Autumn had well and truly descended over the countryside. Gone were the blue skies of summer. Gone was the warm breeze of spring. In its place was a cold and biting wind. The sky was grey and heavy with rain clouds. The rain had made an interval, but the ground was wet. Everything was wet. Water dripped off trees, cars, roofs, everything. Most of the leaves on the trees were on the floor, making the flagstone paving dangerously slippery.
Normally, the house would have woken at around half past seven, when a baby's cries would wake up his parents. One of them would stumble into his bright nursery, scoop him up and bid him good morning. Sluggishly, their morning routine would start, and it would pick up momentum until it was noisy and cheerful. Normally, Lily Potter would greet her best friends 'good morning' when they arrived for breakfast. James Potter would laugh as Harry rode around the living room, clinging onto Padfoot's thick fur. Sirius Black, who visited so often he practically had his own room there, would normally shower Harry with attention and affection. Remus Lupin, another almost-resident, would smile weakly, the moon's toll showing ever more obviously. Remus would put Harry to sleep at night, for he was the best at singing lullabies, and the four would retire to the living room, where the atmosphere was cosy and safe. The four would normally talk about their school days, Marauder achievements, and occasionally a has-anyone-seen-Peter-lately conversation would start.
That was a normal day. But on the morning of the 1st November 1981, the house lay quiet. No baby woke his parents in the morning. No Sirius Black visited, changing into Padfoot, making his godson squeal with laughter. No Remus Lupin arrived with him, singing soft lullabies as Harry drifted off into sleep.
The house had gone, in its place a graveyard of smoking rubble. For Lily and James Potter were dead, Sirius Black was in Azkaban, and Remus Lupin was all alone. And Harry Potter would grow up oblivious to what would happen in his parents' house, on those brisk mornings in October.
Just a oneshot for you folks to enjoy. No idea if it's any good, would appreciate feedback :)
I'm in such a good mood - the weather's gorgeous :D
~~Allie x