Lily and Tom: A Story of Success
Author's Note: There's a part of this story, at the end of this chapter, that I'm leaving out for now. This is just to get the rest of it put online here. I'll still come back and finish it and put that part back up here. I've beenwriting the rest of this story since my last post, and it'll completely amaze you. I've placed music, hyperlinks, pictures and listed my very favorite parts in a table of contents and an index in my copy of this story. it's
quite large. if you want a complete copy of it, contact mePlease excuse me for this delay. I have thoroughly enjoyed writing this story. E-mail me: if you have any questions. And REVIEW.
The entire family were all so happy to have Ginny back home, back at the Burrow. Each of her brothers had given her a hug and told her they loved her. Bill, the eldest, summed it up best: "Ginny, we all love you without question. You're the light of our family, being the only sister. We'd do anything for you. Ginny, your fears are our fears – we're here to help you."
"Thanks, Bill." Ginny whispered. She looked up at everyone there, almost everyone, that is. "I've kept everything inside me for so long. I've had my own set of fears that I'd long ago thought I'd laid to rest." As Ginny said this, she looked over at Tom who'd not said a word. Everyone saw Ginny take a furtive glance in Tom's direction, but owing to Lily being there, no one said anything. "But times have changed, and I guess I have to also." Ginny looked over at Tom, who was standing next to Lily. Oddly enough, Tom felt better here because he knew she wouldn't hurt him, the others, well, he was not quite comfortable.
"Tom, you're here to help Lily?" Ginny asked quietly.
Tom looked up at Ginny, hesitantly. He started to speak but instead looked at Lily as if asking for permission to speak. The look on his face showed fear, fear of making a mistake. Tom could not afford to make ANY mistakes.
"It's ok to answer her, Tom. Anytime anyone asks you a question, you may answer to the best of your ability. Don't be afraid." Lily had her hand on his shoulder.
"Yes, I am. I'm here to serve her in whatever capacity she wants me in." Tom spoke up, but very softly. He glanced up briefly, then looked back down again.
"You seem whole again, like you're all here." Harry asked. He was referring to the Horcruxes that he'd destroyed.
"Yes, I am. I'm like I was when I was in school, before all this started with me. I can't even speak Parseltongue anymore, that was taken away from me. A lot was taken from me, but I don't miss it, any of it."
"How do you feel, Tom?" Molly asked.
Tom looked up at her, his eyes glistening over. His hand started to raise up, palm up, as if he was reaching outwards for something. All Ginny's brothers started for their wands out of pure reflex, but Tom spoke up: I've never had a family. I don't know how to feel, or what to say. I can feel some good from you, mostly from Lily and James, and you, Molly, I never knew what it felt like to really be loved and accepted with no fear involved."
"Tom, that's how we all are in our family. We love each other. We help each other. Don't try to make it complicated." Molly tried to ease some of his fears.
"While I'm here, if I can help you in any way, just ask. I was suppose to say that while I'm here."
"Lily, when you're at Hogwarts, what will Tom be doing? Will he be with you there or will he be staying here?" Bill asked.
"He'll be with me the entire time. His magic is severely limited to not hurting people. So, what that means is he can't cast any of the unforgivables nor any transfigurations towards anyone. That includes curses, hexes, and the like."
"Does he have a wand?" Fred asked.
"No, not yet. In fact," Lily looked at James as she said this to confirm her thoughts, "Mr. Ollivander has a wand that's been set aside just for Tom."
It was Arthur who asked next: "Who set it aside? And when?"
"Please, don't worry any concerning that issue. When I was pregnant, James and I went to see Mr. Ollivander and he then showed me some of his wands that he was constructing. One of them didn't have a Magical Core, so, with his permission, I put into it some of Fathers Protection that He's bestowed on me. The wand will know Tom as soon as Tom goes into his Shop and it'll go to Tom."
"You mean you're giving HIM a WAND! After all he's done?" Arthur was looking much like Harry's uncle Vernon used to, but with fear in his voice.
"Please, you don't understand. The wand can't hurt anyone. It has some of Father's Grace and protection in it, it's just a little of what I have. He can't hurt anyone."
"You're sure about this, Lily? I mean, well, look at what the potential is that you're letting loose here. I mean just look at what's happened in the past. If he can cast charms with your Grace, won't he be more than we can handle?" Arthur was getting very nervous.
"It doesn't work that way. It can only be used for good. Evil, has no effect on it. Remember what I said, that he'd be punished immediately if he EVER hurt anyone, for any reason. I explained all this to Ginny while we were gone. We'd found her at Hogwarts, in the Gryffindor Common Room." Lily was looking around at each of her family members. There was fear of failure in her eyes, fear of not being able to reach them with her understanding. She then tried to do what she knew best: a one on one talk, and Molly was the best candidate.
Lily walked over to Molly and held her hand. "Molly, all will be ok. Just teach him how to love by example. That's all you have to do. As long as you're doing that, you'll be protected just as if I were right beside you, even though some of the time I won't be, you'll always be protected. You're doing Father's work so, you'll be ok."
"I'm still a little afraid, but I'll do what you ask." Molly was biting on her lower lip as she said this, her eyes looking from Lily to Tom. Molly looked back at Lily again, "It'll take some time, so please, be a little patient with me."
"I will Molly, I will." Lily smiled and hugged Molly.
Arthur remained silent for a long time after he had last spoke. Being the Minister of Magic he had many responsibilities and this 'opportunity' that Lily was fostering upon his family was certainly pushing things to the limit. 'If any of this EVER got out . . . ,' Arthur thought as he was walking towards the windows and looking outside to think his thoughts.
He felt a hand on his arm, and it wasn't Molly. He knew her touch. It was Lily.
"What's wrong, Arthur? Please, talk with me. I really need all of you now. This is one of the reasons you all are here."
Arthur turned around and looked at Lily, sighing a great deal. He looked at Lily and silently shook his head, his eyes were looking deeply into Lily's.
'Just so much like her son's eyes, she's certainly marked Harry as her own, that's for sure.' Arthur shook his head to clear that thought and spoke up to Lily in response to what she asked him. "Lily, what do I do, as Minister, that is? What do I tell people? I just can't say 'Oh, remember Voldemort? Well, he's come back and he's living with my family back at the Burrow and Lily is protecting him. She's got some plan for him and she's trying to teach him how to love.' Lily, I just can't say that! Our entire world would be in pandemonium. I'd be thrown in Azkaban and every Auror, including the retired ones would be out here with one thing on their mind: to Kill Tom. Period."
Arthur just looked away for a while and walked away. He stopped by the windows and just looked outside a bit before he went out. He needed to think. 'Lily's trying to do the right thing, but she's so far ahead of me and everyone else I just don't know how to keep up.' He just sat down outside under one of the trees and bowed his head in his hands and stayed that way for a long time. He didn't want to say no to Lily, but he was being placed in a difficult situation.
Something had to give.
Lily walked to the window and just looked out at Arthur. She crossed her arms, extending her mind towards Arthur and felt his feelings, lightly. She needed to know just how he felt and to what extent his fears were leading him down his current path of thoughts and actions.
For the first time she was worried, very worried, about what she'd attempted. This is something that just had to be done. This, not just for Tom's sake, but for the benefit of the rest of the Magical World. They all needed to learn to Trust her, and this was their first big lesson in Trust.
Lily remembered all the lessons she'd been given each morning since she'd started school. Getting up early, before sunrise and going off by herself. If anyone had seen her, they'd think she was meditating. If only they knew – she was talking or to be more accurate, being taught by her, their, everyone's, Father. She'd been shown many Visions of her peoples future and this aspect, that of Tom being here, was one of them. She KNEW what was to come in the future and she had been taught just how to handle it in the right and proper way. Teaching was her destiny, laid out by her Father's Hand. So, now, she just had to put to use what she'd been taught.
Lily extended her mind into Arthur's'. She plumbed the depth's of his mind going down to see where his worry lay, and she'd found it: The people's strong negative reaction, even after so many centuries, it still lay there, like a dormant disease waiting to rise up again.
Lily turned back to the rest of the family and walked over to Tom. Placing her hands on his shoulders as she spoke to him. "Tom, I want you to stay here. Maybe Molly can make you a cup of tea and you can sit at the kitchen table. Here, sit here, this is the spot I sit when I eat here." She looked at Molly and gave her a pleading look of help. Molly picked up on it. After all, that's what she was good at.
"Here, Tom, I'll make us a pot of tea and I'll sit with you until Lily returns. You'll be alright." Molly set about in the kitchen to brew a pot of tea while Lily walked outside to talk with Arthur. Molly was worried about her husband and his responsibilities.
Molly set the pot on the table and sat down with Tom, pouring them both a cup of tea and letting him get used to having her close to him. He kept his hands on the cup, warming his hands around the steaming cup and sipping it a little.
Molly noticed his hesitation, his nervousness so she reached out and held his hands in hers. They weren't here to drink tea. That was just a vehicle to get him to relax, something to be familiar with so she could be with him. She wanted to show him how to be with people and actually CARE about them.
Tom looked up at Molly and looked at her. He was so scared of what the events were playing out to be so far. "Maybe I shouldn't have come, even though it wasn't my idea."
"Tom, don't say that. You've changed a lot. Lily can see that, and so can I. Even Ginny has started to come around. Don't worry, The twins will come about next."
"This isn't working out too well. I can see it. This was my last hope." Tom placed his head down on the table on his folded arms. His body shaking.
Molly looked at him. She was startled at just how vulnerable he really was. Molly just reached over and hugged him, putting her arms around him.
"All of us will be your teachers for the time that you're here, Tom. You can watch us, our example, and learn from that. Also, at some point you'll have the chance to be with each of us. Of course, with the twins, you'll be with the both of them. They're always together, that's just how they are. They're rather unique. But, they're fun to be with. Maybe you can help them with their joke shop, give them some ideas, harmless ideas. That's all they do. They do provide a lot of laughs."
Tom stopped shaking some with Molly rubbing his shoulders and back some. Molly noticed it. "Drink some of your tea before it cools too much, Tom, dear. It's ok, it's just tea."
Meanwhile, outside, Lily approached Arthur, very timidly, and sat down beside him.
"Arthur?" She placed her hand gently, softly on his arm.
He slowly raised his head and looked at Lily. He trusted her very much, but this was something that terrified him in it's potential for possible harm. But his memories of the war and all the families who'd been lost were still fresh in his mind. Time had not softened that part yet.
"Lily, I've been faced with so much pain and lost and suffering and just plain fear of what he'd caused. It's just so hard for me to let go of all this just because you say so. My faith is very small when it comes to understanding what you're doing. I'll help you, Lily. But it won't be easy on me."
"Arthur, I'll keep Tom with me at all times while he's here. When I go back to school each day, he will go with me and stay with me throughout the day. I'll make sure he will never be alone."
Arthur turned to look at Lily when she mentioned school.
"No one outside this family knows who he is. No One, Arthur, and it'll stay that way. When Harry and I went with Tom to locate Ginny, we were in the Gryffindor Common Room. Tom stood beside the door out of sight of Ginny while I talked with her. Everyone there saw him but didn't recognize him. They knew he was with me, but that's all. Everyone knows I befriend students at times, and even take some in to stay with me. That's pretty much common knowledge throughout the many generations of students I've taught here."
Lily looked at Arthur directly into his eyes and held his look. "It'll be ok, trust me on this. No one recognizes him. There are no pictures of Tom from when he was a student here. Everyone who'd ever had any contact with him then is gone now. We're the only exception. And we all know why he's back here: For him to be shown love and how it works. Arthur, we've been given a magnificent opportunity here, and it'll pay huge dividends in the future."
"Ok, Lily, I'll go along with this, but only because of who you are. That's the only reason. But just to let you know the risks I'm taking, if anything about who he is gets out, all of us will be in Azkaban for life. Including you."
Arthur hesitated a moment and added: "And knowing just how long we've been here and who knows how much longer we'll still be here, that stay in Azkaban will be VERY long!" Arthur shook his head and looked away, far away into the distance. He just didn't have the strength to look at Lily in her eyes.
"I know the risks, Arthur. They've all been outlined to me a long time ago. Arthur, just to belay your fears none of us will be going to Azkaban. Father has already anticipated that and provided for us all if it gets that far. Father will be looking out for our welfare." Lily smiled at her Father in Law whom she's known for so long.
Arthur just sat there looking at Lily, looking into her Emerald Green Eyes, and for the first time since he's known her, he just now saw truth and everything else that she has been trying to teach. "I'll trust you Lily, there's just something in your eyes that tells me to." Arthur looked away for a while and just shook his head in wonderment and awe over this seemingly incongruous statement. 'Were things moving too fast for him to perceive?' Arthur just looked out and away for a moment.
"Thanks, anyway, Arthur. I won't let you down. And to show you where you're putting your faith, I've got some good news for you, and JUST for you. Sometime, in the future, something will happen, something important, and Tom here will be a great blessing to you. You'll be very glad that he was allowed to stay."
"Lily, I've never doubted your word but what you just said, let me just say that I'll reserve judgment when that time comes."
"I'll settle for that, considering the circumstances." Lily smiled at Arthur. She got up and bent down and kissed Arthur on his forehead. He blushed like a teenager at that. "Thanks, Lily. You've been good to me and my family."
"Lets go back inside, Arthur, our family is waiting for us."
Lily and Arthur went back inside the house, Molly had been talking to Tom and things seemed sort of quiet. Now that Lily was back in the kitchen area, Ginny casually walked in and went through the motions of preparing a cup of hot tea for herself. Lily noticed her here, due to Ginny's not really wanting to be too close to Tom. Lily decided to ask a few questions and see where it'd lead her.
"How do you feel now, Ginny?" Lily asked.
Ginny was silent for a moment or two, continued stirring her tea. "Much calmer, I think. My past memories are what I have to go on. I hear what you've said, but this new situation will take me some time to get used to." Ginny put her cup down and looked at Lily, right at her: "Lily, I'm trying real hard to be as nice and calm as I can. You're the only reason, your presence here, is what makes things easier for me. I know you, Lily, you've proven yourself to me many times." What Ginny left unsaid was Tom has not proven himself and she was still very much scared of him.
"Ginny, I want to tell you something. It goes for you as well as the entire family. I want you to trust me on this, have a little bit of faith. I tell you this because there will come a time when all you'll have to protect yourselves with will be your choices and your faith in Father. You and the rest of us have this small bit of courage and faith you'll be ok. Father is using Tom here, as an example. Someone for us to focus our faith on. Already, he's done us much good. Most of you have already seen how different he really is."
Ginny looked at Lily, long and hard. So too did Molly and Arthur and the rest of the family. But the one who did not look at her, he was the most afraid of all, and that was Tom.
"Molly, can Tom have Ron's old room? He will be across the hall from James and myself."
"Yes, of course. Let me go get it ready, sheets and all." Molly got up and went to prepare the room for their most unusual and unexpected guest. After all, Molly was still a good host.
The next morning, they'd all eaten breakfast and went their various ways. Arthur to work at the Ministry, Bill at Hogwarts to keep the Dragons, Charlie at Gringotts as a Curse Breaker, The twins to their store in Diagon Alley, and Percy to the Ministry. Lily stayed behind for a short while so she could floo the school to let them know she'd be a little late. No explanations were given.
"Well, Tom, today I'd like to take you to Diagon Alley and get you some more clothes and other items. You ready to go?"
Tom looked at Lily rather nervously. "I don't have any galleons to purchase any of these. I feel like a charity case on you, Lily." Tom cast his eyes down, ashamed to look up at her.
Lily walked over to Tom, holding his face gently in her hands. "Tom, you're not a charity case. Look at me, please. Father has asked us, Molly in particular, to help you. You are giving all of us an incredible opportunity to increase our faith in Father's Plan. In you own way, you're actually helping us. As far as being a charity case, we'd never think of letting you go without. That'd not be charitable of us."
Tom stood there, very quiet for a long while. "ok, I understand what you're saying. But, it's difficult for me. If you understand."
"Then come with me, time to go. Nothing will happen to you, you'll be with me." Lily held out her hand to Tom while going to the fireplace to floo out. "There is one thing I ask of you and that's not to tell anyone, no matter who asks you, who you are or what your background is. Just say that your name is Tom. This is for your protection, and ours, too. People still have long memories and I don't want to provoke them unnecessarily."
Tom nodded his head, "I understand and do as you ask."
"Thanks, Tom." Lily smiled at him. It was perhaps the first time he'd ever had such a warm word, other than the hug from Molly which was the first time anyone had ever hugged him in his memory.
As the two were flooing out to go to Diagon Alley, Tom thought that this was a very nice family. They were truthful with him about their fears and at least some were wanting to help him. He appreciate that.
The first place Lily took him was to Madam Maulkins Robes where he was fitted with all the standard Wizard's clothing. Lily saw to it that he got all the latest fashions. She remembered how Ron felt, and Ginny, too, when they had to wear hand me downs. It did the job but sometimes, others can be hurtful when they see just how little you truly have. James still has a little problem with those awkward feelings of inadequacy over not having enough or being able to 'measure up'. She didn't want Tom to face those problems with all the other problems he has.
"Well, Tom, you look fine in you new outfit." Lily smiled at him. They got the rest of their purchases including extra clothes of everything Tom needed to wear. Lily never hesitated at getting him what he wanted.
Leaving the Shop, she told Tom there was one more stop that was necessary. She approached Ollivanders' and just as she got to the door Tom hesitated at going in.
"Tom, what's wrong?"
"This is Ollivanders'. They only sell wands. I . . . .I . . . .I'm afraid, Lily. I don't want to ." Tom was visibly afraid.
Lily faced him. "It's alright, Tom. You're allowed to have a wand, but not just any wand. Long ago, James and I set a wand aside just for you. I imbued it with some of my protection. It won't hurt anyone nor can it be used in any Dark way. You won't be committing any offense by having this wand. Trust me, Tom. I'll never lie to you. That'd go against my nature."
Tom looked at Lily, shaking some, and trying to hide it.
"Ok, I've trusted everyone so far.. . ."
He walked inside, slowly.
Once inside Mr. Ollivander welcomed Lily. "Hello, Lily. Nice to have you here in my shop. How may I help you?"
He looked at the young man who stood beside her, a puzzle passing across his face. He looked at Tom as if something in the back of his mind had been disturbed. But, that'd be for later.
"I've brought one of my young charges with me. His name is Tom and he will need a wand, but not just any wand. Remember long ago I came in here and had a wand set aside?"
Mr. Ollivander nodded his head. That instance had triggered his memory working again. "Yes, I do seem to remember that wand. It had no magical core, but you did something to it and had me set it aside; You said it would recognize it's owner when he came within it's presence. Let me go get it."
He came back a moment later with a long slender box and opened it.
Tom looked at Lily, unsure still and put the wand back on the counter.
"I can't."
Mr. Ollivander looked at the young man and thought him very strange for not wanting a wand.
"Is there anything wrong with the wand? It does seem suited to you."
"It's not the wand, Mr. Ollivander," Lily replied for Tom. "He's just afraid."
She looked at Tom, "I set this wand aside for you many years ago, Tom. You'll be needing it. Please, don't worry, you'll not be able to hurt anyone with it. It's core is not like any other wand, it has some of my protection in it."
"I remember what it was like before I came here, I don't want to make any mistakes and this could be too much for me to handle." Tom told Lily how he truly felt.
Lily stopped and thought a moment. She didn't want to push him into making a decision or doing something he was afraid of. "Suppose I pay for it now and just leave it here. When you feel ready to use it you may come get it." Looking up at Mr. Ollivander Lily was asking an implied permission.
"Of course, Lily. I'll have his wand set aside for him. It'll be here like it has in the past." Mr. Ollivander replied.
"Thank you, Lily." Was all Tom said. He looked sad and fearful.
As they left, Mr. Ollivander looked at them. Something in the back of his mind was trying to click over, but he just couldn't put his finger on it.
"Lets go to Hogsmead Village and get a Butterbeer." Lily suggested.
She apparated them both in front of The Three Broomsticks pub.
"Come on in. You're with me, Tom. It'll be alright." Lily offered him her hand and she lead him in, found a table and sat down.
After ordering a Butterbeer for the both of them, Lily began to talk some. She wanted him to open up and be more forthcoming with his feelings – and fears.
"Well, what do you think of your success?" Lily asked, starting the conversation.
Tom looked up at her, perplexed. "I've not done anything to be successful with."
"Good Butterbeer, isn't it?" Lily asked.
Lily sat her stein back on the table. "Sure you have. First you didn't do anything to provoke the family's fears."
"What? Didn't you see . . . , - what about how they reacted to me?"
"That was all based on their memories of your past, not who you are today. There is a distinct difference."
(Authors note: I got my idea of Tom in this new role based upon Acts 9:3 where Saul was a hated and despised man who persecuted the Christians and was converted on the Road to Damascus and was thereafter named Paul, one of the staunchest supporters of Christianity. Also, Matthew 9:9 where Matthew was sitting at a 'receipt of custom' (he was a tax collector), collecting taxes for the Roman Govt. and was the most hated and despised of all, yet became a disciple. )
"What's that?"
"You're different now, you're not who you were then. If father wants to give you a 2nd chance, the rest of us should also. It's that simple. That's how forgiveness works."
"what if they don't? What'll happen to me then?" Tom asked getting more nervous by the moment by the way this conversation was going.
"They'll come around, but it will take time. Meanwhile, stay with me, you'll be ok."
Tom looked at her.
"Trust me, Tom, please." Lily said, patting his hand.
"It's easy for you to say that but you're not me. I'm the one who is on the line."
"True, but I have a job to do here, too. We're both being helped. I was also given a 2nd chance, James was too. Just like you are." Lily added.
"But, you're . . ."
"We're all the same, Tom. It's what you do with what you're given . . . ," and Lily looked at Tom directly as she finished her statement. " . . . no matter how much or how little."
"Tom, you've been put into my care for a number of reasons, the foremost is to learn to love, to recognize it and try to give it to others, regardless of what you receive in return."
"You'll help me then?"
"Of course. Now, back to what you've done. The good: Secondly, you showed me compassion and care when I thought they wanted you gone. You were willing to die and not for me to be hurt nor have it held against them."
"Tom, very few magical folks here, Muggles included, have demonstrated that capacity of compassion."
They both remained quiet for a while. Tom was thinking on it.
Lily could tell she was getting through to him by the length of time it took him to ask questions.
Lily looked at Tom, "You showed me the best part of what it means to love another – the Sacrifice of your own self. As far as love and self are concerned, that level of love is the epitome."
"Oh, and I must not forget – you helped us find Ginny."
Lily drank some more of her Butterbeer while Tom remained silent, in his own thoughts.
"What do I do now, Lily?"
"You work with me, and in due time, I'll put you with some of the members of my family, those who would be comfortable with you. It'd only be for a few hours, at first."
"But, for now, lets go to school and I'll show you around." Lily got up and paid the tab. They both left, walking back up the road to Hogwarts."
Classes were still in session, students everywhere, some in class, others in the halls. Everywhere they went, Lily was acknowledged and greeted, some took note of the frail looking young man who accompanied her everywhere she went.
Lunch time was upon them when Lily took Tom to the Great Hall.
"Here, Tom, Sit here at the Gryffindor Table here on the end. This way, you'll be out of the way of most students and least likely to be asked too many questions that you may be uncomfortable in answering."
During the meal, Lily noticed Hagrid looking at Tom.
'I need to talk with him now.' Lily thought to herself.
She leaned over to Hagrid, "Would you care to walk with me after lunch, please? There's something very important I need to talk with you about. I'll need your help on this." Lily put her hand on his arm.
"Of course, Lily." Hagrid answered.
Lily smiled and 'beamed' a little. She liked Hagrid because, well, to put it as simply as possible, he was like a 'grown up little boy in his awe and wonder' of everything around him. He was not complicated.
Lily and Hagrid left the Great Hall together. She had Dobby take Tom back to her offices where he'd be safe. "Tom, I need to talk with Hagrid for a while; Please stay here, read all the books you'd care to. If any of the paintings of the previous headmasters care to talk with you, feel free to talk with them, especially with Headmaster Dumbledore. I do believe he has a few more 'insights' that would help you. He's helped me a lot in the past, so, please, trust him. I'll return."
Walking out on the front lawn, Lily began her 'trials' of swaying Hagrid.
"How do you feel?" Lily began.
"Oh, well, alright, I guess. This talk isn't about me health, isn't it?"
Lily looked at him, "No, it isn't."
"But, to put your mind at ease, you've done nothing wrong and you're not in trouble. It's just the other way around: I'm the one coming to you for help. This is one of those reasons why I've asked Father to permit you to tarry with me. You can help me a lot and learn a lot."
Lily bit her lip a little, trying to figure out where to start. "Do you remember the night you took my son from our home in Godric's Hollow and took him to my sister's home?"
"Ay, I do, Lily. It was one of the saddest times in me life." Hagrid answered her truthfully.
"I was there, in Spirit form, along with James; we were watching over my infant son. Hagrid, I just can't adequately express to you how helpless I felt then. But, I want to tell you how much I appreciate you taking care of Harry then, if only for that short time."
Hagrid looked at lily, and remained silent. He felt good at hearing what she said. It wasn't often he received a real compliment.
"During that evening, before you got there, Professor Dumbledore told Professor McGonagall, he was speaking of you, he said 'I'd trust Hagrid with my life'.
"Thank ye, Lily, for being so kind to me. You and you're family are the only one's who are."
Lily stopped walking, turned to him and held both of his gigantic hands in her small ones. "I've got something to tell you, something out of our past. Something I'm trying to 'right'. It's a job Father has asked me to do." Lily cast her eyes downward for a moment. She was thinking.
"Do you trust me, Hagrid?" She waited a moment, adding, "I mean REALLY trust me?"
Hagrid paused a moment, "Ye know I do, Lily."
"Ok, let me explain, and whatever you do, don't get mad at me or run off and do whatever. I ask this of you because I went to my family last night and their reaction was so strong, it was so negative that they had their wands pointed at me and, well, let's just say that I had to defend not only myself but one other. Oh, Hagrid, I thought I had failed!" Tears were streaming down Lily's cheeks at this point. "I fell to the ground and asked father to forgive them for their reaction and to take me then for failing Him. Arthur even had the Ministry's Aurors, even the retired ones, come out to the Burrow and surround the place. No one got in or out. They had orders to stop ANYONE who tried, with whatever force they had to to stop anyone from coming or going." That's why I didn't want you there. You could have been hurt, or worst."
Lily remained silent. They've calmed down a lot, but it was because of the tenderness he showed me during my lowest point. Molly saw that and her heart just melted and hugged him. She was the fiercest one of all! Can you believe it? Molly at the forefront of her family, ready with wand pointed and every curse needed poised on the tip of her tongue ready to use them. She would not have hesitated! But it didn't come to that because of the tenderness he showed me, the compassion. Him and Molly get along well now. He's just a frail young man now, none of his former life exists."
Lily looked up at Hagrid.
"Lily, ye really surprise me. Ye and the Weasley's are a matched pair. Ye'd take on anything. Well, it doesn't surprise me none. Is he the lad who sat at the end of Gryffindor table?"
"Yes, he is."
"He looks familiar, but I can't place him."
"You know him Hagrid, you know him."
Hagrid's face paled.
Lily knew, without going into his mind, she knew he knew who the young man was.
"Hagrid, he can't harm anyone now. His abilities are not what they used to be. He's being watched all the time now. Even Ginny is somewhat used to him being here, and she was so scared she even flew out of the Burrow, on a broom and out raced ever Auror and lost them all! He helped us locate her and I talked with her for a long time. She was up in the Gryffindor tower Common room."
"Ye say he can't hurt anyone? Ye sure of that?"
"Yes, Hagrid. Absolutely."
"What's he want?"
"He's been sent back to learn how to love. Amazing, isn't it?"
Hagrid was silent. Perplexed.
"Well, ok, then, I don't know how I can help ye. But, you've got my support in this. I'll keep it a secret. If ye need me to do anything, just ask. I owe ye a lot, Lily."
"Thank you, Hagrid, thank you." Lily pulled him down to her and kissed him on his forehead, causing him to blush.
They walked back to Hagrid's Hut and Lily went back to her office. Tom was still there, having a conversation with the portraits of the Past Headmasters who knew him.
Lily walked in her office and saw Tom talking with the portraits – she liked that part of having the past Head Masters her to help her some. Thoughts were forming in her mind pertaining to how to use Tom while he was here. She had some time but, she knew someof the future and it disturbed her.
"Tom, I've been wanted to use you here at School. To try to tutor some students who need help. What do you think?"
He looked over at her, surprised that such a request would come his way so easily. "I'd like that. But, I don't want to put myself into a situation that could go wrong. This idea of yours has so much potential for that to happen. I don't want to cause any problems for you, Lily."
"Well, at first I'll be right with you. You can help a few students with what you know. Maybe you can show them, demonstrate, some of your technique. Or explain it?"
Lily walked over to Tom, placing her hands in his, "Tom, I really need you. You have all these wonderful abilities. I don't want to waste what you have. You'll have to try on your own soon and I think by helping others would be a great way."
"I did promise that I'd help you in whatever way you needed me to." Tom sighed a little, fear definitely showing on his face. "Will I need the wand you set aside for me?"
"Yes, eventually, I'd like to send you to Ollivander's, by yourself to get it. This will be your first test. I want to see how well you do."
"As you wish, Lily. I'll not get into any trouble."
"I know, Tom."
As Tom turned to leave, Lily said one more thing to him: "Oh, Tom," Lily looked at him with a most loving look on her face. "Make me happy at this."
Tom smiled, "I will."
While Tom was gone, Lily set up some study times where Tom could help some of the students with their homework in the areas of Charms, DADA, Potions and Transfigurations. These were the three main areas of the Magical World plus defense.
Tom went back to Diagon Alley to Ollivander's Wands. "Hello, Tom. Are you back to pick up your wand?"
"Yes, Lily convinced me that it was to my advantage to have one."
Mr. Ollivander gave Tom his wand. As he handed it over to Tom, Mr. Ollivander looked at it: It was just a plain wooden shaft with no true magical core in it. Instead it contained a portion of Lily's protection and grace that she was given by her Father. "Take good care of it, Tom. This is one of my most unusual wands I've ever given out. There is none like it anywhere to the best of my knowledge."
"I know, Mr. Ollivander. I promised Lily I'd make her happy and serve her well."
Tom left the shop and went back to Hogwarts, twirling his wand as he went, going through all the basic movements to refresh himself. 'This is a big responsibility which will either make or break me.' Tom thought to himself. He wanted to do his best and help Lily because by doing so, he'd be helping himself. 'My past is behind me, I can't change that, but I can try to be the person Lily envisions me to be.'
"Tom, I've got some study periods arranged for you to help anyone who may need some help with their homework. Mostly, you'll be getting the students who may be falling behind. They are the ones I'm most concerned about. But I was thinking that with you helping them, they'll be more confident. You'll see how good you feel when you see how well your students are succeeding."
"My students?"
Lily looked up at him, her eyes dancing with laughter. "Why, yes, your students. Unofficially you'll be a teacher here, but you'll only be helping those who are either assigned to you by the professors or who willingly come to you because they like you. I want to try this out for a couple weeks and see what happens. If it's successful then I'll see about making it permanent and putting you on our regular staff. It'll be slow but that's the way I'd want it to be. Give the students time to warm up to you. Don't volunteer anything about yourself. Take it easy and we'll see what happens."
Tom nodded his head in assent. May I go back to my room for a while?" Tom asked Lily.
"Yes, please, go ahead. I'll have the elves set up a separate office for you. I'll let you know tomorrow where it is."
"Thanks, Lily. I appreciate all your help."
With that said, Tom left. Lily just sat back in her office, contemplating her work so far. She'd done what she'd set out to accomplish as far as getting Tom settled in. Tomorrow will be a real test to see just how well he will fit in, temporarily, until her family can teach him the lessons he needs.
After Tom left Lily's office to return to his separate quarters at school, Lily had her faculty meet with her.
"I've asked all of you to meet with me this afternoon for a short while so I can ask a favor of all of you. I've noticed that some students need tutoring, not many, but the need is there."
"We all would like to give the students individual lessons, but Lily, we just don't have the time." One of the faculty mentioned.
"I've got another plan, and this is where I need your co-operation." Lily stopped talking and composed her thoughts.
While looking out of her office windows towards Hagrids' Hut, she began – "I've got someone in mind to begin tutoring the students who need help. He will be available while I'm here." Here, Lily stopped and turned around to look at their reactions.
They were all passive.
"What can you tell us about him? Is he qualified? Where did he go to school?" some of the faculty asked.
Lily remained quiet for the longest time while everyone waited.
"The second question first – He is qualified – very qualified, especially in charms, transfigurations, potions and spells in general. And, Defense against the Dark Arts."
"You said 'he', is that the young man we saw at meal time yesterday?"
"Yes."
"Lily, are you sure about his ability to act as a tutor? He is very young and with no experience . . . ,"
Lily held up her hand to quiet all the questions. "Let me interrupt. First, there's a lot about him I'm not mentioning, especially his background. My family knows him, his name is Tom." Lily hesitated when another faculty member started to ask what his last name is, ". . . , and I will not give out his last name."
"Tom has been sent here to be with me. You'll see him and I together a lot, even with members of my own family.
He's here for me to help him. That's about all I can say. It's best to leave it at that."
"Lily, you're sure he's good, that he knows the material?"
"Yes, absolutely, like I said, especially about D.A.D.A."
Everyone was silent for a while, finally, one spoke up: "If he's got your confidence, that's good enough for me."
"Thank you for saying that. I'll make the announcement this evening at supper and you can start either assigning or recommending students to Tom. His office will be down the hall from mine on this floor."
That evening at supper, Lily made the announcement: "Before we start eating, I have a short announcement. Beginning this evening, a new faculty member will be made available to you. His name is Tom and he will be here strictly for tutoring all class years in Charms, Transfigurations, potions and D.A.D.A. His office is right next to mine, so feel free to stop in and see him. If you have any questions, please ask either me or one of the faculty." She hesitated a bit, looking around at her students who were looking at Tom. "So, if that's all, then as my former Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore would say, 'Tuck in' everyone."
After supper, some of the Gryffindors waited around to talk with their Headmistress. Most of them were together in little crowds or 'knots', they were obvious.
Lily took her time eating, just sitting at the table, watching them, finally, she put her fork down and sat back and folded her hands in her lap.
She was smiling, knowing what they wanted.
Subtlety never was a Gryffindor strong suit.
"Come on up here, I know you want to ask me a question."
They all approached their Headmistress – one of them getting up the courage to ask the obvious question: "Uh, about the new tutor – was he the one we saw in our common room the night you were there with Ginny?"
Lily sat for a moment, thinking. "Dobby?" Lily called out for her favorite elf.
There was a loud pop when beside her stood Dobby. "Lily Potter, how may Dobby help you?"
Lily reached out and put her arms around Dobby, hugging him close to her. 'he seems almost like a little child. He seems to want to please me.' Lily thought to herself briefly, the thought just popped into her mind, wenst from where, she did not know, but it did not surprise her.
She had her own private thoughts, and at that, she smiled cryptically.
Dobby looked up at Lily, a 'nervous look' appeared on his face like he'd been caught at something.
"Why, Dobby, from the look on your face, I'd say you've got something to hide? Or maybe you've got something you're not telling me?"
Lily looked up at her students, who were just standing here, wondering about this small digression their Headmistress took. They all knew she was unusual, they'd heard about her all their lives so they'd come to expect this from her. It was all for a purpose, so they just waited.
"Anyway, I was wondering, the elves have very powerful magic, and no fear. I've always wondered . . ., The elves here are under my protection. I'll never let anyone or anything, hurt them – ever! They are the least of us in our magical world and I will protect them . . ," and Lily added wistfully at almost a whisper '. . . as if they were my own."
She looked back at her students, they were all looking at her.
"I don't know why I said al that, but it does seem appropriate, somehow. Now, back to your question – Yes, Tom was there that night. He was with me and assisted me and my son, Harry, her husband in locating her. Tom will be here, with me, for a while. How long, I don't know, but he's here for a reason that I can't, and won't, divulge."
"Ginny seemed so afraid of someone . . . " one of the Gryffindor's said.
Lily held up her hand to quiet them.
"Please, lets not go there. We dealt with that and she's recovering nicely. I've got a favor to ask of you, each of you, since you're all here."
"What is it, Professor?"
"Would you be willing to act as examples for the other houses and go to Tom for tutoring or help with a specific academic problem? Please?"
"They all looked at themselves, a perplexed look crossing their faces.
"Uh, sure, Headmistress." One of them answered.
"Don't be too obvious, but just a few of you ask him a question pertaining to school work. It'll give him confidence, but I want you to really mean it. Be nice to him. And, for your information, Tom is a very powerful Wizard. He's very knowledgeable in the magical arts. His depth of knowledge would truly astound you, so take advantage of him while he's here. After all, my two brothers, Fred and George, are already asking him for some ideas."
"Your Brothers?"
"Yes, you know "Weasley's Wizarding Weezes. I'm sure you've heard of them." She smiled knowing they had.
"Oh! Yes! Our favorite store!"
Lily watched them talk animatedly as they walked away. 'What other Wizarding enterprises would this develop?' She wondered to herself.
Tom slowly merged into life at Hogwarts; he taught the beginning students in charms to begin with, slowly gaining their confidence. 'Lily was right,' he thought, to himself, 'it is easy.'
Lily kept her eye out on Tom, talking with him daily, visiting him when he was with his students. One day, like all the other days when Tom had a student Lily came in and sat with them, Tom knew why she was there, but the student didn't. Lily never interrupted, instead, she just sat back and watched Tom instructing the student. Today, was charms and Tom went over the basic wand movements and covered the charms that the first years would normally have been taught.
"Professor, what good is knowing such basic stuff? I mean, other than what it's designed for?" the student asked.
"All the advanced wand movements, curses, charms, transfigurations – all of these are based upon what you learn in your first year." Tom explained in such a way that the student understood.
"Professor, may I ask you a question?" the student asked?
"Of course."
"I've heard rumors that, well, that you can do all sorts of things, other than teach just the basic courses." the student asked, hesitantly.
Tom stopped and remained silent, very silent, for a long time. He got up and walked away for a moment, looking out the office window. He became very nervous, so he turned to Lily, looking at her. He needed help. He knew that sometimes students made up stuff, baseless rumor that someone started, but Tom knew, as did Lily that no matter how baseless this rumor was, it hit too close to the real truth, uncomfortably so.
Lily spoke up first.
"I think what you're referring to is that Tom here can do much more advanced work than what he's teaching you. All the faculty have to be able to do that in order to teach you properly."
"Oh, ok, it's just that i thought . . . ,"
"Please, there are enough rumors floating around. Don't really pay attention to all you hear." Lily tried to explain.
The student looked at her.
Lily got up and looking at the student, "Let's go for a walk, shall we? Please?" Lily held out her hand. The student knew some toes had been stepped on, so, to avoid further problems, the student went with Lily.
As Lily was walking down the hall, it was while classes were still in session and the halls were deserted. "I want you to know that Tom is a very knowledgeable wizard in his area of teaching. His skills in potions, charms, transfigurations, and especially Defense, are without peer among my faculty."
"But, Headmistress, he's so young. How can he be so knowledgeable?"
Lily stopped short and looked at her student and so wanted to tell the complete truth, but she knew what the consequences would be.
It'd be a real nightmare.
"I can't answer your question. It'd impinging upon the Professors' private and personal life which I do try to guard. He's very good in what he does. In fact, there are some areas that he specializes in that he's the best there is, like I previously said, in potions, charms, D.A.D.A. And Transfigurations."
Lily stopped walking and turned to her student and looked at her for a long moment. The student was nervous and gently bit her lower lip in a nervous motion. Something was up, something serious. "Just don't worry any, and whatever you do, please, don't go spreading anything about him. What you and I are talking about, well, I'd want you to keep it to yourself, because if you talk to others, what you say could be misconstrued and get out of hand and it'd hurt not only him, but so many others that you're not aware of. This is his first year teaching and I don't want him to be having unnecessary problems. Ok?"
"Ok, Headmistress, I understand."
Lily went back to Tom's office where he was teaching and found him standing in front of the window, his hands held in back of him, just staring out of the window. A deep frown was upon his face. Lily stopped in the doorway and just looked at him. She could see that he was deeply worried. Lily looked into his Mind, first on the surface, then deeper. His worries consisted of what would happen to him, and to others who might be hurt due to him just being here. But, most of all, remarkably, he was worried about what would happen to Lily.
Lily cleared her throat to get his attention, when he turned around, facing her. "Tom, please, don't worry. The students are just fascinated by you and the fact that you're not as old as some of the other faculty.
"I understand, Lily, but they don't really know just how close to the truth they really are. I don't know just how long I can keep this up. What happens if someone puts me together with you back into our past? Your people aren't stupid, Lily. Eventually it'll happen, and when that happens, we'll both be in severe trouble, and your entire family. We'll be lucky if all of us are in Azkaban, because I can see us all being killed."
"Tom, this won't get that far."
"Lily, I'm worried about not just your safety but your family's safety as well." Tom sat down and held his head in his hands. He just couldn't look Lily in her eyes. Momentarily looking up at her, he said, "Lily, I'm so sorry, but I've failed you. What'll become of me now? Father will send his people after me and take me to my deserved punishment! " He just laid his head down on his arms and cried his eyes out.
For the first time, as Lily looked on him, just fully understood his fear of failure and just how much he knew he did wrong previously. She knew he was really trying hard to succeed but to realize his true failure or his thinking he was failing, it struck her tremendously hard. It suddenly occurred to her 'I don't want to loose Tom, I just don't.'
Music: Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston 'When You Believe'
"Tom, may I say something? Please?" Lily walked over to him, gently placing her hands upon his head and ran her hands through his dark hair. She just stroked his head like this for a short time, comforting him. "Tom, the day that I was given this job, the day that this job was offered to me, Professor Trelawney made a prophecy to me that came directly from Father. I know this because afterwards I asked Father about it and He confirmed it. In part, it said, and I repeat verbatim:
At the Millenniums End, comes a man you will both recognize, and yet not,
For he will be a supporter to you in a time most needed.
Respect you he will, for he will be your servant in a time most need of one.
"I need you, Tom, I need your skills, your example and your courage to show my people just what can be done when all seems lost. Right now, you're depending on what faith you have in Father's offer to you. You're just now learning how to depend on faith, just like I do, just like most of the Muggles do. This is a test for you, a manner of learning that you're succeeding at admirably. Father is very pleased with your advancements." Lily got down on her knees in front of Tom and added, "Tom, Tom, look at me." He raised his head from his arms, eyes red and swollen, seeming shame written all over his face. "Father promised that nothing will happen to my family. He promised that my husband, James, and my son, Harry will always be with me, that we'll never be separated. He also said that the rest of my family will always be with me, advising me. You've nothing to fear about What'll happen to us, Tom, nothing. As for you, you'll be ok. Your job is to learn love from me and my family, and to serve me. The way you can serve me now is to teach the good strengths of your knowledge to your students and make sure that they don't go down the wrong path. You're the perfect person to watch out for them because you've been there. You know the signs and can warn me of them before they get that far. You can save so many by being a good watchman. That's your job. Father will not be coming for you nor punishing you for what others' have thought or done to you."
Tom looked at Lily momentarily, digesting what she'd just told him in the strictest of confidence. "Tom, if something happens to you while you're working for me, if you loose your own life while serving me as Father has asked you to do, then, in the end, the very end, you'll have redeemed yourself in Father's eyes. You'll have been doing what you were asked to do. No one, Tom, can do better, not even me. I've been where you are now. I know how you feel about failing. Please, listen to me, and take the rest of the day off and just think about what I've said. All will be ok with you."
Tom nodded his head in reply and Lily got up, patted his hands and quietly left. But she returned momentarily and said, "I'll return about supper time to see how you are and we'll walk together to the Great Hall for supper. Is that ok with you?"
"Yes, Lily, it is. And, Thanks, for trusting me and having confidence in me when no one else would."
She just nodded her head in reply and smiled at him.
As Lily was walking down the halls she was musing, thinking, to herself about her talk with Tom and of the fears she discovered he had. The weight of her office was bearing down upon her, immensely so, she just had to stop and lean against the wall. 'Tom is valuable, just so valuable; I just can't afford to loose him. His fears are just like mine were when Harry was in St. Mungo's.'
Supper time came about and found Lily outside Tom's office door where she gently knocked and heard Tom's invitation to enter. "How are you feeling, Tom?" Lily asked, gently.
"Shakey, nervous and I have a powerful headache, but I think I'll pull through, but,..." "Come with me, here, take my hand and we'll walk down to supper together. Just you and me, Tom." Lily extended her hand to Tom.
Tom went to her, taking her hand hesitantly in his and together they walked to the Great Hall. "What about your family? Won't they miss you?"
"I've contacted them and told them I'll be here at school. They know where I'm at in case they need me. I told them to contact Dobby if they really need me and he can contact me here directly. I'm alright, and I do appreciate you worrying some about me." Lily stopped walking and turning to face Tom, she finished her thought: "That shows you are demonstrating the capacity to love, and care about others and to put their welfare before your own. You're succeeding, Tom, very well." Lily squeezed his hands in hers and smiled at him.
"Thank you, Lily." Tom replied, hesitantly
Together, they walked into the Great Hall for the evening meal. As they walked up to the Faculty Table together, the usual chatter and noise that abounded the Great Hall at meal time suddenly stopped, while all eyes were upon the two faculty members, Lily and Tom.
Lily could feel the feelings of doubt that permeated the Great Hall. The students were very unsure of Tom and they didn't really know why. Additionally, the trust they had in Lily was being questioned, not that they didn't trust her, but that they didn't exactly trust Tom, either. It was just a vague feeling that Lily was getting, so she didn't delve deeper to see why.
So, they just sat down and progressed through the meal, Tom on Lily's left and Hagrid on her right. Halfway through the meal, Tom being nervous put down his fork and almost started to move his chair back to get up when Lily placed her hand on his, quietly giving him the signal to stay. "I can't stay her like this Lily. It isn't right. I feel as if I'm pulling you down."
She leaned in to him, "It will be alright. Please, just trust me a little more." She looked at him and smiled.
After the meal was over, Tom made back to his office with Lily staying behind to answer the usual questions from the students. This was a nightly ritual that she'd come to expect throughout the millennium that she'd been her up until now and she didn't want to interrupt it. It was the usual time for all the students to ask her questions, settle rumors, and the like that usually abounded at school.
Including those concerning a rather new young Professor. These, she answered quietly and as honestly as she could without revealing too much specific information about his background. Lily could see that she was not really satisfying them, so she let it go. She'd try to answer more of their questions later, without hurting or embarrassing Tom.
So in reply to another question about sports, and what they've been learning in school, one of the students questions lead Lily to ask if they students would want to start a Dueling Club. Lily remembered this from her second year here when she was here as Hermione and thought that now it would be a good way for them to put to practical use what they've learned in D.A.D.A. And charms. So, starting tomorrow, after Supper the Great Hall would be the meeting place. She'd gt some of the faculty to oversee the meetings and give the students the chance to practice.
Little did she really know, that even with all she has learned about looking into the future there were some future events that even she was not allowed to see, and it was for a very good reason.
The weeks went by fairly smooth with no more questions concerning Tom. The students were having a great time with dueling one another and just working off excess energy, frustrations over classes and other of the myriad forms of student's social frustrations. The faculty had rotated the overseeing of the students to make sure nothing really got out of hand. Of course, Lily managed to stay there those nights as a backup – just in case. It was one of those days where the regular faculty could not really oversee the Dueling Class that Lily had to go looking elsewhere for help, and she went to the Minister of Magic for help, her father in law, Arthur Weasley.
Lily Apparated to the Ministry one day to see him for this reason. Even though it'd have been easier to just use the floo network to talk with him, she wanted to get out some. After all, rank has its privileges.
Sitting in his office, "Arthur, I do need your help." His eyes opened up and his eyebrows almost went to his balding hairline. Beads of sweat popped out on his forehead. Lily saw his reaction and knew what he was thinking. "No, Arthur, it's not about Tom. He's doing well, and the students have pretty much adjusted to him. I've started a dueling club and I do need some faculty to oversee them from time to time, but right now, all my faculty are busy and I was wondering if you could lean me some of your Aurors? Either active duty or the retired ones would be ok, it's just to give the students some pointers and experience. I'm really stretched here and I do need some help. I would ask James or Harry but they're busy and so, too, are the twins."
"Oh, ok, then Lily. You really had me worried there. I thought, it was about, . . . , well, you know what I mean."
Lily smiled. "Everything's ok there. You've nothing to worry about."
Arthur started to get up to go to his office door to get his administrative assistant when he turned around and looked at Lily. "You know something Lily? What you just said reminded me of a Muggle saying, oh, how does that go? Just when you think everything's ok, that's when trouble starts, somethings like that. But, I'll get my assistant to have a couple Aurors go over to the school with you. How many would you need?"
"How about three? Could you spare them? The class seems to be very popular, even with the witches, especially the younger ones."
"ok I'll have them there this evening at supper. That way they can eat there. They'd appreciate a good meal. It's one of the benefits they'd appreciate."
Lily got up and hugged Arthur, "Thanks, Arthur, I do appreciate you." She kissed him on his forehead and left. 'Well, that was easy, it's going to be a good day after all.' Lily thought as she left the Ministry.
That evening at supper found the Aurors there that Lily had requested and Arthur as well. He was there to observe. He WAS the Minister of Magic and it was within his prerogative to do so, additionally, he could watch the seventh years and see just how good they were, in case some wanted to go into Auror Training.
During the Class the students had been progressing well, when Tom walked in with Lily kinda towing him with her. Seems after classes, that everywhere She went, he was with her. The Students noticed this and thought it odd, but came to accept it after a while.
Even with the Aurors training the students, Tom saw problems with their technique and it was this that Lily noticed. "Tom, would you like to try? They'd appreciate it very much. It'd give you the chance to interact with them?"
"I don't think so. Not with the Ministry around, especially Arthur. He knows me and he'd know it'd not be fair."
"Tom, please, just give them a try, they're just students and they do need someone who really knows what he's doing, and you're the one who can train them. Please?" Lily looked at him with her Emerald Green Eyes all 'doe-like'" Tom couldn't refuse.
8
Lily could see the Auror in the background holding up his wand pointing it straight at Tom. It wasn't this so much as what Lily felt in his thoughts. She'd probed his mind straightaway and found what she was looking for: His Intentions, his reasons and she found it. He knew, just who Tom really was. Somehow Tom's identity had been discovered. But Lily couldn't wait, she extended her Father's Grace that imbued her but just as it touched Tom's back the curse that the Auror had released hit Tom fully in his chest knocking him backwards in towards Lily within her white light. While not fully within her protection he was still vunerable he was still somewhat protected. But, it was too late.
"TOM!" Lily cried out. She'd grasped Tom in her arms and held onto him. Her Father's Grace had intensified so much that even seeing her was next to impossible. "TOM, Please, not now, not yet! DON'T DIE ON ME, PLEASE!" Lily held onto Tom's body, her arms encircling him and holding him to her chest. She'd fallen down holding him on her lap, his arms hanging uselessly by his side. He was still breathing erratically looking up at her. "Lily," Tom's rattled breath of a voice barely coming out, but still she could hear him. "Thank you for believing in me, for teaching me how to love, for this second chance." Tom looked up at Lily trying to smile at her, but didn't have the strength, which was ebbing away quickly. "Tom, It's not supposed to be this way. I wanted you to be here longer. I've got so much to teach you. Please, hang on. I'll get you to St. Mungo's." Lily tried to struggle to get up, but couldn't. The tears were just running down her cheeks in uncontrolled waves.
Tom looked up at Lily and gasped out one last sentence, ' . .. forgive him for this, forgive him . . . ," His head fell forward onto Lily's chest, still held by her in her arms and there she held onto Tom, her eyes crying great waves of tears. Her body shook and shook all over at the lost she had just endured.
Lily looked up at said just one word: "Father" and bowed her head in such utter failure over her responsibility over Tom. No one breathed a word. No one knew quite what to do.
It was at this point that something happened that no one had expected: The heavens opened up and a host of beings such as looked like Lily when she was covered with her Fathers' Grace of the Whitest Light, appeared before her. Some went to her and dried her tears, these were her sisters for the resemblance was so astonishing. There before her stood a man, with a long white beard and sparkling eyes dressed in white robes. He immediately went to Lily, for she was still sitting on the floor holding Tom's still body. She just could not let him go.
"My daughter, I heard your request and Tom is with Me. You've no need to fear over him any more. You've done your job as I've asked you. He'll remain with Me, learning more from the rest of My children and teaching others by the example he's set since being with you." He bent down and held Lily in his arms hugging her to him. Looking at her once again, he said to her: "Again, my daughter, you've found Grace in my eyes."
With that said and done, He withdrew and the Heavens closed up leaving all as before. The rest of the students who were there, the Aurors, the faculty, and Arthur, the Minister of Magic, all were stunned speechless. Arthur walked over to Lily and apologized: "I'm sorry for your loss, Lily, I truly am. I doubted you from the very beginning, but that'll never happen again. As Tom requested, nothing will happen to the Auror. That's my promise to you and to Tom. As far as I'm concerned, his record is clean now. Father has said as much and that's good enough for me."
"Thank you, Arthur, thank you!" Lily said, tearfully as she huddled Tom closer to her, fully knowing that he really wasn't there anymore, but she just couldn't quite let go, not yet.
"Let us help you now, Lily. You've done much to help us; Please, let us return the favor. We can take Tom's body to the Hospital wing and you can get some rest. I'll place a guard there for the night and we can have a funeral tomorrow. Please, Lily," Arthur extended a hand to his beloved daughter in law.
She accepted, gratefully.
But Lily didn't let go. She, with Arthur's help, got up and took Tom's body herself, in her arms, to the Hospital Wing. There, she gently laid him on one of the bed's and covered him up, placing a spell over him so no one would be able to bother him. She leaned over and kissed him on his forehead and with tears in her eyes she left and went back to the Burrow with Arthur.
As she was leaving she left a message with one of the faculty that classes would be canceled for the rest of the week and will resume on Monday.
Back at the Burrow, she went directly to bed, no hot chocolate, just bed.
Before sunrise the next morning, Lily rose and walked out to the garden where she sat in the chair she's used since she was married. There, she talked with Father over the past events, asked him questions about what'd happened to Tom and how he was. Lily continued to learn and ask questions, but her lost was still upon her heart. She'd wanted Tom to remain so that he could enjoy the peace that'd come upon their world. It was a time to learn and Lily wanted Tom to learn so much more. But, the lesson she'd been taught was that there were some things that she just couldn't have, that Father had better plans, and it was this that she accepted.
After her lessons in the garden were over. She came back to the Burrow, showered and dressed and went to Diagon Alley. She never told anyone what she was doing, but she went directly to Gringotts and withdrew from her own personal vault several hundred pounds of gold ingots and had it all transported to Hogwarts. There she took it outside to an area that was secluded, yet within sight of her office windows, and transfigured it to a sacarficus with a lid that had a base relief on it in the exact image of Tom. Afterwards, she charmed it so that it was translucent. The top had his name on it and on the side was a perfect picture of the two of them standing side by side, both smiling. When anyone in the future ever saw it they'd know right away that it was Lily's image on the side. Lily placed his body, carrying him herself in her arms and placed him in the tomb, and here, she broke Wizarding Tradition and placed his unbroken Wand in Tom's still hands. It was still holding the small bit of her Fathers' Grace that she herself placed within it a Millennium ago in the wand shop and sealed it with her own charm and placed a good weather charm around the entire place so that it would always be springtime around Tom's Tomb. There, by herself, she sat down on a marble bench and just walked through her own private thoughts, especially of 'what might have been'. Tears were flowing down her cheeks. Looking up she said, 'Thank you Father, for letting me show Tom love and how to love. It was the best lesson you've ever given me and I'll appreciate it always. Please, take care of Tom for me, till I am once again in your House.' There, Lily Evans Potter, the Mother of The Boy Who Lived, and the Greatest Headmistress of Hogwarts, fell down on the ground and cried her own private tears.
From a far distance stood her entire family, some Aurora's, her students and faculty; None disturbed her for this was her own private time to morn.