Chapter 156

Training Without Wands

Note from J.M. Jackson: Sorry for not posting yesterday, mind completely slipped. I also want to thank everyone for their views and comments so far, they mean the world to myself and Dododum (Mystic Dodo), and we're so thankful for all of you. I hope to have the story completely written soon, and when I have, I'll start posting two or three chapters a week, and working on the next fanfiction. In the meantime, we both want to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and we hope that 2025 is a better year for everyone!

Two weeks had passed since the birth of Lily's surrogate brother and sister, and Goddaughter, and if anything, the happy event had pushed Lily to want to train even harder than before. For her training today, however, she and the others were going to be training without their wands.

"I feel like I need to ask this Lily," Draco said, as the group that were training together were standing in the garden, all wearing shield gloves and boots, from Fred and George, with a variety of old style weapons on the tables nearby, including bows and arrows, swords, daggers, and staffs. "Why are we going to train like this today?"

"One thing we know is that Riddle is getting more muggles from around the world to use as his servants," Lily said. "We know they aren't powerful, since they're barely being trained to fight. They're being taught what to do, and the few spells needed, but we have the advantage in strength. However, they have the numbers, so if it comes to it, we need to be able to fight with other weapons, and with our hands," Lily continued.

"And ze weapons vill be useful?" Viktor asked, looking at the weapons on the table.

"They will. They're magically enhanced, and they're sharp. If you cut through the limbs of an enemy, the wound will immediately be cauterised, so that they don't bleed to death, but they will be out of the fight," Lily said calmly, as she held the Sword of Gryffindor. "I know it seems strange, but I've been training to fight with this sword as well. Hundreds of years ago, muggles used these weapons to fight, and so did our people as well. It's a tactic Riddle won't be expecting, and so he won't have a defence for it."

"So, we can cut off people's hands with these?" Ron asked, picking up a sword.

"We can," Ginny confirmed. "You saw how Lily handled the sword in Slytherin's Tomb. He didn't expect it, and it helped us to destroy him."

"That's true," Draco conceded. "Alright, how do we train with these?"

"I'll show you," Lily said. "Pick your weapons. Go with what feels good; if you don't feel confident up close with an enemy, go with the bow and arrow."

"They feel better than muggle weapons," Crouch commented, picking up a staff. "What are they made of?"

"Various woods that Uncle Remus was able to gather last week," Lily replied. "That Staff is made from Ash; it's strong and durable, and perfect in combat."

"Feels light enough," Crouch said, holding the edge and swinging it slightly.

"No, you need to hold it in the middle," Ginny said, going over and showing him how to hold it.

"How do you two know so much about these?" Hermione asked.

"We've been researching and training," Lily replied. "It seemed to be a good idea."

"I'm impressed," Crouch told them, smiling. "Now you get to be the teachers, and I'm the student."

That comment drew a short round of laughter from everyone as they chose their weapons. Hermione and Fleur went with Bows and Arrows, whilst Crouch, Lavender, Pansy, Cedric, and a few others went with Staff's. Ron picked up a sword, as did Draco, Viktor, and Fred and George, among others.

"Alright. Bows and Arrows will be over there," Lily said, where Sirius was standing, next to an archery range. "Swords with Kingsley, and Staff's with Uncle Remus. Let's go to our training places."

As the group split into smaller groups, heading for their training area, Minerva, who was visiting, walked over to Lily.

"How are you feeling about this?" Minerva asked.

"Nervous. Not about training everyone; I know they'll be great, but I suppose that this is more of me finally accepting the inevitable about the upcoming final battle," Lily said. She sighed. "Neville's been training with the others in the Room of Requirement; he's got people helping to keep others hidden, and they're getting food in, though he didn't tell me how. We're keeping our contact to a minimum for the moment, in case of interception."

"How many people are hiding in the Room of Requirement now?" Minerva asked.

"About twelve full time now, including Neville," Ginny replied. "We've offered to try and evacuate them, but you know Neville; he and the others refuse to leave anyone behind."

"He's learnt from you, Lily. You'd refuse to leave as well if you were there," Minerva pointed out. Lily nodded.

"You're not wrong," she agreed. "I'm proud of how far he's come, and the good man he is. Parvati is with him, and she refuses to leave his side. Their love seems to be as strong as mine is for Ginny."

"That's given him a lot of strength," Ginny pointed out. "Look how strong we are because we love one another."

"And you'll only get stronger," Minerva smiled, taking Lily's hand. "Lily, I am so proud of you. I wish this war wasn't happening, and we were all at Hogwarts now, studying for your final exams, but you've done so much. I think it's safe to say that you'd pass your NEWTS without the need for further study at this point. You've got your own potion room here, you study often about history and magic, and you train daily. There's nothing you can't do."

"Oh, I hope that proves to be true, Aunt Minnie," Lily said. "I never did thank you, for everything you've done for me, did I?"

"And you'll never need to. When I first started watching over you, I didn't expect to love you as if you were my own child, Lily, but I look at you, and I am so proud of the woman you've become, and how you've overcome the adversity in your life. You've stood up to evil, to bigotry, and to injustice, and you've said that enough is enough, and you've fought to make life better, for everyone. No one could be prouder of their child as I am of you," Minerva told her. Lily smiled as she hugged Minerva, smiling.

"There is one thing I do want to share with you," Lily said. "The potion. It's working a little… well, perhaps a little faster than I thought," Lily said.

"How do you mean?" Minerva asked.

"Well, I know my… well, my insides are still a little strange; I mean, I'm starting to feel the differences, but… one part is now fully changed," Lily said. Minerva's eyes widened as she realised what Lily meant.

"How does that make you feel?" Minerva asked.

"Honestly? I kinda want to go to Hogwarts and hug Professor Snape and thank him. He found it, and… and I don't hate him anymore. I've realised something, and it's going to sound nuts to everyone, so I've not told others, but… I think Professor Dumbledore wanted Professor Snape to kill him, so he wouldn't be in pain, and so Snape could stay at Hogwarts to protect the students. Let's face it, if anyone wanted to get into the Room of Requirement, Snape would be one person who could make it happen, but from what Neville has said, he stays in his office most of the time, at least according to the Map," Lily explained.

"What I'm about to tell you, Lily, stays between us, but I think you're right," Minerva said softly. "I know Severus well enough, and I even helped teach him when he was at Hogwarts. He is calculating, and cunning, but he isn't foolish, and he never acts without knowing the next ten steps of the game."

"I don't understand why Snape did all of this, but it's what he told me, the night of the attack, that has been on my mind. He said I'd need to hate him, and to pursue him. He needed me to hate him, to convince Riddle and others that he wasn't a spy," Lily said. Minerva nodded.

"That sounds exactly like something Severus would do," Minerva agreed, as she summoned three chairs. Lily and Ginny sat with her, looking at the groups now training. "I wish I could confirm all of this, but we've been making sure that the other students at the hidden school have been trained as they should have been at Hogwarts, and they're doing okay. I think they're as calm as they'd be if they were at the school, and none of this were going on. Their parents are helping as well, and training to fight, so we'll have a larger force when the final battle comes."

"Good. We'll need all the help we can get," Ginny said. "Right now, we're preparing for any eventuality, and I'm dreading what we can't prepare for."

"Our intelligence groups show that Riddle has smuggled Giants into the country, and we think Dragons as well. The Dementors are on his side as well, which does cause problems for us, and Werewolves, though if we're fighting them on a night that isn't a full moon, we should be okay. Goblins are staying neutral, and so far, Riddle isn't antagonising them. I suspect he wants to keep them out of the battle because he knows that if they rise up against him, they'll cause real problems," Minerva explained.

"Yeah, makes sense to me," Lily agreed. "I think he's intending to deal with them when he thinks he's beaten us, so they'll be depending on them. If we can contact some of them and get them on side, that'll help us a lot."

"Maybe," Minerva agreed. "I'll speak to our Intelligence group and see if they can make contact with some of them."

"Thank you," Lily said. "I'd guess we should get back to training."

"You should take a little time for yourself. I know time is running out, but you need to remember why you're fighting. If you keep yourself apart from the world, you'll forget why you're protecting it," Minerva pointed out. Lily chuckled softly.

"Ginny said the same thing this morning," Lily said.

"Then it must be true if Ginny and I both agree," Minerva said. "I love you, Lily. Go, and be careful."

"Always," Lily promised, standing up and hugging Minerva, before she and Ginny made their way towards the training area.

Lily groaned in agony as she collapsed onto her bed, seeing the last traces of the sun out of the window. She had skipped dinner for training, though only she, Ginny, Ron, Draco, Pansy, Hermione, Fleur, and Lavender had done so. Right now, she was in agony from the number of flips and jumps she had made.

Sirius and Remus had found a spell to help improve their agility, which worked with a potion that Lily and Hermione had found. Together, they were proving to be an excellent team with potions, but whilst it had improved their agility, it had also tired them out.

"Please tell me… that there's a potion… or spell to help… with pain," Lily complained, seeing Sirius standing in the doorway, smiling.

"There is, which is what I've brought you, but you'll need to rest as well, and have some food," Sirius said, as Kreacher appeared, with a tray of sandwiches, whilst Dobby had brought a large jug of pineapple juice.

"Thank you, all of you," Lily said, smiling as she forced herself to sit up.

"Mistress Lily, you must eat first, and take care of your health," Kreacher admonished. "You work too hard, Miss."

"He's not wrong," Sirius agreed, smiling at Kreacher, who bowed respectfully, after placing the sandwich tray on Lily's bedside table.

"Thank you, Master Sirius," Kreacher said.

"Have you eaten yet Kreacher?" Sirius asked.

"Not yet," Kreacher admitted. "Dobby and Kreacher have been busy."

"Both of you should have some food with me then," Lily said, knowing the platter would refill itself as she took a sandwich, smiling as Dobby magically poured her a glass of juice.

"Thank you, Lily Potter Miss," Dobby replied, grinning as he and Kreacher sat on the bed with Lily.

"I'll leave you both to it; I've got babies to get back to," Sirius told her.

"Go, we're good here. We're resting tomorrow, so we'll see you on Monday," Lily said, as Sirius walked over and kissed her forehead.

"Love you, Lilycub," Sirius told her.

"Love you too, Uncle Sirius," Lily flashed a grin, as Sirius handed her a small vial.

"After you've eaten, take that," Sirius said. "It'll likely make you tired."

"Good thing I'm in bed already," Lily joked, as Ginny came into the room, and sat on the bed next to Lily, grabbing a Sandwich.

"Get plenty of rest tomorrow; you both deserve it," Sirius said, before turning and leaving. Lily smiled at Ginny as they both ate their sandwich.

"That was… definitely a workout," Ginny said. Lily nodded.

"No kidding. I didn't think the potion would help our agility that much," Lily said.

"Kreacher was studying the potion recipe, Mistress, and you shouldn't use it often. Kreacher thinks once a week, at most," Kreacher said. Lily nodded.

"Alright, that makes sense. What happens if it's used too often?" Lily asked.

"From Kreacher's research, Mistress Lily, it will make your bones weak, and in time, you won't be able to even stand," Kreacher said. "Please only use it rarely, and only when you're fighting."

"Alright, I will," Lily promised. "Can you keep researching, and see if it can be made better?"

"Kreacher will study very hard, Mistress. Kreacher will never let Miss Lily down," Kreacher promised. Lily smiled and kissed the small House Elf's forehead.

"Thank you Kreacher. I'm glad you're here," she told him. Kreacher looked as though he was ready to cry.

"Thank… thank you, Mistress. That means a lot to Kreacher," Kreacher told her.

"And you, Dobby. We're lucky you're both here," Lily said. Dobby grinned; he had long been used to Lily's compliments, but he valued them all the time.

"Dobby is honoured to be here," Dobby said. "Dobby knows you are all working hard, but Dobby knows Lily Potter will win, because Lily Potter has things You-Know-Who will never have."

"What's that?" Ginny asked, tilting her head as she conjured up a glass and poured herself some juice.

"Love, friendship, respect, and honour, Ginny Weasley, Miss," Dobby replied. Lily nodded; they were what was sustaining Lily so far through the war.

"You're right, and I appreciate the confidence," Lily smiled. "By the time we're done training, we'll be able to fight without wands, and using Fred and George's shield clothing, I doubt the Death Soldiers will be any real threat. Their magic won't be powerful enough to break through the shields."

"Unless there's a dozen spells hitting you at once, but if that's the case, then we're having more problems than the Death Soldiers," Ginny replied. Lily nodded.

"Yeah, you're not wrong," Lily agreed. "I just hope we can figure out the best way to win this war quickly; I don't know how much longer we have before Riddle gets enough support to take over the rest of the world."

"We know we can't get in or out of the country; Riddle's made sure of that, but we've got more people fighting with us. I know we've got to find the rest of the Horcruxes, but soon as we do, it's game over for Riddle," Ginny said. Lily smiled at her confidence and kissed her.

"And then it's the start of the rest of our lives," Lily smiled, cupping Ginny's cheek with her hand. "And I will stop anyone who tries to keep us apart," she promised.

"I know," Ginny replied, smiling shyly at Lily. "As long as I've got you, Lily, there's nothing anyone can do to destroy me."

Lily felt the same way, and she and Ginny shared that feeling through their bond, and Lily knew there was nothing she wouldn't do for love. She was fighting to keep the world free, but she was also fighting for Ginny, and that thought and feeling made her heart want to beat faster, because when the war was over, Lily would do whatever it took to spend forever with Ginny.