The Garden
It only took the ministry two days to reply to Lily's petition with an impersonal form letter that stated that the ministry had no jurisdiction to supply any muggle with the means of securing their property or person against a magical threat. Lily might have accepted the response without protest if it hadn't arrived on the same day the prophet reported another witch missing. The back page held the story of the disappearance of Lacy Moon, whom Gideon informed Lily had graduated the previous year,. She had been seen the evening before going to bed and been abducted in the middle of the night. Only her wily old Grandmother noticed the disturbance and attempted to intervene by whacking one of the assailants over the head with the family's cast iron frying pan knocking him unconscious and then perusing another up the street dressed only in her floral nightgown. Being a mixed household (muggleborn and muggle) both the police and Aurors were contacted and the strange unconscious man, dressed in black robes with a bone mask, was taken into custody. Because of this Lily decided to persist with her enquires and penned a reply asking for permission to have the underage restriction for magic lifted for a period of time at the commencement of the school holidays so that she could place the necessary charms herself, and that she was quite willing to be guided in doing so by any of age Witch or Wizard that the ministry decided was suitable. She quoted the Prophets article as evidence for the requirement for the protection to be placed.
It was as she was walking back from the owlery having posted her letter to the Ministry that she turned a corner and her elbow met with James' forearm. Stepping back with a surprised 'Oh!," she realised she hadn't had an opportunity to speak with the boy since the incident in defence.
"Sorry Potter," she said as she flexed the elbow with which she had hit the boy. "I wasn't watching where I was going."
"S'Alright," he murmured as he rubbed the spot on his arm that she had collided with. "Sharp elbows you've got there Evans."
"All the better to bruise you with," she replied cheekily. "Do you think you can spare time to head to the Garden soon?" she asked.
"Well, not till the Quidditch final is over. Emmeline has got us practicing every spare minute," he grimaced, feeling a little bad, he had put her off rather a lot and he was rather curious to find out what was in there himself.
"Mmm, after that it's exams," she frowned, not wanting to interrupt her study time. "How about the day after exams?" she offered.
He nodded, "I can't think why not. I've got post to send, see ya round Evans." Lily watched the boy for a moment as he trotted up the corridor, before continuing on her way.
The second last full moon of the school year fell on May the 6th. It was a Monday. It was also the first opportunity that Lily had to test out her supply of potions. She had managed to procure a potions box complete with cushioning charms which now had every one of it's 36 slots filled and was tucked away in the multi-coloured pouch she wore around her neck. The record player, which Remus seemed to have forgotten about, incense, bowl and matches were all hidden in one of the spare rooms in the shrieking shack, Lily having managed to sneak them away the day before. It only remained for her to make her excuses and head out for the night.
After one extra warm shower, her flushed cheeks provided an excuse to head to the infirmary for the night and she left the common room, hiding in the lee of Hagrid's hut while Madame Pomfrey took Remus in and got him set up. Lily waited less than a minute once the Matron had passed by on her return to the castle after leaving the boy, before she was ducking quietly through the shadows and slipping into the tunnel under the still frozen willow.
She could still hear Remus moving quietly around in the room above. It would be a close call tonight between Lily making her way up the stairs and his change. The door above closed with a snick, this was followed by a click as the lock slid home. Breathing out slowly, Lily crept up the stairs, the record player under one arm and the mortar in the other. She placed them down on the top steps and cast her spells as Remus' pain filled screams made ripples in the air.
Early the next morning Lily, reached into the pouch and pulled out two vials, quickly swallowing down a wideye and wit sharpening potion, leaving the girding potion in case she needed something later in the day. It didn't take her long to collect her things, cancel the spells and quickly duck through to check on her friend. This morning she found him passed out on the floor arms and legs askew. She levitated him onto the bed, and treated his injuries as best she could then ducked into the tunnel. Emerging from the dank passage just as the sun was rising. The cool spring air refreshed her even more, as she thought, with a self-satisfied smile, that she had just enough time to have a shower before starting the day.
Four hours later as Lily was sitting behind her desk waiting for Professor Slughorn to appear for their potions lessons, her early morning enthusiasm had well and truly worn off. As usual Severus was at her side.
"Lily," Severus whispered.
"Mmmm," she responded.
"I know you are getting on with the rest of the Gryffindors but there is something I have to tell you," he said fervently in an undertone.
"What is it?" Lily asked with a gulp, hoping that Severus hadn't figured out Remus' affliction.
"There is something wrong with Lupin!" Her heart beat faster.
"Oh poor Remus!" Lily exclaimed feigning shock. "Do you think he is ok? I hope it isn't serious!"
"P..poor Remus! Lily, I am trying to tell you he's up to something," Sev insisted.
"No, not Remus, he wouldn't hurt a bowtruckle."
"There is evidence Lily." Severus quickly glanced around the room to ensure that Slughorn hadn't arrived as yet. "Yesterday, McNair overheard him telling Potter," he spat the name, "that he was ill so he was going to see Pomfrey and not to expect to see him at dinner, but Lucius Malfoy had to go to the infirmary to get a potion for Narcissa Black and said that there was no-one else there!"
"Really, that's what you're basing this on?" the redhead scoffed. "He was probably in the lavatory, or showering, or ducked up to the tower to get a change of clothes or any of a dozen other things when Malfoy was there, really Severus use some common sense!" she shook her head at him.
Lily hoped that her reasonable lie would convince Sev that nothing was going on. She really hated lying to him but, she couldn't see another option. She knew how he felt about Werewolves so there was no way she was going to expose Remus' secret. Head slightly foggy with fatigue she glanced to the front of the room and was relieved to see that the Professor had arrived.
"Books out," the jovial man said bright eyes looking around the room. "Today will be a lecture for the potion we, and by we I mean you, will brew on Friday."
Lily reached into her bag to extract her parchment, quill and ink. It looked like she was definitely going to need the girding potion to make it through the day!
Lily's Wednesday afternoon training had been going well, they rotated their duelling partner regularly, but Lily was compelled to learn more. Lily still felt that if she had known more the previous year she would have managed better. She was driven by the need to protect both herself and others. Gideon had decided that there wasn't too much more that he could teach her so she was waiting in an empty classroom for her first lesson with Professor Flitwick.
"Miss Evans?" the professor stuck his head around the door.
"I'm here, professor," Lily replied, getting to her feet.
"Oh, good. Now what would you like to focus on?" the diminutive man asked as he pushed the door open and entered the room. He pulled out a seat at the desk next to Lily and sat down facing her.
"Well first, I would very much like to discuss the text you let me read the other day. I've been doing some work and managed to adapt a couple of protective spells, but I find it really interesting how the author was talking about the living shield." The pair began a discussion on the usage of emotion to power spells. It lasted long into the evening and though she hadn't learnt any new spells Lily felt the time was well spent.
A fortnight later and the Quidditch season was finally over. With Gryffindor pulling off a win by a narrow margin from Ravenclaw. There had been a wild party in the common room that lasted until McGonagall had appeared in her tartan dressing gown, hair still tied up in a bun and to the horror of the attendees had threatened to confiscate Lily's record player. The third years could now be found grouped together in the common room studying ready for their exams, at least Remus, Mary, Sarah and Lily were studying. Sirius and James had started a game of exploding snap, Alison and Louisa sat on the opposite side of the group to Lily and were busy gossiping and Peter was lying on the rug beside the group snoring softly.
Remus raised his head from the notes he was reviewing, they had been provided by Peter after a full moon, "Lily, I can't read these notes on cheering charms. Can you go through it with me?" He looked over to where the redhead was writing summaries on spare pieces of parchment.
Without lifting her head from her work she replied, "The cheering charm is known to have be invented by Felix Summerbee sometime during the thirteenth century, when he cast it on his eldest child who caused a disruption in the local market by having a fit of hysterical laughter in front of the local grocer highly offending the man who believed the child was laughing at him. He then banned the Summerbees from his store and they were forced to move towns in order to eat. When performed correctly they cause the recipient to be happy, however when overdone, as in the example of Mr Summerbee's son Wilbert, can cause the person to be overcome by hysterical fits of laughter."
With a swirl of her quill she finished off the page she was working on and finally looked over at the boy as he jotted down her words in the margin. Lily wondered if she would ever recover the friendship she thought that she had had with him during their first year. She had come a long way this year and she did feel more comfortable with the group, well most of the group perhaps not Alison and Louisa, though she couldn't help holding back a little. To be honest she was still more relaxed with Gid, Fabe and Doc and the fourth year girls. The apologies she had received, though she couldn't recall receiving one from Sirius, Alison or Louisa, and more importantly the change in behaviour in nearly all of them helped in a way, but there was still a barrier there, a level of trust that she just couldn't give. Realising she had been staring at the blonde she turned back to her notes.
"Lily, you're the best of us at potions, do you have time tomorrow to take me through how to make a confusing concoction? I've got a feeling it is going to be on our exams this year," Lily looked over at Mary with a nod and a small smile.
"Sure, there's an unused classroom on the second floor we can go to, after lunch we have a spare."
"Thanks Lily," Mary smiled.
Suddenly Alison jumped to her feet with a huff, "I can't take this anymore. It's like you've all fallen under that little witches spell," she pointed an accusing finger at Lily. "I don't see why you're all asking Miss Mud for Brains, for help, it's not like she knows anything!" She stomped off.
Lousia stood, cheeks cherry red, "S..S…she's just really stressed about the exams," she stammered and followed after her friend.
"If she's so stressed, maybe she should try studying," Lily muttered quietly.
"Well," Sirius said ignoring Alison's outburst in favour of addressing Lily's comment, as he lounged back and stretched himself out to take up the space the girls had left behind, arms folded under his head, "why worry, there is still another week till exams. Plenty of time."
"Because," said Mary, reaching a hand over to poke him in the ribs.
"Oi!"
"Because, not all of us are as smart as you," she poked him once again for good measure.
"Oi, stop being so violent!"
Mary just grinned at him, then reached over and messed up his hair, "If you aren't contributing to this study session, then you can sod off."
"Language, Miss McDonald, I am horrified!" James grinned, as Sirius smoothed his hair back into place.
"Besides," Sirius added, "We are learning by osmosis."
"Big words, Black. Do you even know what it means?" Lily enquired.
"'Course I do Evans," he paused. "Remus told me," the black haired boy grinned. "It means you guys keep talking over points and I listen in and learn stuff. I'm soaking it, like a sponge…..whatever that is. Like how I now know there is a free room on the second floor." He gave her a wink.
"Hey that room is for potions practice only!"
He nodded agreeably, "I am sure we can make several useful potions there," he looked smugly over at James.
"Right you are Sirius," the messy haired boy agreed. "Speaking of which, I believe we have some study to do in our room." James grabbed Sirius's arm and hauled him to standing, before nudging Peter awake with his foot.
"Time to get up Pete, we have some work to do," Remus gathered up his books and followed Sirius and James up the stairs, saying a quiet thanks to the girls.
"Well, ladies it has been a wonderful afternoon, my thanks for your company," Peter did a funny little bow that had the girls laughing on his way out.
"Finally! Now that they are gone we can get back to work!" sighed Lily.
"Do you think they are working on another prank?" Sarah asked.
"Who cares!" Lily huffed.
"At least they haven't been picking on anyone in particular this year Lily. Some of the pranks have been quite amusing,"
"Mmmm, but whatever they are doing upstairs, isn't going to help me get through the exams so I'd rather study then think about them." The much reduced group opened their books once more.
"Ready for your exams Lils?" Doc asked before shoving an overladen fork into his mouth.
"Eww, Doc if you can't close your mouth, you've put too much in! I'm sure your mother would be horrified, Molly certainly would be."
He swallowed quickly, smiling sheepishly, "Sorry Lils' think I am growing again. I feel hungry all the time!" He rubbed a hand over his stomach.
Lily shook her head before returning to the question he'd asked, "I think I'm ok. I have Transfiguration, Charms, Arithmancy and Runes today. So after this I won't have time to think!"
"I'll make sure to save some lunch for you, in case they run over. Good luck."
"Speaking of which, I'd best go." Taking a last bite of toast Lily headed to the classroom for her first exam.
On Thursday afternoon with her exams finished, a much more relaxed Lily could be found lying under the willow by the black lake, using Severus' leg as pillow as he leaned against the trunk of the tree. Held in her hands was a heavy tome on runes, that the professor had recommended, on how different runes could be linked together in different combinations for warding. The chapters had given her several ideas for the protections she wanted to place around her home. She had a notebook in which she had drawn a dozen schematics already though she was having trouble figuring out a warning system that would alert her parents, as they weren't intrinsically magical. The other major difficulty was going to be finding a suitable power source to keep the wards charged while she was not at home, she didn't think using Eva and Harry was a wise idea.
"Petal, put up the book and relax. We're done with exams," Severus patted her on the head.
Lily pushed his hand out of the way and sat up with a sigh, swinging her legs out in front of her so she could lean against the tree trunk beside him.
"This isn't study Sev. I'm trying to figure out how to put wards up at home. If I use runes and not spells then I won't get in trouble with the ministry for breaking the restriction, except for charging them and that should be a once off, if I can manage it right."
"You don't need to bother with that Lily," Sev dismissed her concerns. "No-one is going to be attacking you parents."
"Lucy Moon went missing not even three weeks ago," she huffed looking at him incredulously. Was he in denial or did he truly believe that muggleborns were safe outside of school? "Besides Lucius Malfoy has already threatened my family directly!"
"He was joking Lily, really, you shouldn't have taken him seriously," he scoffed, a bitter twist in his stomach. How dare Lucius threaten his Lily! It was like first year all over again, he had to get Lucius to see how talented Lily was despite her blood.
"You weren't there Sev. He was deadly serious! I'm really worried about them." Sev closed his eyes ignoring her pale complexion and wide fearful eyes. "And there is still Lucy Moon."
"Oh she probably got lost on holiday and will turn up soon," he said dismissively.
"She was taken from her bed, her Gran knocked one of the guys out and chased another up the street. The Prophet said so." Lily could not understand why Sev was denying what had happened both, between herself and Malfoy and with Lacy Moon's abduction.
"And the Prophet always tells the truth does it?" Seeing she was getting frustrated he added, "besides we're only in third year, what could we actually do about it. The ministry won't be willing to do anything to help because they're muggles, and we aren't allowed to do magic outside of school."
"I know that," Lily said somewhat despondently, "I already wrote to them, and they said they won't help. So I've applied for a permit to be allowed to do magic for a few days at the start of hols, and I have been discussing with Professor Flitwick and Professor Babbling about what sort of protections they think I can manage to put into place. I know it won't be the same, but if I can add something to warn them so it allows them time to get out in the event of an attack…..I have to do it, don't you see?They're my family!"
Severus shook his head knowing there was going to be no arguing with her on this point. Personally he didn't see why she would want to save them anyhow, they were only muggles after all. Nice muggles admittedly, well except for Petunia, but still just muggles. In the end they would all turn out just like his father, they just hadn't shown it yet.
The next morning Lily met James in the common room long before the others rose, neither being particularly keen to be seen alone with the other. Lily had already been down to the kitchens and she gave James a peace offering consisting of several pieces of toast slathered in his favourite jam which he promptly ate.
"Thanks for coming with me," Lily said as they headed out of the common room.
"S'alright," James replied. "I'm actually kind of keen to see what the treasure is. Have you had any more dreams about it."
Lily shook her head, "Not since I found that blade."
"Oh that reminds me," James put his hand into his pocket and drew something out of it and held it out for her to see. "I found this ages ago after a Quidditch practice. Thought it might be related to the quote somehow."
She looked at the golden piece of metal. "Do you think they fit?"
"Depends if you believe in coincidences or not I guess,"
Lily reached into her bag and withdrew the blade. After the incident in Defence Against the Dark Arts she had created a leather sheath for it. They had made their way through the front doors as they were speaking and out onto the lawn. The sun was just breeching the hills and it was still quite cool. They both paused to examine the pieces.
"Let's wait till we get there to try it out." James suggested. "Best if we get out of sight before Hagrid comes out." Lily nodded her agreement.
It didn't take them long to make their way down the path, across the stream and into the garden. Lily thought she saw the wolves peering through the undergrowth on either side of the gate but they did not call out to her. It had been a while since she had last been to the garden and Lily was surprised by the abundance of flowers that had shot up out of the earth.
"Well, this looks a little different," James muttered.
"So much better than last year," Lily agreed.
They knelt once more beside the Lion and pressed their joined hands to the stone to reveal the steps leading into the earth. The paused as they reached the bottom, waiting for a fall of flowers that didn't come.
"Well that was anti-climactic," Lily murmured as James stepped past her into the space. A rumble sounded and a wall slid up from the floor along the line that had been present the last time. It had a doorway in its centre. James took another step towards it, but the rumbling had not stopped and more walls were raised blocking their path.
"You were saying?" James turned back to Lily. "Perhaps before we start we should look at the blade and hilt, in case we need it later. Delving into their pockets they retrieved the components and Lily passed the blade over without needing to be asked. James raised his eyebrows questioningly at her.
Lily shrugged and gave a small self depreciating grin, "After defence I figure I should be kept away from any sharp object that has nothing to do with potions."
Gingerly holding the blade in his right hand, and the hilt in his left James bought the two together, a small pulse of magic later and they were joined. They made a dagger about a foot in length which emitted a soft white light. Sliding it back into the leather sheath, James tucked the knife into his pocket.
"Alright so what do we have here?"
"At a guess it is a maze, contents unknown, our objective is to make it to the doorway on the other side."
Lily had wandered a little to the left while James was working on the dagger and found a gap in the wall. She took a deep breath, "Are you ready?"
"I'll lead," James said with more confidence then he felt. Lily stepped to the side and let him.
Two hours later they were still wandering lost in the maze, it appeared that the walls moved. At least they thought they did. There was one passage way where they had come to a dead end, only to back up and find another wall blocking their way, a gap to the left that they both would have taken an oath hadn't been there before.
"Argh," sniped Lily as their way was blocked yet again. "Do you even know which way you are going?"
"As if you could do any better!" the boy defended.
"I could too!"
"Well go on then," he challenged.
"Fine!"
Lily took the lead but even with her using a 'point me' spell in made no difference, though they did confirm that walls were moving. Another hour had passed and James' stomach was beginning to make his hunger known. Finally Lily stopped.
"First," she said, reaching into bag and pulled out a couple of apples. "Eat." Neither spoke while the apples were consumed. "Now! We need to look at this another way. We are making no headway by staying in the maze!"
"We don't exactly have another option," James griped.
"We're wizards Potter," James raised a brow with a smirk. "Grr, fine! You're a wizard, I'm a witch. The point is that we have magic. If being in the maze is not productive, then let's not be in the maze."
"What do you suggest Evans,"
Lily raised a hand and pointed, "the walls don't reach the ceiling, we go up."
"I didn't bring a broomstick."
"That's ok because Wingardium Leviosa is a first year spell Potter. I'm sure you'll manage." She patted his cheek condescendingly. "I'll lift you up first, are you ready."
"Scared Evans?"
"You wish! I just don't want you being able to look up my skirt." She had pulled out her wand as she finished speaking and already commenced the wand action before James was prepared, he gave a startled yelp as his feet left the ground.
"Ok Evans, point made, but for future reference, I wouldn't have. An idiot I may be but there are some lines I absolutely wouldn't cross. Mum would kill me!" He was lowered carefully on to the wall. "Not sure it is any better up here, there's no real room to walk, the walls are only about four inches wide and I'm afraid to say my balance isn't that good, but I can see a path to the exit, maybe if we follow that, but keep checking?"
"It's a plan," Lily said as she lower the boy. "To be honest I doubt my balance would be good enough either."
They began walking with James again in the lead. With regular stops to check their direction it only took them another twenty minutes to reach the end of the maze. The pair glanced at the final ten feet to the pedestal with its box perched on top. Just because there didn't appear to be any further obstacles didn't mean there wasn't any. James pulled out the dagger and unsheathed it and Lily retrieved the key from her pouch.
"Shall we?" Lily nodded towards the box.
"Yep," James stepped forward cautiously when nothing happened he stepped forward again, tension building with each step until they were both standing in front of the box. Disappointingly no keyhole appeared in the wall.
"After all that, where do we stick the ruddy key?" James asked.
"Keep your shirt on Potter. Let's look around." Closer inspection of the area revealed a slot in the top of the box. James raised the dagger and slid it into the slot with a snap and a section of the wall fell out of the wall with a crash, revealing an ornate bronze keyhole. With a grin Lily took the key and inserted it into the hole.
"Potter, I believe this will require us both."
James reached over and placed his hand over hers again and together they turned the key. With a grinding of stone on stone a large segment of the wall dropped forward and they had to scurry backwards out of the way. In the revealed alcove imbedded in a rock wall was a sword, with a ruby in the hilt and a swirl of writing up the blade. Words appeared on the wall above it.
One of my blood, not alone
Found the garden t'was my own
A new of blood to help him see
Now pull the revealed blade free
My sword crafted by Goblins true
Will come to those who daring do
Take up the sword and fight for right
Lead all the soldiers of the light
Darkness comes, a warrior needed
Leave my message not un-heeded
Son of the two comes to life
His blood payment will end the strife.
So she dreamed and so I see
Leave not the sword, remember me.
Barely daring to breath James reached out his hand to grasp the hilt and tug it free from the stone. Cheekily he turned to Lily.
"Well I guess we got what we came for so we can go now. I'm hungry, how long do you think it is till lunch?"
Lily groaned.
