A/N: Hey guys, sorry for the long wait. But I promise, updates will be much quicker and more regular now that it's summer. Yay! Thanks for continuing to read my story. Oh, and for the results of the last poll, most people think Valentine's day is slightly overrated and materialistic. I'm glad you guys have noticed that. I hate materialism. Sigh, but what else can Americans be but materialistic? And this summer, I'm working for the man. Yeah, I'm a hypocrite…but I need the moneys. Oh, as for the poll…what's your favorite summer activity? Mine would be going to the beach. Anyways, read and review, and have a nice day!
Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Offer
Lily awoke in a state of exhausted confusion. Her vision was blurry and her eyes were having trouble adjusting to her bright white surroundings. In an effort to make sense of where she was, she shifted her body to sit up. Her vision began to clear and she was able to make out intimidating objects and machines. It didn't take long for Lily to realize she was in a hospital.
"Lily? You're up!"
She turned sharply to her left and saw James getting up from his chair. He looked a mess—he had large bags under his eyes and his hair was surprisingly messier than usual. Lily didn't know it could get any messier.
He rushed to her side, taking her hands up in his and kissing her all about her face.
"Thank Merlin!" he cried, his happiness radiating from his eyes and grin. "I'll go get the healers."
While James went to get the healers, Lily looked down and inspected the damage that had been done to her body.
Her right arm was bound with white gauze material and the other had a series of tubes stuck into the nook of her forearm and bicep. She looked to what machine the tubes belonged—it was a ghastly looking machine that looked to Lily like a small Muggle fish tank, but instead of gaudy faux plants and bright fish it was filled with a bluish gel-like substance. She shivered a little at the thought of that goo running through her veins just as James returned.
He brought with him a stout woman of about thirty-five. She had her blonde hair trapped to her head with a series of pins (and spells, Lily thought, for nothing could be that stationary…could it?). The woman didn't appear to be very friendly and her staunch white cloak gave her the look of being swallowed by a large cotton ball.
"Are you feeling better, Ms. Evans?" the healer asked in a voice that suited her, professional and void of all emotion.
"I suppose so." Lily managed to say, realizing they were the first words she had spoken in …days? Weeks? Months? How long had she been here? Surely she hadn't missed the wedding? Maybe that's why James looked so distraught…
"How long have I been here?" Lily asked sharply as panic took hold of her. The amount of work that would be awaiting her at the office! And poor James!
"Nine and a half days." James replied as he approached her side, taking her right bandaged hand softly and caressing it. "It's November twenty-sixth" he added, for Lily looked slightly confused.
"Oh." She said, relief flooding over her. She hadn't been here that long. Everything would be okay.
"Is everyone else safe?" She avoided asking what had happened while the nurse was in the room. The last thing she remembered was falling on top of Regulus Black.
James nodded. "Yes, Sirius was here until just a few days ago, actually. Frank and Alice are fine too, they were just checked out and they were able to go home."
Lily smiled, showing her white teeth. "And you?"
James grinned tiredly. "I'm fine, I'm so glad you've awoken…they were a little doubtful about the effects of the curse…but now that you're awake there's little to worry about."
"I don't know what you've got this young man under," the healer started, "but he hasn't left your side much at all. I was going to give him a sleep draught if you're conditions hadn't improved soon." She smiled slightly. Maybe she wasn't so staunch after all, Lily decided.
"You'll need to rest another day, I think." She continued, "I just want to make sure you're in working order before we set you loose."
Lily nodded at the woman. "That sounds good." She turned to James. "James, go home and sleep, okay? You look terrible."
"I thought I looked quite dashing." James quipped, guiding a hand through his hair and smiling.
Lily chuckled lightly. "Go rest, I'll be fine."
"All right." James conceded, "I'll let Sirius and everyone know that you're up, they'll probably want to come visit you. I mean, I don't know why they would…"
"Very funny." Lily replied, smirking at him.
"I love you." James said as he leaned in and kissed her lips lightly. "I'll be back tomorrow. Before training."
"After training, James. You need to sleep." She remarked with finality, and then added "I love you too."
James nodded and kissed her once more before leaving her to rest.
Later that afternoon Sirius, Remus, and Peter appeared at her side.
"It's nice to see you finally got James out of here." Sirius stated as a way of greeting. "Poor bloke was in here all the bloody time. I'm surprised he didn't die in training from the fatigue and strain he was putting on himself. Really, Evans, what have you done to him that keeps him at your bedside all night?"
"Probably some sort of charm, she was always so bloody good at them at school. Now we know why…she just wanted to bed poor Prongsie…" Remus quipped as he kissed her on the top of her head. "It's good to see you're doing better." He added sincerely.
"Yeah, it's a good thing you came around…I'd hate to see James if anything more serious had happened." Sirius added with a genuine tone, smiling at her.
"Where should I put these?" Peter asked quietly, holding a gigantic basket up for her to see. It contained an array of roses, candy, stuffed animals, and if Lily wasn't mistaken, dungbombs.
"Just give it to her." Sirius suggested, his eyebrows raised mischievously.
"No,no! Don't put that over here…Merlin knows what you've done with it!" Lily exclaimed with as much energy as she had all that day.
"Do you really think that poorly of us, Lily?" Sirius asked, feigning his typical hurt look.
"Look at Peter, he knows there's something wrong with it—are those dungbombs going to go off the second you give them to me?" Lily continued, pointing at a confused Peter.
Sirius sighed. "He was always the one that would give it away."
Peter shrugged and placed the basket on one of the counters. As he did a series of obscene noises and smells were emitted into the room.
"Buggers!" Lily cried. "Rotten dirty---!!"
"Oh calm down." Sirius said lightly. "We don't want to give you an aneurysm or anything." He grinned at her.
Remus was more practical—he pulled out his wand and did a fresh fragrance charm—he smiled at Lily once more before returning his wand to the pocket of his robe.
Lily pursed her lips together to keep from grinning. After looking around the room again and deciding it was clear, she spoke up.
"Guys…what exactly happened after I fell? What happened to me?"
The three young men smiled at her. Sirius was the first to speak. "James hasn't told you yet?"
Lily shook her head. "No, he was just so worried about me, and well, he was just so tired…I didn't want to strain him…"
Sirius nodded and waved his hand to silence her. "Figures, anyways, it's just more fun for us to tell you." He grinned broadly, accentuating his handsome aristocratic features. "You, Me, James, Alice, and Frank, have just become the first people to encounter Lord Voldemort and survive."
Lily ignored Peter's shudder and looked past Sirius, who was grinning boastfully. She studied Remus, who didn't look as happy as he had just been.
"What's wrong, Remus?" she asked, "Is there anything else?"
"Oh Moony just likes to bring up a little depressing detail every time I mention this---which hasn't been a lot…really, can't tell many people…"
"What Padfoot is leaving out is that you are now on Lord Voldemort's 'most wanted list'." Remus interrupted. Peter shuddered again and put his hands in his pockets nervously.
Lily's face whitened ever so slightly and she let out a breath. Well. She thought. If not now, if would have happened eventually, right? It was one of the risks of belonging to the Order.
"I see" was all she said. "And of course James is aware of this…and Alice, and Frank…"
"Yeah." Remus said. "You missed the last Order meeting---Sirius did too, but Dumbledore talked to them, described what you guys are all in to now…he'll probably want to meet with you, now that you're awake. He visited you three times, you know. Hoping you'd get better soon."
Lily smiled, and although she didn't feel that tired, she yawned.
Remus seemed to get the hint.
"Well, we've probably excited you enough for one day." He said. "We'll go, and I'll tell Grace 'hi' for you. She'll be glad that you're doing better."
"Yeah, and I guess ol' Wormtail and I'll be off, I'll make sure Prongs doesn't go too crazy tonight." Sirius added, smiling again and grabbing hold of Peter and ushering him out. "I'll bar the doors if I have to; he's getting a full night's sleep tonight, Miss Evans, so keep your charms away."
"I'll try, but you know how I can't control myself." Lily retorted sweetly. "I'll see you all later. Thanks for stopping by!"
"No problem, you invalid." Remus said, waving at her before he shut the door.
Lily sighed. Well, she thought. This is it.
She finally made it home the next morning. James came and picked her up, took her to her apartment, and after half an hour of insisting that she'd be okay and promising that she would not go to work that day, James left for training.
After he had left, Lily owled the office and explained that she had been terribly ill for that past week and a half and told them she would be in tomorrow, she also asked if there was anything she could do while she was at home. An hour later, Madam Bones herself replied.
Dear Lily,
I am aware that you have been ill for awhile now and have been at St. Mungo's. Albus Dumbledore has explained the situation to me, and I can only say that I am glad that you're alive and on the way to recovery. Don't worry about what you've missed; Owen Scruggs has been covering you at my request. Take care, and if you're sure you're feeling better, I'll see you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Madam Bones
Lily gave a small sigh of relief. It was nice that she wouldn't have to make excuses for her absence, but she really had hoped Bones would include some things she could research or look into so that she didn't feel so useless.
Just then, Charlotte appeared from her bedroom, looking sleepy and freshly awoken.
"Lily!" she cried as she rushed to embrace her roommate. "Sirius told me that you would be back soon! I'm so glad you are okay! That must have been some case of dragon pox. Do you have any scars? My second cousin Edward had them once and he had a terrible pock mark on his nose."
Lily smiled as Charlotte released her. So this was the story she was going to have to keep up. "Oh, yeah, it was terrible. No pock marks though, they have this lovely potion nowadays, keeps from scarring."
"I came and visited you once-- before I went on this trip to India, I actually just got back late last night-- You were pretty out of it." Charlotte continued. "I saw Sirius too—he had a terrible accident in training, but I suppose you know all about that."
"Yeah," was all Lily managed to fit in before Charlotte continued talking.
"And don't worry, I saved all the Prophets, I know how you love to keep up with the news…although it's bloody depressing right now." Charlotte pointed to a giant stack loitering by the sofa. "Would you like some tea? And eggs? I hear hospital food is terrible."
"That sounds great." Lily answered, smiling. "Thanks for saving the papers."
"No problem." Charlotte called out as she went to go make a late breakfast.
She returned fifteen minutes later with two plates and handed one to Lily as she made room for herself on the sofa.
They ate together in varied degrees of silence. Every once in a while Charlotte would chime in with a "oh, I remember that" or a "nasty thing that happened there" and Lily would occasionally ask a question and Charlotte would attempt to answer.
Finally, Charlotte got up and took both of their plates.
"I've got to go to the office, but I'll be back for dinner. Lets invite everyone over, we can have a welcoming back dinner." Charlotte said happily.
Lily nodded with a smile. It sounded like a nice idea. "Sure, that sounds excellent. I can start on some of the food…I don't have much else to do."
"All right, then. I'll be home around five, want to have every one come out at seven?"
"Sounds great, I'll owl everyone."
"I'll see you later---take it easy, Lily…I hear these viruses can come back if you're not careful." Charlotte warned with a caring glance.
"I will, have fun at work." Lily waved her off and went back to reading the papers.
Charlotte was right---it was bloody depressing. One entire family had been murdered in their beds. Three people were missing. Five Muggles had been harassed so badly they had ended up in St. Mungo's. Only two people had been arrested by the Ministry, and in Lily's opinion, they didn't seem guilty at all. It looked like the Ministry was just trying to arrest anybody in a pathetic attempt to look like they were achieving some sort of progress and making some sort of difference.
She sighed and pulled up her legs onto the couch and then spread out across the sofa and continued to read. She only had three days left to catch up with.
Just then, she heard a knock at her door. Startled, all the papers fell from her lap and on to the floor. She got up in a haste and stood up rather drunkenly. Suddenly, an idea struck her. She wasn't expecting anybody…James was at training…and it wasn't his lunch break of anything. Her parents wouldn't be visiting her. Alice would be at work too. Could it be Petunia? No. She almost laughed at that thought---and then real worry struck her. Death Eaters? Voldemort?
Would the most evil sorcerer of all time knock?
Maybe.
She held in her breath and gripped her wand tightly as she approached the door.
"Who is it?" She asked with more courage than she felt at the moment.
"Albus Dumbledore." Came a vibrant, cheerful, serious voice.
Relief washed over her face and she opened the door. Dumbledore stood before her in bright purple robes.
"Good morning, Lily." He greeted, as Lily let him in.
"Good morning, Professor." Lily replied cheerfully, her eyes darting around her small flat for any signs of mess or embarrassing personal things left about. With Charlotte you could never know. Once, Lily found Charlotte's bright red bra on the kitchen table. She really didn't want to know how it had gotten there, so she didn't ask.
"Now, Lily, I don't mean to chastise you, but you should really think of some sort of system when answering the door. What if I had been imperiused?"
Lily nodded. She knew she should be more careful. "I know, I'll be more cautious, Professor. But if you don't mind me saying, if you had been imperiused, we would be in more trouble than we previously anticipated."
Dumbledore smiled. "I'm glad you think of me so highly, Lily."
"Would you like to sit down? The sitting room is a bit distraught looking, but it's comfortable."
"That would be lovely." Professor Dumbledore replied as Lily pointed him in the right direction.
"And would you like some tea? Then we get down to business---I'm sure this is a business visit, sir?" Lily asked awkwardly. She knew her old headmaster must have something vital to share with her. He usually didn't make house calls. She actually didn't realize that he knew where she lived. It didn't really surprise her. Albus Dumbledore knew everything.
"Sadly, yes, it is a bit of an urgency that I speak with you. And I would love some tea. Sugar and cream, please, if you have it."
"Of course." Lily added before making her way to the kitchen.
A few minutes later, she appeared in her sitting room, where she found Dumbledore sitting on her couch and staring at the television.
She handed him his mug and took a seat in a chair across from him.
He nodded in thanks and spoke up. "These television things, I never did quite grasp the concept. Although I find it very fascinating."
Lily smiled and took a sip of her tea. "James gets a real kick out of it…once or twice I've found him and Sirius trying to meddle with it…they think people are inside of it."
Dumbledore chuckled softly and raised his mug to his lips and took a long sip before a serious expression took hold of his aging features.
"I would like to congratulate you on your bravery, Lily. You and James going after Sirius after he disappeared was very noble, and I must say, you two acted with great skill and cunning to get to him in time. Sirius Black owes you his life, I'm sure."
Lily nodded and looked away. She had been avoiding the reason for the whole fiasco. Why had Sirius left? "Alice and Frank Longbottom helped, too. I'm quite certain if they hadn't replied to our distress we would have all been done for."
"Ah, yes. The Longbottoms. Very brilliant Aurors." Dumbledore smiled slightly.
"I came to talk to you, Lily, about the results of that night." Dumbledore took a sip of tea before looking up at her again. "You, James, Sirius, and Alice and Frank, are now the only people that have stood up to Lord Voldemort and survived. Therefore, I find it most vital for you to understand the significance of your position. Voldemort and his followers will most likely be hunting all of you down from now on. Nothing will ever be as safe as it once was. I am afraid, that from now on, you have to consider yourself in mortal danger." Dumbledore let out a breath. "That is why I am giving you the opportunity to leave the Order if you wish. I already presented the offer to James, Sirius, and the Longbottoms. If you choose to do so, I can promise you that I will do everything in my power to make sure you are safe and hidden…but I cannot promise anything. Lord Voldemort is a vengeful fellow, one who does not like to be shown up."
Dumbledore's words swarmed over Lily's head like a powerful cold wind that she hadn't been expecting.
"What did James say?" Lily asked lightly. She couldn't make her decision without knowing what James' reply was.
Dumbledore smiled as if he had been anticipating this response. "James said that depended on you. He'll do whatever you like, he has your safety as his top priority."
"I want to stay." Lily said with force. She knew James did, too. "Now that we're in this, really in this, we've got to stop it." Her green eyes blazed with vigor and passion. Dumbledore nodded.
"Then I am relieved." Dumbledore took another sip of his tea. "I am very pleased that you have agreed to stay on. And now, I must warn you again, you have to be careful at all times. I'm not saying be paranoid…paranoia can make the sanest people utterly crazy and careless. I'm saying that you should always know who you're with and that you should always be aware of your surroundings. I trust you will do well. You're a brilliant witch, Lily."
Lily blushed ever so slightly at her former Headmaster's compliment, but she also understood the gravity of his words.
"You can count on me, Professor. I'll be as cautious as ever."
"Good, good." Dumbledore replied lightly. "Now if you will forgive me, I must be off. I will see you at our next meeting---it's a week from today."
"See you then." Lily said as she stood up with Dumbledore to lead him to the door.
"Be careful, Lily. Oh, and Madam Bones knows of your situation, so don't be too worried. She has a few new files to give you that we will all find very interesting. Good day"
And with his words, Dumbledore was gone. Lily breathed in heavily and went to get a glass of water.
Poll: What's your favorite summertime activity?
Much thanks to my reviewers: Joham, shtarky, becky6, Once Upon A teardrop, glowing ice, messyblackhair66, iheartSnitchBoxers, Lazylilies, loonymarauder, grannyHPfan, Lia Amitair, one-sirius-niece, dancergrl19, elise bentwin, Freedom Star, and princess eclipse.
Once Upon A teardrop: I'll be glad to read your fics. I've just been really busy lately. Now that it's summer I'll have more time. Thanks for reviewing.
glowing ice- This is the first time they have defied Voldemort.
Messyblackhair66: Sirius did not kill Regulus, so don't worry. If you were worried, that is. By the way, I've read a fic of yours. It was very good.
Lazylilies: actually, I changed my major to English and Creative Writing. It was Accounting for awhile, haha. I'll check up on your story sometime. Cool deal on finding a new name.
Oh, and thanks to my beta!