Voldemort silently walked down the lane, his eyes downcast, watching the pavement that his feet tread upon with each step. The streetlight that he stood under only a few seconds before had begun to fade away into the dark, moonlight now his only guide.
The night had gotten oddly silent, as he had departed for the Potter house. Even the crickets had stopped their chatter as he passed each house, foreshadowing doom with every step he took.
He chuckled, his horcrux collection would soon be complete, and he would get his revenge. Kill two birds with one stone as that fool Malfoy would say. Voldemort shook his head. Lucius was young, and with youth there is insolence, bravery, and foolishness. Malfoy wasn't the brightest candle in the chandelier.
But what of my other followers, Voldemort thought, stopping abruptly in the center of the street, looking up at the sky, watching stars wink at him from the inky blackness that blanketed the cool, October night. Astronomy was never his favorite subject as a boy, but it had helped him in the past. So, he took this time to study the heavens.
Mars is bright tonight, Voldemort mused. And the North Star seems a little dull. What had Professor Haireu told him about that? The Dark Lord shrugged. Meh, it's not THAT important now. And besides, he thought off-handedly, it would probably mean I get my ass kicked by an infant in the near future. With that comment, and a small, lighthearted chuckle, Voldemort continued towards the Potter residence, malice in his smile.
"…And then I got sidetracked by this lovely set of Jack-o-lanterns in the neighbor's yard, so I went and commented them on craftsmanship and…"
Lily sighed. "You were having an office party, weren't you? You were having fun and forgot the time. Again."
James nodded, slightly embarrassed that his excuse had been foiled in front of his son, who sat inside a Styrofoam pumpkin, peering out the window for trick-or-treaters that might run up the driveway any minute. "Twick or Tweat! Twick or Tweat!" Baby Harry giggled, face pressed against the window, Pumpkin balanced on one edge.
"Harry! Careful!" Lily warned sternly, moving the pumpkin closer to the window so her son could press his face to the glass pane safely. She turned back to James and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. "You missed most of the trick-or-treating. James, I thought I made it clear that while we were living here under protection we had to abide by the rules. I don't want you setting a bad example for Harry. He's cursed enough by Sirius's frequent visits. Besides, I had already prepared and fed Harry when you came. You PROMISED not to miss another meal."
James raised an eyebrow. "I don't remember saying anything like that, Lily. And besides, you know damn well I can't always be on time…"
"James! Watch your language in front of Harry!"
"…Sorry, but you know me and rules. I believe they are made to be broken, and by George, I will raise my son that way too! After all, I don't think that everyone's gone home…"James's sentence trailed off as Harry let out a loud squeak.
"Dada! Twick or Tweat! Twick or Tweat!" Harry exclaimed pointing out the window. He giggled happily and tipped the pumpkin over so he landed in the candy bowl.
James smiled and kissed his wife on the cheek. "See, Lils, didn't I tell you!"
Lily picked Harry up and began to burp him. "I checked, like, five minutes ago, dear. The street was deserted."
James peeked out the window, gasping at the flaring inferno that was the Rodger's house. As if it came from hell itself, the fire raged, casting an eerie light about the street, illuminating the dark figure walking towards the house. If it wasn't enough of a nightmarish scene already, the glow of green light that emitted from the Dark Mark shining overtop of the orange flames made everything pulse as if covered in radioactive slime.
"Lily dear…" James gulped, closing the curtains. "I don't remember, do we have any really tall kids in this neighborhood."
"Why do you ask?"
"Because I don't think this bloke's here for candy."