Written for the Quidditch League Fanfiction Forum:
Wigtown Wanderers, Chaser 1
Main Prompt: Coven
Optional Prompts: (setting) Forbidden Forest, (color) pink, (setting) dusk
HSWW:
Assignment 8, Notable Witches and Wizards Task #4: Bellatrix Black: Write about someone who will go to extreme lengths to get what they want.
A/N: The colour pink is associated with love and kindness. I've shown this by showing Lily's progressing feelings for James, and the pair starting to fall in love.
Warning for mild violence. Fantasy!AU.
"The time has come at last!" Bellatrix declared to the assembly of witches, who tittered with excitement. "Our revenge is upon us! The royal family has suppressed us long enough; they have tried to eradicate our kind — but we shall not stand for this treatment any longer!"
The whispers escalated into gleeful cries, and soon the derelict cabin was alive with the song of the witches, and the flames in their lanterns burned brighter.
"That is not all!" Bellatrix cried over the din, and the witches immediately quieted — they knew better than to cross the fearsome witch. "We have a new member — hush, Isadora, it's not Narcissa — of our coven, but she is one of the most powerful witches I've seen. Evans, if you will come forward."
Dead silence followed as the witches looked around for the mystery witch.
Then, the assembly parted like the flickering flames of a fire, wild and discordant, and a witch walked through the gap in the middle, pulling back her hood. Her hair was a dark auburn, and her brilliant green eyes were sharp and wary. The witches drew back, awed — the girl radiated a compelling aura.
"Lily Evans," said Bellatrix, "you have a debt to repay. If you complete your mission, we shall consider that debt void." The golden lantern light danced in her dark eyes, and Lily's green eyes met hers resolutely. "You know what you must do."
"I do," said Lily firmly. Standing directly in front of a lantern, she looked like a sight to behold — and someone to fear.
The envelope was rough and crisp against Lily's skin, and she kept turning it over in her fingers, admiring the gold seal and gold borders shining in the sunlight. She wiggled impatiently, but then remembered herself and stilled — she was here to blend in. Still, the magic thrumming in her body made it difficult to remain motionless.
Just a few days ago, Bellatrix had saved her life, and now she required repayment. Bellatrix had given her careful instructions, and they would continue communicating via magical means as the ruse continued.
The ruse to make the crown prince of Gryffindor fall in love with her then kill him, crippling the illustrious empire that had prosecuted witches for years.
For that, she had to win a competition for his hand in marriage, or become close enough to him that she could kill him without anyone suspecting her — or her true identity.
She had to be careful — magic could leave behind traces, scents, and it was unmistakably distinguishable. She already stood apart from the other girls around her, with her distinctive hair and technicolor eyes.
Lily took a deep breath to calm herself just as the grand doors of the palace swung open, and all the ladies clustered around fell silent, drawing themselves up. Lily gathered herself, tentatively fixing her eyes on the man who emerged.
He was a normal-looking man, she supposed — he had nondescript light brown hair and amber-colored eyes, which rested upon Lily briefly before sweeping the perimeter. He carried a scroll in his hands, which he unfurled. Lily quivered anxiously.
"Greetings, ladies!" he declared. "Thank you for kindly accepting our invitations, and we humbly welcome you to the palace. I shall be escorting you all to your quarters, where you shall be staying for the duration of the competition for the noble prince's hand — "
His voice faded into the background as the magic in her body flared up rebelliously — she dug her nails into her palms to control the sudden rush of energy in her veins, but it was tremendously trying, and moments later —
Lily's knees hit the ground with a thud, dizziness overcoming her as she struggled to rein in her magic. Her fingertips were buzzing. Her magic was going to burst forth.
She tugged on the urge sharply and it conceded, but not before giving one last effort, and she sank into nothingness.
Cold. She was too cold. She never should've ventured into the Forbidden Forest, but she'd been hungry. The unforgiving winter had left her stocks of food bare.
She waded sluggishly through the knee-high snow; each step a battle. She just had to make it to the other side of the grove, where she knew there was a group of persimmon trees, but she was mere moments from collapsing. The icy winds bit into her unprotected skin; her face numb, the cold had permeated her winter clothing and she could barely breathe.
She couldn't make it.
Just before her knees gave out, she thought she glimpsed a blurry figure looming over her. A man, possibly — she couldn't tell, her mind was too foggy — before everything went dark.
Lily's forehead burned and throbbed as she woke, and her hands were unusually clammy. As she regained her senses, her eyes picked up on unfamiliar brown walls and dim lighting, and she thought she glimpsed something like firelight flickering on the walls. The air was damp and musty, and the sheets were itchy. Not comfortable at all.
She heard something creak and turned her head as much as she could, gasping as a sharp pang shot through her head. She squinted at the blurry shape next to her and as her eyes focused, she thought she recognized a familiar mop of brown hair.
Was that…?
The creaking sound came again as the man shifted, leaning forward. Lily could feel his warm breath on her cheek.
"Are you okay?"
Lily's voice caught in her throat as she tried to reply, gazing blearily at the man. After a few moments, she found the strength to speak. "Y-Yes." It came out raspy, and she winced.
The man smiled thinly. "Feeling woozy? Headache?"
Lily nodded, and the man grabbed something from a table and pressed it to her forehead. It was a damp washcloth, judging from the texture. The coolness seemed to ease the pain a little.
"That feel better?"
Lily nodded again silently.
She twisted her head to and fro, trying to alleviate some of the stiffness and see more of her surroundings. It seemed like she was in some sort of small personal living area — though the few possessions weren't telling. These looked like servants' quarters, judging from the tight enclosure. If she moved her arm even a quarter of a foot to the left, she would bump into a wall.
Wait, what had happened to the other ladies? Where were they?
"What happened?" she croaked, swallowing back the lump in her throat.
"You collapsed," came the short reply, and she bit back her frustration.
"How did I get here?" she persisted. "Why am I here, and not in the hospital wing?" Speaking more than a few words cost her. She broke into a coughing fit. Her chest burned.
The man didn't answer for a few moments, peering at her intently with a curious expression. "You're a witch, aren't you?" he asked bluntly.
Lily's heart stopped entirely as the question hung in the air and her sluggish mind struggled for a response. She should deny it, but he'd already guessed. Maybe she could convince him to keep it a secret.
Perhaps he would snitch; he had something to gain from turning in a witch and foiling her plans. But there was only sympathy on his face as he stared at her, waiting, and his eyes were gentle, honest. Lily felt at peace with him, so maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to trust him? Bellatrix had warned her against trusting anyone who wasn't a witch, but…
The word "yes" had just passed her lips when a loud knock came from the door on the other side of the tiny room, presumably leading out to more rooms like this. Panic filled her chest. Who could it be?
"Who is it?" the man called calmly, though the gentleness in his eyes had changed to worry.
"It's James!" came the muffled voice. "Remus, please, I need your help with...something."
Lily bit her lip as she and Remus — finally, a name for the face — exchanged looks. "Do you have to let him in?" she said warily.
Remus gazed at her for a moment and then stood, going over to the door and cracking it open. Lily craned her neck so she could see. She heard hushed voices and then —
"C'mon, Remus, I can't let them catch me!"
"I told you, I don't have it," Remus said, raising his voice too. "I can't help you, James, now let me go back to —"
Remus broke off and Lily heard a fleeting grunt, followed by a "James, no" and her heart lodged itself in her throat. She couldn't hide, she couldn't cover herself as "James" pushed past Remus and stopped dead in his tracks, agape.
Lily closed her eyes and braced herself, turning her head away. Shame scalded her from the inside; she didn't want to look at him.
The silence was unnerving, but she didn't dare move.
Finally, Remus shattered the silence. "I can explain, James."
"You — have — a — woman — in — your — bed," James uttered slowly, sounding disbelieving. "I am so proud of you."
"James, no, that's not it," Remus said quickly. "She — she was hurt, and I was the only one there — by luck, of course — and I didn't know where else to take her."
"Why didn't you take her straight to the hospital wing?" James asked, sounding suspicious. There was a beat of silence as Remus fumbled, searching for a reasonable explanation.
Lily's heart thundered. She opened her eyes and turned her head, staring intently at James. "Because I asked him not to." It wasn't completely a bald-faced lie. "I...I'd rather not say why, but I asked him not to. He was only respecting my wishes."
"...Alright," James relented, releasing her from his scrutiny, and Lily breathed properly for the first time since she'd opened her eyes. She let her eyes traverse his appearance unabashedly, taking in his lithe, wiry frame, the black, messy mop of hair atop his head, the long, slightly crooked nose, his hazel eyes —
She halted her inspection as he caught her eye and attempted a grin. She tore her eyes away from him and looked at Remus instead, seeking the comfort of his presence, but her mind was still stuck on the other man. Familiarity was niggling at her. Had she seen this man before?
She dared to look at his eyes again. Hazel. Hair messy and jet black. She'd seen that before, somewhere. Bellatrix had made her memorize a list of names and faces before she'd left, of important royals and officials, and she knew — that picture had been the first one she'd been shown — she knew who that was.
The crown prince of Gryffindor himself. James Potter stood before her. Horror struck her and she reeled, all while trying to maintain her composure.
This was the man she was supposed to seduce and kill.
James' eyes lit up as Lily approached, pulling her coat more tightly around her. "I didn't know you were one of the contestants," he said.
"Surprise," she deadpanned, already beginning to feel guilty. James looked so earnest, so excited about seeing her — but was this the way he reacted to all the ladies? Was this his personality? Lily frowned, then shook herself. Why should she care? She wasn't here to fall in love with him.
"Come on." James held out his arm in a gentlemanly fashion. "Shall we?"
Lily stared at his arm, bewildered for a moment, before glancing up at his face and starting at his expression, so eager. Right. She was supposed to be wooing him.
Not entirely unwilling, she took his arm and let him lead her away.
James' hand was warm and firm in hers as they rounded the corner at full speed, skidded to halt, and burst into laughter. Lily doubled over, clutching her stomach and releasing James' hand in the process. In her other hand was a bonbon, sticky and melted in her clenched fist, but it had been worth it. Worth the chef pursuing them with his rolling pin and the thrill of the chase and —
Lily glanced at James and her magic flared with interest, but she firmly quelled it. She'd gotten better at controlling her magic, but it reacted strongly whenever she was in James' vicinity. She could feel it just itching to escape her body — the nightly practices of magic had only made it keener to break free of the confines of her skin.
And tonight, when it had been denied practice, it was even peskier.
Lily uncurled her fingers and eyed the bonbon in her hand, all the chocolate smeared between her fingers, gluing them together. A sudden urge not perpetuated by her magic compelled her to bring her fingers to her mouth, part her lips, and —
— and she made eye contact with James, who was oddly flushed. He'd been staring at her hand, following its progress to her mouth, and Lily — Lily burned.
No. This wasn't right.
"How did you know I was a witch?" Lily asked Remus one afternoon as they sat in her quarters. She'd invited him under the pretense of tea, but as soon as he'd arrived, she'd ordered her maids out and locked the door. Now they sat across from each other at a table, teacups in hand.
"My mother," said Remus simply. Lily was surprised by his answer because she'd been expecting him to evade the question — but she supposed, now that he knew her secret, he'd be more forthcoming.
Perhaps this was the start of a tentative friendship.
Remus sipped his tea delicately. "My mother was a healer," he explained. "She would take in any patient, no matter what species or ability. Including witches. I grew to recognize the signs of each type of patient — especially witches, since they were most common."
Lily raised her eyebrows, impressed. "Your mother was very kind. The rest of the world could learn from her."
"I'm eliminating two ladies tomorrow," said James abruptly as they walked hand-in-hand by the Black Lake. The sun had just set, dusk had fallen, and it had painted the sky brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red which were reflected in the shining expanse of water.
"Yeah?" Lily was noncommittal, but she couldn't repress the sinking feeling in her chest.
"I'm technically not supposed to tell you, but…" James paused, turning his body so he was facing the lake. The dying light illuminated his face hauntingly. "You're not leaving tomorrow."
Lily didn't even bother hiding the sigh of relief expelled from her lungs.
"But I'm narrowing the field down to three, and I need to consider some things. One of you is going to be my fiancee in two weeks, and while this competition is not over, I need to start looking to the future."
Lily's stomach curdled. While she'd intended to be one of the final contestants, she hadn't truly intended to marry him — he was supposed to be dead by now. Or relatively soon, before he married her. But murdering him — while it hadn't been the last thing on her mind, it certainly hadn't gained priority. Too caught up in enjoying her time at the palace, with Remus and James and even a few of the ladies she'd learned to get along with, she'd been reluctant to even think of doing anything to ruin her time here.
And now, with him looking at her so thoughtfully, so earnestly, her will weakened further. She didn't like him...not much, anyway.
But enough that she wanted to defy Bellatrix's orders and tell James about her true identity. She'd kept her magic a secret all these weeks, from everyone but Remus, but there was something about James that made it easy to trust him. He'd been nothing but honest with her — she didn't know if he'd been that way with anyone else, but she knew, at least, he was with her.
And she'd found it easy to open up to him too — just with careful words and omissions. But James made her want to topple her own walls.
"I need you to be honest with me," said James, breaking her out of her reverie. "I need a promise that you'll always be honest with me."
Lily gulped, but she had honed her lying abilities over the last few months. "I promise."
How much longer could she hide this from him?
Lily hurried through the woods, nearly stumbling over the tree roots in the dark, Bellatrix's message burned in her mind. She'd found the note on her bed after returning from her outing with James, with Bellatrix's loopy scrawl on the scrap of parchment. She'd burned the note after reading it, but she couldn't forget the words etched on it.
She emerged into the clearing and glanced around quickly — it was the same clearing where they'd practiced Lily's magic, not far from the palace, so she could have a generous view of it to motivate her as she trained. She remembered those nights clearly.
Lily's ear picked up on noise — the sounds of the wind rustling through the trees, the trees creaking as they swayed, and twigs snapping —
Wait, twigs snapping? Lily tensed; that could only mean —
She dodged to the side as a blast of magic came surging towards her, followed by a series of smaller blasts. Bellatrix stepped out of the shadowy cover of the trees, hoodless and red-painted lips curled in a sinister smile. One hand was behind her back. "I'm glad to see you haven't gone soft while at the palace."
Lily kept her mouth shut but her hands trembled.
"I didn't come here to skirt around the bush," said Bellatrix, eyes narrowing dangerously, her smile vanishing. "Sources inside of the palace tell me what exactly you've been up to."
Lily hadn't expected her to get to the point so quickly; Bellatrix liked to play with her food before she ate it. "I hope they've been giving you nothing but favorable reports," she said.
"Oh, they've been very thorough." Bellatrix brought out the hand behind her back and twirled a pink rose between her fingers — one of the pink roses James had given to her throughout their courtship. To her, and only her. Lily's trembling intensified.
"They tell me that you've become...quite close to the prince."
"That was the aim, wasn't it?"
"Ah, but they've reported that you've been...scurrying about with the prince more than necessary. That you weren't as true to your mission as I thought, since you're harboring thoughts of betraying the witches."
"That's a lie!" The lie escaped Lily's lips without thinking. "I wouldn't —"
"Don't lie to me, Lily Evans," Bellatrix interrupted. "Don't forget how I saved your life. You would do good to not lie to me."
Lily flinched — Bellatrix had been sure to rehash that day throughout Lily's training as she pushed her to work harder, reminding her that she needed to save her own life. Constantly reminding Lily of her debt. That day in the snow in the Forbidden Forest, struggling for food.
"You do realize you must face the consequences," said Bellatrix ominously. Panic froze Lily and she cowered, unable to move — her life flashed before her eyes —
"Lily!" Someone collided with her and tackled her to the ground.
She knew that voice. "Remus!" Relief surged through her, but they didn't have time to exchange words; Bellatrix was advancing on them, shrieking furiously.
"Move!" Lily rolled out of the way and took Remus with her. "We need to run, Remus, we have to go back to the palace!"
Remus didn't argue; he seized her hand and pulled her along with him. Once they were clear of the clearing, she didn't dare look back, even though she could still hear Bellatrix shrieking. Once they were on the palace grounds, they couldn't be followed.
As they fled, feet pounding into the soil and tree roots, Lily's thoughts raced at a mile a minute, but one thing became crystal clear.
If she were to spend her life running from Bellatrix, she needed to tell James. She needed to keep her promise to be honest with him, despite the consequences.
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