Different
Here's another one I managed to get done.
Enjoy!
Chapter Seven:
Aftermath
They say that when the war in Europe came to an end, the people celebrated in the streets. Many woke up to a brand-new day, full of hope and optimism for the future ahead. Many drank to their hearts' content. Men and women kissed in public. Every day following was celebrated with relief and happiness.
History always had a way of repeating itself.
Lily remembered her grandfather telling this story to her and Petunia when they were little girls. He remembered the day when the Second War World ended and how everyone reacted. He had been born sometime after the First World War and grew up in the Great Depression, a dark era that had left the world in a ruined state, only for a new war to arise. A war he found in. But after it had ended, he had been gifted with something that he had never experienced in so long. To him, it was as if the sun had finally come out and shined its warm rays onto the world, giving him hope and a new purpose when he returned home to his wife and son.
That was what she felt when waking up that morning, feeling the sun's touch on her skin and the sound of birds just outside her window. Feeling a sense of peace that had washed away all the dread and fear she once had. She smiled and felt her heart leap at the excitement of being able to live a brand-new day without a single worry. The previous night had been spent holding her friend as she cried, letting out all their emotions together.
The rest of Gryffindor partied, as did the rest of the Houses of Hogwarts. As did the rest of the Wizarding World. News had spread fast, far and wide about the death of the Dark Lord. Though some had questions, the rest celebrated once they had heard.
As Lily rose from her bed and stretched, she smiled at seeing Mary already up and brushing her hair, almost ready to begin the day. Thankfully, the day was a Saturday, allowing them to look forward to peace and comfort outdoors, instead of schoolwork. Walking to the bathroom, Lily showered and dressed, meeting Mary by the door before heading downstairs.
Ignoring James' attempt to speak with her, the two exited the Gryffindor Common Room and made their way to the Great Hall to have their breakfast. Many were doing the same, except with renewed energy and excitement. Afterward, they made their way to the lake, sitting in the sun as they talked in the presence of others going about their day.
When dinner arrived, Headmaster Dumbledore called for the whole school to attend, making an official announcement as he stood before them in front of the staff who sat in their chairs at the large table.
"While it is well known by now, I would wish to speak of the news that had come so suddenly last night about the Dark Lord's demise," announced Dumbledore.
Many flinched when hearing him speak the name.
"It fills me with happiness to see all of you be able to go about your day without worries… without fear of tomorrow. For so long, I could see uncertainty in your eyes. But no longer.
"Although the Ministry wishes for me to keep things quiet, I have decided to inform you that it has been discovered that a small group has been acting against the Dark Lord and his followers."
Students began whisper amongst themselves.
"The mansion of where the Dark Lord was found, was also home to many Death Eaters. Someone had fought and killed the Dark Lord there, while also incapacitating those who took shelter with him. Only the Dark Lord himself was killed, no one else.
"The identity of those in this group is the Ministry's top priority, since many of the Death Eaters are now imprisoned, awaiting trial. Despite some still on the run, our world is far safer than it was only yesterday.
The students and staff applauded.
"With that said-" Dumbledore took the gray cup in his hand, holding it forward. "-let us make a toast to a new year and to the individuals who are responsible for this occasion."
A moment of silence was granted by the students and the staff as they bowed their heads and closed their eyes, until Dumbledore spoke again.
"Let us drink."
The students and staff took their cups and extended them forward as the headmaster did and took a drink.
Setting his cup down, Dumbledore clapped his hands and food appeared before the students on the table, "Dig in!"
Not having to be told twice, the students began to fill their plates and eat, filling the room with the sound of chatter and an atmosphere of happiness, while the staff conversed amongst themselves.
While talking with her friends, Lily noticed the Head Auror Mad-Eye next to Dumbledore, catching her attention. She watched as he talked with the headmaster, wondering why he was there. Then, Dumbledore rose, along with McGonagall, walking with Mad-Eye out of the Great Hall.
"What's wrong, Lily?" Marlene asked.
"Mad-Eye's here," she responded. "Dumbledore and McGonagall just left with him."
Mary shrugged, "Maybe he's here for his help."
Marlene nodded, "It could be a number of things."
Although unconvinced, Lily chose to let it go and change the subject to something else.
Before it was even midnight, Lily awoke to someone shaking her shoulder.
"Lily! Wake up!"
She rose, meeting Mary's worried eyes. Her heart began to race, fearing the worst, "What is it?"
Mary paused before answering, "It's Snape! He's back. I saw him with the headmaster."
Time itself seemed to have stopped upon hearing those words. She stared at her friend for a clear two seconds before rising to her feet and running to the bathroom, where she began to change into her robes. She could hear Mary from behind her, but unable to understand what she was saying.
All she could think about was the fact that Severus was back and inside the castle. After over two months, he was within her reach, and she intended to confront him before he was to vanish again.
Finished, she turned around and came face to face with Mary, finally being able to make out what she was saying.
"-ait until the headmaster is done talking to him. You might not even get the chance to speak with him!"
"Regardless, I'm going!" she marched past her friend.
Mary moaned, chasing after her, "You and I both know he was always wanting to join them. It's no coincidence that he suddenly just showed up now. Lily, stop and think about this!"
Lily felt a hand grab her wrist, forcing her to turn around.
"He's a dark wizard, Lily!" Mary pleaded. "Not the little boy you met in Chokeworth. Not the innocent person he once was. He's dark!"
Lily sighed, closing her eyes to take a breath before opening them, "Maybe he is. But I still need to do this."
The two stared at each other before Mary let go of her hand, turning away.
"Just don't let him deceive you," she whispered.
Lily nodded and opened the door, quickly walking down the stairs and out of the Common Room. She ran to the Headmaster's office, remembering that Mary had said that Dumbledore was speaking with him. But when she arrived at the entrance, she wasn't allowed in. Instead, she had to stay and wait.
About an hour later, the entrance to the headmaster's office opened, with Mad-Eye exiting. Although he appeared to be in a foul mood, Lily ran up to him.
"Is Severus in there?" she asked.
Mad-Eye turned to the girl, his eyes narrowing, "He is. But it'll be a while longer before both him and Mr. Black will be released back to their House."
With that said, he walked away, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
The fact that Regulus Black was also here didn't surprise her. But she was surprised that Mad-Eye wasn't leaving with them, unless if they had already been interrogated. A fact that made her relieved, as it could only mean that they didn't have the Dark Mark or were affiliated with the now disbanded group.
Forced to wait a little longer, Lily sat next to the gargoyle guarding the entrance. She thought back to all that had happened, how the lake incident had been the start. The conversations that Sev and Regulus had together. She was so confused, so angry, and also so happy. But mainly confused.
"Hermione."
"Even with Lily... there was this restriction between us that I didn't realize. But with Hermione..."
"Where is Hermione when you need her?"
The name that she had heard him whisper. A name she had confronted him about and got a small reaction from. A name that Regulus had also talked about. A name who held a special place in Severus' heart.
"Reg... there's no going back."
"It's all been reset."
"Do you... miss her?"
"So, they're really gone, aren't they?"
"What happened to us resulted in a timeline that wasn't supposed to happen."
The conversation from that night in the girls' lavatory. The way they spoke of a place they couldn't return to. Or time.
"Lily, what… what day is it?"
"What year is it?"
His reaction from waking up after four days in a coma. The way he had looked at her as if he hadn't seen her in years.
"Well, we can always fight back against those murderous bastards."
"I hate it here! I can't stand being in the same house as those... murderers!"
"We need to stop it."
"But we will need something to destroy them."
In that moment of remembering those conversations, despite how out of content they were, Lily's eyes widened at a realization. Something she had pieced together. She had considered one piece of the puzzle before immediately discarding it. But now… with all that has happened, a puzzle began to piece itself together with all that she knew.
The talk as if they were from another time. The talk of loved ones, even girls they were serious with. The talk of hating to be with unnamed individuals, and preventing something big.
"Not if we kill him first."
A gasp escaped her.
It all started to make sense as the pieces came together, especially with that last sentence she had heard directly from Severus' lips. The one thing that confirmed what she was suspecting. It was all too much for her.
Suddenly, the entrance opened, and her heart skipped a beat when out came Severus and Regulus, who appeared to be tired and in need of a night's rest. They also appeared to look more muscular and in shape than when she last saw them. She resisted the urge to run and embrace him.
"That went well," said Regulus. "You think the old man will keep his word?"
Severus shrugged, "We'll have to wait and see."
"Either way, I'm looking forward to an actual bed and the comfort of an actual room."
Lily chose not to follow them, instead she ran through the entrance before it had closed and made her way up the steps, entering the headmaster's office.
Dumbledore stood in front of the fireplace from behind his desk, turning around upon hearing the door open. Though he didn't show it, she wondered if he was surprised to see her.
"Ah, Miss Evans," he smiled, walking around the desk. "What can I do for you?"
Though feeling a guilty for barging in, she walked to him, trying to keep herself calm, "Did they do it?"
Dumbledore frowned, "I'm afraid I don't understand."
"Did they kill the Dark Lord?"
The headmaster showed no emotion, which only confirmed her suspicions.
"They did, didn't they!" she felt as if the breath inside her had vanished.
Dumbledore slowly nodded, "Yes, my dear. It's true."
"And…" she struggled to keep herself together, having so many questions running around in her mind. "… they're from the future, aren't they! How they would have known what to do, when to do it! They-"
He put up his hand, cutting her off, "It would be wise if you spoke with Snape about this. For now, understand that any worries you had about your friend can be put to rest. He has far more than proven himself."
Though she wished to press the matter, Lily nodded, "Yes sir."
Dumbledore smiled, "Off to bed. You have school in the morning."
Leading her to the door, she exited and found herself back in the hallway. Standing there for a few moments, she looked in the direction that led to the Gryffindor Common Room and then in the direction that led to the dungeons.
Despite her desire to confront her friend, to demand answers, to get to the bottom of all this, she chose to let him retire for the evening. After all, from how they looked and her confirmation that they were the ones who killed the Dark Lord, they deserved a night to rest. And she could use some rest too.
Turning toward the direction of the Tower, she made her way back, all the while think about the fact that her best friend was the one who helped bring down the darkest wizard their world had ever known. She couldn't help but feel proud of him. Even finding him very attractive in how he looked.
Shaking her head, she thought about something else, not wishing to see him in such a way. But despite her best efforts, she couldn't deny that he was rather attractive now. In more ways than one.
When she arrived back at the 6th year girls' dormitory, she found Mary and Marlene waiting for her.
"Well?" Marlene asked.
Mary said nothing, but clearly worried.
Lily sighed, "I didn't get to talk to him. He was sent back to the dungeons."
"Wait, he's back?!" exclaimed Mary.
"Like, as in, he's still a student?" added Marlene.
Lily nodded, "Dumbledore confirmed that they weren't Death Eaters, nor were they with him."
"Did Dumbledore say this to you?" Mary pressed.
She nodded, climbing into bed, "He didn't say where they were, only that they were back."
Though the two wanted to ask more, they took the hint as Lily laid down and covered herself in blankets, returning to their own beds. They would need their beauty sleep for the next day.
Though her friends fell to sleep almost easily, Lily struggled to follow suit, her mind stuck on Severus and all that she had learned. But before long, her mind grew quiet and closed her eyes.
The next day was awkward and annoying.
People bombarded her with questions surrounding Severus the moment it was revealed that he was back. Though his disappearance didn't create much, his return certainly did. Even James and Sirius pressed her, causing her to hex them to stop.
She tried to keep away from Severus for the time being, who was sitting with Regulus during their classes. They had skipped breakfast, although she had guessed that maybe they had slept in and eat during lunch instead. But they did show up for classes, looking tired but able to function. She hazard a guess that the moment the day was done, they probably would retire almost immediately, even if it meant skipping dinner.
Surprisingly, Severus had kept his distance from her as well, never even looking in her direction. It confused her, as she would have expected him to try and reach out.
People had attempted to speak to the two of them, asking if they were alright. Some accused them of being Death Eaters, which they ignored. Even the Marauders took a chance to prank and harass them. It took another Perfect getting involved to stop them, as Remus didn't do anything about it.
When the day ended and all their homework was complete, Lily took her chance and went to find Severus. Asking around, she someone told her that he had seen the Slytherin going to the seventh floor, which surprised her. Making her way there, she found Severus and Regulus climbing the steps of a set of stairs.
"Sev!" she called out, making them turn.
Regulus' eyes darted between the two and smiled, patting his fellow housemate on the shoulder and whispering something into his ear before leaving him. Severus replied but she didn't hear what he had said.
For the first time in two and a half months, she stood in front of him, panting from the climb.
Severus smiled, "Cat caught your tongue?"
"Oh, shut up!" she glared, despite smiling on the inside. The very fact that he was joking with her only proved how right she was, that he was indeed a time-traveler. The Severus she knew would have never joked like he just did.
Staring into his eyes, she drew a breath and stood firm, "We need to talk."
Depending on how the next chapter goes, there might be another one that I will write. Who knows.
Like I said before, this is going to be a short story. Nothing big or epic about it, just a simple premise.
Lily is now aware of what Severus and Regulus have done and the fact that they are time-travelers. Well, kinda. The next chapter will explain a lot of things (in fact, my other story "The Night Before" also explains it). But we'll get to that when we get to that.
See you in Chapter 8!