Thanks for the reviews. I decided to post a half page for every review I got.
"Hogwarts is about to start back and she's still not here!" Voldemort hissed. "Why weren't you watching closer?"
The eldest Black sister inclined. "We were trying not to be too obvious, just as you ordered."
Bellatrix was proud. Maybe a little too proud. "I don't remember telling you to lose her! Crucio!" The girl let out a scream. She didn't move or twitch. She just threw back her head and screamed. Vel never screamed. Servants shouldn't scream. Screaming was for victims. "Stop screaming! Crucio!"
Slowly, Bellatrix's voice died away and Voldemort lifted the curse. "Good girl."
"I'm sorry, Master," the girl mumbled, head low.
"Good." Voldemort looked at the rest of the group of Hogwarts recruits and hissed, "If the Stunner is not back at school in three days' time, I will be short eight followers. Understood?" (1) Savvy? (1)
The servants muttered agreements and were dismissed. Once again, the Snape boy was absent from the group. He would have his harsh punishment when he returned. The Dark Lord twirled his wand in giddy anticipation.
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"I see you're feeling better," the Headmaster commented as he sat across from her, Moody at his side. Bones was not present so Lily was feeling nervous. It's not easy having a conversation with your greatest threat. "I'm glad."
Lily straightened her back so that it was slightly off the back of the chair and watched him, expressionless.
"How much do you know about Voldemort?" At Lily's silence, Dumbledore corrected himself. "That is to say, how much do you know about one Tom Riddle?"
Lily stayed silent, holding back her questions. Who was Riddle? A Death Eater? A victim?
"Tom Marvolo Riddle and Voldemort are one and the same, Lily. He has not been a Dark Lord forever."
Lily blinked at him. Voldemort human? Impossible. "That's not true." Lily was surprised by her own defiant hiss. She sounded like Him.
"Yes it is," retorted Moody.
Lily repressed the urge to say 'Nuh uh,' and gently bit her tongue.
"I suggest," Dumbledore said, "you ask him yourself."
"No!" she exclaimed. More firmly now, she bit on her tongue. What was with these emotional outbursts? She was in as much danger here as anywhere else, maybe more. Anyone could destroy her if they saw her weakness.
"Then take his word for it." Moody growled.
"I can give you proof… will you hear it?"
Do I have a choice? Lily nodded to him once.
"Tom's mother was a witch, and his father was a Muggle named Tom Riddle…"
Human? Weak? She had to wonder when he finished whether he was talking about the Voldemort she knew. But, it made sense…
"How does this affect me?" she asked softly.
"He's not indestructible, or all-powerful. He's just another human." Dumbledore rose. "I thought you needed to know that. We will be seeing each other soon." He swept out of the room.
Cautiously accepting Moody's proffered arm, Lily stood and moved back to the bed to lie down and rest. She had a lot to think about.
"I thought you weren't coming back until I was gone!" James hugged both of his parents.
"We wanted to surprise you. After tomorrow we don't get to see you until graduation." His mum turned to Sirius and Remus, who were sitting on the couches watching the scene. "How'd you all like your presents?"
"They were wonderful, thank you." Remus grinned.
"Bloody brilliant!" exclaimed Sirius. Ignoring James' mum's remark of "Language," he continued, "Thanks Mum." James' dad coughed. "And Dad."
Harold, James' dad, smiled. "Clint was happy to help. We knew each other back at Hogwarts. My captain for a few years, though he was younger.
"What did you do to occupy yourselves? Not getting into any trouble, I hope," James' mum looked doubtful at her husband's words but waited for the reply.
"Just hung around. Talked to Lily a bit." Sirius leaned back on the couch languidly.
"Oh, so you've, er, seen the Stunner, then," his dad cleared his throat. "Now, boys, we really need to discuss this-"
"Dad!" James cut in. "You're not really about to lecture us about talking to Evans!"
"Of course he is!" his mother snapped, striding up to James and tilted his head down to inspect his face. "She could have killed you!"
"Mum, she's only seventeen," James told her. "I've known her for six years."
"We heard about the whole Stunner incident a couple of days ago," his dad looked ready to say more, but his mother cut in again.
"She almost killed Alastor! I told Albus that it was a bad idea for her to stay here, especially with you all here too!"
"Then I suppose now would be a bad time," Sirius interjected, standing and approaching them, "that we've been assigned to watch her at school."
James waited for the explosion with tense shoulders. "What!" his mum bellowed, "I need a word with Albus about-"
"Mum! Just because you didn't want to be in the Order doesn't mean you can decide what I do in it."
"He's right, Denise," his dad said softly. "You need to let him make his own decisions."
"Let's not ruin our last day of the break with arguing!" Sirius said, resting his arms on James' and his dad's shoulders.
"Sirius is right," his dad said calmly. "But I must, er, warn you to be careful."
"We know," assured Remus.
It won't stop me from helping her, thought James defiantly.
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"Hey." Potter conjured a chair and settled beside her bed.
Lily tried not to look as annoyed as she felt. "Hello."
"How're you feeling?"
"Fine."
They sat in silence for a few minutes. "What are you going to do?" he asked suddenly.
Lily did not answer.
"I'm worried," Potter insisted. "They shouldn't be sending you back to school."
"Don't," Lily muttered.
Potter leaned back in his chair. His black hair was in its usual disarray, and his tan face was displaying all the thoughts running through his mind. Did he really care? Looking into that face, Lily found herself starting to believe that he did.
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"We'll be keeping in touch," Bones gestured at her arm. "That'll make sure you aren't taken away from the campus."
Lily rubbed the bracelet, which was a rosy gold that shimmered innocently in the florescent lights of King's Cross Station. With that on one hand and the Mark on the other, Lily would have absolutely no freedom. "Be careful." He pulled his hat over his eyes and strode away.
Lily stepped through the barrier and boarded the scarlet engine. As she started down the first hall, she nearly ran into Bellatrix Black. There was a light in her eyes that had not been there before the break; they held passion and madness, loyalty and fear. "We need to talk," said the Slytherin.
Lily let herself be dragged to the back of the train. On the way she passed the Marauders, who had just settled into their compartment. Potter looked alarmed at the sight of Bellatrix and Lily hurrying along, but, when he took a step forward, was halted by Remus.
Bellatrix thrust open a door and pulled Lily inside. Already huddled inside were nearly all the Hogwarts recruits.
"I found her," panted Bellatrix. Relief showed on everyone's faces "Now," she turned to Lily, "where were you?" Her voice was a purr, but the stray wisps of black hair that hovered over her blue eye increased the image of insanity.
"The only person I need to tell is not in the compartment right now." The train jolted forward, but Lily held her ground. "You can send the Dark Lord an owl saying you 'found' me. Inform him that I'll be contacting him soon." Lily turned to the door in the silence. "Oh, and if you see Snape, send him straight to Compartment 67. Immediately."
"Yes, milady," murmured one student, a fifth year. While Bellatrix glared at him, Lily slipped out of the compartment.
She had only gotten a few yards when she heard Sirius Black holler, "I found her!"
She narrowed her eyes. "Idiot," she muttered and put a finger to her lips, nodding to the compartment behind her.
Black winked and placed a finger to his lips too. "C'mon," he stage-whispered. Black turned and started walking up the hall. The train bumped as the wheels hit something on the track and Black fell over.
Lily, who had not even stumbled, took the opportunity to turn right and slip into Compartment 67. Inside sat a trio of young Ravenclaws, all discussing the novel that was in each of their hands, depicting hands holding an apple. "…pires really don't have those powers. Muggles just…" the speaking girl trailed off when Lily sat down beside her. "Excuse me, but that seat's saved for Jon."
Lily raised her eyebrows calmly, though internally furious for being thrust back into the world. "Are you going to try to make me move?"
The students looked to each other. One boy mumbled, "Let's just sit somewhere else."
"But we were here-"
"Come on!" squealed one girl, grabbing her friend's arm and pulling her from the compartment.
"Why are we moving?" argued one boy.
"Didn't you see?" said the squeaky blonde, "She was going to get Bellatrix Black to beat us up!"
Lily growled under her breath and waved her hand at the door. It slammed shut with more force than she had intended, but Lily wasn't paying attention.
Bones had assured her that, once she graduated, they would find a way for her to escape Voldemort. Lily had told herself not to get her hopes, but had anyways. Now she realized it was completely impossible.
She could never escape. She had gotten a slight break over Christmas, but now she was back in the world where she was Voldemort's most trusted supporter and would be forever under his control. What with Bellatrix and the new Death Eaters watching her every move, she'd never find a way to get away. She refused to let herself live in a dream world any longer. It must be her fate to die for Voldemort, not fighting against him.
She stared blankly out the compartment window, seeing nothing but her future.
"Evans." A voice 'tsked' from the doorway. Lily looked over as casually as she could and saw it was only Black.
"Weren't you going to sit with Potter, Pettigrew and Lupin?" Lily turned her gaze back to the window. The landscape was flashing by too fast to follow. It reminded Lily of her life.
She heard the compartment door click shut and the seat next to creaked. "Weren't you?" he asked softly.
Lily made no sound in reply, only brushed a lock of red hair from her face.
"You know what Edgar said. He thought it'd better for you stuck by us." Black's voice was still soft. He seemed concerned for her. He was a good actor. No one cared about anyone but themselves.
"Better for your precious Order, maybe," Lily hissed. What would happen if Bellatrix walked in and saw Lily talking to her Gryffindor cousin.
Black rustled behind her. Suddenly his face was in front of hers. "You're blocking my view."
"Of what?" Black looked behind him. "The big green blur?"
"I'm counting cows," Lily defended herself.
"Oh yeah? How many are you on now?"
"Forty-eight."
"We're in a forest," Black told her. Looking closer at said green blur, she realized they were, in fact, pine trees.
Lily had a retort on her tongue, but did not speak it. (1) In case you were wondering, the retort happened to be "The cows are in the trees!" (1) She focused on a spot somewhere over Black's head. "How did you know I was in here?"
"The fleeing Ravenclaws were a dead giveaway." Lily looked at Black's grinning face. "I thought that one little guy was going to wet himself."
Lily suppressed a smile and muttered, "Right."
"Go ahead and laugh. You know I'm hilarious." Black's silver eyes were as bright as stars, alive with mischief.
Lily raised an eyebrow. "And you're definition of hilarious is…"
Black rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Ha ha." Then his smile fell a degree. "You know, we don't get to talk much."
Lily clenched her teeth. "Did you notice the difference in this conversation and every other we've had?"
Black blinked. "You… haven't rolled your eyes yet?"
Lily gave sickly sweet smile. "I'm not in handcuffs… and," Lily put her wand to Black's forehead, "I have my wand." She kept her voice calm and loving as though she wanted nothing more than to murder him.
Black snorted. "Are you trying to make me leave? 'Cause I'm not."
Lily pushed the wand harder into his olive skin. "Get out."
Completely ignoring the death threats and the wand at his head, he spoke casually. "You won't actually hurt me. You hate hurting people." He lifted a hand and pushed the wand away. "So stop pretending all the time."
Lily carefully replaced her wand in her pocket and inched backwards. "You're an idiot," she informed him.
"So I've been told," Black laughed. "Many times."
"What are you going to do when Bellatrix walks in?" Lily began drumming her fingers restlessly on the chair's arm.
"Do you think I'm scared of Bella?" Black snorted. "I'm more likely to bust my gut laughing at her than fearing for my life."
"You should be afraid. She wouldn't care if she got arrested for killing us."
"I've known her a lot longer than you," Black retorted. "She'd be so busy screaming she wouldn't have time to kill us."
Lily thought for a second. "I could see that happening," she concurred.
"Well, you never know," Black said with a smirk. "She's a crazy b-"
"Black," greeted a voice from the doorway. "Lily."
Lily turned around saw Severus standing uncomfortably by the door. His robes were sharp and ironed, the result of one of his spells. Black hair hung loose around his sallow face, giving him the vague air of a vampire. He stepped into the room, briskly setting himself across from Lily. Severus had cast a spell on his cloak that caused it to billow violently behind him when he moved, giving him a suitably menacing touch to his appearance.
"Why's your cloak fluttering like that?" Black asked, turning his intense gaze on Severus. The difference in the two black-haired boys was astounding. Severus was pale, yet dark while Sirius was dark, yet light.
Severus sniffed and scowled. Black snorted. "I bet you thought you looked right scary."
Ignoring Black's jibes about his outfit, Severus focused on Lily. "Bellatrix said you were looking for me. Why?"
"Oh, I wasn't," Lily told him.
"Then why-?"
"Because if I hadn't, you'd probably be in there getting the third degree," Lily paused, "Metaphorically and literally."
"Huh?" Black asked.
"Well, Black," Severus snapped, "we're not going to explain it. The wit might be too much for that feeble mind of yours to bear."
Black snarled and leapt at Severus. Lily slipped out her wand and froze him before he could get in a second punch. Gently, Severus touched his bruised jaw. "And I thought you were strong."
Black fought against his bonds, but Lily's spell held strong. "He's been aching to get at you since the moment you walked in."
Black managed to look confused even with frozen features. Maybe it was a permanent thing for him. "You don't have to be a mind-reader to see that." Lily flicked her wand and moved Black back to his seat next to her before undoing the spell. She caught Severus stowing his own wand as she did so. As Black steamed silently, Lily said, "That reminds me, Severus… Legillimens!"
A flash of blue crossed her mind before she saw herself staring into Severus' eyes. It was though they were black whirlpools, pulling her in, deeper and deeper. She removed her spell quickly. A bead of sweat slithered down Severus' face as he sat back.
"That was brilliant," Lily finally said. "When did you…?"
Severus met her eyes. "I'm not stupid, Lily. I know what will happen if the Dark Lord gets into my mind now."
"But that-"
"It wasn't that hard," Severus shrugged, "A little practice."
Lily thought it over. "Did you know," she said, choosing each word carefully, "that it took me four years to Occlude my mind? That He knew my every thought of rebellion until then? And then you just take a 'little practice' and…"
Severus scowl made her trail off. "That sounded rather bitter," Severus spoke in casual tone.
"No, I'm just… jealous. You're a genius." Black crossed his arms and frowned harder. "He's been rather quiet," Lily commented.
Severus' voice held no shame. "I hit him with a Muffler. He can not hear us."
"See? Genius," Lily flashed Severus a small smile, and then muttered the counter-curse.
"What was that about?" he asked immediately.
"We were merely discussing which hexes would make you leave faster," Lily murmured. "I said a simple Jelly Legs would do, but Severus was just so keen on the Balding Charm…"
"You wouldn't." Black reached up and ran a hand through his black locks. He sighed in relief, but just as he started to pull his hand away, there was a small 'pop' and all of his hair vanished. Black let out a yelp and glared at Severus. He looked ready to punch him again, so Lily said, "Remus can probably fix it before we get back to castle if you hurry and ask him."
Black leaped to his feet and bolted from the compartment, bald pate shining in the candlelight. "You were right," Severus smirked, "I've wanted to do that for ages."
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"If only I had known," Severus said, shaking his head. Lily had to agree.
Black swaggered in front of them, Lily's roommate, Jessica Fairfield, on his arm. "Sirius," she sighed and snuggled deeper onto his arm, "You look so handsome."
What Lily and Severus had overlooked was that Remus' specialties were Transfiguration and Defense, not Charms. Instead of restoring Black's hair to its original shaggy black, it was now short and blonde.
"He looks Lucius with a potent Tanning Charm," Severus observed softly. "Only less cocky."
"So you know Malfoy," Lily muttered. They were walking together, but made it look like they were ignoring each other.
"Who doesn't know Lucius Malfoy?" Severus quickly masked his bitter look with one of indifference. "But who cares?"
Lily raised her eyebrows briefly. "Lucius is engaged to Narcissa," she mentioned.
"I am perfectly aware of that, Lily," he replied icily.
Lily didn't bother to respond as she was swept to the Gryffindor table. Taking her usual spot closest to the exit, she waited for the food to appear.
Once everyone had been seated, Dumbledore stood up. This was odd. He normally reserved his speeches for the start of school. Sparkling blue eyes ran over the Great Hall, pausing briefly on Black's newly blonde head and continuing down the table until he met Lily's eyes.
Oh no. He wouldn't warn the school about her, would he? Lily suddenly wasn't so sure.
"I would welcome each of you back. However, seeing as that would take hours, I'll just say a few words to you all. I hope your break was enjoyable and you didn't forget everything you learned. I would also like to mention a peer-counseling group for those with losses due to Lord Voldemort. If anyone has any questions, please see the Head Boy," he gestured to Remus, who waved, "Or Head Girl." The Ravenclaw, Clover, rose and giggled.
"Now dinner may commence." Dumbledore sat down and food appeared.
Lily was barely three bites into her potatoes when she heard the rustle of robes of someone sitting across from her. Hoping it was a random underclassman, Lily kept her eyes down.
"Sirius said he found you on the train," Potter said casually.
"Really," drawled Lily. She could feel Bellatrix's eyes on her. "How interesting."
"Yeah," agreed Potter, "That he had to find you. Why didn't you just come sit with us?"
"It's too dangerous now," Lily muttered, lips barely moving. "It has been too dangerous."
"No." Potter was gazing intently at her. "We're going to protect you." Lily shrugged slightly. She jumped slightly when his warm hand touched hers. "You need to trust us."
"Why bother?" Lily moved her hand away. It was shockingly warm from the contact with him. His bright hazel eyes watched her sadly. Pity just watched with him, and Lily loathed it.
"Because I really do love you," he said. Lily's breath caught in her throat. Then she realized it in a sigh. Couldn't anyone just be honest with her?
"You don't even know me." Lily looked at plate, which looked suddenly unappetizing, and then rose. "Adieu."
Lily had just escaped the Great Hall when the doors opened behind her again. "Evans!" Recognizing it as one of the younger Slytherins, she turned. "Black gave me a Galleon to give this to you."
He handed over a parchment. She nodded to the boy and continued walking to the Tower.
Upon finding the dorm empty, Lily unrolled the note. 'Tomorrow. Midnight. Forest. The DL called a meeting. You might want to attend. –BB.'
Now that she was in privacy of her dormitory, she allowed herself to shudder. She knew what would happen if she went… but also what would happen if she didn't.
Please review to find out what happens. As I mentioned in the beginning, I'll post a half page for every review I get on this chapter until I decide its not working. So, this length is 20 reviews. Forty would be double… :D