Rating: K+

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or names in this story created by J.K Rowling (who is a very talented lady.) I only own the plot, and new characters you won't recognise.

Chapter Nine: Suspicions in the Castle

Lily had a lot of explaining to do.

"Where were you? We noticed you went missing in Honeydukes, then we searched everywhere…" Wyona demanded.

Lily sighed.

The three of them were in the Gryffindor Common Room, sitting in front of the roaring fireplace. Even though it was a Sunday night, they all had quills and parchment. Seventh year was indeed extremely busy. Lily debated on whether or not to tell them of the old woman - they were her best friends, they could understand everything, but wouldn't they think her a bit daft?

Lily made up her mind. She laid down her quill. "Well, I fancied a bit of a walk, and then I met this lady –"

Alice and Wyona listened until she had finished, and Alice immediately voiced her opinion. "It's true," she said with a trembling voice. "There've been all kinds of rumours in the Daily Prophet about a Dark wizard, and I've heard about those Death Eaters as well."

"When she said - you are destined to bear the one that will destroy him…" sad Wyona slowly, "Is she referring to the dark lord? And…your child?"

Lily felt her head pounding. She'd never thought of it in that way, but it made sense… "I guess," said Lily, "but it doesn't make sense anyway! She said she made the Prophecy, but then she said that she only heard about it afterwards!"

"Seers never hear themselves making the Prophecy," said Wyona, who was the only one taking Divination that year. "Sometimes they aren't even aware of making one. And she must be genuine – how else could she've known your name and location?"

Lily felt blood pounding in her temples and massaged them with her fingers. "She was warning me about the wizard's followers…"

"So, basically," continued Alice, "she was giving you a tip-off that this dodgy wizard wanted to get you with his Death Eaters 'cos your kid in the future is going to finish him off eventually?"

"That seems about right," said Lily.

Lily knew she should feel afraid, but simply felt numb. Was this the reason the Hogwarts Express had stopped in its tracks? Was that mysterious black-hooded stranger, who had been staring blankly right through the Disillusioned train possibly a Death Eater? Were there Death Eaters in the castle right now?

Not noticing the direction she was heading, she suddenly realised she was in the Owlery. Why had her subconscious led her here? A scrawny barn owl swooped down and perched on her shoulder. Of course, Lily thought absent-mindedly, this was that third-year's owl, whom she had helped. She inspected the wing. It was completely healed.

Suddenly, Lily felt an urge to write a letter to her sister…it didn't matter whether she replied or not, Lily just wanted the feeling of contact between her and her past best friend, even though they had not exchanged a kind word for nearly seven years. She took out some quill and parchment from her pocket and hastily scribbled a letter, outlining her busy days at Hogwarts and asking about Petunia's own. For some reason, she hesitated and included a small P.S (Petunia, if I ever had a child, would you make sure it was safe for me? Please, Pet.)

She signed it off with 'Hope to hear from you soon – Lily.' She attached the letter to the owl, with the name 'Petunia Evans' on the front, and sent the bird flying into the night.

That evening in the Common Room, Wyona nudged Lily. "That Joelle looks rather grim."

Lily went over to talk to her. "How was the assignment, Joelle?"

The tiny girl lowered her eyes and stared at her boots. "Good, thanks…"

She walked away, looking extremely guilty. Lily was puzzled, and something in her mind began to click.

"You don't think," she remarked to Wyona, "that she might have had anything to do with the pranks?"

Wyona shrugged. "I wouldn't have thought it of her…but it would be easy to bully her into doing something she didn't want to do…"

Lily stared absently into the fireplace, feeling like life had left her scrambling for answers.