Chapter 2

Lily slowly became aware of her surroundings.

She could feel powdery earth underneath her fingers. With a supreme effort, she sat up and looked around.

Stunted grass grew out of cracked blackened earth. Skeletal trees with blood red leaves stretched towards the sky. In the distance, she could hear a screeching sound. She stood and began to walk. It seemed as though she walked forever, but never seemed to go anywhere. The scenery around her never changed. Looking up into the sky, she saw no sun, no birds, no clouds, just an endless expanse of blackness.

Something rustled in the earth behind her. It sounded like a snake slithering through dry leaves. Spinning around, Lily reached for her wand only to realize it wasn't there. A figure formed out of the darkness in front of her. She smiled at Lily, revealing teeth like those of a wolf, straight and sharp, designed to tear meat from bone.

"Lily," a rasping voice hissed. "It has been too long since I beheld another in this place of death and despair."

"Who are you?" Lily demanded. "What do you want with me?"

The woman, for the shape underneath the long black robe it wore had definite feminine curves, smiled again. "Can't you guess who I am? I am the one that gave your son life. I am his Mother. I am the one who gave your husband what he asked for."

"Morrigan," Lily whispered.

"Give the lady a gold star," Morrigan hissed.

"Why am I here?"

Morrigan tsked. "Can you not guess? You are here because I want you to be here. This is the easiest way for me to return to the mortal world. Unfortunately for you, your body is ill equipped to hold two souls for an extended period of time. It barely managed to contain the two of us for this past year."

Lily took a step back. "Stay away from me," she said shakily.

"Sorry, but I can't," Morrigan said. "In order for me to take up residents in our body, your soul's connection to it must be severed."

"No," Lily said firmly. "I will not let you have my body, my husband, or my son."

"Your son?" Morrigan hissed. "He is mine, of my blood. You were merely the incubator for my boy."

"And yet without me you wouldn't have a son. It took both of us to arrange this child's birth. He grew in my womb for a year. This makes him just as much my son as it does yours. Hell," she said gesturing to Morrigan's black hair. "He even has my hair."

Morrigan tilted her head, like a snake eyeing a bird. "This is true," she said thoughtfully. "The boy has the hair and eyes of my Mother Danu. Oh, the power he will have."

"Let me out of here," Lily demanded.

"No, if anything, your statement proves that I should be the one to raise the boy. He will have power you can't even conceive of. Tell me little girl, what will you do when he starts talking to people you can't see? What will you do when the shadows bend around him, responding to his merest thought?"

"I will love my son no matter what. Are you capable of doing that? You have a reputation as a goddess of death and slaughter. I will not allow my son to go down your path. Those who live by the sword die by the sword as you well know."

The Morrigan was silent for a few moments. "He is mine," she said firmly. "He is flesh of my flesh and blood of my blood. I will not allow him to be used like a weapon in some war he did not agree to fight in."

"I have no intention of letting him anywhere near Voldemort," Lily said sharply. She glared at the other woman. How could she even think Lily would allow her son to face that monster?"

"You are Dumbledore's dog. You reverence that man like a god, obeying his every word like it comes from above. What if he told you that our son was the one destined to face Voldemort? He believes that you know? A few months ago, he received a prophecy stating that a child born at the end of July would be the one to defeat Voldemort. He believes the Child of Prophecy is one of two boys. Our son is one of those children."

Lily's eyes blazed. "No," she hissed sounding so like the Morrigan that the woman took a step back. "I will not allow this."

The Morrigan studied her silently. "You do have spirit, I'll give you that, but will you stand up to Dumbledore's manipulations I wonder? It is worth finding out I think. Go, return to our child, but no this, I shall be watching."

**HPSM**

Lily sat bolt upright in the bed and saw James leaning over her.

"Lily," he said clearly relieved. "I thought I'd lost you."

"How long was I out?" Lily asked.

"Only a few seconds. The healers haven't had time to get here."

At those words, a Healer came bursting in. "What's wrong," she panted. "What happened?"

Lily held up a hand. "False alarm," she said. "The new Father here panicked when I closed my eyes to rest."

The healer chuckled and walked over to Lily. "Lay back down please, I need to take a look at you."

"Where's my son?" Lily asked.

James handed her the baby boy and Lily cradled him in her arms. Looking into his face, she tried to figure out if he had any of the Morrigan's features. She saw nothing. His red hair and green eyes were hers. He had James's narrow nose and her mouth.

Was Morrigan lying? Did her son have any ties to the death crow? Cradling him close, she allowed him to begin nursing. She didn't care. Even if the hair and eyes were those of Danu, it didn't matter. He was hers."

"Everything looks fine," the healer said. "What would you like to name the child?"

"Hadrian Corvus Potter," Lily said immediately.

James turned to look at her. "Lily," he said carefully. "It's tradition for the child's middle name to be the Father's name."

"That's true," Lily said, "but I thought we should honor the one who helped bring him into this world."

James frowned. He didn't like to think of what he'd been forced to do to insure his line continued, but Lily had a point. If it hadn't been for the Morrigan, Hadrian wouldn't be here. "What if we name him Hadrian Corvus James Potter," James said. "That way we can still honor the one who helped us and honor the tradition of my family."

"A little long, but Dumbledore has three middle names, so why not?"

James smiled. "Thank you."

"Hadrian Corvus James Potter it is," the healer said. "DOB, July 31, 1980."

Waving her wand over the baby, the healer nodded in satisfaction. "He is perfectly healthy. Congratulations on your son, Mr. and Mrs. Potter."

Lily hugged the baby closer to her as the Healer left the room. "You will not fight in this war if I can help it," she said softly, kissing his forehead.

"Lily," James said worriedly.

Lily waved her wand, casting a silenceing ward over the room. "We need to talk," she said solemnly.

Lily explained everything the Morrigan had told her. When she was finished, James shook his head.

"I can't believe Dumbledore would do anything like that," he said. "Hell, he hates violence."

"No," Lily disagreed. "He hates getting his hands dirty. He sits in his office and plays chess with people's lives. He tells the order to use nonviolent means of combatting the Death Eaters. Those orders have resulted in nothing but death and escaped prisoners. If he thought he could end the war in one strike, can you honestly say he wouldn't do it?"

James was already shaking his head. "We can't understand the pressure he's under. He just doesn't want to see his people sink to the same level as the Death Eaters."

"Self-defense is not murder," Lily said. "There is a clear line there. Dumbledore can't or won't see that line."

"You're tired," James said. "Get some rest and we can talk about this later."

Lily looked down at Hadrian. Her son looked so peaceful in sleep. Looking back at James, her eyes were like two chips of green ice.

"I will not allow you or anyone else to place my son in danger."

Despite himself, James shivered. Those eyes promised death to anyone who harmed Hadrian. He started to take the baby from Lily, but she shook her head. "I've got him for now. Why don't you go get us something to eat?"

James nodded and quickly left the room. He could feel Lily's eyes boring into his back until the door closed.

**HPSM**

The forest stood bleak and lonely. The trees that grew in this part of the woods were stunted, as if some terrible sickness had seeped into the soil. Instead of fresh green grass, dark brown weeds grew from the dry powdery earth. A lone mound stood in the center of these woods.

Slowly, the earth shifted. A figure clawed its way out of the earth, its blue eyes glowing like burning sapphires in the darkness of the forest.

The Morrigan brushed herself off, swaying drunkenly. It had taken far more out of her to bring life back to her old body, but with a blood connection to this world, it had been possible.

She smiled to herself. If Lily honestly thought she would give up on her son so easily she was mistaken. It would take time for her to regain her strength, but living for centuries taught one patients, if nothing else.

A figure with red eyes slipped out of the shadows. Inch long fangs gleamed in the moonlight.

"Ah," the vampire hissed. "Lunch."

The Morrigan smiled back. "Yes," she said sweetly. "For me." Before the vampire could react, Morrigan had clamped her mouth over his. She inhaled sharply and the vampire convulsed.

All the color was bleached out of his pale skin as the Morrigan absorbed the dark magic that animated him. She released him, watching as he crumbled to dust.

Morrigan felt the new energy surging through her. This would speed her recovery considerably. The undead fed on the living. It would be poetic for her to feed on them to restore her strength.

**HPSM**

Several months passed. Lily watched her son closely. She saw nothing out of the ordinary. By all accounts, he was a normal child. He ate, slept, and pooped like every other baby. Occasionally she believed his eyes turned blue, but she could never be sure.

Her relationship with James had become strained. Even after their talk, James still trusted Dumbledore implicitly. He still went on missions for the order, and reported to Dumbledore about those missions. He'd tried to talk to her about going back to work for the order, but she refused.

"I am working for the ministry as it is," she'd told him. "I will not work for someone that refuses to care about those under his command."

James had no response to that. She knew that he was beginning to see what was happening. As Voldemort's followers had free reign, Dumbledore refused to allow the order members to kill even in self-defense. Things could not go on like this. Things had to come to a head and they did exactly six months after Harry's birth."

**HPSM**

Lily had just finished putting Harry down for a nap and entered the kitchen to see Dumbledore sitting at their table, a grave expression upon his face.

"Headmaster," Lily said stiffly.

"Lily," Dumbledore answered.

"Something has happened," James began slowly.

"Really?" Lily said sitting down. "What might that be?"

"I just went to a meeting for a perspective divination professor," Dumbledore began.

Lily snorted. "I happen to agree with McGonagall," she said. "That subject should not be taught at Hogwarts. Either you have the sight or you do not. It is not fair to have a class that very few will be able to excel in."

"Nevertheless, I will be hiring this woman, if for no other reason than she will need protection from Voldemort and his followers."

"Why would she need protection?" Lily asked.

"She has given a prophecy concerning the defeat of Voldemort. Unfortunately, one of his followers heard part of the prophecy and has no doubt reported it to their master."

"I see," Lily said. "What does this have to do with us?"

"By the terms mentioned in the prophecy, your son is one of the only two the prophecy could apply to. He was born at the end of the seventh month which was twice mentioned in the prophecy."

Lily stiffened. "And who was the other couple?"

"I don't believe that…" Dumbledore began.

"We don't have time for your games," Lily hissed. "Who was the other couple?"

Dumbledore sighed dramatically giving Lily a disappointed look. "The Longbottoms," he said quietly.

"Right," Lily said standing. "Wait here." Turning, she left the room.

Dumbledore glanced at James. "What is she doing?"

James shrugged. "No clue."

The question was answered a few moments later when Lily returned followed by Frank and Alice Longbottom."

Frank entered the kitchen first, his grey eyes sweeping around the room. He nodded to James and Dumbledore before sitting down.

Alice entered next and smiled at James and Dumbledore. "Hello," she said to the two men. "What is this about? Lily said it was urgent."

Dumbledore gave Lily a reproachful look. "Was this really necessary?"

"They have a right to know," Lily said icily. "Your habit of keeping secrets has gotten too many killed."

"Very well," Dumbledore said. "There was a prophecy given recently about a child born at the end of July. Hadrian and Neville are the only two children this prophecy could apply to. This prophecy states that this child born at the end of July will be the one to defeat Voldemort."

"Right!" Alice snapped. She turned to Lily. "I'm not staying here. I'm not putting my son in danger. I assume you and James will be leaving as well?"

"I can't speak for James, but I'm taking Harry and leaving the country. Harry will not be treated like some kind of weapon to be thrown at that madmen."

"Wait," Dumbledore said a panicked expression on his face. "You can't. If you take the two boys and leave, you could be dooming the world to Voldemort's rule."

"Based on what?" Alice snapped. "A prophecy from a woman who may or may not be a seer? How do we even know that this woman has any sight at all? You've told us a prophecy exists, but you refuse to tell us what this prophecy consists of."

"That information is on a need to know basis," Dumbledore said firmly. "Do you not understand what could happen if Voldemort were to learn of the rest of the prophecy?"

"So you think we would go tell him do you?" Frank said coldly. "Do you trust those that follow you so little?"

Dumbledore gave Lily a reproachful look. "Why can't you trust me? Can't you see that I just have only the best intentions for the Wizarding world?"

"But not for my family," Lily said. "I will not let Harry be some pawn in a war that he just had the misfortune to be born in the middle of."

"I see," Dumbledore said looking between Lily, Frank, and Alice. Quicker than anyone could register, his wand was out and a wide area stunning spell left the three unconscious. He turned to James. "I assume I can count on you?"

James gulped. He didn't like this version of Dumbledore, but with the tip of the old man's wand glowing red, he knew he had no other option but to agree. "Yes," he said at last.

"Good," Dumbledore said. "First we must modify their memories to erase all evidence of the prophecy. I am sorry dear boy, but the difficulty of this task now falls to you. You must not tell Lily of the prophecy or even allude to its existence. It is clear she has lost the courage to fight in this war."

James nodded reluctantly. "Yes Headmaster," he said quietly.

"We will need to hide you and Lily from Voldemort. Once he learns of the prophecy, Voldemort will come after the two boys to remove them as competition. I would suggest the Fidelius charm. He would not be able to find you once the charm is cast, but you must find someone that you would literally trust with your life. The charm is only effective as long as that person keeps your location a secret."

"Sirius," James said immediately, but Dumbledore shook his head.

"Too obvious," he said. "It has to be someone they wouldn't expect.

"Peter then, he would never betray us and Voldemort would never think to go after him."

"Excellent," Dumbledore said. "I trust you will contact him?"

James nodded. "I'll go see him tonight."

"Good, now let's get the unpleasant task out of the way."

**HPSM**

Lord Voldemort, once known as Tom Riddle, sat in the underground cavern that served him as both home and secret layer. His rooms were sparsely furnished holding only his throne, a bed, table and chairs, and a large fireplace.

"Interesting," Voldemort said, stroking his beaky nose with a long thin finger. "So the Longbottom and Potter families are the only families that have children born at the end of July?"

Severus Snape bowed. "Yes Milord."

"Go to Dumbledore and tell him that you wish to change sides. Do whatever you have to do to gain his trust. I must know where those families are located."

Snape nodded. "Yes Milord." With another bow, he turned and left the room.

Voldemort turned towards the fireplace and stared into the flames. After everything he'd done to achieve victory, a child would be the one to defeat him? Could there be anything more humiliating?

An old man with long white hair and piercing blue eyes entered the room. "You will fail if you continue down this path."

Voldemort turned to stare at the newcomer. "What would you know about it?"

"I know that chasing after something so vague and obscure as a prophecy is folly. You make the same mistake countless would-be dictators have made before you. You trust no one and jump at the slightest sign of opposition. You have lived alone and you will die alone, Tom Riddle."

"Silence!" Voldemort hissed.

"No this," the old man continued as if he hadn't heard him. "When you fail, I will not come to aid you." Without another word, he left the room.

Voldemort stared at the place where the old man had been for several seconds. The old fool was wrong. He would succeed. He would kill the two children and then his path to ruling the Wizarding world would be clear. Two more deaths and it would all be over.