Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter or related names, characters, or places then I would be billionaire and I would have better things to do with my life.

A/N: I know this one came out really fast and that's because I had the whole thing planned out. Don't expect that to happen again, b/c I have to focus on It's So Difficult to be Mature, which if you haven't read and reviewed, you should.

Okay, as I was in the middle of writing this chapter, I realized that Hagrid tells Harry in the first book that Voldemort never tried to take the school, that he was afraid of Dumbledore. Now I still believe that, but for the sake of this chapter, pretend that Voldemort is attacking the school simply to kill a lot of people and Lily. Not to take it over, capeesh? Oh, and I realize that if something this big were to happen, most likely a lot of people would still talk about it like Harry's defeat of Voldemort, but it's vital to my story so I'm going to have to ask you, my loyal fans, to just accept it. Maybe everyone got Memory Charmed after it happened.

Chapter 21: Near Death Experiences Really Change Your Perspective

Lily didn't sleep very well during the holidays. She was continually panicking about Voldemort's attack. No one else but Dumbledore had the slightest idea that a Hogwarts Apocalypse was coming ever closer. Not that there were that many people left at school to worry. Most of Hogwarts had gone home during the Christmas vacation, leaving Gryffindor Tower virtually empty. There were only four other students there and unfortunately Sirius was one of them. Lily did her best to avoid him, but it was difficult since she couldn't lose herself in the crowds like she normally did.

She started to count the days until the end of the holidays. At every meal she would catch Dumbledore's eye, he would shake his head slightly, and Lily would go back to eating, knowing that there hadn't been any news. Then, during one particular lunch, Lily looked up at Dumbledore and he nodded before he resumed eating. As soon as the plates were cleared away, Lily jumped out of her seat and ran over to Professor Dumbledore.

"What is it? What have you heard?" she asked in a low voice.

"We will discuss it in my office, Miss Evans. Follow me."

By the time that they reached Dumbledore's office, Lily was nearly bursting with questions.

"Alright, Lily. I'm afraid that your information was correct. Voldemort is coming closer and he will attack the school. In two days, he will arrive."

"Two days?" Lily repeated, her mouth going dry. "Well, we'll just have to be ready for him, right?"

"I'm afraid it's not that simple. Voldemort isn't coming alone. He's bringing all of his Death Eaters with him and we are woefully unprepared. The staff here at Hogwarts isn't enough to handle all of them. We will have to use the seventh, and perhaps even sixth years to fight him. And I'm afraid none of you are prepared to fight Voldemort and all of his followers."

Lily took one of Dumbledore's hands. "We will fight him, though. Because this is Hogwarts, our Hogwarts. And it's not just our lives that we're fighting to save. We have to think about everyone else."

"Ah, Lily, I wish all of my students were like you."

Suddenly, Lily understood. "You're worried that the students of Slytherin will join Voldemort, aren't you?"

Dumbledore frowned, but it wasn't directed at her. "I place my trust in all of my students, regardless of their parentage. But, alas, some do not deserve my respect. I will simply have to hope that my students do not fail me."

"I suppose we have to trust them. Now there's a strange thought." Lily smiled, but then she frowned. "I don't understand, why won't the Ministry send reinforcements? Surely they could help us fight."

Dumbledore's usually twinkling blue eyes were downcast. "It is difficult for me to explain to you, Lily, but I'll try. Voldemort will not rest until he has destroyed the castle or he has what he wants. He loathes everything that Hogwarts stands for, despite the fact that it was at Hogwarts where he received his education. I spoke with the Minister the moment I learned for certain that he was coming, but Minister Caine refuses to do anything about it. He is not a particularly intelligent individual and he believes that Voldemort is no threat. Some still doubt that Voldemort has the power he claims to have. They no longer doubt his existence, but they are unwilling to challenge him. The Ministry believes that Voldemort is nothing but a crazy man with little power."

Lily felt her heart plummet into her stomach while at the same time her stomach was trying to jump out of her throat.

"You mean, we're entirely on our own? They won't even try to save the school full of children?"

Dumbledore sighed. "As far as they're concerned we are in no danger."

"Try to tell that to my parents and all the others he's killed," Lily muttered. Then out loud she asked. "James once told me that you are the only person he's afraid of. Has that changed?"

"No. Lord Voldemort still fears me, perhaps he always will. But there is something in this castle he wants very badly and he is willing to take a very large risk in order to get it."

"He wants me still, doesn't he?"

"Yes." Dumbledore looked at Lily. "But as long as it is in my power to do so, I will protect you."

"Will you fight him? Destroy him?"

"Again, if it is within my power to do so."

"I have to go, Professor, but don't lose heart. I' m sure we will triumph. Somehow."

Lily went off to her dorm room and took out her battered copy of Hogwarts, A History. She had read it a thousand times, but like a lot of magical books, something new could be revealed every time. Lily skipped ahead a few chapters until she found what she was looking for under the chapter titled: The Castle's Natural Defenses.

When Hogwarts was first built, the land was not safe and the Founders were in the midst of troubled times. In addition to the anti-muggle protections, some anti-magic protections had to [be] built in (this also was useful when Salazar Slytherin left the school and declared war on the other founders; see Chapter 22: The Snake King). One of the most important protections was the the presence of pots of oil in the cloisters. Once activated, the oil would boil and be dropped down upon the intruders. Six students, strong in their magic, would be needed to activate them, one student per pot.

'Boiling oil, check,' Lily thought.

A shield can be generated which will repel all spells from the intruders. This shield however must come from the combined effort of all of the students or it will not hold. The spell for this is not a word, but a feeling. Into this protector the students must pour all of their love for the school and it's inhabitants.

'All of the students?' Lily thought. 'Oh, of course, when the school was built there weren't as many as there are now, so we'd only need about half.'

And finally, the best protection that Hogwarts has, is the binding spell. Each student must bind him or herself to another, thereby combining their magic, which would then be strong enough to defeat any trespasser. As long as they are on Hogwarts soil and are true to the school, this spell will conquer all. All that is needed is trust.

'So, since I already have twice the normal amount of magic, and I bind myself to someone else, we can take on anyone. This is perfect! I wonder if Dumbledore knows about any of these?'

Suddenly Lily had an idea. She took out a few pieces of parchment and began to write. When she finished she sent Isis and ten school owls out with her messages. Hopefully, this would work.

* * *

The winter vacation was over. Suddenly the castle was brimming over with students again and Voldemort and his minions were expected to arrive the next day. Dumbledore was making an announcement that evening.

Lily had argued with him. She told him that there was a spy in their midst and if Dumbledore informed everyone, the spy could get word to Voldemort and he might change his plans.

"I do not have a choice, Miss Evans. The students must be warned and I cannot expect the sixth and seventh years to fight without an explanation. If Voldemort changes his plans and decides not to come, so much the better."

That wasn't the kind of change Lily had in mind, and she thought that Dumbledore knew it too.

It was dinner time and all of the plates had just been cleared away. In some ways Lily was glad that Marie and Elizabeth were back, but in other ways she wished they had just stayed home. Then they wouldn't be in danger. They could tell something was wrong, Lily was too subdued, but she wouldn't tell them what it was. Then Dumbledore stood up to speak.

"I do not believe in keeping the truth from my students and I believe that you are all mature enough to hear it. Some of you may not believe it, some of you may panic, and others will take it to heart. All I ask is that when I am finished you do not run screaming from the hall, but reflect on what I ask of you. This goes for my staff members as well, since you are not aware of this news either."

Dumbledore took a deep breath; all eyes were on him. "Tomorrow, Lord Voldemort will attack Hogwarts. We are on our own to protect it. We cannot expect any help from the Ministry and I must ask that the seventh and sixth years band together to fight him. I look to this year's Head Boy and Head Girl to lead you. I know they will do their best to keep you safe. Together we can be strong. But we must not let fear rule us."

"Is this the truth?" one boy cried out from the back.

Dumbledore's face became an impenetrable mask. "I would not be standing before you if it were not."

"Why won't the Ministry save us?" one young girl asked in a tiny voice.

"The Ministry is not at our disposal and they do not believe my warnings. It is up to us, and us alone."

"Not quite, Professor Dumbledore, sir," said a voice from the Entrance Hall doorway.

It was Arthur Weasley (A/N: I mentioned him briefly in Lily's first year, I meant to make more of him, but you'll see where I'm going with this) and he was surrounded by twenty or so other witches and wizards. The entire Great Hall began to whisper, but Lily just smiled in relief. Unbeknownst to Professor Dumbledore, Lily had written to some of the former students she had known, asking for their help. And they hadn't let her down.

Some of the older students recognized a few of the Hogwarts alumni. There were some of Gryffindor's former star Quidditch players, who were currently playing for professional teams, Eleanor Hooch, Brian Patil, and Ryan Hamilton. Arthur and his new wife Molly were there as well as the Ravenclaw girl who had been Head Girl a few years ago, Sarah Davenport. A few Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws that everyone remembered had been at the top of their classes were smiling and waving at relatives. There were only three former Slytherins, and Lily assumed that Arthur had encouraged them to come as examples to the current members of the said House.

Dumbledore looked like someone had hit him over the head with a brick. "My, my, what is this?"

Arthur seemed to be the self-appointed leader. "Well, the Ministry's defense department may not want to help, but when the Head Girl wrote to us and explained the situation we all knew we had to come to the rescue. After all, Hogwarts is our school too!"

"Right!" all the adults chorused together.

Dumbledore wiped tears from the corners of his eyes. "I am truly touched. I thank you all, my friends, and I am proud that Hogwarts has turned out such upstanding witches and wizards. We will fix up a place for you to stay of course."

Arthur held a hurried council with his group. "That is very kind, Professor, but we will keep watch tonight. You don't yet know when he will attack."

Dumbledore nodded. "Very true, and again, I am very glad for your help and friendship. The hospitality of Hogwarts is always open to you. I also extend my thanks to our Head Girl who had the ingenuity to write for help."

Suddenly the entire Hall was applauding Lily. She blushed and tried to sink down lower into her chair.

Dumbledore continued. "I want each and every one of you to sleep as much as you can tonight. Tomorrow, fifth years and below will remain in the castle and the rest of us will protect our school!"

There were many cheers. It seemed that the timely arrival of Arthur Weasley and his friends had lifted their spirits and given them hope. A few sixth and seventh years, and a couple of older teachers were not enough to strike fear into the Death Eaters' hearts, but the arrival of twenty fully trained young adults was fortuitous indeed.

* * *

Lily didn't sleep at all that night and she knew she wasn't the only one. Tomorrow she would be fighting Lord Voldemort for her life. The voice kept her awake, peppering her with bad advice.

You have to kill him. It's the only way to save your school.

'But I've never killed anyone. I don't think I can!'

Of course you can. It's easy, and it's not a bad thing, after all, Voldemort is evil.

'I'll leave Voldemort's destruction to Professor Dumbledore, if you don't mind.'

Suit yourself.

* * *

She must have dropped off at some time, because she woke up and the light was playing on her curtains. Lily jumped out of bed and quickly dressed, noting that Elizabeth and Marie were doing the same. The three girls looked at each other quickly and tried to hold back tears. Then they rushed into a hug together.

"We're being silly!" Lily said, her voice muffled by Marie's robe. "We'll be fine, we have to be. We haven't even graduated yet!"

"You're right, Lil," Elizabeth said, starting to cry. "And we're doing this not only for ourselves, but for all of the other students. It's our duty."

"I'll see you girls at dinner tonight, no matter what!" Marie cried.

They took out their wands and made sure that they were alright before linking arms and walking down to breakfast.

Breakfast that morning was very subdued. Arthur and his friends were still on guard duty so everyone had begun to get nervous again. Lily's legs were shaking under the table and she noticed that James was picking at his food. Some students were gulping down their food as if they were afraid they would never see another meal. It was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Then Molly Weasley came bursting into the hall.

"He's coming!" she called, out of breath. "We're getting ready!"

There was a slight panic. Some students ran for the doors and others upset the tables. Dumbledore stood up and looked directly at Lily. She stood up herself and took charge.

"Sonorus," she said, her wand pointed at her throat. Instantly her voice was magnified several times. "Students, please, listen to me! QUIET!" Everyone stopped and looked at her. "Okay, Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout, please take all of the fifth years and below to the dungeons, including the Slytherin common room. It's the safest place for them right now. Keep them there. Follow those Professors and please don't panic. Try to keep in a neat and orderly group. Sixth and Seventh years, follow me! Peter, come here please! Quietus." Lily cleared her voice as Peter Pettigrew came running over and everyone else either followed the Professors or came toward her.

"Albus," she heard Professor McGonagall say, "are you letting Lily take over everything? Can she handle it?"

"Yes, Minerva. Let her lead, it is her destiny."

"Ye-ye-uh-ye-e-s, Lily?" Peter stuttered. He looked absolutely terrified.

"I need you to do me a favor, Peter. I need you to speak to your Slytherin friends and convince them that we need their help. I don't care how you do it, just do it!"

Peter squeaked and ran off. Lily turned to the group that surrounded her. Some, like Peter, looked terrified, and others looked resolved. Lily knew that look, that was the look that people wore when they were determined to help and protect what was theirs. Good, she needed more of those looks.

"Sonorus," she muttered again. "Okay, listen, this is how we are going to divide up. Sixth year Slytherins and Hufflepuffs, and seventh year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws I want you to go with James Potter, the Head Boy. The rest of you come with me." She hopped down off of the bench she had been standing on and walked out into the entry hall.

"He's here!" Lily heard someone shriek.

"This is it, everyone. Remember, we are not just fighting for ourselves, but the entire school. I will only instruct you when we need to fight together, otherwise I am letting you do your own fighting. It would be impossible for me to tell you what to do out there, but I will need you to come together. Can you do that?"

"Yes!" Even the seventh year Slytherins agreed, though Snape was suspiciously absent.

'Looks like we found our spy,' Lily thought sadly. Snape was a slimeball but he wielded great influence among the Slytherins.

"Alright, then let's fight!"

They rushed outside. Lily's legs were shaking so hard she thought she would fall over and cold, hard fear gripped her. It was as if every other terrifying experience she ever had was compounded into this one. The Death Eaters were charging in everywhere; there were at least a hundred of them, but they had formed a half circle around the castle's defenders. It was too perfect of an opportunity to be missed.

"Everyone inside for a minute! Trust me!"

Obviously bewildered, everyone ran back into the castle. The Death Eaters started to laugh, thinking that this was a quick retreat. Then they were too busy screaming to laugh.

Lily gave the signal to Marie, Elizabeth, Remus, Brandon Whyatt, and David Bones. In one voice they yelled, "Supermittoa!"

Instantly the six pots of oil hidden in the cloisters boiled and poured down onto the would-be attackers. Their shrieks of pain pierced the castle's walls and a great cheer went up among the defenders.

Lily heard Professor Dumbledore say to Professor McGonagall, "It looks like Lily has been studying her Hogwarts, A History."

Then Lily was too busy to listen to his conversations. They all ran back outside and discovered that at least half of the most injured Death Eaters had been replaced by healthy and vicious ones. Then the real fighting began.

Arthur and the other Hogwarts alumni were irreplaceable, they were trained and actually knew what they were doing. Many of them Stunned Death Eaters, tied them up, or broke their limbs. It was difficult for the defenders because the Death Eaters were holding nothing back, while they struggled to win without the use of the Unforgivable Curses.

Lily was ducking curses left and right while she ran to help others. Marie was cornered but fought gamely on. A moment later James came to her rescue and together they Stunned two and froze another. There were Death Eater statues every where, but like a giant game of freeze tag, the other Death Eaters were unfreezing their compatriots when they could. As far as Lily could tell no one had been hit by a killing curse yet. Screams ripped through the air like knives. The Cruciatus curse. Someone had been hit.

It took Lily a moment to realize that her screams were part of the others when a Death Eater hit her with the Cruciatus curse. Death Eaters enjoyed torturing their victims first. Lily summoned her strength and shot a disarming curse at him. It worked and his wand flew right to her. Without thinking she snapped it in half. The Death Eater howled and ran away. He was powerless.

She screamed as loud as she could, "Break their wands! They're powerless without them! Break them!"

Then Lily went looking for Voldemort. She knew it was a stupid idea, but she hadn't seen him yet and that was a bad sign. She turned the corner. There was Voldemort and he was fighting Professor Dumbledore. She had never seen the Professor so angry. He seemed to be radiating it.

Lily ran back to her friends. Many students were lying on the ground, some were being tortured, and others were still fighting. She saw James with a big gash on his head battling with none other than Edgar Stransky. No. He was hers to deal with. A hole was blown into the castle wall. Lily thought she saw Hagrid run past chasing two Death Eaters with his pink umbrella.

Lily didn't know what to do. Their forces were too scattered to form a shield. She had to bind with someone. Lily started looking around for Marie, Elizabeth, or Remus. Remus was trying to help Elizabeth battle three Death Eaters, and Lily couldn't see Marie anywhere. Her eyes returned to James. James.

"James!" she screamed. He looked up and Stransky backed up a few paces. "You have to bind with me!"

"What?!" he shouted back in confusion.

"Bind with me! Now, we have to. You have to trust me!"

James seemed to think about it. Then his eyes met hers across the field.

"I trust you!"

Together they raised their wands and pointed them at each other. Stransky had backed up a few more paces. He was about to curse James when Sirius Stunned him. He picked up Stransky's wand and snapped it.

"Concateno!"

It was the strangest experience of Lily's life. It was even weirder then the time the demon pulled her heart out. All of a sudden a rush of images and words flew into her mind and it felt as though James was standing right next to her.

She could hear and feel all of his thoughts. His presence in her mind was so strong that for the first time she could feel the other little voice pushed to the back.

'James? Can you hear me?'

Yeah. This is bizarre. I'm trying not to read your thoughts.

'Never mind that, we have to go. Together our power is more than anyone's. We have to help.'

What do you want me to do?

Lily ran over to where the crowd of Death Eaters had cornered Elizabeth and Remus, she could feel James being pulled along, too.

'Disarming spell, on three. One, two, three!'

Together, as one, they shouted, "Expelliarmus!"

All five Death Eaters were knocked out from the pure force of it and their wands went flying. Lily took every one she could find and snapped it. Then she, and James, ran over to Elizabeth who was sobbing. Remus looked up from comforting her; he knew that they were bound together and what that meant. His robes were torn and he had a long cut across his cheek. Elizabeth was dirty and shaking.

"It's okay, it was just a curse! I'll protect her, you have to go. Find him!"

They nodded and ran off. Arthur and Molly were fighting back to back. They seemed to be taking a personal interest in these two Death Eaters and Lily assumed they were acquainted. She didn't stop to help, they were doing just fine. One of the Death Eaters snuck around from the back and ended up right in front of Lily. He pulled up his mask; it was Lucius Malfoy.

"Evans! My master will be very pleased," he exclaimed happily. Then he cursed her. "Crucio!"

Lily fell to the ground screaming and so did James because he was feeling everything she was feeling. When she got her breath back, Lily rolled out of the way of another curse, kicked Malfoy's legs out from under him, and knocked him unconscious.

Lily and James ran to find Dumbledore. He was still battling Voldemort.

'James, we have to try a curse on Voldemort. Any ideas?'

Let's stun him.

'We can try. On three. One, two, three!'

"Stupefy!"

Voldemort just brushed it off as though it didn't matter. He did, however, turn his head in their direction. His face lit up in a disgusting smile.

"Lily Evans. At last we meet."

He was even more horrifying in person then he had been in the fountain. His red snake-like eyes burned into her with an intensity that bordered on hunger. He looked like Death personified.

Fountain?

"I should never have left your capture to a subordinate, Lily. You are much too important. Well, will you come with me? It might save your precious school."

Dumbledore looked at her. His eyes were eloquent enough. Voldemort would destroy Hogwarts and murder her without batting an eye. He killed her parents. He deserved pain.

"Never," Lily said quietly. "I want you dead so you can't ruin anymore lives."

"Very nice, but not very easy."

"I have to try." Silently she thought, 'James we have to try to disarm him, or something. Let's try it, on three. One, two, three!'

"Expelliarmus!"

This time Voldemort reacted. Something happened to him and his wand flew out of his reach. In his blind fury he waved his hand over Lily and James, picking them up and flinging them with such violence that Lily hit her head and blacked out. The last things she heard were piercing screams.

* * *

Lily opened her eyes, but instead of seeing the aftermath of that terrible battle at her beloved Hogwarts, she was in the dark. For a moment she thought that she had gone blind, but a minute later a crack of light was revealed. There was a door in this room, somewhere, and someone had just opened it. She hoped that she hadn't been kidnaped again. The person stepped closer and she heard a click. A single lightbulb hanging from a chain lit up, flickered, but held. Then the person stepped toward the light.

It was a man. A man Lily had never seen before in her entire life. He was older, but he gave the impression of having been quite good looking in his youth. His eyes were strange, pale, almost clear, like water. His hair was brown, and his nose straight and pointed. He looked almost innocent.

"Who are you?" Lily asked when she found her voice.

"Don't you recognize me, Lily?" The man asked, a smile playing on his lips.

That voice, there was something awfully familiar about his voice. Of course, that was it. It was the voice, the annoying little voice!

"You! You've been in my head for five years? But who are you?"

"On Earth I was known as Grindelwald."

This dramatic announcement was met with silence.

"No," Lily said, backing up slowly, "you can't be. Professor Dumbledore defeated you in 1945! It's even on his Chocolate Frog card! You're, you're—"

"Dead? Of course I am. But I'm still powerful, even in death. I have the power to capture people, to hold them, to be part of them. Being dead does not suit me. I want to rule the world like I did once. But being dead hinders those plans."

"I don't understand," Lily said slowly, "I thought that you lose your powers when you die."

"I guarded myself against ordinary death many years ago. I was able to retain my power until the right witch or wizard came along. Did you think that you were the first? No. I've been dead many years. I first attempted this with Riddle. I failed. He grew too powerful, he stopped listening to me. Thought he could rule the world all by himself. Became Voldemort. So I waited, waited until another powerful young witch or wizard came along. Then you appeared, and I knew, I knew that you were special."

"So that's what you meant when you said that I could destroy Voldemort."

"Through you Riddle would die and I could regain my power. I would use you as a vessel until I could create my own body."

"You were using me?"

Grindelwald looked at her inquisitively. "You sound surprised. I always use people, what makes you any different? It was using people that got me my power in the first place."

"And look where that got you. Dead."

Grindelwald smiled. "I will miss your wit, Lily. It kept me entertained. But nevertheless, I will eventually take over the world and, if you're still in it, kill you."

"So what's stopping you?"

Grindelwald shook his head. "At the moment, you are. Five years of work are now gone. The link has been severed, the connection lost. Lily, you are no longer under my control. I will no longer be in your head. You are free of me."

Lily was staggered by this news. "You mean, I never have to hear your voice again? My mind is my own?"

"Yes. In some ways it is a relief. The mind of a teenage girl is often filled with thoughts of boys and that gets very tedious. I will wait again. Eventually another witch or wizard is bound to surface with some extraordinary power. I have, after all, an eternity."

He started to walk away. Lily called after him.

"Wait, I just have to ask one more thing!"

Grindelwald turned around. "Yes?"

"Remember when you told me about that book, The Prince?"

"Yes."

"Did you ever read it?"

"Of course. All witches and wizards with aspirations of power read The Prince. It is like our Bible. As I seem to recall, you informed me that absolute power corrupts absolutely."

"Was I right?"

Grindelwald looked at her searchingly for a minute. Then he smiled. "Yes. Yes, you certainly were."

Grindelwald pulled the chain and the light went out. He left the room via the door and once he closed it, the last bit of light was taken away. Lily was left alone in the dark room again. She started to cry. Then she heard a familiar voice.

"Don't cry, Lily, darling."

It was not one, but two people who stepped forward bearing a torch which illuminated more of the room than the single lightbulb had.

"Mum? Dad?"

Marigold and Andrew Evans wrapped their daughter in a hug.

"Hello, darling, oh, we've missed you!" Marigold said as she started to cry.

"I've missed you too!" Lily cried. "What's going on?"

"We've been granted permission to speak with you," Andrew said. "It has been so long. Are you alright?"

Lily started to cry harder. "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!"

Marigold was taken aback. "What ever for, Lily, dear?"

"It's all my fault! If I hadn't been born a witch you would never have died! I'm so sorry!"

Her parents exchanged a glance. Andrew sighed and shook his head. "This is what we were afraid of. Lily, dear," Andrew tilted her chin up so that they were looking green eyes to green eyes, "it was not your fault. We were and are so proud of you for being a witch! You can't change that, and you wouldn't want to. That Voldemort fellow killed us, not you. Where did you get such a foolish idea?"

Lily wiped her eyes. "From Petunia."

"And it has been plaguing you for two years? Oh, Lily," Marigold took her daughter into her arms.

Andrew added, "Petunia has always been jealous of you, and she was upset at our death. I'm sorry that you believed her. We can tell you these things because you're here and she's not. We loved, and love, both of you the same, but we were always disappointed in Petty's behavior. She never acted like a sister should, even before she knew of your magic."

"Have you had any fun since we died, Lily?" Marigold asked.

"Some," Lily said with a smile. "Life is always fun with the Marauders."

"Who?" Andrew asked startled. "Lily, have you joined a gang?"

Lily burst into laughter. "No, dad, the Marauders are just what my friends call themselves."

Marigold pulled away from her daughter. "Which reminds me, who was that attractive young man who accompanied you to our funeral?"

"Oh, mum, that was James Potter, you met him, and we go to school together."

Marigold looked Lily intently. "And do you love him?"

"Mother!" Then Lily thought about it. "Yes, absolutely."

"Does he love you?" Andrew asked curiously.

"I don't know." Lily's eyes were downcast. "He used to."

"Well, I'm sure he still does," Marigold said mater-of-factly. "There's a certain omniscience that comes with being dead. Have a wonderful life, my dear."

"Whatever you do, make sure that you're happy," Andrew added.

"And try your best to reconcile with Petunia. I know she's been horrible to you, but she is your sister and the only family you have left."

"I'll try, mum, but I can't make any promises."

Andrew checked his watch. "Oh dear, our time is up."

"What?" Lily said, panicking. "No, it can't be. I haven't finished."

"I'm sorry, honey, we have to go," Marigold said, her eyes brimming with tears.

"But we've only just started. No, you can't go!"

Andrew and Marigold hugged their daughter one last time. "Good bye, sweetheart."

"NO!" Lily screamed, as her parents stepped backward and faded into the dark.

Lily fell to the floor and burst into tears. She had her parents back for one brief moment. They had actually hugged her and consoled her. They had been real and not just a dream.

"Oh, Lily, get up, and dry your tears. This is no way for the Head Girl to behave. Congratulations, by the way."

There was something familiar, warm, and friendly about that voice.

"Raquel?"

And yet another person materialized out of the darkness. This person had caramel colored skin, hazel eyes, and dark curly hair. She smiled brightly and clapped her hands. Instantly the room was overwhelmed with light. Flooding in from every direction, it nearly blinded Lily.

"Oops," Raquel giggled. "Sorry." She brought the lights down slightly until Lily found herself in a pure white room that looked like it stretched on forever. There was no evidence of a door anywhere. Just...whiteness.

"Raquel? What's going on? Am I dead?" Lily asked fearfully.

"You've already met three people who are dead and you're just now thinking to ask this? No, Lily, you're not dead. Your time has not yet come."

"Then where am I?" Lily asked. "And why are you, my parents, and Grindelwald here?"

"You, Lily, are in a sort of Limbo, if you will. More like a waiting room. I suppose Grindy is part of the reason you're here, but your parents and I are here so that we could talk to you."

"Grindy?" Lily asked confused.

"Sorry, that's our nickname for Grindelwald. He was here to say goodbye, your parents were here so you could make peace with their death, and I am here so that you can ask me questions."

"I can ask you anything? At all?"

"You can, but I can only answer some things. Other things you can't know until your death. So go ahead, ask."

"Why did Voldemort want you dead?"

Raquel shook her head. "I can't answer that. It could have repercussions for the future. One day it will all be made clear. When you're dead all of the questions that plagued you when you were alive are answered."

"Is he dead?"

"Voldemort?" Raquel shook her curly head again. "No. Not yet. He disappeared through the Forbidden Forest with some of his Death Eaters when it became apparent that they were losing. You and your friends put up quite a fight." A shadow crossed her cheerful face. "Stransky was one of the ones who escaped."

"Did you trust Stransky?"

Raquel sighed. "Yes. He was my friend. It put a damper on our friendship when he killed me."

"Last year, when he kidnaped me, and we fought, I thought I saw you. Was that really you?"

Raquel hesitated. "Yes. I'm something of your guardian angel now."

"Are you in Heaven?"

Raquel smiled. "Yes, I suppose. It's not what a lot of people think it is."

"I assume that you can't tell me about it."

"No, I'm sorry. It might influence your decision."

"What decision?" Lily asked carefully.

"To stay here or go back there."

"What do you mean?" Lily tried to back up, but she couldn't move.

"Lily, I told you, you are in Limbo."

"I thought you meant between Heaven and Hell!"

Raquel shook her head. "I've already told you that you're not dead. Not yet anyway."

"But, how can I choose?" Lily was starting to get panicked again. "Between life and death?"

"Well, you can either stay here and be with me and your parents, or you can go back to what you've left."

Lily thought for a second. "Then I want to stay."

"What?" Raquel asked, startled. "Why?"

"I have nothing to live for back there. Why not stay?"

Raquel smiled mischievously. "You think you have nothing to live for? Let me show you something."

Raquel bent down and lifted up a square of the floor. She motioned for Lily to have a look, so Lily bent down as well. When she looked through the hole, she saw the wreckage from the battle. Then she saw James with blood all over his forehead, his clothes ripped and dirty, one lens of his glasses cracked, and favoring his right arm, stumble over to a motionless form that a moment later she recognized as her own.

Lily looked up at Raquel. "What is this? What's going on?"

Raquel put a finger to her lips and went back to watching. Lily looked back through the hole and listened to what James said.

"Lily? Oh, Lily, wake up! You have to wake up!" He was shaking her body by the shoulders. "I need you!"

Lily was confused. Was this really happening?

"Petals, come back to me! Please! I love you!"

Lily gasped. He loved her? Even after everything that happened?

Though James had no idea that she could hear him, he started rambling.

"I'm so sorry, it was all my fault, everything! I should have never gotten mad at you. You were right! I wanted to apologize, but I thought that you hated me. Come back, wake up! I need you, I love you!"

Lily was in a daze. Her head was spinning.

"I never meant to kiss Jessica. I don't care about her like I care about you! I was confused and you wouldn't speak to me. I followed you into the garden to explain, but you sent me away, and I thought... I've spent the last six months absolutely miserable. I can't bear to have you hate me anymore, please wake up!"

"I don't hate you, James!" Lily called to him. He, of course, didn't hear her. Raquel just smiled.

"James!" Someone else was calling him. It was Sirius, who looked just as bad as James. "Lily! Is she..."

James looked at Sirius; there were tears in his eyes. "No! Not yet, we can't let her leave! I need your help, Sirius."

Sirius bent over her body. "Lil, it's me! I'm sorry, please come back! I'm sorry for this stupid argument, I'm sorry that you broke up with James because of me, I'm sorry that we spent six months not speaking! I owe you so much, don't die before I can pay you back!"

"Petals, we need you, I need you! You're so important to us! We're sorry, don't let go!" James cried.

"You once told me, 'these are tough times we're facing. No matter what happens, we will always have each other. I promise.' Do you remember that? You promised! Don't break your promise now!"

Lily looked up at Raquel with tears flowing down her cheeks. "I have to go back. You knew that didn't you? You knew that I had to go back, that's why you wouldn't answer my questions."

Raquel nodded as she replaced the square in the floor. She stood up and brushed the dust off of her robes.

"Yes, you have to go back, but it had to be your decision. I wanted to see you again, to talk to you again. I've missed you."

Lily hugged Raquel tightly. "And I've missed you. Have a good eternity, Raquel."

Raquel hugged her back. "And have a wonderful life with James, Lily."

Lily stepped back. "Okay, now how do I go back?"

"Just open your eyes. And, Lily, don't forget, I'll always be there for you."

Lily closed her eyes and opened them again. When she did she found herself back at Hogwarts amidst the rubble and destruction. And standing over her, heads bowed and tears streaming down their cheeks, were Sirius and James.

"Hello, boys, did you miss me?" she asked weakly.

Both boys jumped. Then they cried out.

"Lily!"

Before she realized what was happening the boys had her buried under a hug. Lily started laughing and then winced.

"Ouch, I think I've broken a rib."

They let go of her and sat back on their heels. They continued to stare at her strangely. Trying to move into a sitting position, Lily finally spoke.

"Did we win? Is the castle safe?"

James and Sirius exchanged a glance. Both boys looked like they had been through a hurricane.

"Yes. We won, but at a heavy cost. Five students died and three of the adults were killed, including Professor Hebron," Sirius said, his head bowed.

"Oh, no!" Lily said. Professor Hebron had been the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and extremely nice. "Oh dear. Is Marie safe? Who else that we knew?"

"Marie's in the Hospital Wing but she's alright. David Bones' sister, Sandra, Dameon, that Hufflepuff Marie used to go out with, and Lorrenzo Andam were murdered. He was Slytherin."

"Poor David. Where's Professor Dumbledore?"

"Attending to the other wounded. Madam Pomfrey's up to her neck in injured people to fuss over. We thought you were dead," James added.

"I almost was." Before either of them could respond to that strange statement, Lily spoke again. "Listen to me. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me!"

"We're the sorry ones, Lily. You did nothing wrong; it was our fault from start to finish. Please forgive us," Sirius said piteously.

Lily actually laughed and pulled both boys into a hug.

"There's nothing like a near-death experience to change your perspective, eh? The whole argument seems so ridiculous now."

Then she grabbed James' face and looked into his deep brown eyes.

"I love you, too, James Potter. Always and forever."

Then she kissed him and Sirius smiled.

* * *

"Janine Alonso."

"Sirius Black."

"David Bones."

"Leah Cabot."

"Aaron Creed."

"Lily Evans."

Lily walked up onto the stage to collect her diploma. She made it. She was a graduate. When Lily resumed her seat, James gave her a particularly big smile and she blushed. Once everyone had received his or her diploma, Professor Dumbledore beckoned her to the podium.

"Your Head Girl has requested to be allowed a few words. She would like to speak to you about our recent tragedy."

Lily took her place and cleared her throat. "My fellow students. Today we go forth into the Wizarding World as adults. Many of you already feel like adults having borne an adult's responsibility. And as we go on with our lives, we must remember those we are leaving behind. They were our friends and our family. Some were our teachers. We will never forget their sacrifice, nor the sacrifice we have made, my friends. We can be proud of ourselves. We saved our school and each other. We fought the Dark Lord and we won. We triumphed in the face of despair. Now I say to you all, remember our fallen friends and keep them close to your hearts, but also remember our victory and carry that lesson with you into the new world. We made it!"

Everyone applauded and jumped up. The graduates hugged each other and prepared for their last ride on the Hogwarts Express. James walked over to Lily and kissed her.

"We did indeed make it, Petals. Though the times were tough, we made it."

Sirius joined them and put his arms around their shoulders. Marie came and took a picture with her wizarding camera.

Then Sirius leaned and whispered in Lily's ear, "These are tough times we are facing. No matter what happens we will always have each other, I promise."

A/N: AIIEEEEEEEEE! I did it! I did it! I did it! That is the end of their seventh year! But do not despair my loyal fans, thanks in part to your enthusiastic responses, I will continue. There will probably be four more chapters and an epilogue. PLEASE KEEP READING! There will be more chapters so don't think that it's over! So what did you think? I told you it would be a very long chapter, and I think it's one of the best.

Tear, tear, I'm so happy! I had so many reviews for my last chapter! Now, I'm sure that you can get me up to 200 with this one, so please do!

Thank yous:

Airmid: thanks, I have decided to continue!

AJaKe: I'm glad that you like it so much, but you know, when I checked your profile it wasn't there... :-)

Amerkat: I would like to think that J.K. would be proud, that's a nice thought. There'll probably be 4 more chapters and the epilogue.

anime girl: that's a good thing when you get hooked, at lease for me it is.

anonymous: I will continue past their 7th year, but I'm not so sure about the flashback

BBallStar: I hope that this chapter made you feel better. I tried not to kill off any major characters.

Bianca: please keep reading, there's still more to come!

Brooke: well, now you know who the voice is, I hope you were surprised.

Celeste: Her fall was due to the torments of the conflicting voices. Can you guess who the second voice was? I'll give you a hint, it's not Sirius.

cheler: I hope that it wasn't too hard to wait for this chapter, the next one will probably be shorter in coming out.

Crazycutee831: your guess about the voice was really close. What was your other idea? Was it right?

Ember: thank you. *washes the virtual cookie down with a glass of milk*

Evil*Fairy: yes James was being an ass, but it was part of my story. And the virus thing was my pitiful attempt at a joke. My deepest apologies that I subjected you to it.

Fyre Eye: I'm glad that you weren't forced to hurt and/or kill me. If I was dead, I'd have a hard time writing.

K.A. Malfoy: I hope I didn't make you fall off the edge of your seat, and I'm glad that you enjoyed my story so much.

KittyKat: What was the other best L/J fic you've read? I love L/J myself.

lil: I would never dream of being boring.

maithili: I hate reading cliffies, but I love to write them! After all, it's the best way of getting a reader to come back for more.

Meredith: Interesting that you saw connections between the voice and Lucretia, I assure you, it was completely unintentional.

Min Hee Ha: I'll keep writing if you keep reviewing!

NicoleTheNiveter: thanks, I love flattery.

Nina Potter: Are you any relation to THE Harry Potter? Jk.

Priya-chan: Congratulations on being the first reviewer of the last chapter! Can you do it again?

Satans Little Princess: oh, stop, you're making me blush!

singer: I LOVE it when you review!

Snow Flurry: the voice isn't Peter, but expect Evil Peter appearing shortly. I finally told you who the voice was though!

Stella: I've decided I want to write their wedding as much as you want to read it!

Steph: Is it really that good? That seems to be a popular opinion!

Tory: oh, I'm so flattered! The best? Really? Aw, shucks!

For those of you who like Memories and haven't read It's So Difficult to be Mature, please read that and tell me what you think. It's post-Hogwarts.