Chapter 174

Return to Hogsmeade

As Lily and the group found themselves in the Hog's Head, Lily looked around, seeing a small group waiting for them.

"What happened?" Sirius asked, seeing the group. "Did you get it?"

"We did, and it's destroyed," Lily replied, smiling. "Griphook destroyed it. One left, but there's a lot more we need to talk about, and quickly."

"This is going to be a long story, isn't it?" Remus asked.

"Somewhat, yeah," Lily confirmed, before sitting down. "Today did not go the way I thought it would. We've won a victory, but we've gotten a little worse as well."

"Okay, that doesn't sound good, kid," an older man spoke up, bringing a glass of Pineapple juice to her. "Your uncle told me your favourite drink."

"I appreciate that," Lily said, looking at him. She saw the look in his eyes, and she recognised it perfectly. Of course, she also knew who he was from Dumbledore's talks. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Dumbledore, or can I call you Aberforth?"

"I prefer Aberforth," he replied, with a small smirk. "You know about me?"

"Some, from your brother. He and I spoke often, and sometimes we spoke of you, of his regrets that the two of you didn't have the best of relationships," Lily said.

"Did he ever tell you why?" Aberforth asked. Lily sighed and nodded.

"In brief. He didn't tell me everything, but it was because of what happened to Ariana," Lily said. "I know she died when you were both younger, and I know it was his greatest regret. He blamed himself."

"He did, did he?" Aberforth asked, as Lily took a sip of her drink. "He didn't tell you the whole story then?"

"He did recently," Lily replied. "Ginny, Nagini, and I were recently in a mind scape, and Professor Dumbledore came to us, his spirit anyway, and he told us about Ariana, and what happened. Even as a spirit, he broke down in tears after telling us about it."

"I never knew what he felt about it. I suppose that he and I could have, and probably should have, spoken more, but for the longest time, I hated him, and blamed him for everything," Aberforth said. "When I first heard of what you were doing, I thought Albus was being his usual, controlling, manipulative self."

"Manipulative?" Sirius asked, frowning.

"Haven't you noticed that he planned for everyone's lives? Did he tell you that he had plans for Lily here?" Aberforth asked. When no one replied, he nodded gruffly. "That's exactly what I thought. He liked to have his plans and ideas, controlling everything because he thought he knew best," Aberforth said.

"He also said that he regretted making those mistakes," Lily said softly. "I knew him well. I mean, not as well as you knew him, but I know how much his mistakes hurt. I think it was his mistakes that made him want to control things, because he didn't want the bad things to happen again."

"Isn't that what too many people use as an excuse?" Aberforth asked. Lily nodded.

"Far too often," she agreed. "That doesn't mean it's wrong though, does it? I think when he found out I was targeted, he planned a strategy for my parents surviving and for them dying, because he didn't want to be caught without a plan."

"The fact is," Ginny chimed in, holding Lily's hand, "He was scared his whole life. When someone plans for everything, it's because they're afraid of what might happen if they don't plan for everything. They need to prepare everything, and plan for everything, down to when they have a bath or shower, when they brush their teeth, everything. What we knew of Professor Dumbledore, he let fear guide him his whole life. It's why he taught the way he did, why he studied hard, why he learnt about everyone he ever met. If someone was an unknown, he was afraid, and he made it his mission to understand them. It's how I know so much about Riddle, how much he wanted power, what drove him, what motivated him. Now, none of that makes a difference, but it kept us alive this far, and helped us prepare for the final battle," Ginny explained.

"What do you mean?" Kingsley asked, frowning.

"Riddle's dead. My curse wounded him, and Lady Riddle killed him, taking charge. The Death Eaters are struggling to maintain cohesion, because I was able to convince some of them to help us escape from Gringotts," Lily said.

"Wait, so there's one left?" Sirius asked. "Isn't that a good thing?"

"No. With Tom, we knew what we were facing. He was letting his fear control him, and that's why he was trying to get rid of me. But Nicolette… her soul mingled with Riddle's, and she's… well, she understands more than Tom did, and now she's doing this because she's a believer in what she does. She thinks this is for the best. From what one of her newer Death Eaters said, they believe that the muggle world is doomed, and so together, they'll get rid of muggles by giving them magic and making the world better. But I know how they don't all believe it," Lily explained.

"Why not?" Remus asked. "I mean, it sounds a lot like the stuff Riddle was spouting."

"Yeah, but this time, she means it. But they don't believe it because they don't all accept the price. It's why we escaped the bank, because we made them see the truth, and when Rudolphus Lestrange arrived, he wanted to kill us straight away, despite what Curtis Jackson said, offering to let us live, saying how Lady Riddle doesn't want us dead," Hermione explained.

"What happened then?" Minerva asked, confused.

"Curtis and his people turned on Rudolphus and attacked them. They all died protecting us, with Griphook managed to release the Dragon down there, and helping us to get on there," Lily explained.

"Okay, that's a surprise for sure," Remus said, frowning. "Now I'm wondering what the hell is happening."

"They forced people to join them and gave them magic. They didn't join for belief, they joined for what they could get, but when being told the truth, they struggled. Downside is, when we fight them shortly, I'll bet anything that they'll be under the Imperius curse," Sirius said, shaking his head. "Which means that we're not going to have a chance to help them. If we face them, it's gonna be between them or us, and I'm gonna be choosing us."

"Same," Scrimgeour replied. "We'll do what we must."

"Agreed. I don't like it, but we're going to be in the fight of our lives," Lily agreed. She looked at Aberforth. "Aberforth, I know that this is gonna be difficult to hear because of how hard your life was, and how much you miss her," she said, indicating the painting of Ariana that was on the wall. It was larger than any she'd expect from a bar. "But the thing is, he regretted everything. He hated himself, which is why he became the kind of person he did. He wanted to do everything to protect the people he loved and cared about, including you. He watched over you as best he could, because he wanted to make sure you were okay."

"And you know that for certain?" Aberforth asked. Lily nodded.

"I did. He opened up to me often, and we got to know each other well. I know he made decisions about my life from the day I was born, and I didn't get to choose. I know the only reason I got to grow up happy was because of Uncle Sirius being stubborn and refusing to let me go anywhere but home with him. He cast a spell which could have killed me, because he wanted to keep me safe. Even at one year old, he was planning my future, wanting me to be a bridge between Muggles and Wizarding kind. I mean, seriously, that's a hell of a thing for a one year old, right? I didn't get a real teenaged childhood, and for the last year I've been leading a war. If anyone has the right to be angry, it's me. I didn't get a say in my life, but I've done the best I can with what I have. I transitioned, and I've almost finished the first year of my full transition, with one more to go. I'm engaged to an amazing woman whom I love completely. I can even have kids with the woman of my dreams when we're ready. So yeah, I had my path chosen for me, but I've gotten everything I could ever hope for," Lily said. Aberforth nodded, allowing a small smile.

"He really did train you well. He taught you properly, but I'm glad you've become your own woman," Aberforth said. "And I appreciate you telling me what you just did. You didn't need to, but I'm grateful."

"Anytime. Now, we're about to have a lot of people coming through here, and we'll need you to use a lot of floo powder to ensure students get out of here. We'll be evacuating the castle this way," Lily said. Aberforth nodded, as Dobby and Kreacher appeared.

"Master Sirius, Dobby and Kreacher have prepared the house you asked for," Dobby said. "Lily Potter, Miss, are you okay?"

"I'm okay, thank you Dobby," Lily said, before looking at Sirius. "You already figured out all of this?"

"What did you think we'd be doing? Getting drunk all day?" Sirius teased, smirking at Lily.

"Well, I want you here as well, and Uncle Remus," Lily said. Sirius frowned, shaking his head.

"I'm not leaving you in there without me," Sirius said. "Just because we've got kids, that doesn't mean we shouldn't be there."

"That's not why I want you here," Lily said firmly. "I need you here because I need someone here that I can trust. You think the Death Eaters won't know we're trying to get people out of here? They'll know the students won't be in the school, and they'll have people trying to figure out how. Once all the students are evacuated, then you can come in and join us." Sirius looked at her in understanding.

"Alright, that makes sense, and I'm on board with it," Sirius said.

"Good. Aunt Minnie, time to summon everyone here. The final battle starts tonight," Lily said. "Aberforth, you have a way to get us into Hogwarts, right?"

"I do, and your escort is almost here," Aberforth replied, indicating the picture of Ariana. Lily noticed that Ariana was now in the distance, walking with someone, and getting closer.

"Wait, what's going on?" Lily asked, frowning.

"You wanted to get into Hogwarts," Aberforth replied. "I was surprised when the tunnel appeared, but it happened, and I've been helping them," he added, as Ariana came closer, and Lily saw who it was with Ariana, and grinned as the painting swung open, revealing someone clearly recovering from a beating, who grinned when he saw her.

"Hey Lily, good to see you," Neville said.

Lily embraced Neville in a hug, grinning. "Damn, you look like you've been through hell," Lily said.

"Oh, you know how it is, Death Eaters acting as teachers, punishing anyone who doesn't agree with them, which is pretty much everyone except the Slytherins," Neville replied, as he greeted everyone.

"It looks like they've been using you as a knife sharpener," Ginny said, embracing him in a hug.

"Well, Muggle Studies is now all about how muggles are nothing but tainted blood that make our world a worse place to be. I got this one," Neville said, indicating one of his scars, "for asking how much muggle blood she and her brother had in them."

"Oh, sure, follow Lily's example and piss off maniacs, that's a smart move," Ron replied, rolling his eyes.

"Well, we had to do something. I've been keeping the Room of Requirement occupied at all times, and making sure no one can get in. I did a lot of research and training, and made sure that no one could get in if they supported the Carrows," Neville explained.

"I'm glad, but that's still dangerous. Why didn't you call us?" Hermione asked.

"Been keeping busy getting everyone to safety when they needed to be safe," Neville replied. "What brought you back?"

"We know the final Horcrux is in Hogwarts, and I'm hoping that the Grey Lady might know something, given how she's Ravenclaw's ghost," Lily replied.

"Not a bad idea," Neville agreed. "But with everyone else here?"

"Oh, Riddle knows we're coming here," Lily said. "We need to get the students out of the school, and tonight, well, it's gonna be hell."

"Yeah, alright, let's get you into the school, and you know everyone's gonna want to join," Neville said.

"I know, and I don't want the younger students to get hurt. I know those of age, I can't stop, but everyone else need to get here," Lily said.

"And Snape and the Carrows?" Neville asked.

"We'll take the Carrows out, and this is gonna sound insane, but Snape's on our side," Lily said. "I'll explain everything later, but right now, we've got a lot to do, and not a lot of time to do it in."

"We're at the endgame then?" Neville asked. Lily nodded.

"Yeah, we are," Lily confirmed. "Tonight, one way or the other, the war ends."

"Seriously? Well, then, I guess it's a good thing we've been getting ready for an all-out battle," Neville said. "We had several Goblins arrive earlier, giving us armour for an upcoming battle. They said it would be soon but couldn't give us an exact time."

"Yeah, that's thanks to Griphook, his family make a lot of armour, and he destroyed a Horcrux earlier," Lily said, indicating the Goblin, who was drinking something.

"Alright, well, let's get to the others then. I know they'll be glad to see you," Neville said. "This isn't going to be easy tonight, is it?"

"No, and I don't think we'll all survive," Lily admitted. "But we've done this long enough. One way or another, by this time tomorrow, the war will be over."