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HRHL# Chapter 96: Eternal Love
🕑 Added 2025-02-12 23:39:37 +0000 UTCWhen Harry came back to his senses, Lily was already striding away, her steps decisive and unwavering.
He didn’t spare a glance at his father, who was still bullying Snape back where they stood. Instead, he turned and followed her.
He had no desire to witness that scene any longer.
His father’s voice still rang in his ears.
“Ah, anyone want to see me strip down the greasy git’s filthy underwear?”
Following his mother all the way back to the castle, Harry soon realized that she was heading toward a place he knew all too well…
His heart trembled violently, and he hurried forward to confirm his suspicion.
Sure enough…
It was the Map Chamber.
He recalled Professor Dumbledore’s words from before—his mother had used an ancient spell to cast a protection upon him…
Could it be that his mother was also an inheritor of ancient magic?
Lily stopped at the entrance of the Map Chamber, lifted the ancient magical symbol on the ground, and stepped inside.
“Lily?”
A gentle voice sounded.
“Veratia…”
The moment Lily entered the Map Chamber, it was as if all her defenses crumbled. No longer appearing strong as before, she fell to her knees, covering her face with both hands as she sobbed uncontrollably.
“What’s wrong, Lily?” Veratia’s voice was soft and soothing.
“I… I…”
Lily choked on her words, recounting everything that had just happened to Veratia.
Before Veratia, Lily hid nothing—not even a shred of pretense. It was as if they were the closest of confidantes, with no secrets between them.
“I… I endured the scorn of the entire school, yet I still considered him my best friend…” Lily wept, her voice trembling. “His friends cursed mine, and yet he said it was their freedom to do so… Everyone kept questioning why I would befriend someone like him. Everyone looked down on me for being a Muggle-born who dared to associate with Slytherins…”
“I drew my wand for him, but what did he do? He… he called me a Mudblood. So this is what I am in his eyes? Something so lowly, so unworthy of being his friend…”
Lily was truly heartbroken, her tears cascading like petals in the wind.
“Lily.” Veratia comforted her in a gentle voice. “People lose their reason when they are consumed by rage. Perhaps it was just a moment of carelessness on Snape’s part.”
“A moment of carelessness?” Lily choked. “Even if it was unintentional, those words were far too cruel. What did I do wrong? What did I do wrong…?”
“You did nothing wrong, Lily.” Veratia’s voice was warm. “The ones at fault are those arrogant fools who believe their bloodline makes them superior…”
Their voices gradually softened, and Harry could no longer make out their conversation.
Once again, the world around him spun.
When the scene stabilized, Harry found himself looking at an older version of his mother.
Lily had shed some of her youthful innocence. She now exuded a confidence and radiance that hadn’t been there before.
“Veratia!”
She was greeting the girl in the portrait.
“Do you have something interesting to share with me?” Veratia’s violet eyes curved into a smile, making her look breathtakingly beautiful.
“I’ve been a little troubled lately—” Lily stood before the portrait, her expression conflicted. “You know, the Potter boy I always told you about—he just won’t stop pursuing me. He even says he’s willing to change anything for me… that he can change everything…”
Harry noticed that Veratia’s expression froze for a brief moment.
After a moment of hesitation, Veratia finally spoke. “I think Potter is a very good choice…”
“Huh?” Lily lifted her head. “Veratia, you can’t just suggest I pick Potter just because your best friend also happens to be a Potter—”
“A man who is willing to change for you—what more could you possibly ask for?” Veratia seemed to sigh softly. “Seize this opportunity. I believe Potter is sincere.”
“Alright—I’ll consider your suggestion…” Lily ran a hand through her fiery red hair.
“It’s not a suggestion—it’s a prophecy.” Veratia’s voice was gentle.
Yet, despite her words, Harry noticed the way her fingers unconsciously played with her hair.
That was her tell—her sign of lying.
Why… why would she lie to his mother?
“Veratia!”
Once again, the scene changed.
Lily was now more mature. Her belly had a slight curve to it, exuding the gentle glow of impending motherhood.
“Lily, it looks like you’re pregnant. Congratulations.”
Veratia’s voice was full of joy.
“Yes, yes, I’m pregnant.”
Lily placed a hand on her belly, sharing in the happiness.
Veratia set the book she was holding onto the table in the portrait and said, “I think this time, you’ll have a boy…”
“Why?” Lily asked with interest.
“Did you forget? I have the gift of prophecy.” Veratia twirled her hair between her fingers.
“Oh, sorry, I forgot.” Lily stuck out her tongue playfully before adding, “If it’s a boy… I think… I’ll name him Harry. I still remember the stories you told me about ‘Harry Potter’—your dear friend, right? I hope my child will be just as strong as him.”
“He will be.” Veratia’s smile was brilliant, as dazzling as her hair.
Once again, the world spun.
“Wormy, Pads—”
Lily’s voice rang out as she carried a large bowl filled with stewed beef.
Little Harry sat on a stool nearby, clutching a baby bottle in his tiny hands.
“Merlin’s beard, what is that smell?!” Lily set the bowl on the table and shouted in exasperation. “James? Darling? How many times have I told you?! Close the door when you use the bathroom!”
“Sorry, sweetheart—” James’ voice called from the other room. “I’m brewing a potion…”
The man Lily called “Pads” let out a hearty laugh. He pulled back the tiny toy broomstick he had been teasing little Harry with, then elbowed the stout man beside him and grinned. “See? James’ potion-making skills are still as catastrophic as ever.”
The stout man burst into laughter, clutching his belly.
“Alright, you two.”
Lily rapped the table, ordering, “You—Pads, take out the trash. And you—Wormy, go to the Muggle market and buy some black pepper. We’re out.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
The two men high-fived and cheerfully headed out.
Harry watched as his mother returned to the kitchen, then used her wand to levitate a steaming pot of soup into the dining room.
After setting it down, she called out again, “James? Darling? Are you still brewing your potion?”
To Harry’s surprise, there was a rustling sound from the bathroom.
James’ muffled voice came through. “No, sweetheart, I’m using the toilet—”
Harry couldn’t hold back his laughter.
He never imagined that his parents’ daily life was this amusing.
It seemed… Lily had actually been raising three big children—James, Pads, and Wormy.
--
The scene swirled once again, and Harry found himself back in the Map Chamber with his mother.
This time, the mother before him looked more worn than ever before, her face etched with exhaustion.
"Veratia..."
His mother’s voice no longer carried the same vitality as usual; it was instead laced with weariness.
"Long time no see, Lily," Veratia said lightly. "Your little Harry… he must be nearly a year old now, right?"
At the mention of "little Harry," Lily’s tears spilled over instantly.
Veratia looked flustered. It was only the second time Harry had ever seen such an expression on her face—the first being when he was struck by Ranrok’s curse.
"Veratia, Professor Trelawney made a prophecy." Lily knelt on the floor, looking utterly helpless. "She said that a child with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord has been born, a child from a family that has defied him three times—born at the end of the seventh month. The Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have a power the Dark Lord knows not… One must die at the hand of the other, for neither can live while the other survives… The child with the power to defeat the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month ends."
Veratia was momentarily stunned by Lily’s words. Then she spoke again to confirm, "You’re saying—a prophecy? Professor Trelawney… what’s her relation to Cassandra Trelawney?"
"She’s the great-granddaughter of that Seer," Lily replied, wiping her tears. "And her prophecies… are very accurate."
"That should be a cause for celebration. Why are you crying?" Veratia asked.
"Because… because the prophecy somehow reached the Dark Lord, and he… he’s coming after us..." Lily sobbed.
"Are you afraid?" Veratia asked.
"No, I’m not afraid to die. But Harry..." Lily’s voice trembled with sorrow. "Harry isn’t even a year old yet... How can a child possibly defeat the Dark Lord? One of them must die, but my poor Ha...rry... He… he hasn’t even had the chance to see the world, to learn wonderful magic, to play Quidditch—oh, you should see him on a toy broomstick, he’s adorable… But… how can fate be so cruel... how can it be so..."
Seeing his mother so helpless, Harry couldn’t hold back his own tears.
No one could remain unmoved in the face of a mother’s grief.
Veratia fell silent for a long time.
Just as Harry thought she might never speak again, she finally did.
"Lily, we… are descendants of ancient magic."
Her voice was soft, yet unwavering.
"I know that wretched Dark Lord used some form of Dark Magic to make himself invincible, but…"
"But what?" Lily caught the shift in Veratia’s tone, her eyes lighting up with hope.
Veratia hesitated for a long time.
Harry saw the struggle, the hesitation in her expression.
"Veratia…" he murmured.
"I know a spell. An ancient spell," Veratia said quietly. "This ancient magic… not only can it transfer your ancestral magic to Harry, but it can also place a protective charm on him—one that will forever shield him from the Cruciatus and Killing Curses, reflecting them back upon anyone who wishes him harm…"
Hope flickered in Lily’s emerald eyes.
"Teach me, Veratia. I… I’m willing to learn…"
A flicker of sorrow passed through Veratia’s eyes.
"Lily, you must understand… this spell comes at a price…"
Lily’s expression was resolute. "Tell me. No matter what the price is, I will pay it—as long as Harry can live a happy, healthy life."
"You…"
Veratia closed her eyes.
"Are you truly willing to sacrifice…?"
Harry saw the unwavering determination in his mother’s face.
"Anything!" she declared.
Hearing Lily’s words, Veratia nodded lightly.
A terrible foreboding welled up in Harry’s heart.
Veratia’s voice was calm, yet it trembled slightly.
"This spell… requires you to pay the price with your life. You must… die in front of little Harry, as a sacrifice to activate the protection charm…"
"No! Mom! Don’t!"
Harry shouted with all his might, but his voice never reached Lily’s ears.
"Veratia! Don’t tell her! Don’t teach her that spell!"
But this was only a memory.
Lily’s expression remained unwavering as she firmly nodded and told Veratia, "I am willing. For Harry, I will give everything—even my life."
Harry watched helplessly as his mother followed the movements of Veratia’s painted form, engraving an ancient rune onto her arm. He cried out, trying desperately to stop her, but he was powerless against the memory.
He reached out in vain, trying to pull her back, to halt her actions, but his hands grasped nothing but air.
He would rather die himself than watch his mother sacrifice her life for his protection.
The spell was complete. A violet glow shimmered across Lily’s arm.
"Thank you, Veratia."
A radiant smile returned to Lily’s face, and the vibrant young woman she had always been resurfaced.
But then, she noticed that the Veratia within the painting had crouched to the ground.
"I’m sorry, Harry. I’m so sorry…" she murmured.
Lily didn’t understand what she meant but spoke cheerfully, "Don’t worry, Veratia, this is my choice. No matter what… Harry will never blame you… Oh! I’ll store some memories in the Pensieve…"
"I suggest you save more of them, so Harry… can see you as much as possible. Include his father… and your dearest friend," Veratia said softly.
"Good idea."
Lily smiled brightly. She walked over to the Pensieve, raised her wand to her temple, and drew out shimmering silver threads, dropping them into the basin.
"Perhaps this is the last time we’ll meet, Veratia," Lily said gently. "Thank you for everything you’ve taught me…"
"Professor…"
Veratia’s violet eyes looked at Lily, filled with sorrow.
"Class dismissed," she whispered, voice trembling.
"Goodbye, Veratia!"
Lily raised her right hand high, waving enthusiastically, her face beaming with joy.
Then, she turned around and walked towards the door with light, carefree steps.
The memory ended abruptly.
Harry emerged from the Pensieve, gasping for breath, gripping his robes tightly.
The sound of footsteps still echoed in his ears, as if his mother had just walked out of the Map Chamber.
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