Chapter 12 – The Stone of Merlin:

As soon as they were safely out, Lily, still clutching on to Eddie's arm, Apparated to a crowded street in London. This caused Eddie to wonder how Lily was able to Apparate from country to country without going through some kind of wizarding customs, but in his mental and physical state, he could only assume that being the Mistress of Magic strongly had something to do with it.

"Lily, what in the bloody hell is going on?" asked Eddie, feeling both panicked and confused. Lily chose to ignore him and commanded that he shut-up and quietly follow her. Silently they raced through the streets of London, going through alleyways, running through traffic that was jammed with cars. Eddie felt as though they are dodging a bullet.

Finally, after what seems like hours, Lily finally led them into a Muggle food store and right towards the lavatories. Eddie continued to follow her and Lily dragged him into the bathroom and locked the door behind them, much to his disgust. Without another word, she pulled out the infamous Invisibility Cloak.

"We're going to be under this," said Lily hurriedly. "We're going to follow a Muggle when the door opens and then we'll go someplace safe."

"Why not back to your flat?" asks Eddie curiously.

"Don't question me, Weasley," Lily hissed venomously, but Eddie could not help but notice an intense fear in her voice. He snapped his mouth shut and followed her lead. Much to Lily's delight, everything went according to plan; they followed a Muggle out of the store when the door opened, so not to give themselves away. Not a word was said during their route; there was hardly even any breathing.

Finally, after aimlessly wandering the streets under the Invisibility Cloak, Lily took them to a quiet, little hostel on the outskirts of London. At the front desk, she demanded to have a dormitory all to themselves and paid a lot of money for it, though the owner seemed to have no objections once he caught sight of the cash. When the pair of them reached their dormitory, Lily threw her beaded bag to the ground and climbed into one of the bed, burying her face into the pillow and breathing heavily. Eddie could do nothing but stare at her for a moment, unsure of what to do or say. So, like any typical man, he settled for saying anything, "Lily, what the bloody hell is happening?"

When Lily did not answer, but just continued to bury her face into the pillow, Eddie took a deep, shaky, fearful breath. Then he croaked out, frightened, for he had not seen Lily like this since the final battle with Voldemort, "Lily?"

Lily pulled her head out of the pillow, but did not look at Eddie. "This whole thing has been a plot…a bloody sham. And I don't know what to think of it anymore." Desperate for both answers and to be close to Lily, Eddie sat down at the edge of the bed and placed a gentle, comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I had to bring us here," she says, trying to catch her breath. "It may not be Hogwarts but it's safer than my flat or your apartment; or anyone's flat or apartment that we know. They know where we live…where our relatives live…they've been tracking and following us and I don't know how. This hostel seemed like the most plausible solution…to keep us safe." Lily was trying to give Eddie an explanation on why she had taken them to the hostel rather than some place they would be more comfortable. But, in reality, she was just talking and ranting to herself.

"Lily, what are you talking about? What's happened?"

"This kidnap was never about you or Jane," she whispered, though she sounded more like she was talking to herself rather than to Eddie. "This was always about me."

"What was?"

"You and Jane were just ploys," said Lily. "Pawns…they used Jane to get to you and they used you to get to me."

"How'd they even know I'd go to you about Jane?"

"There's no doubt in my mind that they followed you and Jane for months…maybe even years," explained Lily, finally turning around and laying on her back, looking at her former best friend. "If they knew anything about your personality then they'd know that once Jane was kidnapped and taken to England, you'd demand the best Auror…"

"…and you're the best Auror…" said Eddie, his voice trailing off. "So, this whole kidnap was orchestrated once getting to know me…in reality, they could have done just about anything to get to me…to get to you…"

"Exactly."

"Why do they want you? Avengers of Voldemort?"

"No."

"Because of your fame…power…?"

"No, not necessarily…I don't think so."

"Then what then?"

"This…" Lily reached into her blouse and pulled out a small, black gem on a silver chain. Eddie's eyes widen in both bewilderment and awe; it was the Stone of Merlin. The Stone of Merlin was a stone created by Merlin himself, to assist his four grandchildren, Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Helga Hufflepuff in helping them against Muggle persecution. With the stone, the four grandchildren founded the famous school, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The stone also enhanced any powers that his grandchildren, and their ancestors, have or would have, including Lily's power of Eyeluta. With that being said, only the ancestors of Merlin and the Four Hogwarts Founders would have the power to successfully use the stone. Lord Voldemort himself tried to use the stone against Lily in the final battle but it was the ultimate symbol of love that had saved her.

"Lily…is that…?"

"Yeah," she whispered, looking down at it. "It's the Stone of Merlin."

Another chapter! Please enjoy!