Prologue
November 1, 1991
Fawkes trilled a song that travelled in the room full of noise. The phoenix's song proved to be effective as the five people – who argued moments ago – stopped and looked at the headmaster who smiled at them. The five people composed of Sirius Black, James and Lily Potter, Frank and Alice Longbottom blushed in embarrassment and motioned for the aged headmaster to speak. The said headmaster smiled at his familiar with eyes full of twinkle.
"Ahem. Now that you are all listening," the males blushed and glared at each other. "I suggest planning for the future. As you know, Lord Voldemort was vanquished yesterday by Claire Potter; proving the prophecy true. However, despite this good news, I'm afraid that the prophecy has not run its full course."
The prophecy that Sibyl Trelawney gave to him stated that the one with the power to vanquish the dark lord approaches. That part has been done by the power of Claire Potter, and she had been marked as Voldemort's equal. However, the prophecy did not end there. It stated that another battle would ensure where the chosen of the prophecy will have to fight with the power that the dark lord knows not. Either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives.
October 31 at midnight, Voldemort attacked the Potter's by himself. It was only thanks to the timely arrival of the secret keeper that alerted the Potters of the arrival of the dark lord. A battle ensued in which James, Lily, Sirius and Peter were defeated soundly by the dark lord. Albus thanked Voldemort's arrogance at his victory. He wanted to make the four to see how he kills their daughter and cast the killing curse in front of their bounded bodies. The killing curse rebounded and he was undone by his own arrogance. The four people saw how he apparated out of the house and left his own wand while Claire received a lightning bolt shaped scar on her forehead.
Thus, the first part of the prophecy has been fulfilled.
"I understand that you want to celebrate but remember. Even though Voldemort is gone, many of his followers remain loyal and free," Albus looked at the three Aurors. "It would be wise to continue hiding until the debacle calms. Remember to be alert at all times."
"It is as you say, Albus. I agree with your plan," Lily Potter spoke from her seat. "But what about Claire? The prophecy states that she has to face Voldemort in the future again. I'm worried about that part."
"Indeed. I have decided that when the time comes that her magical core is developed, I would train her myself and teach her things about Lord Voldemort," Albus replied while stroking his beard. "I am more concerned about young Harry. When the time comes, I'm sure that he would want to protect his sister."
Harry Potter was Claire's older brother by one year. A week ago, he was sent into Lily's relatives for protection, under the name Harry Smith. Lily knew that Petunia and her husband would not treat Harry properly if they knew that he was magical, so she told them that he was a boy left behind by some of their muggle friends and that he was completely 'normal'. She made a lie about not wanting to expose him to the magical world and left him there. They agreed to take care of him so that Lily would not infect him of their 'freakishness' in exchanged, Lily would send a fair amount of money to take care of him.
"Although it pains me to say this… but I think Harry is better to remain at Petunia's," James stood up from his seat and stared questioningly at Lily. "Think about it James, he is protected and taken care. I know that Claire will have a hard childhood due to the burden at her shoulders, at the very least, I want Harry to grow up with a normal childhood. Don't worry, by the time he gets his Hogwarts letter, he'll be back to us."
James stared hard at Lily and appeared to be in thought. Lily saw this and pressed even further.
"It would be hard to remain alert with two kids running around. Claire alone was hard enough, and that's with the help of a house elf," Lily paused. "Remember James, we let our guard down. If Peter did not come to warn us, we would've died."
Peter Pettigrew, the Potter's secret keeper. Sirius proposed to make Peter the secret keeper while the public would think that he would be the logical choice for the Potters. Three days before the attack, Peter mysteriously disappeared. He came back the night of October 31, minutes before Voldemort's arrival; he was wounded and worried. He warned them that he was captured by Voldemort and tortured, ultimately, the dark lord casted him under the Imperius curse to tell his the location of the Potters.
It was a miracle when he broke free from the unforgivable curse. Peter swore under veritaserum that he did not willingly betrayed the Potters and described the torture that he had undergone in the hands of Voldemort and his Death Eaters.
"Still, I can't believe it," Sirius said from his seat. "Ol' Peter broke free from an Imperius casted by snake-face himself."
"Breaking free from that curse requires quite the amount of will. Even when tortured, he did not give your location," Albus' eyes twinkled. "I believe that you will no longer doubt the Sorting Hat's decision now."
Chuckles erupted from the people in the room.
"So long as we can get him back," James sighed in defeat as he agreed on his wife's suggestion. "Albus, can you make sure that Harry would remain safe? I can't let anything fall into chance anymore…"
"That I will, James," Albus replied. "And when the time comes, I will train young Harry alongside Claire to strengthen their bonds."
The male Potter nodded his head with reluctance. He could not help but ask himself. The war was already over so why are they still required to make sacrifices? All he wanted for his children was for them to live a normal, happy life along with their parents and friends.
July 18 1999, Godric's Hollow
TRAGEDY STRUCKS S.S. ANTARES,
OVER TWO-HUNDRED PASSENGERS MISSING
On July 17, 1999 the S.S Antares which was a cruise ship on the middle of voyage to Russia disappeared after a storm struck. The cruise carried approximately 213 people while according to the developers, its capacity limit reaches only 150! According to the Coast Guard, the ship sunk somewhere in the middle of trip. As of now, the navy and air forces from many nations are searching the seas for possible survivors of the sunken cruise. However, experts say that the chances of survivors are unlikely. The storm that struck the ship down had enough force to create massive tidal waves that could sink the lifeboats, and that the cold temperature would freeze the survivors!
Upon inspection on the list of passengers, it was discovered that there were over 70 people from Britain that was onboard the ship. Including two children with the name of Dudley Dursley (9) and Harry Smith (10) – which are in the custody of Vernon and Petunia Dursley.
S.S Antares is the most recent tragedy to ever happen in the seas. The last one happened in May 13, 1970 when two ships collided and sunk in the English seas. Many were distraught upon the knowledge of the tragedy and some of the victims' families are in the embassy waiting for news of their loved ones.
For more information on S.S Antares, see page five.
List of passengers, see page eight.
List of ship tragedies, see page nine.
James Potter dropped the muggle newspaper as his arm lost all its strength. His head felt light as if someone a bludger had struck it. Beside him, Lily Potter sobbed uncontrollably and muttered the name of their now-deceased son nonstop.
Albus had visited them today with a sad look and simply gave the newspaper for them to read. He gestured Claire to go outside and play with his phoenix for a while. James could not believe what happened. It was only a month ago when he and Lily observed their son on school under an invisibility charm. The child that was a Ravenclaw material – according to Lily – was now gone from their lives forever.
Tears escaped from his eyes as the full realization dawned on him.
Their son was dead, lost somewhere in the middle of the seas.
James collapsed on his seat as he tried to comprehend the news. His morning started just fine, with his promise to play Quidditch with his daughter and Sirius. They were supposed to visit Peter later and then go to Remus' newly opened inn. Next week, he planned to visit his son again to see how he would do on his soccer match, and then he would not go under an invisibility charm and would cheer for Harry in the stands.
But now, all of those were ruined.
He sobbed and felt the heartbreaking sadness overcome him.
His son did not even know they existed.
In two months, Harry would receive his Hogwarts letter and he could finally return to them, to his family. It was supposed to be a large celebration that would rock the Wizarding world. Claire's brother would finally return as the rightful heir to the Potter family. Then he was supposed to meet him, Sirius, Peter and Remus. They were supposed to teach him their tricks and see as a new generation of Marauders rise.
But now, all of those plans were gone with the wind.
James sobbed harder and buried his face on his hands. The war was over and everything were looking bright. Everything was supposed to go better this year.
Throughout this, Albus Dumbledore watched with sadness and tear-streaked face.
Somewhere in the seas
He floated.
Aimlessly upon the cold seas, he floated.
He did not know where the others had gone. He was sure he was not alone when the ship had sunk. He remembered his cousin; they were separated from his aunt and uncle. He helped Dudley to swim with him, but he lost him later somewhere along the massive waves and debris. He was lucky to have hold over and destroyed plank from the lifeboats. It kept him from sinking when he fell unconscious from tiredness.
After that, he continued to pedal his feet, intent on leaving the cold water.
How long since he started?
He does not remember. However, he knew that he would not die out here, alone and cold.
His throat was sore and dry; the water around him did nothing to quench his thirst. He had stopped yelling for help because of that.
Even so, he did not stop hoping.
He was so cold.
The water that surrounded him might as well been frozen, such was the intensity of the cold. His body shook from the cold and became harder to move. The sky thundered once again and the endless rain started to fall and erased the eerie silence.
Wait…
There!
He surged forward, his lungs and body protested from the action but he strived to kick his legs. He did not stopped and called upon every ounce of strength in his body. He gasped for air as the rain pelted down at him.
He then saw something.
Something other than the waves that surged and rain that fell.
He saw land.
An island.