

François Eváns apprehension increased as he peered through the narrow window, as he saw a group of French rebels on horses thunder across the square, there red caps showing against the fading day. Marie Eváns clutched at her husbands arm as the horsemen passed noisily by. Her young son, André held her arm tightly understanding very little what was going on.

'They'll find us', cried out Marie who was pregnant and at the moment very distraught. This is the end!

'Hush Marie', said François, a nobleman and nephew of the beheaded king. 'You must have courage we shall try to find help in England where my cousin. Antoinette is the current queen after all she is the deceased kings youngest daughter.'

'Look papa', cried André. 'They are riding away.'

Which they were, a heavy silence was left after they had passed.

'Do you think these…rebels will let us escape they all know that you are Louis' nephew. Right now you are the most wanted man in the whole of France. There will be lookouts all over the public highway I'm beginning to doubt we'll reach London in one piece. Marie put a protective arm around her stomach.

His wife François reflected was in great distress the journey as hazardous it is was even more hazardous to her in this condition, on horseback it would be torture.

' This is not the way I planned things, Marie. Do you think that I want our child to be born out in the wilderness? But I have worked out a plan we will try to reach this place I do not know what the name is as I have forgotten but we will be met Etienne there and he will take us to the this band of circus performers who are going to England we will be under disguise there as we will wear their type of clothes etc. After that we shall see.'

 Footsteps sounded on the bare marbled floor and they saw a flickering candle held aloft by their faithful old retainer, Joseph.

'Hurry, my lord, hurry' said Joseph. 'The horses are saddled and I have taken care to provide blankets, food and drink for the way. And remember to stay away from the highway until you reach master Etienne's.'

François took André onto the saddle in front of him. And bed a quick farewell before cantering out of the gateway. Marie followed. Marie cast one lingering look back at her home before trotting after her husband. They rode until the came to a crumbling archway.

Marie's heartbeat skipped as she saw a guard step out of the shadows. Her arm crept about her stomach instinctively as she tensed in the saddle.

François controlled his horse and looked contemptuously down at the guard. He drew a bag from his pocket and scattered a few gold coins on the ground.

The guard snorted 'what little value you have for your life and freedom. Your wife's jewels quick or ill sound the alarm.'

Marie fumbled and from one of the hidden pockets in her dress she took out a small pouch, which held her jewellery, she handed them wordlessly to the guard. He snatched it from her with a victorious cry.

François signaled to Marie and spurring their horses, they galloped away.

Three weeks later they reached the small village where they were to start their journey with the band off performers. They were in the territory of the great king and wizard of England. Their immediate problem had been solved and Etienne promised he'd provide a midwife (a medical witch) for Marie.

Marie was looking gaunt and disheveled and there were dark smudges under her eyes. 'Its been an exhausting ordeal for you but we are safe now and Etienne assures me that he will send for a skilled witch for you' said François.

Marie clenched her teeth against a wave of pain and forced herself to whisper 'ask for her at once.'

François led Marie to a small house. A dark eyed woman came in. she was wearing a long white billowing cloak with a hood covering her hair.

Eliza, the witch/nurse bent over to where Marie lay on the blankets. To Marie, the witch's touch was warm and firm, and a pleasant smell of herbs came from the vessel she held.

Eliza spoke gently, ' I'm going to raise you up and you have to drink this Soothing Potion. It will reveal your pain and give you strength to give birth to the child.

She helped Marie sit up and drink and went swiftly about her preparations.

Marie's child was born at daybreak. Eliza bustled out of the room, and placed the delicate infant child in François's arms. At the moment he spied a beautiful lily near a pond. He looked back at his daughter with her white porcelain skin, emerald green eyes and the small, very small red hairs growing on her head. Yes. That is what he would name her. Lily, the most beautiful flower in the world.

…~ '*'~…

 The news of her dear father's death had plunged Antoinette into profound grief. She had been a slight girl of 18, just graduating from Hogwarts. When she left her palace at France to become King Charles queen. That had been just 8 years ago, but she had never gotten over her nostalgia for Paris, her kindly royal father and mother. And of course her brothers and sisters who had made the palace at Paris a happy place. Now she could never go back.

She called to her ladies in waiting ' hurry up! Otherwise I'll be late for the reception my mother-in-law is giving for her grand nephew's (if there is such a person as a grand nephew) wedding.

While she was changing one of the maids brought her a note. She said with impatience 'cant this wait until tomorrow I shall be late and the kings mother will raise those eyebrows at me'

But after reading the note she said 'François Eváns as in THE Marquis François Eváns isn't he the son of my uncle the late Marquis Evermonde Eváns.

'Yes your Highness' said the maid 'and he hopes that out of the natural warmth of your heart for your own compatriot you will let him enter into your service.'

'Wizards Above! He is a kinsman of mine! We must see what may be done for him,' said the queen affably. 'He must give me all the news of France. Tell the Marquis that we shall meet tomorrow.

'your command shall be obeyed' said the maid.

…~ '*'~…

A messenger boy came around to bring the Marquis to the castle. He was told to go inside the throne room, as he was expected. Before he could bow down in front of the king and queen the king in his mellow voice said:

'You are welcome here as a kinsman of the Queen'

Antoinette heard François answer all the kings' questions with courteous deference. Tears threatened to fall when she heard the Marquis tell the tale about her family's death.

Charles saw Antoinette wince when François talked about his children. After their one son, James the crown prince of England for some reason Antoinette was unable to have children.

'My Dear why don't you undertake Lily's upbringing.' Suggested Charles.

Antoinette brightened up at once and said 'Nothing would give me greater pleasure. And perhaps François's son André can become James companion.'

As the king rose to signify that their audience was over he said 'we shall have to find some employment for you and make France's loss our gain'

François backed out of the throne room thinking that the future looked extremely bright.

…~ '*' ~…