Chapter 159
Planning a Rescue
Since realising where the Elder Wand, the final Hallow, Lily had been feeling down, trying to figure out what the group's next move was going to be. She figured that Voldemort didn't know what the Hallow's were, which was a relief. Still, it was going to be difficult to defeat Voldemort now he had the Elder Wand.
To keep themselves distracted, the group had sent Fawkes and Dobby to Malfoy Manor to see if they were keeping prisoners there, which had been confirmed, including Luna, sadly, as well as Ollivander, and several other half blood students and Wizards.
That immediately made Lily angry, knowing her friend was in trouble. Ollivander had been weird, but maybe he had information that could help them, and he didn't deserve to be tortured by anyone.
"Do you agree, Lily?" Ron asked, snapping Lily from her thoughts.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Lily asked. Ron frowned.
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked.
"She's thinking of the best way to launch an attack on Bellatrix and the others at my family manor," Draco said, smirking. "You know we're thinking the same thing, right?"
"Then we're agreed that we need to save them?" Lily asked.
"That's literally what I was just asking," Ron replied, chuckling. "Pay attention next time mate, might hear something useful," he teased.
"Sorry Ron," Lily said, as Ginny held her hand.
"Don't worry, we're all good mate," Ron replied. "Now, we need to start planning this properly. Dobby and Fawkes were able to get in and out, but now we need to get in ourselves."
"Can't Dobby and Fawkes just go in and get them out again?" Ron asked.
"Dobby is sorry, Master Weasley, but there was dark magic being cast. Dobby could get in and out, but couldn't take anyone with me," Dobby said.
"A spell like that would need to be kept up by someone focusing, so we'd need to stop them from casting the spell," Hermione said.
"Okay, which means we need to attack the manor, keep them distracted whilst Dobby, Kreacher, and Fawkes get the prisoners out, and we get them to one of the safe houses," Lily said.
"Right, so we go in, attack some of the top Death Eaters, whilst sneaking prisoners out, and then escape with our lives?" Ron asked. "Seems simple enough."
"No need for the sarcasm, Ronald," Hermione chided. "It might be that simple, funnily enough."
"Except we're talking about Bellatrix, and we know Riddle's been using the Manor as his hideout, so somehow, we need to make sure either of them aren't there," Pansy pointed out.
"Yeah, if Riddle's there, we're screwed, especially now he has the Elder Wand," Draco agreed. "Any ideas?"
"We know they've only been sending the muggles imbibed with magic whenever we lure them out, so they've figured out our plan and adapted," Lily said.
"Yeah, about that, why are they still sending people if they know what we're doing?" Ron asked.
"They can't risk not sending someone, because they know Lily is likely to join the attack, so we need to hold off any more attacks," Draco said. "If they send someone, they'll send more as backup, which Bill found out two days ago."
"That makes sense, but we know people are talking, and we've recruited more people to help us already," Lily said. "Which means we achieved what we wanted to do."
"Agreed. Knowing we've got more allies, that gives us more of a chance. I don't care how powerful the Elder Wand is, Riddle isn't going to win against the numbers we're building," Ginny pointed out.
"No, but we can't be too confident. Once we've got Ollivander, maybe he can give us some help with finding a way to stop the Elder Wand," Lily said. "Draco, can you give us a layout of the manor?"
"Yeah," Draco replied, as he waved his wand, a large image of Malfoy Manor appearing in front of them. "If he's keeping them anywhere, it'll be the basement. There's a constant spell around it, so we can't just apparate in or out."
"Dobby can, Master Draco, but Dobby can't get out with anyone," Dobby chimed in.
"Are you able to take us in, Dobby?" Ron asked.
"Dobby can, Master Weasley," Dobby confirmed.
"As can Kreacher," Kreacher chimed in.
"I doubt he's expecting any attack, so I wouldn't imagine there's anyone in the basement. We know Riddle's got repelling charms on the place, but since we know about them, we can easily bypass them," Hermione pointed out.
"Whoever is keeping the spell going to keep us from getting out will likely be in the attic; my father converted it into an area for him to research and come up with new spells and potions," Draco said.
"Right. Draco, you, Ron, Pansy, and Lavender go for the attic, to take out whoever's up there. Fleur, Hermione, Ginny, we'll distract Bellatrix and everyone else there. Dobby, Kreacher, as soon as the blocking charm is down, you and Kreacher start getting everyone out from the basement. We'll set up a place near the Forest of Dean, as we did when we saved Nagini, and get them there, before bringing them to one of the safe houses," Lily said.
"How about the safe house in Troon?" Hermione suggested, referring to their safe house in Scotland near the coast in a small town.
"That'll work," Lily agreed. "I was thinking we should also get some help; we'll need all the strength we can get."
"Then let's piss off Riddle and invite Nagini, and Crouch. I know they'll want to help," Ron suggested.
"Alright, I'll send them a message and let them know our plan; we'll figure out who else wants to join in the battle," Lily agreed.
"Soon as we're done in the attic, we'll come down and help out," Draco said.
"No, I want you to help Dobby get the prisoners out," Lily said. "I know you want to take out Bellatrix, and I get why. I want her dead as well, for so many reasons, but our primary goal has to be freeing the prisoners. If we let ourselves focus on Bellatrix, she'll be able to get the better of us, and I'm not willing to lose anyone, especially not you."
Draco looked at Lily, before nodding softly. "Just promise me that we'll get her," Draco said softly.
"We will. Bellatrix has a debt to pay, and we'll collect on that debt," Lily assured him. She walked over to him and took his hand. "We're family, Draco, and I won't let her get away with what she's done to you and your loved ones."
"Thank you, Lily," Draco smiled sadly at her. "I'll make sure we can get out quickly."
"I know. You know the manor better than the rest of us, so you'll be able to get through without being seen," Lily told him.
"You should use the medallion that Aunt Sofia gave you," Draco suggested.
"That's a good idea. We can get into the basement, then head out without being seen," Lily said. "We need to be careful; we can't let Riddle know we're there, because if he joins in the battle, we're gonna be in big trouble."
"Is there something we can do to lure him away?" Pansy asked. "If we can get him away from there, then it'll make it easier for us."
"Not sure how, though," Lily mused. "Unless we can create a duplicate of me, and I'm not sure of any spell that can copy a person."
"No, but we can always use Polyjuice potion, maybe get someone strong and quick to lure Riddle away," Ron suggested.
"No, I don't want anyone to risk that," Lily replied.
"Lily, it might be the best choice we have, and there's plenty of people who'd be willing to chance it," Hermione pointed out.
"Let's contact Uncle Sirius, and Rufus, and see if they have any ideas," Lily said. "They might have some ideas."
"Alright, but consider the idea at least; it's got to be worth a shot, right?" Lavender suggested, as Lily pulled out her mobile phone, sending a message to Sirius, to ask him and others to join them.
"There's a duplication spell for objects, but not for people," Rufus said, as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "And any possible charms or spells would be too dangerous. No, I suspect the best option is what Miss Granger suggested; have someone lure him out whilst using Polyjuice potion. I know there's a risk, Lily, but we need Ollivander back. If anyone can help us find a way around Riddle using the Elder Wand, it's him."
"I'll do it," Bill spoke up. He had come to the house, along with Rufus, Sirius, Remus, Nagini, and Crouch.
"No, I will," Crouch said. "I know his style of fighting, and I can block any attempt he makes to read my mind."
"I'll go too. He'll be surprised to see me, and angry as well, so it'll put him off balance," Nagini said.
"Does he know what you look like as a human?" Draco asked. Nagini nodded.
"He does; he had his research done before finding me," Nagini said. Crouch looked down at the floor, guilt all over his face.
"I… I'm sorry about that," Crouch said softly.
"I already forgave you, Barty," Nagini said, with a small smile as she cupped his cheek. "I don't hold a grudge, and all of this led to me being here, being myself. Don't worry about it."
"Are you sure about this? I don't want to risk your life?" Lily said. Crouch chuckled softly.
"This is war, Lily. Our lives are at risk every day, and if it keeps Riddle away from Malfoy Manor for a while, then it'll keep you safe. Whatever happens, we need to get Ollivander back, and Miss Lovegood doesn't deserve to be tortured by those bastards either," Crouch told her. Lily sighed and nodded.
"It's the best option we have," Lily agreed. "Uncle Sirius, can you and Uncle Remus go to the Troon safehouse, and get it ready? We'll need some simple foods, because I doubt any of the prisoners have been fed properly, and a medi witch or two would be helpful."
"We've got several Medi Witches at our hideout, so I'll go back and get them to help," Sirius confirmed. "Make sure you're careful; don't do anything stupid and get out the second you can."
"I will," Lily promised. "We'll rest tonight and launch the attack tomorrow. If you can lure Riddle out somewhere semi-public, but also somewhere with multiple escape routes, in case he tries to stop you from apparating away."
"I'll set up a Portkey for Nagini and myself to escape with," Crouch replied. "Then I'll use the Polyjuice potion and lure the two of them out. With Nagini with me, it'll be easy to get them both there."
"Alright, so we have a plan. Let's get plenty of rest tonight, shall we?" Lily suggested.
"I'll head to the safe house with Remus, and get it set up. Soon as you get there, we'll be there to check everyone out when they arrive," Sirius said.
"Dobby and Kreacher will get the people there safely, Lily Potter Miss," Dobby spoke up.
"Kreacher is ready, Miss Lily," Kreacher added.
"Alright. So, we have our teams, and our plans. Let's get some food and rest up for tonight," Lily said. "Tomorrow… we attack, and make Riddle regret the day he was born."
With the stars out, Lily sat out in the garden, looking up at the clear night sky, thankful that the weather was good. She enjoyed looking up at the stars; it always gave her a sense of peace. With everything they were going to be facing the next day, even a moment's peace was something Lily welcomed.
She closed her eyes, trying to banish the fears she felt inside. What if things went wrong? Would they be hurt? Would they die? Would they be able to pull off the rescue? She knew there wasn't any other choice in terms of luring Voldemort, both of them, away from the Manor; they couldn't risk him being there.
The biggest fear was whether the distraction would even work; Lily suspected it might, but she also knew there was a chance Voldemort would know what they were doing. She also knew Draco wanted to take out Bellatrix, and she didn't blame him. After everything that Bellatrix had done, Lily knew there was no redemption for her. She suspected Draco would kill Bellatrix, but they needed to make sure they had the advantage; she was powerful, and dangerous. She knew spells none of them had heard of.
Lily thought back to the spell Snape had taught her; Sectumsempra. When she had practiced the spell, it had proven to be powerful, and dangerous. She knew it would likely kill someone, and so she had been hesitant to use it for that reason. She remembered what Crouch told her about the first time he had taken a life.
She knew the time would come when she would need to kill; as Crouch had told her earlier, it was War, and that was what happened in war. She had managed to not kill anyone yet, but she couldn't keep holding back. It would soon likely be a choice between taking a life or being killed herself.
"I choose you, every time," Ginny's voice said softly from behind Lily. Ginny sat on Lily's lap, a sombre look on her face.
"And I you, but this… I wish I didn't have to face this choice," Lily said.
"So do I," Ginny agreed. Lily could see the pain in Ginny's eyes, and she knew Ginny saw the same in her eyes. "I think everyone does, especially when we're as young as we are."
"Dumbledore knew we'd eventually have to face this choice," Lily said, holding Ginny's hand. "He planned a lot of this; he trained us to find the Horcruxes, and he trained us to understand Riddle, so we could fight him, and eventually kill him."
"At the same time, you don't want to be like him, taking a life because you know the world will be better without that life," Ginny said. Lily nodded.
"Exactly. Does this make me like him? Taking a life to make the world better is what he's been doing, at least in his twisted view," Lily said.
"The fact that you're scared of that means you won't ever be like him. Do you remember what you told me about when you spoke to Dumbledore after you saved me from the Chamber of Secrets?" Ginny asked, smiling softly at her. Lily knew exactly what she was referring to.
"About our choices making us who we are?" Lily asked.
"Exactly. You aren't choosing to take a life happily, you know you need to because the world will be destroyed otherwise," Ginny confirmed, before kissing Lily softly. "Do you want to know one of the things I love most about you?"
"Always," Lily told her.
"Your heart. You've done more than anyone has the right to ask, and you've helped people who would have died if not for you. You've given everything to the world," Ginny told her.
"Not everything; not yet anyway," Lily said. "I know I chose to keep fighting, and I will, because I know it's the right thing to do."
"Don't ever lose that innocence, even after you've done what needs to be done. You are a protector, Lily, and a guardian. You're willing to risk your own life when there are thousands, if not more, willing to do this instead of you," Ginny pointed out.
"I couldn't ask anyone to do something that I'm not willing to do myself," Lily said, her voice close to breaking. "I can't ask someone to go out and risk their lives if I'm not willing to do the same thing; what kind of leader would that make me?"
"A bad one, I know, and I get it," Ginny assured her. "The fact is you do care so much for the world. Look at how many lives have been changes for the better because you helped them. How many people came out as transgender or as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, or anything else when you were helping Rita with her column in your fourth year? How many people are now going to be benefiting from the transition potion because you needed it? Yes, it wasn't something that was thought of much before you came out, and I know you hate that it only came about because of your fame, but it doesn't matter why it was worked on; what matters is now, people have a chance to live their best lives."
"This is one of the reasons I love you so much, Gin," Lily said. "Your heart is unlike any other; I can feel the light and the goodness, and you inspire me so much. I always want to be better, and do better, when I'm around you. I don't know how I'd have survived this year without you, or even gotten through even half of what I have without you."
"You'd have found a way. You're stronger than you realise," Ginny chuckled softly. "Just remember; you are the light of the wizarding world, and even the muggle world. This world needs you, Lily Jasmine Potter, and so do I."
"And I need you. I've been doing some thinking," Lily said. "I know this isn't the best time, and I had a much better plan, but I… I want to give you something, so you know that we'll be coming back tomorrow."
"I already know we are," Ginny told her, before kissing Lily softly. Lily smiled into the kiss; every kiss felt special for Lily, and she loved every moment, every breath during the kiss, every sensation she felt. As Ginny broke the kiss, Lily pulled a small box from her dressing gown pocket.
"I've been working hard to keep this from my thoughts, so you didn't read my mind," Lily said, showing the box to Ginny. "But this… like I said, I want you to have this, so you know we're coming back tomorrow."
Ginny's eyes widened as she realised what Lily was saying, tears of happiness rolling down her eyes as Lily continued.
"Ginny, I love you with all my heart, soul, and being. I'm sorry this isn't more romantic, but will you marry me?"