VII
A/N: The last chapter had quite a few grammar/spelling mistakes. I promise I'll fix it once I finish the fanfiction. Again, thank you guys for the compliments "I can't believe no one reviews," etc, you guys are the ones that make me write. The fiction'll be finished by the end of the week most probably, and I've decided not to ruin it with that filthy Voldemort and his Death-eaters (peee-u). Before I forget, the song belongs as much to Linkin Park as Harry Potter belongs to J.K.Rowling.
I woke up in a dream today
to the cold of the static
put my cold feet on the floor
forgot all about yesterday
remembering I'm pretending to be
where I'm not anymore
A little taste of hypocrisy
and I'm left in the wake of the mistake
slow to react
Even though you're so close to me
You're still so distant
And I can't bring you back
March rain stung her face. Occasional droplets of water travelled fast through the open window in the compartment and hit her cheek, stinging, she did not get up to close it. The book in her hands, pages unturned for the last three hours, but she sat, like an ice sculpture, ready to melt.
She barely knew him. Why should she cry? Money? She should be happy. The will. She looked at it. Neat, white sheets of paper bound with a staple. He kept it from her, and she was glad. Just in case something happened. She knew him well, she made a mistake saying that she didn't. He would say to attend to financial matters until he got well.
Until he got well.
It's true the way I feel
Was promised by your face
The sound of your voice
Painted on my memories
Even if you're not with me
I'm with you
"Daddy?"
"Yes, Lillian, could you come closer?" He strained his handsome green eyes to get a look at her. "Listen to me." She nodded, thrusting back the nauseous sensation in her throat. "I want you to get in contack with the firm. I've turned it all over to Jonathan Potter. I think you know his nephew?" She nodded again. His nephew? What about his father?
"Yes daddy, I'll do as you say," she said for the twentieth and final time that day. She was to collect the money from the company shares and her father's investments from Jonathan Potter. Sell the house and the cabins in the South of France and in Maine. Take out the money from Father's secret savings account and put it in Gringotts for herself. Divide the money from the shares and property between she and Petunia...that and the money she earned in the Three Broomsticks was just enough for a small house and a wedding. She sighed, feeling the weak man's rigid fingers. Her father was dead. She called the nurse in charge and left to go about his orders.
She parallel-parked the car by the large frozen fountain and walked to the mansion door. The goldfish were still swimming beneath the surface. She half-heartedly lifted the heavy brass knocker.
"Lily! What are you doing here?!"
"Don't you have servants to answer the door?"
"Yea, but I wanted to greet you personally." She smiled inwardly.
"That's nice, but I'm here on business. Where's your uncle," she coldly replied.
"I heard about your father, I'm really sorry." Lily looked at him solemnly, making him wonder what he had done wrong this time.
"I don't need your Academy pity. I do need to see your uncle."
"He's upstairs in his office. Fourth door on your left." He glared at her. A dragon would be better company, he decided. She swiftly climbed up the stairs, cursing James Potter for being such a polite idiot.
I hit you and you hit me back
We fall to the floor
The rest of the day stands still
Fine line between this and that
When the things go wrong
I pretend the past isn't real
The rain stung her, mingled with the tears on her face. She clung to James Potter's arms, limp, refusing to look at the coffin. She underestimated James. He understood more than he let on, wisely, he said nothing. He knew her, and people like her, their personalities, their pet peeves. He used to be one of them, until he saw her. She defied the boundaries.
Now I'm trapped in this memory
And I'm left in the wake of the mistake
Slow to react
She opened her eyes for the last time, realizing. She was now free to the world, away from the past that bound her, away from her father, who was always to her as he stayed under the thawing earth, dead and cold.
Even though you're close to me
You're still so distant
And I can't bring you back
You, now I see
Keeping everything inside
You, now I see
Even when I close my eyes
The student were back at Hogwarts from Easter holidays. Lily looked around the familiar room, and at the white velvet flowers on her bed. Free. She cried, allowing herself to let go. The velvet flowers on her bed, wet and tearstained.
It's true the way I feel
Was promised by your face
The sound of your voice
Painted on my memories
Even if you're not with me
I'm with you.
The house-elves doused the lamps, and the fires crackled to a stop. "Goodnight, Henry Evans," she said. Her eyes closed, and the tears dried, and the sun rose. The Marauders were in the common room, being loud and boisterous as usual.
No, no matter how far we've come
I can't wait to see tomorrow
With You.
She opened her eyes in the morning. Still safe
in his arms.