Speechless

Chapter Three: Swallowing Sand, Left With Nothing To Say

Al's owl, Wafic, had come to Lily during lunch hour on the first day of second term of her sixth year, and informed her that she had been summoned to the Astronomy Tower. While she was taking astronomy, as it was required for a sixth-year student, it was always a bittersweet location for her at the school. It was there that her beloved papa had murdered the former headmaster and her brother's namesake, Albus Dumbledore, a crime that her dad had witnessed when he was in the exact year that she was.

Lily went up the grand staircase, which seemed to want to cooperate with her, ever since she had made prefect the year before. When she got to the top floor, she found the little spiral staircase that led directly to the tower, and climbed up without hesitation. The summons said that it was important, but not who had asked for her to come; they were signed by Headmistress McGonagall, however, and Lily knew that the signature was valid.

"Minister," Lily said, spotting Kingsley Shacklebolt, a friend of the family, and the Minister of Magic ever since the Second Wizarding War had ended, as she finished climbing the stairs. She took in his typical kufi hat, as well as his beautiful blue and purple robes. "It was you that summoned me, sir?"

Kingsley turned around fully then, taking in Lily's five-feet-five frame; yes, the only daughter of Harry Potter and Severus Snape had grown up well. She had long red hair now, and intelligent green eyes; her skin was quite pale, and yet, she always had a glow about her that radiated health and determination. "I did send for you, Lily, yes," he replied as she crossed over to him and looked out at the impressive Hogwarts grounds.

Lily was slightly taken aback by his tone, as it seemed to be overtly formal. Informality had been the norm for the minister, ever since she and Al were children, as he always was quick to show them tricks by hiding galleons up his sleeves, and then producing them from their ears. It was a Muggle trick, Lily knew, and yet, as both of her fathers were Half-Blood, she was very familiar with the Muggle world, and delighted in the memories.

"Is everything all right, sir?" Lily asked, finally permitting herself to speak again. "Has something happened to my father?"

"Harry? Merlin, no," Kingsley said gently, shaking his head. "Your father is a brilliant addition to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Lily." He hesitated for a moment, before turning to look at her. "You seem quite skilled when it comes to the law."

Lily shrugged. "Oh, I don't know about that, sir," she said. "I appreciate that we have laws in place that we can protect ourselves from the outside world. Of course, it would be wonderful if we could be all-inclusive—we are, after all, all human. I just so happen to be a witch on top of that, through no fault of my own."

"Just your blood, Lily."

Lily nodded. "Yes. Just my blood."

"I have come here with a proposition for you, Lily."

Lily blinked, turning back to the minister. "Sir?" she asked.

"I requested Headmistress McGonagall to send me your O.W.L. scores," he said. "I must admit, they were quite impressive. Eleven O's and one E—quite impressive."

Lily sighed. "I was disappointed in myself for the E, given my father's profession," she said quietly to him. "I was surprised that both my parents were pleased with the scores. I feared that Dad would be upset that I couldn't follow in his footsteps..."

"Exceeds Expectations will usually proceed to the next level," Kingsley said softly. "If you express an interest, send Headmistress McGonagall an owl. I believe, given that your other grades were O's, that you will at least be considered."