Things Worth Dying For

Chapter 2: He Made It So
1st August 1980

"Pettigrew, what of the Potters' child?" asked a high, cold voice. The small man kneeling before him cowered.

"A boy, my lord." He answered, quivering.

"And what of the Longbottoms' child?" The high, cold voice asked another hooded and masked man kneeling next to the small, quivering man.

"A boy, my lord." The man's voice was strong, unlike the previous person.

"You are very sure, both of you? I will not tolerate any mistakes…"

"My Lord, I speak the truth!" The small man squeaked frantically. Rodolphus Lestrange kept his silence.

"Well, Lestrange? What of the Longbottom boy? Are you absolutely sure that they have a son?"

"Yes, my lord. I speak nothing but the truth. I had it from the St. Mungo's Healer myself."

"Very well. Both of you may go."

Both kneeling men retreated out of the deserted house. The remaining man, who appeared to be the master, turned and advanced to the mirror in the room.

"Both boys… Which would possibly be my downfall?" Voldemort mused. "The Longbottom child... or the Potter boy..."

He stood there for a long time before he made his decision. He called, "Snape!"

A sallow-skinned man with greasy hair hurried into the room and knelt before his master.

"You are aware, of course, that your little… ah… slip at the Hog's Head would be enough to make Dumbledore want you back by his side to guide you to the right side." The red-eyed man's lips curled.

"Yes, my master," Snape intoned.

"Then listen carefully to what I am ordering you to do. You are to go to Dumbledore. Make your excuses. Get yourself into the organisation they call the Order of the Phoenix. I want you to spy on them for me."

The kneeling man raised a sceptical eyebrow. "But, Pettigrew, my lord…"

"Has neither brains nor courage to do whatever I'm delegating to you right now. Unless you do not wish to…" he fingered his yew wand, which contained a phoenix's feather, lovingly, as if he longed to cast a spell.

"Forgive me, my lord. I did not mean to doubt your choices. I was only wondering…" Snape quickly cut in. He did not wish to be at the receiving end of the Dark Lord's wrath.

Voldemort laughed softly at his servant's quickness. "Very well then, are you ready?"

"Yes, master. To serve you is my life's ambition."

"Then go. And James Potter would be your sweet revenge…"

Snape bowed and retreated. What did the Dark Lord mean? Does this have anything to do with the prophecy he overheard? So, James Potter's son would be the Dark Lord's downfall? He chuckled to himself. Yes, James Potter was about to be paid back in full all the misery he had caused during the seven years at Hogwarts… And he was about to realise how unwise it was to make an enemy of Severus Snape, the Half-Blood Prince, when he had Lord Voldemort on his side...


Dumbledore sat in his office, finalising the plans he intend to give the Longbottoms and the Potters. They had to disappear immediately. Assuming Lord Voldemort had heard of the prophecy, he was sure to act immediately once he made his choice. He knew. After all, he had taught him. He knew his style.

A knock on his door startled him. Hastily keeping all his papers, he said, "Enter." The door opened to reveal Severus Snape.

"Ah, Severus. Right on time, I'd say. What brings you here?"

Snape took a few minutes of deliberate silence before saying, "I cannot do this anymore, sir. I have a confession to make."

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. His penetrating blue eyes bore right into Snape's black ones. Now skilled at Occlumency, Snape continued with greater confidence, though showing none of it, "I was employed by the Dark Lord, sir. The prophecy a few months ago… I told the Dark Lord about it… About how a boy born towards the end of the seventh month to parents who defied him three times would be his downfall… I told him, sir. And I am extremely sorry I did, sir."

Dumbledore merely looked at him, while in actual fact was relieved that Voldemort didn't hear the entire prophecy.

Now, Snape had been growing uncomfortable since uttering the last sentence, and this had nothing to do with Dumbledore's penetrating eyes. Possibly caused by owing James a life debt because of sixth year, he suddenly blurted out, "He's after Potter's son, sir."

Snape could've kicked himself. He was doomed to torture when he got back and told the Dark Lord that he had let slip his choice. However, there was no turning back now. He had to carry out the Dark Lord's orders or he could be killed. "I felt very remorseful when I discovered that my information would cause the death of Potter. Though we had never been on speaking terms, he saved my life in sixth year. I couldn't let him die." He looked at Dumbledore, arranging his face to what might be a pleading expression.

Dumbledore surveyed him through his half-moon glasses. He had to give him a second chance to turn over a new leaf. He could be saved from evil. And he had certainly showed the inclination to change.

"Thank you, Severus. Your information had been most valuable." Dumbledore paused before continuing, "Are you willing to spy on Lord Voldemort for us, Severus? Of course I understand that Voldemort is a highly accomplished Legilimens. I shall therefore teach you Occlumency, should you accept the position. Our world is in dire need of people like you, Severus."

"What do you mean by us, sir?" Snape said in a carefully guarded voice. He was getting there at last! And he was neither mistaken nor disappointed.

"The Order of the Phoenix. It's a secret society that fights against Voldemort. Of course, you could decline if you want to. I just thought you might be useful to our cause."

Snape smirked inwardly. Yes, extremely useful indeed. I shall be able to rise in the Dark Lord's ranks with the information I'm passing them.

"I will join, Professor. And thank you for believing me," he put as much gratitude as he could manage, while inside he was laughing at this old man's stupidity.


"Lily, James, I hope I find you and Harry quite well today?" Dumbledore smiled down at the lovely young couple and their beautiful son. If only they weren't the Chosen Ones… Seeing their happy faces made his heart break.

"Quite, Professor, thank you." Lily responded for the three of them.

"I'm afraid I have bad news for you." Dumbledore continued in a grave voice. The Potters sat up a little straighter at this. They had never seen the Headmaster looked so grim.

"Voldemort is after you. You and your son." His voice was like a bombshell dropping in the middle of paradise.

Lily and James were shocked, which was the understatement of the century. They were absolutely appalled and extremely devastated. Why? Why their son? Voldemort had killed so many innocent lives. And now he's targeted their son? What kind of sick bastard would kill a baby barely a day old?

Dumbledore, taking advantage of the shocked silence, continued gravely, "I'm afraid that, for your protection, you would have to disappear immediately."

"Harry… Why Harry? Why must he kill Harry?" Lily whispered, numbed with shock. James couldn't trust himself to speak; he was afraid he might just do something stupid.

"Voldemort kills without mercy. I am guessing that, since you have escaped him three times, he will be planning to dispose of you as soon as possible. You are a threat to him, a thorn in his side. And as for your son, I have no idea why he wants to kill young Harry." Dumbledore said carefully. He was unwilling to let the Potters know just how precarious the situation is. Besides, the lesser people who knew about the prophecy, the better.

"What… must we do?" James's voice faltered.

"I have arranged for you to disappear within short notice. I will assign a safe house for you. Do not tell anyone about this, not even your family or your closest friends. Once Lily and Harry are strong and well enough to travel, I will tell you the next phrase of my plan." Dumbledore hesitates before relenting, "I will, however, grant only one exception. You may invite Harry's godfather and/or godmother to be present with you during the christening ceremony. If you need to exit the house, contact me first to leave extra protection. Keep your wands with you at all times."

Lily squeezed her eyes shut. Her family was falling apart before her eyes. Her son, her hope and joy, was only just born, and now they were already on top of Voldemort's most wanted list. And she had thought that things could have been for the better! The situation just seemed to keep getting worse and worse.

James put a protective arm around Lily. He, too, was extremely upset. What had he done for his family to deserve this fate that was now bestowed upon them? He couldn't understand what he had done wrong in his entire life to deserve such a tragic fate. All he had in the world now was Lily, Harry and his Marauder friends. Why were the people he was dear to keep getting hurt?

"I shall be having a word with the St Mungo's staff. Then I will show you your new quarters. Good day." Dumbledore swept out of the ward noiselessly, wishing to grant the couple peace to collect their thoughts. He couldn't bear to look at the thunderstruck and sorrowful faces of his best students.

James and Lily's eyes followed the progress of their Headmaster's departure. Once he disappeared down the corridor, they turned towards each other and broke down completely. It seemed to be the only thing they could do. Baby Harry, startled by his parents' sobs, starting crying as well, not knowing that the reason for his parents' sorrow was because, very soon, they were all going to be dead. Voldemort struck very quickly and very cruelly. As members of the Order, they knew it very well. Maybe there was some truth in the idiom "Ignorance is bliss".


8th August 1980

The newest addition to the Potter family was officially christened Harry James Potter. Now nestling in his mother's arms, he listened to his parents talking to his new godfather. James trusted Sirius beyond all his other friends. He was like the brother he never had. Sirius had been James's best man at his wedding. Now, James named him godfather to Harry. James trusted and knew that Sirius would never ever betray him.

"No, Sirius, we can't contact even you. Dumbledore's orders. You do know that the situation is extremely dangerous now. We don't want any Death Eaters tailing you to find us." James told his best friend, his brother.

"Not even occasionally?" Sirius pleaded. He didn't want to lose his best friend and James's family so soon.

"No, Sirius. I'm sorry. Our Marauding days are over. This would be taking risks that might have all of us dead. It's not like back in school. We no longer have that protection." James reasoned.

Sirius drooped his head. He was never going to see his brother again? His true family, James and Lily Potter, were going to vanish right before his eyes, and he might never see them again… And what about his young charge, his godson, Harry? Will he never see him again?

Yet, Sirius knew he had to let them go to protect them. He'd rather never see them again and know that they stayed healthy and alive rather than be the cause of their death. Besides, this meaningless war must end soon. Dumbledore was almost never wrong before. He should be able to put a stop to all this. If he wasn't able to, he didn't know who would. He would await that glorious day of reunion and live to see it. He would let them go.

Sirius looked up at James, and nodded. "May fair fortune be with you, brother. I will see you again." He hugged Lily, kissed Harry's forehead, and finally embraced James. The two men didn't let go for a long time. All three adults were suddenly teary. It was the last day the Potters were ever seen in public again. After that, they vanished completely, leaving no trace.

To Be Continued –