The manor was silent. Everything stood still. There was no wind either, not even a light breeze. It was like everything was holding its breath, waiting for what was about to happen. The moonlight illuminated the vast grounds that were part of the estate.

Somewhere inside a clock struck twelve. Just then a crack was heard outside the gate. Punctuality had never been his weak point. Someone had apparated right outside the boundaries of the protective wards surrounding the estate.

The figure was clad in dark robes, making his pale skin even paler. The figure leisurely strolled past the gates and up the path that lead to the manor. His face twisted into a cruel smile. How silly! Put up layers and layers of wards to prevent someone from apparating in and yet any person could stroll in through the front gates.

The doors of the manor had some protective spells and could not be unlocked with a simple 'Alohomora'. A standard wizard would not know how to get past these. However, he was no standard wizard and had the spells lifted within seconds. Then he stepped inside the manor. The interior was as magnificent as the exterior.

It had all the markings of a Pureblood home. The coat of arms hung woven on a tapestry, beside it also hung a tapestry which had the family tree woven on it. Expecting the layout to be similar to that of all elite Pureblood mansions, he ascended the staircase, and on the first floor took a left. He went down the corridor and stopped right in front of a door.

He twisted the knob and pushed open the door. He was right! This was indeed the baby's room. He smiled in triumph. He took a moment to observe the room. The baby's parents were asleep- unsuspecting. Why wake them and have to go through the trouble of killing them? Why not let them be surprised tomorrow morning?

The room was painted a soft blue. On the walls there were pattern which upon closer inspection turned out to be snitches, quaffles, wizards on broomsticks and owls flying around. There was a barred window on one corner, toys lay piled in the other.

In another corner was a cot, in which an angelic looking baby girl barely a year old lay fast asleep. She had soft brown hair and fair skin. She would blossom into a pretty lady when she was older. A pity she would be deprived of that chance.

Realizing that enough time had been spent, he decided to get on with his work. He took out his wand, and cast a spell. "Morsmordre!" The room lit up in the green glow of a skull and a snake. This was followed by pointing his wand towards the child and muttering, "Avada Kedavra!"

The last thing the man saw was the child's peaceful face before everything exploded.

The next day was a Tuesday, one would say it dawned bright but unfortunately it was a dull gray morning but it brought with it a new beginning for the Wizarding World. The rumors of Voldemort's death had spread like wildfire. People were celebrating, congrajulating each other and finally letting open their doors and windows. There was some who were still too scared to believe these rumors.

The Ministry too had dispatched a group of Aurors to start rounding up Death Eater which had already begun to flee. Soon enough, an article was released in the morning edition of the Daily Prophet bringing with it the confirmation of these rumors.

THE DARK LORD DIES- OUR SAVIOR A MERE BABY?

Last night, Lord Voldemort set out with the aim of killing the Grangers, one of the elite Purebloods of the Wizarding World. The Grangers had decided to remain neutral during the War. What strikes us as strange is that he first decided to finish the Granger's daughter, a mere child, barely a year old, whose death should not have mattered to him. The question arises, why did he not kill the adults first? But then again, the man had been known for his cruelty and it repulses one to think that the death of an innocent child might have given him certain pleasure. It must have been one of his many twisted ways, to first kill the child and then the parents.

However, he failed to accomplish his cruel and evil goal. Somehow the Killing Curse rebounded and little Hermione Granger escaped without a scar. There was an explosion which alerted her parents. Ministry officials were called into the scene. Sources confirm that Voldemort's body was found lying under the rubble. Negotiations are taking place on whether or not the corpse should be burnt. An inspection of his wand, which was found nearby, confirmed that the last spell cast was indeed the Killing Curse. This makes Hermione Esmeralda Granger the sole survivor of the Avada Kedavra or as we have decided to call her 'The Girl who Lived.'

Mr. and Mrs. Granger refused to answer any questions or give any comments. One will never know how exactly Voldemort was killed but one can finally breathe a sigh of relief as the threat is now over. This is a day of joy for the Wizarding World and the victory for the Light.

Thomas McCain