Chapter 2, A Formal Apology:
Lily Potter was laying dazed in a hospital bed, she'd been taken to St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, she was nearly asleep, when she heard four distinct cracks. Four men had apparated next to her bed, and standing over her were the figures of Albus Dumbledore, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, And Severus Snape. At this, Lily sat up, rubbed her eyes, and took a sip of water from the bottle on her bedside table "Good morning Lily," Dumbledore spoke. "What happened?" Lily said quickly, "Is James really?" "Yes," said Dumbledore, "James Potter is no longer with us." Lily looked somberly at the floor before looking back up at Dumbledore, "And The Dark Lord?" She questioned "Is he dead?" "No," said Dumbledore, "There are ways he can return I'm afraid," "And what of Peter?" Lily asked "Caught, and awaiting trial, he was found by the Weasleys, i simply informed the Order the details of Peter's Animagus and Molly and Arthur found him pretty quickly" Dumbledore said calmly "Yeah," said Sirius, "Me and Remus told Dumbledore everything," "The trial," said Remus, "Is for the crimes of Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black, Myself, And Severus Snape," at this Lily looked confusedly up at all three of them, "Wait what?" She said puzzled, "I thought the trial was just for Peter," "The fact of the matter is that the Ministry is still suspicious of Sirius since no one knew up until James' death that Peter was made The Potter's secret keeper at the last moment," said Dumbledore, "And as Remus is know to be friendly with Sirius he's also being questioned" Dumbledore continued, "But what about Severus?" Lily questioned, "Why's he being trialed?" "Well, while I may myself be able to vouch for Severus, The Ministry wants to question him about everything that happened up until James' death, as it's believed that multiple hands played the part in James' death, the only one known for sure is Voldemort himself who carried out the act of the killing," said Dumbledore, and at this Lily said the question that had been at the back of her mind since Voldemort couldn't kill her or Harry "But why?" Lily said at once, "Why couldn't he kill me or Harry?" "Well, I may have a theory" said Dumbledore, his blue eyes glimmering smartly behind his half moon spectacles, "I believe that when James threw himself between you and Voldemort, i believe he envoked some kind of ancient magic, a protective charm, that shields the person or people the caster sacrificed themself for." "And this effect isn't just a one and done, so long as the proper precautions are taken, the protective charm works until the person or people it was used on come of age." Dumbledore finished, "But professor, Lily is of age, how'd the charm work on her." Said Remus confusedly, "Yes I'm aware and I may have an idea about that," said Dumbledore in his usual calm demeanor. "I believe that since Voldemort was aiming to kill Harry, the charm, while also effecting Lily, worked most on him, to put it simply, the charm protects both Lily and Harry but doesn't break until Harry is of age." And at this Severus looked back down at Lily before quickly turning to Remus, Sirius, and Dumbledore. "Can you please give us a minute," said Severus calmly, "Very well," said Dumbledore at once, though still in his usual calm tone. "Sirius, Remus, come with me," and at this Dumbledore and the two marauders left the room. "Listen," said Severus his voice nearly breaking, tears were forming under his eyes, "You're going to hear stuff about me and yes, some of it's true, but I want you to know, that I'm sorry, for all of it." Severus turned and began to walk towards the door, "James apologizes," said Lily and at this Severus stopped. "One of the last things James said to me before he was murdered was that he's sorry for everything that happened between you two when you were boys," Severus had very clearly heard her and shot her a teary eyed smile before turning again and leaving the room.
