Disclaimer: Harry Potter characters, places, and ideas belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers, not me.
by Auror5
Lily, a formless spirit, soared high above a never visited landscape, marking the farms, streams, and trees dotting the green countryside. The land began to gently rise. She slowed, floating over a dense forest, and then climbed the air current as the vista became more rugged. Lily glided above the mountains into a patch of cloud, a dreamlike vapour such as herself. Tumbling from the cloud, she dived and then rapidly ascended. Far off in the distance, she spotted a rocky coastline and flew towards it. The sky darkened; the clouds lowered, became grey, and threatened to drizzle. Lily sank and approached a jagged cliff, with the sea roaring in her ears. Below, she spied two figures standing at the edge: one, tall and ominous, and the other, slight and forlorn. Her flight began to speed up, swiftly homing in on the two beings. Lily lost control...and fell. With deep fear, she stared at her bare feet and shivered in the chilly breeze. Her robe was too thin.
"Look at me, girl."
She trembled; she did not want to gaze upon his face.
"Your master commands you."
Cringing, she looked into the face she grew to dread.
"I am sending you home."
He raised his wand.
"Avada Kedavra."
Gasping for breath, Lily abruptly sat up in bed. "JAMIE! MUM! DAD!"
Wesley and Zinnia stormed into the room. "Lily, what's wrong?" they both asked in the dark.
"Oh, Mum," she sobbed.
Zinnia embraced Lily tight, and noticed that she was shuddering. "Honey, what's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?"
"Mum, I'm so afraid."
"Honey, there's nothing to be afraid of. You are safe. Nothing is going to hurt you. It was just a bad dream."
"Mum, Dad, please don't let him kill me."
Alarmed, Wesley said, "What are you talking about? Who is going to kill you?"
Lily spoke no more that night.
***
Frantic, Lily ran back and forth between the wardrobe and the mirror trying to decide what to wear. Already, she had tried on a half dozen outfits. She glanced at the clock on her night table.
"Oh no! They're going to be here in a few minutes," she said, aloud.
James invited Lily, Fiona, Sirius, Remus, Ivy, and Peter over to his house for dinner. Liam McKinnon and Fiona were due to arrive at the Evanses in five minutes.
Hastily, she decided to wear a soft, salmon coloured dress with a matching sweater. Quickly, she put on the ensemble, and then rummaged in the wardrobe searching for a pair of shoes to match. Once she found and put them on, Lily stood before the mirror. The reflection was that of a very pretty sixteen-year-old girl-woman with an oval-shaped face; delicate features; entrancing, emerald green eyes; child-like, rosy-pink lips; dark red hair; and fair skin. Lily brushed her tresses to one side so that they fell across the front left shoulder. She heard a knock on the bedroom door just as she reached over to grab a scarf with a colourful salmon, coral, orange, and rosy brown print.
"C'min!"
Fiona walked into the room and closed the door behind her.
"Oy, Lily! You look really nice."
"Thanks! So do you."
Fiona had her rich brown hair flecked with gold cut to shoulder length. She wore a deep pink, knee-length dress robe.
"I'm almost done. I just have to tie this scarf in my hair."
"Don't worry; my dad is deeply engaged in explaining to your dad how apparation works."
Lily chuckled, and shook her head. Still standing before the mirror, she tied the scarf around her hair. Her titian locks were perfectly bundled in the multicoloured scarf, hanging slightly below her left shoulder.
"'Kay. I'm ready."
"Erm, wait. I have to tell you something, first."
Puzzled, Lily gazed at Fiona. "All right."
"Erm, I didn't want to write it in a letter, in case it was intercepted or something. So, I decided I would wait until I saw you."
"Oh. What is it?"
"It's a major secret. You must promise that you will never tell a soul. No one. Ever."
"All right. I promise to never tell anyone."
"Including James?"
"Including James."
Fiona took a deep breath. "All right. I, erm...Sirius and me...."
"Wait, Fi."
Lily walked briskly to the door and opened it. Petunia, who had been listening intently on the other side, quickly backed up with a guilty expression on her face.
"I knew it! Why must you be so nosy, Petunia?"
Petunia glared at Lily for a moment and then replied haughtily. "I have a right to know what sort of unnaturalness is going on in my parents' home."
"The only unnatural thing in this house is you! Don't you have anything else to do, besides spying on me?"
"How dare you call me unnatural, you abnormal freak?! Everyone knows about your abnormality. I'm normal, unlike you!"
"Flibbertigibbet! Umchuck! Whoosh! Golash!" exclaimed Fiona coming to Lily's side.
Petunia's eyes widened in fright, and then she bolted downstairs.
Laughing, Lily and Fiona returned to the room and closed the door.
"You may want to whisper, in case she comes back."
"All right," replied Fiona sitting on Lily's bed.
Lily plopped down next to Fiona.
"All right," Fiona repeated. "I, erm...."
"Well, go on," prodded Lily, observing Fiona's face slowly reddening.
"Erm, well, about two weeks ago, Sirius' parents went for a three day vacation in the Azores."
"Okay."
"They were away for three days...and....erm...Sirius asked if I could come over."
"Er...come over, as in visit?"
"Well...erm...sort of."
"Did you?"
Fiona mumbled something unintelligible.
"What?"
"Yes, for three days," said Fiona very fast.
"You stayed at his house for three days?!"
"Shhh! You don't want your rotten sister to hear us, do you?"
"No, but you and Sirius were in the house alone for three days?"
"Erm, yes."
Incredulous, Lily simply stared at Fiona with eyes wide and mouth agape. Finally, she said, "Did your parents know?"
"Of course not, silly! I told them that I was at Samantha's. Her parents were visiting relatives in Canada that same week. Sam stayed behind. You know she has a part-time summer job with the Daily Prophet."
"Yeah."
They sat for a moment in silence.
Then Lily said, "Erm...you and him...er...didn't erm...."
"We did."
Completely flabbergasted, Lily gasped. "You didn't!"
"We did."
"Ohmigod, Fi."
"Don't tell anyone."
"I won't. Erm...what was it like?"
Just then, Zinnia peeked into the room. "Girls, Liam is waiting."
Saving the rest of the conversation for another day, they followed Zinnia downstairs.
***
Lily, Fiona, and Liam arrived in Godric's Hollow, via Portkey, in the glow of a setting sun. Lily gazed around the quaint, lakeside village in wonder. The cobbled stone street they were on appeared to be the main thoroughfare. Tall poles bearing red and gold flags with a lion crest were spaced at intervals of about three meters.
They went down a road marked "Llewelyn Court." Lily marvelled at the miniature castle-homes glimpsed through the trees. Eventually, they reached an arched, wrought iron gate at the end of the lane and stepped through. The small company then followed a narrow, stone path winding its way between a fairly dense stand of coniferous trees. As dusk settled, they approached a castle-home larger than the ones they passed earlier. Lily, Fiona, and Liam climbed a few steps leading to a large, black double-door. Liam reached out to knock on it. Before he could make contact, the door opened and revealed a house-elf. The house-elf bowed and welcomed them inside.
"Ah! Good Evening! Welcome! Please do make yourselves comfortable." Edward Potter ushered them into a very spacious living room in which James, Sirius, Ivy, Remus, and Peter were seated on elegant poufs assembled around a mahogany table.
James leapt up and trotted over to meet Lily, Fiona, and Liam. He bowed deeply, and said, "Welcome to our humble abode, Ladies and Gentleman."
Smiling with amusement, Edward turned to Liam and whispered, "My son, you see, is ever the perpetual comedian."
James, very dashing in a high-necked, midnight blue dress robe with silver trim, extended a hand out to Lily. "M'Lady?"
Lily giggled, and took his hand. She then whispered to him, "You're such a silly, Jamie."
"Ah, yes!" exclaimed Edward. "We need more poufs." He waved his wand and two extra poufs appeared at the table.
Lily and Fiona became situated while smiling at their friends.
"Liam," Edward said, "are you joining us?"
"No, I'm afraid I can't. There's a spot of business I must attend to at the Ministry. Thanks for the offer, Ed."
"Perhaps another time, eh?"
"Indeed. Count on it." Liam, with a faint popping noise, disapparated.
Edward turned his attention to the group. "In a moment, I will have a brief meeting with Rookwood in my office. I trust that all of you will behave yourselves?"
They vigorously nodded their heads.
"Good. If the meeting lasts beyond ten minutes, I will have Lucy direct you to the dinner hall without me. Very well then." He departed the room.
Remus slid off his pouf to sit at Ivy's feet. She ruffled Remus' light brown hair and then placed her hands on his shoulders.
James leaned over and whispered to Lily, "Erm, here is some poetry. Lily, you are so beautiful tonight. You are like a perfect rose in my sight. I would dive into deep waters to see if the sun's rays could compete with your inner light. I hope we remain tight for we, together, are so right."
Lily gazed at James affectionately for a brief moment, and then threw her arms around his neck. "That was so sweet, Jamie."
"Ahoy, Lovebirds!" Sirius, who was sitting at Fiona's feet, caught their attention. "Wormtail has something important to say."
"Wormtail?" Ivy said with a frown on her face. "Why did you call him 'Wormtail?' That's an odd nickname for someone named Peter."
"Never mind that," said Peter. "Anyway, I was asking if anyone heard about the disappearances."
"Which one?" Remus replied. "I know about two of them."
"What do you mean?" said Lily. "What's going on?"
"That's the thing; no one knows," answered Peter. "About a month ago, a reporter for the Daily Prophet disappeared. A couple of Aurors from the Ministry found his body, or what was left of it. It was said that there was some Dark Arts ritual involved."
"What exactly is an Auror?" Lily said.
"It's someone who works for the Ministry, tracking down dark wizards and witches," replied Sirius. "I hear that they have a load on their hands since, er, Lord Voldemort arrived on the scene."
For a moment, no one said anything.
"Two weeks ago," Peter resumed, "a witch from the Department of Mysteries vanished. They haven't found her, yet.
"Then, yesterday, three newborns disappeared from Ste. Ayla's...at the same time."
Ivy gasped. "You're joking!"
"He's not," said Fiona. "I overheard my mum and dad talking about it. The babes' mothers are distraught. The nurses check on the newborns every fifteen minutes. The last time they checked, all three were asleep in their cribs. The next time they looked in, they were gone...just gone. Two were boys and one was a girl. All of them haven't even been named yet!"
"That is so awful!" Lily exclaimed.
"I just want to know why would anyone want to kidnap three crying infants?" said Peter.
Quietly, James replied, "Perhaps the disappearance of the newborns is tied to the death of the reporter."
"What are you implying, Prongs?" said Sirius in a serious tone.
"Perhaps the babies will be used in some sort of ritualistic sacrifice."
Lily stared at James with dawning horror. "Oh, James, he wouldn't...."
Just then, a house-elf appeared in the room. "Sir tells Lucy to have James and his friends to eat dinner now."
"All right," James said, standing up.
They followed him into the dinner hall. James took a chair at one end of the large table, and politely asked Lily to take the seat to his right. Peter sat on his left, directly across from Lily. After everyone was situated, several house-elves materialized in the hall carrying savoury dishes, which they began serving.
During the main course, Edward joined them. "I apologise for my tardiness," he said as he took the chair at the head of the table. "Bit of a mess we have on our hands."
"No worries, Dad. We understand."
Edward smiled fondly at his son, who nearly shared his resemblance, and then said, "Well, this appears perfectly sumptuous. I shall dig in!"
After filling themselves with five delicious courses, they remained at the table for idle talk.
Lily, feeling slightly sleepy from the meal, thought to herself that the Potters must be very wealthy, and wondered why their name had not been on Mrs. McKinnon's list of prominent wizarding families. The Potters was the first wizarding family she had met that had more than one house-elf. Also, the size of the house and the furnishings spoke of wealth. She wondered how James' father accumulated so much money. Perhaps he earns much working for the Department of Mysteries, she thought.
About five minutes later, they returned to the living room while Edward went back into his office. Peter suggested that they play a game of chess or Wizard Trivia. The majority voted for Wizard Trivia.
"Lily and I will have to excuse ourselves from partaking of this fun and lively game. I hope none of you mind," James said while taking Lily's hand.
Lily glanced up at him with a questioning expression on her face.
"Erm, it's all right, Prongs. Do any of you really mind?" said Sirius.
They all shook their heads.
"All right," James said. "We'll be back."
James, holding Lily's hand, led her out of the room. She followed him down a wide corridor with a marble floor. They turned left, and James opened the door at the end of it.
"I have something to show you. It's a surprise...your belated birthday gift."
"Oh! Okay."
They stepped outside, into the dark.
"I wish I could've done this on your birthday, but it wasn't, er, ready yet."
"It's all right, Jamie."
While walking amongst the trees, still holding hands, James stopped at one point.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Erm, I must do this. To make it more of a surprise." He pulled a white handkerchief from the pocket of his robe.
"I must blindfold you, Tiger Lily."
"Erm...all right."
"Don't worry; I will not let you walk into a tree or stumble into a hole."
"I hope not!" She turned her back to James so that he could place the handkerchief over her eyes.
After blindfolding her, James quickly and softly kissed Lily on the mouth. They resumed walking, albeit slowly and awkwardly, into the woods.
At some point, Lily realised that she could hear distant voices ahead. They seemed to be shouting.
"Jamie, is something wrong?"
"No, Tiger Lily. Everything's fine. We're almost there."
A few minutes later, Lily could clearly hear the voices. It sounded as though they were struggling with something. Whatever it is, it must be huge, Lily thought.
James gently grabbed Lily's shoulders and turned her around.
He whispered, "I'm going to remove the blindfold now."
James lifted the handkerchief from her eyes. She blinked a few times and then gasped.
Through a wide gap in the trees, near the edge of the lake, six wizards were struggling with a dragon, a real life dragon. It looked remarkably similar to the blue one in the sphere that James had given her. The mythic creature was beautiful. At random intervals, it emitted a jet of fire. Lily felt as though she was in a fantastic dream, almost as though she had slipped unknowingly into the Dragon's Lair. The dark heavens overhead, sprinkled with a billion stars, seemed to heighten the illusion.
"Oh, Jamie, it's wonderful," she said, completely in awe of the vision before her.
Standing behind Lily, James drew her close and placed his arms around her. He whispered, "Now, you understand Hagrid's fascination, why he wants a dragon of his own."
They stood together watching the scene for a while.
"Tiger Lily, I have something else for you."
Lily turned in his arms to gaze up into his face. "Really? What is it?"
James pulled back, and reached into his pocket. He revealed a box. He opened the container, and a white light spilled from it. Inside was a gold chain with the letter J attached to it. Set into the pennant was a jade birthstone. James lifted the chain from the box and then clasped it around Lily's neck.
"Touch the gemstone with your pinkie finger," he said, softly.
Lily complied. A small, glowing sphere magically appeared before her face. Written on its surface were the words, "Lily and James; Love always and forever." The words vanished from the surface, and were replaced by an image of her and James. The image was that of a photo Samantha had taken a year ago, during a visit at an outdoor cafe in Hogsmeade. Samantha had captured Lily gazing up into James' face and laughing over a half-remembered joke. In the photograph, James was staring into Lily's eyes and grinning.
"I asked Samantha if she could make a copy for our necklaces. You see I had one made for me, too."
James opened the top of his robe and retrieved a similar gold chain, but with the letter L attached to it.
"They're the same."
Lily touched the stone on her necklace again, and the sphere disappeared. She then flung her arms around James in a tight embrace.
"Thank you! Thank you, Jamie. It's so lovely! I'll wear it always."
He smiled down at her. "You're welcome." Then he kissed her gently on the mouth.
Very quickly, they became absorbed with kissing each other. The mythical blue dragon completely exited their minds.
***
In mid-August, Lily and Fiona met James and Sirius in Diagon Alley to shop for their school supplies. This year, the four of them were taking Foreign Tongues. Supposedly, in one year, they would learn how to speak ten languages fluently. Lily had her doubts.
In Flourish and Blotts, they encountered a challenge.
"We can't carry these around King's Cross! The Muggles would be sure to spot us!" exclaimed Sirius indignantly.
"How are we supposed to carry it without using magic? That's what I want to know," said Fiona.
The item in question was the textbook for Care of Magical Creatures. The book was entitled, The Giant Book of Giants. It was a very thick volume, of which the dimensions were 120 centimetres in length and 100 centimetres in width.
"Surely we will need a Hovering or Levitation Charm to cart it around," commented Lily.
"Has Kettleburn gone mad?" James said, incredulously.
At that moment, Mr. Blotts approached them and inquired as to whether or not they needed any assistance.
Sirius spoke up, "Yes. How are we to carry these giant books without magic, and without attracting Muggle attention?"
"Hogwarts students?"
They nodded their heads.
"You don't have to worry. It will be shipped directly to Hogwarts. You will need to first pay for the book, of course, and then add your name to the list."
They glanced at each other in relief.
After they purchased their textbooks, they signed the list.
"Don't forget to write your House next to your name," said Mr. Blotts.
"Oh! I didn't do it," exclaimed Lily returning to the counter.
"Me neither," said Sirius following Lily.
***
"Lily, dear, are you sure it's a good idea to take Snowball with you?"
"Yes, Mum. He'll be fine."
Zinnia gazed sceptically at her daughter. "Honey, he's old, fourteen years. Also, he has arthritis. You know how it troubles him at times. I really do think you should leave him here."
"Mum, I can't! I've had Snowball since I was two years old. I would miss him terrible if I left him, and he would miss me."
Zinnia sighed. "All right then. He's your cat. Just let me know when he needs more medicine."
"Okay...I better hurry, Craig and Fiona will be here in any minute."
Lily gently lifted Snowball from the bed; placed him into his carrier; and then latched it closed. Heidi and her cage were sent to Remus a few days ago. Heidi had been very displeased about her arrangements, and had cuffed Lily with her wing.
On the way out of the room, Zinnia stopped her.
"What, Mum?" Lily looked at her quizzically.
"Your dad and I want you to invite this boy you are so fond of to our house next summer. We would like to be properly introduced."
Lily blushed. "How did you know?"
Zinnia smiled sadly and said, "Parents know far more about their children than they let on."
"Oh."
"Can you tell me his name?"
"Yes. It's James Potter."
***
About thirty minutes later, Lily and Fiona were at King's Cross waiting in the cold wind for James and Sirius to show up.
"Brrr, I wish they would hurry and show up!" exclaimed Fiona attempting to wrap her coat more tightly around her.
Lily looked up and observed the clouds racing across the sky as though fleeing from some unnamed horror in the west.
A few minutes later, James and Sirius arrived with many apologies. Shortly afterwards, they entered platform nine and three-quarters.
***
"CROUCH, BARTEMIUS."
A very cute boy with straw-coloured hair and freckles sat on the stool and placed the Sorting Hat on his head.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Lily and Fiona half-listened to the Sorting Ceremony. They were thoroughly engrossed in a conversation about what happened to the newborns that were found about a week ago.
"Fi, I think James was right. They were used as a sacrifice."
"Yes, but some horrible monster could have eaten them, too."
"But, how would the monster get into the hospital without anyone seeing it?"
"It's simple: You-Know-Who apparated to the hospital, grabbed the babies, and then fed them to his terrifying pet monster."
"I don't know...I think Voldemort...."
Several nearby Gryffindors flinched upon hearing the name.
"Please, do you mind not saying that word?" said a fourth year with a nervous expression on her face.
"Sorry."
Lily returned to the conversation. "I think he used the babies in some horrible ritual. This probably explains why they found the bones scorched."
"Maybe it was a dragon?"
"Don't be dense, Fiona," Lily hissed while straightening her prefect badge.
"I'm sorry. It's just that the whole thing really frightens me. He must be truly evil to kill tiny, defenceless babies. Do you think he ate them?"
"No. I don't think he's a cannibal. Do you?"
"I don't know...He could be. He's definitely evil."
They ended the discussion, and turned their attention to the rest of the Sorting Ceremony.
***
During the prefects first meeting in September, they learned that Professor Dumbledore accepted their proposal to make first and second years ineligible for Care of Magical Creatures lesson. That term, no first years had Care of Magical Creatures on their schedule.
In Foreign Tongues, Professor Lengua informed the students that they would concentrate on the human languages: Latin, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, Polish, Hungarian, Bulgarian, and Russian. Lily spoke French almost fluently, and knew some Latin and Spanish.
***
In early October, the third years and higher queued up just inside the main castle door for a weekend visit to Hogsmeade.
"I just remembered something!" said Thora Craven, Daisy's sister, who was in her third year.
"What?" responded Elijah, Thora's twin.
"The planets are supposed to be totally aligned today." She glanced at her watch. "In forty-five minutes. Professor Sinistra said so."
"Oh yeah...." said Elijah and Chris McDonald at the same time.
"Isn't it strange that there aren't many Slytherins going to Hogsmeade this weekend? This is only our second visit. Usually, nearly everyone shows up for a visit during the first part of the year," remarked Sirius.
"They're probably plotting something wretchedly stupid under Snape's direction," Fiona replied.
"All right! The carriages have arrived," Madam Hooch shouted, irritably. "As you walk out the door, Professor Chloride and I will check to make sure that you have permission to visit Hogsmeade."
"And please remember that only four are allowed in each carriage!" added Professor Chloride, laughing like a hyena.
About ten minutes later, they arrived in Hogsmeade.
"It's dreadfully cold, isn't it?" said Ivy. "And it's only the thirteenth of October!"
All were bundled in winter cloaks and wearing gloves.
"It wouldn't be so bad if the wind wasn't blowing," remarked Peter, teeth chattering.
"Let's go inside this shop," suggested James. "It looks warm inside, and it isn't crowded."
Lily, Fiona, James, Sirius, Ivy, and Peter entered Magical Mysteries and Discovery Zone.
"Wow!" Lily exclaimed in surprise.
The shop was full of an assortment of unusual items that were whirring, whizzing, soaring, twirling, beeping, crawling, climbing, or spinning around the place. A few of the patrons were investigating the objects with great enjoyment. An adult wizard on a contraption that looked like a cross between a large beach ball, an airplane, and a boat sailed above their heads while guffawing with great glee.
They split up to look around. Lily saw many irresistible gadgets she would love to buy if she had the money; some of the objects were quite expensive. Eventually, Lily settled on a Pocket Sneakoscope, which she thought might come in handy; a self-supplying roll of parchment; and a mobile cat settee for elderly or infirm cats that boasted it would carry "your cat anywhere it pleases at the sound of a meow."
After their goods were paid for, they left. Swiftly, they made their way over to the Three Broomsticks for a round of butterbeers. From there, they nearly ran, in order to stay warm, to Honeyduke's. Inside, they encountered a number of students buying sweets guaranteed to rot teeth.
"Hello and goodbye," said Elijah as he walked by with a bag stuffed with sweets.
"Yep, hello and goodbye," Chris mimicked.
"Er, wait, Elijah!" Daisy caught up with him before he exited. "Where are you two going? Where's Thora?"
"Thora's at Fantasia Realm with her stupid, giggly friends. We're on our way there, too."
"Oh. Just stay out of trouble. And don't pester Thora's friends!"
"Yes, Mum," muttered Elijah as he and Chris left the shop.
Lily, James, Fiona, Sirius, Ivy, and Peter purchased their candy, and returned to the Three Broomsticks for warmth and more butterbeer.
"Let's just stay in here for awhile," said Peter after his third butterbeer of the day. "It is just too miserable out there."
"I agree," said James. "I don't feel like braving the weather anytime soon."
"It's too bad they just can't send carriages to each shop to pick us up," Fiona said.
"That would be nice," murmured Lily sipping butterbeer.
"Oh no!"
"What?" responded Sirius.
"I forgot that I promised Remus I would get him some Exploding Quills from Zonko's! He even gave me the money for them," Ivy wailed.
Lily, James, Fiona, Sirius, and Peter glanced at each other. No one wanted to volunteer to accompany Ivy back outside into the bitter wind.
Eventually, and with a heavy sigh, Lily said, "I'll go with you, Ivy."
"Thanks, Lily," Ivy replied with gratitude.
They put on their cloaks and gloves again, and went for the door. They left their packages with the group.
A few paces from the Three Broomsticks, a few snowflakes skated past them.
"Oy!" Lily exclaimed. "It's starting to snow!"
Ivy, who did not share Lily's enthusiasm, stated, "Well, I do hope that the wind stops now that it is snowing."
The snow continued to fall lightly and almost horizontal in the near gale force wind.
A few meters ahead, they encountered Daisy and Oliver Arbuckle outside Gladrags Wizardwear.
"Where are you two off to?" said Oliver.
"Zonko's," Ivy replied.
"So are we," responded Oliver.
"What's that scary sound?" Daisy exclaimed. "Do you hear it?"
Lily cocked her head to the right, trying to listen. In the distance, she heard a threatening booming noise, with a wailing undertone, steadily growing louder.
"What is it?" said Ivy fearfully while crowding close to Oliver.
Lily observed that a number of students and Hogsmeade residents on the street had stopped to listen. The frightening sound seemed to be coming from everywhere and nowhere. Suddenly, a number of strange, dark shapes streaked across the snowy sky, just above the rooftops.
Paralysed with fear, Lily huddled close to Ivy, Daisy, and Oliver.
The dark shapes in the sky dove toward the earth, and aimed for the people below. Lily froze with terror.
"Lily! Run!" Oliver bellowed.
Finally, her legs obeyed the commands from her brain. She started a sprint for her life. A manticor landed on the spot she had just vacated. Lily caught up with Ivy, Daisy, and Oliver while attempting to block out the screams and gruesome sounds of ripping flesh. Ahead, a manticor leapt onto the back of a fleeing wizard. The top part of his head vanished into the monster's mouth. Its scorpion-like tail lashed out and pierced an unfortunate third year student.
Another manticor landed in front of Lily, and prepared to leap. Without thinking, Lily whipped out her wand and shouted the first spell that popped into her head. "Claustrum!" A heavy cage made of iron trapped the creature. Feeling as though she were in a waking nightmare, Lily imprisoned every manticor within close range. Ivy, Daisy, and Oliver followed her lead.
"Here!" Oliver panted. "Let's go in here!" He pointed to a boarded up structure.
"It's locked!" screamed Daisy.
"Not anymore!" said Oliver, and pointed his wand at the bolted door. "Alohomora!"
They ran into the dark building, with Oliver locking the door behind them.
"Lumos," they said as one.
"Let's go farther inside, away from the doors and windows."
The girls followed Oliver deeper into the building.
"I think we're safe here," Lily said, trembling.
They were in a room with several crates against the walls. A number of them had strange markings on them. Oliver walked to one crate and peered closely at the emblem in the light of his wand. He jumped back in alarm, and turned toward the girls with eyes open wide in dismay.
"Oliver, what is it?" Ivy said in a frightened, shaky voice.
"It's...."
Without warning, a number of figures materialised in the room and separated Oliver from the girls. They screamed at the same time as they heard a high, cold, mirthless laugh.
Lily, Ivy, and Daisy grabbed onto each other, and backed against a corner as thirteen black-cloaked, hooded, and masked wizards assembled in front of them. One of the wizards removed his mask and revealed a hideous, white face with gleaming red eyes. Lily's breath caught in her throat as unreality washed over her. Her legs became weak, and threatened to give out. She willed herself to remain standing. Ivy sank her nails into Lily's arm, and Daisy moaned.
The wizard with the demon, red eyes; slits for nostrils; and deathly pale skin advanced toward the girls. They tried to flatten themselves against the corner in response. The demon-like wizard laughed, and then swept his arm in a wide arc. Light filled the room.
"You will not be needing those," he said.
The girls' wands suddenly appeared in his hand.
He stopped a few meters away from them.
"Do you know who I am?" he whispered.
They did not reply.
"I am Lord Voldemort...and one of you is coming with me. Consider it an honour."
"No! Leave them alone!" Oliver, unseen until then, pushed aside two wizards and placed himself in front of the girls, his wand pointed at Lord Voldemort.
With unnaturally quick reflexes, Lord Voldemort reached into his cloak, pulled out a wand, and said, "Avada Kedavra."
A bright flash of green momentarily lit the room and a sound like the wind briefly filled it.
Oliver dropped face down onto the floor like a stone.
"OLIVER!" Lily said, and then kneeled at his side.
"Oliver!" she shook his prone body.
"Oliver." She began to cry while still shaking him.
"Enough of that, silly girl," Lord Voldemort said with amusement in his voice. "Forget him. He's dead."
Lily covered her face with trembling hands.
"Get up."
She did not move, for she simply could not.
"I said, get up."
Suddenly, she felt herself being lifted by a giant, invisible hand. She was returned to her original location, on her feet.
Lord Voldemort smiled and stepped over Oliver's body.
Standing about thirty centimetres from them, he said, "As I was saying before I was interrupted, one of you is coming with me. Which of you will volunteer?"
They stared at him with fright.
"None of you desire the distinction of leaving with me, Lord Voldemort?" he replied in an oddly charming voice. "I'm amazed, truly astounded.
"Then I shall decide for you."
Lord Voldemort placed a closed fist in front of their faces. Three thick broom straws protruded from it.
"The end of one of these is painted green. The girl who picks the painted straw comes with me. Understand?"
They did not reply.
"I interpret your silence as understanding...or, perhaps, mere idiocy."
A few of the masked wizards tittered.
"Now then. Choose or I'll make you."
Daisy slowly extended an arm out, and with a tremulous hand, extracted a straw. She looked at the end of it, and then crumpled to the floor in a faint.
"Should I take it that she was extremely disappointed?" Lord Voldemort said in an amused voice.
The cloaked wizards laughed.
"You're next," he said to Ivy while watching her intently.
Ivy, hand shaking almost uncontrollably, reached for a straw. She pulled it free of his hand and turned it so that she could see the end.
It was green.
In a blink of an eye, Lord Voldemort seized Ivy. They both vanished.
A split second later, the masked wizards also disapparated.
"IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVYYYYYYYY!"
Lily passed out.
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Note: My description of a manticor differs slightly from J.K. Rowling's (Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them). I based my description on what I learned from Greek Mythology lessons.