Serenity of War

Lily stood at the wrought iron gates of Malfoy Manor, her arms tightly wrapped around Harry, who stirred slightly in her hold. The cold morning air bit at her cheeks, and the sheer size of the manor looming in the distance made her stomach twist with dread. She glanced over her shoulder, her green eyes scanning the empty expanse behind her, but there was no one.

The gates creaked open slowly, the sound echoing unnervingly in the stillness. She hesitated for a moment, clutching Harry closer to her chest, before stepping through. The path to the manor stretched long and foreboding, lined with meticulously trimmed hedges and ancient trees that seemed to loom over her like silent sentinels.

Every step she took felt heavier than the last, her heart pounding in her chest. As she approached the grand front door, she faltered. Her knuckles hovered just above the dark wood, her hand trembling. For a moment, she considered leaving, running back to James, to safety, but the memory of the fear in his eyes the night before rooted her in place. She couldn’t go back. Not yet.

Summoning all her courage, she knocked, the sound echoing like a thunderclap in the quiet morning. The door swung open abruptly, and Lucius Malfoy stood before her. His pale blond hair was as immaculate as ever, but his sharp gray eyes narrowed with disgust as they landed on her.

A sneer twisted his lips as his gaze traveled from her face to the child in her arms. “What,” he drawled, his voice dripping with disdain, “is a filthy Mudblood like yourself doing at my home?”

Lily swallowed hard, her fingers tightening protectively around Harry. She could feel his warmth against her, his soft breaths brushing against her neck. Her instincts screamed at her to run, to turn away from the man before her, but she stood her ground. “I need to speak with you,” she said, her voice steady despite the fear curling in her chest.

“It’s important.” Lucius raised a brow, his expression shifting to one of mild amusement. “Important? What could you possibly have to say that would interest me? And why, pray tell, should I not hex you where you stand for daring to step foot on my property?”

Lily’s chin lifted, defiance flickering in her emerald eyes. “Because this isn’t about me,” she said firmly. “It’s about my son.”

Lucius’ gaze flicked to the baby in her arms, his sneer deepening. “Your son? What could I possibly care about your half-blood brat?”

She ignored the insult, though it stung. “I need to speak to the Dark Lord.”

For a moment, Lucius said nothing, his sharp eyes studying her intently. The tension hung heavy in the air, and Lily could feel her heart hammering against her ribs. Finally, he stepped aside, the movement deliberate and slow. “You’ve already soiled my doorstep,” he said coldly. “You may as well come inside before you make a spectacle of yourself. But know this, if you waste my time, you’ll regret it.”

Lily hesitated, her feet rooted to the spot as she stared into the dark interior of the manor. Her instincts screamed at her to turn and leave, but she knew there was no other option. With a deep breath, she stepped over the threshold, her arms tightening around Harry as the heavy door closed behind her with a resounding thud.

Lily sat stiffly in the ornate chair, her arms wrapped protectively around Harry as the oppressive silence of the room bore down on her. The drawing room was dark, cold, and filled with a suffocating sense of superiority that seemed to radiate from the very walls.

Lucius stood nearby, his posture relaxed but his sharp gaze fixed on her with a mixture of disdain and curiosity. “Wait here,” he had said after escorting her inside. “I’ll summon the Dark Lord. If he chooses to humor you, consider yourself lucky. If not…” He had let the threat hang in the air, his sneer cutting deeper than words.

Now, as the moments stretched on, Lily’s resolve began to waver. She felt the weight of every decision that had led her here, but she forced herself to hold firm. This was for Harry. Everything she was doing, every risk she was taking, was for him. The sudden sound of footsteps broke her thoughts.

The heavy door creaked open, and a chill seemed to seep into the room as Voldemort himself entered. He moved with an unsettling grace, his crimson eyes gleaming with an unnatural light as they locked onto her. His presence was suffocating, a palpable force that made her stomach churn. “So,” Voldemort said, his voice smooth and cold, “the Mudblood comes to my door with her half-blood brat in tow. I admit, I’m intrigued. Lucius tells me you have a proposal.”

Lily swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet his gaze. “I do,” she said, her voice steady despite the fear coiling in her chest.

He tilted his head, studying her with a mixture of amusement and disdain. “And what could you possibly offer me that would be worth my time?”

Lily took a deep breath, tightening her grip on Harry. “I’m willing to join you,” she said, her voice firm. “I’ll do whatever you ask, as long as you promise to spare my son.”

Voldemort’s lips curled into a cruel smile. “How touching,” he drawled, his tone mocking. “A mother’s love. But why would I accept such an offer? The prophecy already marks your child as a threat to me. What makes you think I would spare him?”

“Because he won’t be a threat to you,” Lily said quickly. “He can’t fulfill the prophecy if he’s raised to be one of your followers. I’ll ensure his loyalty to you.”

Voldemort raised a thin brow, his amusement growing. “And what makes you think you’re important enough to earn a place among my followers, let alone bargain with me?”

Lily’s heart raced, but she forced herself to stay calm. This was the moment she had to convince him. “Because I have a skill that no one in the Order knows about,” she said, her voice low but unwavering.

He leaned forward slightly, his interest piqued. “Go on.”

“I’m a Legilimens,” she admitted, the words heavy on her tongue. “For the past year, I’ve been using my abilities to go into the minds of Order members, including Dumbledore, to learn their plans and secrets. No one knows. Not even my husband.”

Voldemort’s eyes gleamed with intrigue, his cruel smile widening. “How… unexpected,” he murmured. “A Mudblood with such a talent, hidden in plain sight. And what, pray tell, have you discovered?”

Lily hesitated for only a moment before continuing. “The Order is fractured. They trust Dumbledore, but they’re afraid of him. Many of them question his decisions, even if they don’t say it aloud. He’s hiding something, something about the prophecy. He doesn’t believe you’ll stop hunting Harry, no matter what protections he puts in place. And he’s right. That’s why I’m here.”

Voldemort’s smile turned calculating as he regarded her. “Interesting. Very interesting. And what makes you think I can trust you, Lily Potter? That this isn’t some desperate ploy to deceive me?”

“Because I have no choice,” Lily said, her voice raw with emotion. “The Order can’t protect us. Dumbledore can’t protect us. If I don’t do this, my son dies. And I’ll do anything to keep him safe. Anything.”

For a long moment, Voldemort said nothing, his eyes boring into hers as if trying to strip her down to her very soul. She held his gaze, refusing to flinch. Finally, he spoke, his tone laced with dark amusement. “You’re either very brave or very foolish, Lily Potter. Perhaps both. But I find your offer… intriguing. You may prove useful yet.”

Lily exhaled shakily, though she knew this was far from over. Voldemort stepped closer, his cold presence suffocating. “But make no mistake,” he said softly, his voice dripping with menace. “If you betray me, if you falter even once, there will be no mercy for you or your child. Do you understand?”

“I understand,” Lily said, her voice steady.

Voldemort’s lips curled into a sinister smile. “Good. Then let us see just how far you’re willing to go to protect your son.”