AN: one HUGE IMPORTANT thing. You remember chapter 4 i think it was, where it was Christmas and Mr. and Mrs. Potter were murdered? Well, I just realized that I need to change something. I repeatedly said the house was on Godric's Hollow, but it's not. Okay. I think I might even rewrite it because I'm that obsessive. The Godric's Hollow home won't show up for a couple chapters.
So, if you get an email from ff.net saying I changed something, that's all it is.
Ok, then. Read on.
~~
It is urgent that I speak with you and Lily. Leave your house immediately, and bring Harry. I will be waiting in the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. It's safer than Diagon Alley, and with all it's comings and goings, we won't be overheard. Come as soon as possible, I'll be there.
Remus Lupin
James set down the letter slowly. He turned his head when he heard the owl take off. Frowning in thought, he noticed it was a different owl than the one Remus usually used.
He wasn't sure if he should go immediately as the letter had said. After all, it was nearly midnight – there wouldn't be anyone out in Hogsmeade. On the other hand, that could have been exactly what Remus had been counting on.
"Lily?" James called out.
In a matter of moments, she was walking into the room, her face bright and smiling. Her smile faltered only slightly when she noticed her husband's thoughtful expression. "What is it?" she asked, noticing the letter he was holding.
"Remus wants us to meet him," he said finally, standing up. "Get Harry."
Lily blinked, and smiled again. "I'm sure Sirius would be happy to watch – "
"No," James said, cutting her off. "No, bring him. Remus wants us to." He smiled warmly so she wouldn't pick up the urgency in his voice.
Slowly, she nodded, and left the room.
He gave the room one last look before leaving after her.
~~~~~~~~~~
Just as James had expected, Hogsmeade was empty. Only a few lights flickered in the village's homes in the distance. He proceeded down the street quietly, with Lily by his side, until he approached the entrance to the Three Broomsticks.
He entered cautiously, only to find Severus Snape sitting at one of the tables, sipping some unidentifiable drink.
"Er, hello Severus," Lily said, a little uncertain of her greeting. Snape nodded in acknowledgement.
"Have you seen Remus – I mean – Lupin?" James asked, trying his best to make his voice friendly as he stood before someone who would have been his worst enemy.
Snape gave an odd smile. "Nope. Not looking for him are you?"
"Why?" James asked coldly, not very eager to engage in a conversation.
Snape shrugged indifferently, gazing into his empty glass. "Only because he won't be coming."
"What'd you do with him?" James snapped, brandishing his wand threateningly.
Snape glanced calmly at James, then to his wand, and back to his empty glass. "Nothing. He doesn't know you're here. I sent the letter."
James stepped in front of Lily and Harry. "What do you want from us?"
Snape set his glass down, and turned his gaze skywards as if he were bored with the situation. "I don't want anything from you," he said. "Or your family for that matter."
"Then why'd you call us here?" Lily asked, just as coldly as James, only lacking the hostility.
Snape let his eyes travel to hers, swallowing hard. He was unsure whether he wanted to do this, but it was too late to back out. It was against everything he'd promised himself for years and years – forsaking his accumulated hatred and revenge. Instead, he'd followed his twinge of compassion – that awful compassion – and now, he thought dryly, he was just like them, and they would live another worthless day only to spend it in panic about tomorrow. Shaking his head, he stood up. "Go home and you'll see."
James felt his mouth drop open. "What's that supposed to mean?" he demanded, but before he could ask any more questions, Snape had Disapparated.
~~~~~~~~~~
James sprinted through his own empty house, only to see that everything was just as he'd left it. He stopped in the hallway, and bent over with his hands on his knees, breathing hard and trying to catch his breath. He could see there was nothing wrong with the house, but still, he was nervous from Snape's words. It was either a warning or a threat, but either way, he was uncomfortable.
Nevertheless, he Apparated quickly back to where he'd left Lily and Harry, aware that it hadn't been wise to leave them there alone. But what was he supposed to do? Bring them back to the house without checking it first?
"It's fine," he said, gasping for air, adding hastily, "I think."
It was enough for Lily, who Apparated back, with James quickly following suit.
Upon returning, Lily found the house was just as James had said it was. Satisfied, she tiptoed upstairs with Harry in her arms. She entered his room, and walked over to the cradle that sat in the center of the room. Slowly, she laid her sleeping baby into the layers of quilts and blankets.
She smiled warmly, though she shivered when a fresh blast of cold air swept into the room through the open window. She turned around to where the window was, but stopped in her tracks when she noticed a glow filtering through the white curtains.
"James?" she yelled, failing to hide her alarm. Before she could realize her mistake, Harry woke, crying loudly at the commotion of his father running into the room.
"What is it?" James said with worry clearly written on his face.
Lily nodded towards the curtained window, as she picked up Harry to calm him.
James ran to the window, and threw open the glowing curtains, letting the sky's green glow pour out into the room. Harry's frightened cries grew louder as his father's face blanched a pure white.
He ran from the room, and tore down the stairs, his heart pumping a terrified rhythm in his chest. Once he reached the street, he turned around, and began to back away slowly. His gaze traveled upwards, above the windows, past the roof to the terrible sight that was suspended over his home.
With a sickening green glow about it, the Dark Mark stared back at him – a sign of a coming storm.
He exhaled shakily through gritted teeth with the unwavering knowledge that this would never be over.
~~~~~~~~~~
The Order had swept through the house checking for jinxes and leftover curses. Harry was crying louder than ever, and Lily was doing what she could to comfort him. James was a complete mess, unsure whether to help out or stand by his family's side.
Another crack sounded, making James nearly jump. He spun around, and saw that Sirius had arrived – wide-eyed, and yet immensely relieved.
He walked up, glanced at the screaming bundle of quilts in Lily's arms, and brought out his wand with a grin.
"Silencio."
Lily's mouth dropped in horror as she watched her baby cry even harder in frustration that he wasn't making a sound. James let his mouth drop open as well, but only to say, "We needed that, mate."
Lily rounded on James, "We certainly did not!" Her stress seemed to have been accumulating, and now she'd found a good reason to let it all out on her husband. "The poor boy's helpless now! How could you let him do such a – "
"If you'd rather listen," Sirius cut in gravely. "Then by all means, I'm sure you know the counter-curse…"
Lily glanced back down at Harry, and smiled apologetically at her son. "No, that's – that's alright." She had to admit it was a relief to have a little less noise.
Sirius sighed, letting his smile fade from his face. "Well, it's a good thing you weren't here when it happened."
James nodded, narrowing his eyes.
Sirius looked around him before adding casually, "Where were you, anyway? It's early morning by now."
James searched for a response, but Lily got to it first. "We had a warning."
"Oh, really? Who knew, then?"
"It doesn't matter," James said, waving it off.
"No, really. Who was it?"
"It's not important now."
"Prongs."
"It was Snape, alright?" He apparently wasn't too happy admitting it, and Sirius didn't blame him.
"Oh," he said, suddenly failing to find anything funny to say.
James felt a shadow descend upon him, and he turned around to see Rubeus Hagrid looking down at him.
"Is the house alright, Hagrid?" Lily asked tentatively.
Hagrid turned his head. "What? Oh, yeah. Yeah, it's fine. We're jus' abou' done with the tests and all. It's jus' tha' – " he stopped, his voice lowering. "Now that it's clear tha' You-Know-Who knows where yeh live and all, well, yeh migh' want ter think abou' movin'."
Lily turned to see James's face. She knew he wouldn't take it well – he'd lived in this house all his life. James swallowed and nodded his head with difficulty. "Thanks, Hagrid," he managed to say with a forced smile.
Satisfied, Hagrid turned and headed back to where the others were working.
"We won't have to sell it, James," Lily said quickly with reassurance. "It's only temporary."
James nodded distantly. Sirius frowned with the effort of coming up with the perfect line – but to no avail. Clearly James wasn't in the mood. In fact he probably wouldn't be for a long time.
Sirius shook his head. That certainly wouldn't do.
So, if you get an email from ff.net saying I changed something, that's all it is.
Ok, then. Read on.
~~
It is urgent that I speak with you and Lily. Leave your house immediately, and bring Harry. I will be waiting in the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. It's safer than Diagon Alley, and with all it's comings and goings, we won't be overheard. Come as soon as possible, I'll be there.
Remus Lupin
James set down the letter slowly. He turned his head when he heard the owl take off. Frowning in thought, he noticed it was a different owl than the one Remus usually used.
He wasn't sure if he should go immediately as the letter had said. After all, it was nearly midnight – there wouldn't be anyone out in Hogsmeade. On the other hand, that could have been exactly what Remus had been counting on.
"Lily?" James called out.
In a matter of moments, she was walking into the room, her face bright and smiling. Her smile faltered only slightly when she noticed her husband's thoughtful expression. "What is it?" she asked, noticing the letter he was holding.
"Remus wants us to meet him," he said finally, standing up. "Get Harry."
Lily blinked, and smiled again. "I'm sure Sirius would be happy to watch – "
"No," James said, cutting her off. "No, bring him. Remus wants us to." He smiled warmly so she wouldn't pick up the urgency in his voice.
Slowly, she nodded, and left the room.
He gave the room one last look before leaving after her.
~~~~~~~~~~
Just as James had expected, Hogsmeade was empty. Only a few lights flickered in the village's homes in the distance. He proceeded down the street quietly, with Lily by his side, until he approached the entrance to the Three Broomsticks.
He entered cautiously, only to find Severus Snape sitting at one of the tables, sipping some unidentifiable drink.
"Er, hello Severus," Lily said, a little uncertain of her greeting. Snape nodded in acknowledgement.
"Have you seen Remus – I mean – Lupin?" James asked, trying his best to make his voice friendly as he stood before someone who would have been his worst enemy.
Snape gave an odd smile. "Nope. Not looking for him are you?"
"Why?" James asked coldly, not very eager to engage in a conversation.
Snape shrugged indifferently, gazing into his empty glass. "Only because he won't be coming."
"What'd you do with him?" James snapped, brandishing his wand threateningly.
Snape glanced calmly at James, then to his wand, and back to his empty glass. "Nothing. He doesn't know you're here. I sent the letter."
James stepped in front of Lily and Harry. "What do you want from us?"
Snape set his glass down, and turned his gaze skywards as if he were bored with the situation. "I don't want anything from you," he said. "Or your family for that matter."
"Then why'd you call us here?" Lily asked, just as coldly as James, only lacking the hostility.
Snape let his eyes travel to hers, swallowing hard. He was unsure whether he wanted to do this, but it was too late to back out. It was against everything he'd promised himself for years and years – forsaking his accumulated hatred and revenge. Instead, he'd followed his twinge of compassion – that awful compassion – and now, he thought dryly, he was just like them, and they would live another worthless day only to spend it in panic about tomorrow. Shaking his head, he stood up. "Go home and you'll see."
James felt his mouth drop open. "What's that supposed to mean?" he demanded, but before he could ask any more questions, Snape had Disapparated.
~~~~~~~~~~
James sprinted through his own empty house, only to see that everything was just as he'd left it. He stopped in the hallway, and bent over with his hands on his knees, breathing hard and trying to catch his breath. He could see there was nothing wrong with the house, but still, he was nervous from Snape's words. It was either a warning or a threat, but either way, he was uncomfortable.
Nevertheless, he Apparated quickly back to where he'd left Lily and Harry, aware that it hadn't been wise to leave them there alone. But what was he supposed to do? Bring them back to the house without checking it first?
"It's fine," he said, gasping for air, adding hastily, "I think."
It was enough for Lily, who Apparated back, with James quickly following suit.
Upon returning, Lily found the house was just as James had said it was. Satisfied, she tiptoed upstairs with Harry in her arms. She entered his room, and walked over to the cradle that sat in the center of the room. Slowly, she laid her sleeping baby into the layers of quilts and blankets.
She smiled warmly, though she shivered when a fresh blast of cold air swept into the room through the open window. She turned around to where the window was, but stopped in her tracks when she noticed a glow filtering through the white curtains.
"James?" she yelled, failing to hide her alarm. Before she could realize her mistake, Harry woke, crying loudly at the commotion of his father running into the room.
"What is it?" James said with worry clearly written on his face.
Lily nodded towards the curtained window, as she picked up Harry to calm him.
James ran to the window, and threw open the glowing curtains, letting the sky's green glow pour out into the room. Harry's frightened cries grew louder as his father's face blanched a pure white.
He ran from the room, and tore down the stairs, his heart pumping a terrified rhythm in his chest. Once he reached the street, he turned around, and began to back away slowly. His gaze traveled upwards, above the windows, past the roof to the terrible sight that was suspended over his home.
With a sickening green glow about it, the Dark Mark stared back at him – a sign of a coming storm.
He exhaled shakily through gritted teeth with the unwavering knowledge that this would never be over.
~~~~~~~~~~
The Order had swept through the house checking for jinxes and leftover curses. Harry was crying louder than ever, and Lily was doing what she could to comfort him. James was a complete mess, unsure whether to help out or stand by his family's side.
Another crack sounded, making James nearly jump. He spun around, and saw that Sirius had arrived – wide-eyed, and yet immensely relieved.
He walked up, glanced at the screaming bundle of quilts in Lily's arms, and brought out his wand with a grin.
"Silencio."
Lily's mouth dropped in horror as she watched her baby cry even harder in frustration that he wasn't making a sound. James let his mouth drop open as well, but only to say, "We needed that, mate."
Lily rounded on James, "We certainly did not!" Her stress seemed to have been accumulating, and now she'd found a good reason to let it all out on her husband. "The poor boy's helpless now! How could you let him do such a – "
"If you'd rather listen," Sirius cut in gravely. "Then by all means, I'm sure you know the counter-curse…"
Lily glanced back down at Harry, and smiled apologetically at her son. "No, that's – that's alright." She had to admit it was a relief to have a little less noise.
Sirius sighed, letting his smile fade from his face. "Well, it's a good thing you weren't here when it happened."
James nodded, narrowing his eyes.
Sirius looked around him before adding casually, "Where were you, anyway? It's early morning by now."
James searched for a response, but Lily got to it first. "We had a warning."
"Oh, really? Who knew, then?"
"It doesn't matter," James said, waving it off.
"No, really. Who was it?"
"It's not important now."
"Prongs."
"It was Snape, alright?" He apparently wasn't too happy admitting it, and Sirius didn't blame him.
"Oh," he said, suddenly failing to find anything funny to say.
James felt a shadow descend upon him, and he turned around to see Rubeus Hagrid looking down at him.
"Is the house alright, Hagrid?" Lily asked tentatively.
Hagrid turned his head. "What? Oh, yeah. Yeah, it's fine. We're jus' abou' done with the tests and all. It's jus' tha' – " he stopped, his voice lowering. "Now that it's clear tha' You-Know-Who knows where yeh live and all, well, yeh migh' want ter think abou' movin'."
Lily turned to see James's face. She knew he wouldn't take it well – he'd lived in this house all his life. James swallowed and nodded his head with difficulty. "Thanks, Hagrid," he managed to say with a forced smile.
Satisfied, Hagrid turned and headed back to where the others were working.
"We won't have to sell it, James," Lily said quickly with reassurance. "It's only temporary."
James nodded distantly. Sirius frowned with the effort of coming up with the perfect line – but to no avail. Clearly James wasn't in the mood. In fact he probably wouldn't be for a long time.
Sirius shook his head. That certainly wouldn't do.
