Chapter 8: Avada Kedavra
"My lord I-I have n-news for y-you" the shadow trembled along with the voice.
"Really?" the Dark Lord seemed amused. "I never knew you were capable of news, Wormtail."
"The P-potters made me their S-secret-Keeper."
"Ah." The dark lord stood up interestedly. "So the Potters actually trusted you?"
"I-it was a l-last minute c-change."
"Very good, Wormtail. Very good. Now I can attack them while they think that they are hidden safely. Wonderful."
He turned to Wormtail, and handed him a bag full of coins, clinking loudly.
"Here is your reward. You have not failed me this time, Wormtail. Let's just hope that your conscience doesn't prick you, shall we? Here, take this and go pay for your grandmother's medical bills."
Wormtail gratefully took the bag of money and retreated into the dark shadows.
The dark lord's lips curved into a smile.
~
Peter Pettigrew rushed to the hospital. He dumped the bag of Galleons on the counter and spoke hastily.
"These are payment for ward 159."
Without waiting for a reply, he rushed off quickly to ward 159.
"Peter." An elderly woman greeted him. She smiled weakly at the sight of him.
"Grandma!" he went to her bedside and took her hand fondly. "Grandma, I finally got some money to pay for your medical fees!" he beamed.
"Really?" she smiled kindly at him and patted his hand gently.
"Yes!'
"Where did the money come from?" she asked curiously.
His face darkened. "I earned it."
The grandmother was anxious. "I hope you didn't do anything against your conscience just to raise the sum of money. Don't tell me you did?"
Peter tried to look nonchalant.
"Peter! Where did that sum of money come from?"
"I-I I" he stuttered.
She looked at him with eyes surprisingly piercing and bright for an old woman.
"I got it from the the d-dark l-lord"
"You what?" she spluttered and coughed. "You"
"Yes, I betrayed my friends. My master g-gave me the m-money as a form of r-reward for completing the t-task and remaining f-faithful to h-him" he sobbed pitifully.
"Peter" the voice was mournful. "I'm very disappointed in you! Haven't I taught you anything at all? You have to be honest and loyal! Even if it means being poor and penniless, you must never betray your friends! When will you ever listen?" Tears filled her eyes and she coughed nonstop.
Peter continued bawling. "I know I'm wrong, I didn't mean to do it, but I needed the money you're the only kin I have left, I can't lose you"
"Peter, you have already lost your friends. It doesn't matter if you have one less relative. Go now. Go and repent, even if it means sacrificing your life. Go. It is the only time you can show that you're a true Gryffindor."
"I I can't if I do, my master will torture me"
"Fine," she snapped. "Then get out of my sight. I don't have a grandson like you. Go."
"Grandma"
She turned away, her back facing him.
Peter left the room quietly but reluctantly.
~
"Lily, take Harry and go! It's Him! Go! Run! I'll hold him off – "
Lily gathered the crying baby in her arms and stumbled from the room. She was just about to open the door when it flung open. A cackle of high-pitched laughter rang out in the room.
Without warning, Voldemort waved his wand and a flash of blinding green light hit James. He slumped onto the floor.
"James!!!!!!!!!!!" Lily sobbed, running to his lifeless form on the ground, shaking him helplessly. "James!"
The baby's screams suddenly cleared her mind and reminded her to escape. She got up immediately but it was too late – Voldemort cornered her.
"Not Harry, not Harry, please not Harry!" she held Harry close to her and her tears spilled onto his pale cheeks. Harry struggled and wailed.
"Stand aside, you silly girl stand aside, now"
"Not Harry! Not Harry! Please – I'll do anything – "
"Stand aside – stand aside, girl!"
Lily held Harry tightly in her arms and refused to let go. She loved her child, the child that belonged to James and her she was painfully reminded of James who was lying on the floor motionless. More tears rolled down her cheeks. "Not Harry! Please have mercy have mercy"
"Avada Kedavra!"
The green light hit Lily, and she stumbled. "Harry m-mum loves you" she murmured, before dropping onto the floor.
Voldemort smiled triumphantly. Wand poised in the air, he muttered the same fatal spell and aimed his wand at the screeching baby on the floor.
The green light hit the baby's forehead and it stopped wailing.
Thinking that victory was finally achieved, Voldemort cackled and turned to go, but was hit by an unexpected force almost immediately.
"What the – "
His body began to fade he shrieked and writhed but within seconds, Voldemort was destroyed by Baby Harry who was barely 2 months old.
~