Title: An Claidheamh Soluis

Author: AineRose

Updated On: 4/08/04

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, okay! Stop suing me!

Author's Note: I'm going on my holi-ers (holidays) for two weeks, so I won't be able to update. But, don't start to cry yet, because I've made this chapter extra long. It's not actually that long, but I'm not in the habit of typing anything over 2,000 words, and this is more! That's all I have to say for now…you can cry now :-)!

Thanks to you all for reviewing:

insanechildfanfic

Shadow of a Cat

Jellybaybee555

Emily

Ashkey

Branson1

Jen

marauders-girl-08

dumb brunette

Katrina

ERMonkey, Burner of Cookies

Amanduriel

hermoine21

Talamh

Quicksilver Witch

onesmartgoalie

Pain Revisited

hots4harry73

volleypickle16

Chapter Two: Surprises all around

It was half-past three in the morning.

Grumbling, Lily eased herself out of the bed, desperately trying not to wake her sleeping husband. James, exhausted after a hard day's work, had collapsed into bed only a few hours ago. With a small smile, Lily noticed that he was still wearing his glasses, and his work robes. She gently removed the glasses, but left his clothes where they were; she didn't want to disturb him.

She needn't have bothered. The wails from the other room increased in volume and James' eyes snapped open. With a groan, Lily quickly went to soothe her son.

The room was dark and the moon bathed Harry's crib in a soft light. Now that she was more alert, she wondered how she hadn't heard the storm outside that had almost certainly woken Harry. A shiver ran down her spine and settled in her stomach.

She'd had the worst feeling that morning. A feeling that she had hoped would disappear when James came home. She'd been so worried about him, so worried about it all…he shouldn't have gone today.

It didn't matter what crisis was happening, what massacre had taken place; they were in hiding, and the Ministry knew that! Apparently, that was why they only requested one Auror that night!

Lily may have been strong, steadfast and incredibly stubborn- especially when it came to James Potter- but she couldn't have fought with him that morning. With darkened eyes, he had ordered her to stay at home. He had almost forced her to let him go. And she had been scared, more scared than ever before.

They were in hiding! Didn't the Ministry care? The prophecy had spoken, all of their futures relied on their son. How could they protect him when they were away fighting, or worse, dead?

She hummed softly as she held Harry close to her body, rocking him gently, but she was too anxious and her movements were fast and jerky.

The sound of the rain beating down outside, of the wind howling against the windows, and of the thunder in the distance, was louder than she had ever heard it. She pulled the bawling boy closer to her chest. It wasn't like Harry to be so agitated.

A pair of gentle, warm arms wrapped around her, and she leaned back onto her husband.

"Hello, love," he murmured softly.

Lily made a sleepy noise in his arms and Harry continued to wail. She paused for a few moments before speaking.

"Was it awful?"

James didn't answer; he only buried his head into her hair.

"The Prewetts were killed last week," he said finally. Lily closed her eyes.

"Gideon was the last to go…they said he fought bravely…heroically. It took five to each to get him and Fabian."

Tears brimmed in her eyes. "James…" she began before pausing suddenly, "…What about Sirius, and Peter? Did you hear anything about where they are?"

James shook his head. "No news is good news. I guess they must have gone into hiding successfully."

Lily nodded.

Silence weighed heavy in the room.

"I love you."

She smiled. "I love you, too, James." He kissed her lips softly.

"I love you, Harry," he mumbled.

"Me, too," Lily added. "I'll love you forever."

She leaned back into James arms, holding Harry close to her breast. They lingered like that for some time; one of James' hands stroking her hair, and his head buried in her shoulder, close to where she held Harry. Even Harry quietened slightly, cocooned inside a bubble of love.

And then she heard it.

The wind started again, and the rain beat harder onto the roof of the small cottage. And the shiver, the chill that had been coursing through her, returned. Harry started to scream and wail, wriggling desperately around in her arms.

Thump

A strangled cry stuck in her throat. "No," she whispered, her voice hoarse. "No…James…"

His arms left her waist.

"I'm sure it's nothing," he attempted to soothe her. "I'll go check it out."

He was only gone a few minutes before she heard his voice again; loud and commanding, but with underlying fear that only she could hear, "Lily! Take Harry and go! It's him! Run- I'll hold him off!"

Fear clutched at her heart, and she froze. Still as a statue, she almost dropped Harry.

Where was her wand? How could she defend herself without her wand? It registered dimly in her mind that she had left it downstairs, down in the kitchen when she was making dinner for herself and Harry earlier that evening.

Cursing her own short-sightedness, Lily pulled Harry closer to her and resolutely moved towards the window. She'd have to get James' broomstick and fly them out. James would have to follow.

Crashes and shouts echoed from below her, the sound of her husband's voice, and that- that monster fighting.

And suddenly, the James' voice was halted, as another crash shook the house. And then she heard it, as she was running out the hall to get to the broom closet.

"Avada Kedavra."

That wasn't James' voice.

Oh God.

"Oh God," she whispered. Harry stopped crying suddenly, as if he knew what was happening, as if he knew that his dad was dead.

Dead.

"No," she whispered, "No…James…"

She couldn't comprehend it, he couldn't be dead… he couldn't! It wasn't possible, it was unbelievable.

But it was fact.

Closing her eyes, Lily took a deep breath. She tried to collect herself, her mind concentrating on her son's safety. She grabbed the first broomstick she saw, and ran back to Harry's room. She could hear him coming, feel his presence.

Panicking, Lily pulled at the French windows, praying desperately that they would open. They were locked.

It didn't matter.

He was here.

Gliding into the room, Lord Voldemort caused the lights to explode and the windows to blow open instantly. All Lily could see in the darkness was a pair of gleaming red eyes.

She was completely helpless; no magic, no defence.

No hope.

Panic rose inside her; she realised she was crying when she tasted salt on her lips. Voldemort pointed his wand directly at her heart. She was nothing but an obstacle in his path.

"Stand aside," he commanded, hissing softly.

"Not Harry," she begged, "Please- not Harry!"

"Stand aside- silly girl- stand aside. Avada Kedavra."

And a flash of green light flew towards her.

"NO!"

And then she was waking up in the hospital wing.

Gasping for breath, Lily bolted forwards in her bed. She was covered in sweat, her hands were shaking, and she was crying.

She didn't pause to think, didn't give herself time to calm down; she just jumped out of the bed hastily.

It was still day- probably around noon- and Remus had only been gone for about and hour or two. Madame Pomfrey was just exiting her office when she came across Lily, pale and shaking in the middle of the Hospital Wing. The wide eyes, trembling body and lost, terrified expression on her face almost caused the poor nurse to drop the numerous potions in her arms.

"Mrs. Ev-Potter?" She asked, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Are you quite alright? What happened? Are you ill?"

Lily turned to look at her. "James," she said faintly. "James. I need…where…" she trailed off uncertainly.

"Everything alright?" James, who had been dozing lightly, had obviously heard the commotion and come to find out what was happening. "Lily?" Concern touched his features as he saw the state his wife was in.

Lily flung herself onto him, holding him tightly. "Oh God, James. Oh God. Don't ever do that to me again, James, don't ever!" She was hysterical, and James gave the old nurse a perfectly baffled look, which she returned in kind.

"Lily," he tried again. "Lily, what happened, what's wrong? What did I do?"

She pulled back from him, stared him in the face and whispered, "You died."

He pulled her close. "Oh, Lils. I remember…but it can't be as bad as what you… …what happened to you."

"I was so alone," she sobbed. "I was scared and alone and you were gone and I didn't have my wand and he was there and, Oh God James, I was so scared."

Madame Pomfrey moved away in an attempt to give the couple some privacy. James held Lily closely, rocking her back and forth and stroking her hair. His voice, when he spoke was hoarse and on the verge of tears.

"I know, I know, love. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Lily."

Sirius Black was more confused then he ever had been in his life. It had been quite a surprise waking up in a hospital bed, when the last thing he remembered was flying across the Death Chamber; but that was nothing compared to going for a small wander around the Hospital Wing and finding your dead best friends lying in the beds, breathing. It had taken Dumbledore, Remus and McGonagall two hours combined to get him to listen, and to believe them.

He had, of course, asked where Harry was. Remus had looked quite uncomfortable when he told him that he was still with his relatives in Surrey. How could they not have told Harry he was alive?

Remus had gone about three hours ago and Sirius, exhausted by his attempts to seduce Remus had gone back to bed. It wasn't that he was going to sleep; he was just too tired to do anything. A few beds down, Lily and James were conversing in whispers. Sirius closed his eyes, trying to give them some privacy.

To pass the time, he imagined what it would be like when he was free. Lily and James had ordered Dumbledore to fetch Fudge for tomorrow so that they could give evidence against Peter as soon as they had heard that Sirius was on the run from the law. He imagined walking down Diagon Alley, drinking a butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks, flying on a broomstick…he didn't know how long he had been dozing before the curtains around his bed were ripped open.

Groaning, he twisted around to see Lily and James beside his bed. They were staring at him, looking particularly apprehensive.

"'S matter?" he mumbled, flipping over onto his back. "What's happn'd? 'S Remus here?"

"No, no, he won't be back for at least another hour," Lily said, clutching James' hand. "It's just…we wanted to talk…to you…about, you know, Harry."

Sirius laughed in relief. "Merlin, Lily, I thought you were going to say something important or profound." Spotting the look on her face, he hastily added, "But Harry'll be here soon, why don't you wait to find out from him?"

Lily looked uncomfortable, "It's not any of the big stuff, just the small stuff we missed. Like, what's his favourite food? What House is he in? Does he get good grades? Does he have friends?-"

"Does he play Quidditch?" James interrupted her.

Lily glared at him, "Is that all you've been thinking about all this time. Does he play Quidditch? What kind of a stupid question is that? What if he doesn't play, huh? What're you going to do, throw him out onto the streets? Does he play Quidditch? Honestly!" She went on in this fashion for quite some time.

Sirius exchanged glances with James, who shrugged and put an arm around his wife's shoulders. "We just want to know some things about him. You don't have to tell us much, just, something…anything."

Sirius regarded them blearily for a few moments. "Harry…is a really great kid."

He turned around and closed his eyes, instantly dozing off again.

"Sirius!" they shouted in unison.

"Shurrup!" Sirius shouted. "'M tryin' to sleep."

The house was gleaming. Literally. Petunia's housekeeping instincts had unfortunately kicked in and, not just Harry, but the whole family, had been forced to spend the day cleaning. Rooms had been cleaned out, vacuumed, and polished. Doors and walls had been scrubbed; furniture had been polished; bathrooms had been scoured; household appliances had been cleaned, and counters had been disinfected.

If Harry never saw another scrubbing brush again, it would be too soon. Of course, even though he wasn't alone in the cleaning, it didn't mean he didn't get the most. Harry, being used to his Aunt's meticulous standard of 'clean', had an easier job of tidying, rather than Dudley and Vernon, who lazily did a small bit, and then moved on to the next task, were left doing each task at least three times. Harry knew the exact standard Petunia Dursley expected, and made it his own. It saved a lot of time.

Of course, even when he was finished, there was still more work to do. The moment he had finished organising the attic (he knew not to ask why), he was prodded towards the kitchen, where a hot stove awaited his sweating over. And sweat over it he did. His Aunt did most of the work, in truth, because she had made everything that afternoon, and his only job was to follow her instructions, which were quite relaxed compared to some other dinner parties she had hosted;

"1. Let the broth simmer for exactly seven minutes, until it begins to bubble gently. But, don't let it bubble too much, or it will be destroyed.

2. The beef should be cooked in the oven for approximately one hour, possibly longer, but before the juices start to boil. Seasoning should be added before, and after, roasting.

3. The fish should be fried for six minutes, until it has turned a crisp, brown colour, but before it has turned black.

4. The tart should be placed in the oven exactly ten minutes before dinner is served, at a medium setting.

5. Ice-cream should be set out after the starters, in order to defrost.

6. Canapés and breads should be set out on the table before sitting down to eat.

7. Table should be set with the Swirling Flowers tablecloth that was sent by Aunt Marge from France. Good china and cutlery are to be used.

8. The centrepiece should be the one that Dudley made in woodwork last year. Petunias and orchids should be picked sparingly from the garden and placed in the crystal vases on either ends of the table. Candles should be lit, but only in matching colours with the flowers.

9. Under NO circumstances are Dudley and Vernon to be permitted near the food or china.

10. Accidents will not be tolerated."

"Honestly," Vernon complained, three hours later. "You'd think it was the bloody Queen on her way, and not a couple of neighbours with their snivelling kid." Harry had to agree with him. Aunt Petunia didn't.

"Those neighbours will be expecting the very highest standard from us! We're still being watched you know. Social Services will have our heads if anything happens!"

Vernon had winced at the memory of his son's idiocy, and reluctantly followed the rest of the family upstairs to get changed.

Harry followed behind him, singing softly under his breath. "Happy Birthday to me."

The Goldens arrived an hour late, but nobody had the chance to mention that as they entered the house.

"We're terribly sorry, Petunia," Jennifer Golden announced, as she stepped through the door, "But we've just had the most amazing day. I suppose we shouldn't tell you this, as it's supposed to be a secret, but we've become such good friends with your family and, well…"

Her eyes were bright and her cheeks were glowing. She handed her coat to Harry, giving him a small smile, and then wrapped her arm around her daughter. Her husband, David, rested his hand on Emma's shoulder at the same time, beaming the same proud smile as his wife. "Oh, I'm all of a dither," Jennifer beamed. "You see, we've found out the most amazing thing about Emma today! We were at breakfast today, you see, and out of nowhere an owl swooped in with a letter!"

Harry, who was fumbling with the three coats and several hangers, promptly dropped everything in his hands.

"And that's not all," David continued. "You see this letter, it was from a school. It said-"

Harry found his voice. "Hogwarts."

Everyone turned to look at him. The Dursleys, who had already gone a faint grey colour, were turning steadily paler, at confirmation from their nephew.

"You know it?" Jennifer asked excitedly.

Harry nodded shakily. "I'm a student there…a wizard." It felt quite good to get that off his chest.

"So it's not made up then, it's true?"

He nodded again, still stunned.

Vernon opened his mouth to say something. Harry stepped on his foot. "Moody's eye," he muttered. Vernon closed his mouth again.

Apparently, Petunia and Dudley heard him as well, because they too shut their mouths.

Emma beamed at Harry. "I knew you were different, and I was right, wasn't I? I knew I was different as well, and I am! I'm special!"

Harry stepped on his uncle's foot again, and grinned, "Definitely."

Jennifer and David were ecstatic. "Are you magical, too?" the asked the Dursleys.

Petunia went an odd peach colour, and her husband turned violet. "No," Petunia spluttered. "No…It's from his father's side."

"And my mum," Harry reminded her.

"Yes, and my sister." Petunia looked more than a little faint.

Harry decided not to push his relative's patience, or nerves. There was no knowing what could happen after the shock wore off. That was all that was keeping them from chucking them out right now, he supposed. Shock, and of course, mind-numbing fear.

"Well," he said brightly. "Dinner's about ready, so if you ant to sit down at the table, I'll just bring it in. We can talk about Hogwarts later, if you want," he added. "In private."

Next Chapter: Finally, an Explanation! Harry finds out!

Bye for now, then! While you're waiting why don't you give me review? Come on, you know you want to! Look at that poor purple-ish button begging to be pressed! Look, its right over there:

l

l

l

l

l

V