Chapter 44

Hogsmeade and Stories

Note from the Authors: So, we're getting closer to the final task, and so far, we hope you've enjoyed the story so far. We've still got a long journey to go, but we want to thank you all for reading this and being here with us. Your feedback is always welcome.

Days after finding out about everything, Lily, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were preparing for their Hogsmeade trip, smiling as they checked everything as they were sitting in the common room, waiting for Lavender and Parvati. "I've got my own list of what I need," Lily said. "Snape gave me the whole list, and honestly, some of it sounds… confusing, but I want to do this."

"Even though he's been evil to you before?" Hermione asked. Lily nodded.

"I know, it's… okay, so I don't fully get him, but I know he does want to help," Lily said, as Lavender and Parvati came down the stairs.

"Sorry, I know we took forever," Lavender said. "Just been getting ready. I swear, planning a trip out takes forever."

"Wait until we're not at Hogwarts anymore," Lily teased, giggling.

"Oh, I know. Still, we have a few years until that point," Lavender agreed. "Where we go first?" she asked, as the group began to head out towards the exit.

"Oh, we need to go to the potions store, if you don't mind," Lily asked.

"Ah, you're going with Snape's request. I mean, sure, although I hope this isn't going to bite us all in the butt," Parvati said.

"We all do," Hermione agreed, pausing on the staircase as the steps they were on began to move. "However, it does make sense to always have an idea on antidotes and potions, for instances when we can't use our wands."

"I agree, and it wouldn't hurt to be better at potions," Lily said, holding onto the banister until it settled again. The group started off again, sighing as they had to change their path.

"When did this part of living at Hogwarts become more annoying than interesting?" Ron asked.

"Not sure, but it is," Hermione agreed as they reached another staircase. "Still, it does make walking around the castle interesting."

"Yeah, but I don't want an adventure on my way to class," Ginny commented, as they headed to the main hall. "Fleur coming?"

"She's meeting us there," Hermione confirmed.

"I'm glad things are going well for you two," Lily said, smiling at her.

"I can honestly say that I never expected life to lead me where it has. Fleur is always seen as this gorgeous woman, and she is, but she's smarter than almost anyone else I've ever met," Hermione explained. "She has so much depth that very few people see, and that's something she's afraid people don't understand."

"A lot of people only care about beauty, I get that," Lily said, as they reached the entrance hall. "I don't get why people do, but we know that people tend to judge without knowing someone."

"You're a prime example, mate," Ron said, nodding as they walked out of the front entrance. "Let's face it, people judge you all the time, the Girl who lived, an icon for the LGBT Wizarding Community, a Tri-Wizard Champion, and despite all that, no one knows you for your grades or your skills in duelling, or even your love life."

"He's got a point," Ginny agreed. "Look at me, people are always going to see me as Lily Potter's girlfriend, never mind the fact that I could end up really powerful."

"She's right to be going out with you then, since you never judge anyone Hermione," Lavender told her, smiling as they walked past Mr. Filch, nodding in greeting to him.

"Going back, why did Snape offer his help? I mean, is Dumbledore's Army known by everyone?" Parvati asked.

"No, but I suspect Dumbledore or Aunt Minnie spoke to him about it," Lily replied, seeing Fred and George ahead of them. "I'm worried about those two."

"Why?" Ron asked.

"Well, let's face it, they've been trying to speak to Bagman several times, and they've been talking about trying to corner someone," Lily said. "You don't think they're doing something to try and stop Bagman being a git, do you?"

"I don't know, I mean, I know Percy elbowed him, but to corner him or something… it doesn't sound like them," Ron said. "We can ask them."

"I doubt they'll tell us anything, but we'll try," Lily agreed. "Later though, right now I want to focus on having fun today."

"Good idea, although shopping for potions won't be fun," Ginny pointed out, smirking.

"I've been doing some thinking though, and we're seeing Rita at the Three Broomsticks," Lily told the group. "I don't want to say anything yet, but I've got something in mind that'll make everyone open their eyes."

"About what?" Ron asked, looking at Lily.

"You'll see when we get there," Hermione smirked, speaking up as they kept going towards Hogsmeade.


The trip to Hogsmeade started out nicely, going to the potions store, ordering a selection of rare ingredients, handing over the list from Snape, before getting their sweet supplies, their school supplies as well as joke gifts from Zonko's.

By the time they met Rita at the Three Broomsticks, the place was crowded, but Rita met them and led them to a room upstairs, where a buffet was set out, with drinks.

"Thanks for meeting us, Rita," Lily said, smiling at her friend as they hugged.

"Anytime Lily, you know that," Rita said, smiling back at her. "I hope this is okay for lunch."

"It's wonderful," Ron said, his mouth already full with sweets. Lily rolled her eyes as Lavender slapped the back of his head.

"So uncouth, Ronald," Hermione scorned. Ron just smirked as Lily took a glass of pineapple juice.

"I know you wanted to meet me, you said you had a story for me?" Rita asked. Lily nodded.

"There's a lot we've found out that you should know, and others should know," Lily explained. "First, you asked about Lockhart, and we can tell you everything about that fraud."

"Yes, there are rumours of him not being genuine in regards to his books, but of course, he's been using publicists to fight the image, and no one has a good story about him," Rita confirmed.

"Oh, he's a fraud alright. When he taught us, his first lesson, he released Cornish Pixies into the classroom, and it was because of Hermione that they didn't do any damage. He ran into his office, the coward," Ron replied. "When Ginny…"

"When I was taken into the Chamber of Secrets," Ginny said, seeing how uncomfortable Ron was, "He had claimed to be able to find the Chamber, but instead, he ran to his office, and fled."

"When I did some research, I found out that he wasn't even in some of the places he claimed to be," Hermione sounded bitter, and Lily didn't blame her. "I doubt he ever did anything he claimed to do."

"I got all of Hermione's research for you," Lily said, handing over a bundle of parchment papers.

"You're well prepared, this will definitely help a lot," Rita said. "I'll start my research on this right away."

"We'll be happy to answer any question we can," Hermione said. "Everyone was fawning over him, and sadly, I was one of them. He just… he even removed Lily's arm bones when she broke her arm during a Quidditch match."

"He did what?" Rita spat out part of her juice, coughing as she looked at Lily.

"He said he was going to fix it, and despite me trying to tell him no, he still cast the spell," Lily said. "That Skele-gro hurt, a lot."

"Damn, I'm so sorry Lily," Rita said softly, looking at her.

"It's fine. I have my bones back now, thankfully," Lily replied. "Still, that wasn't the worst part of the year. Lucius Malfoy tried to kill me after I told him his plan to destroy Dumbledore, and anyone who wasn't a pure blood, wouldn't succeed."

"Okay, hold on a second, he tried to kill you?" Rita asked, her quick notes quill making a lot of notes.

"He did, but of course, there's no evidence," Lily replied bitterly.

"I'll have a look into him, maybe I can find something against him," Rita said, frowning as her quill kept writing. "Still, please be careful. I've received a few… harsh letters from people who think what we're trying to do is disgusting, as well as accusing me of being biased and lying about anyone I claimed bullied you."

"Why didn't you tell us?" Lily was horrified as she looked at Rita, who smiled and cupped her cheek.

"I've faced a lot of worse reviews, sweetheart, and I don't worry about people like that," Rita told her. "Right now, I'll make sure bullies lose their voice in public."

"Oh, I've got more of a story for you," Lily said, taking a cupcake.

"More? Lily, it's not my birthday yet," Rita joked, laughing softly.

"Well, this might be a story you'll love," Lily said. "Voldemort (everyone except Ginny winced) was a half-blood called Tom Marvolo Riddle!"


"Wait, what?" Rita froze as she looked at Lily, with everyone in the room except for Ginny frozen.

"If you move around the letters in his name, it spells out I am Lord Voldemort," Lily pointed out. "In the chamber of secrets, we found out that Lucius Malfoy had slipped his old school diary into Ginny's cauldron, which had an essence of Riddle, who took over Ginny at certain points, before trying to kill her and take over her body."

"Lily stopped him, as did Ron, Professor Snape, and Professor Flitwick," Hermione explained.

"Lily, while I'm thankful for the amazing story, why now?" Rita asked. Lily looked at her.

"That really is the important question, isn't it?" Lily asked. "We've been worried because we know Voldemort is getting stronger, with Peter Pettigrew helping him."

"And this will throw doubt into some of his supporters, which might provide a small advantage," Rita realised, nodding.

"Exactly, since everyone thinks he's a pure-blood," Lily agreed, leaning back in her chair. "The way I see it, people deserve to know the truth."

"I'm a reporter Lily, I'm a huge fan of the truth," Rita smiled at her, whilst biting her lower lip. "I just… well, I never imagined a story like this."

"I know, and a part of me wasn't sure whether I should tell you. I was… concerned, because some of his followers might target you," Lily said.

"Well, it's something I'll look into, and it'll take a little time to research properly," Rita told her. "Just… be careful yourself, okay? I know this could make you unpopular."

"I don't care. There is another part of the story that needs to be told. Hagrid, years ago, was accused of opening the chamber, and I want the truth known so he can be given back his wand," Lily replied. Rita nodded.

"A noble goal," Rita complimented. "I'll speak to him and see if he'll consent to being a part of that story, but I promise you, I'll get the story out."

"Thank you, Rita," Lily told her. Rita patted her cheek.

"You've got an amazing heart, Lily, and I'll make sure everyone knows about this," Rita promised, before they all started on their lunch.


"Are you sure that was a good idea, Lily?" Hermione asked, as they reached Hogwarts.

"As good an idea as anything else. It'll make a few people question Voldemort, for a start, and if that leads to him having less followers, then it'll help everyone," Lily replied.

"Granted, but like Rita said, this is gonna make you unpopular mate," Ron pointed out. "Definitely among the Slytherin's."

"Yeah, because they really like me already, don't they?" Lily raised an eyebrow at him.

"Okay, point taken, but still," Ron replied. "Just… you don't do things the easy way, do you?"

"No, but then, since when has anything been easy for us?" Lily asked. Parvati looked at her.

"Lily, please, just be careful. I mean, we'll always be here to help you, but we don't want you being hurt," she said. Lily smiled softly.

"I know, and that means everything to me, it really does," Lily said, hugging her. "I want you all to be safe as well, and if this makes Voldemort weaker, then it's a good thing."

"Hey, I just want to see the look on the Slytherin's faces when the story comes out," Lavender said, giggling. The whole group laughed at that thought, and Lily knew that whilst what she had done might be risky, it was worth it, to get the truth out there.