Chapter 42

Connections and Revelations

Almost a month after the task, and despite continuing with training every weekend, Lily made sure to find more time to spend time with Ginny, whilst Hermione and Ron were spending time with Fleur and Lavender respectively. They did spend some time together, enjoying relaxing together.

With Lily having set up a picnic for herself and Ginny, with the warm weather proving a pleasant environment for the two of them. Lily smiled as Ginny took a sip of her juice.

"And you still can't recreate the stun wave?" Ginny asked. Lily shook her head.

"I've tried, but whenever I cast the spell, it just strikes one target, and not others. I don't know how I did it," Lily confirmed.

"I'm not recreating the situation you were in, so we'll have to chalk it down to good fortune," Ginny replied. Lily chuckled softly.

"What makes you think I'd let you put yourself at risk like that again?" Lily asked.

"Hey, if I need to be in danger to help keep you safe, you know I will," Ginny replied, with a smirk as she took a bite of a sandwich.

"I have noticed something, which I… well, I'm trying to make sense of a few things," Lily told her. "You've been a lot more confident since the second task."

"Have I?" Ginny shrugged. "I hadn't noticed."

"Really?" Lily raised an eyebrow. Ginny giggled.

"Okay, so maybe I did notice, but still, it's just… I don't know, I've not felt concerned, scared, or anything like that. It's like I know you're with me, and I know that your strength helps me," Ginny explained.

"I've been feeling the same thing, and I'll be honest, it doesn't make any sense. We're not adults, we're not psychic, and we're… well, okay, so we're in love, but, and please don't take this the wrong way, how can we feel so strongly about each other? We should be more worried about exams and such," Lily mused.

"I've been thinking the same, and I wrote to mum about it. She just said that when you love someone, you love them. Still, every part of me is screaming at me that I want to stay with you, because I love you," Ginny said. "Maybe we should speak to Professor Dumbledore about it?"

"Are you worried?" Lily asked, tilting her head slightly. Ginny looked at her and took her hand.

"I'm not worried about my feelings for you Lily, I know that I love you, but I'm concerned by the strength of them perhaps," Ginny replied. Lily nodded.

"Alright, let's finish our picnic, and we'll go and see Professor Dumbledore," Lily agreed, with a small smile.


Lily leant back in her chair as she sat in Dumbledore's office, with Ginny sitting next to her, both looking at Dumbledore, who seemed to be studying them with his twinkling eyes.

"I have been considering this for some time, I must confess," Dumbledore began with his confession. "The fact that you have both come to me shows excellent maturity on both your parts, so I must congratulate you for that."

"It just… as much as we love the feeling, it doesn't entirely feel normal that we should feel so strongly so quickly," Lily said. Dumbledore nodded, his smile disarming Lily, as if often did.

"What you must understand is what we are about to explore together is mostly supposition and guesswork, although my guesses have usually been quite good," Dumbledore said, lacing his fingers together as he looked at the two of them.

"Well, I feel more confident about your guesses than other people's facts, sir," Lily admitted. Dumbledore gave a soft chuckle.

"Thank you, Lily, for your continued faith in me. I shall endeavour to be worthy of it," Dumbledore said. "So, let us begin by first discussing the two of you. You both share something no other person in history has, as far as I am aware, and this is primarily why this is largely guesswork."

"The connection to Voldemort," Ginny guessed. Dumbledore nodded.

"Precisely. Lily was connected to Voldemort when he attempted to kill her, and you Ginny, were connected when he attempted to possess you. My belief is that because of that, a third connection formed, between the two of you, allowing you a greater empathy with one another. This is a connection that will remain forever, even when Voldemort is finally defeated," Dumbledore explained.

"Is this connection dangerous, or has it made us feel something we weren't meant to feel?" Ginny's voice was weak at the question, but once more, Dumbledore's smile reassured them both.

"No to the first, a qualified no to the second. There is, and never will be, a magic that can truly make someone love another. You both had feelings for one another, and the connection has certainly enhanced them. What you feel is something adults would feel, because the connection has latched onto them and brought them to the front. It would appear that the two of you were destined to fall in love with one another, so you can rest assured that your feelings are real," Dumbledore stated.

"Furthermore, if there is one thing that I am certain of, it is that the bond you share will provide you both with a unique strength, and I also believe it is how Lily was able to conjure such a powerful stun spell," Dumbledore continued.

"I was… I was scared for Ginny when I cast it," Lily realised, her eyes widening as she held onto Ginny's hand.

"Precisely, and so you were able to call upon a great magic. You were not quite ready for it, which is why your bubble charm burst. The only reason it did not burst sooner was the adrenaline running through your system," Dumbledore confirmed. "A part of me feels quite proud of the fact that you were able to cast such a spell, despite the circumstances."

"Thank you, sir," Lily blushed as she looked down shyly.

"There has to be more though, doesn't there? I mean, why do I feel so strong? I know it isn't just because of Lily," Ginny said. Dumbledore nodded.

"Your powers of observation serve you well, Ginny. There is another kind of magic at work, something old and powerful. Your parents felt you should know at the right time. I will explain to them why I felt now was the right time," Dumbledore said, still smiling as he leant forward.

"You see Ginny, your mother told you about her uncles, but what she did not say was that her father had a second family, with another witch. This was before your mother was born, and that witch left your grandfather, but he had children with her, which were your mother's brothers and sisters," Dumbledore explained.

"I have other aunts and uncles?" Ginny asked. Dumbledore shook his head sadly.

"No, not anymore. That is why your mother didn't talk about them; Voldemort and his followers killed them during the first war. Your mother, it seems, was the seventh daughter, and you are also a seventh daughter," Dumbledore said. Ginny frowned.

"But I'm the only daughter," Ginny replied Dumbledore flashed one of his usual, charming smiles at them.

"Magic, my dear, does not make that distinction. You are the seventh child, and a daughter, of a seventh child who was also a daughter. That is enough to cement an old form of magic, one which will make you a very powerful witch. That power was not supposed to take form quite so soon, but the bond you have with Lily is making it grow. I would not be surprised if you turned out to be more powerful than even I am," Dumbledore said. Ginny blushed and giggled softly.

"No one could be more powerful than you, Professor," Ginny said softly.

"Alas, if only that were true, but I am not as powerful as others claim I am. I have led a difficult life, and I am what my life has made me to be," Dumbledore replied. "I believe, however, that the time has now come for me to take a personal hand in both of your educations. There is much you shall both need to know and learn, and if you will permit me, I would like to meet with you once a month for the moment. What I have to teach you will be vital for what is to come, and you will need time to study before each lesson."

"You… you'll be teaching us?" Lily asked. "What… can I ask what you'll be teaching us?"

"Oh, a little of this, and some of that, I imagine," Dumbledore, Lily knew, was a master of vague. "We shall consider today your first lesson with me, of course. What you have learnt is something that you should focus on. I suggest that you spend some time each week meditating and building up that connection. By allowing it to develop, you are both becoming stronger than anyone could possibly imagine. However, I must give you a caution; should it become common knowledge of your bond and strength, then you will make yourself a target for those who serve Voldemort. Tell those only whom you trust completely."

"We will," Ginny and Lily promised at the same time. Dumbledore smiled at them.

"Now, for the next part of this lesson, I wish to show you something," Dumbledore stood up and walked over to a stone bowl on a pedestal. Lily and Ginny followed, looking at it. "In answer to your unasked question, this is the pensieve. When I find I need to review certain memories, I extract them and place them in here," Dumbledore explained.

"You can do that?" Lily's jaw dropped slightly.

"Certainly, and I wish to show you two memories. Both feature after the fall of Voldemort, when his followers were being rounded up. Please, lean forward and place your faces into the bowl," Dumbledore said, showing them how. Lily and Ginny looked at one another and did so.

Lily felt a sudden jerking motion and felt sick as it felt as though she was pulled through the water, similar to using a portkey. When she landed, she was in what looked like a circular room, full of witches and wizards who were cheering. Ginny was next to her, as was Dumbledore. A second Dumbledore, as well as Professor Moody, was sitting ahead of them.

"This is my memory, ladies. Here, you will see someone you know, but I must ask you not to speak of this, or hold any prejudice, but merely to be cautious," Dumbledore said.

A moment later, a large cage was dragged in, and inside was Igor Karkaroff, looking younger but haggard, gaunt, and tired.

"Please, I can give names, just don't send me back," Karkaroff pled.

"Igor Karkaroff," it was then that Lily noticed a younger, more vibrant, Barty Crouch sitting in what looked like a judge's chair from a muggle courtroom drama she had seen on television. "You have been brought from Azkaban as you claim to have a number of names for us of You-Know-Who's followers?"

"Yes sir, I do," Karkaroff replied, "and I can only beg forgiveness for ever counting myself among them. I was foolish, and I wish to make amends."

"We shall see," Crouch said coldly. "Give us the names."

"There was Antonin Dolohov, he took orders directly from Voldemort," Karkaroff almost whimpered.

"Antonin Dolohov has already been arrested and is now in Azkaban," Crouch replied.

"He… he is? I… I'm delighted to hear it!" Karkaroff said.

"Sure you are," Past Moody snarled softly to Past Dumbledore.

"There was Rosier, Even Rosier!" Karkaroff insisted, trembling.

"Rosier is dead," Crouch countered.

"Aye, took a bit of me with him," Past Moody chuckled darkly, pointing to his nose. Lily was amazed at finding out that bit of information on Moody. Karkaroff then gave a couple of extra names, one of which seemed to be of interest to Crouch, someone called Augustus Rookwood.

Karkaroff then named Snape as a Death Eater, something that disturbed Lily greatly.

"I have already given evidence on this matter," Past Dumbledore stood up, speaking aloud. "Severus Snape was indeed a Death Eater. However, he turned to our side before the fall of Lord Voldemort and gave us information at great, personal risk. He is no more a Death Eater than I am."

"Are you sure, sir?" Lily asked, frowning.

"I am," Dumbledore replied calmly. "I realise this may be difficult to accept, but I trust Severus Snape, and I ask you to do the same. I can't explain why, but I have my reasons."

"I may not trust him, sir, but I trust you," Lily replied, as Karkaroff began to say about one more name.

"There is another name, someone who helped with the torture of the Longbottom's, with Bellatrix and Rudolph Lestrange," Karkaroff said. "Barty Crouch…"

Lily frowned; surely Crouch wasn't a Death Eater? Dumbledore would have said something. Then Karkaroff finished.

"Junior!"


There was a loud uproar as a young wizard attempted to curse Karkaroff but was stopped by Moody. The young wizard was restrained and looked up at Crouch.

"Hello Father," Crouch Jr. said, smirking at his father.

"Sir, freeze this, please," Lily and Ginny insisted. Dumbledore waved his wand, and the scene froze. Lily and Ginny stood up and walked over to where Crouch Jr. was laying atop papers, with Dementors above. It was then that Lily also noticed a younger Rita in the courtroom.

"Is there a problem, Lily?" Dumbledore asked. Lily nodded as she and Ginny turned to Dumbledore.

"Remember that dream I had at the start of summer, the one Ginny had later? This was the man in the dreams, the one with Pettigrew and Voldemort," Lily said.

"She's right, he looked a little older but it's the same face, and the same eyes," Ginny confirmed. Dumbledore, for one of the very few times since Lily had known him, looked deeply disturbed.

"You are sure?" Dumbledore asked. Lily thought that his voice was different, as though he was nervous, but also confident of something at the same time.

"Positive, sir," Ginny and Lily spoke at the same time. Dumbledore nodded.

"We must leave, now," Dumbledore said, waving his wand. The three were immediately pulled up out of the pensieve and were back in Dumbledore's office.

"I believe you have now given me a clue that I have long been searching for," Dumbledore said, before whispering something to Fawkes, who disappeared in a burst of fire.

"Sir?" Lily asked.

"Please wait for a few moments, I have summoned others for this very important meeting," Dumbledore said. Lily nodded, and within minutes, Fawkes returned and disappeared several times, each time bringing a new person, starting with Minerva, Sirius, Remus, Moody, and finally Fudge.

"Lady and Gentlemen, thank you for coming so quickly," Dumbledore said.

"Albus, what is it?" Moody asked. Dumbledore looked at Lily, and then at the group, all of whom took seats.

"I was showing Lily and Ginny a memory of my past, the trial of Igor Karkaroff, to allow them some more understanding of not only why Karkaroff hates Lily, but why we have been cautious with him here this year," Dumbledore said. "Now, at the start of the year, I shared the story of the dream that Lily had with Alastor and Cornelius, the rest of you already knowing. However, in my memory, Lily became aware of who it was with Pettigrew and Voldemort."

"It can't be," Moody seemed to understand immediately. "I was there Albus, and I know the little bastard's dead."

"It would appear not, Alastor, and please, mind your language," Dumbledore said calmly. "It would seem that the one with Voldemort is none other than Barty Crouch Jr."

"He… he died though, I was there, Albus," Fudge said anxiously.

"I believe I have an idea of what happened," Dumbledore said. "Not long after the apparent death of Barty Crouch Jr, his mother died. I believe it is likely that his mother begged Barty to free their son and took his place using Polyjuice potion. It is the only explanation I can think of that makes sense."

"It must have been Crouch Jr. at the world cup," Sirius said, his eyes widening. "I get it now. Crouch knew all along, because he went into the forest after we sent stunning spells towards the source of the dark mark. I'll bet we got his son, and Crouch kept him hidden. Winky must know and was there with junior."

"This being the case, I'll bet you anything that it was the ba… junior who put the lass's name in the goblet, probably using Polyjuice potion," Moody surmised. Dumbledore nodded.

"I would tend to agree with you, Alastor," Dumbledore agreed.

"I'll have Auror's come here immediately for the rest of the year. I think Kingsley will do well, as would your protégé, Miss Tonks," Fudge said. Moody nodded in agreement.

"Aye, she's a good lass, I trust her," Moody agreed. "Junior has one chance left to get at Potter, so we need to figure out why he wants her, and why You-Know-Who wants her. If it was to kill her, he'd have had plenty of chances before now."

"Agreed," Remus said. Lily looked at them.

"Is there any way Voldemort can use me for his own use?" she asked weakly, looking at Dumbledore pointedly.

"No, Lily, it isn't possible. For one, your grasp of Occlumency will prevent that, as will your connection to Ginny," Dumbledore said. Fudge put a hand on Lily's shoulder.

"Lily, we know what You-Know-Who did when he tried to kill you, and I've had my best people looking into this. Like Albus said, your skills at Occlumency will prevent that. I also doubt he will want to be connected to you, because you helped us learn his plans, and so he'll see that as a weakness to be defeated," Fudge said kindly. Lily felt reassured and smiled.

"Thank you, Minister," Lily said.

"Anytime, Lily," Fudge said. He turned back to Dumbledore. "I think we need to teach these two extra spells, both protective and defensive. If You-Know-Who returns, he'll want to kill Lily, to finish what he started."

"I agree. Alastor, I trust you can do this?" Dumbledore asked. Moody looked at the two of them.

"Aye, if anyone can learn the better curses and jinxes, it's these two lasses, they've got fire and determination," Moody agreed.

"Alastor, teach them anything you think necessary, the laws be damned. Lily may be our best hope," Fudge said. Moody smiled.

"I intended to, but thanks for the permission," Moody chuckled darkly.

"I hate it when you laugh like that, Alastor," Sirius rolled his eyes.

"Aye, so did You-Know-Who," Alastor said. "You two should head off for now, this next part's not for you."

"Agreed. I trust you'll both be okay?" Minerva asked. Ginny and Lily nodded.

"I'll be up in Gryffindor later to see you both," Sirius promised. As Lily and Ginny nodded, they turned and left the office, heading back to the tower.

"Okay, things are definitely getting dangerous," Lily said.

"We need to warn the others," Ginny told her. Lily nodded; she only hoped they'd be ready for whatever was coming.