Before this chapter begins, I should probably explain a few questions I received, starting with the most important one:
What is an AU fic?
An AU fic, for those who do not know, is a fic where the storyline is changed from the canon storyline of HP; for example, if I write a fic where Sirius is still alive, that would be AU. So it's pretty much just going against canon. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Next Question. Why is this story gothic? Because gothic stories contain elements like this story. Some of those elements would be: the story is mysterious and ominous. It includes a prophecy. They live in a castle. It involves an outcast like Lily. The story isn't gothic because Lily dresses in black, either. That has nothing to do with it at all. In fact, I don't even consider her to be "gothic" at all. She doesn't listen to death metal, for one thing. But this story is still "gothic" because of its elements. If you really want a good gothic story, read a novel by Anne Rice. If you want a crappy gothic story, read 'Jane Eyre.' I had to read that one and I hated it, but it had all the elements of a gothic story, so there you go.
If you have any more complaints or questions, please let me know.
Thanks to: HPHGCroar, XXRoseDawsonXX (luv ya, meg), BlueJeanMistress, Maria, HBP RULES, wefeedowls, rita and sarah, and Gothgirl14.
And finally, without further ado,
Chapter 8: FoesJames ran his hands through his messy black hair that night and sat down on his bed. He'd just broken up with his girlfriend and become friends with his Potions partner, the strange and beautiful Lily Evans. What were these strange feelings he was having whenever he thought of her? He'd never felt them when he was with Cornelia. In fact, he hated Cornelia now. She was so ignorant… and he had to protect Lily. Ever since that night, he knew he wanted to be there for her… but why? And what the hell was up with this prophecy she told him about? None of it made any sense to him.
"Dammit," he muttered.
"What's wrong, Prongs?" His best mate sat down on the bed next to him and offered a consoling smile.
"Nothing. I was just thinking," he replied.
"About what?" Sirius asked.
"… about Evans."
"You like her or something?"
"Maybe. I don't know. I can't get her out of my mind, Padfoot!" James said.
"Really? Hmm…"
"Yes?"
"I think you do like her, James," Sirius said.
"Since when did you become such an expert?" James asked.
"Hello, Prongs, you're talking to the sexiest guy in Hogwarts school," Sirius said with a smirk.
"Oh, forgive me. I almost forgot," James said with a laugh.
"Hey, this weekend's a Hogsmeade weekend. We should ask Evans to come with us," Sirius said.
"Sounds good to me," James replied.
"Great. Well, I'm tired. I'm gonna call it a day," Sirius said, yawning and standing up. "Good night, Prongs."
"Night, Padfoot," James mumbled.
-
"Guess who," a warm, soft voice flooded Lily's ears as she felt warm hands gently covering her eyes. She smiled.
"James?" James removed his hands and spun Lily around from her seat in the Great Hall. A huge grin was plastered over his face.
"Good Morning, Evans," he said.
"Good Morning."
"Guess where you're going today?" he said. She placed a hand on her chin as if she was thinking and then looked at him.
"I give up. Where am I going?"
"With me to the Three Broomsticks for lunch!" he exclaimed. "Oh, and Sirius, Peter, and Remus will be there, too."
"That sounds like fun! I'd love to go," she said.
"Good. I'll meet you there at noon."
"Great."
-
Lily brushed her tangled hair furiously in an effort to get all the knots out. She was determined this time. She struck at her head with the hairbrush violently, almost ripping her hair out.
"Lily! Stop that! You don't want your hair to fall out. Here," Ezmerelda handed Lily a small bottle.
"What is it?" Lily asked, examining the bottle curiously.
"It's a type of magic hair gel. It might help get rid of the knots. It's very strong though, so only use a little bit. Last time my cousin used too much, and she ended up bald. It was very frightening."
Lily nodded and poured some of the gel into her hands. Then she rubbed it into her hair.
"Try brushing it now," Ezmerelda suggested. Lily brushed her hair and, much to her surprise, some of the knots came out. But only a few. Her hair was still a wreck.
"We'll work on that later," Ezmerelda said.
"Okay." She sighed and stared at herself in the mirror. Her face was very pale, but her eyes were very bright, now that she stopped wearing heavy eye makeup. Her hair, though… She would have loved to get it back to its original colour.
"Let's go, Lily," Ezmerelda said. Lily nodded and they walked out of the dormitory and down the stairs. They exited the common room and headed outside, on their way to Hogsmeade.
It was still early; Lily had an hour before she had to meet up with James. She went to Honeydukes with Ezmerelda and they bought some candy.
When it was noon, Lily and Ezmerelda headed towards the Three Broomsticks. They were stopped on their way outside of the Hog's Head by a mysterious hooded figure.
"Come inside, girls. I need to talk with you about something extremely vital," a woman's voice said.
"Aunt Audrey… Is that you?" Ezmerelda asked. Aunt Audrey lowered her hood.
"Shh! Yes it's me," she whispered. "Now come inside." She put her hood back up and entered the Hog's Head. Lily and Ezmerelda followed.
"Aunt Au-" Ezmerelda began, but got cut off by Aunt Audrey's loud 'hush!'
"Um… why are we in here?" Ezmerelda asked quietly.
"We don't want to be seen. Now sit down and pay attention," Aunt Audrey said.
"I have to be somewhere," Lily spoke up.
"Not now you don't!" Aunt Audrey hissed. Lily silently sat down along with Ezmerelda and Aunt Audrey.
"Now, what I am about to say is very important. I suggest you pay attention," she said.
"We're listening," Ezmerelda said.
"I was reading my cards the other day, and… there is more to the prophecy, my dear," Aunt Audrey stated, addressing Lily.
"More?" Lily gasped.
"Yes. You have been chosen… I believe this means more than we thought it meant. I believe that you, Lily Evans…" at this point Aunt Audrey lowered her voice to a whisper, "you are the chosen one."
"Ch-chosen one?"
"Hush! Nobody must know what I mean. And what I mean is… according to what I've concluded… you are the one who will defeat the Dark Lord."
"Me? But… why me?"
"This is where we come to the next part of the prophecy. Do not stray from purity, or else all will be lost. Purity, Lily. You are the definition of purity, are you not?"
"Uh, no…I… I'm a muggle-born, not a pureblood," Lily said. Aunt Audrey smiled and shook her head.
"That's not quite what I meant. You are pure. Innocent. Innocence defines you, who have never committed a wrongdoing!"
"What? I haven't… have I? I mean, I don't remember if I have. I don't even know what's right or what's wrong," Lily said.
"Naïve, you are. So we come to the conclusion that you are pure. And if you do something that is to be considered impure, then all will be lost. Now, on to the last part of the prophecy. The 'light.' Already, there is a man in your life. A man you fell connected with, in a way. Am I correct?"
"Yes!" Lily said.
"Yes… this man is your guardian. He was summoned to protect the chosen one. Together, you two will face the Dark Lord three times before you are able to defeat him," Aunt Audrey said.
"Did you say… 'summoned'?" Ezmerelda said.
"Yes. He does not yet know it, but he is really the reincarnation of a guardian spirit that would protect the innocent and punish the sinners of earth. Soon, his true identity will be revealed to him, and he will have to give up everything he owns in this world. Only then will his true powers be unleashed," Aunt Audrey explained.
"That's amazing…" Lily said.
"Yes, I thought you would say that. What's even more amazing is you, Lily. You have a power that none other can possess. You have the power to defeat the most feared wizard of all. And in time, you will see that power take you down a path that leads to your destiny. This is all that I have seen," Aunt Audrey concluded.
"…I… I don't know what to say? Is this truly… my destiny?" Lily asked. Don't say yes. Please… Aunt Audrey nodded. Lily sighed. Why me?
"Why me?" she said aloud.
"I told you that already! Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell. I suppose you meant that you didn't ask to be put through this. I understand completely. I didn't ask to be a seer. The inner eye was within me when I was born. At three years old I had my first vision. I foresaw that my mum would break her brand new vase, and it happened. I know your case is a lot different, but… there's nothing I can do, Lily. I'm sorry," Aunt Audrey said.
"That's fine. I… I have to go meet James now," Lily said, getting up.
"Goodbye, dear. Ezmerelda, are you leaving, too?" Aunt Audrey asked.
"I think I should go back to Hogwarts," Ezmerelda said.
"Okay. Then I'll be off as well," she said, before disapparating in front of their eyes.
Ezmerelda and Lily headed outside. They said goodbye and went their separate ways. But inside the Hog's Head, watching from a window was a young girl wearing a hood and cloak to disguise herself. She lowered her hood, a smirk played across her beautiful features. She had long black, wavy hair, and cold, metallic silver eyes. Her name: Bellatrix Black. She was a 7th year Slytherin at Hogwarts, and she was Sirius' cousin. She was also Voldemort's servant, and she had just overheard a very important secret prophecy.
Well, this will certainly please the Dark Lord, won't it? She thought to herself. I'd better go and tell Lucius what I've just found out about our little Miss Evans.
-
Now Lily and James have some foes, don't they? HAHA. And Aunt Audrey thinks Lily's the chosen one and James is her guardian and the reincarnation of a guardian spirit. And they have to face Voldy 3 times before they defeat him, sort of like what happens in the books, only they die in the books. So… yeah. And they have special powers! It all sounds very stupid now, but it's not, really! You just have to wait. It won't be all fun and games for them, it'll get dark and twisted. Besides, with enemies like Bellatrix and Lucius, how can things possibly get better for them?
Next Chapter: To be announced.