Chapter 52
A/N: Welcome back! Yay! We're back for another chapter. There was a lot of chaos last chapter and I hope you liked it.
Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognise.
Enjoy :)
The number of students receiving black trimmed envelopes increased steadily over the next few weeks. Aurors were stationed around the school grounds and inside the castle the atmosphere had changed also. Everyone moved around in large groups and Muggleborn students made sure they were accompanied by at least 3 friends at all times. Since the last chaotic attack, fear had hung like a poisonous gas and all the teachers faces had turned grave. It was because of this that I had arranged for all of my mates to meet me in the Heads common room. They all arrived and sat themselves down. I stood before them and felt their curious gazes watch me like a wizard might examine Muggle object.
'We need a plan.' I said finally. Everyone except Sirius nodded.
'I'm still confused.' Sirius said from the armchair he was lounging in. Remus sighed slightly from where he said and threw his cushion at him.
'We need to catch the people behind the attacks.' I clarified and Peter snickered at Sirius' sudden understanding. James watched me with a strange expression and I found myself feel a little nervous under his gaze.
'Anyone got any ideas how?' Alice asked looking around at everyone.
'Well, what do all the attacks have in common?' Mary responded.
'All Muggleborn, all alone and no witnesses.' Marlene ticked the similarities off on her fingers.
'And none of them remember what happened.' Alice added and Mary nodded in agreement.
'7 slashes.' Remus reminded everyone. 'That's the identifier – how we know it's the same attackers.'
'All random time slots though.' Peter said and rubbed his forehead slightly. Everyone fell into silence as we all began to think. I seated myself on the floor and fiddled with my crucifix as I pondered.
'We need bait.' I announced into the room after 5 minutes of complete silence. The Girls all looked at me sharply, their eyes widening as I nodded discreetly. Marlene opened her mouth but snapped it shut as Mary elbowed her in the ribs. She then indicated at the Marauders, who were all nodding at my statement. Alice shook her head subtly at me but I sent her a pleading gaze so she shrugged reluctantly. The silent conversation between the Girls and I went unnoticed by the boys. 'They'll only attack someone who's alone and Muggleborn obviously. We'd need someone to be bait and then everyone else would hide and then reveal themselves at the right moment.'
'That sounds good.' James nodded eagerly and the Girls and I exchanged another glance. Evidently, the boys had not caught on so quickly.
'One of us would have to be bait.' I said and their expressions switched themselves quickly.
'And who would be the bait?' Remus asked slowly.
'Me.' I answered, keeping my gaze determinately away from James. 'They've already attacked Mary so it'll be better if it's me.'
'You can't!' James insisted. 'Not you, Lils! You might get hurt and then…'
'It'll be fine. You lot will be hiding and reveal yourselves before anyone gets hurt.'
'I'll do it.' James said desperately. 'We'll make some Polyjuice and add one of your hairs or something…'
'Polyjuice?' Marlene snorted. 'Yeah, let's make some fucking Polyjuice so we can do this plan in a ruddy month's time after some other poor sod's been attacked. Sounds fucking fantastic.'
'James, I don't mind doing it so you shouldn't mind.' I paused and stood up. 'How about we vote? Who's in favour of me being the bait and everyone else hiding until the right moment?'
Everyone except James raised their hand, though their expressions where reluctant.
'That's a majority. I guess that's the plan.' Perhaps it was the fact that James stood up with an expression that said quite plainly he was about to argue that made everyone else decide they were going to leave.
'Lils, don't do this.' He whispered after everyone had left.
'Mary and I are the only Muggleborns involved and like I said, they've attacked Mary before so they're more likely to want to attack me.'
'But what of they hurt you?'
'You and everyone else'll be there. If something goes wrong then something goes wrong but everything will be fine.'
'I just don't like the-'
'The plan?' I asked in exasperation. 'Well, it's the only one we've got so unless someone comes up with another one, it's all we've got.'
'It's just-'
'James! I am not some damsel in distress! I am perfectly capable of defending myself!' I snapped and turned away. James grabbed one of my hands and pulled me gently towards him. I refused to look at him.
'Lils…' The way he whispered my name tempted me to face him but I resisted. 'I'm just scared you'll get hurt. Lils, you're it for me and if you got hurt… I'd never forgive myself for agreeing to put you in that position in the first place.' With his free hand, he lifted my chin and kissed my forehead. 'I'm sorry, Lils. I know you're not helpless. From the second I met you, I knew that.'
'I'm sorry for shouting at you.' I murmured. We sat down on the sofa facing the fire and watched the flames burn for a while.
'I love you.' James said so quietly that I wasn't sure I'd heard him correctly. My heart rate increased itself rapid as did my breathing. I turned to face him and realised he hadn't been looking towards the fireplace but at me. His gaze was hard and my cheeks blushed profusely.
'I love you too.' I whispered in response as my cheeks flushed an even darker red. And for a while, we could forget the world around us and just live in one with only the two of us in it.
The morning of our plan dawned and with it came the first batch of snow. I walked into the bathroom and was promptly sick with nerves. Luckily, it was early so no one heard anything. Despite what I reassured everyone after we'd gone through all minute details of the plan for what felt like the hundredth time, I was incredibly apprehensive. I washed my face and changed into my uniform before leaving the bathroom and heading to the Great Hall.
The Great Hall was even emptier nowadays because everyone generally moved in large packs meaning those who had eaten early now didn't as the rest of their group refused to do so. Those who still ate early were some of the teachers and some students, like me, who refused to alter their morning routine. I ate my cereal and glanced at a Daily Prophet near me. There had been an anti-Death Eater march that was then attacked in Cornwall which would no doubt result in more black trimmed envelopes. I returned my attention to my breakfast.
Once I'd finished my cereal, I made my way back to the dormitory and cleaned my teeth. As I finished, I heard the Girls get up and waited a moment so that I wouldn't be the victim of Marlene's morning pillow throw before leaving the bathroom. Alice hurried in past me and Mary swore when she realised Alice had beaten her.
'Why does school have to start so early?' She complained.
'It's not that early.' I answered fairly.
'Fuck you, Lily.' Marlene snapped from her bed. 'It's early for me.'
'Yes, well, we all know you'd never get up if it was down to you.' I smirked at her. 'Did you smash you're alarm clock?'
'No, I charmed it to spontaneously combust.' She retorted as she slid out of bed.
'Why are you always so charming in the mornings?' I asked sweetly and she plopped down onto her bed. As Alice left the bathroom, Marlene slouched into it muttering something along the lines of:
'Bloody James Potter.'
'AAAH!' Mary screamed in frustration as she realised she'd been beaten to the bathroom twice. I laughed at her and she glowered back. 'MARLS!'
The school day passed quickly, as was custom when something dreaded was occurring later. I ate dinner silently and waited for everyone else to finish eating. Once we were all done, we headed to the Heads common room, where disillusionment charms were placed. Then I left and began wandering through the Hogwarts corridors making sure to take those where there were no paintings whenever possible. The others walked about a corridor behind me (we had agreed on a route) and although I knew them to be nearby I was still extremely nervous. My heart thudded loudly against my chest and it took a lot of will power to stop myself turning around. I took a deep breath and tried to ignore the fact that my legs felt like lead. Fiddling with my crucifix, I continued with my wandering.
I walked for a good 20 minutes without passing anyone but as I reached the 21st minute and turned onto a new corridor, I saw 5 figures moving in my direction. I felt some of my invisible friends pass me and if I looked closely enough, I could see their blurred outlines slip past the 5 figures and wait for their cue. The others remained behind me. Taking another few steps forward, I braced myself. As I saw the faces of the 5, my brain whizzed into action and realised that the five who stood me were not completely the original gang. It was as though all my memory of that conversation in 5th year returned and I remembered their names: Severus, Lestrange, Avery, Bulstrode and Black. Of course, Black and Lestrange had left at the end of 5th year, they had been two years above me, and had now been replaced by Mulciber and Rowle.
'What do we have here?' Rowle sneered. 'A lone mudblood?' The others guffawed.
'I believe the term is Muggleborn.' I said casually, trying to sound braver than I felt.
'Stop trying to be clever, Evans.' Avery snapped. 'You're outnumbered so if I were you, I'd try being a bit nicer.'
'Maybe we'll go easy on you!' Rowle cackled madly and I stepped a little back.
'How kind of you.' I replied coolly. 'I take it that the others you attacked weren't polite.'
'Those mudbloods didn't even see us coming!' Bulstrode gloated. 'Tried to cry for mercy when we attacked them. Ha!' I raised an eyebrow.
'Well, you can hardly expect good manners towards you if you attack people.' I answered. Avery's spell hit me by surprise and I doubled over as a conjured knife embedded itself in my side. My hastily cast shield charm saved me from whatever Rowle sent in my direction but I could barely stand the pain was so bad.
'SECTUMS-' Severus was cut off in his curse as a stunning spell hit him. He keeled over but the other Slytherins didn't notice as they began firing more and more knives at me. I barely avoided them and in doing so, rolled over and drove Avery's knife deeper inside me. My friends revealed themselves and a duel ensued. As each of the wizards and witches around me began to fire spells, I began to lift my own wand to my temple and pulled out my memory of this scene. I placed it in a bottle I'd hidden in my robes and turned my attention to the knife. To heal the wound, I would have to remove the knife but knew that would be too painful to do myself. I also wouldn't be able to heal it fast enough myself. Gathering my strength, I conjured Themis and sent her to fetch Madame Pomfrey.
James and Rowle it seemed had given up on wands and were wrestling with one another. Sirius and Peter were duelling with Mulciber whilst Marlene and Remus were against Avery. Alice was duelling Bulstrode and Mary struggled over to me. Severus lay unconscious on the ground.
'Babes, it's going to be okay.' She said in a slightly panicky voice.
'I've sent for Madame Pomfrey.' I gasped and propped myself against a wall. 'Shit.' I said as my insides seared with pain.
'I haven't got any painkiller.' Mary apologised but I waved her off. And then swore again as pain licked through my abdomen.
'I've had cramps worse than this.' I told her through gritted teeth.
'Why, Lily? Why?' She asked with a laugh. 'Only you would say that with a knife in you.'
'That's what makes me so awesome.' I answered with a small smile. It faded as I felt my skin rip itself and blood pour out of me. The pain was unbelievable and it filled my whole body. My eyes flickered shut as consciousness left me. I heard Mary shouting my name and someone shaking me as darkness closed around me. It seemed Severus hadn't been unconscious after all…
The first thing I noticed as my eyes opened was that the room I was in was extremely clean and that my entire body felt like it was filled with gigantic rocks. I struggled to move my head and get a good look at my surrounds. It soon became clear I was in the Hospital Wing and that it was daytime judging by the sunlight streaming through the window. The events before everything went black flooded into my mind and I looked beneath my sheets to see if the knife wound was still there. My stomach bore scars of the blade and then of Severus' spell. I pushed back my covers and attempted to climb out of bed. I staggered for a few steps and then fell with a thud as my legs gave way.
It was then I realised there had been someone snoozing by my bedside as they jerked awake at the sound of my fall. I attempted to pull myself back up using the bedframe but giant rocks were difficult to lift. Or so I thought, until a pair of strong arms lifted me back up and onto my bed. James.
'You're awake!' He cried out in relief and hugged me tightly. I winced and he let go at once. 'Sorry… I was just worried.'
'I told you she'd wake up.' Madame Pomfrey said bustling out of her office. 'Good to see you awake, Miss Evans.'
'Thanks.' I grinned at her. Then I turned to James. I saw at once that he had a black eye and his lip bore the unmistakable signs of one that had been bleeding. 'Why, James Harold Potter, did you decide that beating up Rowle was a good idea?'
'She's definitely awake.' James grumbled and laid himself down on my bed next to me. Cautiously, he put his arms around me and Madame Pomfrey collected something from one of the cabinets before returning to her office. 'So, dear, how are you?'
'Great.' I responded. 'I just love having a great oaf take up most of my bed.'
'A handsome oaf.' He defended and kissed my neck. 'Besides, I'm keeping you warm.'
'I've got a blanket for that, Mr Potter.' But I snuggled into him nonetheless.
'I think we can both agree I'm far better looking than a blanket.' I could feel him smirking into my neck.
'I'll think about it.' I smiled to myself. 'That stubble makes you a contender for the carpet.'
'I do not have stubble!' James said indignantly.
'You need a shave.'
'Fine.' I knew he was scowling. 'Only if you do it for me.'
'I'm too invalid for that, I'm afraid.' I responded with my cheeks burning.
'What if you sit on my lap?' James asked cheekily.
'What if I stab you with the razer?' I answered sweetly. 'After all, I'm so injured my fingers might shake and poof! That's you dead.'
'Why are you so… you?' He asked and nuzzled into my neck as I closed my eyes contentedly. We drifted off to sleep and I dreamt of trimming moustaches.
The Slytherins involved in the attacks received varied punishments. Both Mulciber and Rowle were expelled but Avery, Bulstrode and Severus received detentions for the rest of the year and were banned from Hogsmeade weekends. Most students were annoyed about this verdict as they felt they should've all been expelled but there wasn't much they could do to change it. I got many students coming up to me and asking how my friends and I had caught them as did all of my mates. I usually just directed the admirers towards the Marauders, who enjoyed the attention, and was glad I was able to do so.
The Girls and I were currently in Charms, practicing a charm that turned apples into apple juice.
'Freya McMillan and Daniel Jackson are official now.' Mary informed us.
'Really?' Alice asked sceptically. 'Harriet Ross the second is in a relationship?'
'Yup.' Mary nodded knowingly. 'Though one of us predicted this at the start of the year.' All three of them looked at me smugly and I looked back confused.
'Did I?'
'Yes you did.' Marlene answered gleefully. 'Little Lily actually was right about something!'
'I take offence in that statement.' I said grumpily and turned my red apple into liquid.
'How come Lily gets congratulated for predicting a relationship and I didn't when in first year I said she'd end up with Potter?' Alice asked. Mary laughed.
'I think we all predicted that one.' She responded. Alice huffed irritably and charmed her apple into apple juice. It was then that I noticed something on her finger.
'Al…' I began slyly. 'There isn't anything you want to tell us it there?' Her face suddenly split into a wide grin at my statement and I knew my suspicions are correct.
'What?' Marlene asked suspiciously.
'FRANK PROPOSED TO ME!' She burst out so loud that everyone in the class heard. I saw, with a small smile, that Frank's ears turned pink as Kieran, Ben and the Marauders began thumping him on the back.
'Congrats Al!' Marlene, Mary and I chorused and Alice hugged us.
'When's the wedding?' Mary asked excitedly and as the Girls began discussing weddings I knew life was back to normal.
Thanks for reading!
I hope you liked that chapter. I think next chapter's going to be my last one in this story. Hit and Miss had honestly been one of the most tiring, stressful, time consuming and fun things I've ever done and I'm just happy I'm going to finish it. I've really enjoyed writing this story and I'll be sad that it's over. The reviewers of this story have honestly been awesome and when I've had writer's block, they've been the only thing that's kept me writing.
I also want to quickly apologise for my atrocious spelling of Moony throughout this story. In the first chapter I mentioned that nickname I, I accidently spelled it as 'Mooney' and with my brilliant logic I was too lazy to change that one spelling, instead I opted for spelling it wrong for the rest of the story. Hehehe... Sorry.
Thanks for all the support and I'll see you in the next and final chapter!
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