Lily in the Shadows

Chapter 2: A Kidnapped Brother

Harry, of course, got into a lot of trouble for the pudding incident. After taking the Masons' home, whilst Harry cleaned up the meringue, Vernon re-entered the home in a rage. Lily and Dudley were sent to bed, but they both sat on the staircase to listen. They heard Vernon shouting and heard Harry's cry when Vernon boxed his ear. The pair scrambled up the stairs to hide in Dudley's room when they heard Vernon coming their way. He dragged Harry by the shirt and shoved him into his bedroom, shouting that many things would be changing on this day.

Vernon kept his promise. The next day, he installed a lock on Harry's door, locking him in. Installed a flap to slide food through, and put bars on his window. He was only released to do chores and use the restroom, both of which required supervision.

Lily hates that she cannot sneak in as she did when he was in the cupboard. She snuck food and letters through the door flap, that is the only way they can communicate.

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Lily squints up at the sun dappling through the trees above her. Birds chirp as they weave nests of sticks and grass. The bright sky is full of fluffy white clouds, and the grass tickles the back of her neck and legs as she lies there. It's beautiful and serene. She feels such a sense of peace that it lulls her into a state of tranquillity. Sitting up, she breathes the warm, sweet air and pads barefoot through the grass towards the river nearby. She's crouched down, watching the fish when the water ripples, and she feels a tremor in the ground.

The wind picks up, pulling at her hair and dress. Looking toward the sky, she sees the trees jerking and leaves flying, the sky darkens and swirls black. A crash shakes her; it sounded as if a giant ripped seven trees straight from the ground. Shouting, someone is shouting. The sound grows, louder and louder, and louder.

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Lily sits up with a small shriek, practically falling from her bed. Her foot gets caught in her blankets, and she falls before she gets to the door. Dragging herself up, she scrambles into the hall where her aunt, uncle, and cousin are struggling to open Harry's door. They're all shouting, but she can hardly wipe the sleep from her eyes. She can hear scuttling and hushed voices through the door. Who could that possibly be? She leans past her uncle as he fumbles with keys and knocks delicately against the door. Silence. All sound on the other side of the door has stopped.

"Harry," she calls, quaking with worry. "Harry, are you alright? What is that sound? Who's in there?" Her voice shakes with each word as she tries to keep her emotions under control.

"I'll see you at school, Lily," he says. That is all he can say before Vernon swings the door open. Harry is seen clambering out of his window into a car. Vernon runs forward as they all stare in confusion. The car tries to drive away as Harry hangs halfway from the car, Vernon holding his leg. They escape, though, and Vernon is dragged from the window and falls into the bushes below. The car is flying! Vernon stares up from the ground floor as the car flies away from the second-story window.

Rushing forward, Lily practically hangs out of the window herself, calling for her brother. She so wishes he would return, but they lock eyes as he watches her through the back window. Until he is too far to be seen. Lily turns from the window and runs from Harry's room to her own. Throwing herself onto her bed, she cries herself to sleep, wishing Harry would talk and trust her like he used to.