A/N Harry Potter and all related characters, places and terms belong to JK Rowling and/or (not sure which) Warner Brothers.

Hello everybody! I'm so sorry that it took so long for me to update. I was doing something that I needed to keep up for two months or so that left me off ff.net for the whole time. I have been writing though, which is obvious here. Enjoy….

PS. Sorry, I just remembered something. For anyone who only read recently, I made a bit of a mistake in chapters 6&8. Just to clarify, Snape does know about the prediction.

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Chapter 9: Escape

Lily had fallen asleep again, this time with a content look on her face and Harry in her arms. James smiled fondly down at his wife and son then walked out the door of the ward to sit on the chairs outside with Sirius and Remus.

The two in question were whispering to each other, but when they realised that someone was there they stopped talking and looked up concernedly, which surprised James. When they realised who it was, their faces relaxed. James smiled quizzically.

"Why, who did you think I was?"

Remus looked from side to side, as if making sure the hallways were clear. When he was satisfied that they were, he leant forward and motioned James to come close enough so he could whisper.

"We were talking about Peter."

James laughed, and loudly. "Peter!"

Sirius nearly jumped on him. "Shush! Someone might hear."

"What on earth are you two going on about? Why are you whispering about Peter?"

"Isn't he acting a bit fishy to you?"

James raised his eyebrows. "Like what?"

"Come on, Prongs, stop being an idiot. Having shifts for work at four in the morning? I don't think so. And do you even know what he does at these early shifts - or anytime, for that matter? And why has he suddenly managed to make it to every single invitation you've sent to him? Don't you think it's a bit suspicious?"

James sighed. "Let's go inside the room, then. It might be safer if you two are worried." They went back into the ward and sat down. James closed the door, and said what he had been thinking. "Of course I think it's suspicious. I've known Peter just as long as you have, and I will admit that he's acting even weirder than normally. One minute he's uncharacteristically calm and collected, and the next thing you know he's even jumpier than normal. But Lily's always had a soft spot for him, since he's so hopeless. For her sake I've just let things slide. What do you think he's doing anyway?"

Remus shook his head. "No idea. That's what we were talking about - what he could possibly be doing."

"That's why, James, Moony and I have been trying to figure out how to get him to tell us. Should we just invite him over and wheedle it out of him? You know as well as anyone that he'll crack under enough pressure."

"Sounds fine to me. I'll run it past Lily and see what she thinks."

"What I think, Mister James Potter, is that this is a bad first memory for our son to have." James spun guiltily around in his chair to see Lily sitting up, still cradling Harry. "Imagine, the first thing you can remember is that your father was scheming against one of his best friends."

"But Lily…"

"Don't but Lily me, James. Shame on you." She looked over his head at Remus and Sirius. "And you two as well. Don't try looking innocent at me, Sirius."

Remus interrupted Sirius' protest. "But Lily, we aren't doing this for no reason." James shot a semi-jealous look at him, who always seemed to make Lily listen even if his sentence did start with the dreaded 'But Lily'. " It's not like we're planning a joke against Peter or anything. We're actually being serious. Don't tell me you haven't noticed something suspicious going on with Peter too."

"That's not my point, Remus. We can talk about this anytime, just not now. Harry's been here for barely half an hour and you three are already conniving."

"All right, then, Lils. We'll be quiet for now, but on one condition. Promise me you'll think about it too."

"Fine then, Remus."

The four of them started out with more pleasant conversation, mainly centring around the newest member of their family, when they were suddenly interrupted by the fireplace going green. They all turned to face it, curious as to who it could be, and were surprised when the rapidly spinning figure slowed down to reveal itself as Albus Dumbledore.

"Albus!" James stood up to help the Headmaster out of the hearth. "This a pleasant surprise. I just sent the owl to tell you, you didn't have to come." He led Dumbledore to the side of Lily's bed. "This is Harry."

Dumbledore smiled, and Lily handed Harry to him. His whole face lit up.

Sirius pulled up a chair. "Hi Albus, come sit down."

Dumbledore's face suddenly fell. "I'm afraid there's not time for that, Sirius." He looked up. "You five" he said, nodding at Remus as well, "had better come with me back to Hogwarts. Lord Voldemort is coming."

* * *

Outside St Mungo's, black hooded and masked figures were appearing unnoticed in the darkness. As they arrived, they formed their familiar circle around Lord Voldemort. When the circle was complete, the Dark Lord addressed his army.

"You know what we are here for." Looking around, he sensed there was something wrong and then realised his mistake. "Or maybe you don't." Spreading his arms, he smiled disarmingly at them and spoke with more than a hint of irony in his voice. "It would not be fair to the Potters if you killed them without knowing why, would it?" He laughed quietly at himself, while the Death Eaters stood completely still in anticipation, unsure of the Dark Lord's mood. "I have reason to believe the Potters are a threat. Presently, they are vulnerable, and so now is the perfect opportunity to attack.
"Do not get me wrong - I do not fear them. But someone once told me that it was our enemies who define us. I disagreed and told him that I would rather my allies define me and my enemies be dead.

"Now go. You know what to do."

The Death Eaters broke their circle and moved out, intent on one purpose. The Potters were not leaving alive.

* * *

The ward was in a state of panic. Remus was running around trying to stuff all of Lily's belongings back into her bag. James was helping Lily to stand up and get ready to leave. That left Sirius in charge of Harry, who was screaming loudly as babies will when they sense something is wrong. Sirius was trying gallantly to calm him, but all his efforts only amounted to make Harry more alarmed.

Dumbledore walked quickly out of the room, and went to the main desk on the ground floor. He knew the head of the hospital well, and she smiled when she saw him.

"Hello Albus! Who are you visiting today?" Her smile faltered as she saw his face.

"Please Mallissa, I need you to hurry and put your shields up."

The matron's face blanched. "Oh no! You-know-who isn't coming here is he? What does he want?"

"Certain people, I'm afraid. I can get them to safety but you have to warn everyone else."

The matron breathed deeply a few times, trying to quell her panic. "Thank you, Albus".

"No problem, but hurry. I don't know how close he is." Albus nodded his head to say goodbye and walked back the way he had come.

As Dumbledore left, Mallissa took out her wand and muttered 'Sonorus' so that everyone within the hospital could hear her speaking. "Good morning ladies and gentlemen, Mallissa Mungo speaking. This is an emergency - please stay calm. Go home if you can, otherwise I ask that you stay within your rooms until help arrives. Please don't panic, you will all be attended to. If the staff could please proceed with the emergency evacuation plan - make sure all doors are closed and retreat to your allocated stations. I repeat: this is an emergency. Please stay in your rooms."

Trying not to imagine the panic that was ensuing within her hospital, Mallissa then went into her own room, closed the door and went to her desk. She took out a charmed piece of parchment that reported on the number of people in the building, and was satisfied to see the numbers falling rapidly. Sliding back a panel of wood to reveal a plate of gold, she tapped it with her wand and muttered a spell. Throughout the whole hospital, protection spells sealed the doors and windows of all the rooms shut, and placed extra shields within all the rooms. The alarm would sound over at Auror Headquarters as well. She then sat down in her armchair.

When Lord Voldemort's ascent to power began several years ago, Albus Dumbledore had suggested that all public areas have some sort of extra protection that could be activated by the head of the establishment only. Like most of her peers, Mallissa Mungo had done exactly that. Now there was nothing left for her to do but wait.

* * *

Outside St Mungo's, an alarming number of what seemed to black silhouettes were moving across the green lawns of the hospital. Quiet as shadows, they stood in front of all the entrances and exits. The last to arrive was Lord Voldemort himself with a select group of followers, ready to enter the building. They reached the front entrance doors where Lucius Malfoy was waiting.

"My Lord, there was an emergency announcement and an alarm inside the hospital earlier, and I have been watching through the windows into some of the wards. The shadows within the rooms seem to be decreasing in number. I think people are leaving."

"What?" he snapped, disbelieving.

"People are leaving, my Lord…"

Voldemort pushed past Malfoy and violently swung the doors of the hospital open. Looking around the deserted entrance, he apparated up to the third floor and strode down the hallway in the direction of ward A4.

* * *

Dumbledore walked back into the Potters' ward. Remus had finished packing, Harry was finally quiet in Sirius's arms, Lily was sitting down and James was pacing the floor. He looked up when he heard Dumbledore come into the room.

"What's happening Albus?"

"Everyone is leaving, they should be safe. You four and Harry had better come back to Hogwarts with me."

Sirius stood up. "What will we do once we're there, Albus?"

"We'll figure it out, Sirius. Let's just get out of here first - I'll explain things later. Hurry, we better leave." He threw a handful of floo powder into the fireplace, and gesturing for Lily and Harry to go first, they began to leave. When he and James were the only ones left in the room, the door handle began to rattle. James swore.

"Come on James, let's go."

"No, Albus."

"What are you talking about?"

"The prediction, remember! I'm staying here. Let him come if he will."

"James, it's not time for that. Not here, not now. Besides, Harry's the last Phoenix now. Quickly, go!"

"Albus…"

The door was being pounded on now, and looked dangerously close to opening. Dumbledore threw some more floo powder into the flames, and pushed James in the direction of the fireplace. "Hurry up, James. I'll follow."

James walked into the fire, shouted "Hogwarts" and spun out of sight. Not looking back, Dumbledore followed.

* * *

Outside the ward, Voldemort and his group were getting closer to breaking the shields and entering. With one last powerful spell, the door lay open. Lord Voldemort stepped inside the room, holding his wand in front of him.

The room was empty.

He walked around the room, shooting off curses to make sure there really was no one in the ward. When he was sure, he turned slowly on the spot to face the group who had followed him in.

"Where have they gone?" A look of realisation crossed his features. "Snape…

"One of you get Malfoy up here, now." They all disapparated, not wanting to be left alone with the Dark Lord. Soon enough, Lucius Malfoy was standing in front of him.

"My Lord?"

"The Potters have gone. I want to know how they knew - "

"Sorry my Lord, I don't know."

"Quiet Lucius. I wasn't asking you. I know who might know. I'm leaving you in charge here. I don't want to see this place standing tomorrow, do you understand?"

"Perfectly, my Lord. I will see it done."

Voldemort left, and Malfoy set about setting an anti-apparition charm around the hospital. No one was going to get out.

* * *

Inside her room, Mallissa was alarmed when the numbers on the parchment stopped dropping. A significant number of people had escaped, but there were still upward of 300 people within the hospital. Not daring to break the seals on the rooms, she stood up to apparate outside the door and check what was happening. She panicked when she found that it wasn't possible. She was trapped. Shakily, she sat back down in her armchair. Mallissa had faith that the shields would hold, and decided against taking them down.

But on her table, the numbers on the parchment were falling again. It wasn't due to people leaving.

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Thanks to everyone for reviewing and if I've lost you because I've taken too long I'm sorry. Later -

~*Lady*~