Chapter 6: Tragedy

"Wormtail, I presume that the Potters are living a quite blissful life now, aren't they?" An icy voice rang out in the dungeon, amidst the thick darkness. In the background, drips of water clattered onto the hollow ground.

"Y-y-yes, m-my Lord" he stuttered.

"And I presume that I have told you all about the prophesy, haven't I?"

"Y-y-yes. It was p-prophesized that Harry P-potter would b-bring about y-your d-down – "

"That's enough, Wormtail," the voice snapped sharply, and became dangerously soft. "Then why didn't you even try to get rid of the child? Just a little push would do the job, wouldn't it?"

There was a moment of silence, while thousands of thoughts ran through Wormtail's mind.

I couldn't bring myself to do it. Grandma says that having a clear conscience is the highest integrity and honour anybody could have. When I tried to be brave and get rid of the child, I just simply can't. I can't be a true Gryffindor. I can't. I did try, I just can't

Wormtail remained wordless.

"Thinking of whether to say the truth or not, Wormtail? Tsk tsk, you must understand that since you have failed such a simple task, I cannot provide you with funds for your grandmother's hospital fees at St Mungo's anymore. You have disappointed me terribly, Wormtail"

A look of terror flitted over Wormtail's face.

The dark lord raised his gleaming wand, which sparkled like a highly-polished sword.

Wormtail dropped onto his knees and braced himself for the oncoming blow

In no time, his screams echoed around the dungeon.

Above it all, a high-pitched cackle rang out mercilessly.

~

Sirius and Remus walked out of Godric's Hollow, chattering excitedly. Sirius made it a point to turn back and wave at Harry, who gurgled happily and waved a chubby arm.

"He looks terribly like James, doesn't he?"

"Of course!" Sirius grinned.

Remus suddenly remembered something.

"Sirius, I think I left a book at your house the other day. I'll come with you to get it now."

"Okay."

There was a moment of silence as both of them went deep in thought, one thinking of Harry, one thinking of the Potters' future.

A question popped up in Remus' mind. "How's your mum?"

"Oh." Sirius' face fell. "She's better now, thanks for your concern. At least she doesn't have that many headaches every day, compared to the previous years before treatment. But the St Mungo report is not out yet, and they still haven't found out what problem it is, and I'm worried. She hated staying in the hospital, so I brought her home to a more familiar and comfortable environment."

Remus nodded his head in sympathy.

The rest of the walk back to Sirius' house was a silent one.

~

"Run for your lives! Quick!"

Wizards were running everywhere. There were chaos on the streets, people brushing past Sirius and Remus hastily. Babies screeched in fright. A burning smell and a layer of greenish smoke filled the air. Remus looked bewilderedly at Sirius, who looked equally confused. Both of them looked around for signs of fire, but their instincts told them that it was something far worse. Their eyes met with an unpleasant something – a something that was glowing green, sparkling sickly in the sky.

Sirius gasped and pointed at the building below the enormous skull with a serpent slithering halfway through its mouth. It was his apartment building.

He stumbled backward, and looked almost ready to collapse. Instead, he ran, half-staggering, to the building, rushing up the stairs with Remus chasing after him.

It was already too late.

Too late.

His apartment door was opened.

And his mother, still dressed in her nightgown, was lying on the floor expressionless. Her eyes were wide open, but her body was lifeless, cold and hard as marble.

Sirius dropped onto his knees and buried his head in his arms. He sobbed uncontrollably, shivering and clenching his fists. His only relative was gone.

He had lost his father at a very young age, and his mother was very close to him. He had no siblings, and she was his only confidant and companion who really understood and knew him best. The pain of losing her was too much to bear

Behind him, Remus rushed in, but stopped short at the door, too shocked to move. His gray eyes filled with tears as he witnessed the tragedy.

But the feeling worsens, when one knows that more tragedies were about to come

While the two of them were mourning, a rat crouched at one corner, snickering and smirking non-stop, glad that the first stage of its plan for revenge was successfully completed. He glanced at the pitiful man in front of him, smiled, and scuttled clumsily away.

~