Redemption
Chapter 1
I sat up in bed still breathing hard. A cold sweat was dripping off my brow. I had the dream again. The same as it had been every night since it happened. I am standing on the Potters' front yard. I look around and I see him. Voldemort. He looks around with that horrible face of his. Voldemort, looking satisfied, starts at a brisk walk toward the front door.
"No!" I start screaming, "No no no no no..." I try to run: to try to stop him. My legs are frozen.
"Run," says James' voice, "take him and run Lily. The only way you can help is to take Harry and go."
"I won't leave you James," says Lily, "I can't"
"Lily, Harry is our only chance of stopping Voldemort. Now take him and GO!"
I watched Lily's shadow shaking as she ran into the next room. Lily took Harry in his arms and ran towards the back door; to the Portkey.
Voldemort broke the last charm on the door and walked in to find James trying to set up a barrier.
"Expellarimus!" James screamed. I saw a flash of red light and Voldemort's shape dodging it.
"Avada Kedavra," says Voldemort in a calm voice. With a sickening thud, James hit the ground.
"No," I whisper, my voice starting to crack, "no, please god no." but it was too late, he was dead. As I fall to my knees, I begin to cry more.
"Step out of the way girl," hisses Voldemort. "You can't save him."
"No, take me instead I'll do anything just please don't kill Harry."
"Avada Kedavra," speaks Voldemort. In a flash of green light, she's dead too.
I would kill him, I decided; kill him for what he did to James, for what he did to Lily. Wiping the tears from my face while more replace them I stand up, a little wobbly, and walk toward the door. A few moments later, the house explodes.
That's when my dream ends: always at the explosion.
I laid back down. Now tears are pouring out of my eyes like rivers of saltwater. That was fourteen years ago, I tell myself, It's time to move on. But I could have saved them. I COULD HAVE SAVED THEM! But my fear of my former master stopped me.
I stood to look out the window. The sun was beginning to show. I still hadn't stopped crying when I realized what day it was. I looked at my watch and almost fell over running to the shower.
About ten minute later, I walked out fully dressed and ready. Today was to be the start of my new job. I'm the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I ha begged Albus Dumbledore the moment I saw the ad in the Daily Prophet. Being a former Death Eater, I almost didn't get the job. If I hadn't turned spy for the Ministry before Voldemort's downfall I probably would be in Azkaban.
I had been for this chance ever since I failed to save Lily and James. Plus, with the return of Voldemort, I found it even more important to watch over Young Harry. This was my chance to repay James and Lily for my failure.
I was going to be known to my students as Professor John Rutleg. Even though it wasn't my real name, I liked it. Only Dumbledore and a few choice members of the staff would know my real name. Snape for one, also McGonagall. They would be keeping an eye on me. I guess Dumbledore got somewhat nervous because of what had happened last year. But I wouldn't dream of betraying Dumbledore or letting anyone use me.
Harry could never know of our relation. He would hate me if he found out I could have saved his parents, I know it without a doubt. It's not like I don't deserve it but he wouldn't let me near him. That on top of his father's brother being a former death eater... No. He couldn't know.
Oh by the way, my name is John Potter