DAWN OF THE APOCALYPSE
May 16, 1981
On the broad store-lined streets of London, in the haze the morning fog, sat a large, rundown, red brick department store. Dirt covered the windows, making it almost impossible to see the mannequins abandoned in the display case, collecting dust and grime. A large sign hung over the window that read:
CLOSED FOR REFURBISHMENT
In the alley beside the building a cloaked figure appeared with a soft 'Pop!'
Emily Potter stayed in the shadows and waited a few moments, making sure the streets were empty, then pulled her hood lower over face and approached the display window.
"I'm here to see Edward Potter," she said to the mannequin behind the glass.
The dummy nodded slowly and beckoned her forward with its jointed finger.
Without hesitation Emily walked through the glass and into the reception hall of St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.
Healers in lime-green robes buzzed around her like busy bees as she approached reception desk. Subtly, she pulled out her wand out of her sleeve and waved it over the visitor's log to add her name to the list. The older witch behind the desk filling out paperwork nodded to Emily in greeting, then did a double take and said, "Oh, Miss Potter, good morning, what a pleasant surprise. Your father will be happy for your visit. He's been quite lonely recently. Is your brother and his family doing alright? We've missed them visiting. Their friends as well. Such a lively bunch."
"Good morning," Emily said stiffly, pulling her wand back and stepping around the desk. "I wouldn't know. I'm here on a business matter."
The receptionist's smile twitched and she called after her, "Please enter quietly; you father has been a little frail lately, the poor dear."
Emily didn't spare her another look and passed by a wall of portraits noteworthy healers and donors before making her way up the flight of stairs to the second floor. There was no hesitation in her steps as she walked to her father's room and opened the door. The light from the hallway flooded into the dimly lit room and trailed over the bed.
Edward looked up wearily and squinted at her, adjusting to the light, and said softly, "Who's there? James?"
Emily stepped into the room, closing the door behind her, her back stiff and voice controlled as she answered, "It's Emily, father."
His eyes darkened and he looked away, staring pointedly at the wall in front of him as she summoned a chair and took a seat at his bedside.
"Sorry to disappoint," she said softly, her eyes sweeping over him. He looked so small and frail. So different than when she last saw him. "I promise I won't be long. There are some things we have to discuss-"
"I have nothing to discuss with a Death Eater," he said, his voice sounding different as well, more gravelly, but with a familiar edge that sent her defenses flying up. She covered the feeling with a light laugh.
"Really? Are you still trying to convince yourself of that? You know the Ministry would never accept a Death Eater as an Auror."
"You can trick them, but you can't trick me," he growled, then coughed, his whole body shaking. "Go back to the Blacks and the other evil company you keep. They're the ones helping you in your deception. Your new family."
Emily's eyes frosted over. "I did not come here to indulge your silly fantasies. We have business to attend to. Gringotts has revoked my access to the family vault. The goblins told me to see you."
"Good, it's been done," he said triumphantly, "You're not leeching off my hard work any longer. I've made it official that my fortune all goes to James and his family."
Her face hardened, unable to stop the ache from appearing in her chest.
"Of course, I suspected as much," she said to herself, her tone brisk and uncaring. "I was hoping there was some misunderstanding. Mom promised me in her final letters this wouldn't happen. But I was right." She stood swiftly, banishing her chair with a wave of her wand. There was nothing left she needed from him. But then she felt a strong urge to add, "You must've been so relieved she died first so you could do this to me."
His eyes widened and a storm cloud of fury surrounded him, his chest rising and falling quickly, and he screamed, "You killed your mother with your lies and treachery! She wasn't strong enough to do what needed to be done with you, but I am! There are consequences for crossing the line, you ungrateful child. You deserve nothing from me! You're a spot on the Potter name!" Suddenly he wheezed, his body shaking harder.
When the shaking didn't stop and her father fell back onto his pillows, clutching his chest, Emily took an unconscious step forward.
"You shouldn't over exert yourself," she said, keeping her voice calm, "James said the potions aren't helping anymore."
"Stay away from him," he snarled, his chest still heaving, and glared up at her through half-lidded eyes. His voice was getting weaker the longer he spoke. "Tricking him too... You don't care about this family... you made that clear the day you left with him... nothing but a cold... selfish snake... make me sick."
Emily sighed and said, "I wish you knew just how wrong you are, but I know it's a waste of time trying to explain or change your mind. I'm just glad mom saw this coming before she died and took care of things for me."
His eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"
She smirked and said, "Did you think she would foolishly trust you to take care of me? She wasn't blind. The last thing she did before she died was leaving me everything in her name. I already have my key to the new vault she had set up."
Edward's breath hitched and she took a moment to revel in his shock, a little satisfied as he scrambled over her words. "You knew all along I'd do this...manipulated my wife... waiting to attack me with this... stealing from my son!"
Another convolution of coughs came over him, but this one was different than the last. His coughs didn't stop and he began painfully gasping for breath. He grabbed at his chest, wincing in pain.
Satisfaction melting, she took a step forward. Edward drew back from her in disgust.
"D-Don't…touch...me," he said, his eyes darting to his wand on his bedside table.
Emily froze, watching as he withered in front of her. Another convolution began and he groaned, his body curling up. She lifted her wand, intending to call a healer.
He weakly hit her hand away, like she was attacking him, and gasped, "Get... away...you…snake."
His body gave one last seize and his head slumped to the side, his breath stopping.
Emily stared at her father's crumpled, lifeless form. He didn't look peaceful or tranquil like her mother had when she slowly drifted off. Rather, he looked angry and gruff.
"Even in death you can't stand my presence," she said sadly, letting the briefest of real emotion break through her mask. Reaching down she placed her left hand on his cheek; warmth still being emitted from his body.
"Dad, I'm –"
Suddenly Edward sprang forward, his eyes open and wild as he grabbed Emily's arm, pulling her sleeve up. The Dark Mark stood out freakishly on her pale skin. She shrieked and flew back from him, holding her left forearm tightly.
"Death Eater," he breathed, hate lacing his words. Then his eyes glazed over and he slumped back against the pillows.
Emily stared down at his body, panting, her heart racing, and pulled her sleeve back down protectively.
The door to the room flew open and a healer rushed in. He took in Emily's distressed look and went to Edward's side to check his vitals.
Before the Healer turned to face her she flicked her wand and Edward's wand flew into her hand. She pocketed them both. "He just stopped moving," she said shakily, giving the Healer a helpless look. "Is he…?"
"I'm so sorry, Miss Potter, he's dead," the Healer said sadly and placed a hand on her arm, giving her a sympathetic look.
She pulled away, heading for the door. "I need to contact my brother."
In the corridor Emily stopped and looked down at her left arm with a stony expression, glaring at the doorway to her father's room angrily, her eyes burning. "Foolish old man, this is all for my family."
With a swish of her robes she strode down the corridor and back down the stairway.
May 19, 1981
It was a dreary day, wet and cold, but not raining. A day befitting the occasion. A large crowd in black robes surrounded an open grave, silent as the ceremonial head wizard lowered a casket down, the Potter crest engraved onto the white stone lid.
James stood straight backed, his face stony. Lily stood beside him, a hand on his arm, Harry balanced on her hip. Sirius, Remus, and Peter stood just behind them in front of the crowd of people.
Harry's large eyes watched everything curiously, not exactly understanding what was going on.
He turned in his mother's arm and blinked at the crowd. His eyes landed on her and he stared in interest. Emily smiled widely, waving, happy to have Harry's attention. She made a strange face and crossed her eyes. Harry smiled and turned completely around to look at her.
No one noticed, or else there might have been some outrage as she lifted her hands up and wiggled her fingers, giving another strange face. She pulled out her wand and tapped her head and bunny ears materialized and flopped around. Harry giggled and clapped his hands. People in the crowd glanced at him and Lily looked down at Harry and bounced him on her hip.
"Shh Harry."
Harry looked at his mother's sad face and then to Emily. The bunny ears were gone, but she was still smiling. Lifting a finger to her lips she motioned for him to be quiet. He smiled and covered his mouth with both his hands.
The head wizard pointed his wand at the sky and said, "And now let us lift our wands and bid Edward a final farewell."
A jet of white sparks emitted and shimmered above the grave.
In response everyone in attendance lifted their own wands. Hundreds of different colors continuously shot off into the air. A golden light shot from James's wand, red from Lily's. A green spark shot out and went higher than anyone else's, exploding as a large firework. Many jumped. Harry clapped his hands in excitement.
Lily shushed him again, looking around the crowd. Her eyes widened and she touched James's arm. He looked down at his wife then through the crowd as she motioned in Emily's direction.
James stared at her for a moment, their eyes meeting. She frowned at him. His expression hardened and he looked away.
The head wizard filled the grave with a wave of his wand and gave his final words of the ceremony.
Once over James broke away from the front crowd and headed for Emily. Lily followed after him, as well as Sirius, Remus, and Peter.
She saw them coming and took a step forward. "James –"
But he walked past her, not even looking at her, and bumped her shoulder. She felt something slide into her hand, but didn't look down, and stared after James. Lily nodded to her as she passed, Emily returned it, giving Harry one last smile. Peter glanced at her nervously and Remus watched her anxiously. Sirius passed her last and bumped her shoulder as well, but it wasn't to hand her something.
"Where's your fiancé?" he asked.
"That's not your concern," she snapped, heat rising over her neck as he looked her over carefully, as if he could see right through her.
Sirius scoffed and walked away. Emily resisted the urge to roll her eyes at his childishness.
She found a secluded spot away from the crowds to be alone and looked at the little piece of paper James had handed her.
Mint Julep works best on stress wrinkles, Healer's Order. U aLreadY have TWO.
Order meeting on July 2nd, Emily thought and pocketed the paper, ignoring the jab about wrinkles.
Then she exited the graveyard and apparated with a 'pop!'