Reversed Role

Lily found gardening without magic to be an excellent form of therapy, and the Malfoy garden was full of the most exotic and varied plants she could ever have dreamed of. She was currently tending to the corner of a huge triangular flower bed full of colourful flowers, all Muggles, as Narcissa had requested. The bed was surrounded by alleys, where one could stroll leisurely, surrounded by hedges, and walk under flower arches made of wisteria. It was an enchanting place. 

Narcissa also taught her the use of each plant in potions and medicines, and their symbolism in the language of flowers, which is still very much used by pure-bloods.

Her hair was in a messy bun, she had dirt on her face, her muggle clothes were wrinkled and stained, but she felt alive and that was all that mattered at the moment. 

She took the hyacinth plant and carefully placed it in the hole she had dug, then some spring Adonis and to complete her flower bed she added a yellow carnation plant. It was colourful and lively, now she had to add soil around the roots. 

"Hello Lily," she whirled around, but too fast and fell head first into the soil. 

"Oh fuck!" She spat on the ground, the bits of mud and dirt ending up in her mouth, "That's so disgusting!" A restrained but amused laugh answered her. 

Remus smiled reservedly and stood awkwardly on his feet, hands in his pockets. 

"Hello Remus," she said with a small smile, "I thought you were gone wandering with werewolves." 

The sandy haired boy grimaced, "Yeah, after the... Well, I decided to join a pack. I was so heartbroken and angry too, so I left everything and joined a small group of werewolves and it has really helped me. I am more... confident I suppose, my wolf is less angry too, we get on much better now". 

She nodded, "That's very good."

He hummed, "You... you're not... you're not angry with me? I am..." 

Lily shook her head firmly, "No. Sirius killed Severus and James is an accomplice, and while I am angry at the way you treated Severus, you are also a victim in this." 

"Okay. Well, for what it's worth, I regret everything I did at Hogwarts, I shouldn't have gone anyway. Our world is not set up to welcome werewolves into the school."

Lily nodded and wiped her dirty hands on her work clothes, "I can't disagree with you. That's why I'm here... in a way. And you?" 

Remus was sitting on the ground under a nearby tree, his leg crossed, he had more scarring on his face than she remembered, but he also looked much more relaxed "I had no idea you had joined Voldemort, in fact I think only members of the Order know that. But my pack was contacted by some Death Eaters, they presented their plans, their ideas, for a future society, a society focused on magic and all that it represents. It sounded better than anything Dumbledore told me."

She huffed and joined him on the grass, "Normal, Dumbledore has no political agenda, he just wants things to stay the way they are, he's a big fan of the status quo. It's because he's old, I think," Remus laughed. 

"Yes, I accepted because I thought of all the half-blood children wandering around in a Knockturn, never allowed to go to school because of the creature's blood in their veins. I never got a letter, you know, Lily, it was Dumbledore himself who knocked on my door. I was so honoured, and my parents even more so," his face suddenly turned ugly, "but the bastard was already trying to recruit a werewolf into his ranks, what a boost for him, faster and harder to kill, and a political figure. It was never about giving a little boy a chance to live a normal life". 

Lily blinked, Remus had never been so vehement, "I see, I lost faith in him when he tried to cover up a murder. You know, I've seen the Hogwarts registers, all the rules or actions of a Headmaster or Headmistress are recorded there, as are the student files. Dumbledore was... he was negligent, the bullying peaked during his tenure, the budget was mismanaged, and several students died in class accidents over the years because of incompetent professors. He was so preoccupied with his work in the Wizengamot and the ICW that his responsibilities as Headmaster were secondary, if not tertiary".

The sandy haired boy blew out a breath of astonishment, "How is it that we are so few that one man ended up with so many responsibilities?"

Lily shrugged, "We are a purist and separatist society. Years of isolation from other races has encouraged inbreeding, and now every family has only one child, either because they are infertile or because they are too poor to afford more. If purebloods married half-bloods or Muggle-borns, the two problems would cancel each other out, as purebloods have the wealth and half-bloods and Muggle-borns have less fertility problems'. 

The young werewolf scoffed, "Purebloods will never marry non-purebloods". 

She hummed thoughtfully, "I don't know, I know Benedict Selwyn isn't against it, Narcissa told me her cousin Celeste could see herself with a half-blood. I think Voldemort has managed to make a few purebloods understand the danger of inbreeding, and I think most of them care more about their wealth and family lineage than purity".

"Voldemort isn't a pureblood fanatic?" Remus asked in surprise. 

"No, he admitted that he used the excuse to gather the purebloods around him, but no, he doesn't believe in the superiority of blood himself." She didn't tell him that Voldemort was actually a half-blood. "It was Dumbledore's propaganda."

The young man swore, "Bastard...what are you doing here anyway? I was sent here for the afternoon, but I have to get back to the Pack before dawn." 

Lily suddenly wondered if Remus knew about McGonagall, "Er, well, the Order suspected I was going to join Voldemort, so they tried to stop me and sent McGonagall and Moody after me while I was at Hogwarts. We fought and McGonagall died," Remus jumped and looked at her, his eyes wide. 

"You... you killed her?" He whispered. 

The redhead shrugged, "I didn't mean to, it was a desperate move, she could have killed me too".

"And you're okay with that?" He asked hesitantly.

She tilted her head in confusion, "With what? McGonagall's death? Well, yes, she tried to kidnap me. I'm angry, Remus, all the time. I'm learning to channel it, but killing someone, especially when they mean harm to me, doesn't affect me."

Remus swallowed and shifted uncomfortably, "So you would kill Sirius and James? " 

"I could, it's very tempting actually, but death is too easy for them. They deserve Azkaban," she grinned and he nodded, seeming to understand her. 

"So you are a fugitive and the Malfoys are sheltering you, but why them?"

"Long story short, Narcissa was supposed to recruit me, and when I escaped it was she who rescued me, and then I think Voldemort basically told them that I would be staying for an indeterminate amount of time. I like her. Except for Araminta, Lady Malfoy and I think Lucius is more afraid of her than he is of Voldemort," she chuckled. 

Remus shivered, "I bet he is terrifying, he is considered to be the most powerful dark wizard of the century, even stronger than Grindelwald".

She rolled her eyes, "He's mostly an asshole." 

He laughed "You said that like you met him" He stopped laughing. "You met him?"

"Of course I have. I've been here for six - seven months, God, school's over and I haven't even done my exams!" She complained, ignoring the look of intense curiosity Remus was giving her. 

"You can still get through to the Ministry as an independent candidate, but I wouldn't recommend it at the moment." Suddenly Voldemort was sitting next to her, dark hair, high cheekbones, chocolate eyes and his eternal glass of brandy in one hand, wearing his usual black, tailored wizard's robes. 

She shot him an evil glare, "What are you doing here?" He was behaving as he had when they first met in Hogsmeade. 

His eyes went red for a split second as she saw it and she tensed, "I just wanted to see how you were doing," he said pleasantly. 

Lily nodded, "I'm fine, thanks" There was no way she was going to upset him again, her throat still remembered the last time. "I was catching up with Remus." 

The werewolf cleared his throat, "Pleased to meet you, sir, I'm Remus Lupin." 

Voldemort smiled pleasantly, "Ah, yes, Avalain told me about you, Sirius Black weapon." Remus tensed. 

She sighed, "That's not funny, and that's one of the reasons we're both here, to get revenge"

The man hummed thoughtfully, "Yes, yes, by the way, Lily, I have learned that you are keeping up with your training, good. I'll be back in a couple of days to train you, and Abraxas is leaving in a week to meet with you know who," he grinned, and she couldn't help but smile. 

"Alright, I'll continue training on my own," she said and he nodded. 

"Perfect, I will see you later," he apparated away. 

Remus scowled, "Who was that? He's..."

"Rude? Annoying? " She tried. 

He raised an eyebrow "Er, I was going to ask why he was giving you orders, is he a high ranking Death Eater? He seems to like you." 

She scoffed, "I beg your pardon?" 

He shrugged in amusement, "The way he looked at you, I think he likes you." 

"Because you are now an expert in reading behaviour?" She snapped. 

He didn't lose his grin, "No, but I'm a werewolf and I see better than most, I hear better too and his heart was definitely beating very fast". 

Her brain short-circuited for a second and in her most serious voice she said, "Are you telling me that Voldemort has a crush on me?" 

Remus choked on his breath, "I beg your pardon?! That was Voldemort? He's bloody gorgeous!" 

It was her turn to burst into helpless laughter "Remus! I won't let you forget this moment!" 

The sandy haired young man said "No, but seriously, he is nothing like I imagined!" 

She continued giggling, "Floppy?" The house-elf popped up immediately, "Can you get us some butterbeer, please?" 

"Right away Mistress Lily!" 

Butterbeer in hand, she explained as much as she could to Remus about Voldemort, "He's definitely dangerous, his appearance is a tool he's used to his advantage, but don't provoke him if you see him again. Lucius told me he killed a Death Eater the last time they met".

Remus sipped his butterbeer "Why are you so privileged? 

She had avoided the question for a long time. "I don't really know. At first he told me that a Muggleborn of his rank was essential to his political agenda, but given the way I am treated, that seems too superficial a reason. Now I have discovered that I am quite powerful magically, so I suppose he knew that before I did". 

Remus frowned, "I don't think it's either, of course both are good reasons, but you were actually joking together, like... like equals". 

Lily rested her head on her knees, "I'll see him tomorrow. It's been weeks since we trained together, since I was ill actually, so... three months" 

"Ill? What did you catch?" 

"Frostbane fungus." 

Remus blinked, "Your life is crazy." 

She took a swig of her butterbeer, regretting not feeling the alcohol burn her throat, "I know" 

"Your best friend was killed by a werewolf used as a weapon by his friends, Voldemort has a crush on you, you almost bled to death from mushrooms" She threw some grass in his face and he laughed.

"Voldemort's not into me, you lunatic." 

Remus just chuckled, but quickly sobered up, "I'm sorry, Lily, for everything."

She took another drink, "I know. I'm sorry too." She would be sending his old friends to a place that people thought was hell on earth. 

✧ ✦ ✧

Two days later

In a cottage that once belonged to Minerva, hidden in the Scottish Valley, Albus looked at his most trusted Order members, reunited in the small sitting room: Kingsley, Moody, Fleamont and Euphemia, Molly and Arthur, Molly's brothers Gideon and Fabian Prewett, Emmeline, Dedalus and Frank Longbottom, who had recently joined the Auror training programme and also joined the Order. 

"Has anyone found out anything about the disappearance of Lady Fawley and Lord Macmillan?" He asked, these disappearances were highly suspicious as they happened within a week and he only saw Voldemort as capable of such a thing, but he failed to see what he gained from such a stunt. 

Emmeline shook her head, "No, Kings and I tried to find their magical signature, but nothing came of it, they were either hidden behind powerful Wards or dead". 

Molly shook her head disapprovingly, "Such savages, Annie was such a sweet person," Arthuhg patted her back comfortingly. 

"I don't understand Voldemort's modus operandi, nothing makes sense..." Kingsley muttered and Moody grunted his agreement, concern written all over their faces. 

Albus stroked his beard, "I see, good work Emmeline and Kingley, now about our plan, everyone knows what they have to do?" He asked seriously. They all nodded seriously. 

"In a week, on the 31st of July, Abraxas Malfoy will reach the elves, according to my informant. It is the ideal time." 

Moody grunted, "Does your informant tell you who was a permanent resident of the manor, the person who visited frequently? Because I'm telling you, Albus, if the likes of Bellatrix Letrange are here when we burst in, it won't end well for us". 

Dumbledore shook his head, "They couldn't tell me more, but we're not here to linger. Everything will go according to plan and Voldemort will be gone".

The Potters looked at each other, "As simple as that?" Fleamont asked.

Albus looked at them, "Voldemort is just a man," he bit back the doubt that lingered in his mind, it had been decades since he had last seen Tom, but when he had seen him for the Defence Against the Dark Arts post in 1956, he had found his former student different, something had unsettled him. 

"It's just... he seems so untouchable," Euphemia whispered. 

"I assure you he is not," he declared firmly, "if everyone knows where they are and what they have to do, I see no reason to keep you any longer."

They all left without a fuss, leaving Dumbledore alone with his thoughts. For the last half year there had been no attacks, no kidnappings, no murders and people were beginning to believe that Voldemort had ceased his activities, but Albus knew better, Tom had simply changed his methods, opting for the legal route, trying to gain the support of the other wizards and have the majority in the Wizengamot. Dumbledore wasn't going to let him get away with it, the wizarding world had suffered too much under Gellert's reign and he wasn't going to make the same mistake twice. 

But then he kidnapped two members of the Wizengamot, and Albus feared that something was very wrong with Tom, for Tom was many things, but not careless and impulsive. He just hoped he was wrong. 

Slowly he made his way to the cellar, in the dimly lit room he could see the sprawled form of his informant behind the silver bars. “How are you doing today Remus ?” He asked softly.He had been very lucky to find Mr Lupin yesterday; Moody had placed several enchantments in the woods known to be home to packs of werewolves that would warn him if there was a gathering. Albus had been painted to watch young Remus having a friendly chat with none other than Avalain Rosier.

The boy opened his eyes, they glowed an unnatural amber "Piss off. You made me tell you what you needed to know." 

"And I'm sorry I had to go to such extremes, but Veritaserum is a painless method," he said gently. 

The young man scoffed, "Gee, thanks for not torturing me!" 

"Voldemort would have tortured you if your situation was reversed, Remus." 

The werewolf blinked, "No shit, I didn't choose to join him because of his sweet disposition. 

Dumbledore sighed, "Then why?" 

"You really have to ask? You really are out of your mind," Remus sat on the floor, taking care not to touch the bars, "I joined him because he promised every magical being and creature a place in society, an education, the means to find a job suited to our needs." 

"You do realise these are lies, Remus? Tom always had a way with words, I suppose he also promised muggle-borns a place in his society to Lily?" He said quietly. 

Remus looked at him with hatred, "You're completely stupid, what would he gain by spreading a false ideology only to do the opposite immediately afterwards? All his allies would turn against him." 

Albus sighed, "Voldemort only wants power, he will crush them all" That had been Tom's only wish even at eleven. 

But again Remus chuckled and then looked dead in the eyes, "There is no power if he rules over a pile of ashes.

Dumbledore was at a loss for words.