Things Worth Dying For

Chapter 1: The Cause of Death
April 1980

The April showers were starting to be a nuisance instead of a blessing. Albus Dumbledore shrugged off his travelling cloak as he stepped into his brother's bar at Hogsmeade. Hardly anyone made the family connection between Albus and Aberforth, though he trusted many people would think Aberforth looked familiar in some way. So much the better. Aberforth would be able to take note of curious happenings and report to him. After all, the Hog's Head had long attracted a more interesting crowd, so to speak.

He was here today, however, to interview a previous student for the application of the post of Divination teacher. Sybill Trelawney was the great-great-granddaughter of the celebrated Seer, Cassandra Trelawney, and meeting her was just a matter of courtesy. He, like Minerva McGonagall, did not put much faith in Divination, and was disinclined to let the subject continue.

Sybill Trelawney was already waiting for him in her room. She wore large, magnifying glasses that made her eyes look abnormally large. She was draped in numerous shawls, and wore many chains, beads, bangles and rings. She rather gave the impression of an extremely large insect. She smiled as Albus entered the room.

"Thank you, Headmaster, for granting me with this audience. I would not have chosen this place if not for the fact that funds are running low at the moment…"

Albus inclined his head and proceeded to interview the applicant. He asked her to demonstrate her ability at reading tealeaves, fire omens, palmistry, crystal gazing, and even predicting with her Inner Eye. Sybill's answers were mainly connected to tragic deaths or gruesome events. But none of them held a true conviction. It wasn't even remotely convincing. The only thing he had to hand it to her was that she used a very impressively misty voice, almost suggesting that she was, in fact, predicting the unknown.

On the whole, however, Albus was disappointed. He rose and said, "I'm sorry Sybill, but you just don't have the temperament for a Divination teacher."

He was about to turn and leave when he saw Sybill wasn't her usual self. She had gone rigid; her eyes were unfocused, rolling from side to side, which, when magnified by her enormous glasses, had a terrifying effect on most people; and her mouth was sagging. When she opened her mouth, it wasn't the same misty voice she had employed previously, but rather, a harsh, hoarse voice.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies..."

At that moment, a scuffling noise started outside, but Albus disregarded this; he needed to hear the end of the prophecy.

"And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ... And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives ... The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..."

Sybill's head drooped forward, then just as sudden, snapped up again. At that precise same moment, Aberforth opened the door and led a snarling Severus Snape into the room.

"How many times do I have to tell you? I just came up the wrong door! Now let me go! I wasn't doing anything wrong!" Snape was raving on and on.

"You were listening at the door! Don't pretend otherwise. I'm neither stupid nor blind." Aberforth was losing his patience when Albus interfered.

"Severus, what were you doing outside the door? And what did you hear?"

"I've told the barman that I just came up the wrong door! And I heard nothing! I told you that…" Snape maintained an angry demeanour outside, but he was actually afraid that his former Headmaster might penetrate his mind. He was, after all, a skilled Legilimens. He was relieved when Albus merely said, "Very well, return to wherever you came from."

Snape did not need telling twice. He whisked away from the room and Apparated to Voldemort's lair immediately. The Dark Lord is going to be so pleased…

Back at the Hog's Head, Albus turned back to Sybill and said, "Well, Sybill, you have the job. I shall be expecting you at Hogwarts on September the first then. And now, if you'll excuse me. Good day." He turned and walked out of the room, leaving a delighted Sybill. Aberforth trailed behind him.

"Albus, why did you let him go? You do believe me, don't you?" Aberforth spoke quietly, for fear of being overheard.

"Yes, I do, brother. I only hope that he really did hear nothing. It would be tragic if he did. I must go back to Hogwarts. I will contact you if necessary." Albus said before returning to Hogwarts as fast as his legs could carry him. He would need to recall this memory very often now. He needed his Pensieve.


31st July 1980

"James! Help me! I can't do this! Please! Stop it!" Lily Potter screamed as the childbirth pains became more and more unbearable. Please let the baby be fine… Please let the baby come quickly…

"Lily, come on. You can do this. Breathe and push. Come now, Lily. You're the strongest woman I know. You can do it. I'm right here with you. We can do this." James soothed his wife in a low gentle voice, while clutching her hand encouragingly. Her strong, vice-like grip on his arm was already numbing it. He knew Lily was in more pain than him, therefore he didn't complain, but screwed up his energy to try and quiet his wife while ignoring the numbness that had slowly spread across him arm.

"I see a head!" said one of the Healers-in-charge in St. Mungo's excitedly. "Come on, Mrs Potter. Push!"

"Honey… just a little more… breathe in… push…" James cooed softly.

"James, I…" she shrieked so loudly that James was surprised he wasn't deaf yet.

"Last push, Mrs P, and you can see your child!"

Lily pushed with all her might, hoping that the Healers were right. Thankfully, they were. The pains were history. Cries from the baby greeted Lily as she panted heavily from the amount of energy she used. She could see a mope of dark hair on the baby's head. The Healers announced happily that she had given birth to a healthy baby boy. They proceeded to wash the newest Potter. Lily laid back on the hospital bed, exhausted. James was right there beside her, and she had given birth to his son and heir. She was so proud of herself. And she was extremely happy.

"I knew you could do it, darling. Thank you so much for giving me a son." James murmured into her ear and nuzzled her neck gently before kissing her deeply and passionately, disregarding the Healers completely.

"Congratulations, Mr and Mrs Potter. Here is your baby. A fine, handsome baby boy, you've got." One of the Healers carefully transferred the bundle of blankets containing the now clean baby to James. He lowered it so that Lily could see the boy.

"He looks just like his papa." Lily, despite being still weak from the extreme pain, managed to teased James. At the sound of his mother's voice, the newly born's eyes opened to reveal sparkling almond-shaped emeralds. James smiled.

"Not really. He's got you too. Your eyes. The eyes I love so much. Look."

"Yeah, he's going to be a heartbreaker, this one." A familiar voice rang out. "All hail the new Marauder! Whoopee!"

"SIRIUS!" Three voices complained exasperatedly. "This is a hospital! Do you want us to get thrown out?"

Sirius laughed as he strolled into the ward with Remus. They couldn't come in before as St. Mungo's had a "Spouse Only" rule in the maternity ward. "Hey, little one! Call uncle Sirius. Come on! Say it with me! Un-cle Si-ri-us."

"Sirius, please! He's only a few minutes old. How can you expect him to speak?" Remus, always the rational one, spoke up, grinning.

"Hey! I can always hope, can't I?" Sirius pouted unconvincingly, causing the other three adults to roar in laughter. Lily and James looked down at the bundle of joy. Lily made up her mind in a split second. And so did James.

"Harry." They both echoed together.

"Excuse me? I'm NOT hairy." Sirius pretended to look offended.

"No. The baby. We've decided to call him Harry. Harry James Potter, after his daddy." Lily explained, looking at James. He nodded, smiling.

"Oh… Hey! Great name!" Sirius, being Sirius, couldn't be serious in a situation like this (excuse the pun). He started jumping around singing in an off-key voice, "Harry James Potter! Harry James Potter! H-A-R-R-Y J-A-M-E-S P-O-T-T-E-R! Yeah!" Remus smiled as he hugged James, then Lily.

"Congratulations, you two. Hey, Harry." Little Harry merely looked up at one of his father's best friend.

"Sirius, stop it already!" Lily said impatiently, but with a bit of a grin on her face.

Sirius stopped jumping around. "Whoa, PMSing so soon, Evans?" He said in a cheeky voice.

"SHUT UP!" yelled the three voices, though neither voices carried a hint of anger. On the contrary, all four burst out laughing again.

"I see we're in a very good mood today." Albus Dumbledore strode down the ward.

"Afternoon, Professor!" chorused four voices.

"Congratulations, Lily, James. What is the baby's name?"

"Harry, sir. Harry James Potter."

"A boy?" A shadow passed over Dumbledore's eyes before resuming a happy demeanour. This did not go undetected by Lily, though she decided not to comment on it. The three men, however, were crooning over the baby to take note.

Sirius responded, "Hmm… Yes, sir, I do believe he's a boy. If you don't believe, I can always show you his…"

"Sirius! Eww…" James interjected, pulling a face. "Don't you dare strip my son naked just so you could prove your point!" Dumbledore smiled. Thank goodness there were still happiness and joy in times of suffering and war.

"All right. I just came to check up on you all. Seeing as you are all in good health, especially Lily, I shall be leaving now. Loads to do. Good day."

"Bye, Professor!" Harry blinked his eyes at the tall, thin man, fascinated by the long beard, before drifting off to a peaceful sleep.


Back at Hogwarts, Dumbledore pulled out his Pensieve and replayed Sybill Trelawney's prophecy. Now the Longbottoms and the Potters were both in danger. Both had a son born at the end of July. Both sets of parents having escaped Lord Voldemort three times. Who will be the one Voldemort would mark as his equal? With a jolt, Dumbledore realised that he had not wanted the Potters to be the one marked down. In all his years of teaching in Hogwarts, he had never seen a more brilliant and talented couple than James and Lily. Then again, Frank and Alice Longbottom were also very gifted. Both were working as Aurors in the Ministry, which was an extremely valuable asset to the Order.

Maybe… just maybe… Voldemort might choose the Longbottoms' son, Neville. Voldemort had always been obsessed with the purity of magical blood, so won't he consider the pure-blooded Neville as his equal rather than the half-blooded Harry? Or would Voldemort, for some twisted reason or other, choose Harry instead? He'd have no way of knowing, which is why, before he did, that it would be wise to hide both families from the wrath of Lord Voldemort.

– To Be Continued –