Note from Nikki
Yay! I updated! Whoo. coughs dryly okay, so it isn't that exciting. I don't have time for reviewer notes today sniffles They'll be there next time though, never fear! The story is starting to wind down a little and I'd like to thank everyone for their support and reviews! You're all wonderful! hugz
--
Dorcas smiled as Harry crawled into her lap happily. She was sitting on the floor, playing with him on a bright afternoon while Lily and James sorted through various papers in the next room.
"Da da da da da," Harry chimed happily.
"I don't know where your daddy is," Dorcas replied brushing back Harry's mass of untidy black hair.
"Da da da da da," Harry said again, his lip beginning to tremble.
"James!" Dorcas called lifting Harry into her arms and carrying him through the house. "Harry is calling for you again!"
James skidded into the room his eyes alight with happiness. "Did he say it again?"
"Da da da da," Harry laughed, stretching his tiny arms out to his father.
"Harry!" James said, reaching for his son.
Dorcas smiled and shook her head. "I can't believe he is already over a year old. It went by so fast. . ."
"You're telling me," James said, kissing a delighted Harry on the forehead. "He's growing too quickly for me!"
Dorcas' tattoo suddenly gave an unwelcome jolt of pain as it burned black. She sighed. "I have to go," she said sadly.
James frowned as he noticed her tattoo. "What now?" he asked grumpily.
Dorcas shrugged as her maroon robes transformed into her Death Eater ones. "I guess I'll find out."
She Disapparated and found herself in a dark forest, completely devoid of light and the chirping of birds. Dorcas took her position in the circle and raised her eyes carefully to see if everyone was here. With a frown, she noticed another member. He was very short and rather round and Dorcas had a strange feeling of familiarity. She tried to peak into his dark hood but he was purposefully keeping his head lowered.
"Welcome my friends," Voldemort's cold voice announced, interrupting Dorcas' curious gaze. "I have called you here today to make an important announcement."
Everyone waited in baited breath. Voldemort making an important announcement could mean many things for them, possibly good and possibly bad.
"The search for the Potters has been unsuccessful thus far," he began. "I am very disappointed in you."
"My Lord," someone interrupted. "We are trying. The Potters are very adept to hiding."
"Do not interrupt me," Voldemort said angrily. Dorcas waited for the punishment but it didn't come. Instead Voldemort began talking again.
"I have decided to reward the person who leads me to the Potters in the most unimaginable way. You will receive recognition that only Lord Voldemort can give and will be honored beyond your wildest dreams. Lord Voldemort will make you his most powerful ally, he will share secrets with you that no one else could dare to discover."
Dorcas' heart beat faster. This reward was far too tempting. Everyone would jump at the opportunity and would comb every house in Britain if they had to. Voldemort had created a need so powerful that Lily and James didn't stand a chance any longer.
"My Lord," someone said excitedly. "Such an honor we could never have imagined. Please, we must know one last thing. I am not the only one to have noticed the new member. Who is he or she?"
Everyone turned to the short figure who had remained huddled and hidden. "Some of you know who this is. I have told many of you. However there are three of you whom I deem unworthy to know."
Dorcas' heart dropped. She had no idea who the figure was and so she knew that she was one of the three. With a quick glance at Severus, she noticed that he too wore a puzzled expression. The person who had voiced the question, a young woman, looked extremely put out.
"You are all dismissed. Remember the honor that you will receive. I want the Potters and I want them alive."
Dorcas shot a look at Severus and he nodded, understanding. He knew that he would have to get Dumbledore and send him immediately to the Potter's. Dorcas Disapparated without another thought and dashed quickly into the Potters home.
"James! Lily!" Dorcas shouted as she entered the room. The couple emerged from the kitchen with Sirius, Alice, Frank, and baby Neville in tow.
"How did the meeting go?" James asked seriously, putting Harry on the floor so that he could play with Neville.
"Dumbledore will be arriving shortly," Dorcas said seriously.
"Dumbledore?" Lily echoed, raising her eyebrows. "Dorcas wha-?"
"I'm glad to see that you are all here," Dumbledore said. No one had heard him Apparate and so everyone leapt in shock.
"What's going on?" Frank said, frowning.
Dumbledore nodded to Dorcas and so Dorcas turned to her friends. "It is time to go into hiding."
"We already told you that we aren't going to do that," James said firmly.
"My Master has just raised the reward. I can guarantee that what he has offered will encourage every Death Eater to work tirelessly to find you."
"We're not going into hiding," Lily said, shaking her head.
Dorcas stood up angrily. "You don't understand, do you? He wants to kill Harry more than he has ever wanted to kill anyone else. It is time for you to shelve your pride and listen to your friends for once. If you don't do it for yourselves do it for Harry! Every minute that you sit here is a minute that could be your last. You are trying to be noble and brave but really you are both cowards. You are here telling us that you are willing to let your son die at the hands of the worst murderer that we have ever seen."
Silence followed her statement. No one was willing to believe that they had just heard Dorcas yell at them that way. She had never done that before and they had never seen her so furious. And she wasn't done yet.
"I thought you, Lily, of all people would care," Dorcas went on in a deathly cold voice. "I thought you would understand. Do you realize that my Master has no intention of killing you at all? That's right. He intends to murder James and Harry before your very eyes. He intends to destroy your family and leave you to misery for the rest of your existence. If this is what you want, by all means, don't go into hiding. I tried."
With this said, Dorcas sat down numbly on the couch, her chest heaving.
Lily had gone deathly white and she sat shakily next to her. "Okay," she whispered. Slowly she lifted her eyes to James who was looking rather sick. "James, she's right. We can't do this anymore."
James nodded and turned to Dumbledore. "How do we do it?" he asked.
Dorcas sighed in relief. Finally she had gotten the point across to them. Finally they understood.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled slightly and he smiled. "I am very glad you have finally come to your senses."
He carefully walked forward a bit and then said, "Your best chance is the Fidelius Charm."
"What's that?" Sirius asked. He too was deathly pale and his hands were shaking slightly.
"It's an immensely complex spell," Dumbledore said carefully. "It is the concealment of a secret inside a single, living soul. The information is hidden inside the person, a Secret-Keeper, and is therefore impossible to find unless the person chooses to divulge it. Voldemort could look into your front window and wouldn't be able to see you."
James nodded. "So we need to find someone to hide the secret in?"
"Exactly," Dumbledore agreed. "I would be honored to do it if you'd like."
James shook his head. "Thank you Dumbledore. But if I do this, there is only one person I trust enough. Sirius will be our Secret-Keeper."
Sirius looked taken aback and very uncomfortable at the news. "James are you sure?"
"Of course," Lily said firmly. "Sirius is our best friend."
"He would die before he told Voldemort our whereabouts," James agreed.
Dumbledore looked immensely troubled, though Dorcas couldn't figure out why. He watched Sirius suspiciously but nodded slowly. "Very well."
"Wait," Sirius interrupted. "James, you know that I have been planning on going into hiding myself. But, Voldemort knows that you are my best friend. He will know that you would do this. Are you sure this is the best way to go?"
James nodded firmly. "I won't do it unless you are our Secret-Keeper Sirius. I trust you more than anyone else, you know this."
So Sirius reluctantly agreed but he shot a weary glance in Dorcas' direction.
"I don't know the spell," Sirius said to Dumbledore.
Dumbledore shook his head. "Few do. I will teach it to you immediately."
"Wait," Lily said. "I don't want to do it for at least two days. We need to sort some things out first. Don't worry Dorcas, we'll do it. Just give us two days."
Dumbledore nodded. "Very well, I will explain the spell to Sirius and he will perform it in two days."
"What about us Dumbledore?" Alice asked. "We don't need to hide, do we?"
Dumbledore nodded gravely. "I'm afraid that it will be necessary. Voldemort has not given up his efforts to kill you as well. However, the Fidelius Charm isn't needed. All the efforts are focused on the Potters at the moment. I suggest that you stay with a relative and stay away from here. Keep quiet until we find more of Voldemort's intentions regarding you."
"We can stay with my Mum," Frank said, nodding. "She'll be a great help with Neville as well."
"I suggest you leave right away," Dumbledore said. "I must recall the use of Fidelius charm in my Pensieve. I will leave you for now. Sirius, meet me at Hogwarts tomorrow."
"Wait!" James said quickly. He dashed off for a moment and then quickly reappeared, holding a silvery cloak. "My Invisibility Cloak," he said, smiling. "My father got it for me for my eleventh birthday. I won't need it anymore and I'd be honored if you'd keep it safe Dumbledore, until I can claim it again."
Dumbledore smiled and took the cloak from him. He bowed and Disapparated without another word.
Dorcas and the others turned to Alice and Frank who were raising their wands and facing the door, waiting expectantly. In a minute their trunks had hurtled through the window and came to a rest at the their sides. "Talk about hasty packing, eh?" Frank asked.
The others nodded and moved forward giving each other hugs. "Be careful," Lily whispered, squeezing the couple tightly. "You never know what will happen."
"We'll be fine," Frank said reassuringly, shaking James and Sirius hands tightly. "What's the worse that could happen?"
No one replied to this as they finished up with their good-byes. "I'll come by to visit," Dorcas promised.
"So will I," Sirius replied. "When this whole thing is over and I can come out of hiding."
Alice picked up Neville and passed him around, giving everyone the opportunity to say goodbye to the round-faced, bright-eyed boy.
"Harry and Neville will meet again," Lily said with a final note. "And they will be good friends, I know it."
Alice and Frank nodded before Disapparating. They didn't know that it would be the last time that they would ever see their friends alive and they didn't know that there were worse things than death. Things like being driven into insanity with a very powerful curse.
Yay! I updated! Whoo. coughs dryly okay, so it isn't that exciting. I don't have time for reviewer notes today sniffles They'll be there next time though, never fear! The story is starting to wind down a little and I'd like to thank everyone for their support and reviews! You're all wonderful! hugz
--
Dorcas smiled as Harry crawled into her lap happily. She was sitting on the floor, playing with him on a bright afternoon while Lily and James sorted through various papers in the next room.
"Da da da da da," Harry chimed happily.
"I don't know where your daddy is," Dorcas replied brushing back Harry's mass of untidy black hair.
"Da da da da da," Harry said again, his lip beginning to tremble.
"James!" Dorcas called lifting Harry into her arms and carrying him through the house. "Harry is calling for you again!"
James skidded into the room his eyes alight with happiness. "Did he say it again?"
"Da da da da," Harry laughed, stretching his tiny arms out to his father.
"Harry!" James said, reaching for his son.
Dorcas smiled and shook her head. "I can't believe he is already over a year old. It went by so fast. . ."
"You're telling me," James said, kissing a delighted Harry on the forehead. "He's growing too quickly for me!"
Dorcas' tattoo suddenly gave an unwelcome jolt of pain as it burned black. She sighed. "I have to go," she said sadly.
James frowned as he noticed her tattoo. "What now?" he asked grumpily.
Dorcas shrugged as her maroon robes transformed into her Death Eater ones. "I guess I'll find out."
She Disapparated and found herself in a dark forest, completely devoid of light and the chirping of birds. Dorcas took her position in the circle and raised her eyes carefully to see if everyone was here. With a frown, she noticed another member. He was very short and rather round and Dorcas had a strange feeling of familiarity. She tried to peak into his dark hood but he was purposefully keeping his head lowered.
"Welcome my friends," Voldemort's cold voice announced, interrupting Dorcas' curious gaze. "I have called you here today to make an important announcement."
Everyone waited in baited breath. Voldemort making an important announcement could mean many things for them, possibly good and possibly bad.
"The search for the Potters has been unsuccessful thus far," he began. "I am very disappointed in you."
"My Lord," someone interrupted. "We are trying. The Potters are very adept to hiding."
"Do not interrupt me," Voldemort said angrily. Dorcas waited for the punishment but it didn't come. Instead Voldemort began talking again.
"I have decided to reward the person who leads me to the Potters in the most unimaginable way. You will receive recognition that only Lord Voldemort can give and will be honored beyond your wildest dreams. Lord Voldemort will make you his most powerful ally, he will share secrets with you that no one else could dare to discover."
Dorcas' heart beat faster. This reward was far too tempting. Everyone would jump at the opportunity and would comb every house in Britain if they had to. Voldemort had created a need so powerful that Lily and James didn't stand a chance any longer.
"My Lord," someone said excitedly. "Such an honor we could never have imagined. Please, we must know one last thing. I am not the only one to have noticed the new member. Who is he or she?"
Everyone turned to the short figure who had remained huddled and hidden. "Some of you know who this is. I have told many of you. However there are three of you whom I deem unworthy to know."
Dorcas' heart dropped. She had no idea who the figure was and so she knew that she was one of the three. With a quick glance at Severus, she noticed that he too wore a puzzled expression. The person who had voiced the question, a young woman, looked extremely put out.
"You are all dismissed. Remember the honor that you will receive. I want the Potters and I want them alive."
Dorcas shot a look at Severus and he nodded, understanding. He knew that he would have to get Dumbledore and send him immediately to the Potter's. Dorcas Disapparated without another thought and dashed quickly into the Potters home.
"James! Lily!" Dorcas shouted as she entered the room. The couple emerged from the kitchen with Sirius, Alice, Frank, and baby Neville in tow.
"How did the meeting go?" James asked seriously, putting Harry on the floor so that he could play with Neville.
"Dumbledore will be arriving shortly," Dorcas said seriously.
"Dumbledore?" Lily echoed, raising her eyebrows. "Dorcas wha-?"
"I'm glad to see that you are all here," Dumbledore said. No one had heard him Apparate and so everyone leapt in shock.
"What's going on?" Frank said, frowning.
Dumbledore nodded to Dorcas and so Dorcas turned to her friends. "It is time to go into hiding."
"We already told you that we aren't going to do that," James said firmly.
"My Master has just raised the reward. I can guarantee that what he has offered will encourage every Death Eater to work tirelessly to find you."
"We're not going into hiding," Lily said, shaking her head.
Dorcas stood up angrily. "You don't understand, do you? He wants to kill Harry more than he has ever wanted to kill anyone else. It is time for you to shelve your pride and listen to your friends for once. If you don't do it for yourselves do it for Harry! Every minute that you sit here is a minute that could be your last. You are trying to be noble and brave but really you are both cowards. You are here telling us that you are willing to let your son die at the hands of the worst murderer that we have ever seen."
Silence followed her statement. No one was willing to believe that they had just heard Dorcas yell at them that way. She had never done that before and they had never seen her so furious. And she wasn't done yet.
"I thought you, Lily, of all people would care," Dorcas went on in a deathly cold voice. "I thought you would understand. Do you realize that my Master has no intention of killing you at all? That's right. He intends to murder James and Harry before your very eyes. He intends to destroy your family and leave you to misery for the rest of your existence. If this is what you want, by all means, don't go into hiding. I tried."
With this said, Dorcas sat down numbly on the couch, her chest heaving.
Lily had gone deathly white and she sat shakily next to her. "Okay," she whispered. Slowly she lifted her eyes to James who was looking rather sick. "James, she's right. We can't do this anymore."
James nodded and turned to Dumbledore. "How do we do it?" he asked.
Dorcas sighed in relief. Finally she had gotten the point across to them. Finally they understood.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled slightly and he smiled. "I am very glad you have finally come to your senses."
He carefully walked forward a bit and then said, "Your best chance is the Fidelius Charm."
"What's that?" Sirius asked. He too was deathly pale and his hands were shaking slightly.
"It's an immensely complex spell," Dumbledore said carefully. "It is the concealment of a secret inside a single, living soul. The information is hidden inside the person, a Secret-Keeper, and is therefore impossible to find unless the person chooses to divulge it. Voldemort could look into your front window and wouldn't be able to see you."
James nodded. "So we need to find someone to hide the secret in?"
"Exactly," Dumbledore agreed. "I would be honored to do it if you'd like."
James shook his head. "Thank you Dumbledore. But if I do this, there is only one person I trust enough. Sirius will be our Secret-Keeper."
Sirius looked taken aback and very uncomfortable at the news. "James are you sure?"
"Of course," Lily said firmly. "Sirius is our best friend."
"He would die before he told Voldemort our whereabouts," James agreed.
Dumbledore looked immensely troubled, though Dorcas couldn't figure out why. He watched Sirius suspiciously but nodded slowly. "Very well."
"Wait," Sirius interrupted. "James, you know that I have been planning on going into hiding myself. But, Voldemort knows that you are my best friend. He will know that you would do this. Are you sure this is the best way to go?"
James nodded firmly. "I won't do it unless you are our Secret-Keeper Sirius. I trust you more than anyone else, you know this."
So Sirius reluctantly agreed but he shot a weary glance in Dorcas' direction.
"I don't know the spell," Sirius said to Dumbledore.
Dumbledore shook his head. "Few do. I will teach it to you immediately."
"Wait," Lily said. "I don't want to do it for at least two days. We need to sort some things out first. Don't worry Dorcas, we'll do it. Just give us two days."
Dumbledore nodded. "Very well, I will explain the spell to Sirius and he will perform it in two days."
"What about us Dumbledore?" Alice asked. "We don't need to hide, do we?"
Dumbledore nodded gravely. "I'm afraid that it will be necessary. Voldemort has not given up his efforts to kill you as well. However, the Fidelius Charm isn't needed. All the efforts are focused on the Potters at the moment. I suggest that you stay with a relative and stay away from here. Keep quiet until we find more of Voldemort's intentions regarding you."
"We can stay with my Mum," Frank said, nodding. "She'll be a great help with Neville as well."
"I suggest you leave right away," Dumbledore said. "I must recall the use of Fidelius charm in my Pensieve. I will leave you for now. Sirius, meet me at Hogwarts tomorrow."
"Wait!" James said quickly. He dashed off for a moment and then quickly reappeared, holding a silvery cloak. "My Invisibility Cloak," he said, smiling. "My father got it for me for my eleventh birthday. I won't need it anymore and I'd be honored if you'd keep it safe Dumbledore, until I can claim it again."
Dumbledore smiled and took the cloak from him. He bowed and Disapparated without another word.
Dorcas and the others turned to Alice and Frank who were raising their wands and facing the door, waiting expectantly. In a minute their trunks had hurtled through the window and came to a rest at the their sides. "Talk about hasty packing, eh?" Frank asked.
The others nodded and moved forward giving each other hugs. "Be careful," Lily whispered, squeezing the couple tightly. "You never know what will happen."
"We'll be fine," Frank said reassuringly, shaking James and Sirius hands tightly. "What's the worse that could happen?"
No one replied to this as they finished up with their good-byes. "I'll come by to visit," Dorcas promised.
"So will I," Sirius replied. "When this whole thing is over and I can come out of hiding."
Alice picked up Neville and passed him around, giving everyone the opportunity to say goodbye to the round-faced, bright-eyed boy.
"Harry and Neville will meet again," Lily said with a final note. "And they will be good friends, I know it."
Alice and Frank nodded before Disapparating. They didn't know that it would be the last time that they would ever see their friends alive and they didn't know that there were worse things than death. Things like being driven into insanity with a very powerful curse.