Lily Black and the Twin Souls (Book Two)

Chapter Fifteen: Dumbleduck's Promise

Later the same night as the canceled quidditch match, Lily and Teddy were sitting quietly in the common room, when Harry and Ron disappeared up to their common room. A couple minutes later, the portrait hole opened of it's own accord, making Lily jump up, remembering her Uncle Prongs' old cloak. She and Teddy, discreetly followed the faint footsteps. Lily soon determined they were headed for the entrance hall, and pulled Teddy into one of the many secret passages they had found over the past two years.

They reached the grounds, and it appeared Harry and Ron did too, as their footsteps were now much harder to hide. Lily shifted into her fox form, to make it easier to not get caught, as she and Teddy followed them down to Hagrid's hut. Lily shifted back to herself and didn't even knock, before pulling open the door and stepping in with Teddy. The other inhabitants all jumped, making her smirk a little.

"Wha- How did you get here? There are teachers and ghosts everywhere?" Harry asked incredulously. Lily smirked,

"When you know the castle as well as us, there's no need for an invisibility cloak."

"Invisibility cloak? What invisibility cloak?" Harry asked nervously. Lily rolled her eyes,

"Don't even try that Harold. One, I remember it from when your dad would go under it to scare us, two, I was literally there when you got it! Three, I've seen you disappear under it a number of times. Like I told you last year, you are incredibly unobservant Harold." Harry stared at her for a moment before saying,

"Oh, alright. I suppose I'm not very observant." Lily nodded smugly. 

"So true, m'dear. So true. So, are you going to ask Hagrid what you came here to ask, or shall I?" Harry looked startled for a moment, before turning back to Hagrid. Unfortunately, at that exact moment a knock sounded on the front door. Lily's eyes widened, and she pulled Teddy out the back door.

"Stay here, I'm going back in as Flame." Teddy nodded, and she shifted back, before prancing around to the front of the house. She got there at the same time as Uncle Lucy, and did her best not to growl at him. When he pushed open the front door, she pranced in, and sat at Dumbleduck's feet. He gave her a slight smile, before turning to Uncle Lucy. She wondered if he knew she was an animagus. She had to say, she wouldn't be surprised if he did.

She listened closely, and was absolutely horrified when they said Hagrid was to be sent to Azkaban. He didn't do it! Then, Uncle Lucy just had to say something, and he handed Dumbleduck the list of signatures hoping for him to leave to school. She growled at Uncle Lucy and jumped right into Dumbleduck's arms. He caught her, and pet her scarlet fur calmingly. He obviously knew she wasn't a normal fox. He could most likely feel the amount of magical energy she was currently emitting. She was doing her best not to accidentally blow up Hagrid's hut. Hagrid said something about following the spiders, which Lily was positive the boys would end up wanting to do.

When Dumbleduck left, he didn't let her down, but rather brought her back to his office, where he set her carefully on his desk and peered at her over his half-moon spectacles.

"I am sure you are not a normal fox. I wouldn't even be surprised if you are one of my students. I do know that you are incredibly powerful, I could feel it in Hagrid's hut. I must ask you to keep an eye on the school for me whenever I am gone. Not only this year, but if something along these lines happens again. If you accept, I can put a spell on you that allows you to enter this office while I am gone, and lets you know if someone is in serious trouble. Do you accept?" Lily stared at him for a moment. He didn't even know who she was and he was willing to give that to her. Wow. She nodded her scarlet head solemnly and Dumbleduck smiled kindly at her.

"Thank you." He said sincerely, before pointing his wand directly at her. A flash of gold light swirled around her, before settling. She looked down, and noticed with surprise that some of her fur was now gold. There was also a golden marking around her neck, making her wonder if there would be a necklace there in human form. She gave him a small bow, bending forward on her front legs, and he chuckled. She smiled inwardly, and hopped off the desk, prancing out of the room, leaving Dumbleduck behind her. 

*-*-*

Albus Dumbledore watched the scarlet and gold fox leave his office. He had his suspicions on who it was, and he was quite glad she had accepted to help him. He knew she was very powerful, and if he was right in thinking it was Lily Black, then she had more power than even him. He knew she would do well to protect the school in his absence. 

*-*-*

Lily entered the common room and found it empty except for Teddy, who was waiting for her on the couch by the fire. His eyes widened when he saw the new golden markings in her fur. 

"What happened?" He asked in awe. Lily shifted back and sat on the couch next to him. His eyes went to her neck curiously,

"Where did that necklace come from?" He asked, making her look down in surprise. It seemed she was correct. A golden necklace was now hanging from her neck. The Hogwarts crest hung from the end, shimmering slightly. 

"I think I just became a protector of Hogwarts." She said softly, making Teddy's eyes widen,

"How exactly did that happen?" She took a deep breath, and explained everything Dumbleduck had told her. By the time she was done, Teddy was obviously dumbfounded. 

"Wow. That is very trusting of him. I think he made a good decision though. You are definitely very powerful, and you love the people in this school. I can't think of one person who you truly hate here except maybe Lockgit, but that's understandable." Lily smiled softly at her best friend, thankful for his faith in her.

"Thank you Shadow." Her eyes brightened, "Also, did you see my new fox form? Part of my fur is gold!" Teddy laughed,

"I did, it makes you look even better than before. Did you know there are tiny circles of gold in your eyes now too?" Lily blinked,

"You mean my human eyes?" Teddy nodded,

"Yep, it's really pretty." She grinned,

"Aww, thanks Teddy-Bear." He grinned back at her,

"Anytime Lily-Flower. What do you think he meant by you knowing when someone is in serious trouble?" Lily shrugged,

"I have no idea. With all this petrification stuff, I have no doubt we'll find out soon though." Teddy nodded, and Lily curled into his side, yawning. Soon, they were both sound asleep.