Lilith Rosier stood before Voldemort, the Philosopher's Stone gleaming in his hand. The satisfaction of her triumph filled her, but she remained vigilant. She knew that Voldemort was not one to easily trust or reward loyalty without a price.
Voldemort's red eyes bore into hers. "You have proven your worth, Lilith. You will be valuable to me. For now, you will stay with the Malfoys over the summer. They will ensure you are well looked after."
Lilith felt a pang of apprehension. "Yes, my Lord," she replied, though the thought of staying with the Malfoys, known for their own dark leanings, made her uneasy.
Voldemort's expression shifted to one of cold determination. "There is one more thing. I will need to modify your memories of this event. You must not recall these moments until the time is right."
Before Lilith could protest, Voldemort raised his wand. "Stupefy!"
The spell hit her squarely in the chest, and she crumpled to the ground, unconscious. Voldemort looked down at her, a twisted smile on his lips. He knew that by erasing her memory of this night, he could control her future actions and loyalty.
Lily awoke to the sound of concerned voices and the sensation of being carried. Her vision was blurry, but she could make out the familiar figure of Albus Dumbledore leaning over her. His face was lined with worry, his blue eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and determination.
"She's awake," Professor McGonagall's voice said softly from somewhere nearby.
"Lily, can you hear me?" Dumbledore asked gently, his voice soothing and calm.
Lily blinked, trying to focus. "Professor Dumbledore?" she murmured, her voice weak and confused.
"Yes, my dear. You're safe now," Dumbledore replied. "We found you unconscious near the final chamber. Can you tell us what happened?"
Lily's mind was a haze. She struggled to remember, but the memories of the night were fragmented and unclear. "I... I don't know. I followed Harry and Hermione, but everything else is a blur."
Dumbledore exchanged a concerned look with McGonagall. "It's alright, Lily. We'll take you to the hospital wing. Rest now."
Lily spent the next few days recovering in the hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey fussed over her, ensuring she was well taken care of. Harry, Hermione, and Ron visited her often, expressing their relief that she was safe.
"I don't remember much," Lily admitted to them one afternoon. "I just followed you through the trials, but everything after the firewall is a blank."
Harry nodded sympathetically. "It was intense. I'm just glad you're okay."
As the days passed, Lily couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. There were gaps in her memory, and she felt an unsettling sense of unease. Dumbledore visited her frequently, his presence comforting yet filled with unspoken questions.
One evening, as Lily lay in bed, Dumbledore entered the hospital wing quietly. He sat beside her, his expression grave.
"Lily, I need to ask you something important," he said softly. "Do you recall anything unusual about your encounter in the final chamber?"
Lily frowned, trying to piece together the fragments of her memory. "I remember seeing Harry and Voldemort... and then nothing. It's all a blur."
Dumbledore sighed, his eyes filled with sorrow. "I fear that you may have been subjected to a memory charm. There are signs that your memories have been tampered with."
Lily's heart sank. "Who would do that?"
"I have my suspicions," Dumbledore replied, his voice grave. "But for now, you need to rest and recover. We will uncover the truth in time."
Despite the confusion and the missing memories, the school year eventually came to an end. True to Voldemort's command, arrangements were made for Lily to stay with the Malfoys over the summer. Dumbledore and the teachers, unaware of Voldemort's direct involvement, reluctantly agreed, thinking it best for her recovery to be under the care of a prominent wizarding family.
Lily arrived at Malfoy Manor with mixed emotions. The opulent house was grand and imposing, filled with dark corners and a sense of foreboding. Narcissa Malfoy greeted her with a cold, polite smile, while Lucius Malfoy watched her with calculating eyes.
"Welcome, Lily," Narcissa said, her voice smooth and measured. "We hope you find your stay here comfortable."
Draco was more welcoming, offering a smile and a promise to show her around. "It'll be good to have you here, Lily. We'll make sure you have a good summer."
As the days turned into weeks, Lily tried to settle into life at Malfoy Manor. She couldn't shake the feeling of unease, the sense that something was missing. She continued to practice her magic, honing her skills and preparing for the next school year.
But in the back of her mind, the fragmented memories and the name "Lilith Rosier" lingered. She knew that her journey was far from over, and that the darkness she had embraced would continue to shape her future.