A ghostly visit
Behind Death stood a gorgeous woman with fiery red hair and striking green eyes. She was dressed in Muggle clothes and smiled warmly at the people in the room. Her eyes left Severus and she looked around the room, acknowledging the people in front of her. ‘Lily…’ It was Minerva that spoke.
‘Hello Minnie, it’s good to see you again.’ Reggie’s mind was going twelve miles a minute. Was this her mother? Should she hop on her shoulder? Could she? Wasn’t her mum a ghost? Can you sit on a ghost?
Lily gave Severus another smile before she focused her attention on the bird, perched on Death’s shoulder.
‘Hello, my sweet girl.’
Reggie tilted her head. Not a sound was heard in the room, as the raven and the woman looked at each other. ‘Mum?’ Reggie asked tentatively. The woman smiled and opened her arms. ‘Go, you can, she is corporeal for the moment.’ Death gave Reggie a little nudge and Reggie flew towards her mother, who embraced her.
Minnie, Sirius, and Remus blinked away some tears, while Lucius merely looked intrigued. Severus was in shock. Dream and Death locked eyes, and Dream moved to the side of the room. His sister followed him and the two Endless had a quiet conversation.
Lily still had her daughter in her arms, when she turned to Severus. ‘You are a fool, Sev…a damn fool, but luckily, you can make it up to me.’ She snickered when she saw the gob-smacked expression of her childhood friend. ‘I…uhm…I, that is to say, will, uhm…’
‘Cat got your tongue?’ Lily teased him. she patted him on his arms and faced the others. ‘Death told me I don’t have long. I don’t belong here and frankly, I miss James.’ Seeing the look on Sirius’s face, she smiled. ‘He wanted to come, but with Sev and their history, not a good idea. But it is the reason I came.’
Reggie looked up at her mother, while was safely tucked inside her arms. She was happy and content and had the feeling that the people she met tonight really would help her. She stirred a bit and her mother looked at her with love in her eyes. She moved her wings and lily released her grip. Reggie moved to sit on her shoulder. Best seat in the house.
Lily for her part gave Sirius and Severus a leveling look. ‘This, between you, this ends tonight. You are both needed to help her. As much as it pains me to say it, get over it.’ Severus’ temper flared, but before he could speak, Lily continued. ‘Don’t. I get it. I really do, but I am asking you, for the sake of my child, work together, without this hatred. Apologize, mean it, and move on. Don’t make me come down here again…or should I remind you about the last time you behaved like this?’
Both men looked ashamed. Sirius had on more than one occasion felt the wrath of one Lily Evans. Lily continued, her voice now softer. ‘She has only you. James and I, we can no longer offer protection. She needs you and I ask you…please set aside your differences. If you cannot do it for yourself, then do this for her.’
Severus looked at Sirius. He would never like this man, this man-child. But he could not in good conscience disappoint Lily. Not again. He made a step towards Sirius and offered his hand. Somewhat surprised, Sirius accepted and both men apologized to each other. This caused Minerva to beam and Lucius to grin. ‘Yeah yeah, shut it, Blondie.’ Was Sirius’s answer when he saw the look on Lucius’ face.
‘Well, now that is done…you!’ Lily had stepped around Severus and Sirius and walked over to Dream and Death. Dream looked up in surprise. ‘Remember me, handsome?’
He smirked. ‘How could I forget, after you so eloquently told me to…bugger off, was the expression?’ Death could hardly contain her glee. She should have done this sooner.
‘I know about your plan to teach my sweet girl magic. But I was hoping for a slight change in your plans.’ As Dream looked interested, Lily continued. ‘I know that she can only be a girl when she sleeps…I get it, but please, let her be among her people. Let her come to Hogwarts during the days. In the nights your plan works, I get it, but if she is only with you in your kingdom during the day, she misses out on so much. Let her join classes, let her learn. No one needs to know who she is, maybe she can pass as a familiar?’
Death knew she liked this woman for a reason and Reggie thought her mum was awesome. The two women and one bird looked at Dream. Feeling a bit cornered, he rolled his eyes. He focused his attention on Reggie. ‘Would you like this?’
Reggie flew towards him. ‘Very much sir.’ After spending so much time with her, Dream knew she wanted to say something, but needed some encouragement. ‘Out with it…what’s wrong?’
Reggie moved closer to his face and spoke softly. ‘It’s not that I don’t want to spend time with you…sir, but…’ Dream locked his eyes with Lily. ‘How about you spend the weekends with me in the Dreamlands, and during the week, you are here? Would that work?’
If Reggie could smile, she would, but now she just hopped around all excited. ‘Whiiiiii, yes, thank you!’
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Sitting in his favorite chair, sipping from a glass of whiskey, Severus considered the events of the past couple of hours. Fighting with the mutt, meeting Regina Potter, Dream of the Endless suddenly standing in his quarters, the vows that were made to the little bird…to Death casually appearing with Lily in tow.
Dream had asked who wanted to take Reggie on as a familiar. To his utter surprise, Reggie asked if she could stay with him. He had accepted and that was when Death told Lily it was time to go. Lily had said her goodbyes to everyone and hugged her daughter one more time, before she and Death simply vanished into thin air.
Dream had asked Reggie to come with him. He had told Severus she would be back the following day. Before Dream left, Severus handed him the Cloak. Now he was alone, already missing the little bird.