Harry Potter and the Final Chapter
By
Lewis M. Brooks, III
Chapter 48 – Will You Be My Valentine?
It took a few days, but things in the castle gradually returned to normal. Things remained rather cool for several days between Lily and Ginny, as Ginny was quite upset that Lily had healed Albus. Even Ginny couldn't deny how happy she was that Albus was healed. It only took a few days for mother and daughter to put the past behind them.
Harry continued to get reports of Death Eater activity. Two more Healers disappeared in Albania, and three from neighboring Greece. Harry was really beginning to wonder what was going on. There had to be some reason they needed Healers. The bodies of the earliest Healers kidnapped had begun to show up. The men were tortured, and the women…Harry didn't want to think about it.
Just ten days after the second task was Valentine's Day. Spring had come early, and the weather was wonderful. For the last several years, Hermione had declared no classes on Valentine's Day, and had allowed a special day in Hogsmeade. Valentine's Day fell on a Wednesday, so it was a nice day off in the middle of the week. All the couples among the Potters and Weasleys had plans.
Albus and Carly had decided not to go into Hogsmeade. In fact, they decided to do nothing fancy at all. They were going to spend the entire day together in their room, and had Winky bring them their meals. All they wanted was to be together.
Danny had a surprise for Rose. He had asked for and was given permission to take Rose to London for the day. They were going to the Wizarding Museum of Britain, and then to the London Zoo, two of Rose's favorite places. Danny had asked Harry if he could help him get reservations for The Feather of the Phoenix. Even for Harry that was not easy. Most Valentine's Day reservations at The Feather of the Phoenix were booked years in advance. However, Harry managed to get not only reservations, but also a private room and a special dinner prepared by Chef Olivier. Danny was keeping where they were going for dinner secret until they arrived.
Lily and Tommy had a much simpler day in mind. They took a picnic lunch, and flew on Tommy's broom. They went to the forest beyond Hogsmeade, technically out of bounds for students, but many would go for walks in the woods, it wasn't strictly enforced. They found a clearing, ate lunch, and planned to spend the rest of the afternoon snogging. What more could they ask for? Lily did have dinner plans with someone else who was very special to her.
Neville and Gabrielle's Valentine's Day was more of a weekend in the middle of the week. They had left Hogwarts Tuesday morning, not to return until Thursday night. Neville didn't tell anyone where he and Gabrielle were going, but everyone assumed it would be someplace romantic. They were wrong however. Neville had managed to receive permission to view the collection of rare magical plants, fungi, and carnivorous plants at the Herbology Research Center of Tokyo. For two Herbologists it was a dream come true.
In only ten days since James finally accepted he could not be Albus's protector without making himself crazy, Lucy noticed a huge change in him. It was a wonderful change. Since they had started dating when she came to Hogwarts, James was always affectionate and attentive, but the worry never left his eyes. It was like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders now. James seemed happier than he had ever been, and all he wanted to do was hold Lucy in his arms, which suited Lucy just fine. Of course, he was still worried, but not thinking of himself, as the person solely responsible for Albus's safety seemed to give him a freedom he hadn't had in many years.
James and Lucy invited her parents to come to Hogwarts on Valentine's Day, to meet Harry and Ginny, and so they could start planning the wedding. Harry and Ginny didn't have other plans. They were staying at the castle so that Ron and Hermione could get away for the day.
Ron and Hermione took turns planning Valentine's Day. This was Hermione's turn to plan. She had arranged for them to spend the morning together at a nice hotel in Chudley, and then in the afternoon, Hermione had arranged for one of the greatest days of Ron's life. Hermione and Ron attended the Chudley Cannons' practice in the afternoon, and then had VIP seats for the game that night against Puddlemere United. She had even arranged for Donald Morrow, General Manager of the Chudley Cannons to present Ron with a broomstick signed by the entire team. When Hermione told Ron, he nearly cried. It was the greatest Valentine's Day ever as far as Ron was concerned. What she didn't tell him was that just before the game was to begin, Oliver and Jason Wood would fly up to their seats with an extra broom, and take Ron out over the pitch, to throw out the ceremonial first quaffle. Hermione knew Ron would cry then.
Hugo and Colleen were taking advantage of the day to go to Hogsmeade. Colleen had never been to Hogsmeade. They woke up early, and had breakfast together in the Great Hall. As they walked toward Hogsmeade, Hugo could tell from Colleen's silence that something was wrong.
"What is it, love?" asked Hugo. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," said Colleen softly. "I'm fine."
Hugo stopped walking and turned to her. He grabbed her around the waist and lifted her up, pulling her against him, holding them eye-to-eye.
"Now," said Hugo, with their faces only inches apart. "First, if you're only fine on Valentine's Day, then I'm not a very good boyfriend. Second, we agreed you would tell me when something was bothering you. I can fix the first problem easy enough I think."
He kissed her deeply, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. A few moments later they broke the kiss breathlessly.
"Better?" asked Hugo.
"Much," said Colleen with a smile. Hugo continued to hold her waiting for her to tell him what was wrong. Colleen sighed. "All right, I'll tell you. On Valentine's Day my Dad would take my Mum and I out shopping and then to lunch. We would spend the afternoon in the park. I never spent Valentine's Day without them until I went to school. I don't know why I should be thinking of that now. I've been at school for the last four Valentine's Days. I don't know why today would be different than any of those."
"Yes you do," said Hugo softly, looking into he eyes. He gave her a soft kiss, and then hugged her for a moment. "You miss them. If you would rather go back to the castle, we can. I mean, if this will remind you too much of those days, I don't want you to be sad all day."
Colleen pulled back and smiled. "I can't be sad when I'm with you, not really," said Colleen. "Come on, let's enjoy the day."
Hugo kissed her again, and set her down. "Come on," said Hugo with a smile, let's go and have some fun."
They walked into Hogsmeade, and went to Honeydukes first. Hugo bought a big bag of chocolates and other sweets. Hugo and Colleen both had a sweet tooth.
They went to Gladrags. Gladrags was now carrying a selection of Muggle clothes, as so many students at Hogwarts liked Muggle clothes.
Colleen tried on some new clothes. She needed some spring clothes, as most of her wardrobe was for winter, since Durmstrang was cold almost all the time. She picked out a few things. She was amazed that Hugo was waiting patiently for her.
"I like that one," said Hugo with a grin. Colleen was trying on a particularly short skirt and low cut top. "It looks wonderful on you."
"But won't you be jealous of the other boys staring at me in this?" asked Colleen teasingly, batting her eyelashes at him.
"Maybe a little," said Hugo with a grin. "I can handle it though. Besides, don't you think I deserve something for standing here so patiently?"
"I guess you're right," said Colleen with a laugh. "This one's a keeper."
Hugo enjoyed seeing her happy like this. She was enjoying trying on clothes. Colleen had far too little happiness. If such a simple thing was going to make her happy, he could be patient.
After Gladrags, they went to Scrivenshaft's so Hugo could pick up some new quills, and then they headed to the Three Broomsticks for lunch. On the way they bumped into someone.
"Hi, Sirius," said Hugo. Sirius was walking down the street towards them.
"Hi, Hugo, Colleen," said Sirius.
"Where are you off to today?" asked Hugo.
"I just wanted to pick up a present for someone special," said Sirius. "I have a…dinner date this evening."
"Your usual Valentine's Day dinner date?" asked Hugo with a grin.
"Of course," said Sirius with a smile. "Have a good day you two, oh and watch your back, I thought I saw that worthless git, Peter Skeeter, skulking around." Sirius continued down the street.
When they arrived at the Three Broomsticks, Hugo and Colleen ordered lunch and found a small table in the back. After they ate, they sipped warm butterbeer.
"Have you had fun?" asked Hugo, reaching across the table to take Colleen's hand.
"More than I thought I ever would again," said Colleen, as she interlaced their fingers.
"I think now is a good time for me to give you your present," said Hugo. He removed a box from his pocket.
"You didn't have to get me anything," sad Colleen as she took the box. She opened it, then looked up at Hugo.
"I hope you like it," said Hugo. "I don't know anything about jewelry. I just thought you should have something to replace your necklace. I thought you might like this."
Colleen removed the delicate gold chain from the box. Dangling from it was a teardrop shaped amethyst pendant.
"Hugo, it's beautiful," said Colleen with a smile. "Purple is my favorite color. Thank you." Colleen put the necklace on.
"It looks beautiful on you," said Hugo with a smile.
"Come on," said Colleen with a glint in her eye. "Let's go somewhere with fewer people around so I can thank you properly." She didn't have to tell Hugo twice.
They walked a ways outside of Hogsmeade, and found a deserted clearing off of the road. They were technically out of bounds, but as long as they were back to the castle on time, no one would notice.
Hugo put down the bags they had from shopping and turned to Colleen. "So, you wanted to thank me," said Hugo with a grin.
Colleen walked close up to him. "Yes," said Colleen, "I do." She pushed him, causing him to fall on his back in the soft grass, and then Colleen leapt on top of him.
Hugo looked up at her, not sure what had just happened. Colleen smiled down at him. "I didn't think it was fair you always have to hold me up when I kiss you because I'm so short," said Colleen with a laugh. "I want you to have all your energy for snogging."
"I like the way you think," said Hugo with a grin.
He pulled her down towards him, and they began to kiss. They continued for a while, coming up for air only briefly when they had to. After about twenty minutes, the peacefulness around them was shattered by a scream.
"That was Lily," exclaimed Hugo. He rolled Colleen off of him, and got up to his feet, then helped Colleen up.
"Which way did it come from?" asked Colleen.
"Get back here," screamed another familiar voice.
"That was Tommy," said Hugo.
Just then, someone ran out of the woods. Hugo knew who it was as soon as he saw him. He was carrying a camera. He wasn't looking where he was running, and was coming right towards Hugo. Hugo assumed he was looking back for Tommy and Lily who must have been chasing him. Hugo stuck out an arm in front of the man, and he ran into Hugo's arm, falling down hard, landing in a heap and dropping the camera.
"Peter Skeeter, you pile of filth," growled Hugo. Although Peter Skeeter was years older than Hugo, he was much shorter, just a little taller than Colleen. When he ran into Hugo, he never stood a chance. Hugo reached down and picked up the camera.
"Hey, that's mine," squeaked Peter Skeeter.
Lily and Tommy came running out of the trees at that moment. Hugo looked up when he saw them. Hugo noticed Tommy's shirt was partially unbuttoned. Peter Skeeter had his opportunity when he saw Hugo was distracted. He leapt to his feet and grabbed the camera from Hugo, before Hugo knew what was happening.
Colleen pointed her wand, "Stupefy," said Colleen. "Petrificus Totalus…Incarcerous…Crucio." Colleen's spells missed. Peter Skeeter had a little distance between them, he stopped and apparated away.
"Damn it," yelled Lily.
"What happened?" asked Hugo. Colleen had used an Unforgivable Curse, but he would deal with that later.
Tommy put his arms around Lily, who began to cry. "He took a picture of us snogging," said Tommy as he rubbed Lily's back soothingly.
"So what?" asked Hugo. He really didn't know why that was cause for Lily to get upset. Two snogging teenagers weren't exactly unusual.
Colleen had a sudden thought. "Were you…just snogging?" asked Colleen, not wanting to upset Lily anymore than she already was.
"Yes," said Lily through her tears. "We were just snogging."
Hugo saw Tommy take a breath and then started buttoning up his shirt.
"In all fairness, Lily," began Tommy, a look of guilt on his face, "even though we weren't going to…do…anything, well…"
"Well what?" asked Lily in exasperation.
"Well, I'm not sure the camera would have caught the truth of the situation," said Tommy with a sigh. "It may have looked like something it wasn't."
"Why would Peter Skeeter care?" asked Colleen.
Lily gasped. "I know," said Lily, her voice dripping with terror. "When Al was in St. Mungo's. Mum and I caught him in Al's room bothering Carly. I sort of punched him in the gut and then kicked him…in a painful spot."
Hugo, Colleen, and Tommy's eyes went wide. She had never mentioned this.
"Do you think he's going to print the picture in the Daily Prophet to get back at me?" asked Lily, her tears starting again, harder than before. Tommy put his arms around her again.
"I think your Mum did a number on him that day too," said Hugo. "Even Peter Skeeter wouldn't be going after you, but he might use the picture to embarrass your Mum."
Lily cried still harder. "It'll be all right Lily," said Tommy.
"Lily, can I talk to you for a minute in private?" asked Colleen.
Lily nodded, and Tommy let go of her and he and Hugo picked up the packages on the ground, and headed for the path back into Hogsmeade. When they were gone, Colleen pulled Lily into a hug and held her for a moment.
"Lily," asked Colleen, trying not to push. "It's not that I don't believe you, but is that really all that was in the picture?"
Lily pulled back. "I swear, we weren't going to do anything more," said Lily. "Tommy and I talked about that one night when we started to get a little carried away while we were snogging. We're too young. I was on top of him in the grass snogging him, and I started kissing his neck. I opened his shirt a few buttons and I was kissing his chest. Tommy had his hands on my hips."
"Hips?" asked Colleen, not sure she really believed what Lily was saying.
"All right, he had them on my butt," said Lily in exasperation. "That picture must look like we were going to… I'm so embarrassed."
"It'll be all right," said Colleen reassuringly. "You're going to have to tell your Mum and Dad though. They can try to stop him from using the picture."
"I know," said Lily as she began to cry again.
Lily wanted to crawl in a hole. All she wanted was some private time with her boyfriend, whom she loved, and it might have turned into front-page news. Her parents were going to be so upset with her. After she finally got them to realize she wasn't a little girl anymore, and now this. All she could hope for was maybe the picture was out of focus.
What was worse, poor Tommy was caught up in all this. He didn't do anything to deserve it. It made her feel awful that he had to suffer because she had a destiny. It wasn't fair to him.
--
Tommy walked down the hallway toward his doom. What other outcome could there be? He knew that logically, he and Lily weren't doing anything wrong. They weren't doing anything most of the other fifth years in the school didn't do. Many of them weren't even completely in love either. Tommy wanted to marry Lily some day. This meant something. There was no logical reason why anyone should give them a hard time about being out in the woods snogging. Maybe he had let his hands wander a bit. That really wasn't so bad, right?
After all the arguments, Tommy was still sure he was walking toward his doom. Tommy knew he was as good as dead. No one would even find his body.
He was about to tell Lily's father, who had defeated Voldemort about what happened in the forest with his daughter. He was already really intimidated by Lily's father, though he had been nothing but nice to Tommy. Her father had never said anything to suggest he had any problem with his dating Lily, but still, he found him very intimidating.
The worst part of all of it was Lily had been in her room crying all afternoon. Tommy loved her so much, seeing her upset broke his heart.
Tommy arrived at the door, behind which he knew his doom awaited. He took a breath and knocked on the door. He had to do this to spare Lily. She was already upset enough.
Ginny opened the door. "Hi, Tommy," said Ginny with a smile.
"H-hello P-Professor Potter," said Tommy nervously. He was hoping maybe Lily's father wouldn't be here. "Could I talk to you for a minute."
Ginny didn't need to be a Legilimens to know something was wrong. "Come on in, Tommy," said Ginny.
Tommy walked into Harry and Ginny's quarters. As soon as he did, he saw Harry, sitting on the couch, polishing the Sword of Gryffindor. Tommy knew he was a dead man.
Ginny sat down on the couch next to Harry. "Hi Tommy," said Harry, as he ran the rag up and down the silver blade.
"Hi," said Tommy hoping his death would at least be quick.
"What's wrong, Tommy," asked Ginny. "And before you say nothing, it's written all over your face. Whatever it is you can tell us."
Harry stopped polishing the blade. "Is Lily all right?" asked Harry concernedly.
"Lily's fine," said Tommy. "Well, maybe not fine, but she's all right. Oh damn." Tommy decided there was no way to say it but just come out with it. "Something happened today, in the forest near Hogsmeade. Peter Skeeter took a picture of Lily and I."
Both Harry and Ginny knew there was more to this story. They knew Tommy wouldn't be this upset about a photo.
Tommy took a breath. "We had a picnic," said Tommy. "Afterwards, we lay down in the grass and…started snogging. That is all we were doing, I swear. Lily and I have talked about…sex…and we're too young." Tommy wanted to crawl in a hole and never come out. "I'm afraid the photo may look like a lot more than it was."
Harry and Ginny had no doubt, Tommy was telling the truth about what they weren't doing. He was far too honest to be lying to them. "Why do you think the photo might look like more?" asked Ginny calmly.
"Well," began Tommy, eyeing the sword Harry still held, "Lily was straddling me, my shirt was open, she was kissing my chest, and I had my hands…on her butt." Tommy closed his eyes and held his breath waiting for the deathblow.
"I'm going to kill him," growled Harry through gritted teeth. "I swear I'm going to kill him. Peter Skeeter is a dead man."
At that Tommy let out the breath he was holding and opened his eyes. As Tommy opened his eyes, Ginny was putting her arms around him and hugging him.
"Thank you for telling us, Tommy," said Ginny. "Lily is lucky, most boys wouldn't have had the courage to do that."
"I'm really sorry," said Tommy softly.
"It's all right," said Ginny. "Is Lily all right?"
"She's been in her room crying," said Tommy. "Colleen is with her. Lily was too upset, so I said I would tell you."
"I'll go check on her," said Ginny.
Ginny left Tommy and Harry alone. Harry was still sitting on the couch, seething. How dare Peter Skeeter do that? Harry almost forgot Tommy was there.
Please have a seat, Tommy," said Harry.
Tommy nervously took a seat on the couch.
"I'm really sorry, sir," said Tommy. "This was my fault. It was my idea to go on the picnic. I just wanted to spend some time with her. I love her so much."
"It's all right, Tommy," said Harry with a sigh. How Harry was having this conversation he didn't know. That wasn't true, he did know. It was Peter Skeeter's fault, and he was going to pay for it. "I'm not going to say I like the idea of you having your hands all over my daughter like that, but she isn't a little girl anymore. You two seem to have made a…very responsible decision, and I know how much you love each other. It wasn't your fault." Harry stood up. "If anything, it is my fault. I seem to attract these people, and they hurt the people who are close to me."
"Thank you, sir," said Tommy. "I'm still really sorry."
"If you'll excuse me, Tommy," began Harry, "I have to go kill Peter Skeeter."
Harry put the Sword of Gryffindor back in its sheath. He hadn't given it back to Albus since he returned from, Germany, as he expected he might need it again. He almost took it with him, but he didn't want to get Peter Skeeter's blood on the sword. Skeeter wasn't worth that. Harry took a few minutes to calm down a little bit, but it didn't help much.
Harry marched down the hallway. He was seething. Harry wasn't sure what exactly he was going to do to Peter Skeeter, but it was going to be extremely unpleasant for the little worm. Locking him in a small room with a dozen Blast-Ended Skrewts seemed like a good idea.
As Harry walked, he came upon Sirius and James, standing in the hallway talking. He was quite sure they would share his outrage.
"Hey, Harry," said Sirius. Then he noticed the murderous look on his face. "What's wrong Harry? Has something happened?"
"Oh, it's nothing, I'm just going to kill Peter Skeeter," said Harry, "or at least maim him. I haven't decided which yet."
"What happened?" asked James as they fell into step behind Harry, as he was not stopping for anything. Harry recounted the story Tommy told them as they walked.
"I'll hold him," said Sirius.
--
Ginny rushed up to Gryffindor Tower. Hugo was sitting in the Common Room, when he saw Ginny he knew where she was going.
Ginny went right up the stairs to Lily's dorm and knocked on the door. "Come in," came Colleen's voice.
Ginny opened the door and found Colleen and Lily sitting on Lily's bed. Lily was crying. Colleen had her arms around Lily. Ginny went right over, sat next to Lily, and pulled her into a hug.
"I'm so sorry, Mum," said Lily tearfully. "I don't know how I let this happen."
"This wasn't your fault," said Ginny reassuringly. "You should be able to spend time with your boyfriend without worrying about having your picture taken. They used to do that to your father and I when we were in our last year of school and even after we graduated."
"But what if he prints that picture in the Daily Prophet?" asked Lily nearly in a panic. "Hugo thinks he's going to try and embarrass you for what you did to him at the hospital."
"Hugo might be right," said Ginny. "I don't even care about that. Look Lily, I need to go find your father. By now, your Dad might be contemplating something drastic…and I don't want to miss it when he gets his hands on Peter Skeeter."
Something else occurred to Lily "Dad didn't hurt Tommy did he?" asked Lily slowly.
"No," said Ginny with a laugh. "You weren't doing anything wrong. Your Dad, as you know, has recently realized you aren't a little girl anymore. I think we all have. I'm sure Tommy is on his way up to see you. I'll be back after your father and I deal with Peter Skeeter."
--
Harry, Sirius, and James reached Hermione's office a few minutes after meeting up in the hall. Sirius and James had managed to calm Harry down a little bit. They had every intention of making sure Peter Skeeter regretted what he did, but at the same time, they didn't want Harry to go too far. The door to the office was open, and they entered the office, and were shocked at who was there.
To Harry, loyalty to ones friends was one of the most important things to have. Sitting in front of Hermione's desk was a person who embodied the very opposite of loyalty to one's friends. After she turned in Dumbledore's Army fifth year, she should have had 'SNEAK' permanently tattooed on her face.
"Marietta Edgecombe," said Harry disdainfully. "Fancy meeting you here, I'm on my way to have a word with one of your reporters. By word, I mean I'm going to beat the snot out of him."
"No need, Harry," said Marietta as she stood up. Her contempt for him was clear in her voice. "The photo will not see print."
Harry, who was half way to the floo with Sirius and James, stopped in his tracks, and looked at her quizzically.
"I am all for stories that embarrass the lot of you," said Marietta in a holier than thou tone. "I still haven't forgotten what you all did to me."
"What we did to you," said Harry with a laugh. "That's a laugh you…" a smile crossed Harry's lips. "Sneak."
As far as Marietta was concerned the use of that word ended any chance of this being a civil conversation.
"As Editor in Chief of the Daily Prophet, any story that is news gets printed," said Marietta as if it were written in stone. "If it embarrasses any of you in the process, then that's even better as far as I am concerned. However, your daughter hasn't done anything to deserve being embarrassed for having done nothing wrong. There is nothing more than two snogging teenagers in that photo, as much as Skeeter would like to spin it otherwise and make it be about what lousy parents you are. There isn't enough there to do that…unfortunately. As much as I would enjoy embarrassing you and your wife, your daughter doesn't deserve it. I've destroyed the photo. Goodbye." With that, Marietta charged by Harry like an angry bull, threw floo powder in the fire and left.
"Thank God," said Ginny, who had come into the office just after Harry, James, and Sirius. "It won't be printed, that's all that matters."
Harry was still seething, but he tried to calm down. He still wanted to go make Peter Skeeter pay for what he did. "Is Lily all right?" asked Harry.
"Yes, she's upset, but she'll be all right," said Ginny. "If Skeeter makes the mistake of showing his face in front of me again, I'm going to kill him."
"There is a line for that," said Harry. "I should still go teach him a lesson for what he's done. He's just going to do it again."
"I know, Harry," said Ginny. She would have liked to do that herself, but that was only going to give him an excuse to write a story about it. "It won't do any good. The picture is destroyed, let's leave it be for now."
Sirius and James left, and after speaking with Hermione for a few minutes, Harry and Ginny left the office. Ginny stopped in the hallway and turned to Harry.
"I'm proud of how you handled that," said Ginny as she put her arms around Harry.
"Handled what?" asked Harry. "I didn't do anything."
"Tommy and Lily," said Ginny with a laugh. "I mean, when Rose was fifteen, if that had happened, Ron would have skewered Danny with the sword."
Harry laughed. "Well, it is hard for me not to think of her as my little princess," said Harry with a sigh. "But, she is fifteen, in two years she will be an adult. I can't very well get upset that she's snogging her boyfriend."
Ginny smiled. "Thank you for not going after Peter Skeeter, it wouldn't have helped," said Ginny. "I know you wanted to…so did I."
Harry knew Ginny was right, as much as he wanted to throttle Peter Skeeter, he would just be giving him another story to print. He knew one of these days Peter Skeeter would go too far, and he just hoped it wouldn't be any worse than upsetting Lily.
--
At eleven thirty that night, after she thought everyone was asleep, Lily crept down to the Gryffindor Common Room to sit for a while by the fire. She had cried all afternoon and evening, and refused to come down earlier to see Tommy.
Lily was embarrassed and angry. Worst of all, she was sure Tommy would want to break up with her. She knew Tommy loved her, but maybe this was going to be too much for him to take. This whole mess was because of whom she was, because of whom her parents were. She was Harry Potter's daughter, and certain things, like having your privacy invaded, went along with that. It was so unfair to Tommy. It wasn't until today that Lily realized that, and realized just how bad that could be.
Lily just wanted to sit alone by the fire for a while. She was in her most comfortable pajamas. Lily needed all the comfort she could get. There were so many things on Lily's mind. She kept thinking of how Tommy had volunteered to tell her parents about the photo. She should not have let him do that. Lily knew Tommy was trying to spare her further embarrassment, but it just wasn't right for her to let him do that. She couldn't imagine how hard that was for him to have done that, not to mention how embarrassing it must have been. She knew that Tommy was very nervous around her father, even though he had no reason to be. Tommy really was the perfect boyfriend. Lily knew she didn't deserve him.
When Lily reached the Common Room, she found she was not alone.
"What are you still doing up, Tommy?" asked Lily softly. She wasn't sure she could face him after all that had happened. She stared at the floor in front of her.
Tommy got up from the couch and went over to her. "I couldn't go to sleep without seeing you," said Tommy. "I was hoping you would come down at some point. Are you all right?"
Lily so wanted him to hold her, but he didn't. He didn't even take her hand, or touch her face, or kiss her. She knew he must be angry with her, and she really couldn't blame him. She couldn't look up at him.
"I'm fine," said Lily softly.
"I'm so sorry this happened," said Tommy. He felt awful about this. If he hadn't let his hands wonder, perhaps it wouldn't have happened.
"It wasn't your fault, Tommy," said Lily. "We…you didn't do anything wrong."
Tommy looked at her quizzically for a moment wishing she would look up at him. "Come on," said Tommy. "Let's sit down for a while and talk."
The two of them went and sat on the couch. Lily had come here to be alone, but even more now than when she first saw Tommy was here, she really wanted Tommy to hold her. He didn't even sit close to her like he usually did. Lily was sure he didn't want to.
"What do you think you did wrong today?" asked Tommy. "It's obvious you are blaming yourself, and I want to know why."
"That miserable git wasn't out there to photograph you, Tommy," said Lily staring into the fire and willing herself not to start crying again. "He was there to get a photo to embarrass my parents."
"How is that your fault?" asked Tommy. "It wouldn't have been so bad if I had just kept my hands to myself."
Lily laughed. "Tommy, your hands were only there, because I wanted them there," said Lily. "Before we were interrupted, I was rather enjoying myself." She smiled for just a moment. "This was my fault, Tommy. I understand…if you want to break up with me." Lily was fighting back tears now.
Tommy couldn't take it anymore. He reached over and gently turned her head towards him and looked into her beautiful brown eyes. "What would ever give you that idea?" asked Tommy with a smile. "Breaking up is the furthest thing from my mind."
"This was all because of me," said Lily as she looked into his eyes. "Then I let you go tell my parents. I should have done that myself. It wasn't your responsibility. Hugo told me what you said about my father having the sword out when you got there. You must have been scared to death."
Tommy pulled her into his lap. He gently brushed her tears away. "I love you, Lily Potter, and I hope we'll be together forever… some stupid reporter will never change that," said Tommy. "And your Dad was really nice about the whole thing, though I must admit I was scared senseless when I saw he had the sword. I think your Dad was as embarrassed as I was at having the whole conversation. He knows I would never do anything to hurt you."
Tommy's words made Lily's heart swell with joy. "Are you sure, Tommy?" asked Lily. "We'll probably always have to put up with things like this."
Tommy brought her gaze back to his and stared into her eyes. "More sure than I have ever been about anything," said Tommy. "Don't forget, I'll always be there when you need a kiss." He leaned in and kissed her.
When he broke the kiss, Lily smiled. She got up and repositioned herself on Tommy's lap so she was straddling him. Tommy sucked in a breath and was unable to let it out. Tommy had much the same reaction in the woods earlier that day.
"I love you too, Tommy," said Lily with a smile. "Now, where were we today when we were so rudely interrupted."
Tommy slid his arms around her and pulled her close for another kiss. After a few minutes, they broke apart.
"I wish you had enjoyed your Valentine's Day more," said Tommy.
"I spent the best parts of it with you," said Lily with a smile. "The rest doesn't matter." Suddenly Lily remembered something. She had forgotten with everything that happened today, she had missed her date for dinner. She kissed him quickly. "I have to go, Tommy. I'm sorry. I forgot about my dinner date, and if I don't hurry, Valentine's Day will be over."
--
At the top of the Astronomy Tower, a lone figure stood looking over the Hogwarts grounds. The moon was full, and it reflected off the lake. It was so peaceful like this at night. Sirius knew one day this peace would be shattered by Voldemort.
Sirius checked his watch. Only another ten minutes, and the second most depressing day of the year would be over. The first was of course, Halloween.
In his entire life, Sirius had never had a meaningful Valentine's Day. Sirius smiled. That wasn't completely true. For the last seven years, he had dinner on Valentine's Day with Lily and Neville, who also had nothing to do on Valentine's Day either these past six years. Lily insisted they both have dinner with her. Dinner with Lily was the only good part of Valentine's Day.
Her day had not gone as planned, and dinner had slipped her mind. It was understandable though after the day she had. She should have been having dinner with her boyfriend anyway, but she had insisted on having dinner with him. He just hoped she wouldn't be too upset with herself when she realized she forgot.
Sirius's life had not gone how he had expected it would. He would have thought that by now, he would have been married. He would have had children, and quite possibly grandchildren. After all, chronologically, he was sixty-three years old.
In his youth, Sirius was very much the ladies man. When he was young, he was good looking. He knew it, and acted accordingly. He was a bit full of himself and a troublemaker. It attracted the wrong kind of girls unfortunately. They were attracted to his 'bad boy' image. They never really got to know who Sirius Black really was. He never really had a serious relationship, even after school. James was the lucky one, then much later Remus. Sirius had never really been in love.
Then James and Lily were murdered, and he was sent to Azkaban. Any real chance he had to be happy died that day with his best friend and the woman he came to think of as a sister. He could never be happy after losing them. When he escaped Azkaban, after his obsession with killing Peter Pettigrew ended, the only thing that was important, the only thing that mattered, was stopping Voldemort and saving Harry. Then he died.
Twenty-one years later, he returned from the dead. The good looks of his youth, so mauled by twelve years in Azkaban, had returned to him. He was barely Harry's age having not aged for twenty-one years, though for some reason, he felt much older than he was, even if he didn't look it. Apparently, twelve years in Azkaban has a way of speeding up the aging process.
In the seven years since he returned, more than once he had met a witch at the Three Broomsticks who seemed interested in getting to know him. There was no reason he couldn't meet someone and fall in love. If he ever said that out loud, he would have been lying, and he knew it. There was every reason he couldn't, that's exactly why he hadn't.
Since the day he stumbled out of the veil in the Department of Mysteries, Sirius had always asked himself the same question. Why? Why had he returned? Certainly Remus could have been 'The Counsel' just as well as he could. In fact, he probably could have done it better. Dumbledore was the one Harry truly needed, wasn't he? James and Lily were the ones who deserved to come back, to get to know their son, and their grandchildren. What made Sirius Black so much more worthy, so much more special, that he deserved to return?
That was why he hadn't had a relationship in the last seven years. There was something he had to do, some reason he had returned. It was this question that prevented Sirius from getting to know any of those witches he met at the Three Broomsticks, but that wasn't the only reason.
There was another reason Sirius felt he couldn't have a relationship. Really he felt he didn't deserve one. Sirius had never told anyone, not even Remus or Harry what he was doing the night James and Lily died. If he had been there, maybe he could have saved them, or at least bought Lily time to escape with Harry. He should have been there, and he wasn't. He failed them when they needed him most, and he had no one to blame but himself.
As the years went by, this became harder and harder to live with. He still had nightmares about that night sometimes. Sirius spent so much time thinking about it lately, it was beginning to take its toll. Sirius in some ways hoped that maybe, by returning to life, and helping Harry and his family, he was being given a second chance to do what he failed to do in his first life. Nothing he had ever done for them seemed like enough.
Sirius knew that in some ways, what he was doing was no different than what James did when he refused to tell Lucy how he felt when they were in school. Sirius was denying himself the chance at happiness the same way, but then, James hadn't returned from the dead. James had a life to live, and every right to be happy while doing it.
Sirius had lived his life, and his own cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange, had ended it in 1995 in the Death Chamber of the Department of Mysteries. He was living on someone else's time now. If only he knew what he was supposed to do with it.
"I thought I might find you here," said a voice from behind Sirius.
Sirius chuckled as he turned around slowly. "I don't remember the last time I was stood up by such a beautiful girl," said Sirius.
"I'm sorry," said Lily with a frown. "I did forget with everything that happened today. I really was going to have dinner with you, but well, things went sort of bad today. I'm really am sorry, I feel terrible."
"Don't fell bad, I know you wanted to," said Sirius with a smile. "I heard all about it. I'm sorry that happened. No reason for you to feel bad at all. There really wasn't any reason for you to have had dinner with an old man today anyway. I'm sure Tommy wanted to have dinner with you."
Sirius never forgot the first time he met Lily, the day he returned from beyond the veil. He had mentioned James, and it brought a tear to his eye. Nine year old Lily had come over and said, 'I'll be your friend.'
"I wanted to, Sirius," said Lily. She came over and gave him a hug, which Sirius returned with a smile. "You shouldn't spend Valentine's Day all alone."
"It's quite all right," said Sirius. He looked at his watch. "And I didn't, you made it with two minutes to spare."
Lily laughed. "I know it's too late for us to have dinner, but I thought we could have desert," said Lily with a smile.
Lily had her school bag on her shoulder. She opened it and removed two butterbeers and a large chocolate heart. She cast a warming charm on the butterbeers, and split the chocolate heart in half down the middle.
"So, Sirius," said Lily with a look that told Sirius exactly what was coming. When are you going to go out and meet someone?"
Sirius rolled his eyes. "We've been over this, Lily," said Sirius shaking his head. "You are beginning to sound like your Mum."
"Yes, we have been over this, and my Mum is right," said Lily in an annoyed tone. "All that rubbish about your happiness not being important and that your life is not your own, blah, blah, blah. I can see how lonely you are. You have the right to be happy."
Sirius ate the last bite of his chocolate, and drank the last of his butterbeer. "Lily, I love you, and I appreciate your being concerned about me, but I really am fine," said Sirius.
"You know, Sirius, you are great at giving advice, but you are lousy at taking it," said Lily with a sigh. "Do you know that?"
"Yes I do," said Sirius with a laugh. "I have something for you, Lily."
"What is it?" asked Lily curiously. "You didn't get me a present did you? You didn't have to do that, Sirius."
"I wanted to," said Sirius with a smile. "It's in honor of our last Valentine's Day dinner together. Next year, you will be having dinner with that boy who is madly in love with you. I'll be just fine, and don't argue."
Lily frowned. "We'll see about that next year," said Lily.
Sirius reached into his pocket and removed a small box. He handed it to her. "Here, open it," said Sirius with a smile.
Lily opened the box. Inside was a charm bracelet with a single charm hanging from it. It was a crossed bone and wand.
"This is the symbol for St. Mungo's," said Lily.
"Yes, it is now," said Sirius. "Long before St. Mungo's was built, it was the symbol of the Healers. Long ago, Healers used to wear this symbol so people would know that if they were sick or hurt, they could go to them for help."
"I'm not a real Healer, Sirius," said Lily with a laugh. "Not really, not yet."
Sirius laughed. "Lily, you brought Rose back from the dead,"' said Sirius. "You healed Albus's scars when the so-called 'real Healers' said it was impossible. You may not be a Healer yet by St. Mungo's standards, but you are by mine. I think you'll find quite a few other people in this castle who would agree with me."
Lily put the gold chain around her wrist and hooked the clasp. "It's beautiful, Sirius," said Lily. "Thank you." She kissed his cheek and hugged him.
"Now, you should get to bed," said Sirius. "I know for a fact your first class is Defense Against the Dark Arts, and I happen to know you have a test tomorrow."
Lily smiled. "Goodnight, Sirius," said Lily. She turned and left him. Sirius turned back to look out the window again.
