Chapter Ten: Hello Tomorrow
"I can't believe my baby girl is getting married," Mr. Weasley said, admiring Ginny in her modest white wedding dress. It was an A-line dress made of a satin material. Simple and elegant, just like she was. He was thoroughly convinced he'd never seen her look happier.
"Oh Dad, I'm not a baby anymore," she said, blushing and self-consciously fixing her hair, which was half up and curled. The curls stopped just below her shoulders.
"You'll always be my little girl. No matter how old you are."
"Thank you. You and Mum were always there for me when I needed you. I know how lucky I was to have that," Ginny said with tears of joy in her eyes.
"That's not going to change just because you're going to be married," he reminded her. A small smile was the only reply Ginny had time to give, because at that exact moment there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Ginny told the knocker.
"Oh Ginny, you look absolutely gorgeous," Hermione squealed, coming into the room.
Ginny looked down at herself awkwardly. "Really, you think Harry will like it?" she wondered, examining her dress carefully.
"He'll love it," a new voice assured.
Ginny looked up in into the eyes of Lily Potter. Of all the people attending this surprise wedding, Lily was the one person whose reaction really mattered to Ginny. She desperately wanted them to get along.
"Dad's going to go nuts," Lily proclaimed, stepping forward and looking somewhat uncomfortable with the sudden silence.
"You look lovely," Ginny said honestly.
Lily looked down at her own dress and frowned slightly. "Thank you, I would have dressed differently if I had known this was going to be a wedding but-"
"What you have on is perfect," Ginny said, walking over to the teenager and taking both her hands. She then turned back to her father and Hermione. "Would you both mind giving us a moment?"
"Not at all," Hermione spoke for the both of them. "We'll be waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Don't take too long, now. Harry won't be able to handle the crowd by himself for too much longer."
"We'll be there in just a few minutes," Ginny said, shooing them away. She turned back to Lily and smiled down at her warmly. "Lily, I um…"
Lily held up her hand to stop her from going any further. "Dad and I already talked about this. I'm happy for the two of you. He deserves happiness and if you can give him that, which I'm sure you can, then I'm thrilled for the both of you."
Ginny nodded in understanding. "I'm glad you think so, but I don't want you to feel like I'm taking your mother's place."
After walking away to stand facing the window overlooking the large tent, Lily spoke solemnly. "The term mother means something different to me than it does to you. Your mother was there for you, and my mother was always this woman I never knew." She turned back to face Ginny again so she could see how serious she was. "You're not taking anyone's place in my life because that place has never really been filled."
Ginny didn't quite know what to say. She couldn't believe how incredibly sad this young girl's life had been. Lily must have picked up on her feelings, because she spoke up quickly. "It's okay, really. As I told Dad just a few minutes ago, some things just aren't meant to be. But just because I didn't have a mother when I really needed one doesn't mean I couldn't use one now," she added sincerely. "Would you mind if I…um…"
"Called me Mum?" Ginny surmised.
"I understand if you're not comfortable with that…" Lily said, looking somewhat disappointed.
Ginny smiled and walked over to where Lily was still standing by the window. "I would be honored," she told her before hugging her tightly and wiping away stray tears.
The two stood there for several minutes before Lily pulled away and looked up at Ginny. "Well, I guess we've kept Dad waiting long enough," Lily said, laughing.
"I guess so," Ginny agreed, walking to toward the door. "Let's get this show on the road."
While his daughter and fiancé were having a heart to heart, Harry Potter had his hands full. The Weasley brothers were a task for any man to handle by himself. They weren't mad exactly, just surprised and shocked that Harry and Ginny had gotten one past them. They were also very determined to at least give them a hard time about it, and as Ginny wasn't here at the moment, Harry had to suffer on his own.
"Don't you want a real wedding, Harry?" Bill asked as they were waiting for Jack to enter with Mrs. Weasley to begin the ceremony.
Harry launched immediately into an explanation. "To be quite honest, I could care less how we get married. I mentioned the Burrow but it was Ginny that came up with this whole deception idea so you can thank her for that."
Bill smiled in spite of his obvious attempts to appear upset. "Why doesn't that surprise me?" he asked, looking behind him to where Fred and George stood with large grins on their faces.
"We've always been proud of that one," Fred said, holding a hand dramatically over his chest.
"Thought she had gone to shame there for a while," George added.
"What with the whole Head Girl thing," Fred explained.
"But she seems to have recovered nicely. This was a brilliant way to get past all the fussing of having a wedding," Georges proclaimed.
Harry looked down the aisle between the rows of seats and saw Jack and Mrs. Weasley standing there indicating Ginny was ready for the ceremony to begin.
"Okay, everyone," the minister said, just loud enough so he could be heard by all. "I believe the ceremony is about to commence. If you will all please take your seats."
Everyone did as the minister requested. Ron walked up to where Harry was standing in from of the Minister at the end of the aisle. He stood in the traditional position of the best man, and gave Harry a reassuring pat on the back.
"Well here we are," he said softly. "Didn't think I'd ever live to see you getting married."
"Neither did I," Harry said, looking around and remembering how it had all began.
"I'm glad we were both wrong," Ron said soberly. "Take care of her, Harry."
"I will," Harry said, smiling.
Jack and Mrs. Weasley made their way down the aisle. Once they reached the first row on the right hand side, Jack lead her to the seat next to Bill and kissed her on the cheek before walking up to join Ron.
While standing there waiting for Lily and Hermione to walk down the isle, Harry looked around at the many people before him. He locked eyes with Mrs. Weasley who nodded her head at him and wiped away tears from her eyes. Next to her was Bill, his wife Fleur, and their two sons Vinny and Marco.
The last time he'd seen Bill had been when Hermione gave birth to Jack. They had said a quick hello in the hallway before he went to meet his godson the first time. He knew Bill and his family lived in France because his children went to Beauxbatons. During the war, Bill and Charlie had spent weeks and months away from their wives, trying to lead the death eaters in circles so Harry, Ron, and Hermione could do what needed to be done.
Charlie was seated on the other side of the aisle in the front row. His arm was around his wife Danielle's shoulder as he beamed with pride up at Harry. Charlie and Danielle had three kids. Eleven-year-old Tony, fifteen-year-old Frank, and eighteen-year-old Jeremy had all gone to Durmstrang, as the family lived in Romania.
He remembered Danielle had found out she was pregnant with Jeremy a few months before the final battle. Towards the end of fighting, Charlie and Bill had joined them to help destroy the last part of Voldemort's soul.
Harry remembered them all sitting around the campfire one night, talking about their worst fears. Charlie said he wanted to live to see his son born. He said if he had to die, the only regret he would have was never getting to hold Jeremy at least once. Harry promised him that he would never let that happen. Sure enough, after the battle was over, Jeremy William Weasley came into the world and Harry's promise was kept.
Tonks had been pregnant at the same time and would give birth to Monica Ruth Lupin just weeks later. Harry remembered thinking that these children were the beginning of a generation of children who would never have to fear Lord Voldemort. Somehow that seemed to make up for all the pain the war had caused, but it certainly didn't erase it from his mind.
Shaking his head to get rid of the memories, Harry smiled when he saw Fred and George grinning evilly at him. Fred was there with his wife Kara and their kids Craig, Jasper, and Timmy. Jackie, who was George's wife, was holding their son Bryan in her arms while George held Kevin in his. It was so hard to imagine Fred and George as family guys. They didn't seem to have changed much over the years, however. They were still their fun-loving, trouble-causing selves.
The music was what brought Harry back to the present as he looked down the aisle and saw his daughter walking towards him. The feeling he discovered in his heart was one he'd never felt before. All at once, she was a grown woman and a little girl. He could see her as a small child running around. He saw her as a young teenager sitting with Jack, studying for Herbology. And he could also she her on her own wedding day, happy, care-free and content. Though he had missed so much of her life, she had never made him feel guilty about it.
By this time, she walked up to where he was standing. He walked for toward to give to her a big bear hug. "Try not to fall over when you see her, Dad," she whispered in his ear.
"No promises," he whispered back before letter her go. She took her place on the other side of the aisle from where Ron and Jack were standing. He noticed Lily lock eyes with Jack for only a second. Hermione made her way down the isle, nodding at Harry with a large smile on her face before she went to stand in from of Lily. Then the music changed and everyone in the tent stood up and looked back to the entrance where Ginny and Mr. Weasley began to walk up to the minister.
Harry and Ginny locked eyes and in that moment all the worry and uncertainty of their lives seemed to melt away. There was only the two of them and the knowledge that the rest of their lives would be spent together. After he got over the initial shock of seeing her, he then noticed her appearance. She was the definition of beauty. Lily had been completely right about his reaction. He was grateful for Ron's steady hand on his back which was the only thing that kept him from personally introducing himself with the ground. Ginny blushed and looked down when she saw his reaction.
Once they reached the altar, Mr. Weasley kissed Ginny lovingly on the cheek. He guided her to Harry and stood behind them as they faced the minister.
"Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of God to witness…." the preacher began.
Harry was hardly listening to the man's remarks. Instead he found himself mesmerized by the woman before him. She was simply incredible and she didn't even know it. He was somewhat surprised when Ginny turned slightly to wink at Lily at one point in the ceremony. Lily smiled back and nodded. The minister talked over this exchange, which he seemed to not even notice. "Into this union Ginerva Molly and Harry James now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not be lawfully wed, speak now, or else forever hold your peace."
The tent remained silent as the Minister looked around expectantly. Harry couldn't tear his eyes way from Ginny. She was absolutely amazing, and she didn't even know it.
When the minister reached the part where he asks, "Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?" Fred spoke up.
"Little late to ask us that don't you think?" he asked smartly. For his outburst he received both a stern look from his mother and a swat on the head from his wife. Harry was grateful for it though, it cut down on some of the tension.
The preacher went on with things and asked Ginny and Harry made their vows to each other before their audience. As they repeated each word their eyes never left the other, promising to give all of themselves to their marriage forever and ever.
Finally, the minister told Ginny and Harry to face each other, which they did. "Ginerva and Harry, having witnessed your vows of love to one another, it is my joy to present you to all gathered here as husband and wife." He paused before addressing Harry individually, "You may kiss your bride."
The room erupted in catcalls and squeals as Harry pulled Ginny to him and kissed her for all he was worth. When they finally pulled away to face their family, the minister said proudly, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please join me and welcoming for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Harry James Potter!"
There would be many things about that day Harry would remember vividly in the years to come. However the first few moments after the ceremony were a complete blur. He remembered shaking many hands, receiving many pats on the back, and dealing with some mock anger from his brothers-in-law. But other than that there wasn't much worth remembering. He and Ginny were married! Ginny was his wife!
Eventually, somehow, Harry and everyone else found themselves outside the tent and looking at several large round tables set for a lovely meal. To the right of the tables was a glossy dance floor before a small band on a stage. Everyone left the tent and found a seat with their name on if. Harry, Ginny, Ginny's parents and brothers, and their wives were seated at one table. The kids were spit up amongst the smaller tables according to age.
Once everyone was seated, Harry tapped his glass and to get the family's attention. "Ginny and I would just like to thank all of you for being with us today. I hope you all don't feel too put out by our little trick."
"Your day will come, Potter!" Fred and George shouted together.
"Until then I shall live in fear," Harry shot back before continuing with his speech. "It really means a lot to me that you all have welcomed me back into your hearts after so many years. I would also like to personally thank all of you for taking my daughter Lily in as one of your own."
Lily blushed from her place in between Jack and Andy. Jack sensed her embarrassment and wrapped an arm around her to pull closer to him. Harry continued, "Now we would like all of you to enjoy your meal and the rest of the evening."
Just as Harry took his seat, Ron stood up with a smug look on his face. "Now, now, Harry, you really didn't think you were going to get out of the traditional wedding speeches and toasts, did you? You may have gotten out of a bachelor party by springing this surprise on us. But honestly, mate, I've known you forever. I'm not going to mess up this golden opportunity for a march down a very embarrassing memory lane."
"Here, here!" all the Weasley men said, raising their glasses to the heavens and cheering.
Ron held his glass in one hand and tucked his other fist in his trouser pocket. "Now we all know that being Harry's best friend has had its many advantages. Our school days were filled with many very dangerous experiences, many of which my parents thankfully still don't know about," he added shooting Mr. and Mrs. Weasley a quick glance. "I'd like to say that when Harry met Ginny it was love at first sight, but we all know that isn't the case. Ginny first saw Harry the same time I did. Although she may have been madly in love with him instantly, Harry took a little more convincing. We all know Harry's a bit dramatic, so it took him years to realize he was in love with my dear baby sister."
"Watch it, big brother," Ginny said testily. Harry however wasn't in the least bit offended; in fact he found it amusing.
Ron went on, "As I was saying, Harry and Ginny finally got together only to be torn apart not once but twice of the course of several years. I'd just like to speak for the whole family in saying that we're all glad they both finally swallowed their pride and came to their senses."
"You can say that again!" George bellowed from across the large table.
Ron nodded to acknowledge his brother's comment before concluding with a toast. "So here's to Harry and Ginny, two of the most stubborn people I know. May the rest of their relationship be a hell of a lot less complicated than the beginning!"
Everyone raised their glasses and drank to Ron's toast. Once the laughter had calmed down, Ron sat back down and motioned to his wife to take over.
Hermione stood up apprehensively and smoothed out her dress. She glanced over at Harry and Ginny to smile warmly before beginning. "Well, unlike my overgrown oaf of a husband, I'm not going to embarrass Harry and Ginny any further than they already have been. I would just like to tell Harry how much I missed him when he wasn't around. I can't count the number of times over the past few years I've wished that Harry was there to help me with something. Harry, you are truly my very best friend. I am glad you're finally found your happiness in the world. I have to admit, as much as I've missed Harry over the years, I have missed Ginny just as much. Gin, I know we all felt like a part of this family was missing all those years you were gone. I'm glad we're back together again, just as we always should have been." Hermione raised her glass and made her toast, "Here's to remembering all the good memories we made together and promising to make new memories in the many years to come!"
One more time, everyone raised their glasses and toasted to Harry and Ginny. Soon they were submersed in their lovely meal. Conversations varied all around.
"What about a honeymoon, Harry?" Bill asked about halfway through dinner.
"We're going to go on holiday this summer," Harry said, looking at Ginny who stopped eating.
Ginny smiled and hooked her arm with his. "Just where are we going, Mr. Potter?"
"You'll just have to wait and see, Mrs. Potter," he said, leaning over and catching her lips in an innocent kiss.
"Oh, Potter! She's still our sister!" Fred said, disgusted.
"Get over it, Weasley," Harry said, never taking his eyes off his beautiful wife for a second.
The meal went off without a hitch, and soon the band struck up a tone and everyone got to their feet. Harry and Ginny shared their first dance together as husband and wife. Ginny danced with her father and Harry with her mother. Now Harry found himself standing by the table talking to Charlie and Diane while Ginny was off dancing with one of her many brothers. This was just about the only time he wished Ginny didn't have such a large family. How was a man supposed to dance with his new wife when one of her five brothers keeps interrupting?
"So, how is Lily doing, Harry?" Charlie asked, looking around to find Lily seated at the table talking to Veronica while Jack danced with his mother.
"She's not doing as well as I would like," Harry said truthfully. "She's hit a bit of a rough spot."
"From what I hear it isn't just a spot," Charlie said without thinking. Immediately after the words were out of his mouth he regretted them. "I didn't mean that the way it sounded."
Harry shook his head. "It's okay. You're right, actually. She doesn't seem to have had it easy."
"Harry, will you not be offended if I ask you something kind of personal?" Charlie asked uncomfortably.
"I promise to not be offended," Harry vowed.
"I guess what I don't understand is why you left her in the first place? You know, why not send her here with us? We would have looked after her, and you know some of the things that happened could have been avoided."
"Charlie, I'm sorry but I can't answer that for you, or at least not yet. I promise you'll get all the answers you want in time, but for certain reasons I just can't give you what you want right now."
Charlie shrugged, "I understand, mate. Just know that we would have taken really good care of her. We love her, you know, and we'd have made sure she felt like apart of the family."
"I know you would have," Harry guaranteed. "I'm grateful beyond words."
"Have you ever thought of having Lily talk to someone?" Diane asked suddenly.
"Someone? What do you mean, someone?" Harry asked at a loss.
"You know, someone in psychology," Diane explained. "My sister is a witch, but she's also a muggle psychologist. It could really help her, Harry, especially if she's got suppressed issues."
Harry was skeptical. "I don't know, Diane. I'm not sure Lily would go for that. She doesn't do well when it comes to talking about her feelings."
"Maybe that's exactly what she needs," Charlie said solemnly.
"I'll think about it, thanks guys," Harry told them. "Now, if you excuse me, I'm going to go find my wife and steal her for a dance."
Lily Potter watched her father walk away from Charlie and Diane in search of Ginny, and locate her on the dance floor with her brother Bill. She couldn't quite make out what they said, but moments later her father and step-mother were dancing in each other's arms. Not that she'd really known her father for all that long, but she had never seen him look happier. For the first time, he looked carefree. It was almost like being with Ginny made him forget all about his problems, even if it was only for a little while.
A familiar whisper in her ear brought Lily out of her trance, "What is a pretty girl like you doing sitting here all by herself?"
"Well, that would because my fiancé left her to go dance with his mother," Jack replied jokingly, stepping to the side so she could look up into his eyes.
"Dance with me?" he asked, offering his arm to her.
"Oh, if you insist," she replied, standing up and taking his arm.
Jack led them out unto the dance floor where a soft romantic song filled the artificially warm winter air. He pulled her body to his chest and soon they found themselves swaying back and forth to the melody.
"What are you thinking about?" Jack asked when he saw her serious expression.
"Nothing," she said, resting her head on his chest and listening to the gentle beating of his heart.
"No, you're thinking about something. Tell me what's eating at you?" He pushed further.
"Its just strange you know. I mean look at them, Jack," she gestured to Harry and Ginny. "They look so happy. And today I felt happier than I have in I don't know when. And I look around at all your aunts and uncles and cousins, they all seem so lighthearted."
"What's your point, love?" Jack asked, lifting her chin up towards his face with his fingertip.
"I want that," she declared delicately. She looked around the dance floor and found Jack's grandparents. "I want that to be us in fifty years. I want us to be dancing together at our children's wedding. Do you think we'll ever get there?"
He considered her question for a second before responding. "We'll never get anywhere if we don't try."
They danced again for a few minutes before she spoke up. "Something is wrong with me, Jack," she said, looking off into the distance. "I don't know how much longer I can live like this."
"I know, baby," he said soothingly, bringing her head back down to his chest. "I promise it won't last forever. I'm going to fix it."
"You shouldn't have to take care of me like this," she said, sounding on the verge of a breakdown.
"I love you. People who love each other take care of each other. That's just how it works so you're gonna had to live with it," Jack scolded playfully, trying to lift her mood.
Before Lily got the chance to respond another familiar voice interrupted their dance. "Lily," Ginny said smiling, "Would you mind if I stole my nephew for a dance. You're dad and I are going to be leaving soon. I know he'd really like to dance with you before we go."
Lily detangled herself from Jack's arms reluctantly. "Sure, I'll find him just as soon as I go into the house to freshen up."
"You don't need to freshen up," Jack said, cupping her face the palm of his hand. "You're beautiful just the way you are."
"You're biased!" she teased as she walked away towards the house. Once inside, she took the stairs at a fast pace to get to the bathroom as soon as possible. Something wasn't right, she could feel it. Once the door was closed and locked behind her, she splashed her face with cold water and looked up at her reflection in the mirror.
The feeling that over came her was kind of like going over a waterfall. She was falling and floating all at the same time. She felt her body fall down on the bathroom tile and as much as she wanted to stand up again she just couldn't. The ceiling above her seemed to swirl around in circles before her vision went completely blank.
The sight before her eyes was new. It was some kind of beachfront house, though the weather outside was hardly tropical. All the windows were thrown open. Lily shivered, pulling her sweater closer to her body and looked around.
"You're really getting good at fighting it, Lily," a cold voice said behind her. She didn't need to turn around to see who it was.
"I've always been a fast learner," she spat at him as she turned around to face him properly.
"I would expect nothing less of the last remaining member of the Pierre family line," Malfoy said matter-a-factly.
"The who?" Lily asked, defiantly tilting her face up towards him.
"No matter," Malfoy dismissed. "I'm surprised your father hasn't told you the truth. But then again if I know anything about Potter it is that he likes to run away from his problems."
"You shut up about my father!" Lily yelled, walking towards him. "He's a hundred times the man you'll ever be. Look at you! Reduced to kidnapping and raping teenage girls! It's kind of pathetic, don't you think?"
Malfoy lunged at her before she had the chance to think twice about what she'd said. His fingers closed on her throat as he backed her into the wall window frame behind her. Lily tried everything she could think of to get him to let go. She hit him over the head with her free hands, she kicked him with her legs, and she tried to scream though she knew no one could hear her.
"Your dear old dad's problem is that he just doesn't know to keep his hands off what isn't his to take," Malfoy said loudly. "He should have left well enough alone, but now he's paying for his mistakes. Or should I say you're paying for his mistakes."
She tried to tell herself this wasn't real. She was really still at Jack's grandparent's house. She was safe. That didn't help calm her nerves when he hand reached down the hem of her skirt and yanked it up her thigh.
"You're mine, Potter. Just as your mother always should have been," Malfoy said as he forced his mouth over hers to muffle her scream.
"So you don't know where Harry is taking you on your honeymoon this summer?" Jack asked as he danced with his aunt and godmother.
"No, he said he wants it to be a surprise. I really don't care where it is though. It will just be nice to get away for a while. It's too bad we can't go anywhere now but I understand why," Ginny said happily looking over at Harry who was waiting for Lily to come back from the bathroom.
"Harry told me earlier you two have a house now?" Jack said, remembering their earlier conversation after dinner.
"Yes, and there will always be a room for you and Lily if you need one. I don't want you to be afraid to come talk to me, Jack. I know I haven't been the best godmother to you, and I'm really sorry about that. But I'm here now and I'm worried about you."
"About me? Lily's the one who-"
Ginny interrupted. "I know how hard it is to be in love with a Potter. They're a stubborn lot, aren't they?"
Jack sighed. "It just frustrates me because I know she hides things from me. I just wish she'd let me help her. I wish I could make her safe."
"I know, honey," Ginny said, smoothing the hair on his forehead. "Have you every thought that maybe this is something Lily has to work out on her own?"
Jack's face darkened and he shook his head, "No, Lily has always had to work things out on her own. She's got a family now who wants to help her and she needs to know that."
"Well, just promise me that you'll come to me if you need someone to talk to," Ginny asked.
"I promise," Jack assured.
The song ended and they both turned to see Harry was walking towards them. "Jack," Harry said when he was close enough, "Where did Lily go?"
"She said she needed to go freshen up," he said, looking around. "She's been gone all this time?"
"Yes," Harry said, also looking around the tables nearby. "Hermione, have you seen Lily?"
"I saw her walk into the house a little while ago," Hermione said as she walked to join them. "Is something wrong?"
"No, I just wanted to dance with her," Harry said, disheartened.
Lily slid down the wall and pulled her torn dress closer around her body. She knew she would have an ugly bruise on her back from where it had been pressed into the wooden doorframe. Again she tried to calm herself down.
That didn't just happen, she thought. This isn't real.
"Oh but it is real," Malfoy said straightening up his shirt. "It's as real as real can be."
"Why?" she asked, looking up at him with glassy eyes.
"Because you have become the one and only thing in my life that makes me happy," Malfoy said, squatting down to her level. "Making your life hell is the only thing I live for. Your father took everything from me. He took my family and he took my future. Now I intend to take his."
"If you want to kill me why not just do it?" she asked, looking him in the eye.
"Now what kind of fun would that be?" Malfoy said in a voice that suggested he might be talking to a small child rather than a seventeen-year-old. "When I'm done with you Potter, you'll beg for death. You'll want it so badly you'll be screaming for me to kill you. All the while your father will be there to watch you suffer and then parish."
"You're sick," Lily told him, looking away and wiping the blood off her face from where he'd probably broken her nose.
"Perhaps," Malfoy said distantly. "For now, however, I've grown tired of you. But the next time your dear half-blood fiancé wants to show you how much he says he loves you, just remember what happened here today, Lily dear. Because it did happen. You remember what it felt like. You remember…"
It took a few minutes for the bathroom ceiling to come back into focus. Lily sat up slowly, groaning in pain. She clutched the edge of the sink to help her stand up. Taking several deep breaths she looked down at her bruised and battered body. Her dress really was ripped and her nose was still bleeding. She didn't know how long she'd been in the bathroom, and she knew it was only a matter of time before someone came looking for her. Grabbing her wand, she performed a mending charm on her dressed and cleaned off the blood. Her sweater was on the floor next to her, and she pulled that around her shoulders with some difficulty and looked at her reflection. She didn't want to risk doing a healing spell on herself so she settled for a concealment charm to hide the bruises, though she no longer knew if she was hiding the bruises from the attack a few days ago or from this recent one. But then again, did it matter? Biting her lip to keep from letting her tears fall, she turned around and opened the door.
She was about half way down the stairs when she turned a sharp corner and almost ran into someone. The sudden appearance nearly caused her to loose it. She flattened herself against the wall behind her and couldn't suppress her scream.
"Lily!" Hermione said, concerned as she reached forward to grasp her shoulders so she wouldn't fall over. "Are you okay, sweetheart? What happened?"
Lily didn't speak for a moment while she tried to slow her beating heart. "I'm sorry, but you frightened me," she finally said, sounding out of breath.
"Your father was looking for you. Where have you been?"
"I just had to wash my face. Where his he? I wanted to say goodbye before they leave," Lily said quickly.
"He's down stairs waiting with Jack. I told them I'd come up to see if you're right."
"I'm fine," Lily said as she brushed past her father's childhood friend and bounded down the rest of the stairs. She indeed found her father and Jack standing in the kitchen looking worried. "I'm here," she said, plastering a fake smile on her face.
"Thought we lost you there," Jack said suspiciously.
"No, I'm fine," she said as Hermione joined them. "I believe you owe me a dance, Daddy."
"Like I'd turn down that offer," Harry said lightly. He placed an arm around her shoulders and set off out the door and back down the warm path to the dance floor. Jack and Hermione followed him, and when his eyes met Hermione's she shook her head with a troubled look on her face.
Jack watched Harry and Lily dance together for a few minutes before he turned to his mother. "What's going on?" he asked her.
"I don't really know, Jack," Hermione said, not taking her eyes off Lily. "She seems kind of jumpy."
The two of them stood in silence until the song ended. Harry kissed Lily on the cheek and they walked over to where Hermione and Jack were standing.
"I guess Gin and I should get going," Harry said, still looking down at his daughter.
"I guess we'll see you at Hogwarts," Lily said, giving him an extra hug before leaving him to stand next to Jack. Harry took notice of the fact that she didn't stand close enough to Jack for him to reach out and touch her.
"Yeah, our house is in Hogsmeade so I won't be on the train," Harry told them.
"Ready to go?" Ginny asked, joining them as well.
"Yeah," Harry said. "Why don't you say goodbye to Lily?" Harry asked giving her an odd look. Ginny looked at him strangely for a second but seemed to understand that he needed a moment with Jack. She walked Lily a few feet away from them and said her goodbyes. Hermione went with them.
Jack walked closer to Harry. "Something wrong?" he asked quietly so no one else could hear.
"Something is different about her. I don't know what it is, but she's about to lose it. Please take her home," Harry begged sincerely.
"What, now?"
"The sooner, the better," he said quickly as the girls rejoined them. "Come here and give me a hug, kid," Harry said, opening his arms up to his daughter who almost reluctantly walked forward and embraced him.
"Congratulations again, Daddy," she said in a muffled tone against his shirt.
"Thank you, honey. Jack is going to take you home now," Harry said when he pulled away. He could see she was about to protest so he clarified, "You're tired, I can tell. Go home, take a shower, and go to bed."
"Alright," she conceded. She walked over to Jack who wrapped an arm around her shoulders and turned her to walk towards the house. She tried not to flinch at the contact, but she couldn't help it.
"Something's wrong," he observed. "What is it?"
"I don't want to talk about it," she said, coming to terms with the fact that he knew something had happened and there was nothing she could do to hide it anymore.
"Please, don't do this. Don't shut me out," he pleaded.
By now they were at the house and in the living room. Instead of answering his plea, Lily grabbed a handful of floo powder and disappeared in the flames. Sighing, Jack did the same, and moments later stumbled out into his parent's living room. He looked around for Lily but couldn't find her. He would have panicked if he hadn't heard the sounds of her feet on the stairs. Jack took off after her, tearing up the stairs and down the hall to his bedroom door. Just as he opened the door to his room he heard a noise from Lily's bedroom, the room she rarely used now-a-days. He walked over to her door and tried to open it but found it locked.
"Lily," he said loudly. Listening carefully, he could hear her breathing on the other side of the door as if she were sitting up against it.
Then heard her sniffle as if she was in tears. "Please Jack, leave me alone for a little while."
"No, I will not leave you alone. You're upset, I can hear you crying. Open the door," he said forcefully.
"Please," she begged.
"Lilly Elizabeth Potter, if you don't let me in there right now I'm going to use magic," he scolded.
There was silence for a few tense moments. When she finally spoke up it was in a whisper, one he would have missed if he hadn't had his ear pressed to the door. "It wasn't real."
"What wasn't real?" he asked.
"NOTHING!" she exploded. "Go away Jack."
"Fine, I'm coming in," he said pulling out his wand.
"You take one step inside this room and I'll never forgive you!" she promised.
"Lily-"
"I just need some time alone, okay? I promise I'll come out in a little while."
"What happened?" Jack asked.
"Just give me an hour or so to get myself together then I'll come to bed," she offered in hopes of getting him to leave.
Jack pressed his forehead against smooth wood surface and groaned in frustration. "Why do you always do this?" he whispered sadly.
No reply from the other side of the door came. He heard another door open and close. He assumed she had gone into her connecting bathroom. He also knew there would be no talking to her until she was ready. Slowly, he backed up from her door and slid down the wall into a sitting position. It might be a longer night than he thought.
A/N- Please review! Things will be picking back up again in the next few chapters! Hold on to your hats!