N/A: Thank you all for reviewing, I'm very glad of the good things you
have to say and it makes me want to write a lot more.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter nor any characters or places related to it.
Chapter 7 ~ Taking Precautions
The day after their arrival to town, Dumbledore paid them a visit. James, Lily, Remus and Sirius met him in the family parlor where the men were sprawled in the floor urging Harry to stand on his own.
"Come Harry, come to daddy." James was urging.
Harry was standing against the couch, looking at his father with a smile.
"Go on Harry." "You can do it." Remus and Sirius were urging Harry on.
Lily looked indulgently on and laughed at the sight of her husband in such a state. He is like a child, she thought and chuckled.
"It's not funny Lily, he is old enough to walk on his own." James said.
"I know he is James, and he will, eventually." Lily said.
"But I don't want him to be left behind, I know a lot of children that have begun to walk much younger than Harry." James exclaimed.
"James, each child is different. He will walk, there is nothing that will keep him from it. Besides, I'm sure that once he does start to walk we are going to miss this time when we can actually keep track of him." Lily said.
"Oh, Harry is not going to be any trouble. Are you Harry?" James had turned to look back at Harry who was still standing against the couch.
It was then when the doorbell rang. They heard Roberts walking to the entrance and then voices were heard.
James looked at Lily, the fun seemed to have gone for the moment.
"Professor Dumbledore." Announced Roberts some minutes later.
"Thank you Roberts. Welcome Professor." Said Lily as she stood to greet Dumbledore.
"Hello, my dear. I hope I didn't come at a wrong time." His eyes twinkled at the sight of the three young men sprawled on the floor.
"Oh no Professor." Said James quickly coming to his feet to greet him.
"We were just trying to get Harry to walk." Explained Sirius.
"Indeed? And did you succeed?" Asked Dumbledore as he looked at Harry who was smiling up to them from the couch.
"No. He doesn't seem to be interesting in walking yet." Said Remus.
Harry plopped down on the floor and laughed as if agreeing with Remus.
"Please sit Professor, do you wish for some refreshment?" Lily asked as she motioned toward an empty chair.
"Thank you my dear, but I have need of nothing." Professor Dumbledore said as he sat.
"Do you wish us to leave?" Remus asked as he tried to get Sirius to stand up, but Sirius didn't seem to notice that this was a time when Lily and James might prefer to be alone with their old Headmaster.
"There is no need." Said Dumbledore.
James and Lily looked at each other with surprise, even Sirius and Remus looked surprised that Dumbledore wanted them to stay. He had never done so before when he came to talk to Lily and James, and they certainly had never asked them to stay in those meetings. But Dumbledore didn't seem to mind that the young people were perplexed at his change of mind.
Minutes later, everybody was sitting and Harry had been taken by Minnie for his nap. Drinks had been brought for James and Sirius while the rest preferred to wait.
"We are rather concerned about the attack, it seems as Voldemort has decided to go after you." Dumbledore was saying. "What is rather confusing is the fact that they attacked at the time they did. You said that the fair would take place the whole day, and it indeed did so, there was no reason for them to be there if they had heard of it."
"We think they were watching for us." James said.
"It does look that way." Agreed Dumbledore.
"But I don't understand why they waited until we were gone, if it is as you say and Voldemort has decided to make them a target, why wait until we left and only the ladies and Harry were left behind with the elves?" Sirius exclaimed.
"And how would they know that we would leave, if it hadn't been a full moon that night, we would've stayed in the village until dark." Lily said.
"They knew that you would return before it got dark and that you would choose to accompany Mr. Lupin out of the estate." Dumbledore said.
"But how would they know? Only a few know about my condition?" Remus said.
"Is it possible that we have a spy?" Asked James, it was a question that resided in the mind of everybody present but none had the courage to say.
Everybody fell silent, a feeling of dread and anger running through their bodies, for all they knew the person responsible could be one of them.
Dumbledore took a deep breath. "It is a possibility." He finally said. "They seem to be very well informed about our steps."
"What do we do now?" Lily asked. She didn't want to think that one of their friends could be the one responsible for the death of their mother and the twins.
"For now, it is better if you stay here. I'll try to see if any of my operatives can find out more about what Voldemort's plans are. We'll make further plans as we find out more." Dumbledore said.
"I suppose it would do no good if I say that it would be best if they hide." Remus said.
"It would make no difference, if they hide he is bound to find them one way or another." Said Sirius.
"Not if we do the Fidelius Charm." Dumbledore said rather suddenly.
"The What Charm?" Asked Sirius confused.
"The Fidelius Charm." Dumbledore repeated with a smile.
"How does that work?" Lily asked.
"It involves the concealment of a secret in a living soul. The secret in this case would be your hiding place. Voldemort could look everywhere even in your own house and not find you as long as the Secret-Keeper retains the secret, it is only broken if he decided to give up the secret willingly." Dumbledore explained.
Everybody was silent, it did sound like the perfect choice.
"We'll discuss it if the need arrives." Said James.
Dumbledore nodded.
Sirius and Remus looked surprised at him. "Why?" Both asked.
"James, it is the perfect thing. If Voldemort has made up his mind to come after you, he will." Said Sirius.
"Think of Harry and Lily, James, it is for the best." Remus said.
"How do we know that? For all we know, this was a fluke. Our group has been systematically attacked during the last months. Sirius wouldn't have sent Katie away if we didn't know that. The fact that the others haven't is because they hid and it is harder for the Death Eaters to find them. But we didn't hide, we stayed. Our family has lived in the same house for generations, everybody knows where we live, it never was a secret." James said.
"But James, haven't you been listening! This is different. They didn't come just to attack, they wanted something else." Sirius said.
"Leave it Sirius. If Dumbledore finds reason for us to use the charm, we will. For now, we'll stay put." James said.
Sirius looked like he wanted to continue arguing but Lily spoke before he could.
"He is right Sirius. We are safe for now, as long as the charm protecting the square holds, we will be safe. I don't want Harry to grow up in hiding Sirius, he deserves better." Lily said looking imploringly at him.
Sirius held his tongue. They were right, Harry did deserve better, but he also deserved to live safe.
The meeting didn't last long after that. Dumbledore stayed for dinner and everybody tried to make the most effort to look cheerful although all knew that the next day they would have to remember their sorrow as Mr. Nikolei read Mrs. Evans' will.
The day was sunny and the street was silent. Privet Drive was one of the newest rebuilt suburbs in Surrey and many of the new neighbors to the quiet community were middle-class businessmen trying to keep their children out of the bad influences found in the big cities.
The residents at number 4 were no different.
"Ohh, look at our Dudleyinkings, he is eating on his own now." Gushed Mrs. Petunia Dursley as the small family sat around the table for breakfast.
Mr. Vernon Dursley looked over the paper and his flushed face broke into a smile. "That's my boy, he is going to be successful, mark my words." He boomed.
Petunia's expression changed in matter of seconds. "Are we doing right in going Vernon, I see no reason why we need to go to 'her' house." She said gloomily.
Vernon knew exactly who 'she' was that made her wife so upset. If he were in her shoes, he would be upset about it as well. Thank God for Marge, he thought, at least I don't have to worry about my sister.
"It was your mother's wish, dear, if we want to know what it says we need to go to their London House." Vernon said trying to soothe his wife.
"Humph! There was no need for her to wish for that, there is a large house in London where we could all meet if the solicitor's office wasn't big enough. The thought of my precious baby getting involved with their sort just bothers me greatly." She exclaimed as she hugged Dudley tight, an action he didn't like as he started to fuss and whimper among his mother's arms.
"Don't worry Petunia, it won't be for long, but if you prefer, we could leave him with Mrs. Figgs for the day." Vernon said.
"No, I don't like the thought of leaving my little baby behind; besides, she doesn't like me very much." Petunia's face turned sour at the thought of the belligerent old lady, who lived in a small house around the corner from their own.
"Whatever you wish dear, but we must get ready if we want to be there on time." Said Vernon looking at his watch.
Petunia nodded and quietly took the screaming Dudley in her arms and left the kitchen.
Vernon watched her go and started to think of the many things they could buy with the money his mother-in-law left them, starting with a new car and a house in Majorca.
Lily was in a state of agitation.
"But what if they don't like each other? They are cousins, so far, he might be the only cousin he may have." Lily was saying as she watched Minnie getting Harry ready for the day.
"Lily, Harry will not mind if he doesn't get along with your sister's son, he will have lots of friends, he might not even remember he has a cousin." James said, and if he is lucky, he won't have to see him after today, James thought.
"Oh but - "
"Lily, your sister might not want them to meet at all, he is best not worrying about them." James said taking Lily by her shoulders and looking her straight into her eyes.
"I know you are right, but I can't help but wish you weren't." She whispered.
"I know. Don't worry Lily, Harry will be fine without the Dursleys." James said hugging her.
Lily smiled sadly but said no more.
Minutes later they were sitting in the parlor room with Sirius and Remus waiting for Mr. Nikolei to make an appearance.
They held their breath when the doorbell rang and they heard Roberts going to open it. Moments later, the parlor door was opened.
"Mr. Nikolei, Sir, Ma'am." Announced Roberts.
"Thank you Roberts, see that refreshments are served please, the Dursleys should be here soon." Said James as the solicitor entered the room. "Welcome Mr. Nikolei, do you wish for something to drink?"
"Good day Sir, I'm fine for now, thank you. Good day to you Mrs. Potter." Mr. Nikolei said bowing to Lily.
"Good day Mr. Nikolei, I hope you have the time to eat luncheon with us after the reading." Lily said as she motioned the solicitor toward a chair.
"We'll see Ma'am, we'll see." Mr. Nikolei said. "Did I hear you say that the Dursleys are not present yet?"
"You did, Mr. Nikolei, they have not arrived." James said as Roberts entered the parlor followed by a troop of footmen carrying drinks, pastries and plates of appetizers that Otty had prepared with care.
Sirius quickly made his way to the refreshments and was happily munching on his selection when the doorbell rang once more.
Lily looked intently toward the door, while James tensed by her side. If that woman does something to upset Lily, I will turn her into a rat, James thought as they heard Roberts walk toward the front door.
Moments later the parlor door opened once more.
"Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Dursley." Roberts said as he moved aside and allowed the couple behind him to enter.
Petunia didn't seem too happy as she looked around the room. Her feelings seemed to be shared by her husband.
"Ah, about time you got here." Exclaimed Mr. Nikolei.
Vernon nodded curtly toward him and didn't even turn to look at the rest of those present. Petunia just pinched her lips and said nothing as she sat in one of the chairs further from the assembled group, the bundle in her arms fussed and wailed.
"Hello Petunia, is that your son?" Asked Lily looking at the small pink face emerging from the bundle of clothes in her sister's lap.
Petunia didn't respond, she just turned all her attention to her son.
Lily sat back rather dejectedly on her seat while James glowered at Petunia.
"Well, yes." Mr. Nikolei said as the tension in the room grew. "We should start then." He said as he opened his briefcase and started to take out his papers.
"Wait a moment here!" Vernon exclaimed abruptly. "Why are they here? They are not family." He said glowering toward Remus and Sirius.
"Family! You! We were more a family to her than you ever were." Exclaimed Sirius.
"Please, take a seat." Said Mr. Nikolei in a loud voice. Once everybody took a seat he continued. "Mr. Black and Mr. Lupin were mentioned in Mrs. Evans' will, they are here because I asked them to be." He said looking at Vernon over his small glasses.
Vernon's face became flush in anger but didn't say anything. He took the chair next to Petunia and turned to look toward the solicitor.
Mr. Nikolei nodded and looked through his papers. "I will read the last will and testament of Mrs. Rose Evans as she dictated it to me on the first day of November this past year.
"I, Rose Adelaine Evans, being on sound mind, hereby allocate my estate in the following manner:
"The London House, I leave to both my daughters to do as they wish.
"To both my grandchildren, I leave a trust with the amount of 1 million pounds each, to be awarded to them at the age of 21.
"To Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, for being a constant source of amusement and companionship, I leave the amounts of 100,000 pounds each.
"The rest of my belongings, the paintings, jewelry and remaining monies, will be distributed as follows:
"In the event that both my daughters put aside their differences and came together for my service, the remaining of the estate will be divided in equal parts.
"In the event that one of my daughters was not present, the remaining of my estate will be presented to the other.
"This is my last will and testament:
"Signed, Rose Adelaine Evans and Adolphus Nikolei."
The solicitor read into the silent room.
Everybody seemed very surprised, but nobody seemed to have the breath to reply to it.
"Wh - wha - what does that mean?" Petunia stuttered.
"It means, Mrs. Dursley, that because you were not present on your mother's service, you forfeited most of your inheritance. The one thing you can count on is whatever comes out from the house." Mr. Nikolei replied.
"WHAT! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US WHEN WE CONTACTED YOU?" Roared Vernon making Dudley cry and Harry, who was in a carriage sleeping by Lily's seat, started to fuss.
"Because it was to be your wife's choice. What happens between a solicitor and his client is confidential." Mr. Nikolei frowned at Vernon.
"YOU DID THIS, YOU FILLED HER WITH YOUR HOCUS POCUS AND DID THIS!" Vernon turned to Lily, his face flushed with anger.
"DON'T YOU BLAME THIS ON LILY, YOU TWO HAVE MADE YOUR HIPOCRACY AND GREED QUITE CLEAR FROM THE BEGINNING. Personally, I don't blame Mrs. Evans for making her will as she did." James got control of his temper at the end, lowering his voice to his normal tone.
Remus and Sirius were nodding vigorously their agreement. Lily was just silent, it hurt her that her sister would think like that, Vernon wouldn't say it if Petunia didn't agree with him.
"Of course you do, you probably do the same with anybody who comes near you, you wouldn't have this house if you didn't." Snapped Vernon.
That was the last straw for James.
"I'll have you know that my family has been in possession of this house and the others for several generations, our vaults in Gringotts has been filled with gold for more than two hundred years and we do not waste our coins in rubbish, now, you have insulted my family for the last time, I'm asking you to leave my house, any arrangements needed after this can be done through Mr. Nikolei." James said, nodding to Roberts, who had come in running into the room when the screaming started to see if anything was wrong, and watched as the butler opened the door for the Dursleys and relaxed as they made their way out of the room.
"I'm sorry I lost my temper." Apologized James some minutes later.
"No matter. I had been asking myself why Mrs. Evans had made such provisions, I now see that she was looking ahead." Mr. Nikolei shook his head in disbelief.
"Yes, well, they had it coming." Sirius exclaimed.
"Indeed they did, since Mr. Evans' death. I'm just surprised they lasted this long without bothering Mrs. Evans about what he had left behind." Remus said.
"I think I will retire, I have a headache." Said Lily taking Harry with her and leaving the room without waiting for anybody to say anything.
James sighed. He wished he could have been able to protect her from such scene, but he knew that she needed to see it for herself.
"I will leave you then, there are some papers that Mrs. Potter will need to sign in order to transfer her inheritance into her own accounts and to your solicitor, but I can get in contact with him if you wish. You know how to contact me if you need my help. Gentlemen." He bowed to them and he left the room soon after.
The room was silent as the solicitor made his way out of the room. Roberts led him to the entrance and the three young men were left behind pondering what had just happened.
"Can you actually believe that? I thought he was going to pop." Chuckled Sirius at the thought of Vernon's reaction to the will.
James and Remus couldn't help themselves, they laughed too.
"That sister-in-law of yours is a nightmare James, I would've chucked her out the door the moment she came in." Said Sirius returning to the refreshment table once more with his empty plate.
"I would too." Nodded Remus as he looked at the food with curiosity.
"Don't think that I wasn't tempted, but Lily wanted to see her sister." Shrugged James.
"The way they acted, as if it didn't matter that the death of Mrs. Evans brought us all together today. All they cared about was what she left behind." Exclaimed Sirius with disgust.
"Indeed. She left them enough, even if they don't deserve it." Said Remus as he gave way to his instincts and joined Sirius next to the refreshment table.
"I'll say, one million to that kid of theirs and whatever comes from the house, that is more than enough." Said Sirius.
James nodded. He was still angry at the way the Dursleys had reacted to the news, but what made him angrier still was that they blamed it all in Lily, don't they know that that kind of magic they accused her of is against Magical law? Maybe not, they should take some magical awareness class in muggle schools to avoid such bigotry, he thought. Then he thought of Lily, she had been clearly upset by what happened. "I'm going to see Lily." James said and quickly left the room.
Sirius and Remus looked at each with worry.
"How do you think she is doing?" Asked Remus.
Sirius shrugged.
Lily was a little upset. After she left the others behind in the parlor, she quickly made her way to their chambers, with a fussing Harry in her arms.
"Shhh! Harry, there is nothing to worry about." She whispered to her son as she made her way down the corridors toward their room.
The moment she reached her room, she walked briskly to Harry's small room connecting to her own. Minnie was inside putting the laundry away.
"Put him to bed Minnie, he needs to rest." Said Lily as she placed Harry into his crib and quickly returned to her own room. She didn't think she was able to stay and take care of Harry in her state.
She had known that Petunia wasn't too happy to have her as a sister, when she was younger she could think of it as sibling rivalry, but now she knew that her sister hated her. What was so wrong about being a witch in the first place? She stood looking out the window as she thought over the events of the day. She had a nephew that she could honestly say she never met. They didn't even bother to ask about Harry! She thought in anger. Perhaps James was right. Harry didn't need them, he would be happy with James and Lily and all their friends, they would love him and watch him grow full of happiness.
She stayed in front of the window as she heard Minnie taking care of Harry. Oh yes, she thought, Harry would grow up loved and happy.
She started to dream about all the things they could do as the years passed by. James would teach Harry to fly and be the best Quidditch player Hogwarts had ever seen, they would take him shopping at Diagon Alley when he got his letter from Hogwarts, she would enjoy that, she thought, shopping and taking him around the stores as James and Sirius spent most of his time in the Quidditch Supplies store looking at brooms and the latest in Quidditch technology. Maybe their friends would have children by then, Harry would have lots of friends and they would look proudly as he played in his house team. She knew that James was certain that Harry would belong to Gryffindor (How could he not! Every Potter has been in Gryffindor! James always said) and secretly, she agreed with him.
She was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't hear the door open and close behind her. She looked out of the window until she was startled by a hand touching her waist.
"What are you thinking of?" Asked James as he turned her softly to look at him.
"Just about what we are going to do when Harry grows up." She said with a smile.
"And what is that?" Queried James.
"Oh, how we are going to take him shopping when he gets his letter, and that you are going to teach him to fly." Lily replied.
"He will be the best!" Exclaimed James.
Lily laughed and leaned her head against him.
"I was worried that what happened with your sister upset you." James kissed her hair and stroked her back. If they hurt her, he thought, I'm going to turn them into a pair of mice.
"I was hurt, but you always say that they don't matter, so I won't let them worry me. If they don't want to see me, that's fine. We are happy together." Lily said as she hugged him tight.
"Yes, we are, Harry doesn't need them and neither do we. Besides, with all the friends that Harry will have, he won't even notice that his cousin exist." James said.
Lily smiled somewhat sadly. "What if we are not there for him?" She whispered.
James was silent for a moment, he knew that she was thinking about Voldemort and the attack on their family. "Sirius and Remus will be there, and in case they are not, Dumbledore will know what to do." He replied eventually.
"I don't want him to be alone, James." Lily said.
"He won't be, we'll always be there with him, one way or another, he will be taken care of." James hugged her. Both feared for the future of their son.
Voldemort has to be defeated, James thought, Harry shouldn't have to grow up fearing a man that he had never met.
The days passed and Harry continued to grow. It was now the middle of June and Harry was almost a year old.
"I wished we could go to the Manor and celebrate his birthday there." Sighed Lily one afternoon.
"I know, I wish so as well, but we'll make it one of the greatest events of the year." James replied.
James, Lily and Harry were in the family parlor. Lily was sitting in a chair near the windows, while James sat on the floor beside her. They both were watching Harry crawl on the floor, playing with his Quidditch balls and trying to reach everything that grabbed his attention.
They both smiled indulgently as Harry spotted something over a small table at one corner of the room. It was a small figurine of a dancing couple, it was made of crystal and it shone against the sunlight. Harry crawled steadily toward the shinning object that had attracted him.
"Harry!" Exclaimed Lily as she made to stand up.
James put his arms against her lap. "Leave him, it won't break." James said.
"Are you sure?" Lily frowned as she watched her son continue on his quest without any of the worry that belonged to his mother.
"Of course." James replied.
They watched as Harry sat up by the table and looked up to the figurine, as if he was trying to figure out how to reach it. He pushed against the legs of the table and pulled himself up, as he did so, the figurine toppled and fell a few feet away from him.
James chuckled and Lily smiled, but didn't move as they watched their son standing on his own looking at the glittering object. Then he moved, James and Lily held their breath as Harry took one step, then another, and another, slowly Harry made it to the side of the figurine with a look of triumph in his small face as he reached down. As he did so, he fell. Before he started to cry, James swooped him up into his arms.
"Yes! You did it Harry!" He exclaimed as he raised Harry up over his head and turned toward Lily who was clapping and laughing.
"Did you see him, he walked." James exclaimed.
Harry had forgotten everything about crying and squealed with laughter as his father raised him high.
"Oh, isn't he clever." Lily said looking happily at her husband and son.
"Of course he is, he's a Potter." James exclaimed.
Lily laughed, every time Harry did something surprising he would say: He is a Potter.
That is how Sirius found them some moments later.
At their return to town, it was decided that Sirius should stay in the Potter house instead of opening his own, it would be too lonely if he was left on his own. After the reading of Mrs. Evans' will, Remus returned to his travels in his search for a cure to his troubles.
"What are you lot going on about?" Exclaimed Sirius.
"He walked Sirius, Harry walked!" James shouted.
"Did he? Oh, and I missed it. Ata boy Harry, I knew you could do it." Sirius run to James and took Harry from him as he said so. "All you need now are some lessons in flying and you are set to take Hogwarts by storm."
"Honestly, you two can be so idiotic sometimes. My son is not going to be some jock, he is going to be a good student also and be Head Boy someday." Lily said.
"I was Head Boy, I wasn't just a good Quidditch player." Exclaimed James.
"Well, but you were an exception." Replied Lily.
"What are you saying? That I was a jock!" Exclaimed Sirius. Lily knew he wasn't angry as she noticed the happy twinkle in his eyes.
"You know what I mean." She said. "Now give me my son, he needs to eat." She took Harry from Sirius and quickly left the room.
James and Sirius were left shaking with suppressed laughter. It took them a couple of minutes to manage to get a hold of themselves.
"I suppose this means that we are going to have to make everything safe for him. Can you imagine how long that is going to take in a house this big?" Sirius exclaimed as he looked around.
The house was indeed big. The ground floor housed the public rooms, the parlors, dining rooms, ballroom, library and kitchens. These were by no means small, they were quite large, enough to hold up to twenty people at once, except for the ballroom, which was the biggest room in the house and it could hold up to five hundred people. The second floor was divided into two wings, the East Wing was designed for the comfort of guests. There were fifty guest rooms, each with a sitting room and its own bathroom. The West Wing housed the private, family rooms. There were twenty chambers, each with a sitting room and walking closet along with a dressing room and bathroom. The largest of these bedrooms was, of course, the master bedroom. This room was as big as the public rooms, walled sized windows at one end with a balcony facing the back garden, fireplace, two dressing rooms and walking closets, and two bathrooms. It also contained a sitting room and a door connected to a smaller room, which had been turned to a nursery.
Every room in the house was furnished with the best, designed for comfort and to show the wealth of the family. In every single public room were little adornments that could easily attract the attention to an eleven- month-old toddler. There was a lot to do if everything was going to be guarded from him.
James shrugged. "That's why we have wands." He said.
Sirius laughed. "Yes, that is rather convenient isn't it? But I thought magic couldn't be used anywhere in the square."
"It can't, but I have clearance." James grinned as Sirius looked astonished by those news.
"How did you manage to get it?" Asked Sirius.
"It was only one of the few good things that came out of the attack. The Ministry thought that my household would need it." James replied. His expression turned serious and Sirius knew that it was a subject his friend didn't want to speak about.
"Well, yes. When are you going to work on it then?" Sirius asked turning back to the previous subject.
"I think I'll leave it for the staff to do it. Mrs. Nichols is more acquainted with that charm than I am. She performed it when I was Harry's age after all." Said James.
Sirius nodded his agreement. "So what do we do?" He had come into the room in search of entertainment in the first place, now that they were all alone, he felt the boredom oppress him sometimes.
James looked toward the door, he knew that it would take a while for Lily to return with Harry. He shrugged and started to walk out of the room, Sirius quickly followed him. Both men could be found later in the game room having a loud game of pool.
Harry's birthday was getting close and both, James and Lily, were really looking forward to it. Sirius also got into the spirit of things, and accompanied James and Lily to Diagon Alley in search of the perfect gift.
"A set of Quidditch robes." Said James one morning as they were discussing what to buy for Harry.
"That would be perfect!" Exclaimed Sirius.
"Honestly! I want Harry to grow up with much more than Quidditch." Lily said glaring at the two men.
"But exercise is good for children." Sirius said.
"I agree, but there are a lot more than just Quidditch. Why, he could learn to play soccer, baseball, basketball, well, there are a great number of sports, aren't there." Lily said.
"But Harry is a wizard and Quidditch is our sport." James replied.
"And I was born in a muggle family, I say he needs to learn about that side of his heritage as well." Said Lily.
James and Sirius looked at each other with resignation.
"She is right." Sirius sighed.
"I know." Said James.
"Now that it's all settled. I say that we get him some muggle toys as well, I won't have him grow up sheltered from that sort of things." Lily said happily.
"Should we buy one of those com - compi - compiters?" James looked confusedly at Lily. Lily giggled. "Computer. No, I don't think so, he is too small for it." She managed to say after a few moments.
"Oh, I was hoping we could." James looked crestfallen that they wouldn't buy one.
"We can if you want one." Lily said with a smile.
"I should say, it is your money after all." Said Sirius.
"They are rather costly." Lily looked at James with a frown.
"We have the money." Said James.
"And where would you keep it, it does take up a lot of space." Lily replied.
"In my bookroom." Said James.
"Oh, very well, if you want one, you can have it." Lily said.
James grinned. Lily couldn't help herself and laughed, he looked like a child being told that he could have his favorite toy.
"We could get him a motorcycle." Sirius said rather suddenly.
"Are you crazy! I'm not having my son in a motorcycle, it is enough that I allowed you to give him rides in your own." Lily exclaimed.
"There are small ones for children Lily." James said.
"Are there really?" Lily looked surprised.
James nodded. "And they don't run very fast, it would be safe, but I think he is too small for one, he wouldn't be able to use it until a few years from now."
Sirius shrugged and returned his attention back to his food.
Lily and James continued with their plans, while Sirius ate and listened in silence.
A couple of hours later, they were crossing through The Leaky Cauldron on their way to Diagon Alley.
"Good day, Mr. Potter, Mrs. Potter." Greeted them the bartender.
"Hello Tom, how is business today?" Smiled James.
"Rather good, many parents are in town shopping for Hogwarts' term." Said Tom.
"Oh yes, just six weeks for the term to begin." Said Lily as she looked around the pub at the small families looking over their purchases and those who were just there to pass a good time.
"Oh yes, and with the assignment of a new teacher, new books have to be bought." Reported Tom.
Sirius entered the pub at that moment and pushed a stroller in with him. He had stayed behind putting Harry into his stroller and told James and Lily to go ahead of him.
"What took you so long?" Asked James.
"Harry was fussing." Said Sirius.
Lily bent to check on her son, who sat silently among plush pillows and small toys.
"Well, he seems fine now." Said James looking at Harry smiling up at his mother.
"Oh, he is a handsome boy." Exclaimed Tom.
"Thank you." Smiled Lily.
"Are we staying here for a bit or are we going in?" Asked Sirius as he looked around the pub.
"We are going in, we have a lot to look for." Said Lily. "Good bye Tom, we'll see you when we are ready to go."
The small group walked toward the back of the pub and after tapping the wall with a wand, the entrance to Diagon Alley was disclosed and they entered.
Tom was right, the Alley was full of people shopping with young children, everybody seemed to be carrying a Hogwarts list of materials.
For a moment, James and Lily thought sadly of the twins, it would've been their time to go to Hogwarts and they would've been buying their supplies now along with Harry's present. Now they wouldn't have that joy, Voldemort had taken it away from them.
Their sadness didn't last long as Harry giggled at the sight of the caged owls overhead a sign that read Eeylops Owl Emporium. James and Lily smiled and stepped across the threshold and made their way toward the shops losing themselves along the sea of people shopping.
They went to Gringotts first. A goblin led them to one of their vaults where they filled their sack with golden Galleons, silver Sickles and bronze Knuts. It was in Flourish and Blotts where they spent some time, looking around books for Harry, even though it would be a while until he would be able to use them.
Lily was reading through the 'Early Readers' section when a small commotion behind her called her attention.
A pregnant, red headed, woman was standing behind her, and to Lily's surprise she seemed to have all her children with her. Six of them! Thought Lily, and with another in the way? She has been busy.
"George, Fred, leave that! Don't you touch a thing! Charlie dear, help Percy, he wants to see that book. Now, Bill give me your book list and look after Ron." She was saying at the six boys around her.
Lily looked at her. "Oh, my, six boys!" She exclaimed.
The woman looked at her and smiled. "Yes, a bit of a headache sometimes but I love them all the same."
Lily smiled, happy to see that she wasn't offended. "And you are brave enough to have another?"
"Well, yes, I'm hoping it will be the girl. Mind, I have been hoping for the same for five times now." The woman replied.
Lily smiled and looked down at the carriage beside her, were Harry was silently playing with one of his Qudditch balls that James had insisted on bringing with them.
"Oh, is that your little boy? Will you look at him, so handsome." The woman exclaimed.
Her sons must have noticed that their mother was not paying them any attention because they turned to look at her to see what was keeping her. Two small boys, whom seemed very clear to Lily that were twins, walked behind her mother and clutching her skirts, looked curiously at Harry.
"He must be the same age as my youngest." The woman said pointing at the small red-haired boy being entertained by one of the older boys. "Bill, bring Ron here." She called, and the boy promptly pushed what looked like an old carriage to her.
Lily looked over all the small boys, all of them seemed to have inherited their mother's hair, a deep, fiery red.
"My word! I forgot to introduce myself." The woman exclaimed. "I'm Molly Weasley." She put out her hand and smiled.
"Lily Potter." Said Lily shaking her hand. "And this is Harry." She said taking Harry out of his stroller.
"Are you really?" Mrs. Weasley sounded surprised. She knew, of course, about the Potters, they were well known in Wizard society. "This is Bill, that one looking at the Quidditch books is Charlie, Percy is that one sitting on the floor, these two rascals are Fred and George, and of course Ron." Mrs. Weasley pointed at each boy as she named them.
The oldest boy, Bill, nodded to Lily before turning to his mother. "Should I get those books mother?"
"Oh, yes, here you are." Mrs. Weasley said as she gave the list back to him. "He is going to Hogwarts this year." She said turning to look at Lily.
"How exciting for you. Do you wish him to get into your house?" Lily asked with curiosity, she didn't remember a Molly Weasley when she was at Hogwarts.
"Oh yes, specially my husband, we both were in Gryffindor." Mrs. Weasley said.
"Really? So was I and my husband, we met there." Lily exclaimed.
Mrs. Weasley laughed. "I'm not surprised, it seems that Hogwarts is usually were our kind meets their mates."
Lily smiled but said no more as at that moment James and Sirius came through another aisle looking for her.
"There you are, we found the perfect thing." James exclaimed the moment he saw Lily.
"James dear, this is Molly Weasley." Lily said in a chiding note.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." Exclaimed James turning to look at the short, plump woman standing by Lily.
"That's all right." Mrs. Weasley said with a smile. The twins were clinging to her skirts looking attentively at the two tall men before them.
"Nice to meet you of course." Said James. "You don't happen to be related to Arthur Weasley, are you?"
"As it happens, he is my husband." Mrs. Weasley said, pleased to note that such a distinguished personage as James Potter would know her husband.
"You don't say." Exclaimed Sirius.
"Oh, I'm sorry, this is Sirius Black." James motioned to Sirius.
"Nice to meet you." Said Sirius.
Mrs. Weasley nodded and smiled.
"Do you know my husband then?" She asked.
"Oh, indeed, he works in the Ministry doesn't he? I'm sure I saw him there recently." James said.
"Yes, he does. He is a Junior Officer, of course, but I'm sure he will get a promotion soon enough." Said Mrs. Weasley.
"Father always had great things to say about the Weasleys." James said.
"That is nice to hear." Mrs. Weasley replied, she couldn't wait until she got home and tell her husband about this.
The small twin boys started to pull on their mother's skirts. Ron was getting bored and started to fuss in his carriage.
"I need to get them home. Nice meeting you." Said Mrs. Weasley. "Come boys. Charlie, Bill, help me with your brothers." She called to the older boys. The two promptly took the hands of one or two of the younger boys while their mother pushed the stroller out of the bookstore.
"Can you imagine, six boys!" Exclaimed Lily looking at the family cross the street to another shop.
Sirius and James shrugged. "Why not?" Asked Sirius.
"The Weasleys were always rather prolific." James explained.
Lily shook her head but didn't say anymore.
"What was it that you found?" She asked them.
"Oh, come and see." James said with excitement and started to pull her as Sirius pushed the carriage to one corner of the store.
It was a section dedicated to the study of muggle sports.
"You said that you wanted Harry to learn about muggle sports." Said Sirius as he and James started to pull some books from the shelves and look through the pages.
"Well, yes, but I was thinking more in the terms of him actually playing the sports, not read about them from a book." Said Lily.
"Well, what is the difference, he will know of them at any rate." Said James.
"But I want him to know how they are done by doing not by reading, besides, wizards never know the correct way of doing anything muggle. I want him to do exercises and be a strong boy and playing sports is the right way to do it." Lily replied.
"That's what Quidditch is for." James and Sirius said in unison.
"Oh honestly!" Lily exclaimed and marched off pushing Harry's carriage along with her.
"What?" Called James after her before turning to look at Sirius with confusion. "I thought this was perfect."
Sirius shook his head. "Women!"
They stayed in Diagon Alley the whole day. At noon they went to Fortescue's for a light luncheon before continuing shopping.
By the end of the day, they were carrying large bags full of purchases. James had gotten his way and Harry now had a set of Quidditch robes and new broom, even though the one he got at his baby shower was still fully functional, a complete new wardrobe from Madam Malkin's, food for his cat - who had fully grown by now but still spent his days following Harry around - a complete set of children stories.
Lily had decided that if she wanted her son to know about his muggle heritage, it would be up to her, therefore, she would shop for him what he needed without the help from Sirius and James, they were bound to thwart her every movement if she took them along.
They arrived back to the house full of packages that the servants had to bring into the house after unloading the car. James and Lily were planning a big day for Harry and nothing would keep them from giving their son all the love he needed while keeping him away from the trouble that seemed to follow his every step.
Screams filled the air of a moor, away from any town or village, deserted in the middle of the countryside.
"Fools!" A raging voice was heard to say among the sobs of pain.
"Master, please!" Pleaded one of the men twisting with pain on the ground. Over them stood a tall figure, cloaked in darkness and frustration.
"You beg?" The man laughed cruelly, making the men at his feet cringe with fear. "Very well." The man said and put his wand into one of his robes' pockets.
The silence was eerie, only the sobbing of the men in the ground could be heard. The tall figure towering above them moved away, turning his back to them.
"You have failed me. One would think that once the Potters left their Manor it would have been easy to get closer to them." He hissed.
"We are sorry Master, but the Ministry has kept close watch on them since we attacked the Manor." One of the men said.
"Another failure. Only defenseless women and children and elves were between you and that child, but you couldn't get him."
"We are sorry Master, we didn't know that Dumbledore would arrive with the Ministry agents." One of the men sobbed.
"That foolish old man! He has been a thorn in my side for decades." The tall man growled.
"But what do we do now Master, as long as the Potters stay in Rowe Square we cannot get to them."
A cold smile spread over the pale face of Voldemort. "But they don't know that, for all they and the Ministry know we might have powers that they are not aware of, we must not disappoint them. We must make the Potters leave Rowe Square, make them think they need to go into hiding."
The other men looked at each other, what could they possibly do to scare the Potters away from their house?
Harry's birthday was sunny and warm.
Lily and James woke up very early and went into Harry's room to see their son. He was already awake. He sat calmly on his crib, playing with some of the toys that had been left there overnight. A large, ginger fur-ball was hidden among the blankets at the feet of the crib.
"Oh, Happy Birthday Harry!" Exclaimed Lily at the sight of their son.
"Happy day my boy." Boomed James.
Harry turned his head toward the door when he heard the voices of his parents and smiled.
"Ma - ma!" He cried.
"I still can't believe he won't say Dad." Pouted James.
Lily laughed. "Don't worry dear, he will say it one of these days." She said, kissing his cheek.
"Da - da, Harry, da - da." James urged.
Harry looked up at his father and squealed with laughter.
James sighed. "Oh well, I tried."
Lily coughed as she tried not to laugh.
James stuck his tongue at her.
"Childish, James." Chided Lily, shaking her head.
"Oh, come on, let's open his presents." Urged James.
Lily smiled and turned to pick Harry from his crib.
Harry watched at his parents as they walked back into their room and crossed to the small sitting room connecting with the corridor. Sirius, was waiting for them there.
"What kept you so long?" He asked.
"James, acting like a child." Lily said.
"I was not!"
"You were too!"
"Children, not in front of the child, please!" Exclaimed Sirius with mock horror.
"Fine, lets get this over with." Said James and promptly several wrapped packages levitated to them.
Lily put Harry on the floor and Sirius, James and she sat next to him.
Harry looked with curiosity at the brightly packaged boxes floating to him. His small finger inside his mouth and his eyes widely open.
At last, the packages were set in front of him.
"Here, let him open this one." James said putting a long, thin box in Harry's lap.
Harry looked down at the box before turning to look at his father.
"Come Harry, open it." Urged James.
Harry just sat there looking around the room.
"He doesn't know how, James, we are going to help him." Said Lily with exasperation, honestly, she thought, they should know better.
James took Harry and sat him in between his legs. He reached for the package and put it in front of Harry.
"See this Harry? You are going to like it, I know it. It's the latest kiddy broom version from the Cleansweeps Company." James was saying as he eagerly opened the box.
Inside was a brand new broom. The handle shined and vibrated as James took it out of the box. Harry didn't seem to pay much attention to it. He just took some of the wrapping in his chubby hands and promptly put it in his mouth.
James sighed with a little sadness. "No Harry, that's not your gift, the broom is."
Lily laughed but Sirius seemed to share James' feelings.
"I never thought to see the day when a Potter thought something else was better than a racing broom." He lamented.
"Of course he does, now. He is too little to understand. Just open the rest of the presents." Said Lily.
"Oh, all right, but the fun is lost now." Said James but he returned to open the presents with energy.
Harry sat with his father as each gift was opened and watched with curiosity as James turned from one package to another. The ginger cat had emerged from the bedroom and lay down next to his small master, not paying much attention to what was happening in the room.
Eventually all of the gifts were opened and Minnie was clearing the wrappings and boxes and getting all the things together to put them away in Harry's room.
James, Lily, Harry and Sirius were dressed some minutes later and sat around the table eating a hearty breakfast that Otty had prepared for them. Bacon, eggs, toast, cereal, hotcakes, biscuits with butter, warm milk, coffee and tea awaited them.
Harry could now eat solid foods, even though he still needed help from his mother. He banged his plate against his chair and laughed when the food went flying to the floor, Lily sighed trying to not lose her patience as Roberts directed a footman to stand behind Harry to clean every time he made a mess.
James and Sirius didn't seemed to be put off by the mess Harry did, they just piled their plates full and were lost in their own thoughts.
"What are we doing later?" Finally said James.
"I thought we could have a picnic in the park." Said Lily turning her attention from Harry to James.
"That sounds like fun." Said Sirius.
Lily nodded eagerly.
"Remus said he might come before noon." Said James.
Everybody turned to look at the clock, it was still early.
Breakfast was soon over and visitors started to arrive.
The first to arrive was Peter, much to the surprise to his friends as he had been rather busy taking care of his mother and hadn't spent much time with them.
"Thought to see how the small Potter was doing." He said when the others expressed their surprise.
"Oh, he is not so small anymore." Exclaimed Lily.
"Come Peter, let me show you what we got for him." Said James pulling Peter and Sirius out of the room.
"We'll return in no time." Called Sirius as they left the room.
Lily shook her head and laughed.
"Your father is so much like a child some times." She looked down at Harry who was quietly sitting beside her with a ball in his hands.
"What have you heard Peter, what is going on?" Asked James the moment they left the parlor behind.
"Not much, things are just getting so confusing." Peter said.
Sirius looked from Peter to James in confusion, it was getting clear that James wasn't as surprised to see Peter as he had let on.
"I asked him to check on some rumors about Voldemort." James said as he noticed his best friend's confusion.
"Why?" Asked Sirius. The real question he wanted answered was, why send Peter to look about this rumors and not him or Remus?
James shook his head. "I thought I had read something in the Daily Prophet about Death Eaters activities around the town he is living in.
Sirius nodded, that made sense.
"And what did you find?" Sirius asked Peter.
"I told you, not much." Peter seemed a little nervous but his friends thought that it was because he was not too happy about getting involved with anything that had to do with Voldemort, he didn't like to be in danger.
"That's all right Peter, it was probably nothing." Said James.
They continued to the bedroom to see the gifts, it wouldn't do for Lily to find out that they hadn't shown them to Peter, she would think that they were up to something.
When they returned to the parlor, they found Remus waiting for them. Harry was crawling in the floor, happily, and Lily sat by the windows looking out to the park.
"How long have you been here?" Asked James as they entered.
"Only a few minutes." Said Remus.
He looked a little pale and thin, but as the full moon had recently passed, it was very common for him to look like that.
"About time you got here." Said Sirius pushing Peter into the room.
"Yes, now they can leave me alone, I think that too much together is making them feel sick of each other." Said Peter.
"How droll of you Peter." Said Sirius as he rolled his eyes at him.
Peter just shook his head and turned to sit next to Lily.
Roberts, like the good butler he was, promptly led his footmen to serve small refreshments and cakes, he knew how hungry the four young men as he had known them since they all were in diapers.
Some minutes later, only Lily was having a light tea while all the others were busily emptying the platters that Roberts had brought in. James had to hold on to Harry as he kept trying to get his little chubby hands into the plates full of puddings and cookies.
"You are going to ruin your dinner." Said Lily.
"Lily, my dear, we could never have enough food." Said Sirius.
"That's true enough." Scoffed Lily. "But be careful that Harry doesn't eat any of it, I want him to eat when the time comes." She warned.
"A few pieces won't kill him." Said Peter.
"Besides, with a father like James, how could he not be a great eater as well?" Exclaimed Remus.
Lily shook her head in exasperation. Soon, the young men had to stay away from the food, as visitors started to arrive in order to wish Harry a Happy Birthday. The first to arrive was the Minister of Magic himself, he had never had the opportunity to meet the next heir of the Gryffindor Estate. He brought along with him, other Ministry officials, whom all remembered their fallen comrade, Alliaster Potter. They brought gifts and good cheer to the young Potter, who looked around him with wonder as he was presented to a myriad of new people. His grandmother's solicitor also made an appearance. Mr. Nikolei had been impressed by the way the Potters got through the loss of their loved ones and wanted to give a little cheer to the young boy who would grow up with no memory of the women who had doted on him so much.
Soon, other people made an appearance, even a reporter of the Daily Prophet had tried to get in to make a report about the next Potter. She wasn't successful, she was promptly put out by Roberts and a couple of his footmen, the woman left with a wounded pride and a photographer with a broken camera.
Lily couldn't help but notice that the one who should've sent word, didn't do so. Petunia didn't call, didn't send a card, not even a brief visit. She knew that James was right, that they didn't need her sister, Harry would grow up around people who loved him and wanted the best for him, but she still didn't loose hope that someday, Harry would meet his aunt and uncle and play with his cousin, they were the only family left now that Voldemort had taken care of the rest. But at the moment, Harry didn't need to know of that, he was happy as he was, and both Lily and James were there with him and would do anything to keep him safe from harm.
The morning passed, with visitors coming and going, most were friends of both James and Lily from Hogwarts, others were family friends, but all had to pass the focused inspection of Roberts and his small troop of footmen opening the door to all. The last visitor to arrive was Dumbledore.
The old Hogwarts Headmaster brought parcel of sweets and small toys for the small toddler who liked to pull his beard every time he saw him.
"Nice to see you Professor, was your trip uneventful?" James greeted him.
"Indeed yes, quite a nice day." Professor Dumbledore said as he shook hands with all those assembled in the formal parlor room. "Well, hello there young man." He said as Harry crawled up to him.
Harry looked at him and smiled. He grabbed the hem of the older man with his chubby hands and pulled himself up. "Up!" He squealed.
Dumbledore laughed along with the rest and picked him up and sat him on his lap.
"He is trying to show off." Laughed Lily.
"I'm surprised he didn't walk toward you, even though he has barely started to do so." James said.
"Is that so?" Exclaimed Professor Dumbledore.
Harry was playing with the long silvery hair of the Professor's beard.
"Yes, he will be flying all on his own soon." Said Sirius.
Dumbledore chuckled while Lily disagreed. "Honestly Sirius!"
"Will you be joining us for supper Professor? We are planning a small picnic in the park." Intervened James.
"If you want me to."
"Of course we do Professor." Exclaimed Remus.
"Of course, it wouldn't be same with you Professor."
"Ah, Mr. Pettigrew, how is your mother doing?" Dumbledore peered closely at Peter who grew a little uncomfortable about it.
"Oh, fine, couldn't be better." Said Peter.
Dumbledore nodded and Peter sighed with relief, Dumbledore always made him feel like he knew what everybody thought or did.
"I'll tell Roberts then, Otty will need to make enough food." Lily said.
Visitors had stopped coming but the afternoon was still early and the day was warm and sunny. The Park looked festive with children playing and couples wandering through the gardens. Lily wished that they were in the Manor, but knew that it would've been unwise for them to return. She missed the clear air, the tenants and specially the gardens. She knew that if they had been in the Manor, the village would've turned festive, games would've been played and James was sure to have put together two teams in order to have a good game of Quidditch. Harry would've liked it, specially the sight of the zooming brooms and balls, he had never seen it before, he had only played with the balls and flew at a slow pace.
Yes, it would've been better at the Manor.
An hour later, the group left the house, followed by a pack of footmen with baskets, chairs, blankets and buckets of ice. They made their way through the maze of hedges and trees until they found a nice spot near the large fountain that had replaced the deep pool after the attack on the Square some years ago.
Lily directed the footmen to spread the blankets, while Sirius and James were busy keeping Harry from tumbling into the food baskets. Professor Dumbledore stood on one side with Remus, talking about the latest finds in potion making and charm work. Peter stood by himself, looking around the park, he seemed tense and wary as if he was waiting for somebody he was not pleased to see, but nobody paid any attention to him.
Finally, the blankets were spread and Lily started to pull the food platters from the baskets. You wouldn't think there was much to eat by looking at the size of the baskets, they were small and narrow and didn't look as if anything large could be stored within. But that would only be to muggle eyes, anybody who knew who the Potters and his friends were wouldn't have been surprised to see a whole turkey, two small cakes, pies, fruits, salads, soups and tubs of ice cream being pulled out from the small baskets.
Everybody ate hungrily, even Harry was busy with his food, even though most of it ended up on the floor than in his mouth. Wine and cool pumpkin juice flowed, as children played not far away and the sound of laughter and song permeated the air. Lily had no reason to miss the Manor in that instant.
They spent several hours in the park. After eating and singing "Happy Birthday" to Harry, they finished the cakes and played with Harry. First they got him to walk among each of them, when Harry tired of walking from one to another, he sat on the floor and played with an overlarge Snitch under the eyes of Professor Dumbledore and a sleeping Sirius, while James and Lily went toward the northern part of the park walking with clasped hands. Remus and Peter had decided to stay by the fountain, trying to catch up in the latest news.
It was getting dark by the time the footmen were back putting the empty platters into the baskets and folding the blankets. Harry was sleeping in his father's arms and everybody else was happily resting in the cooling air.
Professor Dumbledore left as soon as they returned to the house. Peter left soon after. Sirius and Remus were staying overnight and retired to play in the game room while James and Lily put Harry in bed.
The Month of August passed quickly. Harry was now walking and Lily was in constant state of concern that he would hurt himself. James and Sirius were found most mornings in the book room with parchments and several issues of the Daily Prophet around them.
The Magical World seemed in a constant state of wariness. The Dark Mark had become a familiar and dreadful sight. The Death Eaters seemed to be more active since the end of July and everybody seemed to think that something was about to happen. The name of Voldemort had become so menacing that nobody liked to speak his name except for a brave few.
The Ministry of Magic seemed to have lost control of the situation, reports of double-crossing and spies were heard through its hallowed passageways. The Minister himself had lost half of his following and his re-election didn't seem to be in his future. The new candidates, Mr. Cornelius Fudge and Mr. Bartimus Crouch had more to worry about than their predecessors.
Things couldn't get any worse, everybody hoped, and watched carefully as events unfolded throughout the country.
The night was dark. Everybody in the Potter House was asleep and the rooms were empty. At least, that's what everybody thought.
James couldn't sleep. He sat in his bookroom looking out the window across the park where the tall towers of the Ministry of Magic appeared above the trees.
The park was brightly lit by the shining lamps. After the attack on the square some years past, every precaution to keep it safe had been considered, even bright lights in the park under the supervision of Ministry agents every night.
Everything seemed calmed and silent. But James knew that somewhere in their vast island, a family was grieving and the Death Eaters were celebrating.
A/N: Sorry it took me a while to update the story, but things have been rather busy lately. Thank you all for reviewing, hopefully you will not forget to do so again after reading this chapter. I have only two more chapters to go, I am working on chapter 8 at the moment and it might take a while for that one to get ready. Thank you all again, hope you liked this one.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter nor any characters or places related to it.
Chapter 7 ~ Taking Precautions
The day after their arrival to town, Dumbledore paid them a visit. James, Lily, Remus and Sirius met him in the family parlor where the men were sprawled in the floor urging Harry to stand on his own.
"Come Harry, come to daddy." James was urging.
Harry was standing against the couch, looking at his father with a smile.
"Go on Harry." "You can do it." Remus and Sirius were urging Harry on.
Lily looked indulgently on and laughed at the sight of her husband in such a state. He is like a child, she thought and chuckled.
"It's not funny Lily, he is old enough to walk on his own." James said.
"I know he is James, and he will, eventually." Lily said.
"But I don't want him to be left behind, I know a lot of children that have begun to walk much younger than Harry." James exclaimed.
"James, each child is different. He will walk, there is nothing that will keep him from it. Besides, I'm sure that once he does start to walk we are going to miss this time when we can actually keep track of him." Lily said.
"Oh, Harry is not going to be any trouble. Are you Harry?" James had turned to look back at Harry who was still standing against the couch.
It was then when the doorbell rang. They heard Roberts walking to the entrance and then voices were heard.
James looked at Lily, the fun seemed to have gone for the moment.
"Professor Dumbledore." Announced Roberts some minutes later.
"Thank you Roberts. Welcome Professor." Said Lily as she stood to greet Dumbledore.
"Hello, my dear. I hope I didn't come at a wrong time." His eyes twinkled at the sight of the three young men sprawled on the floor.
"Oh no Professor." Said James quickly coming to his feet to greet him.
"We were just trying to get Harry to walk." Explained Sirius.
"Indeed? And did you succeed?" Asked Dumbledore as he looked at Harry who was smiling up to them from the couch.
"No. He doesn't seem to be interesting in walking yet." Said Remus.
Harry plopped down on the floor and laughed as if agreeing with Remus.
"Please sit Professor, do you wish for some refreshment?" Lily asked as she motioned toward an empty chair.
"Thank you my dear, but I have need of nothing." Professor Dumbledore said as he sat.
"Do you wish us to leave?" Remus asked as he tried to get Sirius to stand up, but Sirius didn't seem to notice that this was a time when Lily and James might prefer to be alone with their old Headmaster.
"There is no need." Said Dumbledore.
James and Lily looked at each other with surprise, even Sirius and Remus looked surprised that Dumbledore wanted them to stay. He had never done so before when he came to talk to Lily and James, and they certainly had never asked them to stay in those meetings. But Dumbledore didn't seem to mind that the young people were perplexed at his change of mind.
Minutes later, everybody was sitting and Harry had been taken by Minnie for his nap. Drinks had been brought for James and Sirius while the rest preferred to wait.
"We are rather concerned about the attack, it seems as Voldemort has decided to go after you." Dumbledore was saying. "What is rather confusing is the fact that they attacked at the time they did. You said that the fair would take place the whole day, and it indeed did so, there was no reason for them to be there if they had heard of it."
"We think they were watching for us." James said.
"It does look that way." Agreed Dumbledore.
"But I don't understand why they waited until we were gone, if it is as you say and Voldemort has decided to make them a target, why wait until we left and only the ladies and Harry were left behind with the elves?" Sirius exclaimed.
"And how would they know that we would leave, if it hadn't been a full moon that night, we would've stayed in the village until dark." Lily said.
"They knew that you would return before it got dark and that you would choose to accompany Mr. Lupin out of the estate." Dumbledore said.
"But how would they know? Only a few know about my condition?" Remus said.
"Is it possible that we have a spy?" Asked James, it was a question that resided in the mind of everybody present but none had the courage to say.
Everybody fell silent, a feeling of dread and anger running through their bodies, for all they knew the person responsible could be one of them.
Dumbledore took a deep breath. "It is a possibility." He finally said. "They seem to be very well informed about our steps."
"What do we do now?" Lily asked. She didn't want to think that one of their friends could be the one responsible for the death of their mother and the twins.
"For now, it is better if you stay here. I'll try to see if any of my operatives can find out more about what Voldemort's plans are. We'll make further plans as we find out more." Dumbledore said.
"I suppose it would do no good if I say that it would be best if they hide." Remus said.
"It would make no difference, if they hide he is bound to find them one way or another." Said Sirius.
"Not if we do the Fidelius Charm." Dumbledore said rather suddenly.
"The What Charm?" Asked Sirius confused.
"The Fidelius Charm." Dumbledore repeated with a smile.
"How does that work?" Lily asked.
"It involves the concealment of a secret in a living soul. The secret in this case would be your hiding place. Voldemort could look everywhere even in your own house and not find you as long as the Secret-Keeper retains the secret, it is only broken if he decided to give up the secret willingly." Dumbledore explained.
Everybody was silent, it did sound like the perfect choice.
"We'll discuss it if the need arrives." Said James.
Dumbledore nodded.
Sirius and Remus looked surprised at him. "Why?" Both asked.
"James, it is the perfect thing. If Voldemort has made up his mind to come after you, he will." Said Sirius.
"Think of Harry and Lily, James, it is for the best." Remus said.
"How do we know that? For all we know, this was a fluke. Our group has been systematically attacked during the last months. Sirius wouldn't have sent Katie away if we didn't know that. The fact that the others haven't is because they hid and it is harder for the Death Eaters to find them. But we didn't hide, we stayed. Our family has lived in the same house for generations, everybody knows where we live, it never was a secret." James said.
"But James, haven't you been listening! This is different. They didn't come just to attack, they wanted something else." Sirius said.
"Leave it Sirius. If Dumbledore finds reason for us to use the charm, we will. For now, we'll stay put." James said.
Sirius looked like he wanted to continue arguing but Lily spoke before he could.
"He is right Sirius. We are safe for now, as long as the charm protecting the square holds, we will be safe. I don't want Harry to grow up in hiding Sirius, he deserves better." Lily said looking imploringly at him.
Sirius held his tongue. They were right, Harry did deserve better, but he also deserved to live safe.
The meeting didn't last long after that. Dumbledore stayed for dinner and everybody tried to make the most effort to look cheerful although all knew that the next day they would have to remember their sorrow as Mr. Nikolei read Mrs. Evans' will.
The day was sunny and the street was silent. Privet Drive was one of the newest rebuilt suburbs in Surrey and many of the new neighbors to the quiet community were middle-class businessmen trying to keep their children out of the bad influences found in the big cities.
The residents at number 4 were no different.
"Ohh, look at our Dudleyinkings, he is eating on his own now." Gushed Mrs. Petunia Dursley as the small family sat around the table for breakfast.
Mr. Vernon Dursley looked over the paper and his flushed face broke into a smile. "That's my boy, he is going to be successful, mark my words." He boomed.
Petunia's expression changed in matter of seconds. "Are we doing right in going Vernon, I see no reason why we need to go to 'her' house." She said gloomily.
Vernon knew exactly who 'she' was that made her wife so upset. If he were in her shoes, he would be upset about it as well. Thank God for Marge, he thought, at least I don't have to worry about my sister.
"It was your mother's wish, dear, if we want to know what it says we need to go to their London House." Vernon said trying to soothe his wife.
"Humph! There was no need for her to wish for that, there is a large house in London where we could all meet if the solicitor's office wasn't big enough. The thought of my precious baby getting involved with their sort just bothers me greatly." She exclaimed as she hugged Dudley tight, an action he didn't like as he started to fuss and whimper among his mother's arms.
"Don't worry Petunia, it won't be for long, but if you prefer, we could leave him with Mrs. Figgs for the day." Vernon said.
"No, I don't like the thought of leaving my little baby behind; besides, she doesn't like me very much." Petunia's face turned sour at the thought of the belligerent old lady, who lived in a small house around the corner from their own.
"Whatever you wish dear, but we must get ready if we want to be there on time." Said Vernon looking at his watch.
Petunia nodded and quietly took the screaming Dudley in her arms and left the kitchen.
Vernon watched her go and started to think of the many things they could buy with the money his mother-in-law left them, starting with a new car and a house in Majorca.
Lily was in a state of agitation.
"But what if they don't like each other? They are cousins, so far, he might be the only cousin he may have." Lily was saying as she watched Minnie getting Harry ready for the day.
"Lily, Harry will not mind if he doesn't get along with your sister's son, he will have lots of friends, he might not even remember he has a cousin." James said, and if he is lucky, he won't have to see him after today, James thought.
"Oh but - "
"Lily, your sister might not want them to meet at all, he is best not worrying about them." James said taking Lily by her shoulders and looking her straight into her eyes.
"I know you are right, but I can't help but wish you weren't." She whispered.
"I know. Don't worry Lily, Harry will be fine without the Dursleys." James said hugging her.
Lily smiled sadly but said no more.
Minutes later they were sitting in the parlor room with Sirius and Remus waiting for Mr. Nikolei to make an appearance.
They held their breath when the doorbell rang and they heard Roberts going to open it. Moments later, the parlor door was opened.
"Mr. Nikolei, Sir, Ma'am." Announced Roberts.
"Thank you Roberts, see that refreshments are served please, the Dursleys should be here soon." Said James as the solicitor entered the room. "Welcome Mr. Nikolei, do you wish for something to drink?"
"Good day Sir, I'm fine for now, thank you. Good day to you Mrs. Potter." Mr. Nikolei said bowing to Lily.
"Good day Mr. Nikolei, I hope you have the time to eat luncheon with us after the reading." Lily said as she motioned the solicitor toward a chair.
"We'll see Ma'am, we'll see." Mr. Nikolei said. "Did I hear you say that the Dursleys are not present yet?"
"You did, Mr. Nikolei, they have not arrived." James said as Roberts entered the parlor followed by a troop of footmen carrying drinks, pastries and plates of appetizers that Otty had prepared with care.
Sirius quickly made his way to the refreshments and was happily munching on his selection when the doorbell rang once more.
Lily looked intently toward the door, while James tensed by her side. If that woman does something to upset Lily, I will turn her into a rat, James thought as they heard Roberts walk toward the front door.
Moments later the parlor door opened once more.
"Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Dursley." Roberts said as he moved aside and allowed the couple behind him to enter.
Petunia didn't seem too happy as she looked around the room. Her feelings seemed to be shared by her husband.
"Ah, about time you got here." Exclaimed Mr. Nikolei.
Vernon nodded curtly toward him and didn't even turn to look at the rest of those present. Petunia just pinched her lips and said nothing as she sat in one of the chairs further from the assembled group, the bundle in her arms fussed and wailed.
"Hello Petunia, is that your son?" Asked Lily looking at the small pink face emerging from the bundle of clothes in her sister's lap.
Petunia didn't respond, she just turned all her attention to her son.
Lily sat back rather dejectedly on her seat while James glowered at Petunia.
"Well, yes." Mr. Nikolei said as the tension in the room grew. "We should start then." He said as he opened his briefcase and started to take out his papers.
"Wait a moment here!" Vernon exclaimed abruptly. "Why are they here? They are not family." He said glowering toward Remus and Sirius.
"Family! You! We were more a family to her than you ever were." Exclaimed Sirius.
"Please, take a seat." Said Mr. Nikolei in a loud voice. Once everybody took a seat he continued. "Mr. Black and Mr. Lupin were mentioned in Mrs. Evans' will, they are here because I asked them to be." He said looking at Vernon over his small glasses.
Vernon's face became flush in anger but didn't say anything. He took the chair next to Petunia and turned to look toward the solicitor.
Mr. Nikolei nodded and looked through his papers. "I will read the last will and testament of Mrs. Rose Evans as she dictated it to me on the first day of November this past year.
"I, Rose Adelaine Evans, being on sound mind, hereby allocate my estate in the following manner:
"The London House, I leave to both my daughters to do as they wish.
"To both my grandchildren, I leave a trust with the amount of 1 million pounds each, to be awarded to them at the age of 21.
"To Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, for being a constant source of amusement and companionship, I leave the amounts of 100,000 pounds each.
"The rest of my belongings, the paintings, jewelry and remaining monies, will be distributed as follows:
"In the event that both my daughters put aside their differences and came together for my service, the remaining of the estate will be divided in equal parts.
"In the event that one of my daughters was not present, the remaining of my estate will be presented to the other.
"This is my last will and testament:
"Signed, Rose Adelaine Evans and Adolphus Nikolei."
The solicitor read into the silent room.
Everybody seemed very surprised, but nobody seemed to have the breath to reply to it.
"Wh - wha - what does that mean?" Petunia stuttered.
"It means, Mrs. Dursley, that because you were not present on your mother's service, you forfeited most of your inheritance. The one thing you can count on is whatever comes out from the house." Mr. Nikolei replied.
"WHAT! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US WHEN WE CONTACTED YOU?" Roared Vernon making Dudley cry and Harry, who was in a carriage sleeping by Lily's seat, started to fuss.
"Because it was to be your wife's choice. What happens between a solicitor and his client is confidential." Mr. Nikolei frowned at Vernon.
"YOU DID THIS, YOU FILLED HER WITH YOUR HOCUS POCUS AND DID THIS!" Vernon turned to Lily, his face flushed with anger.
"DON'T YOU BLAME THIS ON LILY, YOU TWO HAVE MADE YOUR HIPOCRACY AND GREED QUITE CLEAR FROM THE BEGINNING. Personally, I don't blame Mrs. Evans for making her will as she did." James got control of his temper at the end, lowering his voice to his normal tone.
Remus and Sirius were nodding vigorously their agreement. Lily was just silent, it hurt her that her sister would think like that, Vernon wouldn't say it if Petunia didn't agree with him.
"Of course you do, you probably do the same with anybody who comes near you, you wouldn't have this house if you didn't." Snapped Vernon.
That was the last straw for James.
"I'll have you know that my family has been in possession of this house and the others for several generations, our vaults in Gringotts has been filled with gold for more than two hundred years and we do not waste our coins in rubbish, now, you have insulted my family for the last time, I'm asking you to leave my house, any arrangements needed after this can be done through Mr. Nikolei." James said, nodding to Roberts, who had come in running into the room when the screaming started to see if anything was wrong, and watched as the butler opened the door for the Dursleys and relaxed as they made their way out of the room.
"I'm sorry I lost my temper." Apologized James some minutes later.
"No matter. I had been asking myself why Mrs. Evans had made such provisions, I now see that she was looking ahead." Mr. Nikolei shook his head in disbelief.
"Yes, well, they had it coming." Sirius exclaimed.
"Indeed they did, since Mr. Evans' death. I'm just surprised they lasted this long without bothering Mrs. Evans about what he had left behind." Remus said.
"I think I will retire, I have a headache." Said Lily taking Harry with her and leaving the room without waiting for anybody to say anything.
James sighed. He wished he could have been able to protect her from such scene, but he knew that she needed to see it for herself.
"I will leave you then, there are some papers that Mrs. Potter will need to sign in order to transfer her inheritance into her own accounts and to your solicitor, but I can get in contact with him if you wish. You know how to contact me if you need my help. Gentlemen." He bowed to them and he left the room soon after.
The room was silent as the solicitor made his way out of the room. Roberts led him to the entrance and the three young men were left behind pondering what had just happened.
"Can you actually believe that? I thought he was going to pop." Chuckled Sirius at the thought of Vernon's reaction to the will.
James and Remus couldn't help themselves, they laughed too.
"That sister-in-law of yours is a nightmare James, I would've chucked her out the door the moment she came in." Said Sirius returning to the refreshment table once more with his empty plate.
"I would too." Nodded Remus as he looked at the food with curiosity.
"Don't think that I wasn't tempted, but Lily wanted to see her sister." Shrugged James.
"The way they acted, as if it didn't matter that the death of Mrs. Evans brought us all together today. All they cared about was what she left behind." Exclaimed Sirius with disgust.
"Indeed. She left them enough, even if they don't deserve it." Said Remus as he gave way to his instincts and joined Sirius next to the refreshment table.
"I'll say, one million to that kid of theirs and whatever comes from the house, that is more than enough." Said Sirius.
James nodded. He was still angry at the way the Dursleys had reacted to the news, but what made him angrier still was that they blamed it all in Lily, don't they know that that kind of magic they accused her of is against Magical law? Maybe not, they should take some magical awareness class in muggle schools to avoid such bigotry, he thought. Then he thought of Lily, she had been clearly upset by what happened. "I'm going to see Lily." James said and quickly left the room.
Sirius and Remus looked at each with worry.
"How do you think she is doing?" Asked Remus.
Sirius shrugged.
Lily was a little upset. After she left the others behind in the parlor, she quickly made her way to their chambers, with a fussing Harry in her arms.
"Shhh! Harry, there is nothing to worry about." She whispered to her son as she made her way down the corridors toward their room.
The moment she reached her room, she walked briskly to Harry's small room connecting to her own. Minnie was inside putting the laundry away.
"Put him to bed Minnie, he needs to rest." Said Lily as she placed Harry into his crib and quickly returned to her own room. She didn't think she was able to stay and take care of Harry in her state.
She had known that Petunia wasn't too happy to have her as a sister, when she was younger she could think of it as sibling rivalry, but now she knew that her sister hated her. What was so wrong about being a witch in the first place? She stood looking out the window as she thought over the events of the day. She had a nephew that she could honestly say she never met. They didn't even bother to ask about Harry! She thought in anger. Perhaps James was right. Harry didn't need them, he would be happy with James and Lily and all their friends, they would love him and watch him grow full of happiness.
She stayed in front of the window as she heard Minnie taking care of Harry. Oh yes, she thought, Harry would grow up loved and happy.
She started to dream about all the things they could do as the years passed by. James would teach Harry to fly and be the best Quidditch player Hogwarts had ever seen, they would take him shopping at Diagon Alley when he got his letter from Hogwarts, she would enjoy that, she thought, shopping and taking him around the stores as James and Sirius spent most of his time in the Quidditch Supplies store looking at brooms and the latest in Quidditch technology. Maybe their friends would have children by then, Harry would have lots of friends and they would look proudly as he played in his house team. She knew that James was certain that Harry would belong to Gryffindor (How could he not! Every Potter has been in Gryffindor! James always said) and secretly, she agreed with him.
She was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't hear the door open and close behind her. She looked out of the window until she was startled by a hand touching her waist.
"What are you thinking of?" Asked James as he turned her softly to look at him.
"Just about what we are going to do when Harry grows up." She said with a smile.
"And what is that?" Queried James.
"Oh, how we are going to take him shopping when he gets his letter, and that you are going to teach him to fly." Lily replied.
"He will be the best!" Exclaimed James.
Lily laughed and leaned her head against him.
"I was worried that what happened with your sister upset you." James kissed her hair and stroked her back. If they hurt her, he thought, I'm going to turn them into a pair of mice.
"I was hurt, but you always say that they don't matter, so I won't let them worry me. If they don't want to see me, that's fine. We are happy together." Lily said as she hugged him tight.
"Yes, we are, Harry doesn't need them and neither do we. Besides, with all the friends that Harry will have, he won't even notice that his cousin exist." James said.
Lily smiled somewhat sadly. "What if we are not there for him?" She whispered.
James was silent for a moment, he knew that she was thinking about Voldemort and the attack on their family. "Sirius and Remus will be there, and in case they are not, Dumbledore will know what to do." He replied eventually.
"I don't want him to be alone, James." Lily said.
"He won't be, we'll always be there with him, one way or another, he will be taken care of." James hugged her. Both feared for the future of their son.
Voldemort has to be defeated, James thought, Harry shouldn't have to grow up fearing a man that he had never met.
The days passed and Harry continued to grow. It was now the middle of June and Harry was almost a year old.
"I wished we could go to the Manor and celebrate his birthday there." Sighed Lily one afternoon.
"I know, I wish so as well, but we'll make it one of the greatest events of the year." James replied.
James, Lily and Harry were in the family parlor. Lily was sitting in a chair near the windows, while James sat on the floor beside her. They both were watching Harry crawl on the floor, playing with his Quidditch balls and trying to reach everything that grabbed his attention.
They both smiled indulgently as Harry spotted something over a small table at one corner of the room. It was a small figurine of a dancing couple, it was made of crystal and it shone against the sunlight. Harry crawled steadily toward the shinning object that had attracted him.
"Harry!" Exclaimed Lily as she made to stand up.
James put his arms against her lap. "Leave him, it won't break." James said.
"Are you sure?" Lily frowned as she watched her son continue on his quest without any of the worry that belonged to his mother.
"Of course." James replied.
They watched as Harry sat up by the table and looked up to the figurine, as if he was trying to figure out how to reach it. He pushed against the legs of the table and pulled himself up, as he did so, the figurine toppled and fell a few feet away from him.
James chuckled and Lily smiled, but didn't move as they watched their son standing on his own looking at the glittering object. Then he moved, James and Lily held their breath as Harry took one step, then another, and another, slowly Harry made it to the side of the figurine with a look of triumph in his small face as he reached down. As he did so, he fell. Before he started to cry, James swooped him up into his arms.
"Yes! You did it Harry!" He exclaimed as he raised Harry up over his head and turned toward Lily who was clapping and laughing.
"Did you see him, he walked." James exclaimed.
Harry had forgotten everything about crying and squealed with laughter as his father raised him high.
"Oh, isn't he clever." Lily said looking happily at her husband and son.
"Of course he is, he's a Potter." James exclaimed.
Lily laughed, every time Harry did something surprising he would say: He is a Potter.
That is how Sirius found them some moments later.
At their return to town, it was decided that Sirius should stay in the Potter house instead of opening his own, it would be too lonely if he was left on his own. After the reading of Mrs. Evans' will, Remus returned to his travels in his search for a cure to his troubles.
"What are you lot going on about?" Exclaimed Sirius.
"He walked Sirius, Harry walked!" James shouted.
"Did he? Oh, and I missed it. Ata boy Harry, I knew you could do it." Sirius run to James and took Harry from him as he said so. "All you need now are some lessons in flying and you are set to take Hogwarts by storm."
"Honestly, you two can be so idiotic sometimes. My son is not going to be some jock, he is going to be a good student also and be Head Boy someday." Lily said.
"I was Head Boy, I wasn't just a good Quidditch player." Exclaimed James.
"Well, but you were an exception." Replied Lily.
"What are you saying? That I was a jock!" Exclaimed Sirius. Lily knew he wasn't angry as she noticed the happy twinkle in his eyes.
"You know what I mean." She said. "Now give me my son, he needs to eat." She took Harry from Sirius and quickly left the room.
James and Sirius were left shaking with suppressed laughter. It took them a couple of minutes to manage to get a hold of themselves.
"I suppose this means that we are going to have to make everything safe for him. Can you imagine how long that is going to take in a house this big?" Sirius exclaimed as he looked around.
The house was indeed big. The ground floor housed the public rooms, the parlors, dining rooms, ballroom, library and kitchens. These were by no means small, they were quite large, enough to hold up to twenty people at once, except for the ballroom, which was the biggest room in the house and it could hold up to five hundred people. The second floor was divided into two wings, the East Wing was designed for the comfort of guests. There were fifty guest rooms, each with a sitting room and its own bathroom. The West Wing housed the private, family rooms. There were twenty chambers, each with a sitting room and walking closet along with a dressing room and bathroom. The largest of these bedrooms was, of course, the master bedroom. This room was as big as the public rooms, walled sized windows at one end with a balcony facing the back garden, fireplace, two dressing rooms and walking closets, and two bathrooms. It also contained a sitting room and a door connected to a smaller room, which had been turned to a nursery.
Every room in the house was furnished with the best, designed for comfort and to show the wealth of the family. In every single public room were little adornments that could easily attract the attention to an eleven- month-old toddler. There was a lot to do if everything was going to be guarded from him.
James shrugged. "That's why we have wands." He said.
Sirius laughed. "Yes, that is rather convenient isn't it? But I thought magic couldn't be used anywhere in the square."
"It can't, but I have clearance." James grinned as Sirius looked astonished by those news.
"How did you manage to get it?" Asked Sirius.
"It was only one of the few good things that came out of the attack. The Ministry thought that my household would need it." James replied. His expression turned serious and Sirius knew that it was a subject his friend didn't want to speak about.
"Well, yes. When are you going to work on it then?" Sirius asked turning back to the previous subject.
"I think I'll leave it for the staff to do it. Mrs. Nichols is more acquainted with that charm than I am. She performed it when I was Harry's age after all." Said James.
Sirius nodded his agreement. "So what do we do?" He had come into the room in search of entertainment in the first place, now that they were all alone, he felt the boredom oppress him sometimes.
James looked toward the door, he knew that it would take a while for Lily to return with Harry. He shrugged and started to walk out of the room, Sirius quickly followed him. Both men could be found later in the game room having a loud game of pool.
Harry's birthday was getting close and both, James and Lily, were really looking forward to it. Sirius also got into the spirit of things, and accompanied James and Lily to Diagon Alley in search of the perfect gift.
"A set of Quidditch robes." Said James one morning as they were discussing what to buy for Harry.
"That would be perfect!" Exclaimed Sirius.
"Honestly! I want Harry to grow up with much more than Quidditch." Lily said glaring at the two men.
"But exercise is good for children." Sirius said.
"I agree, but there are a lot more than just Quidditch. Why, he could learn to play soccer, baseball, basketball, well, there are a great number of sports, aren't there." Lily said.
"But Harry is a wizard and Quidditch is our sport." James replied.
"And I was born in a muggle family, I say he needs to learn about that side of his heritage as well." Said Lily.
James and Sirius looked at each other with resignation.
"She is right." Sirius sighed.
"I know." Said James.
"Now that it's all settled. I say that we get him some muggle toys as well, I won't have him grow up sheltered from that sort of things." Lily said happily.
"Should we buy one of those com - compi - compiters?" James looked confusedly at Lily. Lily giggled. "Computer. No, I don't think so, he is too small for it." She managed to say after a few moments.
"Oh, I was hoping we could." James looked crestfallen that they wouldn't buy one.
"We can if you want one." Lily said with a smile.
"I should say, it is your money after all." Said Sirius.
"They are rather costly." Lily looked at James with a frown.
"We have the money." Said James.
"And where would you keep it, it does take up a lot of space." Lily replied.
"In my bookroom." Said James.
"Oh, very well, if you want one, you can have it." Lily said.
James grinned. Lily couldn't help herself and laughed, he looked like a child being told that he could have his favorite toy.
"We could get him a motorcycle." Sirius said rather suddenly.
"Are you crazy! I'm not having my son in a motorcycle, it is enough that I allowed you to give him rides in your own." Lily exclaimed.
"There are small ones for children Lily." James said.
"Are there really?" Lily looked surprised.
James nodded. "And they don't run very fast, it would be safe, but I think he is too small for one, he wouldn't be able to use it until a few years from now."
Sirius shrugged and returned his attention back to his food.
Lily and James continued with their plans, while Sirius ate and listened in silence.
A couple of hours later, they were crossing through The Leaky Cauldron on their way to Diagon Alley.
"Good day, Mr. Potter, Mrs. Potter." Greeted them the bartender.
"Hello Tom, how is business today?" Smiled James.
"Rather good, many parents are in town shopping for Hogwarts' term." Said Tom.
"Oh yes, just six weeks for the term to begin." Said Lily as she looked around the pub at the small families looking over their purchases and those who were just there to pass a good time.
"Oh yes, and with the assignment of a new teacher, new books have to be bought." Reported Tom.
Sirius entered the pub at that moment and pushed a stroller in with him. He had stayed behind putting Harry into his stroller and told James and Lily to go ahead of him.
"What took you so long?" Asked James.
"Harry was fussing." Said Sirius.
Lily bent to check on her son, who sat silently among plush pillows and small toys.
"Well, he seems fine now." Said James looking at Harry smiling up at his mother.
"Oh, he is a handsome boy." Exclaimed Tom.
"Thank you." Smiled Lily.
"Are we staying here for a bit or are we going in?" Asked Sirius as he looked around the pub.
"We are going in, we have a lot to look for." Said Lily. "Good bye Tom, we'll see you when we are ready to go."
The small group walked toward the back of the pub and after tapping the wall with a wand, the entrance to Diagon Alley was disclosed and they entered.
Tom was right, the Alley was full of people shopping with young children, everybody seemed to be carrying a Hogwarts list of materials.
For a moment, James and Lily thought sadly of the twins, it would've been their time to go to Hogwarts and they would've been buying their supplies now along with Harry's present. Now they wouldn't have that joy, Voldemort had taken it away from them.
Their sadness didn't last long as Harry giggled at the sight of the caged owls overhead a sign that read Eeylops Owl Emporium. James and Lily smiled and stepped across the threshold and made their way toward the shops losing themselves along the sea of people shopping.
They went to Gringotts first. A goblin led them to one of their vaults where they filled their sack with golden Galleons, silver Sickles and bronze Knuts. It was in Flourish and Blotts where they spent some time, looking around books for Harry, even though it would be a while until he would be able to use them.
Lily was reading through the 'Early Readers' section when a small commotion behind her called her attention.
A pregnant, red headed, woman was standing behind her, and to Lily's surprise she seemed to have all her children with her. Six of them! Thought Lily, and with another in the way? She has been busy.
"George, Fred, leave that! Don't you touch a thing! Charlie dear, help Percy, he wants to see that book. Now, Bill give me your book list and look after Ron." She was saying at the six boys around her.
Lily looked at her. "Oh, my, six boys!" She exclaimed.
The woman looked at her and smiled. "Yes, a bit of a headache sometimes but I love them all the same."
Lily smiled, happy to see that she wasn't offended. "And you are brave enough to have another?"
"Well, yes, I'm hoping it will be the girl. Mind, I have been hoping for the same for five times now." The woman replied.
Lily smiled and looked down at the carriage beside her, were Harry was silently playing with one of his Qudditch balls that James had insisted on bringing with them.
"Oh, is that your little boy? Will you look at him, so handsome." The woman exclaimed.
Her sons must have noticed that their mother was not paying them any attention because they turned to look at her to see what was keeping her. Two small boys, whom seemed very clear to Lily that were twins, walked behind her mother and clutching her skirts, looked curiously at Harry.
"He must be the same age as my youngest." The woman said pointing at the small red-haired boy being entertained by one of the older boys. "Bill, bring Ron here." She called, and the boy promptly pushed what looked like an old carriage to her.
Lily looked over all the small boys, all of them seemed to have inherited their mother's hair, a deep, fiery red.
"My word! I forgot to introduce myself." The woman exclaimed. "I'm Molly Weasley." She put out her hand and smiled.
"Lily Potter." Said Lily shaking her hand. "And this is Harry." She said taking Harry out of his stroller.
"Are you really?" Mrs. Weasley sounded surprised. She knew, of course, about the Potters, they were well known in Wizard society. "This is Bill, that one looking at the Quidditch books is Charlie, Percy is that one sitting on the floor, these two rascals are Fred and George, and of course Ron." Mrs. Weasley pointed at each boy as she named them.
The oldest boy, Bill, nodded to Lily before turning to his mother. "Should I get those books mother?"
"Oh, yes, here you are." Mrs. Weasley said as she gave the list back to him. "He is going to Hogwarts this year." She said turning to look at Lily.
"How exciting for you. Do you wish him to get into your house?" Lily asked with curiosity, she didn't remember a Molly Weasley when she was at Hogwarts.
"Oh yes, specially my husband, we both were in Gryffindor." Mrs. Weasley said.
"Really? So was I and my husband, we met there." Lily exclaimed.
Mrs. Weasley laughed. "I'm not surprised, it seems that Hogwarts is usually were our kind meets their mates."
Lily smiled but said no more as at that moment James and Sirius came through another aisle looking for her.
"There you are, we found the perfect thing." James exclaimed the moment he saw Lily.
"James dear, this is Molly Weasley." Lily said in a chiding note.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." Exclaimed James turning to look at the short, plump woman standing by Lily.
"That's all right." Mrs. Weasley said with a smile. The twins were clinging to her skirts looking attentively at the two tall men before them.
"Nice to meet you of course." Said James. "You don't happen to be related to Arthur Weasley, are you?"
"As it happens, he is my husband." Mrs. Weasley said, pleased to note that such a distinguished personage as James Potter would know her husband.
"You don't say." Exclaimed Sirius.
"Oh, I'm sorry, this is Sirius Black." James motioned to Sirius.
"Nice to meet you." Said Sirius.
Mrs. Weasley nodded and smiled.
"Do you know my husband then?" She asked.
"Oh, indeed, he works in the Ministry doesn't he? I'm sure I saw him there recently." James said.
"Yes, he does. He is a Junior Officer, of course, but I'm sure he will get a promotion soon enough." Said Mrs. Weasley.
"Father always had great things to say about the Weasleys." James said.
"That is nice to hear." Mrs. Weasley replied, she couldn't wait until she got home and tell her husband about this.
The small twin boys started to pull on their mother's skirts. Ron was getting bored and started to fuss in his carriage.
"I need to get them home. Nice meeting you." Said Mrs. Weasley. "Come boys. Charlie, Bill, help me with your brothers." She called to the older boys. The two promptly took the hands of one or two of the younger boys while their mother pushed the stroller out of the bookstore.
"Can you imagine, six boys!" Exclaimed Lily looking at the family cross the street to another shop.
Sirius and James shrugged. "Why not?" Asked Sirius.
"The Weasleys were always rather prolific." James explained.
Lily shook her head but didn't say anymore.
"What was it that you found?" She asked them.
"Oh, come and see." James said with excitement and started to pull her as Sirius pushed the carriage to one corner of the store.
It was a section dedicated to the study of muggle sports.
"You said that you wanted Harry to learn about muggle sports." Said Sirius as he and James started to pull some books from the shelves and look through the pages.
"Well, yes, but I was thinking more in the terms of him actually playing the sports, not read about them from a book." Said Lily.
"Well, what is the difference, he will know of them at any rate." Said James.
"But I want him to know how they are done by doing not by reading, besides, wizards never know the correct way of doing anything muggle. I want him to do exercises and be a strong boy and playing sports is the right way to do it." Lily replied.
"That's what Quidditch is for." James and Sirius said in unison.
"Oh honestly!" Lily exclaimed and marched off pushing Harry's carriage along with her.
"What?" Called James after her before turning to look at Sirius with confusion. "I thought this was perfect."
Sirius shook his head. "Women!"
They stayed in Diagon Alley the whole day. At noon they went to Fortescue's for a light luncheon before continuing shopping.
By the end of the day, they were carrying large bags full of purchases. James had gotten his way and Harry now had a set of Quidditch robes and new broom, even though the one he got at his baby shower was still fully functional, a complete new wardrobe from Madam Malkin's, food for his cat - who had fully grown by now but still spent his days following Harry around - a complete set of children stories.
Lily had decided that if she wanted her son to know about his muggle heritage, it would be up to her, therefore, she would shop for him what he needed without the help from Sirius and James, they were bound to thwart her every movement if she took them along.
They arrived back to the house full of packages that the servants had to bring into the house after unloading the car. James and Lily were planning a big day for Harry and nothing would keep them from giving their son all the love he needed while keeping him away from the trouble that seemed to follow his every step.
Screams filled the air of a moor, away from any town or village, deserted in the middle of the countryside.
"Fools!" A raging voice was heard to say among the sobs of pain.
"Master, please!" Pleaded one of the men twisting with pain on the ground. Over them stood a tall figure, cloaked in darkness and frustration.
"You beg?" The man laughed cruelly, making the men at his feet cringe with fear. "Very well." The man said and put his wand into one of his robes' pockets.
The silence was eerie, only the sobbing of the men in the ground could be heard. The tall figure towering above them moved away, turning his back to them.
"You have failed me. One would think that once the Potters left their Manor it would have been easy to get closer to them." He hissed.
"We are sorry Master, but the Ministry has kept close watch on them since we attacked the Manor." One of the men said.
"Another failure. Only defenseless women and children and elves were between you and that child, but you couldn't get him."
"We are sorry Master, we didn't know that Dumbledore would arrive with the Ministry agents." One of the men sobbed.
"That foolish old man! He has been a thorn in my side for decades." The tall man growled.
"But what do we do now Master, as long as the Potters stay in Rowe Square we cannot get to them."
A cold smile spread over the pale face of Voldemort. "But they don't know that, for all they and the Ministry know we might have powers that they are not aware of, we must not disappoint them. We must make the Potters leave Rowe Square, make them think they need to go into hiding."
The other men looked at each other, what could they possibly do to scare the Potters away from their house?
Harry's birthday was sunny and warm.
Lily and James woke up very early and went into Harry's room to see their son. He was already awake. He sat calmly on his crib, playing with some of the toys that had been left there overnight. A large, ginger fur-ball was hidden among the blankets at the feet of the crib.
"Oh, Happy Birthday Harry!" Exclaimed Lily at the sight of their son.
"Happy day my boy." Boomed James.
Harry turned his head toward the door when he heard the voices of his parents and smiled.
"Ma - ma!" He cried.
"I still can't believe he won't say Dad." Pouted James.
Lily laughed. "Don't worry dear, he will say it one of these days." She said, kissing his cheek.
"Da - da, Harry, da - da." James urged.
Harry looked up at his father and squealed with laughter.
James sighed. "Oh well, I tried."
Lily coughed as she tried not to laugh.
James stuck his tongue at her.
"Childish, James." Chided Lily, shaking her head.
"Oh, come on, let's open his presents." Urged James.
Lily smiled and turned to pick Harry from his crib.
Harry watched at his parents as they walked back into their room and crossed to the small sitting room connecting with the corridor. Sirius, was waiting for them there.
"What kept you so long?" He asked.
"James, acting like a child." Lily said.
"I was not!"
"You were too!"
"Children, not in front of the child, please!" Exclaimed Sirius with mock horror.
"Fine, lets get this over with." Said James and promptly several wrapped packages levitated to them.
Lily put Harry on the floor and Sirius, James and she sat next to him.
Harry looked with curiosity at the brightly packaged boxes floating to him. His small finger inside his mouth and his eyes widely open.
At last, the packages were set in front of him.
"Here, let him open this one." James said putting a long, thin box in Harry's lap.
Harry looked down at the box before turning to look at his father.
"Come Harry, open it." Urged James.
Harry just sat there looking around the room.
"He doesn't know how, James, we are going to help him." Said Lily with exasperation, honestly, she thought, they should know better.
James took Harry and sat him in between his legs. He reached for the package and put it in front of Harry.
"See this Harry? You are going to like it, I know it. It's the latest kiddy broom version from the Cleansweeps Company." James was saying as he eagerly opened the box.
Inside was a brand new broom. The handle shined and vibrated as James took it out of the box. Harry didn't seem to pay much attention to it. He just took some of the wrapping in his chubby hands and promptly put it in his mouth.
James sighed with a little sadness. "No Harry, that's not your gift, the broom is."
Lily laughed but Sirius seemed to share James' feelings.
"I never thought to see the day when a Potter thought something else was better than a racing broom." He lamented.
"Of course he does, now. He is too little to understand. Just open the rest of the presents." Said Lily.
"Oh, all right, but the fun is lost now." Said James but he returned to open the presents with energy.
Harry sat with his father as each gift was opened and watched with curiosity as James turned from one package to another. The ginger cat had emerged from the bedroom and lay down next to his small master, not paying much attention to what was happening in the room.
Eventually all of the gifts were opened and Minnie was clearing the wrappings and boxes and getting all the things together to put them away in Harry's room.
James, Lily, Harry and Sirius were dressed some minutes later and sat around the table eating a hearty breakfast that Otty had prepared for them. Bacon, eggs, toast, cereal, hotcakes, biscuits with butter, warm milk, coffee and tea awaited them.
Harry could now eat solid foods, even though he still needed help from his mother. He banged his plate against his chair and laughed when the food went flying to the floor, Lily sighed trying to not lose her patience as Roberts directed a footman to stand behind Harry to clean every time he made a mess.
James and Sirius didn't seemed to be put off by the mess Harry did, they just piled their plates full and were lost in their own thoughts.
"What are we doing later?" Finally said James.
"I thought we could have a picnic in the park." Said Lily turning her attention from Harry to James.
"That sounds like fun." Said Sirius.
Lily nodded eagerly.
"Remus said he might come before noon." Said James.
Everybody turned to look at the clock, it was still early.
Breakfast was soon over and visitors started to arrive.
The first to arrive was Peter, much to the surprise to his friends as he had been rather busy taking care of his mother and hadn't spent much time with them.
"Thought to see how the small Potter was doing." He said when the others expressed their surprise.
"Oh, he is not so small anymore." Exclaimed Lily.
"Come Peter, let me show you what we got for him." Said James pulling Peter and Sirius out of the room.
"We'll return in no time." Called Sirius as they left the room.
Lily shook her head and laughed.
"Your father is so much like a child some times." She looked down at Harry who was quietly sitting beside her with a ball in his hands.
"What have you heard Peter, what is going on?" Asked James the moment they left the parlor behind.
"Not much, things are just getting so confusing." Peter said.
Sirius looked from Peter to James in confusion, it was getting clear that James wasn't as surprised to see Peter as he had let on.
"I asked him to check on some rumors about Voldemort." James said as he noticed his best friend's confusion.
"Why?" Asked Sirius. The real question he wanted answered was, why send Peter to look about this rumors and not him or Remus?
James shook his head. "I thought I had read something in the Daily Prophet about Death Eaters activities around the town he is living in.
Sirius nodded, that made sense.
"And what did you find?" Sirius asked Peter.
"I told you, not much." Peter seemed a little nervous but his friends thought that it was because he was not too happy about getting involved with anything that had to do with Voldemort, he didn't like to be in danger.
"That's all right Peter, it was probably nothing." Said James.
They continued to the bedroom to see the gifts, it wouldn't do for Lily to find out that they hadn't shown them to Peter, she would think that they were up to something.
When they returned to the parlor, they found Remus waiting for them. Harry was crawling in the floor, happily, and Lily sat by the windows looking out to the park.
"How long have you been here?" Asked James as they entered.
"Only a few minutes." Said Remus.
He looked a little pale and thin, but as the full moon had recently passed, it was very common for him to look like that.
"About time you got here." Said Sirius pushing Peter into the room.
"Yes, now they can leave me alone, I think that too much together is making them feel sick of each other." Said Peter.
"How droll of you Peter." Said Sirius as he rolled his eyes at him.
Peter just shook his head and turned to sit next to Lily.
Roberts, like the good butler he was, promptly led his footmen to serve small refreshments and cakes, he knew how hungry the four young men as he had known them since they all were in diapers.
Some minutes later, only Lily was having a light tea while all the others were busily emptying the platters that Roberts had brought in. James had to hold on to Harry as he kept trying to get his little chubby hands into the plates full of puddings and cookies.
"You are going to ruin your dinner." Said Lily.
"Lily, my dear, we could never have enough food." Said Sirius.
"That's true enough." Scoffed Lily. "But be careful that Harry doesn't eat any of it, I want him to eat when the time comes." She warned.
"A few pieces won't kill him." Said Peter.
"Besides, with a father like James, how could he not be a great eater as well?" Exclaimed Remus.
Lily shook her head in exasperation. Soon, the young men had to stay away from the food, as visitors started to arrive in order to wish Harry a Happy Birthday. The first to arrive was the Minister of Magic himself, he had never had the opportunity to meet the next heir of the Gryffindor Estate. He brought along with him, other Ministry officials, whom all remembered their fallen comrade, Alliaster Potter. They brought gifts and good cheer to the young Potter, who looked around him with wonder as he was presented to a myriad of new people. His grandmother's solicitor also made an appearance. Mr. Nikolei had been impressed by the way the Potters got through the loss of their loved ones and wanted to give a little cheer to the young boy who would grow up with no memory of the women who had doted on him so much.
Soon, other people made an appearance, even a reporter of the Daily Prophet had tried to get in to make a report about the next Potter. She wasn't successful, she was promptly put out by Roberts and a couple of his footmen, the woman left with a wounded pride and a photographer with a broken camera.
Lily couldn't help but notice that the one who should've sent word, didn't do so. Petunia didn't call, didn't send a card, not even a brief visit. She knew that James was right, that they didn't need her sister, Harry would grow up around people who loved him and wanted the best for him, but she still didn't loose hope that someday, Harry would meet his aunt and uncle and play with his cousin, they were the only family left now that Voldemort had taken care of the rest. But at the moment, Harry didn't need to know of that, he was happy as he was, and both Lily and James were there with him and would do anything to keep him safe from harm.
The morning passed, with visitors coming and going, most were friends of both James and Lily from Hogwarts, others were family friends, but all had to pass the focused inspection of Roberts and his small troop of footmen opening the door to all. The last visitor to arrive was Dumbledore.
The old Hogwarts Headmaster brought parcel of sweets and small toys for the small toddler who liked to pull his beard every time he saw him.
"Nice to see you Professor, was your trip uneventful?" James greeted him.
"Indeed yes, quite a nice day." Professor Dumbledore said as he shook hands with all those assembled in the formal parlor room. "Well, hello there young man." He said as Harry crawled up to him.
Harry looked at him and smiled. He grabbed the hem of the older man with his chubby hands and pulled himself up. "Up!" He squealed.
Dumbledore laughed along with the rest and picked him up and sat him on his lap.
"He is trying to show off." Laughed Lily.
"I'm surprised he didn't walk toward you, even though he has barely started to do so." James said.
"Is that so?" Exclaimed Professor Dumbledore.
Harry was playing with the long silvery hair of the Professor's beard.
"Yes, he will be flying all on his own soon." Said Sirius.
Dumbledore chuckled while Lily disagreed. "Honestly Sirius!"
"Will you be joining us for supper Professor? We are planning a small picnic in the park." Intervened James.
"If you want me to."
"Of course we do Professor." Exclaimed Remus.
"Of course, it wouldn't be same with you Professor."
"Ah, Mr. Pettigrew, how is your mother doing?" Dumbledore peered closely at Peter who grew a little uncomfortable about it.
"Oh, fine, couldn't be better." Said Peter.
Dumbledore nodded and Peter sighed with relief, Dumbledore always made him feel like he knew what everybody thought or did.
"I'll tell Roberts then, Otty will need to make enough food." Lily said.
Visitors had stopped coming but the afternoon was still early and the day was warm and sunny. The Park looked festive with children playing and couples wandering through the gardens. Lily wished that they were in the Manor, but knew that it would've been unwise for them to return. She missed the clear air, the tenants and specially the gardens. She knew that if they had been in the Manor, the village would've turned festive, games would've been played and James was sure to have put together two teams in order to have a good game of Quidditch. Harry would've liked it, specially the sight of the zooming brooms and balls, he had never seen it before, he had only played with the balls and flew at a slow pace.
Yes, it would've been better at the Manor.
An hour later, the group left the house, followed by a pack of footmen with baskets, chairs, blankets and buckets of ice. They made their way through the maze of hedges and trees until they found a nice spot near the large fountain that had replaced the deep pool after the attack on the Square some years ago.
Lily directed the footmen to spread the blankets, while Sirius and James were busy keeping Harry from tumbling into the food baskets. Professor Dumbledore stood on one side with Remus, talking about the latest finds in potion making and charm work. Peter stood by himself, looking around the park, he seemed tense and wary as if he was waiting for somebody he was not pleased to see, but nobody paid any attention to him.
Finally, the blankets were spread and Lily started to pull the food platters from the baskets. You wouldn't think there was much to eat by looking at the size of the baskets, they were small and narrow and didn't look as if anything large could be stored within. But that would only be to muggle eyes, anybody who knew who the Potters and his friends were wouldn't have been surprised to see a whole turkey, two small cakes, pies, fruits, salads, soups and tubs of ice cream being pulled out from the small baskets.
Everybody ate hungrily, even Harry was busy with his food, even though most of it ended up on the floor than in his mouth. Wine and cool pumpkin juice flowed, as children played not far away and the sound of laughter and song permeated the air. Lily had no reason to miss the Manor in that instant.
They spent several hours in the park. After eating and singing "Happy Birthday" to Harry, they finished the cakes and played with Harry. First they got him to walk among each of them, when Harry tired of walking from one to another, he sat on the floor and played with an overlarge Snitch under the eyes of Professor Dumbledore and a sleeping Sirius, while James and Lily went toward the northern part of the park walking with clasped hands. Remus and Peter had decided to stay by the fountain, trying to catch up in the latest news.
It was getting dark by the time the footmen were back putting the empty platters into the baskets and folding the blankets. Harry was sleeping in his father's arms and everybody else was happily resting in the cooling air.
Professor Dumbledore left as soon as they returned to the house. Peter left soon after. Sirius and Remus were staying overnight and retired to play in the game room while James and Lily put Harry in bed.
The Month of August passed quickly. Harry was now walking and Lily was in constant state of concern that he would hurt himself. James and Sirius were found most mornings in the book room with parchments and several issues of the Daily Prophet around them.
The Magical World seemed in a constant state of wariness. The Dark Mark had become a familiar and dreadful sight. The Death Eaters seemed to be more active since the end of July and everybody seemed to think that something was about to happen. The name of Voldemort had become so menacing that nobody liked to speak his name except for a brave few.
The Ministry of Magic seemed to have lost control of the situation, reports of double-crossing and spies were heard through its hallowed passageways. The Minister himself had lost half of his following and his re-election didn't seem to be in his future. The new candidates, Mr. Cornelius Fudge and Mr. Bartimus Crouch had more to worry about than their predecessors.
Things couldn't get any worse, everybody hoped, and watched carefully as events unfolded throughout the country.
The night was dark. Everybody in the Potter House was asleep and the rooms were empty. At least, that's what everybody thought.
James couldn't sleep. He sat in his bookroom looking out the window across the park where the tall towers of the Ministry of Magic appeared above the trees.
The park was brightly lit by the shining lamps. After the attack on the square some years past, every precaution to keep it safe had been considered, even bright lights in the park under the supervision of Ministry agents every night.
Everything seemed calmed and silent. But James knew that somewhere in their vast island, a family was grieving and the Death Eaters were celebrating.
A/N: Sorry it took me a while to update the story, but things have been rather busy lately. Thank you all for reviewing, hopefully you will not forget to do so again after reading this chapter. I have only two more chapters to go, I am working on chapter 8 at the moment and it might take a while for that one to get ready. Thank you all again, hope you liked this one.