LILY POTTER AND THE FINAL PROPHECY
Warning – This is the sequel to Harry Potter, Time Traveler and Lily Potter and the Change of Time. If you have not read either of these stories I would highly recommend it as this story will get very confusing. You may not recognize many of the characters and may have no idea what is going on if you do not read it.
Summary – It is Lily Potter's final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and it will be her most memorable. In her final year, with the help of her friends, Lily must face many obstacles; boys, relationships, rivalries, new teachers, her NEWTS, the threat of Voldemort and the newly written prophecy, and not to mention being on the edge of finding out the identity of her true, biological mother. Now, Lily must overcome these obstacles to fight the final battle against Voldemort. It is the final battle between good and evil and only one can prevail…
Disclaimer – I do not own Harry Potter, the characters, or the Harry Potter world. They all belong to the fabulous J.K. Rowling. However, while I do not own their names, the characters and the personality traits of Lily Potter, Eddie Weasley, Daris Malfoy, Christof Nott, as well as Asher Lazard and Robyn Andrews all belong to me.
Chapter 25 – Old Habits Die Hard:
It was nearly springtime; a mere few months after Lily had learned about the Stone of Merlin and that it had fallen into the hands of Lord Voldemort.
Being nearly spring, the threat of upcoming finals, O.W.L.S and N.E.W.T.S were hovering over the fifth and seventh year students. Some were being smart, good students like Mandy Micrelle, by finishing outlines and studying down quite early. Others were like Eddie Weasley, Asher Lazard, and the rest of the Gryffindor boys who were enjoying the late winter, early spring weather by playing Quidditch at the pitch when the House teams were not practicing. But, no one was like Lily Potter, who was sitting in the library, a plate of cookies on her table, courtesy of Dobby the house elf, doing research on the Stone of Merlin. To be honest, her N.E.W.T.S were the furthest thing from her mind.
Lily was eating her third plate of cookies as she looked through The History of Magical and Muggle Artifacts. She knew she technically was not supposed to eat in the library but she could not help it; she always seemed to be hungry lately. As she nibbled on her cookie, she felt someone stand in front of her table. When she looked up, Lily found herself staring into the eyes of one of her archenemies, Raven Dawsetta.
"What do you want Dawsetta?" Lily mumbled in annoyance, shoving the cookie into her mouth.
"I just wanted to inform you, Potter, of how much of a pig you look like," Raven said coolly, referring to the several empty plates on the table. Lily looked up at her and glared.
"Thanks for your concern," said Lily, sarcastically. "Now if you don't mind, I'd like to study in peace."
"Studying?" Raven asked coolly. "I don't believe you're taking any classes that require Powerful Magical Objects No Wizard or Witch Should Ever Touch." She picked up one of the many books on Lily's table and studied the cover. Lily looked up at her, eyebrow raised.
"What are you, stalking me Dawsetta?" Lily asked coolly and irritably. "Did you get so sick of looking at Malfoy's pug face that you had to resort for playing for the other team?"
"Oh shut-up Potter!" Raven snapped. "I just want you to know that I know exactly what you're up to!"
"Do you Dawsetta?" Lily asked, leaning in the back of her chair, resting her hands at the back of her head coolly. "Enlighten me then. What am I up to?"
"You'll never destroy him," Raven snarled under a hissed breath. "You're going to die just like your Mudblood loving father. It looks like you're really living up to the family name; getting murdered by the Dark Lord! It seems to becoming a Potter tradition, isn't it?"
Raven hit a nerve and she knew it for a smug smile crawled across her pretty little lips. Lily's eyes narrowed and she slowly inched her face towards Raven, a dangerous green blazing fire dancing in her eyes. She was almost nose to nose with Raven.
"I'll kill him, Dawsetta," Lily growled, the fire in her eyes burning even brighter. "I'll kill him. And you and your pug boyfriend and all of his goons are going straight to Azkaban to rot. And when you go to that hell hole, nothing will be able to wipe the satisfied smile off of my face."
"Lily?"
Lily and Raven looked up to see Mandy Micrelle walking towards the table, a pile of books in her arms. They both knew this confrontation was over, for Mandy was Head Girl, and neither girl wanted to get into any trouble at the moment.
"Just watch yourself, Potter," Raven said coolly before grabbing her bag.
"No, you tell your so-called 'master' to watch himself," Lily snapped back.
"Are you sure you want to make that threat, Potter?"
"It's no threat, Dawsetta," said Lily, narrowing her eyes. "It's a promise."
"Lily, Dawsetta," said Mandy, reaching the table, giving them both suspicious looks. "What is going on?"
"Nothing," said Lily and Raven in unison before Raven stalked off. Lily sat back in her seat, the green fire in her eyes starting to tame. She turned to Mandy and gave a small smile as she settled into the seat across from Lily, dumping her books on the table.
"By the way, Potter," Raven called out, receiving a nasty look from the librarian, "I love all that weight you've gained. Being chubby really does suit you." With a nasty giggle, she left the library. Lily glared.
"That hag always has to have the last word, doesn't she?" Lily asked, grinding her teeth and narrowing her emerald eyes. "So what if I gained a little weight in the last few months? She can suck an egg!" Lily stuffed another cookie in her mouth and chewed it hard. Mandy laughed at Lily.
"Don't listen to her," she said. "She's just trying to get a rise out of you. But I must say, you were awfully sick this morning. How you're managing to eat all those cookies is beyond me."
Lily laughed and went to pick up another cookie before returning to her book, but wondering if Raven Dawsetta was making empty threats or fulfilling promises? With the Stone of Merlin in Voldemort's hands, Lily was inclined to take every little detail seriously.
Lily giggled as Eddie brushed her hair aside, leaving her neck for clear access. Lily smiled to herself, but pushed her boyfriend away from kissing her neck.
"Ed, I really need to do this," she said, trying to sound serious. Eddie pouted, giving her a 'puppy dog look.' "Oh, don't give me that Eddie Weasley. If you'd like, you can get a book and help me."
"You're impossible Miss Potter," Eddie said with a sigh before pulling up a seat and grabbing a book.
"Yeah, but that's why you love me," said Lily in a casual voice. Eddie laughed to himself.
"I do," he said, flipping through the pages. "Researching the Stone of Merlin again?"
"Yep," Lily said simply before closing another book and grabbing one she had not read yet, but not before grabbing the apple by her side and taking a bite. While reading, Eddie looked at the window for a moment, before turning to Lily.
"Lils, you said that only the heirs of the founders of Hogwarts can use this stone, right?"
"That is correct," said Lily, eating her apple and not taking her eyes off the book.
"Why not research the history of the founders instead of the actual stone?" Eddie suggested. Lily looked at her boyfriend for a moment, her eyes lighting up.
"You did inherit some of your mother's brilliance!" Lily shouted before running to the bookshelf. Eddie laughed to himself, before following her in search for more books on the founders of Hogwarts.
Hermione had given Lily full permission to go into the Restricted Section of the library to find any information she could on the Stone of Merlin. Hermione knew information like that would probably not be accessible to students, or at least not in depth. The librarian continued to give Lily dirty looks every time she entered the Restricted Section, but could do nothing to stop her. Her orders were to leave Lily completely alone. Lily did not even have to check out her books, in order to keep what she was doing a complete secret. The librarian did not approve of any of this and often complained extremely loudly on how Lily was always in there, probably not doing the work she should be doing. Lily chose to ignore her comments and continued her research on the founders of Hogwarts.
After a few days of researching Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin, Lily could not find any new information that might lead to answers about the Stone of Merlin. It was then that Lily decided to try to do some research on Merlin himself. After all, the Stone was named after him. Surely he had something to do with its creation and the history behind it?
An idea forming in her mind, Lily dashed into the shelves and gathered all the books she could on Merlin before running into the Restricted Section, once again ignoring the librarian's loud and rude comments and the Slytherins giggling to it.
As Lily was rummaging through the books, she came across a book she knew almost all too well. The book was called What You Don't Know, You Will See. Lily gave a soft smile to herself before pulling it off the shelf and running her hands over the cover, all of the memories flooding through her brain and bones.
This book was probably the reason why Lily was in this situation in the first place. Or maybe it was not? Maybe Voldemort was meant to get a hold of the Stone of Merlin all along, even before Harry changed time? Lily sighed and closed her eyes, thoughts of confusion and panic flooding her mind.
She had searched every book in the library, looking for anything on the Stone of Merlin, the founders of Hogwarts, and she doubted she would find anything on Merlin. Merlin was the greatest wizard of all time, even greater than Albus Dumbledore. He lived thousands and thousands of years ago. Any information on him was probably lost somewhere in a cave in some foreign country, not stored in the library of Hogwarts. Lily knew this and gripped the book tightly in frustration. She felt so emotional at that moment that she literally broke into quiet sobs. She cried quietly, so no one could hear her. She did not want to let anyone know that she was crying. What was making her cry? Lily did not know. Perhaps it was all the stress and fear that had been building up inside her for the last few months and now she was letting it all out. She simply did not know what to do anymore.
As Lily continued to cry, she wondered if Harry had known anything about the Stone of Merlin. He carried it for many years after Albus Dumbledore had given it to him while lying on his deathbed. Surely Dumbledore told him about the Stone. He could not have just said, "Here, this'll help you defeat Voldemort," without telling Harry anything about it. Yes, either Harry and/or Dumbledore both had to have information on this Stone.
But, how do you talk to two men who are both already dead? Albus Dumbledore died eighteen years ago of natural causes and old age; a year before Lily was born. Harry died last year, murdered at the hands of Lord Voldemort for her sake. She hated thinking of the memory and once again, pushed it from her mind. Her tears subsided and she stood tall, her brain wrapping for ideas on how to get in contact with either Albus Dumbledore or Harry Potter.
No spell could reawaken the dead, Lily knew this. But there had to be a way to speak with them. Was there a spell that could somehow communicate with dead? Lily figured there probably was, but it more than likely involved some serious dark magic and she wanted nothing to do with that. Either that or magic far more advanced for her power and level. She doubted anyone could perform magic like this, except maybe a really powerful witch or wizard, like Albus Dumbledore or maybe even Merlin. There had to be some way to communicate with them! There had to! Lily rubbed the bridge of her nose, feeling another headache coming on.
Finally, the solution came to her. The answer she needed was sitting right here in her very arms. Lily looked down at the time-travel book; the book that had changed her life in so many ways, both for the better and for the worst. Would it change it for the better now? Was it the very key she needed in speaking with Harry Potter or Albus Dumbledore?
Lily would rather talk to Harry than Dumbledore about the Stone of Merlin. Unfortunately, Harry did not know about the Stone until right before Lily was born and he traveled so often in that year that Lily would not know where to begin in looking for him. However, she did know that Dumbledore knew about the Stone years before he died and he was always at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Lily looked down at the book again, her hand running over the cover. She bit her lip and debated on whether she should use it or not. She had been forbidden by all; Harry, Sirius, Ron, Hermione, and Remus to even touch the book again. It had caused them all enough problems and they certainly did not need any more coming from that dreaded book.
But, in reality, it was the only way to get in contact with Albus Dumbledore. There was no other way. Biting her lip again, Lily made a quick, one second decision and ran out of the Restricted Section, the book wrapped in her arms. She dashed to the table she was sitting at, used a spell to shrink all the books she had and threw them in her bag. Finally, she took the time-travel book, shrunk it with another spell and placed it in her pocket. Receiving dirty looks from the librarian, she sprinted out of the library and towards Gryffindor Tower.
"Lils?" Eddie called out as she ran through the Portrait Hole and immediately into her dormitory, ignoring his calls completely.
"Lily Billy?" Asher called out when Lily had ignored Eddie's call. They heard no response, but the slamming of a door and the sound of that door locking. Eddie and Asher shared confused looks before Eddie got up off his feet to check up on Lily. Asher grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back down into his seat.
"What are you doing?" Eddie asked, slightly annoyed that Asher held him back. "Something is wrong. I need to go check on Lily."
"Leave her alone, mate," said Asher. "She locked the door for a reason and obviously wants some privacy. You should ask her what is wrong when she comes back down, when she's had some to do whatever the bloody hell she's doing up there."
"Since when are you a bloody expert on Lily's feelings?" Eddie snapped. "If you'll recall, she's my girlfriend!"
"Well, she's my friend," Asher said, rolling his eyes. "You really need to start learning how to control your temper. I never claimed to be an expert on Lily's feelings or that I knew her better than you because I don't. But I'm not as thick or as oblivious as you, Ed, and I've noticed that Lily has been really emotional these past few weeks and whenever you go after her right away, a fight comes about. I figured that maybe it would be best just to leave her alone before confronting her about anything. It would avoid any fights you two may have."
"Right," said Eddie, not quite fully understanding, "sorry." Eddie did not quite fully get what Asher was trying to say, but he was in no mood to have any fights with Lily at the moment, so he sat down and continued his game of Wizard Chess with Asher.
The fact was that Lily had heard Eddie and Asher's calls to her, but was so anxious for answers that she ignored them, hoping they would leave her alone. After a moment of leaning against the door, waiting for Eddie's familiar knock, she did not get one and let out a sigh of relief. She threw her bag on her bed before reaching into her pocket and pulling out the minimized book. Using her wand, she enlarged back to its normal size and stared at it.
There was no turning back now. She was not about to back down, no matter what Harry, Sirius, or anyone told her. Lily decided that she was a grown witch and could make her own decisions. Besides, she needed answers and she needed them quickly. Lily opened the book to the first page, her palms clammy and sweaty. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she could feel a droplet of sweat coming down her brow.
Why was she so nervous? Lily knew why. It was because she was disobeying everyone she had ever respected and cared about, but like stated previously, she needed answers and she needed them fast. Closing her eyes for a moment, she took a deep breath, and then looked back down at the first page of the time-travel book.
"Think of a number," Lily read out loud. She closed her eyes and imagined negative twenty- two years before Dumbledore died and the book would have been published so there was no need to worry. Lily turned the page, her hand shaking.
"Think of a place," Lily, again, read out loud. Hermione's office came to her mind, which twenty years ago, belonged to Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.
Lily turned the page, her hands still shaking and found herself flying through a whirlwind of colors of blue, pink, purple, and flashing white, blinding her. She landed on to the ground with a hard thud, causing a loud grunt and groan from Lily. Her headache pain had increased and her stomach was making weird shaking feelings and she felt as though she were going to throw up.
Slowly, she sat up; her palm pressed against her aching head and looked around. This had to be Albus Dumbledore's office for it was the same room, but looked nothing like Hermione's office. This was more homely, more personal with little gadgets and toys scattered about on the shelves. Hermione's office was professional with shelves filled to the brim with books. Her desk was always filled with parchment, scrolls, quills, and even more books. Lily preferred how Dumbledore decorated his office. It made her smile and feel at home, even though she was nowhere near home and in a whole new world.
"May I help you?" a gentle voice of an old man called out. Lily whipped around to see Albus Dumbledore sitting calm at his desk, a confused look in his gentle, tired blue eyes, which were still twinkling behind the half-moon glasses. Standing beside his desk was none other than a twenty year younger Severus Snape, who had his wand out and pointed at Lily.
Lily smiled and laughed to herself. She could not believe she had done it again! She had time-traveled and was more than likely going to change even more time, without meaning to of course.
I guess the old saying is true; old habits due die hard.
A note from the Jitterbelle. THANKS TO THOSE WHO DO REVIEW! LOVE YOU ALL AND CONTINUE TO READ! It gets goooood in the next chapter ;)