Chapter 35

Wailing Eggs, Confessions, and House Elves

As Lily reached the Gryffindor Common Room, the whole place erupted in cheers as she held up the golden egg, smiling as she saw that she had the support of everyone now. She felt thankful to Rita for her article about Transgender people, and having just given another interview, she knew the story was going to be exciting to read.

Fred and George had provided food for everyone from the kitchens – courtesy of the Marauder's Map, of course – which made it a party for the Gryffindors. Whilst Lily was still feeling excited about the task, she had hoped for a little time to relax. Of course, with Fred and George around, that was never going to be possible.

As everyone gathered around Lily, they encouraged her to open the egg, which she did. The second she did, however, she regretted it, since all that emerged was a loud wailing noise that sounded awful. She quickly closed the egg, with people guessing that it could be someone being tortured, or that she'd have to fight off the Cruciatus curse.

Lily put the egg away in her dorm carefully, not wanting to hear the sound again until she had to, so she put it in her chest carefully. Heading back to the common room, she saw everyone laughing at Neville, who had turned into a canary, but turned back within seconds.

"Canary creams!" Fred and George exclaimed, stating they were for sale. A few people brought them, including Lily; the prank potential was high, and she had a few ideas.

"That's some really advanced magic," Hermione complimented, smiling at them.

"Thanks Hermione," Fred said.

"Coming from you," George added.

"That's high praise," they both finished. Lily smiled as she saw Hermione blush, but her smile faded as she saw Ginny in the corner of the common room, alone. Lily caught Ginny's eyes and motioned for the exit of the common room. With everyone celebrating, they both slipped out unseen. Lily led Ginny to the nearest empty corridor and sat down with her.

"Wanna talk about what's wrong?" Lily asked. She could see that Ginny was close to tears. "I know it's more than the nightmares."

"I… Lily, I'm scared…" Ginny said softly. "There's something I want to say, but I… I feel so confused."

"About what?" Lily asked, looking at her. Ginny looked at the ground and sighed.

"I'm scared of… well, of being wrong, or broken. I know I'm not, or I hope I'm not, but… I don't know how to explain…" Ginny confessed.

"Ginny, whatever it is, you're not broken, and you're not wrong," Lily said softly. "I know this can't be about the nightmares, or the connection with Voldemort."

"It isn't," Ginny agreed. "I guess… I mean, since you came out, I've been… learning about all kinds of different… I don't even know the word for it, but the muggles call it LGBT."

"Yeah, I've heard of that," Lily confirmed. "Rita mentioned that it's a community of sorts, much like the Transgender community."

"That's what I found as well, although there isn't really an LGBT community within the wizarding world," Ginny looked forlorn as she spoke. "I know there's a few people writing into the Daily Prophet, in support of you, and some against you, but it's like… well, there needs to be more support."

"You're not wrong," Lily smiled sadly in agreement. "What brought this on though?"

"I've been thinking, a lot," Ginny started, looking into Lily's eyes. "And… I… I think…"

Lily saw the tears welling up in Ginny's eyes; she was clearly afraid to say what she wanted to say, so Lily smiled kindly, to support her.

"Go on, Ginny, the hardest part is to say it," Lily knew that to be a fact, especially remembering when she had come out. "When I came out, I don't know how long I'd have stayed in the closet if not for the stairs."

Ginny nodded. "I… Lily, I think I'm… a lesbian," Ginny confessed, tears rolling down her cheek. Lily pulled Ginny into a hug, holding her.

"Ginny, there's nothing wrong with that," Lily told her softly, reassuringly. "I know there are people like Malfoy, but for every Malfoy, there's a hundred Hermione's, Lavender's, and Parvati's," she pointed out. Ginny giggled softly,

"I'm glad I know you, Lily. You really are wonderful," Ginny told her. Lily shook her head.

"I'm just… I was lucky to be raised by Sirius, and to have friends like you, Ron, Hermione, and the others," Lily said. Ginny looked softly at her.

"What… what if I didn't… want to be just friends?" Ginny asked. Lily suspected she knew what Ginny meant, but it was still a little surprising. "I mean… would it be bad?"

"No, but… how do you know if you want to be more?" Lily asked kindly. "I mean, we're kids, we're not supposed to want more."

"We're not though, are we? You and I have been through… well, what anyone should never face," Ginny said. "I know it's… well, I don't know if it's good or not, but… every time I'm with you, I feel safe, and when we talk, I feel close, and happy."

"With me? I'm… well, I'm touched," Lily admitted, with a small smile. Ginny looked at her, and leant forward, pressing her lips to Lily's.

Lily didn't object or fight the kiss; if anything, it felt nice, to have a moment of peace and happiness. Ginny's scent was powerful, and sweet, and despite the fact they were only teenagers, Lily couldn't deny that Ginny was right; it felt nice, and they had been through more than most.

As the kiss ended, Ginny looked into Lily's eyes. "That… it felt… nice," Ginny said softly. Lily nodded.

"I liked it," Lily agreed, with a small smile. "I mean, it felt nice, and for a moment, it was like… nothing else mattered."

"Same," Ginny agreed. She looked at Lily and held her hand. "Will you go out with me?"

"I thought the kiss would have been my answer, but yes," Lily agreed, smiling.

"About time," Ron's voice came from nearby. The two of them turned and saw Ron smirking at them. "What, you thought I wouldn't notice when my sister and one of my best friends aren't in the common room?"

"Honestly? I guess I did think that, sorry," Lily confirmed, looking sheepish. Ron laughed.

"Mate, I'm happy for you both. Ginny, I've known how you felt about Lily for a while, and honestly, I'm glad you told her. You both deserve to be happy," Ron said. Ginny looked ready to burst into tears again.

"You… you're not upset?" Ginny asked, her lower lip quivering. Ron walked over to them and sat next to Ginny.

"Why would I be upset?" Ron asked, confused.

"Because I… I'm…" Ginny started, and Ron snorted.

"Ginny, you're my sister, I want you to be happy," Ron said, hugging her. "Don't be daft, I'd never be upset, unless you started dating Malfoy, then I'd intervene or something."

"No fear of that," Ginny giggled. Ron looked at Lily.

"Just don't hurt her, or I'll stick Hermione on you," Ron warned. Lily laughed and shook her head.

"You Weasleys are the best, you know that?" Lily asked. Ron smiled at her.

"Just glad you're our friend, Lily," Ron told her. "Come on, the party's still going on, let's give everyone a chance to gossip some more, shall we?"

"You're not worried, are you Lily?" Ginny asked. Lily shook her head.

"Everyone gossiping about me? Just another day at Hogwarts," Lily joked, as she held Ginny's hand, going back into the party.

It became common knowledge quickly that Lily Potter and Ginny Weasley were a couple. Some thought it was just a teenage crush, the Slytherin's used it to push their freak agenda, but of course, by this time, no one was listening to them, which meant Malfoy was more annoying to deal with, since he wasn't getting his own way.

Cedric, Fleur, and Lily were training every day on different curses and spells, whilst also working on something Ron noticed they had lacked in the first task – situational awareness. Cedric had agreed; he'd gotten a little cocky, so he'd failed to note the tail, so they were now casting spells whilst avoiding all kinds of obstacles.

When she had some spare time, Lily and Ginny learned how to dance, in anticipation of the Yule Ball. Hermione still wouldn't reveal who she was going with, but as Ron had said, it was about being happy, and Hermione seemed to be happy.

However, as Christmas neared, a few days before Christmas day, Lily, Ron, Ginny, Parvati, and Lavender – who had asked Ron to be her boyfriend, to which he accepted – were trying to figure out the egg in the Room of Requirement, when Hermione burst in, out of breath.

"Lily, you… you and Ron need… need to come with me," Hermione gasped.

"Hermione, take a moment, and a breath. What is it?" Lily asked. Hermione took a deep breath and looked at Lily.

"I went to the kitchens, to speak… to speak to Dobby, and… you need to hear this," Hermione said. The group looked at one another and followed Hermione to the kitchens. When they arrived, Dobby was there to greet them. Lily was surprised when Dobby led them over to Winky, who was sitting in a corner, crying.

"Winky?" Lily asked, going, and sitting next to her. "How long have you been here?"

"Since…" Winky started, then hiccupped. "Term started. But Master Barty needs me, got to help him."

"Winky, he was cruel to you," Hermione said kindly. "He dismissed you without listening to you."

"No, Master is a kind Master, he needs his… he needs his Winky…" Winky sobbed. She took a sip of a drink from a glass. Lily could see it was Butterbeer.

"It's strong for a House Elf," Dobby said softly at Lily's confusion.

"Winky, why does Crouch need you so badly? He was at the task, he looked okay to me," Hermione commented. Winky looked at her.

"Master is needing me to keep his secrets," Winky replied. "I have to help Master… help Master Barty."

The other house elves quickly came and led Winky away. "We're sorry, Miss, but Winky is needing help. We try to help."

"Have you spoken to Madam Pomfrey?" Hermione asked kindly.

"House Elves are not meant to be bothering Witches and Wizards," the Elf replied. Lily looked at her.

"Go, speak to her. We give you permission to do so; you need help, and you shouldn't be afraid to ask for help," Lily said. The Elf nodded.

"Thank you, Miss. Dobby is always saying how kind Miss Lily Potter is, and Dobby is right," the Elf said. Lily smiled at the Elf, and then at Dobby.

As the group left the kitchen, they stopped and looked at one another. "Crouch is hiding something big," Lily said. "I don't know what, but Winky knows more than she's letting on."

"Agreed," Hermione replied. "That's why I wanted you to hear that."

"You don't think Crouch was behind Lily's name being in the Goblet, do you?" Ginny asked, holding Lily's hand.

"I don't know. I mean, I hope not, but he'd be powerful enough to do such a thing, wouldn't he? And he knew about the goblet, but maybe not about Lily's new name," Hermione suggested, as they walked along together.

"Do we tell Professor Dumbledore?" Lavender asked. Lily frowned but shook her head.

"I want to, but what do we tell him? For all we know, it could just be simple household stuff Winky's talking about, and I can't see her telling anyone anything other than that," Lily replied.

"Maybe, but we should look into it. Maybe we can speak to Sirius and Remus?" Ron asked.

"Right, they'll have an idea at least," Lily agreed, smiling. "Alright, let's go and see what they say, and then we need to finish our dance lessons."

"Especially since you're my date," Ginny added, smiling before kissing Lily, leading her back towards the Room of Requirement. Lily hoped that with the dance coming up, and with the Egg needing to be solved, Lily knew that the next few weeks would keep them all busy. Her only hope was that they could figure out what Winky meant, and if something bad was up, she hoped they'd find a solution for it.