The Fading Lily

Chapter 31: Visitor: George

I heard a thump outside the door to the cells I sat in on alert. A figure in a black cloak appeared. The figure took off its hood. It was Lily.

"Lily?" I asked not believing.

"Hi George." She said walking closer.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be doing happy married woman things?" I asked, annoyed.

"Blaise is perfect, he is kind, he does not care about what I have done, he is one of my best friends." She sighed. She held up her hand and examined the ring on her finger. "Is a beautiful ring. 4 carats, oval, from his grandmother." She said, putting her hand down. "And yet all I want is to be with you." She sighed looking away.

"So, it was an act?' I asked not believing.

"Yes, this has all been an act." She said, gesturing.

"All the killing was that an act too?" I asked.

"You know if I could get out of this there would be blood on my hands. I am willing to bet there is some blood on yours too. I am just more open about it." She said.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"I missed you." She gave a small laugh.

"You could have come with me 3 years ago when I asked." I said.

"I couldn't have left, and you know that." She said, turning. "If you don't want me here, tell me and I will leave. I am putting everything I've done here in danger just by being here." She said as she was about to open the door.

"Lily don't go." I called. She closed the door. She walked closer to my cell. I stood and met her at the bars.

"Are you ok?" I asked, putting my hand on hers.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"You look...sick. Beautiful but sick." I said. She gave a small smile.

"I am fine. I don't go out in the sun much." She laughed. I laughed. She dropped my hands and sat down on the ground beside the bars of my cell. I sat down.

"You could not find the key?" I asked.

She shook her head.

"Magic?" I asked.

"They would read my wand signature on the lock." She said, I took her hands back and rubbed small circles on her palms.

"I always did like that." She smiled. A genuine smile that she used to have. Now that I saw it compared to the one she had on this afternoon it was fake.

"So how have you been?" I asked.

"You mean death eater lifestyle?" She asked. I looked away.

"It's fine. it's what I am. I did this to myself." She said.

"Yeah, I guess." I said.

"It's...ok...I mean horrible but my friends make it better." She said.

"Friends?" I asked, looking at her.

"Draco, Pansy, Blaise. They make it worth it. I mean I have gotten a lot closer with Draco. They all have become people I trust." She said.

"And do you trust me? Or Harry?" I asked.

She took a second. "Yes, I suppose. I have changed, you guys have changed." She said finally.

"Tell me about him. All of them." She said.

"The Order?" I asked. She nodded. "Alright well Harry and Ginny broke up, Ron is out on the front lines fighting as I guess you know. I am trying to get through. Luna is living in her head. She has crazy ideas that the Order must pretend to trust. Hermione is throwing herself into studying ways to..." He looked away.

"What is she studying?" I asked.

"How to get past...an unbreakable vow and the dark mark." I said looking away. Lily stifled a gasp.

"For me?" She asked.

"I assume. She blames herself for letting you go. I mean we all do. Ron hates the things he said to you." I said. She looked away. "Did you mean what you said to him?" I asked.

"No, I said what I had to. I had to gain the dark lords trust." I said. He nodded.

"So does your husband know you are down here with your ex?" George asked.

She laughed. "He actually pushed me to come down here. He...kissed me and I couldn't do it. So, I left." She said.

"Why could you not do it?" I asked.

"It felt like I was cheating on you." She gave a small sigh. "You said ex, but we never really broke up did we?" she asked.

I thought for a second. "I guess not. I mean you went with your cousin over me, but I don't know if that counts." I said. She looked away. "Sorry." I said.

She laid her head on the bars. I leaned in and smelled her hair. Rose and vanilla. I guess some things won't change.

"Your hair smells the same." I said. She giggled. "Do you still have the necklace I gave you?" I asked.

"I do." She said. "It's at my apartment." She sighed.

"Apartment?" I asked.

"I live with Draco, Pansy and Blaise." She said.

"Oh." I said. She closed her eyes. I reached my hand throw the bars and rubbed her hair the best I could. After a few minutes she was asleep.

"I still love you." I whispered, kissing her hair.

I laid my head against the bars and fell asleep.