A/N: Right – this chapter is action-packed, seriously. Also, I'm delighted that you all like me enough not to flame me *grins* I haven't gotten a single one. Oh, also – I started a Yahoo Group! Want to get to know me (I don't bite, I swear), the beta's, and all my *ahem* interesting friends? We'd love to have you (plus there are a lot of perks – getting to read the chapters before they're posted and, of course, cookies galore (excerpts taken from the coming chapter – they're like previews)? Here's the URL!

groups.yahoo.com/group/TheStoryofLily

Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you there J!

The Story of Lily

Chapter 18: If That's What It Takes

"Through the wind and the rain, through the smoke and the fire
When the fear rises up, when the wave's ever higher
I will lay down my heart, my body, my soul
Every second I live, that's the promise I make

Baby, that's what I'll give, if that's what it takes."

~Celine Dion's "If That's What It Takes"

~*~*~*~*This Starts Part Three of The Story of Lily~*~*~*~*

Lily glanced at Minister Watson. He was leaning casually against a very large tree in a park near Buckingham Palace in London. Apparently, this tree worked like the barrier between Platforms Nine and Ten at Kings' Cross Station – you would fall into it and suddenly be in front of the Ministry of Magic. Minister Watson gave Lily a meaningful look and she leaned against the tree. Gwen, Sirius, and James, who had all been to the Ministry before and knew how to get there, were waiting for them on the other side. Minister Watson had volunteered to show Lily how to enter it.

Soon, she felt the cool bark of the tree give way, and she was standing in front of a huge white building: the Ministry of Magic. There were guards stationed at the door and a grassy park in front.

Minister Watson motioned to Lily and they walked to Gwen, James, and Sirius. Gwen led the way up the white marble stairs and to the door. The guard looked at her distastefully.

"Yes?"

"We're new Aurors, come to sign up," Gwen said, forcing a smile.

"Do you have identification?" the guard sneered.

Minister Watson walked around to the front. The guards gasped and removed their navy blue pointed hats in respect. "This is my daughter Gwendolyn and Sirius Black, son of the late Orion Black," the guards' eyes widened, "this is James Potter, son of the late Harry Potter," the guards' eyes widened further, if it was possible, "and finally-" he pulled Lily up to stand in front of him, "you had better get used to seeing this one. Might I present Lily Evans, niece of Violet Wellington-Black, and the Adviser?"

This time, simultaneously, the guards' mouths dropped and they bowed their heads to Lily, which made her blush slightly and fiddle with the diamond ring on her finger.  

"Pleased to make your acquaintance," the head guard said, and bowed them through the glass doors, which showed a very large, circular room. Spaced around the huge room were doors, at least two hundred in all. In the middle was a circular desk, where five receptionists sat, each scribbling busily or organizing files. There wasn't anyone else in the room.

Minister Watson headed straight forward to a very, very large door. Now that Lily noticed it, all of the doors were varied sizes, but none quite as large as the one they were approaching.
Gwen noticed her looking and whispered, "The doors symbolize how large the departments are."

Lily spotted a very small door that he would have had to crawl in order to get through it. "Which one is that?" she whispered back.

Gwen smiled. "You remember Arthur Weasley?"

Lily nodded. "Yes – he and Molly Weasley were Head boy and girl our first year. How many children do they have, now?"

"Three, and she's pregnant again, but that's not important," Gwen said impatiently. "Dad granted him permission to start an office – the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office."

They reached the great door that had a gold plaque that read, "The Auror Department" and Lily noticed a small black box next to it. Minister Watson stuck his wand into the bottom where there was a hole. Soon, the box flashed silver and a voice that sounded nothing like the Muggle mechanical voices said, "George Philip Watson, Most Esteemed Minister of Magic. Access granted."
The door slid open. Minister Watson turned and said, "Just put your wand tip in – most of you know the drill - and it reviews your wands history, therefore knowing what your intentions are, et cetera." He stepped through the doorway and it immediately closed behind him.
Gwen stepped up importantly and the box flashed purple. "Gwendolyn Elizabeth Watson, Daughter of the Most Esteemed Minister of Magic and Newly-Made Auror. Access granted." The door opened and Gwen stepped inside. Lily decided she would have to be careful to get her whole self inside – that door shut quickly.

She walked up and put her wand into the hole. It took a moment before flashing silver like it had for Minister Watson. "Her Excellency Lily Carolyn Evans, Adviser and Newly-Made Auror," it said excitedly. "Of course access is granted!"

Lily rolled her eyes and stepped quickly through the open doorway, and found herself in a sort of lobby, not unlike one you'd see in a dentist's office, with a secretary who didn't look up when she entered. There were two doors behind her large desk.

"Lily, you might want to-"

"Oof!" Lily gasped, turning around to glare at Sirius, who had just knocked into her.

"-move," Gwen finished helplessly.

"That door goes fast!" Sirius exclaimed, looking over his shoulder and frowning at it.

Lily sat down next to Gwen on the hard sofa, and was soon followed by Sirius. James came bursting through the door soon after, and they all stood.

"Well, I think you can make it from here," Minister Watson said, beaming around at them all. "I am very proud of you – oh, and Lily, I would like to meet with you once this is over – to get to my office, simply go back out here and tell one of the secretaries you're meeting with me, and they'll know, and will tell you to what to do. See you all soon, hopefully," he waved and left the room.

No sooner had they all sat down again did the secretary exclaim, "Potter, Black, Watson, and Evans! You may see Ms. Krespin now."

The four exchanged looks and got up again. They went through the door that the secretary pointed sternly to, on the left, and found themselves in a very orderly (and big) office. Smiling behind the large wooden desk was Ms. Krespin – Jo – the head of the Auror Department.

"Hello, please, come in," she smiled, and pointed at the four chairs in front of her desk. "Take a seat. This will be your orientation since you had to miss the real one for-" she glanced at a piece of paper "-personal reasons. I trust everything is alright?"

Lily closed her eyes. The day of the orientation – the Friday after they had graduated – had been dreadful. No one had been able to find Remus, and everyone feared he had committed suicide or gone into hiding – only to get an owl a few hours later saying he had taken a trip to the sea for a short vacation. They all had a laugh afterwards, but still felt very uneasy.

"Yes," Gwen said finally.

"Good. You may call me Jo – I like to be on a first name basis with my Aurors. I know your real and agent names, but you must be careful to only call each other your agent names on the field, all right? Now, here are your folders. We have analyzed your work at the training camp, and have decided if you are best as a field, strategic, or desk Auror." 

She handed Lily a manila folder with "Evans, Lily" written in bold black letters across the top. She looked to see what the others were doing – they had begun to cautiously open the folders. Lily copied them, and read the first paper she saw – it told her that she would be a "special" field Auror.

"I'm a field Auror," Gwen said finally, scanning her paper.

"Me too," James said.

"So'm I," Sirius chimed in.

They all turned to look at Lily. "Well?"

"I'm a – a "special" field Auror," she turned her questioning gaze on Jo.

Jo cleared her throat. "It is because much of your time will be spent here with the Minister," she clarified. "And when you do go out – you will be treated… slightly differently."

Lily frowned. "How so?"

"Well, it is obvious that you can do things others can't," Jo began.

"And?" Lily prompted, a hint of anxiety in her tone.

The head Auror sighed. "Lily, you are – or soon will be – a very important addition to not only the Auror Department, but the entire Ministry of Magic. Through you, we will be able to find out much information and do many good things, and therefore – well, we want to make sure you do not fall into any danger-"

Lily made a noise of objection before she could stop herself. Did they not think she could take care of herself?

Jo fixed her with a stern gaze, and Lily held her tongue. "The Ministry, the Minister, and countless others would be infuriated if something were to happen to you. You must keep in mind that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named still has the Staff, and an anecdote has yet to be found."

The redhead looked down at her lap. She knew it was true, of course, but still-

"I promise, you will have your share of fights," Jo continued, "just as long as we believe there is no threat to your safety-"

This time, Lily did cry out. "No fights are going to be safe! Honestly! You might as well stick me in a plastic bubble!"

She turned to her friends, expecting to have them support her, but instead, Gwen was staring straight ahead, unwilling to meet her eyes; James was nodding vehemently in agreement, and to her immense outrage, the next thing Sirius said was, "Can we have that arranged?"

"Sirius!"

He looked at her, his face openly concerned. "Seriously, Lils, and we can roll you about-"

"Sirius!"

"Lily, you're being quite selfish!" Jo said, looking at her sternly. "It isn't that we don't think you can't defend yourself, but if the Dark Lord were to have the Staff or – or someone sneaked up on you unawares – well-" she trailed off, trying to find words to properly explain her feelings.

"What's she's saying, Lily," Gwen said in her blunt way, "is you're no use to us dead."

Lily sat back and crossed her arms over her chest. "Fine," she said, staring sulkily ahead. "Is that all?" She knew she was acting very immaturely, but at the moment, she really didn't give a damn.

"No," Jo said coolly, ignoring her obvious wish to leave, "I now need to explain a few things.

"First of all, these are new little devices called Summoners." She held up a small, round cylinder. "You will each get one, and you must keep it with you at all times. I do not care where, but you always must keep it. Now, if it looks and sounds like this-" she pressed a small button, making the Summoner flash red and make a very fast shrill noise, "you are to Apparate here immediately without hesitating. If it is more sedate and the color an orange, that means to come here for a meeting of some sort. Now, inside the Auror offices, there is a safe-Apparition chamber. It is located down the hall, second door on the right. Do you have any questions? No? Well, then, now I shall assign you each to a Division. There are three Divisions that make up the Auror Department and three Division Heads. You will always be in the Division I assign you to, and the highest rank within those is Division Head, which is elected whenever the current division head retires or is unable to work. My position is the highest, and when it is available, the three Division Heads vote for one of themselves and that one becomes the Head of the Auror Department. Any questions now?"

"Yes, what are the requirements to become a Division Head?" James asked with interest.

"What we like in a Division Head is courage, ability to plan strategically – someone who can handle the responsibility of being the head of ten or so people. The Division Head's duties are to asses his or her Aurors and determine which will be best to successfully do a mission, things like that. Sadly, the most Aurors we have in a Division currently is only eleven, in Division Three, and that's counting those who just joined." Jo smiled grimly. "But anyway…" she pulled a sheet of paper out of her desk and scanned it. "Evans, you are in Division Two, Black - Division Two, Potter - Division Three, and Watson - Division One. The Head of Division One is Arabella Figg, Division Two is Mundungus Fletcher, and Division Three is Reid McKinnon.

"Got that, everyone? Very good, you'll need to come in for your first meeting with your Division on Monday. Here are your Summoners," she handed them each one of the little devices, "and good day to you all. Oh, and Evans, do not forget your meeting with the Minister," Jo nodded to them and turned back to her work.

The four friends filed out quietly and exited the office. Once they were outside the Auror Department door did anyone speak. "I've got to go," Lily said, "and talk to your father before I forget what I want to say."

"Lily-"

"No," Lily cut James off quickly. "I appreciate you worrying for me, but honestly!" She threw her hands up in exasperation. "I'm eighteen and perfectly capable of taking care of myself, thank you very much. I'll see you all on Monday if not sooner."

And with that, she marched towards the little island in the middle.
"Yes, can I help you?" one secretary asked.

"Ooh, Anne, don't be silly!" one secretary (a new edition, Lily was sure – she didn't remember the bright pink nails) exclaimed, giggling. "This is the Adviser! How lovely to meet you!"

"We don't know that for sure," the first secretary, Anne, said sternly. "Name, please?"

"Lily Evans," said Lily.

"Yes, of course," the second one said. She held out a pad of parchment and a shockingly yellow quill. "Can I have your autograph? Make it out to Margie Duff, please!"

Lily hesitated, having never signed an autograph before, and hastily wrote, "To Margie Duff, with love, Lily Evans," and handed it back to Margie.

"Now, you'll be needing to get to the Minister," Anne said, cutting Margie off, "go around and speak to Lorelei, the other secretary."

"Hello, Miss Evans!" Lorelei said, smiling widely and exposing perfect, white teeth as Lily made her way around the little island desk. "To see the Minister, you'll need to eat this!"

The redhead took a small pill from her and crunched it up. It tasted sugary – not unlike vanilla icing.

"Next, you need to walk straight into the desk!" she said brightly. "It works in the same way Platform Nine and Three Quarters works! Go ahead!"

Lily sighed, feeling quite fed up with the perfect secretary already, she walked into the desk. It melted away, and she found herself in another waiting room, though this one was much fancier. It was decorated in dark greens with rich mahogany furniture. Yet another secretary looked up from the desk in the corner.

"Hello, you must be Lily," she said kindly, standing and extending her hand. "I am Olivia Morgan, the Minister's main secretary."

Lily smiled at her. "It's nice to meet you."

"I suppose that both of us shall be seeing much of each other now," said Olivia, seating herself again and looking through a file folder. "Perhaps more than we would like," she smiled in amusement, and Lily wondered briefly what she meant, but she merely nodded. "So, you may call me Olivia. Now, if you will do the wand test-" she gestured to the black box exactly like the one outside the Auror Department.

"All right," Lily said, and made her way to the box. As she waited, she asked Olivia, "Will I have to wait like this all the time?"

"No, it becomes rather fast. For example, all Minister Watson has to do is put his wand in for a second, like me and a few others. Mrs. Watson is one."

Lily nodded, and soon, the box admitted her and the sliding doors opened. She stepped inside and saw that Minister Watson was having a conversation via the fireplace next to his desk. A woman's head – Elizabeth, his wife's – noticed Lily and smiled. "Hello, dear!"

 "Hello, Elizabeth," Lily said timidly, walking forward a few steps.

"Lily! Please, take a seat, I won't be but a moment," Minister Watson said, gesturing to one of the handsome leather chairs in front of his great desk. Lily took one and looked around his office. His desk was neat, and pictures were framed neatly on his walls. Lily recognized several of herself, to her surprise, along with a good amount of Sirius, Celeste, James, Peter, Remus, and, of course, his immediate family. They all waved merrily at her, and she found herself smiling, despite her anger at being a "special" field Auror. She flipped through the file folder some more while she waited, and slipped the Summoner into her robe pocket.

"Goodbye, Lily," Elizabeth called a few moments later. Lily waved, and Elizabeth disappeared with a pop.

"Thank you for coming," Minister Watson said, wheeling around to face her. "I take it Jo explained your circumstances?"

Lily nodded curtly.

"And I take it you aren't happy," he sighed heavily.

Lily nodded again.

"You must understand – if I could let you be just a normal Auror, I would! But as it stands…Lily, you are much too important to lose. We need you. You are a valuable asset to me and the Ministry. I just hope one day you understand…" he broke off, looking at her with slight unease.

"I'll try to, Minister," she said, sounding much more assured that she felt.

He looked happy at her answer. "Good, good! That's all I can ask, after all! Now, you know, when the Aurors capture Death Eaters, that's when your job comes in. You will come to the M.L.E.S. questioning room and question the criminal in custody."

Lily stared at him. "Question criminals?" she repeated dubiously.

"Yes," Minister Watson said, looking at her with concern. "Is something wrong?"

"Well – no, but, I mean, I haven't really – used those parts of my abilities. The last time was – a few years ago."

"And that is why I will hire your Auror tutor, Marie-Claire, to help you in that respect."

Lily bit her tongue. The only person she thought could help her with this aspect of the Advisers powers was…well, an Adviser. But seeing as that was impossible, and Minister Watson needed her so badly, she would discuss this with Marie- Claire and see if they could work something out. She found herself nodding slowly, and the Minister's face broke into a smile – one, she found with slight surprise, was much like his daughter's true smile.

"Excellent! Now, my dear, I'm afraid I've held you too long," he stood up, beaming, and ushered her out of his office. "I look forward to seeing you on Monday, no sooner!"

"No sooner," she repeated slowly before she could stop herself. "If I get a Summon, I might see you here."

He looked slightly uncomfortable, but quickly nodded and smiled again. "Yes, of course!"

Lily left, feeling miserable. Why'd they give her the post of a field Auror when all she would be doing was sitting at a desk, questioning criminals?

As she walked down the steps, nodding to the guards, a vision suddenly popped into her head: Lily, all of her eighteen years, sitting opposite a sneering, fully-grown male Death Eater, trying to get him to cooperate so she could get inside his mind. She snorted outright. As if that would ever happen! They wouldn't do what she said in a million years! For Gwen, maybe, but never for Lily, who hadn't ever been outgoing. Well, except when she got mad, but that really only happened when she fought!

And that's what I should be doing! She thought passionately, walking straight through the tree-barrier and out into the London park. Breaking more wizard laws than she could count, she looked around halfheartedly, and Disapparated with a pop.

She appeared out in front of the Wellington Mansion, and before she went inside, something made her stop and just look at it. Staring up at the white pillars, yellow stucco walls, and verandas, she felt a wave of emotion hit her. Slowly she raised her left hand and was momentarily blinded by the light reflecting off her diamond engagement ring. How long would she stay in this house? It was yet another thing she and James had to talk about. Lily knew she would be moving into the Potter mansion in Godric's Hollow once they were married, because it had been in their family for years. But somehow, she couldn't see herself being happy in any other room but her mother's. With the colors she had come to love, the bed she adored for its lifelike lilies…

She raised her hand to her pounding head, and walked inside. When had it become so hard to like life? When had it hit her that her years with Violet – her three, golden years – would never happen again? That with the threat of Voldemort, no one could be that happy?

Lily looked around the foyer, taking in all the pictures on the walls. She sank to the ground unceremoniously and focused on one picture in particular, going up the stairs. It featured a small, thin redhead beaming in the prettiest thing she had ever worn, and occasionally looking with adoration upon the blonde woman next to her, dressed equally as beautifully.

Lily heaved a great sigh and was content to sit there, staring at the pictures. That was how Ella found her some time later, and scolded her roundly for not letting anyone know she was home. Lily let Ella drag her into the kitchen and fix her something to eat. It wasn't until Ella put down Lily's favorite dish – fettuccini alfredo – in front of her did she realize Lily had neither spoken nor made any sign that she had heard anything Ella had said.

"Lilee, yoo are not 'aving second thoughts?" Ella cried, feeling her forehead.

This snapped Lily back to life, and she pulled away. "No! Good heavens, no! No, no, no! I'm past the second doubts forever, believe me."

"Zen whatever eez wrong?" Ella asked, now pressing her cheek to Lily's forehead.

Lily sighed. Then, seconds later, she found herself spilling out everything that was wrong to the Frenchwoman, from her worries about the house to her feelings of inadequacy, and felt oddly better once she was finished. Ella was silent for a moment, thoughtfully twirling a piece of brown hair around her finger.

"Weel, about ze 'ouse, zat eez easy – just talk to James about eet. And about yoor job as an Auror…" she trailed off, and then fixed Lily with a knowing stare. "Lilee, when I came to England to find work as a wedding designer, and found myself a maid in a big 'ouse…zat was not what I wanted to do! I wanted to do what I was born to do, what I loved…but I knew, for ze time being, I could not. So, I 'eld my 'ead high, and I did what I was asked, and never complained. And look what I do now! I am ze guardian of a beautiful young lady, who I love as eef she were my own, I 'ave a shop where I can design whenever I want, and a good 'ome. Lilee, yoo will one day learn to like yoor job, learn to like what life throws at yoo, and find zat you are ze 'appiest person on earth, just accepting things. And once yoo accept, yoo may begin to conquer and rise above, just as I deed. Remember zat, mon petite. Remember zat."

~*~*~*~*

The next day found Lily in front of James's house. For some reason, her stomach was flipping. James would understand, wouldn't he? That the only bed she could sleep in for the rest of her life was her mothers? After all, she was leaving her home…he would understand. He had to.

She gathered her courage and knocked quickly before she got scared. The butler opened the door, smiled, and escorted her inside.

"Master James is up stairs," he said, bowing courteously and gesturing up the sweeping staircase. It suddenly hit her – so forcefully she stumbled – that one day, this house would…would be hers.

Lily walked a bit slower up the stairs, really looking at everything, but soon found herself in front of James's closed door. She knocked quietly.

A smile broke onto his handsome face when he saw her. "Lils!" he exclaimed, grabbing her waist and pulling her inside. "I was just thinking about you!"

She forced a smile. "Really?"

"Yeah," the smile faded. "What's wrong?"

She opened her mouth, took a deep breath – but before she could say anything, her eyes rested on the pictures she had given him last Christmas. It was hanging above his bed. She swallowed, and forced herself to look into his concerned face.

"Well…James, I don't know how to say this…" she noticed the spasm of fear that flitted across his face, and her emerald eyes widened. "No! No, I still love you, I still want to marry you!"

He relaxed and grinned. "Then what can possibly be wrong?"

"Well – Idon'twanttosleepinyourbed," she said quickly, and blushed slightly.

James quirked an amused eyebrow and looked at his bed. "Why? What's wrong with it?"

"Oh – nothing! Nothing, it's a – a very nice bed, but…well…it's not mine."

"It isn't," he agreed, a mischievous smile on his face. "So, what you're basically telling me is, you won't sleep unless you're in your bed?"

He still had that grin that meant he was teasing her. Lily pushed him slightly, a smile on her own face, and said, "Quit, James. I know you know what I mean. That – that bed is all I have left…of her. Of both of them."

"I know, love, I know," James pulled her down on his bed; she leaned her cheek on his chest and wrapped her arms around him.

"Thank you," she whispered, inhaling his scent and feeling completely at home.

He tightened his grip on her and rested his chin on the top of her head. "I'd do anything for you, you know that."

"Yes, I know. But, James, tell me you didn't agree with Sirius when he wanted to put me in a bubble?"

James sighed deeply. "This is something I've wanted to talk to you about." He moved his chin, and she looked up at him. "You mean more than Gwen, Sirius, and I put together."

She made a noise of protest and sat up. "How can you say that?!"

"It's true," he said flatly. "Your powers surpass ours greatly, and we know that, and everyone else knows that, except you! You need to understand that with Gwen and Sirius and I and everyone else in the wizarding world, we have a chance of winning against Voldemort. But with you – you raise our chances hugely, and we need you, no matter what you do. All right?"

Lily nodded. "I guess you're right."

"Also – I wanted to ask you…you don't still blame yourself for Mary Katherine's death, do you?" James asked gently.

Lily looked down at her lap and said nothing.

"Lily…it wasn't your fault-"

"Yes it was!" she burst, standing up. "It was my fault! If I hadn't been there – if I hadn't ever been born none of that would have happened! I have yet to see a purpose for my life, except causing danger to those I love! I mean, what happens if – if we have a child, and because of me, the child dies? I couldn't live with myself!"

She pressed her hands to her forehead and closed her eyes. James shrugged hopelessly. "Lily, I can't make you see that your life has a purpose. To me, Sirius, Gwen, Mum, Celeste…to us, your life has a great purpose. You're blind to not see that we'd all die for you."

"I know you would," she said finally. "But it's at times like this when I can't see it."

"Come here," he said, holding his arms out to her. She went obligingly. They were silent for a moment, before James said, "Violets? Lilies? Irises? I'd say we're going to have the worst time picking out flowers in the history of wedding planning."

Lily grinned into his shoulder in spite of herself. "I don't care which kind, so long as they're not petunias."

"Deal," James laughed.

~*~*~*~*

"Lils! Come on, why are you just sitting there?"

Lily jumped a foot, spilling tea all over herself, when Gwen's head appeared in the living room fireplace.

"Gwen, it's half-past ten," she said. "Where are we going?"

"To the Ministry, of course! Hello?"

Lily looked at her blankly, and Gwen raised her eyebrows. "Right, I'm coming over."

Seconds later she strode out of the fireplace, holding up a beeping and flashing device – her Summoner. "Remember these? We're supposed to keep them on at all times?"

Lily slowly slid her hand into her pocket and drew out her own Summoner. It was looking completely normal, not flashing red or anything. Gwen looked at her with wide eyes.

"You – you just got a dud, nothing more."

Lily shook her head. "I don't think so," she said grimly. "I think they gave me a dud, and knew it."

"Oh," Gwen said uncomfortably. "Well, it's for a good reason, I'm sure," she said, her eyes wide. "So then, I'll – er – just go."

"No," Lily said, tying her runners on quickly. "I'm going with you. I'm a field Auror…ugh, how dare they!" without another word, she Disapparated. Ella was out of town for the weekend, and so she didn't have to worry about telling her.  She found herself in the safe chamber seconds later. Aurors were Apparating every few feet, and she narrowly missed being landed on. Three doors led off the chamber – labeled Division One, Division Two, and Division Three. Lily went through the Division Two door to see nine people assembled around a table. They all looked up in surprise, and the man at the head of the table stood.

"Why, Agent Dahlia, what a pleasant – erm - surprise."

Lily clenched her jaw, and for once, wasn't aware of everyone's eyes on her. "Surprise, is it? So the defective Summoner was given to me on purpose?"

Mundungus Fletcher, the man, looked slightly uncomfortable. "Er – well…"

Lily's eyes flashed, and she conjured a chair out of midair without her wand, her eyes never leaving Mundungus's face. She sat down next to Sirius, who was looking very uncomfortable.

"I am curious, Agent Dahlia – how did you learn of this?" Mundungus said after a few moments of silence, and took his seat again.

"Gw – Agent Alcina is my best friend, she stopped by."

The Division Head exhaled. "I thought her father would have told her."

"Oh, does everyone know except me?" she said sarcastically. Sirius put a hand on her arm.

"Lily…" he warned.

Lily gave him a contemptuous look. "You knew? And James? Don't you lie to me, Sirius Black."

He held her gaze for a moment, before nodding.

"Right, calm down, please. Agent Dahlia, I would like you to know that it is no problem to me that you are here, and if you would like some field action, which Division Two will be getting plenty of tonight, you'll not tell Jo. She'd blow a gasket." He looked rather amused at that.

Lily looked at the man in a new light. She had won, just like that? Perhaps he wasn't the cold man she had envisioned him to be. He quickly got down to business.

"Right, these are our orders – a group of Death Eaters have captured a Muggle family to torture, just this afternoon, and we are fairly positive they are being held in Malfoy Manor."

A shiver went through the older Aurors in the room.

"Malfoy – as in Lucius?" one asked sharply.

"The one," Mundungus said grimly. "Group One is staying and watching, Group Three is covering us, and we – we're going in. I'll assign you to groups, and put someone in charge of them – we have ten, so let's split into two groups of three and one of four. There will be one strategic Auror in each. I believe I'm right in saying that no one here is a desk Auror? Right, that's what I thought - Agent Moody, you take the group of four – let's have Agents Sims, Boston, and Hasboro with him."

Two girls Lily recognized from her year stood next to Agent Moody. Moody was about her height and looked as though he'd been around the block a few times – a lot of scars decorated his dark face, and his hair wasn't exactly neat. Agent Sims joined them – he looked to be a bit older than Lily. 

Mundungus named himself head of another group, and he looked around at the three people left – Lily, Sirius, and another man.

"Right, God forgive me for this, but Agent Dahlia, I'm putting you in charge of the last group."

Lily masked her surprise, nodded and stood.

"Right, everyone, we're Apparating to the end of the lane soon after Group Three goes. This isn't a raid; this is a top secret mission, so we must not be seen. We go in there, get the Muggles, and get out, because it is expected that a large group of Death Eaters are there, or could be called there immediately. Now, you all listen to me. There shouldn't be any secrets between us all."

No one moved. Mundungus pulled Lily up next to him. "If you didn't know, this is Lily Evans, the Adviser."

A few surprised gasps went through those assembled, but Mundungus stopped them with his hand. "If anything happens to endanger her, get her out of there. If something happens to her, it'll be my head. You know that the wards prevent anyone from Disapparating and Apparating in the Malfoy premises, so hide her, or something."

"Sir, if you don't mind me asking," Sirius said, "but if she's in so much danger, why are you making her a group head?"

"Good question," Mundungus said, smiling ironically. "I want her to prove herself, I suppose. But if Lucius has the Staff of Metrusia…I don't want to think about that," he shuddered. "I need to speak to Reid, the head of Division Three. When I come back, we go immediately into the safe chamber and Apparate away, got it?"

They nodded and waited. About fifteen minutes later, Mundungus came back. "Come on," he said, and motioned to them. They all walked tensely into the safe chamber, and at his signal, Disapparated with pops. They appeared in a deserted wheat field next to a dark road.

"Down, everyone," Mundungus said. "Heads over here!" he exclaimed, and they all faced him on their stomachs. "Do not light your wands until you are positive you cannot be seen. Now, let's have Agent Dahlia's group go in first. We have the most people in Group Three covering them. Then Moody, you're going, and we'll follow. We have a good idea as to where the Muggles are – presumably in the dungeon. In your group, Dahlia, Agent Brodon knows where it is. He's had plenty of experience here."

Agent Brodon, the other member of Lily's group, nodded grimly.

"And everyone knows where to go from there – search the premises, and when you've found the Muggles, contact us via your wands and leave immediately. I want to ensure the safety of everyone I can." He nodded to them all. "Good luck, and let's go! Dahlia – head to the far left! Moody, to the middle, and I'll stay here on the right! Go!"

Lily, crouching low, ran straight to the left. When she thought her group was far enough, she stopped suddenly – and a moment later, was face down on the ground, under Sirius. Brodon tripped over Sirius's foot, but managed to fall to the side.

"Off," Lily said, gasping for breath. Sirius heard her whimper and got off heavily.

"Sorry, Lily, but it's hard when you can't see your hand in front of your face," Sirius grumbled.

"Hmm. Well, this is going spectacularly, isn't it?" Lily said, but cut them off before they could answer. "That was rhetorical, by the way. Ugh! How am I ever going to be able to prove myself?"

Sirius put his arm around her. "Lily–"

"They might as well've given me a desk job," she continued miserably. "This'll never, ever work-"

"Lily!" Sirius said sharply, cutting her off. "Shut up," he said more calmly. "We'll be fine. You'll prove yourself, and they'll replace your Summoner with one that works, I swear."

Lily smiled slowly. "Thanks, Sirius; you stopped me from having hysterics."

He shrugged his broad shoulders. "'S what friends are for." He helped her up, and she turned apologetically to Agent Brodon, holding out her hand. "I'm sorry about that."

The older man smiled. "It's all right. We all get like that sometimes."

"You're our strategic Auror, right?" Sirius asked, scanning the field. 

"I am," he confirmed, "and that is Malfoy Manor."

Lily followed where his finger was pointing and saw a huge house in the distance. "We're not taking any chances," she commented.

"That we aren't," Brodon said grimly. "We'd best be heading over there. I'd say keep to the left of this tree."

"Tree? I don't see a – oomph!" Lily winced as Sirius cried out in pain. "I found the tree," he moaned.

"Hsssh!" Lily exclaimed sharply. "We don't want to be heard! I assumed we're going around back?"

"That would be our best bet," said Brodon dryly.

"Right," Lily nodded. "Follow me, and be quiet!"

She got up, still crouched low, and ran flat out. She looked up to make sure she was heading in the right place, and saw that she was. She halted suddenly where the wheat turned into grass, every muscle tensed. Brodon and Sirius came up next to her. Sirius gave her a strange look, while Brodon jerked them down.

"Are you mad? Standing there in plain view?" he hissed furiously.

"Sorry," Lily muttered, not sorry at all.

"Why didn't you keep going?" Sirius asked.

"Because, there's an extremely powerful ward up," answered Lily matter-of-factly. "No one can go through it."

Brodon groaned, throwing his hands up. "Then why are we-"

"Except I happen to know the counter-spell," she interrupted smugly. "Just give me a minute, and it'll be down. I'm making it go down for ten seconds, so we'll have to hurry through. Otherwise the other wards, which I'm also temporarily suspending, will go off, announcing our entry. And then we're dead, basically."

Sirius's jaw dropped. "How can you hold so many spells at once?"

"Don't question her," Brodon growled. "Go ahead, Dahlia."

Lily nodded, fished her wand out of her pocket, and pointed it at the invisible ward. She closed her eyes, concentrating thoroughly. She had to break the Alarm Ward – there it went – and next tear a hole in the Barrier Ward, which kept out people on foot as well as people flying and Apparating – done.

"Come on!" she hissed, throwing herself through the hole. Brodon and Sirius followed, and immediately they raced to the house and hid behind a bush. Lily leaned her head against the cool, dark stone, breathing heavily. She wiped sweat from her brows, and opened her mouth, but soon a large hand covered it – Sirius's.

He removed it and put a finger to his lips, and Lily, feeling quite embarrassed she almost forgot to stay silent, got up and took in her surroundings. Brodon pointed to their left and mouthed, "Entrance to the dungeons!"

Lily nodded and got in the front. They crept along behind the bushes, until Lily stopped again, throwing her arms out. "Another Alarm Ward!" she mouthed, and undid it in a few seconds. She motioned to keep going, and would have missed the entrance to the dungeons if Sirius hadn't pulled on her robes, making her stop and turn. Brodon was undoing the spells that charmed ancient wooden doors, on a sort of raised box, open. Black lights were glaring in Lily's head – and the more spells he undid, the more they disappeared. But, as he moved his hand to open it, thinking he had undone all the spells, she jerked his hand away, shaking her head furiously. She threw a stick onto the lock to demonstrate what would have happened – the stick turned to ashes immediately.

Pale as a ghost, Brodon moved back, muttering that those were all the spells that were on the dungeon entrance last time. Lily took his place, tapping her wand on the ground thoughtfully. She hadn't ever dealt with Dark Magic – how was she supposed to know the counter-spell?

She decided to try something, and closed her eyes, meditating. She allowed her blue magic to poke the Dark Magic, and see if it could find the counter-spells.

Seconds later, all the spells were down, and Lily was shaking uncontrollably as she attempted to open the chains – the last barrier to open to doors - manually. Sirius pointed his wand at the chains, whispered, "Alohomora!" and they sprang apart. Lily gave him a shaky smile, and opened the wood doors. Her senses flared at yet another Alarm Ward – they really didn't take any chances – and she undid it quickly.

Then, she noticed the drop. It was straight and dark, and Lily thought she could she water shimmering at the bottom.

"I'll go first," whispered Brodon. "The water's pretty deep."

"Please be careful," Lily pleaded softly.

He nodded, lowered himself in, and let go. Seconds later, there was a great splash of water, and Brodon's terrified yells as he desperately tried to Stun and kill something. Lily lit her wand on a horrible sight – no less than ten alligators were circling him. Frantically Sirius and Lily began Stunning the alligators, and soon, their racket attracted someone's attention. She heard hurried footsteps, and quickly she and Sirius shut the wooden doors. Neither of them moved a muscle as they heard the exchange going on below them.

A door opened, and they heard a shout. "An intruder! Get Mr. Malfoy, hurry, you fool!"

There were more pounding footsteps, and splashing water and the sound of someone Stunning the alligators – or maybe it was Brodon. More footsteps, and then the unmistakable drawling voice of Lucius Malfoy.

"He's an Auror."

"He is, sir?"

"Yes, he is. And somehow, he managed to get through all my wards." He muttered something Lily couldn't make out, and seconds later, a fireball shot through the middle of the doors she and Sirius were positioned next to. Lily barely contained a scream as she fell backwards and watched the fireball burn out.

"That should teach his companions to be careful. Patrols, now! Take our new Auror to my office for questioning! I want his companions caught, and brought to me!"

More footsteps and the sound of a door being slammed. Sirius was on his feet immediately, pulling her behind a bush. He ripped a dirty piece of paper from his pocket, studied it, and pulled her more around to the left. "Blast a hole right here."

"What?!" she cried, staring at him.

"Lily, shut up and trust me!"

Lily looked at him with wide eyes, trying to figure out when the last time was that he has acted so seriously.

"Go! I'll cast a Silencing Charm – do it! Just trust me!"

Lily turned, her eyes still wide, and once she was sure Sirius's charm was up, she blasted a fairly large hole in the stone wall, but small enough so that was still hidden by the large shrubbery around them. A dim light was coming from the hole, and Sirius put his legs over the edge. Before Lily registered what he was doing, he had already jumped down.

"Hurry up! I'll catch you, come on!" he whispered.

Shaking her head, she found his hands. Leaning against them, she hopped down, and landed on a sort of bench.

"Don't light your wand," she breathed.

"I'm not stupid." She could barely make out his features in the dim light, but something told her he was grinning.

"Right – would you mind explaining?" Lily finally demanded in a whisper almost not audible.

"Quickly, I will – you work on the door," he gestured to the cell door in front of them.

"Great!" she hissed. "You put us in a cell! What if I can't break the spells?"

"That's just it – there shouldn't be any. These are the low security cells they put Muggles in, Lily. They might put a spell that could be broken by 'Alohomora' but nothing more."

Lily sighed and turned to the door. She breathed "Alohomora!" and, sure enough, the door swung open. She caught it before it hit the wall and made noise.

"Good thing you've got that map," she breathed as they walked down in the shadows. After a few moments silence, she said, "I do hope you know where we're going."

"I have a foggy idea."

"Oh, that's good to know."

"Lily, this isn't the time to start acting like Gwen."

"I'm not. Am I?"

"The short little sarcastic remarks aren't becoming on you."

"Oh, really? And they are on her?"

"She would still be becoming even if she said 'damn' every other word."

"Glad to know you like her a lot."

"Glad to know you've begun cottoning on."

"Shut up. Where are we going?"

"Right here," he turned right, down a short hallway that was lit slightly more, and faced a cell full of people: a toddler, a seven or eight year old boy, a pretty teenage girl, and two young parents.

"Who's there?" the father cried, jumping up.

Lily winced. "Hush, please! We're here to help you, but we can't if you're loud!"

"How do we know you're here to help us?" the man's wide eyes glinted in the dim light.

Sirius did his best to reassure the man as Lily looked over the terrified Muggles. The mother was sitting on a bench like the one in Lily and Sirius's cell, and had a death grip on her sleeping toddler; her older daughter (who looked to be about fourteen or so) held on to the seven year old. All were quietly sniffling.

"Please," she whispered, "don't be scared. We're here to help you."

"Are you from Scotland Yard or the police?" the mother whispered back.

Lily decided the best thing would be to nod. "Scotland Yard. Aren't we, Sirius?"

"What's-"

"Yes, of course we are!" Lily cut him off, elbowing him sharply.

"Yeah," he grunted.

The Muggles' memories would be Obliviated, so it wouldn't have hurt to tell them, but Lily didn't want to take up too much time explaining.

"I'm going to unlock your door, all right?"

The father nodded, and Lily unlocked it swiftly, and she and Sirius stepped inside.

"I'm Lily Evans," she introduced herself, "and this is Sirius Black."

"We're the Patie's," the mother said hoarsely. "I'm Carol, my husband is Rick, this is our daughter Elizabeth, our son Jake, and my youngest daughter Amelia."

"Very nice to meet you all," Lily said, attempting a smile. "Well, we had better-"

"Quiet!" Sirius whispered suddenly. Lily heard footsteps, like he did, and she froze, her blood cold.

"Hide us! Quickly!" Lily whispered. The Patie's sprang into action, to their slight surprise – Mrs. Patie scooted over so Lily and Sirius could crawl under the bench and stay there. Mr. Patie stood in front of all of them, blocking them from view.

A man came around, his wand lit. He sneered at them all unpleasantly – Lily recognized the greasy, black hair, pale skin, and long nose instantly. Severus Snape.

"You'll be needed soon, Muggles, don't worry. Bloody Aurors are running loose all over the place, so it seems you have been saved from the inevitable momentarily. Are you – comfortable?" He looked cruelly amused.

Lily felt Sirius tense next to her, and he was breathing rather hard. She kicked him sharply, as if making sure he wasn't going to move, and he relaxed a tiny bit.

"Have a good night," he smirked, and walked back.

Once his footsteps died away, Mrs. Patie and Elizabeth made room for them to crawl out. Mrs. Patie's legs were shaking, and Elizabeth was biting her lip hard, her breath coming in short gasps. Sirius leaped over to the cell door and flung it open.

"Let's go! Now!" he whispered, and they got up and walked out quickly without questioning. In a way, Lily reflected wryly, Severus had helped them. Sirius got in the front, and Lily took the back. "Follow me – do exactly as I do!"

The Muggle family nodded, and crept through the shadows. Lily felt like she wasn't breathing the entire time. Once they were all back in the cell, with the hole Lily made dark on the stone wall above them, she shut the door quickly and put all the spells on it she could, as strong as she could muster, just in case. Mr. Patie got on the bench, and Lily smiled slightly when Sirius gave him a leg up.

"Rick! Are you alright?" Mrs. Patie called anxiously.

"Yes – there's a type of shrubbery concealing us. Who's next?"

"Best get the toddler up first," Sirius said, and Mrs. Patie handed little Amelia over to him with shaking arms.

"Lily, it's no good," he said after a few tries. "The hole's too far up – I'm afraid I'll drop her."

"I'll raise her up, then." Lily went over to the wide awake but silent child. "Do you want to fly, Amelia?"

"Yes," she whispered back.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and if you aren't completely silent, the spell will break," Lily said, her eyes wide.

Amelia nodded solemnly.

"What are you going to do?" Mrs. Patie said with alarm as Lily took her wand out.

"Make her fly, like I said," Lily said. "Wingardium Leviosa," she whispered, and the child began to gently rise out of Sirius's arms.

"Holy Christmas," Mr. Patie said with wonder as she floated into his arms. Mrs. Patie was clutching her face, her knuckles white.

"Can I do it again?" Amelia cried.

"Sshh!" everyone hissed, and no more was heard from up there. Silently Sirius and Lily helped the rest of the family up, and finally only Sirius remained. He took Rick's hand and pulled himself up, just as a bright light was shown through the hole from below.

"Look! There they go!" someone yelled, and before they could think, Lily and Sirius tore out of the bush with the family on their heels. Lily looked back to make sure everyone was there, especially the little boy, and to her relief saw he was just a little bit behind her. Death Eaters appeared out of nowhere, evidently on search missions for the rest of Agent Brodon's companions. Lily felt a sharp stab of anxiety when she thought of poor Brodon, but it was quickly out of her mind when she heard a piercing scream. Sirius turned, but Lily was there first, seeing the fourteen year old being grabbed by a big man.

"Lead the rest, Sirius! GO!" she yelled, and turned to the big man. His wand light illuminated her face, and he yelled with shock.

"You! The Adviser! Everyone, the Advi-" he was cut off with a sharp flick of her wand, Stunned on the ground. But his message had been heard.

Lily grabbed the frightened girl's wrist and ran with all she had, dodging curses. Elizabeth had gotten the message to dodge the beams of light too, luckily. Lily looked up, and found that they were almost to the field – and then, her heart stopped. The family and Sirius were on one side of the wards invisible to everyone but Lily, and the Aurors – what looked like Group Three and the rest of Group Two – was on the other side, trapped. "Move!" she yelled, and undid the wards in seconds. She darted through the hole she had made, acutely aware of the Death Eaters close on their tails. The family and Sirius followed, and the Death Eaters stopped short, aware of the odds, which were strongly against them. A foolish one of their number darted through just as the wards were closing back again, and was instantly Stunned.

"Portkey – to the Muggles, now!" Mundungus was yelling. He threw a tattered pick-nick basket to Sirius, who caught it, and told the family to hold on. They did so without question.

"Three, two, one-"

They were all jerked off their feet, and disappeared.

Lily Disapparated when she saw that everyone else had done so, with the exception of Mundungus and a stern witch, who both looked extremely relieved to see her, yet scolded her for not Disapparating as soon as everyone else had. Seconds later, hard floor materialized under her feet – she was in the Safe Chamber at the Ministry. It seemed like a universal sigh of relief went up when she appeared in the middle of the floor, and the Minister, his wife, and countless others (some of whom were in pajamas) surrounded her.  
The Minister led her out of the room and into the Group Two room with Elizabeth and Jo on their heels. Gwen tried to barge her way through, but her father calmly told her she could see her friend in a few moments. Gwen made a face, but did not try again. Minister Watson sat down at the head of the table and rubbed his temples.

"Sit," he said, gesturing to the chairs.  "We are waiting for Arabella and Reid, and then we may begin."

They sat in silence until two people came in – the stern looking witch she had seen in the field, and a tall, wiry man with thick glasses – and took their places among them.

"Agent Brodon? Any word on him?" Minister Watson said first.

"We talked briefly to Sirius Black – he said Brodon was taken into custody by Malfoy after falling into his basement moat. We have no ways of knowing what his condition is. Lily – we need you to tell us your side of what happened," Jo said intently.

Lily put her head in her hands. "What time is it, please?"

They glanced at each other, before Arabella said, "It's just after one o'clock."

"Can this not wait 'till tomorrow?"

"You don't have to go into detail until tomorrow," Elizabeth said gently, looking sharply at her husband, as if daring him to object.

"We got there." Lily began wearily, fully planning to take her up on the no-details suggestion. "I undid the wards, and we hid in the bushes in front of the house. Then we unlocked the spells on the entrance to the cellar, and Brodon went in. There were alligators in the water down there, and his noise got the guards. Then Lucius came and ordered that the premises be checked, and Sirius grabbed me and we ran to another bush. Then I blasted a hole in the wall. We went through; found the place where the Muggles were. Freed them, and then went back through the hole. Dodged everyone, and then I undid the wards ah-again." A yawn caught her, and she felt her eyes drooping. "The rest you know."

The Minister nodded, while Jo looked alarmed. Elizabeth, masking her concern, folded Lily in a hug, and Lily's eyes dropped shut. The last thing she heard before drifting to sleep was, "The wards…They took hours for us to try and work out."

"She isn't normal, remember."

Lily felt like protesting that, but she fell asleep too quickly, and knew no more.

~*~*~*~*

She awoke the next morning in a big bed that wasn't her own. She sat up quickly, taking in her surroundings. She didn't recognize the room at all…

Lily got up and went to the window, where the sun was high in the sky. She breathed a sigh of relief when she recognized the yard in front of her – she was at the Watson's.

She turned to the closet and began sifting through it. She found a large terrycloth dressing gown and put it on before heading downstairs. Sitting around the kitchen table, fully dressed and eating sandwiches were the Watson's.

"Ah! Lily," Minister Watson smiled, but she could see the strain.

"Lily!" Gwen exclaimed, getting up and hugging her tightly. "Oh, we were so worried about you, you have no idea!"

"Gwendolyn," Elizabeth warned. "Come sit down, Lily dear," she said, patting the seat next to her.  

Lily obliged, not saying anything. The anger she had felt last night on getting the broken Summoner was slowly returning – and growing. Giles the butler put a plate of bacon and eggs in front of her, and she began to eat slowly, not listening to anything the Watson's said. During a lull in the conversation, when she could stand it no longer, she abruptly put her fork down and looked straight at the Minister.

"You knew," she said steadily, and then turned her bright green gaze on Elizabeth. "And you did too. Everyone knew except Gwen and I, didn't they?"

"What are you talking about?" Minister Watson spluttered.

"About the Summoner. It doesn't work."

Minister Watson sighed heavily and closed his eyes. "Yes, we all knew."

"Lily, you must know that it was for your protection-"

"My protection," she repeated in a strangled voice, looking at Elizabeth. "I can protect myself as well as, if not better than, anyone else in the Ministry!"

"We know," Elizabeth soothed, "but we didn't want to take any chances-"

"You were nearly caught, Lily!" Minister Watson cried furiously. "Why are you fighting those who wish to protect you? Those who love you? Gwen made a mistake coming over to your house-"

"She didn't!" Lily cried, standing up. For a moment, she had felt properly abashed, but not her temper was back. "She was perfectly right in coming over! I am an Auror! Why do you not just make me a desk Auror if you're so concerned?!"

"Maybe I will!" Minister Watson roared, standing as well. "You are not to go out on the field again without my express permission!"

"You know they couldn't have even gotten through the wards if it hadn't been for me! The Muggles wouldn't be safe now if I hadn't gone!"

"Lily, George, please-" Elizabeth begged, but the Minister cut her off.

"I don't deny it, but we could have just used you for a – why am I arguing my point? Lily, you need to start obeying your elders! Ella has spoiled you! She doesn't make you obey what she wants, so long as you're happy! I am sorry about your past, but it didn't just affect you, you know!"

Lily's jaw dropped, and Elizabeth breathed in sharply. "George! Really, I think-" 

"Elizabeth, someone's got to tell her the truth," the Minister said, still breathing heavily and looking angrily at the redhead in front of him. "You will not go on any more calls! And I will not give you another Summoner!"

"Fine," Lily said, seething, "fine. Then I quit!" She threw down her napkin, tore a hole in the Anti-Apparation Wards, and was gone seconds later, leaving the stunned Watson's in her wake.

~*~*~*~*

"Monsieur James!" Ella cried, jumping up from her seat in the living room and running towards James as he entered the house. He merely nodded at her before striding towards the stairs, looking quite preoccupied.

"Do not bee disappointed when eet does not work," Ella called after him, her arms folded over her stomach. "But I suppose eef anyone can geet 'er out, yoo're ze one."

He continued up the stairs and stopped in front of Lily's bedroom door. "Lily," he called sternly. "Lily Evans, let me in right now."

There was a pause. Then-

"James?"

"Yes, and if you do not open this door right-" he stopped short when the door opened, and his fiancée was standing there, looking extremely lost. He was surprised for a moment – after what Gwen, Sirius, Ella, and Hayley had said, it was impossible to get her out. No one had tried to do it forcibly, knowing that wouldn't work, and even if they did manage to get the door open anyway, they did not want to have to deal with whatever hex Lily put on them. His stern resolve melted, and he slipped inside and shut the door behind him.

"You're not here on behalf of them are you?" she asked dully, but her green eyes were wary.

"Even if I knew who 'they' were, I promise, I'm only here for myself. Lily, do you know how long you've been holed up in this room?"

Lily swallowed and looked at her bare, freckled toes. "Er – I haven't a clue."

"Two days. I didn't come sooner because I assumed Gwen or Sirius or any of the others would be able to get you out. Why in the world couldn't they? Lily, really, you're being unreasonable."

"I'm being unreasonable?" she echoed with disbelief. "I am? So you're telling me you think it's right that someone is trained to do something, and then not allowed to do it? No, excuse me," she continued in a biting tone, "'not allowed' isn't a good way to put it. 'Deliberately and cruelly tricked' is much better."

James sighed. It was evident she had prepared this lecture over her two days of solitude, and he was in no mood to hear it. "Tell me why you wouldn't let anyone in before me?"

"Because," her eyes were blazing now. "They were all with him."

"Him? The Minister?"

"Yes, him. That – that man who has no right to control me. I am an adult. An adult! He made me out to be some uncivilized barbarian who had never had to obey anyone! The things he said about Ella! Really, it's not my fault my father hated me!" Tears began to pour from her eyes, and James felt his stomach lurch. She never spoke about her father to anyone. "It isn't my fault I've been harnessed with these horrible powers that I didn't ask for! It isn't my fault my mother died when she gave birth to me," her breath was coming in short gasps, and when James tried to take her hands, she pushed him away, looking at something only she could see. "It isn't my fault Mary Katherine was killed. It – it isn't my fault-"

"Lily!" James cried, shaking her shoulders. "No one blames you for any of that! No one, only you! You are your worst enemy. Not the Minister, not Jo, not Gwen, not Ella – you."

"Me," she repeated in a whisper, staring somewhere far away. "Just me." 

~*~*~*~*

Lily finally stirred a few hours later and opened her eyes. James was next to her, his glasses askew, fast asleep. Her yawns and stretches woke him up. He looked around blearily, fixing his glasses.

"Hi," she whispered, scooting close to him.

"Hi," he whispered back in his deep voice that made her shiver. She sat up, propping herself up on one elbow.

"Let's talk about the wedding."

"Alright – what about it?"

"Well, we haven't discussed anything yet. Like, whether we want a spring wedding, or a winter wedding…"

"What do you want?"

She stared at him. "I want your opinion."

"Lily, I honestly don't care, so long as it's soon."

"Hmm…it's almost November, and we'll need at least six months…"

"Six months!" he yelped.

"Yes... You do want this to be a good wedding, don't you?"

"Of course. But six months?"

"Mmmhmm. What about June?"

"But that's almost eight months," he objected. She frowned at him, and he put his hands up in surrender. "Fine, fine."

"Good," she said, smiling with satisfaction. "Now, Sirius is the Best Man, right?"

"Would I ask anyone else?" he asked with disbelief.

"Good heavens, I'm just making sure."

"Sorry. But yes, Sirius is the Best Man. And the godfather to all our children."

"How many is that?" she asked, a small smile flitting across her mouth.

"As many as we want," he grinned, leaning over and kissing her softly.

She snorted. "Two, then. I have to keep my figure, you know."

"Doesn't matter to me," he said, tracing her cheekbone. "So long as you're happy."

She smiled and tilted her head, examining him. "So long as you're happy, James."

He took her hand and began to play with the diamond on it. "And Gwen is your Maid of Honor?"

"Of course!" she exclaimed, "and the godmother of our children!"

"I wouldn't want anyone else. Speaking of, have you decided what to name our children?"

"James," she said sternly, playing with his hair with her free hand, "the boy will be named Harry."

"And the girl? Or girls?"

"If we have one," she pointed out.

"Yes, if we have one. It should be a name from your side, since Harry is a name from mine."

"I've always been fond of the name Morgan. But I think I should keep up the flowers, don't you? It would be Violet or Iris, just depends. Or perhaps Rose. But I also-"

James cut her off swiftly with a kiss, knowing this was liable to go on for ages. "It won't be for a couple of years," he assured her, once the kiss was broken. "Now, what I think we need to do is ask Gwen and Sirius to be our Best Man and Maid of Honor." He rolled of the bed and stretched.

Lily got up slowly. "I suppose you're right. I just – will they speak to me?"

"I'll call them over," he took a pouch of pink powder from Lily's mantle, lit her fire, threw it in, and shoved his head in. He did this once more, and a few moments later, knocking sounded on Lily's door. She sat down in the center of her bed, Indian-style, hoping she looked collected, while James opened the door to admit Gwen and Sirius.

Sirius, looking relieved, hurried over to Lily's side, while Gwen stood there, looking anywhere but at her best friend. They were silent for a moment, until Lily cleared her throat. She held her head high, but her eyes were dropped down, studying her comforter.

"I'm sorry. I acted selfishly, especially to you, Gwen, at breakfast the other day. I know that I haven't been controlled, and have never had a problem with getting what I wanted, and this time, something happened…I guess it was something so big that I wanted and couldn't have – the right to be a real field Auror – that I broke down and acted no better than a spoiled child." She raised her eyes to Sirius and Gwen in turn, saying solemnly, "I'm sorry" to both of them. Sirius gripped her hand in reply, while Gwen merely nodded. The silence that followed was not comfortable.

"So," James said, breaking it, "We have something we'd like to-"

Lily cut him off with a sharp glare. He raised his eyebrows, but said nothing.

"What, now?" Sirius asked with something close to bemusement.

Lily shook her head hard. "Nothing, nothing." She didn't want to ask Gwen to be her Maid of Honor now, not with everything so strange. She didn't even want to ask Gwen when they were in the presence of others…just when the two of them were feeling entirely comfortable together. After this…thing was resolved.

"Lily, did you mean it when you said you quit?" Gwen asked softly, haltingly, a few tense moments later.

"You what?!" James cried, turning on his fiancée.

Lily took a deep breath. "Yes. I quit. There's no use in me being a field Auror if I can't work in the field. I'd rather find work somewhere else."

She leaned over to her bedside table, grabbed the small Summoner device, and tossed it to a shocked Gwen. "Give that to your father, and tell him I'm sorry, and he was right, but I'm not looking to work at the Ministry now."

"What – Lily – it's your duty-"

"Gwen," Lily interrupted peacefully, "I have yet to see it written somewhere that Advisers are supposed to work at the Ministry."

"What will you do?" she whispered, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Lily shrugged. "I love books. Perhaps I'll work in Flourish and Blotts."

James's jaw dropped. "The Adviser working in Flourish and Blotts? Lily, have you gone mad?"

"I'll work in the Ministry eventually," Lily said, still calm. "But not now. I want to enjoy being eighteen, in love, and not have these horrid powers hanging round my head."

"Lily, you can't escape who you are," Sirius whispered, his own face shocked as well.

"I know, and I'm not escaping myself…I'm merely…taking a break. I'll research the Staff of Metrusia, try and find a cure," she shrugged, feeling glee wash over her. She felt wonderful, being able to say – and do – all that she had been yearning to do. Not be the Adviser, Auror extraordinaire. Just Lily Evans. "Let me have this time. I'm getting married in eight months – I need to plan that."

This pronouncement was followed by silence. "You've set a date, then?" Sirius said hoarsely, finally.

"Sometime in June," Lily said, shrugging, a grin forming on her mouth. "Now, why don't you all join me in the kitchen for a snack?"

~*~*~*~*

A/N: Don't forget to review, and join my Yahoo Group!

Cheers!

Bella