Chapter Nine
A few minutes after, a quite worried Dumbledore arrived in the infirmary, after looking at Lily.
"Could you explain to me what happened?"
The students looked at each other. Finally Bella spoke.
"Well, I wanted to observe the stars for an Astronomy research. So I went to the Astronomy Tower. Dany and Lizzie decided to accompany me, as I don't like to go alone in the corridors. Once we arrived at the tower, we found that James, Sirius and Peter were already there. We started looking at the stars, when Dany spotted something near the forest. It was Lily. Curious, we decided to followed her. But once in the forest, we got lost. We arrived in a glade and what we saw made us scream. There was a unicorn, laying on the ground, barely alive. Apparently Lily heard our screams and came. Once she saw the unicorn, she seemed deep in thought. Then she sighed and asked us to stay away from her. She waved her wand and her looks changed. She knelt near the unicorn and put her hand on the animal. She started glowing along with the unicorn. We saw the injuries healed in few seconds, then glowed brighter. But after a few minutes, we noticed that the unicorn was getting stronger and brighter meanwhile Lily was becoming weaker and paler. Then the unicorn stood up and get away. Lily fainted. James took her and brought her here while we were checking if the unicorn was alright."
Bella looked expectantly t the headmaster, scared of what he might say. It was part of the truth. Of course, she wasn't about to say that they were unregistered Animagi who had decided to have some fun running with a werewolf at midnight in the Forbidden forest on a full moon.
Dumbledore looked at them.
"Well, I see. It will be 100 points for being outside at night, but I give 150 points to Gryffondor for your bravery and intelligence.
The students looked at each other relieved that they weren't going to be expelled.
"I believe you have found the truth about Miss Evans?" asked Dumbledore.
They nodded.
"She's a Natural, isn't she?"
"Exactly, and a very powerful one. She had been trained to fight Voldemort. But I would like to ask you something. Have you notice any change in her behaviour lately?"
They thought for a moment when Lizzie answered.
"Yes, since she received a letter announcing the death of her parents, she had acted strangely."
"Right, but, if I remembered right, she didn't opened the letter announcing these deaths, she read two blacks letters then got up and left."
"Yes, it's odd. I've also noticed she kept receiving blacks letter every Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays."
"Hm. I think she kept them in the black box on her bedside." Said Dany thoughtfully.
"Really?" asked a concerned Dumbledore. "Could you go take it and bring it here. I would like to have a look at this."
"Sure Professor."
Dany left the room. Everybody remained quiet until her return.
As soon as she came back, she handed a quite big black box to Dumbledore. He took it and try to open it. After numerous attempts he finally managed to opened the box, using a spell the six friends had never heard of.
In the box laid letters. He took them and started to read them silently. While he was reading, the James and his friends saw his face darkened.
Then he looked up at them. All twinkles in his eyes had disappeared.
"Thank you. I think you should go sleeping, you have lessons to attend tomorrow if I'm not wrong."
The six teens nodded and left. Then he turned to the bed where Lily was laying, a very concerned look on his face. At this moment, Lily started to open her eyes slowly. He approached her.
"What happened?" asked she.
"Why haven't you told me?" asked Dumbledore.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~ ~*~~
"Why haven't you told me?" heard Lily. She looked up and saw Dumbledore's face. She noticed he was worried, concerned and that his eyes were full of sorrow. She sighed; she knew that sooner or later, the truth would have come out. She decided to remain silent. She didn't look at him.
Dumbledore saw she was avoiding his eyes.
"Look at me, Lily" he said calmly.
Reluctantly she looked up. In his eyes, she didn't see anger, disgust, but kindness and compassion.
"Why haven't you told me about these letters?" he said, pointing to the black box.
"I couldn't sir. I was afraid. What would have you done? Expelled me for sure! I'm a Natural, the daughter of Voldemort and the cause of several murders. Who would want to keep a girl like that in his school." She quickly said.
"Calm down. I didn't think you have so little faith in me. First you are a Hogwart student no matter what you are, second nobody can choose his parents, it's Fate. Third you're not responsible for these murders. The only one is Voldemort. Don't forget it." Said Dumbledore.
At these words Lily started to cry. She had bottled up her feelings during the past weeks, fearing that if she didn't she would break down. Dumbledore let her cry, he knew that if she didn't, she wouldn't been able to get over it. Seeing Lily like that made him sad. She was a compassionate, trustworthy, courageous girl and would make a great woman. But Fate seemed to have a lot in store for her, and he felt it wasn't the end of it.
She cried for a few minutes. Once she had calmed down, Dumbledore handed her a handkerchief. She took it, thanking him.
"Thank you sir."
"No need my dear. Only promise me to come see me if you received other letters or threats of Voldemort."
Lily nodded, looking relieved.
"Good. Now, why have you nearly killed yourself?"
Lily looked down, ashamed.
"I won't judge you and I think I know why. But you need to say it. It'll help you."
"I wanted to end it. I mean I didn't see reason to live and if I could save an innocent creature, it would have been better." Explained Lily.
Dumbledore remained silent for a while. Then he spoke up.
"I see. I assume you won't do it again?"
"No sir."
"Good. Now what are you doing about Mr Potter and his friends. You're aware of the fact they know your secret."
"I know. Remus had discovered it a little before. I think it'll be better to reveal my true self to everyone. I mean, in a few months I'll be out of Hogwart and it'll be hard for me to hide. Moreover, I think most of the Slytherin knew that there is a Natural in the school and I'm afraid that even if we try to prevent them from telling this to anyone, they may let it skipped in a talk without noticing it."
"You're sure Lily? It's your choice I won't influence you."
"I've made my mind Professor."
"I've think you have made the right choice. I'm proud of you. But I'm warning you it won't be easy. Prejudice are strong in the wizarding world."
"I know, but I'll have to face it sooner or later. But I'd like to keep my parentage a secret. It may be possible for people to accept my nature. But I know for sure that they wouldn't been able to accept me if they knew who is my father."
"I understand. I assume you won't keep your last appearance?"
"Yes, I want to start with my true appearance and my true nature. I won't be able to hide forever."
"So true." He said. "I'm happy for this decision. I was hoping you'll see that hiding wasn't a solution. Mrs Pomfrey had said you could quit the Hospital wing in two days."
Lily sighed, two days locked there, but it was nothing compared to the thought she would have died if James and his friends hadn't been here. Thinking about that she decided that she had to forget that because of them she had been discovered. What was done was done. So she decided to forgive James, Sirius, Peter and Remus.
"Professor? Do you know what could nearly kill a unicorn?"
Dumbledore's face became sombre.
"No, but whatever it is, it's dark."
Lily nodded. The headmaster left after a few minutes, leaving her alone. She quickly fell asleep.
The first day passed uneventfully.
On the second, Lily received an unexpected visit…
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~ ~*~~
James, Sirius, Peter, Remus, Dany, Lizzie, and Bella were standing in the door. Lily motioned for them to come. They approached her bed seeming a bit uncomfortable. Lily saw it and a sad look passed in her eyes. She looked down, not wanting to see fear in their eyes.
The seven friends entered the room. James could say that they were all uncomfortable. Natural were said to be dangerous. But as they approached of Lily's bed, they saw sadness in her eyes before she looked down. He realised their mistake.
"Guys", he whispered to his friends, "I think she thinks that we are scared of her."
"James could you repeat it slowly?" answered Sirius. James didn't listened to him.
"Yeah, I've seen her looks." Added Remus. "But we have nothing to fear."
"You sure?" asked Lizzie. "I mean, I know she is a great girl, but I can't help being a bit nervous. Natural are dangerous, they're said to be dark!"
"They're as dark as me" replied Remus.
"You have a point…" As they were near to Lily they stopped talking. Lily was still looking down, apparently lost in her thoughts.
Suddenly she spoke up.
"I'm evil right. I'm dark, dangerous and should be left alone." The sadness in her voice made them guilty. Dany sat near her and hugged her.
"Never speak of yourself like that! You're a great person! And I'm glad to be your friend!"
"Fr..iend?" stuttered Lily.
"Friend."
"I've never had a friend." Said Lily in a low voice. "I had to hide from everyone in fear of someone finding my secret. I've lived seven years here and until this year nobody had known my name."
"How come we haven't noticed you before. You're not invisible?" asked Sirius
"No, but I noticed that I could make myself become invisible to others. They see me, but they don't record my presence. Like I don't exist."
They starred at her.
"Ok" simply said James. "Now could you give us some information about Naturals?"
Lily seemed to think about it for a few moments before nodding.
Instantly the seven Gryffondors started to ask her questions.
"Oh! Slow down! One at time!" she said, laughing.
And they started to talk. For the following hours they talked happily. At a moment, Dumbledore came, but seeing the eight students chatting animatedly, he left a small smile on his lips. Apparently Lily had found true friends.
The girl explained them a few things, she even showed them some of her powers. Then they left after promising her they would come back tomorrow to get her out of the hospital wing.
For the first time since a long, long time, Lily was truly happy.
The next morning she woke up early and waited for her friends to come. They arrived at 7 o'clock. Then they all headed to the Great Hall. As soon as they entered, heads turned to see them. Indeed, the Marauder were quite popular, so were Bella, Dany and Lizzie. People had noticed that the three girls had stopped to hang out with Claire, even if she remained James's girlfriend. As they now hang out with the Marauders, they had been given evil glares from the female population. But this morning instead of seeing the seven teens together, the students saw a new person with them. She was tall and slim. She had long wavy red hair, green eyes. But what startled the students was her silver pupils, showing her nature. Immediately, whispers could be heard in the hall.
"Look at her!"
"See…the eyes!"
"You're sure?"
"I'm telling you, she's …"
"Do you know her?"
"Never seen her before…"
Lily sighed at this, she hated to be in the spotlight. She had spent so many years in the shadows, that she had to fight a huge urge to make herself invisible.
She sat at the Gryffondor table with Bella on her right and James on her left. The breakfast passed quickly, but by the end of it, Lily had grown slightly annoyed by all the stares she was given and all the whispers.
"Why do they keep doing this?" she muttered to Bella.
"Why Lily? It's not every day they see a Natural."
"I shouldn't have take off my disguise…"
"You'd have to do it sooner or later."
"I know you're right, but I hate this situation!"
Bella sighed.
"Don't worry" suddenly said James, "We're your friends"
Lily smiled.
"I won't be able to thank you enough for it!"
"No need Lil."
Finally, to Lily's relief, the breakfast was over. But, when she saw Dumbledore standing up, she feared what he'll say.
"Students, I've an announcement. As you may have noticed, we have a particular student here. I reintroduce you to Miss Evans, Head Girl."
Gasps were heard. Lily looked at the students, all were looking at her. She saw also Claire and her friends glaring at her.
Then she got up, followed by her friends and they headed to their first class, Charm.
A few minutes after, a quite worried Dumbledore arrived in the infirmary, after looking at Lily.
"Could you explain to me what happened?"
The students looked at each other. Finally Bella spoke.
"Well, I wanted to observe the stars for an Astronomy research. So I went to the Astronomy Tower. Dany and Lizzie decided to accompany me, as I don't like to go alone in the corridors. Once we arrived at the tower, we found that James, Sirius and Peter were already there. We started looking at the stars, when Dany spotted something near the forest. It was Lily. Curious, we decided to followed her. But once in the forest, we got lost. We arrived in a glade and what we saw made us scream. There was a unicorn, laying on the ground, barely alive. Apparently Lily heard our screams and came. Once she saw the unicorn, she seemed deep in thought. Then she sighed and asked us to stay away from her. She waved her wand and her looks changed. She knelt near the unicorn and put her hand on the animal. She started glowing along with the unicorn. We saw the injuries healed in few seconds, then glowed brighter. But after a few minutes, we noticed that the unicorn was getting stronger and brighter meanwhile Lily was becoming weaker and paler. Then the unicorn stood up and get away. Lily fainted. James took her and brought her here while we were checking if the unicorn was alright."
Bella looked expectantly t the headmaster, scared of what he might say. It was part of the truth. Of course, she wasn't about to say that they were unregistered Animagi who had decided to have some fun running with a werewolf at midnight in the Forbidden forest on a full moon.
Dumbledore looked at them.
"Well, I see. It will be 100 points for being outside at night, but I give 150 points to Gryffondor for your bravery and intelligence.
The students looked at each other relieved that they weren't going to be expelled.
"I believe you have found the truth about Miss Evans?" asked Dumbledore.
They nodded.
"She's a Natural, isn't she?"
"Exactly, and a very powerful one. She had been trained to fight Voldemort. But I would like to ask you something. Have you notice any change in her behaviour lately?"
They thought for a moment when Lizzie answered.
"Yes, since she received a letter announcing the death of her parents, she had acted strangely."
"Right, but, if I remembered right, she didn't opened the letter announcing these deaths, she read two blacks letters then got up and left."
"Yes, it's odd. I've also noticed she kept receiving blacks letter every Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays."
"Hm. I think she kept them in the black box on her bedside." Said Dany thoughtfully.
"Really?" asked a concerned Dumbledore. "Could you go take it and bring it here. I would like to have a look at this."
"Sure Professor."
Dany left the room. Everybody remained quiet until her return.
As soon as she came back, she handed a quite big black box to Dumbledore. He took it and try to open it. After numerous attempts he finally managed to opened the box, using a spell the six friends had never heard of.
In the box laid letters. He took them and started to read them silently. While he was reading, the James and his friends saw his face darkened.
Then he looked up at them. All twinkles in his eyes had disappeared.
"Thank you. I think you should go sleeping, you have lessons to attend tomorrow if I'm not wrong."
The six teens nodded and left. Then he turned to the bed where Lily was laying, a very concerned look on his face. At this moment, Lily started to open her eyes slowly. He approached her.
"What happened?" asked she.
"Why haven't you told me?" asked Dumbledore.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~ ~*~~
"Why haven't you told me?" heard Lily. She looked up and saw Dumbledore's face. She noticed he was worried, concerned and that his eyes were full of sorrow. She sighed; she knew that sooner or later, the truth would have come out. She decided to remain silent. She didn't look at him.
Dumbledore saw she was avoiding his eyes.
"Look at me, Lily" he said calmly.
Reluctantly she looked up. In his eyes, she didn't see anger, disgust, but kindness and compassion.
"Why haven't you told me about these letters?" he said, pointing to the black box.
"I couldn't sir. I was afraid. What would have you done? Expelled me for sure! I'm a Natural, the daughter of Voldemort and the cause of several murders. Who would want to keep a girl like that in his school." She quickly said.
"Calm down. I didn't think you have so little faith in me. First you are a Hogwart student no matter what you are, second nobody can choose his parents, it's Fate. Third you're not responsible for these murders. The only one is Voldemort. Don't forget it." Said Dumbledore.
At these words Lily started to cry. She had bottled up her feelings during the past weeks, fearing that if she didn't she would break down. Dumbledore let her cry, he knew that if she didn't, she wouldn't been able to get over it. Seeing Lily like that made him sad. She was a compassionate, trustworthy, courageous girl and would make a great woman. But Fate seemed to have a lot in store for her, and he felt it wasn't the end of it.
She cried for a few minutes. Once she had calmed down, Dumbledore handed her a handkerchief. She took it, thanking him.
"Thank you sir."
"No need my dear. Only promise me to come see me if you received other letters or threats of Voldemort."
Lily nodded, looking relieved.
"Good. Now, why have you nearly killed yourself?"
Lily looked down, ashamed.
"I won't judge you and I think I know why. But you need to say it. It'll help you."
"I wanted to end it. I mean I didn't see reason to live and if I could save an innocent creature, it would have been better." Explained Lily.
Dumbledore remained silent for a while. Then he spoke up.
"I see. I assume you won't do it again?"
"No sir."
"Good. Now what are you doing about Mr Potter and his friends. You're aware of the fact they know your secret."
"I know. Remus had discovered it a little before. I think it'll be better to reveal my true self to everyone. I mean, in a few months I'll be out of Hogwart and it'll be hard for me to hide. Moreover, I think most of the Slytherin knew that there is a Natural in the school and I'm afraid that even if we try to prevent them from telling this to anyone, they may let it skipped in a talk without noticing it."
"You're sure Lily? It's your choice I won't influence you."
"I've made my mind Professor."
"I've think you have made the right choice. I'm proud of you. But I'm warning you it won't be easy. Prejudice are strong in the wizarding world."
"I know, but I'll have to face it sooner or later. But I'd like to keep my parentage a secret. It may be possible for people to accept my nature. But I know for sure that they wouldn't been able to accept me if they knew who is my father."
"I understand. I assume you won't keep your last appearance?"
"Yes, I want to start with my true appearance and my true nature. I won't be able to hide forever."
"So true." He said. "I'm happy for this decision. I was hoping you'll see that hiding wasn't a solution. Mrs Pomfrey had said you could quit the Hospital wing in two days."
Lily sighed, two days locked there, but it was nothing compared to the thought she would have died if James and his friends hadn't been here. Thinking about that she decided that she had to forget that because of them she had been discovered. What was done was done. So she decided to forgive James, Sirius, Peter and Remus.
"Professor? Do you know what could nearly kill a unicorn?"
Dumbledore's face became sombre.
"No, but whatever it is, it's dark."
Lily nodded. The headmaster left after a few minutes, leaving her alone. She quickly fell asleep.
The first day passed uneventfully.
On the second, Lily received an unexpected visit…
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~ ~*~~
James, Sirius, Peter, Remus, Dany, Lizzie, and Bella were standing in the door. Lily motioned for them to come. They approached her bed seeming a bit uncomfortable. Lily saw it and a sad look passed in her eyes. She looked down, not wanting to see fear in their eyes.
The seven friends entered the room. James could say that they were all uncomfortable. Natural were said to be dangerous. But as they approached of Lily's bed, they saw sadness in her eyes before she looked down. He realised their mistake.
"Guys", he whispered to his friends, "I think she thinks that we are scared of her."
"James could you repeat it slowly?" answered Sirius. James didn't listened to him.
"Yeah, I've seen her looks." Added Remus. "But we have nothing to fear."
"You sure?" asked Lizzie. "I mean, I know she is a great girl, but I can't help being a bit nervous. Natural are dangerous, they're said to be dark!"
"They're as dark as me" replied Remus.
"You have a point…" As they were near to Lily they stopped talking. Lily was still looking down, apparently lost in her thoughts.
Suddenly she spoke up.
"I'm evil right. I'm dark, dangerous and should be left alone." The sadness in her voice made them guilty. Dany sat near her and hugged her.
"Never speak of yourself like that! You're a great person! And I'm glad to be your friend!"
"Fr..iend?" stuttered Lily.
"Friend."
"I've never had a friend." Said Lily in a low voice. "I had to hide from everyone in fear of someone finding my secret. I've lived seven years here and until this year nobody had known my name."
"How come we haven't noticed you before. You're not invisible?" asked Sirius
"No, but I noticed that I could make myself become invisible to others. They see me, but they don't record my presence. Like I don't exist."
They starred at her.
"Ok" simply said James. "Now could you give us some information about Naturals?"
Lily seemed to think about it for a few moments before nodding.
Instantly the seven Gryffondors started to ask her questions.
"Oh! Slow down! One at time!" she said, laughing.
And they started to talk. For the following hours they talked happily. At a moment, Dumbledore came, but seeing the eight students chatting animatedly, he left a small smile on his lips. Apparently Lily had found true friends.
The girl explained them a few things, she even showed them some of her powers. Then they left after promising her they would come back tomorrow to get her out of the hospital wing.
For the first time since a long, long time, Lily was truly happy.
The next morning she woke up early and waited for her friends to come. They arrived at 7 o'clock. Then they all headed to the Great Hall. As soon as they entered, heads turned to see them. Indeed, the Marauder were quite popular, so were Bella, Dany and Lizzie. People had noticed that the three girls had stopped to hang out with Claire, even if she remained James's girlfriend. As they now hang out with the Marauders, they had been given evil glares from the female population. But this morning instead of seeing the seven teens together, the students saw a new person with them. She was tall and slim. She had long wavy red hair, green eyes. But what startled the students was her silver pupils, showing her nature. Immediately, whispers could be heard in the hall.
"Look at her!"
"See…the eyes!"
"You're sure?"
"I'm telling you, she's …"
"Do you know her?"
"Never seen her before…"
Lily sighed at this, she hated to be in the spotlight. She had spent so many years in the shadows, that she had to fight a huge urge to make herself invisible.
She sat at the Gryffondor table with Bella on her right and James on her left. The breakfast passed quickly, but by the end of it, Lily had grown slightly annoyed by all the stares she was given and all the whispers.
"Why do they keep doing this?" she muttered to Bella.
"Why Lily? It's not every day they see a Natural."
"I shouldn't have take off my disguise…"
"You'd have to do it sooner or later."
"I know you're right, but I hate this situation!"
Bella sighed.
"Don't worry" suddenly said James, "We're your friends"
Lily smiled.
"I won't be able to thank you enough for it!"
"No need Lil."
Finally, to Lily's relief, the breakfast was over. But, when she saw Dumbledore standing up, she feared what he'll say.
"Students, I've an announcement. As you may have noticed, we have a particular student here. I reintroduce you to Miss Evans, Head Girl."
Gasps were heard. Lily looked at the students, all were looking at her. She saw also Claire and her friends glaring at her.
Then she got up, followed by her friends and they headed to their first class, Charm.