Chapter 166

Confidence from Victory

As Lily opened her eyes, she groaned, feeling a dull ache throbbing in her head. "I never want to experience that again," Lily complained, before coughing. "W… water," she asked. She gratefully accepted a glass of water from Sirius.

"Sip it slowly. You've been in that place for a week," Sirius said softly. Lily looked around, hearing the beeping of medical devices, and the beds for herself, Ginny, and Nagini, both of the others who were getting up. It looked like Sirius, Kingsley, and Remus had been laying in chairs whilst they had joined them.

"How… how did you get into our dreamscape?" Ginny asked.

"I remembered an episode of Red Dwarf, where they used the holographic simulator to help Kryten," Sirius said. "And Remus and Rufus were able to make it work."

"Gunmen of the Apocalypse," Lily nodded. "You made a simulator?"

"Sort of," Rufus said, as he stood, smiling in relief at Lily. "When Sirius made the suggestion, Remus and I were able to use magic to make a mock-up of the device, and Doctor Silsby here was able to help us to tune it to your mind."

"If not for your statute of secrecy, and the need for magic to make it work, this would change the world," Jim said, looking at the device longingly. "I know why we can't use it, at least not in the muggle world."

"Doctor, we do welcome muggles to our world, so you'll be more than welcome at St. Mungo's hospital. We can use it to help people, in both worlds. We'll find a way to make it work, somehow, once the war is finished," Rufus assured him. That made Jim smile.

"What happened in there?" Remus asked.

"The morning after the celebration, Ginny and I were talking about the idea of going into our minds, to destroy the Horcrux's, and with Nagini as well. Somehow, our bond was able to make that happen," Lily explained.

"But that's not the weirdest part," Ginny added. "Dumbledore was there."

"Dumbledore? You mean you created a guide in your own mind?" Sirius asked, frowning.

"No, it was the real Dumbledore," Lily said. "Turns out there is more to life after we die. He explained so much to us and helped us understand. We weren't meant to be ready to do such a thing, but somehow, we did. He also answered a lot of questions that we had."

"Including about the Horcruxes. He started to suspect after my first year, with the diary, and he did a lot of research. By the time he realised what was happening, Riddle had already returned, and he wasn't sure how to remove the Horcruxes from us, without killing us. So, he began to hunt down others. It's what killed his hand; there was a curse on the ring, and it inflicted him with a curse," Ginny added.

"Severus Snape isn't on Riddle's side," Nagini continued. "Albus knew he was going to die, and the intent was for Snape to kill him, not only to save Blasé Zabini, but to make sure that he didn't die painfully. Everything he's done has been to help us, on Dumbledore's orders."

"Are you serious? Are you sure that was really Dumbledore, and not Riddle?" Rufus asked. Lily nodded.

"It was definitely him. He told us things only Dumbledore could know that we didn't know, and we won't share some of it, for his privacy, but we trust him," Lily replied firmly, finishing her water. "I know it sounds insane, but when the final battle comes, Snape will be with us."

"Lily, I know it sounds insane to us all… but if you're confident, then we'll trust you," Remus assured her.

"Why was he undercover? When did he stop believing in Riddle?" Sirius asked.

"Dumbledore told us everything about that. He was told to tell Dumbledore about my parents being hunted, but he deeply loved my mother. It's why, when I began my transition, he began to change his attitude. Hell, according to Dumbledore, Snape's Patronus is the same as mine and my mum's; a Silver Doe," Lily said.

"He's bloody good at covering for himself," Sirius said, shaking his head. "You're going to get plenty of rest before we do anything."

"No time. We need to prepare for our next fight. We're going to get Ollivander and the others out of Malfoy Manor," Lily said, as she carefully stood up. She wobbled slightly, holding the bed post.

"You'll need to take a few days to get your strength back," Jim said. "You've not moved for a week. It'll take a couple of days to get used to moving around again."

"Can't really argue about that," Lily sighed as she sat down. "It's gonna be painful, isn't it?"

"A little, I'm sorry to say," Lana said. "But you're awake now, and that's what matters."

"But we won," Nagini smiled. "The Horcrux pieces are gone. That's why we were fighting Riddle; we fought three of them, each of them with a trial we had to face."

"For Lily, it was the night Riddle returned," Ginny said. "For me, the Chamber of Secrets."

"And for me, it was the Circus I used to be in, years ago, before the curse was complete," Nagini finished.

"I'm hungry. Can we eat?" Ginny asked.

"We'll get you some food, then you can explain everything to us," Molly said, smiling at Ginny, before kissing her forehead.

The next five days went by too slowly for Lily's liking, and far too painfully, as she had to get her strength back carefully. She, Ginny, and Nagini were helped by Lana, Jim, Kingsley, Remus, Sirius, and Molly, with Hermione and the others helping where they could.

By the end of the week, the three of them were walking as normal, though they had decided to take a couple of extra days to train themselves as normal, with situational awareness, leaping to the side and making sure they could do everything they had been doing before.

As Lily walked back into the house, she saw Dobby and Kreacher setting up the table, with Hedwig resting on her perch. Lily smiled as she petted Hedwig, and headed to the table, sitting down.

"How are you feeling?" Draco asked as he entered the kitchen.

"Better, thankfully. Stronger than before, for some reason," Lily replied.

"Without the piece of the Horcrux bringing you down, you will do," Draco said. "I'm guessing you're going to be a lot stronger now, without Riddle inside you. Hell, for all we know, that's why you felt depressed in the past."

"I mean, it makes sense," Lily agreed, nodding thoughtfully. "I hadn't actually considered that."

"Do you feel any trace of your depression?" Draco asked. Lily frowned as she considered the question.

"No, I don't," Lily replied. "Huh. Maybe it was the Horcrux that was bringing me down."

"You lived with it in you for fifteen years before the link between you and Ginny was strong enough to separate the damned Horcrux. You went through all kinds of hell, so if this has cured you, then honestly, I'm thankful. I still remember the day we met, when you went to get your robes. I was such a prat," Draco said. "I wish I could go into my mind and stop myself feeling so bad about the past, but at the same time, I'm glad to go through those feelings because it means I'll stop myself from doing stupid things before, like before."

"Good way to look at it," Lily smiled. "I'm glad you're here though, Draco. It's funny, but in our third year, when Uncle Sirius was teaching, he told us all about how our surroundings can shape who we are, and that with the right care and compassion, you'd be an amazing friend."

"Maybe he should be teaching divination. I mean, from what I hear, Professor Trelawny is nuts anyway," Draco laughed.

"Yeah, I've met her a couple of times. She's… definitely something. I mean, she's a nice enough person, but from what Hermione, Parvati, and Lavender said, and from what Aunt Minnie said, she predicts the death of a student every year," Lily chuckled. "I don't know how anyone manages to pass that class."

"Yeah, that's a good question to ask," Draco said. "Still, when this is all done, I know you'd make a hell of a teacher. But there was something I wanted to ask."

"Sure, go for it," Lily replied.

"Snape. He's really on our side?" Draco asked. "I mean, I believe you, but after everything… it's still a little hard to swallow."

"I know. I mean, I've been questioning that for a while, about who's side he's on, but to know he loved my mother that much… it was definitely a trip," Lily told him.

"Explains why he's helped you so much. When you first arrived, you looked like your dad. Now, you look so much like your mother, it's unreal. I've seen the pictures of her, and you could definitely have been mistaken for her sister, or for her. I think he thought he was back at Hogwarts, especially with Sirius there as well," Draco suggested.

"Makes sense to me," Lily agreed. "Still, when the time comes, I know we'll be able to make a difference with his help."

"What are we doing first? Attacking my old home?" Draco asked. Lily nodded.

"Yeah. I've been thinking about it, and I'm about ready to reveal my plan to everyone," Lily said.

"Go over it with me, let me help," Draco offered. Lily nodded, as Dobby brought over some drinks.

"Pineapple juice, Lily Potter, Miss," Dobby said. "Dinner will be ready shortly."

"We'll talk after dinner, Draco, and then we can present the plan later," Lily said. Draco nodded, as Dobby brought Draco a drink as well. Lily loved the smell of the food being prepared; after a week in a coma, or the dreamscape, rather, it was like she was eating everything for the first time. How much had the Horcrux inside her screwed up her body and thoughts? She didn't know, but she was glad she no longer had to deal with that.

As Lily looked at the gathered group in the meeting area that had been set up under a large gazebo in the garden, she felt confidence racing through her. After everything that she had been through, she knew everyone was ready to begin the assault on Malfoy Manor. Sirius, Remus, Rufus, Kingsley, Lana, Jim, Molly, Percy, Charlie, Bill, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Fleur, Viktor, Alicia, Lavender, Draco, Fred, George, Pansy, Cedric, Cho, Nagini, and Crouch were all seated around the large table that had been set up, with a three dimensional image of Malfoy Manor floating above the table.

"Thank you, all of you, for being here. We've won another victory against Riddle, and now it's time we prepared for the final attacks. We've got, I believe, three more attacks before this war is over, so with the end in sight, we need to be ready," Lily said.

"I'm sorry, three attacks?" Cedric asked.

"Yes. We need to launch the attack on Malfoy Manor, and this will be the easiest of the three. After that, we need to get into Gringotts, and finally, the last Horcrux is, I believe, at Hogwarts, and once there, that's where the final attack will take place," Lily said. Ginny was now standing next to Lily, holding her hand.

"Why will the last attack be there?" Minerva asked, frowning.

"Once we get to Hogwarts, Riddle will know what we're doing, or he'll know we're there, given the fact that the Carrows are there. Snape will help us, but the Carrows will be there on his side, and they'll warn him. He'll also likely have other ways of alerting him in place," Lily said.

"What's the plan then?" Fred asked.

"We're going to prepare three plans. Whilst we attack Malfoy Manor, we'll be preparing to sneak into Gringotts. Fred, George, the two of you, and Minister Scrimgeour, know Diagon alley well, especially since you lived there. I'm willing to bet you know a couple of secrets others don't," Lily said. Fred and George grinned at one another.

"Well, we might have made a couple of secrets from the shop," Fred said.

"Never know when a secret tunnel or two will be needed," George added.

"Good. Both of you, and Minister Scrimgeour, will need to spend tomorrow preparing the best ways to get into Diagon Alley. Practice as best you can, without being caught. We need that way in, without Riddle knowing," Lily said.

"We'll find the way in, don't worry," Scrimgeour said.

"Good. Fleur, you, Molly, Alicia, Lana, Jim, Kingsley, and Nagini will need to be ready to treat the people at the house we've prepared, because when we get back, we'll have people who are injured," Lily said.

"We'll have everything ready, don't worry," Fleur promised.

"We've got everything we can get medically speaking as well," Jim promised.

"Thank you," Lily said. "Now, the attack on Malfoy Manor is going to be difficult, but we need to do this. Ollivander and Luna are there, as well as others, and no one deserves to be tortured by those people. On top of that, Ollivander might have the answers we need on defeating Riddle."

"You have a plan then?" Sirius asked. Lily nodded and indicated the rear garden of Malfoy Manor.

"Here's the plan. Team one will consist of me, Ginny, Hermione, and Draco. We'll be going through the tunnel that leads to Draco's old room. Draco, you'll need to be ready to deactivate any security spells you have set up," Lily explained.

"You don't want me elsewhere?" Draco sounded surprised.

"No. You know the layout better than anyone, and as much as I wanted to keep you from going after your Aunt, I know I was doing you a disservice by keeping you away. I trust you, Draco, and I know you'll put the mission above personal feelings," Lily said. Draco smiled at her.

"Thank you, Lily. I won't let you down," Draco promised.

"I know," Lily agreed. "Ron, you, Lavender, Fleur, and Bill will be team two. You'll be able to get into the house with Dobby and Kreacher. You'll be apparating into the basement, and preparing the prisoners to escape," Lily said.

"We'll make that work," Ron nodded solemnly.

"Team three will be Uncle Sirius, Uncle Remus, Mr. Crouch, Percy, Charlie, and Viktor," Lily said. "You'll launch an attack from the outside of the manor, as a distraction. Make it look good, but do not take any risks. The final team will be Cedric, Cho, Fred, George, Minister Scrimgeour, and Pansy. Once the attack has begun, you need to sneak in and find the ones who are keeping the anti-apparition spell going. Everything will depend on you getting that spell down. Once it is, send the signal by using the coins. The second the spell is done, Team two will start getting the prisoners out. Once they're out, send the second signal via the coins. Team four will disapparate, followed by team three, then my team. By the time they realise what's happened, we'll all be gone," Lily said.

She looked at everyone around her. "Right now, we've been fighting this whole year since Riddle took over the Ministry. But we've been fighting even longer in secret. Too many good people have died, because they believed in something that Riddle doesn't; they believed in love, and in freedom for everyone," Lily said. She could see the determined looks on everyone's faces, and she was thankful for that, and for them.

"I've spent a long time scared and yet still fighting. But now, that fear is gone. It won't make me reckless, but it does mean that I won't hesitate to fight now. Draco said something to me earlier; he suspects that it was the Horcrux that was keeping me depressed and fighting my inner demons, and I think he was right. I'm not fighting with myself anymore; I'm only going to be fighting Riddle," Lily continued.

"And I know telling you that you don't need to fight will be pointless, because each of you have already made the decision to keep fighting. We're very almost at the end of this damned war, and now we're going to start the final strikes. No more will we let Riddle win. No, now we're going to take the fight to him, and I'm going to kick his ass so hard, the next Riddle wannabe is gonna feel it," Lily said, a sly smirk on her face, which prompted a round of laughter.

"So, let's get going, shall we? I want to do this tonight, unless there are any objections. We'll have more cover under dark," Lily said.

"I can create a spell to give us cloud coverage," Crouch said.

"Good. That'll help," Lily said. "I do want to thank all of you, for standing with me in this war. In the end, it'll come down to me and Riddle, and I won't let him win. I think we've been fighting and talking long enough. Now it's time to end the damned war."

"I want to quote a muggle author," Hermione said. "It's a speech I've been thinking about often."

"Go ahead," Lily agreed.

"We few, we happy few," Hermione began. "We band of brothers."

"For he today that sheds his blood with me," Crouch continued, smiling at Hermione, who nodded. "Shall be my brother."

"Be he ne'er so vile, this day shall gentle his condition," Rufus added, clearly knowing the speech, impressing Lily, and everyone. It was Sirius who spoke next.

"And gentlemen in England now a-bed shall think themselves accursed they were not here," Sirius said, smiling at Remus, who nodded.

" And hold their manhood's cheap whilst any speaks that fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day," Remus finished. Lily looked at the group, and all of them were ready. The confidence on their faces were clear, and Lily knew that they were on the final stretch of the war, and with confidence like this, she knew there was no way Voldemort would ever win.