Spy in the Ointment Keeperoliver Chapter 6
The room was quiet, as two people faced each other. One was on bended knee, the other holding hands over her face. James was worried that she was insulted, and covering her shame with her hands. Lily pulled her hands away from her face, to show that she was crying. She could not believe that she had just been asked the one question she thought she would never hear. She had thought about marriage, and she knew that if any one asked it would be James. She just did not think he would ever ask.
"James, you know that I love you very much, don't you?"
"Well I was kind of hoping that you did. Please don't tell me there is a BUT, to start your next statement, because if there, I don't want to hear it."
"Very well then, but."
"I told you I didn't want to hear it, Lily!"
"I did not start my statement with but, I ended it with but. However to ease your mind just a little, my answer is a definite maybe."
"Uh, could you clear that up a little, as I don't believe you answered my question. Will you marry me, Lily Marie Evans? All it takes is a simple yes or no, no maybes allowed."
"Why do I have to be specific. Aren't women allowed to be vague in the answers. I mean look at Alice and Frank. Alice has never been specific with any of her answers, and they are still getting married, aren't they?"
"There you go again. I don't know if that is your way of telling me yes, of your way of changing the subject?"
"Well, when you figure it out, come see me, OK?"
"No need, I get the hint. I will never ask the question again. It is evident that you wish me to drop the subject altogether."
James got up off his knee, and headed for the door.
"James, You did it again. You have a tendency to misinterpret any thing that is not a clear cut answer to your questions. Now please rethink what you thought I might have been saying."
"Lils, your giving me a headache here. Why can't you give me a straight answer, instead of your mumbo jumbo?" James went to turn around, when he figured out what Lily was saying, finally. he turned again, and walked over to her, and took her in his arms. "I'll take that as a yes."
"About bloody time you idiot!", and they kissed. James then broke the kiss, and slipped something on her finger. She looked down at it. A beautiful diamond and emerald ring set in rose gold. She hugged him once again, looking at the ring on her finger as they hugged. 'I can't believe he asked.' she thought to herself.
They broke apart to go tell their friends the good news.
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Graduation day had finally arrived and the student body was gathering for commencement ceremonies. Lily had been chosen as the student representative to speak.
As every one took their seat, and the room got quiet, Professor Dumbledore stood to address the Graduates. "Once again, we are gathered to send out to the world, our graduating students. Unfortunately, were doing this in the darkest of times. However there is a silver ling to these dark clouds, as this is the strongest group of Graduates to be sent out in decades, and we, the faculty are proud to say, congratulations to all of you who are assembled. Now it is my honor to present to you, your for Commencement Speaker, Miss Lily Evans." and with that, he sat down.
Lily waited for the applause to die down, before she spoke. "Faculty members, Parents, and friends, and my fellow Graduates. These are indeed dark times that we are about to enter, but do not let these times overshadow what we have accomplished. We have completed seven years of training, and withstood the loss of family members, friends and fellow students, and yet we are stronger for knowing these people gave their lives so that we can carry on. I would like to take a moment of your time to remember one of these individuals. A fellow student who is also a family member of another student. Regulas Black, brother of Sirius, died recently, of unknown causes.
His body was never found, but we believe it to be true, by his own words. He died fighting his own devils, as he believed in ideals, he soon found false. I hope he is in a happier place with the people he loves. Let us bow our heads in prayer." There was silence for a moment. Then Lily started again, "Now let us move on with our lives, and become the individuals we were trained to be, whether it is a healer, auror, professor or shop owner. What ever the future hold for us, let us embrace this, and do what ever it is we chose with the utmost of our abilities, and show the world that we mean business."
The assembled students stood up and cheered for their themselves, and turned to their neighbors and hugged them and the turned around them and hugged their other neighbors.
James walked out of the crowd, and took Lily in his arms and Hugged and kissed her, to the cat-calls and wolf whistles of their fellow students, in particular, Sirius, Remus and Peter. They all joined together in a group hug.
They were then approached by Professor McGonagall, and Professor Flitwick. "We wish to congratulate all of you, and wish for you to join us in celebration this evening." Commented Professor Flitwick.
Peter answered for every one, "Thank you Professor, we would be delighted to join you in celebration. Would six o'clock be too early, as we have to get up early in order to get ready to leave?"
"That will be fine Mr. Pettigrew, We will see you all at six, then."
They all went their separate ways, with Lily and James headed for the lake. They were stopped by Severus Snape along the way, "Lily , if I might have a word with you for a moment, in private if I may?"
James started to protest, when Lily placed a calming hand on his chest, and said, "It will be alright James, Severus would never hurt me." And she walked into a vacant classroom with Severus.
"Lily, I wish to apologize for my actions that day by the lake. I was upset at that fool Black. and the equally stupid friend of his Potter. I lashed out at you, when you were only trying help me. I am ashamed of my actions, and wish to part, knowing that you may see it in your heart to forgive me?"
"Sev, what you said hurt me back then. As time went by, I forgot all about it. However, what you have done to yourself since then, I can not forgive. I know you have given your self to the dark Lord and His way of thinking, and that is wrong. He is killing people Severus, how can you justify that? How can you believe in some one that is so heartless that he enjoys killing just by the act of killing? Is that what you want to become, a killer, a raper of women and children? That is not the Severus Snape I knew. You could never be the Severus I once knew again. He is dead to me."
"Yes, I have become what you say, but I have never killed anyone. I am to be his Potions Master, and an informant. That is all he is asking of me. You know that I could never do those things you said. We all have to take sides during these times, and I made my choice. I may not believe in his method of achieving his goals, but I believe that he will, in the end, be victorious, and I wish to be a part of this. Is that so wrong, to want to be able to come out on top. Come with me Lily, and share in the glory that will soon be ours. We could live in peace while in his grace. Join me as my wife, Lily. Please say you will marry me, as I love you very much?"
"Severus, do you see this ring on my hand? This is a ring of commitment to another individual. I love this individual, very much, but even if I did not have this commitment, I could never marry into the life you chose. It is against everything I believe in. I am sorry Severus. I once cared for you dearly, but your choice of lifestyle, turned you bitter, and uncaring. I believe that you did love me once, but now you fear being alone. Again, I am sorry, not for my answer, but for you. You chose the way you live, but it will be without me. This is goodbye Severus." and with that, she turned and left.
Severus watched, as the only person he ever loved departed. He was not angry, but sad. He knew what her answer was going to be, but he had to try and get her back. It was the only way to protect her from what was coming. The war was soon to escalate, and she was bound to be in the middle of it. He felt it was the only way to keep her from getting hurt. He failed and was now going to watch as Lily had to pay the consequences. She did not know of the traitor in the friends she was traveling with. It will be a sad moment when she has to pay for this betrayal.
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That evening the celebration between the Marauders and the Professors was a short one, as it was just to set up an schedule for meeting during the coming holidays. They only had one Horcrux left to gather, as the Diadem was an easy one to find, after the disillusionment charm had been broken by Professor Flitwick, on the cabinet that it was hidden in. The next step was for them to contact the Goblins, and find a weapon to destroy the Dark Objects. Lily had explained her meeting with Severus to all the gathered members, and was relieved that they took it so calmly. She thought that James and Sirius would go on a rampage and threaten to kill him, but they were willing to accept his feelings for the beautiful Gryffindor as they all felt the same way towards her. It was understandable to fall for someone you had known for as long as Severus knew her. Longer then any of the Marauders had known her.
The students bid farewell to the Professors, promising to see them in five days, with an answer from the Goblins.
They made their way back to the Gryffindor dorm, and settled in for the evening. Lily and James in the Head Dorm. They settled in on the couch, and cuddled, with James stealing kisses occasionally, until they both fell, asleep on the couch. That was where the Marauders found them in the morning, all comfortable wrapped in each others arms, until Sirius felt it was time for a little payback. He transformed a table lamp. into a bucket. He filled the bucket with water using the aguamenti spell, then put a freezing charm on it, levitated it over the sleeping couple and attempted to dump it on them. However, Lily had awakened while he was doing the preparations on his prank, and waited for the right moment, and reversed the spell, causing it to dump on Sirius. He stood there with a look of shock on his face at the reversal of his prank, and shivering from the unexpected cold shower. Lily laughed at her friend, causing James to wake up. It didn't take long for James to realize that Sirius was counter pranked by his adorable soon to be wife. The two were laughing, when Peter and Remus walked into the room to see Sirius soaking wet, and Lily and James laughing at the sight. The two newcomers shook their heads and said they would meet them in the great hall for breakfast,
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During the train ride back, it was decided that Remus and Sirius would be the ones to go to Gringotts and ask about the weapon they needed. Peter asked if he could go in his animagus form, to see if there was anyway to get into the LeStrange vault. Everyone thought that was a good idea, so it was agreed upon.
The next morning after breakfast, the three made their way to Diagon Alley, and to a secluded spot in Florish and Botts, so that Peter could change into the rat, and hide in Remus' pocket.
They then made their way to Gringotts, but were sidetracked when to their utter disbelief, Bellatrix came striding up the steps and stopped to glare at her cousin. "What are you doing here cousin, with this mixed blood? Are you here to make a deposit, did you find a sickle somewhere, and hope to make a huge amount of money in interest on it." While she was teasing him, Peter left Remus' pocket, and scurried up Bella's robes and hid in her pocket. When she was done taunting Sirius, she marched into the bank, wanting entrance to her vault. Sirius and Remus smiled at each other, and walked over to a teller, and asked to speak a supervisor. They were shown into an office, occupied by Ragnok, the Director of the Bank.
"Director Ragnok, sir, My name is Sirius Black, and this is Remus Lupin."
"How do you do gentlemen, what is it that I can do for your today?"
Sirius continued to speak for the two, and it stayed that way, as he knew more of the Goblins ways than Remus did. "Well sir, we would like to know if sold special weapons to your patrons?
There is a particular type we are looking to purchase."
"It is not the custom of the bank to sell our weapons to our patrons, but we have been known to do so for special purposes. What is it you are looking for?"
"We are looking for a weapon that is imbibed with either Basilisk venom, or Phoenix tears."
Ragnok looked at them with a concerned look on his face. "Would you be able to tell me why you would be needing these particular type of weapons? Before you answer, I know of only one reason why you would need these particular weapons. If you could just shake your head yes or no to my questions, you will not be breaking any trust you might have with any one else. If it for the reason I believe, then the weapon will not be for sale. I also want you to know, that I will be able to tell the difference between the truth and a lie. Good, you both agree. Does this need have anything to do with Horcruxes?" They both nodded yes. "Excellent, now do these horcruxes belong to Lord Voldemort?" The two looked at each other, and then back to Ragnok, and Sirius spoke.
"Master Ragnok, it is evident that you know more about these things then we do. Yes to both your Questions. The only way that the Dark Lord can be defeated is if these items are destroyed."
"Items, you mean there are more than one?"
"Yes sir, there are five. We are currently in the possession of four of them, and are trying to get the fifth one."
"Where is the location of this fifth one?"
"It is in your bank,Sir, in the LaStrange vault."
"You were not going to try and break into the vault were you?"
"Well, not exactly."
"What do you mean by that?"
"If you don't mind sir, we would rather not say, how we were going to do it. Let us just say, breaking in was not one of our options."
"I am sorry Mr. Black, but that is not a viable answer. either you break in, or you have one of the LaStrange's escort you in, and I can promise you that is not about to happen."
"So you are saying that if one of us were to enter the vault escorted by a LaStrange, it would not be considered breaking and entering?"
"Yes that would be true, but I can truthfully say, that neither LaStrange would be willing to do that, and if the LaStrange in question were to be forcefully made to take you there, it would be noticed, and stopped, before it could happen, and charges would be brought against you."
At that time, there was a knock on the door, and a guard entered the office.
"I thought I told you we were not to be disturbed?"
"Yes sir, but there is a gentleman here that wishes to enter?"
"Who is it"
"He says his name is Peter Pettigrew, and he is with the two gentlemen in your office."
"Very well, send him in."
Peter entered, and had a big smile on his face.
Remus almost jumped out of chair to hug Peter, "You have it don't you, Peter?"
Peter was about to stop Remus from saying anything, When Sirius stepped in, "Peter, this is Director Ragnok, and in order for us to acquire what we need, we had to tell him the truth. He knows the whole story. So, do you have it?"
The grin came back to Peter's face, "Yes, Pads, Moony, I have it." and he pulled the cup from his pocket.
Ragnok then asked, "How is it you were able to get into the LaStrange vault, and retrieve this item? We had no alarm go off to alert us of a break in"
"Excuse me sir, I did not break in, I was brought in by Mrs. LeStrange herself."
"I must say, you are a very resourceful group. Now as for the weapon you desire, I am afraid it is not for sale."
Sirius about lost, after all they went through, and Peter putting his life on the line, this Goblin had the nerve to tell them they could not purchase the weapon they needed to destroy the Horcruxes.
Remus did his best to calm down his friend, and finally got him settled. "Excuse me sir, is there an alternative, such as renting a weapon for say a week?"
"That is a possibility, but the rental fee would be high, 100 galleons a day, plus we would have to have a Goblin there with you at all times, to ensure it's return."
"We agree to this, plus give 300 galleons to the Goblin for his trouble." added Sirius.
"That is more than necessary, but I will agree to this transaction." Ragnok pushed a button on his desk, and a voice on the other end said "Yes sir?"
"Griphook, can you come in here please?"
Griphook must have been standing outside the door, as fast as he made it in there. "Yes sir. how can I help you?"
"Yes please get to our trophy room and retrieve Heindrik the Strong's Battle Axe if you would."
And Griphook was gone, and back within a minute, carrying a large battle axe, three times bigger the the Goblin. "Griphook, you are to escort these gentlemen to their residents, with the Axe, and stay with them until they are finished with it. Gentlemen, just so that you know it is safe, this axe is embedded with Phoenix tears. I fear the use of Basilisk venom for this venture. As this is Thursday, the Axe must be returned on next Thursday by this time. We will take the agreed upon amount from your vault Mr. Black, and make sure that Griphook receives his three hundred Galleons, for his participation."
And with that, the beginning of the end of Lord Voldemort Has started.