Falling

The night was dark and dreary. Albus Dumbledore paced the headmasters office, waiting on news... any news of the dark lords movements. He knew tonight would be the night. He sent his Aurors to the Potter residence in Godrics Hollow. That's where Voldemort would strike. Albus paused briefly, thinking he heard footsteps falling outside in the study, then resumed his slow steady pace back and forth. Moments later someone knocked loudly and rapidly on the door.

"Enter..." Albus spoke softly, dreading the news.

Alastor Moody stepped inside the door, he held his head low, a mixture of rain, sweat, blood and tears addled his appearance. "We arrived too late, Albus, I'm sorry." He took a deep breath and waited for Albus' reaction.

For the first time in many years Albus collapsed, he fell to his knees and let the tears stream down his face.

"We tried to save them, but by the time we fought our way in, we saw James lifeless outside the babys room, lily..."

Albus rose his hand in protest, "I don't need to hear anymore." He could only imagine the torture Lily and James endured.

Alastor wiped his eyes. "The boy survived Albus."

Albus looked up toward the heavens. "Harry survived the curse?"

Alastor nodded.

"Send for Severus, go now!" Alastor did as the headmaster said.

Albus sat at his desk. The boy had survived. How was that even possible? He thought. He raised his wand to his temple and removed a silver strand and placed it in pensive. It was beyond a miracle that a mere one year old potentially defeated the Dark Lord. Albus shook his head astonished by what had happened.

Kingsley Shacklebolt silently entered the room. "The boy is stronger than anyone thought possible."

Albus looked up. "He survived the killing curse... He should have died, but he lives."

"Voldemort has vanished."

"What does this mean?" Albus asked himself silently.

"It means, headmaster, that we are free. The Dark Lord no longer reigns."

"Surely he's out there. Somewhere, defenseless, weak, hiding in the shadows..." Albus' face twisted darkly.

"Gather the Aurors, perform a search, leave no cave unexplored, no rock over turned till he is found."

Kingsley bowed his head and left.

Albus began his pacing, though more rapidly. He was interrupted by Alastor and Severus. Severus carefully carried a bundle of blankets. Tears streamed down his face. Albus walked slowly over to them. He removed the blanket to see a sleeping baby, untouched by evil, all except for a lightning bolt-shaped cut on his forehead.

Severus handed the baby over to Minerva as she walked in the office, he got in Albus' face. "YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT THEM. YOU PROMISED!" tears flooded down his face. "She's gone." Severus collapsed to the floor

"You put your faith in the wrong hands." Albus said quietly.

Severus sobbed for a moment then pulled himself together.

"What do you suppose you're gonna do with him?" Asked Alastor pointing to the baby.

"The only thing we can do." Minerva said looking into the bright green eyes of Harry Potter. "Let his only living relatives raise him."

"You mean those muggles?!" Severus said shocked.

"Yes. It's the right place for him. With Voldemort so weak, he will not be able to find the boy." Albus agreed.

"I won't allow it." Severus looked at the bundle of blankets. "Lily wouldn't want him with those muggles."

"Severus I know you are heartbroken. We all are, we have all lost a friend, a sister, a brother. Do whats best for the boy." Minerva spoke softly.

Severus took the baby from her and looked into his green eyes, tears leaked from his onyx ones, he had her eyes. He couldn't give that up. Right then and there he made a promise to himself and to the baby, he would do what was right for him.