Maybe I am crazy... Maybe I'm just an optimist... Maybe I am a little bit of both! But even without a single review and 11 chapters and over 34000 words I am still going to post another chapter in hopes that someone, somewhere will have the courage to leave a review!

That being said, If I was JK Rowling don't you think I'd have at least 1 review by now! Duh!

This is my favorite chapter, out of this whole story, this is my favorite so it seems fitting that I post it 2 days before Deathly Hallows part 2 hits theaters!

I hope you enjoy it half as much as I loved writting it!

Chapter Twelve

A Little Stone Marker

Taylor flinched. She must have dozed off, but she knew she heard the crack of someone Apparating, a little ways off. Her heart was pounding now. What if it wasn't Harry? It must be almost midnight, she decided when she looked at the stars. What could have happened that he wasn't here yet? Then she heard a noise like leaves rustling, a crunch of undergrowth as someone walked. She gripped her wand tighter and stayed completely still, a stunning spell popped into her mind, she might need it.

A twig snapped, and leaves rustled again this time much closer. Taylor looked all around trying to see what was making the noise. Her heart was now making so much noise itself, that she was scared it would give her away. Then she heard in a whisper, "Damn it Taylor where are you?"

She breathed a sigh of relief. She'd know that voice anywhere. She whispered back "Right here," and she shifted out of the deep shadows she was in. She realized Harry must have been wearing the invisibility cloak. Good thinking.

Harry had been getting desperate when he had muttered those words. He'd started to think that he would be better off waiting until morning when he had heard Taylor whisper back. He turned towards where he thought she was and he could just make out a form under the edge of a bush, starlight showed him with wand held at the ready. He thought of the code the five of them had devised so they could always be sure it was really them. "Lily" Harry whispered.

Taylor smiled, "Green" she whispered back and moved out from under the bush and stood up her cramped muscles protesting. "Where are you?" She almost jumped out of her skin when a hand touched her arm.

"Muffliato" Harry whispered, then said a little louder. "Get under my cloak." He lifted it up and put it over Taylor too, so she wouldn't be seen.

"What took you so long? I figured you would be right along," Taylor inquired, then she gasped and asked quickly. "Is Ron alright? Hermione? Did something happen to them?"

"Don't worry, they are alright. Hermione will be back to herself by tomorrow, and Ron just needs to rest for a few days. Let's sit down. We'll wait here until its daylight. I don't want to take the chance of lighting a wand. It might be seen. Have you seen anyone?" Harry said as he settled himself on the ground by the bush Taylor had been hiding under. Taylor sat down too.

"No, just a couple of lights. I figure there must be a couple of muggle houses over on the next hill. They went out an hour or so before you got here." Taylor answered.

They were quiet for a while, then Harry spoke again. "Taylor, I need to know where you found the spell you used earlier today; the one you used on the second hooded guy?"

Taylor pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. She wondered if Moody had talked to Harry about the spell. She wasn't sure why she didn't want to talk, even to Harry, about the spells and potions she had read about in those books. Maybe, she thought, it's guilt?

"Taylor?" Harry said, a little more insistently this time.

Taylor sighed. If this was going to work between them, then she was going to have to explain; she was only trying to help after all. So she did. She told Harry all about the books in her bedroom that she had been reading since first year. Then she told him about finding the hidden book case just last summer; how when she came home in June she had taken the books out and began reading them, even though they were Dark Magic books. Some were a lot worse then those in the restricted section at school. She told him about finding the map in with them with Godric's Hollow on it, and how she had copied down a couple she thought might come in handy.

"I guess I memorized one or two of the spells. When I saw those hooded wizards trying to take Hermione and I didn't think I was going to reach them in time, I used two of the curses. The first one hit the guy and took him down, the second missed." By the time Taylor had finished speaking her voice was barely a whisper. Then she waited. What was Harry going to say? Would he be mad?

Harry was silent. He kind of suspected something like this but not to this extent. How many books were there? Darker than the ones at Hogwarts? What was in them? He understood that Taylor was only trying to help. She had spent over half their time at school in the library reading books with Hermione after all. But to use a spell that she had gotten from one of those books, not knowing what it did?

"Taylor," he began, he wasn't angry he just needed her to understand the trouble she had stirred up using that Dark Magic spell. "It took me so long to get here tonight because when I came down the stairs to go, Moody and a lot of the Order members were waiting for me in the kitchen. Taylor, they are very concerned how you came across those spells, and I think quite concerned that you performed them so well." He then told her every thing that was said at the meeting, and how he had escaped to come here.

Taylor's mouth was open in surprise when he finished speaking. Harry had tricked the Order to come here? Moody had checked into her background? That could cause a problem.

They continued to talk about what had happened in the meeting and also what the attack at the wedding might mean, until it was after three. Taylor's eyes were growing so heavy she couldn't keep them open.

"Taylor, wake up" Harry said gently shaking her. It was morning and the sun had just come up over the treetops. He had let her sleep as long as he could, but they now had to get moving.

When Taylor went to move, her muscles protested. One of her legs had fallen asleep, and now was all pins and needles. She staggered sideways into Harry when she stood up. He steadied her and smiled. It wasn't a very comfortable way to spend the night, sitting on the ground.

Harry started off up over the hill. Taylor followed him. When they came to the top he stopped and Taylor did too.

"Just where do you think we are?" Taylor whispered. She noticed that he had the map out, the one she had left him in the note, and was studying it. She still had her travel cloak on. Harry had his on too, but the invisibility cloak he had stuffed back in the bag he was carrying on his back.

"I think there's a graveyard on the far side of this hill. I want to check there first," Harry said keeping his voice low, as he tucked the map back inside his cloak. He slipped his wand up his sleeve so he would have quick access to it if it was needed, then he gave Taylor a meaningful look. She nodded and did the same. When he set out again staying just inside the tree line to have as much cover as possible, she followed his lead, keeping her eyes open for any sign of danger.

As they neared the other side of the hill they could see a graveyard at the bottom. Harry pointed to it and Taylor nodded. It seemed as good a place as any to start. They made their way down the hill carefully. When they reached the entrance to the graveyard they stopped, and looked at one another for a moment.

Harry looked all around. When they entered into the graveyard they would be right out in the open, easily seen by anyone, but he didn't know of any other way. He took a deep breath and went in through the gate. Taylor followed him. She had her head up looking warily around. She even had her nostrils flared, as if she were smelling the air for some sign of danger. He couldn't help smiling to himself when he glanced back at her.

He walked slowly around the edge looking at all the headstones. It was an old gravesite and some of the headstones were from the 1500 and 1600's. After about a half hour they finally came to a simple little stone marker that read:

James and Lily Potter

died October 31, 19—

The last two numbers on the year couldn't be made out.

Taylor looked at the marker. She wasn't sure what she had expected to find but it wasn't this. It was so impersonal; so coldly written as if put there by a stranger. Taylor began to tremble and she sank to the ground, weeping for the two people buried under this small cold stone.

Harry looked at the stone marker in disbelief, a pain unlike any he had ever felt gripped his chest, squeezing until he didn't know if he could draw another breath. He barely noticed Taylor when she sank to the ground beside him. He had no idea how long he stood there, trying desperately to just take one more breath. Then just one more, until his face was soaked with tears and they dripped off his chin onto the ground. Then he too sank to the ground. Finally giving in to his grief, he wept.

The two of them sat side-by-side, consumed by the loss, until neither had any more tears to shed. Taylor reached over and took Harry's hand in hers, and they continued to sit there, until the sun was high overhead.

It was the sound of a bird singing on a nearby headstone that finally made them aware again, of their surroundings. Harry looked up at the bird and wondered if he would ever feel whole. He had lost so many people from his life. His parents, Sirius, Dumbledore… how many more could he stand to lose? Another tear made its way down his face he wiped at it and noticed Taylor staring at him.

"I… I was ah… just thinking how much you look like Dad," she whispered, a tear streaked smile playing at her lips.

Harry took a deep breath, but he found it did help a lot this time, and he said "Yeah I'm sure James Potter sat around crying a lot." However, he too smiled a little as he took off his glasses and wiped them on his cloak.

The smile disappeared off of Taylor's face and she said, "I didn't mean it like that."

"I know Taylor. I think you look a lot like Mom too." He said and gave her hand a squeeze. He stood up and pulled her up with him.

Taylor suddenly threw her arms around him and squeezed. Harry put his arms around her and hugged her back.

Taylor turned her head to look up into his face and said, "You know Harry, you are a very good friend, and a great big brother. I love you."

"Yeah, well you are a right pain in the ass, but I love you too." And he squeezed his arms once then stepped back. Taylor had a smile on her face.

"I think we had better get going," and he turned to look around to see if there was anyone in sight.

"Harry!" Taylor gasped, "Look!"

Harry spun back around not sure what to expect but Taylor was pointing at their parents' headstone, or more precisely the lone pale blue flower that stood in front of it. It hadn't been there just a few minutes ago. It was a lily.

"What do you think it means?" asked Taylor still staring at the beautiful pale blue lily that was in full bloom.

"I'm not sure," he said as he went over and squatted down beside the headstone looking at the flower. A sudden idea came to him and he reached over and touched the lily. It fell over in his hand. He heard Taylor gasp. The root was exposed so he tried to cover it back up but when his hand touched the earth it felt so loose, he decided to dig down a bit to replant the lily. He had only started to dig when his fingers came into contact with something soft like fabric.

"Taylor, come and hold the flower, there is something under it," and he passed the lily, very gently to Taylor. Then he dug down and cleared the earth off of the piece of cloth, but the cloth was covering something. He pulled it gently from the ground. As he uncovered it he saw it was a small picture frame approximately 5x7. He turned it over, and nearly dropped it.

Albus Dumbledore was smiling up at him.

"Hello Harry, nice of you to dig me up," said the painting of Dumbledore, smiling.

"Merlin's beard! Harry is that Dumbledore?" exclaimed Taylor coming over to stand beside Harry, still holding the flower.

"Hello Taylor, I'm glad to see you here too," the painting of Dumbledore said.

Taylor was lost for words. This was the last thing she would have expected. How could Dumbledore have known Harry would come here anyway?

The painting was talking again, "I see you have the lily I planted."

"How did you know it was us?" Harry interrupted.

"Well, you see that was a clever idea that came to me, and I shall tell you later. However, I think it would be wise to discuss it when we are in a more private setting," Harry and Taylor turned to see a man, he looked to be a muggle, walking along between the headstones on the far side of the graveyard.

"Taylor, to replant the lily just put it back in the hole, it will continue to grow. Now it might be best if you put me away. You don't want to attract any unwanted suspicion. Be careful, I'll talk to you again soon." And the painting of Dumbledore walked out of the picture frame.

Harry met Taylor's eyes for a moment. This was definitely a strange turn of events he thought; then he did as Dumbledore asked and put the picture frame away in his bag. He also removed his cloak and put it away. Thankfully he had on a long sleeve shirt so his wand was still hidden up his sleeve.

Taylor replanted the lily, her fingers trembling as she did it. If this little flower lived at least it would show that her parents were loved. Then when she stood up, she followed Harry's lead and removed her cloak and put it away in her backpack. She wanted to take her sweater off but that meant she wouldn't be able to keep her wand up her sleeve, so she kept it on even though it was getting quite warm. She took her glasses off and cleaned them. Man these things are some dirty, she thought as she put them back on.

"Ready?" Harry asked.

Taylor kissed her hand and placed it on the stone marker, "By Mom and Dad" she whispered, then she nodded to Harry.

He laid his hand on the stone and said quietly, "Bye Mom. Bye Dad," then they set out towards the gate together.

The lone pale blue lily quivered, then it began to tremble, and then suddenly there was another lily beside it. This one was pale pink. Both flowers would remain there as a symbol of love. And the little stone marker read

Here Lies Our Beloved Parents

James and Lily Potter

died October 31, 19—

The last two numbers on the year couldn't be made out.

A/N well... what did you think? As I said at the first this is my favortie chapter and it just kind of wrote itself. It was written before the Deathly Hallows book ever came out so this is what I thought this scene might be like. I just watched the first part of Deathly Hallows last night so I would be ready to go see the second part tomorrow night(I have tickets to a pre-view on July 14th!) and the scene's while very different, I thought they did have some simularities... of course my oppinion might be a little biased :)

Anyway I know some people are reading this story, I just wish they would leave a review! I am going to reduce the rating as well to see if maybe that will help because I really don't think anything in the first half of this story needs to be rated M.

As always thank you to my bata barbc! Without her help this story wouldn't of been here!

Well until next time, cytpotter