Chapter 113

The Quest Begins

Note from J.M. Jackson: And so the quest is starting, and we're in the endgame of year six. From this moment on, do not expect anything to follow canon, because as of right now, almost nothing will be the same. You'll notice some major changes in this chapter from canon, and coming up, well, there's going to be a lot of changes. From this point on, anything can happen, so be ready for anything and everything. Darkness is coming, danger, and everything a good story should have. Please do tell us what you think.

The jubilation of winning the cup lasted for a while as the days went by to June, with Lily, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione spending as much time as they could with Fleur's sister Gabrielle, though Nicollette was barely seen, as she was studying hard. Ginny was studying hard for her O.W.L's, though she was doing exceptionally well with Defence Against the Dark Arts.

Since getting the memory from Slughorn, the man had been rather muted at first, but had finally returned to his jolly, usual self. Lily had managed to speak to him one day after class, wanting to clear the air fully.

"Sir, I… I know this is awkward, but I wanted to speak to you about something," Lily said.

"Lily… that night…" Slughorn began, but Lily held up a hand.

"Can this remain between us? What I'm about to say?" Lily asked.

"Of course, of course," Slughorn confirmed. Lily took his hand.

"You were tricked, sir. Dumbledore and I both agree that Voldemort largely knew about Horcruxes, but that evening, you were entranced," Lily said. "A spell was done whilst in your memory; your subconscious could tell us, but only with the right spell. He slipped you a potion that made you more open to discussing the topic. I know Professor Dumbledore was going to tell you, but I wanted you to hear it from me as well."

"I… you're just saying that," Slughorn looked distraught, though a hint of relief was seen on his face.

"I'm not, sir. You were able to break it eventually, but you were a victim, and I refuse to let that bastard get away with tormenting you any longer," Lily said firmly. "He's already destroyed too many good people; I don't want him to do the same to you."

Slughorn had tears in his eyes as he looked at Lily. "You… you are so much like your mother, my girl," Slughorn said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You didn't need to tell me this, but you did. I… I owe you so much."

"You've already given me what we needed, sir," Lily said. "We now know how to defeat him, thanks to you, and we can defeat him."

"If anyone can Lily, it's you," Slughorn said, wiping his eyes with a handkerchief.

"Only because I have people like you teaching me, sir," Lily said, smiling at him. After that meeting, Slughorn had been jolly and happy as he taught his lessons, clearly free of the burden that had weighed him down for decades.

What had come as a surprise, however, was when Snape had asked her to remain behind after a lesson. She did so, of course, and waited for the class to leave.

"I know that things have been… difficult between you and I, Pot…Lily," Snape said, surprising Lily. She still wanted to hate him for what he had done, but she had found she couldn't hate him. She didn't want to hate him. "I have, however, been working on something for you."

Lily looked at him, curious now about what he had done. "Something to help me?" Lily asked. Snape nodded.

"Indeed, but not in your war against the Dark Lord," Snape said. He opened his desk drawer and handed her a small book. Lily opened it, seeing a list of ingredients. There was also a case on the floor.

"Okay, I'm a little confused," Lily admitted.

"That is a potion that you can make yourself, or anyone can make somewhat simply, though the ingredients are difficult to get. This case contains enough of them to last for almost two years," Snape said. "You will need to take that potion once daily for two years, but only once you've reached the age of seventeen, but after those two years… your transition will be complete. I know there had been plans for a spell to help, but this is safer, and guaranteed to work."

Lily couldn't believe her ears. "Wait… complete… as in…"

"As in that the potion will change not only your magical core, but your body as well. For the first six months, it will lead to periods of… some discomfort, as your body undergoes changes, but they will transfigure your internal organs to be what they should be," Snape explained. "There is another recipe in there to assist with the pain, and the need to take the potion for two years is for the potion to stabilise your organs. Once done, you will not need to take a potion again for your transition," Snape told her.

Lily felt tears welling up in her eyes, and despite everything, she ran and hugged Snape tightly, who surprised her by returning the hug.

"I know I have done you and your family wrong, Lily, but the time I have spent here since you have been a student has… had an effect on me, much like that of Rita Skeeter and others," Snape explained.

"Which shows my mum was right about you; there was always good in you," Lily said. She took a deep breath. "And I… I forgive you, for what happened; more importantly, my mum would as well."

For the first time ever, Lily saw something she thought she'd never see; tears in Snape's eyes. They stood there for a few moments, before meeting each other's gaze.

"Tonight… I fear much is going to change," Snape said. "Alert your friends in the Order of the Dragon to be ready for something."

"Something's coming?" Lily asked, alarmed.

"I believe so, but I hope to be wrong. Still, I can't explain more, but I can warn you," Snape said.

"I'll make sure we're ready," Lily promised, as Snape handed her the case.

"Be careful. The world is depending on you, Lily Potter. Have courage and know that much will happen that will be… conflicting and confusing. I will explain when I am able to but know that what is to happen… must happen," Snape said.

What did that mean? Lily had no idea but knew that there was nothing else she would be told. She nodded at Snape.

"Thank you, sir," Lily said, before leaving. She couldn't believe what she held in her hands, and immediately ran to the Gryffindor common room, where Ginny was talking with Gabrielle, Ron, Hermione, and Lavender.

"What have you got there?" Ginny asked.

"A present from Snape," Lily said, smiling. She had tears in her eyes as she handed the book to Ginny. "He… he did it. He found a way to complete my transition."

"Wait, what?" Ginny bolted up, looking at the book.

"He told me to take this potion every day for two years, once I'm seventeen, but after the two years, my transition will be complete, and I'll never need a potion again!" Lily explained.

"Oh…my…god…" Ginny gasped, looking at the book.

"And Snape figured this out?" Ron's eyes were wide in disbelief.

"Yeah, I'm still trying to decide if I'm asleep or something," Lily agreed with the surprise. "I'll show it to Professor Dumbledore, and to Uncle Sirius… but this… I finally have what I've wanted for so long."

"And it took Professor Snape to get it to you? That's… actually the last thing I'd have ever expected," Hermione said, as she looked at the recipe. "These ingredients are… definitely difficult to obtain, and expensive, but… I never thought of using those things together," she muttered, more to herself. "Why didn't I think of using them?"

"We knew he was the best potions person going, but maybe he did it more for the challenge, to show it could be done," Lavender suggested.

"That actually makes more sense than doing it to help Lily achieve her dreams," Ron agreed. "Still impressive though."

"I know, right?" Lily asked, grinning. "Now I need to wait for a couple of months but given how long I've already been waiting for… well, I'm not complaining."

"Neither am I," Ginny smiled at Lily, before kissing her passionately. "I'm so happy for you, love. You deserve this so much."

"Thank you," Lily returned the smile. "I doubt I'd have had the strength to keep going without all of you."

"You'd have managed, mate," Ron told her. "You're stronger than you realise."

"And you all do more for me than you realise," Lily countered. "All of you; none of what I do would be possible without you."

"Well, next time you try something stupid like planning to go horcrux hunting without us, remember that," Hermione chided, smirking.

"Horcrux?" Gabrielle asked.

"Long story, but don't worry about it," Hermione smiled at her future sister in law. Lily went to say something but was interrupted by Cormac as he entered the common room.

"Good, Lily, Ginny, I was looking for you. I just got a message, asking you to go to Dumbledore's office," Cormac said.

Lily nodded. "Before I do, we need to dial down the good news. Snape said something worrying," Lily said, before explaining the rest of the conversation with him.

"Okay, now I'm scared," Lavender admitted. "I just… we need to get ready for anything."

"Agreed. I'll get the others and start patrolling the castle tonight," Hermione said. "You two get to Dumbledore; by the time you're done, we'll be on patrol."

"We'll join you soon as we're done," Lily assured her, as she and Ginny went to the exit. "Just be careful who sees you when talking to everyone."

"Always," Hermione assured her. Lily smiled, then left the common room with Ginny.

Ginny and Lily made their way quickly to Dumbledore's office, passing Professor Trelawney as they did, who didn't seem to notice them. She was muttering about being 'turfed out unceremoniously' but Lily knew that Dumbledore's summons was going to be important.

Arriving at his office, Lily and Ginny saw Dumbledore wearing a travel cloak. "Ah, excellent. I promised you both that I'd allow you to join me when I found a Horcrux, and so we must leave the castle together," Dumbledore said.

"You've found one?" Lily asked, her eyes wide with excitement, with fear also tinged in.

"I believe so, yes. Do you remember us talking of the cliffs where Voldemort went as a child?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yeah, you mentioned caves that he'd take kids to when he wanted to mentally torture them," Lily recalled.

"Precisely. I visited there, and found traces of magical protections, and so I believe the time has come to start our quest in earnest," Dumbledore told them.

"We're ready, sir," Ginny replied.

"Now, when I give you an order tonight, you will, and must, obey it without question. If I tell you to hide, then you will hide. If I tell you to run, then you run, and if I tell you to abandon me, you shall do so without hesitation, is that clear?" Dumbledore asked.

"With all due respect, sir, you know we won't do the last one," Lily said.

"If I give that order, it is because there will be no other choice, and your lives are much more important than mine," Dumbledore told them. "I have every faith in the two of you, but you are too important to risk. If I die tonight, it will be sad, but the war will continue. If either of you are lost, then the war will also be lost."

"You know you underestimate how important you are, sir," Lily said. "You've been like a father to us both. Your loss would be immense."

"Thank you for saying so," Dumbledore said, a tear gleaming in his eye, "But I must ask for your word, please."

Lily and Ginny looked at one another, and sighed, before facing Dumbledore and nodding.

"We need to alert the others we're leaving," Lily said. "Something is happening tonight. We don't know what, but something bad could happen. The Order of the Dragon will be patrolling the castle."

Dumbledore, for one of the only few times on record, looked disturbed. "I have already summoned members of the Order of the Phoenix, but I shall summon them all. Thank you for alerting me," Dumbledore said. "Where did the warning come from."

"Professor Snape said something sir," Lily said, before explaining of her new potion from him, and her conversation.

"If Severus is concerned, then I am also concerned," Dumbledore said, turning to Fawkes. "Summon the Order of the Phoenix, and have them patrol the castle," he said. Fawkes gave a cry of assent and vanished in a burst of flames. "Go and alert your friends, and also fetch your invisibility cloak. It will be best that no one notices you leaving, so meet me in the entrance hall whilst wearing it. Ginny, I have my own invisibility cloak you may use. It is not as fine a cloak as Lily's, but it will suffice," Dumbledore told her, handing a cloak to her. "You may consider it a gift, for I do not require it back."

Ginny looked at the cloak with reverence. "Thank you so much," Ginny said, with a smile.

"I shall see you shortly," Dumbledore said. Lily nodded, and led Ginny out of the office, racing back to the common room.

"Okay, so this is definitely going to be a dangerous trip," Lily said. "I need to make a quick stop."

"What for?" Ginny asked, as Lily led her towards the dungeons.

"Slughorn," Lily replied. It took two minutes to reach his office, but thankfully, he was there, resting.

"Lily, my girl, how can I help?" Slughorn asked.

"Professor, I need some more luck potion. Something is happening tonight, and we need some for ourselves, and for our friends," Lily said. Slughorn's brow furrowed.

"Something dangerous?" he asked.

"Extremely," Lily confirmed. Slughorn nodded.

"I have always kept some for such an occasion," Slughorn told her, going to a locked cabinet. "Only I can open this. How many portions do you need?"

"As many as possible. My friends are patrolling the castle tonight, and we're going with Professor Dumbledore on a mission," Lily replied. Slughorn already knew of the Horcruxes; if anything, telling him would definitely make him want to help.

"Say no more," Slughorn said, removing the small cauldron of Felix Felicitas that he had shown off at the start of the year, quickly pouring it into multiple vials, and taking a sip himself.

"The Order of the Phoenix will also be patrolling; they might welcome some," Ginny suggested.

"An excellent suggestion, Ginny," Slughorn complimented. He gave Lily a small bag containing twenty small vials of the potion.

"This should be enough; your friends won't need the whole vial, just some of it," Slughorn said. "I shall also help keep an eye on the castle."

"Thank you, professor," Lily smiled at the man. "This could save a lot of lives tonight."

"Agreed. Be careful, Lily. I would hate for anything to happen to you," Slughorn said, handing two small cups, which had small amounts of the potion in, to Lily and Ginny, who both accepted it and drank it immediately.

Lily felt the effects right away; she felt more confident, and happier knowing that the others would be safe.

After fetching her cloak, and sharing out the vials of potion, Lily returned with Ginny to the entrance hall, both of them wearing their cloaks. Lily went to tap on Dumbledore's shoulder, but he simply smiled and walked out of the castle, with the two girls following him.

"I went to see Professor Slughorn first, Professor," Lily said, before explaining what she had done.

"An excellent precaution Lily. I wish I had thought of it, but I am giving you and Ginny fifty points each for your care towards your fellow students," Dumbledore beamed.

"Will anyone wonder where you're going?" Ginny asked, as they walked towards Hogsmeade.

"No, I sometimes go for a drink alone at the Hog's Head, it is a chance to relax and also speak to my brother, Aberforth. He is the owner," Dumbledore explained.

"Makes sense," Lily replied, smiling as she ignored the cold chill in the air. "I just… I'm worried about tonight, but I know we can't delay this."

"No, you're absolutely right," Dumbledore agreed, as they walked briskly towards Hogsmeade. "If this were not absolutely vital, I would have delayed this trip as well."

"This is the nature of war, isn't it?" Ginny asked softly. "We have to choose our battles, and trust those who fight with us to be able to do so without us."

"Sadly, yes," Dumbledore agreed. "But I feel more confident since you thought to procure luck potion for everyone. If something does happen, it will most certainly turn the tide in our favour."

"Do you want some, sir? I brought some for you just in case," Lily said. Dumbledore looked at her, despite the fact that she was invisible, and smiled.

"Thank you, Lily, but I shall be fine tonight. After all," Dumbledore said. "I am with the two of you."

The magnitude of that praise made both Lily and Ginny blush, but neither could speak as they neared Hogsmeade. "Remember, stay silent as we walk, and be careful," Dumbledore said.

Fortunately, the streets were empty, though they did see Madam Rosmerta sweeping just outside the Three Broomsticks.

"Evening, Albus," Rosmerta greeted, with a smile. "Not coming for a drink tonight?"

"Not tonight; I shall be at the Hogs Head for a while," Albus replied. Rosmerta smiled and nodded.

"I'll likely see you at the weekend then," Rosmerta commented.

"Indeed," Dumbledore agreed, as he led Lily and Ginny away from the streets, towards the Hog's head, before going past it, to an empty area.

"This should suffice," Dumbledore said, holding out his arm. "Both of you take hold of my arm, for we need to apparate now."

Lily and Ginny did so, and as they disappeared, the last thing Lily thought of was hoping that her friends would be okay.