A/N: The chapters are just rollin' out, aren't they? My goal is to have at least two chapters out a week, if not more. But then again, the chapters are fairly short. I hope you like it, please R/R!!! Thanx to everyone who has reviewed so far, I really, really appreciate it. If Dumbledore's speech in this chapter seems a little off, it's not my fault! It's not easy to write something a person like Dumbledore would say, ya know? Tell me what you think.
"Nowhere of consequence," I answered Lauren. She pretended to pout for a moment. Then changed the subject.
"Dumbledore is supposed to make an announcement. McGonagall made it sound like the sky was going to collapse," she said while stealthly removing Sirius's left shoe with her own bare foot.
"During breakfast?" asked James. "Has he ever made an announcement during breakfast? On a Saturday?"
Everyone shook their heads no, not seeming particularly put out. James was looking thoughtful. "It must be important. If it wasn't I think he would have waited until dinner," he said.
We didn't have much time to wonder, for Dumbledore was already standing up, calling for the attention of the school.
"Students, please. As much as I regret having to be the one to deliver this disturbing news, it must be announced.
"It has been known for quite some time now that a group of dark wizards and witches have been trying to gain power. Although they have not been overlooked, the Ministry has never troubled themselves with the threats of Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Until now.
"Apparently, Voldemort is indeed very strong and very serious. It has come to my attention that he will stop at nothing to make the entire wizarding world bow to him. And how many that will is beyond my knowledge. But I do know that more Death Eaters are joining Voldemort each day."
I looked around the Great Hall. The Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables looked very, very worried, and the Hufflepuffs looked absolutely terrified. But there was a smile on the face of every Slytherin. Every single one of them! Smiles of of pure hate. But of course not hate towards Lord Voldemort. Hate towards the rest of us.
Dumbledore wasn't finished. "I am sad to say that Voldemort has already killed. Three wizarding and four muggle families, creating a total of twenty-one victims, yesterday. In one day. I can only tell you to prepare yourselves. And rest assured, Hogwarts remains safe for all of you."
The Headmaster's voice was grave. And why wouldn't it be? Voldemort had all the power anyone could possibly use, and was searching for more. I felt like leaving. Something in my gut was telling me to leave the Great Hall. To seek refuge from it all for a few sacred moments.
But why? Why was I so worried? Voldemort had not affected me, and what was the chance he would?
Fool! I scolded myself. He had already affected me! By killing innocent people he had affected everyone!
And then it began.
The pain was like nothing else. A deep, seering, burning pain inside my head. It was unreal, the kind of pain no person should ever have to indure. And what I saw, what I heard, was beyond that.
'No please, not Harry!' I was screaming, or was I? Was it out loud or in my head?
'Step aside, you foolish girl!' The voice was cold, heartless and shallow.
'No! Take me instead! I'll do anything, just don't hurt Harry!' I was definately screaming inside my head.
I could see things now. I saw myself, older, perhaps in my twenties. I was clutching a baby in my arms. Frantically, but not obviously I was searching for my wand. Voldemort-is that who it was? Yes, yes, it was Voldemort-was going to kill me. I didn't care, so long as he left my baby. Anything for my son. For James's son.
And as suddenly as it began, it ended. The pain in my head receded, leaving only the memory. But that was enough! The memory of the pain and the memory of the vision, the sounds, was so much more than enough!
I opened my eyes. Everything was normal. Remus was flirting with the same fourth year as the night before, and Lauren and Sirius were flirting with each other. But James was looking at me, visibly worried. "Lily! Lily, what is it?" he asked softly, not wanting to draw attention.
I shook my head and buried my face in his shoulder. I didn't want to think about it.
Disclaimer: Only Lauren and the storyline are mine. Did I not tell you plot was coming? But it will still be plenty fluffy, don't worry!
"Nowhere of consequence," I answered Lauren. She pretended to pout for a moment. Then changed the subject.
"Dumbledore is supposed to make an announcement. McGonagall made it sound like the sky was going to collapse," she said while stealthly removing Sirius's left shoe with her own bare foot.
"During breakfast?" asked James. "Has he ever made an announcement during breakfast? On a Saturday?"
Everyone shook their heads no, not seeming particularly put out. James was looking thoughtful. "It must be important. If it wasn't I think he would have waited until dinner," he said.
We didn't have much time to wonder, for Dumbledore was already standing up, calling for the attention of the school.
"Students, please. As much as I regret having to be the one to deliver this disturbing news, it must be announced.
"It has been known for quite some time now that a group of dark wizards and witches have been trying to gain power. Although they have not been overlooked, the Ministry has never troubled themselves with the threats of Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Until now.
"Apparently, Voldemort is indeed very strong and very serious. It has come to my attention that he will stop at nothing to make the entire wizarding world bow to him. And how many that will is beyond my knowledge. But I do know that more Death Eaters are joining Voldemort each day."
I looked around the Great Hall. The Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables looked very, very worried, and the Hufflepuffs looked absolutely terrified. But there was a smile on the face of every Slytherin. Every single one of them! Smiles of of pure hate. But of course not hate towards Lord Voldemort. Hate towards the rest of us.
Dumbledore wasn't finished. "I am sad to say that Voldemort has already killed. Three wizarding and four muggle families, creating a total of twenty-one victims, yesterday. In one day. I can only tell you to prepare yourselves. And rest assured, Hogwarts remains safe for all of you."
The Headmaster's voice was grave. And why wouldn't it be? Voldemort had all the power anyone could possibly use, and was searching for more. I felt like leaving. Something in my gut was telling me to leave the Great Hall. To seek refuge from it all for a few sacred moments.
But why? Why was I so worried? Voldemort had not affected me, and what was the chance he would?
Fool! I scolded myself. He had already affected me! By killing innocent people he had affected everyone!
And then it began.
The pain was like nothing else. A deep, seering, burning pain inside my head. It was unreal, the kind of pain no person should ever have to indure. And what I saw, what I heard, was beyond that.
'No please, not Harry!' I was screaming, or was I? Was it out loud or in my head?
'Step aside, you foolish girl!' The voice was cold, heartless and shallow.
'No! Take me instead! I'll do anything, just don't hurt Harry!' I was definately screaming inside my head.
I could see things now. I saw myself, older, perhaps in my twenties. I was clutching a baby in my arms. Frantically, but not obviously I was searching for my wand. Voldemort-is that who it was? Yes, yes, it was Voldemort-was going to kill me. I didn't care, so long as he left my baby. Anything for my son. For James's son.
And as suddenly as it began, it ended. The pain in my head receded, leaving only the memory. But that was enough! The memory of the pain and the memory of the vision, the sounds, was so much more than enough!
I opened my eyes. Everything was normal. Remus was flirting with the same fourth year as the night before, and Lauren and Sirius were flirting with each other. But James was looking at me, visibly worried. "Lily! Lily, what is it?" he asked softly, not wanting to draw attention.
I shook my head and buried my face in his shoulder. I didn't want to think about it.
Disclaimer: Only Lauren and the storyline are mine. Did I not tell you plot was coming? But it will still be plenty fluffy, don't worry!