Chapter 18

Harry had opted for breakfast in bed as he felt no need to join his court, at least the ones who stayed several days, in the dining room.

"Are they that bad?" Severus asked with a raised brow.

"Severus, they are politicians and cranky old Lords who try to talk up their daughters, or sons, if one of them is brave enough," Harry grumbled. "Luckily, the wing housing the guest rooms is on the other side of the castle. "Though," Harry got this gleeful look on his face. "Imagine their faces when I introduce you as my boyfriend and future consort."

The breakfast tray appeared before Severus could say anything, but his piercing stare told Harry enough about what he thought of that idea. Harry wasted no time, piling toast onto his plate and slathering it with marmalade. Severus plated two poached eggs before staring at Harry. "You promised me an explanation."

Harry chewed slowly while thinking of how to start the story of how he met Nimue. "It started with a lake. And a very bad landing."

"It was the day I arrived in this reality. Death shoved me out of my old reality, and I belly-flopped into freezing water. Ten out of ten for dramatic entrance, zero for style." Harry gestured with a sigh. "What's worse, I didn't realize that I landed smack dab in the middle of a National Geographic special gone wrong."

"A what now?"

Harry's lungs burned as he breached the surface of the body of water Death had so graciously thrown him in. He was ready to swim to shore as soon as he got his bearings. Whe wasn't ready for was nearly being bowled over by some crazy woman fighting an eagle for a fish.

"Give me back my breakfast, you ruddy old bird!" Harry heard the woman shout as he tried to stay afloat. The eagle, Harry didn't know what species specifically, shrieked, actually sounding offended, and tried to fly away with its prize. Then the weird water woman started spinning both the fish and the bird attached to it. She spun the eagle like a discus and finally sent it flapping off in a series of indignant caws.

"Sorry... I don't mean to interrupt your... eagle wrestling? But... HELP!" Harry wheezed as he was sinking and couldn't doggy paddle anymore.

The woman turned, squinting at him before coming over and hoisting him up with one arm. "Really? Why is a soggy wizard in my lake while I'm fighting for my breakfast? Rude."

Harry spat out water and waved at the woman while uttering a small "Hi."

Back in the suite, Severus was pinching the bridge of his nose. "So Death threw you into a lake, and you met a fae mid–wildlife brawl?"

Harry grinned. "Pretty much, yes."

"Why do I even ask?"

Meanwhile, James and Albus apparated into the living room of a cottage. "There shouldn't be any prying eyes here," James then said. Though he spoke too soon.

"JAMES FLEAMONT POTTER, WHAT THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" A female voice shouted at the top of their lungs, clearly shocked by their sudden appearance. Both men looked towards the couch where Lily sat, shocked, with her wand drawn.

James also stood frozen, looking as guilty as a schoolboy caught sneaking sweets. Albus, on the other hand, seemed to be maddeningly calm.

"Lily," James began.

"What are you doing here? Do you know how much trouble I'll be in if I'm caught in the same room as you?" she uttered frantically while standing up. "You're literally enemies of the crown now!"

"Lily, please. We didn't mean to startle you." Albus tried to placate.

"Albus-too-many-names-Dumbledore, you will shut your mouth this instant." Her eyes blazed with fury. "If it wasn't for you and your schemes for control, James wouldn't have lost an arm, we wouldn't be the laughingstock of the Royal court, you two wouldn't be fugitives, and I would still be Lady Potter, a respectable lady in society!"

"Now wait a minute!" Albus sputtered. "I have nothing to do with James's dalliances."

"Considering how much of a brown-noser you are, I find that highly unlikely," she muttered. "Now, pray tell. Why in Merlin's name is my EX-husband and the former Headmaster here?"

"Former?!" Albus's eyes widened while Lily placed her hands on her hips and continued. "Did you really think that Lord Slytherin wouldn't relieve you of your position the moment you angered him. From what Fleamont tells me from London, after your recent actions, Lord Slytherin now positively loathes you. He made Filius the new Headmaster."

Albus cleared his throat, the twinkle from his eyes now dimmer. "But Lily, my sources were right, and we come bearing hope. Merlin's staff." He lifted the item for her to see. "With this, we can mount an offensive against Lord Slytherin and restore democracy to the Wizarding world."

Lily stared at him, then barked out a laugh so sharp it made James wince. "Democracy? Against him? You two have lost your minds."

James stepped forward, earnest. "We can rally the Order remnants..."

"James," Lily cut him off. "He knows about Harry."

Both men froze as the words hung in the air. Their faces draining of colour.

"That's... impossible," James stammered. "H-he shouldn't... He couldn't..."

"How could he know?" Albus's composure actually cracked this time.

Lily's lips were set tightly as her eyes narrowed. "That's what I'd like to ask you. You obliviated Fleamont, didn't you? So the child wouldn't remember the ritual."

"Of course!" James uttered as his voice rose an octave due to panic. "As well as anyone who was remotely involved!"

"Except for Severus, of course," Albus added. "His Occlumancy shields are too strong for a simple Obliviate. The boating accident worked well enough, though."

"Lord Slytherin knows. That I know for sure. He whispered it in my ear when I asked for a divorce." Lily's expression hardened. "Somehow, despite every precaution, he knows about Harry. And if he chooses to use that knowledge, he can destroy us and everything we've built."

She then turned towards Albus. "You said Fleamont was the Chosen One. The one who would kill Voldemort. Yet he's dead at the hands of another, and your prophecy is a dud. Tell me, Albus, why the fuck should I believe this Staff of Merlin is going to do anything except get us in a heap of new trouble?"

"Because, dear Lily, this staff can rewrite reality," Albus smirked.

"No...," Lily uttered and then said firmer. "NO!

"I'm sorry Lils... Imperio!" James cast. "I can't have you ruin the only opportunity we have to set this world straight."