Song of choice- Deathbed- Relient K (it might take you eleven minutes to read it, if you get my drift)

-Tenth of October, 1977-

Midnight.

Why was it always midnight?

But here I was, lying awake once more; dreaming about falling asleep.

My room was spacious, and shadows passed as easily as rain, slipping between the folds of walls and curtains alike. Lily had said this was the spare room, but we both knew that it was her mother's old drawing room.

A nurse, how ironic.

Silently, I stole from the bed to the window, levitating my robe to hand; watching the rain fall to the rafters. I was suddenly aware of the street, watching nothing but wind and water splash through the sidewalks. Did people live here? Crammed in a space like this? And Muggles, what about Lily's accidental magic?

Didn't they know?

Oh yes, I thought. The Statue of Secrecy. Of course they wouldn't know; the ministry simply wouldn't allow it.

There was a small table in the darkest section of the room, and out of the corner of my eye, I could make out papers on the desktop. They were crammed in and around the cupboards; and all the shelves were bursting from the seams. I saw colors of all kinds, but the majority were boring grey bank notes; which were as dull as nothing amongst all the colors. It was almost as if it was shoved in the back of a cupboard, never to see the light of life again.

But it made sense, I thought grimly. They lost a mother.

The desk was short, as Mrs. Evans wasn't a protruding sort of figure. She, however, held more respect and love in that small frame than lanky Severus Snape would ever hold in his.

I knit my fingers behind my back, walking carefully across the plush carpets to the back corner. The air was still, almost as a silence, but whooshed away the second I pushed open the drawer.

At that second, it was as if I let off a curse, as the sound was more protruding and forced than anything I had ever heard. I daren't move, not until things returned to how they were.

And they did, like an accordion regaining the air in its lungs. Only then did I gain the courage to look at the contents.

-ANOTHER SMALL NOTICE-

Grace Evans wasn't a woman of secrets. Never has been. There simply wasn't room enough for mystery in a world such as hers. The thing was, she didn't consider it to be of any importance.

In short, the secrecy died with her.

They died warm in an embrace.

Cold, shaking in the rain.

Letters?

What else could they be?

They all had different dates on them, all different handwritings- almost like the evolution of a writer.

There were also tapes attached, bound lovingly in Spellotape around the tip; flipping the letter on edge when held.

Lily, Petunia, Lily, Petunia.

Graduation.

Wedding.

First Death.

First Pregnancy.

First lost friend.

End of the War.

First home.

Loving your Sister.

First job.

There were so many.

So many locked in a shut desktop; never to see the love in a mothers words.

But why were they here? She couldn't have known. Mrs. Evans died in her sleep!

Why did she know?

The door opened.

The letters fell to the ground.

A messy red-head stuck her head through the door.

'Are you okay?'

I nodded.

She noticed the letters.

My eyes burned with guilty pleasure.

She walked up to them anyway.

'James, what is this?'

Turning them on end, looking for a trick, a sign that this was all a dream.

'James?'

She collapsed into my arms.

'James, why? Oh love, why me?'

'Letters, you say?'

I nodded, placing my bowl on the table, averting my eyes from the both of Evans.

'They had events on them!' Lily protested, her hands flat on the table. 'I saw them myself! Letters for-for me and my sister.'

Mr. Evans didn't say a word, dipping a biscuit in his morning coffee. He took his time chewing, but when he was done, he turned his eyes to the both of us.

'Look. I don't know what Grace was doing, or if she really wrote them. She couldn't have known what was going to happen, she died in her sleep.' He got up, picking his eyes between the two of us 'don't get your hopes up, okay?'

Lily nodded, but I just looked down.

-A SMALL SCENE, PERHAPS FORTY METERS AWAY-

It is raining, and a horse-faced woman is climbing the drive of her old family home. The rain is sticking like shame to her coat and hair, but this time, her fiancé isn't there to brush it off. She stands at the door, wondering if she should knock. Because as far as she was concerned, the others inside wouldn't care on way or the other.

She takes a long look at the door, ducks her head, and walks away in the rain.

-Albus Dumbledore

I set my fingers together, wishing the silence to begin. Heaven knows we need it.

'-what are those things called again?'

'Inferi. Positively ravish creatures in my opinion.'

'In anyone's opinion, rather. Shame it is, a bloody shame.'

I stood, and the Order members spun towards me as a Muggle compass needle. I smiled slowly, generally pleased by the sheer numbers.

'Welcome,' I said surely 'I want to thank you for coming at such short notice, but a-' I sighed 'another disappearance has come to my attention.'

Alastor shifted in his chair, throwing a hard glance at Mundungus Fletcher, who awoke with a start; nursing his smoking arm.

'Who, Albus?' Minerva asked her demeanor hard and stern.

'Caradoc Dearborn.'

Exclamations and conversations began immediately, and all seemed a little more unnerved; a touch more terrified. I couldn't blame them, as the fault was not there's to bear. It was his, Voldemort's. No one but he deserved to die like this. These disappearances, I shuddered to think what he was doing to them for information. There are reasons I do things, and not spilling all my information to one person is one of them.

'What are we to do, Albus?'

'We can't keep going on like this!'

Words and exclamations grew higher and higher until Alastor interrupted.

'Constant Vigilance!' he said harshly, his clear glass eyes as potent as the real one 'shunning away now isn't helping anybody!'

'I agree,' a young witch said quietly 'but we can't just sit and watch!'

'No,' I said placidly 'and you are quite right Dorcas. We mustn't just let this happen. But I know for a fact that Mr. Dearborn wouldn't want us, as the Order, to fret too much over this. I have a plan, however, and I will need all of your combined help to make it reality. In addition-'

'Sorry em' late, Dumbledore,' a booming voice said from the threshold of the pub 'those blasted twins kep' me from bein' on time.'

I smiled 'No issue, Hagrid. Please take a seat.'

He nodded happily, slamming himself halfway down the table; taking a healthy drink from his neighbour Mundungus' Firewhiskey. The latter glared at him, but if Hagrid noticed, he didn't take the hint.

'As you were saying, Albus…' Emmaline Vance prompted

'Yes. As some of you are aware, Voldemort has taken to Inferi as of late, and certain warnings must be set in place. I myself have been researching the effects of these creatures, and alas, have come to no avail. Nothing but death awaits those who meet one.'

'Charming, Dumbledore.' Sturgis Podmore said indigently, his yellow hair caked to his forehead 'truly, there must be something we can do!'

'Fire. Fiendfire, if possible. It is the only thing that repels them. But that isn't the only thing we need to discuss.'

A young Auror I had no name for slouched back in his chair, covering his face with his hands. His body was branded with scars and blood, forever marring his dark skin tone. Though he was, I noticed, and transfigured his assortment of papers into birds and flowers. They folded themselves into being, sprouting wings and beaks, flying around the room. The flowers burst into colors, framing the dank pub in light. The Auror looked up feebly, taking the touch of one of the Orchids. The birds chirped and pecked at his hands playfully, bringing him from himself. Arabella Figg laughed, her grey eyes shining like they never had before. A small chuckle sounded from the back of the room as one of the birds crashed into Alastor's eye, pecking until he swatted the thing away. Minerva laughed, charming the birds to sing. I couldn't help but smile, understanding how important it truly was these days. Emmaline and Dorcas caught her eye bringing colors to the singing birds. Pure- that was only name for a respite in the midst of a war.

'Thank you,' the bald Auror said surely, now sitting up straight and proud 'thank you, sir.'

I nodded, sneaking a smile in his direction.

'You're more than welcome. An apprentice, correct?'

He nodded eagerly 'Yes sir. Stepping in with Alastor Moody until things settle with the Ministry.'

'Thank you, sir.'

I smiled. Perhaps this wasn't the end after all.

-Lily-

Needless to say, things didn't turn for the better that afternoon.

Sirius was going to pick us up, as neither of us had our Apparition licences. Apparently, he had a new surprise for us later that day.

I had stolen from the house hours ago, walking down the path that was heartbreakingly familiar. It was the road Severus and I always took to our tree; just up the hill from here. I shook my head of the image, but before I could stop it, a thought crossed over my eyes.

It was late August, and Severus and I had just arrived at his mother's grave. Tall trees surrounded the yard with clumps of mourners. Nobody said much, and I gripped Severus' hand like it was my mother who had died. Severus summoned a bouquet of yellow flowers, placing them on the plain brown box. I put my head in my hands, and he slipped his cold hand into mine. Slowly, the people dispersed and we were all alone. His father didn't even show.

It had taken some time, but after a small smile, the twelve-year-old Severus Snape was coerced from his mother's graveside. I didn't say a word, leading him to a tree not too far away. He hadn't said a word since we had left, clutching to a small object in his hand instead. I tucked my dress beneath me, sitting down beside the majestic Maple tree. Its leaves were a lovely, full orange, as fall had come early that year. Severus sat down beside me, carefully placing his hands on his lap.

'Okay?'

I shook my head, of course he wasn't okay. So I tried a second approach.

'Severus, is there anything I can do?'

This time he responded, shaking his head in the smallest motion possible. His dark ensemble was so out of place in the sunny afternoon air, and he sighed.

'Lily, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have-'

I put a hand on his knee, and he stiffened. After a moment, however, he relaxed, accepting my hesitant motion with gusto. I smiled weakly.

'Sev, you have nothing to apologise for. None of this is your fault. It's going to be okay, you'll see.'

'How can you be sure? She was all I had.'

I shook my head 'My mum always said that people you love never leave you. She told me about Guardian Angels, the people who died watch over us, Sev. She's not gone. You'll see her again, I promise.'

Severus nodded slowly 'Lily, can you promise me something?'

I smiled 'anything.'

'We'll always be friends, right?'

I smiled, watching a lone leaf struggle down in the evening air; landing softly between us. He picked it up, placing it like a crown on my head.

'Of course. I'll never leave, I promise.'

I sat in derision at that old tree, putting my head against the smooth trunk; letting the orange leaves fall from the branches. That moment was so long ago, I couldn't believe that it actually happened. Friendship with him now seems like a dream.

I picked up my bag, picking through the letters James had found. I couldn't believe my mother had written these for me. Told me what she knew she could ever say. I would treasure them forever, these notes draped in advice.

'Wotcher, Lilypad.'

I shook from my daydream, facing an old friend with mixed reactions.

'Cheers, Sirius. Fancy seeing you here.'

He shrugged, revving his… motorbike? He motioned to my fiancé in the back 'Prongs told me where to look.'

I picked up my bag, walking across the green to him. He was straddling a Muggle motorcycle, and how he found it, I didn't want to know.

'I thought you'd be yelling by now.' He said apprehensively, taking my bag, placing it in the sidecar 'that's how these things usually end up.'

'Hey, Lils.' James said, helping me in 'ready to go back? We thought we'd pick you up, then round back to say goodbye to your dad then we could-'

'No.' I said

'No?'

'Yes, I don't want to go back. Do you have my things?'

Sirius nodded, pointing to the back. He looked shaken.

'Lils, you have to say goodbye-'

'No I don't.' I said crisply 'let's leave.'

He shrugged, and I settled myself in the sidecar, holding fast to the bars.

'Hogwarts it is,' Sirius said quietly, revving the engine to life.

'Are you sure, Lily?' James said quietly

'Yes. I'll see him at Christmas. I could do without the memories, thanks.'

And so he did, and off we went; forever leaving behind Cokeworth for the wizarding world.

Little did I know, that was the last time I would see it in one piece.

Because, the next day, my father would be one of the few survivors.

And I had refused to say goodbye.

Almost 800 views since last time! You guys are amazing! Every new email brings figurative tears to my eyes. Thanks so much!

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-Silence Nevermore/Violet Sky