Chapter Four
Trick or Treat
Three carved pumpkins sat on the Potter's front porch. All was calm and still outside for now. For the three people who were inside the warm safe house, had no idea of the terrible events that would soon take place. A cool breeze rustled the bushes and trees. Only the full moon shined high in the sky illuminating the entire neighborhood.
The sound of dead crunching leaves pierced the night as a dark shadowy figure walked up the dirt path. Following right on the first man's heels was a shorter rounded man who had the spitting image of a rat. He squeaked and made cries to his companion. For the first several minutes, the man named Lord Voldemort ignored the pleas. However they were getting closer to their destination and if too much noise was made it could ruin everything.
"Worntail…hush! I did not invite you along for you to get us caught." Voldemort had stopped dead in his tracks, causing Wormtail to crash into his master's back.
"My lord perhaps another time or not at all." Peter Petegrew had turned to the dark side less than a month ago. He betrayed two of his friends and tricked the third into allowing him to be the Potter's new secret keeper. A job that took bravery and trust, two factors Peter had always lacked.
"Do I sense a twinge of regret Wormtail?" Voldemort's eyes were filling with anger as he x-rayed his new follower.
"Regret? No sir. I am working for you now…for life." There was no confidence in his voice what so ever.
"I do not need another friend, Wormtail! Voldemort began. It was you who tracked me down. You said you had interesting news. There is no going back!" Voldemort started to walk again.
"I understand my lord. It's just tonight of all nights. It is Halloween."
"What is your point?" Voldemort was becoming annoyed.
"Well, uh…" Wormtail struggled to find his words.
"Silence! Voldemort hissed. The time has come. This is the place, is it not?" The two men had arrived at a small starter home in Godric's Hallow. A light shined through the window indicating that Lily and James were indeed home.
"What do you want me to do sir?" Wormtail asked in a shaky voice.
"I have a very simple job for you, Wormtail. One that not even you can mess up on. You are to stay put right here. When I am finished I will come back for you." Voldemort's right hand rested on Wormtail's shoulder. His eyes staring directly into his.
"Yes my lord." Wormtail gave a low bow.
"Very well." Voldemort put the hood of his cloak up and walked up onto the squeaky porch. His wand slid comfortably into his hand as he tapped the door knob. The door blew open just enough for him to slip inside. He could hear a muffled sound coming from the kitchen.
James sat at a kitchen chair hunched over a small old fashioned radio. He twisted and turned the knobs trying to get the station to come in. Lily would be furious if she knew what he was up to. Tonight was supposed to be a night filled of romance. She no doubt was waiting for him upstairs situated under the covers completely naked. However, James wanted to see if he could get the scores of the latest quidditch game. England versus Scotland. His luck was running out. The more he turned the knobs, the fuzzier the station got. After the fifth try he decided his luck would be better upstairs with his wife. The radio turned off and James had just stood up when a voice rang out.
"Hello Potter!" Voldemort stood only six feet from James. His eyes were dark and focused.
"It's you!" James was frozen to the hard wood floor. His worst nightmare was coming true. If only there was more time to prepare.
"I will make this simple for you Mr. Potter. Hand over your son and you will be left unharmed."
Not a chance!" James pulled his wand out from inside his jean pocket. What chance would he have against the most powerful wizard to date?
"Put your wand away son. You don't want to fight me." Voldemort and James continued to have a staring contest with one another.
At The same time both men pointed their wands at the other. Voldemort shouted, "Expelliarmus!" But James had ducked just in time.
James flicked his wand causing a glass plate to swing across the kitchen hitting Voldemort's head before crashing to the ground. This gave him a split second to run past Voldemort and headed for the staircase. "LILY! IT"S HIM HE'S HERE. TAKE HARRY AND RUN!" James had only made it up three steps when Voldemort swooped down upon him.
"I warned you Potter! Avada Kedavra!" With a flash of green light James became immobile. He rolled down the steps and lay perfectly still.
Lily heard the commotion downstairs and sensed that something was not right. James's voice replayed over and over in her head as she ran down the hall into Harry's room. The one year old sat up in his crib looking around. Why were people shouting? When he saw his mother enter the room and turn on the bedroom light he stood up grasping the sides of the crib. He reached two little arms out towards his mother wanting to be held.
"Ah yes, come here Harry. For her son's sake, she tried to keep her voice calm and sweet. It's okay; we're just going for a walk outside."
Harry leaned his head against his mother's chest. He was half asleep and wanted nothing more than to curl back up with his warm blanket. His thumb went automatically into his mouth as he began to suck. Once Harry was situated in her arms Lily turned around quickly, ready to run for her life. She came face to face with Lord Voldemort himself.
"I won't let you take him!" Her teeth were clenched and tears fell from the corners of her eyes.
"Your husband ignored my request and for that he lies dead. Give him over now or you will meet the same fate." Voldemort gripped his wand tightly.
Lily saw no way out of this. All she could do was protect and stay with her son as long as possible. She held Harry close to her letting his cheek rub up against hers. Her tears ran down her cheek falling on Harry with a plop. "I am standing my ground. No matter what!"
"You won't be standing for long! Voldemort whipped his wand through the air. AVADA KEDAVRA!" Another burst of green light followed by Lily's piercing screams. In what felt like slow motion, Lily fell to the ground. Harry fell with a thump right beside his dead mother.
Harry began to cry uncontrollably. His own tears streaming down both cheeks. As the little boy started to crawl towards a dark corner of the room, Voldemort wasted no more time. Once again he positioned his wand just before shouting avada kedavra for the third time. Only this time when the green light flew out of his wand it did not go through the young boy. Harry turned his head to look up at the wizard just in time to see the green light bounce off his own body and hit Voldemort right in the chest. The Dark Lord let out a loud growl right before he vanished into thin air, leaving Harry all alone.
Outside the atmosphere was just as tense. Wormtail anxiously passed back and forth biting his nails. The urge to run away and tell Remus and Sirius what he had done was becoming stronger. He looked up at the second story window to see if Voldemort was up there yet. Of course it was too dark for him to tell.
As Wormtail continued to look up at the window, a bright light glimmered between the trees. It seemed to get brighter and brighter coming straight for the spot where Wormtail stood. His exact orders were to stay put and that was what he was going to do. However, as he peered up into the night sky a dreadful thought came to him.
"A flying motor bike?" Wormtail spoke out loud. It was true. As the massive object came closer to the ground, there was no doubt on what it was. Sirius Black sat high above the trees riding his shiny black motor bike. His long black hair blew behind him as the wind whipped him in the face.
Wormtail squealed in complete horror. "Sirius…Sirius Black!" His options were stay put and get questioned by Sirius. Or leave now before he is spotted. As tires scraped against the dirt path, Wormtail jumped behind a near by tree and was in the process of apparating just as Sirius climbed off the bike.
Sirius took in the fresh air with deep cleansing breaths. How many times he had made the journey to this house? Only tonight was not for pleasure. His heavy brown eyes glanced up at the wood door. Going inside would not be a wise decision. As he fought back the urge to beat up his own motor bike a noise from behind brought reality back.
"Ello, Sirius." It was Rubious Hagrid the massive half giant who was the game keeper at Hogwarts. His beady eyes were puffy and red.
"Hagrid, is it true?" Sirius approached the man slowly.
"Yep. I'm afraid so. Dumbledore sent me over to get H…arry." Hagrid lost control of his tears. They poured out of both eyes like two buckets of water.
Sirius merely nodded. There were no words to say to make the situation better.
Hagrid put one of his trash lid sized hands on Sirius's shoulder. "Sorry about your friends. They were good people."
"Yes, the best. We had some good times together." Sirius put his head down.
"My orders were to wait until the other aurors get here and we'll go in together. Then I'm to take Harry to his Aunt and Uncle's house."
Sirius looked over at his motor bike. "Why don't you take my bike?"
"Oh no, that's alright." Hagrid said sweetly.
"Take it! I won't be needing in anymore." Sirius dabbed at both of his eyes.
"Alright then, if you are sure."
"Well, I should go. Have a safe journey. With Harry." Sirius could barely get the words out. It was too hard. Sirius walked down the smooth path, keeping his head down and not looking back. Hagrid watched until the shadows swallowed Sirius up.
Hagrid only stood there by himself for five minutes. Several loud popping noises issued all around the half giant. There was about six aurors standing side by side. One man who stood out was Alester Moody. His untidy stringy hair covered most of his face.
"Evening Hagrid." He growled.
"Ello." Hagrid responded in a whisper.
As group talked in hush voices to one another, Severus Snape left his post from behind a near by bush. He had been hiding out for what felt like hours. He had seen Wormtail scurry away with the sight of Sirius. He witnessed Hagrid's arrival. Snape needed to see for himself. There had been rumors all week. While the auror's backs were turned, Snape crept into the house. The first thing that met his eyes was James Potter at the bottom of the steps. There was not a scratch on him, but Snape knew he was dead. It couldn't be true? The rumors and stories. Severus walked slowly up each step, his heart pumping. A quick glance in the master bedroom told him no one was in there. All was dark and calm. The next room was the nursery. He peeked only one eye in at first. Harry still sat on the floor next to his mother. He wondered what kind of game she was playing. She hadn't budged at all.
Severus's mouth dropped. "No! It can't be. He knelt down between Harry and Lily. Harry tried to get Snape's attention but it was useless. Severus lifted Lily's head laying it gently on his lap. He brushed strands of hair away from her eyes. Those gorgeous green eyes were no longer glowing but dead and filled with despair.
"My love. Severus whispered in her ear. Don't leave me. I'm sorry. I am so sorry. I didn't know. Please…come back to me!" He fought back the tears that wanted to burst from his eyes. Harry sensed the sadness on Snape's face. He stood confidently on his two feet and walked closer over to the strange man that looked so familiar. Harry put his two hands on Snape's shoulder. Severus turned his head to look at Harry who was trying to comfort him in the only way he knew how. Severus said nothing to Harry but he did not try to stop him neither. His focus went back to Lily.
A figure traced the outline of the necklace around her cold neck. The charm that dangled from a silver chain was an angel. Her wings spread out wide, preparing to fly down to earth. Severus wondered if that angel was here right this minute, carrying Lily's soul up above the tree tops and clouds. If only he could see her, perhaps with a little persuasion, Lily could stay on earth with him.
Noises filled the downstairs. The aurors would be searching the house. They would find James first. Snape had limited time to get out. Severus unclasped the necklace from around Lily's neck and placed it deep inside his pocket. Why shouldn't he keep it? He then let Lily's head lay back on the carpet as he stood up. The thought of leaving terrified him but staying would only make things worse. The spells around the house were broken now. Apparition would be possible. He concentrated with all his might on his new destination. Another loud pop and Severus Snape vanished right in front of Harry, leaving him alone once more but not for long.