A/N: Hello to all who reads, I know it has been awhile, but my muse is back and ready to go again, I decided to restart Promise to Stay all over again the premise will stay the same, please review, flames no flames constructive criticism, all is welcome, enjoy! Please tell me if you like this one, the other one in my opinion seemed to be slow, at least it wasn't helping me write at all. By the way this story is totally AU. No Beta. All mistakes are my own.
The first rays of sunlight peeked out from the still darken sky. It was a very lazy morning, and it seemed as if the world did not want to wake up. The water in the lake rippled slightly in the early morning breeze, but not enough to rock a boat. The rolling hills stretched far and wide across the lake, it was gorgeous, breathtakingly beautiful. It seemed as if land and sea would never connect and that each in its own world would soon meet with the heavens. It was paradise. The hot weather was just an added bonus, nothing compared to the usual English morning, with morning dew clinging to the trees and grass, there would be no evidence that night was even here, and the sun even went down.
The black shrouded man knew otherwise. He had never gone to bed the night before, instead he just stared out at the view on the perch of his balcony. His mood in contrast to what the day already brought. Just like his clothes the mans mood and heart were as black as the sand on the waters edge. If it were not for the fact that this man was feeling anger beyond belief, his loyalists and even himself would consider that he did not have any emotions. At times he would wonder if there was any part of himself that was actually alive, and than he would remember his one true goal and that would bring him out of his stupor. He smiled cruelly to himself, in a couple days time, the Wizarding World, the muggle world, and every living thing would be under his control, he would have what he always wanted, the world bowing down at his feet, people worshipping him, throwing themselves at his mercy. Just one little small glitch that he needed to take care of, and soon the whole world, both magical and muggle, would fear the name Voldemort.
Far away a house that used to stand tall and proud on top of the hill was now a pile of rubble, bricks and mortar were everywhere, debris flying in the Auror's faces. Search units were now blowing the rubble away with their wands, looking under fallen bricks and cement walls to see if there were any survivors left. The green skull with a snake coming out of the mouth otherwise known as the dark mark should have been an indication that there were no survivors, but the search continued on.
"I found a body." A young auror with pale blue eyes and a thick set of black hair who was no older than twenty-five announced his voice magnified five times the normal decibel. Although used to seeing more and more victims lately as the war continued, he knew the people that they were looking for. It was his best friends after all. Sirius Black knelt beside the fallen body. Pettigrew had betrayed them all; Dumbledore would take care of this. He after all knew about the switch along with the Minister for Magic. He would get his revenge later, but for now he had to think about the other two people, and he prayed that his little Godson was still alive. He clung on to the body, the hazel eyes once full of life, filled with love for his small family and friends, were now pale and hazy. The mans body was now a shell. Sirius held on tighter, he was advised not to come tonight, but when he heard who was involved there was no way that he could not. "I'm sorry James that there wasn't anything else I could do, I thought the switch was for the best, it should've been me." Tears ran down Sirius' face. It should have been him; he had nothing to live for while the Potters had everything.
"There's nothing you can do for him now." Sirius' partner Amos Diggory said, prying the emotional man away from the body. "There might be other survivors, lets try to find the rest of them."
"There are only two more." Sirius' voice came out dry and raw. He knew his partner was trying to distract him. But seeing his friend who used to be so full of life, lying there, not moving, not breathing, he was like a wax mannequin, was hard for Sirius to get distracted, how does a person say goodbye to a friend who was a brother, impossible. Sirius however, realized that Moony was not the spy after all, there would have to be explanations later, the remaining Marauders would need to stick together through this hard time.
"There's another one." A voice rang off in the distance.
"Alive or dead." Another voice cut through the air, invading Sirius' thoughts.
"Dead." Was the simple answer that came.
Sirius pushed his way through the rubble, Harry, his voice screamed into his mind. He had to get to Harry, his last link to his best friend. Harry who looked so much like his father at such a young age, his Godson. His wild unruly black hair, his mother's gorgeous emerald eyes, it couldn't be his Harry. When he got to the spot where he first heard the scream he let out a sigh of relief, it wasn't his Harry, but that didn't last for long when he saw the flaming red hair, and the dead emerald eyes like James, staring back at him. Lily, the girl that James had loved since the beginning of Hogwarts, the girl that kept breaking his friends heart until the end of the sixth year, the girl that gave them both the little boy that still had to be found.
Sirius crouched down next to the body. He fondly pushed back a stray of red hair away from her eyes, and than for the last time, Sirius saw the emerald eyes that used to dance, and with a soft gentle touch with his fingers he closed her eyes in everlasting sleep. He kissed her forehead, "Rest now Lily, you've done your job, you'll be in a better place, James is waiting for you."
Sirius stood up, his back achingly sore, his head pounding, and his legs ready to collapse. He felt like it was a dream, and any minute he would wake up. All he had to do was pinch himself. That would work. He knew he was only kidding himself, James and Lily both knew the danger they were in, they both took the chance, and in the end everybody's hard work and sacrifice was lost, thanks to the rat. "PETTIGREW." He screamed. Letting go of all the frustration and anger he felt, letting go of all the hurt that he was experiencing.
"You should go home Sirius. It's been a long day." Sirius jumped when he felt a hand come across his right shoulder, the voice was familiar too, but he could not put a face to the voice. He spun around to see a long white bearded man dressed in dark navy blue robes with moons and stars adorning the front. "Albus." He whispered so softly the elderly man almost did not make out what was said.
"Go home Sirius, you will make yourself sick. You need to rest." The elderly mans blue eyes searched the younger man.
"They still haven't found Harry, I can't rest until I know what's happened to him. I'll go home when I know for sure." Sirius said crossing his arms.
"That could be awhile Sirius. Go home we'll floo you if there's any news." Dumbledore tried steering Sirius away from the mess but Sirius was harder to move than a mountain.
"All clear." They both heard another Auror say, they saw him coming around from the far east corner of the demolished house. No sign of little Harry.
The sun rose higher in the sky, muggles were coming out of their houses, adults leaving for work, children riding their bikes on their way to school, oblivious to the ruckus that was going on around them, all due in part to a concealment charm. The day had started, but to the hard working Aurors their day had finally ended with no sign of a baby's body anywhere, Harry Potter's body had gone missing.
"Let's go." This time Albus was able to push Sirius away from the empty spot, which used to be the Potter's residence. Sirius went with him making no arguments this time. His whole family gone, taken away like that. And he had signed their death certificate.
The man continued to stay on the balcony; his dilemma was eating him up inside. He needed to get rid of the burden he now carried, but he couldn't, not yet. Last night was supposed to go without a hitch. All he had to do was kill the little brat, and the wife and husband would be able to live, if he felt any generosity whatsoever. However, it did not go according to plans, too many flaws, and too many glitches. If it weren't for the stupid man's bravery he need not have died, along with his wife, but than what can you expect from former Gryffindor's, always thinking without using their brains first. He banged his fists against the rails, frustration setting in. He could not stop thinking about the past nights event. James Potter was easy to get rid of, the foolish boy had the audacity to try and take down the Dark Lord with a wand, the girl was a whole other story, she was not so easy, with her pleadings and begging's, he had to kill her, annoying really, gave him a very big migraine in the end, when all he wanted was the child, the prophecy child, his supposed downfall. After a quick Avada Kedavra the girl fell down dead. Thinking of the last Potter made the man shudder. He did not know how to handle the smallest and most powerless Potter, his mother had done one good thing in the end for the boy in order to protect him when she sacrificed her life for his. Lily Potter had put a blood protection charm on the boy, and he was not daft not to know to that. Now here he was in the biggest predicament of his life. For the first time in his life, the most feared man in the wizarding world needed help. He was furious about that, never in his life had he asked for help, now his most trusted spy would have to help him. He decided to leave it up to Snape to fix the mess. He would have to wait for Snape the best potions master in all of Britain to find a way to prevent the spell from working, and with that he would be able to finally get rid of the brat once and for all. With a sharp press to his right arm, he waited for the potions master to arrive.
The water poured down, stinging the pale flesh. Hands large and slightly stained from years of hard work, rinsed the soap off the rest of the body. It was a long night. The person knew what would happen to the Potters that night. Hell, he had even added in a few suggestions here and there, on the best course of action when entering into the Potters estate. The Order of the Phoenix knew nothing about the double agent, and he played his game well. He considered himself a great potions master, but in truth he was an even better occlumens. His soul always belonged to his Master. The dark side would win in the end, too many purebloods fighting for the same thing, a purified world, with no muggles. And him and the Dark Lord would rule together, although the Dark Lord would rule, it was already decided that he would become the Minister for Magic and everything would belong to him. All the power that he could ever want would be his, even Lucius Malfoy would be begging to get in his good graces. Not that he wouldn't be already, his Godson was none other than Draco Malfoy, the most richest and most spoilt child that ever existed, he didn't help much either, always bringing the little brat presents whenever he visited them. Finishing his shower Severus Snape stepped out of the stall and grabbed the towel that was lying on the sink. He walked into the massive bedroom that was painted in the richest red that ever existed. His room was filled with mahogany wood furniture, only the best. He pulled open the cupboard door, and pulled out one of the many black robes that he had. At that instant he let out a surprised yelp that was very unbecoming for a Snape, especially him, and grabbed on to his right forearm. He looked down and the tattoo of the skeleton with a snake protruding from its mouth was turning darker, and the burning was ever so much stronger than usual. His master was calling for him now. Within an instant he was dressed, and with a loud pop he disapparated away.
The man ran his fingers through his thick ebony hair. It felt like a new surge of power washed over him the first time he was able to do that. He had found a restorative drought that allowed him to change back to his original characteristics, instead of old oily skin, bald head, and a snake like appearance, he looked no older than twenty five. The only feature that gave away his standings was the cold beady red eyes, which he left, he still had to maintain some of his fiercefulness, and put fear into everyone's faces when they saw him. The old Voldemort might be gone, but in his place stood a more younger, more ruthless leader yet. He was ready for blood, and by God this war would be the greatest one to go down in history.
Blue eyes that once sparkled, looked dull and lifeless, the old wrinkles stood out more than usual. With a grave face the old man nodded to his fellow companions. Looking more forlorn that anyone had ever seen him, especially during their days at Hogwarts. The headmaster looked at each person in turn and realized that soon at least half of these people would no longer be with them. This war was going to cause a lot of casualties; he could only hope that there would be more deaths on the darker side. These faces each belonged to a person who loved the world, who loved people. All of them young with families just starting looking to find a better way for tomorrow, if only it were so simple to eliminate the evil without anyone getting hurt. "Ahem." He cleared his throat. Not one of them knew. This would be the biggest blow to their strengths yet. "I have some terrible news that you all must be made aware of." He looked to see the reactions he got from the room, when he saw that they all held a puzzled look he continued. "Last night, at around midnight, Voldemort had found away to get to the Potters, it is with saddest regret that James and Lily Potter were both found murdered by the Avada Kedavra. Little Harry still has yet to be found. And by the looks of things the Aurors and myself, fear that we may never find him."
Murmurs broke through the quite room. Everyone with looks of horrors on their faces. The Potters were their light, they had the saviour, how could this have happened? Surely there must have been a mistake; Albus had some twisted sense of humour.
"You had us there for a minute, Dumbledore. Good one." A portly man wearing a green and olive suit called out from the back of the room.
"Rest assured, I am not joking about this." Albus hung his head shaking it. "The Potters are most certainly deceased, and their young one is missing. Alive or dead we do not know. Searches are going on right now, and sooner or later we will find out something."
"What about You – Know – Who? Was he destroyed? The prophecy? Albus we need more detail than what you're giving us." Another voice was heard.
"Alastor, you know better than that. Prophecies are not always what they seem. It has not yet been fulfilled it could probably take years, who knows how long. All I can tell you is that Voldemort is still alive, and without young Potter the wizarding world could be doomed."
"Thank you so much Albus for that wonderful speech. Oh wise one. Let us all bow down to you. Of course if it weren't for your big mouth, James and Lily might still be alive, Harry might not be missing, and if you took care of the problem when you had the chance, You – Know – Who might have been destroyed by now." Sirius Black said, his arms waving dramatically through the air, as he stumbled down the stairs.
Everyone in the room stared at the man before them. This was not the same man they all knew and loved, this one looked tired, his eyes bloodshot, and he smelled strongly of firewhiskey.
" I thought you were resting Sirius. Otherwise I would have called you down here." Albus said trying to placate the man. Truthfully there was no way that he would have invited the other man to the meeting not after the day that he had.
"How kind of you to want to invite me to a meeting that's taking place in my house. See how generous he is everyone."
All eyes in the room looked at the man before them. Pity clearly visible in their eyes. They never thought they would ever see the day that Sirius Black would break.
"So sorry everyone we'll just be leaving now. Come along Sirius, I've got a nice treacle tart with your name written on it." A hand landed on his shoulder. A sandy haired man, with a slash of grey tried leading the other man away.
"Remus my best mate, the last true Marauder. Do you know what this man has done, to Prongs and his wife, and don't even forget little Prongslet. The baby is gone. My Godson gone, just like that." He snapped his fingers. "Poof. Gone." Snapped again. "Nothing left."
"You have me and the order Sirius. We're all here for you." Remus put another comforting arm around his friend.
"I don't want any of you." Sirius said as he transformed into a big black dog that resembled what everyone could identify as the Grim. He ran past the order members into the dark night. The members could hear a distant barking sound, an animal grieving for its lost pack mates.
"I'm sorry Albus. He slipped past me I couldn't stop him, he was too fast, was able to sneak some firewhiskey too, the sneaky bugger that he is. " The sandy haired man shook his head, than turned to the one he looked up to as a father figure.
"It's alright Remus, you should go get some rest. It's been a trying day for you too. Everyone I bid you goodnight we will continue this meeting in a couple days time." With that he led Remus away, upstairs where he helped the other man to the bed.
Remus was grateful for that, he would not have made it up the stairs without someone's help, between watching Sirius and trying to act the strong one he was ready to collapse. Remus still hadn't been able to grieve properly for his friends, and he also had the responsibility of looking after Sirius. It was a trying day for him too. Albus knew the other man needed to get some sleep, or he would end up like Sirius just did.
The little creature no taller than a broomstick stood outside the main doors that led into the master suite. It kept pacing back and forth, reaching its arms out as if to open the door, but than at the last minute it would stop itself, and grab hold of its tea cosy and wring it in its tiny hands, than it would continue on pacing, back and forth. The noises coming from that room were heart wrenching to the little house – elf. The cries, the wails, it was the sound of a young one dying, and she could not comfort it. Her ears went flat as they laid to rest against her head from the distress. She could not go in. If she did it would be disobeying a direct order from her master, and to get her master angry could mean instant death for her. The other elves told her to mind her business, to not think of it, that it would show disrespect, and even though they did not have it good, about four hundred elves had a place to live, and a master to serve, which in their opinion was all that mattered. The wails seemed to fill every corner outside in the hallway. The house elf could not take the noise any longer, despite her master's order, she was going in, consequences be damned. Slowly and carefully she pushed open the door, trying not to let a sound escape. Once the door was opened just enough, she quietly slipped right on through, exhaling the breath of air she never knew she was holding. She was inside she had made it, and her master was still unaware of what was going on. Glancing around the room she suddenly realized how dark it was, she didn't dare to turn on the light in fear of being caught. The feeling of doom wafted through the air, and it sent shivers down her spine, but something kept telling her that she needed to go to the source of the crying. That she had to see what was causing all that noise. With wide eyes the size of small dinner plates she made her way across the room, the wails getting louder as she approached. How her master was going to be upset if he found out. She would have to punish herself later, but for now she knew she must continue on. It wasn't much longer until she bumped into an object that felt as if it were made of wood. She pulled herself up off the floor and felt around the strange object. Her master never had that there before; it was a new addition to the room. Bars, that's what she felt, and something soft coming from inside the bars. She had enough, she decided that she needed to be able to see clearly, so she clapped her hands and there was light.
"Ohhh." She gasped as she saw what she was holding on to. An intricate design of snakes and owls decorated the bars. A soft material rubbed against her tiny arms, noticing it for the first time she grasped her tiny hands around it to play with the material, it was so nice and soft that at first she forgot why she was even there. Then the sudden quietness brought her out of her reverie. The crying it had stopped, but when she peered into this new piece of furniture, she didn't see anything in there, there was nothing, she had been mistaken the crying wasn't coming from that part of the room, it was coming from somewhere else, but how was that possible? All logic told her to check once more. She pushed her thin body in between the bars, and went inside. There was nothing there. A soft mattress was laid underneath her, and when she looked up there was a little mobile, unmoving. That did mean that there was something there. She looked carefully, and placed her hand on top of the blankets, as if feeling around for something. And there it was a lump, beneath the blanket. But that could not be right. There was no body. Scooting herself to the lump she gasped in surprise. There was a body; she had missed it because it was blue. At once she realized that the baby was suffocating, having thrown itself into hysterics, it could not catch its breath. The baby looked to be no more than a year and a half, she put two fingers to its neck, there was a faint pulse. She didn't know what to do. She had to get her master, but by the time that she got him the child could be dead. Deciding not to leave the baby, she pulled him like a rag doll in her lap, and slapped him on the back a couple of times. To her relief the baby coughed, and his face started to slowly return to normal. She thought it was safe the baby was fine, but than not more than thirty seconds past that the baby started crying again. She sat with the baby in the crib, wiping away the small black fringe of hair from off of his face, bouncing him, rocking him, trying to make him desist in his crying, nothing was working. She was getting desperate, maybe now was the time to get her master. She carefully shifted the screeching baby onto the mattress. "I'll be back in a moment." She brushed the fringe away from his face forgetting about the time, and what she was going to do. Even with the crying the child was adorable.
"What in Merlin's name are you doing?" A voice drawled breaking the little elf's thoughts away from the child.
As if sensing something foreboding was about to happen, the baby stopped it's wailing and opened its eyes revealing a matching set of brilliant emerald eyes.
Well that's it for this chapter, I'm sorry I left it there. I wanted to get something up already. So I figured, and here's where I should duck and run for cover that updates will be about a month hopefully earlier, but no promises. I'm very busy, things are hectic in my life, and I've been writing sporadically. Hope you guys enjoyed and again please let me know what you think of this one.
LOVE ALWAYS,
Hedwig11445