Chapter 17 – Eddie's Choice:
"NO!" shouted Eddie, immediately panicking and struggling against the binds. "You will not touch a hair on her head!"
"You're becoming very boring, very fast, Weasley," said Anson in a bored, tired voice while rolling her eyes. "And besides, what are you going to do? Stun me? I believe you're wandless you pathetic idiot!"
"I'm going to rip out your heart, you little bit-" started Eddie, snarling dangerously. But, Lily interrupted him by kicking him from behind, causing him to groan out loud in pain and swear loudly.
"Shut your bloody mouth, Ed!" she hissed angrily. This caused Anson to laugh evilly, her cackle vibrating throughout the ancient stadium. It sent chills down both Lily and Eddie's spines and caused him to outwardly shiver. Thankfully, Anson did not notice; she instead smirked at the pair amusedly.
"At least Potter here has some brains," she said coldly. Quickly glancing between the two, she smirked again and flipping her brown hair over her shoulder. "Since I'm so well aware of the history between you two, I'll give you a moment for you to say good-bye to her, Weasley." Anson whipped around and began to walk away. So angry over the comment that she had just made, Eddie immediately began fighting against the cords that bound him and screaming profanities at Anson; whom merely laughed and continued to walk away, disappearing into the darkness.
When she was gone and out of earshot, Lily merely sighed from behind as Eddie continued to fight the ropes and swear profusely.
"Eddie, just stop," she mumbled, sounding defeated. "There's no point in you fighting. It's only going to make matters worse and you'll just exhaust yourself. Just stop…"
"She's not going to hurt you!" he screamed determinedly, ignoring Lily's command to stop struggling. "I won't let her! I can't let her!" Despite Eddie's obvious protectiveness of her, and despite it pleased Lily to see how much her former best friend still cared for her, she could not help but roll her eyes.
"Eddie…"
"Don't you use that defeated tone of voice with me, Lily Potter!" snapped Eddie, trying to whip his head around and giving himself whip flash, ignoring the searing pain that was now spreading up and down the cords of his neck. "Don't you dare say good-bye to me! I'm not going to let anything happen to you…I won't…I can't…"
"I don't plan on saying good-bye to you, Ed," snapped Lily dryly. "I just thought that instead of spazzing out like a group of monkeys, that maybe we should try thinking of a way to escape…"
"Escape?" asked Eddie blankly.
"Yeah, escape," said Lily, sounding almost condescendingly; as though talking to a small child. Eddie noticed that she was subtly struggling against the binds that were still holding the two of them together.
"You think we can escape from this situation?" asked Eddie, sounding both hopeful and confused. Lily stopped whatever she was doing for a moment as though to allow herself to soak in what Eddie had just asked. Eddie did not have to see her face to know that she had a look of complete disbelief, and possible hurt, written all of her face.
"After all of those encounters with Voldemort," started Lily, her voice now as cold as Anson's, "and you still underestimate me? If it's one thing those encounters should have taught you is that there is always hope; even if it comes at the last minute."
"Okay, then how do you propose we get out of this?" asked Eddie, testing her. While he asked this question, Lily had continued doing what she was doing before when struggling with the ropes.
"In my experiences," she started, continuing her struggling, "witches and wizards like Anson Jeandré are extremely arrogant. They never think outside the box and they never expect other witches and wizards to either."
"What do you mean exactly?" asked Eddie slowly, feeling confusd.
"Exactly what I said," said Lily, her voice sounding higher with excitement. To Eddie's utmost astonishment, the ropes binding them together came lose and started falling from their bodies.
"Bloody hell…?"
The last of the ropes from them and Eddie whipped around to see Lily rubbing her arms where the ropes had burned against her skin and grinning like a maniac.
"How…?"
"Arrogant witches and wizards like Anson and Voldemort who think they're all powerful tend to overlook the simplest things…things that normally bring their downfall," explained Lily smugly.
"I see," started Eddie slowly, "so what exactly did Miss Anson overlook that caused her 'downfall?'"
"She forgot this," beamed Lily, her fingers fiddling with the black stone that was glowing slightly and lying across her neck; the Stone of Merlin. Eddie's eyes widened at the sight of it and he nearly choked on his own saliva. How could have Anson looked over something so big and significant?
"I didn't have my wand, so I used the Stone to enhance my wandless magic to get rid of the ropes," explained Lily, still fiddling with the Stone. Suddenly, she looked up urgently at Eddie, her eyes narrowed and fierce; a green fire was blazing within them. Eddie immediately straightened up; he knew that Lily was not going to make the same mistake as Anson and overlook the little things. She was in Auror mode. The last time he had seen her like this was during the final battle against Voldemort.
"We don't have a lot of time," she said quickly. "She'll be out soon and she's powerful. You're defenseless without your wand."
"What about you?"
Lily rolled her eyes.
"I have the Stone and the power of Eyeluta," she said impatiently. "Stop worrying about me, Weasley, and worry about yourself for a bloody change. You're in much more danger than I am."
"But Lily-"
"WHAT THE HELL?" a voice shrieked from behind. Eddie looked up. Lily whirled around, clutching on to her necklace and her eyes flashing.
"Did you forget something, Anson?" asked Lily coolly, flashing the Stone in front of her. "You know, for being the Heir of the so-called Witty and Intelligent witch, you're quite stupid to keep the Stone of Merlin behind…with me…while trying to hold me captive." At these words, Eddie could not help but grin to himself. Despite the fact that he wanted to smack Lily for being so careless with her words, it was nice to know that she had not changed. Not even being the Mistress of Magic could change who she really was.
Anson must have realized her massive mistake and was furious about it because before either of them could react and before Lily could taunt the Heir of Ravenclaw any further, Anson was charging towards them with her wand raised and their wands clenched in her other hand. Sparks were flying out of all three wands.
"Eddie, run!" yelled Lily, taking a step towards the roaring Anson. But Eddie found that he could not breathe or move. He refused; he was not going to leave his best friend wandless and with a maniac. "Run, I've got this!"
"NO!"
"RUN!"
"I'M NOT LEAVING YOU!"
"DAMMIT, ED!" roared Lily impatiently. She moved so that she was standing right in front of him. There was a slight glow and wind billowing around her. Before Eddie could comprehend what was happening, Lily shouted "Valor!" and a bright green light shot from her eyes and hit Anson square in the chest. Eddie blinked and the next thing he knew, Anson was on the floor, unmoving and Lily was turning around and grabbing him by the shoulders, forcing him to look squarely in her flaming green eyes.
"Ed, you listen to me and you listen to me good," she snapped, narrowing her eyes. "I don't need a protector; I've protected myself just fine as an Auror and the Mistress of Magic thank you very much," she was practically snarling at him. "I need you get the bloody hell out of here and get help. I can only hold her off for so long. Use a Patronus and contact the Auror Department. Let them know where we are and what is happening and we will need back-up and reinforcements as soon as possible. After that, I want you to Apparate to the Ministry and go into my office and wait for me. You'll be safe there. Do you understand?" Eddie nodded.
"But what about you?"
"I'm going to hold her off."
"But…why? Just come with me…she's a psycho! Let's get the bloody hell out of here!"
"And do what?" asked Lily, hissing harshly. "Run and hide the rest of my life? The way I did as a child when Voldemort was at the height of his power? She's a power-hungry witch. Honestly, do we want another Voldemort on our hands? No, she wants me and she wants me now." Lily's hard look turned away from Eddie and slowly landed on Anson's lifeless body. "And she's going to get me. I have to stop her and I'm going to. This is not going to happen; not again." With those words, Lily marched over to Anson's body and grabbed both their wands and Anson's wand.
"Lily…"
"I have her wand, my wand, the Stone, and Eyeluta," said Lily, handing Eddie his wand. "I'll be fine."
"She has Hyptocris," said Eddie, his voice full of concern. "It's not just using her voice to make someone fall in love with her. It is a source of control; she could control you, Lily…make you give up your wand and the Stone. And I speak from experience, she's pretty damn good at it." Lily sighed and shrugged.
"I'll have to try and fight her off," she said simply. "Go, Ed. Go get some help. I'll need it."
"Lily…"
There was a groan from behind. They both turned around to see Anson on the floor, stirring and groaning in pain.
"GO!" bellowed Lily in panic as she put both of her hands on his chest and shoved. Eddie stumbled backwards, clutching on to his wand. "GO NOW! GO!"
"Lily…"
"GO!" she screeched as she turned around had her wand at the ready.
Every bone, every molecule in Eddie's body told him that he should disobey Lily and stay and fight by her side. It felt wrong to leave her; everything felt wrong. But, deep down, Eddie also knew that they did truly need help and that she was going to fight. If he wanted Lily to live, if there was any guarantee of that, he knew that he needed to go get help. That was what was best for Lily and that is what Eddie wanted.
With that, Eddie was faced with a choice. He could either fight by Lily's side, refusing to leave to protect her at all costs. Or, he could do what she felt was best and obey her and go get help so that the Aurors from Auror Department, Aurors like Maddox, could come and protect her. He was not sure which choice would make him a loyal friend; to make up for the neglect that he had put her through the last several years. He was not sure what choice would win Lily back as a friend.
Deep down, Eddie knew that without the Aurors, Lily might die. Anson could use Hyptocris to destroy her.
What was best for Lily? Lily needed to survive.
So, without another word, he turned around and sprinted out of the Coliseum. Just as he was about to Apparate, he heard a beautiful singing voice.
Eddie halted; he was suddenly frozen, petrified and unable to move. The music in his ears was like a sweet serenity, calming and soothing him. It was like an addictive, foggy drug overwhelming his sense, putting him into a state of absolutely bliss.
Eddie took a deep breath, inhaling the music's wonderful, sweet scent, when a gentle, angelic voice told him to turn around and walk back into the Coliseum. Without hesitation, he obeyed.
However, there was another voice, a less graceful voice, but still one of that of a woman, yelling at him, but she could not understand what she was saying. The voice of music was too sweet, too overpowering, too seductive. He had to obey it; he had no other choice. He wanted to have no choice. Whatever this magical, musical voice wanted him to do, he wanted to do it.
"Edward, my dear sweet Edward," the voice sang. "Come to me, my love…"
Eddie closed his eyes and felt the blissful smile creep across his face as he turned around and walked towards the voice. He had heard this voice before and he never got sick of it and he always obeyed it. He wanted nothing but to please it.
"Ed, stop!" Lily croaked, her voice shaking with emotion. But, she knew it was no use; she was familiar with the powers of the four Hogwarts founders, more familiar than most, and she knew that her chances of overpowering Anson's Hyptocris at all, even with the Stone of Merlin, were not likely. Lily knew that the only thing she could do was fight.
Eddie slowly walked towards her with a glazed look in what would be his normal chestnut brown eyes. Anson continued to sing. It looked as though gold strands of air where coming from her mouth in musical notes and wrapping themselves around Eddie's, creating an aurora around him; mesmerizing him. Lily's wand hand wrapped tightly around her own wand and Anson's wand while her free hand fiddled with the Stone of Merlin around her neck.
"Ed, stop, don't listen to her!" Lily croaked again. "You're stronger than this. You're better than this!"
As though Eddie did not even hear, as though she did not exist, he continued to walk towards Anson obediently; like a trained dog. It disgusted Lily and her eyes widened in panic as she began to realize just how strong Anson's powers were; how much of a hold those powers had on Eddie.
"Edward, my love," the voice sang in it's sweet voice, "Lily Potter wishes to hurt me; she wants to come between us and our love. We must get rid of her." Without another word, Eddie stopped walking towards Anson and changed his direction and advanced on Lily; except now his eyes were no longer glazed over in adoration; but now had a cold, menacing look.
"Ed? Eddie?"
Eddie continued to advance on Lily, his grip on his wand now tightening. Lily took a step back in fear.
"Kill her, Edward. For our love, kill Lily…"
Eddie raised his wand.
Lily gasped and closed her eyes, ready to perform Eyeluta against Eddie. She did not want to, but knew there was no other way to defend herself. That was, until she remembered what saved her against Voldemort.
Many years ago, when Lily's unborn child had saved her from the Killing Curse that would have taken her life, she was told it was the symbol of love that had saved her life. She and Eddie had genuinely and truly loved each other when they were teenagers and from that love, had created life which Voldemort had stolen. True love was able to save Lily and here, today, maybe there was a chance that it would save again. Yes, while Lily felt she did not and never could love Eddie the way that she used to, she knew that there would always be a special place for him in her heart. They were best friends as children and were sweethearts as teenagers. Eddie had been a huge part of her life; made her who she was today and as a result, she would always love Eddie. Maybe not in the all-consuming way, but in a way…a different kind of way.
With Eddie continuing to advance on her, Lily took her hand away from the Stone of Merlin and opened her eyes, now looking directly into Eddie's chestnut brown ones; ones that are usually dancing with laughter that were now glazed over from Anson's powerful, magical singing voice.
"Eddie," whispered Lily, not breaking the eye contact. "I, Lily Julia Potter, oath that Edward Ronald Weasley will always be my best friend…" With Lily's words, she saw that his eyes began to flicker from glazed over to the warm, chestnut brown. Her heart skipping a beat, this urged her to continue. "I promise to make him laugh when he is crying…" Eddie's eyes continued to flicker, despite Anson's best efforts to continue singing. Lily began to smile. "…to protect him when he is in danger, and to be there for him when he needs."
"Edward, what are you doing, my love? Kill her!"
Eddie's eyes remained brown and together; they said simultaneously, "This is my promise to you…"
"Welcome back, Ed," said Lily with a small smile. Eddie smirked back at her. Lily felt elated; love had conquered evil yet again. But their moment did not last long as they heard a terrible shriek behind them.
The pair whipped around and saw that Anson had whipped out her wand. Before they could even blink, she began throwing curses and hexes at them. Lily used her entire body to knock Eddie to the ground before throwing herself down next to him. She grabbed a hold of his chin to make sure she had his undivided attention and stared at him. There was no humor or room for negotiation in her voice as she said, "Ed, get out of here. Send a Patronus to the Ministry and have them send as many Aurors as they can here. Once you've sent the Patronus, Apparate back to London; Apparate to the Ministry and stay there. You'll be safe."
"Lily…"
"This is an order from the Mistress of Magic. GO!"
Without another word, Eddie jumped to his feet and ran, as ordered. Behind him, he could hear both Anson and Lily dueling furiously.
Another chapter! Please enjoy!