Ch. 5
Lily Evans spent Monday being busy with classes and homework. Staying away from the Mauradures. Allowing herself some time to be away from them. Which ment hiding in the library. Where she sat at the back window seat, hiding between bookshelves. Only to be found by Serverus Snape.
Lily let out a deep sigh. "Yes?"
"Will it work?"
She knew what he was asking. But shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing to lose but try," she stated, tiredly.
"Why did you do it?"
Lily thought of what he was asking. "Why did I make it? Or why did I give you some?"
"Both."
Lily shook her head. She knew talking to him was like pulling teeth at times. But she guessed that was why she liked him as a friend. Didn't lie and just spoke with a few words.
"It started out that I wanted a challenge. Then seeing into his eyes that he spoke the truth for once. That he wanted someone to love him for him." Lily looked into his dark eyes, feeling a little sorrow for him.
"If I had known about last year… I don't know if I would want to help him." But she felt anger rush through her. "Or you for that matter. After hearing that you wanted to go after Remus," she hissed harshly.
"The wolf…"
She waved at him. "Once a month he can't control. The rest of the time, he's a good man…"
Severus looked down. "I apologize, but I was also looking out for you. Which I'll never stop doing."
Lily saw in his eyes that he wasn't lying. "You need to move on, Sev. I have never felt more than a friend for you."
He nodded his head. "Is it worth trying? The potion, I mean."
Lily smiled kindly at her old friend. "It's worth finding happiness, Sev."
He gave her his rare smiles. "I've missed this." Waving his hand. "Simply talking."
The rest of the time the two worked on homework. While softly debating about their DADA essay, on what their bugorts would turn into. Before their face off with it on Friday.
Hermione Granger was becoming stir crazy at the Weasley household. Between the family keeping an eye on her all the time. Or Harry shadowing everywhere she went. Since he was moved to the house.
Moody killed, while George missed an ear. It was enough to cause everyone to walk on eggshells. But it was getting close to when Hermione needed to leave. The only way she was going to be able to do that, was enlisted a cousin to come over.
There is one thing about Weasleys. Was their need for family get-togethers and only out for her. Plus Harry being Harry, he was simplified in it.
So on June the 22nd, Hermione found herself opening the door to her distant cousin, from the states. "Hi, Hermione," her cousin threw her arms around her.
"Hi Lyra," she hugged back.
Arthur and Molly came rushing to the door. Only to see the two teenage girls. "Who is this, dear," Molly asked.
"Sorry," Hermione smiled. "This is Lyra, my cousin from the states. She came to England on holiday. Requesting that I would show her some sights."
Arthur and Molly looked at each other with worry. "Now, with all that is going on," asked Arthur.
Lyra sighed, "I was kind of hoping that Hermione would take me to our grandparent's house. Since I don't know where they live. I only knew how to get here, because of your local church."
Molly gasped, "Oh of course dears!" She looked over her shoulder. "Should one of my sons go with you?"
Hermione smiled, "No, Mrs. Weasley. Aren't they busy with the decorations for the wedding tomorrow?"
With a great struggle, the two Weasleys allowed the cousins to leave. When the two reached the apparition spot. Hermione Granger grabbed Lyra and turned. Leaving a small pop sound behind.
When the two popped back into existence. They were outside the gates of Hogwarts. "This is where you went to school?"
"Yep."
"Lucky," stated Lyra, who sounded a hint jealous. "I would have loved it here."
The gates opened as Hermione touched the bars. Once they passed the barrier. The gates closed tightly behind them. Just as a dark smoke tried to follow them.
"What's that," gasped Lyra softly.
"A Death Eater."
The two wasted no more time and rushed towards the castle. They jog at a reasonable pace, through the grounds to the castle. Then through the castle and up the stairs. Once at the statue the two looked at each other.
Neither knew the password, but they were compelled by a single fraze. "Driven by challenge," they stated. Hoping that it was the password.
"Master password, excepted," the statue stated before turning. Allowing the two access to the hidden stairs.
Once in the office, Hermione paused in her steps. As her eyes were focused on a fresh painting that hung behind the desk. "Albus."
The painted image of the dead headmaster nodded. "You came at last." Before his eyes turned to her cousin. "Sorry, I don't believe we have met."
"Lyra, Hermione's cousin from the states."
"Don't we all," he gave a kind smile. "Couldn't find another way to sneak in?"
"Have you met Molly Weasley," griped Hermione. Before heading to the man's old desk. Grabbing for the notes, letter and other things she may need.
Lily Evans found herself standing by one of many outside arches, next to Sirius Black and Serverus Snape. Even though the Soulmate Potion she had made for Sirius. Severus found that purebloods were closely related. He only needed to add four drops of his own blood on Tuesday night.
Where they would paint the archway with the potion. Making it a combined doorway for their soulmates to come through. While a small group of teens were standing behind them. Watching.
Lily glanced back towards the book. "What else do we need to do," asked Sirius. Looking serious about the whole thing.
"Cover the pillars of the gateway with potion. Once moonrise brings about a ghostly glow. Enchant these words, allowing the destined come before you."
"The words?"
She looked at Severus for a moment before replying. "Great Moon Goddess, hear our plea. With this enchanted offering, bring forth our destined. Enchant us with your loving gift."
Sirius and Severus had gotten busy with getting the potion all over the archway. Once done. Sirius asked, "When is the moon going to show itself?"
"Fifteen more minutes," stated Remus Lupin. He has been standing away from three of them. With James Potter and Regulus Black.
Regulus was there mostly for Severus Snape. Since he knew what was going on. Slytherins tend to like to stick together, when Gryffindors were around. Along with the curiosity of wanting to see if it worked.
James Potter mainly huffed, crossing his arms. He didn't like to wait. Plus, he didn't like how Lily had started to talk with Severus again. James had always known that Severus had a crush on Lily, same as himself. But unlike himself, Severus had played the long waiting game. By being her friend, hoping that she noticed that he deeply cared for her.
But James being who he was. Never liked waiting. He had always told Lily his feelings for her. Granted he told the school, only to tell others to stay clear of Lily Evans. But he could never get Severus Snape to leave her alone. It was mainly why James always pranked him. Letting him know his boundaries.
When the day Severus had uttered the hateful word, do to James' prank. He almost wished it never went that far. James knew one day Severus would snap, enough to get expelled from school. So he couldn't find his way back to Lily. But after those words, all he saw was red, after seeing Lily cried.
James knew that he didn't truly win Lily from that experience. Only to leave the girl alone for a few months. Until Sirius had gone too far, almost killing Severus at the end of the same year. It was then he looked into his own actions and changed. But he couldn't stop the discomfort that he was feeling. Seeing Lily standing near Severus.
Just as the moon started to rise. The archway started to glow. "It's time to start chanting," stated Lily towards the two seeking their soulmates.