Secrets of the Past

Lily rolled over in her bed. She was trying to find a place away from the light that was suddenly streaming on her face.

"Miss must get out of bed, please!" Nelly chirped at the foot of the bed. "Breakfast is almost ready and Master wants miss up! Please miss!"

Lily groaned, "Ug, I´ll be up in a minute." Lily sat upright in bed and rubbed her eyes. Looking around, she found she was in her room at the Apradium manor, for which she still hasn't figured out what that name meant. She was still dressed in the emerald green robe but the slippers had fallen off somewhere in her bed. Stretching, she put her feet on the white fur rug beneath her. She threw the sheets back trying to find her slippers.

"Looking for these, miss?" the house-elf held up her green slippers.

"Yes, thank you," Lily reached out and plucked them out of the house-elf's hand. "What time does it happen to be?"

"Ah, 'tis almost 11:30, that's why I had to wake you, miss." The house-elf bowed. "Now I have to go back down to finish breakfast. Hurry, mind you." She left the room.

Lily stretched again. She rubbed her hands through her tangled hair trying to make herself at least presentable for Terrence.

Terrence...

She smiled to herself. Last night was so romantic. Underneath the stars with him, it seemed almost per-

Wait, what am I doing? She mentally chastised herself. What about James?

Well, what about James? Another voice in her head said. Has he ever treated you this wonderfully?

He would, he just doesn't have any time-

That's his problem. He puts other things before you.

They're more important though.

Are you sure though?

"Yes," she said firmly, aloud. "I am sure. And why am I bloody talking to myself?!" She threw up her hands in frustration and walked out of the room.

~*~*~*~

"Ah, good morning, love," Terrence grabbed her hand and she swept down the stairs. He folded her in his arms once more, "Breakfast is almost ready." He gave her a soft kiss and went back into the kitchen.

Ugh, he's already dressed. How does he not feel horrible?

Rubbing her eyes once more, she walked into the dining room where Nelly was just setting the table. She looked at her setting and smiled. Just like the rest of the house, she thought to herself. There was a fireplace in one of the stone corners, another deep rug under the table, and a cherry stained wood table with plush chairs to match it. She sat across from Terrence and looked down at her plate. Mmm... she thought hungrily to herself. Eggs, bacon, toast, orange juice. She breathed in the scent then exhaled. "Ahh..."

"Always this excited for breakfast?" Terrence smiled to her across the table.

"No, it's just that, I've never had anyone cook me this kind of breakfast before."

"Ahh, but surely you had someone special from where you're from. After all, how could you not?" He chuckled, but she could tell it took a lot out of him to say that.

"Well, I did," Lily said bitterly. Did? What am I talking about?

"Did?" He asked, seemingly reading her mind. "What happened to him?"

Well, nothing really happened to him... "We're just not getting along right now."

"Why is that?" Terrence asked her, intrigued.

"He puts other things before me..." Lily trailed off, wondering why she was saying all this to a practical stranger. Well, not exactly a stranger, but...well, you know.

"Well, what did he put before you?"

"He seems to like fighting evil before he likes me," she said, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Evil? But what evil is there in this world?" Terrence laughed.

"Ahh, I would tell you, but no one speaks the name of this evil, he has become too terrifying for everyone."

"Too terrifying? How could anyone become too terrifying?"

"Please, Terrence--" Lily began.

"Lily, please," he grabbed her hand, "no one is going to hurt you here. Surely you could speak the name to me?"

She thought it over for a moment. He wouldn't be taken aback by it, after all, he doesn't even know who you-know-who is. Ok, no harm can be done by it...

"His name..." her voice trailed off and she started biting her fingernail. "His name is Lord V-V-Voldemort," she practically spat the name.

Terrence went rigid in his seat. "Voldemort, you say?" His curiosity greatly increased. "What is he like?" he asked, still holding her hand.

"He's...horrible, murderous, disgusting, merciless, evil, and hideous all at once. He's repulsive, I just...I don't know. There is no way to describe someone as foul as he. Murdering people left and right, and for what? Power? What's that going to be of use for? Why not become Minister of Magic instead and do something good with that so-called power he's trying to reach. I just don't get people like him," Lily put her head in her hands.

"Well, he sounds terrible, I am sorry your time is going through that...but, have you ever stopped to consider it from his viewpoint?" Terrence questioned her thoughtfully.

"What's there to consider? He's evil, born evil, always going to be evil," Lily threw the statement at him.

"But what if something happened to him, something that made him have to become like that. Like he was say, born, into it. Maybe he felt it was his calling to be the Dark Lord of everyone," Terrence let go of her hand and stood.

Lily gaped openly at Terrence. "What are you talking about? You talk about him like you are with him, his ally."

Terrence laughed. "How can I possibly be his ally if I haven't even known him? I don't live in that time, remember? No one knows about him here yet."

"Still, you talk like you know all of that from experience," Lily pushed her chair back from the elegant table and stood, trying not to trip on her robes. "If you excuse me, I will go freshen up for today." And with that she walked out of the dining room and back to her room.

Richards stood on the rug in front of the fireplace. "Oh, Lily my dear, if you only knew..." he spoke aloud to himself then walked out back to his room.

~*~*~*~

A week had passed by already without the incident being brought up again. They both seemed to reach an unspoken agreement not to talk to each other about the Dark Lord again. Instead, they busied themselves by sightseeing in London for Lily, and buying her more clothes she could actually wear, other than the ones she arrived in and the wonderful green robe (which she still wore every night), and romantic dinners together and evenings in the garden.

But today, Richards had done something different. Nelly the house-elf had waken her up as usual, but instead of taking her down to breakfast, she had laid down a set of clothing Lily and Terrence had bought earlier in the week and told her to get dressed in it.

"Why? Where is he taking me?"

"He is just taking you out to breakfast, miss, of course if that is all right with you?" Nelly bowed low.

"Oh, yeah, that is okay, he just had me surprised that's all," Lily felt herself blush.

"Master requests you come down in half an hour," the house-elf piped before leaving the room and shutting the door behind her.

Lily looked down at the outfit. It was a simple dress, knee length, a light blue color with white trim on it. Not really that bad considering the time, but still, it wasn't what she would usually wear. She saw a pair of white high heels laid out below it. Sighing, she reluctantly took off the emerald green robes she had become so accustomed to wearing and slipped the blue dress on. She put on the white high heels next, then walked out of the room.

Terrence, as usual, was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. He had on a simple white shirt with brownish colored pants and brown shoes on to match. His black hair was neatly in place and he was clean-shaven. He looked upon Lily, "Ah, love, wonderful outfit. I do like it on you." He stuck out his hand to her as she approached the bottom of the stairs.

"Well, not something I would normally wear, but if you like it, it works for me," She smiled at Terrence. "So where are we going?"

"I am just going to take us out to breakfast. I know this restaurant that you will love. It's run by Muggles, but everyone goes there; Muggles, Witches, and Wizards alike. Shall we be going now?" He led her to the door.

"Works for me," she smiled as they walked out the door.

~*~*~*~

They hopped into Terrence's black Ford and started down the road. It would take a while to get there, considering his castle was away from prying eyes, but Lily looked forward to the long drive into town with him. He held her hand across the seat as they drove along.

"Sleep well I hope?" Terrence asked, making small talk.

"Of course, like always. I swear Nelly outdoes herself. I always have heated sheets when I lay down to sleep and my room is always lit with a blazing fire," she laughed.

"I do hope so, what would she be of use for anyways?" he smiled down at her. "I just love autumn, it's so beautiful, like you," He felt, rather than saw, Lily blushing beside him.

"Oh Terrence..."

"Believe me, Lily, I do not lie about that," he rounded the corner.

They sat in a comfortable silence for a while, taking time to look at their surrounding. The usual green hills were now full of yellow with the dying grass and the trees had the beautiful colors of autumn embedded in them. It was amazing to look at such a site like this.

What am I doing here? What about James? I love him; he is waiting for me still. I am betraying him with Terrence.

But Terrence is so nice, sweet, loving, and he really likes you. James did in the beginning, but maybe that flame has died out. Another voice inside of her head answered her.

What are you talking about? Lily mentally chastised herself. You know very well James still loves you. He would do anything for you. And how would you stay with Terrence anyways? Are you just going to stay in the past forever? But it wouldn't be a bad idea. Look at his castle, I mean...

Liking him just for his possessions huh? The other voice laughed at her slip.

No that's not what I meant, you know very well. It's just that Terrence is romantic; he makes me feel like a woman. James just treats me like he treats Sirius or Remus. He treats me like 'one of the guys' not his steady girlfriend for 4 years.

So what do you plan on doing? You can't have both but you can't live without them both? That would be a problem; I don't think James is the type to share with another man...

Oh do shut up. Why in bloody hell am I debating with myself?! I sound like a complete idiot!

Hey, an idiot who gets things figured out. Her other half joked.

Do go away, you are beginning to be bothersome.

I am just trying to figure out what you are going to do.

I don't even know what I am going to bloody do yet! Got that? Now go away! She screamed at that annoying little half that kept bothering her.

"Er, Lily dear, are you okay?" Terrence looked worriedly at her.

"Oh! I--I am so sorry. What were you saying?" Lily flushed.

Terrence laughed. "Where were you at? It took me almost five minutes to get you to come to your attention. I was just going to tell you we were here, but if you would like me to leave you to your thoughts..." he trailed off.

"No, that's quite alright, please, let's go inside, I'm really hungry," she opened her door.

"Good, because if you chose the alternative you would have been sitting out here alone," he took her hand again and lead her into the restaurant.

Lily didn't get to get a good look at the outside, but she knew they were at the outside of the town. Inside was cozy, a little bit of seating with mismatched furniture, a fireplace against one wall, and people bustling about. The room was lit with sunlight streaming through the window and it lit the faces of all the people in there.

"Let's sit over here, it's where I always sit," Richards led her over to a spot near the window.

"What, do you take girls here who fall 30 years from the future often?" she asked him, looking serious.

"Oh yes. I had one just last week, you should have seen her," Terrence laughed at Lily playfully hit him.

"So what should I get?" Lily asked.

"I usually get the breakfast platter, it has all the good stuff on there, with some coffee," he suggested back to her.

"Sounds good to me," she replied.

The waitress came up to them then and took their orders. She came back with their coffee a few moments later and told them their food would be a bit.

"So, Lily, how long do you plan on staying here?" Terrence asked, watching her face closely.

"Oh, I don't know, am I getting on your nerves yet?" she smiled at him.

"Not at all, how could someone like you get on anyone's nerves?" he said to her.

"Terrence, you know very well I can get on peoples nerves--" she was cut short when Terrence leaned across the table and kissed her.

"Shh you, you know very well."

She looked up at him, face flushed once again. "Oh Terrence, I honestly don't know. I have people waiting for me at home, I don't even know how long I have been gone for back there!" she threw up her hands in frustration causing some people nearby to look at her.

"Well, you could always take the Portkey," he suggested bitterly.

"But Terrence..." Lily trailed off.

"But what, Lily?"

"The thing is, I don't even know if I want to go home. Yes I have James there, but he isn't the same. He isn't like you at all. You're romantic, you actually treat me like a woman, not one of your beer buddies or something," Lily looked down at her hands.

"One of my beer buddies?" he asked curiously.

"Don't asked," Lily groaned.

"Okay, but then again, would you be willing to stay here, with me, forever?"

"I don't even want to think about a commitment like that," Lily said.

"Fair enough, you tell me when you're ready. But Lily, I do like you, understand that, I do like you a lot," he said to her.

Lily didn't reply to him, she was only lost in her thoughts. Their food came soon after, and they sat in silence and ate.

Afterwards, Richards paid the check and left a tip on the table and walked back out to the car. Lily, still lost in her thoughts, remained silent.

"Lily dear?" Terrence asked.

"Hmm?" she replied.

"Don't think about that anymore. Don't let it get you stressed. It's okay; just let the answer come to you. In the meantime, let's go see what's going on in town? I heard there was a fair close to here," he started the car.

"Okay, that's fine by me," she said, still not fully hearing him.

"So the fair it is," and he drove off down the road.

~*~*~*~

Lily still hadn't said anything the whole car ride there, or through the walk through the lot. Terrence's hair was messed up where he had raked his fingers through it in worry and frustration. He did not like to see Lily like this.

"Oh look Lily! Win a stuffed animal if you knock all the cans down. I bet we can win that one fairly easily," he winked at her.

Snapping out of her trance yet again she looked up. "Huh?" she asked.

"Just watch," he replied. He snuck one of the balls out of the crate while the game operator wasn't looking. Taking out his wand and hiding it in his sleeve pocket, he muttered some words Lily couldn't make out from where she was standing. He just smiled and put his wand away.

What in the world is he doing? she thought to herself as Terrence stepped up to the line.

"Why hello my good man, care to win the little lady something? Only a nickel per throw," the operator smiled at Terrence.

"I'll take one throw then," Terrence flipped a coin to the guy. The guy pocketed it and picked up a ball for him.

"No, that's okay, I already have my own. But let's make this a little more interesting. If I can hit these can blind-folded, you give me two prizes," Terrence smiled at the man.

"Well, I don't think so, it doesn't take much to do that mister, if you position yourself right," the man's brow furrowed.

"Okay, you blind-fold and spin me around in circles, I can't possible make it then can I?" he winked at Lily.

"If you say so, mister," the man laughed. "Don't know why you paid for it in the first place then if you just want to do this." The man drew a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to Terrence.

"Lily, if you will?" Richards held out the hankie to Lily, who tied it around him starting to smile now. He had used a simple accuracy charm on the ball so that it would hit the cans dead center. She tied the handkerchief on tight and gave it a little tug.

"Ow, not so tight if you mind, dear," Terrence laughed. "Now spin me." A crowd was now gathering to watch them.

Lily laughed and started to spin Terrence. She spun him 10 times in a row then stopped him while he was facing the booth. He stumbled for a moment then threw the ball.

The ball flew threw that air, straight on target, Terrence lifted one eye out of the hankie and watched it happen.

"Steady, steady," he said.

The ball sailed through and hit the cans right on target. They hit the background and fell off. Everyone standing around them was amazed and they started applauding for him. Terrence took a mock bow.

The game operator was stunned. "Twenty-five cents says you couldn't do it again," he bet Terrence.

"No, that's okay, I'll just take the stuffed animals if you will," he hung out his hand and the crowd groaned. They all wanted to see him perform that stunt again.

"That was pretty impressive, mister, if I do say so myself, here are your animals, and you have a nice day," he shook Terrence's hand and the crowd around them applauded once more.

"Thank you, you too," Terrence replied. "Here you are Lily, two prizes for you," he winked at her again.

"I can't believe you did that!" she mockingly scolded him. "Come on, you, let's go look around this place."

He laughed and took her hand once more, then led her through the crowd.

~*~*~*~

"Now what am I supposed to do with all of this stuff?" Lily gestured at the backseat of his car where she had a pile of stuffed animals and various other prizes he had won her throughout the night.

"I don't know, that's your problem, I already did my part," he laughed at her.

"I swear, Terrence."

"Swear what though, Lily? Didn't your mother ever teach you it wasn't nice to swear?" he asked her with a smile.

"Ugh!" She threw up her hands in frustration.

"I know, I drive you crazy don't I?" he laughed and dodged her hand. "Hey! Watch it! Who's the one driving here?"

They pulled back up to the manor a short while later. Terrence got out first then helped Lily out of her side.

"Terrence, really, thank you tonight, it was fun," Lily said quietly as Terrence pulled her into his arms.

"Think nothing of it, m'dear," he kissed her lightly on the cheek.

"I'm glad you took me, James has never--" she was cut short as Terrence's lips met her own. Shocked at first, then she gave way to the kiss. She felt the warmth of his body next to her on the chilly autumn evening. She snuggled deeper into his kiss and his embrace and just felt the joy and serenity of it all; she wanted to stay like that forever. Wrapped in his arms.

Terrence finally broke the kiss, but he kept her in his arms. "No more about James. You don't need to be reminded of it. You're here now, that's all that matters and nothing more." He kissed her softly again.

"I know, Terrence, I know," Lily replied as he enveloped her into his arms once more, and kissed her gently.

Lily pulled back. "Come on, it's cold out here, let's go inside," she shivered.

"Right, sorry, I forgot, let's go inside. We'll have Nelly take the things inside in the morning.

Terrence walked he through the double doors and into the sitting room. Lily went upstairs to change once more into the brilliant emerald robes she was so fond of.

Oh, Terrence, how lovely you are. How can I possible like someone so much whom I just met? she thought to herself as she brushed her hair back away from her face. So nice, so sweet, so sexy, so...

"Lily?" her thoughts were cut short but Terrence knocking at her door.

"Oh, one second," she threw her brush down on the dresser and flew to the door to allow him in.

"I just...er...wanted to tell you goodnight. So," he wrapped her into his arms once again and kissed her, "goodnight." He broke away.

Lily smiled at him and kissed him on the cheek. "Goodnight to you, sweet dreams all around," she smiled at him.

"Of course, Lily, I always do," he hugged her one last time before closing the door behind him.

Lily stood there for a moment. Still going over tonight´s events in her mind. Finally she broke down and started squeeing like a little girl. "I can't believe him!" she said aloud to herself.

She threw herself onto the canopy bed of hers and just stared up at the ceiling. If only, she thought, if only I could stay here forever, wrapped up in his arms...

And on this train of thought she let sleep take her for the night.