Disclaimer: *sigh* I still don't own the Harry Potter Universe. But maybe
if I published this on Mars. . .
AN: Sorry for the delay everybody! School just started and the homework pile is already overflowing. Anyways, chapters two through four have been rewritten. Four is now majorly short, but has a much better plot. Chapter one only has one correction. You do not have to read it, but the story might flow more if you do. Everyone, if they wish to follow this chapter's storyline, must go back and reread them. Let me make myself clear: EVERYONE MUST GO BACK AND READ CHAPTERS TWO THROUGH FOUR!
I do hope I made myself clear. Alrightly then, this chapter will be one of the more PG-13 ones. It is not the best, but it is longer than the last ones. Please excuse mistakes, as I am in a rush to get this out. Ha! Rush! Let me restate that: this chapter took me a while because I had writers' block, and I want to get it out before all my project due dates pop up on me and I go out of town.
Finally, I hope this chapter does not offend anybody. It was not meant to do so. Do not take anything to heart.
Shadow Child
Chapter Five: Cases Closed
London, England; Ministry of Magic Courtroom #4;
Thursday, December 11, 1979, 4:00 P.M.
"Case closed," the judge concluded, banging his gavel on the stand.
Lily stood and turned to face her client, Rubeus Hagrid, a large man whose love for animals went a little too far sometimes, and shook his hand. He grasped it and shook firmly, leaving her to wiggle her fingers to regain the feeling in them after the hand had been released
"Not yer fault," Hagrid claimed, sniffling and wiping his nose on his sleeve. "Knew it'd happen. Nothing ye could do wif the 'mittee o'er thar." He nodded his head in the direction of the side where the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures representatives sat calmly.
"Mr. Hagrid," a committee offical urged. He held out a leash and collar. Hagrid made no move towards it, so the middle-aged man set it on the desk. Hagrid looked daggers at the man who was purposefully waiting, leaning on their table.
"Thank you, Mr. McNair," Lily said pointedly, ending their short conversation. The tall man's thin black mustache twitched, annoyed at having been dismissed so easily.
Hagrid bent down to say his last good-bye to the creature, an illegal species he had created by interbreeding. "Good-bye, lil' feller," Hagrid whispered tearfully as he hooked on the collar and leash. He tugged the creature to its feet and waited for the officals to come and claim the animal, leading him to his death.
There was an uncomfortable silence as both sides waited for the other to move. Finally, McNair strode over and pried the rope from Hagrid's grasp. Then he dragged the young animal out the door, with it trotting unknowingly to his death.
Hagrid burst into tears, sobbing into his enormous hands. He tried painfully to give Lily a small smile. "Thanks fer tryin'."
Lily nodded sorrowfully. "I'm sorry."
"Dumbledore was right in recommendin' ye."
Modestly, Lily accepted the praise, while she finished packing up her briefcase. "Well," she began.
Hagrid straightened from picking up a moleskin overcoat off the ground. "Yeah, thanks again."
Lily waved and walked out of the courtroom and into the hallway of the Courthouse. A nearby case was still going on. Quietly, Lily stepped out of the building.
Savoring the fresh air, Lily began to walk home. It was cold, so she wrapped her coat even more tightly around her small frame. The trees were bare; the leaves had already fallen for the winter, but the landscape was still beautiful, as it twinkled in the frost. The wind was freezing, and slowly picking up, getting harder by the minute.
Lily looked around. She was about halfway home, but in this weather, she decided not to walk the next mile home. She concentrated and soon felt herself among the warm smells of her kitchen.
* * * * * *
London, England; 4439 Kirkland Drive;
Thursday, December 11, 1979, 8:00 P.M.
Stephanie Snape looked around her cozy living room and sighed. It had everything in it from Paris pink quills to books that would scream if not opened correctly. But one thing was missing- her husband. Severus Snape was a wizard, which was why their house was a home to so many abnormal objects as well as normal muggle appliances. Simple muggles like herself did not just go out to buy parchment and boomslang skin.
Stephanie waited every night with dinner ready for when Severus stepped through the door. He had been working late recently and did not come home until 7:00 or 7:30. Tonight, the battery-powered clock already showed 8:12. He was late.
Not that she had been bored. She talked with her older brother, Jason Warren, for over an hour, catching up on the times. He had recently established his own accounting firm and was still trying to hire employees, as he was understaffed. Also, his little girl, Catherine, had just begun to talk in full sentences. Their phone call had been cut short, however, when the power lines went out.
The storm wasn't all that bad. Yes, the rain was cold, the thunder was loud, and the lightning was big, but it hadn't snowed or hailed at least. Stephanie shuffled her deck of playing cards again and dealt out Solitare. A cold hand touched her shoulder. She jumped.
Severus chuckled. "I came in the back," he explained, kissing her neck. "Is dinner ready? I'm starved."
Stephanie turned to look into his black eyes. They shone with wicked delight in the glow of the candles she had lit. "It's in the other room."
"Say's who?" he whispered romantically. He waved his wand casually. The room was filled with a delicious smell. Stephanie turned again. The coffee table had been turned into an eloquent dining table for two with magnificent chairs, China plates, and wine glasses.
Severus pulled his wife off the couch, whispering seductively in her ear, "Take a seat. Let's have fun tonight."
* * * * * *
Phoenix Cottage, Godric's Hallow; Thursday, December 11, 1979, 6:00 P.M.
Lily looked back down at the list and crossed off the curse she had just tested for. She procrastinated too much, and so over a course of three weeks, had managed to get through 136 of them. She had just crossed off number 137, the Left-handed curse, which would make a right-handed person capable of writing only with their left hand. Not a very useful curse for lefties, but for righties in the wizarding world, that was bad.
Lily couldn't imagine how hard it would be to write with your left hand, not allowing your arm to touch the parchment, without the risk of smearing. The other thing that she couldn't imagine was how you wouldn't know you had that curse or why a Death Eater would place it on her.
Lily waved her wand and a cup of tea appeared in front of her. She lifted it to her lips and took a sip. She swallowed, but then pushed the mug away. It seemed that she had an odd metallic taste in her mouth, which made the tea taste horrible. She swallowed her saliva, trying to rid herself of the flavor.
Lily glanced back down at the book and flipped to the next page- 309. That page contained information about the "Limited Curse" which restricted the amount of movement you could do. You were not able to perform any magic, run, participate in sports, etc. To test yourself for it, you were supposed to "try to perform a simple spell."
Rolling her eyes, Lily muttering a spell and the mug in front of her disappeared with a small "POP!" Satisfied, Lily marked off that curse. She wondered how many times she had performed small spells like that because the book said to. Then she placed a bookmark on the page and shut it, tired of listening to talking books.
Lily sat there for a while, paying attention to the storm and waiting for James to apparate home from work. She pushed her chair out and stood up. The bathroom door was wide open, and looking at it seemed to remind her body that she hadn't gone to the bathroom for a while.
When Lily came back out she realized something- she had not had her period yet this month. It should have started three days before. Goosebumps formed up and down Lily's arms. She shivered. She knew what it meant but refused to believe it.
"I'm home!" James' voice sounded from the other room.
Lily replied, "In here," but in a dazed and far away voice. She was in shock. No, more than shock.
James came in and put his arms around her. "Are you cold?" he asked.
He looked so worried about her that Lily couldn't find the heart to tell him what she knew. She would go buy the home test the next day, and if she was correct in her assumption, then she would tell James. But until then, why worry him about nothing. So Lily put on a fake smile for James. "I'm fine," she told him and arm in arm, they walked slowly in the kitchen.
* * * * * *
The Dark Forces Headquarters; Monday, December 8, 3:15 A.M. [Note: Takes place before other scenes in chapter.]
"My Lord," the man bowed. "Severus Snape to see you."
"Send him in."
Severus Snape rushed in, letting his hood down.
"Take a seat," Voldemort ordered.
"You called me, My Master?" he questioned as he sat himself carefully on the green armchair.
"Yes. Pray tell, how is your new apprentice doing? I must know."
Hurriedly, Snape began, hoping not to infuriate his Master. "Well, I must say, not too well. Potions does not seem to be her sk-"
"Detail, Snape, Detail. I need more information."
"Yes, Your Honor. Of course, Your Honor. She does not seem to be able to grasp the concept of mixing our special ingredients without spilling. She lacks the talent, and her perfume does not go well in the lab. The smell deteriorates her ability to learn the potions by smell. Just yesterday she w-"
"Enough."
Snape looked down at his black polished shoes. "Yes, Master. All I request is she be transferred to a different assignment."
Voldemort narrowed his eyes. "Why didn't you say so in the first place?"
"I thought you wanted detail."
"I did. But not the kind you gave me."
Snape nodded. "Yes, Master." He would never understand the Dark Lord.
"You are dismissed," Voldemort issued.
Snape walked to the door, bowed, and walked back to his office three stories below.
Voldemort watched Snape leave and hissed in a most unpleasant manner, "I'll have my eye on you."
* * * * * *
London England, Pharmacy; Friday, December 12, 7:10 A.M.
The Drug Store was fairly full, having just opened for the day ten minutes before. Lily wandered around before coming to a stop in Row 10. She pulled the box off the shelf and took it to the cashier. The man there was elderly and rang it up without thinking. She paid and was off.
Work that day was nerve-racking. She was finishing up the paperwork from the aftermath of the court case. Owls flew to and from her office all day. On the back of her mind was the test she was planning on taking when she got home. It was worse than trying to concentrating in the Gryffindor Common Room when the Marauders were in there.
Finally, at 6:00, she apparated from the building.
* * * * * *
Phoenix Cottage, Godric's Hallow; Friday, December 12, 1979, 6:00 P.M.
The test was complete, all except for the results. Lily had to wait fifteen minutes for those. Slowly but surely, the lines began to form on the stick. Lily threw it in the trashcan, but then removed the stick, setting it on the counter. She blew her nose and walked out to the living room.
Lily watched the clock. James' hand began to move from "Office" to "Traveling" to "Home."
"Lily, dear," he called, "I'm home."
Lily made her way slowly in. "Hey," she whispered quietly.
"Is something wrong?" James asked her.
Lily fidgeted with her necklace. There was no point delaying the news. "James," she said, "I'm pregnant."
Okay, so we all knew that already, but if you went back and reread chapters two through four, you should understand that Lily, being in the story, does not notice anything. Also, I already know that this chapter is cheesy in parts. If you agree, please inform me.
If you have any suggestions, either email me or post them in your review; I would love to hear them. The next chapter will probably not be out for at least a week or two, if not longer. Sorry for the delay. If you have any questions, email me. Thanks!
Thank yous:
Shades: Yes, we'll see Trelawney's first prediction, but not yet. Be patient.
animegirl-mika: You'll see. I can't give it away just yet.
kat: I'm sorry; I'm really no good at long chapters.
Faith McKay: Did you have too much sugar? Sorry the chapter took so long in coming out.
Rose: It has all been redone. Thank you for informing me.
Catalyst: Thank you so much! Sorry the different storylines can't come together yet- it's important to the plot that they stay apart!
angelhitomi: Thanks!
________: Sorry it took so long.
IndianSpice: I think that the last one is much better now. This chapter is now the filler.
Catalina: Really! I'd love to read your fic!
Now review, peoples!
AN: Sorry for the delay everybody! School just started and the homework pile is already overflowing. Anyways, chapters two through four have been rewritten. Four is now majorly short, but has a much better plot. Chapter one only has one correction. You do not have to read it, but the story might flow more if you do. Everyone, if they wish to follow this chapter's storyline, must go back and reread them. Let me make myself clear: EVERYONE MUST GO BACK AND READ CHAPTERS TWO THROUGH FOUR!
I do hope I made myself clear. Alrightly then, this chapter will be one of the more PG-13 ones. It is not the best, but it is longer than the last ones. Please excuse mistakes, as I am in a rush to get this out. Ha! Rush! Let me restate that: this chapter took me a while because I had writers' block, and I want to get it out before all my project due dates pop up on me and I go out of town.
Finally, I hope this chapter does not offend anybody. It was not meant to do so. Do not take anything to heart.
Shadow Child
Chapter Five: Cases Closed
London, England; Ministry of Magic Courtroom #4;
Thursday, December 11, 1979, 4:00 P.M.
"Case closed," the judge concluded, banging his gavel on the stand.
Lily stood and turned to face her client, Rubeus Hagrid, a large man whose love for animals went a little too far sometimes, and shook his hand. He grasped it and shook firmly, leaving her to wiggle her fingers to regain the feeling in them after the hand had been released
"Not yer fault," Hagrid claimed, sniffling and wiping his nose on his sleeve. "Knew it'd happen. Nothing ye could do wif the 'mittee o'er thar." He nodded his head in the direction of the side where the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures representatives sat calmly.
"Mr. Hagrid," a committee offical urged. He held out a leash and collar. Hagrid made no move towards it, so the middle-aged man set it on the desk. Hagrid looked daggers at the man who was purposefully waiting, leaning on their table.
"Thank you, Mr. McNair," Lily said pointedly, ending their short conversation. The tall man's thin black mustache twitched, annoyed at having been dismissed so easily.
Hagrid bent down to say his last good-bye to the creature, an illegal species he had created by interbreeding. "Good-bye, lil' feller," Hagrid whispered tearfully as he hooked on the collar and leash. He tugged the creature to its feet and waited for the officals to come and claim the animal, leading him to his death.
There was an uncomfortable silence as both sides waited for the other to move. Finally, McNair strode over and pried the rope from Hagrid's grasp. Then he dragged the young animal out the door, with it trotting unknowingly to his death.
Hagrid burst into tears, sobbing into his enormous hands. He tried painfully to give Lily a small smile. "Thanks fer tryin'."
Lily nodded sorrowfully. "I'm sorry."
"Dumbledore was right in recommendin' ye."
Modestly, Lily accepted the praise, while she finished packing up her briefcase. "Well," she began.
Hagrid straightened from picking up a moleskin overcoat off the ground. "Yeah, thanks again."
Lily waved and walked out of the courtroom and into the hallway of the Courthouse. A nearby case was still going on. Quietly, Lily stepped out of the building.
Savoring the fresh air, Lily began to walk home. It was cold, so she wrapped her coat even more tightly around her small frame. The trees were bare; the leaves had already fallen for the winter, but the landscape was still beautiful, as it twinkled in the frost. The wind was freezing, and slowly picking up, getting harder by the minute.
Lily looked around. She was about halfway home, but in this weather, she decided not to walk the next mile home. She concentrated and soon felt herself among the warm smells of her kitchen.
* * * * * *
London, England; 4439 Kirkland Drive;
Thursday, December 11, 1979, 8:00 P.M.
Stephanie Snape looked around her cozy living room and sighed. It had everything in it from Paris pink quills to books that would scream if not opened correctly. But one thing was missing- her husband. Severus Snape was a wizard, which was why their house was a home to so many abnormal objects as well as normal muggle appliances. Simple muggles like herself did not just go out to buy parchment and boomslang skin.
Stephanie waited every night with dinner ready for when Severus stepped through the door. He had been working late recently and did not come home until 7:00 or 7:30. Tonight, the battery-powered clock already showed 8:12. He was late.
Not that she had been bored. She talked with her older brother, Jason Warren, for over an hour, catching up on the times. He had recently established his own accounting firm and was still trying to hire employees, as he was understaffed. Also, his little girl, Catherine, had just begun to talk in full sentences. Their phone call had been cut short, however, when the power lines went out.
The storm wasn't all that bad. Yes, the rain was cold, the thunder was loud, and the lightning was big, but it hadn't snowed or hailed at least. Stephanie shuffled her deck of playing cards again and dealt out Solitare. A cold hand touched her shoulder. She jumped.
Severus chuckled. "I came in the back," he explained, kissing her neck. "Is dinner ready? I'm starved."
Stephanie turned to look into his black eyes. They shone with wicked delight in the glow of the candles she had lit. "It's in the other room."
"Say's who?" he whispered romantically. He waved his wand casually. The room was filled with a delicious smell. Stephanie turned again. The coffee table had been turned into an eloquent dining table for two with magnificent chairs, China plates, and wine glasses.
Severus pulled his wife off the couch, whispering seductively in her ear, "Take a seat. Let's have fun tonight."
* * * * * *
Phoenix Cottage, Godric's Hallow; Thursday, December 11, 1979, 6:00 P.M.
Lily looked back down at the list and crossed off the curse she had just tested for. She procrastinated too much, and so over a course of three weeks, had managed to get through 136 of them. She had just crossed off number 137, the Left-handed curse, which would make a right-handed person capable of writing only with their left hand. Not a very useful curse for lefties, but for righties in the wizarding world, that was bad.
Lily couldn't imagine how hard it would be to write with your left hand, not allowing your arm to touch the parchment, without the risk of smearing. The other thing that she couldn't imagine was how you wouldn't know you had that curse or why a Death Eater would place it on her.
Lily waved her wand and a cup of tea appeared in front of her. She lifted it to her lips and took a sip. She swallowed, but then pushed the mug away. It seemed that she had an odd metallic taste in her mouth, which made the tea taste horrible. She swallowed her saliva, trying to rid herself of the flavor.
Lily glanced back down at the book and flipped to the next page- 309. That page contained information about the "Limited Curse" which restricted the amount of movement you could do. You were not able to perform any magic, run, participate in sports, etc. To test yourself for it, you were supposed to "try to perform a simple spell."
Rolling her eyes, Lily muttering a spell and the mug in front of her disappeared with a small "POP!" Satisfied, Lily marked off that curse. She wondered how many times she had performed small spells like that because the book said to. Then she placed a bookmark on the page and shut it, tired of listening to talking books.
Lily sat there for a while, paying attention to the storm and waiting for James to apparate home from work. She pushed her chair out and stood up. The bathroom door was wide open, and looking at it seemed to remind her body that she hadn't gone to the bathroom for a while.
When Lily came back out she realized something- she had not had her period yet this month. It should have started three days before. Goosebumps formed up and down Lily's arms. She shivered. She knew what it meant but refused to believe it.
"I'm home!" James' voice sounded from the other room.
Lily replied, "In here," but in a dazed and far away voice. She was in shock. No, more than shock.
James came in and put his arms around her. "Are you cold?" he asked.
He looked so worried about her that Lily couldn't find the heart to tell him what she knew. She would go buy the home test the next day, and if she was correct in her assumption, then she would tell James. But until then, why worry him about nothing. So Lily put on a fake smile for James. "I'm fine," she told him and arm in arm, they walked slowly in the kitchen.
* * * * * *
The Dark Forces Headquarters; Monday, December 8, 3:15 A.M. [Note: Takes place before other scenes in chapter.]
"My Lord," the man bowed. "Severus Snape to see you."
"Send him in."
Severus Snape rushed in, letting his hood down.
"Take a seat," Voldemort ordered.
"You called me, My Master?" he questioned as he sat himself carefully on the green armchair.
"Yes. Pray tell, how is your new apprentice doing? I must know."
Hurriedly, Snape began, hoping not to infuriate his Master. "Well, I must say, not too well. Potions does not seem to be her sk-"
"Detail, Snape, Detail. I need more information."
"Yes, Your Honor. Of course, Your Honor. She does not seem to be able to grasp the concept of mixing our special ingredients without spilling. She lacks the talent, and her perfume does not go well in the lab. The smell deteriorates her ability to learn the potions by smell. Just yesterday she w-"
"Enough."
Snape looked down at his black polished shoes. "Yes, Master. All I request is she be transferred to a different assignment."
Voldemort narrowed his eyes. "Why didn't you say so in the first place?"
"I thought you wanted detail."
"I did. But not the kind you gave me."
Snape nodded. "Yes, Master." He would never understand the Dark Lord.
"You are dismissed," Voldemort issued.
Snape walked to the door, bowed, and walked back to his office three stories below.
Voldemort watched Snape leave and hissed in a most unpleasant manner, "I'll have my eye on you."
* * * * * *
London England, Pharmacy; Friday, December 12, 7:10 A.M.
The Drug Store was fairly full, having just opened for the day ten minutes before. Lily wandered around before coming to a stop in Row 10. She pulled the box off the shelf and took it to the cashier. The man there was elderly and rang it up without thinking. She paid and was off.
Work that day was nerve-racking. She was finishing up the paperwork from the aftermath of the court case. Owls flew to and from her office all day. On the back of her mind was the test she was planning on taking when she got home. It was worse than trying to concentrating in the Gryffindor Common Room when the Marauders were in there.
Finally, at 6:00, she apparated from the building.
* * * * * *
Phoenix Cottage, Godric's Hallow; Friday, December 12, 1979, 6:00 P.M.
The test was complete, all except for the results. Lily had to wait fifteen minutes for those. Slowly but surely, the lines began to form on the stick. Lily threw it in the trashcan, but then removed the stick, setting it on the counter. She blew her nose and walked out to the living room.
Lily watched the clock. James' hand began to move from "Office" to "Traveling" to "Home."
"Lily, dear," he called, "I'm home."
Lily made her way slowly in. "Hey," she whispered quietly.
"Is something wrong?" James asked her.
Lily fidgeted with her necklace. There was no point delaying the news. "James," she said, "I'm pregnant."
Okay, so we all knew that already, but if you went back and reread chapters two through four, you should understand that Lily, being in the story, does not notice anything. Also, I already know that this chapter is cheesy in parts. If you agree, please inform me.
If you have any suggestions, either email me or post them in your review; I would love to hear them. The next chapter will probably not be out for at least a week or two, if not longer. Sorry for the delay. If you have any questions, email me. Thanks!
Thank yous:
Shades: Yes, we'll see Trelawney's first prediction, but not yet. Be patient.
animegirl-mika: You'll see. I can't give it away just yet.
kat: I'm sorry; I'm really no good at long chapters.
Faith McKay: Did you have too much sugar? Sorry the chapter took so long in coming out.
Rose: It has all been redone. Thank you for informing me.
Catalyst: Thank you so much! Sorry the different storylines can't come together yet- it's important to the plot that they stay apart!
angelhitomi: Thanks!
________: Sorry it took so long.
IndianSpice: I think that the last one is much better now. This chapter is now the filler.
Catalina: Really! I'd love to read your fic!
Now review, peoples!