Lily awoke to find Cherry's bed empty. It hadn't been slept in the night before. Again. What was she doing this time? Sighing, she looked out the window, scanning the grounds. It seemed so pretty. Sure pure. Such an illusion she could almost believe. At least, might have been able to a few days ago. Now it was much too perfect.
"James! What are you doing up so early?" she asked, startled to see the same messy brown haired boy she'd known all these years.
And yet, at the same time, she didn't know him at all. They stood, both perched on the stairs that lead to the Gryffindor common room.
James watched her carefully, slowly putting a finger to his lips and looking away. She followed his gaze and didn't know whether to scream, squeal, cry or laugh. She never thought she'd see the day, and judging James's look, he hadn't, either.
"Mmm?" uttered Cherry as she began to stir.
She didn't feel as if she were in her bed and couldn't quite place her predicament, yet didn't seem to want to open her eyes. As she moved around slightly, she realised with some bewilderment that she was leaning against someone. She forced open her eyes to see Remus, who still slept soundly; his arms around her waist.
She wanted to scream, yet at the same time, couldn't bare to. He seemed too much at peace. Besides, it was comforting to be in someone's arms. To feel her independence slip away…
She blinked and shook her head. What was wrong with her these days? She was becoming too emotional. She blinked again when he shifted slightly so that he faced her. She couldn't help but look. So sweet, so gentle… Who would have thought that he could turn into such a ferocious creature every full moon? She brushed away his hair lightly and smiled softly.
Still, she had her friends come first. With a slight twinge of regret she barely felt, she slowly made her away out of his grasp, pulling a blanket over him as she did so. Almost as a last memory, she brushed her lips against his cheek before walking up the stairs to her dormitory, her face blank and emotionless.
"That's Cherry for you," she said sympathetically, rubbing his back.
"Why does she cause the world of trouble for the Marauders?" grumbled James, "First Sirius, now Remus."
"Oh, so you think Rose was right?" demanded Lily sharply.
"I don't know what I did wrong," muttered Remus.
"Oh don't worry. It was Cherry. She… She's a little umm…"
"Bitchy?" suggested James.
Lily shot him a warning look.
"Difficult, at times," she explained gently.
Sirius was completely out of it; sitting beside James and taking in nothing of their conversation. Remus sighed and sat back.
"You'll get her eventually," assured James.
"Possibly, and when he does, I do hope it's for all the right reasons," added Lily, looking pointedly at James.
He shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny, turning his attention instead, to Professor Dumbledore, who had stood up. Lily raised an eyebrow but did not question him further.
"Why are you so upset anyway? I didn't realise you liked her all that much," remarked Lily.
"I… I don't. It's just… She walked away from me as a friend. Who does that?" he lied.
Lily sighed, whether it was because she'd seen through his lie or because of Cherry's attitude, it was uncertain.
"It's just one of those things that make her a remarkable person, I suppose."
"… Yeah. I guess."
They watched as Dumbledore called forth the school choir. All forty of them, ten from each house, appeared magically before them dressed in full school uniform. The three arched an eyebrow each, and even Sirius was able to look mildly amused. Cherry had her hair done up in pigtails. Minna had a small smirk on her face whilst she sang, and it was extremely obvious that Cherry had not gone about this task willingly.
Remus smiled rather sadly and turned away.
"You were right," sniffed Rose, "None of them listened to me. Not one."
"And the mirror?"
"I… I threw it and… It shattered…"
Lucius closed his eyes.
Fool! You destroyed your once chance at freedom! Why did I have to be so convincing? Why did she have to be so naïve?
He looked down at the sobbing girl in his arms, and sighed mentally. He'd never met anyone like her. She'd given him a chance to express himself freely. She didn't judge him. She allowed him to be who he wanted to be. And what had he done? He'd used it to his advantage. No. His father's advantage.
She was too much like his mother. It couldn't be helped. He knew he would have been able to change. She'd given him the chance to. Yet this new, darker side of him overtook his feelings and thoughts. Yet he knew he had to help her somehow. Almost as if this was his mother's last wish before what would come after. Before, he knew, he became like his father. Cold, hard and unfeeling.
"It'll end soon," he told her, almost sadly.
At that exact moment, Lucifer stormed in, a cold smile on his face. Lucius moved away from Rose, confusing her. He stood rigidly and the same emotionless expression he usually wore, overtook his features.
"She's destroyed the mirror?" asked Lucifer.
His son nodded.
"The purification?"
He nodded again, holding up a vial of her blood from the wound she'd gotten trying to pick up the pieces of mirror.
"The medication?"
Here Rose cut in, undoubtedly confused.
"What are you…"
She never finished her sentence. A sudden faint overcame her and she fell onto the carpeted floor.
Lucius nodded and felt himself go numb. He was given another malicious smile from his father.
"Well done, my son. Perhaps you will live up to the Malfoy name yet."
If I do, I hope my son doesn't. That is, if I ever have a son.
Lucius nodded again.
"Thank you, father."
Lucifer turned away, ordering the house elves to lock her up in the forbidden tower. The vial of blood was only the first offering. She would then be required, in three day's time, to shed her blood once again for the circle to be made. Then, the sacrifice would be offered under the full moon for the completion of the ancient magic.
As he left, Lucius saw, out of the corner of his eye, a slender beauty slink towards his father in an undersized black slip of a dress. However, it was soon covered by the green robes she wore. The same robes his mother had once wore. His determination grew stronger. His father had gotten away with numerous killings, but he wouldn't kill again. Not this time, at least.
As soon as his father was out of sight, he stormed into his room, planning his letter mentally as he searched for a quill. He knew not why he bothered nor why he felt he owed it to both his mother and to Rose, but the sight of his father allowing a whore dress in his mother's clothing urged him onward.
"Take care, alright?" said Lily, hugging Cherry.
Her remaining best friend. Cherry smiled and hugged her back, nodding.
"See you when school starts," called James over his shoulder.
He couldn't help it. He turned and winked at Lily, who glared ferociously back at him. Sirius held up a hand goodbye and followed after him
"Bloody jerk," she muttered to herself as she stamped off in the direction of the train.
"Which one does she mean?" he remarked.
"Why aren't you going? You'll be late for the train," commented Cherry, raising an eyebrow.
"Won't you?"
She softened slightly.
"No. I'm going to walk out to my Aunt's place. Isn't far," she replied carelessly.
Silence over came them. An uneasy one which left Remus hesitating as to what he was about to say.
"Listen, it's… alright."
Cherry gave him a puzzled glance.
"What is?"
"That night. It's… okay. You don't have to avoid it."
Cherry stared, then laughed.
"Relax, Remus. It's in the past."
He looked up to see a distance in her expression. He nodded. She held out her hand.
"Friends?" she asked.
Friends. The word struck him terribly, but he couldn't figure out why. Instead, he nodded again.
"Friends," he agreed, shaking it.
"Well, you better go catch the train. Bye!" she said, giving a quick smile before turning away to head to her Aunt's.
"Bye," he whispered to her retreating back before he walked onto the train.
Lily sighed again as she looked out the window. She was bored and her friends had all gone. The door slid open, startling her.
"Hey. Do you mind, Lilz? The other carriages are full," said James sheepishly.
She froze for a second. Three boys in one carriage with her. The Marauders, nonetheless. A risk? No. She'd learnt not every boy was on the verge of attacking her long ago. One person taught her that. Then he'd left. They'd been good friends for a while. Now…
She shrugged and motioned for them to sit down before continuing to stare aimlessly out the window. Sirius sat across from her and did the same. James and Remus were discussing something in low voices. The word 'Rose' caught her attention, and she turned to them. They glanced quickly at Sirius before beckoning her over.
"What's wrong?" she asked, frowning.
"We're discussing whether we should tell Sirius," replied Remus.
"I still say he's going to flip. He won't be able to handle it," hissed James urgently.
"Well he'll flip if he finds the love of his life has been decapitated because we were afraid he'd have a breakdown!" she hissed back.
"But look at him!"
They glanced again at Sirius. He showed nothing that proved he might have been listening. Rather, he seemed completely oblivious to his surroundings. Lily sighed.
"It doesn't matter. He'll find out eventually. You can't protect him forever," she reasoned softly.
"Oh, and you would know?" asked James sarcastically.
"Actually, yes I would," she snapped back.
"Can we handle this without fighting, please?" asked a weary Remus.
They hesitated.
"Sorry," they muttered almost incoherently together.
"Alright. So what do we do?"
Both Lily and Remus stared pointedly at James. He sighed in defeat.
"Could we at least wait until he gets back to my place?" he pleaded.
Lily shrugged and Remus nodded. James sighed and looked at his best friend. How to break it to him…?
It turned out they never had to. The day after they got to James's place, the trio was almost knocked over by three owls. One from Lily, one from Cherry and one from…
James almost choked. Remus blinked blankly at it. Sirius lunged for it, attempting to tear it into pieces; the first active thing he'd done all week. Remus recovered just in time to snatch it out of Sirius's hands.
"Give that to me," he snarled.
"No," Remus snapped back.
"Give it to me! I'll shred it…"
"Sirius! For once, use your head! Malfoy wouldn't write to us without reason!"
"He's probably gloating," mumbled back Sirius miserably.
"Would he send it to Lily and Cherry as well if he were?" he remarked patiently.
Sirius blinked. James blinked.
"What?" James exclaimed, snatching it out of his hands.
To the Marauders… Please note that I've also sent this to Lily Evans and Ying Fa… Whatever her last name is.
At that moment, Cherry appeared in a waitressing outfit with Lily dragged by the arm, still in her pyjamas. Beside them stood a lady in a traditional Chinese outfit, who waved goodbye and disappeared. Cherry gave one look at the guys and smirked.
"You can close your mouths now. She's my aunt."
Lily blinked blearily.
"Wha…? Cherry…? Why am I standing amongst the Marauders in my pyjamas?" she asked through a yawn.
Another blink and her mind cleared. She gave a small squeak and jumped behind Cherry, blushing. Cherry in turn raised an eyebrow before returning to the business at hand.
"Did you get the letter?" asked Cherry.
"Which one? Yours?" returned James, puzzled.
"No. Malfoy's."
"Yeah…"
"So you've read it?"
"No…"
"Read it."
Gryffindors.
Seach this poem,
And you may find,
Veritas in,
Endearing minds.
Read the letters,
One each line,
Speak the truth,
Encounter mine.
"… He's not a very good poet, is he?" marvelled James.
Lily, quite understandably, hit him across the head.
"It's an extremely simple puzzle," she snapped, "It pretty much spells out what you have to do!"
"… Which is…?"
Lily sighed and forced herself to refrain from lashing out at him.
"Read the words the beginning letter of each line creates, Potter."
"S…ay… vuh… R… oh… z…"
"Bloody genius, isn't he?" snickered Cherry to Remus, who snorted his agreement.
The words began to change and all eyes were glued upon the piece of paper, even though Cherry had seen it all before. Still, it was a very intricate piece of charm work on Malfoy's part.
To Gryffindors,
I'm not out to help you. This is for Rose's sake. Come tomorrow at midnight. Be prepared. Do not approach Malfoy manor through the front gates. Go by the back. Use the vines. Window of the highest tower.
"Well this tells us a lot," grumbled James.
"Actually, it does," snapped back Lily.
They would have began arguing, but a single name broke into their thoughts.
"Sirius."
Sirius stopped and turned to Cherry. For the first time in a long while, his eyes seemed to hold the same fierce spark of determination they once had.
"Where are you going?"
"Where else? I'm going to find Rose."
"No."
Sirius lost it completely then.
"What do you mean 'No'?" he roared, "Do you know how long I've been just sitting here, doing nothing but feel helpless?"
"It could be a trap," offered James.
"I have to take a chance," he snarled back through gritted teeth.
"As much as I'd like to explain why I disagree, I don't have time for it. We don't have time for it," interjected Cherry emotionlessly.
"… Where's Lily and Remus?" asked James, blinking.
"I'm still here," snapped a voice behind Cherry.
"… Right… James. Would you by any chance happen to have clothing her size lying around?"
"… No…"
"Sorry Lily. Can you lend her some of yours, then?"
James disappeared indoors.
"Where's Remus then?" asked Sirius wearily.
"He's getting us some brooms," she replied carelessly.
"You really love this organising stuff, don't you?"
A smile tugged at the corner of Cherry's mouth.
"Maybe."
Rose woke up to find herself in an extremely cold tower.
"What in Merlin's name am I doing here?" she muttered to herself.
Her head spun, a side affect from the drought she'd unknowingly taken. When her memory was kicked into working condition, she felt a flood of emotion overtake her. Betrayal, mostly. She's abandoned her friends in order to believe him. And for what? To be locked in this tower with no escape? She slammed her fist onto the hard concrete floor. Her tears left marks on it, but nothing else would, no matter how hard she tried to scratch it.
"Damn it!" she cursed, slamming her fist onto to ground again, abandoning her hair clip, where it sounded metallically as it hit the floor.
Still no scratch.
"Give it up. Father put a spell on the floor," remarked Lucius, leaning against the curved wall.
She blinked blankly.
"How did you…"
"Get in? Malfoy family magic. Long story, don't ask."
Apparently she had already decided not to ask, because at the very next moment, Rose charged at him, obviously ready to black him out. He sidestepped and caught her around the waist. She gasped at his speed.
"Don't try it," he drawled lazily at her, "There's no point."
Still she struggled, managing to successfully position herself in order to elbow him in the stomach. He staggered, but refused to let her go.
"Get off me," she hissed.
"If you insist."
He let her go and she fell forward onto the cold stone floor.
"Bastard."
"Do I look like I'm out to hurt you?"
"I should never have trusted you."
"You're right. You shouldn't have. But you did. Can't change that now, can you?"
She didn't reply. Just continued to glare at him. He sighed as if she were a burden. It made her blood boil.
"Eat," he said bluntly.
It wasn't a command. Or a question. Or even a statement of some sort. Yet it gave her no choice. No options. She stared blankly at the food set before her. Strawberry? She liked strawberry. Strawberry shortcake. Was it poisoned? No. They'd need a live sacrifice. She'd figured it out. It had taken a while, but she had. Eventually. With the help of her friends.
With the help of my ex-friends, she thought mournfully.
She'd been so blind. Turned away from her true friends. Why? Because of this fraud. This stupid, evil, smirking bastard who stood before her. Looking out the window. Why? It was night.
"What time is it?" she asked.
"10 to midnight."
"You've been asleep for two days now," he informed her softly.
His gaze was directed to the night sky. Was he looking for something? Or just staring?
"So I die tomorrow," she said flatly.
"Perhaps," was the emotionless reply.
"And you're just going to stand and watch?"
"Maybe."
"Then why bother feeding me?"
"A sacrifice to the ancient ways is not to go unfed."
"I hate you."
"I know."
A momentary silence passed. Finally, Lucius broke the silence.
"They're here."
"Okay. Either we do the captain's special or we slant into a downward dive now," called out Cherry, second in line.
James nodded and slanted his broom, as did the others after him. They landed just outside the Malfoy's back fence.
"I told you we should have just flown over," grumbled Sirius as he inspected the vines catching at him.
Cherry shot him an irritated look.
"Did you or did you not come from a pureblood family?" she demanded.
"I wish I wasn't."
"What do you think would have happened to us if we were to fly over?"
She had a point. They'd have been incinerated. Or worse, depending on the family's tolerance of trespassers. A definite fatal move, then.
"Lily?" whispered James gently.
They'd given her a light sleeping potion to help her for the long ride before them. Much as she hated to admit it, she was deathly afraid of heights. She yawned and fidgeted slightly before waking. She couldn't place her positioning, but she was being carried, she knew that much. She didn't want to wake. She didn't hear James speak her name. However, the moment she did, her eyes flew open immediately and she moved away from him as fast as she was able to.
The frightened look on her face was hard to miss, but she seemed to be thinking of something else. Rather than just scared out of her mind, she seemed to realise something.
Nothing happened.
"Lily?" said another voice.
Cherry. She looked up to see her friend offering her a hand.
"Come on, let's go."
"Right."
She ignored the look of bewilderment James was giving her.
"Well? What do we do now?" asked Sirius irritably.
"Well, Malfoy tells us to use the vines…" began Remus.
"So we climb over with them?" asked James incredulously, eyeing the extremely tall wall.
"Don't try it," said Lily bluntly.
They turned to look at her questioningly.
"It's Devil's Snare," she explained calmly.
"Herbology," muttered Cherry, wrinkling her nose.
One of her… lesser subjects. Still, she listened on with the others.
"It'll strangle you to death if you try anything."
"Well that's just fabulous," muttered James.
"So what are we supposed to do?" asked Remus.
Just then, a vine caught at Lily's foot, making her gasp as it pulled her closer into the wall.
"Lily!" called Cherry in alarm, pulling out a dagger.
"No!" she commanded, and Cherry stopped in her tracks, "I read about this in a book once. Trust me!"
"The hell I will," snapped James, walking forward to pull her away, but he too was caught.
"James, don't you dare struggle or it'll strangle you!" hissed Lily.
Obediently, he stopped struggling, and soon they had disappeared.
"Are you just going to stand there? We have to help them!" snapped Sirius.
"I trust Lily," was the simple reply.
Remus shrugged his agreement.
"What could we possibly do, Padfoot?"
Before Sirius could reply, Cherry had taken a compact mirror out of the pockets of her jeans.
"Okay. We're in. Come through," said Lily.
Sirius and Remus blinked in disbelief at the mirror. Cherry walked up to the vines and allowed herself to be pulled through. Sirius and Remus followed her example, running towards where Lily and James stood, looking skywards. There, the highest tower of Malfoy mansion loomed over them, and in the only window, stood Malfoy, looking down upon them.
He placed a hand on the stone walls and widened the arched window. He felt no fear because he knew that Malfoy mansion would never betray one of its family bloodline. Even to another Malfoy. Even to his father.
"Take her," he said emotionlessly, stepping aside to reveal Rose, blinking in surprise.
Sirius ran forward, almost colliding into a fierce hug with her. The others exchanged knowing glances.
"Hurry, there's not much time," warned Lily urgently from the mirror.
She was below, unable to stand such a height while conscious. Lucius nodded in agreement and watched as the couple walked past him. Before Rose could mount on a broom, however, she turned back to look at Malfoy.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why set me free? Send a rescue mission for me?"
"… It is a last wish."
He didn't say anymore, and Rose didn't need to know anymore. She understood. Nodding her thanks and goodbye, she jumped onto a broom. Sirius came after her. He nodded to the Slytherin.
"This won't be forgotten, Malfoy."
"I'd prefer it if it were. After this, there will be no more peace. The beginnings of a war is about to break out."
"Then join our side."
"It is too late. My path has been chosen for me."
He pulled up his sleeve to show a band. Sirius stared at it, and nodded his understanding. He wasn't one yet, but anyone branded with that band was destined to be branded with that mark.
"Good luck, Malfoy."
"You too, Black."
They flew down to meet Lily and Lucius watched as the crossed to the other side of the wall. He sighed. He'd done his part. There was nothing left to do now. He placed a hand over the band and then touched the wall, returning the window to its original size, before disappearing into his room.
The strawberry cake which lay untouched in the middle of the room, vanished, and reappeared in Lucius's room, where he proceeded to send it to Potter's house.
But of course. Where else would she stay?
That took a while… Sorry! Please read and review!