Hogwarts – October 31, 1981

Hearing the happy buzz in the Great Hall I know that is my que. I excuse myself from my conversation with Minerva and stand to give my pre feast speech just as Millicent's patronus forms in front of me.

"The Ministry has been attacked. Our numbers are falling."

Panic starts to spread throughout the room. Turns to Minerva I say, "Minerva, contact the Order. Tell them to form at the Ministry. Also tell James to stay in hiding and to keep the Potter boys safe, at all costs." She nods and hurries out of the room. Walks down the table to Severus next.

"Severus!"

"… What…"

"Stay here Severus. I mean it, don't go anywhere. Make sure the students get to their common rooms, and stay there." I say before I leave the room to see how Minerva is doing. When I reach my office she is just finishing, so I apparate us to the Ministry. I immediately spot Aberforth and hurries to his side.

"Took your time brother." He says after sending a spell at a Death Eater.

"Had to make sure everything was in order at the sch-" I pause to send a charm at Avery. "At the school. You know that Ab."

He just mutters something that sounded like 'Glad you are here none the less' and continues dueling. Even though we haven't gotten along forever we still stand beside each other for hours.

It was nearly morning when the Death Eaters all fled. I helped the rest of the Order and the Ministry staff clean up the mess and remove any bodies; luckily there was few. Returning to the school I can't find Minerva.

"She must have stayed behind to make sure everything was back in order there." I say to myself as I walk up to the astronomy tower. A couple hours pass before Severus appears.

"Albus! You said… you said you would keep her safe…"

" Lily and James put their faith in the wrong person Severus, rather like you… The boy survives."

"He doesn't need protection. The Dark Lord is gone!"

"The Dark Lord will return, and when he does the boy will be in terrible danger… He has her eyes. If you truly loved her."

"No one… can know."

"I shall never reveal the best of you Severus."

I wait for him to leave before giving a visit to Hagrid - Looking sullen as he pours me some brandy.

"I assume you have heard already then?"

" Yes sir."

"Could you pick up Harry and bring him to Privet Drive in Little Winging?"

" 'course I can pick up young 'Arry for ye Professor."

"Thank you Hagrid." I say as I stand up. "I shall be waiting at midnight."

Back in my office and retrieve parchment and writes a letter addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Dursley to leave with Harry tonight.

Mr. and Mrs. Dursley,

This October 31, 1981 James and Lily Potter were murdered by Lord Voldemort. Young Harry Potter survived and the Dark Lord vanished. You are the closest family he has.

I ask you now to take him in and only reveal his magic heritage to him before his eleventh (11) birthday. It will be best for him to live away from all of this for now.

Thank you.

Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

Order of Merlin (first class), Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot.

Leans back in my chair after I encase the letter and waits for midnight to arrive.