Lily's Talk with Draco
Lily was sitting in her office, at Hogwarts, getting her usual paper work done. The wedding was over the castle was cleaned and all put back to order. The elves were very efficient and most happy over the past few days. Harry was their Hero for the way he'd got Dobby his freedom from the Malfoy family and the kindness that their new Headmistress has since shown them. Never in their long life had they known anyone in the Magical World who had treated them as an equal and shown them open respect as has Lily. So, they all went out of their way to help her in all she asked of them.
Still, there's that small 'bump in the road' concerning payment for their services that she insist on giving them. They dutifully accept it, but they just put it away for the time when it'd be needed somehow. Galleons were something that none of them ever really needed.
Lily was restless, not knowing why, so she just left her work on her desk and left for Diagon Alley, just to walk, to think and to clear her mind. But, before she went out she wanted some company.
Lily walked down to Hagrid's home, down near the edge of the Forbidden Forest. He was her friend ever since she'd been here at Hogwarts. He'd be perfect to accompany her.
Knocking on his door, she waited for him to answer. "Oh, Lily, it's ye. How can I help ye today?" Hagrid was always so accommodating.
"I was up in my office and got this restless feeling and I just wanted to go out to Diagon Alley for a walk, maybe to get a Butterbeer, and I'd like for you to accompany me."
"Oh? Well, I'd be more'n happy to accompany ye, Lily. Let's go."
She and Hagrid apparated near the door that lead to the Inn and slowly the both of them walked their way down the street. Lily was thinking, lost in her own world of thoughts, seeing what was around her, but, yet, not.
Down the street the both of them walked, side by side: The Half Giant Hagrid and the Lady in White. Such a strange pair, but a goodly pair. Everyone who was on the street and in the various shops that they passed or entered into stopped and looked at them, wondered what they were up to, for never had they'd seen the two of them together like this.
Never.
Stopping by some of the shops she and Hagrid would look in and see what they had, chat with the shop keepers, give them a hug and Hagrid's big booming voice would be heard all up and down the street, in much familiarity, both giving out some words of encouragement. She was known by everyone, obviously, for the way she was dressed, all in white robes, plus her position as Headmistress of Hogwarts, not to mention the 'Event' that occurred the day that her son was born of her, again, this second time. It was times like this that thinking of that event that Lily would gently place her right hand on her abdomen and just hold it there, thinking of the time she was 'with child'.
It was the happiest time of her life.
Hagrid, walking beside her, looked down at her, asked her a question. He was a bit worried. "Lily, are ye alrigh'? I noticed ye holding your hand over yourself and your expression looks worried."
"Oh, just thinking of the time I was here, when I was pregnant with Harry. It was the best time of my life. Nothing can compare to it. I'm ok." Lily reached over and patted Hagrid's large hands in comfort to let him know she's ok.
"But, something's bothering me. That's why I'm here, I just can't express it or tell you what it is, but it's something important. That's why I want you with me."
"Lily, I'll always be here for ye'. Anytime you need me, just let me know. Ye've done good by me and treated me right and all. I owe ye, and Hogwarts, too, a right lot. Besides, it's me home."
But, still in the back of her mind was that nagging thought, something was bothering her. An inkling of a thought that she just could not place, yet it seemed so clear, so familiar a feeling. Yet for a familiar feeling it was not a good one.
And that bothered her.
Lily continued walking down the street, looking everywhere. Her pace quickened without her even realizing it. Witches and Wizards, seeing her approaching, quickly got out of her way, and Hagrid's too, Lily was that 'self absorbed' in her own thoughts of looking for that which even she could not put her finger on, but once she saw or encountered it, she'd know it immediately as that which she is looking for.
A worried look was playing across her features, people noticed it and it worried some of them. For once they saw how Lily was acting, they 'knew' or felt, that she was on a 'mission', so they left her be, still keeping an eye out on her.
Lily stopped in the street next to a small crooked sign that was pointing towards a narrow alley: Knockturn Alley!
This was a place of disrepute. No one of any respectability would be seen going down such a street, but that's where her feelings were leading her. Courage she had, in abundance, but still, she didn't want to give others a wrong impression of her motives. How could she explain herself?
"Lily, what are ye thinkin' of? Ye'd best not go down there! That place is no good for ye."
Looking up at Hagrid, Lily asked him a question. "Will you go with me, please, Hagrid? What I'm looking for I feel is down here. We'll both be alright, I'd just feel better if you were with me."
Hagrid looked at Lily and looked down the notorious Alley. "Of course I'll go with ye, Lily. Come one, lets go."
Anyway, she gathered herself and walked down the Alley. Looking everywhere, for what, she did not know, but still she continued her forwray until she stopped in front of a small store.
This was it! Borgin and Burkes' Shop.
"Oh, Lily, not THIS PLACE! Known Death Eaters patronize this place. I'll go in wit' ye', if ye don't mind."
"Hagrid, I'll be ok, but, please, just stand guard outside, here in front of the window. You'll be able to see me. It won't take long, I'm sure."
"But, but, Lily, I'm scared for ye'!"
"Well, in that case, come on in with me. I'll be happy for you to accompany me. I guess that's why I did ask you to come with me." So, Lily took Hagrid's large hand and proceeded towards the door.
It had disrepute written all over it, but Lily opened the door and entered.
There, standing at the counter she saw a young man in his twenties, maybe a little older, with long white hair.
Draco Malfoy!
It was HIM she was looking for.
Hagrid was about to open his mouth to pronounce his name when Lily elbowed him gently to keep quiet. Hagrid looked down at Lily, worriedly, but kept quiet.
Lily just stood there and opened up her mind and felt for his thoughts, his feelings and finding what she knew was there, closed herself off and walked up to him.
"Draco." Lily asked, softly.
He whirled around at hearing his name called. "Who are ... oh, its you." he said out lout to her. And looking up he saw the gigantic form of Hagrid.
Draco was scared.
"What do you want? And Hagrid. I'm not bothering you, or any of your family, so just go away, both of you, leave me alone!"
Ever since that day in the streets of Hogsmead Village, and the events that transpired afterwards, such as Lucius Malfoy being sent to Azkaban for life for being a Death Eater, Draco had no lost love over Lily. But, what he had was the presence of mind to keep that thought to himself noting the climate of how much she was respected and accepted by just about everyone.
"I'd like to ask you if you'd like to walk with me and Hagrid, maybe have a Butterbeer with us for a few minutes?" Lily asked Draco, gently.
"Why would I want to be seen in public with you? Either of you. Or better yet, why would you want to be seen with me? I'm the son of a Death Eater, in fact, my father was the right hand man of Vol – of you know who."
"Draco, Don't ye go talking disrespectfully to Lily like that! She's a kind lady. . . , " Hagrid boomed out.
Lily gently took Hagrid by his huge hand and quietly said to him, "It's ok Hagrid, I understand him, no harm has been done. It's all ok. I'm here to help him."
Hagrid looked down at Lily and apologized. "I'm sorry Lily." Lily looked up at him and smiled. Her radiance permeated him and he felt her goodness, all through him.
Looking back at Draco, she started out, "Draco, I know all these things that you speak of, but I'd still like to talk with you. Come with Hagrid and myself, lets go to the Three Broomsticks and have a Butterbeer and talk. The tabs' on me." Lily smiled some and held out her hand towards him.
Draco hesitated a moment, looking at her suspiciously and mentally weighing his options. "Oh, what the heck, what have I got to loose? I'll have a Butterbeer with you and Hagrid and listen to what you have to say." Draco looked at Lily, "I don't know what's in all this for you, I mean, look at me! I have nothing! After my fathers' imprisonment the Ministry took everything we had, almost. No one wants anything to do with me. I can barely do business with the shop keepers. I have to do my shopping in the Muggle districts. My own kind don't even want me anymore. Even here, HERE, in Knockturn Alley, the shop keepers barely tolerate me."
"Draco, I'm here to help you. Lets' go, Come on." Lily and Draco left the shop and Lily disapparated them both to Hogsmead Village where they walked to The Three Broomsticks.
Lily, Hagrid and Draco walked in the tavern together and looked for a table to sit at in a secluded place. It was fairly crowded so privacy was at an option, still Lily never backed down nor hesitated. Finding one, she sat down and motioned for Draco to sit with her.
Everyone who was in the tavern noticed Lily standing at the door, and Hagrid, too. His gigantic frame blocking out the entire doorway, but when they saw who else she was with, all talking stopped. As a Muggle expression goes, 'you could have heard a pin drop' in the farthest corner on the wooden floor. All eyes were upon the strange trio.
Draco saw the staring and felt uncomfortable, extremely uncomfortable, to say the least.
Lily had found a table, sat down and motioned for him to join her. That little gesture was the only way he would go inside. He was afraid.
Esmeralda was at the bar and seeing the odd trio come into her establishment decided to head off any confrontations and headed to them to help them. Seeing that it was Lily herself accompanied with Hagrid, there with Draco soothed her feelings that nothing bad was in the works was a great relief to her.
"Hello, Lily. I'm certainly glad that you're here. It's always a joy to have you. How may I help you?" Esmeralda asked politely, smiling a little.
"We would like to have two Butterbeers, please. Oh, and some pastry's for us, a couple of them. We might be here a while." Lily responded.
"I'll get them for you. Oh, I do have some doughnuts. Your father in law, Arthur Weasley suggested them to me, and where I might get them from a supplier, a friend of his." Esmeralda bent down her head towards Lily so no one else could hear her, "they're made by muggles, but they're the best I've ever had, and I constantly sell out of them!"
(Author's Note: I thought this would be alright, besides, I just love glazed doughnuts.)
"That'll be just fine, Esmeralda. We'll take six and probably a refill on the Butterbeers when we finish the first round of them." Lily said. Hagrid cleared his throat rather noisily at the mention of Esmeralda's doughnuts, looking down at Lily. She got the hint and smiled. "Oh, and keep bringing the doughnuts for Hagrid here, until he can't eat anymore, same for the Butterbeer. And please, could you use his stein?"
Looking up at Hagrid, smiling and shaking her head in wonderment, she said "Thank you, Lily, I'll do that." Esmeralda hurried off to get the Butterbeers and doughnuts.
"This is the first time I've been in here since, well, you know. No one wants me around." Draco began.
Lily looked at him, in a kind way, not derogatorily, nor condescending, but in a way that gave Draco some measure of comfort. 'He's fallen a long way from what he'd previously had in life.' Lily thought to herself. 'Besides, his hearts' still good, but he'd almost gone over to the Dark. THAT 'S what I was feeling back in my office. Hummm, I wonder.' Lily sat and thought. Esmeralda brought out the Butterbeers and glazed doughnuts, and Lily thanked Esmeralda, and began eating along with Draco who was still sitting beside her. He was still apprehensive, looking over his shoulder and looking to his side at the other patrons, for fear they'd come up to him and ask him to leave. But, no one bothered him, so he began drinking a little of his Butterbeer and eating a doughnut.
"May I ask you a question, Lily?" Draco began.
"Yes, ask me anything you like."
"Borgin and Burkes, why were you there? How did you find me, or even know I was there? I never told a soul where I was going, in fact, I didn't even know I would end up there. Were you following me?" Draco asked.
"Draco, I never followed you. No one told me about you. I was sitting in my office at Hogwarts, when I had a restless feeling, about what, I wasn't sure. So, I got up and went for a walk in Diagon Alley, that's where my feelings led me. I was looking, for what, or even who, even I didn't know, that is, until I saw you. I could see into your heart, not just your mind, Draco, then while you're at the shop. I knew then that you've had a rather difficult life since your Father was sent to Azkaban and that you're not such a bad person that the general public paints you out to be."
Draco looked at Lily, perplexion written all over his face. He'd heard what she said, but he did not either believe what she said or comprehend it. It's full impact, of just what Lily told him was still outside of his grasp. 'No wonder Voldemort was defeated by her.' Draco shook his head in disbelief. He drank some of his Butterbeer and continued eating his doughnut.
"So, you're an accomplished Ligilimens?" Draco casually mentioned.
"Well, yes, and no. It' more than that. Much more. Like I just said, I can see into your heart. I can see into you places where even the most accomplished Ligilimens can't even begin to fathom. And, Draco, trying to cloud your mind and thoughts against me doesn't work. Maybe on the average witch or wizard, but not on me. I work on an entirely different level."
Draco put down his Butterbeer and just stared at her. He couldn't believe what he'd just heard.
"What do you want of me? I see you sitting here, in a public place eating with me, and all these people seeing the both of us and Hagrid too, and not bothering me. I know its because I'm with you and that they respect you and all that, but I just don't know what to do now. Your family and mine has been at odds with each other for the longest time, I don't know how to act any other way."
"I know, Draco, I know. I could feel that you're still a good person, deep down inside. That's what I felt when I was standing there in Borgin and Burkes. You were about to make a big mistake and take the wrong path."
"Look, Draco, I'm not with the Ministry, although my word with them carries an enormous amount of weight, by my being the Headmistress of Hogwarts, and by just Who I am. I'm here to help, to make a difference in the Magical World. I do that one person at a time. I provide the example, and, at times, the tools to help you get back onto your feet and on to a better path."
"Let me get this straight: YOU want to help ME? Me?" Draco asked.
"Yes."
Draco just sat there, shaking his head and muttering to himself. "Lily, I remember the confrontation you had in the streets here, you know what I mean. I remember when you and I were in school, you as Hermione Granger, before, and with Ron Weasley. I still can't grasp how you and he changed, so completely. You've progressed so far pass me I can't even see you anymore. Your abilities are so advanced, . . . , it . . . , you, . . . you scare me." Draco placed his hands around his mug of Butterbeer and just looked down at the table, unable to even look up at her .
Lily leaned closer to him, "Draco, look at me." Lily hesitated a bit then added again, "Look at me, Draco."
Draco looked up at Lily, fear in his eyes.
"What are you afraid of? I can see it in your eyes, Draco, I can feel it all over you."
"you. I'm afraid of you. Of who, or what you are. Everything. I just can't grasp all this that's about you." Draco began to shake so bad he had to put down his mug of Butterbeer to prevent it from spilling. His voice was so small and quiet, he was almost afraid of talking.
Lily put down her doughnut and reached over with her hand and gently took Draco's hand in hers. "I told you you've nothing to fear from me." She looked at him, directly into his eyes with a soft and kind 'touch' about her.
Draco found his voice and spoke up a little, "I'm not like you. When I look at you, and see you, I see in myself how much I lack of those same qualities. I don't deserve to be around you. I'm not that good." Draco stopped talking and added to his own words in a very quiet way: "I'm not worth anything anymore." He just sat there, hanging his head in seeming shame.
Lily looked at Draco. She extended her Mind towards him. She opened herself up completely to him, to his thoughts and feelings and felt then for the first time the real depths of his misery, and failings.
She sat there, feeling his feelings, although he never knew she could do that. It was one of her abilities she'd just not told anyone. It was not really necessary. It would have been so easy to just condemn him, to toss him in with the rest of the Death Eaters even though he was not one of them, except by, maybe association through his father. But that would not have helped, only made the situation worst. 'I'm here to help. The right thing to do is sometimes hard but the results in the end would be worth it.'
"I can help you, Draco. I can open a few doors for you that you yourself would not be able to open."
"Why? After the way I treated you and your family all those years, why help me now? What's in it for you?"
"It'd be the right thing to do, to help you. It'd make the situation right. Besides, I'd feel better by extending a hand of friendship." Lily reach over to Draco and took his hand in hers; She could feel his feelings of worthlessness almost overwhelm him to such a degree that she knew that if she didn't do something positive, helpful, now, there'd not be another chance. Lily felt that he was almost, almost that far gone.
Time to pull out that Gryffindor courage that Hogwarts has, and see just how much good it'd do. Time to start making another difference.
"Draco, I can help you now. If you need a job, I know of a few people who'd listen to me and give you a chance with my recommendation. It would be a small start, but it'd be in a highly visible place where many of us could see you and give you a better chance once they see you're really trying. Will you give me the chance to help?"
Draco looked up at her without speaking. Tears were starting to fall from his eyes. "Please, Lily, don't let anyone see me this way." He was wiping his eyes. Lily gave him a handkerchief to dry his eyes on and to blow his nose.
"I'll take that as a 'yes' answer. Come on with me, we've got a couple places to go." Lily got out a couple gold galleons, placing them on the table and waving to Esmeralda, and with her nodding back at Lily, they left.
"I wonder what they were talking about." Esmeralda said mostly to herself. She was overheard by one of the patrons who had replied, "Well, if it's Lily, she's probably trying to help someone, even if its' that Malfoy bloke. I guess we'll all soon see."
Lily went to Gringotts' and talked to a Goblin for a few minutes, doing a small bit of paperwork. The Goblins looked at Draco, very unsure of him, but seeing that he was here with Lily and Hagrid, they didn't bother him. Bad news does travel fast, especially in the Magical World, and Draco was definitely Bad News.
Lily was out to try and change that perception.
She and Draco left the bank and went to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes to see Fred and George. They had a very popular Store. All the students at Hogwarts knew of their establishment and what they carried was THE BEST. Lily felt that this was a good place to start, besides, she had a bit of, shall we say 'enticement' that even the Twins could not turn down.
"Hi, Fred, George. I would like to talk with you a bit." Lily walked in the store with Draco in tow. Hagrid was standing, ominesently behind her.
"Oh, Hi, Lily." They both said in unison. Then they saw who was with her. Smiles turned to frowns – fast.
Lily saw this and acted fast. "Don't worry about Draco, he's with me. So to is Hagrid. I've come to talk with you both and offer you something. I need to talk with you both."
"Ok, lets' go in back to the office." One of the twins said. So the four of them went and sat down.
"Draco, could you step outside the office for just a few minutes. Please? I'll call you back in, so please, please, don't leave me. Ok? I want to trust you on this." Lily held out her hand towards him.
Draco nodded his head. And stepped outside the office door. He could see through the glass window, so he knew Lily could also see him so he couldn't leave. He'd just have to wait. Plus, there was the ever present Hagrid. He stayed.
"Ok, Lily," Fred began, "I can smell a rat, so out with it. Draco is with you and I know, we both know, that you're up to something."
"Yea," said George. "How much is this gonna hurt us? And we see you've got Hagrid with you. Is he your new 'Muscle' or something?" George smiled at this last bit.
"Oh, you! Hagrid is just accompanying me. I had to go places where I felt that having him with me would have been best. And, he's NOT my 'muscle'!" Lily smiled a bit, knowing George was teasing her.
Looking up at her Brothers in Law, with the biggest doe like eyes, she began talking.
"Look at her eyes, brother, we both know this is something." Fred said.
"I know, I can feel it coming." George said.
Lily reached into her robes and pulled out a parchment from Gringotts'. The twins saw it and upon seeing the amount of Galleons written upon it, whistled together. "Lily, that's quite a large amount of Galleons. Talk to us."
"Fred, George, I want to make 'an investment'. As Arthur, your dad, is fond of saying, I'm putting my money where my mouth is, and this is a rather sizable amount of money, is it not?"
"That, dear Sister in Law, is the understatement of the year." George replied.
"Now We both know how much this is gonna hurt, twin." Fred said.
"You think we can afford this much pain, twin?" George asked.
"YES!" they both replied.
Turning their heads to Lily, "What can we do for our newest investor?"
"I want to make a difference." Lily began.
The twins looked at one another, not understanding.
"What difference? And what does Draco have to do with this?" Fred asked pointedly, cutting to the chase.
"Look, I'm not going to beat around the bush, so here's my offer: Draco needs a job, he needs a chance to show everyone that he's not like his father. Please, give him a chance, give him a job here, keep an eye on him, trust him with some little stuff, to begin with. Just talk with him in a friendly way. Just act around him as if he was just a regular person, eat lunch with him, and pay him a salary. Get him to help you, ask him his opinion and ideas for something. He just might surprise you."
"Yea, that's what I'm afraid of." George replied.
"Please, I know that Harry has an investment here. You both got started with his Tri-Wizard Tournament winnings so you know what it's like to be helped."
Fred and George looked at one another with surprise written all over their faces. "How did you know that?"
"Well, to begin with, my son did not tell me, so rest easy on that. Lets' just say, I have my sources of information that are, shall we say 'highly placed.'" Lily ended her sentence on a high note and wiggled her eyebrows rolling her eyes upward.
They got the hint - Big Time.
Lily reached out her hand and took each of her brothers' hands in hers, "Look you two, I trust you both very much and right now, I'm asking for a favor. Just give Draco a chance. I've looked inside him, deep inside his mind where no one else could possibly go and I saw a lot of fear, pain and, . . ." Lily stopped talking. She turned her head away, stood up and faced away from Fred and George.
The twins looked at one another, taking the hint.
Fred took the lead on this, for George knew what he was going to say. "Lily, we're here for you, as your family, your advisors. You told us that yourself. You didn't want to feel alone, well you're not alone in this. George and I are your reserves of strength that you can come to for help and advice. Even a shoulder to cry on if need be."
George continued for his brother. "Lily, if you feel that Draco could be helped that much by working for us, we'll do it. And not for the money, either."
Fred looked at his twin, eyes, getting big.
"But it helps, Lily." George continued.
"We'll do anything for you, Lily, even this." Fred said.
Lily turned to her brothers and smiled and hugged them both. "I love you, both of you. Father was right when He suggested you both. I guess He knows you better than I do."
Fred and George looked at one another, surprise and shock. They'd just been complimented, and, in a Big Way.
Fred said, "You know, twin, I think this will work out very well, especially with what Lily said."
George opened the door. "Come on in Draco, seems as though you're working with us now. We'll show you the ropes, get you acquainted all around."
"Thanks, I appreciate this. It was all Lily's idea. If it wasn't for her, I'd have . . . ," Draco didn't finish.
"What he means is he didn't know what he would have done." Lily interceded for him. "I'll be talking with you, Draco, from time to time. Don't worry, things will work out for the best. Just be good, say nice things, and talk with Fred and George here. They're my brothers and I trust them very much. They're kinda like my 'advisors'."
"ok, you'll not have to worry about me. I'll work with them. Its been a long time since anyone has really trusted me, and I'm indebted to all of you."
Lily left the store, and Draco, with them. She felt good now. She'll keep an eye out on him and see how he does, what problems he might be having if any. She felt that by doing this, she'd avoided a great many problems in the future. The road that she is on she felt was the best alternative, for at the end of it was what everyone really wanted. She was, after all, just a tool and that Still Small Voice was so good to hear.
Lily and Hagrid apparated back to her office at Hogwarts. She felt good not just because she helped someone who needed it, but because she felt she'd headed off problems that would have arisen in the future. Lives were not to be lost, those who would have felt much pain and suffering and heartache were saved from that. Just so many reasons, but most of all was Draco's appreciation for the love and help he had received from someone he felt would have been the last to have wanted to extend him a helping hand.
Back at the Castle, Lily just walked around the hallways, mixing in amongst the students. This she enjoyed. She did not want to appear to be 'unapproachable' and stay in her office too much. The students were her responsibility, so in order to fulfill that responsibility she had to be with them.
Walking down the hall, many students saw her and complimented her. Lily kept her 'eyes and ears' opened for that small bit of unease, that part that caused problems.
While her son and Ginny were on their Honeymoon, Lily stayed busy at school, tending to the many daily problems that arose amongst the faculty and students, pertaining to logistics and the many meetings. Professor McGonagall assisted her, as she did when Headmaster Dumbledore was here. Minerva was very comfortable around her, Lily could feel it. And appreciate it also.
Lily wandered down to the kitchens so she could visit her beloved elves. They were the ones who truly kept the castle running, clean and in general working order. Lily was truly amazed at the pace they kept and all without interfering with each other.
Lily walked into the kitchen. It was just before lunch and there, as Lily stood just inside the doorway, all she could see were elves everywhere, just everywhere.
Suddenly, all movement stopped !
They all looked up and saw their beloved Headmistress.
Dobby walked over to Lily, bowing his head before her. "Headmistress Lily Potter, we are all greatly pleased to have you with us. How can we be of assistance?" Dobby looked up at Lily, his great big eyes seemingly smiling.
"Nothing specific, Dobby, I just wanted to come down here and visit with all of you. Is there anything you need? Any supplies I can get for you?"
"Oh, Headmistress, you do us great honor by being with us. We don't need anything at all. Lunch is almost ready."
Lily stooped down to Dobby's level, resting her arms on her knees and looking directly at him and every once in a while, looked at the rest of the elves, complimented him, and the rest. "Dobby, I just wanted to let you know, and the rest of you, that you all do a great job here. This castle could not really run without your help. I just can't tell you enough how much I appreciate all you do, each and everyone of you."
Dobby's great eyes began tearing up, his lower lip started quivering and he began to cry – Lily could feel the happiness just radiating off of him in great waves. From all the elves. They'd not been really complimented like that in so long they felt that they'd not deserved it.
Lily reached out and put her arms around Dobby and there, in the kitchen in front of all of the elves of Hogwarts, she hugged him and just held him and kissed him on his head.
"Dobby, don't cry now, please, none of you. All will be well with all of you now. Understand?"
Dobby hesitantly looked up, "Dobby understands, Lily Potter. And, Dobby thanks you. All of us elves thanks you. You're the best house any of us have ever served."
"Why, thank you, Dobby, I do thank all of you. Each and everyone of you." Lily appreciated them and their honesty and affection.
"Dobby, there's something I wish to do for you, a specific job, well two of them actually."
Dobby just looked up at Lily, smiling.
"Dobby, if there is anything you need to order for the castle, any supplies, food, material, whatever it may be that you feel that would be helpful in doing your job, I want to give to you the authority to go into either Hogsmead or Diagon Alley and get it."
"Oh, Lily Potter, you do Dobby a very great honor in this. Thank you, thank you so much."
"Also, Dobby, Every week I have a staff meeting of all the faculty, staff, and I want you to be there to represent the elves."
Dobby was speechless.
He just nodded his head and cried silently to himself, his happiness was overwhelming him. He held his head in his hands and just cried, and Lily again held him comforting him. "Dobby, you've earned this job, all of you have. I do trust you all."
"Headmistress, never has Dobby been treated as well as you have treated Dobby. You come down here and talk with us, hug us, and give us authority. We will always love you Lily Potter. You will be, indeed, the greatest Headmistress that Hogwarts has ever had."
"Oh, Dobby, thank you, thank you and bless you forever for that kindness."
Lily slowly got up keeping her hands on Dobby's shoulders rubbing his shoulders affectionately.
"I'll let you know when the next staff meeting is. There will be changes made, slowly, but they will be made. And, it'll all be for the best. I've got to go now. Oh, Thank you, in advance, for the lunch. I am a bit hungry."
Dobby looked up at Lily as another Elf ran up and gave Lily a sandwich that Lily gratefully accepted and acknowledged.
Lily left the kitchens and slowly walked upstairs to the main hall, eating as she went. As she walked down the halls, the students couldn't help but see her, and noticed she was eating a sandwich. Some smiled, but they ALL knew where she'd been. It was common knowledge that the elves would give anyone something to eat if they came to the kitchens.
As Lily was walking down one of the halls, classes were letting out and the halls were packed with students. They were all dressed in their customary black robes with the exception of Lily who was dressed in her white robes. She stood out like the sun shinning in a night sky, she could be seen from anywhere.
And, Lily liked that.
A tug was felt on her sleeve. Lily looked and saw Rachel smiling and obviously very happy. "Hi, Rachel, how are you?" Lily asked.
"Doing very well. I've been thinking of all you told me during our last visit to the Burrow. I wanted you to know that I dearly appreciate your kindness and friendship you've shown me. The time you've spend with me, well, I needed it." Rachel looked away for a bit, at a lost for words and added " I also needed your family, too." Rachel looked away from Lily not able to fully admit to what she just acknowledged. Lily took up the slack and placed her hand on Rachel's' shoulder as they continued walking to the Great Hall and Lunch. "Rachel, I fully understand how you feel. You've no need to apologize for anything."
"But, Headmistress, you've given me so much of yourself. I can never fully repay you for all that."
Lily stopped walking in the crowded hall way, students giving them both a wide berth and placing both of her hands on Rachel's' shoulders. "Rachel, one thing I've learned is that we all have talents. Some more than others, but these talents are given to us so that we can use them to help others. They are not to be used for personal gain when there is someone who is not in a position to reciprocate equally. Doing a job, helping others of our brothers and sisters especially when they so much need help, well, just doing that job is itself it's own reward. The good feeling we get by helping others' will stay with us for the rest of our lives, long after all the galleons have been long spent and gone." Lily looked directly into Rachel's' eyes.
Rachel stood there in the Hallway, feeling Lily looking at her, seemingly deep into her very soul. She heard and understood what Lily said and it stuck with her.
"Do you understand now, Rachel?" Lily asked.
For one of the very few times, Rachel understood. Really understood just what motivated Lily, at least part of that motivation. "Yes, Headmistress, I understand, I think I do. Let me think on it."
"Good. Like I've said before, come see me anytime. My door and my family will always be open to you. That's why I'm here." Lily put one arm around Rachel's shoulder as they continued walking down the Hallway.
"Lily, I've got a question. It's more of an observation, though." Rachel spoke up hesitantly while walking with Lily.
"What is it?"
"Well, I've been thinking of our conversation we had back in the garden at the Burrow, about, well, the future as you described it, and, well, I was thinking while I was in my Defense Against the Dark Arts class, have you thought of having a sort of class just the opposite? One that doesn't emphasize the 'dark' part, but instead emphasizes the 'light' side? I don't know how to put it or even what that class would teach. Maybe the good magic that you use, but certainly it'd have to include something else beyond magic, something deeper that affects us all. Maybe this is an incomplete idea. It's just something that I've been thinking on. Maybe some Muggles that Mr. Weasley, the Minister of Magic, knows, could help."
Lily stopped walking and turned to look, no, STARE, directly at Rachel.
Lily was Thinking, wheels of thoughts were turning in her mind as her eyes looked all around Rachel's face, seemingly unfocused.
And she smiled such a radiant smile that came from within herself that her Inner Light of Grace that was given her by Father suddenly radiated outward. Lily just stood there – like a beacon in the night – radiating such a brilliant white light that touched, engulfed all who stood around her! This was her reaction when someone touched something deep within her.
"Rachel, what a great idea! I've been wanting to do something like that but I just didn't know how to start it or what to call it or even how to proceed. But, the idea alone that you came up with! It's working, it truly is working!" Lily was all smiles. All the students around them suddenly stopped walking and stood and looked at their Headmistress and one of their own fellow students to whom Lily was talking with. Many of them, some, the first years, heard of Lily and only witnessed Lily only that one time previously at the start of the school year, but, now, up close seeing her like this touched each and everyone of them. Even the resident Ghosts.
"Rachel, let me work on your idea some and I'll try to get some more input and we'll see what we can come up with."
"Really? You think my idea has merit?"
"Yes, Rachel, I do, but I want to do lots of background work on this first. People's perceptions will have to be considered. I don't want to alienate anyone"
"Thanks, Headmistress. I think I understand what you mean by helping others and that good feeling that comes from helping others."
They both walked to the Great Hall and to Lunch.