Chapter 24:

The light streamed across and suddenly hit Malfoy. He suddenly froze and fell down next Harry, completely petrified.

"Whose there?" Lily asked trembling.

From out of the shadows suddenly stepped a small, female figure. It was Ginny.

"Ginny?" Lily said in shock. "Oh thank god."

"Ginny walked over and looked down at Malfoy and then at Harry. She pointed her want at Harry and reversed the spell. Suddenly, Harry was laying on the ground blinking feverishly.

"Are you all right?" Ginny said kneeling down next to him.

"Yeah," Harry said shaking his head. "What happened? Lily are you all right?"

Lily just stood there shaking. "We need to go."

"We do," Ginny said helping Harry up. "Come on."

"How did you know?" Lily asked Ginny. "That this was going on…."

"Well," Ginny said blushing. "It's just. I was wondering where Harry was. I wanted to talk to him and I thought I'd come find him. I mean I didn't…"

"Thank god I apologized," Harry said still disoriented as they entered the Great Hall. Ginny smiled.

"Where's Ron and Hermione?" Harry asked as he glanced around the room.

"I don't know," Lily said.

"Mr. Potter!" said a very alert voice. It was McGonagall.

"Professor," Harry said as she approached Lily and himself.

"I need you both to follow me immediately," McGonagall said.

"Professor," Lily began. "Malfoy…"

"I'm well aware of what has happened," McGonagall said. "Come along to Professor Dumbledore's office." Ginny stayed behind as Lily and Harry followed. McGonagall led them on the all to familiar route to Dumbledore's office. As they reached the stone gargoyle, Hermione and Ron came into view.

"Oh Harry!" Hermione yelled as he approached.

"Are you two all right?" Ron asked very concerned. "We heard what happened…"

"I'm fine," Harry said rubbing his head. "Thanks to your sister…"

"Ginny?" Ron asked.

"I'll explain later," Harry said glancing at Dumbledore as they entered the office. "Professor, Voldemort's supporters are on their way…"

"They'll never reach the castle," Dumbledore said not looking up from something he was mixing. "Professor McGonagall, if you could please go see over the dance?"

"Of course," McGonagall said as she walked out of the office.

"What are we going to do?" Hermione asked extremely concerned.

"This is all because of me," Lily said sobbing. "I just wish I could go home."

"Well," Dumbledore said. "That's why we've brought you here."

"What?" Lily said her eyes widening. Harry, Ron, and Hermione all quickly looked at Dumbledore.

"It's complete," Dumbledore said looking down at the mixture in front of him. "All but one ingredient. Professor Snape is delivering it right as we speak."

"You mean…" Lily said smiling widely. "I'm going home?"

"Yes," Dumbledore said smiling at her. "In a matter of minutes. Before the supporters get here."

Lily turned towards Harry. "Did you hear that?"

"Yes," Harry said smiling. He was so happy she was happy. He still couldn't help but feel upset though. He would never get to see her ever again.

"But first," Dumbledore said making a chair magically appear. "We must take care of a few things. If you would sit."

Lily went and sat down. She glanced around the room. She was realizing that this was the last time she would ever see this.

Dumbledore turned towards Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "You will have to say your goodbyes now. I know this is going very quickly. I never wanted to have to rush you, but you see time is of the essence."

"I understand," Harry said solemnly. As Hermione and Ron walked over to Lily.

"It was really nice meeting you," Ron said blushing.

"Yes," Hermione said grinning. "I know you've effected our lives more than you'll ever realize."

"You two are too sweet," Lily said standing up and hugging each of them. "I'll miss you both dearly. I wish both of you the best of luck, separately and together."

Ron and Hermione both glanced at each other and blushed. They glanced at Harry and stepped back so that he could talk to Lily.

"Well," Harry said a little choked up. "I guess this is goodbye…"

Lily looked into Harry's eyes and smiled warmly, as if she was realizing something that she hadn't realized before. "Harry," she began, "You are such an unbelievable person."

"Thank you," Harry said as tears welled up in his eyes.

"I really mean that," Lily said warmly. "I've never known anyone like you. So brave and sweet. Always looking out for the other person. You're truly a person that I would like to be."

"Stop," Harry said wiping his eyes. As he did this Sanpe walked into the room carrying a small parcel.

"Harry," Dumbledore said. "It's time…"

"Right," Harry said as he took one last glance at his mother. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too," Lily said hugging him warmly. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and sat back down. "Goodbye Harry."

"Bye," Harry managed to squeak out. Hermione put her arm around him. The emotion was really starting to get to him. Dumbledore stepped closer to Lily with his wand pointed at her. He was ready to perform the memory charm.

"Wait!" Lily said as she turned towards Harry. "I have one more thing to say to you…."

"What's that?" Harry asked.

"I know your dad would want me to tell you this," Lily said. "You're everything he ever wanted in a son."

Harry smiled widely.

"Just know your dad would be so proud," Lily said as tears welled up in her eyes.

"Thanks," Harry said.

"And your mum definitely is," Lily said. "Always know that she is and that she loves you."

Ron and Hermione glared at Harry with a look of shock on their face. Harry wasn't paying attention though. A tear ran down his cheek as he wiped it from his face. "I love you too."

Lily smiled and turned towards Dumbledore. "I'm ready." Harry, Ron, and Hermione all stepped behind a large patrician where they could watch but not be seen.

Dumbledore pointed the wand at Lily and began to mumble some incantations. In the background, Snape was mixing the potion. A large bright light filled the room. So bright that everyone else had to close their eyes. After about thirty seconds, it was over.

"Hello, Lily," Dumbledore said smiling. "How are you tonight?"

"Fine," Lily said shrugging. "I mean I have a slight headache. That could be from reading though. I tend to get one if I read too much."

"Do you know what year it is?" Dumbledore said picking up a nearby clock. "At my age you tend to loose track of time."

Lily laughed. "1976, last time I checked."

"Right," Dumbledore said grinning. "And what did you do today?"

"Today?" Lily said trying to think hard. "I really don't remember. That's odd, isn't it?"

"Not as odd as you may think," Dumbledore said glancing over towards Snape. "Is it ready?"

"Yes Professor," Snape said carrying the potion over to the young girl.

"Here Lily," Dumbledore said handing her a small glass. "Drink this. It will make your head feel better."

"Thank you," Lily said glancing at Snape. "Do I know you from somewhere?"

"No," Snape said stepping back and walking to where the others were. They all watched as Lily took a long sip of the potion and with a small pop, disappeared.

"How do we know she got back to her time?" Ron asked concerned.

"I'm still here aren't I," Harry said looking himself up and down. "That's got to be a good sign."

"True," Ron said as the three of them starred at the now vacant chair where Lily had been.

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"Ouch!" Lily said as she shook her head and looked around the library. Sitting on her lap was a copy of the textbook she remembered Snape handing her, but she had no recollection of falling. "How did I end up on the floor?" she said out loud to herself.

"Oh geez," said a male voice. "Getting yourself comfortable there, Lil?"

"What?" Lily said looking up to see Remus extending his hand out to help her up. "I don't know how I fell. I think I blacked out."

"Oh," Remus said. "I thought you were just making yourself comfortable on the floor to read."

"No," Lily said as she walked out of the aisle. "I would at least find a chair for that."

"Do you think you need to go to the hospital wing?" Remus asked.

"I should be all right," Lily said brushing herself off as they walked.

"Found her," Remus said as they approached James, Sirius, and Peter sitting at a nearby table.

"Hey," James said as Lily approached.

"Hey," she said as she walked over and laid a very passionate kiss on him.

"What was that for?" James asked pleasantly surprised.

"Just cause," Lily said smiling. "For some reason it feels like I haven't seen you in ages."

"Oh," James said as he glanced at Sirius and Remus, who were both rolling there eyes and making faces at their behavior. "Well, that's a great excuse."

"So why are you all here?" Lily asked. "I thought you had ages to do this?"

"Dad…" Sirius began in a mocking tone. "I mean James…thought that we should do our essay."

"Aww," Lily said smiling.

"It's not just because you're in here doing yours," James said grinning. "I just need to do mine…"

Remus, Peter, and Sirius just started coughing overdramatically. James eyed them suspiciously.

"So," Lily said opening the book. "To begin. In 1782, the head of the Wizards Council, Harry Underarming…"

"Harry Underarming?" Sirius said laughing hysterically. "Who names someone that?!"

Lily looked at James as if she was lost in thought. "I really like that name," she said suddenly.

"You do?" James asked looking at her.

"Yes," Lily said distantly. "I don't know why, but I really like that name…."

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"Well," Dumbledore said. "Now that that's taken care of, all I have to do is take care of the visitors we have coming."

"And Malfoy," Harry said interjecting.

"Oh Mr. Malfoy will be dealt with appropriately," Dumbledore said. "For now, it's time for a treat. Severus, if you would?"

"Yes Professor," Snape said as he went over and conjured up a few jugs of pumpkin juice.

"What exactly happened with Malfoy?" Hermione asked.

"I'll tell you later," Harry said glancing at Ron. "Ron what's that on your face? Lipsti…"

"Huh?" Ron said wiping at his mouth.

"I didn't say it was on your mouth," Harry said grinning as he glanced over Hermione, who was blushing madly.

"Well," Harry said as Snape handed him a pumpkin juice. "Here's a toast to good friends, family, and…" he paused and looked at Ron. "Good times."

"Cheers," everyone said in unison. They all drank until there was a sudden pop.

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Harry landed with a thump. "Ouch," he said to himself. "What just happened?" He glanced up to see Hermione and Ron, but no one was standing there.

"What the?" Harry said as he glanced around. He was in a corridor. A familiar corridor. He looked around until he suddenly heard voices approaching.

"Honestly," said a female voice. "If you weren't my cousin, I wouldn't put up with you."

"You have to put up with me," said a feeble male voice. "You're dad and mum told you too."

"Just because they told her that," said another male voice. "Doesn't mean she has to."

"You guys think you're so cool," said the weaker voice as Harry saw them appearing around the corner. "Just because you're a whole two years ahead of me."

"How do you think we feel," said the older male voice. "We have to have you tag along to everything we do."

"You act like it's punishment…" said the younger boy who caught glimpse of Harry.

"Hey," said a blonde boy. "You need some help?"

"No," Harry said shaking his head as he stood up. "I'm fine." Harry looked at the four kids standing in front of him.

"Ok," said the girl with bushy, red hair. "Well, we need to get going. We've got to get on that paper."

"What paper?" asked the smaller pudgy boy who, like the girl, had red hair.

"You don't have to worry about it," the other boy with dark hair said. He turned to look at Harry. "Sorry, but what's your name?"

"Harry," Harry said. "And you are?"

"James," said the older boy. "James Potter and this is my cousin Rose Weasley. What is your surname, by the way?"

The End!!!!!!! (Hope you liked it)