Hector had come back from practice with his team and had found her. He had no idea what his mother was doing there. They had spoken the other night but things were still bad. He had told her to do anything she could to protect Harry. He was honest when he said he didn't want her to look for his brother. It wasn't he didn't want one as he did. But he knew what it was like to have his life controlled and now at risk. He would not wish that on anyone, especially not his own brother. He may not have known Harry but he felt a bond or concern at least for him. He knew whatever kind of life Harry had was his fault. He had stolen all the love and attention, and the spotlight, when it should have been his brother's. It was neither of their faults Uncle Moony had told him. His parents should have had enough love and time for two children.
His mother had been about to tell him something when she had clutched at her chest. He had no idea what was happening and had reached out for her. She had let out a horrible scream and had fallen to the ground. Ron had been by his side when it happened.
He looked at Ryan and Oliver. "She collapsed."
Oliver bent to scoop her up. "We'll take her to Poppy."
Remus had appeared next to them. "What happened?"
Hector looked at him. "She collapsed."
Remus scooped Lily up from the ground. "We will get her to Poppy."
Lily's eyes opened though. "No."
Remus looked down on her. "You need a healer."
Lily looked at him. "Protect Hector. Take care of him for me."
Hector looked at his mum as they hurried towards the castle. "You'll be fine. You have to be."
Lily was already slipping. "Harry?"
Remus shook his head. "I don't know."
Lily begged. "Please."
Remus paused. "If I knew where he was, I'd assure you he was safe. That he was brilliant, and happy and strong. And very loved."
Lily's eyes closed but she whispered. "Thank you."
Hector freaked. "Is she…?"
Remus laid her down on the grass. "She stopped breathing."
Poppy appeared, having been summoned by Ryan who called an elf. "Remus, what happened?"
Ryan told her as Remus tried CPR. "We don't know."
Poppy knelt down with Remus, both attempting to bring her back. They tried both spells and muggle CPR, but her heart wouldn't start again. Hector was on his knees, praying to Merlin or whatever God could hear him, his mum would breathe again. He had been so angry at her, he had not allowed her to apologize truly, she couldn't leave him now. She was the only parent he had that he could count on.
Remus looked up and shared a look with Poppy. They both knew she was gone, and they both had their suspicions of how she had passed away. Not thinking to take the body inside past the kids, Remus scooped her up once again, and headed for Hagrid's.
Hector realized they gave up. "No you can't. She has to live."
Ryan thought. "Maybe the centaurs can help. I can ask Magorian."
Poppy shook her head. "It is beyond even the centaurs now."
Hector was fighting back the pain. "She can't be dead. She can't."
Ron was trying to comfort his best friend. "How?"
Ryan looked at Poppy. "A heart attack?"
Poppy didn't want to worry the kids. "We will have to wait for the hospital."
Hagrid was shocked when he saw them. "What's wrong with her?"
Remus simply said. "We need to use your floo to call the hospital."
Hagrid led them into his hut. "I have some tea."
Hector was pushed into a chair when his mum was in bed, by Remus. "You need to sit."
Hector was struggling. "She has to be okay."
Remus took some tea from Hagrid. "Drink this."
Hector was going into a state of shock and Remus was worried about him. He noticed that Poppy took three blood samples as they waited. The hospital would run a magic autopsy, so she didn't need to. But they both suspected poison and by whom. Remus had this sickening feeling that Albus had learned Lily planned to testify against him. They had tried to be so careful but he could see no other reason for this.
Remus took both Ryan and Hector through the floo with him. He couldn't take Ron as he didn't have permission to take him from school. The aurors had been called in by the hospital staff, and Sirius arrived with them.
He was off duty officially and came to his husband. "Is it?"
Remus nodded. "Poppy thinks so."
Ryan looked back and forth. "What is it?"
They were interrupted by James who arrived. "I was told my wife was brought in. Where is she?"
Sirius turned to him. "Your son is over there."
James shook his head. "Where is Lily? What room is she in?"
Hector was the one who spoke. "She's dead."
James rounded on his son in shock. "Dead?"
Remus pulled James away. "You knew? You knew she was testifying against Albus?"
James tried to deny it. "No."
Remus shook his head. "Your wife was poisoned, by your boss, to keep her quiet."
James was in denial. "No, it's not possible."
Sirius came in. "You doubt he'd do anything to stay out of prison?"
James sunk down into a chair and he couldn't seem to find any words. He knew they were right. If Lily had been poisoned, it was by Albus. He had told James that if Lily didn't keep quiet, he'd have to do something. James had truly believed Albus would never have sunk to this level. Or maybe he had just been fooling himself. He liked the money and hadn't wanted the truth to come out, but not like this.
Remus pointed out the door. "He is your son. Your wife sacrificed her life for both her sons; will you do any less by them?"
Ryan and Hector didn't return to school that night. Ryan's dads collected him from the hospital and had taken him home. And James had not protested when Hector had been taken by Remus. Remus had taken him to the Burrow though. Molly gave permission for Ron to be brought when she had found out about Lily. She and Lily had been best friends since their sons were in diapers, as close as the boys were. She was struck hard by the death, harder than her son, who was just upset for Hector. Remus would have kept Hector but he would have family business to see too. Besides, he was new in Hector's life again, and thought Hector would do better with the Weasleys for now.
The article hit the front page of the Prophet the next morning. The headlines officially called it some type of heart attack, and claimed she died almost instantly. They knew of course Albus had a hand in that. Poppy had three different people test her samples, to try and confirm poison.
Horace shook his head. "There are some odd traces in her blood."
Poppy looked up at him and Severus. "Odd?"
Severus agreed with his former teacher. "I don't know what some of them even are."
Poppy looked down at the list. "Can we find out?"
Horace nodded. "Most are rare plants. It will take a few days to research their properties, and what a combination of them may do."
Severus thought of something. "Do you have another sample?"
Poppy nodded and showed the third. "I was going to send it to my friend in the lab."
Severus thought aloud. "Magorian may be able to tell us something."
Horace agreed. "The centaurs know more about herb lore than us and Pomona combined."
Poppy hadn't thought of it. "I have never asked them for aid before."
Severus thought of the obvious. "Ryan. He does study with the centaurs."
Horace was reluctant. "I wouldn't think you anxious to include my nephew."
Poppy agreed. "We don't need to increase him as a target."
Severus shook his head. "He will just take the sample. Albus knows Ryan takes lessons with them."
Poppy reluctantly agreed. "And he has no idea I took samples."
Horace picked up his form. "I will continue looking, with Pomona's help, just in case."
Poppy stopped Severus before he left. "I have seen a few of these plants in a poison once before."
Severus stopped. "Do you remember who?"
Poppy nodded. "Abraxas."
Severus was reminded of the death of Lucius' father. The world believed it dragon pox, but the man had actually been poisoned. Lucius allowed the world to think, those who knew, to think it Death Eaters. But in fact he had always had his suspicions about the headmaster. Poppy had not been on the case, but she saw the file later. The other plants were different, but then again the symptoms were as well. Lily had died quickly, like a heart attack, well a bit slower. Abraxas had wasted away, and many symptoms were like the pox. There was definitely a comparison between them. Lucius had looked for years, for a way to tie his father's death, to Albus once and for all. But he hadn't found it yet.
Severus thought as Poppy did, when he left. If they could prove Lily was killed by Albus, perhaps they could prove Abraxas as well. There was no statute of limitations on murder charges. Severus hoped it might work, both for Lucius, and for his mother. She would be safe once again.
He headed home to the manor and found his son. "Ryan?"
Ryan looked up from his homework. "Hi Papa."
Severus sat down. "Ryan, do you still want to go to your lesson with Magorian tonight?"
Ryan nodded. "I don't like missing. And you said I could come back after."
Severus took out a bottle. "I need you to ask Magorian if he can run a test on this."
Ryan was a bit surprised. "Okay Papa."
Severus kissed his son on the head. "It might help Hector with the loss of his mum."
Ryan nodded. "I will. I feel sorry for him, losing his mum."
Severus gently pushed. "Does it make you think of yours?"
Ryan shook his head. "I never knew mine. I have you Papa. Hector really loved his mum."
Severus kissed his son. "He will have people helping him get through it."
Ryan stood. "I need to get my things before Daddy takes me to school."
Regulus came in the room when his son was gone. "How did it go?"
Severus explained what happened. "I hope I'm not wrong to include our son."
Regulus assured him. "No. He isn't taking any real risk. And the sooner this is over, the sooner he will be safe for good."
He knew his husband was like Remus, feeling guilt over the death of Lily. They had both been good friends of hers when they were much younger. They had both convinced her to testify against Albus and had never really considered the danger she was in. Remus had told them he had told Lily her son was safe. He hadn't revealed it was Harry but they wouldn't have had an issue. She was dead and the secret would have gone with her. If it brought her some peace before she died, to know Harry was alive and happy, they didn't begrudge her it. Remus had a feeling she may have suspected. He had told her enough to know he was close to Harry, and she may have guessed, if she had lived.
Severus went to speak to Lucius after and told him. "We may have justice for him finally."
Lucius picked up a picture of his father. "Justice will be when that man gets the kiss."
Severus reminded him. "If we get him arrested, he will face at least two counts of murder."
Lucius ground his teeth. "At least is right."
Severus thought. "They will question him under vertiserum. If there are others, he will be found."
Lucius put down the picture. "Maybe not murders, but how many lives did he throw away?"
Narcissa had come in. "The two of you will have your own justice. For all the years he forced you to spy."
Severus hoped so. "There are a lot of people he should answer to and for."
Lucius patted his brother on the back. "And I will do all I can to ensure he does."
Narcissa came over. "All the kids, not just Ryan, need to be free of that man once and for all."
Severus went to leave. "The funeral is the day after tomorrow. Ryan will go back to school after."
Lily was to be buried in Godric's Hollow, where the Potter family had been laid to rest for centuries. Their family didn't have a crypt. As far as Severus knew, her parents had been cremated, so there was no place for her to be buried with them. Things may have been bad with James, but she had loved him. And she would want to be with her son, and he would be buried there one day, hopefully decades from now.
Ryan came back later that night and told his Papa. "Magorian promised he would find out."
The funeral for Lily Elizabeth Evans-Potter was held three days after her death. It was to be a small service at the graveyard and then a lunch back at Potter manor. Lily's sister had been informed of her death but to no surprise, she wasn't willing to come. The woman had not spoken to Lily since their parents had died, and she had never seen her nephew. But there were plenty of people there for her.
Ryan had come, though perhaps a bit of a surprise. He had accompanied his Papa and Uncle Moony. Both men knew James may have an issue with it but they went. Lily had been a friend to them both, and they would be there for her, and for her son as well.
Hector stood away from his dad and he practically clung to Remus. "I can't believe she is gone."
Remus kissed him. "I know, but she'll always watch over you."
Severus added. "And you have plenty of people who love you."
James had come over. "I am surprised you came."
Hector spoke up. "I need him."
Remus said. "I am here for my godson and for her."
Severus added. "We both cared about her. This is no place for an argument."
James actually agreed. "No, it's not."
Hector looked at his dad. "They can stay."
James nodded. "Your mother would be happy they were here."
Severus put down a bouquet of roses for her. "You will be missed."
Hector looked at his dad. "Dad?"
James sighed. "I wish you would come home."
Hector didn't speak but for one moment, he went into his father's arms. He was definitely not ready to forgive or forget. And honestly he wasn't sure he would ever be. His father had put him through hell most of his life and lied to him as well. But he knew how much his father was hurting right now. No matter the trouble in their marriage recently, he knew how much his parents loved each other. And deep down, he knew his dad loved him too. Even if his dad seemed to love Harry more, suddenly, now that he was the hero and not Hector.
The funeral had many members of the order, and people who knew Lily from school as well. Neville's grandmother had come. Her daughter in law and Lily had been the best of friends in school. She knew Alice would have wanted to be there for it.
As the ceremony ended Molly alerted all. "What is he doing here?"
Remus growled as he saw Albus. "He has a lot of nerve."
Albus came and tried to lay flowers. "I am sorry I missed the ceremony."
James stopped him. "Those and you are not welcome here."
Albus looked up surprised. "Surely I heard wrong. You know I considered Lily like a daughter."
Severus stepped up next to James. "So it isn't just other people's children you will sacrifice?"
Albus turned to him. "I have no idea what you are talking about."
James for once agreed with Severus. "We both know you do. Now get out."
Albus wasn't backing down. "What are you accusing me of?"
Remus reminded the men. "This isn't the place for this."
James looked at his son and back. "We both know the conversation in the office."
Albus went to leave. "I have no idea what you speak of."
James called as he left. "I won't let you hurt anyone I have left."
Albus reminded him. "Your wife died of a heart attack. It was a shame she died so young."
James said under his breath. "I'll prove you wrong."
James didn't know, but Magorian had brought the sample back. He had confirmed, the combination of plants was a poison. Those three plants in themselves were not deadly at all. But combined they were. And combined with other plants, could offer different affects. It would explain how they were found in both Abraxas and Lily, but they died different ways. Now they just needed to trace Albus to those plants somehow. They weren't ones which one could find even at the apothecary on Knockturn. They were black market items.
They headed to the manor, and James made sure the marauders and Severus knew they were welcome. He could see Hector needed them now. And after Albus, he wasn't looking for a fight. Today was about honoring the woman he had loved since he was a teen.
He found his son in the library while the others ate. "You should have some lunch."
Hector turned. "Do you have a picture of all of us?"
His dad was confused. "There are plenty."
Hector shook his head. "With Harry."
James sighed and went and picked up and old book and used a spell. "Your mother kept these."
Hector looked at a photo of all four. "Is that where we were born?"
James nodded. "Remus insisted on one photo with all of us. I think it one of the few times I ever held him."
Hector held the book to him. "Leave him alone."
James stopped. "Hector, I know your mother's death…."
Hector stopped. "Albus already killed my mother. Leave him alone, please."
James watched his son leave the room and he had mixed emotions. He knew Albus was a threat and he already had to protect Hector from him. He loved Hector even if he wasn't the hero. His search for Harry didn't mean he didn't love Hector any more. He knew his wife and son doubted that, but it didn't. He was being honest with himself as well as them. But he hated stopping something when he started it.
Severus stood in the door. "Hector has always had to be the hero for you. Your son needs you to be it for him now, to protect him now."
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