One Fate Leads To Another

Chapter 19: Ring

"He will let me see Lily." I told Severus as I got back. He immediately figured out where I had went. After all, there was only one wizard at that time capable of making that promise.

"You went to Dumbledore!" He exclaimed.

"So did you. What you had done, I did the same."

"It is far too dangerous. The Dark Lord is an extremely skilled legillimen. He almost always knows when somebody is lying to him."

"You shall teach me the art of occlumency then."

"Liz.," he persuaded softly.

"I trust you. Even if you wish to begin our lessons right his moment, I'm ready."

"If you insist. I am about to attempt to break into your mind. You may raise your wand and disarm me, but not before you try to repel me with your brain. Focus, clear your mind, and let go of all emotions. Legillimens."

It was way harder than I had assumed. He struck me before I was ready. Images and sounds were surrounding me, forming scenes I have experienced in my life before, just like the time when the Dark Lord had performed the same spell on me.

I was in my fourth year, when Remus asked me to watch that Quidditch game... I was in his dormitory, as he was confessing his feelings to me... It was my fifth year, in Christmas time, I was having a drink at a decent bar in Hogsmede. Remus was sharing the drink with me... I was at Lily's wedding, Remus came and asked me why I had not left...

That's enough.

"You have done ... well," Severus clutched his teeth. "Remember how that feels and strengthen your mind."

"Severus, I can't help but notice that there seems to be a pattern in your search of my memories,"

"Again," he ignored me and said.

My head was not quiet enough this time. He penetrated through my weak defence again. I was back at Lily's wedding, when Remus asked me to marry him... OUT.

"Legillimen." He struck again, but I blocked him out completely.

"How did you reply him?" asked Severus cooly in a nonchalant manner.

"We are not engaged," Not any more.

The practices continued but he had not succeeded in looking into my memories again. Meanwhile, my life, and his, were split between spying for both parties for several months. Then, at June, Dumbledore called for a meeting at Hog's Head Inn.

Dumbledore greeted me at the door. Severus had to run a task for the Dark Lord and could not come.

"I hope that you are prepared to meet some old friends." The wise old man smiled at me.

It was the same old dusty place, but my knowledge towards this inn had changed. The owner of the spot was none other than Dumbledore's brother, Aberforth, who was also a member of the Order.

Dumbledore led me into the room. "Ah, here comes Dumbledore," said Sirius. Everyone that sat and gathered around the table stopped chitchatting. They looked at his direction to welcome his arrival, and gawked when they saw me behind him.

"Lizzie!" Remus stood up and exclaimed. Then goes Lily, "Lizzie, is it really you!"

I wore the brightest smile of my life when I saw Lily, still alive, and very pregnant, right in front of me. "I've missed you too."

They moved and saved a seat for me between Lily and Remus. "Where have you been?" asked my dear, sweet friend.

"Miss Dumaine had been observing the movements of You Know Who for me by joining the Death Eaters," Dumbledore revealed. "Unfortunately, she brings along a terrible news today."