Before Things Change, Harry Potter Year 6

1. The Other Minister

Lilly's POV
Summer has just started and it has been hell.
I had decided to take a summer off from the Ministry of Magic to grieve and to try to understand what happened last year. Amelia Bones took over my position while I was on temporary leave, a week later she got killed. I feel so guilty and given the last year's events, I have had a hard time adjusting to death and tragedy.

Ever since I left the platform with Neville and his gran, I haven't set foot in Grimmauld Place; it's too hard. Neville and his gran understand how hard it is for me and they welcomed me into their home with open arms.
I just wish I wasn't waking them up in the middle of the night. Every night these past two weeks, I have had nightmares. I see my dad getting killed, all my friends getting injured. The worst nightmare that always makes me wake up screaming is Neville being tortured. I remember the first night I woke up screaming; it was the first night after term ended.

My arms were tied back and I could see my wand, but I stuggled to reach it just to protect him, to help him, to ease the pain. I heard Tom laughing and saying I'd never help him, he would continue to have pain. I screamed at the top of my lungs.

I woke up seeing Neville shaking me awake. I just clutched him, holding him close, I was sobbing saying, "You're okay." His gran came in the guest room I was staying at and she saw what was happening. She made us some tea and left us alone to talk, we sat on the couch and Neville pulled me into embrace.
He asked quietly, "It was me at the Ministry, wasn't it?" I nodded with tears leaking out of my eyes. He set our drinks on the table and pulled me to lay down on the couch whispering, "Come here..." He was near the edge and I was pressed against the back of the couch. We were on our sides and he had his arms wrapped my waist and my arms were around his neck. My face was pressed to his chest and I was crying a bit. He rubbed my back and he said, "Shhh... it's okay, I'm not going anywhere and I'm safe, Lilly. It's okay."
I clutched him closer and whimpered, "I could have lost you, Neville. That battle made me realize that I can't bare without you. I love you too much."
He said, "I love you more, Lilly." He kissed my forehead and I lifted my head up to kiss him. He held me close and I gave him everything in that kiss, my compassion, my loyalty, and my love.
We pulled apart after a few minutes and he held me close as we fell asleep with our intertwined.

I dreamed of the Muggle Prime Minister and the first time he met our Minster of Magic met. Then I dreamed of the further meetings and the one that happening tonight. Fudge updated the Prime Minister on everything. How Sirius was innocent, Voldemort is back, Fudge was sacked, Kingsley Shaklebolt was protecting the Prime Minister and that the Ministry experienced a mass break out and all of the prison guards left.

Neville's gran woke me up the next morning and I froze because I didn't know how she felt about her grandson and I waking up on a couch together. She smiled and said, "I'm not mad, if that's what your thinking... You're really caring towards him and that's a big relief on my part. Can we talk in the kitchen in case he wakes up?" I nodded and I made tea for us while we waited for Neville to wake up. She said, "That's what I was always worried about, with him. I knew he was a good boy and such, but I wanted to know that there was someone going to be there to take care of him if I wasn't there one day. I have no reason to worry, though. You are amazing Lilly and I want to thank you for helping him have a future."
I smiled and said, "I don't plan on leaving him, not after all we've been though."
She smiled and said, "I'm not worried at all. I know you more than capable to be good to him and take care of him. No matter what your background is, Lilly, I will never judge you."
I sipped my tea asking, "Did he tell you?"
She said, "About You-Know-Who being your biological father, yes."
I nodded saying, "Thank you. I have decided to not tell anyone, except the people I trust the most, what exactly happened before he disappeared. The Daily Prophet would have a field day and I would most likely be sacked like Fudge..."
She nodded, sipped her tea, and said, "Which is understood, for you not to tell, given you are, unfortunately, now on your own..."
I nodded saying, "Though he wasn't my biological dad, my father was and will always be Sirius and I will never let anyone replace that."
I teared up and she came over to the side of the table and hugged me saying, "He'll always be there. No matter what."
I smiled saying, "Yeah, I still have my friends, my family at Hogwarts, and Neville, so all is well." She smiled and hugged me once more.
Neville came in, leaned against the door crossing his arm saying, "Well, what are my favorite two women in the world doing?"
I giggled saying, "Just talking." He came over, hugged his gran and kissed her cheek. He came over to me and pecked my lips. I got him a tea and his gran made us breakfast.
We spent the day doing random things, just relaxing and enjoying each other's company. We made the journey to see Neville's parents as well.

Thanks for reading! Vote please! :)
-Lilly :)