Before it Began
By. SkyQuill
Summary
James knew he was in love at first sight, but what would it take for Lily to love him back? Read their story leading up to their deaths and discover the dangers they faced and the loves and friendships they shared.
Disclaimer
I do not own most of the characters and places or anything else that may seem familiar. J.K. Rowling has the exclusive claim to this as well as the general plot that formed this fanfic.
Chapter 42: Left Behind
Voldemort laughed mercilessly as the lifeless body of the mudblood crumpled to the ground at his feet. He was so preoccupied by his achievement that he didn't notice the glow of light in his victim's amber ring before it shot a small, frail jet of light out towards the baby's malachite pendant. Reliving his success, Voldemort completely ignored the glow that briefly surrounded the child.
Such a foolish woman for thinking she could stand up to the greatest wizard of all time, Voldemort thought. In the hallway behind him, Peter hovered anxiously, torn between the agony of watching his 'friends' die and eagerness to see his master prevail. Lord Voldemort's success could only mean an increase in power for himself.
"Well now Harry," Voldemort hissed cruelly, "I've been wanted to meet you for a very long time now." The toddler gazed up at the hooded man, screaming and wailing in terror. In fright, he stretched out his short arms towards Lily's body, desperately trying to get her to comfort him. Voldemort laughed with mirth at the very sight.
"She needn't have died you know," the wizard continued, his voice laced with malice. "It would have given me great pleasure to know her suffering from losing her family." Harry continued to scream, his cries growing both in volume and pitch. Voldemort was getting impatient, almost lazily, he raised his wand.
"Dumbledore was a fool for thinking you could put an end to my regime." Voldemort said thoughtfully. His red eyes gleamed with excitement. "Where are your powers now?" Laughing again, Voldemort pointed his wand at the sobbing child.
"Avada Kedavra." he bellowed, prounouncing every syllable with relish. Harry's crying ceased immedialty to see the jet of bright, green light come straight at him. Voldemort grinned evilly as the spell struck the child. Harry let out a wail as the curse hit him, and a searing pain burnt across his forehead before passing out. At almost exactly the same moment, the malachite pendant hanging over Harry's chest heated up to an unbearable temperature as it absorbed the avada kedavra. Glowing brightly emerald, the pendant remained like that for a moment before splitting in two and sending the curse back upon it's caster.
Even as the two broken pieces of stone bounced to the floor, Voldemort's terrible shriek filled the room, filling the room with a blinding, and horribly powerful red energy force. The windows shattered and the roof cracked. Peter had a fleeting glimpse of his master's terrible red eyes before his entire body was reduced to vapour. Shuddering in fright, Peter watched as the smoke was whisked out the room. He couldn't be...no...it was impossible.
Positively shaking in fear, Peter tentatively moved into the room- which seemed due to collpase at any moment-, avoiding the sight of both Lily and Harry's lifeless bodies. Absolute shock gripped him to realize that he had just witnessed his master's death. Where now, was the reward Peter had sought? What could he do? The Potter's were dead...and yet, so was his master. How could a mere child have had such an effect?
With morbid curiosity, Peter inched over to the crib and gazed down at the baby he presumed dead. Baby Harry lay motionless atop his blankets, his complexion pale. However, the most curious thing stood out against his pale skin. A lightening bolt shaped cut had appeared on the toddler, marking him. Peter stared at in wonder before shaking out of his stupor as a large chunk of ceiling crashed to the ground. He musn't lose his nerve, as little as he had. Bending down, Peter saw one of the halves of the malachite stone Harry had been wearing. This must have been what had saved Harry, Peter thought dimly, pocketing the find. Maybe it still retained it's protective properties?
Peter made to scurry from the room, when a last thought struck him. There lying on the floor, was Voldemort's old wand. Perhaps it too, retained it's previous owner's power? Quickly making up his mind, he pocketed that too. Just as he exited the room in a panicked hurry, the nursery walls seemed to give out. Crashing down across the corpses. With another chilling shiver, Peter darted down the stairs, keeping his head firmly up so as not to see James's bloodied body sprawled across the floor.
Peter streaked out into the cool night air, breathing hard to keep himself calm. Sirius Black would know exactly what had happened, Peter told himself, blind with terror. He had to hide, Sirius was the only one who knew that he was secret keeper. Had been, secret keeper, Peter reminded himself dully. He would have to go on the run, keep himself away for fear of his life. Perhaps he'd drop the half pendant and Voldemort's wand at his secret place...yes...that would be a good idea, Peter decided. That way, if he ever needed to retrieve them, they would be ready and waiting.
A loud crashing sound, broke Peter's concentration. Darting a glance at the small cottage, he realized that it was slowly collapsing upon itself. Voldemort's death really had been powerful. Peter took a deep breath, preparing for what he must do. Turning around, he made to flee but then a last minute idea occured to him.
"Morsmordre!" Peter whimpered, aiming his wand skyward. Instantly, a mess of green and grey smoke was issued from his wand and hovered to a place above the wrecked building. He let his watery blue eyes focus on it for only an instant before running beyond the wards and disapparating. What had he done?
000
Dumbledore sat wearily at his office desk, reading over the latest papers the Ministry had sent them. The documents issued for his opinion contained mostly the names of suspected death eaters, all of whom Dumbledore severely doubted were authentic.
At Fawke's soft chirruping, Dumbledore finally raised his head to see what had caught the phoenix's rapt attention. It was apparant immediatly, what the issue was. Dumbledore steepled his fingers and waited paitently as a top ranked auror stepped out of the whirling green flames inside his fire place. Dumbledore felt a jolt of concern immediatly as he took in the man known as , Rufus Scrimgeour's, appearence. Scrimgeour was looking as though he had run miles, and had a look of utmost grief and frustration on his face.
"Rufus." Dumbledore said, inclining his head politely. He gestured at the chair facing his desk but Scrimgeour refused breathlessly.
"No thanks...Dumbledore." he panted. "Urgent business, the ministry needs your help..."
"What happened?" Dumbledore asked, finally letting the alarm he felt seep into his ancient voice. Scrimgeour bowed his head grimly,
"I'm afraid it's another death eater attack." he said, regaining his composure. "We've been getting numerous calls reporting the dark mark hanging in the sky somewhere North East of here, but nobody seems to be able to reveal it's whereabouts. I think this place, whatever ever it is, must have been made unplottable." Dumbledore's glasses flashed alarmingly. Northeast, that couldn't be Godric's Hollow, could it?
"Thank you Rufus, tell the minister I will be at the ministry immediatly. I just need a moment to prepare and gather my thoughts." Dumbledore informed the grizzled, auror before him. Scrimgeour gave him a strange look but complied nonetheless. Dumbledore waited until the emerald flames has whisked him away again before launching into action.
Very quickly, he sent out a patronus, urging Rubeus Hagrid to report immediatly to his office. Composed and intelligent as he may have been, nothing could have prepared Dumbledore for what was happening. Willing himself to check his suspiscions, Dumbledore quickly apparated (using his superior powers to overcome the Hogwarts magic which should have prevented it)to where Sirius had informed his the Potter's lived. His head bowed gravely at the sight of the ruined house with the dark mark hanging eeriely overtop it.
Glancing at a watch with many hands, and which looked imcomprehensible to anyone but him, he checked the time. Good, he still had a few minutes before Hagrid would arrive at his office. He knew that the half-giant would be asleep in his hut, wearied by the Halloween festivites.
With long, purposeful strides, while still mentally preparing himself, Dumbledore entered the Potter's ruined home. Almost immediatly, he encountred the corpse of James Potter. With a reluctant appraising gaze, Dumbledore made sure that the man was truly dead before moving on. After searching the downstairs hastily, he hurried upstairs to the nursery, It was worse then he had expected, the room was in ruins. The walls were charred as though burnt and the roof had given out in some places. Lily Potter's body too, gave it a most forbidding atmosphere. Closing his eyes momentarily, overcome with sadness and horror, Dumbledore stepped over the dead woman's body and examined their child. He was quite unprepared for what happened next.
Harry's eyelids flickered open, revealing eyes that had certainly not been that green before. The baby whimpered and stretched out his arms and Dumbledore tentatively removed the child from his crib.
"Harry?" Dumbledore whispered in incredulity. "How, how is this possible?" Knowing that it was impossible to expect the child to answer, Dumbledore carried him to the sitting room, carefully shielding his deceased father from view. He set the child down on the sofa and quickly thought out a plan. Immensely curious Dumbledore launched another patronus, requesting that Hagrid wait for him in his office. He had to find out what had happened, before he could decide what to do.
"Legilimens." he muttered, fixing Harry's viridian eyes with his soft blue ones. As Dumbledore sifted through the child's memories, it became clear to him what had happened. Although he was shocked beyond belief, he knew that swift action was required. For one, he did not believe Voldemort had truly died. For second, Sirius must have betrayed the Potter's, and there was no way in telling when he may show up to finish the job, if that was the case. Dumbledore found himself surprised to find that he had tears in his eyes. The Potter's death had affected him greatly, they had been two of the most talented and loving people he had ever known. It was cruel that fate had chosen this path for them, and even crueller for Harry, who had been left behind.
Dumbledore straightened to his feet, deciding what he must do. He quickly cast a charm over the house, so that Sirius Black would be denied entrance. It was a powerful charm, but would only last until Harry was removed from the house. Dumbledore would have taken Harry with him if it were not for the fact that the ministry was expecting him. No, Hagrid would be more then capable of rescuing the child. Besides, Dumbledore had to arrange something for Harry's future.
"I will see you soon Harry." Dumbledore whispered to the child, as he left the house and apparated back to Hogwarts. As Dumbledore arrived back in his office, he quickly explained the circumstances to a shocked Hagrid. Only after telling him that his help was required, did Dumbledore succeed in calming the man down. Hagrid readily took a sheet of paper Sirius had left with Dumbledore ages ago in case of such an emergency. It had the Potter's address on it. Hagrid quickly memorized it before heading out to do his duty. He would take a thestral to the village of Godric's Hollow.
Dumbledore then proceeded to the ministry of magic, and explained to them that Voldemort had been vanquished for the moment. Much to his annoyance, the minister seemed more overjoyed then saddened at the incident!
"He's gone!" he cried joyously to the rest of the ministry. Only once Dumbledore had dragged him away to speak in private did the man utter,
"Well surely you can take care of all that Dumbledore! The aurors will deal with the arrests soon. This is a time for celebration!" Dumbledore was gravely irritated at the minister's disconcern. Did he not understand about Harry? Dumbledore sighed, perhaps it was better if he looked after the child's future. The ministry certainly wasn't concerned.
Knowing full well that Hagrid would take the child to Headquarters after acquiring him, Dumbledore prepared himself to greet the morning, and a day overwhelemed with stress and planning.
000
Sirius was awoken by the loud sounds of cheering and explosions at three in the morning. Grumbling angrily, he got dressed and stepped outside to see what was going on. He was not quite prepared for the barrage of smiling that met his appearence.
"What's going on?" Sirius asked in bewilderment, not able to understand why a large group of wizards had huddled on the corner of the street, setting off Dr. Fillibuster's Fireworks. "Are you mad? The muggles will see!" he hissed in impatience. Dedalus Diggle giggled furiously,
"But we must celebrate! You-know-who has been vanquished!" he exclaimed, looking immensely satisfied at the look of shock on Sirius's weary face. "We've just been informed by the ministry, he's gone!"
"Impossible." Sirius hissed, feeling extremely confused. Dedalus Diggle's smile faltered momentarily,
"They say that a mere boy stopped him." he whispered in a more serious tone. But within a second, his face was lit up again with the same previous jubialance it had shown before. "To Harry Potter!" he cried, raising a bottle of firewhiskey. Sirius blanked at the name and felt horror seize his heart. No...
000
Hagrid couldn't stop the sobs that had engulfed him as he entered the Potter's ruined home. True to Dumbledore's word, he had burnt the paper with the address after reading it and had immediatly headed straight for Godric's Hollow. Even though everything had already been explained, he still couldn't quite come to terms with all that had happened. It was too terrible, never mind the dark lord's disappearance. The price was too great.
At the sight of the bodies Hagrid's crying increased violently. Teardrops the size of quarters rained from his face and sprinkled across the floor. As he took in the apperence of broken items and destroyed furniture, Hagrid's eyes blurrily scanned over Harry's sobbing form on the couch. He hastened over the little baby at once.
"Poor little tyke." Hagrid sobbed, wrapping Harry in a blanket that had been lying atop the couch. His large hands handled the child with a rough, but comforting touch. Harry's crying diminished to sniffling as he gaze wide-eyed at the giant.
"Come on' Arry." Hagrid grunted, forcing himself to stop sobbing. "Let's get yeh outta ere'." With large shuffling steps, Hagrid carried Harry out into the autumn air. He stopped in shock as he spotted another wizard waiting outside, growling in frustration. Sirius's cursing at not being let inside ceased immediatly at the sight of Harry.
"Hagrid!" Sirius gasped hoarsely, his face both pale and tear stained.
"Ello Sirius." Hagrid said soberly, in his grief, quite forgetting what Dumbledore had said about Sirius having been secret keeper. An awkward silence fell between them, nobody quite knew how to express their agony.
"Can I see him?" Sirius whispered, almost inaudibly. Hagrid shrugged and passed the bundle, just sightly larger then his hand, to Sirius.
Sirius held Harry close as the child whimpered,
"Padfud..." Harry said. Fighting back a wave a tears, Sirius quickly passed Harry back to Hagrid.
"You're taking him to Dumbledore?" he asked, trying to prevent his heart from shattering.
"That's righ'" Hagrid agreed tearfully. Sirius nodded, letting his dark hair fall over his dark eyes.
"Take this." he said, gesturing to his over-sized, flying motorcycle. "It's charmed so muggle's can't see it."
"I couldn't" Hagrid began but Sirius shook his head violently.
"Take it!" he exclaimed, his voice cracking in pain. "I need to know my godson is safe." Hagrid contemplated this a moment before agreeing. With a solemn thanks, he took Harry and mounted the motorcycle. Sirius watched roughly as the vehicle became airborne and took off into the dawn. Then, with a deep breath, Sirius readied himself for a final farewell before taking off for what he was going to do. Peter was going to wish he had never been born.
000
Peter crept anxiously through the muggle streets of London, keen to avoid Sirius's detection. He wondered if his ex-friend would alert the others of his treachery and the switch of responsibilites. The very thought of this paralyzed him with fear.
Shaking it off, Peter continued to walk, dimly aware of the whispers around him. It seemed that the world had become aware of Voldemort's demise, he thought fearfully. Peter had just returned from hiding Voldemort's wand and the half pendant. He did not want them to be found.
As Peter's flighty steps carried him past an alleyway, a low growl made his heart stop dead. A sweat broke out immediatly as he turned to gaze into the darkness of the alleyway. There, lowering himself into a position to lunge was the animagus form of Padfoot.
"NO!" Peter shrieked in terror, diving into a crowd of muggles. The people around him gazed at his flight in mingled confusion, before adding their screaming to the din. The shaggy, black dog had just transformed into a man.
Sirius strode purposefully through the crowds, ignoring the screams that accompanied him. Ahead of him, Peter was getting ready to apparate, Sirius was determined not to give him that chance.
Crazed with agony and fury, Sirius shot a spell at Peter, forcing him to fight back. Peter was positively shaking with fear as he pressed himself up against the wall of a muggle shopping mall.
"HOW COULD YOU?" Sirius bellowed, pain forming his words. "YOU LOWLY, NO GOOD COWARD!"
"N-n-n-n-o, pl-please Sirius..."Peter begged desperately, avoiding the man's furious dark-eyed glare. "I d-d-didn't m-m-m-ean t-to." Sirius laughed, sounding almost insane. Every bit of laughter rang with derisiveness,
"Sorry?" Sirius asked dangerously, his voice lowering to a whisper. "You betrayed them, you betrayed them all! Look what you've done, Lily, James" Sirius's voice broke as the fresh pain broke over him. "Harry..."
Peter remained silent, afraid that movement might set Sirius's anger off again. It however, came anyways.
"I SHOULD KILL YOU!" Sirius bellowed, and though it was plain to see that he couldn't really do it, Peter knew he would be badly hurt and made to suffer. "REDUCTO!" Sirius screamed, sending a spell Peter's way. Peter ducked and the hex hit the wall of the building, causing it to explode. As rubble rained down upon them, Peter seized his chance.
Non-verbally, he sent a colourless spell towards the muggles as Sirius sent off another curse in his rage. As Sirius's spell again missed, Peter's hit it's target. Terrorized screams of horror and pain echoed from the crowd of muggles as an immense explosion rocked the street. Sirius went flying back into the brick wall from the force.
As dust from the damage rose into the air and blocked him from view, Peter shut his eyes firmly, pointed his wand at his finger and whispered,
"Diffindo!" Fighting back a pained scream at losing his finger, he focused the rest of his energies into one sole goal. As Sirius lunged through the smoke, desperately searching for Peter, the wizard he sought transfigured himself to a rat. Sirius watched in horror as the rodent scurried away under the rubble. Just as Sirius raised his wand to summon the coward he was caught from behind by a stunning spell.
As conciousness faded, Sirius gazed back defiantly at the auror that had stunned him. They had come for him, unaware that he was innocent, and their real quarry was escaping under their very noses.
000
Frank held Alice close as she sobbed onto his shoulder, Neville clutched tight in her arms. It was November second, two days since the Potters had been murdered and Voldemort vanquished. It should have been a joyous occasion, but Alice's very heart was bleeding for the loss of her friend. They had heard rumours about it yesterday of course, but it was only when Dumbledore had come to see them that morning that they had finally accepted the truth.
"What about Harry?" Frank asked sadly, still comforting his hysterical wife. Dumbledore sighed,
"He is with his only remaining relatives now. They will provide for him a protection no other family can." he explained wearily. Dumbledore had not slept in almost forty eight hours. The ministry and Harry had kept him tied up until now, and even yet, his presence was required this afternoon to send Sirius Black to Azkaban. The aurors had caught him only the previous day, after he had murdered an entire streetful of muggles and long time friend Peter Pettigrew. It had been said that Black had murdered the man for trying to forewarn the Potter's. Dumbledore didn't want to believe it, though he had to accept it as true. He had known for ages that their had been a spy amongst the Order, though never had he believed it would have been Sirius.
"I can't believe it...Sirius Black...they were best mates..." Frank whispered, still numb from shock. It was as though he had sensed what Dumbledore had been thinking. Again Dumbledore sighed,
"We must believe it. I never would have believed it myself, but I have seen the evidence." Dumbledore answered tonelessly.
"And what of you-know-who?" Alice asked suddenly, speaking for the first time. "Surely Harry couldn't have defeated him." Her voice quivered and she couldn't fight back her hiccoughs, yet she waited for Dumbledore's reply without breaking down again.
"That, even i do not know. I was hoping you could tell me some of the protection means the Potters had invoked." Dumbledore sighed. Alice and Frank shook their heads,
"Lily had given Harry a protective amulet, but it was no different then the dozen others there are as far as I know." Alice replied thoughtfully. Silent tears pouring down her face again.
"I suppose we may never know." Dumbledore said in resignaton. He had gone to investigate the Potter's residence yesterday again after everything had been settled and Harry had been placed with the Dursleys. His search had revealed nothing. Also, it appeared the Fidelius charm had finally worn off with Peter's death. Dumbledore had been sure to replace wards of his own, this time casting a spell that only one with Potter blood could re-enter the building. This way, Harry could return to his old home exactly as it was when he was ready.
"So what now Dumbledore?" Frank asked solemnly. Dumbledore eyed Frank sadly,
"Now, we try and keep Harry alive. Voldemort is not gone forever." he explained. Frank bowed his head while Alice burst into tears again. Even little Neville seemed to be more subdued then usual. Dumbledore left the small family to mourn, not knowing that, he would have even more to mourn about soon.
Author's Note: Well here you have it, I hope it didn't seem too rushed and confusing. I was trying to get all the important bits in while still trying to make it really emotional. Anyhow, the next chapter is the last, so please review! You can count on an update soon.
Oh, and i'm going to post this one more time, just to bug you all, and hopefully encourage you to visit it, but there isa forum for this story:P Yeah, I know i'm annoying but please stop by if you have a moment.