Chapter 38: Divination Intervention
The next morning found Lily in a conflicted mood as she woke up with the rest of the Slytherin students, though just barely. When she returned to the guest room it was well past midnight and she had spent the rest of the night trying to contemplate what she saw in the Mirror of Erised. The book said that the gazer would become aware of his or her heart's desire, but perhaps it only gave its "wisdom" to those who had a clear picture of what they wanted?
"But what is it that I want?" Lily thought to herself as she prepared to leave the dorms. "True I am hoping to marry Severus one day, but of everything else? It's not possible or probable. I'm a Muggleborn, the type of bloodline he and his followers deem unworthy of even living on the face of the earth, so my being a Death Eater is completely farfetched."
"Then why has he been coming to Slughorn's parties just to see you?" her other voice asked. "Apparently he believes that you are worthy of becoming a Death Eater."
"No," Lily whispered aloud.
She shook her head of the thought and went to the door.
When she opened she saw Bellatrix on the other side, blocking the exit and smiling at her. She was still wearing her night attire (if one could call it that) of a dark purple nighty with a pair of really short violet pajama bottoms.
"All dressed and ready to leave so soon Lily? I'd thought we could use this time to talk about what happened last night between you and Potter," the other girl said.
Thinking quickly Lily replied, "Sorry Bella, but I don't want to be a bother to you with my problems..."
"A little late for that," Bellatrix thought.
"And I really don't feel up to talking about Potter. I have other, more important, things to think about without having to worry any longer about that moron," Lily concluded.
"Really? Like what?" she asked with intrigue.
"Nothing you would be interested in. Just some personal stuff," the red head answered.
"But that's the best stuff to talk about," the other girl countered.
Bellatrix then stepped into the room and closed the door with a snap. She then seized the guest by the hand and brought her to the small couch at the end of the bed where she promptly joined her.
The dark girl wrapped an arm around the red head's shoulders and purred, "Go on then. Tell me what you've been feeling."
"Unsure," Lily answered.
She then unwrapped Bellatrix's arm from her shoulder, grabbed her bag and hurried out the door before she could be pressed further.
As Lily left Bellatrix stretched herself on the couch, placed her arms under her head and smiled up at the ceiling.
"Unsure Lily dear? We'll see," she said aloud.
Lily walked across the common room and was just a few steps toward the exit when she heard a voice call out to her.
"LILY!"
She did not have to turn her head to know that Severus was jogging up to her but she turned around anyway to give him time to catch up to her.
When Severus finally came up beside her he saw the distressed look on her face as well as the dark circles around her usually bright eyes and he grew concerned for her.
"Lily? Love? What's wrong?" he asked kindly.
Shaking her head she replied, "That's just it Sev, I don't know."
With that she walked out of the Slytherin Dungeons, up the Main Staircase and back up to Gryffindor Tower.
The moment she entered Lily was immediately pulled into the arms of her dormmates and patted on the back by Remus Lupin and Sirius Black.
"Oh Lily where were you?" Mary cried.
"We were so worried about you!" Amelia interjected.
"Yeah Roary what happened?" Sirius asked. "After you and James had your little squabble we wanted to come and bring you back home."
"Guys," Lily whispered. "I-I wish to go up to my room and rest, okay? I'll tell you all when I get around to it."
And so Lily continued her trek to her room, went to her bed and promptly collapsed onto the covers.
DD/DD/DD/DD/DD/DD/DD/DD
The next few days passed and still Lily was struggling with what she saw in the Mirror. It was during this time that she was often found alone in the library, roaming near the edge of the Forbidden Forest where the hippogriff paddock was located with her head down, or staying near the dark corners of the seventh floor near the Room of Requirement. Lily had even taken to eating her meals at the far end of the Gryffindor Table or up in the dormitories where she would not be disturbed.
Mary and the other Gryffindor girls tried to coax her back into their fold but it was to no avail. The same could be said for Bellatrix when she offered to take Lily on another shopping trip with her group. Even Severus was unable to get her out of her reclusive state and could not access her mind since it was still confused and could not be settled on just one thing.
After two weeks of this a note came to Lily during breakfast one Thursday morning. She took it and something other than confusion lit up her features. It was her curiousity as to who wrote the letter, because she could not match it with anybody she ever met.
Cautiously she opened the note, which was written in slanted and slightly sloppy writing, and read:
"Dear Lily Evans,
I have been Seeing your dismal attitude for quite some time and I believe the time has come for me to put your mind at ease. It distresses me to know end to see a student who is usually the epitome of strength and confidence be disheaveled by uncertainties.
Come alone to the Divination Tower classroom at one o'clock right after your Arithmacy class has ended. There you will find the answer to your worries.
Sincerely,
Professor Cassandra Trelawney"
"Professor Trelawney," Lily whispered as she reread the letter.
Lily had never found the subject of Divination as anything concrete or useful, but with so many questions now running through her mind about her own visions what choice did she have? So she made up her mind for the first time in what felt like ages and went about her day with some of her usual enthusiasim.
Unbeknowst to her two pairs of eyes were watching her from the other side of the Great Hall with a look of satisfaction mixed with anticipation.
DD/DD/DD/DD/DD/DD/DD/DD
Arithmacy class finally ended at a quarter 'til one and Lily swiftly made her way out of the room and headed for the wing that held the Divination Tower as another figure followed her as well. He came up beside her just as she turned the corner that led to the winding staircase and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. Instantly Lily knew who it was and that made her feel more confident about her decision.
"I see you're feeling better Lily," Severus commented.
Lily smiled at him and simply replied, "Just a bit. Thanks though Sev."
Smiling back he asked, "What are you doing around here anyway Lily? I thought you didn't approve of Divination."
"I'm here to meet someone that's all," Lily answered. "I've had a lot on my mind lately and I thought that maybe this person can help me sort things out."
Severus looked up at the dizzying height of the staircase in time to see a small glittering of light shine down from the near top.
He had his usual sarcastic expression on his face as he resumed his conversation with Lily.
"And here was me thinking you didn't believe in all of that fortune telling nonsense. You really are full of surprises Love," he smirked.
"I don't. I just want answers," she answered peevishly.
"So you're willing to waste your time in a stuffy, crowded and incense-filled room with a has-been sorceress instead of spending it at the library studying for our O.W.L.s with me, your boyfriend?" Severus asked coyly.
Lily opened her mouth to retailiate when a thumping noise greeted the couple's ears from the staircase. They turned in time to see a crystal ball bounce down from one step to the next before it stopped at Lily's feet.
The young Prefectess picked up the orb and straightened up in time to see Severus looking at her with some amusement.
"Looks like you've got another reason to go up there," he said, indicating the top of the stairwell.
"Care to come with?" Lily asked with an amused smile of her own.
"And waste precious study time? No thanks Lily. I'll just wait for you in the library," he replied.
Severus gave her a peck on the cheek and the couple parted ways. Lily to the top of the Tower with the crystal object in tow and Severus to a hidden passageway behind a roaming door.
When Lily reached the top she looked up to find the trap door that was the entrance to the classroom and opened it by the chord attached to the metal ring. A silvery rope ladder appeared as the door opened and Lily tucked the ball securely in her bag before she climbed it into the room.
Once both of her feet were on the wooden floor the door closed with a locking noise and a voice called to her from the open space of the room.
"Come forward Ms. Evans," the speaker said in a misty tone.
Lily carefully made her way toward the sound and was greeted by the smell of burning incense, a table with clashing colored silks and a formidible looking elderly woman. The woman was dressed in faded red robes and her hair was covered in a faded purple silk cap. Her silvery hair was tied up in a thick braid that escaped the side of the cap and flowed over her chest. In front of her was a shallow bowl, a tea cup and a tin tea pot that had steam emitting from its spout.
The old witch looked at her visitor with clear white eyes and Lily realized that the professor was blind.
"Do not be alarmed my child," the woman soothed. "Even if my physical eyes have failed me my Inner Eye gives me far better sight. Now come and sit in front of me."
Once Lily was seated the witch asked, "Do you have the crystal ball?"
"Oh... yes Professor," Lily answered.
The younger witch took the ball out of her bag and, upon instruction, gave it to the blind woman.
"Good," Trelawney cooed as she stroked it. "And you were the only one to touch it?"
"Yes Professor"
"Excellent"
She then placed the ball in her lap and poured some of the tea into the little cup before handing it to Lily.
"Drink this until only the leaves remain and tell me of your discomforts," the teacher instructed.
When Lily did not say anything at first the Seer assured her, "Whatever you say to me remains in this room Ms. Evans unless you choose to divulge it personally."
Lily breathed a sigh of relief at the statement.
"Well," Lily began as she took a sip, "where should I start?"
"Perhaps the night you began feeling uneasy? Maybe the time after Horace Slughorn's party?" she suggested.
"How did...?"
"I may be physically blind but I still See things," the woman answered with a smile.
"Very well," Lily sighed.
By the time Lily had finished with her tale the tea was completely gone, save for the remaining dregs of liquid and leaves, and Trelawney had a thougthful look on her face.
After a while the woman replied, "So your main concern is whether or not the Mirror of Erised was lying to you or if you have been lying to yourself. Is that correct?"
"Yes Professor," Lily confirmed.
Another moment later Trelawney placed the ball into the dish and had Lily place the tea cup on top of it. Then the teacher grabbed Lily's hands in both of hers and placed them on the sides of the ball.
"Gaze deeply into the surface of the crystal Ms. Evans, then, on my command, close your eyes."
Lily did so and almost immediately a mysterious energy overwhelmed her. It surged through her like a raging waterfall and she felt like she was about to drown from its force.
"Close them..." a voice commanded from a distance.
She did and the force subsided slightly as Lily drifted into unconsciencesness.
A.N. I hope you all like this version of Chapter 38 better. Truthfully I wanted to have only 14 chapters in this part like I did the others but then I thought that making it longer would be much more interesting.
Again, I hope you all like it and don't forget to review!