Chapter 47
Morning of the Third Task
As the morning of the third and final task arrived, Lily felt anxious and excited. The champions had, the month before, been shown what the third task would be; a giant maze that they needed to get through. They would have to face all kinds of obstacles, creatures, and enchantments, to reach the middle, where they would get the Tri-Wizard cup. The first Champion to touch it would receive 50 points and be declared the winner.
Lily, Krum, and Fleur were joint first, with Cedric a few points behind, so he would enter the maze last. Lily had been training with Ginny, as well as Moody, to learn new spells. The DA had met once to agree that they would begin their training in the new term, with everyone agreeing that they wanted to be members of the group. Lily had also started by teaching them the Protego charm, and some of the members were okay with the shield, whilst others needed help.
She had told them to practise, and that would be their first lesson in the new term, to ensure they were able to cast the charm properly. She had been nervous, of course, but the lesson had gone well.
As she was enjoying breakfast with Ron, Ginny, and Hermione, Minerva approached them. "Miss Potter, the Champions are meeting in the room behind the Great Hall after breakfast, to meet with their families who have come to support them. Molly and Bill Weasley have come to support you, as well as Sirius and Remus," Minerva explained. Lily grinned and nodded. "Miss Granger, Miss Delacour has requested your presence as well, and since you have finished your exams already, this request was approved by the headmaster," Minerva asked.
"Yes, Professor," Hermione said. As Minerva left, Lily could see Hermione starting to panic a little.
"Hermione?" Ron asked, also noticing the distress in Hermione's eyes.
"Oh god, I'm meeting her parents, she wants me to meet her parents," Hermione whispered, breathing rapidly.
"Hey, it's going to be fine. Remember, you're a young woman who Fleur is in love with, and you're not exactly a kid, despite what your body says," Ron pointed out. Hermione smiled at Ron.
"Thanks Ron," Hermione said softly. "I just… I know I'm older, technically, even though my body hasn't really grown, but… what if they don't like me?"
"They're going to love you," Lily said, smiling at her. "Hermione, you're an amazing woman, anyone would love you."
"You think so?" Hermione asked. "I mean, we're basically sisters, you have to say that."
"Oh please, Ginny's my sister and she's a pain in the butt," Ron teased, receiving a slap to the back of the head for it.
"So, slap to the head's aside, Lily doesn't have to say anything of the sort, but she's not wrong," Ginny said, giggling softly. "Tell mum and Bill we'd love to meet them for lunch."
"I will," Lily promised, as owls started to arrive with the post, and the Daily Prophet. Lily didn't pay any attention to this, until she heard a loud shriek from the direction of the Slytherin table. Looking up, Lily saw Malfoy with a look of horror on his face, staring at the Daily Prophet.
Reaching for a copy which Hedwig had brought, Lily saw a note with it. She opened it, and smirked.
'Lily, darling, thanks for the scoops! Hope you love the stories, Rita xx'
Opening the paper, Lily read the story to the others, who began to laugh loudly.
"Rita is on top of her game, as always," Ron complimented, with a grin.
"This is gonna ruffle a few feathers, that's for sure," Lavender commented. Lily nodded.
"I hope so," she said, chuckling as the great hall was filled with gasps and people talking loudly to one another.
"Good luck with your exams," Lily said, smiling at her friends. They each hugged Lily before heading off to the classrooms, leaving Hermione and Lily alone at the table.
"Trust me, you got this," Lily said, finishing up her breakfast. She and Hermione stood up, and went to the back room, where Bill, Molly, Remus, and Sirius were waiting for Lily, Molly hugging her tightly.
"Lily, you've been doing so amazingly well," Molly complimented her.
"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley," Lily replied, beaming as she saw pride in Molly's face. She saw Fleur and Hermione kiss, with Fleur introducing Hermione to them.
"Mama, Papa, zis is Hermione, my girlfriend zat I told you about," Fleur said. Lily smiled warmly as the Delacour's greeted Hermione warmly, like a member of the family, whilst Cedric and Krum were with their families.
"You feeling nervous about the task, Lily? Charlie said your flying in the first task was beyond impressive. When you leave school, I'd be shocked if you weren't asked to try out for England," Bill said, shaking Lily's hand.
"You think so?" Lily asked. Bill chuckled.
"I know so. Trust me, you'll do amazing as a quidditch player," Bill said.
"Charlie told us all about the first task when he came back home, and whilst I'm still worried, it sounds like you've been getting stronger and stronger," Molly said.
"Oh, she has. You should have seen her stun wave," Sirius said proudly, pulling Lily into a hug.
"How's Percy liking his new job?" Lily quickly changed the subject.
"Oh, he's loving it. I've never seen him so excited," Molly gushed, beaming. "He loves it. He knows he's the acting head for the moment, but so far, Cornelius Fudge is hinting that it won't be long before the acting is dropped."
"I hope so, he deserves it," Sirius commented, before turning to Lily. "You ready for tonight?"
"Definitely," Lily replied. "I've got everything ready; I'm prepared for anything; my shield charm is strong, and I've been making sure I'm not getting surprised."
Good. I have every faith in you," Sirius said, smiling as Fleur came over with her parents and her sister, introducing them to Lily, whilst Lily introduced Fleur and her family to Molly, Bill, Sirius, and Remus.
"We have heard many good things about you, Mees Potter, and we are so happy to meet you," Fleur's mother said, smiling as she hugged Lily.
"Hermione says how good a friend you are, and you are ze reason she found ze courage to ask Fleur on a date. Never have I seen my daughter so happy," Monsieur Delacour stated, smiling as he placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder. "If Fleur is happy, zen I am also happy."
"Hermione is one of my best friends, and I'm happy to see Fleur and Hermione together. They're always so happy when they're with one another," Lily explained. At that point, Cedric and Viktor brought their families over, everyone introducing themselves to one another.
"Lily, my boy tells me how much you've helped him this year. I'll never forget that, and I'm thankful to you," Amos Diggory said. Lily blushed.
"Cedric's helped me out a lot as well, I'd probably not be here if not for him, Fleur, and Viktor," Lily said.
The meet-and-greet went on for a short while, until the champions took the families on a tour of the grounds.
"Oh, I remember when Arthur and I were here, we always snuck out to spend time with each other," Molly said, with a fond smile as she looked at the lake.
"Not an image we need, mum," Bill teased. Everyone laughed as Lily looked at Bill.
"When do you head back to Egypt, or are you staying here for a while?" Lily asked.
"I just transferred back for a couple of years. Don't get me wrong, I love Egypt, but I do miss my family sometimes," Bill said, as Fleur caught Lily's eye nearby, where she was standing with another Beauxbatons student.
"Excuse me a minute, please?" Lily asked, before heading over to Fleur.
"Lily, zis ees my cousin, Sophie, she would like to ask for an introduction to Bill," Fleur asked kindly. Lily smiled at Sophie and nodded.
"I'd love to introduce you both," Lily replied, looking at her. She led the two over to her family group, and smiled as she made the introduction, with Sophie and Bill immediately starting to talk to one another while Fleur headed back to her family, and Hermione.
"Playing matchmaker again, Lily?" Sirius teased, smirking.
"Hey, I just got asked to make the introduction," Lily replied, with a small giggle, just as Ron, Fred, George, Hermione, and Ginny came over.
"Hey Mum, Bill," Ron greeted.
"Where's dad?" Ginny asked.
"Working, dear, but he sends his love," Molly replied. "I think we've lost your brother for a little bit."
"Well, can we go and see Hagrid? I want to see how he's doing, after today's newspaper article," Lily said.
"What article?" Remus asked, frowning softly.
"Oh, just the one telling everyone how You-Know-Who was actually a half-blood named Tom Riddle," Fred replied, with a smirk.
"Had quite an effect at breakfast," George added, as Molly, Sirius, and Remus began to look at them, shocked.
"Wait, what?" Remus asked. Fred, who had a copy of the paper, handed it over to Molly, who began reading it aloud. As she finished, Sirius roared with laughter.
"Oh Lily, only you would be able to keep shocking the wizarding world by pulling a prank on Voldemort," Sirius complimented proudly.
"Indeed. I imagine Hagrid is a little stunned as well," Remus said, as the group, minus Bill, and Sophie, began to head for Hagrid's hut.
"I never liked Tom after what he did, but I never thought he'd turn out like that," Hagrid said gruffly as he finished pouring tea for everyone.
"I'm sorry I didn't check with you first Hagrid," Lily said softly. Hagrid beamed at her.
"I knew of th' story, your friend Rita came and talked to me. She wanted to know what happened, and I wasn't sure about telling her at first, but she pointed out that everyone should know I weren't t' blame," Hagrid replied, a small smile on his face. "Still, t' read it…"
"I can't imagine it was an easy read, Hagrid," Remus said. "Have you spoken to Professor Dumbledore about starting to take some lessons? You deserve to have a wand, Hagrid."
"He came down last night, he said t' me that Rita wrote to him 'bout the story and asked if I wanted t' learn magic properly. I wasn't sure, but he insisted and told me that he'd teach me this summer t' start with. We're gonna get me a wand when term ends. Great man, Dumbledore, Great man," Hagrid explained. Lily wrapped her arms around Hagrid.
"Hagrid, that's amazing!" Lily said happily. "If I can help at all, I'd be happy to."
"Way I hear it, you'll be teaching some kids summat next term anyway," Hagrid smirked. "Dumbledore told me; said he was proud of you."
"He said that?" Lily asked, feeling tears welling up in her eyes. "Damned hormones are setting me off again."
"We're all proud of you Lily," Sirius pointed out. "Everything you've done, the way you bring people together… it's an amazing gift."
"One that should always be welcome by everyone," Remus added. "If there were more people like you Lily, the world would be a better place."
Lily blushed deeply, looking down at the ground and gently kicking the back of her left foot with her right foot.
"Thank you," she said meekly, scratching the back of her head.
"Oh, you're so cute when you're embarrassed," Ginny said, pulling Lily into a hug. Lily smiled as Ginny kissed her.
"Oh god, not in public," Ron teased, smirking at them. Ginny reached over and slapped the back of his head as everyone laughed.
"Just remember Hagrid, no one deserves to be brought down by a lie. You were wronged, and the ministry let it happen all those years ago. They didn't investigate properly, otherwise they'd have known it was a spider you were looking after, and no spider can do what a Basilisk can," Lily said firmly. "By learning magic again and doing this, you're showing that Voldemort can't always win, and that we can beat him with truth. That's how he won before, with fear, lies, and bullying. My parents helped stop him by not giving in to him. He said he'd spare my mother if she handed me to him, but she refused. You're stronger, and far better, than he is, and now, everyone will know it."
Everyone in the hut looked at her with a mixture of pride and wonder. Lily's words seemed to resonate all around the room, and she felt a little embarrassed again, especially when Ginny kissed her.
"My girlfriend, brave, smart, and brilliant, just three of many reasons why I love you so much," Ginny said, smiling at her. Lily hoped she could be brave, especially with the final task that evening. Still, the whole thing was almost over, and whatever happened, she knew she would do her best, not to win, but to show everyone she wasn't afraid.
