Chapter Forty Two
Lily was face down on a stone cold floor when she came to recognition. There were familiar voices muttering in the distance, but the loud thudding in her head was overpowering. She suddenly felt cold fingers grasp her wrist and her eyes slowly fluttered open.
"If you killed her, Bellatrix, I swear..."
"Not to worry, Master. You see? She wakes."
Lily's heart sank at the sound of these voices as she wearily turned onto her back. There were the wicked grins of Bellatrix Black and Lord Voldemort.
"You..." Lily whispered, as she tried to sit up, but pain rippled through her body.
"Yes, me, Lily dear." Voldemort smiled. "I came back for you, just like I said I would."
"Why can't you just leave me alone?" Lily groaned in agony.
Bellatrix cackled loudly and Voldemort smiled in amusement. "Because, my dear," he said, lifting her chin with a deathly cold finger. "I need you."
Then he moved away from her, over to a smoking, bubbling cauldron. Lily then looked around and found herself on the stone floor of a deserted castle. Dust covered chairs, lit torches on the wall, not quite unlike her beloved Hogwarts, but much more empty and lifeless.
"You know, you're not the only one that's lucky. At our last little get together, if that little Potter boy and old Dumbledore hadn't intervened, you would be dead and I'd be out of my eternal world dominating plan."
"Damn," Lily muttered.
"Yes, damn indeed." Voldemort chuckled. "Me and my foolish thinking, I thought all I had to do was kill you and your eternal life would be mine. But indeed, after more thorough research, I found a potion that ensures the drinker a special power. Generate Eternus is what it's called, properly named too. Tell me, Lily Marie. Have you ever heard of Dementors?"
"The... guards of Azkaban?" she said slowly.
"And you know what the Dementor's Kiss is?" he grinned wickedly, his slits of red eyes glinting murderously, making Lily shiver.
"It sucks out your soul." Lily whispered, fear growing in her heart.
"Very good. You are a bright witch, indeed." Voldemort continued. "Well, this potion gives me the temporary power, not too different from the Dementor's Kiss. But instead of your soul, it takes your very life."
Lily gasped.
"Yes, you'll be a lifeless zombie creature, free to roam the earth for eternity in your deathly ignorance. Isn't it an uplifting thought?" he chuckled.
"I have to get out if here." she told herself weakly, trying to stand.
No. Way. In. Hell.
"Oh, not yet, Lily Marie. The Potion is almost complete. Just a few more minutes and you can go wherever you want." He winked at her.
"No, I have to see my mum..."
"Oh, don't worry about that. They've been tragically and mysteriously murdered." Bellatrix chuckled.
"What? No!" Lily glared hatefully at her. "You're lying!"
"Don't believe me? It's all over the Daily Prophet." she said, tossing the newspaper at her feet.
Lily picked it up and read it slowly, tears welling up in her eyes. She suddenly began to sob bitterly, throwing the paper at Voldemort. When it hit him in the back, he turned to offer mock compassion.
"Don't worry, love." he said, smoothing down her long red hair.
Lily lashed out at him with all the strength she had left. "Don't touch me, you heartless bastard!" she screamed.
"Oooh, getting vicious, are we?"
"It's ready, Master." Bellatrix said behind him.
"Wonderful." he said, standing and turning to her. Bellatrix brought him a glass vile with a smoking green liquid. Lord Voldemort downed it quickly, without so much as a cringe or a gag, only a wicked smile.
"Horrid stuff." he chuckled. "But it's now done. Kiss me, Lily Marie, so that my life will be complete..."
With his cold hands on the back of her neck, she tried to pull away, but she was physically too weak. He was bringing his thin cold lips down to hers, her life mere inches away from ending...
Suddenly, there was a loud growl and a blood-curdling scream came Bellatrix. Voldemort looked up to see a large black dog attacking her with fangs and claws, tearing her to shreds.
"What the hell..." Voldemort began, but his words were cut short. He was kicked in the face and knocked backwards, arms flailing.
"How dare you even think of touching her." James muttered ferociously. It was his foot that had kicked Voldemort in the face, crushing any human like feature he may have had.
Lily had never been so relieved to see James in her life. Her heart soared that the man she loved would always be her champion, her savior, her knight in shining armor.
Spitting out a bloody tooth, Voldemort sat up. "Again with you, young Potter."
"I refuse to let you harm her." he spat, kicking him again. Then he bent down and grabbed the collar of his robes. "I'll die before I let you touch her again."
"Well, I for one, refuse to be kicked around by a spoiled brat." Voldemort said, shoving James and sending him sprawling. "And if you wish to die for her, I can arrange that."
"Very well." James said, standing in front of Lily. "But I've brought a special something for you, my Lord. A treat that you can only enjoy in the moonlight." At these words, Lily then understood. From her view on the floor, she saw James' legs growing slimmer, his shoes becoming lose... his bodily form was changing...
"It's right beyond this door. Please allow me to bring it in." Voldemort watched in shock and surprise as James completed his transformation into the stag and broke out into a run for the door.
"An animagus, very impressive, young Potter..." though he failed to see that Lily attached to his deer neck as he galloped away. Prongs ran past the couldron, and Lily gave it a swift kick, knocking it over, its insides spilling and exploding all over the floor.
"Damnit, Bella, she's getting away!" he cried. There were only muffled screams from Bellatrix beneath the dog. "Oh, bloody hell... Accio wand!"
Voldemort's wand flew to his hand and he instantly shot a spell in their direction, but he missed, blowing the large doors open for a perfect escape.
As soon as Lily and James were out of view and the dust had settled, a vicious looking werewolf was growling rabidly at the man with red eyes.
"Well, that was nice of young Potter, but I think it's time to leave now. Come, Bella." he demanded. He turned and approached her, cursing Padfoot.
"Oh, get off, you damn dog." he mumbled, giving the dog a swift kick. The dog whimpered away, past the werewolf. Voldemort picked up a bloody mess that was Bellatrix and looked up to see a werewolf running at him full force.
"You can run and hide all you want," his loud voice echoed through the castle. "But we will meet again, Lily Marie. And then, you will be mine."
Mere seconds before the snarling Moony met with him, Voldemort and Bellatrix apparated away.
Lily was clinging to James' fury neck for all her life was worth. She still his that evil voice ringing in her head, swearing someday that her life would be his. As she started to cry, James slowed his pace and set her down, making his way back to human form. He then wrapped his arms around her, warmly, securely, lovingly.
She began to sob, shoulders shaking and breathing unsteadily. James did all he could do to soothe her troubles, ease her worried mind, let her know that he would always be there for her. Eventually her tears did slow and her shoulders did not shake so violently.
"I can't believe you came." she breathed on his bare chest after she had gained composure.
"I thought I had lost you." he whispered, holding her close. "I saw that article in the paper and I about died myself. I grabbed Remus and Sirius as soon as- "
"How did you know where I was?" she asked suddenly.
"Lucky guess?" he tried to joke, but when Lily glared at him, he sighed.
"This is the place that my parents were killed."
Lily closed her eyes and James held her close again. "I'm so sorry, James."
"You have nothing to be sorry for, Lily. It was that evil man... not even a man. He's a monstrous murderer, that killed both of our parents."
Lily frowned. "I can't believe they're dead, James. I can't. I can't live with Petunia, and my job won't pay for my own home... I..."
James pulled her close and soothingly whispered, "Don't worry, Lily. I'll take care of you."
Lily closed her eyes and smiled, a peace overwhelming her.
"But I still need to honor your parents wishes regarding your virtue, Lily flower. So you'd best turn around so I can put some clothes on. That one bad thing about being animagus... we don't have any clothes in the end."
Lily's eyes grew wide with recognition, but then she smiled. Closing her eyes, she turned away and let him dress. She suddenly heard footsteps in the hall, and silently prayed that Sirius was clothed. When he walked in fully human and fully clothed, Lily smiled. He wore a large oversized T-shirt, and Lily was not hesitant in wrapping him in a hug.
"Thank you, Sirius." she said quietly. "You saved my life. You all did."
"No thanks necessary, Lily." he smiled. "You're not only James' girl, you're my friend too. When 'ol Prongsie here showed me the newspaper, there was no doubt in my mind that I had to find you."
"Where's Peter? And Remus?" she asked pulling away, and gratefully seeing James dressed.
"We couldn't find Peter. His mum said he left home a few months ago, and he hasn't been home since." James said regretfully.
"Oh, Peter." Lily said.
"But Moony is still at large in the Dining Hall." Sirius said.
"You want to secure him in there, Padfoot? I'll make sure Lily is secure right here." James said, wrapping his arms around Lily's waist from behind her. Lily smiled and let him hold her warmly.
"Of course, Prings." Sirius said, rolling his eyes and turning to exit the room. Lily blinked once as she suddenly saw a long furry tail that was wagging merrily beneath the large shirt.
"Come on out and play, Moony..."
----
The Ministry Backs Down
It's been almost a year since the deaths of Harry and Annie Potter, Ministry Aurors murdered by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Since then, there have been many that try to hunt him down, trying to make him pay for his dastardly deeds, such as trying to divide the wizarding world and kill all the muggle-borns, or half bloods. Most only ended p missing, insane, or dead. Now most of the Ministry members are no longer willing to take the job of trying to find the Dark Lord. At risk of losing their mind, or worse, their life, Ministry employees aren't prepared to risk leaving their families with no alternatives, and other such worries. Therefore, Minister Cornelius Fudge has decided to make a change.
"There is indeed much danger in this job," said the Minister on Sunday, referring to that of the placement of Aurors. "Too much pressure for success. So I am calling back all Aurors from the field. It is a very dangerous life, but one must be prepared for anything and everything. Which is why I am opening the Ministry's Preparatory College, so that the wizards and witched of this generation will be more fully prepared to protect and defend our wizarding world, from those who try to threaten and terrorize."
In this new post-Hogwarts school which will be opening after the Christmas holidays, there will be training and classes for Aurors, Healers, Teachers, and any other source of study. The Ministry will still have internships for office jobs, but due to the pressures and dangers in the position of Aurors, there will only be selective few, those completely willing to put their life on the line in a possible war, which has been long since rumored since the uprising of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
After the random killing of muggle Mr. and Mrs. Evans, and the recent kidnapping of their daughter and Hogwarts graduate, Lily, there is much being debated throughout the Ministry. One Auror who ha come face to face with the Dark Lord and loved is Alastor Moody.
"I disagree with the Minister," he tells us in a low, grumble. "Yes, we should train more new witches and wizards to train and protect, but not stop the progress we're making."
And he's not the only feels that way. A young father of three who also works in the Ministry is Arthur Weasley. "I think it's a mistake to pull back when we need to have our guard up so desperately right now." he says.
It appears that the decision made by the Minister is causing some division in the Ministry about pursuing the Dark Lord. It is a very controversial matter and though many are relieved, others argue that with our defenses, more killing will occur. Even Weasley, a pureblood, feels it is an unsafe choice for his family also. And that's not a risk he's willing to take. He has come together with Moody and they've agreed to sit down with the Minister to try to convince him that for the safety of our wizarding world, we need at least a few Aurors permanently on duty. And though both believe the Minister will object, they hope to help him understand that desperate times call for desperate measures.
----
A/N: Yes, I live!
Sorry this next chapter took so long. I'm hoping to add more fluffiness with... everyone. I just had to fill you in on the changes in the world, so please bear with me and the boring stuff.
The Order's appearance and other romances -le wink- will be coming up shortly, and hopefully, the outcome of Lily's disappearance wasn't too shocking and believable enough...
For those who are inerested: In my Bio, I put up some of my stories that I'm working on and want to do in the future. If you want some teasers, go check it out and let me know what you think. I did say I'm taking requests for one shot fics, and I want your thoughts on my other "Coming Soon" fics. Thanksies! -grin-
How about some reviews? I love you guys! -huggles-
PS - Please keep the swearing to a minimum in the reviews please! -grin-
PPS - The song in the end of the Grand Finale was "The Glory of Love" by Chicago. I love all those old bands, -Chicago, Eagles, Boston, Kenny Loggins, America, Bread-It's a late 70's song that I love and it fits the story really well. No, I def did not write that song. You may think I'm a good writer, but I can't write poetry or songs to save my life! -giggles-
