Chapter 65

Christmas at St. Mungo's

Note from J.M. Jackson:

Once again, life really doesn't like me so far this year. Just over a week ago, I suffered a grievous loss. My pet car, Patch, passed away. She and I had been together for ten years, since she was a kitten. I have gone through so much in the last ten years, including a divorce, being homeless, moving to a new city and starting life afresh, getting engaged, and planning a wedding, even coping with the Covid Pandemic.

Through all of that, Patch was with me, and she was my sweet baby girl. There is much I want to say about her, but I'll never be able to cover everything to explain how amazing a pet, friend, and furbaby she was. She was... everything, to me and my partner, and I will never forget her, and I will never stop loving her. I am posting two chapters here, including one I recently added to the plot, because it was important. I hope you all enjoy these stories, and please, whether it's a pet, a friend, a family member, or work/school colleague, if you love and care for someone, make sure they know, because time is precious and finite.

Christmas day had arrived before too long, and with it came the usual exchange of presents. It was, however, a sombre event, instead of the usually cheery event that took place, because of Arthur still being in St. Mungo's. The plan was to go to visit him with his presents, something everyone was looking forward to, or rather, almost everyone.

Lily was still feeling lost and confused and wanted to spend the day doing something that might help her, but she didn't want to say it. It wasn't that she didn't care about Arthur, of course she did; he was like a second, or third, dad to her. She just still felt confused about her own choices.

Still, as everyone reached the hospital, it was good to see that even the hospital was getting into the Christmas cheer.

As they reached Arthur's room (He had been moved to a private room, given the large number of people visiting him that day), they saw that Arthur was already sitting up, having just finished a Christmas meal, and seemed to be very cheerful.

"It's been interesting, the kinds of people I've met here. One poor soul was bitten by a werewolf and was rather bitter about it. I told him that I knew a werewolf who led a perfectly decent life, and he threatened to give me another bite," Arthur lamented. "But I suppose when your life has just been changed in such a way, it will be difficult."

"I'll go and visit the poor chap," Remus said, with a small smile. "It'll hopefully help him to maybe start to recover."

"I understand a few people are looking to follow your example, Remus, by spending their nights transformed near a Dementor, so they can keep their mind," Arthur said. Remus nodded.

"Apparently, it's being called the Lupin method," Remus said. "The makers of the Wolfsbane potion felt a little put out, but of course, some people don't want anything to do with Dementors. Can't say I blame them; I'd have chosen the potion myself."

Lily understood why; even though it had been more than two years since his escape from Azkaban, Remus still had moments of difficulty, including calling for James. Sirius and Lily were patient, and prepared, and helped him as best they could.

As Arthur opened his presents, loving all of them (including a new Game Boy, which Sirius had warned had been protected so he couldn't tamper with it), Lily felt a little self-conscious being there. Arthur insisted that she be near the front. Not only was she family, but she had also helped to save Arthur's life.

"It was a great day for our family when you and Ron met on the train, Lily, that's for sure," Arthur commented, with a grin.

"No kidding," Ginny smirked, holding Lily's hand.

"Arthur, have they changed your bandages early?" Molly asked. Arthur nodded.

"Well, Healer Smythewick and I decided to try a different form of healing my wound, a muggle treatment, called stitches. I don't suppose you've ever heard of them?" Arthur asked. Lily stood up quickly.

"We'll give you, um, a little room," Lily said, as Molly chuckled.

"Oh Arthur, you and your fondness for muggles. It sounds like you thought of sewing your head back together, but even you wouldn't be that daft," Molly said.

"We'll come too," Ron and Hermione replied, as they, as well as Ginny, Fred, George, and Fleur left the room quickly. Molly looked at them, a frown crossing her face, and as the group closed the door, they heard a loud scream.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, THAT'S THE GENERAL IDEA?"

"Okay, so let's give the adults some room," Fred said, as Remus and Sirius joined them in the hallway.

"Good idea; they need to talk," Sirius said, chuckling. "We'll go and visit the man that Arthur mentioned."

"We'll… find the cafeteria or something," Lily said. As they went their separate ways, Lily breathed a sigh of relief.

"What was your dad thinking?" Lily asked Ginny.

"I gave up asking that question a long time ago," Ginny replied, as they walked down the corridor.

"Do Muggles really try to sew themselves together again?" Fleur asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, and for the most part, it does actually work," Lily replied. "I know it sounds strange, but when I was seven, I fell down a few steps at School and needed three stitches. I don't even have a scar, although for all I know, Uncle Sirius secretly used magic to heal me. Still, it wasn't fun."

"Muggles find some weird ways to deal with things," Ron commented.

"No kidding," Hermione and Lily agreed, chuckling.

"Since learning about magic, a lot of what I knew before seems different. To be honest, it's… well, I haven't really spent much time with my muggle friends," Lily said softly. "I think maybe I should, but the problem is, I've changed so much, would they even recognise me? How could I explain everything to them?"

"I know what you mean," Hermione commented. "I'm glad I'm a witch, and with Fleur, but the friends I had… none of them would understand me."

"Then they do not deserve you," Fleur commented, with a small smile before kissing Hermione. "I love you, Hermione, and I will always be here for you."

"That means everything to me, Fleur, thank you," Hermione said, smiling. "You know, I did the math of how old I really am, at least, how old I should be. My body remains the same, but with the amount of time I used the time turner, I'm seventeen now, or I was on my last birthday."

"Seventeen, but your body is still fifteen," Lily asked. "That has to be confusing."

"A little," Hermione agreed. "I didn't dare talk to my parents about it; they're still feeling a little confused about any of the homework I talk about."

"And zey were confused when zey met me," Fleur added. "Still, I know who you are, and zat is the woman who is brave. When your body catches up, zen we will have much planning to do."

"Planning for what? Holidays?" Ginny asked, as they all turned a corner, finding a large waiting area, full of couches and drinks stations.

"Yeah, kinda," Hermione replied. Lily looked at her, with a small smile.

"When are you planning on telling us?" Lily asked. Hermione blushed.

"You know me entirely too well, Lily Jasmine Potter," Hermione insisted.

"We all do," Ron added, smirking.

"Wait, you as well?" Hermione asked, her eyes widening. Ron scoffed as he rolled his eyes.

"Look, I may be a boy, but I do understand this kinda stuff… well, more now thanks to Lavender," Ron said.

"Care to fill us in?" Fred asked.

"Or do we need to guess that they're engaged?" George asked, laughing. The look on Hermione's face caused everyone to burst into laughter.

"Oh sweetie, you really thought you could hide it from us?" Lily asked, embracing Hermione in a hug.

"It's… more of a promise than an engagement, because of my… situation," Hermione said. "But… I told Fleur that I never wanted to be without her."

"Hey, if you two are happy, then we are," Ginny replied. "Besides, you haven't heard about Bill, have you?"

"What about Bill?" Ron insisted. Ginny laughed.

"You know Hermione, but not your own brother?" Ginny asked. "He and Sophie are engaged to be married."

"Seriously?" Ron asked, grinning.

"Everyone has wedding fever, I guess," Fred noted.

"Just gotta wait for you lot to get engaged," George added. Lily, Ginny, and Ron all blushed at the same time, prompting another round of laughter, although that laughter died as they saw Neville come through the waiting room with an older woman that had to be his grandmother.

"Neville?" Ron asked. Lily and Ginny looked at one another; they had never shared what they knew of Neville's parents.

"H… hey, I… I didn't know you'd be here," Neville was clearly nervous.

"Are these friends of yours?" Augusta Longbottom asked. Lily stood up and took the initiative.

"My name's Lily Potter, ma'am," Lily introduced herself, extending her hand. Augusta smiled as she shook her hand.

"Ah, yes, Neville's told me all about you, and how much you've helped him," Augusta exclaimed.

"He's been an amazing friend, and we're lucky to have him as a friend," Lily said, smiling.

"For the record, Miss Potter, the Ministry can go to hell. We've been preparing for You-Know-Who, and I and my friends are ready to fight alongside you when the time comes," Augusta said proudly.

"Who are you visiting, Neville?" Ron asked kindly.

"Did you not tell them, Neville?" Augusta asked, looking at her grandson, who was clearly uncomfortable.

"Some of us know, ma'am, but Neville had to be ready. It's a hard subject to broach, and I can understand that. When I came out as transgender, it was difficult for me to handle," Lily said quickly, prompting a look of gratitude from Neville.

"Of course, I can understand that," Augusta looked happy at what Lily said. She bent closer to Lily. "Not remotely the reason why you knew, but that shows how much you care for my grandson," Augusta whispered proudly, so only Lily could hear. Lily rewarded her with a smile.

"I'll give your friends and you a few moments, dear," Augusta said, going to get a drink. Lily hugged Neville.

"I'm so sorry, Neville. Ginny and I found out last year, but we knew it was your story to tell," Lily said softly, as the group gathered around their friend. Neville nodded.

"I… I know I'm proud of them… but it's just… it still hurts," Neville said.

"Do you want me to tell them?" Lily asked softly. Neville nodded, so she faced the group.

"Just after Voldemort fell, Bellatrix Lestrange, Crouch Jr, and others, tried to find the bastard, and tortured Neville's parents with the Cruciatus curse, until they were driven insane," Lily said. The group each hugged Neville, holding their friend and feeling the sorrow that Neville felt.

"We're so sorry, mate," Ron said. "I feel like an arse, all the times I made fun of my parents…"

"Yeah… I mean, Lily had Sirius, but we knew about that… but the times you had to be hurting because of the jokes…" Fred commented.

"We're sorry, Neville," George added, both looking abashed.

"It's okay guys, really," Neville said softly. "I just… I never knew how to approach the subject, but… well, lately I've been feeling a lot stronger, thanks to the DA."

"We're glad you're there with us," Ginny said. There was a brief pause as Neville's mother emerged from a room, finding Neville and giving her an empty sweet wrapper. Lily saw Neville pocket it, looking at his mother with a sad smile.

"Neville, anytime you want to talk, we're all here for you," Lily said, smiling at her friend.

"Thanks Lily," Neville said softly, as the group just stood there with their friend, just being there for him.


"Poor Neville, I don't know how he finds the strength," Ginny said softly.

"He's always been stronger than he thinks, more than what anyone thinks," Lily replied, as they walked down the corridor, finding themselves a little lost.

"I guess so. I just wish I'd known. I'd have… I dunno, been a little different, maybe," Ron commented.

"Which is why he didn't tell us, I think," Ginny said. "No one wants to others to see their weakest point."

"That's true," Lily agreed, knowing exactly what Ginny meant. "When you show how weak you are, others will pity you and view you differently. Neville didn't want that."

"I guess so," Hermione agreed, as they turned a corridor, seeing a sign for spell damage. "Okay, we're definitely in the wrong place."

"Gilderoy, get back here, you naughty boy!" a woman's voice called out. Lily turned around, as did the group, and froze as they came face to face with Gilderoy Lockhart!


Lily quickly drew her wand, casting a shield charm between the group and Lockhart, which the man walked right into. "You could have just asked me to stop," Lockhart commented, looking at the group and rubbing his face, still smiling.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Ron asked, looking shocked as he held his wand out as well.

"Oh, have you all met Gilderoy?" a nurse asked, approaching them as Lily lowered her shield. "Poor man never gets any visitors."

"Can't imagine why," Hermione muttered, rolling her eyes.

"Oh, he's just the sweetest man," the nurse said, helping lead Lockhart back towards the ward. "He does get some letters though, so many sweet people writing to him."

"Sweet? Try deluded," Lily scoffed, once Lockhart was in his room. "You are aware of what he did, right? I had to have my arm bones regrown because of that moron!"

"And how many people he's memory wiped, just to make himself look better!" Ron exclaimed.

The nurse looked at them. "Well, I can see you're prejudiced against him," the nurse said.

"Prejudiced? The moron took the bones from my bloody arm!" Lily exclaimed. "I had to regrow them with Skele-gro. He's a menace, a fraud, and a liar!"

"He's just misunderstood," the nurse replied. Lily scoffed and turned away.

"And you're deluded. Maybe you need to be a patient here, instead of a nurse," Lily snapped, before walking away. The rest of the group followed her, leaving the nurse looking bewildered.

"Bloody idiot. Did Lockhart use his mind wipe on her or something?" Lily asked angrily.

"Some people are just idiots," Ron replied.

"I can't believe I ever liked that moron," Hermione said. She looked at Fleur. "I thought he was charming when I first met him, to the point that I thought he could do no wrong."

"Bah, people like that charm others but care only for zemselves," Fleur scoffed. "I am glad you saw the light."

"A light with the name Fleur Delacour," Hermione replied.

"Urgh, save it for later," Ron complained, earning himself a slap to the back of the head from Hermione, prompting everyone else to laugh. Despite her annoyance at seeing Lockhart, Lily was also glad that Neville knew how much he meant to all of them. She hoped that somehow, Neville could finally find some kind of peace.