Chapter 8: Strength and Will Power.
Lily was worried it was nearing 10 o'clock at night and her sister – and Vernon, hadn't returned home. She wished she hadn't lost her temper with Vernon and she didn't want to leave for Hogwarts on bad terms with Petunia. She got up and looked out the window. It was snowing again. Snow that didn't stick and when it did, it made all the roads slushy because people still insisted on driving in it. She tried to read up on her transfiguration notes for the mini test they had on Monday. Marlene was on her bed playing clock patience with a muggle pack of cards.
Lily looked at her watch again. 10.06. She stood up suddenly dropping her book and grabbing her wand. "I'm going to find them. The wizarding world is at war and even muggles aren't safe.
Marlene looked at the flurry of snow then back at her friend and nodded.
Grabbing her jacket and hiding her wand up her sleeve Lily briskly walked down the stairs and poked her head round the living room door. "We're going to look for them. It's dark and dangerous out there."
Mr Evans nodded, "Be careful if you are not back by midnight I'll phone the police. I know who's on duty tonight." Mr Evans was a policeman. A Chief Inspector. And although he had the night off he had phone numbers and was on call in case anything serious happened.
Mrs Evans looked worried but nodded all the same.
They had looked everywhere even down Spinner's End and along the banks of the river but they couldn't find them. Lily was about to turn around and head home when they heard a high pitch scream. Sharing a glance with her friend. Lily pulled out her wand and ran off in the direction of the scream. A quick look behind, told her that Marlene had followed suit.
Knowing that only Wizards would be stupid enough to attack someone one as big as Vernon, Lily ran through her database of spells and had one ready for when they found them.
They rounded a corner onto a back alley and hoped they had headed in the right direction. They had. At the end of the alley huddled in the corner against the wall were Petunia and Vernon their faces awash with fear. Three figures with clocks and hoods were walking towards them.
Lily stopped the spell she had ready, it disappeared as she struggled with what to do. She hadn't realised they're would be three of them. A faint pop beside her told her that Marlene had Disapparated.
She Apparated right in front of the three Death Eaters. Holding out her wand she waved it and yelled 'Protego' before the hooded figures could react.
Lily knew that wasn't going to hold them for long. Especially when Death Eaters had a tendency to use the Unforgivable Curses. She had to create a diversion.
Gripping her wand and adopting a duelling pose she flicked her wrist. "Stupefy." Surprisingly it hit one of the figures who fell forward. The other two looked around and spotted Lily.
One of them bent down and whispered what only could've been "Rennervate," for the fallen Death Eater stood up and all three off them turned on Lily.
Lily stood her ground. She saw Marlene cast a spell on Petunia and Vernon and levitated them down a different alley. They were asleep and safe at the moment. Lily turned her focus on the three approaching Death Eaters and sent a more powerful non-verbal spell their way. The Stunning Spell had been to get their attention now it was time to unleash some anger.
Dancing around blocking jinxes and throwing more in return wasn't as easy as it was in Duel Club. Not only were her opponents angry and unsympathetic, they were also throwing Unforgivable Curses her way.
Hoping the Ministry would have traced the under-age magic and sent help Lily held them off as best she could. She had just dodged a jet of orange light when Marlene popped back in. Sending a few of her own jinx's into the fray.
"Ministry on their way." She panted pulling Lily behind a skip.
Lily nodded and gritted her teeth. Her arm was bleeding badly and her nose was badly bruised.
"Confringo." It was the first Verbal Spell Lily had heard. They were trying to lure them out.
Sure enough the skip they were hiding behind exploded sending both girls and their wands flying.
Lily hit the ground and Marlene landed a few paces away. Looking over at her Lily saw her raise her hand towards her wand.
"Accio." She croaked. She caught it before spinning round and yelling. "Sectumsempra!"
Lily knew that was Snape's curse and gathered Marlene must off read it in his Advance Potions Making book.
The Death Eater the curse was aimed for staggered back, a long gash had appeared on his face and several more on his arms. It wasn't fatal.
Another Death Eater pointed his wand at Lily. "Imperio."
The most curious sensation passed over her. It was like nothing Lily had ever felt before, like she was floating. All her worries about her sister and Vernon, school and the Death Eaters floated away.
"Get your wand and point it at your friend. She has been told to do the same. You are going to Duel each other."
Lily walked towards her wand and picked it up. She was dimly aware of Marlene standing up however Marlene didn't point her wand at Lily. Marlene's wand was pointing at the Death Eater that was controlling her.
Marlene's fighting it. A voice came through it was weak but somehow Lily knew it was herself. Maybe I can fight it, it can't be that hard. What did it say in that text book? Strength and Will Power?
"Good now walk towards me and point your wand at your friend. Use that duelling stance you used on us."
The voice didn't come back and Lily walked towards Marlene her wand raised.
"Lily fight it!" Marlene's voice sounded distant, she also sounded in pain.
Listen to her. The voice was back.
"Start by casting the Cruciactus curse." It was the Death Eater controlling her that was the only voice that was clear enough to listen to.
"Lily please." Marlene begged, her wand was lying away from the group.
"Shut up!" The other Death Eaters voice was distant too, he had been helping his fallen comrade who had been blasted by Marlene's Sectumsempra when she had broken free of her Imperious. "Crucio." Marlene's screams pierced the air.
Fight it, don't give in she's your friend. Lily raised her wand. She knew what she was doing was wrong she wanted to stop to turn around and point her wand elsewhere. But she couldn't do it. But you are fighting it, you're hesitating, The voice was stronger this time more resolute.
"Maybe she needs some leverage." The distant Death Eater voice came again. His wand was still on Marlene still torturing her.
"Very well. Crucio."
Suddenly Lily's buyout state was replaced by an excruciating pain that made her collapse on the ground. She heard screaming and it took her a few seconds to realise it was her screaming.
Marlene was beside her, her body limp, they were still torturing her, but she wasn't reacting. Marlene wasn't moving.
Lily searched her heart and body for one last bit of strength, willing herself to get up and fight once more. The pain came again, she just wanted to die. To let it be over with.
The pain stopped and Lily took a sharp intake of breath, tears rolling down her face. The curse hit her again but didn't last for long as there was the distinct pop of someone Apparating.
"Leave them alone. The Dark Lord has seen them." Lily watched through half closed eyes. No strength left in her.
There were more pops and shouts as more people Apparated in. This is it. Lily thought as the darkness claimed her.
Sirius entered the compartment with a sigh. He had looked everywhere.
"They probably flooed to Marlene's. You'll see her at dinner." James said from the table.
"Who's he looking for?" Head Boy Frank Longbottom asked. He had met his fellow Gryffindors on the station and had joined their carriage.
His girlfriend. Alice Tearson looked up from her book. "Marlene probably."
Frank nodded sympathetically. Sirius looked hopeful.
"Alice you're friends with Marlene and Lily have you heard anything?"
Alice shook her head. "Not since we left the station two weeks ago."
Sirius nodded that's when he last saw them.
"Cheer up mate." James said slapping him on the back. "They might have gone home early maybe Lily had a falling out with Tuney and they're now sitting in the common room being bored to death by Peter who is probably blabbing about the Christmas prank."
"Isn't Remus there to keep and eye on him?" Frank frowned he wasn't too keen on the smallest Marauder.
"Nah Remus is ill sent us a letter this morning saying he won't be at dinner." James said very fast. It sounded oddly rehearsed.
Alice sighed, "Poor kid. He's always ill. At least once a month."
James and Sirius shared a warning glance. "We call it RMS." Sirius said making light of the situation.
Frank raised his eyebrows.
James cut in "ReMustral Syndrome."
The four of them cracked up the seriousness of the conversation diverted for now.
"When is the full moon?" Sirius asked once Alice had joined her Hufflepuff friends and Frank had gone to do one last sweep of the train.
They walked towards the carriages and managed to get one to themselves. "Wednesday."
"Good, I'm looking forward to stretching my paws."
James smiled. He hadn't said it but he was as worried as Sirius about Marlene and Lily's non appearance on the train. He hadn't told Sirius that he had read in the Daily Prophet that there was a small Death Eater attack in a muggle town in the north of England. No names were named but he was sure Lily was from the north. However he had known Marlene since childhood and if they had been involved the newspaper article would have been bigger. The McKinnons were a big name in the Wizarding world.
Deep in though, James didn't notice they had passed through the gates and had arrived at the Castle. Sirius brought him out of his musing.
"Lets go see how successful our Kistletoe was." Sirius said waving at someone who was waiting on the steps.
James nodded and looked towards the castle. He saw Peter straight away, he was grinning and bobbing on the spot waving frantically.
"Calm down Pete." James said as they reached him. "What's this about Moony?" He added as the three of them walked into the great hall.
"Oh he got a cold we were having a snowball fight."
James groaned. A cold this close to the full moon meant Remus would be out for days.
"Madam Promfry says he's gotta stay there till Friday. How lucky is that? He usually misses two days instead he gets almost a week off!" Peter exclaimed sitting down at the Gryffindor table and picking up his knife and fork ready for the food to appear. "We're not having a feast are we?"
Sirius shook his head and scanned the table. "Hey Wormy, Marlene isn't back yet is she?"
Peter shook his head disappointed that dinner wasn't ready yet.
Sirius sighed and looked up at the Teacher's table. "Hey guys. Dumbledore looks like he's going to say something."
Peter and James looked up at the Teachers table. Sure enough Dumbledore had stood up and was moving towards his owl podium. "To those of you who have returned: Welcome Back. To everyone here: Happy New Year. I know this is a little bit unorthodox but it is probably the only time everyone's together."
Peter grumbled "I've been here since seven. That's when they normally start dinner. But no we have to wait so Dumbledore can speak to the whole school."
"Shut it Wormtail." James said rather harshly. Peter fell silent his eyes on his plate.
"Over the next few days some of you may realise two of our students are missing." Dumbledore's piercing blue eyes drifted over to the Gryffindor table and up to where Sirius and James were sitting. "Unfortunately they were caught up in a Death Eater attack of two muggles. The students saved the muggles but sustained severe injuries that restrict them returning to Hogwarts at this particular time. Their parents have informed me that they will be returning to Hogwarts but are unable to determine when. When they do return however. I ask that you all refrain from bombarding them with questions and allow them to return to normal Hogwarts life. If they wish to tell you, then they will do so in their own time. I apologise once again for keeping you from your dinner. Classes resume as normal tomorrow morning. Enjoy."
Peter's eyes lit up once he saw they were having steak pie and piled it on his plate. He hadn't realised that James and Sirius were rather pale.
Professor McGonagal looked at the two sixth year boys sitting across the desk from her, they both looked worried and tired. "I'm sorry but the Headmaster and I cannot allow you to visit Ms. McKinnon and Ms. Evans. They are being looked after and it appears that they are awake and will be returning to Hogwarts before the end of the week. I will however pass on your..." she looked at her desk which was littered with Alyssum and Chrysanthemum. "gifts, however I must ask that you replace the schools quill supply, as much as I admire your transfiguration skills there are another ways to deliver flowers."
James and Sirius looked up sheepishly, they had been up all night and used their free periods and breaks to transfiguration the quills into Marlene and Lily's favourite flowers. They had even got every single person who knew Marlene and Lily to sign a card which was currently buried under the flowers. They bowed their heads.
Professor McGonagal looked at them, worriedness etched into their faces like markings on stone. "They will be fine, and if you decide to hold a welcome home party I might accidentally wear earmuffs that night." She smiled as the two boys shared a look, mischief dancing in their eyes.
Sirius and James both got up. "Thank you Professor." James said as they turned to leave.
"Oh boys." McGonagal had turned back to her desk something purple had caught her eye.
"Is this Aconite flower head for the girls as well?"
"Ah no. Sorry." Sirius darted forward and plucked the purple flower amid the yellows. "Did you know Aconite can also be called monkshood." Sirius added wisely placing the flower in his robe pocket.
"It's also known as wolfsbane. For there is another friend of yours in hospital and the flower is aptly named." McGonagal nodded knowingly. These boys may be mischievous and troublesome, but they were always there for their friends.
James and Sirius bowed their heads in thanks before walking out the office. They'd take Remus his flower (which they created as a joke and were sure it would cheer him up) then they would get a head start on planning the party for the girls. After all Professor McGonagal had practically given them her approval.
A/N: I was never happy with this chapter and I apologise for it being (gasp) a page longer than normal. I nearly had the boys make 1000 origami crane but decided against it and almost wrote it Japanese. (I am watching Season 2 of Code Blue the current dorama that I've been watching non stop :) hence the mini bowing of their heads to McGonagal.) I also apologise for the way the fight went I changed lily's Imperio so many times. Next chapter will be in Lily's POV again :D and also.... (Emerdale theme) sorry I've seen that "Celebrating 25 years of dramatic endings" for Emerdale too many times now. And I apologise for rambling but I ramble a lot.... maybe I should ramble on my live-journal instead....
Sayounara