Lily woke up in a bright, white room, laying in a soft, white mattress. Her head was spinning and thick, as if she'd just woken from a very long, very deep, sleep. Her first thought was that she must surely be dead. But when she tried to move, to get up and explore this afterlife, she realized that she wasn't dead, after all.
She was back in St. Mungo's, judging by the sterile, plain walls around her. There was another empty mattress on the other side of the room that she could see from the corner of her eye. She would have liked to get a better view, but the brace around her neck prevented any turning. She couldn't move anything below her head. All she could do was sit still and blink. Any attempts at vocalization came out in quiet, muffled grunts. Her throat felt very strange, as if there was no support to it. It was a bit hard to breathe, but at least she could.
She tried calling out again, resulting in a loud grunt. She heard some rustling from outside these bland, bright walls, and the door opened soon after, Dumbledore waltzing in with his bright, purple robes and bright, purple hat. His white beard flowed down past his chest and matched the walls of the hospital room quite nicely. Lily never felt happier to see him, to see anybody, in her entire life.
"Hello, Lily," he hummed as he sat in a nearby chair. "It is good to see you awake. Do you remember what happened?"
Lily grunted in a vague representation of the word "Lockhart." His face was the last thing she could remember before everything went dark.
Dumbledore chuckled. "Yes, Lily, Lockhart is indeed the reason you are here. You will be happy, no doubt, to hear that he is now on probation. I was going to sack him, but the Governors and the press intervened on his behalf. It is their belief that the school is better off with the most famous wizard in the world as a member of its staff, given our present circumstances. I am afraid I was thoroughly outvoted on the matter."
Lily grunted again, longer this time, followed by a shorter grunt of frustration. She didn't like not being able to form words.
"No, Lily, I do not think he shall be returning next year, do not worry. In the meantime, I do have to ask you to try and get along with him. I argued on the behalf of removing you from his class, but the Governors refused to hear the matter. I'm afraid they've inclined to use their emergency powers to take control. Not that I can blame them, of course."
Lily blinked in surprise. She didn't expect the headmaster to actually understand what she was trying to ask. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he watched Lily, a slight smile on his lips. Lily grunted again, to test the waters.
"No thanks necessary, Lily. To be honest with you, we're lucky he wasn't completely incompetent. He managed to vanish your bone structure, yes, but fortunately he did not manage to vanish your nerves. If he had, you would not be sitting here in front of me now, and Lockhart would be in Azkaban, despite his best efforts to counter any punishment. He almost ruined our fifty-year streak."
Fifty-year streak? Lily grunted a question.
"I apologize, Lily, but I cannot explain that right now. Not for student ears, I'm afraid. I am sure you will find the answer on your own, but I believe I shall leave it a mystery for the moment."
Lily grunted a different question instead. She knew better. She was learning.
"Pomfrey managed to get your airway cleared for you to breathe," Dumbledore explained patiently. "With her help, we managed to transport you here to St. Mungo's. She didn't have the necessary equipment to treat you at Hogwarts, unfortunately. And on that subject, you will no doubt be shocked that it is Thursday, not Saturday."
Lily grunted in shock and surprise.
"Yes, Lily, I'm afraid I am not joking. You have been asleep for nearly five days. The Healers were beginning to worry you wouldn't wake until the Holidays. Speaking of the Holidays, I was asked to enquire if you shall be staying at Hogwarts for their duration. And, yes, you will be up and moving by then."
Lily grunted a confirmation.
"I shall let McGonagall know you wish to spend Christmas at home, then. Molly will be delighted to hear so; she's been dreadfully afraid for you, these past few days. She's spent most of it at your side. She's gone now, yes, but only because visiting hours are over. She will be back tomorrow."
Lily grunted another question.
"I, Lily, am here under special circumstances. As both the Headmaster of Hogwarts, and your guardian, I am not strictly limited to the normal visiting hours. It helps that I am owed a few favours by the Head Healer, of course."
Lily grunted a different question.
"You should be able to return to Hogwarts a week before the Holidays. You will miss quite a few lessons, I'm afraid, but Minerva and Filius have both promised to dedicate some time to catching you back up. Severus offered, as well, but he has his own duties to attend to."
Lily grunted.
"I know you would not mind, Lily, but Professor Snape is a very busy man. I have asked him to investigate something for me personally, and he simply won't have the time to help you with your Potions work. Do not worry, though. Minerva achieved perfect scores on both her OWLs and her NEWTs for Potions, and she will have no trouble assisting you."
Lily grunted another question.
"I can sit here for a while longer, yes, Lily. Growing a new skeleton is, apparently, less difficult than healing blindness, although it certainly takes a lot longer. We shall not be interrupted. I can grant you a few more minutes. I would stay longer, but I have a meeting with the Governors back at the school that I cannot miss. Augusta was certainly not pleased with your injury, and they will be implementing a few more policies, despite the protests of the staff."
Lily grunted in fear.
"Do not worry, Lily, you shall still be on the Quidditch team, if you wish. I managed to talk them out of disqualifying second years from participation, although I had to compromise on a few other matters to do so."
Lily grunted more calmly.
"They will want more parental authority over the Quidditch teams. For starters, they are insisting that parental permission is required to join any team and may rescind their permission at any time. The Weasleys have already given full permission for each of you, although I could have given you mine if they hadn't."
Lily grunted another question.
"They want full discretion over whether or not a student is suspended or expelled. Previously, it was a matter entirely up to the Headmaster. But, under their emergency powers, it is now theirs until the summer."
Lily grunted.
"I'm afraid I cannot say what else they have in store. Not before they are officially announced. My hands are tied on that matter."
Lily grunted something else.
"Your broom is safe and sound, sitting in your dorm room waiting for you. Miss Granger carried it up for you. She was quite upset about your predicament, as we all were. You'll be very popular once you return. Gryffindor celebrated all day, once they were told you would be fine."
Lily grunted in disappointment.
"Now, now, Lily, there is no need to be so harsh on the girl. I believe she has been missing you far more than you have been missing her. From what I have been told from the staff and the portraits, she has been wandering around aimlessly without you."
Lily grunted sadly.
"Perhaps it is time to try again, then. I do not believe an apology will be necessary. Only your forgiveness. As I said, she was more distraught than anybody at your situation."
Lily grunted.
"Mr. Longbottom and Mr. Weasley are safe and sound, yes, and they are eagerly awaiting your return as well. As are, I am told, Miss Brown and Miss Patil. All of the Quidditch team are anxious. Miss Bell demanded I take her with me to see you just today, as it so happens. I apologize, but I had to turn her down. She has her own studies to attend to."
Lily grunted happily.
"At the advice of Severus, I am told to inform you that the Slytherins will no longer be quite as receptive of you as they were the week before your injury. They blame you for their crushing defeat. You and that bludger of yours."
Lily grunted in a panic.
"I do not know what happened with that bludger, no. It seems it was tampered with, but it was not a magical signature that I recognize. I can ensure you it was not anybody in the student body, nor the faculty, although I am sure that is of little comfort."
Lily grunted in a further panic.
"I do not believe that it could have been Quirrell, no, although I have not completely disregarded the theory. I shall admit, that was my first thought as well. But, dare I say, if it had been him, the trap would have been far more dangerous. No, I believe it is the work of an outsider, somebody who didn't know what they were doing, and somebody that did not expect an injury of this severity to occur."
Lily grunted nervously.
"I am told you will make a full recovery, yes. Rest assured, the Healers of St. Mungo's state, with utmost confidence, that you shall be completely normal by the time you return to school."
Lily grunted another question, remembering something else about the game.
Dumbledore smiled. "Yes, you were not the only one who noticed Madame Hooch acting strangely during the match. Do not worry; an investigation is underway. We shall uncover the truth soon enough."
Lily grunted again.
"I'm afraid, Lily, that I cannot answer that question, either. Until the investigation is completed, I will not offer my belief on the matter. And with that, I am afraid I am out of time."
Lily grunted sadly as Dumbledore stood.
"I apologize again, Lily, but I cannot stay. I was meant to be on my way, earlier, when I heard you call out. I shall see you again once you return to school. McGonagall will be escorting you back to the premises. She will be meeting you at Hogsmeade. The Weasleys will escort you there, then leave you in her care. Good night, Lily. Rest well."
Lily grunted another question as the headmaster left, trying to get him to come back, or at least respond. He walked out instead. She only wanted to ask what he was doing here in the first place; it didn't occur to her to ask until it was too late.
Lily awoke hours later, squinting into the bright light. She heard a repetitive clicking noise coming from her side. Flicking her eyes over, she saw Mrs. Weasley sitting there, knitting and humming a tune to herself. Lily grunted to grab her attention, and the woman jumped from the sudden fright.
"Oh, Lily, dear," she said, holding a hand up to her chest. "You startled me. Didn't know you were awake yet."
Lily grunted again. Her throat was feeling far firmer, but it was also very dry, as was her mouth. It hurt a bit to even breathe through it.
"The Healers said you should be able to talk now, dear," Mrs. Weasley said, leaning over and raising a glass of water to Lily's mouth. Lily drank eagerly, savouring the taste. Water never tasted better than after waking up after several days sleeping. She could testify to that from experience.
"Thanks," Lily whispered hoarsely as the glass parted from her lips.
Mrs. Weasley smiled brightly, setting the cup back down on the table. She got back to her work, knitting a maroon sweater.
"Christmas. Sweater?" Lily asked. She took a wild guess and assumed it was Ron's. He wouldn't be happy about getting maroon again.
"Yes, dear," Mrs. Weasley confirmed, knitting away. "This one will be Ron's. I heard from Percy that he's grown half a foot. I'll have to start over on yours."
"Why?' Lily asked in a grunt.
"I assumed you wouldn't have grown much over the term, girl's usually stop before boys. I was wrong, though, I think you've shot right past me. You've grown quite a bit."
Lily didn't feel like she'd grown much, although her robes were certainly tighter around the chest. Come to think of it, she remembered being particularly cold around her ankles and struggling to get her skirt tightened around her waist.
She definitely needed to order new robes as soon as possible.
"Is there anything in particular you'd like, dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked, knitting away. Lily was impressed by how quickly the sweater was taking shape.
"Nothing," she grunted out at last. There was something she wanted, truth be told, but she'd never be able to bring a dog to Hogwarts, and she didn't want the Weasleys to have to take care of one on her behalf. Besides, the thought just brought her mind back to the Dursleys. She asked for one when she was five, and they locked her in her cupboard for a month. She never asked for anything else, after that.
"We'll find something ourselves, then," Mrs. Weasley said without any hesitation. "Perhaps I'll make you an extra batch of fudge."
"What. You. Want?" Lily asked.
"You don't have to get us anything, dear," Mrs. Weasley said with another pat on the hand. "We're just happy to have you."
"Others?" Lily asked, hoping that'd get the point across.
"If you'd like to pick something up for the kids, you're welcome to leave a list with me, and Arthur and I'll pick them up for you when we do our own shopping," she offered.
"Mail. Order." Lily said instead.
"Well, if you insist, I'll just let you know what Arthur and I are getting the others, so you can get them something to go with it. Ginny's been asking for a journal, and we've already found one for her. Fred and George, we'll get them another Potion's Kit, we don't know how they go through them so quickly. Percy will be getting a new frame for his glasses, he got his old ones from his father, and they've been out of date for years. Ron will be getting something Chudley Cannon related, I'm sure, it's all the lad seems to want. Bill and Charlie you don't have to worry about, you haven't met them and they won't be back this year."
"Arthur?" Lily choked out. She didn't like to use their first names, but it was easier than trying to say "Mr. Weasley" in her current state.
Mrs. Weasley leaned over, lowering her voice. "Now, don't you go worrying about him, none, but if you insist, he'd love a set of those pens you gave him over the summer. He can't figure out how to refill the ink in the one he already has. Spilled it all over the place the one time he tried. I had to throw it away."
"Thanks." Lily said. That sounded absolutely perfect. She didn't know how to order muggle pens over an owl, but that was a problem for a different day, for a future Lily.
Lily spent the whole day chatting with Mrs. Weasley, although she would have used the word loosely. Mrs. Weasley did most of the work, gabbing on and on while she finished up Ron's sweater. Lily was trying to decide whether it was better to let the lad know ahead of time or to just have him be disappointed come Christmas.
Mrs. Weasley was back the next day as well, this time working on a sweater for her husband. She said she refused to work on Lily's while in her presence; she'd be working on that while at home, where Lily couldn't see it. She didn't know why
Mr. Weasley joined her on Saturday, which was also the first day Lily had any feeling below the neck. She could now wiggle her fingers! It took an immense amount of effort to do so, but the Healers seemed very pleased about it. One informed her secretly afterwards that there was actually a risk that she wouldn't recover, but now that she was moving again, the risk was fully gone. She didn't like to think about how close she came to a permanent, grievous injury at the hands of Gilderoy Lockhart.
Both parents arrived again the following day, bringing with them some sweets for Lily to enjoy. They'd already sent their Hogwarts children fudge to tide them over to the Holidays, but Lily got the special pleasure of receiving hers in-person.
It was the best fudge she'd ever had. It was also, of course, the first fudge she'd ever had. She let Ron eat hers last year, and the Dursleys had certainly never given her any. It was only at that moment where she realized how badly she'd been missing out. Fudge quickly became one of her favourite things in the world, and Mrs. Weasley brought her a second batch the next day after arriving several hours late, an action that made Lily cry from thankfulness.
"Don't tell the others," she whispered with a wink. "I made it special for you just this morning, had to wait for Arthur to leave for work. Didn't want him picking at it."
On Tuesday, Lily had full feeling in her toes, and could now lift her arms with great, tiring effort. The Healers switched her over to a routine of Strengthening Solutions at that point, to help her build up her movements faster.
On the evening of December 14th, 5 days before they'd be returning to home for the Holidays, Lily was finally given the all clear to leave the hospital. With a heavy heart (and a package of fudge tucked away in her school robes), Lily walked down the stairs for the first time in weeks with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Her legs were still a bit shaky, and she had to keep her hand on the railing, but she made it down, fully unassisted.
"How are we getting to Hogsmeade?" Lily panted as they reached the ground floor, smiling widely. She had no idea how she'd manage the Hogwarts stairs, but it felt good to be moving again. Once they reached the foyer, Mr. Weasley took her by the arm, and together they turned as the older man disapparated.
There was a sudden chill, and Lily could feel a frigid breeze pass through her body. She shivered from the cold, letting go of Mr. Weasley's hand so she could warm herself (and shutting her eyes to help with the nausea). There was an immediate coldness on her legs, and she closed them tightly together to maintain as much warmth as possible.
Lily opened her eyes, taking in the familiar sights of Hogsmeade. The was snow on the ground, enough to reach up to Lily's ankles, as well as more falling from the sky above. Lily could see fires through the windows of various businesses and homes, and her breath arced in front of her in a misty haze. Villagers bustled about, running their errands and doing their shopping, with their scarves pulled tight and their robes pulled tighter. The sun was well past set at this point, which only served to make it even colder. Lily found herself shivering uncontrollably within seconds.
"L-l-lovely w-weather," she managed, teeth clattering against each other. Mr. Weasley frowned as a pop occurred nearby, Mrs. Weasley quickly striding over to where the other two were standing.
"Let's get you off to Hogwarts before you freeze to death, dear," Mrs. Weasley said, taking Lily by the hand and pulling along.
"We should have brought you a scarf," Arthur acknowledged. "Sorry, Lily, it didn't even occur to us."
"N-n-n-not a p-p-problem a-at all," Lily stuttered out. "I-i-it's not t-that cold."
She tucked her free hand into her armpit, trying to get any sort of warmth on her cold, dead fingertips. They found Professor McGonagall waiting for them soon enough, standing in front of a large pub with a rather voluptuous blonde woman that Lily couldn't help but stare at.
"Good evening, Lily," McGonagall said as they approached. Lily swallowed from her nerves.
"H-hello, P-p-professor," Lily said, managing to take her eyes off the other woman. The Gryffindor matriarch looked stern and unhappy in her dark green robe and hat.
"Well, Rosmerta, I'm afraid I must leave you now," McGonagall said, shaking hands with the blonde woman.
"I'll see you next week, then?" Rosmerta said sweetly.
"If I can get away," McGonagall said. "I'm afraid the staff are about to find ourselves very busy. Come, Lily, we must get back to Hogwarts."
"You be good, dear," Mrs. Weasley said, pulling Lily into a tight hug. Lily returned it eagerly. "Don't get yourself hurt again. A few more days, and then you'll be home for Christmas."
"Molly," Arthur said uncomfortably, clearing his throat. "Lily needs to get back to the castle, darling."
"Of course," Molly answered, finally breaking the hug. She gave Lily a broad smile, wiping at her eyes with a free hand. Lily didn't know how to feel about that. She felt both immensely happy and terribly sad. She settled on giving out a smile, thinking that would make Molly the happiest.
"Come along, Lily," McGonagall said as she began walking off, dark green cloak trailing in the snow behind her.
"See you soon, Lily," Molly said once more with a final squeeze on Lily's cheek. Lily realized she reached up, and, after a quick glance, confirmed that she was, indeed, taller than Mrs. Weasley by a few inches. She wondered when that happened. Lily hurried after the professor, feeling equally embarrassed, happy, and sad.
"Welcome back, Miss Potter," McGonagall said happily as she trotted beside her. Lily shivered again, now that she no longer had the warmth of the Weasley matriarch pressing against her. "You have missed quite a bit, and I need to inform you of a few new policies."
"R-r-right, P-professor," Lily responded, nodding her head vigorously. The movement made her feel a bit warmer, although that was ruined by a cold breeze nearly freezing her ears solid.
"Would you like some assistance?" McGonagall asked.
"P-p-p-p-pardon, Professor?"
"I can make you less cold, Potter," McGonagall explained. "We have a bit of a walk ahead of us, and I'd prefer it if you did not freeze to death before we return to the castle."
"P-p-p-please," Lily managed, vigorously nodding her head again.
"Tepium Tunica," McGonagall incanted, waving her wand in a wide, circular arc over Lily's head.
Lily felt wonderful warmth layer over her, as if she was wearing several coats in front of a large fire. It took a few seconds for the shivering to stop, but she was equally pleased by how toasty she felt in such a short amount of time.
"Thanks, Professor," Lily said gratefully. "Why does it get so cold around here?"
"It's the magical power of Hogwarts," McGonagall explained. "It causes the temperature and weather to be far more harsh than other areas. During the summer, the castle is sweltering."
Lily grumbled, wishing the path outside of the village was cleared half as well. She couldn't feel the cold, but it was still very hard to move. Here, the snow reached up to and past her knees. The trail to the castle was also very dark. Their only light source was a lantern McGonagall carried on her left side, Lily standing on her right.
"Now, then, the policy changes," McGonagall said, clearing her throat as she got back on topic. "I believe Professor Dumbledore already informed you of the changes to Quidditch. In addition to those, the Governors are instituting a formal process of parental supervision in their student's education."
"Professor?" Lily asked, not really getting any of that.
"For instance," McGonagall continued, "We will be having a meeting next year, with you and your guardians, in order to settle on which electives you will be taking in your third year. As well, you will have a further two meetings the next year, to make sure you are satisfied with your choice in electives and to get you on the right track if you aren't."
Lily nodded in understanding. McGonagall nodded in return, then continued on.
"In addition to the monthly reports on behaviour, we will henceforth be including reports on your marks, as well. The Governors are under the impression that too many students are getting away with low marks due to simply hiding the truth. Professor Dumbledore believes that particular failure is on the onus of the parents themselves, and I happen to agree, but going forward, all guardians will know about each and every assignment you fail to turn in at Hogwarts."
"Dumbledore already knows everything I do," Lily grumbled. She swore under her breath as she stubbed her toe on a rock that was buried under the mounds of snow littering their path.
"Professor Dumbledore will be forwarding your reports to the Weasleys, just as he has for each previous one," McGonagall noted. "Lastly, all clubs and organizations a student joins much first be approved by both their head of house and their guardians."
"Why do we need approval for clubs?" Lily complained. Not that it mattered. She wasn't in one.
McGonagall scoffed. "I agree with you, Potter, but the Governors voted unanimously on all of these issues."
"What about the Chamber of Secrets, Professor?" Lily asked. "Has anyone been attacked since I left?"
"No, thank Merlin," McGonagall said. "And as to the Chamber of Secrets, you do not need to worry about it. It does not exist."
"Professor," Lily said quietly, wondering if she should even admit this, but taking the chance anyway, "I heard you all in the Hospital Wing, when Colin was attacked. Dumbledore said the Chamber has been opened once before."
McGonagall pursed her lips. "Miss Potter, I believe you have already received a lecture on the sins of eavesdropping."
"Professor, if there's a monster attacking the students, we should know," Lily said, crossing her arms in defiance.
"I cannot speak to you on this matter, Potter," McGonagall said firmly. "Professor Dumbledore has forbidden any of the staff from discussing matters regarding the Chamber of Secrets."
"Dumbledore already told me about what happened last time," Lily lied.
"Nice try, Potter," McGonagall retorted, "But I wasn't born yesterday. You're lucky we're not yet on the grounds, or I would deduct points for attempting to fool a Professor."
That's fine, Lily thought. She was pretty sure she knew who she could fool. She just didn't know if she could bring herself to talk to him.
