The Witch's Quest
"I've got it!" Lorcan shouted as he came quickly into the kitchen, his cheeks flush and slightly breathless. Hermione sat with books scattered all over the table while the others shifted the best they could. Lorcan had left nearly an hour before. They heard bits and pieces as Lily talked with Eoin, but it wasn't until Lily told Andreas a story later that afternoon that she repeated dates and a few details clearly. "Virgina," he added, throwing down a stack of papers filled with information.
James and Harry both snatched for the stack, James getting there first as others came behind him to look at it.
"Where did you get all this?" Clive asked.
"I went to the muggle library and entered the year and details of the first lighthouse on their electronic boxes and found it in a database," Lorcan said. "We use the muggle internet sometimes for research in the department of Mysteries. Gives us new ways to look at things, sometimes. It took me a bit, though. There are a couple experts in the department that usually handle the muggle side of research. Anyway, it's the coast of Virginia."
James let out a breath as Harry took the papers from his hands. "Good work," he said to Lorcan. "So it's an island off the coast from where the lighthouses are."
"We'll check it out tonight," Clive said. "I think I should probably take one person with me to start, then we can go from there."
"Only one?" Harry asked.
"Two at the most," Clive said.
"No," Harry argued. "Same as usual. Everyone able—"
"Not to step on your toes, but let's just take a deep breath and look at this logically," Clive interrupted him. James knew his dad wasn't used to being interrupted in matters like this. He'd run the auror department for so long that his decisions were rarely questioned anymore. "We're closing in on exactly where this is. Two people go and we can look like a pair of tourists. If I can get on whatever island it is, I can look like a wild animal. Anyone else there is going to cause problems. I could use a backup, but they'd have to stay under that cloak of yours. And then one more lookout from the shore."
"We can do disillusionment charms," Ginny countered.
"No go," Clive said."Not until we know there aren't counters to that."
"It's my cloak, I'm going," Harry said firmly.
"Okay, and a third?" Clive looked around.
James looked at Imogen. They had avoided the idea of the two of them splitting in any of this. James wasn't about to have Imogen go into any danger without him, and Imogen wasn't about to back down from being present to get Andreas as soon as possible.
"I'm coming," James said, still looking at Imogen.
She looked down and away from him, but didn't argue.
"Alright, you're on the shoreline then," Clive instructed. "We should bring brooms. I'm guessing the real island will be cloaked. We may not even get to it. We leave in fifteen."
James turned and walked up to his and Imogen's room. He rummaged through his closet, finding a traveling cloak and changing into a long sleeved shirt. James pulled out his boots and sat on the edge of the bed to put them on when Imogen stepped into the room, leaning back against the door frame.
"We'll bring him home," James said.
"Don't get your hooks set into the idea," Imogen replied.
James paused, looking up at her. "What do you mean?"
"This is reconnaissance," Imogen said realistically. "I just don't want you to do anything rash."
James turned back to the laces and tied his boots. He walked over to Imogen, grabbing her in his arms and looking down at her. "I'll keep my head."
"Promise?" Imogen asked. "Because I can't lose you too, James. I can't—"
James stopped Imogen with a kiss. "I know." James reached up his thumb and caught a tear from Imogen's eye as she adjusted the collar of his cloak.
"Lily will keep Andreas safe," Imogen added.
James nodded, but didn't say what they had all known: Lily would keep Andreas safe as long as she herself was unharmed. Sometimes the things they heard came sporadically and in portions. If Lily or Eoin or Andreas were in the area, but not next to the lion, it may pick up a word or sound, then go silent again. Regular conversation couldn't be picked up, but Eoin had snapped instructions at Lily once or twice in a threatening manner, reminding everyone that Lily wasn't simply a house guest there.
"I'll be back," he said, giving Imogen one last kiss. As he pulled away, she was reluctant to let go, but slowly followed him back down the stairs to where Harry and Clive waited for him, Harry with James's broom as well as his own in hand.
Clive gave a more accurate location and the three apparated, landing in the space between the two lighthouses. James looked to the right, seeing the red brick lighthouse from the pictures Lorcan brought back. It would be at least a couple hours before they had the cloak of dark to cover them.
James looked around at the view. Somewhere, out there in the distance, was his son and Lily. "In the lighthouse," Clive instructed.
They found an entrance, stepping over a string barrier and ducking into the building before a group of muggles in a tour group passed them by. Clive lead the way, creating magical steps where the brick had worn out, completing the space as they went all the way to the top. Harry went in a circle, hiding them from any outside onlookers as the other two looked out into the ocean.
"I see at least three possible land masses," Clive noted.
"It's probably not any of them if you can see them so easily," Harry pointed out. Clive grunted in agreement.
Andreas's is out there. Lily's out there, James thought again and took a deep breath.
Clive turned towards one wall, using his wand to create a map of what they saw. They set out a plan. At dusk, Clive and Harry would go to each of the islands and sandbars they knew Lily wouldn't be to get a better sense of what couldn't be seen. James would keep watch from the tower and if backup was needed they would send red sparks up.
"Blue if," Harry paused. "If we find them."
James nodded and licked his lips. They all stood in silence as they waited for the sun to descend a little further. It was sunset when Clive decided it was time.
"Don't leave unless you see the sparks," Harry emphasized as he shook out his invisibility cloak. "Understand?"
"Yeah, I understand," James snapped.
They walked down the steps and out of the old lighthouse, leaving James fidgeting as he squinted out over the sea. The sun was just kissing the horizon, yellow meeting a solid line of blue. James tapped his thumb rhythmically along each finger: index, middle, ring, pinky. He hadn't done this in years. When they were young, Imogen had once passed her magic to him. It didn't stay. It couldn't, but ever since, she could feel phantom sensations when he did these sort of movements. She had forced him to break a nervous habit of rubbing his pinky because it made her own itch. This was what he did to stay connected. They'd spent so much time with one another since being married he'd all but forgotten it. This small signal that he was thinking of her. To signal that he loved her.
James continued the pattern over and over. The sun was nearly gone when he saw a glint. It was blinding and sudden, then it was gone. James blinked and rubbed his eyes, wondering if he'd actually seen something. A large mass that had been there, then became endless water again. It was farther south than they were anticipating. James carefully moved, adjusting himself and shielding his eyes. He sighed, then bent his knees and the sun glinted again.
Difficult to see in the light, he noticed a shoreline. There were trees lining the beach and he couldn't make out much else. James smiled. He moved up and it was gone. It took him another minute to find it again, but it was there. It was really there. If only the other two had waited a little longer. James tried to watch until the sun dunked down and left the world without light or the island, which was no longer in James's view.
James ground his teeth, looking into the dark, wondering if he should send a patronus message. If they knew, it would save a night of pointless exploring. Only, without knowing where Clive and Harry were, it was a crap shoot. One James knew he shouldn't take, even as he clasped and unclasped his wand in his cloak pocket.
The hours seemed much longer before he heard footsteps from below. James ducked into a dark corner, his wand drawn as he waited to confirm it was Harry and Clive. They came around the corner, Clive as a wolf and Harry under his cloak.
James stepped out and Clive transformed.
"Nothing we could find," Harry said, pulling the cloak off, his eyebrows knit. James suddenly realized that he wasn't the only one to have unrealistic expectations of this expedition. "At least we've eliminated some places it's not."
"I saw it," James gasped out excitedly. "The sun caught the cloaking charm and I saw it!"
"Well, we don't know for sure," Clive said.
"I saw it," James insisted. He turned and pointed out to where he had memorized it in their absence. "Out that way. Beyond the buoys."
"We'll start there tomorrow, then," Clive replied.
James looked to Harry, who was watching Clive, a torn expression. "It's already past midnight," Harry said. "We can plan with the others and see if Lily's—"
"I'm not waiting if I know where it is," James said, stepping towards the stairs.
Clive grabbed his arm firmly. "Don't go off half-cocked," he warned. "Look, my wife's there, too. I get it. But we don't know what we're facing even if it is the right place."
"Don't come then," James said. "I'll see what it's like on my own."
"What would Imogen want you to do right now?" Harry asked.
James looked at his dad. Had Imogen talked to him? Or did he just know the right buttons to push? Like when he was interrogating a suspect or accomplice. James tensed his jaw. He didn't want to listen to them. Andreas was on that island. That invisible island. James knew it. Still, he nodded and Clive let go.
"Tomorrow," James agreed. "We'll come back tomorrow."
The tip off about the lighthouses seemed to go unnoticed. Hope drained day by day until four days had passed and nothing had happened. The good news was that Eoin had been gone for the most part. The bad news was that this meant she was confined to the nursery, sleeping on a cot and with no new information to pass along. Andreas was even getting antsy in the space where Comet brought them meals.
"Ma-ma-ma-ma," Andreas jabbered in Lily's arms.
She jumped up to grab the lion. It was probably as much nonsense as anything else, but anything she could share made Lily feel a little less disconnected from the rest of the world. "What was that you were saying Andy?"
"Ma-ma-ma—"
"Who are you asking for?" Lily cooed. "Say 'hi, mummy'."
"Ma-ma-ma." Andreas moved over, taking the lion and giggling, putting his mouth all over it.
"Mum misses you, love," Lily said, kissing the top of his head, messing with the hair that was only growing more unruly by the day.
Lily played with him for another half hour before bouncing him to sleep, laying him in the crib with the lion next to him.
"All tuckered out?" Eoin asked.
Lily jumped and turned. She usually heard when he came through the front door. "Yes," she said, looking at Andreas and stroking his cheek as she walked towards the door, more grateful than she supposed she should be to be able to leave the room. "Where have you been?"
"Earning money to keep you and our baby well fed," Eoin replied.
This was the new step in the delusion he was building around them. Lily didn't argue the point anymore. The contradictions didn't change his mindset and only irritated him. She found herself in these moments biting the inside of her cheeks, keeping herself from saying anything. Deep in her mind, she imagined what she would do once she could find her wand. A wand. Any wand.
"I wanted to ask if you wouldn't mind doing something for me," Lily said. "For Andy, really."
"What is it?" Eoin asked.
"When you're gone for these stretches, it would just be nice to have some fresh air," Lily said. She'd been staring at the various walls over the last few days. "Just… something to let in air and a bit of sunlight."
Eoin smiled. "Of course, love," he said. She bit her cheek harder. "I got you a couple other things, too," he added.
He brought back some gift almost every day Lily had seen him. Usually they were for Andreas. Toys and baby accessories. He first brought out something black and canvas. Lily held it out. "What is it?" she asked.
"It's so you can carry Andy easier," he replied. He took it back, adjusting it and demonstrating. "You put his feet through there and then strap it around you. For when we go walking. Easier than the pram."
"Oh," Lily said. "Great."
Eoin set it aside, next to the nursery door. "I also got this," he added, pulling out a necklace on a delicate gold chain.
Lily looked at it, feeling all the more ill. Hanging from the bottom was a long setting of jewels, little stones set in. At first glance they looked like emeralds, but as Lily looked more closely, they glowed. A green light.
"Speechless?" he asked.
Lily looked up at Eoin. "It's beautiful," she said, forcing a smile.
Eoin stepped behind her, draping the necklace in front of Lily. He undid the clasp and Lily pulled her hair out of the way as he pulled it around, placing it on her. Lily wondered for a moment what the glowing jewels might mean. She'd heard Grandpa Weasley talk about necklaces that tightened around the wearer's neck until they choked or bored themselves into the owner's skin. She waited to see what happened, but as the charm fell against her skin, all seemed normal.
"Thank you," she said, turning around.
Eoin's face had changed. He'd looked intently at her before. But he seemed breathless as he looked at her now. He brushed the hair away from her face, keeping his fingers against her skin. Lily froze. He ran the tips of his fingers along her jaw and tipped her chin up. So far, he hadn't forced affection from Lily. Her heart pounded, wanting to pull away. She waited and he let her go. "Dinner. Just you and me tonight?" he asked. "Comet can watch Andreas."
"Sure," Lily breathed out, the tension falling from her.
Eoin gave her a half smile. "I'll be in my office until then," he said. He carefully leaned in, kissing Lily's cheek and then turned and walked off.
Her face burned. The palms of her hands hurt from holding such tight fists. Lily shook as she hurried to her room. She took deep steadying breaths and stopped as she saw someone else in the mirror. She looked behind her, but no one was there. Lily turned to the vanity. A blond woman looked back, eyes wide and mouth agape. Lily closed her mouth and so did she.
Lily touched her cheek, and the reflection matched. Hands shaking, Lily reached up and fumbled for the clasp, bringing it around and undoing the chain, letting the whole thing drop to the ground. She looked into the mirror again and she was herself—red hair, full of freckles, and brown eyes.
Eventually she picked the necklace back up. Cautiously, she held it in front of her, an end of the chain in each hand. Slowly, she brought it back to her neck. As soon as the jewels touched her skin, her appearance altered again. Lily looked closely at herself. Honey blonde hair ended at her shoulders, rather than halfway down her back. Her eyes were blue and her face more heart shaped, than its normal long form. Lily touched her nose. It was perfectly rounded at its tip, the curve was sweet, though she couldn't stop the building pressure in her chest.
She looked like the woman in the portrait.
Lily asked Comet to tell Eoin she wasn't feeling well before dinner. He didn't bother her and she stashed away the necklace. She asked Comet to bring Andreas into her room. A change of venue. Lily was too frightened to request the lion. The less Comet knew and the less Lily concerned herself with the lion, the less likely she would lose it to Eoin's figuring it out. She fell asleep late that night, Andreas tucked into the nook of her arm.
The next day, she had a crick in her neck from the odd angle she slept. One thing she desperately needed was a little walking. Lily asked Comet to watch Andreas in his nursery. She placed him in his swing and Comet made faces as him every time he came forward. Andreas giggled, encouraging the house elf.
Lily stepped into the hall, staying away from the entrance and Eoin's office. She didn't want to see him and she certainly didn't want to see the woman she became with the necklace. Lily wandered down a hall she hadn't been in much. She opened the various doors. Mostly there were just bedrooms. One right after the other. In one were set three small beds. The house elf quarters, she realized.
Lily turned the corner and on one end was the kitchen. She hadn't needed to go in there. All the meals were either in the nursery or the overly large dining hall for the three of them. Lily turned and noticed another door. This one didn't have the carvings in the molding that the bedrooms all exhibited. She turned the handle, a biting chill coming over her.
Lily stepped into a dim, dank space. She saw bars and felt a chill down her spine. Several cells were set apart in the room. Doors with locks on each, the space more apparently windowless than the rest of the house. Lily's stomach dropped when she looked into the last one.
Wearing tattered robes of dark blue was a woman with brown hair, matted. The smell made Lily cringe. She covered her nose as she came closer, the bucket full of piss and shit making her gag. Lily knelt in front of the bars. The woman turned towards her. Her skin was almost translucent, her eyes pleading as her mouth opened and closed, no sound emitting. Her hand reached out, grabbing the bar and Lily placed her hand on top. "Help," the dry voice came out. She was thin and pitiful.
Lily stood, ready to go to the kitchen for some water when she found herself face to face with Eoin. They stared at one another for a moment. "What is she doing here?" Lily asked.
"She's paying a price," Eoin said.
"What did she do?"
Eoin didn't answer, but pushed Lily back, grasping to her shoulders in his hands. "It's not your concern," he yelled. He shoved her against the unfinished wall of the prison room. Her eyes were wide, looking at his dark, glazed over expression.
Lily swallowed. She thought of Andreas. "I don't want Andy to ever see something like this," she said, trying to be as gentle as she could. "Eoin, please let me care for her."
Eoin's demeanor faltered for a moment, then redoubled.
Lily licked her lips, reaching her hand up and placing it on his neck. "Please, Eoin," she said. "I think she's paid enough."
Eoin's hands loosened and let her go. He continued to search Lily's eyes. "Our dinner tonight," he said.
"Alright," Lily agreed.
"And wear your necklace," he said.
"Of course."
Eoin gave a grin. He reached beneath his robe and pulled out his wand, the cell door swung open. Eoin turned and walked away. Lily watched quietly, waiting until he was out the door.
Lily rushed in front of the woman. She squatted in front of her, feeling her face with the back of her hand. She was clammy and her skin was cold. "I can't carry you," Lily said. "Can we… can you help me?"
It took much longer to get the woman to Lily's room. She set her down on the bed. "Comet," Lily called.
The house elf walked into the room rather than apparating, a fussing Andreas in hand. Lily stepped over and took him from the house elf. "I need a pitcher of cool water and toast," Lily instructed. "You are fine, Andy," she added, trying to bounce him and attend to the woman on the bed as well. She kept reaching out, touching her skin, worried she would drifted off any moment Lily looked away.
She spent the next couple hours with Comet, dividing their time between entertaining Andreas and urging the woman to drink. Eventually Lily took a wet cloth, trying to clean the woman's skin the best she could. "We'll mend you right up," Lily said. "Water and food… a nice bed."
The woman let out a rattling breath and her eyes fluttered closed.
Lily went to unbutton the robes when a shaky hand stopped hers. "Bath?" the word came out dry.
Lily nodded, having Comet prepare warm, soapy water in the tub and helped the woman head towards the bathroom at her own pace. Lily felt pained for her as she helped her strip down, supporting her bruised and sore ridden body into the soapy water. A look of relief came over her.
"Comet," Lily asked. "Do we have any potions that would help?"
Comet nodded. Andreas crawled near the door. Lily knelt beside the tub, the washcloth still in her hand. She dipped it into the warm water, gently wiping the woman's face.
"Thank you," she said, her eyes closed.
"What's your name?" Lily asked.
"Etta."
Lily fiddled with the necklace as she stepped into the dining room. Etta was asleep in the bed. Lily helped move Andreas's crib and high chair into her room and told Comet to watch both of them as she went to have dinner with Eoin.
He stood as she walked in, his eyes tracking her as they never quite did when she looked like herself. Lily had noticed Eoin had covered the portrait at the entrance with a dark, black cloth. She smiled tentatively at him as she walked towards him.
"How's Etta doing?"
Lily felt heat rise up her neck at the question. "She's better," Lily said. "Can't talk much."
"That's good," Eoin said and Lily wasn't sure which part he thought was good. He pulled out a chair and she sat. "I'm sorry I've been gone so much. I'm tying up some loose ends, then I should be able to work from here. We can spend some proper time together."
Lily watched food fill the platters in front of them. "What exactly have you been working on?" Lily asked.
"Independent contracting," Eoin said. "As usual. You never did like hearing about all the clients though. Always told me how boring my work was."
Lily stopped and realized he didn't just want her to look like the woman. He wanted her to be that woman. If she played her cards right, maybe she could find out more. "But I want to hear now," she said.
Eoin smiled. He piled food onto his plate and dug in. "Well, you know I like to make things," Eoin said. "So right now I'm trying to solve an issue for one client. Making a protection charm for specific rooms. Usually a localized charm like that is weak. So I'm figuring out how to concentrate larger charms into those spots."
"What other kinds of charms?" Lily asked.
He described the various jobs and methods as they ate, only rarely interrupted by a question from Lily. She realized he was quite ingenious, really. This was the type of work Uncle George might use for his shop products, or Aunt Hermione would figure out just for the hell of it. She thought through each story, mining it for anything she could pass along. If any of this was getting to the others at least. None seemed relevant, however.
"You've hardly eaten anything," Eoin said, pointing to her plate.
"I had a large lunch," she lied and smiled.
Eoin beamed at her, wiping at his mouth and pushing back from the table. "Come here, Kathy," he said.
Lily blinked. She followed, taking his outstretched hand. Eoin took her into the living room. Music began as they came to the center of the room and Lily wondered if this was one of his clever charms. Eoin pulled her into him, a hand on the small of her back, the other holding hers as they swayed.
"Remember when we used to go dancing?"
Lily was no longer Lily to him. Kathy, she thought. That was the woman in the portrait. She hummed in response.
"I had two left feet, but you loved it so much I thought I'd lose you if I didn't at least try," he said, pulling Lily closer. "You taught me."
Lily smiled at him. The dancing continued as Lily's mind drifted to Etta. Had Comet gotten Andreas down alright? Had Etta eaten anymore? The song ended and Eoin leaned down, his forehead against Lily's.
"I love you," he whispered.
Lily's attention was pulled immediately back to him. He looked in her eyes, his hand—the same one that had pushed her roughly against a wall that afternoon—moved to her chin, tilting it up.
As Eoin leaned down, Lily turned her head.
Eoin's eyes seemed to snap back into reality, looking hurt. Lily's heart raced again. Andreas. Etta. This wasn't just her. Would he throw Etta back into the cell? Lily realized she shouldn't have done it. She moved up on her toes, closing her eyes, and pretending this was Lorcan, just like she did with the other men she had kissed this past year. She moved her lips slowly against his.
To Lily's surprise, as she stopped Eoin didn't take it further or pull her back in again. She rested back on her heels and opened her eyes. Eoin's eyes filled with tears. He let go of Lily, tore his gaze away from her, and walked through the dining room, leaving her alone.
Lily walked back into her room. Etta was tucked in, her hair still a mess, but already looking marginally more solid than she did earlier. Andreas was asleep in his crib. Lily grabbed the clasp, taking off the necklace and placing it into the jewelry box on the vanity. She knelt beside the crib, and even though Andreas wasn't listening, Lily told him a story.
They were doing nearly consistent shifts in the lighthouse now. James had been to the spot so often that he could accurately apparate to the top of the tower. Two of them would be there at any given time, day or night, and a few more would find what they could about the island. There were cloaking charms and some type of protection even Harry couldn't pin. That was the main reason they hadn't landed in the space. Hermione had Emily bringing her books from a Pennsylvania wizarding haven every other day. She continued with one theory after another, but when they were tested, they came back unfruitful.
Lorcan spent more time than anyone else at the lighthouse. He didn't speak much, but then he never had. "There's a new story," Lorcan told them as he came to replace James. Clive had been there three hours and James seven. "Your mum is hoping you'll understand something the rest of us don't."
James looked at his watch. It was one in the morning. "How long ago?" he asked.
"A couple hours," Lorcan replied, settling into the corner he usually stayed in.
"Send me a message if it's something important," Clive said, still vigilantly staring into the darkness. "Albus and Harry will be back soon, right?"
"Right," James said. "See you back at home."
He apparated. Anytime Lily said anything they analyzed it to death. The only clear intent was when she talked to Andreas about Mum and Dad. No one thought that was anything but an attempt to keep them on Andy's mind. The day before Imogen fell into pieces as Andreas continued with his ma-ma-ma over and over. They were supposed to be there for that. James was grateful to Lily for trying to keep them there, but it also served as a reminder of what they were missing.
He entered the kitchen and James walked around, filling a plate with food.
"Look at this," Ginny said. "Come look at this."
James almost didn't want to. He didn't want another moment of false hope. Every night was a moment of disappointment when they didn't step onto the island. To top it off, the others were doing everything they could to keep him away from the place. They obviously didn't trust him not to make an attempt if it were in reach. And for once he couldn't blame them. Even from the lighthouse, he was tempted almost every moment.
"James," Imogen said.
He sighed and walked over, setting down the plate and taking the paper from his mother's hands. Aunt Hermione had altered a note taking quill to only write what was dictated from the bear so even if it were left alone, they'd have a transcription. That didn't make any of them leave the bear alone.
James's eyes scanned the story. It was something about a witch who was called on to perform a quest. A series of tests really. The first was to free a woman from a dreadful dungeon. An American woman taken hostage. James became more focused at this description. There were some details, though this was mostly vague. The witch found her and took her to the healing waters to bathe, leaving her with the bread and water from her satchel.
The second task was to create a portal between two worlds. The clever witch, unable to perform the task herself, asked a passing giant to do this for her.
The final task was to speak with the king, but the king wouldn't speak to any but his beloved. The witch dressed and readied herself, taking a token of the woman and charming herself to look like the queen.
James read faster and the stopped at the final sentence.
The king smiled at the witch, believing her to be his Kathy.
James read and reread the sentence, his mind spinning. "I know who took them," he said and looked up, Imogen and Ginny exchanging a glance. "I know who has Lily and Andreas."