CHAPTER 13: The Sweetheart
Lily Luna Potter always hated crying. It was exhausted, always hurt her soul deeply, and sometimes it felt like all the magic inside her scrambling wanted to get out of her control. Last time she felt close enough like this was when she's five.
She remembered that day clearly. It was Teddy's fifth year, the time where Lily began to wonder why Teddy was a Lupin and not a Potter. Her two brothers understood it to some degree. But Lily's curiosity triggered both of them to research all about Teddy's parents and automatically to the first and second wizarding wars. Finally during the Easter holidays, they cornered Teddy in Albus' room gathering to hear his story. Teddy agreed to tell but without Lily's presence. Usually Lily's okay when her cousins/brothers asked her to play alone. She didn't mind – feeling content when everyone's had peace. But it's about Teddy! She's curious, she cared so much, she wanted to understand, and it's unfair for everyone to get to know but her. So, she did the silly thing: snitched them to their father. Daddy stopped the story session immediately – James and Albus were furious at her.
James' anger was indeed scarier but it didn't last long. Albus though, he became cold and silent – for the whole week he didn't talk to Lily, until finally Lily couldn't stand it and cry. That time was also tiring, painful, and their windows opened altogether by the windstorm from Lily's uncontrollable magic. Therefore, she resented crying.
Her Daddy always knew how to calm her though. He knew when it was time for Lily to be hugged, or simply to let go of all her frustrations and magic, or to just sit quietly beside her until she calmed down, or even how to distract Lily so she could be happy again. As now, after long minutes of crying and cuddling, her Daddy asked her Mum to take their potions making kit – the real one of course, from their apothecary, not the replica in Lily's room – and it'd been 10 minutes Lily concentrating on making calming draught potions.
"And now the temperature has to back up and stirring clockwise slowly," Lily said to her father lightly.
Harry pointed his wand to the cauldron, non-verbally spelled the incantation. "Like that?" he ensured.
Lily felt the air above the cauldron awhile, "Yup! We have to wait until it turns blue-green now."
"You sure?" Harry asked again, looked nervous – potions had never been his best field.
"Deathly sure!" Lily grinned.
Her father chuckled, "Don't let your Mum hear that."
"Don't let me hear what?" Ginny walked in - her wand hand pointed at the floating plate of saucy chocolate pudding in the air.
"Nothing, Mummy!" Harry and Lily chirped at the same time innocently.
Ginny shook her head smiling, and then took her place on the sofa beside Harry – starting to place the delicious pudding on the table. Lily alone sat on the floor next to their feet – before her was a steaming cauldron whose liquid's still a yellow clear.
"Wow, pudding!" Harry grinned, about to savor the dessert.
"This's for your daughter after she took her potions," Ginny scoffed, preventing her husband's effort. Then her Mum looked at Lily's work at the time the potion changed color properly, "Looking good, Lils!" Ginny admired it.
Lily added several sprigs of peppermint to the cauldron – making sure that none of the stems got stuck. "Stir in alternating clockwise and counterclockwise just once, Daddy."
Harry did precisely as his daughter asked. The potion thickened and turned deep indigo.
"Now, just let it stir clockwise until a purple-red vapor glow appears," Lily explained cheerfully.
"You realize this is a fourth year standard potion, right?" Harry frowned at his daughter. Then spoke bewilderedly to his wife, "She doesn't even need the instructions."
Ginny laughed, "Where do you think all the calming, painkiller, sleeping potions in this house were coming from? I never asked from Audrey or bought them from Mr. Mulpepper's Apothecary. That's all your daughter did." Ginny said proudly to her astonished husband, "Audrey even said Lily's potions have better quality than those sold in the market. She always praises the proper and maximum ingredients preparation."
"I'm just annoyed, because I don't have my own wand yet to do it myself – or even a proper cauldron and stirrer," Lily responded somberly. "Do you know, in our Meadow there're lots of wild magical plants that I can use for potions? I'm sure I can even try to make Felix Felicis to a certain extent. I heard it had to be left under the full moon overnight every time for 6 months. And there is this flower to add that only blooms in the morning after the full moon. But the exact time or way - I still don't know. I asked Aunt Hermione to lend me the sixth year standard book, but she scolded me instead!" Lily then imitated her Aunt's high patronizing voice, "It's very dangerous Lily! Beside, all the making of the 'liquid luck' must be supervised by the ministry because the effect will be very dangerous in the hands of irresponsible ones."
Lily looked up to see both her parents dumbfounded.
"Where did she get all those traits?" Her father murmured wondering, at the same time her mother whined exasperatedly, "Whose daughter are you really?"
Lily rolled her eyes, and couldn't help but giggle.
A light purple-pink emerged in the steam that rose from the cauldron. "It's done!" Lily cheered. It was always fascinating whenever she succeeded to make some potions. She put it in the phials – she made quite a few this time, so in the end there were a dozen potions of calming draught.
"Can I have one?" Harry asked, smiling.
Lily nodded standing up, and then handed a phial each to her Mum and Dad. "Take it, Mummy, Daddy," She croaked, the memory of the accident coming back to her. "I'm so sorry, I made you both so worried earlier."
Harry, smiling soothingly, pulled Lily close and sat her on his lap. Ginny gently caressed one of her leg. See, her Daddy again knew this time how much Lily wanted to be cuddled.
The three of them drank the potion together. The effect was automatic. It felt like all the nerves in their bodies became light. All the shock, trauma, and suffering emotions had turned into a sense of peace – no more traces of turmoil in their mind, only clarity.
Her Mum sighing happily, "Oh Lily Luna, your calming draught is always the best!"
"I can't find the slightest bit of bitterness at all," Her Dad amazed – couldn't help not to kiss her forehead. "How did you do it, angel?"
Lily grinned in her father's embrace, "The peppermint, it should only be the leaves without any slightest of its stems."
"Well, I guess Audrey's right. You are my genius potioneer," Harry said lovingly.
They were still savoring the potion effect – closing their eyes enjoying the warmth of their closeness.
"How's your feeling, angel?" Her father asked after a while.
"Much-much better," she answered truthfully.
"Do you want to talk about earlier?" Her mother patted her left leg.
Feeling okay now – she nodded, "Sure, which one?"
Ginny's face was graced by mischief, "How was it – being hit by a Bludger?"
Harry's hand on his daughter became tighter. However, Lily was laughing. She's always curious and had requested her Mum repeatedly to give her the feeling of being smacked by a Bludger. And here she was finally and for the first time experiencing it herself.
"Honestly, it was numb. Just like what you told me, Mummy," She and her Mum grinned at the joke to each other – not including her very stiff Daddy. "But then I couldn't breathe – that's the worst part," Lily frowned – Harry began stroking her back warmly. "I saw Scorpius' face first then Teddy and Hugo. Their dreading faces made everything scarier. But I could only focus on getting air. Then Aunt Audrey began reciting the spells and the pressure in my chest that hadn't been there started to throb painfully but loosened quickly. Suddenly I can breathe again. I was blank for a moment in Mummy's arms – still feeling and hearing everyone's cries though. Then everything's okay! No pain, no dizziness – back to normal."
"You're very brave, you know that my love?" Her Daddy spoke adoringly. "Others who couldn't stand the shock and fear will definitely be unconscious."
"You are, sweetheart!" Ginny smiled fondly, "Definitely a true Gryffindor!" made the three of them softly laugh simultaneously. "So," Ginny continued gazing intently at her, "The uncontrollable fall earlier was because of Albus' words then?"
Lily hid her face at her Daddy's neck, hugged him tightly and nodded. "He's right," she croaked desperately, "It was stupid. Now, he won't talk to me anymore."
"He will," Harry cut in.
"I'll make him if I must," Ginny added reassuringly.
The floo blazing sound made the three of them pause. Albus walked in side to side with James, Scorpius followed closely behind looking rather uncomfortable interrupting the family moment. Lily though only focused on his brother's emerald eyes. Lily could always clearly tell when Albus was angry only from his eyes – they'd not as bright and lively as usual, the eyes would become darker and very cold. Seeing the same eyes – as her Daddy's – turned cold always made Lily lost.
However, now was very far from it. Albus' eyes – even not as bright as usual – were not cold anymore and full of remorse and sadness. Albus was sorry, he regretted all he said and had been constantly worrying about Lily. And that's all that Lily needed to run to her brother's open arms.
"I'm so sorry, Lils! I'm so sorry for everything," Albus begged desperately, tightening his hug.
"No," Lily mumbled. "You're right, it was stupid – my reflex was stupid! I should have just bumped into you instead of taking that bloody Bludger myself." She heard James' chuckle and her Mum's groan at her swear word. "I'm sorry I make you all worry. I'm sorry, Al. Please, don't be mad anymore."
"I'm not," Albus said sincerely. "Let me see you, little bud," he let go of Lily then put his right hand on Lily's cheek gazing. Lily's not crying, how could she if Albus wasn't angry at her anymore. Albus smiled, "You do look much better. Not as ugly and spooky as before."
James and Scorpius laughed. Lily giggled and softly shoved one of Albus' arms, "Me spooky? You have to see your face. You look like Basilisk when you're angry. I can't even look you in the eyes."
That made all of them laugh and the situation became warmer and more pleasant.
James pulled her from Albus and took his turn to hug Lily, "Don't scare us like that again, Lil-bug. I don't mind the blowing and the blasting – that'd be Dad's problem, but no more silly accident," he said sternly.
Lily nodded wholeheartedly – never planning to repeat his stupidity.
Harry smiled at his kids. "It'd help if you drink Lily's calming draught. You three have to try it, it's brilliant!"
Albus and James looked at the table curiously and began to approach. James was more attracted to the saucy chocolate pudding though. Lily still could hear her mother's scolding ("No pudding before your sister, James"), as Scorpius confoundedly asked her.
"You made this calming draught?"
"Yes! Well, surely Daddy helped me with the magic," Lily smiled proudly and took the boy's hand. "Come on, you have to try it! I heard from Al that you're good at potions, you even beat Rose."
Scorpius was still bewildered, "Lily, it's a fourth year standard potion."
"That's exactly what I said to her," Harry responded, shaking his head in adoration.
"Lily's maniac at Potion," James grumbled taking his phial. "Don't ever start asking her about ingredients! She would say something horrible like the bat's wings must be sloughed off, the dragon's blood must be fresh flowing from the left thigh, or the unicorn's horn must not be under 5 years old…"
"Seven, James! Seven," Lily cut in. "How many times do I have to tell you? Below that age it will be painful for the unicorns. And you exaggerate everything I say."
"Well, I don't care!" James glared. "We can just buy all of them without having to pull it out of the unicorn ourselves. Poor little things…"
"I said to you before, and I'll say it again, it won't be painful…"
"Hua," Albus' voice cut off whatever Lily was trying to say, "This is amazing, Lils. Scor, you've to try it! It's better than Madam Pomfrey's."
When Scorpius and James took and drank the potion, Ginny narrowed her eyes at her second born, "And why did you need a calming draught from Madam Pomfrey, Albus Severus?"
Albus blushed, "Ng…"
James moaned, cutting in, "This is the best!" while Scorpius glowed at Lily with admiration. But Scorpius' face changed when Ginny turned to ask him.
"Scorpius, why did Albus need a calming draught?"
Scorpius became very nervous, glancing at Albus and Mrs. Potter.
James smirked, "I tried to help you out, but Mum won't give up until you tell her, brother," he nudged Albus. "Just tell already, before Scorpius breaks out in cold sweat."
Scorpius looked away blushing.
Albus sighed, "We went to the Chamber of Secrets once. Me and Scorpius," then he quipped at his brother, "James can only wish for that!"
"You did not!" Lily shouted shockingly.
"When?" Harry was both amused and bewildered.
"In our first year, before Christmas," Albus answered nervously, glancing at his Mum.
James grumbled jealously.
Ginny froze, then, "I'm going to kill Ron!" she declared.
"Well, nothing dangerous down there anymore, love," Harry calmly put his arm around his wife's shoulder, sometimes the memories were far worse than reality. "I'm sure Al and Scorpius needed the potion because they couldn't stand the stench. Was that right, boys?"
Albus and Scorpius heartily nodded.
Lily giggled. Her Daddy always knew how to make everything better.
"Take me there!" Lily said lightly to Albus.
"No!" All Potters except Ginny shouted. Scorpius smirked.
Lily pouted. She turned to Scorpius, gazing sadly at him – her lips trembled. Well, she couldn't help it, she was indeed very sad right now. "Will you take me there, Scorpius? Please…"
"Don't give him that look, Lily!" James yelled, "Just say no, Scorpius!"
"Umh, Lily, it's not that I don't want to. But it was Al who said the parseltongue, not me." However, when Scorpius saw the dejected look in her face, he added hastily, "I can - I can try though. And we can persuade Al if that doesn't work."
Lily cheered, while James shouted, "No, you won't!"
Albus shook his head, stared at his best friend, "I said that she's already wrapped you, but you must learn how to break free from her spell, mate."
"Easy to say," Scorpius muttered.
Harry chuckled, "Well, he's not the first."
Ginny smiled, enlightened the atmosphere, "Who wants dessert?"
In the end, it was Lily who begged her family to go back to the Burrow. She felt bad for having caused such a stir earlier there, and just ran away after – anyhow, they had gathered today as well because of Lily's own request.
They had just gathered in the entrance hall, next to their floo-network, when James mentioned Dominique.
"And, I can finally asked Dom about the stupid Snitch," James glanced meaningfully at Albus and Scorpius.
Lily frowned.
"What Snitch?" Harry asked, confused.
"We thought that it might be a professional Snitch," Scorpius explained, "Because in any case it's on another level – too fast, too great, and of course too unwilling to be caught."
"Do you think it's possible, Mum?" Albus asked their mother.
"It is," Ginny gasped, "Why didn't I think of that?"
"All your thoughts were on Lily, love," Harry reassured, "But if so, whose Snitch is it then?"
"Dom," Albus and James sneered.
"We think it might belong to Dominique's boyfriend," Scorpius elaborated.
"It is," Lily chimed in, her voice squeaked, "But not her fault, it's mine."
Scorpius and all her family were questioningly staring at her.
Lily sighed, "They were discussing how to make the match more challenging. I knew Dom has the Snitch, and without thinking I mentioned it."
"You mentioned it? And she just said yes?" James was irritated.
"Lily, you know it's dangerous. Look what happened to you," Harry said sternly, disappointing.
Lily really wanted to cry now, hearing her Daddy's disappointment made everything worse. But she couldn't, it's all on her, "I'm sorry, like I said, we're not thinking. We just want the game to be more challenging, to James."
"We or just her?" James asked knowingly, his voice rose, "And why is it that it had to be more challenging for me?"
"I'm not supposed to tell you all this," Lily shook her head, locking her lips together.
"Not supposed, huh?" James glared, "Fine, I'll ask her myself!"
"Jamie, don't be angry with her," Lily tried again, "It's all my…"
But James had already disappeared into the fireplace.
Letting out her frustration into the air which should have been aimed at James, she shouted, "This supposed to be a good surprise for you!"
And with that Lily stomped her feet, holding back the sadness, grabbed the floo-powder and followed her angry brother. She could still hear Albus' voice, maybe talking to Scorpius, "Another brother, another drama, poor bud."
When Lily stepped out of the Burrow's fireplace, she saw all her cousins in the living room – Dominique sitting at the end with Molly, being approached by the angry James, Louis walking silently next to him, and Fred... 'Where was Freddie, why wasn't he with the other two marauders?'
However, her attention had to turn to the embraces that surrounded her. It was Roxy, Lucy, and Rose – the latter hugged her the most. She could see Teddy and Victoire were close staring at her, or Hugo who looked miserable waiting his turn to also hug her.
"It was horrible, Lily," Lucy cried, pressing her face against Lily's left temple.
"Never do something like that again," Roxanne warned softly, caressing her arm.
Rose on her right was still holding her tightly without a word.
"It was awful," Vic stroked her left cheek, "But, we're glad that you're alright now."
Teddy briefly kissed the top of her head saying nothing, but her godbrother's eyes poured with love for her.
Again, Lily expressed her sorry to all her cousins and promised them not to act stupid next time. She knew they needed that from her, the reassurance that she was completely okay and happy.
From a long time ago, Lily had accepted her position as the youngest in her extended family. They would all praise her the most, caress and hug her, even carry and kiss her the most, and also worry about her the most. However, instead of resenting it, she loved all those affections. It had been a part of her ever since she grew up. She loved her family and wouldn't exchange them for anything. Lily was simply grateful.
After they finally let her go, Lily reached out her hand to her best friend – Hugo took it instantly. He embraced her shoulder tightly, he's almost a head taller than Lily. "I've been wanting to hug you ever since I got off my broom, but you looked so awful covered in blood. And when you're clean, you decide to destroy half the pitch and run away, imagine how I feel."
Lily laughed softly, "I'm so sorry, Hughie." She wrapped her left arm around her beloved cousin's waist, leaning on him. Together they walked toward James.
Louis, who saw them approaching, turned away from James and grabbed Lily's right side, kissing her cheek fondly, "I'm glad you're okay, sweet-flower. You scared the hell out of us."
Lily returned the hug while hearing James and Dominique's argument.
"You should know better," James said heatedly, "It's her first game!"
"I know," Dominique sighed, "And I've said it, and I'll say it again, I'm sorry okay. I have no reason to defend myself."
Lily bit her lip, her heart's throbbing, Dominique never said sorry. It shouldn't be like this. She let go of Hugo's embrace and Louis' handhold, taking her brother's arm. "Jamie, please," she begged miserably. "This is supposed to be a good surprise for you, you know."
"Surprise, what surprise?" James huffed exasperatedly.
Dominique though reached Lily and embraced her, from the other side Molly approached and lovingly held Lily's hand. It was indeed like this, that was how the cousins always treated Lily – their sweetheart, they said. What happened this afternoon was not only a blow to her, but to everyone. And Lily promised herself that she wouldn't position them like this again in the future.
"So sorry, honey," Dominique said, still hugging her.
"No, I am sorry, Dom." Lily sighed, "It's not supposed to be like this."
"Okay, what are you two talking about?" James lost his patience.
"We wanted to surprise you, James," Molly said calmly. "But if things went awry out of control like this, we apologize."
"We are," Lily added. "Please, Jamie, stop angry…"
James exhaled hard, "Fine, not angry anymore. Now tell me, what is this all about?"
"Listen, I still want to give you this, even if your team lost today," Dominique started. "I just wanted everything to be more interesting, making it harder for you, but I knew, absolutely hundred percent knew, that you'd win no matter what your line-up team was. But again," she exhaled desperately, "I should not let the damn Snitch on the field, I'm sorry, really James."
James frowned, "I still don't get it."
"I…," Dominique grimaced a little, "I want you to succeed me as captain this year."
"W-w-wh…," Gasping like a fish out of water, James kept trying to speak but no syllables came out.
"See?" Lily smiled sweetly at him, "I told you it's a good surprise."
"W-why? How? What!?"
Finally, Dominique could genuinely chuckle, "Well, you know me. I love this sport, but I'm not going to take it as a career. However you, everyone knows that you'll end up in the England international team one day, so this'd be good for your career record. And," The red-pixie haired witch smiled, "Everyone also knows, it was you who led Gryffindor to win the Quidditch Cup two years in a row."
"So, does it mean you're not playing this year?" James' voice was on edge.
"No, of course I'll play," Dominique rolled her blue eyes. "Well sure, I still have to try out…"
"No, you don't!" James cut in, "You stay as my keeper!"
Dominique smirked, "As you say, captain! But please, that position certainly mine." Annoyingly, she turned to Hugo, "No offence Hugo, you're still not a match for me."
Hugo laughed, "None taken! I still can be your reserve."
"If," Rose chimed in, "You're sorted into Gryffindor. You could still end up with me in Ravenclaw."
"A total mood-killer, huh, you!" Hugo glared at his sister who was sticking her tongue out.
"B-but, how about the Professors?" James still couldn't believe it.
"McGonagall said you deserve the position, and between us, she will always have feelings and support for Gryffindor," she grinned, greeted by their other cousins' laughter. "And you asked about Neville? Of course he's said yes! He wants our victory," Dominique winked.
"So, this is," James exhaled hard, "This is real?"
Lily, who had been giggling all the way around, held her brother's arm, "It is real! You can smile now, captain."
Hearing that word from Dominique, and now Lily's mouth, James' eyes went wide. Subconsciously he muttered, "Wow."
"Wow indeed," It was Albus, grinning side-by-side with Scorpius.
Louis embraced James' shoulder, laughing, "James Potter, Gryffindor Quidditch captain, in his fourth year! Wow!"
"WOW!" There, he finally yelled. James was soaring, "I made a captain in MY FOURTH YEAR! Even Oliver Wood couldn't do that!" He laughed happily making people around cheering with him. "Mum, Dad, did you hear that? And where the hell is Freddy?"
Fred was there the whole time with them, but alone in the corner, far from the others. He stood and smiled half-heartedly at them. And Lily knew what exactly was on her mischievous cousin's mind.
"Oh, Freddie," Lily approached, "It's not your fault." She hugged the red-haired boy tightly. Among him, Hugo, and Louis, Fred was the only Weasley boy who inherited the Weasley hair color. "It was all on me, I'm sorry," Lily said again with deep regret.
"Yeah, but it was my Bludger, bugs," he sighed, holding her tight back. "I can't just simply forget it."
"What can I do to help?" sadly, Lily asked.
"Promise me one thing, then."
"Anything."
"You'll make sure you'll be in Gryffindor with me. So, I can be sure that never will I ever hit you again with my Bludger next time."
Lily paused, she let go of him and stared at his dark brown eyes. "You're setting me up, aren't you?" asked Lily, holding back a smile.
"Lil-bugs," Fred whined, very-very sad, "Your words, please."
Lily couldn't help it anymore, she giggled, "Fine, I promise!"
"Capt.!" Fred yelled at James, beaming, "We got our new seeker, here."
It made them all laugh at the same time.
All boys including Scorpius gathered to congratulate James. She could also see Rose, Roxy, and Lucy taking turns doing the same thing, as well as the parents. Molly and Dom sat happily watching the celebration, while she saw Vic approached the two young witches and sat next to them. From the side, a hand hugged her lovingly. She could always know that it was her other brother's hand, the oldest one.
"I am okay," she mumbled in his arms.
"I know," Teddy sighed.
"Does it mean that you'll watch my next matches at Hogwarts?"
Her godbrother grimaced, "I don't know, petal. It's a traumatic experience."
"It's okay," said Lily reassuringly, "You can always give your support in your letters."
Teddy chuckled, "I can do that. Just promise me to always be safe, Lils."
"I promise," she meant every word. "I love you, Teddy."
"Love you too, my sweet-petal."