A/N: Hello there everyone! Greetings from CC! Well - I've read many a fanfiction - but this is my first attempt at writing one. I really hope that it will turn out to be good. I know the prologue is short -but I promise you the rest won't be. I've got quite a bit planned and I really hope that you guys will appreciate my attempt. Criticism is appreciated. Hope you like it!
Prologue
The cloudy night sky was a symbol of the many things that were to come. The dark grey skies had persisted for the better part of the day – and now, the approach of night only made it even more so. Grey faded into black and lightning and thunder flashed. The fact that it was Halloween did nothing to ease the morose atmosphere. In the little village of Godric's Hollow, children dressed in all kinds of costumes hurried from door-to-door, anxious to finish the trick or treating before the rain poured.
Down the main street, at a humble cottage that seemed invisible to everyone (none of the children were visiting the house for trick-or-treating), a tall man with a silver beard and hair that reached to his waist, stepped out the door and onto the porch. Dressed in a long purple cloak with half-moon spectacles and high-heeled, buckled boots, anyone who saw him would immediately assume him to be trick-or-treating himself. But, when he spoke, his voice was laced with concern and solemnity.
"I am truly serious, James. The portkeys that I gave both you and Lily will transport either of you to my office at any moment should you need it. I have an unpleasant sentiment about tonight."
"Not to worry, Dumbledore! I'm sure it's nothing – Peter paid us a visit just today – the secret's still safe." James replied, smiling while his wife, Lily Potter draped an arm about his waist.
"Yes, Dumbledore. James is right. You've got nothing to worry about."
"I hope that you both are right. Anyhow, I must be off now – the Halloween feast must already have begun at Hogwarts."
"Of course! Wish we could be there too!" said James.
"Thank you, Dumbledore! Take care." Lily said waving as Albus Dumbledore walked serenely along the path to the gate. As soon as he stepped out of the gate, he twirled on the spot – and vanished.
o…o.O.o…o
"Lily, take Harry and go! It's him! GO! RUN! I'll hold him off…." James yelled; the door blew to pieces and jets of light bounced off the walls as James took aim while running up the stairs, Lily two steps ahead of him. A tall figure dressed in a cloak with a hood that shrouded his face, appeared, a brilliant blue shield in front of him, deflecting all the curses.
"I love you Lily Potter!" James yelled as he ran back down the stairs, his face determined with his own shield in front of him.
"NO! JAMES!" Lily screamed – halting in her steps.
"Take Harry and get to Dumbedore, Lily!" James yelled, his face contorted as he shot and deflected curse after curse.
Tears streaming down her face, Lily Potter ran to her child's room and lifting the baby from the cot, activated her portkey. A sensation of a hook being jerked behind her navel gripped her and in a whirlwind of colours, she slammed down onto a hard wooden floor. Scrambling to her feet and wiping her eyes as a harried looking Dumbledore swam into focus into her eyes, she fainted.
Dumbledore rushed to her side, the baby already levitated to a simple cot that had appeared out of nowhere. He held her up - and pointing his wand at her heart, muttered, "Rennervate".
"Dumbledore! James – Voldermort…"
"Fawkes!" Dumbledore said, and disappeared in a flash of light – his face a mask of cold fury.
o…o.O.o…o
Even as Dumbledore appeared, he felt no traces of life within the cottage. The cottage was in shambles. Pieces of furniture littered the floor and parts of the roof had caved in - leaving Dumbledore's path to the front door corridor blocked. Waving his wand at the debris, he cleared it up carefully so as not to bring the whole cottage down on him. Levitating aside the last of the debris, he rushed into the corridor near the door. Just as he stepped into the corridor, his heart caught in his chest. Lying on the floor, his eyes wide open and unblinking, sweat still glistening on his face, was James Potter. A few feet away, the glint of a sword caught Dumbledore's eye. Deeply embedded in the chest of Lord Voldermort was the Sword of Godric Gryffindor.
