Disclaimer: I don't own anything you'll recognize!
A/N: I want to apologize for the time it took to update this story. I was thinking of deleting it, as I no longer enjoy writing it. But one of my friend nearly bit my head off when I told her. Since when she kept on nagging me to finish it: saying that I started it and had to finish. Moreover several people reviewed asking for more, that's them that, in the end, convinced me to continue with it.
Without more talk, off with the story.
Naia
Chapter Eleven
Lily looked at her friends, shocked.
"H-How much have you heard?" she asked in a whisper.
She didn't need an answer, their shocked looks answered for them. Looking at them, she could even see fear….
She nearly cried. For once, Voldemort had been right, they were afraid of her. Restraining her tears, she turned to look at the Headmaster and took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice calm.
"May I be excused, Professor? I believe that you don't need me anymore. If I learn anything new, I'll contact you immediately."
Dumbledore looked attentively at her and she could see him hesitating. Casting her more pleading look, she hoped he would agree.
He sighed reluctantly.
"You may, Miss Evans. Before you leave, will you allow me to show some of your letters to their families to explain…?"
Without a word, Lily raised her hand and flicked it, making her black box appear on Dumbledore's desk.
"Thank you Miss Evans. You may go."
"Thank you Professor."
She headed towards the door. As she passed near her friend, they looked at her, still quite stunned. Peter even took a step backwards.
Lily clenched her fists she had to leave quickly or she wouldn't be able to control herself. She left and after a few seconds, as soon as she heard the gargoyle closed the door, she ran outside, blinded by her tears.
Her instincts led her to the forest, as she didn't really know what to do.
She wandered aimlessly through it, some times stopping to lean on a tree or to help an animal. Finally she arrived in the glade where she had found the wounded unicorn she looked around and decided to stay here for a bit.
She sat and started playing with a small twig. Suddenly she heard something on her right. Immediately, she was on her feet, facing some bushes. She immediately fell in a defensive stance, waiting for what was coming to show itself.
Slowly a horn appeared through the bushes. The young witch relaxed, seeing the unicorn stepping in the glade. The beautiful beast approached her slowly. As always, Lily felt at peace in the unicorn's presence.
:: I want to thank you, young one::
Lily jumped a bit, startled and looked towards the unicorn.
"Why?"
:: For helping me a long time ago and almost losing your life in the process. ::
"It was you!" exclaimed Lily, realization hitting her. "How are you?"
:: Fine, thanks to you. ::
"Glad to hear it!"
:: What are you doing here tonight? ::
There was a silence.
"I don't know… I needed to be alone…"
:: Why's that? ::
Lily pondered this question…..
"I don't really know…. My friends, the people who were here when I healed you, found out about my parentage."
:: Yes, the werewolf and the human-animal, but what has them finding about your parentage to do with you wanting to be alone? ::
"Everything… Let's just say that my father isn't someone very …. How to put it…. Nice…. They fear him and now they fear me."
:: But they're your friends! ::
"I don't know anymore….."
:: Have they done anything implying that you weren't their friend anymore? ::
"No, not really….. But I could see fear in their eyes…. How can they be my friends if they fear me?!"
:: Did you talk with them about it? Did you hear what they had to say about it? ::
Lily looked down.
"No, I thought…. I don't know…."
:: You should listen to them before doing anything. ::
"I don't know what to do anymore…"
:: Talk with them. ::
"Perhaps you're right."
:: Go ahead; I'm sure they won't mind. After all, they stayed with a werewolf, who is far more dangerous than you. Why should they desert you if they support him? ::
Lily smiled a bit at the unicorn's vehemence.
"Alright, I'm gonna go and see them."
:: Good, if they decide to leave you, you're always welcome in the Forest, you or your descendants, you have my word. ::
"Thank you, it means a lot to me. What's your name?"
:: Miraleeze. ::
"Thank you again."
:: You're welcome and now, go back to your kind. ::
"Good bye, Miraleeze."
:: Good bye, may you shine. ::
They parted. Lily looked around her, trying to remember where she was. She quickly situated herself. She wasn't far away from Hogsmeade.
She decided to enter the castle using the passage linking Honeydukes to Hogwarts.
It was nearly midnight, and she knew she'd have to break into the store. She finally arrived at the village and crossed the street. As she passed in front of the three Broomsticks, she saw two men exit the pub. They looked up at her as she passed near a street lamp. It was something she had never understood: how did this lamps function without electricity. She was a few meters away from them as she eyed them, making sure she didn't know them.
Relieved, she continued on her way, not seeing the two men looking at each other.
The taller whispered to the other a few words:
"Is it her?"
"It's a red-head for sure, but I'm not sure if it's the one…"
"Well, we'd better check it; the master would be pleased if we brought her back to him."
"Why not check? We've nothing to loose."
Loudly, he spoke up.
"Miss! Miss!"
Not wanting to look suspicious, Lily stopped and turned to look at them.
They ran to her.
"Sorry to bother, but wanted to know if you could indicate us the way to the Owl post…"
"Sure, but I think it's closed at this hour."
Saying it she pushed a lock of her hair out of her face.
The two men looked at each other smirking. The smallest nodded.
"It's her."
The other had taken his wand out and before Lily could react he had stunned her. She had just the time to let go a mental cry for help before falling on the grounds. The tallest bent down and took her left wrist.
"Let's go"
They apparated out of sight, the only hint indicating Lily had been there was a small necklace, she had broken in her fall and which was holding her parents' photo.
A stray cat which had witnessed the whole scene approached, sniffed the necklace, and took it in his jaws, before starting to run towards the castle.
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Albus Dumbledore eyed the youths before him.
The girls were looking a bit confused, but weren't looking frightened or disgusted, mostly lost and curious. His gaze moved to the boys: young Peter was on the other hand afraid, it was clear in his attitude: the way he kept throwing quick glance at the door as if expecting Miss Evans to come back and killed them. The three other boys, well, young Mr Lupin seemed willing to help, but it was predictable coming from him, being a werewolf, he was open minded. Young Mr Black seemed torn between two feelings, and James Potter was starring at his hand, apparently deep in thought.
"I think the muggle proverb "Curiosity killed the cat" is appropriate to this situation, don't you think?"
They stared at their feet.
"I'm a bit disappointed in you, I must say. I thought you'd at least respect Miss Evans' wish for secrecy."
"We wanted to help her sir," said Bella quietly.
"I can understand that Miss Fig, but are you still willing to, now that you know her secret?"
"I think so, sir, she remains my friend. We can't choose our parents, and I admire her for coping with this." She said, proudly.
"Really, Miss Fig, would you say the same thing if your parents were killed by Voldemort, wouldn't you blame her?"
"I don't know, but I don't think I would. She isn't responsible for her father's actions."
"Thank you Miss Figg. I'm happy to see Miss Evans has a good friend."
His gaze shifted to the others.
"Your families will be here shortly. They will stay at Hogwarts for the time being. Voldemort wants Miss Evans to join him at all costs, and he's threatening to kill her friends' families if she keeps on refusing his offer. She warned me immediately and I asked your relatives to come immediately. You can stay if you want to."
At that moment, the flames in the fireplace turned green and people started to step out of it.
For the following moments, everybody talked at the same time. Finally, things settled a bit and the adults turned to the Headmaster, while Sirius', Peter's, Arabella's, Danny's and Lizzie's siblings joined them.
Then the explanations started.
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At the same time, Lily opened her eyes.
"Slivia… How nice of you to come and see me…"
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