When Harry came to his senses, Lily was already striding away without a trace of hesitation.
He didn't even glance at his dad, who was still bullying Snape, and turned to follow her.
He didn't want to watch the scene here anymore.
His dad's voice echoed in his ears.
"Oh, who wants to see me pull down the dirty underwear of the snot spirit?"
All the way back to the castle with his mom, he found that she was heading to a place he was all too familiar with...
A tremor ran through Harry's heart, and he quickly followed, wanting to confirm his suspicion.
Sure enough...
It was the Map Secret Room.
He recalled what Professor Dumbledore had said before; his mom had used an ancient magic spell to protect him...
It seemed that his mom was also an heir of ancient magic?
Lily stopped in front of the Map Secret Room, lifted the ancient magic mark on the ground, and walked into the Map Secret Room.
"Lily?"
Vivi's voice sounded.
"Vivi..."
Lily, upon entering the Map Secret Room, seemed to let down all her defenses. She was no longer pretending to be strong like before but knelt down, covering her face and sobbing uncontrollably.
"What's wrong, Lily?" Vivi's voice was gentle.
"I... I..."
Sniffing, Lily recounted what had just happened to Villatia.
In front of Villatia, Lily didn't hold back even a bit, as if the two of them were best friends with no secrets between them.
"I... I faced the scorn of the whole school, yet still treated him as my best friend..." Lily cried, her voice trembling, "His friends cast an evil curse on my friends, but he said it was their freedom... Everyone questioned why I was friends with someone like him, everyone despised me for being a Muggle species yet being close to Slytherin..."
"I drew my magic wand for him, but how did he act? He... he called me a mudblood, it turns out that in his heart, I've always been such a lowly existence, not worthy of being his friend..."
Lily seemed genuinely heartbroken, crying tearfully.
"Lily." Vivi softly comforted, "People can lose their mind when they are extremely angry. Mr. Snape might have lost his senses without intending to."
"Without intending to?" Lily sniffed, "Even if it wasn't intentional, those words were too much, what did I do wrong, what did I do wrong..."
"You didn't do anything wrong, Lily." Villatia said softly, "It's those conceited people who think their blood is superior that are at fault..."
The voices got smaller, and Harry didn't know what else they talked about.
Again, there was a whirlwind before his eyes.
Appearing before Harry again was his older-looking mother.
Lily seemed to have shed some of her immaturity, looking more confident and radiant than before.
"Vivi!"
She greeted the girl in the portrait.
"Do you have something interesting to share with me?" Vivi's violet eyes curved, looking stunning.
"I've been a bit troubled recently—" Lily said, standing in front of the portrait with a conflicted expression, "You know, that Potter I've always talked to you about—he keeps pursuing me endlessly, claiming he can do anything for me, that he can change anything..."
Harry noticed a momentary daze in Vivi's expression.
After seeming to hesitate for a moment, Vivi spoke, "I think Potter is a very good choice..."
"Huh?" Lily raised her head, "You can't just encourage me to choose Potter because your good friend is also a Potter, Vivi—"
"A man willing to change for you, what more could you ask for?" Vivi seemed to sigh softly, "Take this opportunity, I believe Potter is serious."
"Alright—I'll consider your advice..." Lily scratched her fiery red hair.
"It's not advice, it's prophecy." Vivi said softly.
Even though Vivi said that, Harry noticed her hand unnaturally smoothing her hair.
It was a sign she was lying.
Why was she lying to his mom?
...
"Vivi!"
Appearing again in front of Harry was a more mature Lily.
Her belly was slightly swollen, radiating maternal glow.
"Lily, it seems you're pregnant, congratulations."
Vivi said happily.
"Yes, yes, I'm pregnant."
Lily reached out to touch her belly, also happily speaking to Vivi.
Villatia put the book in her hand on the table within the portrait, and said to Lily, "I think this time you're going to have a boy..."
"Why?" Lily asked with interest.
"Remember, I have predictive talents." Villatia said, fiddling with her hair.
"Ah, sorry, I forgot." Lily stuck out her tongue, and then asked, "If it's a boy, I think... he should be named Harry, I still remember the story you told me about 'Harry Potter'—hey, it was about your good friend, right? I hope my child will be as strong as he was."
"He will." Vivi's face broke into a bright smile, as dazzling as her hair.
The scene swirled again.
"Wormy, Pads—"
Lily's voice rang out as she carried a big bowl filled with stewed beef.
Little Harry sat on a stool not far away, seemingly holding a bottle in his hands.
"Oh my, what's that smell?!" Lily placed the bowl on the table and shouted angrily, "James? Honey? How many times have I told you! Always close the door when you go to the bathroom!"
"Sorry, sweetheart—" James's voice came from the room, "I'm brewing a magic potion..."