Just A Glimpse

Just a Glimpse

***

Lily was aware.

Of what, she wasn't sure, but she knew she was there and she was sure of one thing- there was a familiar hand pressed resolutely against hers, holding tightly. Turning what she thought was her head, she could feel James's presence nearby, as always. She was aware of time, though how much she couldn't begin to guess.

There was somebody else, too. She peered uncertainly at the face that solidified in the center of her misty vision. It looked at her calmly. It had wide, clear eyes, and very average features. No hair, nothing beyond the face that indicated whether the face was male or female. A moment later it spoke in a direct, monotone voice.

Hello.

...Well, hello there, she answered.

How do you fare?

Umm... ok, I guess. James noticeably shrugged. I mean, we are dead, aren't we?

Lily gasped. Dead...

Yes.

My...Lily thought furiously. My... my Harry, my son. Where is he?!

The face didn't answer. I suspect that your world is much different than when you left it.

Yes, yes.

Would you like to see?

They stared for a moment.

Yes! We want to see! Lily nodded. James nodded.

Please!

The head cocked to the side. As you wish.

Wind brushed against Lily's face, and she and James were flying over the landscape, mountains and green trees passing below.

"Look! Hogwarts!" James pulled at her arm, pointing.

Lily looked up, excited, but the smile dropped from her face. Something was wrong, and it came from the School. She looked over the grounds of one of the few real homes in her life, sadness passing across her ghostly face. The grounds were ruined.

The Whomping Willow was a collapsed stump. The Quidditch grounds were flat, the green grasses were gone, and Hogwarts itself stood silent, an empty husk. The stones were stained and black, several towers replaced by gaping holes.

They landed in the back.

This was the worst place of all. The ground was scorched and there were deep smoking ditches like cuts in the earth. The whole bare wall behind them was covered with scratches. On a closer look, the scratches revealed to be names, engraved with the precision of magic. Above, blazing red message blazed out of the stone-

LORD VOLDEMORT REIGNS ALL

"Voldemort!" James spit out. He had become clear in Lily's eyes, which now blurred with tears. Her hands were definite yet ghostly as she pointed wordlessly. Just near them, at the front of the wall she could see their names, James' first, then hers right below.

"He's...killed all these people..."

James nodded. "He must have taken over Hogwarts."

Something stirred in the darkness and their heads whipped around at attention. Somebody was moving through the wasteland, stepping forward into the dim light of twilight.

He looked a lot like James, besides the more rounded jaw and the large bright green eyes.

"Harry!" Lily leapt forward and tried to touch him. Her hand stopped at his shoulder, and she was pushed aside as he walked on, staring right through her. James caught her and they followed. He walk further down the wall, all the way near the end. Lily studied him as he walked gingerly over the ashes that covered the ground. His face was smudged with dirt, as were his roughed up muggle clothes. He had a pair of beaten dark jeans, something long-sleeved and black under a thick vest. A wizard coat fluttered behind him in the wind, trailing the ground. His hair was messily spiked all over, and his eyes were slightly glassy behind his glasses. Abruptly he stopped.

Lily and James almost ran into him, but stopped, anxious. He reached out, his hand resting on a bold name.

DUMBLEDORE

Dumbledore gone?! But how? James shook his head. Harry's hand moved to another name, and moved again and again, skipping along the long and winding list.

HERMIONE GRANGER

Lily didn't know this one, but he paused there.

RON WEASLEY

CHO CHANG

NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM

"That must be the Longbottoms' son," James commented.

Harry hand stopped skipping and simply slid down the stones, missing no names. He stopped, standing utterly still for a minute, and then pressed his face against the wall, eyes closed. Lily reached out, trying to wipe away his tears. His eyes snapped open, and he stared right at her, surprised. Something sparked in his eyes. Something dangerous. He reached deep into his vest, and pulled out a sharp, long dagger. Blood red gems studded the hilt, shining through the filth covering it.

He turned from the wall, and without looking back strode off.

"HARRY! HARRY!!" Lily scrabbled after him, arms reaching out. He retreated around the castle, eyes set upon an open window. Digging his fingers into the crumbling exterior of Hogwarts, he started scaling the wall. Lily reached after, but she couldn't reach.

Harry faded away, struggling into the mist. Panicked, Lily reached frantically for James. She had lost his hand. Hysterical, she cried his name silently. He had to be near!

Lily was sinking...

The End