Second Chances
Chapter 14: So this is Hogwarts?
When Severus woke, it was in several stages. First, sensation returned to him. He was comfortably warm and lying in a bed, tucked neatly under thick, soft blankets. His body felt worn and exhausted, which brought the recent events back into his mind. The absence of pain, however, made him ponder where he might be and how long he had been out cold, thus leading him farther on his way to consciousness. The room around him smelled clean, of herbs and potions. His hearing came back, and he became aware of another person's breathing next to him on his right. Paper rustled as the side of a book was turned, while in the background the flickering of flames could be heard. Finally opening his eyes, the first thing Severus saw was the figure of Albus Dumbledore sitting on a chair on the right side of his bed with a book on his lap.
"Ah, Severus, you have finally decided to grant me the pleasure of your presence again," Albus said warmly, looked up and smiled at the younger wizard. "How are you feeling, my dear boy?"
"Still a bit weary, but otherwise fine. How long have I been unconscious?" he asked, trying to sit up against the pillows in his back.
His mentor and friend didn't comment on his premature action, but just leaned forward and helped him gently.
"For about two days. Poppy says you had a lot of sleep to catch up." He watched him inquiringly, his bright blue eyes twinkling despite the slight concern that showed in them. "You would tell me if you were in any pain, wouldn't you? You know we can do something about that and it's not necessary to suffer in silence."
Severus grimaced. "Yes, I know. It was me who made that particular potion as you might remember." He paused before one of the questions he had wanted to ask since he woke up came back to his attention. "What about Malfoy? Did Voldemort try anything?"
"Most fortunately not. After your alarming words I had a little chat with our dear Lucius in which I pointed out that, thanks to my resident Potions' Master, I am well aware of the potentialities of Polyjuice Potion. And that I am personally going to keep an eye on all of the Death Eater's children attending Hogwarts this term. I think he got my meaning." Albus glanced at him friendly over his glinting half-moon spectacles. "I hope you don't mind my telling him that you are back with us again. Since the students will be returning in four days, I saw no point in trying to keep it secret, so I rather took advantage from it to ensure the school's safety. And yours."
Waving his hand in a throwing-away gesture, Severus replied: "I trust you to do what is best for the school and the students. It's not like my personal matters would be of concern to anyone besides you."
Albus eye-brows wandered up towards the line of his white hair. "What made you think that? We were all worried about you when you didn't return on that fateful evening. Even the students, one Harry Potter in particular, asked if you were alright." He gazed at him earnestly. "My dear Severus, I think the time is overdue for you to grow up and finally realize your own worth. There's no use in continuing to value yourself low, not now when others rely on you more than ever."
Severus snorted. "I can't see anybody relying on me, now that I'm not able to spy on Voldemort anymore."
"Then perhaps you should look more cautiously," the Headmaster said softly. "You could start with turning to your left."
Confused, the younger wizard obeyed without second thought and turned to face another bed. A soothingly familiar sight greeted him as he saw his beautiful red-haired friend sleeping peacefully and looking much better than when he had last seen her.
"Lily," he whispered tenderly.
Albus brows rose a bit higher. "So her name is indeed Lily?" he asked.
That made Severus look back to him. "Yes, coincidentally enough, it is. But she is not the Lily we knew."
His mentor nodded. "I assumed that much. Why don't you just tell me what happened during the past few days? I'm certain it will serve to make things clearer."
"Well, I'm not so sure about that," sighed Severus, but started to report the recent events to the Head of the Order of the Phoenix nevertheless.
He let several things out, though, such as the names of the people he had met in the forest and the exact details of what had happened after Lily had saved his life for the first time, only roughly summarizing that part. Albus listened to him attentively, never interrupting him until he could be sure his protégé had finished.
Then he said mildly: "I suppose you have a reason for being that vague about your journey through the DarkWood. Would you care to enlighten me?"
Severus lowered his gaze briefly in discomfort, then looked the older wizard straight in the eye.
"I... She... There are several people she holds very dear that would be in tremendous danger if anything about them leaked out. She saved my life three times, Albus. I owe her more than I can ever make up to her. But I can at least start doing so by keeping her secrets safe until she opts to tell them."
For one moment, Albus' wise, old eyes seemed to look into his very soul, very similar to the way Lily's had on their first evening together. Then he nodded, and squeezed Severus' arm reassuringly.
"I understand. It will be up to her to decide how much she is willing to tell me then," he stated calmly.
Relief washed through Severus, that his old friend didn't make him chose between his loyalty to him and the debt he owed Lily.
"Thank you, Albus. I appreciate that greatly," he replied solemnly.
The white-haired wizard smiled kindly at him. "That's what friends are for, isn't it? I trust you, Severus. And you have proved yourself worthy of that trust on countless times. Just now you have risked your life again by traveling through the most dangerous forest in Britain to warn us of Voldemort's evil plans. If you think there is something about your mysterious companion that I should know, I am fairly certain you would tell me."
Severus chest became tight with emotion. "Albus, I..."
"Fiddlesticks, my dear boy! I wouldn't have said this if you didn't deserve it. Now there is one thing I'd really like to learn more about. You said she transformed into a phoenix?"
Taken aback by the sudden change in topics, Severus just blinked before he answered: "Yes, she did. She looked like Fawkes, only darker in color." He thought for a moment, then added: "On the evening before, she told me she had dreamed about being a bird and flying away on several nights in the past. I think two days ago was not the first time she transformed. She might have done so earlier without realizing it." He looked at Albus questioningly. "But is that possible? Becoming an Animagus is hard work and a lot of practice is needed to master the change. I still have some difficulties with it myself, because I use my panther-form so rarely."
Albus sighed. "I fear there's even more to it. If I remember correctly, there is no person on the list of registered Animagi who could turn into a fantastic beast, let alone a phoenix. Your lovely friend truly presents us with one riddle after the other."
The Potions' Master snorted once again. "That she surely does. Especially when we take into consideration that she told me she was a squib."
"A squib?" the Headmaster exclaimed. "Most certainly not. I have seldom seen a more talented witch. If properly trained, she could likely grow to match even Voldemort in power." He looked at the sleeping woman, shaking his head softly in wonder. "So many unanswered questions. But according to Poppy she should wake soon. If my presence is not required at the moment, I shall make my retreat and grant the both of you some time to talk in private after she has regained consciousness. When you are ready, just call for me by floo, I will come down to meet you then."
"That is fine by me, Albus," Severus replied politely.
Nodding goodbye at him, the old wizard rose, only to turn back when he arrived at the door.
"Oh, I nearly forgot... there is some late breakfast waiting on the small table near the window. See to it, please. Poppy will have my head if she got the impression I kept you from eating," he said, winking at him.
"Don't worry. Lily and I will make sure she finds no reason to complain, Headmaster," Severus answered with a slight smirk.
Albus smiled merrily, and left them alone.
Sighing, Severus let himself sink back into his pillows and just laid there, enjoying the warmth of the blankets and the room, the peaceful silence and the feeling of being safe. Hogwarts would be fine, Lily would wake up soon and he had escaped certain death one more time. This could turn out to be a really nice day.
Letting his gaze wander round the room, he found they were in one of the facilities reserved for patients who had to remain in the Infirmary for a longer time. Finally his eyes came to rest on the sleeping form of his red-haired friend.
'How beautiful she is!' he wondered. 'She looks so peaceful in her sleep, innocent like a child. And yet I have seen her battle hungry Snow-Lizards, evil Death Eaters and menacing Harpies in order to save my life. She really is a miracle. But I would gladly spend my whole lifetime trying to solve the puzzle she presents if that meant we could stay together. The only question is, would she want it, too?'
Severus sighed again, heavily this time. 'Probably not. Once she wakes up, she will be eager to return to the DarkWood to protect her family and her friends. Don't fool yourself, Severus. She's not like you. She has a life on her own, a purpose to fulfill. Soon, she will forget the stranger she has saved and move on. She is not your Lily, remember?'
He couldn't help but add: 'But I wish she was...'
Some time later he realized he had been dozing off when the sound of movements on his left side woke him. Turning towards her, he saw Lily stir and quickly got up and to her bedside. Naturally, he rose too fast and swayed slightly before he gathered his balance and closed the short space between the two beds. He grimaced.
'I'm lucky Poppy didn't see that. It's quite untypical for her to leave her patients on their own for such a long time. Surely Albus has talked her into it. And I have to admit I could get used to it. That woman does really get on my nerves from time to time with all her fussing around.'
His thoughts were drawn back to the woman in front of him immediately when he noticed the fluttering of her eye-lids. A moment later she opened her eyes and looked up at him, the last remnants of sleep still lingering in the emerald depths.
"Severus?" she asked drowsily.
He gently took one of her hands in his. "I'm here, Lily."
She smiled slightly, then frowned. "I've been having one of those dreams again,..." She let the sentence trail off as her gaze slowly cleared and alertness returned to it.
He saw her green eyes widen as she took in her surroundings.
"Where the...?! That was no dream!" she whispered.
"No, it wasn't. Everything was real. You became a phoenix and saved my life -for the third time in a row." He smirked. "We seem to make a habit out of it, don't we?" he joked, trying to lighten the mood.
Confusion started to darken the emerald orbs.
"I only remember parts of it. All seems kind of... clouded. Like... a dream you try to grasp upon waking up in the morning while it struggles to escape you."
She shook her head softly, like in an attempt to clear it. Then she looked up to him again.
"I became a phoenix? But that's impossible! Animagi are only known to assume the form of mundane animals. And I'm a squib! I shouldn't be able to do this at all!" she exclaimed in puzzlement.
Severus let his smirk turn into a genuine smile.
"Sorry to disappoint you," he said in a soft echo of her very first words to him, "but I fear you're as much a witch as I'm a wizard, perhaps even more so. Albus told me that he thinks you could be quite powerful if you got the right training."
Her eyes widened even further and became forest-green with surprise and distress.
"Me? A witch?" she whispered in disbelief. "But why did Grandma never...?" She took a deep breath and seemed to pull herself together with some effort.
"I trust you to be serious about this. I think I'll rather deal with it when I got a bit more acquainted with the thought. For now...," she paused, then blinked.
"Wait a moment! Did you just say Albus? Like in 'Albus Dumbledore'?" she breathed.
He raised an eyebrow questioningly. "That's correct," he confirmed.
She pressed his hand, hard. "Did he see me?" she demanded, fear creeping into her gaze.
"Why, sure," he replied slightly clueless as to what might bother her so much. "He watched over the two of us while we were unconscious, so it would have been rather difficult not to see you. But better him than Madam Pomfrey. She would surely be fussing all over us by now to make sure we 'heal properly'."
Lily paled. "She saw me, too? How much did you tell them?"
"I only talked to Albus and I told him as little as possible. He knows your name, how you saved my life in the DarkWood and later in the Forbidden Forest, and that telling anything farther would put many people in grave danger." He patted her hand calmingly, realizing that she feared for the safety of her friends and family. "Don't be afraid, fire-child. I would trust Albus with my life. I have never seen him betray the trust someone put in him. The little he knows about you will be absolutely safe with him. But I had to tell him at least that much. He is the Headmaster of this school and in his duty to ensure the students' well-fare he has to know whom he grants the hospitality of Hogwarts."
"So this is Hogwarts?" she asked, still sounding thoroughly scared and let her gaze wander round the room.
"Yes," Severus said softly. "Lily..." he began, drawing her eyes back to him, but dropping the rest of the sentence when he saw her face.
She looked so vulnerable and terrified, so lost... Unable to suppress the sudden urge to comfort her, he closed her into his arms and held her tenderly. At first, she tensed briefly, but after a moment she started to tremble and gave in to his embrace.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled into his shoulder, "it's just that I have the feeling my whole world is falling apart... . And that I can do absolutely nothing to prevent it from happening... ."
"Shhh," he murmured soothingly, gently stroking her back. "I know, it's a bit much to cope with at the same time, especially when you're still not completely back to your original condition. Don't worry, this is going to work out just fine and you will be back with your family in no time."
"Please hold me, Severus. Just... hold me..." she whispered barely audible.
And that he did.
'How is it that she can make me feel again after all those years? I'm not supposed to feel, to care. I'm meant to be the mean Head of Slytherin House, the evil Potions' Master, the ruthless Ex-Death Eater, not a love-struck fool who just wants to hold his beloved one forever. I worked so hard to bury these emotions deep inside me after I had to watch Dominick die, and I thought they were finally gone for good when Lily was killed. But now it seems they only hid themselves in a corner of my mind, ready to come out once more when I least expected it.
Now she changes everything by just being there. She causes me to remember, to feel like when I was young again. When I still cared about the people around me and let very few of them become close to me. Before I started to make them stay away from me. But do I want these changes?
My world is small and safe. My world is stable and predictable. My world is secluded and emotionless and cautiously warded.
And I just have the feeling my whole world is falling apart... .
Why couldn't things simply stay the same?'
Severus caressed Lily's dark-red curls in a loving gesture.
'Probably because somewhere deep down I don't want them to...'
Both of them were silent for a while, then Lily sighed and pulled back slightly, just enough to be able to look at him.
"Better?" he asked softly.
She nodded. "Better. Thank you."
Still staying in his embrace, she looked at the room more properly, until her eyes came to rest on her bedside table and she frowned. His gaze followed hers and he noticed that something was lying on it. It was a beautiful, single deep red rose .
"What's that?" he asked curiously.
"A rose," she replied absent-mindedly, but then turned her attention back to him. "Have you seen who left it there?"
"No, I had no idea it was there until you found it. Perhaps you already have a secret admirer?" he teased her friendly.
She didn't answer his question, but leaned forward and took it up. To his amazement, the flower immediately turned into a piece of parchment.
Lily didn't seem surprised at all. Her eyes scanned it briefly, and she soon heaved a sigh of relief, finally relaxing in his arms before looking up to him again.
"It's a letter from Grandma. She writes... Oh, I think it's easiest if you read it for yourself," she said, holding the parchment in a way he would be able to read it. "Sorry, I have to keep holding it, otherwise it would change back into the rose."
Severus nodded and glanced at the letter.
'My dear child,
I sincerely hope this letter finds you well and safe under the protection of Hogwarts.
The Fays and the mares came back today and told us what happened, having watched the battle from the other side of the ravine, unable to interfere.
I know you must have many questions now, and you will get your answers when you are back with us.
As I'm quite sure that Madam Pomfrey won't be willing to let you out of her care for the next few days, I suggest that you ask the Headmaster to talk her into giving you permission to leave by tomorrow.
Use the Short Ways to return to us as soon as possible.
You may bring one person with you if you want to, and you are allowed to tell this person and Albus Dumbledore your mother's and your full name. Albus should remember her, he taught her Transfiguration and was the best friend of your grandfather.
The rest will be explained at a later time.
I'll expect your arrival around dusk tomorrow evening and send someone to get you.
Don't worry, my dear. Everything will work out just fine.
Love,
Grandma Rose'
He didn't lift his gaze from the parchment as he asked calmly: "So you are going to leave tomorrow?"
"Yes, if they let me go. I hoped... ," she paused briefly before she continued softly. "Would you come with me?"
Looking up in pleasant surprise, he saw her eyes were back to emerald again and starting to twinkle slightly. Color had begun to return to her face and she looked better than she ever had during the past few days, more at ease.
"I'd like to, but there's still Voldemort who wants to see me dead," he replied uncertainly.
"The Short Ways are absolutely safe. Nobody outside the DarkWood knows about them, and their creators guard them heavily nonetheless. They will protect us from any harm," she argued.
He quirked an eyebrow at her inquiringly. "If they are so secure, then why didn't we use them on our way to Hogwarts?"
"Because I would never have been allowed to show them to a stranger from outside the wood," she said with regret.
"And now that your Grandmother gave you permission, you can do so," he stated.
She smiled at him, her face wearing a peaceful expression that suited her very well.
"Yes. And I can finally introduce myself properly to you. My name is Lily McGonagall."
"McGonagall?" he exclaimed. "Are you in any way related to Minerva McGonagall?"
She frowned in concentration as she thought about that for a moment. "Just remotely, if I remember correctly. I think we're very distant cousins as it is. Why do you ask?"
"She's the Deputy Headmistress of this school," he replied, wondering what more there was yet to come with getting to know Lily better.
"Perhaps I'll get the opportunity to meet her someday, I'd really like to. But for now, I still believe the less people who know about me, the better."
Severus shook his head in puzzlement. "You know, you never stop amazing me. With every question I find an answer to, you arise several new."
"Should that bother me?" she asked mischievously, "At least that might ensure that you never loose your interest in me..."
He felt his heart skip a beat. "As if I ever could..."
Not sure if he had actually said this aloud and feeling himself blush, he cleared his throat and, catching sight of the covered trays on the small table next to the window, remembered what Albus had told him.
"If we want to leave tomorrow, we should be careful not to give Poppy any reasons to decline. There is some late breakfast on the table under the window, so we best take care of it, what do you think?"
"Sure," she exclaimed eagerly, "I'm starving!"
And thus the two of them rose, made their way to the window and sat down at the small table. He felt a bit awkward in pajamas, though someone, probably Albus, had spared him the usual Infirmary outfit and granted him his accustomed own black ones. Still, he missed his robes! Lily however didn't seem to mind wearing only a long, forest-green nightdress while being out of bed. Her dark-red curls hang loosely down to her waist, giving her a somewhat girlish look he immediately took a liking to.
When they removed the covers from the trays, they thought they could impossibly finish even half of the hearty breakfast the House-Elves had prepared for them. After they had started to eat, though, they found they were both ravenous and soon they had consumed enough of the meal to satisfy even the stern Madam Pomfrey.
"Severus?" Lily asked then, seating herself cross-legged on her chair and leaning back with a cup of tea comfortably, "What's going to happen now?"
He sighed inwardly. His Lily had used to do that exactly the same way.
"Albus asked me to call for him when we are ready. I figure he wants to talk to you. So when you think it's alright for you, I'll tell him by floo."
She put her empty cup back on the table and tilted her head slightly to one side.
"Well, on principle I have no objections, but I would like very much to clean myself a bit and get some clothes before we meet him, if that's possible."
"That should be no problem. If I remember correctly, the door on the left leads to a bathroom which contains both a shower and a tub, as well as anything else you might need," he told her.
Her magnificent eyes turned bright green and twinkled happily with anticipated joy.
"That's absolutely wonderful. Do you mind if I go first?" she asked dreamily, already rising in a smooth motion and glancing longingly at the door he had mentioned.
Severus couldn't prevent an amused chuckle from escaping him. "No, not at all. Off with you, and enjoy your shower."
She turned back to him in surprise. "How did you know?"
He smiled a bit sadly and stood as well. "You resemble Lily not just in your outward appearance."
Her face softened with sympathy and she quickly closed the short space between them to hug him. When she pulled back, she looked him square in the eyes in a way that reminded him strangely of his white-haired mentor and friend, like there was something about him that only she and Albus could see.
"Then perhaps my presence here can help ease the pain a bit that her loss has caused you all those years ago and still does. Sometimes, what seems to be a chance encounter at first may turn out to serve a higher purpose in hindsight. Maybe all of this was meant to happen," she said gently.
Covering his whirling emotions with a sarcastic smirk, he retorted: "Says the woman who told me she doesn't believe in divination."
She just hugged him once more, then left the shelter of his arms and replied in a tender seriousness: "My Grandmother used to say:
'Life is nothing but a series of coincidences, just like a big game of dominoes. If the rows of stones are set up in the right way, all it takes to make them fall is the right course of action. And action can always be controlled by the ones who carry it out. So by choosing our deeds carefully, we set the course for future paths to be taken.'"
She smiled kindly. "One time, I asked her: 'But Grandma, what happens when I make a wrong choice? What can I do when I miss my path?'
And she answered: 'Stones that fell cannot just be set up again. Once a path is chosen, it leads straight on to the next. But if you are lucky, you may come upon a familiar crossing one day and find a path that is quite similar to the one you wanted to take. Then you know that sometimes life gives you second chances. It is up to us what to make of them.'"
And with this said, Lily turned and went to the bathroom.
Severus for his part, kept staring after her for several minutes after she had left through the wooden door, unable to stop pondering what she had just told him.
Then he shook himself out of his thoughts and called for a House-Elf to ask for fresh clothes for the two of them, instructing the little servant on which things to bring him from his wardrobe and to leave those for Lily in the bathroom. The time that passed until she reemerged from the adjacent room he spent thinking about the paths he had chosen in his life and how they might now affect his future.
When she finally returned, his chest began to ache with restrained emotions as his gaze fell on her. She was wearing a plain, yet beautiful emerald gown with golden laces, her long hair cascading down her back and kept out of her face by a cloth in the same colors as the dress. Her face was full of a calm joy and confidence that warmed his heart and changed her appearance from beautiful to striking. She looked well-rested and full of life. He loved her.
Not trusting his voice so far as to try and speak, he just smiled and nodded at her, and fled into the bathroom. After a nice long shower, first cold, then warm, he almost felt like a human being again. Drying himself with a wandless charm, he put on his cherished black clothes and robes. 'Now I feel like myself again.'
Reentering the other room, he found her standing at the window and watching the grounds in fascination. Moving to stand behind her, he glanced over her shoulder to see what she was looking at. Down on the grounds, a group of students was having a snowball-fight. One party seemed to consist of the Terrific Trio, while on the other side he spotted the Weasley twins and their little sister. When he followed her gaze, he realized she was staring at none other than the famous Harry Potter. A sneer formed on his face without him noticing it.
"So you have already spotted our dear Wonder Boy," he drawled silkily.
She jumped at the sound of his voice, and jerked around to face him.
"Hellfire, Severus, can't you make a sound when you walk? You nearly scared me out of my wits!" she exclaimed miffed.
He shrugged nonchalantly. "The bad habits of a teacher, I fear."
Just then noticing his changed looks, she took the new sight in, before she commented: "Well, you surely look like one. I just hope you don't expect me to call you Professor Snape."
He raised an eyebrow at her. "And why should I not?"
"Because I fear I might turn very rude if you ever got the idea of calling me Miss McGonagall," she retorted, grimacing.
Shrugging again, he said: "Then perhaps we better stick to Lily and Severus, what do you think?"
She smiled. "That's fine by me." Returning to the window, she looked down to the students once more. "Who did you say the dark-haired boy is?"
"It's Harry Potter. I take it you know about him?"
"Yes... and no. It seems I didn't know nearly as much as I thought," she replied a bit distractedly.
When he saw her eyes were dark again, he realized she was deeply shaken by something.
"Lily? Is anything wrong?" he inquired softly.
"No, I'm alright. I... just thought I saw somebody down there who looks like a person I know very well. Nothing more." Smiling friendly at him, she added: "Would you mind calling the Headmaster now? I'd rather be done with that conversation as soon as possible."
He accepted her evading to answer his question properly and mock-bowed to her. "As you wish, my lady."
"Thank you very much, my lord wizard."
Both of them grinning, Severus went to the fire-place, threw some floo-powder into the flames and told Albus that they were ready to meet him now. One moment later, his mentor stepped out of the fire, brushing the soot of his sapphire robes. His bright blue eyes sought Lily's immediately, and Severus saw her emerald ones widen in amazement. Albus smiled friendly at her and came over to them.
"It is a pleasure to see you awake and up again, dear child. Take a seat, please. I am Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, as Severus surely has told you. How are you feeling?" he asked kindly while the three of them sat down.
Still slightly wide-eyed but otherwise showing no sign of her surprise, she replied: "Much better, thank you, sir. Severus has indeed told me a bit about you and your school. But the majority of what I know did my Grandmother teach me. She also said you might have known my mother. Her name was Salvia, Salvia McGonagall. I'm called Lily, as Severus already told you."
Now it was the old wizard's turn to be surprised.
"Salvia? Oh dear, of course I remember her! How could I not? A Gryffindor if there ever was one and a remarkable talent for Transfiguration, I dare say a natural with it, that fierce young lady. She had mastered her Animagus form by the end of her second year." He smiled at the memory. "She could turn into a lioness at will. But there has always been some kind of a secret around her... ," he let the sentence trail off, then seemed to return to the present with a jerk.
"So you are her daughter?" He watched her more closely. "Yes, I can see the likenesses now, though your eyes and hair are darker than hers. That I didn't notice it at once... But it has been a long time and I'm not getting any younger."
He sighed. "You know, the both of you strongly resemble your Grandfather, your mother was nearly a carbon copy of him. He was my best friend when I was a student at this school and he always helped me in my fight for the good after our graduation. I would never have been able to defeat Grindelwald back then if James hadn't sacrificed his life and thus given me the chance of striking the dark wizard down. Poor Rose. But almost all of us have lost beloved ones in one or the other of the two Dark Times the Wizarding World had to face during this century. It's the terrible price of war."
He shook his head sadly, then his smile returned. "But hope is always near. Your Grandfather lived through your mother, and now, through you. Please tell me child, what happened to Salvia? And who is your father? There is something in your features that seems vaguely familiar to me, but I just fail to recall the face it reminds me of."
"I know almost nothing about my father since he was killed by Voldemort before I was born. My mother didn't survive my birth either, so I was raised by my Grandmother. She doesn't talk about them often, and I refrain from asking her because I know how much it still hurts her. I'm certain that she will tell me what I need to know in her own time. I can wait," Lily said calmly.
Albus nodded in understanding. "I never met your Grandmother, but from the letters she wrote me, she appeared to be a very wise woman and I believe she will not disappoint you."
She smiled back at him. "So do I. Talking of letters, just today she sent me a note asking for my return as soon as possible, and she told me I could bring one other person. Professor Snape is already acquainted with traveling the DarkWood and has kindly agreed to accompany me, so could we arrange our depart for tomorrow noon?"
The white-haired wizard's brows wandered up and laid his forehead in wrinkles, but his eyes started to twinkle.
"Alas, I fear that might be a bit too soon for Madam Pomfrey's liking. You have to take into consideration that both of you have been unconscious for about two days and just woke up a couple of hours ago. She'll surely want to look after you for the next few days until she can be certain that you are completely healed."
Lily's emerald eyes twinkled cautiously back. "Grandma suggested that you might help to... speed matters up a bit."
"You mean I should talk her into it," Albus stated, his blue orbs bright with amusement.
She managed to look sweet and innocent though the twinkle was evident by now. "I wouldn't have put it that way, but who am I to contradict the wise Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?"
Both of them grinned, twinkling at each other, and Severus couldn't help but chuckle. They were really two of a kind.
Looking at him, Albus' grin turned into a fatherly smile, before he shifted his gaze back to Lily.
"It seems I have to admit defeat. Hearing that particular sound from my severe Potions' Master must indeed be a sign that the two of you are well enough to leave by tomorrow, for I cannot remember having heard him chuckle in quite a long time. If you don't mind, however, I intend to utilize your remaining time here as well as possible. As we don't know when Lily will be able to return to us, you, young lady, and I will work on your control over your Animagus form. Severus, I believe you may want to check on your lab and prepare your equipment. Do you have a spare wand in your quarters?"
The younger wizard nodded. "I still have my first wand. It should do well enough after some practice."
"That's good to hear. Now, I'll better go and visit Poppy so that you can return to your dungeons, Severus. Lily, I think we both agree that you best remain here where no-one but Severus, Poppy and me will know of your presence. I will return as soon as I finished my talk, and we'll see what we can do about your transformation skills. My dear boy, you will join us for dinner later on, won't you?"
Severus shrugged, though he had every intention to do so. "Sure."
Albus beamed at them happily. "Excellent. Then we best start now. I'll see you later," he said and bustled out of the room.
Lily looked after him and smiled merrily. "I really like him. He's absolutely remarkable."
"That he is. He is the greatest wizard of our time. And a good friend." He stood and glanced down at her. "I guess I better take my leave now as well. There's much to do and just one day time for it."
She nodded and rose gracefully, too. "I'll see you later then?" she asked.
"Yes. Good luck."
"To you, too. Be careful."
"I will, if you'll be, too."
"Deal."
°°°°°°°°°°
A/N:
Thank you all very much for the nice reviews!!!
I was especially touched by those of LilyEvansPotter, who reviewed nearly every single chapter in a great manner. This chappie is for you!
I'm sorry it took me so long, but I've already told you that dialogs are hard on me. In return, this is the longest chapter so far. I just hope I didn't make too many mistakes, but I really wanted to post this even though it's four o'clock in the morning.
In the next three chapters there will be a MAJOR plot twist. You'll get to know Lily's family and thus many OCs will be presented. I just hope that you bear with me through the next few chapters, although the story may seem to change dramatically. Everything will be explained later.
How will everything at Hogwarts work out? What will Lily's family be like? And will Lily get the answers she is looking for?
Greetings,
Scheckie