Chapter 43
The Birth of Dumbledore's Army
Notes from the Authors: Getting closer to the final task, and there are going to be a lot of changes from canon. In fact, we're only using canon as a rough guide, a lot of similar things will happen, but so much will be different. We hope you like the story, and as always, your comments and reviews are appreciated.
"Wait, so Crouch's son did all this? I knew I didn't like him," Cedric growled softly. The group were sitting in the Room of Requirement, and after a good night's sleep, Lily and Ginny had agreed to tell everyone.
Fleur, Hermione, Krum, Alicia, Cedric, Cho, Fred, George, Ron, Lavender, and Parvati were all present, as were Remus and Sirius.
"Fudge sent Aurors to Crouch's home and questioned Winky," Sirius said. He looked at Hermione. "Kindly, though. He doesn't blame her at all, and she's recovering in St. Mungo's from what's happening. The poor elf's in shock."
"I can only imagine," Hermione replied. "What happened to Crouch?"
"Nothing, he was dead when they got there. Fudge thinks Junior found out and went to clean up the mess. He'd been dead for days. In the Ministry, to hold off on panic, the story is being spread that Crouch died of a heart attack, from the stress of the tournament. Ron, your brother is now the acting Head of International Magical Cooperation, he proved himself excellent in the role," Remus explained.
"Great, he'll be even more pompous than before," Ron rolled his eyes, smirking at the same time.
"Zis is all well and good, but what does eet mean for Lily?" Fleur asked, frowning.
"It means that she's in danger, so we need to be alert at all times. No going anywhere alone, Lily, and no going outside the castle without at least two people. The rest of you should stay in pairs," Sirius said.
"No problem," Fred and George said at the same time, smirking.
"What I want to know is how could Crouch do this without anyone knowing," Hermione said, frowning.
"That we learnt from Winky," Sirius said. "Turns out Bertha Jorkins found out when she went to visit him, with papers to sign for the tournament. Winky watched as Crouch wiped her memory, and she became… well, kinda absent minded. That's likely how Peter got to her in Albania."
"He got off lucky then," Ron said darkly. "He should be paying for what he did."
"In the end, he did. He paid the debt that all pay, at some point in their lives," Remus said softly. "He was driven by family, because his wife begged him and loved their son. Again, Winky confirmed all this. Whatever we thought of him, he loved his wife, and so a part of him was still good."
"Trust you, Remus, to find the good in anyone," Sirius replied, rolling his eyes.
"I saw the good in you, didn't I?" Remus teased. Lily smirked at them.
"Vat should ve do now? Ve do need to train harder," Krum said.
"Agreed," Sirius looked at them. "I look at you, and I see this strong bond of friendship, and it's something many should have."
"Maybe we should form a group? Mum and dad told us about Dumbledore's group, the Order of the Phoenix, who primarily fought against You-Know-Who before, right?" Fred asked.
"And they were strong, and helped win the war," George added. Sirius looked at them.
"We did, I helped take out a few Death Eaters in my time there," Sirius explained. "I doubt Dumbledore will want you to take part in this though."
"Doesn't matter, we're still doing it," Cedric said. "I won't be here next year, but it'll make sense for a group to exist. We can train others here, the way we've been training."
"I doubt we'll be able to help much though," Remus said. "If Voldemort is coming back, we'll need to work with the Order out there."
"Then Lily can teach us," Hermione said firmly. "She's one of the best witches in the school, if not the country."
"Wait, what?" Lily's eyes widened. "Me? I… but I…"
"That's an excellent idea," Cedric agreed. "We can start recruiting this term and start some training. Next term, we'll be able to help more students learn."
"You've proven how skilled you are, mate," Ron said, smirking at her.
"Wait, I'm not… I'm not that good," Lily countered.
"I vatched you fly against the dragon. You also created the stun wave," Krum said.
"How many dementors did your spell fight off last year?" Hermione asked innocently.
"And you've faced Voldemort twice now, and won," Ginny pointed out.
"I was more lucky than good," Lily tried to explain. "You all helped me."
"Not for all of it. Lily, you are stronger and better than you think, and this group, it'll be a boon for all of us. One day, our lives may depend on getting stronger, and everyone will want to help," Fred said.
"Except for the Slytherins, but we'll probably be fighting them," George added.
"So you have to teach us," they both finished. Lily sighed as she leant back on the couch.
"Lily, if anyone can help us, it's you," Lavender said, sitting next to her friend.
"And we'll all be there to help you," Parvati promised. Lily sighed and nodded.
"Alright, what do you want to call this group? Junior Phoenix's?" Lily asked.
"What about Potter's Army?" Lavender suggested.
"Oh, Merlin, no," Lily replied, shaking her head.
"Dumbledore's Army. We'll be training to back him up, right? And he's a great symbol for us," Hermione suggested.
"I like it," Remus agreed.
"So do I. We'll provide you with anything you need for training," Sirius promised. Lily looked at the group.
"Alright, I guess it's settled," Lily said. "From now on, we'll be the DA, Dumbledore's Army."
Over the next two months, new members were recruited for the DA, with Lily being the figurehead. Minerva, who learnt quickly of it, gave Lily some advice, agreeing that she would be an excellent teacher for the students. Moody also gave Lily some amazing textbooks for her to read, from the restricted section, with Lily learning new spells.
The greatest surprise for Lily was Snape giving Lily several extra potion texts for the DA. When he approached her, Lily felt certain that he was going to ban the group, but whilst he had sounded snooty, Snape had told her to ensure the students would only test their potions under his supervision.
It was after class one day at the start of May when Snape had told Lily to remain after class, but before he could speak, Karkaroff had burst in, and demanded to speak to Snape, telling him that 'it' was getting darker. Lily didn't know what 'it' was, but when Karkaroff saw her, he stormed off.
"Now, Potter, your lessons have proven that you are… not entirely adequate with potions, although, as much as I hate to admit it, your friend, Miss Granger is… excelling," Snape said, glaring at her. "I will be expecting to meet with you once a week for extra potion lessons. You are to teach no one the potions until I am satisfied that you can brew them safely, and you are not to deviate from my instructions, is that understood?" Snape demanded.
"Yes, sir," Lily confirmed, trying not to show her nerves.
"If anyone asks next term, you will tell them that you are taking remedial potion lessons. Certainly anyone who has seen you in class cannot deny you need them," Snape said. "I will be teaching you certain potions that will be used for defence, and skill. I also expect you to purchase a new potions cabinet, one where you can keep your ingredients. Your… need for such an item will become clear. I have, however, something for you to begin with," Snape said, handing a small bag to her. "What are these?" he asked.
Lily looked into the bag, and saw several small stones, frowning as she thought carefully. She wasn't sure, until it struck her. She had been told about them in her first ever lesson.
"Bezoar's, sir, a stone taken from the stomach of a goat, used to cure many poisons," Lily explained. Snape almost smiled as he looked at her.
"If you showed this level of skill in class, perhaps your grades would be better," Snape told her. "Yes, Bezoar's are an important staple of any potion kit. Sometimes, you will not have time to create a potion, and I doubt you can tell me what Golapott's third law is, or even understand it."
"No, sir," Lily confirmed. This time, Snape smirked coldly at her.
"I thought not. These lessons will be important to you. I will select a potions case for you to purchase for your lessons, and you will order it. I will also give you a list of ingredients to get for it. They will not be cheap, but that does not matter. The only thing of importance is ensuring you are prepared for what is coming," Snape said. Lily nodded.
"Thank you, Sir," Lily said, meeting his gaze. "This… I really appreciate it."
"I am certain that you do. I warn you, do not deviate from any of my instructions, Potter, or the consequences will be dire," Snape said. Lily nodded.
"May I… may I ask a question, sir?" Lily asked. Snape looked at her and slowly nodded.
"You may," he confirmed.
"I know I'm not your favourite student, sir, and it's because of something my father did, but I was wondering… what did he do to you? Uncle Sirius said that it was because of a prank, but I… well, I think there's more to it, and whatever it was, it wasn't fair to you," Lily said. Snape looked at her, and she was shocked to see a hint of sorrow in his eyes.
"What happened a long time ago Potter, was that your father thought it was funny to bully me, as did your uncle. Your mother… was very kind to me, however," Snape said after what seemed like forever.
"He… my father was a bully?" Lily felt tears welling up in her eyes; she had always looked up to the idea of her father, but to think he was a bully? Could that be the case? Malfoy constantly bullied him, did Snape feel the same way that Lily felt when Malfoy attacked her? She swallowed and looked at him. "I… I know it doesn't mean much, sir, but… I… I'm sorry that happened to you. I know what it's like to be bullied, sir, and it isn't nice," Lily said softly, a tear rolling down her cheek. She would speak to Sirius after this; she wanted, and needed, answers.
"Be like your mother, Potter, and not like your father," Snape said. "Now go." Lily left, with more questions than answers, hoping Sirius could answer them.
"Lily, what you have to remember, is we were kids, and we were stupid," Sirius said. He and Remus were staying at the castle, since they had realised Barty Crouch Jr. had been the one behind everything so far. "Plus, Snivellus was a git."
"Sirius!" Remus admonished. Sirius looked down as Remus looked at Lily. "I understand this is hard to hear. Your father wasn't a bully in general, but he took… Severus personally. He didn't like him, at all."
"Why, what did Professor Snape do to him?" Lily asked. Remus and Sirius looked at one another.
"We need to tell her," Remus said. Sirius looked at him.
"No, not yet," Sirius replied. Remus took his hand.
"Sirius, she deserves the truth," Remus told him. Sirius sighed, and nodded, before looking at Lily.
"When your mother was a child, she grew up with her sister, and family, near Spinner's End. However, so did Snape, and they knew each other before Hogwarts. Snape was the one who told your mother she was a witch," Siris explained.
"Your father met your mother on the train to Hogwarts, and he liked her. She was sitting with Severus, however, and he saw him as a rival. If Severus had not been in Slytherin, it is likely that your mother would have fallen in love with him instead. He, however, fell in love with her," Remus explained.
Lily felt dizzy as she fell back into a chair. Snape had loved her mother? She started to think of everything that had happened. Would she have been born if Snape had married her mother? Or would Snape have been her father? Was that why he was bitter, because he felt Lily should be his daughter?
"I know this is a lot to take in, Lily," Remus said kindly, his voice barely able to get through to her. "It wasn't exactly fun to watch your father keep his rivalry with Severus. One day, however, when your mother attempted to help Snape, he called her a Mudblood. That was enough to make your mother angry enough to cut ties, and he went on with his so-called friends, joining Voldemort. But I believe he was hurt when your mother died."
"That… what was why he wanted to keep me safe in my first year, not because of what happened with my dad, but because of mum. Is that why he isn't being so mean now? Because I look like mum?" Lily asked.
"It is possible, yes, and to be honest, very likely," Remus confirmed. "Please, don't think badly of your father. I know he regretted how he treated Severus when he left Hogwarts and was more mature. I think a part of him wanted to apologise, but when Severus joined Voldemort, the chance to do so disappeared."
"Your father was a damned good man, Lily, and he loved you very much. He was a brave man, and a good one," Sirius added.
"I… I know, I just… I feel a little confused," Lily confessed.
"I know," Sirius pulled Lily into a warm hug, holding her. "But never forget the good, and never forget you were his world. He would have raised you the same way I did. You're just like him; brave, honourable, and decent. Everyone can see that, even Snape, despite the way he feels about your father. Always be a good person with a good heart," Sirius told her. Lily kissed his cheek and flung her arms around him.
"I promise, Uncle Sirius," Lily said, smiling. She started to think about Snape, and maybe now she knew the truth, he wouldn't be so bad. She saw him in a new light, and she'd tell the others as well. She hoped it would be enough for Snape to maybe treat her a little better, but whatever happened, she knew she'd never let anyone be bullied if she could stop it.
