LEGACY
By Lady Radcliffe
Summary: In a kingdom where blood is still everything, Lily Evans, the very first female advisor, will rise to the top and catch the attention of the very handsome, and very good kisser, James Potter. Slight AU.
Disclaimer: I'm only 14 here, people. Do I look like I've had enough time to start a global franchise while I was only in like 2nd grade? No? I didn't think soeitherlol
A/N: Italics are used for thoughts and emphasis.
Recap:
Lily was completely unprepared for the next words, from a harried messenger, who just rushed through the doors, to hit her ears.
"The Death Eaters," he panted. Breathing in between every sentence, he gasped out, "They're gone. So is He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. But the king. He was struck."
Chapter Six
He was starting to have trouble now. His left arm had been struck by a rather nasty curse that was causing it to throb in pain. He kept going though. "Damn!" he exclaimed, as he stumbled over a dead body, losing his balance and falling. The Death Eater's hooded face leered at him from above and raised his arm, as if in a final salute.
James didn't have time to watch his life flash before his eyes before "Expelliarmus!" rang out of nowhere. Both the he and the Death Eater whipped their heads around to see Peter pocketing the wand. James took the opportunity and yelled, "Stupefy!" He didn't waste any time to see if his opponent had been stunned properly. He pushed himself off the uneven ground, trying to avoid the puddles of blood that had formed near his hands. About to attack another advancing Death Eater, he heard the herald of Dumbledore cry its beautiful song. Fawkes soared above them all, his plumage magnificently trailing after him in the sky. Distracted, he did not notice an approaching Death Eater lift his wand until it was too late.
He was falling now… falling unbearably slowly, really. His eyelids felt heavy, like he wanted to go to sleep. Couldn't they find a way to speed this up? If he had known that dying would take so long, he would stayed hidden behind the palace walls. He never had been a patient man.
The ground felt cold and uncomfortable beneath him. He could feel some small rocks digging into his back. Spells and incantations were being yelled around him. The noise was reaching its climax.
Then, silence.
Using the last of his energy, he cracked open his eyelids slightly and raised his head off the ground. The sight of Dumbledore shielded by a bright white light greeted him as a strange numbness took over. His eyes fluttered shut and his breathing became shallow.
Lily was beside herself. The idiot! How could he have been so stupid? He should have known better than to fling himself into battle when he has an entire kingdom worried about him! Even if I never see him again, I'll never forgive him, that prat!
She didn't get to finish berating him in her thoughts though. At that moment, a few Healers came rushing by her, one bumping her in the shoulder, a rude awakening. She scurried along, following them to where she saw none other than James Potter, lying helplessly in a floating stretcher. Stopping short, she gave a shaky breath. He's alright! Oh, thank Merlin! He's alright!
The happiness she felt was indescribable. Perhaps though, if you have ever loved, you might understand, but these feelings were foreign to Lily. Grasping for support, her hand found the edge of a table and gripped it mercilessly. Her eyes roved over him, taking in the torn and muddy robes, the sweaty and pale face and the askew spectacles over glassy eyes. Just seeing him alive was enough to make her forget any anger she harbored towards him. When she heard he had just waltzed in battle, with no thought about the consequences, she had been terrified beyond her wits, irate and above all, worried. To see him again, that was worth everything she owned. She had already lost her family, and to lose her first love as well, that would just have been too much.
Despite Lily's penetrating stare, James seemed unaware of his surroundings. His head flopped side to side, trying to understand why there were so many blurs around him, muttering. To his left, he smelt, rather than saw, the blood on the thing beside him. On his right, he heard something say "Best take him to his room." It felt like he was moving now. The colors behind the fuzzy faces were changing from a deep gold to crimson red. He was being lifted now, onto something soft and cool. His fingers tried to grasp the silkiness, but it slipped away. Something hot was being held near his nose, trying to coax him into swallowing it. He refused and then something pinched his nose tight. He struggled to breathe and reluctantly gasped for air as the potion was shoved down his throat. A burning sensation filled his throat and lungs and then, sleep appeared by his side, telling him to relax and let things go.
Lily was alone in her room, still in shock. Wrapped in a blanket, as if she were a child again, she tried to deal with the millions of feelings rising and falling inside her. A knock sounded on her door. "Come in," she called.
Remus walked in tiredly, haggard lines around his eyes. "He wants to see you."
She didn't need to ask who "he" was. She slipped out from the covers and into a pair of slippers. Padding along the corridors, she reached the crowd of well-wishers by his rooms. Taking Remus's hand, she let him lead her through the mass of people to his door. She rapped it gently and upon hearing a feeble "Enter," opened the door and peered inside.
If she had ever wanted to yell and chuck things at him, that feeling had completely evaporated. There was a plethora of potions at his bedside, probably more than necessary. The large French doors leading to the balcony were heavily draped with rich brocade and gold ties. The only available light came from the sparse amount of candles placed strategically around the room.
James lay in the center of it all. In a pair of chocolate brown silk pajamas, he reclined on a large four-poster bed. Propped up on a pillow, he looked expectantly at her. Approaching his bedside, he broke out in a smile that lit up his weary face. Reaching for her hand, he began speaking in a voice barely above a whisper.
"Do you know how pretty you look right now, even though you look awfully upset? I think motherhood would suit you, one day. You have just the right smile for the little boy who has run away and come back with a scraped knee. Though I suppose I have more than that. I doubt even your kisses could heal this mess. Don't get me wrong, your kisses are quite nice. I always feel dizzy after them. Like drinking a few too many Butterbeers, you know. Sort of fizzy, bubbly and light-headed."
Lily's eyes widened. He's probably woozy. Doesn't know what he's talking about, I'm sure.
He paid no heed to her thoughts and plodded on. "You ought to smile for our child a lot also. They'd like it, I'm sure. I'd like it too. Your whole face brightens up when you smile. You don't smile for me anymore, Lily. I miss it. Are you still mad at me? Because I really do regret that I made you unhappy, Lily. I should never have said those words. I'm sorry, Lily. I'm so terribly sorry. I love you, though. Promise that you'll forgive me?"
His voice faded away, eyes drooping as he fell asleep peacefully. Lily felt choked up. Her throat had clamped shut as she labored to breathe properly. Her heart felt on fire, burning from the powerful words James had just said. With a great effort, she managed to choke out, "I'll do more than that, James. I'll love you," before her senses returned and she wretched her hand from his and fled the room.
A/N: Don't we all want a man like James? lol Also now that I've reached and surpassed my goal of 35 reviews, I've decided that in lieu of theapproaching end of this story, I'd really appreciate it if a few days after I psot the last chapter I have 50 reviews. It shouldn't be too hard for you people. I actually only need about 5 reviews per chapter, but let's make it more, just to be nice lol I know, I know, reviews shouldn't be how a story is graded, in terms of good or bad, but all the same, I like getting reviews lol Thanks to all of you out there, who find time to review every single one of my chapters. I think I love you! lol
s.halliwell24: I could never kill off James! I can't even stand reading fics that include the death of Lily and James! lol
Flame Of Desire: Thanks dude! lol (Don't worry, I'm not making fun of you! lol You guys rock too much for me to be mean!)
J.E.A.R.K.Potter, pinkraindrop21: Thanks for the review! I only hope that this chapter lives up to your expectations!
iluvme4eva555: blushes You're too kind! lol Lily and James forever! They're totally the best couple ever, don't you think?
The Big Dance: I totally laughed out loud when I read the part about you refreshing the browser. I only hope you didn't waste too much time clicking a button over and over! lol You should totally sign up! lol I joined for a year before I even started writing a story lol I would love to give you some advice! Except I'm not sure if it would be helpful. I turn ditzy at the most random moments lol Toodle-loo, darling! lol
PureEsparenza: Sometimes, the corniest things are really sweet, so it's a cute idea you had! For some reason, I like your phrase, "in a big moment of feeling goodishness." That's the way I talk sometimes lol I just add "-ish" to words and my friends think I'm crazy lol
Elspeth Renee: Thank you for thanking me for thanking you! (Let's stop now before my little brain explodes from the exertion lol It took me a while to figure out how to reply to your thanks lol) I'm glad you didn't think it was cliche and by the way, do you still have any cookies left? lol
bunnyrabbit228: lol You're sweet. Maybe one day, I will publish my work and in the little author's note, I'll mention you because I believe you're the first person to tell me if I wrote my own story, it could be published. I'm going to be high for a few days now lol
P.S. Just an odd little note, this chapter looks so much longer than it really is, doesn't it? I think I write too much for my author's notes lol