A/N:This is my take on the night of Oct. 31, 1981
Disclaimer: All characters, etc. owned by J.K. Rowling. She owns it, The Precious…
"Speech"
Thought
~ Oct. 31, 1981 ~
"Oh, James hurry up, will you? We still have to drop off the kids at the Tonks' house " Lily said, glancing at her watch.
From the top of the stairs, came James' reply, "Okay, okay…I'm just about done. You know, I'm glad Andi and Ted, are going to be able to watch the kids."
"It has been a while since we had a date, love." Lily said, smiling at her husband. "Besides, Dora's quite taken with little Harry."
"Yeah, the tyke keeps following Dora around saying, 'Changes facey, puh-weese?' It's so disgusting!" James said, laughing as Lily smacked his arm.
James and Lily were laughing when suddenly, the wards around the house collapse. James walked over and looks out of a window. His smile froze and faded. "Oh, Merlin," He muttered to himself softly.
"Lily! DEATH EATERS!" screamed James, suddenly snapping into action. "Go upstairs, get the kids and GO! I'll try and hold them off, now get going!"
"WHAT?! I'm not letting you face them alone!" insisted Lily.
"Just GO!"
Lily, with tears in her eyes, ran up the stairs to try and get to her children. Meanwhile, the sounds of a furious spell fight could be heard down below. Suddenly, Lily heard the sound of a male voice screaming and it wrenched at her heart. James; Oh God, please…no thinks Lily as she reaches her children's cribs. She manages to hide Hermione's crib just as the door the nursery bursts open.
Voldemort laughs cruelly, while pointing his wand. "For just how long did you think you could hide?! Stand aside, you pathetic woman…I said STAND ASIDE!"
"NOO…PLEASE, NOT MY BABIES, NOT MY HARRY! NOT MY HERMIONE!" She begged. These were the last words of Lily Potter before her world disappeared in a blinding flash of green light.
Minerva McGonagall, deputy headmistress of Hogwarts, had never been so scared in her entire life. The moment she apparated into Godric's Hollow, she just KNEW something terrible had occurred. What in Merlin's name happened here?! Minerva walked slowly up to the devastated house with her wand drawn. She opened the door and stared in horror at James' body. MERLIN! THE CHILDREN! She raced up the stairs and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Lily's body. No! Crying, Minerva placed a blanket over Lily's body and was startled by the sound of…a baby's cry? Could it be?!
Minerva ran to the nursery and dropped to her knees, in relief. There, in their cribs, were the Potter children, miraculously still ALIVE. Minerva went to check on Harry and noticed an odd shaped scar on his forehead. Hmmm, I'll have to ask Albus about that. Minerva turned and looked at Hermione. Making a decision, Minerva picked up the baby and looked at Harry. I promise I'll be back, she thought.
Minerva quickly found a spot and apparated to her cousin Rose Granger's house in Crawley. Knocking on the door, Minerva hoped that someone would be home. As the door opened, "Minerva, is that you? What are you – is that a baby?"
"Yes, the poor dear's parents were just killed –"
"WHAT!" exclaimed Rose, shock evident in her eyes.
"I was about to ask if you can watch the baby for me?"
"Of course, I can…does this have anything to do with your – ?"
"It does. Oh, her name's Hermione. I promise I'll explain what I can when I come back," Minerva said hurriedly.
Holding the baby in her arms, Rose looked at her cousin and said "You go ahead, she'll be perfectly fine here. Hermione, what a lovely name. Shakespeare? One of her parents must be an avid book reader."
Minerva quickly apparated back to Godric's Hollow. Upon arriving, She spotted Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts and current leader of the light.
"Albus, thank Merlin! I found little Hermione unharmed and took her to my cousin Rose's house. I'm certain she'll be safe there."
"The Grangers, you say? Obliviate," Albus said softly. "I am very sorry, my child," He crooned at Harry, who had begun to cry once more. "There are things that I cannot tell you, I can only pray that you will forgive me in time…such a terrible tragedy…" He abruptly turned back to Minerva. "The loss of the Potters and their daughter… such a loss"
Blinking and shaking her head, Minerva said "Yes, it is. I just can't believe it…"
"Will you go check on the Dursleys, Minerva? Harry needs to be safe…"
"The DURSLEYS! Albus, they HATE magic! Surely –" Minerva said with shock.
"They are his only relatives left, yes?" said Albus, rubbing his forehead with his palm, "Then he will be safe there, Lily's sacrifice will provide protection for him and his new family. Now, go on ahead and I'll follow you shortly," replied Albus.
"I swear to you; Albus, if ANYTHING happens to that boy…" said Minerva, with unrestrained anger. With a pop, the Headmaster of Hogwarts disappeared, leaving a furious animagus in his wake.
Albus had apparated to Crawley and knocked on the Granger's door. While he waited, Albus wondered if he was doing the right thing.
"Can I help you?" Rose asked as she opened the door.
"Yes, I'm a friend of Minerva's and I'm here to check on the little one. Is it alright if I speak to your husband and see the child?"
"Hugo! Can you bring the baby down? See? She's perfectly fine. What –"
"Obliviate…I am so glad that you were able to adopt this child. She needs a loving home. Hello little Hermione. I'm glad to see you safe," Albus said, quietly. Away from all the danger that is sure to follow if you remained with your brother… he finished in his head.
"Of course, we've always wanted a family." Rose said with a fond grin.
"Thank you for your time and have a pleasant evening," Albus said as he left.
"What a strange man…" Rose said to herself as she carried the sleeping Hermione back into the house.
Albus soon found his way to Number 4, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey and waited for Hagrid to bring little Harry to the Dursleys, so that Harry may fulfill his destiny… I am terribly sorry for what is to come, my boy, thought Albus tearfully, but certain things must come to pass if there is to be a future free from the Dark Lord.