Chapter: Trouble and The Expected One's Arrival
The centaurs were a race apart from the Wizarding world, yet they were a part of the Wizarding world. To Lily, they seemed to be on the outside looking in, viewing what was happening, but not taking part.
That is, until they met Lily.
Lily seemed to have an 'effect' upon those she met, although she'd only met those who were a part of the Wizarding world she did not know what would happen when she would meet other 'non-magical' folks as Hagrid would put it.
Lily's heritage was a very deciding factor in all her confrontations, whether or not those confrontations would be for the good or bad.
But, the centaurs changed all that.
Of all the humans they disliked, which was all, they got along only with one: Albus Dumbledore, that is, until Lily came along.
Lily knew she needed their knowledge and help, plus their influence, but that would be later, much later. Still, she must make that first step.
To the Centaurs Lily was viewed as unlike any human they'd ever met, some even saw her as 'one of them.'
Ever since the confrontation, or battle, in Hogsmead Village that Lily had, both with Voldemort and subsequently with the Demons, the centaurs were forced to rethink their stand on humans, especially with Lily. To them, anyone who could stand up against so much odds and not kill your enemy and in addition, be pregnant, was someone to at least try to be friends with. Surely, there was nothing any of them could do in a confrontation with her, even though they knew, or felt, that she'd not hurt them. And, THAT was the deciding factor: She didn't want to hurt them, she was kind towards them.
"James," Lily was about to ask her husband a question, and he KNEW something was afoot with Lily, in fact, had been afoot for a while.
"Yes, Dear?" He replied, smiling his 'I know you're up to something, look.
"What?" she replied.
"Oh, nothing Dear. I just wondered how long you'd been up to something, that's all." He replied, smiling greatly, almost laughing.
"What do you mean 'up to something'? Why do I have to be 'up to something' to ask my husband a question?"
Lily was faking her anger, but could not hold back her laughter at being pleased by her husband, so very much pleased by him at just how well he 'knew!' her.
"Oh, James! Anyway, I was just thinking – about the Centaurs. You remember them, don't you? From our 5th year."
"Hum mm? – Oh, yes. They're the ones who carted off Umbridge! Good folks, Centaurs, wonderful folks." James was smiling broadly and enjoying it – a good pleasant memory!
"Now, James, don't be too hard on her. She's paid dearly for what she's done, so lets let that experience be forgotten. The pain anyway. Remember the lesson to not be like what she did!" Lily explained, or tried to.
She noticed, lately that sometimes people would not understand this side of her – forgiveness.
"Oh, Lily, I understand, besides, I'd like to see Umbridge back in her old job – as assistant to the minister of Magic."
"Oh, how nice of you to say that, she is experienced in that job." Lily said.
"Yea, and I'd like for the Minister for Magic to be Firenze!" James added with peels of laughter.
"Oh! You! James! What am I going to do with you?" Lily crossed her arms and set a frown on her face. "Humph!" she said.
James reached over to his dearly beloved – taking her into his arms, "well, since we're here I have one idea." He kissed her, passionately, a definite sign he loved her deeply.
Lily immediately melted in his embrace. "Oh, James! . . . . . . ,"
Lily relived those precious and tender moments she had with her husband, James, as she was walking through the forbidden forest. She knew, or rather, felt, the direction she must go. This feeling of direction was most easily obtained from her conversation she'd had with her Father.
"Mum, how much longer 'till we get there?" asked young Harry.
"MUM," asked Harry again, more insistently.
"What? Oh, not much longer now, thanks." Lily replied a bit absently, collecting her thoughts.
"Why're we going here?" Harry asked.
"Well, son, I want to meet with the Centaurs." Lily responded. "You see, Harry, they're a very important part of the Magical World and they've not been a part of it. Well, I want to change that."
"Why, Mum?"
"They are a part of our world, son, and some see them as not good enough just because they don't preform magic, but they are magic just by being who and what they are."
Onward they walked through the forbidden forest till Lily stopped.
"Harry! Stand still, don't move, just stay beside me and take my hand. Be quiet!" Lily said this knowing that those whom she was seeking were all around her. She was not afraid for herself, never for herself, but, there was one person, one little boy for whom she had stood up to, even the very demons from the darkest pit, to protect him, and this would be no different!
With that warning said, lily instantly Shimmered and suddenly burst forth into a glowing form of light, of the most intense beauty. This was her protection that she was giving for her son, her only son.
He didn't have the protection that she and James did, so it was up to her to protect him. Besides, this way it would be obvious to them whom she sought out just Who she was, or is.
In front of Lily there came walking out – a Centaur!
Lily came looking for them, and bringing her son so that he could meet them, among other reasons more long term.
When the Centaurs saw Lily and her son, they wondered just how she got so far into their realm without being noticed until, that is, they saw her transform. One of the centaurs walked out towards her.
"We all know who you are, not by name, but by reputation, which precedes you." Thus, was the announcement made indicating they knew her. Lily had an idea they'd know her but wasn't sure. But in the future all the inhabitants of the Magical World would know Lily Potter by sight and not be afraid, either of her or for her.
"Please, do not be afraid of us, we will not hurt you – ever." The Centaur Leader said.
Thus was made the announcement that Lily had been looking for.
"I've come to talk with you. Is that ok?" Lily asked.
One of the Centaurs walked up to Lily a little closer, "Normally, we don't mix with humans, but we've made an exception with Dumbledore, now, we'll make another exception with you."
"Thank you, I appreciate that." Lily said this kindly as she returned to her normal self.
"Why do you seek us out?" the Centaur Leader asked.
"I wanted to get to know you. I realize that you don't like us, but, maybe, over time, just a few of us can at least talk with each other, just in case a need arises." Lily said all this trying to diffuse their anger.
"What you say has merit for you, but what of us? Why does your kind want us?"
"You are a part of the Magical World. We all need each other, though how and why, I don't know – yet. But, I want you and your people to know that you can trust me." Lily said this with much hope in her.
"Why? We know you're a good human, but isn't your first allegiance to your own kind?"
"My intentions are to bring Peace, not strife or hardship, between us. I have a feeling that in the future, the far future, we'll need one another." Lily said.
"We'll see, but we do trust you, we see that you've not pulled out your wand. That is good."
"Thank you, but to be honest with you, I feel I don't need it when I'm with you. If I felt that I needed it I wouldn't have brought my son with me." Lily mentioned this anxiously.
The Centaur Leader looked at Harry, long and hard, furrowing his brow as if trying to remember – something. Then he smiled and a realization came to him.
"I remember something about this one. I seem to recall meeting someone else, a student and his classmates years ago. This boy looked a lot like your son here. That couldn't have been him. Your son is much younger."
Lily smiled, resting her hand on Harry's shoulder, she nudged him forward some towards the centaur. "You're not confused, he is the same boy you met those many years ago."
The Centaur looked at Lily, astonishment written all over his face. "You mean you have the power to make your son younger?"
"No, it's a very long story and I'd like to discuss it with you, now, if you'd like. Besides, you and your people will learn much about us." Lily said.
"Come with me Lily and bring your son with you, we have much to discuss."
During the meeting between the Centaurs and Lily, both learned much about the other, but what was unexpected was how they were seen through the eyes of the other. For the first time each could see themselves as they were seen.
Lily saw how the Centaurs viewed the rest of the Magical World. One of the problems, the cause of it all was the use of magic. Centaurs did not have magical abilities, so they feared those who did. As the Centaur Leader put it to Lily: "Your magical abilities give you the feeling that you're better than those who don't have it."
Harry looked up at his Mum after he heard what the Centaur Leader said, and told her, "Mum, just because we can preform magic doesn't make us better than others. It means we have the responsibility to help others."
Lily was amazed at her son's perception. Suddenly, it seemed that some of his past life's experiences were coming back to him in the form of lessons he'd learned.
And, The Centaurs, upon hearing Harry, whispered amongst themselves.
The Centaur Leader walked over to Harry and knelt down to look Harry in the eye, saying: "Young fold, you are wise beyond your years. It seems what you learned previously did not leave you. One day, you will become a great leader."
The Centaur looked at Lily, "Lily, because of what you've told me, and who you are, we grant you access to us. Anytime you wish to visit us, or to talk with us, you may come into our realm with no fear of harm befalling you."
He turned to look at Harry, saying, "This privilege is also granted to you, young fold."
"Thank you, I'll always honor you and your people. I have a lot to learn from you." Harry replied in all honesty, young as he was.
Lily reached over to the Centaur and shook his hand, but then, spontaneously gave him a hug as her way of appreciation.
Hugging a human was foreign to him, after all, he'd only just seen them from a distance, but actually having one touch him was formerly unthinkable, but now . . . , ? He didn't know what to think.
But, one thing was certain, this human female he liked.
As Lily and Harry were leaving, the Centaur asked her a question, which was unusual: "If I should need to talk with you, to make contact, how can I reach you?"
Lily stopped for a moment and thought: They don't know that many humans, and some humans would be fearful of them. Who, then, could she suggest?
Then it occurred to her: Hagrid! They know him, he's kind and Hagrid would pass along any messages to her. Besides, Dumbledore would be involved or at least be aware of what would be going on, and that's good.
"Do you know of the gamekeeper at Hogwarts by the name of Hagrid? He's a half giant, and lives in a small stone house on the edge of the Forbidden Forest on the Hogwarts grounds? He and I are very close friends and He'd be delighted to have you visit him. You'd have nothing to fear from him, in fact, he'd probably protect you." Lily asked.
"I'll remember Hagrid and will convey any messages through him." The Centaur Leader replied, happily.
Lily smiled and waved as they departed, as did Harry
As they were going back home, by way of Hagrid' and Hogwarts, Lily asked Harry: "Well, what did you learn?"
"That they're people, just like us, and that they're intelligent. They could teach us some thing's that we probably don't even know"
"Notice anything else, Harry?
"Hum, well, yea, but I don't know if this would sound right, Mum."
"Just go ahead and say what you're thinking. Was this a general 'feeling' of yours or something else?" Lily asked.
"Yes, it was a feeling, that they gave me the impression that they weren't telling us, you, everything. Seems there's something amiss or wrong, like there's something that's bothering them." Harry mentioned this hesitantly.
Lily stopped walking and looked at her son. "Harry," she smiled placing her hand on his shoulder,
"I'm very pleased with you. Your observation was accurate and to the point."
"Thanks, Mum." Harry was so pleased and happy that his Mum was here, with him now, teaching
him, leading him, guiding him.
"You know something, Mum?" Harry asked his mother.
"What's that, son?"
"Of all the wealth in all the world, none can compare to the love of family." Harry looked directly
at his very own Mum. After he said this he was silent for a very long time. He didn't know why he said
this; It's just that there were times when memories, memories that for the present time, seemed foreign to
him, would creep up into the front of his mind. They seemed like long forgotten memories, feelings that
he, or someone, had. Right now, he seemed to be having one of those thoughts.
"Harry," Lily said to her son, as she went up to him and wrapped her arms around her son, her
beloved son, tears streaming down her cheeks. Why, she didn't know, just that for some unexplained
reason, she remembered a fellow student who was an orphan, who tried so valiantly to be brave, to fit in,
who had no family, except the Weasley's who both separately, and together, loved and respected that one
lone young boy who felt he had no one.
But that one statement, uttered by Molly, 'He's as good as mine', 'Who else has he got?' rang
through Lily's' mind. That's why Harry is the way he is: He missed his parents so much and was so glad to
know that there was someone who truly wanted and loved him for who he was: Harry, just Harry.
"Son, Harry, I understand you and what you said. I understand your feelings so very much, the
depth of which you'll begin to understand one day, when you are a parent." Lily said this trying not to cry,
tears of happiness.
"Thanks, Mum, for being my Mum, tell Dad that I love him too, and appreciate him being here and
being my Dad. I needed you both for so long, I felt so lonely, so left out without you, I just had to prove
that I was really good enough. I hope I am."
"Oh, Son, I wanted to be here with you, just to be your Mum, full time. That's why I came back,
that's why Father gave me this second chance and I'll do everything proper to be your very own Mum. I
love you, Son, as Mums always do. I'll never, ever let you down. I promise that."
Harry looked up at his Mum and Lily looked down at her son, both smiling, both knowing that
Harry
was rapidly regaining his memories, as they were needed. But, most importantly, they knew that they were
a family, and that families were forever, hence why else could Lily have come back and Harry had wanted
his Mum and Dad so much?
"Mum, there's a question I've got to ask you. It just occurred to me, just now." Harry asked.
"Oh, what is it, son.?" Lily responded.
"I've got the feeling, that as much as I've wanted you and Dad back, and I did, I do, it's just that,
well, it seems that sometime in the future, I don't know when, something's going to happen, a choice will
have to be made. I don't know, maybe I'm just rambling, Mum."
Lily looked down at her son, then stooped down till she was at eye level with him and said, "Son,
some things happen for a reason. They are tests given to us to measure our faithfulness in using what gifts
Father has given to us. Why these 'tests' are given, and of their utmost importance are, only He knows.
Just do your best and never fear."
"Ok, Mum, I'll remember that." Harry said. And with that done, he reached over to his Mum and
kissed her on the cheek and hugged her.
"Now, to the matter at hand, would you like to go back and talk with the Centaurs, see what it was
they left out?" Lily asked Harry.
"Yes, lets. Maybe it'll show them that we care." Harry replied.
They both turned back and went in the direction of the Centaurs realm.
Upon arriving there, they were greeted warmly and the Leader was glad to have them back again,
unexpectedly as it was.
"Welcome, to what I owe your return so soon?" he asked.
Lily said to him: "When we were talking, my son and I had the feeling that there was something
that you wanted to talk with us about, something that you 'left out'? We do care about you, that's why
we're back."
The Centaur Leader looked at them both and thought. "Come; walk with me, both of you. There's
something I must tell you."
As the three of them walked in the forest the Centaur Leader explained his feelings, his findings.
"We've found out many things from watching the Magical World from the outside, even as you say
that we're a part of it, a very far part of it, certainly not in the middle."
"What is it? Is it serious?" Lily asked.
"Yes, it is serious but not immediately so, just a few of them. It has the potential of turning into
something much larger. You see, there are many of your kind that doesn't like what's been happening to
their magical world and this peace is not to their liking. We can see meetings taking place deep in the
forest, away from the rest of their people. Not many but enough to cause problems if left unattended by
your people."
"Thank you for telling me this. I knew that something would be rising up out of the ashes of
Voldemort's' demise. I just didn't know what it would be nor when. I just did not think it'd be this soon.
" Lily answered him, and voiced her own thoughts, her own fears.
"Lily, do not despair. I can see fear and hopelessness written all over your face and expressions.
This is something that we all have to confront, especially us, for we more so than any others in the magical
world have much to fear. We just don't have the latent magical abilities that you have. When we witnessed
your defeating Voldemort, as well as the Demons, we were all so joyful. A real burden had been lifted from
our shoulders. That's why we so trusted you, even though we didn't let you know at first."
The Centaur Leader walked some more, stopped and turned to Lily, "Lily, we need you to help us
survive. This is something that we can't overcome on our own. My kind fear your kind very much, but at the
same time, well, we do know that there are those among you who are kind to us."
He opened his arms out, palms up, looking at Lily, "Help us, Lily, please. I don't know how else to
put it. The fate of our kind rests with you, eventually."
"I've known for a long time now, through my Headmaster and Father, that I hold the key to the future
of the entire Wizarding World's Peace. Right now, we have it, but as one of my Professors taught me:
Constant Vigilance. I'll be talking with my Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore at Hogwarts and we'll both see
what we can do. We have special people, Aurors who can look into the people who are causing this. It'll take
a long time, but eventually, a long, long time from now, there'll come another confrontation."
Lily looked down now, turning her gaze away from the Centaur, because of what she was about to tell him of the far future. Looking up at him, and in a hurtful voice she told him: "In the future, the far future, our magical kind will be faced with a choice from an enemy who is powerful and determined, from those who can not die but wish us gone. We'll be faced with the task of fighting for our very existence, our very way of life. This is the heaviest burden I've ever carried and I don't know just how to carry it. I've gone to my Father for support and like he told me in Hogsmead Village, he will never leave me. It is up to me to gather together all our people, all kinds, kindred's, forms, from all over our world to support me in this future confrontation. The successful conclusion of it, I've been promised by Father is a gift, a gift of unparalleled magnitude for all of us."
The Centaur Leader looked at Lily, astonishment crossed his face, and unable to speak for a long time he just tried to fathom the depths of what Lily just disclosed to him.
"I don't know how to thank you for this information. All of us will help you in any way that we are able to. I just don't know how to thank you. It's just knowing that while we're going through all these trials, that there's someone out there who is willing to be with us, not for gain, but for the sake of just helping us. Tell Dumbledore this, for me, for us, would you? And let him know that he is most welcome anytime, not that he wasn't but now, he is most welcome indeed."
"I'll certainly tell him. And, don't worry; you've got friends, many of them. Just remember: I'll not let you down. I'll be right there, beside you, at the very last, you have my word of honor on that. That's why I'm here." Lily told the Centaur Leader all this, trying to put some hope back into him.
"Remember what Harry said: "We have the responsibility to help others." Lily reminded him And, may I add: "To whom much is given, much is expected. We in the Magical World have been given much, so much is expected in return, and we will give much."
The Centaur Leader smiled at Lily; He had not seen so much willingness to give to others in any other human, so much, just so much. And he told her so.
A bond had been formed that very day, between the race of Centaurs and Humans - A bond that would prove good and lasting to both.
And to Harry, the young, small boy in body only, well, this very day he learned much and matured quickly; He learned much about his Mum and how she gave much to others, by example, and never complaining.
He learned how to love.
Later, in the Venerable Old Headmasters' Office, sat Lily. Harry was being taken care of by Professor McGonagall. As Lily sat there, she poured her heart out to Dumbledore, tears just streaming down her face at the trials, the fears of what her future was to bring to her. She told him all about the meeting with the Centaurs, what was said, the feelings they each had, and also Harry's contribution.
"I wonder where Harry gets his insight?" Albus said out loud, thoughtfully, a mischievous smile played upon his face, his eyes twinkling.
Lily looked up at him wondering why he said that, when he told her the answer to her unspoken question. "Lily, Harry is your son. YOUR son. The very qualities that he demonstrates comes from both you and James. Please, don't be surprised at the good things he says, does, and exhibits, because they all emanate from you. He is a credit to you."
"I know, but still, what am I to do? It seems all the Wizarding world will eventually turn to me for help, like they did to Harry. But this, THIS !, is just too much! My small slender shoulders can only bear so much. I've known for a long time what's to happen. I can understand now, how Professor Trelawney is. Just knowing the future and the attending responsibilities is just too great for me. I don't know where I'm to get the strength."
Lily just put her head down on his desk and cried and cried, uncontrollably. Albus walked around the desk and put his hand on her shoulder, patting her, giving her some quiet confidence, some charity of heart before he spoke.
"Lily, do not despair, you are not alone in all of your troubles that you face. We're in this together, and just because you're at the center of it doesn't mean you have to carry the whole weight of responsibility on your own shoulders. Remember how Harry was when he was a student here? Remember how he felt, how he acted towards others when he felt that he had to carry the entire weight of responsibility of defeating Voldemort, on his own shoulders?"
Lily looked up at her old headmaster, "Yes, I remember, it was tearing him apart, causing him much anguish, even to the point of distancing himself from his friends, from James and me, even Ginny whom he dearly loved very much. He told me he didn't want us to get killed because of him, he felt THAT responsible."
"That's how you're acting now, Lily. Harry gets it from you. Both of you carry responsibility too much. You have to let others assist you, even though, in the end, its' you who has to bear the responsibility, still, you have to let others help. Others whom you are here to protect, to serve, want to feel useful, wanted and needed by you, so you should allow them that privilege of helping you. Remember the Elves? Let them, let their actions teach you a much needed lesson on how to serve. They are good teachers of responsibility.
Lily tried to dry her tears and her sniffles, and looked up at her Headmaster with her red rimmed eyes, embarrassed from crying so. "Thank you, Professor Dumbledore, thank you so very much for your much needed advice. One day, one day, I just hope to be as wise and helpful as you are, to all our people in our world."
Albus just stood there, thinking, thinking of the day a few short years ago when she came in to the castle with young Harry, and the immediate reaction the Castle had. It had been her first visit there since her marriage, and the birth of young Harry; He remembered vividly the reaction the Castle had:
The Expected One had arrived at Hogwarts, and it was Lily.
He was remembering all the times he'd seen her, with her friends Harry, Ron and Ginny, how they'd been together. The foursome were into everything together, solving mysteries, supporting one another and taking on responsibilities that fully grown and experienced wizards would shy away from in mortal fear, but these four just stood their ground and faced up to every challenge, every fear that was sent their way, unbidden. How could he have missed it? The thousand years' wait and search was over and at hand, even then, and he'd not even seen the answer to it. And here she was, she – The Expected One – she who held so much power, and authority that even SHE didn't realize the immensity of that which she commanded, was here, in his office asking him, of all people, for advice. Life does hold many wonders, and Albus Dumbledore was just beginning to fathom the depths of those wonders.
From far away, this scene was viewed by Others – other Intelligences whom would stand by Lily's side and defend her absolutely, irrevocably and give her all the power, knowledge and abilities that she'd need to accomplish her given task, the task that was given, assigned her by her Father. And, Father had assigned to Lily one person she could go to for advice – he'd been trained well, and put into position for the day that awaited him so that he would be there to assist her and those who depended on her, and that individual was Albus Dumbledore.
Albus had one last thought while standing there with Lily: Looking up, he wondered how well he'd accomplished the task he'd been given. After all, both he and Lily were given assignments from the same source: Father.
One day, he mused, he'd have to tell her, but not yet, now is not the time. She has much more to accomplish before that's to take place, but it will be soon.