WHAT? A hundred reviews already? You guys are beyond awesome! I can't even say how happy it makes me when you tell me how much you like this story. My gratitude is beyond words, you guys! Thanks so much!
Thanks to a wonderful reviewer who submitted a comment, I decided that part of this chapter would be in Lily's mother's POV. I thought it was brilliant that she suggested I change the viewpoint, and it would really make a nice change, won't it? I didn't even consider that, since I thought it would be messy, but tell me what you think! And to the reviewer, thank you very much!
I had to think a little more for this chapter and I had to put it aside for a while since I had my finals… but here you go! I sure hope it doesn't suck too bad. It was quite a challenge to write.
On other things, anyone reading the Hunger Games? I started reading around January and I loved it! Not the best-written book ever, but something about it just sucks you in… I couldn't stop reading, not even when I had to keep my laptop open on the bus (I had the e-book)! I know you're going to hate this question if you've read it, but Peeta or Gale? Hahaha, just wanting to know your opinions, I don't buy into all that Team crap. (Anyway, Peeta for me, he's like a walking and talking dream and I really got annoyed at Gale halfway through Mockingjay… and I'm a sucker for the canon couple!)! I also thought Katniss was a little stupid, but I understand her anyway. The ending's a bit rushed though, so many loose ends… And I loved Taylor Swift's song for it, "Safe and Sound"; I thought it was amazingly fitting to the story. Can't wait for the movie! And I'm writing a story for it, too…
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Come to me, Cosette, the light is fading
Don't you see the evening star appearing?
Come to me, and rest against my shoulder
How fast the minutes fly away and every minute colder.
Hurry near, another day is dying
Don't you hear, the winter wind is crying?
There's a darkness which comes without a warning
But I will sing you lullabies and wake you in the morning.
-"Come to Me" from Les Miserables
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Lily's furious face never left Azalea's mind the entire day.
She could only wish that she could tell her why she decided that she be married to James Potter, but she didn't want Lily to do anything rash. Even at that moment, weeks after she agreed, the price of the deal was still too high for her to fathom. Her daughter's freedom in exchange for her safety. She knew that Lily would be better protected as a member of the House of Potter and for her sake; she decided that she'd rather have her daughter loathe her than see Lily being killed.
She remembered the surprise visit from Lord Dumbledore like it was yesterday, informing her that his sources have informed him that Lord Voldemort has his eyes on Lily being a member of his Death Eaters and has ordered one of his Death Eaters to propose marriage to her. Of course, it's either say yes or death and Azalea Evans was frozen in shock. She knows that Lily is not safe now, not when He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is aware of her existence. She looked back- Lily never really stood out in the British magical society, being educated in France, but it seems that word has it that her abilities and courage caught the eye of some of the Death Eaters who told Voldemort. The conversation she had with Lady Eleanor played back in her mind.
"What can we do, Albus?" Azalea asked fearfully. "We can't just refuse without reason, that would be like an open invitation for them to attack!"
"Are there any other suitors for Lily?" Dumbledore asked. "Someone who can keep her away from the Death Eaters?"
"N-not yet. Lily has been refusing suitors."
"I offer my son James," Lady Eleanor said. The two turned to her. "I was considering Lily for James, anyway. This will tie in nicely, won't it?"
"Will it protect Lily?" said Azalea hopefully. "Will marrying James ensure my daughter's survival?"
"I won't be able to assure that, but I think it will give her a standing chance," Lady Eleanor said, "Our family has a set of special enchantments that protect its members in times like this. I think this will make Lily safer. Even our properties are protected by old spells and enchantments, no one can break into them easily, not even He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Of course, I wouldn't want to impose on you, Azalea. You are absolutely welcome to refuse this offer."
"I just want her safe. Petunia is leaving the country soon to follow her husband to America. She, at least, would be safer there. I want to make sure Lily is taken care of if-" her voice broke, "if something should happen to us."
"I promise to do my best, Azalea," said Lady Eleanor.
"Then we need to make the vow, now, do we?" Azalea said, extending her arm. "Perhaps Albus would consent to be our binder."
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Azalea buried her face in her hands. Either decision will make her daughter unhappy. She received a call from Aurelia not too long after, informing her that her daughter was at their house since that afternoon. She thanked Aurelia for letting her know, but before she hung up the phone, Aurelia said, "Tell her. She'll understand."
"Lily is too stubborn for that. She's very independent; you know how she hates the idea of relying on other people for anything."
Azalea waited for Lily to come home. And just a little after nine o'clock rolled in, she walked into the house. Without even looking at her mother, she made her way to the staircase.
"Lily, wait."
Lily grudgingly paused in her steps and looked at her mother expectantly.
"I have to tell you why I…did what I did," Azalea said, walking to her daughter. "Lily, please listen to me."
Lily pursed her lips and looked almost like she would run away immediately, but instead she squared her shoulders and dragged her feet to the couch.
Azalea let out a sigh of relief. Lily sat down opposite her mother and folded her hands neatly on her lap.
"Lily, I have to tell you. It's not because I don't care for your happiness. Of course I do, darling, it's all I ever wanted for you," Azalea began. Lily's gaze fell into her lap, and her mouth still pressed in a tight line.
"It's because I received a proposal for your hand from the Malfoy Family."
Lily looked up at this. "Why would the Malfoys want anything to do with me?" she said doubtfully. "I'm a half-blood, remember? I should be scum in their shoes."
"He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named wants you as part of the Death Eaters," Azalea admits grudgingly. "And…this was the only solution we can come up with where you don't end up dead."
"How did that happen?" Lily's eyes narrowed. "And how did you know about it?"
"Albus told me."
Lily looked thoughtful for a moment before she started biting her lip and her eyes developed the slightly angry look it does when she's contemplating something.
"So it comes down to either marry the Potter heir or Malfoy, is it?" she finally spoke. Her mother nodded.
"I understand," Lily said after what seems like ages. "I'll marry Lady Eleanor's son."
"You will?" Azalea's expression brightened up. She did not expect her daughter to agree so easily.
Lily nodded. "I'll take the Potter boy over Malfoy any day. And I'm not stupid, Mother. I'm sure that if I had no valid reason to refuse they won't leave me alone. Or they kill me. Whichever comes first," she gave a bitter smile.
She stands up and leaves the room. As she got to the foot of the stairs, she spoke in a voice so soft Azalea could have been imagining it.
"I'm sorry for yelling at you, Mother."
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"James?" Lady Eleanor found her son sitting in the study, poring over a large volume.
"Yes?" he replied, not even looking up.
"I have just received a call from Azalea Evans. She said that her daughter has agreed to marry you."
James raised his eyes to meet his mother's. "So that means…"
"You are set to marry Lily Evans in three weeks."
James looked down again. "Oh."
"Are you sure that you're alright with this?" Lady Eleanor looked at her son worriedly. "I don't want to force you into something you'll be uncomfortable with."
"I'm fine," James forced a smile. "I'm fine, really, Mother. After all, she has both Sirius and Remus's approvals. It's not a very easy feat."
Lady Eleanor sighed as she placed a comforting hand on her son's shoulder. She knows that something is amiss with him but she could not imagine what.
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Lily sat on the edge of her bed with her head in her hands. She could not believe that she would be getting married so soon. She wanted to scream, she wanted to destroy something…anything, to get rid of the rage in her chest. She knows she could not blame her parents anymore, now that she is aware of what dangers await all of them should she choose otherwise. It is not a time to be selfish. She has to think of her parents, her sister and her new family…However, it is still too much to take in for a girl as young as she is, and if she was being honest with herself, an arranged marriage was definitely not in the list of things she is comfortable with. To a complete stranger no less.
Petunia and Vernon arrive at the Evans home the next day to announce (or to gloat, more like, Lily thought) that everything is set for their move to the United States. Vernon spent the next two hours mumbling about how he despised the idea of moving to America but he knows what he must do to elevate his career status, to which Petunia gushed about how proud she was of her husband and his dedication and work ethic. Lily rolled her eyes as the two of them went on to prattle about the lovely suburban home they have acquired.
"Of course, we'll have none of those apartment complexes," Vernon spat out the phrase 'apartment complexes' as if it was profanity.
"Absolutely not!" Petunia looked horrified. "Have you seen the state of those places? Absolutely disgusting! I will not be raising my children there, thank you very much. Who knows what kind of things they will learn there! No, my children will be raised as proper British sirs and misses, unlike those American hooligans, roaming the streets as they please!"
"Oh, there are worse things your child can become, Petunia," Lily muttered under her breath, but no one had been paying attention to her to notice.
"And I heard the news, Lily," Lily turned to her sister at the mention of her name. "I heard you've agreed to marry Lord Potter? I must say, I am very surprised."
"And why is that?" Lily asked in a falsely sweet voice.
"Oh, nothing, I just never thought he would be your type, that's all," Petunia took a delicate sip of her tea.
"And what do you mean by that?" Lily asked in a challenging voice.
"I'm only saying that perhaps you're marrying into someone well above-"
"Petunia!" Azalea said sharply. "Enough!"
Lily gritted her teeth as her sister gave her a smug look.
"Girls, behave," their father chided gently. "Do you want me to treat you like children?"
"No," the sisters chorused.
"Good," their mother said, looking satisfied. "And Lily," she turned to her youngest daughter, "we will be having tea at the Potter estate tomorrow."
Lily felt a lump rise on her throat as she nodded mutely, not knowing how to respond.
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Lily straightened the skirt of the short sleeved A-line dress she was wearing while she walked inside the Potters' London home. Her beige heels, which matched her dress, clicked noisily on the linoleum floor as she and her parents followed a maid to the sitting room. She straightened her hat as well, her eyes darting from one corner to another.
I don't even know what to expect anymore.
She walked a few steps behind her mother and father, who were both keeping quiet.
Are they as nervous as I am? Every step takes a lot of effort. It's like I'm walking with shackles and a metal ball strapped to my feet.
"My Lady, young Master, the Evans family has arrived."
Lily looked up at the announcement. Her parents were already walking in. She can barely see it, but she was sure that broad smiles are plastered to their faces at the moment.
She lifted her feet and made her way in.
"Lily, how wonderful to see you again, dear!" Lady Eleanor said as she rushed to hug the redhead. "I can't tell you how pleased I am that you will be my daughter soon!"
"Likewise, Lady Eleanor," Lily said, keeping her voice even. "It's an honor and a privilege to be a member of your family."
"Come!" Lady Eleanor ushered her further into the room. "I'm afraid my husband isn't here with us, but he sends his best. He's looking forward to meeting Lily soon."
But Lily's eyes are fixed on the boy sitting across the room from her and she lets out a soft gasp.
"And this", Lady Eleanor continued, her voice swelling with pride, "is my son James. He is your fiancé."
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OOPS! Sorry, I just had to end there! But there you go, Lily and James see each other again! I haven't started typing the next chapter yet (it's on paper as usual) and I'm sorry of this is kinda short, but life's been busy. I'm gonna make the next one longer though, so please wait for it!
Review, review! Tell me what you think about it!