A/N: So this a little (terribly) AU story. I don't want to give away too much, but basically we have a Harry who does not grow up as Harry, and a wizarding world that is dealing with the slow, but unavoidable return of Voldemort. It's a story about how drastically different lives can be based on one change, but also of how some things are inevitable. I apologize for any grammar issues; I'm currently without a beta for my HP stories, so I'm doing the best I can! If you have a moment, a review would be much welcomed and appreciated!

The Inevitable

Prologue – No Resolution

"We have to hurry!" a squat, unattractive young man urgently whispered to his companion. "W-we must c-complete the task. He – he said we had to, even if something happened."

"I know what he said," the other young man snapped back harshly, not bothering to spare a glance at the panicked man with him. The attention of this young man, with his long, hooked nose, greasy, lank hair, and pinched, bitter expression, was focused down on the squalling baby on the floor between them. In a slightly softer voice, he added, "I know what we are supposed to do."

The other man, obviously agitated and nervous, fluttered his hands uselessly, a short stick dangling between the fingers of his right hand. "I c-c-can't do. You have to be the one. I-it's just that I-I-I've he-held him before. It – I can't."

The dark haired man rolled his eyes, but he made no move to finish the task either. "What – what if we change the task slightly?" He too looked as though his stomach was turning at the thought of carrying out the task their master had laid before them. "We can still rid our world of the boy without killing him. There are things we can do."

The mousy looking man blinked in surprise before nervously scanning the room as though he expected someone – or something – to jump out of the shadows. "But I – what he'd d-do to us. Y-you h-h-have to do it, what he ordered!"

"I can't," the man admitted, still staring at the now quieting baby. "He's just a baby, Lily's baby, and I – I can't kill him."

The other man stared back at him with wide, scared eyes. "B-b-but if w-we don't, then…"

He let the sentence trail off, but what was left unsaid was more than understood between the two of them. If they did not finish their task, their master would punish them. Even though their master had seemingly disappeared, right before their eyes, there was ample reason to believe he would punish them. If not him, then his other followers would delight in the job.

They were at an impasse – both of the young men knew what needed to be done, what they had to do to ensure their own survival, but for surprisingly similar reasons, neither could do it.

"We bind his magic and leave him at a Muggle orphanage," the taller of the two said assertively. "No one will suspect anything like that, and he'll never know the difference. The brat will be gone forever, and he'll never know that we didn't follow his orders precisely as planned. We'll just say that the child disappeared when he did."

The pudgy man nodded vigorously as he stared down at the red-faced baby. "That's – yes, I cannot do it. But what if he knows? What if he – "

"He's gone, is he not? No one else is here, so no one will ever know. It's just as well this way. There's something almost poetic about this, taking away his magic and leaving him to rot in a Muggle orphanage," sneered the greasy haired man. "No one will ever look for him; why would they? They'll have no reason to believe he's alive. Yes, this is the best way."

And with that, he started moving his wand in a complex motion as he softly incanted a long string of words. The green-eyed baby stared up at him, squirming uncomfortably as his magic was bound, locked away deep inside of him. Once he was satisfied that the work was done, he took a step back and looked up at his companion.

Nodding once sharply, he ordered, "Take the brat to an orphanage. Just leave him on the front step. Do not be seen, do not talk to anyone. Just drop him off and go!"

With that, he turned and disapparated on the spot, leaving the timid man alone with the baby. Nervously glancing around, he slid his wand into his arm holster before nervously bending and picking up the baby. "I'm sorry, Harry. I never meant for it to b-b-be this way. I had no choice." The baby wriggled around, his arms flailing about as though searching for something. Spotting what he thought the child may want, the man bent and picked up the child's prized possession, a stuffed black dog. "No harm in letting you have that, I suppose."

Following the orders of his companion, he disapparated as well, leaving the once cozy house of his friends in shambles, empty aside from their dead bodies.