Chapter 21: Excuricating Temptations
The time for Lily to don her armor had arrived. As she made her way to McGonagall's office she was momentarily held up by the Hogwarts caretaker, Argus Filtch, and his assistant, Mrs. Norris the cat. He looked surprised to see her out this late, since it was not her turn to protrol the corridors.
"What are you doing out past curfew Ms. Evans?" he asked in a respecting and aging voice.
Smiling Lily showed him a piece of rolled parchment with McGonagall's signature on it, explaining why she was out so late. She had always been on good terms with Mr. Filtch since she first reprimended Potter for getting mud all over the freshly mopped corridors, with Filtch standing there the entire time and looking at her amazed. A year later she presented him with his cat and his respect for her grew even more, eventually making her the only student in the entire school he could tolerate.
"Oh," he said as he read the parchment. "The House Champion, huh? Congradulations Ms. Evans, and good luck. C'mon Mrs. Norris."
After giving the purring cat a quick scratch behind the ears Lily finished her trek to the Transfiguration teacher's office.
Knocking on the door she heard the professor give her permission to enter, so she opened the door and went into the Assistant Headmistress's office. In the middle of the office was a desk with many papers on them, a quill that was writing by itself, and the Gryffindor crest necklace beening held carefully by the teacher.
"Congradulations Ms. Evans for, once again, earning the title of Gryffindor Champion," McGonagall began as the young lioness approached her. "Are you ready to receive your House Armor?"
"Yes, Professor McGonagall, and thank you," Lily answered as she removed the rose and placed it in her pocket.
"You may want to remove anything you have from your pockets, Ms. Evans," Professor McGonagall recommended. "The Gryffindor Armor will only conform to your size if it is not obstructed by anything. In order for it to fit you smoothly, and further enhance your magical abilities, you have to place everything on the table beside you."
Complining with the professor's wishes, Lily removed her necklace, watch, moneybag, and wand on the table. She then took the crest from the Head and placed it around her neck. But the moment she did a strange sensation took over her entire body.
Her eyes became more focused, being able to see the tiniest details of the darkened room and the magical aura that inlined the castles walls. Her canines and eye-teeth felt like they were growing longer and shaper. Her nails, upper and lower, seemed to be growing and sharpening before her eyes.
"Professor," she tried to say, but instead her voice became a feminine feline growl.
Putting a soothing hand on her student McGonagall said, "Do not worry, Ms. Evans. The Armor is just bringing out the lioness inside you. It will over in a few moments, so just try to relax and it will go much smoother."
Nodding her head Lily closed her eyes and tried to relax through the transformation. In what seemed like a half of a second the pain stopped and the Champion opened her eyes. When she looked down at herself she could not believe what came next.
She raised her hands and saw that they were covered by the ruby-tipped gauntlets, and her new eyes could make out the glittering magic radiating from them. Then she looked down at her feet and saw that she was wearing the special boots, the movement of her feet were relaxed and agile. She then felt her face, but came in contact with a warm metal that covered her face and hair.
Beaming with pride Professor McGonagall conjured up a full-length mirror and motioned for Lily to take a proper look. Starring back at her was the Gryffindor Lion, with its tuffed tail wrapped around her waist and not showing off her female curves.
Walking around the room Lily was able to get a feel of the armor that had appeared on her, and it felt as if she were the lion. Every muscle in her body felt strong and powerful, but also quiet and serine, as if this was another walk like any other. The weightlessness of the suit made it feel as if she was in her normal clothing, so she picked up the pace and began running.
The wind rushing through her felt like nothing more than a simple whisp. When she lept over a chair in front of the professor's desk it felt more like a stride, and she landed on the other side more graceful than she would have otherwise.
"Now for the final test," she thought as she went back to the table to get her wand.
Barely a second that she laid a finger on it Lily's wand was wrapped in ruby-red, with a handle and tip of gold.
Flicking her wrist and thinking of a simple conjuring spell a stream of red and gold tiger lilies came flowing out of her wand, and Lily whipped it around her head. Within a second the Gryffindor Lion's Head appeared amoung the flowers and gave off an intense roar before dispersting in a shower of glitter.
"Bravo Ms. Evans! Well done!" McGonagall clapped as she approacher her Champion. "Now, to remove the armor, just take the gold chain off your neck and place it in this case until the tournament resumes, or when you want to further practice your magic. But must ask permission, of course, since this can only be released to you by the current Head of Gryffindor House."
Doing what she was instructed Lily lifted the gold chain from the armor's neck, and she sadly felt it the magic and its power leave her body. She quickly placed it back in the glass box in came in, handed it to McGonagall, thanked her, grabbed her belongings, and ran out the door.
She was too tempted to take the crest and keep it on her person forever, just so she could feel that kind of magic course through her very being again.
"Looks like that's another reason you should win the tournament," her other voice called out to her as Lily made her way back to Gryffindor Tower. "Besides being made the ulimate Hogwarts Duelist, you'll be able to keep it for the rest of the year, along with the other House crests. If the Gryffindor necklace has that much power then just think of how much more you'll have when all four are combined!"
Rounding the corner to the Tower entrance, Lily could not help but think about the rush she felt from wearing that medalian. The feeling of dominance over her surroundings; the feeling of superiority in her magic; the feeling of knowing that fame and glory was within her grasp...
"Stop it, Lily! You know the tournament is just a way for the students to test their dueling skills! It's not about power, fame, or eternal glory!" she reprimended herself as she climbed through the portrait hole, wanting to go to bed.
Unfortunatly that was not the case, because the moment she set foot into the common room it exploded into a shower of confetti, streamers and cheers from the other Gryffindors that had gathered inside. A huge red and gold banner hung from the banisters saying "GOOD LUCK ROARY!" in bold capital letters with hypens inbetween. Lions were drawn at the ends, holding the "G" and the "Y" between their jaws, as though they were the ones holding the letters.
"What is all this?" Lily asked in tired surprise to a nearby Remus Lupin, who was leaning against the fireplace with an embarrassed smile on his face.
"A little early birthday surprise from Sirius, Peter and myself," he replied.
"Yeah Roary," Sirius said, coming over to where the Prefects were standing. "Since your birthday is on Saturday, and you got your armor today, we thought we'd combine the two and give you an early birthday and good luck party!"
"Do I get three guesses as to who designed the banner?" Lily smirked at the two Marauders. Then she became serious, "Look, guys, I really appreciate this and I hate to be a killjoy, but I'm really tired and I would like to go to bed. Besides, you can't take the banner out to the tournament, it may give away my identity."
Smiling at her Sirius said, "Okay Red. I'm sorry about the impromtu party, but I just thought you'd like to celebrate with your Housemates. Maybe we could hold this little shin-dig tomorrow night after dinner?"
Lily nodded in permission and made her way to her dormroom. On the way she thought she saw a lone person hiding in the shadows of the staircase corner, but on closer inspection Lily saw that it was James Potter snogging Mary MacDonald, though it seemed half-heartedly on both sides.
Turning her head she went up the stairs to her bedroom, where it was empty, changed into her nightgown, and climbed into bed, trying to get some sleep. That is when she started dreaming.
In her dream she was walking through Westminster Park, making her way to the glen, when she suddenly saw a Muggle man towering over a scared girl with shabby-looking hair and wide eyes. She rushed over to see what was going on, but then Lily heard the Muggle man mention St. Waltons'. The voice was so familiar.
Her vision became magnified and Lily saw, to her surprise and fury, that it was her own father.
He was making a nine year old Lily Evans cower before him, shouting threats about putting her into the mental institute and shaking his fist at her. The fury took control over her and Lily grabbed her wand, pointed it to Harry Evans and shouted "Crucio!", and he started collapsing on the ground in pain. She felt like she was giving back the same kind of pain and fear that the man had shown earlier, and she could not help but smirk.
Then the man looked up and she saw that, instead of Harry Evans, it was Tobias Snape looking at her with pleading, blood-shot eyes. He begged her to stop, telling her he was sorry and that he would not harm anybody else ever again. He was asking for mercy.
But there was no mercy in her as Lily kept torchering him, making him whither and squirm where he laid curled in a ball...
"Lily! LILY! Wake up!" somebody called as a hand was roughly shaking her shoulder.
"NO!"
Lily bolted straight up in her bed, shaking and sweating.
Looking around her surroundings she saw that she was still in Gryffindor Tower, in her bed and Mary was still clutching her shoulder.
"Are you alright, Lily? Did you have a nightmare so soon?" her roommate whispered, asking the standard questions.
Nodding Lily then asked one of her own, "What time is it?"
Turning to the clock beside the Champion's bed Mary replied, "It's only eleven. What happened?"
"I...uh..." Lily stammered. She could not tell her roommate her dream, so she lied. "I dreamt that I was dueling in the tournament, but I only had on the bottom half of my armor and the helmet. My the upper half was gone and everybody could see my exposed chest."
"Oh Lily," the girl said, rolling her eyes, "how is it you always have those same kind of dreams? Last week, before the practice Charms OWL, you dreamed that you were late for class and everyone there saw your underwear because you forgot your skirt."
"Yet another cover-up," she thought as she briefly recalled the memory of her last Severus-based dream, but stopped before she could blush.
"Yeah, sorry, Mary. I guess I'm just a little anxious about the whole thing," the red head commented, laying back down in her covers.
The other girl nodded in understanding, yawned, then crawled into her own bed and feel asleep immediatly, leaving Lily alone with her thoughts before she, too, went back to sleep.
"I don't know what's going on with me lately, Sev," Lily cried.
Severus had his arms wrapped around her as they were curled into a double ball in the corner of the library, close to the backdoor exit. He kept stroking her hair with his hand as the other one held her waist, and he slowly propped her halfway into his lap. The front of his robes were becoming dark and wet with her tears as she told him her dream.
On one hand he was happy that her dream-self was tormenting his tormentor, and it thrilled him to know that she had subconsciencly enjoyed it. On the other hand he saw how this was upsetting her, especially since she had promised not to use an Unforgivable Curse ever again, and so Severus decided it would be better to wait before tredding through these rough waters.
"It's probably just stress," he whispered to her as she looked into his eyes. "You've been spreading yourself too thin lately, and that dream was probably a sign that you need to relax before the tournament restarts. I know I'm not exactly the type that talks about things like this, but maybe going to the party tomorrow would be the best thing for you right now. You need some fun," Severus added with a smile as Lily looked at him.
"Who are you and what have you done with my Sev?" she asked him playfully, smiling and wiping the tears from her eyes. Then she half-screamed, "I almost forgot! Sirius and the other two Marauders are holding a party for me tonight! Would you care to come, Sev?"
Severus stiffened a little before answering, "You know how the other Gryffindors feel about me and my House. Needless to say, the fact our Champions will be facing off against each other during whatever phase of the tournament does not help the case."
"Severus Snape," Lily began, "you are my boyfriend, and I love and respect your decisions. But, since I've been hanging out around the Slytherin common room for some time now, I think it's only fair that you start hanging around the Gryffindor common room, and tonight's party may be the best time to do so. Please?"
Before Severus could give his answer Lupin came towards them at a brisk pace, and it looked like he was in some sort of trouble.
"Lily!" he half-whispered when he got to the pair. "Lily, I'm sorry, but tonight's party had to be cancelled."
"Hallelueh!" Severus thought. "More Gryffindor influence may put a damper on the plan."
"Why Remus?" Lily asked. "Is something wrong?"
"Yes. I just got the newest Prefect schedule, and it says that we are supposed to patrol the halls tonight. I can't because of..." he hesitated in front of Severus, giving him a wary look.
"I get it, Rem, and don't worry. I'll cover for you," she said with a smile.
"And I'll take your place for tonight," Severus added to the surprise of the two Gryffindors.
Lily gave him a peck on the cheek as a thank you, but Remus was still apprehensive.
"Didn't you patrol the halls yesterday with Bellatrix?" the lycan asked.
At this Severus shrugged, "It won't hurt to do another shift. You can take over my next one in exchange."
Nodding curtly Lupin left the two lovebirds and headed out to talk to the Head Boy and Girl about this substitution.
Turning back to him Lily smiled, "I can't believe you did that for him, Sev! I'm very proud of you."
"I have to be honest, Lily," Severus stated. "I didn't do that for him, I did it so that we could have some more alone time before the party and Hogsmeade tomorrow. Consider it an early birthday present."
"I will," the red head said before wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him.
Later that night, when the time for their shift came, Lily made her way out of the common room, down the flights of stairs, and went into the Entrace Hall. While she waited for her partner Lily took the time to look out at the full moon, and noticed how everything was beautifully illuminated by its light. She also heard a distant howl coming from beyond the forest, and wondered if her fellow Gryffindor was doing alright in his current state.
The sound of footsteps echoing through the corridors brought her out of her stupor and Lily turned towards the source.
Coming toward her was Severus, holding a single piece of parchment in his hand and a small smile on his face. He stopped and allowed himself to drink in her appearance. His eyes wandered over her moon-lit features, her sparkling green eyes met his and a gentle blush came onto her cheeks as she looked at him.
"Hello Sev. I'm glad you made it," Lily said, closing the distance between them and giving him a quick hug before beginning their patrol. "What's that your holding?"
"Just some notes I was going over," Severus replied, showing her the parchment. "They are a list of careers after Hogwarts. The ones in red are what I am most interested in."
Taking the parchment in her hands Lily studied the list, which was in Severus's cramped but still legible handwriting. She skimmed through the other careers and focused on the ones he marked in red ink.
"Careers After Hogwarts:
1) Auror
2) Professor of Potions
3) Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts"
Giving him back the parchment Lily smiled up at him.
"What?" he asked curiously.
"Nothing," she said. "Just that those are the same careers I have been interested in myself, especially the second one."
Stopping Severus turned to her and said, "You know, Lily, it's somewhat of a tradition for the new Potions Master, or Mistress, to become Head of-"
"Slytherin," she finished, still smiling. "I know, but that is something I have wanted to be for a while now."
With that she began walking again, leaving Severus to catch up with her and with a smile on his face. Both unaware of another petal turning black as its brothers did last night and earlier that day.