A/N: Hey people! Here's the next chapter... Hope you like it!
Chapter Fourteen
(Lily Potter)
Days stretched into weeks, and the weeks became months as the chill winds subsided, replaced by the clear skies and green grass, the scent of flowers engulfing you with every step you take out of doors; but opportunities to experience the sunshine or inhale the fragrant air came very seldom, with our restrictions increased- we weren't allowed to leave the castle apart from Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures classes. Even without Quidditch practice, I was startled by the pace at which Easter came and went. We began to worry about the approaching exams and this year, I actually needed to concentrate on revision. Surprisingly, our patrol duties were neither cancelled, nor even reduced. We even had patrols at night, at any time our schedules indicated. This was one reason for Malfoy's constant grumbling, because he hadn't signed up for this; it was also apparently cutting short his time with Gomes.
A jolt similar to an electric shock passed through me every time I heard Malfoy mention Gomes, even in his- sorry, our head. It seemed so confusing to me- on one hand, I was actually beginning to develop feelings for Andrew, who was such a sweetheart. On the other hand, I literally have this boy in my head, and I'm quite crazy about him…with his pale, smooth hair falling in his eyes… his steel eyes, never betraying any emotion… what was I doing? What did I have to do? I was torn between the two- should I stick to Malfoy, even though I was confirmed not to stand a chance? Or should I go for this sweet, adorable boy, who said he loves me- loves me? Was their really a choice to be made? Would I be able to get over Malfoy, even if I wanted to? Would sheer willpower be enough? Was I even willing to?
Okay, getting over Malfoy was definitely something I wanted to do- I mean, who wants to be in love with someone who doesn't love you? Wait- in love? No, exaggeration. I just liked him, that's all. A crush. But it was excruciating, painful beyond words…surely moving on was the best thing for me? For my poor, broken heart? I decided it would be top of my "To-do list"…once the exams were over, that is.
The exams rushed at as with unreasonable haste and were brutal and unforgiving; even with that, I thought I did considerably well. The night before my Ancient Runes exam, Malfoy and I randomly made up our minds to ask Professor McGonagall if she knew anything the following day, when we'd both be done. We thought it was worth the shot, even if it did mean exposing ourselves to her if she didn't know; but all evidence suggested that she did, and we definitely wanted to know who had sent us the messages and why we were connected in this absurd way. More importantly, we needed to know if we were in danger.
The Ancient Runes exam was the most difficult of the lot, but it went okay. I would pass, at any rate. I was more anxious about what was to come later that day, when we questioned McGonagall. Malfoy and I decided to meet up as close to the gargoyle as possible, because it wouldn't do for us to be seen together in public. We were starting from our common rooms, so he reached before me. Just as I passed through a corridor on the fourth floor, I heard a voice from inside one of the classrooms. It was unlike any voice I'd ever heard before: a painful grunt, yet somehow high-pitched, jerky and rough, yet vibrant, somehow rich; it wasn't saying anything in particular. I followed the voice inside to see a woman sitting at a desk, her eyes, framed with huge glasses, magnifying her vivid rolling eyes. The several shawls draped around her shoulders were trailing to the ground as her bony arms gripped her head. Before I could process the vision before me, she began to speak. I stood rooted at the door, listening, while I could feel Malfoy dashing up the stairs, trying to find where I was, still paying close attention to Trelawney's words.
'Tonight will be the night.' Her tone was harsh, her eyes unseeing of their surroundings. 'Tonight will be the night the followers shall revive their concealed master. Tonight shall be the night that he shall return to full power, shall inaugurate a new and horrifying era of terror, and only two shall be our saviours. Only two shall be our saviours, yet tonight they will be incapable of rescue. By the power of his last, unacknowledged Horcrux, tonight will be the night the Dark Lord shall return once more…' Her head dropped forwards with a thud on to the wooden desk; with a jerk, she sat up straight, and said 'Dear me, I must've been tired after all those exams. Well, well…'
The Dark lord will rise again. Tonight, his followers will return. Malfoy was processing her words as he stood at the doorway next to me. I couldn't look at him; I couldn't look away from Trelawney. She had no idea that she'd been in a trance. Then had it been a true trance? Was it a real prediction? I shuddered as I realized the implications of the prediction if it were true.
Come on, Malfoy urged, pulling me away from the doorway where I stood frozen, and I felt my feet tripping along behind Malfoy. We have to tell McGonagall.
As we reached the stone gargoyle and stepped on to the escalator, my mind began to clear. What would McGonagall do? What could any of us do? She'd said that none of us, not even the saviours would be able to prevent it from happening- I didn't want to think what. I couldn't understand how it was possible- Voldemort? Back to power?
I felt Malfoy flinch mentally as I thought of Voldemort's name. See? This is why we fear him. He wasn't gone.
Your saying you foresaw his return? Even in my terror, I had the nerve to snort at his words. He was saved from answering because the door in front of us swung open. Professor seemed astounded by our appearance at her office.
'What is this? Potter, Malfoy, what do you require?'
Malfoy and I glanced at each other, trying to put it into words. I went ahead. 'Professor, I was passing by the fourth floor when I suddenly met professor Trelawney inside a classroom.'
Professor McGonagall gave a sardonic smile and I stopped, perplexed. At her nod, I carried on. 'Well, she seemed rather…different from what I'd ever seen before. She…she was speaking in a rough, harsh voice, her eyes were unfocused, and…she made a prediction.' I stopped. I didn't want to continue. My eyes flickered to the large portrait behind her seat: it was empty once again, as was the smaller one by its side.
Malfoy took over and told the Professor, word-for-word, what the prediction had been. I watched McGonagall as a look of confusion changed into horror, replaced by panic. 'You think this is a true prediction?'
'We're sure,' Malfoy and I affirmed in unison. 'She didn't remember it after she woke up.' I added.
McGonagall nodded, thoughtful. 'Well, I've never been the biggest fan of all this prophetic nonsense, but Sybil… it seems rather serious. It seems nothing can be done to prevent this from occurring. However, the Ministry will have to be warned. Kingsley will have to take necessary precautions.' She sighed. 'It seems that we shall be facing conditions we haven't had to deal with in almost two decades. You two may now leave.' Malfoy and I glanced at one another, wondering whether or not to bring up the original reason we'd been coming to the headmistress' office. 'Unless there's something else you'd like to speak about?' she inquired.
'Well, Professor, there is,' I said. 'You see, Professor Longbottom said that you'd requested that Malfoy and I should be put together in patrol duty. We'd like to know why.'
McGonagall cast a weary eye over us. 'Yes, there are reasons I requested that; reasons that I- that shall be disclosed over time, when things are more…developed, I do believe.' She cast a glance at the empty portrait behind her as she stood up.
'We've also been receiving messages over the past few years, anonymous notes warning us of danger. Do you know who's been sending those?' I asked.
'Yes,' she answered tersely. 'I do.'
'Who?'
'Again, I shall tell you when things are more developed.'
'What do you mean when you say developed?' Malfoy asked.
'My meaning will be clear as time passes. At this moment, I do not have time to explain anything. I have to communicate with the Minister, convey this alarming information you have just given me.' McGonagall turned away from us, a clear dismissal.
'You can't do that,' Malfoy declared coldly.
McGonagall looked up again, incredulous. 'Excuse me?'
'You cannot just tell us to wait. We have been in suspense for years, and we want to know- now.' I marvelled at the cold commanding tone in which Malfoy spoke, but at the same time cautioned him: McGonagall's our Headmistress! Don't be rude or disrespectful.
What the hell do you mean, disrespectful? It's our right to know! And she isn't telling us! She has to!
But now's not the time. There're bigger things to worry about. Let's go. I tugged at his arm and after holding firm for a moment, he gave in to the pressure. Just as we turned away, McGonagall spoke up again.
'I trust that neither of you have told anyone else about the messages?'
Malfoy and I shook our heads without looking back at her. 'No,' I said and we walked out of the room, Malfoy slamming the door behind us.
I know it's not much, but trust me, it's important, if a bit random. So review and temme whatcha think! =D