a n d t h e n t h e r e w a s o n e
Author's note… Thank you to the reviewer who told me about the Avada Kedavra. Its bad of me, but I don't consult the books or any websites to write my ff! The books get too long to sift through, and I just want to get the story written out. so thank you soo much!!…=)
Disclaimer… All recognizable characters, plotlines belong to JK Rowling. Drew, Myall, the Elia group, and the plotline belongs to me. Although, I have adapted many of the concepts from the WB show, Charmed, into this fanfic.
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HEALING PROCESS
"I nearly died when McGonagall told me about what had happened to the boys."
"You nearly died? Hello, I was there too! I just couldn't believe it."
"I hope she told Nat as soon as she sent us to the hospital wing. Nat would kill us if she didn't find out about what happened to James."
James open his eyes gradually. He had heard footsteps coming into the hospital wing, but was too tired and drained to find out who they belonged to.
"Look, speak of the devil, he's waking up."
"James…you ok?" James saw Drew peering over him.
"Yeah…" he moaned. Then the events of the night before started to come to him.
"Sirius…Remus…Peter…are they…"
"They are fine," Myall said assuringly. "Madame Pomfrey fixed them up last night, but I am afraid that judging from their injuries, they still have a couple more hours of sleep in them."
James struggled to sit up, but his entire body was aching all over.
"Oww…!"
"James!" Both Myall and Drew rushed over to help him up.
"Take it easy…" Drew said in a gentle yet stern voice. "You went through a lot last night."
"Indeed he did." Came a voice behind them. It was Professor Dumbledore.
"James, how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine, Professor. I need to ask you about what happened after last night. Is…" James began, but stopped when he saw Dumbledore give him a look that told him not to say anymore in the girls' presence.
"The events of last night has been taken care of, I assure you, James."
"Sir," Drew said meekly. "Do you know who was behind these attacks?"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled and they met with James'.
"An investigation is underway, Ms Cressidier. In the meantime, what's important is that your friends are nursed back to good health. I trust you girls to take care of that."
The girls nodded immediately. Suddenly the door opened ever so quietly.
"James…" Natalie rushed to his side and hugged him. "I heard what happened…im so sorry."
"Natalie, why are you sorry?" James murmured into her ear.
"Because the past week I was mad at you…and now, after what had happened, I feel….guilty."
"No hard feelings, Nat." James said, kissing her lightly on the cheek.
That very moment, Madame Pomfrey stepped into the room.
"Ah, visitors. Just what my patients need." She said sarcastically.
"Ah, Poppy," Dumbledore said in a cheerful tone. "We wont disturb you any longer. I just need to have a word with James, and I shall be off. Could you and the girls please excuse us."
Pomfrey sauntered off, muttering something under her breath, while the girls nodded and turned towards the door. Natalie blew James a kiss, and he waved back. As the door closed, Dumbledore grabbed a chair and sat next to James.
"Sir…where's…"
Dumbledore raised his hand, calling for silence.
"Ms Evans was not hurt physically last night. That explains why she isn't here. However, I need to speak to you about last night. About what you saw." Dumbledore said seriously.
"I know…" James muttered silently. "I know who she is now…"
"Her uncle and auntie has been at pains to protect her identity from the magical world, especially at times like this where the presence of the dark arts are more evident than ever. I hope you understand that."
James looked at Dumbledore.
"I would never tell anyone. I respect Lily. A respect that grew after last night."
Dumbledore nodded gravely.
"Indeed, I see that, James."
"But what about Sirius and Remus and Peter, no doubt they will be asking questions. And those cloaked figures. They might say something."
"For your friends, I have a plausible explanation on my belt already. As for your attackers, I have performed a spell on their wands that Ms Evans took from them. The wands will automatically force its owner to change the subject the minute they are about to expose Lily."
"But sir, the other death eater. The one that Lily battled. You couldn't…"
Dumbledore's face fell to an unusual grave expression.
"No, I was unable to stop him. That…James… remains my greatest worry. The fact that such a person got so close to the castle worries me. Had the centaurs not arrived…I'd hate to even imagine what will happen."
There was a brief pause as James took in the severity of Professor Dumbledore's words. But his thoughts kept going back to the same person.
"Sir…where's Lily?"
Dumbledore, who was looking out the window, glanced back at James.
"As I had just said before, Lily wasn't hurt physically, but she is dying emotionally right now…you see, something else happened last night…"
* * * * * * * * *
"Miss Lily…"
Lily opened her eyes. They could barely stay open, swollen after all that crying from the night before. Lily didn't even remember falling asleep. The last thing she remembered was walking aimlessly around the castle until she reached the kitchens. She remembered Clover hugging her, the house elf herself sobbing as the rest of the house elves rushed to give Lily food. But Lily wasn't hungry. She didn't feel anything. Just really numb.
"Miss Lily has to eat, its almost afternoon, and miss lily hasn't even had breakfast, let alone lunch."
Lily forced herself to get up.
"Alright, Clover. I'm awake."
"miss lily has to eat, please!"
Lily sat up and starred at Clover's eyes.
Lily:
I grew up thinking that I had no family. After all, my family left me with Aunt Bessie. Then Uncle Barto. But, a big part of me realised that, as I grew up, all those years of moaning about being 'family-less' was wasted because I failed to see my family right there in front of me.
I realised a family wasn't sharing the same blood through your veins. It was about unconditional care and love. Aunt Bessie and Uncle Barto gave me unconditional love. And now, I see it in Clover's eyes. My friend, my family.
Lily forced a smile onto her face.
"Thanks Clove. I'll just have a croissant, thanks."
"miss lily has to eat." Clover repeated nervously.
Lily reached over and touched Clover's face.
"Thank you…but I will be fine." Then Lily gave Clover a hug.
"I'm going for a walk…" Lily said, getting up and stretching her legs.
"Is Miss Lily going to be ok?" Clover asked in a panicked voice.
"Yeah…but, I need you to do find something for me."
* * * * * * * * *
It took so much convincing for Madame Pomfrey to let James go. After all, as he tried to convince her, he was alright, just slightly sore. It was due to a lot of whinging and Pomfrey's fear of what would happen to her hospital wing should the other boys wake up with James there, that she reluctantly let her go.
James walked slowly past the portrait and tickled the pear. It opened slowly, and he was greeted with a flurry of house elves.
"Master want food?"
"We have lots of cereal from this morning..."
"Where is Master's friends?"
James tried to hush them up while looking over them. As his eyes drifted to the fireplace, he found what he was looking for.
He managed to untangle himself from the crowd and made his way to the lone house elf sobbing gin the corner.
"Clover." He whispered, tapping her on the shoulder. The house elf turned around and squeled.
"Master James… how is Master James today?"
"I am fine Clover, but I need to see Lily…"
Clover's eyes fell.
"Miss Lily is very upset, Master James. She is spent last night crying."
"Where is she?" James asked in a tone of urgency.
"She…is…I don't know." Clover said, then sobbing. James bent down and looked at the house elf in her eyes.
"I am Lily's friend. I want to be there for her, as she was for me last night. Please tell me where she is."
Clover returned James' gaze.
Clover:
Miss Bessie is right. Master James reminds me so much of Master Barto. The look in their eyes. Is all the same.
"Ok…I will tell you."
* * * * * * * * *
The lake was frozen solid due to the winter season. It was about a month ago when Lily had fondly remembered saying goodbye to the Dolphis as they migrated for the winter season. There was no one around due to the freezing winter conditions, but right now Lily's pain and grief was keeping her warm.
She walked calmly towards the edge of the river. She felt the cold wind blowing at her face. Then, she bent down, and gently touched the flat surface of the lake.
Lily:
Skating was my biggest fear when I was young. I remember when uncle Barto first took me to the lake. He promised me he would make it snow if I at least went with him there. The minute I stepped onto the ice, I was so scared of falling over that for subsequent trips I would make up all these reasons not to go. And I also began to realise that he couldn't creates miracles with nature, much to my disappointment.
So when uncle Barto saw through my excuses, he sat me down and said: "Lily dear, every time you fall, it doesn't hurt as badly as the time before. don't be afraid to fall, because it is better to get up and be thankful you tried it, than to stand on the side and regret not trying at all"
Lily sat down and put her skates on. It felt so small, so new… yet it felt like an old friend. Then she got up and laughed as she wobbled a bit. Its been so long… she thought to herself.
She gently stepped onto the ice and wobbled a little more as she took a few strides. But a couple of minutes later, it was like the old times. Lily spun around, even tried the dreaded triple axle she was so scared of with success. After a few more turns, Lily subconsciously turned around to the edge and waved.
Then she stopped embarrassingly. Uncle Barto isn't there anymore, she thought to herself. She slowed down a bit and came to a halt.
She stood there for a while, looking around at the lake, pondering what was in store for her in the future. There was so much to think about, so much to absorb. Her life as bizarre as it was before last night, got even more bizarre.
There was the other Elian that Aunt Bessie spoke of. She said that she was in Russia. Did Aunt Bessie expect her to go to Russia to see her? What was she going to do for Lily anyway?
And then there was her family. The family that Lily had long thought didn't love her.
"…your family never left you, Lily. They never did, and never will…"
And finally, what puzzled her most was her last words.
"…he loves you…just as your uncle loves me…I see it in him..."
Just then, she felt a gush of wind that nearly knocked her off her feet. She looked up and saw a figure on a broomstick. It doubled back and headed towards her. It was James Potter. He alighted off his broom and ran towards her. Without saying a word, he took her into his arms and embraced her.
Lily didn't know whether it was the pain of losing her aunt finally taking its toll, or whether it was just James' compassionate hug in his comforting arms, but she began to weep silently, as she did the night before.
James didn't ask. He didn't even say anything. He just stood there and held Lily in his arms. He admired her courage and sympathised her for her pain.
After what felt like a long time, Lily pulled away.
"I'm really sorry for putting you through this." Rubbing tears from her eyes.
"Nonsense, Lily…don't you dare think in such a way. You saved my life last night. Not to mention the other boys' lives. They owe you a thank-you, which they will, but not to the extend that you deserve. Dumbledore said they will only be told part of the truth about the events of last night."
"Are they alright?" Lily asked.
"Yeah, Pomfrey did her trick… but what about you?"
"I am fine…just…"
"Dumbledore told me what happened. I am so sorry, Lily. I really am. Its not fair."
"No…it isn't." Lily mumbled.
James noticed that she was shivering. He took off his robe and placed it around her. Lily pushed it away.
"You are not feeling too well, you keep your robe." But James pushed her hand away and draped it over her, allowing her auburn hair to fall on top of it.
"Lily…"
"Lily…look at me."
Lily glanced up.
"Look me in the eyes."
Slowly, Lily looked into his chocolate brown eyes. James smiled at her.
"I know I am not your aunt, or your uncle…or even Clover. But I am your friend. A good friend."
"I know we didn't start out the best of friends…" James continued. "but I feel as though we will for a long time."
Lily:
I have NEVER trusted anyone before outside my uncle and my auntie. I always have always trusted them with my life. How much could I trust this person whom I feel so drawn to?
Uncle Barto once said: "Trust is a commodity in life that's even harder to acquire than wisdom and friendship. To trust someone is to give them the spare keys to your life, when they are more likely to leave it around or show it off to their friends. Very few keep it in the safest place in the world: next to their own."
And they stood there as they were until…
"Lils, look…" James said excitedly. "Its snowing…"
Lily looked up and smiled.
Lily:
Miracles do happen, uncle Barto. You couldn't fool me for long.
* * * * * * * * *
Lily stood in front of a semi circle of centaurs with their heads bowed down. From the distance, she could hear Kamelia galloping towards her, with a wreath around her head. As Kamelia approached Lily, the centaur bent her head and Lily removed the wreath. Then Kamelia bowed.
"Besselia was a great Elian. You should be proud of her, Lillian. She has shown more dedication and loyalty to the Elian order than anyone I have ever known."
Lily nodded and bowed her head in return.
"Thank you Kamelia. I am sure she would not have achieved as much as she did without your help."
Then Kamelia stepped back and joined the rest of the centaurs as the bonfire in front of Lily continued to burn.
"Dear Auntie Bessie and Uncle Barto. This is for you."
"I can never forget
The day we met
You took me into your heart
Till the day our hands depart
You are the kindest soulThe world has ever had
You're the only one I know
Who'll never treat me bad
You touched me
With your courage and spirit
You believed in me
When our heart wasn't in it
You took me
On a journey so grand
You taught me
To carve my dreams in the sand
To take me on this journey
You possessed the guiding light
I'd never come this far
Had you let me out of your sight
You have the biggest heart
The world has ever seen
You play the biggest part
Of the dream I are living in
You are not with me now
But my head is still up high
I am coping somehow
I am still learning to fly
But together, for eternity
I will keep your flame burning
And in your memory, believe me
Our dreams will keep on living
You have touched me
In more ways than you know
I'll miss you, my dear
And will never let you go."
At the end of that, Lily reached into her robes of what remained of the Aunt Bessie's tattered book. She ran her hands over it, and without thinking, threw it into the bonfire.
The flames shot up, and spat golden fire words into the air
"Achieve greatness with thy heart"* * * * * * * * *