Chapter 76

The Resurrection Stone

I went to Dumbledore's office and straight to the Pensive. I knew Snape was trying to tell me something so I put his memories in and watched. I saw him meet my mum, my dad and Sirius. I saw the scene by the lake again which I hated. I saw him beg Dumbledore to protect my mum and the rest of us. Then I saw him walking up the stairs of the house and finding my parents dead. He cried. He wept as he held my mum's body. Lily and I were in the crib crying. I'd never seen the man shed a single tear. It was strange to see it now. He kissed my mum's forehead and then stood and turned to the crib. He wrapped Lily in his cloak and held her close.

"You'll always be safe Lily. You won't live with those muggles! Your mother asked me to protect you should something happen to you. I promise to be the best father I can and raise you right. Someone will come for your brother, one day you'll meet again. But for your own safety... I'm sorry."

The scene changed and I saw Snape in Lily's room with her in her crib. Dumbledore was there.

"The boy?"

"With his relatives."

He looked back at Lily who was fast asleep.

"You have doubts?"

"My own father was cruel and abusive. Lily's father hated me and her mother and I..."

Dumbledore put a hand on his shoudler.

"You are her father now, Severus. I can already see how much you love this child. You will be a wonderful father. Bust I must ask you-"

"You think I'm going to raise her to hate Potter? I won't even tell her about him. I don't want her to know that her mother and Potter were violently murdered. I loathed Potter... but as you said... she's my daughter now. I will raise her as such."

"Lily always knew you were a good man. That's why she wanted you to protect her if something should happen. I know you won't fail her."

I saw a few flashes of Snape raising Lily. And then... I saw him with Dumbledore in this office.

Lily's POV

I'd stopped crying, but I felt numb. Apart from Draco and my brother, my father had been my world. Now my world had been shattered. Draco was still holding me in his arms. Voldemort has announced that he would be waiting for my brother in the forbidden forest. Hermione had covered my father with a sheet she'd conjured and then a stretcher.

"Come on, darling. We should bring him back to the castle." Draco said gently.

He helped me up and we all went back to the castle. When we entered the great hall, I heard people start talking badly about my father. Ron and Hermione quickly told everyone what happened. Some of them still looked angry, but a lot of them looked understanding. Draco sat me down and then Harry walked in. He knelt down in front of me.

"Lily."

He handed me the memories my father had given him.

"Go. You'll need to see these."

I nodded and Draco went with me. I saw him take me from the crib the night my mum died. Tears welled in my eyes and Draco held me. I saw him put me to bed when I was two. He pointed his wand at the ceiling and the night sky revealed itself with thousands of stars. He used to do that for me when I couldn't sleep. I would fall asleep trying to count all the stars. The memory changed to my fifth birthday. Dad made me a cake and he'd bought me a new book. Then his last memory came.

"So when the time comes... the boy must die?"

"Yes. He must die. And Voldemort himself must do it. That part is essential." said Dumbledore.

My eyes widened and we landed back in the office. I tried to run out but Draco stopped me.

"You can hit me if you want to, but you have to let him go."

"You have sixty seconds to explain." I said.

"Do you really think that Dumbledore would actually send you brother to die? After all this?"

He had a fair point.

"And he said it had to be the dark lord. Dumbledore had to have known something no one else did. If you go out there then you'll get killed. I can't allow that. I promised Snape and Potter."

"Fine. But I at least... I want to be with him before the end."

He looked scared.

"I promise I'll come back. I swear on my father."

He nodded and kissed me hard. I left and ran towards the forest. I saw my brother just about to walk in and I ran after him.

"I'm going with you. At least part of the way."

He took my hand and we walked. He stopped suddenly and took the snitch from his pocket. He held it to his lips and said,

"I'm going to die."

Inside the snitch, was the resurrection stone. He put it in his hand and then held mine. When we looked up there stood mum, James, my dad, Sirius and Lupin. Harry and I both ran to mum but our hands went right through hers. I looked at my dad.

"Daddy."

He smiled sadly and I reached for him.

"I should have stopped him."

"No. He would have killed you. And I died so that you could live. This is NOT your fault Lily. Don't you dare think it is."

Tears came to my eyes and I looked at my mum.

"Hi mum."

She smiled at me. I had her smile.

"My babies. All grown up. Thank you, Severus." She said.

He smiled a bit.

"I don't need to be thanked. I never need to be thanked for protecting my child."

"She's my child, actually." Said James.

I looked at him and slowly shook my head.

"No. You're really not. I know what you did to my dad." I said.

His eyes widened and then he looked down.

"Lillian, look at me."

I looked at dad again.

"No matter what he did to me, he loves you. Yes, you're my daughter, and you always will be. But he too is your father. Even if only by blood."

James looked rather surprised. I looked at James and nodded. I looked back to dad.

"You promised you'd always be with me. You won't be there to walk me down the aisle. You won't be there to meet your grandchildren." I said.

"I'll be there. I promise you I will."

"You know what I mean, daddy."

He sighed and nodded. I reached out for him again and he held his hand out. I knew I wouldn't be able to touch him, but it was enough. Harry was talking to Sirius and Lupin.

"You have to let me go now Lily. I don't belong here anymore, you know that."

"I'm not ready. I'm scared, daddy."

"What are you scared of?"

"I've never been without you before. What if something happens and you're not there? You've always protected me. You always made me feel safe."

He smiled at me.

"You're strong, Lily. You're the strongest person I know. I know that you'll be alright. Do you remember when you first learned to fly? You were so afraid to ride by yourself. But when I knew you were ready, I let you go. I know you're ready. Now it's your turn to let go. You need to trust me."

"Of course I trust you. But-"

He shook his head.

"But nothing. This is your world now Lily. It's time for you to go out on your own. Marry Draco, have a family. Live your life."

I smiled a bit.

"But I'll never be alone. You'll be with me. Right?"

He smiled.

"Always."

I smiled and tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Lily. It's time to say goodbye." Harry said.

I looked around. They all smiled at me.

"Severus did a good job raising you. You're fine and beautiful young woman, Lily. I'm proud of you, I love you." Said James.

I smiled at him.

"Thanks. Please be nice to dad."

He chuckled and nodded.

"I promise you I will."

I nodded and looked at mum.

"I love you mum."

"And I love you. So much. Take care of your brother. You will always need each other."

I nodded and looked at my father… one last time.

"I love you daddy. I love you more than anything and I will never forget the things you taught me. You gave me the best life anyone could ask for."

"I love you too, Lily. You will see me again, but not yet. I will always be right beside you. Don't let anyone change who you are. My little girl. My pride and joy. The most precious thing in the world to me. This isn't goodbye. I love you, Lillian Rose."

I smiled as best I could and closed my eyes. I felt the stone fall from my hand and when I opened my eyes, they were gone.

"I'll make you proud, daddy. I promise."

"You've already made him proud. I know you have." Harry said.

I looked at him and threw my arms around him.

"I love you Harry."

He held me tightly.

"I love you too Lily."

My father was gone. Voldemort killed him and took him from me.

"Go. I know what you have to do. I understand now. Go, finish it. Kill him, you're the only one who can."

"You're so strong Lily. Nothing has ever been able to stop you or keep you down. I've always looked up to you and I always will. I won't let Snape die in vain."

I slowly nodded.

"I love you, Harry. Be strong and end this war."

He hugged me tightly and I closed my eyes.

"I love you too." He said.

He stepped back and took my hand.

"Keep everyone safe. Only you can do that."

I nodded and he let go of my hand.

"I'll finish this." He said.

I went back to my dad's body and conjured a stretcher. I brought my dad up to the Great Hall with the others. So many people had been lost. So many friends and family. I looked at my father. I got up on several rocks and amplified my voice.