Betrayed
VI
Summary: Love conquers all... or does it?
Disclaimer: All. Harry. Potter. Characters. Are. Not. Mine. Jeez.
"I can't believe we didn't even find a trace of him!"
"Calm down. If we have to, we'll try again tomorrow."
Sirius groaned and abruptly sat down on a nearby rock, muttering angrily to himself. Remus just sighed before collapsing on the muddy ground itself. Sirius is right, he said to himself. We practically looked everywhere in this forest, yet no trace of James at all.
Although their original plan was to apparate back to their house right after they gave up, Remus and Sirius somehow bumped into each other during their frantic search. Now, both tired and weary from their long, grueling investigation (it wasn't easy walking through a forest in which you almost literally couldn't see anything), they decided to reveal what they currently knew... which, unfortunately, wasn't much.
"I told him that he should've lived with us!" Sirius roared indignantly, abruptly standing up.
"It was his choice," Remus replied steadily, although he was now beginning to think that himself.
"I bet some of Voldemort's Death Eaters kidnapped him," Sirius continued to rant on. "For all we know, he's being tortured and laughed at right htis instant!"
"For all we know, he could be dead."
Sirius stopped for a moment as he realized the meaning of Remus' harsh remark. He looked as if he wanted to add something but decided against it as he continued:
"That guy already suffered enough! Especially after Lily-..."
Sirius once again stopped as another realization hit him. Remus suddenly stood up, his eyes becoming alert.
"Lily apparated back to her house, right?" he questioned Sirius, hoping against hope that this was true.
"How in the hell would I know!" Sirius nearly screamed back at him. "Sorry... I didn't mean to be that loud..." he then apologized fully.
"It's okay," Remus sighed once more. "I'll try to apparate to her house to see if she's there."
Sirius nodded as his friend pulled out his wand and performed the spell. However, nothing happened.
"That's strange..." Remus frowned and made another futile attempt. "Somehow something in this forest is preventing me from apparating..."
"Maybe you just forgot how to do it," Sirius cracked one of his jokes only to be met by a furious glare.
"Why don't you try, Padfoot?" Remus inquired coolly.
Sirius shrugged before taking out his wand and performing the spell, too. Unfortunately, he stayed where he was. Remus frowned, trying to figure out what was happening as Sirius desperately tried again.
"It's this forest," Remus finally concluded, watching Sirius fail for the tenth time. "Something in this forest is making it impossible for us to apparate."
"That must mean..." Sirius began, but by now, both knew.
For once, Remus stomped his foot and swore.
"The only way out of this place is by foot," Sirius voiced their thoughts grimly. "And Lily is still in here, somewhere else. This is going to take forever."
"It's not only that," Remus stated, frowning as if talking more to himself than to Sirius. "If something in this forest is preventing us from apparating, it means that it can also prevent us from doing other things. Plus, this forest... it makes me feel uncomfortable... it's as if it's... it's... evil."
Sirius didn't bother to comment on the absurdity of that last remark because he felt it, too. Before, he would just ignore the lurking feeling, but now it was impossible.
"What else can possibly go wrong?" Sirius growled angrily, starting to walk in circles.
His friend was too busy gazing at the sky to answer. Before, when they were searching for James separately, the thick, dark foliage prevented them from seeing the sky at all. But they were now at a location where the heavens above were very visible. All of a sudden, Sirius could hear Remus draw his breath and gasp. Turning abruptly to his friend, Sirius asked:
"What is it?"
Pale and stiff, Remus didn't answer but merely pointed at a distinct object. Sirius looked up and gasped, too.
"Oh no, oh no..." he moaned, gritting his teeth.
In all their frantic searching, Sirius forgot that tonight was a full moon. He turned back to Remus, who was now starting to transform: his limbs were trembling uncontrollably as his head and body extended. A twisted snout was forming as his shoulders arched and his body started to grow shaggy hair. Hands transformed into huge paws with sharp, deadly claws, and the werewolf faced Sirius, snarling and ready to kill.
Holy shit.
----- ----- -----
"Of course."
James immediately let go of Lily as he stepped away, his steady gaze still on her. Meanwhile, the girl was gaping at the darkened figure, who was completely hidden in an enveloping black cloak like his servants. However, he stood taller, more dignified that the rest, and the redhead now noticed that everyone in the room except James and her was bowing to the Dark Lord.
"Hello, Lily," Voldemort softly hissed.
"It's Evans to you," Lily answered coldly once she regained her speech ability.
A few Death Eaters near her gasped in surprise, and many of them gave her furious glares.
"My, aren't me touchy..." the Dark Lord shook his head in mock regret. "You wouldn't do at all, Lil-... I mean Evans."
He then showed his fangs, which glistened with the light of the candles. Lily couldn't help shiver at the gruesome sight, and she once again wondered what Voldemort had installed for her. Oh well, she pondered bitterly, it can't be worse than what I just experienced. She suddenly felt a cold, yet burning hand on her cheek, and abruptly, harsh pain was coursing through her. Don't scream, don't scream... she told herself, although it seemed as if fire was eating away her flesh.
"A very strong girl, aren't you?" Voldemort asked, grinning maliciously as he finally lifted his hand from her face.
Lily continued to stare defiantly at him, although she could still feel the vivid pain. In fact, her whole body seemed to be aching over, and she knew that she was terribly weak because of the large amount of blood she lost. Even now, as she stood face-to-face with the Evil One himself, blood continued to flow from the deep gash on her shoulder.
"And very hurtful, too," the imposing wizard added sweetly
"What...?" Lily raised her head up, surprised at that last comment.
"Why... you don't know what I mean?" Voldemort pretended to be shocked, although he was smiling derisively. "Don't you remember the night you broke dear James' heart so mercilessly without a second thought?"
Laughs could be heard from the Death Eaters as Lily gasped, horrified. She turned to James, who continued to stare at her with eyes that were now blazing with hatred. She could feel her heart breaking as she remembered how hurt and dejected he looked that night... If only he knew... she wistfully thought, but then she shook her head.
"You know, Evans," Voldemort sneered, beginning to circle slowly around her, "I want to thank you."
Lily stared at the Evil One, astonished beyond words. Even his Death Eaters paused, shocked but waiting for their master to continue.
"If you haven't left poor James to suffer for another guy, you wouldn't be in this situation at all. Instead, you would probably be the luckiest girl in the world. Imagine yourself sitting comfortably in your warm home, reading the newspaper contentedly and knowing that you have a loyal lover who not only works against the Dark Lord, making a big difference everyday, but will protect you no matter what. You two would've made a very happy couple."
Lily continued to gaze at Voldemort as the words began to sink in. James... she thought, and her heart wrenched again as she realized how much it must've hurt him... and how much it hurt her now.
"Instead..." the Dark Lord began, beginning to smile as his voice became gradually louder, "you gave all that up for somebody else. And now look at the big difference: you are now living in doubt about Amos while the Ministry has a spy in its own headquarters. Everyday vital information is given to me, weakening Dumbledore's forces and making me stronger. Not only that, but hundreds of the Ministry's top people are done with because of my top assassin here..." he nodded towards James, who just stood there, unmoving as always, "... and you're about to become one of them."
Voldemort then loudly cackled, and soon his mirth was accompanied by the laughter of his servants. The redhead girl gasped once more as James approached her, his eyes now frighteningly empty.
"You can do the honors, James," Voldemort chuckled, stepping aside.
"No, James... please don't do this," Lily pleaded, her eyes threatening to spill with tears.
"Evans, I honestly didn't see this happen, and if I could've controlled it, it would've never happened," James echoed the words Lily told him that fateful night.
"No..."
No, please don't go against me, James. Please don't use my words. Please don't hurt me. I don't want to die now because I...
"Good-bye, Lily," James said quietly and raised his wand.
However, he was not fast enough, because all of a sudden, Lily pulled out her wand, pointed it at James, and screamed:
"Accio wand!"
His wand suddenly flew out of his hand, landing neatly on the girl's expectant palm.
"Give me my wand," James ordered her in a soft but dangerous voice.
He started walking towards her, and she staggered backwards, afraid. The Death Eaters drew their breaths, waiting for James' next move. He kept gaining on her, and as she kept trying to walk away from him, Lily knew that in the end, she would die anyway.
"James, no... no..." she kept stammering that to him, although the words clearly meant nothing as he came closer and closer.
Suddenly, she tripped and fell. Her head hit the wall that was suddenly right behind her, and she moaned in pain as her damaged shoulder collided against the hard, dirty concrete. She felt James gently take his wand from her hand, and as he pointed it to her heart, he whispered:
"Any last words?"
"James, James..." Lily began, her body shaking with violent sobs.
She now didn't care if she broke down; she was going to die anyway.
"James... I don't know what happened to you. One day you're the sweet boy I always liked... the next day, you're against me. Ever since the first moment we met... it's been like that... why?"
"People change," he replied coolly.
"It's not only that!" Lily cried, and now tears flowed freely, staining her face and her clothes. "I know I've hurt you a lot, and I know you're still heartbroken... but why did you have to join Voldemort...? You've always hated the Dark Arts, and you always wanted to fight against him alongside with Dumbledore. And suddenly you're killing people for him and betraying people who trust you. Why...?"
"He gave me an offer."
"That's not a good enough reason!" Lily shouted at him, and suddenly, it was as if they were having one of their rows back when they dated.
Even when she was lying there, helpless and at his mercy, and even when he was gazing at her with no compassion at all, it suddenly felt as if they were having one of their usual fights...
"James Potter! I hate you and I don't want to see you ever again!"
"No, Lils, you seriously don't mean that..."
"I HATE YOU!"
"Fine then! See if I care!"
She had to suppress a smile as she remembered that he always came back to apologize. But when... when was the last time did she apologize him for something she did wrong...?
"James... don't you want to come back to us?"
"No."
"It's possible... you know. I'm sure that deep down, you don't want to kill people for Voldemort. Deep down, you want to go back and join your friends and Dumbledore. Please... think about it..." Lily took a deep breath before explaining: "Here, in this hellhole, everyday you're afraid to die. You can't trust him!" she exclaimed hotly, pointing at Voldemort who stood unmoving. "What has he ever done to you...!"
"He helped me escape you," James replied in a hostile tone, his eyes suddenly becoming cold and icy.
"James..." she grasped his sleeve tentatively. "He didn't help you at all. You may think so, but it's not true! He molded you into a monster... into something you would never want to be! He's lying to you... manipulating you! Don't you remember your true friends... people who would never turn their backs against you? Think about Sirius, Remus, and Peter! Surely they would want you back! They wouldn't want you hurting yourself by being Voldemort's slave! Remember the little group you guys made when we were at Hogwarts? The marauders...? You can go back to it and pretend..." Lily's voice cracked, "nothing's wrong."
"Sirius and the others can deal with the situation themselves. And I can't just pretend nothing's wrong because..." his voice abruptly dropped into a soft whisper that only Lily could hear, "I already tried that."
"No!" Lily cried fervently. "James... you have to go back! You can't just stay with this... filth!" she spat those words contemptuously. "You have to come back!"
"Be quiet."
His wand was now pressed hard against her chest, and somehow she knew that he was really intent on killing her. She closed her eyes, rapid tears rushing down her scarred visage. Many thoughts swirled through her mind: she was thinking about her family, her past teachers, Carla, Kristen, Amos, but mostly...
I want to tell him... I really do, but I... I just can't. It's impossible... and it's too late.
"Any other reason James should go join that damn Dumbledore?" Voldemort asked her, grinning cruelly from ear to ear and obviously thinking that she was finished.
Lily's eyes blazed with hatred and hearing that, she gritted her teeth and looked at James eye to eye.
It may be too late, she pondered wistfully, but... I'll try.
"Yes... actually there is," she replied clearly. "James, I... I..."
His cold gaze continued to stare at her indifferently, and her heart ached painfully when she thought –for the millionth time- that she was responsible for the pain... the hurt he had to endure. Fresh tears silently trickled from her bloody face as she thought: I'm sorry for all this, James. I'm so sorry... I...
"I love you."
The words echoed through the room and through her head as memories of that significant day resurfaced. James had seemed so happy to hear those words then, and she always treasured the brilliant look he had had on his face when she had told him. Suddenly, it seemed as if everything disappeared into the void... except them. The Death Eaters were gone, and even Voldemort's intimidating aura couldn't be sensed. James continued to gaze coolly at her, unmoving and unfazed. As she stared at him back, Lily knew that she had almost no chance... but I want to tell him anyway, she determinedly thought, painfully easing herself up.
"Whether you believe it or not, it's true!" Lily began, her eyes wide and earnest. "I just realized right now that everything I lived through after the night of the ball... everything... was a lie. Before I really thought I was in love in Amos, that I didn't need you... but I guess..." she turned her head away, "I was just lying to myself."
He just stood there, gazing at her and –hopefully, Lily thought- listening.
"I don't know how or why it happened... but I now know that I have never stopped loving you. You were –and still are- deep inside my heart... and before I always wondered why my heart hurt when I thought about you... and that night. And now I know why... James, you are the only one for me."
He frowned, his wand now pressed considerably more lightly against her chest as he gazed at her with hesitant eyes. He's... he's starting to believe me, the battered girl thought, hardly daring to even think about it. Not wanting to waste any more time, Lily continued:
"Please, James, please come back to us. I know that life hasn't been treating you fairly... that I haven't treated you fairly... but all this can change. You don't belong here; you belong with us. Voldemort will continue feeding you lies until the day you die, which may be sooner than you think. But if... if you turn around and give us another chance, I promise you that it'll all change. Don't think that you can't change your loyalties. Dumbledore will forgive you... the marauders will forgive you. They'll know about how much you've gone through, and no matter how many people you killed, no matter how many people you deceived, and no matter how much you are different now, as long as you have a pure heart –and I know you do!- they will forgive you!"
And with those last meaningful words hanging in the air, she threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his waist as she whispered again:
"Please, James... please come back with us."
She rest her head on his chest, letting her tears mixed with blood stain his silky black cloak. She closed her eyes, feeling the immense sadness dominate her spirit.
"Lily..." James said, clearly surprised at her sudden move.
She saw him struggle with his words, only to shake his head and quizzically gaze upon her in the end. He's calling me by my first name again... she thought happily. Maybe... just maybe... I –we- have chance.
"I'm sorry for all this..." she murmured finally, "... and I want you to know that I really love you."
Abruptly, a loud, maniacal cackle could be heard. Lily's head immediately jerked back as she realized that she and James weren't –and never were- alone. Death Eaters all around them peered at them uneasily, and Voldemort, in the center of it all, was laughing, his crimson eyes flaring in amusement.
"Are you going to believe a mudblood's words?" he bellowed, grinning devilishly.
Eyes once again frightfully empty, James merely ignored his question. Lily opened her mouth to fight back, but unfortunately, her shaky legs unexpectedly gave out and she fell down unto the hard floor with a dull thump. Gritting her teeth in pain, she told herself that it was now or never.
"Know where your loyalties lie, James," the Dark Lord hissed dangerously, now apprehensive and serious.
"Please choose wisely, James," the redhead girl begged, looking up to him with sad, solemn eyes. "Follow your heart."
"Decide now."
Both Lily and Voldemort uttered those words, waiting expectantly for James' answer. One waiting, hoping and praying... and another already knowing the answer and the outcome. A tense silence followed, in which all the Death Eaters drew their breaths.
And slowly, James...
A/N: Whoa... a major cliffhanger... that'll keep you readers on the edge of your seats! (laughs evilly and readers groan) Sorry if you really don't like cliffhangers, but the next chapter... it. Will. Be. Good. I promise secretly crosses fingers... I'm just kidding . Also, once again... this took a lot of effort, and if you read the first chapter... you would know why. ME not mushy crap writer... You get it? If you don't... Oh well.
Second of all... I GOT FIFTEEN REVIEWS FOR THE LAST CHAPTER (excluding the other four from x blue belle x)! Okay, I know that this isn't really so good (there are people out there who get a hundred reviews a day!), but for my record... this rocks! Gracias to all you people who made me feel SO special! (extends arms for hug, and readers inch away, majorly freaked out) Now... for the best reviewer of the (last) chapter... drums and eyes roll... suspense, suspense...
Anyway... Felicitations a Lorelei6!
To those who are confused, this means 'congratulations' in French. Thanks, Lorelei6, for your long and devoted review! Because of this, you deserve a unicorn plushie! And of course, if you actually don't want that, you have other plushie choices! And you're right: if you're devasted and heartbroken, why not help destroy the world...? Also, Cy... you were this close... but not close enough! And sighs dramatically of course, I would also like to thank Miranda, x blue belle x (it is getting sad, huh?), Cecile Li (see? Forcing you to read this did pay off!), Thiru, PotterChix, BellaD, Marauder4eva, Amadinka (you seriously had tears in your eyes when you read this...? Is it that emotional? I hope so, and thanks a lot), James's Girl (liked this chapter? Maybe not exactly what you were expecting...), mystic fire demon, Watersprite87 (I love cliffhangers... muahahahahaha), Vicious Pixie, Living In A Nightmare, and Jommoov.
You guys are the people who inspire me... so thank you all! (bows) And sorry if I already said that, but it's true! And once again, I'm sorry, but the next chapter may be posted in two weeks instead of one: progress –I might add again- is slow. And be happy: I posted this chapter on time... right? So be patient... and you will see the next chapter... one day (covers as tomatoes are thrown). Until then.