A/N: Here's the next chapter, everyone! Thanks for all the reviews, alerts and faves that this got! It really means a lot, but be sure to review to let me know what you think!
Oh and a quick note: Longbottom family is also in hiding and their Secret Keeper is named Diana Robbins.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and everything recognisable belongs to the wonderful JK Rowling.
Chapter Two – Hallowe'en
October 30th was a cool day and the clouds threatened to let loose a rainstorm at any moment. As such, there weren't many people out on the streets, save for a few little children playing and Bellatrix Lestrange.
Bellatrix had spent the whole morning shut up in Henry's nursery, allowing no one to enter. When her Dark Mark had burned, Bellatrix immediately left the house, locking the door to Henry's nursery with a powerful charm so that the house-elves wouldn't enter and starting cleaning.
As she strode into the street, she saw the three house-elves huddled around a fresh plot of dirt in the backyard. One of them was sobbing loudly. When Bellatrix passed, they all looked up at her with looks of terror and the crying one fell silent.
Bellatrix hurried past them, her hood pulled up and over her face. She was going to Disapparate to Riddle Manor, but she had to get away from the wards around her house first. When she did, she Apparated and landed smoothly down the street from Riddle Manor, with the smallest of pops.
The three guard Death Eaters, who were different from yesterday, just waved her through, not even bothering to check her Mark. Even though only people bearing the Dark Mark, or those that Voldemort had personally allowed to enter, they were being very careless just letting Bellatrix enter without even checking her. Bellatrix decided she would speak to the Dark Lord about them.
The door to Voldemort's receiving room was wide open, but Bellatrix didn't hesitate as she marched in and past the dais. She pressed the opening stone to the meeting room and entered.
Voldemort was sitting at the table, with no papers in front of him this time. He was sitting with five other people – Snape, Peter Pettigrew, Bellatrix's brother-in-law Rabastan Lestrange, her other brother-in-law Lucius, and a small woman who looked like a squirrel. She looked odd, as if something wasn't quite right with her. There were also three masked Death Eaters were standing against the walls, watching the woman.
"Welcome, Bellatrix," said Voldemort, gesturing to her that she should take the seat next to him.
Once Bellatrix had sat down, Voldemort said, "I believe that introductions are in order – Bellatrix, you know Severus and Wormtail but I would like you to meet Diana Robbins."
Bellatrix nodded at the woman and Diana waved back. Surprised at her oddity, Bellatrix looked to the Dark Lord in question.
"She is the Longbottoms' Secret Keeper," explained Voldemort. "We captured her just a few hours ago and she has been Imperiused into telling me where the Longbottoms are hidden."
Oh, thought Bellatrix. That made sense; at least Bellatrix thought it did. Maybe it didn't, but Bellatrix's mind had been so badly fractured by the loss of Henry that she couldn't tell what was right and what was wrong anymore. Not that she'd been so great at that to begin with.
As Bellatrix's mind continued to whirl around and just make her more confused, Voldemort was saying, "Dolohov; I have no further use of Robbins. Dispose of her."
One of the masked Death Eaters nodded and jerked his head at his fellow Death Eaters. They each grabbed an arm and pulled her from the room.
Bellatrix watched the woman leave, not even struggling against her captors. Voldemort had flicked the door open for them and once they were through, he shut it with another flick of his wand.
Rabastan, Lucius and Voldemort were discussing something, but Bellatrix couldn't focus on their words.
She kept thinking of Henry ... poor Henry. He was all alone in the Manor – not even a bottle in case he got hungry.
"Bellatrix?" said Rabastan. "What do you think?"
Bellatrix blinked. "What do I – I'm sorry, what was the question?"
Rabastan and Lucius exchanged glances. "The Dark Lord does not wish to have any Death Eaters accompany him to kill Longbottom, but perhaps you do?"
Did she?
"Uh, no," said Bellatrix, shaking her head slightly. "I don't need any." Odd, thought Bellatrix, she couldn't focus today.
Voldemort leaned forward in his chair and grabbed Bellatrix's chin with his hand. He turned her head sharply so he could stare into her eyes. Bellatrix could use Occlumency, but she wasn't strong in it when she hadn't practiced for a few weeks. Nonetheless, she threw up a mind shield, blocking Voldemort from her thoughts.
"What is troubling you, Bellatrix?" he asked quietly.
"Nothing, my lord," lied Bellatrix.
Voldemort didn't look convinced, but he dropped her chin and leaned back. "Take Rabastan and Lucius with you, Bella. They won't interfere with you – they will stand guard outside."
Bellatrix nodded tightly and though she didn't think that she needed the guards, Voldemort's decision was final.
"Now," said Voldemort, "Wormtail – why don't you tell Bellatrix where the Potters are?"
Pettigrew looked up at the Dark Lord, his watery eyes watering even more. "Well, you see, James, Lily –" Snape flinched at the sound of her name – "... they trusted me –"
"Don't tell me you're having second thoughts?" said Voldemort, laughingly. "There is no backing down from me, Wormtail. Now tell Bellatrix where it is, Wormtail, or I shall I Imperiuse you, just as I did with Robbins?" His red eyes smouldered with annoyance.
Peter gulped. "N-no, my lord." He looked to Bellatrix and took a deep breath. "They are in the village Godric's Hollow – the house at the end of the street, where Godric Gryffindor used to live," he said, very fast.
Bellatrix nodded. She could picture that hamlet in her mind – she'd been on a raid there only a few months ago.
"Now, Wormtail – you are to go to the Potters house this afternoon and tell them that that fool Dumbledore has called a new Order meeting for tomorrow night, something that is so important they cannot miss it. Offer your services as a babysitter. If you have to, Imperiuse them to get them to leave."
"Yes, my lord," said Wormtail.
Voldemort smirked. "Can you handle that, Wormtail? I ask so little of you and yet, you still complain."
"I-I was not c-complaining –"
"You forget, Wormtail," said Voldemort softly. "I can hear your mind."
Wormtail turned scarlet. "Forgive me, my lord, I was just – well, I shall try harder –"
"Get out, Wormtail," Voldemort said suddenly, waving his wand at the door. It swung open and immediately, Pettigrew jumped to his feet and scurried out of the room. He was almost out the door when it swung shut, hitting him on the backside. Peter cried out and the Death Eaters snorted with laughter.
Rabastan, Lucius, Snape and Bellatrix remained at the table as Voldemort stood and started to pace. "Tomorrow, Bellatrix, arrive at the Potters' house at nine pm. Kill the child, cast the Dark Mark and then leave. Return here immediately. We will remain here until news reaches the world of the death of Neville Longbottom and Harry Potter."
Peter stood outside Godric's Hollow, anxiously wringing his hands. He couldn't believe he'd sold out his best friend to the Dark Lord and that tomorrow baby Harry would be dead.
James and Lily ... oh, what would he tell them? That the Dark Lord had forced it out of him? That he could do nothing to stop it? That he had betrayed them?
He shook his head and tried to put on a brave front. After all, that's what James would want him to do. Be brave.
Peter knocked at the door and a few moments later it was open by a cautious looking Lily. When she saw him, she smiled lightly. "Oh, hello, Peter," she said. "Come on in."
"Thanks," he muttered. He sidestepped Lily and scurried into the living room. James was sitting on the couch, bouncing Harry on his knee.
"Hey, Wormtail," said James, raising a hand in greeting. "What did you want to talk to me and Lily about?" he asked, as Lily came into the living room and sat beside him. Harry started to squirm and James let him go. Harry started to crawl to his favourite toy hippogriff was just in front of where Peter had sat.
Peter gulped, watching Harry. "Um ... well, Dumbledore told me to – to tell you that he's called an Order meeting for tomorrow night. A very important one."
James and Lily exchanged a look. "He did? Why didn't he tell us?"
Peter shrugged. "He told me to tell you because he was really busy today. You-Know-Who is on the move," he said, lying quickly.
Lily looked to James. "Well, you go, James, and I'll stay here with Harry."
"No!" said Peter.
Lily and James looked at Peter, startled. "What?"
"Uh... D-Dumbledore wants both of you to g-go to the m-meeting," said Peter, swallowing hurriedly. "I-I can babysit," he said. "I'm not as important in the Order as you two and so ..." Peter leaned over and plucked up Harry from the floor.
Immediately Harry started to cry.
"I can take care of Harry," said Peter, raising his voice over Harry's screams. "For at least one night."
Lily stood up and walked over to Peter. She took Harry from him and the boy stopped crying.
"I don't know," said Lily, looking anxious. "What do you think, James?"
James was staring at Peter, his hazel eyes narrowed behind his glasses. Peter tried to make his face as impassive as possible. "We'll have to think about it," said James, finally.
Peter nodded tightly. He didn't want to have to use the Imperious Curse for two reasons: one, he was horrible at it and would probably end up Imperiusing himself and two, he would feel like that was another strike against him for betraying his friends.
The doorbell rang, making James and Lily jump.
"I'll get it," said Lily. She passed Harry to James and then headed for the door.
While Lily was gone, James sighed and said, "I'm getting paranoid, Wormtail. Every time the doorbell rings, I jump a foot in the air."
Peter smiled weakly; James had a good reason to be paranoid.
Lily returned with Sirius. "Hey all," he greeted. "How's my little man?" he asked, taking Harry from James.
Harry giggled and pulled hard on Sirius's hair. "Ouch!"
Lily sighed. "You'd think he'd be used to that by now," she said to James and Peter.
James chuckled and Sirius shot Lily a dark look. "You should teach your son some manners," said Sirius, sniffing. He drew his wand and muttered, "Accio hippogriff toy."
Harry's little hippogriff flew in Sirius' outstretched hand. Harry stared at it and then looked up at Sirius with big green eyes. "Mine," he said.
Lily gasped and let out a squeal. It was so high pitched that James clamped his hands over his ears. "James! Did you hear that? Harry said 'mine'! He said his first word!"
"I can barely hear anything anymore," grumbled James, shaking his head.
"Go get the camera, James," ordered Lily, her eyes alight. "Harry, say that again."
James rolled his eyes. He pointed his wand at the ceiling and said, "Accio camera." The camera came zooming into the room and James caught it expertly.
"I still haven't lost my Quidditch skills," said James, smirking at Sirius.
"Take the picture, James!" Lily snapped.
As James snapped a photo of Harry sitting on Sirius' lap, the horror of what Peter was doing to this family hit him right in the face. He abruptly stood up. "I-I have to go," he muttered, hurriedly exiting the house.
James, Lily and Sirius all exchanged looks. "What's that about?" asked Sirius.
James and Lily shrugged in unison. "He wants us to go to this important Order meeting that Dumbledore called for tomorrow night," Lily informed Sirius. "It's just about Neville and Harry, so I assume it's secret."
Sirius nodded. "Anyways, so what shall we do today? You taking Harry out for trick-or-treating?"
James and Lily just looked at him. Sirius looked bewildered and then hit himself on the head with his hand. "Oh, yeah. Voldemort."
Bellatrix Apparated outside Lestrange Manor and quickly entered. She called out to the house-elves that she was to have a plate of food left at the nursery door in no less than a half hour.
The house-elves murmured a quick "yes, mistress" and scurried to make her something to eat.
Bellatrix went to the nursery and opened the door. It was exactly as she'd left it. She tiptoed to the crib, and looked in.
Once more, she dissolved into tears and collapsed onto the floor, weeping.
The house-elves left her a plate of food, knocking lightly, but she ignored them. She continued to cry.
After crying for about an hour, she needed a tissue. She rustled around in her cloak's pocket and grasped a piece of paper. She thought it was a tissue, but when she pulled it out, Bellatrix saw that it was the picture of the Potters that the Dark Lord had given her.
She looked at it. The two adults were smiling, holding their child between them. Harry had green eyes and black hair ... black hair, thought Bellatrix. Henry has black hair. Harry Potter had green eyes, but a simple glamour would fix that, she thought.
Henry didn't have to die; she could just give him a new body, the body of Harry Potter, and he would be all better – this illness nothing more than a memory.
Bellatrix's tears dried on her face. Yes, that would work. She didn't have to lose her son to Death – not when there was a perfectly good body, albeit a half blood's body, that she would do a simple spell on and then Henry would be all better, but Harry Potter would still be dead.
The Potters could keep her son's old body – she didn't need that anymore. But, perhaps they suspect that it was not their son that lay dead in front of them ... she would just glamour the old body's eyes green and give the new body black eyes.
What a perfect plan. And so simple.
"Henry," she whispered, putting her fingers through the holes in the crib and caressing his cheek. "Mummy has a present for you. I found you a new body ... you'll be as good as new soon enough, darling ..."
Hallowe'en morning dawned bright and early on Lestrange Manor. It was a cold, crisp morning and it would be cool tonight.
Bellatrix had it all worked out. Since the Lestranges owned an Invisibility Cloak, she would cover the old body of Henry with it and transfigure it into something she could hold in her pocket. Once she had made the switch, she would hide Henry's new body under the Invisibility Cloak, under the Silence Spell and Petrificus Totalus. She planned to wear an extra large robe to fit the small child.
She was ready. She was ready to be a mother again.
Bellatrix had nothing to do that day, after everything was taken care of. She stayed in the nursery all day, sitting by Henry's crib and reading his copy of Tales of Beedle the Bard out loud.
Finally, it was time. Voldemort wanted her to be at Riddle Manor so they could leave at the exact same time. She gathered her cloak and made sure that the Invisibility Cloak was hidden away securely.
She didn't even bother telling the house-elves where she was going. They watched fearfully from the kitchen window as she Apparated away, cloak swirling in the faint wind. They knew something terrible was going to happen tonight – something that would tear a family apart forever.
Hallowe'en afternoon that year was cool in Godric's Hollow, very cool indeed. It was around three o'clock and the temperature hadn't warmed up at all since Lily had woken up this morning.
It was time to get Harry up from his nap. James, Sirius and Remus were laughing loudly at a story Sirius was telling and so it would be pointless to even ask James to go and get Harry.
As Lily stood, accidently knocked knees with Peter. He was sitting very quietly on the couch, staring at his hands.
"Sorry, Peter," said Lily, as she walked past him.
He jerked suddenly, as if he'd been in a trance. "It's fine," he said, after a few moments.
Lily and James, who'd looked up, exchanged glances. Peter had been acting so odd lately...
When Lily reached Harry's room, Harry was still snoring and sound asleep. "Wake up, Harry," whispered Lily, softly rocking Harry's crib. "It's time to wake up, honey."
Harry just rolled over, sleeping on and totally ignoring his mother.
Lily smiled at Harry. Suddenly, she shivered and rubbed her arms. Something didn't feel right – the air was feeling ominous and heavy today.
"Harry, honey," whispered Lily. "Time to wake up."
Harry's eyes opened slightly. He blinked at his mother and then fell back asleep. Lily sighed. "Harry," she said, smiling softly. She picked up her still sleeping son and carried him to the living room.
"He still sleeping?" asked Sirius, snorting. "Why do babies need so much sleep?
Lily rolled their eyes. "Don't get married, Sirius," she said, passing Harry to James. "Are you two staying for supper?" she asked Remus and Peter.
"What about me?" asked Sirius, pretending to be hurt.
Lily just looked at him. "I know you'll be staying, Sirius. You always do."
Remus stood. "No, thanks Lily. I'd best be getting home now."
"Aw, so soon, Moony?" asked James, frowning over Harry's shoulder.
Remus nodded. "I like to get as much sleep as I can before the full moon – it helps me." He shrugged.
Peter stood nervously. "I-I should be going, too," he said. "I-I'll be back at eight to babysit?"
James and Lily had decided to attend the meeting this evening, under the Polyjuice Potion of course.
James nodded at Peter. "Okay. I'll see you guys out."
James, Remus and Peter left the living room, heading for the door, with James carrying Harry.
Lily looked to Sirius. "Sirius, can you do me a favour?"
"Sure, Lils," said Sirius easily, lounging on the couch.
"Will you come to check up on Peter and Harry tonight? I-I just don't feel right about going to this meeting." She rubbed her arms and looked out the window, to where a storm was gathering to the east.
Sirius looked at Lily. "Sure," he said slowly. "I'll check up on them around nine, nine thirty."
Lily smiled, still looking out the window. "Thanks, Sirius."
It was about eight ten when Peter arrived at the cottage, looking nervous. Lily and James hadn't drunk their Polyjuice Potion yet – they were waiting until the last moment.
"Now, Peter, Harry's been changed and he's sleeping already," explained Lily, as James helped her with her coat.
Peter nodded.
"We left you some leftovers from dinner," Lily said. "They're in the kitchen."
Peter nodded again.
James and Lily looked to each other. "Well, I guess that's all," said James. "We'll see you around midnight, Peter? The meeting shouldn't run any longer than that."
The Potters departed and Peter was left alone in their cottage. He went upstairs and peered at the sleeping Harry, who had no idea of the horror that was about to happen to him.
Peter went downstairs and pulled a bottle of whiskey from his cloak. He didn't like alcohol much, but tonight he figured it was the only way to get through the next few hours.
When Bellatrix, Rabastan and Lucius arrived at the Potters house, it was nearing nine o'clock already.
It was a nice house, Bellatrix noted – a small white cottage with red trim and a large veranda.
"Kill the child and leave," said Rabastan to Bellatrix. "The Dark Lord wants us back in Riddle Manor before nine thirty."
Bellatrix nodded absently at Rabastan's words – at this point in time she wasn't much concerned with the Dark Lord. She just wanted her son back.
Lucius and Rabastan stood near the door to the house as Bellatrix entered. She heard Lucius muttering a spell that would make them invisible to Muggles.
As Bellatrix entered the house, Peter Pettigrew was sitting at the dining room table, weeping.
"Oh! You're here!" he said, gulping down his tears with a bottle of whiskey.
She ignored him. "Where is the child, Pettigrew?" asked Bellatrix, already ascending the stairs.
"In his room. T-third door to the left," Pettigrew said, watching Bellatrix go up the stairs with tears in his eyes.
"Good," she said. "Now, get out of here before the Potters return."
Pettigrew nodded weakly and headed for the door, carrying his whiskey bottle, as Bellatrix crept up the stairs and down the hall.
"Bellatrix?" Pettigrew asked from the doorway. "C-could you tell Harry that I-I'm sorry?"
She looked over her shoulder briefly and rolled her eyes. "Get out, Wormtail." She turned back to the staircase and continued climbing.
First door.
Second door.
Third door.
This was it.
Sirius whistled to himself as he strode down the main street to Godric's Hollow. He was following up on Lily's request for him to check in on Peter and Harry. He didn't know what Lily was so worried about – Peter would never betray them, but he did as she asked.
Sirius was just about to reach the Potters' house when he stopped dead in his tracks. His heart fell to the floor. Invisible to a Muggle, two hooded people stood outside the white cottage with a small man.
Sirius swore later that the floor had fallen away from him. Wormtail was talking to the Death Eaters casually.
The first thought that went through his head was that he was going to kill Wormtail.
Then he thought, Not Harry!
He drew his wand from his cloak and ran towards the house, yelling curses at the Death Eaters and Wormtail. They weren't prepared for him – the taller Death Eater toppled right over as Sirius' "Stupefy!" hit him square in the chest.
The other, whose hood had fallen off to reveal Rabastan Lestrange, shot a killing curse at Sirius. He rolled out of the way, just barely dodging the jet of green light.
"Wormtail!" roared Sirius. "You betrayed us! Betrayed James! Lily! Harry! How could you?"
Wormtail shrieked at the sight of Sirius. He was elbowed harshly out of the way by Lestrange. "Move it, Pettigrew," he snarled, shooting another killing curse at Sirius.
Sirius dodged it and shot a curse of his own back at Lestrange. It missed him, but still Lestrange had to twirl out of the way. He lost his footing on the veranda and fell into Lily's prize rose bushes.
Sirius turned back to where Wormtail had been standing, but there was nothing but a pile of clothes and a whiskey bottle.
The door to Harry Potter's bedroom was partially closed and a warm yellow light shone out of it into the hallway. Bellatrix eased open the door and looked into it.
It was a rather large bedroom, with a crib, changing table, a rocking chair, dresser and a cabinet for toys fitting easily inside. The window was opening and the white curtain was blowing in the breeze.
Bellatrix reached into her pocket and pulled out a Galleon. She placed it on the change table and waved her wand over it, thinking the incantation in her mind. The Galleon grew, changed colour and morphed into the body of Henry.
She picked up her son and walked to the crib. Harry Potter was sleeping in it, snoring softly. But, as if he sensed a presence in his room, he opened his eyes.
Bellatrix couldn't help but gasp at the sight of the beautiful emerald. Bellatrix felt a shiver of panic crawl up her spine. Would this work? Harry had such green eyes but ... the two children did look eerily alike, now that Bellatrix saw them side by side. They both had thin faces, black hair and both had obvious intelligence. Of course it would work. The only difference between the bodies was that Henry was older than Harry by about a month, but Henry had always been small and looked like the age Harry was now. If she glamoured Henry's new body for a few months and always kept his eyes under a tight glamour, no one would be the wiser.
Bellatrix placed the old body of Henry into the crib, just beside the other child. Bellatrix was calm and collected as she opened Henry's eyes and muttered a powerful glamour spell. The beautiful black dissolved in a puddle and turned into emerald green. The glamour would hold for at least a week – the spell was something that Bellatrix herself had invented while still at Hogwarts. She quickly copied every part of the new body onto Henry's old body, so that the two boys, for a few minutes, looked like identical twins.
Harry looked at the dead boy and started to cry. "Shush," snapped Bellatrix. She lifted Harry easily out of the crib and looked at him. Harry stopped crying and looked at Bellatrix through tear filled green eyes. "Henry, this is your new body," whispered Bellatrix. "Don't worry, darling. You'll get used to it soon – I know this must be a terrible shock for you."
The baby's upper lip started to tremble. He started to wail, kick and scream. Bellatrix was prepared for this. She drew her wand and murmured, "Silencio." He fell silent, but he continued to struggle against her. "Petrificus Totalus!"
He froze, one leg still in a kick out at Bellatrix. She eased it back in place and murmured the same glamour spell she did over Henry over Harry.
When Henry's eyes melted from green and froze into the black, even Bellatrix was a bit shocked at how much he looked like Henry.
Though Henry's eyes were no longer emerald, the black still spoke volumes. He was terrified, horrified and he wanted his mother.
"I am your mother," said Bellatrix. "You are Henry Lestrange and I am your mother."
No, thought Sirius. Wormtail couldn't have escaped. He was about to change into Padfoot and race after that traitor when Lestrange jumped out of the bushes, scratches all over his face.
"You'll pay for that one, Black!" he shouted. He sent a fire curse straight at Sirius who just barely avoided it; it burnt the edges of his robes.
"Bellatrix!" shouted Lestrange. "We have company. Kill the child and get out!"
"No!" roared Sirius. As he sent a curse at Lestrange, he thought: Bellatrix? She was the one sent to murder Harry? Why didn't Voldemort – no, no time to think of that now. Must. Save. Harry.
Bellatrix heard Rabastan's shout from outside. She quickly threw the Invisibility Cloak over her son.
She paused. Could he breathe under there? She pulled it off again and pressed her wand to his face. She muttered a charm and instantly a bubble popped up around Henry's face and then she threw the Cloak back over him
She quickly stowed the invisible child in her cloak, attaching him to her robes with a sticking charm. Now – what could she kill to make the green light appear?
Bellatrix heard a meow from the door. A tabby cat had peered in. Thinking quick, Bellatrix aimed her wand at the cat and shouted, for effect, "Avada Kedavra!"
The flash of green light illuminated the room and the cat dropped dead. Bellatrix cast one final look at the old body of Henry in the crib and departed.
"Avada –" started Lestrange, but Sirius shot a tongue tangling jinx at him, cutting off the rest of the killing curse.
Above them, in the window that led to Harry's room, a green light flared.
Sirius thought time had stopped. No, he though. No. No. Not Harry. Harry couldn't be dead.
Rabastan took the moment Sirius was distracted to untangle his tongue and shot an "Enervate" spell at his fellow Death Eater.
"Harry!" screamed Sirius, dodging a curse. All he felt was pure anger, disbelief and horror.
"It is done!" shrieked Bellatrix, from the veranda. She looked mad, but triumphant.
"Finally!" shouted Lucius Malfoy, the other Death Eater. He had risen and was looking livid, blond hair stuck all over his face.
"Morsmordre!" Malfoy screamed, pointing his wand into the sky. A skull erupted into the sky. It hovered above the Potters' house and a snake slithered out of the skull's mouth.
After the Dark Mark had been cast, Lucius Apparated away immediately, followed by Lestrange, who had shot one final killing curse at Sirius but missed.
Sirius, who had never used an Unforgivable Curse before, shot one at Bellatrix standing on the veranda. Bellatrix ducked and the green jet of light hit the door frame, scorching it.
Even though Bellatrix was focused on getting away from here as fast as possible, she smirked at the sight of her cousin as she got to her feet.
"You're too late, coz," she cooed. "The deed is done."
Sirius let out a roar that didn't even sound human. He shot another killing curse at Bellatrix, but she just winked at him and Disapparated.
James and Lily had arrived at the Hog's Head around eight thirty. Frank Longbottom, who James recognised even with his disguise, had been there since eight. He was alone and explained that Alice had decided to stay home with Neville that evening – something that made Lily wish she had too.
James looked at his watch. It was now 8:44. "This is odd," he muttered to Lily and Frank."Dumbledore is never late."
Frank and Lily nodded.
After another half hour of waiting, Frank stood up. "You know what; I'm beginning to think there was never a meeting."
James and Lily exchanged horrified looks. "What makes you say that?" asked James.
Frank shrugged. "Gut intuition," he said. He lifted a hand in farewell and left the pub.
James and Lily looked at each other and mutually decided to leave. They both stood and exited the pub, Apparating away.
Sirius stood where he was for a long time, panting, not believing what had happened.
Finally, his legs started to work again and he ran into the house, kicking aside Wormtail's clothing and whiskey bottle. He burst into Harry's room. It was exactly as it had been the last time Sirius had been there, except for the fact that the cat was lying on the floor dead. Bellatrix must've killed that too, he thought faintly.
Sirius could see a small body in the crib and he didn't want to go any further. He stumbled out of the room and down the stairs.
He collapsed on the outside porch and started to cry.
Harry, his little man, was dead, dead because Wormtail had betrayed them all. If only Sirius had been the Secret Keeper...
He was still crying when a few minutes later a hand roughly shook him. "Sirius, Sirius," said James, looking horrified. "What's happened? Where's Harry? WHAT HAPPENED?"
Sirius could barely form a sentence, but he managed to say, "Betrayed. Death Eaters. Harry –" his voice broke.
Lily looked up to the house, which had the Dark Mark still hovering over it and started to scream. She was still screaming when she collapsed onto the ground. She just lay there, sobbing Harry's name over and over again.
James hadn't moved. He was frozen. All of a sudden, a crack of thunder sounded, echoing spookily around them. Within moments, it had begun to rain and James, Lily and Sirius were soaked to the skin, but none of them even noticed.
James sprang into motion. He ran into the house and up to Harry's room. He tripped over something in the doorway and fell down.
Praying it wasn't Harry, James looked up to see the cat lying dead on the floor. James looked up and saw a small figure in the crib. Choking back a sob at what he was going to see, James started to crawl towards the crib and when he peered inside, he felt as if the world had ended. He collapsed and everything went black.
When Bellatrix's feet slammed into the ground outside Riddle Manor, she did so triumphantly. She had completed her task.
Bellatrix had a private room at Riddle Manor, something that Voldemort had granted to his entire inner circle.
She hurried there, telling Rabastan and Lucius that she had to use the loo. When she arrived, she removed all the spells she'd placed on Henry, for that was Harry's new name, except the glamour, of course.
The baby looked up at her and started to cry. Bellatrix's cheekbone twitched. She was getting annoyed with Henry's constant crying. "Silencio," she said, recasting the silencing charm.
The sounds of Henry's tears stopped, but they still ran down his little cheeks. Bellatrix transfigured the bed into a crib and placed Henry in it. "Go to sleep, Henry," she said. "Mummy will be back soon."
On the dresser in Bellatrix's room there was a black marble Pensieve. She pointed her wand at her temple and drew the memory of Henry's death and switching him with Harry out of her mind and into the marble dish. It swirled in there, amongst other things she did not wish to remember.
"Have a good sleep, Henry," she said, fastening her cloak again. Henry looked up at her and was still staring at her with huge black orbs when she left the room.
Bellatrix hurried down to the Dark Lord's private chambers. Lucius and Rabastan were outside the door to the receiving chamber, talking in low voices.
"What is it?" asked Bellatrix, when she joined them. "Where is the Dark Lord?"
Rabastan looked up at Bellatrix. "He has not returned yet."
Lucius drew his wand and summoned three chairs. "Shall we sit and wait for him?"
The three Death Eaters nodded and sat down on the chairs. After an hour, in which Bellatrix slowly began to panic, the Dark Lord finally arrived. He looked furious.
"My lord!" said Bellatrix, rushing to him. He threw up a shield and Bellatrix hit an invisible wall. Bellatrix stumbled backwards and Rabastan caught her. He set her on her feet and looked to the Dark Lord.
"What happened, my lord?" asked Rabastan calmly.
Voldemort shook his head. "Go," said Voldemort. "When I am ready for you, the Dark Mark will burn." He stood in front of the door and immediately it slithered open for him. He entered the room and the door was just about to close when he said, "Harry Potter is dead, Bellatrix?"
Bellatrix nodded.
Voldemort nodded and waved his arm and the door shut with a snap.
James opened his eyes to a bright white light. He thought he was dead, but then a shadow crossed the light and a woman's voice spoke.
"Are you awake, Mr Potter?" asked the voice.
"Y-yes," said James hoarsely. "W-where am I?"
"St Mungo's, sir," said the Healer.
St Mungo's? What was he doing here? James tried to sit up and the owner of the voice helped him sit up.
He could barely see, as his glasses had been taken off. "W-what happened?" asked James.
The Healer didn't reply. "Here are your glasses, Mr Potter. If you need anything, just press the purple button behind you." James shoved his glasses onto his face. He saw Lily sitting in the chair across from his bed, looking at the floor with an expressionless face, a newspaper on her lap. Her hair was a mess, matted with mud and tangles. Her clothing looked odd – like something someone had just lent her from a lost-and-found bin.
Sirius and Remus were both standing against the wall. Sirius was looking out the window, his hair just as filthy as Lily's, but Remus was talking to the Healer, looking the calmest of all of them. "He should be able to go home tomorrow," she was saying.
Remus nodded. "Thank you," he murmured.
The Healer paused. "I-I'm sorry for your loss."
All of a sudden, the horror of Hallowe'en returned to James. He choked on a sob, making Sirius look at him with dead eyes.
Remus glanced at James, but then nodded again at the Healer. His eyes filled with tears. "Thank you," he said again. The Healer smiled sadly and then left the room.
Once she was gone, Remus looked at James. "How are you, Prongs?" he asked softly.
James laughed dryly. "How am I supposed to be, Moony?" he asked. He swung his legs out of the bed and went over to Lily. "Lily?" he asked softly.
She didn't react, just continued to stare at the floor. James looked at the newspaper in her lap. He eased it away from her and thought he was going to be sick.
A HALLOWE'EN HORROR: MURDER IN GODRIC'S HOLLOW
Underneath the caption was a picture of their cottage in Godric's Hollow – Aurors swarming the area, Sirius sitting on the steps beside an Auror that James recognized but couldn't name, Lily being helped up from the ground by a few Aurors and the Dark Mark hovering above it all.
"Don't read it," said Lily suddenly. She raised her eyes up from the floor. The beautiful emerald was dull and lifeless. "Don't read it, James."
James looked at her and threw the paper down. He didn't want to read it – he'd lived it. He collapsed into the chair next to Lily.
"H-how did they find out where we were?" asked James, after sitting in silence for a long time.
"Wormtail," said Sirius, his eyes flashing with hatred and betrayal. "I was walking up to the house, to check on Harry and him, when I saw that bastard talking with the Death Eaters! He betrayed us." Sirius stopped talking and stifled a sob. He shook his head and continued, "I shouldn't have talked you into making him Secret Keeper. I should –"
"It isn't your fault, Sirius," said Lily. "Don't blame yourself." She looked over at James. "When I find that rat –" Lily spat the word with such venom that James flinched – "I'm going to hurt him so bad that he will regret ever being born." She hiccupped, and dissolved into tears again. James wrapped his arms around her.
While Lily sobbed into his shoulder, James asked, "What have they done with – with –"
"He's downstairs," said Remus. "They won't do anything with him until you give the okay."
James nodded slowly. Suddenly, he remembered the 'Order meeting' that had so obviously been a trick. He stood up, so unexpectedly that Lily almost fell right over.
"Where's Dumbledore?" James demanded.
Remus and Sirius shook their heads sadly. "We've not seen him," said Remus, sitting down in James' vacated chair. Lily immediately started to sob on his shoulder, thinking he was James.
Just then, the door to the hospital room swung open, revealing Albus Dumbledore. He looked just as majestic at that moment as he always had.
He strode into the room, shutting the door quickly behind him.
"Dumbledore," said James, sounding relieved. Then he turned furious. "You called that Order meeting –"
"No, James, I did not," said Dumbledore, looking sad. "Lord Voldemort fabricated that, making sure that your Secret Keeper and the Longbottoms' Secret Keeper would tell you, ensuring that you four attended the meeting."
James gasped. "Frank and Alice! Did – did Voldemort get N-Neville –?"
"No," said Dumbledore, smiling sadly. "Voldemort planned to kill both Harry and Neville on the same night, ensuring that the prophecy would not come true –"
"How do you know this?" asked James, accusingly.
Dumbledore looked tired all of a sudden. "Just as Voldemort has spies amongst us, we have spies among him. He told me this. Except, Voldemort's plan didn't work quite as well as he wished it too."
James, Remus and Sirius all looked at each other. "What do you mean?" Remus asked.
"Voldemort did not know a very important thing about the Longbottoms' Secret Keeper. Diana Robbins is a highly trained witch, one amongst very few who are able to escape the effects of the Imperious Curse. Voldemort had her under it and tried to make her reveal the hiding place of Frank, Alice and Neville. She did reveal a hiding place – her own house. She was killed tonight, along with her husband, Marcus."
Lily, who was still sobbing, but listening as well, gasped and looked up at Dumbledore. "She's dead? But – oh, but Diana!"
Dumbledore nodded sadly. "Diana and Marcus Robbins sacrificed themselves so that there is a chance that the Dark Lord will be defeated."
Lily stood up, brushing her tears away. "So, they're all safe? Alice, Frank and Neville?"
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes. Perfectly well – though they do wish to see you, Lily. And you too, James."
James nodded dumbly. "Later – later, Dumbledore."
He bowed his head. "Of course. If there is anything I can do, please do not hesitate to call." He smiled sadly at the Potters, Remus and Sirius and then left.
The moment he was gone, Lily turned to James. "Oh, James," she said, before starting to cry again.
James wrapped his arms around her. He knew exactly what she was thinking – why did Wormtail do this to them?
A/N: Please review! Next chapter should be up soon!
Another note: (This one was originally at the beginning, but it's better down here) - Bellatrix was never truly sane and she has completely gone round the bend with the death of Henry and when she has switched Harry with Henry, Harry is now Henry Lestrange to her and that's how I refer to him when it's from her perspective.
Please review!
