Chapter 2 – The Prophecy

The next day, Lily experienced grand feelings of anxiety as she replaced the old sheets on Mr.Williamson's bed with new ones. He was such a neat freak, that he had to have his sheets, pillows, and towels changed everyday. She worked as an assistant nurse temporarily at St.Mungo's Ward for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Dumbledore had sent her a letter asking her to meet him at the same time and place as James, but why? She was at a loss to figure out why Dumbledore would need to meet with them together after two years out of Hogwarts. Whatever it was, the matter had to be serious. Maybe it had to do with Voldemort. Was he surfacing and causing major destruction again? Did he need them to stop him?

"There you go, Mr.Williamson. All fresh and new. Can I get you anything else?" Lily asked sincerely.

"No, darling, that'd be all. Actually-I'd like to have a cup of tea, if it wouldn't be too much trouble." Of course. Mr.Williamson had always been high maintenance. She agreed and went down a floor to get a cup of tea, thinking all the time about Dumbledore and the letter.

…

It was almost noon when Lily and James joined up together and headed off to the place where Dumbledore had suggested meeting.

"What is the place called again?" James asked her. She was driving them the old Muggle fashioned way.

"Godric's Hollow, I think." She replied, apparently so immersed in her own thoughts, that she had almost ran a red light. The car immobilized, making their bodies bump against the front interior of the car.

"Errr…Watch it, Lil." James cautioned her, rubbing his head with pain.

"Sorry, I'm just a bit jumpy. I have a bad feeling about this whole affair."

"Yeah, well, that's no reason to try and do us in." James said, aiming to lighten the mood. He patted her thigh, "Don't worry. It can't be that bad."

They encountered a steep hill, making the car slump back downhill. As she pushed the gas pedal hardly, the car puffed up a heap of smoke, rumbled, and deafened Lily's ears. She turned off the car for their safety and she motioned James to step out of it. They walked the rest of the way, which didn't take long, because the ancient house or hideaway revealed itself just above the hill. Lily had to admit it was eerie. It was a one story house, having the appearance of a wide flattened hut than a house, which covered about half an acre. Strawn and dried up grass surrounded the house, with a rusty steel fence around the perimeter. She was scared to go in, expecting ghosts and evil spirits to attack her as soon as she stepped into it. She looked at James and saw that he looked appalled too, but nevertheless lead her inside.

The house must have been over hundred years old because as soon as she walked in, she saw a kind of family room with a fireplace covered fully with large blocks of coal steaming with fire. The walls were made of brick, covered by bleak white paint that had begun to chip off at many places. Lily ran her hand across the walls and felt the rough texture respond. What was this place? The letter had said Godric's Hollow…certainly that did not mean Godric Gryffindor?

They found Dumbledore seated on an old wooden rocking chair in what seemed to be the living room. There was plasters and wood on all corners, probably because people had come here to make an attempt to fix the house. Dumbledore seemed nonplussed by the conditions, however, because he gave them his full attention when they entered. James and Lily sat down across from him on a medium height wooden panel and waved hands of welcome.

"Hello, Professor Dumbledore. How do you do?" Lily said formally.

"Fine, fine. The two of you must be fine also, I presume?" Dumbledore spoke as lightly as he could, but there was no denying the worry disguised in his voice.

"We're alright." James said, then getting right to the point, "So, Dumbledore, what made you think of us now?"

"First of all, I want to inform you that everything I am about to tell you may not refer to you, but even so, you must be cautioned."

They both nodded.

"I came across a powerful seer yesterday, and she revealed a prophecy that shocked me when I heard it. I would like to recite for you, but I do not think I have the strength to say it. That is why I brought the Pensieve. It can recall the events of yesterday. Please watch carefully."

From behind the chair, he brought up a wide ball of white swirls known as the Pensieve. Lily had never seen one before, only read about them. Dumbledore held his wand and touched his forehead with it. Wasps of silvery material escaped and went into the basin. Lily and James watched the Pensieve intently as a strange lady with large beetle eyes hidden behind wide glasses formed in front of them, wearing a tacky shawl, and spoke in a deep and mechanical voice.

"THE ONE WITH THE POWER TO VANQUISH THE DARK LORD APPROACHES…BORN TO THOSE WHO HAVE THRICE DEFIED HIM, BORN AS THE SEVENTH MONTH DIES…AND THE DARK LORD WILL MARK HIM AS HIS EQUAL, BUT HE WILL HAVE POWER THE DARK LORD KNOWS NOT…AND EITHER MUST DIE AT THE HAND OF THE OTHER FOR ENITHER CAN LIVE WHILE THE OTHER SURVIVES. THE ONE WITH THE POWER TO VANQUISH THE DARK LORD WILL BE BORN AS THE SEVENTH MONTH DIES…"

Silence hovered in the room. Lily convulsed slightly, trying to group in all the words into something meaningful. Born as the seventh month dies…that was the end of July…Who was destined to defeat Voldemort? Why was Dumbledore telling them if neither their birthdays were around that time?

"Dumbledore…" James started, staring at the now empty Pensieve, "What did that mean? Who has the power to vanquish Voldemort?"

"He will be born to parents that have defied Voldemort three times and in the end of July."

"We have escaped from Voldemort three times…" Lily said, more to herself than anyone else.

"That's right. But so have a lot of other people. Certainly it can't be pertaining to us." James said doubtfully.

"No they have not." Dumbledore contradicted, "Only you two and another pair have."

"And who is that?" James asked. Lily sat there in deep thought, although she had a general idea of who it would be.

"Frank and Alice Longbottom. I would have invited them also, but they are on a special mission in France." Lucky them, Lily thought. They were both respectable Aurors that had chances to travel all over the world for their jobs.

"Are you sure this isn't a joke?" James inquired, looking at Dumbledore.

"I wish it was, but no. It's more likely that he will be after you since your encounters have been more dangerous to you and more offensive to him."

Lily and James caught a somber glance. This meant that they were going to have a son that was going to have to face and defeat Voldemort one day. What significance he would have in the wizarding world at such an age, that is, if he stayed alive, and that was what Dumbledore brought up next.

"I do not think there is any use of putting you under protection right now, considering you have not had your child yet. But once you do, a thing called the Fidelius Charm will be put into effect."

"Fidelius Charm?" Lily asked, confused as to what that was.

"Yeah, it's a spell that protects people and there's a Secret Keeper." James told her, and she said, "Oh."

"Exactly," said Dumbledore, "You must choose your Secret-Keeper, who will be the only person to know your whereabouts, when time comes."

"Sirius, of course." James said without thinking.

Dumbledore made a bow and got to his feet, holding the Pensieve in his hand. "That is all. I must go, I have business awaiting me. Please owl me if you have any questions or concerns. Goodbye for now."

And with that, he Disapparated, leaving Lily and James in silence.

Their unborn son was going to change the world. Lily didn't know whether to be happy or sad, but one thing she did know. They were going to be in so much danger when he was born.