When Harry came back to his senses, Lily had already walked away with firm, determined steps, showing no hesitation.
He didn't spare a glance at his father, who was still bullying Snape, and turned to follow his mother instead.
He didn't want to watch that scene any longer.
His father's voice still echoed behind him.
"Oi, anyone want to see me pull down Snivellus's filthy underpants?"
He followed his mother all the way back to the castle and realized she was heading toward a place he knew all too well…
Harry's heart trembled. He hurried after her, wanting to confirm his suspicion.
Sure enough…
It was the Chamber of Secrets.
He remembered what Professor Dumbledore had said—his mother had used an ancient spell to place a protective charm on him…
So his mother had also been an inheritor of ancient magic?
Lily stopped in front of the Chamber's entrance, lifted the ancient magical marker from the ground, and stepped inside.
"Lily?"
Vivi's voice rang out.
"Vivi…"
Once inside the Chamber, Lily seemed to let down all her defenses. She was no longer the strong figure she had appeared to be outside. She dropped to her knees, covered her face with her hands, and sobbed uncontrollably.
"What's wrong, Lily?" Vivi asked gently.
"I… I…"
Through her sobs, Lily told Viletta everything that had happened.
In front of Viletta, Lily held nothing back. It was as if the two of them were the closest of confidantes.
"I… I endured the disdain of the entire house, yet I still treated him as my best friend…" Lily cried, her voice shaking. "His friends cast dark curses on my friends, and he said it was their freedom… Everyone questioned why I was friends with someone like him. Everyone looked down on me—a Muggle-born—for being close to a Slytherin…"
"I drew my wand for him, but what did he do? He… he called me a Mudblood. So in his heart, I've always been something so lowly, unworthy of being his friend…"
Lily looked truly heartbroken, crying her eyes out.
"Lily," Vivi said softly, trying to comfort her. "People lose their reason when they're extremely angry. Perhaps Mr. Snape didn't mean it."
"Didn't mean it?" Lily sobbed. "Even if he didn't mean it, those words were too much. What did I do wrong? What did I ever do wrong…?"
"You did nothing wrong, Lily," Viletta said warmly. "The ones at fault are those arrogant fools who think their blood makes them superior…"
Their voices grew quieter after that, and Harry couldn't make out everything they said.
Once again, the scene spun wildly around him.
When it stabilized, an older version of his mother stood before him.
Lily had shed some of her youthful innocence and now appeared more confident and radiant.
"Vivi!"
She greeted the girl in the portrait.
"Got anything interesting to share with me today?" Vivi asked, her violet eyes curving beautifully with her smile.
"I've been a bit troubled lately—" Lily stood in front of the portrait, looking conflicted. "You know that Potter I've told you about? He won't stop pursuing me. He says he'd do anything for me, that he can change anything…"
Harry noticed Vivi's expression freeze for a split second.
After a brief hesitation, Vivi spoke. "I think Potter is a very good choice…"
"Huh?" Lily looked up. "You can't just recommend him because your good friend is also a Potter, Vivi—"
"When a man is willing to change for you, what more could you ask for?" Vivi said with a soft sigh. "Take this chance. I believe Potter is serious."
"Alright… I'll consider your suggestion…" Lily ran a hand through her fiery red hair.
"It's not a suggestion. It's a prophecy," Vivi said quietly.
Despite her words, Harry noticed Vivi's hand unconsciously fiddling with her hair.
It was her tell when she was lying.
Why… was she lying to his mother?
…
"Vivi!"
This time, a more mature-looking Lily appeared before Harry.
Her belly was slightly rounded, glowing with maternal radiance.
"Lily, it looks like you're pregnant. Congratulations!"
Vivi said happily.
"Yes, yes, I'm pregnant."
Lily gently stroked her belly, smiling brightly at Vivi.
Viletta set down the book she was holding onto the table in the portrait and said, "I think you're going to have a boy…"
"Why?" Lily asked with interest.
"Have you forgotten? I have the gift of prophecy," Viletta said, twirling a strand of hair.
"Ah, sorry, I forgot," Lily stuck out her tongue, then asked, "If it's a boy, I think… I'd like to name him Harry. I still remember the stories you told me about that 'Harry Potter'—he was your good friend, right? I hope my child will be as strong as him."
"He will be," Vivi said with a brilliant smile that shone as brightly as her hair.
The scene spun again.
"Wormy, Pads—"
Lily's voice called out as she carried a large bowl of stewed beef.
Little Harry sat on a stool nearby, holding a milk bottle in his hands.
"Merlin's beard, what is that smell?!" Lily set the bowl on the table and roared, "James? Darling? How many times have I told you? Close the door when you use the toilet!"
"Sorry, sweetheart—" James's voice came from inside the room. "I was brewing a potion…"
The man Lily called "Pads" laughed cheerfully. He pulled back the tiny broomstick he had been using to entertain Harry and elbowed the short, plump man beside him. "Look at that—James's potion-making skills are still as dreadful as ever."
The plump man burst into laughter, clutching his belly.
"Alright, you two."
Lily knocked on the table and ordered, "You, Pads—go take out the trash. Wormy, go to the Muggle street and buy some black pepper. We've run out."
"Yes, ma'am!"
The two men high-fived and left happily.
Harry watched as his mother went into the kitchen, then returned levitating a basin of soup with her wand and carried it to the dining room.
After setting the soup down, Lily called out again, "James? Darling? Are you still brewing that potion?"
To Harry's surprise, rustling sounds came from the bathroom.
James's muffled voice replied, "No, sweetheart, I'm on the toilet—"
Harry couldn't help but snort with laughter. He hadn't expected his parents' daily life to be so amusing.
It seemed… Lily was clearly raising three big children—James, Pads, and Wormy.
…
The scene spun once more, and Harry returned to the Chamber of Secrets with his mother.
This time, the Lily before him looked far more worn and exhausted than before.
"Vivi…"
His mother's voice lacked its usual energy. She sounded utterly drained.
"It's been a while, Lily," Vivi said lightly. "Your little Harry… he must be almost a year old now, right?"
At the mention of "little Harry," Lily's tears began to fall immediately.
Vivi looked flustered. It was only the second time Harry had seen that expression on her face—the first had been the moment he was struck by the Langlock curse.
"Vivi, Professor Trelawney made a prophecy," Lily said, kneeling on the ground and looking utterly helpless. "She said that the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord has been born, to parents who have defied him three times. Born at the end of July, the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not… and either must die at the hand of the other, for neither can live while the other survives… The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies."
Vivi fell silent for a moment after hearing Lily's words, then asked, "You mean a prophecy? Professor Trelawney… what is her relation to Cassandra Trelawney?"
"She is that seer's great-great-granddaughter," Lily said, wiping away her tears. "Her prophecies… are usually accurate."
"This should be something to celebrate. Why are you crying?" Vivi asked.
"Because… somehow the Dark Lord learned of this prophecy. He's going to… he's going to come after us…" Lily sobbed.
"Are you afraid?" Vivi asked.
"No, I'm not afraid of dying. But Harry…" Lily said sorrowfully. "Harry is barely a year old… How is a child supposed to defeat the Dark Lord? Only one of them can survive. My poor Harry… he hasn't even had a chance to see the world, to learn fun magic, or to play Quidditch. You've never seen him on a broomstick—he's so adorable… But how can this be so cruel… how can it…?"
Seeing his mother so helpless, Harry couldn't stop his own tears from falling.
No one could remain unmoved by a mother's tears.
Vivi remained silent for a long time.
Just when Harry thought she would stay quiet, she finally spoke.
"Lily… we are inheritors of ancient magic."
Vivi said softly.
"I know that evil Dark Lord used some kind of dark magic to make himself nearly invincible, but…"
"But what?" Lily's eyes lit up with hope at the shift in Viletta's tone.
Vivi paused for a long time.
Harry could see the struggle and hesitation in her expression.
"Vivi…" he murmured.
"I know an ancient spell," Viletta said quietly. "This ancient spell can transfer your ancient magic to Harry. It can also place a protective charm on him that will forever shield him from the Cruciatus and Killing Curses—and reflect them back upon anyone who attacks him with malicious intent…"
A spark of hope flashed in Lily's emerald eyes.
"Teach me, Vivi. I… I'm willing to learn…"
A flicker of reluctance crossed Vivi's eyes.
"Lily, you must understand… such a spell comes at a cost…"
Lily's expression became resolute. "Tell me. No matter what the price is, I will accept it—as long as Harry can live a healthy, happy life."
"You…"
Viletta closed her eyes.
"Are you truly willing to pay…"
Harry saw his mother's face fill with unwavering determination.
"Anything!"
Upon hearing Lily's answer, Viletta gave a slight nod.
A terrible premonition rose in Harry's heart.
Vivi's voice was soft but carried a slight tremor.
"This spell… requires you to pay with your life. You must… die in front of little Harry as the sacrifice for the protective charm…"
"No! Mom! Don't!"
Harry shouted desperately, but his voice could not reach Lily.
"Vivi! Don't tell her! Don't teach her this spell!"
But…
This was only a memory.
Lily's expression was filled with absolute resolve. She nodded steadily and said to Viletta, "I am willing. For Harry, I am willing to give everything—even my life!"
Harry watched helplessly as his mother followed the motions shown by Vivi in the portrait, carving a mysterious ancient rune onto her arm. He shouted and tried to stop her, but he could not affect the memory.
He reached out in vain, trying to pull his mother back, but his hands passed through nothing but air.
He would rather die himself than watch his mother sacrifice her life to protect him.
When the spell was complete, a violet light flashed across Lily's arm.
"Thank you, Vivi."
Lily's face lit up with a bright smile once more. The radiant girl had returned.
But she saw that Vivi in the portrait had crouched down on the floor.
"I'm sorry, Harry… I'm so sorry…" she murmured.
Lily didn't understand what she meant. She simply replied in a cheerful tone, "Don't worry, Vivi. This was my choice. No matter what… Harry won't blame you… Tell you what, I'll copy some of my memories into the Pensieve…"
"I suggest you copy plenty, so Harry… can see more of you. It would be best to include his father and that former close friend of yours as well," Vivi said softly.
"That's a good idea."
Lily smiled happily, walked over to the Pensieve, raised her wand to her temple, and drew out silvery strands of memory, letting them fall into the basin.
"Perhaps this will be the last time we meet, Vivi," Lily said gently. "Thank you for everything you've taught me…"
"Professor…"
Vivi's eyes grew sorrowful. Her violet gaze fixed on Lily.
"Class dismissed," she said, her voice trembling.
"Goodbye, Vivi!"
Lily raised her right hand high and waved vigorously at Vivi, her face beaming with a joyful smile.
Then she turned around and walked toward the exit with light, cheerful steps.
The memory ended abruptly at that moment.
Harry pulled his head out of the Pensieve, clutching his collar as he gasped for air.
The sound of footsteps still echoed in his ears, as if his mother had just left the Chamber.
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