Darkness, Power, and Destiny
The night was dark and silent, as if the very darkness itself was thickening, preparing to swallow all life. The moon, hidden behind dense clouds, cast pale rays onto a small cottage at the edge of the forest. Inside, in a cozy room bathed in the soft glow of candlelight, Lily Potter sat, gently cradling her newborn son, Harry. The world around them seemed peaceful and calm, but a storm raged in her heart.
She gazed at the sleeping baby with boundless love, yet fear never left her for a moment. Dumbledore's recent words echoed in her mind. The prophecy… Their son was a key figure in the fight against the Dark Lord. How could this be? How could this tiny, helpless child bear such a burden?
Lily flinched at the soft creak of a floorboard beyond the door. Every sound made her heart stop, every shadow beyond the window seemed a harbinger of doom. The world had changed. Dark forces were gathering, a threat loomed over their family. She couldn't ignore it—her duty was to protect Harry.
When the door slowly opened, Lily turned sharply, but it was only James. However, the expression on his face immediately put her on edge.
"Lily, we need to talk," his voice was filled with unease.
She nodded silently and, carefully placing Harry in his crib, followed her husband into the adjoining room.
"What is it?" she asked tensely.
James looked nervous, as if searching for the right words.
"I… spoke with Dumbledore. He warned that we need to be prepared for an attack," he paused, fidgeting with his fingers. "And also… Lily, there's something important I need to tell you."
Lily frowned, a tight feeling clenching in her chest.
"What is it, James?"
He took a deep breath and, avoiding her eyes, said:
"I… am a vassal of the royal family."
The silence that followed was nearly deafening. Lily blinked, as if she hadn't fully processed what she had just heard.
"W-what?" her voice came out too loud, even for her.
Seeing her reaction, James hurried to explain:
"I never told you before… It's always been more of a formality. It's an old tradition in the Potter family, but—"
"Formality?!" Lily stepped toward him sharply, her eyes flashing. "Do you realize what you just said? You're a vassal of the royal family! The real royal family, James!"
She was breathing heavily, her hands trembling. James opened his mouth, but she didn't let him speak.
"Do you understand what that means to me?" her voice trembled with emotion. "I grew up in the Muggle world, James. To us, the Ministry of Magic is the highest authority in the magical community. But now you're telling me that it's all a lie? That true power lies with the Crown, and the magical nobility just… hides it?"
James nodded, feeling the weight of the truth finally fall between them.
"The magical world never denied the authority of the royal family, Lily. It's just… they don't interfere in our affairs, because they haven't revealed themselves in centuries. But the Potter line is bound to them by an oath of vassalage. It's an ancient duty, and I… I can't simply walk away from it."
Lily closed her eyes, trying to take it all in. The prophecy. Harry. The Dark Lord. And now this—vassalage to a family that supposedly had no role in the magical world… or so she'd always believed.
"James…" she whispered, bringing a hand to her forehead. "I'm already terrified for Harry. For you. For us. I just came to terms with the fact that my son is caught up in a war I never asked for. And now… now you tell me you're bound to the Crown? That's not just a formality, James! That means you have obligations! Where does your loyalty lie— with the Ministry or the Queen? What if they demand something from us?"
James swallowed hard.
"They don't interfere…"
"What if they do?!" her voice cracked, a glint of desperation in her eyes. "What if they find out about the prophecy? What if they see Harry as a threat to their power? What if the Ministry uses that against us?"
She felt the panic rising. It was too much—her child, the prophecy, the Dark Lord… And now a royal family that Muggle-borns didn't even know existed, yet who, apparently, had held quiet dominion over the magical community all along.
Seeing her state, James gently took her hands.
"Lily, listen to me. This changes nothing between us. I don't serve the Crown the way you're imagining. It's an old obligation, but it's never imposed serious demands on us. We'll get through this. We always have."
Lily looked into his eyes and saw genuine care in their depths. The fear still clung to her, but in that moment, she needed only one thing—to know they'd face it together, no matter what.
She inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, trying to steady herself.
"Then tell me this, James… If it's not a big deal, why did you hide it for so long?"
He lowered his gaze.
"Because I was afraid you'd react exactly like this."
Lily froze for a moment, then, unable to stop herself, gave him a light smack on the back of the head.
"Idiot," she muttered, exhausted, but her voice no longer held the sharp edge of panic it had before.
She was still afraid. She still didn't fully understand what they were caught up in.
But if James was by her side… maybe they really did have a chance.