Chapter 3
"I'm sorry I didn't get to talk to you at the ball, I hope you appreciated it?"
Black asked her a few days after their evening at the Malfoy's. Lily was trying to make a seventh year potion and Slughorn had given her free access to his laboratory. Unfortunately, Black was there too.
"Yes," she just said, concentrating on the recipe, Severus' writing was so complicated to decipher sometimes.
"That's it?" She raised her head when she heard the genuine indignation in Black's voice.
Lily gave her a confused look, "Yes, I liked it, what more can I say?"
"How was the food? The decorations? Did you like the theme? How was my dress?" Black started firing questions at her, Lily had never acted like this before.
"Black" she interrupted, "I'm a Muggle from a middle class family, the mask you offered me cost more than my house, from my point of view everything was splendid and absurdly expensive, and I can't believe the first red wine I tasted in my life cost half a million".
Black looked at her with an unreadable expression, then sighed, "I was the one who organised everything, that's why I'm so curious, Lady Malfoy wants to see if I'm qualified to be the new Lady Malfoy.
Lily almost choked on her saliva: "Are you applying for a job or getting married? Qualified enough? She sounds like a miserable old hag." Then she went back to her potion.
But her attention was soon caught by a small giggle from Black, a giggle that soon turned into a full blown laugh: "Oh dear me! I shouldn't be laughing like that, but dear Morgana, she's been so annoying these past few weeks, I can't believe Lucius has had to put up with her all his life!
Lily laughed with her and asked curiously, "What about his father? I've heard a lot about Lord Malfoy, but they always contradict each other, so..."
Black looked thoughtful. "I like Abraxas, he's a serious man, very devoted to our world, sometimes at the expense of his family, but with the woman he's got... I can't blame him," they exchanged an amused look "By the way, I'm having a little tea party this weekend, I'd love it if you could come, I heard you got on with the Selwyn, Lillian will be there as well as Lady Greengrass and Lady Lestrange and also my future mother-in-law."
Lily looked at the potion she was making, "Okay, I'll be here, but I warn you, Black, one comment about my blood and I'm out".
"Of course," Black smiled sufficiently. "And the clothes you wore to the ball were a gift from our mutual friend," she then left them alone in the potion lab.
Lily felt herself blushing, "Tom?"
- - - ✦ - - -
Black picked her up at exactly four on Saturday for the tea party, and again she was given a complete outfit, this time a sage green dress, again long sleeved and also high collared, it reminded her a little of a Chinese dress, but the skirt of her dress was flowing and her waist was decorated with darker green and silver illustrations of leaves and flowers, her jewellery matched her outfit.
"Ah, you look gorgeous, dear," Black looked at her critically and replaced a strand of hair in her braid.
Then she took her arm and they apparated away.
Lily fought valiantly not to throw up and keep her balance as they landed in front of Malfoy Manor, which looked less terrifying in the light of day.
"When's your wedding?" The redhead asked as they walked towards the entrance.
"We will be married on the winter solstice," the woman replied.
Lily detected a hint of nervousness in her tone, "Anxious?"
"Not at all," Black lied.
"I think it's normal to be nervous, my mother told me she was terrified, even though she loves my father," she explained.
"I... I don't love Lucius. But I could learn to love him," was Black's hesitant reply.
"I can only hope for you."
When they entered the manor, they didn't go to the ballroom, but to a smaller door to the left of the massive staircase, they walked down several corridors lined with portraits of blonde men and women, not all of them blonde, thank Merlin.
Finally, Black stopped in front of a white double door and turned to Lily, "Please, call me Narcissa in here and I will call you Lily"
The redhead nodded and they entered the room, it was a bright parlour, decorated mainly in white and silver and full of plants and blooming flowers, it was a strange but surprisingly harmonious mixture of Regency and Victorian style and the result was nothing but sumptuous.
"At last you grace us with your presence, Narcissa," a sharp, sour voice cut in.
Lily immediately recognised Malfoy's mother, the lady of the house, a thin, wrinkled woman with dirty blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. Knowing that Narissa was late because of her, she decided to speak first.
"I apologise Lady Malfoy, it is my fault, Narcissa here had to apparate me as I am underage," she said in her most syrupy voice.
The shriveled old lady gave her a look of disgust, "Ah, yes, the...Muggle-born."
Next to her, the two other ladies, who looked younger and hopefully a little nicer, exchanged serious looks and Lily felt definitely out of place, once again.
Narcissa led her to a free sofa, across from Lady Greengrass and Lady Lestrange, and Lady Malfoy was alone, presiding over the gathering of women, all wearing gorgeous dresses and expensive jewellery that made Lily feel like she was back in the Middle Ages at the King's Court.
"So you are Lily Evans, Aloysius and Lillian, their late nephew's friend?" Lady Greengrass had a soft voice and a kind look on her face, but Lily did not lower her guard, her wand was firmly attached to her calf and she was ready to use it if things got out of hand.
She nodded respectfully at the auburn women, "Indeed, Severus was my best and first friend, what happened to him is a scandal," she said firmly, clutching the cup of tea Narcissa handed her.
"Sirius is truly sorry for what happened, if that's any consolation, he's been a source of trouble from day one, but this... My great uncle was furious," Narcissa said with a disapproving look on her face.
Lily considered her words as Lady Lestrange spoke, "Did you see how easily Minister Bagnold was bought off to free the Heir Potter? It's a disgrace."
Lady Greengrass remarked, "Indeed, our society is heading for ruin if we can't even trust our government.
Again Lily found herself surprised, she thought that the malleability of their government was essential for the purebloods and that corruption ran free in their circle. "And for Sirius too," she added, watching her reaction.
After all, Sirius was a complicated case, he came from a family that supported Voldemort, but he distanced himself from them first by his sorting in Gryffindor and his behaviour, then he murdered a poor half-blood using a werewolf, which of course delighted his mother. On the other hand, Narcissa was not pleased by the event, and the fact that Severus was to be the future Lord Prince may have had something to do with it.
"Your cousin has always been a problem, Regulus would make a much better Lord Black," Lady Malfoy said.
"I quite agree with you, Lady Malfoy, Sirius is too unpredictable," Narcissa said, sipping her tea.
The door opened and a house-elf announced the arrival of Lady Selwyn, "I apologise for my tardiness Lady Malfoy, Miss Black," the woman looked younger without her mask, perhaps thirty-five, and she had charming grey eyes and wore a royal blue dress.
Narcissa's future mother-in-law gave her a disdainful look, "What caused this?"
Lillian was unperturbed by the sharp tone and sat down next to the lady of the house, "The Ministry, of course, it is filled with such incompetence, everything takes forever to get done and I found myself telling them how to do their own work. I had to arrange Severus' funeral, we buried him in our family crypt," Lily bit back a sob; she had missed his funeral. Lillian's face took on an apologetic expression when she spotted her, "Oh hello Lily dear, I'm sorry you weren't there, but when a underage wix dies the funeral is always reserved for the family, but you are welcome to visit him any time".
"Good day, Lady Selwyn, and I understand," she said with a sad smile.
The woman tutted, "Call me Lillian".
They discussed a bit more about the Ministry and its obvious obsolescence and Lily found herself agreeing with all the ladies, they talked about how ancient and primitive some of the laws were, especially the one about children being abused at home, it reminded Lily of Severus once again.
"It's because of these Muggles, no wizard or witch would dare raise their hand to a child, we are not savages."
Lily thought of Tobias Snape who was always violent with his son and his wife, she also thought with a twinge of pain of her own sister who always called her a freak. "Not all of them, Lady Malfoy," she cut in quietly, "I have the chance to have parents who support me and love me, magic doesn't change anything for them, you can't generalise billions of people."
There was a moment's silence until Lady Lestrange, who was mostly silent, spoke in a gravelly voice, "But you know Muggles who are not so tolerant, I can see it in your eyes".
"Yes. That's why I said you can generalise, there are Muggles who don't understand magic and never will, and they strike out in fear or jealousy and others who are fine with it. One person does not represent a whole population."
Lillian looked at her, "Who do you know that is not okay with magic?"
Lily smiled bitterly, "My sister," Lady Malfoy let out a sufficient hum, "She's jealous, I think, when I got my letter she sent one to Dumbledore asking for a place at school, ever since that day things have never been the same between us."
"You see, Muggles are just jealous creatures!" Lady Malfoy spat.
Lily glared at her, "That's not true! I just said that my parents didn't change with my magic! And Muggles are not creatures! They are sentient beings, intelligent and emotional like us," she shot a venomous look at Lady Malfoy, who, if a look could kill, would be dead, "Lady Greengrass and Lillian exchanged alarmed glances, while Lady Lestrange and Narcissa remained silent. The Goblin Wars were caused by the jealousy and greed of our people, who could not stand the Goblins' talent for making weapons and jewellery!"
Lady Lestrange snorted, a strange glint in her eye, "Goblins are just vile beasts.
The red-haired woman turned to the dark-haired woman, "Have you ever spoken to a goblin other than your vault keeper?" She rose from her seat, "I don't know why I accepted this, it was truly a mistake, you are all so convinced that you are the superior race and I'm sure some of you dream of cutting my throat. I'll be going," she nodded to Narcissa, who made no attempt to force her to leave.
She took a vial from her pocket and a battered book, "Lady Selwyn, Severus' book as promised and a potion he invented, I hope it works".
Lillian looked at her in astonishment and hope, the vial in her hand.
" The room to your left has a fireplace you can use to Floo to Hogwarts," Narcissa said quietly.
Lily went to the door and heard Lady Malfoy cackle and say aloud, "Good riddance, I can't believe you let a Mudblood into this sacred house, Narcissa" As the word left the woman's mouth, she let out a scream of pain that made Lily turn around.
Tom was standing behind the old matriarch, his white bone wand in his hand, looking clearly displeased and for the third time Lily wondered who the hell he was, he had just sent a burning spell to Lady Malfoy in her house, he tutted disprovingly "Araminta, Lily is here at my request, she is young..." The unspoken 'unlike you' was not lost on anyone, "...and has wonderful ideas for our world, I will not allow you to disrespect her like this".
He was dressed very smartly again, this time in shades of brown, bronze and gold, looking like an angel or a king of some autumnal kingdom.
"I...I apologise," Lady Malfoy said looking at her with angry eyes and Lily felt her inside turn cold as she realised she was playing with fire by making enemies with the Malfoy.
So she walked away without saying anything.
✧ ✦ ✧
Rhianon Lestrange smiled, almost predatory, "I like her, even my sons don't dare speak to me like that. It was refreshing."
Elissa sighed, "I can't believe you said that about the goblins.
Araminta couldn't keep her mouth shut again, despite the burning reminder to behave. "It was only the truth, goblins are bestial and muggles are scum under our shoes," her master put a hand on Araminta's shoulder and she stifled a shiver.
Lillian rolled her eyes in annoyance, "For Morgana's sake, I know it's hard for you to accept that time is changing, but Araminta, we're dying, purebloods make up less than twenty percent of the wixen population. Look at us, we have only given birth to one child, we must change our ways. It is hard for us too, but necessary.
Lady Greengrass, the youngest present, barely thirty, nodded sadly, "My parents start screaming every time I try to convince them that we have to change, but my father won't budge, he won't vote for the new law about Muggle-born children, I apologise, my Lord."
"Don't worry Elissa, my plans for the Wizengamot are on hold, Dumbledore is out thanks to our wonderful Lily Evans, so I have no real dangerous opposition. It is imperative that we recruit a Muggle born to our cause, it would change everything".
Araminta huffed, "What has that girl done to be so important?"
Narcissa finally spoke, a satisfied smile on her perfect face, "She testified against Dumbledore, Potter and Black, she offered her condolences to Severus' housemates in proper wizarding fashion, I think I have never seen a Muggleborn adapt to our world so quickly and have such a desire to learn about it. And best of all, I think she plans to get justice for Severus herself".
Her Lord raised an interrogative eyebrow at her, "How so?"
The future Lady Malfoy gave him a bright smile, "I believe she intends to kill Potter and Sirius."
Voldemort smiled, "Then she needs a guide”
✧ ✦ ✧
A month after the dreadful tea party, Lily had decided to go to Hogsmead for the weekend, a new Tomes & Scrolls had opened and she wanted to know if they could take her as an intern for the summer. She would be of age and have her Apparition Licence, she also wanted to see if they had any interesting books that might help her with her little project, she smiled grimly, her anger still burning.
It was December and the village was covered in snow, as it had been for the last two weeks, so few students chose to go to the village and she enjoyed the silence and the white landscapes. Since her outburst in the common room, Marlene and Mary had stopped bugging her every day to be less gloomy, so she tolerated their presence a little more, but she still preferred to be alone, although she got on quite well with Benedict Selwyn and enjoyed his company.
As she entered the shop, a bell rang to announce her presence, "Hello?" There was no one in sight, so she naturally made her way to the books on display; there were few, as Tomes & Scrolls specialised in rare books and artefacts, concentrating more on their spellcraft. She spotted a book of healing spells that had been diverted to be used for attack and torture, she snorted as she read one, Claudicare Vulnera was normally used as a spell to close wounds, like a sort of suturing spell, but without wounds to close the spell could be used to bind parts of the body together, the image depicted was horrifying.
Although the book seemed fascinating, it was an old and rare edition that cost three hundred galleons, so she put it back with a look of longing.
"How can I help you, Miss?" A man who seemed to have appeared from nowhere asked her from behind the counter.
"Oh, um, hello. I was wondering if you take on trainees? I'll be seventeen this summer and I want to specialise in charms."
The blond man smiled, "Yes, I'll ask Mr. Volumen, he's the owner, but I don't think it will be a problem, your OWL's and this year's result form in Charms, Defence and Runes will be required".
Lily smiled genuinely happy, "Wonderful, I'll send you everything by owl as soon as I get this year's results," she said, heading for the exit.
"Perfect, have a nice day... Miss?"
"Oh, I'm Lily Evans."
He nodded and wrote her name on a piece of paper, "Good day Miss Evans".
She happily made her way back to the castle, finally having something that worked for her and finally getting rid of those pesky purebloods, Black had stopped talking to her about joining sides now they only talked about potions or charms and apparently she was leaving after the Christmas holidays.
"Lily," she stopped in her tracks and let out a groan.
"I had hoped you would be more pleased to see me," Tom's voice echoed in the silence of the village square, it had begun to snow lightly.
Lily huffed and walked on, "I don't want to join Voldemort, I made a mistake, I listened to his side and decided it wasn't mine, and if it's any consolation, I won't join Dumbledore. Now leave me alone."
For a moment she thought Tom had listened to her, but when she was near the courtyard portal he spoke again, "Rhianon Lestrange only said that to see your reaction, the Lestranges have always had close ties with the goblin nations. Only Araminta is really prejudiced here, all the others are willing to work on their views, believe me, they were all like her before... before Voldemort".
Lily stopped in her tracks and sneered at him, as usual he was devastatingly handsome, all in different shades of green from sage to forest green, "Voldemort convinced them to be more tolerant of Muggles?"
Tom rolled his eyes and hurried to catch up with her to be on the same level, he was several feet taller than her "I wouldn't say that, Muggles are dangerous, they will fear us and lash out in defence, like a wounded animal, that's why we need to improve our world, to be able to protect ourselves better, Muggle-borns are a threat to the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy and abuse in the Muggle-born and half-blood population has never been higher than during Dumbledore's tenure at Hogwarts. Look at Severus"
She stuck a finger in his torso and spat angrily, "Don't you dare speak of Severus to try and lure me into Voldemort's ranks!"
He grabbed her wrist with a quick movement of his hand, "If you don't want to talk and act about what matters, then you're right, you have no business in his ranks," he said seriously, "But face it, Lily, if our world wasn't so old-fashioned, Severus Snape would probably be alive today, rescued from an abusive home and not bullied by a couple of favoured rich boys. You said it yourself, he would have done great things, the potions he and you made for Lillian and Aloysisus are a miracle, Lillian announced her pregnancy yesterday," he let go of her wrist gently, his voice taking on its usual warm tone, "The death of Severus Snape is the tangible proof that our world is broken, Voldemort is the only solution."
He took a step back, and at the same moment a red flash came towards him, but he summoned a shield without even raising his wand: "Think about it, Lily, I could teach you so much, and Severus would be avenged.
"Go away, you monster! You are not welcome in these lands!" screamed McGonagall's voice, followed by the voices of Sprout and Slughorn, Lily remained paralysed as Tom bowed mockingly and apparated away.
The Headmistress ran towards her, "My goodness, Miss Evans, are you alright? What has he done to you?" Lily didn't answer, her hand trembling.
Behind her, Sprout was breathing heavily, "I can't believe it, how could Voldemort get past our wards?"
Lily fainted.