Chapter 143

Finding Hope

Note from the Authors: This weekend brought some very sad news; Dame Maggie Smith, who was a legend and was the perfect portrayal of Minerva McGonagall, and was (in this story) Lily's Aunt Minnie. She was a genius in the field of acting, a gay icon, and an amazing woman. She was someone I admired for the love and devotion she put into all her roles, and how she cared about so many. Rest in Piece, Aunt Minnie, and may your spirit shine on forever.

As Valentine's Day approached, Lily decided she wanted to do something special for Ginny, though it would be in the garden. She wanted to set up a gazebo or the tent, with decorations and a three course meal. After all, their last attempt for a little normality didn't work, and she was determined to give Ginny an amazing evening.

As she finished putting away the shopping that Draco and Pansy had gotten, as usual by using Polyjuice potion, she heard the door open, and turned her head to see Sirius walk in, with Scrimgeour, Remus, and Nagini.

"Should I be worried that you're all here? Or hopeful?" Lily asked.

"Maybe both," Sirius said. Lily called up the stairs to the others, asking everyone to come down, and went to the living room, sitting in her armchair.

"Kreacher, can you sort out some drinks please?" Lily asked. Kreacher smiled and bowed.

"With pleasure, Miss Lily," Kreacher replied, making her way to the kitchen.

"How are you doing, Nagini?" Lily asked.

"I'm good, thank you. I've been catching up on history, and on a lot of other things I've missed," Nagini said. "Now, it feels good to know that I'm serving the greater good."

"The more important thing is to be doing what you truly believe," Lily said. "When I started fighting against Riddle, I was fighting for the greater good, but I needed to learn that I had to choose to fight for what I believe in. That's always the hardest thing; realising what it is we believe in," Lily said.

"I can see why Riddle is afraid of you," Nagini said, with a smile. "He was terrified that you will kill him."

"And his people still follow him? How are they not seeing he's full of fear of a kid?" Sirius asked, smirking.

"Well, there might be some hope there. Before I left, I know that both versions were leading, but at the same time, both versions were starting to feel anger at one another," Nagini said. "But they won't tell the other."

"That doesn't surprise me," Lily said. "Both want the same thing, both want to lead, and both want power."

"Actually, there's more. I was able to keep it to myself, but the female Riddle doesn't believe in what the male Riddle does," Nagini replied.

"Wait, what?" Scrimgeour frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I was connected to both as a snake, and I could hear their thoughts. Lord Riddle knew he wanted power, because he wanted to control and dominate, but Lady Riddle wanted to lead because she felt it was the right thing to do, in order to keep the world safe," Nagini explained.

"I don't understand, why would they be different? Their memories are the same, they're the same person, aren't they?" Scrimgeour asked, as the group came into the living room, sitting down. Lily smiled.

"No, they're not," Lily said, before her smile faded, looking at Fleur. "I think I know the mistake he made."

"Mistake? What kind of mistake?" Fleur asked.

"It's simple; we know Riddle is the cold, evil bastard he is because he was born under the influence of Amortentia," Lily said. There were gasps from around the room as everyone realised what Lily was referring to.

"But my sister was loved, and now zat bastard feels what love is!" Fleur exclaimed.

"Exactly, so she's going to be struggling with the whole coldness and darkness," Lily agreed. "Which means she might be acting from some twisted love of the world."

"That could help us, in a way," Crouch said. "If we can find a way to increase the divide between them, we could get one of them to take out the other. We know one of them must be killed by Lily, but the other could be destroyed by their counterpart."

"How do we manage that?" Scrimgeour asked.

"I'll let you know when I've figured that out," Crouch admitted his lack of a plan, with a sigh of frustration.

"Still, it's a start. We know there's a crack there; once we find a way to increase the size of the crack, we'll have a chance to take him down," Lily said. "We should focus on finding the Horcruxes in the meantime."

"That's why I'm here," Nagini said. "I think I might be able to help you find the Tomb of Slytherin."

"You said he'd never taken you there?" Lily asked.

"He didn't, but I was connected mentally to him. I knew when he was gone, and I know there's a link to Merlin's Tomb," Nagini explained.

"How so?" Hermione asked. "I mean, I know from history books that Merlin was a Slytherin, but there isn't much about him in the history books."

"Merlin was taught by Slytherin himself and was Slytherin's greatest student. The history books say that Merlin was a good man, and he was. He even defeated the Dark Witch Morgana," Nagini explained. "But I studied him when I went to Hogwarts. I found him interesting. I was in Slytherin as well, though I think that was because of my curse."

"How did you find out more about Merlin?" Lily asked.

"My family were connected to the 28, though I'm the last of my family right now. I didn't want to have children because I knew what I would end up as," Nagini replied. "There are a few tomes which delve into Merlin more deeply, but I have no idea where they are. What I do know, however, is the location of Merlin's tomb."

"You think there could be some clue there?" Draco asked.

"It's possible. We could find a clue to the tomb of Slytherin in Merlin's tomb. Whilst Merlin didn't believe the same as Slytherin in terms of Muggles and pure bloods, but he did value his other teachings greatly," Nagini replied.

"So, when he died, he'd want to be near his mentor," Lily guessed.

"Exactly. He didn't care much for his family; according to all records, his parents were dismissive of him, and from what is known, he cut himself off from his family when they tried to enhance their own reputations by using his fame," Nagini explained.

"Wow, even back then, there were shit parents using their kids," Pansy scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"Unfortunately, that's been the case for a very long time," Scrimgeour replied. "But whilst this could help, you said you know the location of Merlin's Tomb?"

"I do. I found the location when I was younger but didn't tell anyone because I wanted to be the one to find it. I had an interest in history, and still do. Before I could, however, the curse took hold of me. When… when Riddle found me, and… well, he learnt the location from me, and we went there. In the Tomb, we found Merlin's Crystal Ball, which Riddle turned into a Horcrux. I don't know where it is now, though it could still be there," Nagini explained. "It was that which he used to…"

"To take Nicolette's body," Lily said softly, reaching out and taking Fleur's hand. "Is there a chance to get her back?"

"I don't know," Nagini answered. "I just… I don't know how it works, not really. It might be possible, especially since you were able to destroy the curse within me, but I don't want to give you false hope."

"I appreciate that," Fleur replied, with a sad smile. "Where is ze tomb of Merlin?"

"It's in an ancient location, beneath a massive hill that muggles can't explore, because of the spells around it," Nagini said. "It's called Glastonbury Tor."

"Wait, I know of that place," Hermione said, looking at the group. "Muggles tend to link it to the legend of King Arthur."

"Who?" Scrimgeour asked.

"A muggle legend or myth, or both. He was a legendary King of England, pulling a sword from a stone, which made him King," Lily answered. "There's a lot of stories about him, and every one of them involves a wizard or someone powerful called Merlin."

"In every story, he's a court wizard who helps Arthur to become King, and helps him with protecting Camelot," Hermione added.

"Sounds like he wasn't one for worrying about the statute of secrecy," Draco commented.

"Didn't exist back then," Crouch countered. "That came into law in the 17th century, and we're talking a few centuries before that."

"The point is," Lily spoke up, to get them back on track, "Is that Merlin was an admirer of the power Slytherin had. He was a Slytherin, so likely appreciated him greatly, out of the four founders. From what you've all said, I'd guess that he appreciated the fact that Slytherin spoke his thoughts, didn't restrain himself from doing what needed to be done, and was willing to go the extra mile."

"Sounds about right," Nagini agreed. "Getting into Merlin's Tomb might be tricky, but we should go together."

"Alright, let's do that then," Lily agreed. "It's getting late, so let's get some rest now and go tomorrow."

"Good plan," Crouch agreed. "We're going to want to be at our best for this."

"Then let's get some food, and then sleep. Tomorrow, we've got a long day ahead of us," Lily said, looking at everyone. "Hopefully, by this time tomorrow, we'll be one step closer to stopping him."

With the moon high above the house, Lily sat on her balcony, sitting on the couch there and sipping a cup of hot chocolate that Dobby had brought her. "Lily Potter, Miss, may Dobby ask a question?" Dobby asked, sitting in the chair next to her.

"Always Dobby, you know that," Lily smiled at her friend. Since joining the family as their house elf, Dobby and Lily had become excellent friends, and she cared a great deal for him.

"Dobby wonders if he could go for you tomorrow. I… I don't want you in danger," Dobby admitted. Lily looked at him, putting her hot chocolate on the small table on the balcony.

"Dobby, I appreciate that, so much. I know how much you care about me, but I need to do this myself," Lily said. "I won't be alone, but I do want you to stay safe."

"Dobby will do his best, but Dobby wants to keep Lily Potter safe, no matter what," Dobby replied. "Dobby will go with you, Lily Potter Miss," he added.

"Miss Lily?" Kreacher spoke up from the doorway to the bedroom. "Kreacher wants to go with you as well. You have given Kreacher peace, and Kreacher will not let you go into danger alone."

Lily looked at the two of them, seeing the determination on their faces. She wanted to tell them no, because she didn't want them to risk their lives, but she knew they'd go anyway, even if it meant they'd need to punish themselves after. Lily sighed and nodded.

"Alright, you can come with us, but please, be careful, and if there is any danger or trouble, you can use your magic however you need to. I trust both of you," Lily told them. Both house elves smiled at Lily.

"Don't worry about us, Lily Potter Miss, Dobby and Kreacher will make sure You-Know-Who won't ever win," Dobby grinned at Lily. Lily couldn't help but smile back at her friend; his enthusiasm was powerful.

"Have you found any trace of her?" Lord Voldemort demanded as he looked at Yaxley. They were standing in the Malfoy Manor, in what Lord Voldemort had made his own personal office.

"Unfortunately, I have not," Yaxley said. "I have been looking, but there isn't a trace of Nagini anywhere."

"I, however, have had better luck," Lady Voldemort said, as she entered the room. "My disguises are much better than Yaxley's. Unfortunately, the news is not good."

"I am getting used to bad news at this point," Lord Voldemort said. "I have yet to find what I need as well. Yaxley, leave," he commanded. Yaxley bowed, leaving the two Voldemort's alone. "What is the bad news?"

"It seems, from what I've been able to piece together, Potter happened," Lady Voldemort said, clearly angry and bothered. "The story I have put together from the evidence and my own sources state that Potter somehow managed to return Nagini to human form."

"Impossible!" Lord Voldemort hissed, his eyes glowing red angrily. "There is no cure for the Maledictus curse."

"I would have believed that until today," Lady Voldemort replied. "Right now, we have a greater threat."

"If she remembers everything, then she will be a great threat," Lord Voldemort agreed. "How did Potter manage it?"

"I don't know, but I have a few potential leads," Lady Voldemort replied. "I intend to keep searching, but is there a chance that she knew what she was other than a Maledictus?"

"I do not know," Lord Voldemort admitted after a few moments, frowning. "There is a chance, but she did not know where any were if she did."

"Are you willing to risk that?" Lady Voldemort asked.

"Two of them I can't move, one is in Gringotts, and Potter will never get there. I will have Thicknesse increase security there nevertheless," Lord Voldemort said. "The other is in Hogwarts, and I do not trust anyone to go and get it."

"I can move it if needed, but I doubt anyone will find it. I do not believe we would be able to find it, knowing that place," Lady Voldemort said, pouring herself a drink from the bar. She had designed the office herself; she had the wish for more comforts than her counterpart.

"Agreed. We can leave it for now. The others, no one will… what is that?" Lord Voldemort asked, seeing an image that Lady Voldemort put on the desk.

"That would be one of the leads," Lady Voldemort said. "I finally found this image when I was in Godric's Hollow yesterday, looking for proof of my suspicions."

"That is the one that Gregorovitch remembered in his thoughts," Lord Voldemort said.

"Yes, I was there with you," Lady Voldemort replied. "That's why I brought this. It turns out that he was related to Bagshot; she was his great-aunt."

"And who is he?" Lord Voldemort asked. As Lady Voldemort told him, he laughed; how ironic that one person who likely hated the Muggle Loving fool Albus Dumbledore would be the one who could give him everyone he wanted.