Together Forever

Prologue

"For certain is death for the born

And certain is birth for the dead."

- Bhagvad Gita, Chapter Two

A sob escaped Lily's throat. She turned her head, trying to block out the present, the past, the future, everything. Numbness enveloped her like a woolen blanket, suffocating her. She was drowning in a nightmare, choking on the unbearable silence until time slowed and seemed to still to nothing.

"What have you done?" Petunia asked, her voice eerily hushed, stifled by grief.

"Me? I didn't - It wasn't my fault!" Lily exclaimed. "I didn't do anything! I swear."

"It must've been one of those abnormal friends of yours," Petunia continued, her tone accusatory. "I knew no good could come from that bloody school."

"Please," Lily whispered. "Please stop. It was no friend. I don't know who - I - I - "

Her voice trailed off.

"You are never to speak to me again, do you understand that?" Petunia questioned, her voice trembling. "I don't have a sister and never have had one. Don't you come near me again!"

"Petunia - "

Lily was cut off by the slap her sister dealt her. She raised her hand to her stinging cheek, tears filling her eyes for the first time since she heard the news of her parents' death.

"They didn't believe me," Petunia said, her face chalky. "They thought it was wonderful that you're a witch. See how wrong they were? See how wrong you are? I hate you. I really, truly do. Promise you won't come near me."

"I - I - " Lily couldn't bear this. What had happened to the time when she and Petunia had been as close as sisters could ever be?

"Promise," Petunia said threateningly, the word dripping with venom.

"I promise," Lily said softly.

Turning on her heel with her boyfriend, Archie Polkiss and his best friend, Vernon Dursley, Petunia left Lily's life forever.

Chapter One: Letters

"I have made this letter longer, because I have not had the time to make it shorter."
-Blaise Pascal

Dear Ms. Evans,

Please note that the new school year will begin September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross Station, platform nine and three-quarters at eleven o'clock.

I am pleased to inform you that you have been chosen as Head Girl this year. Congratulations. Please remember to go to the Prefects' Compartment of the train, where you and the Head Boy will give the prefects instructions. They (and you) are to patrol the Hogwarts Express and keep an eye out for troublemakers. Upon arriving at Hogwarts, please report promptly to me, and then you may go to the feast.

Throughout the year, you are expected to care for and mentor your fellow students as well as patrol the corridors from nine to eleven-thirty, at which time you will report to me and then go to bed.

The first trip to Hogsmeade will be held on the thirty-first of October, Halloween, on which day you and the Head Boy must escort the third years to the village.

A list of books for next year is enclosed.

Yours sincerely,
Professor M. McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

My Dear Lily,

I am absolutely appalled upon hearing about what happened to you. You definitely didn't deserve it. Rest assured that there will be hell to pay for the bloody bastard that tore your family apart.

But how are you, my darling? I do hope you are all right and that you understand that I would be with you right now if it weren't for my father. I love you very much and wish with all my heart that you could stay at my house. Once again, you know how my father is.

I keep pacing the house like a caged tiger, which results in my father snapping at me. But I can't help it; I am consumed in my concern for you.

Oh, Lily, I am thrilled that this is our last year at Hogwarts. Afterwards, I will leave my father's house, and buy one of my own. Then I shall marry you, and we will live together forever.

I'm eagerly awaiting your reply, my dear.

Love,
Lucius

Dearest Lucius,

Although I am honored to be the recipient of your love, please don't do anything drastic. I love you and would be horrified if anything happened to you just because you were avenging my family.

I'm okay, I suppose. Amirah's parents are wonderful. They've allowed me to stay with them. Chelsea came over too (and missed her traditional Goodbye Party - can you believe it?). I must admit, it's nice to have so many people care.

I'm sorry that you are worried. What can I say to make it stop?

It saddens me to realize this is our last year at Hogwarts, but before I continue, I must go off on a different tangent.

September 25th will mark our third year together. Don't you think we should reveal ourselves to the school? It's now or never, Lucius.

But I digress. I would love to live with you after Hogwarts (you weren't by any chance proposing, where you? Only joking, darling!).

My heart will be at ease only at such a time when you gather me in your arms and our hearts beat together.

Love,
Lily

My Dear Lily,

Don't worry, I won't do anything drastic. But I do wish I could get my hands on that creature that did this to you.

I'm glad you're all right, and I'm glad so many people care about you. I don't think anything will make me stop worrying about you. I can't help it, but I love you far too much. I hope you can forgive me.

I suppose I'm sad too. Hogwarts was a second home for seven years. It was the place I met you - how can I not be even a little sad? The reason I will be happy when this year is over, is that I will be able to leave my father's house, finally.

About telling everybody, I'm not so sure. I don't give a damn about what they think of me, but you - you're so well-liked and the thought that my love may cause you to be shunned bothers me.

Perhaps I was proposing. We'll see, won't we, love?

Only five more days until my eyes behold the beauty of my Lily.

Love,
Lucius

Dearest Lucius,

I apologize profusely, but this has to be a very quick letter.

I, too, worried about the consequences of revealing ourselves to the rest of the school. But we must take the risk. We are seventh years - the role models of the younger students. Our relationship may change the future for Gryffindors and Slytherins. We can open a vein of possibilities. We will leave behind a legacy, for which we will forever be remembered. Just show the same sweet caring you display in your letters and when we are alone. That way, nobody will say a word.

By the time this letter reaches you, it'll be about time to return to Hogwarts. Therefore, you may not have time to reply. If you don't I will see you there, my love.

Love,
Lily

Lily-

Here are some of your things. I no longer want them. Burn them, throw them away, do whatever you want. I never want to see them again.

Petunia

Dear Moony,

How are your holidays? Going well, I hope. Both Padfoot and I wish you could've come and stayed at my house. Sorry you got in trouble Sorrier that you got in trouble because of us. That isn't even a sentence!

Anyway, sorry we didn't write earlier. James had his head in the clouds. What are you talking about? You know I'm right. You've been thinking about Lil- Have not! Oh, you've got it bad! Well, it isn't as though you haven't been thinking about Candy. So what if I have? At least I'll admit it. And we have a casual relationship. Casual? You two are always all over each other! But, you, my friend are madly in love with Ms. Evans. Are you ever going to do make a move? I've "made a move" before, but, if you recall, she rejected me multiple times! That was then. This is now!

Hey, sorry about this, too, Moony. Well, at least you got plenty of information about how our summer has been. I caught him writing a poem to Lily. I almost died of laught- My god, Padfoot, you don't have a romantic bone in you. I don't see how any girl is attracted to you. Sex appeal. What else? As my little Ms. America once said, "You are a sexy beast, Sirius Black." Er...right. Maybe we should wrap this up. I suppose.

We'll see you at school, Moony. And don't be fooled - we haven't been having a great time at my house. I promise.

Bye-
Prongs and Padfoot

Dear Prongs and Padfoot,

Sounds like you two are having a good time. That's all right. I don't mind. Without you two around, I can get some serious studying done. I've finished all our summer homework and read everything that is going to be on N.E.W.T.s I still have a lot of studying left, I'm afraid, but if I begin now, I'll be ready for N.E.W.T.s

Would you believe it if I said I got a letter from a girl this summer? Chelsea Tamblin, coincidently one of Lily's best friends. You'd better hurry up and ask Lily, Prongs. You and Wormtail are the only two without a girlfriend (and I heard that Hufflepuff sixth year, Helga Famboni has "the hots" for Wormtail, as Candy would say). Your reputation is at stake, Prongs!

I should probably return to studying. See you at school.

Your friend,
Moony

Dear Moony,

Studying? How can you be studying during the summer? Ouch. I'm sorry. I didn't think your parents would be that harsh. Oh no, wait. You decided to study of your own free will! Are you mad? More than mad, Padfoot. He's insane. I'll say.

You said a girl wrote you a letter? Well what did you expect? A frog? It's about time you realized how that girl feels about you. Chelsea Tamblin, eh? Good catch, Moony. You'll have to teach me your trick, you sly dog. He doesn't have a trick. Girls are attracted because he doesn't chase after them. I don't chase after girls. They chase after me. Oh, right the way you didn't chase after Candy.

We can't wait to see you and Wormtail at school, Moony. Speaking of Wormtail, who's Helga? I don't know. Some Hufflepuff.

Right, so we'll definitely see you at school. Enough, Padfoot! The letter's over now.

Your friends,
Prongs and Padfoot

Dear Amirah,

It's so strange writing you this letter while I'm at your house, but of course we can't allow Lily to overhear.

How can Lily not understand that James is perfect for her? She is so dense! We have to get them together somehow! He likes her. It's so obvious, yet she does not see it.

Well, she will not escape this year! Write back soon, Ami!

Love, your friend,
Chelsea

Dear Chelsea,

This is strange, but no matter. Lily will kill us if she sees our conversation.

I think she has selective vision/perception. That would explain why she doesn't see this very cute, very popular, and very sweet boy who is dying to date her. We have to open her eyes this year, and we will do it by any means necessary!

You're absolutely right! She will not escape this year!

Good night,
Amirah