Chapter 28 – Reconciliation:
Jaime literally flinched after hearing Lily's voice screaming for her name, sounding equally as angry as it was panicked.
When she and Lionel Apparated on to a cold, dreary, deserted beach somewhere far away from the castle and on another part of the coasts of Ireland, Lionel noticed her open flinch; it was one of fear and indecision. It was clear to him that there was a part of Jaime that was regretting her decision to abandon and betray Lily and to save his life. It hurt him deeply to think that Jaime would have such feelings, but there was a part of him that also understood. Harry and the Weasleys did handle the situation regarding Lily and Jaime's identity completely wrong and he understood why Jaime would think she had no one except Lily. Lily was her sister; her twin sister in fact.
"Are you okay?" asked Lionel, placing a comforting hand on her trembling shoulder, hoping that she would be willing to talk about it so that he could tell her that everything would be okay; that she would not be punished for her actions for saving him and that her family would welcome her back with open arms.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she whispered, and it sounded genuinely honest. "I feel…free…"
"You are free, Jaime," Lionel said a low and comforting voice. "You've always been free…"
"No, I haven't been," said Jaime, shaking her head. "I haven't been free in a very long time, Nel. But, now that I've finally stood up to Lily…it has been the most terrifying and most uplifting things I could have ever have done." Jaime looked up to the sky and took a deep intake of breath, as though sighing in relief. Lionel, on the other hand, raised a confused eyebrow.
"Okay…"
"I just don't know where I'm going to go now," said Jaime with a nervous and uncertain laugh as she ran a hand through her long, jet-black hair. Lionel immediately tensed at her comment.
"What do you mean?"
"I can no longer rely on Lily's protection," said Jaime, sighing. "Lily will be on the hunt for me for betraying her and after helping Lily commit so many crimes over the last four years…there is no way I can return to the wizarding world…"
"That's not true!" said Lionel abruptly and urgently. "You can come back to the wizarding world! You can always come back to our world, Jaime."
"Nel…"
"I'm serious, Jaime," he said, grabbing on to her face and forcing her to look at him square in the eye so that she could see how much truth his words held. "You can go home again!"
"How can you say that Nel?" she asked, stilling looking hopelessly and desperately into his hazel eyes. "After everything I've done?"
"I've kept in touch with Harry and the Weasleys over the years, Jaime," explained Lionel, trying to sound reassuring. "They want you and Lily to return to the good side; particularly you."
"Why me?" asked Jaime, barely above a whisper.
"Because you're not like Lily, Jaime; you were never like her," Lionel continued to explain. "We all know you only joined her out of panic and desperation. Everyone still believes that there is still good in you; that there was always good in you. We never doubted that; none of us did."
"But…what about all of the crimes I've committed?"
"Lily said it herself that you never killed anyone," said Lionel, still not allowing her to look away from his eyes. "I can testify to that."
"But I sat back and watched her murder all of those people in cold blood," whispered Jaime as tears welled up in her eyes. "I think that makes me just as guilty…"
"I don't think you realize the power and influence your father and Uncle Bill have over at the Ministry," said Lionel, wearing a small, knowing smile. "Like I said, they've never doubted you or your goodness. And if they firmly believe that you've reformed and will stay on our side, I know they will make sure that you are kept out of Azkaban. In fact, Harry should have no problem keeping you out of that prison being who he is." Lionel knew that his explanation was a partial lie. Bill Weasley's faith in Jaime's goodness had died a long time ago but if Jaime were willing to provide some help in bringing Lily down as ruler of the wizarding world, he would be more than happy to forgive her.
"And you forget Jaime, you just saved my life," continued Lionel. "You fought against Lily. That alone is sure to keep you out of Azkaban."
"Really?"
"I don't think you realize how much your family needs and wants you back," said Lionel, his voice beginning to shake. "I don't think you realize how much I want…and need you back…"
"Nel…"
"I've always wanted you to come back home and I knew you would one day," said Lionel in a soft, gentle whisper that shot chills down Jaime's spine and caused goose bumps to appear on the skin of her arms and legs. "I've waited four years for you, Jaime. Do you know why I've waited for you?"
When Jaime did not have the courage or the lung capacity to respond, as her heart was pounding so hard that it was constricting her lungs, Lionel continued: "It's because I'm still in love with you, Jaime and I never stopped loving you. I came for you today because I want you to come back; I would do absolutely anything to have you back in my life. Jaime…please…please Jaime…come back home…I…I need you to come back home. I love you…"
When he said these words, Lionel finally gave Jaime the opportunity to finally look away from him, but she found that she could not. She was absolutely mesmerized by his hazel eyes and she saw the love, adoration, and desperation he had for her. Deep down, Jaime knew that she felt the same exact way. Why else had she kept that picture of the two of them after all of these years? It was because she was still in love with him too and she wanted to be with him; she wanted to be with her family, even if that meant she could not be with Lily. She knew that she was hesitant, but Jaime could not look in Lionel's eyes and have the strength or the power to resist him.
"Where are they?" asked Jaime, stilling looking deep into is eyes, not daring to look away. She was afraid that if she looked away, that Lionel would never look at her that same way again.
"Where are who?"
"My family….Harry…the Weasleys…" Jaime's voice trailed off due to the fact that it was shaking with emotion. "Where are they?"
"They're at Hogwarts…"
"Let's go to Hogwarts then…"
After grabbing each other's hands, Jaime and Lionel Apparated from the cold, Irish beach and on to the main road of Hogsmeade mere moments after Jaime had made her decision to return to her family. When she saw the castle in the distance, she stared at wide-eyed, as though horrified by it even though the school had brought back many fond memories for her.
"Don't be afraid, Jaime," whispered Lionel, squeezing her hand in reassurance. Jaime did not say anything, she simply nodded. The truth was that she was afraid. What if Lionel was wrong? What if Harry and the Weasleys would not accept after all she has done? What if they did decide that she was not worth it and throw her straight into Azkaban? She would be stuck there for life! After betraying her, Jaime knew that Lily would never come and save her from that dreaded prison.
Jaime's throat seemed to stiffen and she stopped dead in her tracks. Lionel, who was still holding her hand tightly in his own, stopped with her and looked down at Jaime with genuine concern.
"Jaime?"
"I…I can't do this, Nel. What if…?"
"Stop," said Lionel in a warning tone. "Stop right there. You need to trust me on this, Jaime. I would never put you in harm's way. If I didn't think that Harry, the Weasleys, and Eustrice would forgive and embrace you, then I would have never have brought you here. Trust me, Jaime. Please, just trust me."
Jaime stared at him for a moment and he was looking at her with that same look Lionel had looked at her with before. Just by that look alone, Jaime knew that she would always be able to trust Lionel because he had and would always love and want to take care of her. So, with that, Jaime nodded and together they walked towards the castle hand-in-hand.
Hermione Weasley rubbed her temples in a stressed manner. Just two days ago, her husband and her son, Harry, and Bill had all gone after Lionel in hopes that they could save him from finding Lily and Jaime's hide-out and getting himself killed. The four men tried to hide this from her, but the mission that they were going on was very dangerous, especially since it concerned Lily and Jaime. All four of those men, all four whom were very important to her, could easily lose their lives.
As she pondered this, there was a knock on her office door. Regaining her composure, Hermione stood up, smoothed down her robes, rubbed the tears from her eyes and said as calmly as she could, "Come in."
To her immense and unbelievable surprise, Lionel Diggory entered her office. Hermione's heart nearly stopped in her chest and she actually started choking on her own saliva; she was that shocked. Without a word she left her desk and threw herself at him, embracing him in a way that only a mother could.
"For heaven's sake, Nel," she whispered as she pulled away from the hug. "You scared us all half to death! What were you thinking going to try and find Lily and Jaime's hiding like that? You could have been killed!"
"I'm fine."
"Thank Merlin Annabelle's sources about where they are hiding are wrong," said Hermione, rushing back over to her desk and pulling out some parchment and a quill. Lionel watched her closely as she quickly wrote a letter and then sent it off with her owl. "It's an emergency. Please hurry…" The owl gave a hoot and almost nodded in a human-like manner before flying out of the window. Hermione quickly turned back to Lionel and gestured towards the seats in front of her desk. "You know, Ron, Jason, Harry, and Bill all went after you. I've just sent an urgent owl telling them to come back immediately."
"Good," said Lionel taking a seat in front of her desk, "because I have a…surprise for you all." Hermione looked at him with a cocked eyebrow.
"What are you saying?"
"I'll be in the Great Hall," said Lionel mysteriously. "When Harry, Ron, Bill, and Jason get here, please join me there. I have some news." Without another word, he stood up and strode out of Hermione's office, closing the door loudly behind him. Hermione was so confused and shocked over his casual return that she just stood there gapping at the closed door that Lionel had just gone through.
"What in Merlin's beard was that about?" she asked herself, though her brilliant mind could not provide her with any answers.
It was several hours before Harry, Ron, Bill, and Jason came stumbling through the fireplace of Hermione's office. But, they arrived swiftly and urgently, looking both anxious and confused over her request to immediately join her there and that Lionel had returned, unharmed, but in a mysterious manner.
"Hermione," said Ron breathlessly as he raced over to her clutching her face gently in his hands. "Are you alright?"
"Of course, Ron," said Hermione, bewildered by his concern. "Why would you ask?"
"You said Lionel was acting strange," said Harry, stepping up to stand behind Ron, looking at her in concern. "He could have been an imposter. After all, he supposedly found Lily and Jaime's hide-out; it's possible he was killed or captured and they could have used Polyjuice Potion or another disguise to send a spy or an assassin."
"I…I don't think…" said Hermione, tripping over her words, panicking over the thought of there being an imposter. How could she over looked something like that? And she was supposed to be the brilliant one! But, at the same time she was smart and had a good instinct; there seemed to be nothing wrong with Lionel and while he was acting mysterious, he was certainly not acting strange. "I don't think Lionel is an imposter. I…I just think….something happened…something to do with Lily and Jaime…"
"You think he found them?"
"Yes, I do."
"Then how in the bloody hell did he escape? How in the bloody hell is he even alive?" asked Jason incredulously. Hermione shrugged helplessly, but grabbed a hold of Ron's hand.
"Maybe we should see what he wants?" suggested Hermione. "He said to meet him in the Great Hall when you all arrived…"
"Let's go then," said Harry, without hesitation. Like Lionel had done previously, Harry quickly strode across the office and swiftly walked through the door without a word. Looking at one another helplessly, the rest of the people in the office simply shrugged before Bill spoke bravely:
"We had better go follow him," said Bill. "This is all much too mysterious for my liking." Ron nodded in agreement and he, Bill, Jason, and Hermione followed Harry's footsteps towards the Great Hall.
When the five wizards and witches arrived at the Great Hall, they saw something they did not expect: the hall was empty and Lionel was sitting at the Ravenclaw table and smiling brightly at a small and beautiful blue jay fluttering over his head. It seemed almost human-like as it playfully nipped at his hair and fluttered its wings teasingly in his face. Lionel just continued smiling and laughing, as though he would like nothing better than to stay there for all of eternity, gazing, smiling, and playing with that soft, little blue jay. When he caught sight of Harry, Ron, Hermione, Bill, and Jason, Lionel immediately stopped playing with the bird and his face become instantly serious. He rose to his feet and walked over to the group.
"Thank you for meeting me," he said sincerely.
"Of course, Nel…"
"What's the big…surprise?" asked Ron curiously, timidly using Lionel's words. Lionel turned around and looked uncertainly at the bird still flying behind him. Curiously, and even a bit shockingly, the bird stayed back at the Ravenclaw table and was watching the scene, as though it were human.
"I think it would be better if we did this in your office," said Lionel, turning back around to face them. Bill rolled his eyes.
"Bloody hell, then why did you drag us all the way down here then?" snapped Bill impatiently. Harry gave him a look that silenced him. Lionel also rolled his eyes and ran a hand through his brown hair.
"Would you just trust me on this one?" asked Lionel, almost sounding urgent. This caused Harry and Hermione to raise a confused and concern eyebrow. "This is a very…delicate situation alright? Can we go to your office? Please?" Lionel was now directing Hermione, who nodded and gestured them in the direction. As they started walking in the direction, Lionel actually turned and used his hand and motioned for the blue jay, who was still watching the scene as though curious, to follow them. To their utmost surprise, the bird obediently followed them all the way to Hermione's office. When the six of them reached the privacy and safety of the office, they all turned impatiently on Lionel.
"First things, first," started Bill with his wand at the ready. "What was your late brother's middle name?"
"Amos," said Lionel automatically, "same as my father."
"Good," said Bill, pocketing his wand.
"Now would you tell us what the bloody hell is going on?"
"I…I did find Lily and Jaime's hide-out," said Lionel, cutting straight to the point. There was a deadly and awkward silence for a moment. The only sound being made was the fluttering of the blue jay's wings as it flew next to and closely to Lionel's head, as though seeking his safety.
"Oh Lionel…" whispered Hermione as she walked towards him and embraced him in a motherly fashion. "What happened?"
"I found them…and I confronted them," whispered Lionel, his voice now shaking as he thought about the experience.
"What happened?"
"And how in the bloody hell are you alive?"
"Where are they?"
All of these questions were asked simultaneously and Lionel held up his hands as though in defense.
"One question at a time; first off, a lot happened…" he said, his voice sounding firm. "And even though I know where the hide-out is, Lily knows I escaped. I'm sure she and her followers have already abandoned it in search of a new one. They wouldn't risk me bringing the Ministry there and defeating them. Lily has far too much pride for that. And… as for how I am still alive…" Lionel's voice trailed off and he turned to look at the blue jay, almost lovingly as he used his forefinger to stroke the beak gently and affectionately. Bill rolled his eyes again.
"Would you stop with that bloody bird and pay attention here and tell us what happened?" he nearly yelled in a frustrated manner. "What's with that damn thing anyway?"
"I think it's time we tell them," Lionel whispered. The bird tweeted, as though responding to him and Lionel turned back to the people in front of him. "The reason I am alive is because Jaime saved my life. She fought against Lily to save me."
There was another long, pregnant silence as they all stood there and stared at Lionel wide-eyed, as though really not sure that they heard what he had said.
"She what?"
"She did?" asked Harry, sounding hopeful. Lionel nodded.
"If she protected you against Lily…" said Hermione, her voice trailing off as her eyes widened in horror. "Then Lily must have…is…is Jaime…?"
"No!" said Lionel, his eyes going wide, realizing what Hermione was implying, trying to sound reassuring. "No, Jaime is alive and well. In fact…in fact she…she wants to help us…she wants to help us stop Lily."
"She does?" asked Bill and Harry and unison, though they had two very different tones. Bill's tone was one of disbelief and Harry was one of hope and excitement.
"She does," said Lionel, nodding. "And…I…I convinced her to come back. I convinced her to come here…to Hogwarts."
"YOU DID?!"
"Where is she?!"
Lionel ignored the question. Instead, he turned towards the blue jay and stroked its beak again before saying, "Be brave, okay? It'll all be alright. I promise you…" The bird tweeted again and Lionel took a step back. The rest of the witches and wizards in the office could do nothing except look on curiously.
"Nel, what the hell…?"
But, the question did not need to be answered be Lionel; it was already answered as the blue jay slowly and majestically transformed into a thin, petite woman with dark black hair, freckled skin, and bright emerald green eyes that were filled with horror, nerves, and anxiety. It was Jaime Potter.
"JAIME?!" Harry, Ron, Hermione, Bill, and Jason all screamed in unison, gasping and choking on their own saliva. Lionel smiled and gently grabbed a hold of Jaime's hand, pulling her closer to him. Everyone else continued to gape at Jaime as though they had never seen anything like her before; as though she were some kind of mirage that could disappear in the mist at any moment.
"Hi…hello…everyone…" whispered Jaime, sound similar to that of a mouse. She was staring at her feet and unable to meet anyone's eye.
"Jaime?" Harry asked, sounding similar to his daughter as he took several steps towards her. "Jaime, is it really you?"
"I can't believe it…" whispered Hermione as she covered her mouth in awe. "You've come back?"
"I've come back," said Jaime in low, uncertain voice. "That is…if you'll have me…I know that I've done a lot of wrong over the years, but I've regretted them. I should never have left…but I was scared…and so overwhelmed. I had just discovered that my entire life had been a lie and…I know that it's no excuse…but…"
"Oh Jaime!" Harry cried out as he reached out and pulled her to him in a tight, loving, fatherly embrace. "Of course! Of course you can come back! You're always welcome! You can always come home! Oh…Jaime…"
Ron and Hermione looked at Bill worriedly, unsure of whether he would be able to accept Jaime as openly and as quickly as they and Harry would. But, to their utmost surprise, Bill was beaming at the father and daughter hugging tightly as Jaime cried quietly into his shoulder and he rubbed her back soothingly.
"What do you think?" Jason asked uncertainly. Ron and Hermione looked at their son incredulously.
"Jaime is our niece and your cousin," said Hermione softly as Ron came over and put a comforting arm around her shoulder.
"Of course she's welcome back," assured Ron, agreeing with his wife. "Jason, no matter what you do in life, no matter how many wrongs you've committed, you should know that you can always come home, son."
"I know."
"Well, the same applies to Jaime…"
Jason nodded as he looked at the scene before him. He had to admit, the scene was rather touching. To everyone's immense surprise, Bill was still beaming. Hermione bit her lip, and touched her brother-in-law's shoulder.
"Bill?"
"This is perfect!" he said in an excited whisper. "Not only do we have Jaime back…our niece…Ginny's daughter…but she'll make an incredible asset in the war against Lily…." Hermione and Ron nodded hesitantly, knowing that Jaime would probably never try and have her sister captured or killed. But, they were not about to tell Bill that. In fact, they were both rather frustrated with Bill since he could only think about the war in such a touching moment of a father and daughter reuniting. But, at the same time, he did have a point. Jaime would be valuable in the war against Lily.
Meanwhile, while Ron, Hermione, Bill, and Jason were discussing Jaime's return and how she would help Harry's strength and morale and become a great source in trying to capture and stop Lily, Jaime pulled out of Harry's embrace and surprisingly, looked him square in the eye; the eyes that were so similar to her own.
"I want to get to know my father and the rest of my family," whispered Jaime, sounding both sad and sincere. Harry's eyes glowed with happiness and tears as she said these words. "But, it's going to take some time."
"I understand, Jaime," whispered Harry, as his grip on her forearms tightened, though not painfully. "And I'm so sorry…I can't believe…"
"Let's stop looking at the past and start looking towards the future," suggested Jaime shyly. "Could we do that?"
"Of course we can do that," said Harry gently. "I'll do whatever it takes to make this up to you, Jaime. And I know it will take some time but you're my daughter and I love you with everything I've got. I'll wait forever for you to come around."
There were no words; the look in Jaime's eyes said everything. She was extremely grateful for Harry's understanding so she just smiled and embraced her father again, taking the first step into healing their relationship.
A note from the Jitterbelle. Here is another chapter! I have to admit that the fact that I received zero reviews for the last chapter was not very encouraging. But I will keep writing anyway. Please, please PLEASE review. They are greatly appreciated and are truly inspiring to a writer. I hope you're all still enjoying the story though!