HP:per aspera

June 1995

Sebastian's ears rang as the crowd around him erupted into loud cheers and screams when they saw two figures dressed in yellow and red appear out of nowhere with the Cup. He automatically started clapping but after a few moments, he felt Aveline forcefully squeezing his arm.

"Seb." he heard her whimper and as he turned to face her, he saw his younger sister's eyes water as she pointed at the duo on the ground. He was confused by the reaction. His eyes travelled towards Harry and Cedric laying on the grass. At first glance, everything was normal. But the longer he looked, he felt the dread seeping deeply into his bones. Harry was crying, clutching onto Cedric... who laid motionless on the ground, his head thrown back, his arms spread and his chest not moving. Sebastian froze.

"Merlin." he whispered and his sister's grip on him tightened. Finally, the rest of the crowd realised something was off too. The cheers turned to screams, the music faded, and Harry was dragged from Cedric by Professor Moody who escorted him off the premises. Sebastian's eyes travelled around the field until he finally found what he was searching for. Lilith emerged from the set-up medical tent, freezing on the spot for a moment as she took in the image in front of her before running towards Cedric's body.

"Go." he felt Aveline pushing him as he sprinted out of his spot, jumping across seats and barricades but he was too late. By the time his feet touched the grass, Lilith was already standing by Cedric. He watched as his older sister's legs buckled underneath her and she fell on her knees, hunching over Cedric's body. As he came closer, he could hear her.

"Ced? Ced, wake up." she whispered, shaking Cedric carefully but to no avail. "Ced." she patted his cheeks, hoping he would wake up but he remained motionless. "Ced, it's Lili. Hey, it's me. Come on, wake up." her voice shook and Sebastian watched tears streaming down her cheeks. It broke his heart watching the scene unfold in front of him. Ever since he could remember, Cedric was a constant in Lilith's life. He was the one they'd write to when something was off with their sister and Cedric always came running. It was no secret their father played with the idea of betrothing them through the years even though he and Aveline knew there wasn't anything romantic between them. So watching his sister hunching over her best friend's dead body, clutching onto his yellow and black jersey and whispering hopeful words, was heartbreaking to watch. He carefully made his way towards Lilith, putting his hand on her shoulder but Lilith shook it off.

"Don't touch me." he heard her voice breaking.

"Lili, you need to let go. They need to take him." he knew it was hard to hear but it was the truth. The Ministry officials and Professors needed to move Cedric's body.

"No." Lilith shook her head. Sebastian didn't know how but something weird was happening. Up until that moment, the night was calm without a single breeze. But at that moment, he could feel the wind going over his body, picking up speed.

"Lili, please, you need to let go." he saw Lilith's knuckles whiten on Cedric's jersey at his plea. The wind was now banging against his body, almost throwing him off balance, and as he looked around he could see it wasn't just his imagination. The strong wind almost knocked some of the people standing around off their feet, the flags around the stands were flying like crazy and the treetops of Forbidden Forest nearby bowed almost to the ground.

"Don't touch him!" he heard Lilith hiss over the wind that was now making him take a couple of steps back. He didn't know what was happening but he felt like he could be thrown away by the wind any second. Suddenly, he saw a blue beam fly past him, hitting Lilith in her back. He watched as Lilith fell forward onto Cedric, unconscious and the strong wind stopped as suddenly as it appeared. Sebastian blinked a couple of times in confusion and looked towards the direction where the beam came from. Fleur Delacour stood outside the medical tent with a bandaged head, her outstretched hand gripping a wand pointed towards Lilith and streaks of tears on her cheeks. She limped towards Sebastian, her eyes still on unconscious Lilith and dead Cedric.

"Pick 'er up." her accent was more prominent than before but Sebastian understood immediately. He carefully scooped up his older sister who looked so small in his arms. He took a last glance at Cedric's body, before walking out of the stadium with limping Fleur and Aveline hot on their heels. Aveline, who quickly caught up to them, threw Fleur's arm around her shoulder, supporting her walk. They didn't speak about where they were going but it was clear that their destination was the hospital wing.

"You should 'ave stopped 'er right away." he heard Fleur's voice crack. "She could've destroyed ze whole field." Sebastian exchanged a confused look with Aveline.

"It was her?" Aveline asked quietly, her eyes falling on unconscious Lilith in Sebastian's arms. He didn't miss the spark of worry in her eyes.

"Of course it was. 'er accidental magic was always strong." Fleur took a breath, wincing as she put more weight on her hurt foot. She looked between Sebastian and Aveline, seeing their confusion. "You didn't know?"

Sebastian gulped as he pulled his sister closer to him. They didn't know. Lilith always had excellent control over her magic even when they were children. They didn't even know it was possible for her to do magic accidentally. Clearly, there were things about their sister they had no idea about.

"No," he heard Aveline whisper. "We didn't."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It didn't take long for Fleur to receive treatment after they entered the hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey resumed her position there shortly after they arrived, Viktor Krum, still unconscious levitating behind her, was put into one of the beds a little far from where Lilith was laid down by her brother. Fleur was given a potion that quickly set her ankle back and a new bandage around her head. As Sebastian looked at his sister laying on the white sheet of the hospital bed, she looked even smaller than she ever did. Her stockings were dirtied by the dirt of the ground she was previously kneeling on, her white shirt was ruffled and her tie loosened. What he didn't notice earlier was a small silver necklace that slipped from under her shirt. A small shamrock with a C engraved in it. His chest felt heavy as he sat on the chair next to Lilith's bed, with Fleur and Aveline sitting on chairs nearby. Aveline was crying silently while Fleur's head was buried in her hands.

The silence was disturbed by a commotion when four people entered the hospital wing. When Sebastian looked up, he could see three Weasleys and Hermione crowding around Madame Pomfrey, asking her questions to which she clearly didn't have answers to. As the Weasley matriarch continued, his eyes locked with Hermione who turned to look in their direction. He could see worry written all over her as her gaze travelled from Sebastian to unconscious Lilith back to Sebastian. He understood her look, her posture. She wanted to come over. He almost raised his hand to wave at her but Fleur quickly pushed it down. He was confused. Why would Fleur stop him?

Fleur turned to look at Hermione, shaking her head slightly before mouthing something to her to which Hermione responded with a small nod. Her eyes lingered on Lilith for a little longer before she turned around, facing Weasleys.

"Why did you do that? She has a right to be here." Sebastian asked Fleur in a whisper. Fleur turned to him, wiping away the tears that were still on her cheeks.

"Because she wouldn't want this. They are keeping it quiet, Sebastian, and for a good reason. She will come when it's time but not now when there are others in the room." Sebastian was furious. Fleur didn't have a right to decide for Lilith.

"You don't know that!" Fleur squeezed his arm, almost crushing it. Sebastian let out a quiet whimper as Fleur's hard gaze bore into him.

"I know more than you, Sebastian, trust me." Sebastian didn't have a choice but to give up. Aveline watched their exchange with worried eyes.

"But Fleur, if..." Fleur turned to look at Aveline.

"Aveline, you have to trust me on this." it sounded like a plea. Aveline stared at Fleur, both of them locked in a silent conversation but eventually, Aveline nodded hesitantly. Sebastian looked back at his older sister, only to notice a movement and quickened breathing. He tapped Fleur's hand which was still squeezing his.

"She's waking up." this caught the attention of both Fleur and Aveline. Lilith was indeed waking up. He watched as her eyelids fluttered and slowly opened. She looked at the ceiling for a few moments before pushing herself up by her arms into a sitting position. She didn't look confused about why she was where she was. Her gaze went from Sebastian to Aveline to Fleur as if she was asking them a silent question. She wasn't crying or shaking. That scared Sebastian. His sister looked numb, hollow as if she pulled a mask on her face.

"Lili..." Sebastian started by he was silenced by another commotion in the hospital wing. Their head turned to see Dumbledore entering through the door with Harry Potter and a big black dog obediently striding by his side. Potter looked beaten, exhausted. Madame Pomfrey and Dumbledore got him into a bed and as the matron went to fetch a potion, Dumbledore turned to leave.

"Dumbledore." they whipped their head towards the sound of the voice. Lilith's voice was hoarse, crooked, and tired but she looked in Dumbledore's direction with hard eyes. Her voice caught the attention of others in the room who previously didn't seem to notice her. Dumbledore slowly walked towards her bed, not breaking their eye contact. "Tell me."

"Miss Farrow..." Dumbledore sighed but was interrupted by Lilith.

"Tell me what happened. Why is Moody here?" she motioned towards the far away bed where indeed Professor Moody laid, now without his eye and leg. When did he get here? Dumbledore seemed to contemplate his answer before nodding.

"The man you see here is the real Alastor Moody. He was kept as a prisoner by Barty Crouch Jr. who posed as him throughout the year." Sebastian blinked in confusion, turning around to get a better look at Moody.

"Who's Barty Crouch Jr.?" his question was not answered by Dumbledore but by Lilith.

"Barty Crouch Jr. was in Azkaban." Sebastian exchanged a puzzled look with Aveline. How did Lilith know that?

"Was. His mother traded places with him, his father hid him." Lilith looked down at the white sheet. Sebastian could practically hear the wheel turning in her head.

"She was the one who died there." it wasn't a question, more like a statement that Dumbledore confirmed with a nod.

"By his testimony, he was here on order of his master. And tonight, he aided in his resurrection." Lilith's head snapped back to Dumbledore.

"He's back?"

"I'm afraid so." Sebastion prided himself on his wit but he was completely lost. Lilith simply nodded but Dumbledore watched tentatively.

"Miss Farrow, I must say I'm very sorry for what happened." Lilith didn't look him in the eye, didn't speak, only gave him a small nod. Dumbledore took it as a signal to leave. The trio watched Lilith as she slowly sank back into her bed, turning on her side, and avoiding eye contact with them. Her hand found the shamrock pendant, squeezing it tightly in her fist.

"Vala..." Fleur got up from her chair and was almost near her friend.

"Please leave." Fleur froze.

"Vala,"

"Leave. All of you, please leave." Lilith didn't look them in the eye. Her eyes were fixed on a white curtain with a far-away look. Fleur turned to look at Sebastian and Aveline who were shocked by Lilith's plea. Sebastian opened his mouth to say something but was stopped by Aveline who squeezed his arm. When he turned to look at her, she shook her head and motioned towards the door. His eyes travelled between his two sisters but in the end, he gave up. Both of them got up from their seat. Fleur looked hesitant but didn't say another word. She only leaned down and placed a small kiss on Lilith's temple before turning away and walking out of the hospital wing alongside them.

++++++++++++++++++++++

Hermione sat by Harry's side ever since he fell asleep. Mrs Weasley and Bill went to the kitchens for a cup of tea a few moments ago and Ron finally fell asleep too, his head resting on Harry's mattress, snoring. With that in mind, the bushy-haired witch stood up and quietly walked towards the bed where her girlfriend was laying. Lilith had been laying in the same position ever since her siblings and Fleur left, her back turned towards Harry's bed. She could feel her heart beating in her stomach, heavy weight pulled on her chest as she walked around the bed and crouched in front of Lilith. She wasn't sleeping as Hermione previously thought. Lilith's eyes were clouded as they bore into a white curtain in front of her but she wasn't looking at it, more like through it. Her right hand was clasped around something on her chest.

"Lili." she spoke softly as if not to startle the older girl. But no reaction came out of her. She hesitated for a moment before she carefully cupped Lilith's cheek. As her thumb ran across the older girl's cheekbone, her eyes finally focused on Hermione.

"Hey." Lilith didn't speak, she only looked into Hermione's eyes. The sole look broke the younger witch's heart. She'd seen Lilith happy, frustrated, and angry but the sadness that clouded her brown eyes was something she wasn't prepared for. Hermione decided that words were useless because no matter what she'd tell her couldn't erase the fact that mere hours ago, her girlfriend lost her best friend whilst her own best friend laid sleeping just a few beds away. So she didn't speak. Instead, she gently pushed her back, climbed into the hospital bed with her and pulled Lilith into her arms, tucking her safely against her. It seemed to work. After a few moments, she could feel Lilith hiding her face in the crook of her neck, her hands gripping Hermione's shirt tightly, as Hermione rubbed gentle circles on her lower back. She didn't speak. Instead, she held her close, shielding her from the reality of the world. There wasn't any use for 'It's gonna be alright.' 'You'll get through this' or 'I'm sorry'. Those words wouldn't help or soothe Lilith's pain. So Hermione let Lilith hide from the world in her arms for the time being.

They must've fallen asleep in that position because Hermione was woken up by shouting. It seemed to wake Lilith up too because she exchanged a look with Hermione before she gently pushed her away.

"Go." she whispered, her voice crooked. Hermione kissed the crown of her head before slipping from the hospital bed. She made sure the attention of others was on the door and made her way toward her previous seat. The only one who noticed her sudden appearance was Harry who was also woken up by the shouting. He seemed to put it together because he gave Hermione a sad smile when she sat down.

The shouting was now closer and the door of the hospital wing swung open, revealing the Minister for Magic and Professor McGonagall. Mrs Weasley immediately jumped in front of Harry, protecting him like a mother bear protecting her cub against Fudge's harsh words. Thankfully Dumbledore soon appeared, taking Fudge from McGonagall's hands. Hermione couldn't believe the words leaving Fudge's mouth. The accusations and excuses. Dumbledore tried to reason with Fudge but the man seemed to be blind and deaf to his words. Hermione had to pull Harry down a couple of times but she also felt anger towards the Minister who finally revealed his true colours. To her surprise, even Snape came to Dumbledore's defence, shoving his left arm with Dark Mark right into his face.

"I don't know what you and your staff are playing at, Dumbledore, but I have heard enough. I have no more to add. I will be in touch with you tomorrow, Dumbledore, to discuss the running of this school. I must return to the Ministry." he almost left the hospital wing but at the last second, he turned around and stopped by Harry's bed, dropping a large bag of gold on his bedside table. He didn't seem to mind the daggers any of them sent them. "Your winnings. One thousand Galleons. There should have been a presentation ceremony but under the circumstances..." Once more he almost made it out of the door but a voice stopped him dead in his tracks.

"You should've retired a long time ago, you incompetent fool." Hermione's head whipped in the direction of the voice. Lilith was no longer laying in her bed. Instead, she was standing a few feet away from them, her arms wrapped around her middle as her eyes burned into Fudge who seemed taken aback by her statement.

"Lady Farrow, the matter has nothing to do with you!" Fudge spat angrily but Lilith only shook her head.

"On the contrary, Mr Fudge, it has everything to do with me, and quite frankly, I'm tired of your bullshit." Hermione gaped at Lilith. She was right, of course, she was, but saying that to the Minister for Magic to his face? That was something else. Fudge's face reddened in anger.

"Just because you're a Farrow doesn't mean you can..."

¨

"Precisely because I'm a Farrow, I can say that to you." Lilith shot him down, glaring daggers to his face as she slowly walked up to him. "You are an incompetent, blind, stupid fool who will regret this decision, soon. Just wait." seeing Lilith take down Fudge word by word made Hermione's heart flutter. Fudge was beyond furious at that point.

"Are you threatening me?"

"I'm merely stating the truth you can't see." Lilith shook her head. "I'm tired of this charade. My father hated you, he didn't trust you, I've never trusted you. I'm glad you finally proved me right." Fudge angrily crammed his bowler hat onto his head and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

"Thank you, Miss Farrow, but it might have been a bit too harsh." Lilith walked towards a nearby bed and leaned against it.

"We both know it wasn't, Dumbledore." she muttered, her eyes fixed on the floor, her arms still hugging her midsection. Hermione could see Mrs Weasley eyeing her before their attention went to Dumbledore who turned towards the group surrounding Harry's bed.

"There is work to be done." he said. "Molly.. am I right in thinking that I can count on you and Arthur?"

"Of course you can. We know what Fudge is. It's Arthur's fondness for Muggles that has held him back at the Ministry all these years. Fudge thinks he lacks proper wizarding pride." Hermione could see Lilith shake her head at the statement.

"Then I need to send a message to Arthur. All those that we can persuade of the trust must be notified immediately, and he is well placed to contact those at the Ministry who are not as shortsighted as Cornelius."

"I'll go to Dad." Hermione watched as Bill stood up from his chair, gathering his things. "I'll go now."

"Excellent. Tell him what has happened. Tell him I will be in direct contact with him shortly. He will need to be discreet, however. If Fudge thinks I am interfering at the Ministry-"

"Leave it to me." Bill waved him off, kissed his mother on the cheek, bid farewell to everybody and left the hospital wing.

"Minerva, I want to see Hagrid in my office as soon as possible. Also - if she will consent to come - Madame Maxime." Professor McGonagall nodded and left without a word. Dumbledore resembled a commander-in-chief giving out orders to his soldiers.

"Poppy," Dumbledore turned to Madame Pomfrey. "would you be very kind and go down to Professor Moody's office, where I think you will find a house-elf called Winky in considerable distress? Do what you can for her, and take her back to the kitchens. I think Dobby will look after her for us."

"Very well." Madame Pomfrey looked startled at his request but complied and left. Dumbledore watched as the door closed behind her before speaking again.

"And now, it is time for our numbers to recognize each other for what they are. Sirius... if you could resume your usual form." The black dog looked up at Dumbledore and then, turned into a man. Hermione looked at Lilith, scared of her reaction but she merely raised an eyebrow at Sirius' change. Mrs Weasley on the other hand.

"Sirius Black!" she shrieked and leapt back from the bed. While Ron tried to calm her down and Sirius exchanged glares with Sirius, Lilith watched the exchanges silently.

"Hello, Sirius." she spoke quietly, making Sirius look around and smile meekly.

"Lilith! You grew up." Hermione was confused by the exchange.

"Yes, well, that happens when someone gets older." Sirius was about to reply but Dumbledore caught his attention once again.

"I have work for you, Sirius, Severus. Fudge's attitude, though not unexpected, changes everything. Sirius, I need you to set off at once. You are to alert Remus Lupin, Arabella Figg, and Mundungus Fletcher - the old crowd. Lie low at Lupin's for a while. I will contact you there." Harry was about to protest, having to spend only a short time with his godfather but Sirius calmed him down, bid him farewell, and once again in the form of a big black dog, left the hospital wing.

"Severus, you know what I must ask you to do. If you are ready... if you're prepared..."

"I am." Snaped looked pale but he stood his ground.

"Then good luck." Snape nodded and followed after Sirius. Dumbledore was quiet for a few moments before he turned towards Lilith.

"Lady Farrow." Lilith raised an eyebrow at the address.

"Not Miss Farrow?"

"Miss Farrow is for my student. Lady Farrow, however..." Lilith pushed herself from the bed.

"I understand, Dumbledore." Hermione caught her tone. It was almost the same one she used at Fudge and Hermione didn't like it. It was cold and harsh.

"Our organization has had an agreement with your family during the previous war, can I count on you to uphold that agreement?" Lilith scoffed at his question and shook her head. She slowly walked towards the headmaster until she was right in front of him.

"I know you think I live for my work, Dumbledore, but you could've at least waited until after my best friend was buried." Hermione gulped and saw Mrs Weasley cover her mouth in shock. Lilith glared at the headmaster in a way that no one had ever dared. "And in all honesty, every fibre of my being wants to refuse you." Hermione heard gasps around the room at her statement. "You promised it would be safe. You promised they'd be safe. And now? It'll be my second funeral in one year." Hermione could see Lilith's eyes watering but no tears came out. The younger witch clutched her fists in anger.

"You are lucky I'm bound by my duty. That I'm bound by this." Lilith spat and rolled up her right sleeve, showing Dumbledore something none of them could see. Hermione was deeply confused. Whatever was Lilith showing him made Dumbledore frown, his expression saddening before rolled her sleeve back. "Otherwise, I'd leave you in a dust."

"I'm sorry about my approach, Lady Farrow, the matter is important."

"Of course it is. But to be clear, we're just allies, at best." the headmaster nodded in acknowledgement.

"I'll write to my associates tomorrow."

"Thank you, Lady Farrow." Lilith didn't answer. She simply turned around, and without sparing anyone another look, she went back to her bed and laid down, turning her back towards the group. Hermione exchanged a look with Harry who seemed just as confused by the conversation, silently asking her a question she didn't have an answer to. Hermione pondered the same thing. In a span of twenty minutes, Lilith took down Fudge, went head-to-head with Dumbledore, and revealed that she had more secrets than Hermione knew about.

What was Lilith capable of?