Chapter One: The Dark Specter
No lights shone on Birkes Road in Godric's Hollow. A tall, menacing figure stood at the corner of the street, waiting for something. With a loud, audible "crack", a small, rodent-like figure appeared next to him. Quickly, he dropped to his knees, and began to kiss the hem of the robe of the larger man.
"My Lord, it is done. I was able to convince Black that it was safer for me to be the Potter's keeper, rather than he. I have been feeding the Order false information, telling them how you plan to destroy the Potters, and then go after Black. I suggested that they use me, because I am not as powerful as they. James and Lily agreed, and we performed the charm not thirty minutes ago. I came as soon as I could."
"You have done well, my servant. Despite your weak, sniveling, underling ways, you have managed to become a trusted part of my regime. When I take control, I will not forget this. However, I must make sure that you remember the punishment if you should dare double-cross me, as you have done with the Potters. Crucio!"
The small man began to writhe in pain. He laid there cringing and rolling on the ground for two minutes before the tall dark specter finally released him from the curse.
"Now, give me the information."
"The Potters live in Number 7, Birkes Road, Godric's Hollow."
The two men watched down into the culdesac. Between Numbers 6 and 8, a small, two story house suddenly seemed to inflate, pushing out of the walls of the other two houses. This house had lights on in the front room, along with a dimmer light that could have come from a lamp shining from a small upstairs window. A silhouette formed in one of the windows. It was of a man, average height, with a medium frame.
"James Potter…" the taller man hissed. "Finally, I will have my revenge for all those times that you dared to escape my wrath."
He turned to his servant. "Leave me now. I do not wish to be hindered by anyone. If the Potters see you with me, they will know that you have betrayed them, and they might get a chance to warn their friends. Besides, I want them all to myself."
"As you mish, master." The man scurried off, and soon disappeared into the night.
Lord Voldemort slowly turned to the house. He removed the wand from his belt, and started to walk towards the house in a slow, deliberate manner. At the front door, he muttered "Alohomora", and lock sprang free. He turned the knob, and ever so slowly, pushed open the door.
James Potter was coming out of the kitchen when he saw the hooded figure approaching through the threshold. He yelled up the stairs to his wife. "Lily, take Harry and run! He's here!" Then, drawing his wand, he turned to face the dark wizard.
"Hello James. This is a lovely home. I hope you like it here, for it shall be the last place you will ever see." With that, he sent green sparks flying from his wand at the smaller man.
"Protego!" yelled James, and a purple shield flashed up in front of him. They managed to deflect the sparks for the most part, but two stray ones were stronger than the shield. One hit James across the ear, slicing off a chunk, while the other one caught him in the thigh, causing his leg to buckle. He slipped to one knee.
"Ah Potter, now that is how it should be. One day, every person, wizard and Muggle alike will bow to me. And now, it is time for you to die."
With a flick of his wrist, Voldemort issued two words. "Avada Kedavra". James Potter, who had fought with all he had, was too weak to move out of the way of the spell. It hit him square in the chest, and he fell backwards, spread eagled on the ground.
"Pity really. You were a worthy opponent, almost. You would have done well as a member of my inner circle. Oh well. Now I go to find that Mudblood wife of yours, and the damn baby that the prophecy speaks of." With that, the cloaked figure stepped over the corpse, and started his way up the stairs.
At the top of the stairs, he strained his ears to hear the sound of ragged breathing, coming from the room at the end of the hall. He glided towards the room, and opened it. Flicking on the light, he saw the bright red hair of Lily Evans-Potter. She whirled around to face him with her wand drawn. Her emerald green eyes shone brightly, with the shimmer of defiance radiating from them.
"Move aside girl."
"No. You can't have Harry!"
"I said move aside. I might let you live, if you just give me the boy!"
"I will never let you have Harry. I will die first!"
"If that is your wish. Avada Kedavra!"
The green sparks flew at the red headed women. "Harry, I love you…" Then, Lily Potter too lay dead on the floor.
Young Harry started to cry. He looked up at the stranger who stood over his crib, tears streaming down his face. The Dark Lord looked down at the boy, and slowly pulled back the hood of the cloak, revealing a pale white face, catlike eyes, and more horrifying features. Young Harry continued to stare at the man, not in the least bit frightened. He wiped the tears away from his eyes, and watched the man as he raised his wand above the wall of the crib.
"Now, young Potter, you will experience the same death your parents did. No one will stand in the way of my reign as the ruler of the wizarding world, especially not the spawn of a mudblood and a traitor. Goodbye Harry Potter. Avada Kedavra!"
The green sparks flew from Voldemort's wand, and hit young Harry in the forehead. However, much to the surprise of Voldemort, the sparks simply bounced back. Four of them hit Voldemort in the face, while the rest ricocheted around the room, some going out into the halls. Voldemort was shocked. The Killing Curse hadn't worked! However, he didn't have time to contemplate the meaning of this. He fled from the house, into the forest, weak. In the forest, his spirit left his broken, close to death body, and entered a small snake that slithered through the forest. He was broken, close to death. But he wasn't dead yet.
Meanwhile, a rat had appeared in the Potter household. He crawled up the stairs, and retrieved the dropped wand of Voldemort. Clutching it in his teeth, the rat scurried back down the stairs, in the opposite direction of the forest.
A motorcycle pulled up to stop in front of the house. A tall man with black hair stepped off the bike, and walked up the house. Before he had knocked on the door, he could sense something was wrong. Sirius Black opened the door, and looked down in horror to see his best friend lying dead on the floor. He was about to head upstairs when he heard his name.
He whirled around to see Rubeus Hagrid standing in the doorway. "Sirius, they're dead, aren't they?"
"Yes Hagrid, I think they are. How did you know?"
"Dumbledore told me. I don't know how he knew, but he did. He sent me to get Harry. Seems he survived somehow."
"He did. Hurry, we must get to him." Sirius threw himself up the stairs, taking them two at a time. He hurried down the hall, into Harry's room. Biting back the flood of sorrow he felt upon seeing Lily's body, he rushed over to pick up Harry, who was asleep on the bed.
"Hagrid, look at his forehead."
"And he shall mark him as his equal. You don't think…"
"I don't know, but I think it's obvious that Harry isn't safe here."
"Yes, I'm supposed to take him to his aunt and uncle. Dumbledore's orders."
"Why don't you let me take him Hagrid. I am his godfather."
"Sorry, I can't. Like I said, Dumbledore's orders."
"Well, at least take my bike. It'll get you there faster. I'm not going to use it any time soon."
"Where are you going?"
"To find an old friend."
With that, Sirius Black pulled his jacket tighter around himself to keep out the cold October air, and headed into the darkness. Meanwhile, Hagrid wrapped Harry up into a blanket, and then carried him out onto the motorcycle. The unlikely pair took off down the road, to Number 4, Privet Drive, Surrey.
