Chapter 1: The Prophecy
The house was unusually tidy. Flames danced in the fireplace, and the wooden coffee table gleamed. James Potter was attempting to flatten his dark hair in the hall mirror. Lily Potter was upstairs, trying to prevent Harry from throwing up over her new skirt. She carried her son down the stairs, stroking the back of his head and murmuring, "Ssh, ssh." She grinned at the sight of her husband arranging his hair in the mirror. He looked up as she came down the stairs.
"Is Jane asleep?" he asked. Lily nodded. James carefully took Harry from her arms and grinned down at the 1-year-old.
"He should be here in a minute." Lily said, looking at the front door. "Ok." James replied, and wandered into the living room. Lily perched on the sofa, drumming her fingers on her knee absent-mindedly. James paced back and forth, from window to bookshelf, rocking Harry in his arms.
The clock struck twelve and the bells in the clock tower rang solemnly. There was a loud crack and a knock at the door. Lily jumped up and hurried back into the hall. Subtly, she drew her wand and held it loosely in her right hand. Then she opened the wooden door and blinked rather rapidly.
A wizard was standing on the front step. He looked strangely illuminated against the dark, stormy night. He was wearing long robes which fluttered against his ankles in the howling wind, and his wispy hair was dancing on his head.
"Good evening, Albus." Lily said, a little nervously, stuffing her wand back into her pocket. She opened the door wider and stepped back to let Dumbledore in. James was standing in the hall, still holding Harry, and he smiled at Dumbledore.
"Evening, Dumbledore." He smiled.
"Good evening." Dumbledore replied politely. They stood in the hall a while.
"Oh, sorry." Lily said hurriedly. "Um …come and sit down." Dumbledore followed the couple into the living room.
"Would you like a drink?" Lily asked nervously.
"That would be lovely, thank you." Dumbledore replied. "I don't suppose you have any oak-matured mead? I am rather partial to it."
"Of course!" Lily said, and hurried from the room to get the drinks. Dumbledore and James were left standing in the living room. Harry gurgled happily and Dumbledore broke into a smile.
"Harry is looking well." He remarked. "And how is Jane?"
"Oh, she's fine." James replied. "She's asleep. Harry wouldn't go, though. To sleep, I mean." He explained.
Lily came flustering back into the room, preceded by three glasses of mead hovering in the air. Lily lowered her wand and the glasses descended onto the table. One of them splashed a little on the table. Lily coughed nervously and took her glass.
"So." Dumbledore began, after a sip of mead. "I believe I told you that I had some …bad news."
James and Lily nodded. They were all too aware of this fact.
"Well, no doubt you have been wondering …" Dumbledore remarked. "Anyway. I believe you took Divination, Lily?"
"For OWLs, yes." Lily said.
"So you are aware of prophecies?" Dumbledore asked.
Lily nodded. "They're predictions, right?"
Dumbledore nodded and took another sip of mead. "Well, a prophecy has been made, to me, about Lord Voldemort."
Lily winced slightly and James paused in his rocking of baby Harry.
"The prophecy talked of someone who had the power to overthrow the Dark Lord." Dumbledore continued calmly. "A Death Eater …you know who they are, I presume?"
Lily and James nodded and exchanged glances. What did this have to do with them?
"Where was I?" Dumbledore trailed off for a second. Then he pulled himself together. "Yes, a Death Eater overheard this prophecy, and …I am reliably informed that he reported back to his master. Lord Voldemort himself."
Lily and James were ready this time, and barely reacted to the name.
"So. Yes. That is the problem." Dumbledore finished. There was a confused pause. Then Lily spoke up nervously.
"I …sorry, but …what does this have to do with us?" she asked hesitantly.
"Oh, did I not say?" Dumbledore asked matter-of-factly. "The prophecy spoke of a boy born at the end of June. Lord Voldemort has jumped to the conclusion that this means Harry."
There was a deathly silence. Lily trembled and James held Harry a little tighter in his arms.
"S …so what happens now?" James asked. "Is he going to come?"
Dumbledore looked grave. "I assume that he will want to get rid of this danger. We shall have to place protection on this house."
James looked worried. "Is there a protection that can keep You-Know-Who out?"
"I believe there is." Dumbledore replied. "It is called the Fidelius Charm. Have you heard of it?"
James shook his head but Lily looked thoughtful. Dumbledore went on anyway.
"The Fidelius Charm involves some very complex magic, but I think I can do it. When completed, only the Secret Keeper can give away the location of your whereabouts. Otherwise, Lord Voldemort would never be able to find Harry." Dumbledore explained. "Is there anyone you would have in mind for Secret Keeper?"
"Sirius." James said immediately. Dumbledore turned his gaze to Lily enquiringly. Lily nodded.
"How long will it take for this Fidelius Charm?" she asked.
"It should only take a couple of days." Dumbledore replied. "I shall start tomorrow morning."
"Thank you." Lily said quietly. "I …what if it doesn't work?"
Dumbledore looked grave again. "I would advise that you set your affairs in order."
Lily and James looked at each other.
"Well. I shall be going now." Dumbledore announced, rising from his seat. "I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news."
"No, thank you for telling us." James said, and they walked out to the hall.
"One more thing." Dumbledore said. "James, may I borrow the Cloak?"
"'Course!" James said quickly. He hurried upstairs. They could hear footsteps walking around above. A while later, he came back down again, minus Harry. He handed Dumbledore the silvery cloak.
"Keep it as long as you want." James said generously.
"Well, thank you for your time." Dumbledore said. Lily smiled at him before opening the door. The couple waved at him as he Disapparated into the persisting rain. Lily shut the door and leaned back on the wall.
"How did this happen?" she whispered despairingly. James shook his head with his eyes closed, suddenly looking weary.