A/N: Yes! I am alive and I have returned! So much has happened since I've last updated this story, and I know it's been forever, but I am back! Since it seems the whole country is on lock down for this COVID-19, I seem to have a lot more time on my hands - at least once my boys go down for naps! So, hopefully I can keep this story going and not let you guys down! I have so missed this place! I hope you aren't disappointed with this chapter, but hopefully this will be my only rusty chapter. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: No, sadly I am not JK Rowling. All rights and characters are hers.
"James, I just realized something," Lily whispered. "During the attack at Hogsmeade, one of the death eaters I was fighting said something, and at the time, I just noted that the voice sounded familiar. When Malfoy said 'mudblood,' it sounded exactly like when the death eater said the word."
James glared at Lucius and his fists started to shake. "I'm going to kill him!" he growled.
"James, cool it," Marlene said, grabbing his arm. "We all knew he was a Death Eater. He's who Voldemort gives the diary to."
"I know it, but it doesn't excuse the fact that he almost killed Lily," James said sternly.
"We'll get our chance at him," Dorcas said. "This thing is long from over."
"James, dear, why don't you take these lovely ladies around and introduce them to your father's coworkers," Euphemia said casually, suddenly appearing before them.
"Of course, mother," James replied. "Ladies," he said, holding his arm out for Lily, with Dorcas and Marlene following him.
James led them to a group of aurors, who were listening to a man who was missing a leg. "—I'm telling you, there was no possible way anyone survived that massacre," he growled at the aurors. "They're still searching for victims, and some body-"
"Excuse me Moody, but I believe we have some beautiful young ladies approaching us," another gentleman cut him off. The man called Moody, just growled in response, or in anger of being interrupted.
"Thank you, Mr. Bones," James replied. "May I introduce my beautiful girlfriend, Lily Evans, and our friends, Dorcas Meadowes and Marlene McKinnon."
"Pleasure to meet you ladies, I am Edgar Bones, I work with James' father," the gentleman who interrupted Moody replied. "And this is Benjy Fenwick, Caradoc Dearborn, and Alastor Moody," he continued, gesturing to the other men in the group.
"It's nice to meet you all," Lily replied. She wasn't too sure about Alastor Moody. She could tell from looking at him, he wasn't the sort to mess around with.
"Edgar was graduated a year ago, and he just got married," James told the girls.
"That's right, and we are expecting our first child any day now!" he exclaimed.
"Hmph, a fine time to be bringing kids into the world," Moody growled.
"Well with fine aurors like you and Potter, we have no worries," Edgar grinned, taking a drink.
"Oh yes, I remember you! You were dating, Amelia," Dorcas replied.
"That's correct," Edgar said.
"Oi! Where have you lot been?" Sirius said coming from nowhere, and causing Marlene to spill her drink.
"Merlin Sirius, can't you approach people without causing heart attacks?" She said.
"Why my dear Marlene, where would be the fun in that?" He smiled at her. If she hadn't been preoccupied with shaking off her dress, she would have noticed his eyes glaze over a bit after actually looking at her.
"Sirius, mate, your drooling," Remus whispered to him.
Sirius glared at him, before turning to the older aurors. "If you gentlemen will excuse us, Mrs. Potter was wanting us to fetch these lovely people," he said suavely, ushering them away from the aurors.
"Merlin, is it just me, or is that Moody bloke a bit scary?" Lily asked.
"He's the toughest auror in all of England," James said, "but yes, he can be very intimidating. So Padfoot, why did my mother need us? She looks like she's busy talking to some guests," James pointed out.
"Oh she didn't, Remus here just wanted to ask Dorcas to dance, and needed my assistance," Sirius grinned, while Remus turned red.
"Don't be such a toerag Sirius, I would absolutely love to dance with Remus," Dorcas said, smiling at Remus, before grabbing his hand and pulling him on the floor to dance amongst other couples.
Sirius seemed taken aback. He obviously wasn't expecting her to actually dance with Remus. Remus sent a triumphant smirk back at Sirius before focusing back on Dorcas.
"Well mate, you sure are a prat, but for once, you're obnoxious and blunt self, turned out right for once," James said, clapping him on the back.
Grinning, Marlene said, "Peter, would you like to dance?"
Peter's eyes widened and looked at Sirius, who looked like his eyes were going to explode out of his head. "I-uh, y-yes, I would," he stuttered before following Marlene onto the dance floor.
"Ouch! That hurts mate," James winced. "Lily, would you care the dance?"
"I'd love to, but I need to use the ladies room for a moment," Lily said, glancing at Sirius. She knew Sirius really liked Marlene, and she could tell he wasn't only confused, but a bit hurt.
"Right, it's down that hall, third door on the right," James pointed out.
Lily smiled her thanks, before leaving the boys. She glanced back, and saw James was trying to reassure Sirius. She chuckled and continued into the hall. The hall walls were covered in pictures and portraits, she assumed of generations of the Potter family. She was just passing a room when she heard hushed voices inside. Looking around to make sure no one could catch her eavesdropping, she peeked through the cracked door.
"-don't care if you don't think you're ready, he does," someone she didn't recognize snarled at the young man he was talking to. Him, she was familiar with.
"But I have don't nothing to earn his praise or respect yet," Lucius Malfoy said, almost shakingly.
"He knows of your fight with that mudblood at Hogsmeade, almost succeeding in killing her and the other filth of children. He was very impressed with you and your wand work, and wants you to prove your worth to him even more, by keeping one of his most prized possessions."
"But, surely there is someone more –"
"Do you dare defy your master? The Dark Lord!" He nearly shouted back at him, Lily actually stumbled back a bit.
"No, never. My whole allegiance is to him," Lucius replied.
"Very well. The Dark Lord wants to you keep this hidden and safe. Do nothing with it! Do you understand? In return for this, he is granting your wish to marry Narcissa Black," the man said, handing Malfoy a black box. Lily couldn't see much more because Malfoy put it in his cloak.
Lucius then bowed his head and replied," My sincerest thanks to the Dark Lord."
"You will be called soon. He has more plans for us all. Be prepared to come at once," the man said before coming straight for the door.
Lily flung herself towards the bathroom, and tried to act as if she had just come through the door. The man looked at her, she gave him a slight smile and nod, as he sent her a snarl, before leaving the hallway. Lucius was right behind him, and glared at Lily. "Well, looks like the mudblood is all alone."
The way he said it made her blood turn cold. But she wouldn't dare show him she feared him. "You as well Malfoy."
"Hmph," he scoffed before he turned. He stopped, and turned back to her once more. "If I were you, I'd learn my place in this world, and learn to accept it. If not, I promise you, you will regret ever being born." He turned on his heel and left the hallway.
Lily let out the breath she didn't realize she had been holding in. Lifting a hand to her chest to calm her beating heart, she tried to collect her thoughts on what she just witnessed. Malfoy was for sure a Death Eater, and he must have been given the diary horcrux.
