Chapter 3: The Unwanted Scroll

The morning after the awful dinner began with Archimedes tapping on the window. Lily peeked through her hair to find Petunia's bed already vacated and felt safe to let her owl in.

"About time," she said. "I missed you." Archi landed on the desk with a stumble and hooted softly. She looked tired and worse for wear with feathers out of place. There hadn't been a storm and Archi had always been good about taking cover.

"You're hurt," Lily said, examining her owl's wing. "Don't tell me someone tried to bully you?"

Archimedes hooted again softly and picked at the scroll wrapped to her leg. That, too, was strange. Mary always sent letters. She didn't know anyone that just sent scrolls. Lily worked carefully so as not to hurt her already exhausted owl, snipping the scroll free.

"Come on," she told Archi, "you can sleep here today. Just nestle in the bed." Archi seemed relieved and immediately hopped to the covers, burrowing in.

Lily turned her attention back to the scroll. Without a seal or outer markings, there was no way to tell who it was from. She unrolled it curiously.

DON'T COME BACK MUDBLOOD

It was written in red ink. Lily dropped the scroll as it started to burn and burst into flames, singeing her fingers. It left behind a dark red stain on the tips of them where she had held it.

Lily immediately stood, staring at the ashes. She thought about doing a spell to identify the potion residue but she doubted she could find anything that would pinpoint who sent it. It could've been a delayed charm? She knew about them but not the specifics like if they were capable of being applied to paper and activated like that. Most likely it was a curse but what kind? The ministry might've been able to if the evidence hadn't just disappeared.

Just a prank. Fire was typical of school pranks. Anything that could burn or sparkle or scare someone. Just a prank.

But the slur... No one ever threatened over pranks. Insults, teasing really, that was typical of her class. Not... not that. Not a threat. Not the slur. Who would even send such a thing? Severus immediately entered her mind. His harsh voice saying it like a curse.

No. People didn't use that word unless they meant it.

Lily pulled out a piece of parchment and quickly composed a letter.

Department of Magical Law Enforcement

I have just received a scroll with a threatening message. It was received via my owl who seems to have been intercepted coming from a friend. She appears hurt and forced to carry the message.

The scroll read "Don't come back, mudblood" in red ink before bursting into flames. Enclosed are the ashes of the said scroll. I can only assume it is a threat of returning to school. With the current state of affairs and disappearances, I worry someone would be targeting Hogwarts students.

Please let me know if there is anything else you need from me. Thank you for your time and effort.

Sincerely,

Lily Evans

She quickly sealed the envelope but upon seeing Archi still sleeping in her bed, thought better of sending her hurt owl.

"Godric," she called, heading to the kitchen.

The majestic eagle owl was perched on the sink and hadn't let anyone use the faucet all morning. He turned its eyes on the redhead with what Lily could only see to be disdain.

"If I give you this letter, will you deliver it to the ministry?"

She hadn't expected a response but when she reached for him, he went for her fingers.

"Hey!" she yelped. "This is important!"

He glared at her.

"Are you really not going to take it?"

Glare.

"Not until I respond to Potter?"

Godric gave a shrill squawk. She was really beginning to hate him.

"Alright!" She marched to the rubbish bin and fished out Potter's letter and envelop. She stuffed the letter back inside and crossed out "Lily Evans" and wrote "J. Potter" on it. She even added a piece of tape for good measure.

"There," she said, turning back to Godric with the letter. "Take this one to Potter and this one to the ministry, if you would be so kind."

Godric took the letters almost eagerly as if getting out of her house was his greatest ambition. Lily gave him two treats and opened the window, glad he had a clear day to fly. He might even make good time if the bird was feeling generous.

Lily looked down at her fingers, frowning at the raw, red marks left behind. They still stung.

"Who are you talking to so early in the morning?" her mother asked, coming in from the garden. She pulled off her dirty gloves and ran the faucet. "Oh good, you got rid of the owl. I was beginning to wonder if we had to start using the hose for water."

"Sorry about that," Lily said. "The owner tricked me."

Her mother smiled as she washed. "So, who was it?"

"Oh," Lily said. "No one important. Just someone from school." She sat at the table and picked up the prophet from the day before, despite already reading it.

"How's Mary?"

"Good," Lily said but she realized that Mary's response had been lost. Suddenly she was worried. Mary was muggleborn too. If Lily received a threatening message, Mary must have too. And her owl came from Mary's. Maybe she should've sent Godric to Mary's...

"How was dinner?" her mother asked, sitting down at the table while the kettle warmed. "You two got in late." Her green eyes looked hopeful but sixteen years had worn her down the reality of her daughters. It was the only reason Lily didn't bother lying.

"Poorly." She sighed. "I think Petunia was expecting something I couldn't give her."

Her mother nodded as if expecting this. Why? Why did she understand the situation that Lily found so confusing?

"Why did you let me go to Hogwarts?" Lily asked.

A smile played on her mother's lips and she knew a joke wanted to answer but it must've been the look on her daughter's face that brought the truth to Mrs. Evans's answer.

"Because you're special, Lily," she said. "You have a gift that deserves to develop. Like my garden, you needed to be able to grow."

Lily rolled her eyes at the flower motif but smiled. "But it… Do you think I've left you all? Petunia thinks I'm not living in the real world. I can't explain it to her but do you," Lily struggled to find the words, "do you think I've made the right choices?"

Mrs. Evans reached for her daughter's hand and patted it gently. "Lily, sending you to Hogwarts was the choice your father and I made. Our choice. And we are very grateful for making it. For you, I think the important choices are still coming," she said with a smile. "And when they do, you need to do what's in your heart and not what will make you liked. It's the only way you'll be happy."

"That's not an answer, Mum." Lily stared at the moving pictures of the paper. Her mother laughed, earning a scowl from her daughter.

"For what it's worth, I think it'll be the right choice," her mother consoled, then got up to get the tea.

Lily left her mother to her tea and decided to return to potion brewing. The day was overcast but dry and she took her textbook and cauldron outside in the garden. Mrs. Evans had worked tirelessly all year long to keep up with the beautiful sanctuary behind the small Evans house and there was nothing more peaceful than spending the day of rare sunlight in the company of colorful flowers.

She flipped to the last page she had marked, looking through the brewing instructions. Sixth year appeared to be a lot more intense with longer stirring times and more complicated concoctions. She already spotted a few techniques from previous years that she could supplement though and quickly wrote them in.

She searched her kit, seeing what ingredients she had and cross-referencing them with the list in her book. She had only been able to make four drafts so far this summer, mostly for her own gain. Calming and sleeping drafts came in handy when stress and prefect duties kept her up so she liked having them on hand instead of bugging Madam Pomfrey. But this elixir looked promising. Life-extension for common pets. She had the ingredients and it would be nice to have if she ever got a pet she wanted to keep. It must be the same potion they gave to delivery owls for greater lifespans. Archimedes certainly outlived the common lifespan of a common barn owl.

She set out the ingredients carefully and set the flame. Soon there was a rhythm to her work as she hummed to herself and her mind cleared of everything bothering her. Potions required concentration and that meant there was no room for uncertainty. Lily Evans knew she was unstoppable when she was certain.

She didn't stop until she heard the loud beating of wings and Godric landed on the table, nearly knocking over the simmering cauldron. The sky was turning orange with dusk and the wind carried a chill on it that wasn't there a moment ago.

"Back so soon?" she asked, spotting the letter the owl carried. She double-checked the potion instructions before taking a break and reaching for the letter.

Dearest Lily,

That was funny, sending my own letter back. Very clever. I can take a hint, you don't want to talk to me. But I want to talk to you. So allow me to tell you about my summer.

Sirius has moved in. It's been brilliant to have him around, as I'm sure you can imagine. I've made up several Quidditch plays you'll be pleased to see this season as well. They're sure to win us the cup.

What was that letter you sent on to the ministry and why are you using my bird to send your mail? I think I deserve a request for something like that or I feel my owl has been kidnapped. I question his loyalty now. Perhaps I should take it hostage until I get a proper offer?

You do know you can contact me if you're in trouble, I hope. Not that I expect you're in trouble, being perfect Miss Prefect Evans. But I am quite a Knight in Shining Armor if needed.

Always yours,

James

There was no mention of needing a reply so Lily fetched a few treats and parchment. She wrote Mary before offering Godric his payment.

"Take this to Mary Mcdonald, please?" she asked. Godric allowed her to tie the letter on and flew off without a problem. She smiled, hoping Potter missed his proud owl. How easily both bent to her wiles.

She laughed at herself and went back to her potion, finishing just before she could barely see in the darkness. Stretching, she felt the effects of a day well-spent. She even felt better about Petunia. If she didn't understand that Lily was good at magic, there was nothing she could do about it.

Lily,

That sounds awful! Everything is fine on my end, I never got your letter. Could it be a joke? You know how stupid some of our classmates are and after the scene at the lake, I wouldn't put it past someone to jest about it. Especially Snape's friends. Mulciber would send a letter like that, though he'd probably line it in bubotuber pus.

I'm so nervous about my OWL scores. I'm sure I've failed HoM and probably and Potions too. How am I supposed to get a ministry job if I can't get into McGonagall's class? I wish the owls would arrive and put me out of my misery. I swear I've worn out my Bowie record trying to cope.

How goes fending off the advances of James Potter? Is he still sending you letters? Have you responded? You have to talk to him eventually, especially if he's apologized. He didn't say the word, Lily. You can't blame him for what Severus does.

Please write me back soon. We're two letters behind and maybe I should get your number in case we need to contact each other. I'm sure everything's alright but you've got me worried now.

XOXOX

Mary

Lily crafted a response to Mary's letter after lunch and sent Archi on her way with a protective rune written on the parchment. She hoped it was enough to keep her from being intercepted. She almost hadn't sent it at all but the barn owl seemed well-rested after a small dose of healing tonic.

Suddenly, summer seemed like a prison trapping her in a world she wasn't equipped for. The Witching World had answers and she was stuck in a muggle neighborhood, miles away from the closest magical person she could ask.

Except for a certain someone.

Godric returned with another letter from Potter wondering why she felt entitled to use his owl without responding to him and demanded compensation. The bird sat patiently, awaiting his prize.

She thought about keeping him a few days but Petunia would have a fit. Her sister had already taken the "silent treatment" to the next level of aggression. When sharing a room, slamming drawers at dawn was akin to bombshells going off. Lily took to keeping pillows over her head and praying Petunia woke too late for work to think of doing anything more.

"Fancy seeing Black then?" she asked. She supposed it would be enough of a snub not to return a letter to Potter.

Sirius,

If Potter is still driving you mad perhaps tell him that when a woman doesn't return a letter it means she's not interested. Even you should be able to understand that.

Why are you living with him anyway? I suppose it was only a matter of time before you two admitted your love but it seems a bit fast, yeah? I am also not interested in the free love movement so if that's what you two are offering, it's not going to work.

Also, do not think this means I've forgiven you for the last term. What you did was vile and I still very much hate you for it but James will be cross you receive a letter instead of him. I can only hope it will spearhead the break-up of your unfortunate friendship and leave the Gryffindor tower in peace.

Have a good summer,

Lily

Godric took off with several treats and Lily went back to her studies with a smile. Her mum called her for supper and she bookmarked the spellbook to review before bed.

"Alright, sweetheart?" Mrs. Evans asked when Lily slipped into the dining room. "You look a bit peaky."

"Do I?" Lily asked. "I feel well. Just famished."

Petunia said nothing as she sat down and their father began passing the casserole.

"Getting a lot of letters lately," he said. "I knew you were popular but there seems to be a lot of chatter for school only just finishing."

Lily rolled her eyes as she passed the food to Petunia. "It's been five weeks, dad. And everyone is nervous about their OWL exams," she said by way of omission. "We're all really anxious to see how well we've done."

"Do you have long to wait?" her mum asked. "You've been studying awfully hard."

"I don't think so," she said. "And I'm not really studying. Just… tinkering. I want to be prepared."

"I'm sure you'll be fine," her dad said. "Petunia did well on all her exams, you'll do the same."

Lily gave him a smile as an owl swooped in from the window and landed on the kitchen counter. Petunia huffed and stood before throwing her napkin down.

"Can we go one meal without vermin contaminating everything?" she asked and stalked off back down the hall toward the bedroom.

"Sorry," Lily said, jumping up when she recognized the ministry seal on the envelope. She tore it open quickly while her parents watched her.

To Miss Lily Evans

The Department of Magical Law Enforcement received your letter and has determined there is no immediate danger to you or any other student currently enrolled in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

We at the ministry hold all magical users in equal regard and believe every witch and wizard has the right to education.

Please contact us if you have any other questions or concerns but direct them to the information desk, as the DMLE cannot be held responsible for every hurt owl found.

Sincerely,

Bartemius Crouch

Department of Magical Law Enforcement

"Everything alright then?" her father asked when Lily had been silent for too many minutes.

"Hm? Oh yeah." She folded the letter up and tucked it into her pocket. The owl had already vanished and she claimed her seat at the table once more.

"It was from the Ministry, wasn't it?" her mother asked, catching her daughter's eye. "Is it about the disappearances they're reporting in the paper?"

Lily knew better than to lie to her mother. It was hard to keep up with news in both worlds but somehow Rose Evans managed to keep tabs on Lily's magical life.

"Sort of," Lily admitted. "I got an odd note and asked the ministry to look into it. They say it's nothing, though."

"What sort of note?" her father asked. "It wasn't a threat was it?"

"No," Lily said. Her mother looked at her crossly. "It wasn't. It was just a slur. Mary thinks it's kids playing jokes and I think she's right."

"Why would kids joke about a slur?" her mother asked. She knew about the blood purity in the magical world. Lily had explained it when the article had come out in the Prophet. She knew what a mudblood was and agreed with her daughter to ignore it.

"Something happened at school," Lily explained but it only seemed to make it worse. "Not like that, Sev- … Some kids were bullying Severus and some things were said and it came out and everyone thought it was funny."

"That's awful," her mother said. "Severus said that?" Lily wondered how she had guessed. She hadn't said anything like that but her mum seemed to know.

"Sounds like kids," her father said and took another bite of food. He received a nasty look from his wife. "They don't know, honey. They think anything's funny if it goes against the rules."

Lily had to agree with that but her mother was not so forgiving. She gave a sigh. "Is that why we haven't seen him around?" she asked softly. Rose Evans always had a soft spot for Severus. She had seen behind the rough edges of the boy and could guess his home life. Lily wouldn't betray Sev's trust, though. She wondered now if she should have.

"I'm not speaking to him," she admitted. "We haven't truly been friends for a while." She moved her food from one side of the plate to the other.

"Sometimes that happens," her mother said, placing a gentle hand on her arm and gave her an encouraging smile.

"It's not fair," Lily said. "We've been friends for years. He's supposed to stay my friend, not just… become someone else."

Her father laughed but then apparently decided this was not a conversation he was willing to be a part of. He quickly quieted with a glare from his wife.

"Other people have the right to change, Lily," Rose Evans said. "Just like you do."

It still wasn't fair, Lily thought. Severus showed her the magical world and gave her promises. He wasn't keeping them. Asking forgiveness wasn't fair either. He was the one going off and becoming different. He was the one changing. She wasn't. Lily Evans was the same girl she had been every year. Maybe more informed and a great deal better at Charms than anyone at Hogwarts but still...Lily.

Who was Severus Snape now? A dark magic artist and prejudiced git. Right. No forgiving that.

Lily rolled over in her bed come nightfall, rethinking the scene by the lake. She wished she could just get over it, wished it didn't mean so much. Maybe it didn't. Maybe it was just "kids being kids".

So why did it feel so important? She couldn't remember ever being so angry before. James Potter had been so utterly and completely heartless and Severus… Severus had called her a mudblood. A term that meant she was nothing in the magical world.

Both parties were guilty, she realized. And she didn't understand how to handle being angry at both sides.

She rolled onto her back. She was angry at herself for not cursing Potter and Black. She should've acted sooner. Rules or not, she should've done something. Right? Was that the solution?

It felt like there was no right solution but that couldn't be true. Every event had a solution. Every transfiguration problem had a spell and every potion had an antidote.

She would solve this. Come time to return to Hogwarts, she would find this solution.