Chapter Twenty-One: Our Future

Lily's eyes snapped open when the cell door swung open again. Crouch threw Daniel to the ground and shut the door. Her eyes welled up with tears as she saw the state he was in. His left arm was broken and he had huge gashes all across his back. He turned to look at her, his blue eyes dim.

Slowly he pushed himself up and crawled to her. Lily put all of her energy into lifting her arm. The pain made her head ache but she ignored it as she held his hand in hers.

"I'm so sorry," Lily said weakly.

"So am I, for you," he said to her. Daniel collapsed beside her. He was lying on his stomach, his head turned towards hers. Their hands were still clasped tightly together. They stayed like that, both of them unable to move their bodies. "Tell me about your family," he said after a while.

Lily gave him a slight smile. "My parents were killed a year ago. I never knew them. They put my sister and I up for adoption when we were born," she said.

"Why?"

"Because I was a witch," she said.

"You're a witch?"

Lily nodded her head.

"My family are wizards," he said with a slight grin on his face. "Well, my dad's a muggle."

Lily smiled at him. "I was adopted by my cousin when my parents died. He just turned seventeen about a month ago."

"Really? Don't you have any other family?"
"A brother, Dudley, but we wanted to live with our cousin who is now our dad. His fiancé is our Mum now, or will be legally when they get married."

"What's your sister's name?"
"Karen. I took her place here instead of her."

He nodded his head.

"We went to visit my Mum at the Ministry. We were attacked inside the building. It still amazes me how they can get forty plus Death Eaters into the Ministry building without anyone noticing. They attacked us and Crouch summoned Karen and I. My Mum attached herself to Karen. She tried to stop Voldemort, but he made her choose between one of us."

"She chose your sister?" He asked with wide eyes.

"Oh no, she could never choose between us. She was losing control of her powers. My parents are powerful people and it's never a good thing if they lose control. I was begging her to chose."

"Why?"

"Because I was distracting her. I threw my sister to my Mum and Voldemort portkeyed us away. That's how I ended up here."

He nodded his head. "That's quite a story."

"What about you?"

"I was visiting my Aunt and Uncle. I don't know why they attacked their street, but they did. They killed my aunt and uncle and I killed two of them. They portkeyed me here."

"What did he do?"
"Lashes. An old form of muggle torture."

Lily nodded her head. It was something her Aunt Hermione had told her about. It was pretty nasty and could kill if they hit the right spots. Lily groaned as the pain flared up along her ribs.

Daniel watched with sad eyes, unable to do anything to help her. Her eyes slid shut as she tried to block out the pain. Slowly Daniel pushed himself up to his hands and knees and moved to lean over Lily. Her eyes were closed tightly. He took a deep breath and bent down to kiss her.

Lily could actually feel her lips healing as he kissed her. The pain seemed to ease away. When he pulled back her eyes were still shut but her breathing was normal.

Karen was lying asleep in her Mum's old room at the Burrow when she suddenly realized she wasn't there anymore. She found herself in a small room. The walls were wood but held no decorations. The only furniture in the room was two armchairs that faced the fire.

"Karen!" Lily said as she poked her head out from behind the chair.

"Lily!" Karen cried happily as she rushed to hug her sister. "What? How?"

"I don't know either but I just know we are somewhere."

"You look horrible, what has he done to you?" Karen asked tears burning her eyes as she surveyed her sister.

Lily waved her off. "It doesn't matter right now. He hasn't killed me yet, he's giving Mum and Dad two weeks to come find me. In the mean time Daniel is watching out for me."

"Who is Daniel?"

"He's the boy in my cell. I think he healed my lips," Lily said with a slight frown as she touched her lips. They weren't cracked or bleeding.

"How did he do that?"

"He kissed me and the pain seemed to fade and I found myself here. How are Mum and Dad?"

"Dad is holding his own but he had to return to the school. Mum isn't eating, she barely sleeps, and she doesn't talk to anyone," Karen said sadly. "No one knows where you are."

"I don't even know where I am at. I just know that we are in the States again because Daniel is American."

"I think that will help a lot."

"I sure hope so."

"Why did you do it Lily? Why did you push me into Mum?" Karen asked her voice broken as she surveyed the condition her sister was in.

"Because Mum was going to slip if I didn't do anything. I was trying to distract her. We can't lose Mum. She was going to become a phoenix and I don't think she would be able to turn back this time. Besides, you were going to go instead of me."

"Yes I was!"

"That's why. It's my turn to protect you Karen. You've been watching over me all our lives, and I intend to take care of you for once. I don't want to see you end up like this."

"I didn't want you like this! Lily, you shouldn't have shoved me away."

"I did what was right," Lily said her green eyes hard with determination. "No matter what you say or wish, I am the one in this position and I don't ever want to see you in this either. He placed spells on me that makes me stay alive through this whole ordeal. I have to suffer at his hands and then spend days on end suffering. He made sure that my body would only shut down for four minutes before I began to feel the pain again. I refuse to ever allow anyone else to suffer as much as I have."

Karen had tears rolling down her cheeks as she hugged her sister tightly. Lily hugged her back just as firmly. The two sisters remained like that for a while. Neither wanted to see the other hurt but each of them would gladly move to take anything for the other.

"I don't want to see you like this Lily. Mum would have a fit if she ever saw what he did to you. Dad would go ballistic. Yet, we can do nothing right now as much as we wish we could," Karen mumbled. "They will find you. They won't lose you. Just hold out hope and keep your head up high. I promise that he will get what's coming to him."

"I know that. I won't give up because Mum, Dad, and everyone else continues to fight this bitter war. No one wants to die. No one wants to witness or know that they lost loved ones at the hands of someone who doesn't even know what it means to love. Even I can't grasp the concept of how much they truly love each other."

"You won't until you feel it. No one will until they experience something that powerful. Aunt Hermione told me that their souls are twined together. That is what she said true love is in its purest form."

Daniel smiled slightly as he watched her breathing return to normal. Carefully he dragged the pitcher of water to him. He dipped his hand into the water and ran his hand over the large gash on Lily's chest. The gash glowed a brilliant green before fading and leaving her completely healed.

He continued doing this until her wounds were no more. With a smile on his face he collapsed onto his side and carefully poured the water over the large gashes on his back. The pain began to ease and his head began to clear. He took a small drink of the water, making sure to leave enough for Lily.

Then he moved to readjust Lily's position. He lay down beside her, his back against the wall pressed to the stones of their cell. His arms wrapped around her waist as he drew her back against him. Her back was pressed to his chest and he moved to place her head on his jacket. He held her tightly to him, listening to her even breathing.

Ginny stepped into her old room. Karen was fast asleep on the bed. With a sigh Ginny moved to wake up her daughter.

"Karen, sweetheart, it's time to wake up," she said gently as she shook Karen awake.

Karen's eyes slowly opened. She blinked a few times before she sat up. "Mum!" She cried as she threw herself into her mother's arms. Startled Ginny barely had time to grab onto her.

"What is it?" Ginny questioned when she realized that Karen was crying.

"It's awful Mum," she said in a hoarse voice. "He beat her almost to death. He placed spells on her that wouldn't let her rest or die. She has to suffer so much pain. She looks awful. She can't eat or drink or even move."

"What are you talking about?"

"Lily! We were in the same dream. She can sleep. Daniel helped her. I don't know how, but he did. I watched as he healed her Mum. He's going to kill her in two weeks if you don't find her. Mum you have to get her," Karen said in a practically hysterical voice.

"Sh," Ginny said softly. "Calm down Karen, everything is going to be alright. We'll find Lily I promise."

"She's in America, but she doesn't know where exactly."

"Then I'll start there, but I promise to get her back," Ginny said as she kept Karen in her arms.

She held her until Karen drifted off into sleep again. Ginny gently laid her back in her bed before leaving the room. She gently closed the door behind her and flamed to her room at Hogwarts.

Harry was sitting on the couch, gazing into the fire. His hair was messy, his clothes were rumpled, and he looked like he hadn't slept in days. Ginny rushed to him, wrapping her arms tightly around him.

Startled, it took Harry a moment to get his bearings. When he realized who it was he wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her shoulder.

"Karen just woke up," she mumbled against his chest. "She got a visit from Lily. They were sharing the same dream. She told me that Voldemort beat her to the point of near death but cast charms on her so she wouldn't die. She has to suffer the pain continuously. Someone named Daniel is sharing her cell with her. He healed her."
"How long do we have?"

"Two weeks. She's in America somewhere, but she has no idea where."

"We can find her then," he said with a bit of relief in his voice.

"You haven't been sleeping either have you?" She mumbled against his neck.

"No, I can't sleep knowing that she is with Voldemort."

"She'll be fine, I hope."

Harry nodded his head and held on to Ginny tightly. "We'll get her back."

Ginny got to her feet and pulled Harry to his. "We need to shower and get some rest. We can't find Lily if we don't have enough energy to make it through the day."

He nodded.

After a long, hot shower the two of them moved to their large bed. Ginny curled up against Harry, feeling slightly better now that she could feel him next to her.

"I love you," Harry whispered in her ear.

"I love you too Harry," she said against his chest. His arms held her close to him, her own legs twined with his. Together they could function. They could always feel at ease knowing they had the other next to them.

Ginny could feel her strength returning with each passing second that she spent wrapped in his arms. Harry smiled softly as he began to feel the effects of being able to hold Ginny again.

They had become slightly distant since the incident at the Ministry. Each of them feared for their children, both of them handling it in a different way. Now, as they lay together, they realized that this was the best way to deal with it.

Lucile will be able to help locate Lily, Harry thought

She'll be a big help. I'm sure we can get the spies to get us some information as to his new lair, Ginny thought back to him.

He isn't that brilliant as to hide his trail, so we may be able to find him quickly.

Then we will be there before anything else happens.

She's a strong girl, she'll make it through this.

Sometimes I wonder if it would be better to obliviate those memories from the girl's minds.

I've thought the same thing. Then I got to thinking. Would you be the same if all the memories of the Chamber were gone? Would I be the same if all those memories of being abused were gone? We wouldn't be us. We wouldn't be the same people.

But to let them live with those kinds of memories? Harry, they are just too young to have to deal with all of this. They are barely seven. If they have to live with these emotional scars for the rest of their life will it help them or only hurt them?

Harry thought about this for a moment. I think that if anyone has a choice it should be Lily and Karen. It's their memories, it's their minds, and it's their decision. If they want us to do that then we will.

That's understandable,Ginny said as she snuggled closer to him. I've missed this.

So have I.

Next time I think we just need to do this. I felt broken without you near me. I just didn't know what to do with myself.

I know what you mean, he said as he nuzzled her neck. This would be much simpler. At least we can think better when we are together.

Well we do share most of the same thoughts.

Yes we do, he said as he tilted her head so that he could kiss her.

Ginny kissed him back. She wrapped her arm around his neck, pulling him closer to show him just how much she missed being with him.

Anna was sitting in her room at Hogwarts. It was still a bit different to be a teacher but she liked it for the most part. Sirius was already in bed and asleep. However, she could barely get comfortable.

Suddenly her fire burst into life and Lavender came stumbling through. "Hello, I was hoping you would still be awake."

"Hello Lavender. Everything work out correctly?"

"It sure did," the young girl said with a proud smile.

Just then Neville came through the fire. "You're awake!" He said happily.

"Apparently I am," she said with a small smile.

"Can we tell her now?" Lavender asked, her eyes dancing merrily.

"I don't see why not."

"Tell me what?" Anna asked suspiciously.

"That we have someone that you are just dying to meet."

"What?"

The flames burst into life once more and Alice stepped through the flames. Anna's eyes were wide and tears were already in her eyes. Alice had a small smile on her face, tears in her eyes as well.

"Alice," Anna breathed out.

"Anna," Alice said.

Anna was on her feet in a second and hugging her friend tightly. Alice clung to Anna as well. "I thought I'd never see you again."

"Lily's spell was starting to wear off. I am so glad you found out the cure," Alice told her, her voice thick with emotion.

"I spent years trying to figure out all the clues Lily left for me."

"And you did it."

"Oh Alice I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have left."

"What would we have done if you'd ended up like Frank and I? Who would have uncovered the spell? At least one of our children got their parents to look after them."

"I wish I had found it earlier."

"But you still found it and that's all that matters," Alice said in a soothing voice.

Tears streamed down both women's faces as they continued to hug each other. For the first time in years they were reunited.

"All that is missing is Lily," Anna said sadly.

"I heard about the spell," Alice whispered. "She'll be back soon enough. She was always a smart witch."

"And she always will be."

"What's going on?" Sirius asked as he came into the room. It was then that Alice and Anna realized that Neville and Lavender were gone. "Alice!" He said with a smile.

"Sirius, you old dog," she said with a bright smile as Sirius picked her up in a huge hug.

"It's so good to see you. We weren't sure the spell would work correctly."

"It did, it did."

"Where is ol' Frank any how?"

"He's asleep right now. I came to see Anna."

"I'll have to go visit him tomorrow then, bring Remus with us."

"How is Remus doing?" Alice asked.

"He's well," Anna said.

"He's more then well! Hermione found a cure for his lycanthrope. He's got a wife and she's already with child," Sirius exclaimed.

"I didn't know Tonks was pregnant," Anna said thoughtfully.

"Tonks? You mean your cousin?" Alice asked turning back to Sirius.

"The one and only. Oh you've missed so much! We've got a lot to catch up on."

"He seems more of the female in the group doesn't he?"

Anna laughed. "Oh you have no idea."

"I resent that," Sirius said with a frown as he wrapped his arms around Anna. He kissed her lightly on the lips.

"Resent away," the two said together.

"We can catch up more tomorrow if you'd like?" Anna asked.

"Frank will be happy. I'll stop by tomorrow then."

"Bye Alice," Anna said as she hugged her friend tightly.

"Bye Anna, Sirius."

A/N: Update, update, update! cries its all done! THIRTY-TWO chapters (epilogue included). I'm so proud of myself! It's great, it's done! Now, would you all care for quicker updates? Because that means ten chapters to go and I can give you all faster updates, that is if you all want me to??? Well I hope you all enjoy this chapter and the coming ones. Much love to my readers and reviewers.

Seritha!