Chapter 4

Yeah, I'm not even going to bother apologising for taking so long, because I write when I feel like for enjoyment and relaxation

Disclaimer; Don't own HP :) but do own this story, yay I don't feel so sad anymore…

Any way here it is, I'm not altogether happy about this chapter, I found it quiet difficult to write. Hope you enjoy it anyway…
O.o

The Betrayal

The dim light flickered as two black clad, robed figures popped into existence, anxiously taking note of their dingy surroundings; the rain drizzled, dripping off cracked drain pipes and splashing into progressively growing puddles that were forming in the broken and uneven cobbles of the sheltered ally. Tall looming houses lined the lane protectively, yet in their derelict and neglected condition they provided no protection, and so the bitter, whipping wind and the stinging rain raged war openly.

James upon seeing the clear area let his arm and wand drop and pulled his hood more securely around his cold, numbing face. Lily stood visibly to his right and a long draw out sigh escaped her cloaked and hooded form, even in his peripheral he was able to take note of his wife's darkening face as her own eyes scanned cautiously from beneath the heavy material and her sleek red hair fell, unnoticed around her lightly freckled face.

James turned and without verbal exchange pulled her into a fierce embrace, she stiffened and flinched at the unexpected touch but quickly relaxed and melted into his warm welcoming arms. She never returned the hug but instead brought her hands up to her bowed head and cupped her own face before burying her head deeply into her husband's chest. She relished the sound of his beating heart and the heat emanating from his body; she relished the small mercy in the midst of the war and hung onto it as in a bid for survival. She missed her baby so bad, he was safe, she knew he was safe, he was after all being protected by the Fidelius Charm – with Peter as Secret Keeper. However despite it all she couldn't help but worry as the slight tingle in her gut grew.

James held her closer, tighter, sensing her worries. He inhaled deeply her fragranced cent and ruefully willed away both of their problems, pulling back he held Lily half an arm's length away and looked into her green haunted eyes, his sorrowful hazel ones reflected back as he silently pleaded with his wife, begging for her to understand. They were needed elsewhere, they had a job to do, a duty to fulfil and they needed a clear head, they couldn't afford to dwell and wish and hope… they just couldn't!

Lily was mesmerised by her husband's, unspoken strength and the determination she could see burning ferociously within his hazel orbs. She understood. With a mute nod James took her by the hand and led her out of the desolate ally, whispering the words that would guide them through the night ahead. "Come on, the faster we can get done, the faster we can get back to Harry…"

XxX

The dark Halloween eve birthed shadows like silhouetted warriors, standing tall, frozen in place, and to attention as they protected their darkness. Basking in the small sprays of light, they threatened any soul who strayed their way.

Pure soulless, evil red eyes shone like narrow, silted lamps from within the hood of the pale monster. Almost with a practiced posture and walk it glided confidently down the narrowed village lane after re-drawing itself from the threating shadows. It could not be intimidated by manger darkness! It after all was the Lord of darkness, the conqueror… the master!

Not even the Dark Lords own two foot steeps could be heard as he seemingly wandered undeterred to his destination, he seemed unfazed by the weather as his picturesque, black robes billowed around his tall, bony frame. The church and village square passed behind him and the evened, cobbled lane came to a tender end, a dust and dirt lane taking its place. The Dark Lord was led into a secret area that tingled pleasantly with a type of ancient magic, it welcomed him, yet almost as if sensing the danger surrounding his powerful aura, it shunned him. A small heartless smirk graced his lipless mouth as he approached the small cottage, a small covering of leaves crinkled beneath him as he walked the path, bathed in cold darkness, leading to the targeted house.

The Potters were his now, and that Potter brat was going straight to hell! It was a shame, but he had promised one of his loyal followers that he would spare the filthy Mudblood, and the Dark Lord rewarded his most faithful…

Drawing his bone white and slightly crooked wand, the door was blow brutally off its hinges and with one stride Voldemort crossed into the Potters home. Under the hood, Voldemort's smirk faltered at the impending silence, no screams of panic, or shouts of warning were heard at his not so silent entry. They were sure to have awoken, it was late but even in sleep the blood traitor and mudbood were sure to be on alert…

A silent HomenumRevelio reviled that Voldemort was unexpectedly alone. Heat raised, anger bubbled and magic crackled.
'THAT RAT! HOW DARE HE LIE TO ME! HOW DARE HE CROSS THE DARK LORD!' Thrusting out his wand he destroyed the small family home with a scream of fury. Glass reigned down and derby flew whipping and crashing upon the floor, walls were torn down as dark magic swirled, contaminating and spoiling the once innocent, now annihilated home.

Turning upon his heels, robes flaying widely Lord Voldemort exited the falling house, returning down the garden path and through the front gate he turned sharply once more, facing the tumbling house and with another yell of fury, the small cottage erupted into spitting dark flames. Remaining class shattered and the supporting wooden beams crackled as the ferocious flames licked at, and devoured them.

With a loud, angry crack Voldemort disapperated, leaving only a burning structure in his wake.

XxX

A terrible, agonising and pain filled cry, tore for the lips of the small, plump and trembling man who lay, pathetically in a slumped ball on the cold and hard floor. Nothing for miles around... no one to hear Peter Pettigrew scream and beg for mercy at the hands of his enraged master.

"Ma-m-master" spluttered the poor excuse for a man as his mind raced, thinking of anything that would save him from the torture he was currently enduring. "Master, p-p-ple-please, so sorry, ple-ase fo-for-forgive me!" the gasped words brought only more pain.

"LORD VOLDEMORT, DOES NOT FORGIVE!" the snake like face bared menacing teeth as his voice bellowed out with a soul trembling fury, causing the begging rat to squeal in an unwavering terror. "CRUCIO!"

Terrible, agonising and pain filled cry's once again filled the air as Wormtail quivered in unthinkable agony, his very blood boiled, his bones felt as if, one by one, little by little, they were being crushed as his every nerve burned like raging fire. He prayed for release, for an escape, for death...

"M-master, pl-please- the-y mu-must be a-at an Order Me-eting" Pettigrew exclaimed between wheezes and gasps, as he succeeded in pulling his suffering body on to his back.

Without looking his master in the eyes, Wormtail focused on steadying his frantic breaths and fought to suppress his relief as for the first time, in what seemed like hours, the Dark Lord's arm, baring his wand lowered, relinquishing its target.

Head cocked in curiosity, Voldemort's cold, high voice rang out "You say, Wormtail that the Potters are at an Order Meeting?" he ignored the exaggerated nod aimed his way. "But how, do you suppose I manage to fulfil my task, when they are at, most defiantly, a secure location?" His question caused Wormtail to whimper and if possible, retract further within himself.

"Master, th-the Potters would n-not have taken th-the brat with them!" He exclaimed "They wo-would have ta-taken him to- to…" his mind raced faster still.

"To where, Wormtail?" His master questioned, raising his wand once more and training it upon the traitor.

"No, no Master please! Sisters! The Mudblood's s-sister!" he spluttered incoherently with alarm.

"The Mudblood's sister you say?" Voldemort inquired, rhetorically. Obviously capable at deciphering the ramblings. "Are they protected by the Fidelius Charm also?" he turned away, looking out across the darkened fields and glinting, star strewn sky.

Wormtail nodded, then realising that his master could not see, hastily spoke "Ye-yes Master".

"And your keeper?" he asked.

"Ye-yes Master" Wormtail repeated in reply.

Whipping around to face Pettigrew and swooping round the floored man, he looked down upon him menacingly, awaiting the unanswered question that hung in the air.

"Nu-number four P-Privet D-drive is the h-home of the Dur-ursleys, Master." He squeaked promptly, divulging the secret.

Voldemort stood straight and without once looking back, turned on the spot, apparating to Privet Drive, a vindictive smirk returning upon his white, snake like face.

XxX

Sitting down heavily on the couch, Petunia placed her fresh, steaming cup of tea on the floral coaster that was sat on the small furnished table, beside her. Crossing her bony legs she opened the magazine she held in the other hand, and sighed contently as she scanned the glossy smooth pages of the Gossip magazine, simply relaxing and giving herself the bit of normality she deserved after the stress endured hours she had recently lived; 'Celebrity gossip, yep that is just what I need' Petunia thought chirpily as another content sigh escaped her attenuated lips. Small, grey eyes flew across the page, drinking in all the new juicy gossip they could when, quite abruptly her gaze was torn, as from the room above a loud shriek, closely followed by wails was sounded. Huffing a sound of annoyance she threw down her magazine and pulled herself up from the couch, dragging her heels slightly she ascended the stairs, following the wails of the infant she had recently put down in the nursery.

XxX

James led his wife up the desolate lane and as they approached the empty lot he pulled her closer, tucking her small petit form under his arm, against his chest.

"James?" Lily looked up from her position with knitted eyebrows.

James replied with a soft "shh" before entering the small hidden pocket in his cloak, pulling forth a small piece of scrap parchment, which had scrawled upon, in neat loopy handwriting:

Unused lot, Hermitage Lane, London, Enfield is the Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix.

Lily nodded her understanding, quickly realising that the new HQ had yet to be revealed to her. She looked up expectantly and soon enough, as she thought over the address, a large, grey wash house appeared on the gravel. Repositioning themselves, the young couple walked quickly and, as always with alert, towards the building, hand in hand.

James knocked thrice upon the expensive, oak door, before entering the darkened porch and closing it swiftly behind them. "James, why the knock?" Lily questioned, unable to figure out her own solution to her husband's actions.
"Simple security technique, sometimes the simplest can be the most effective…" He explained in a hushed tone leading her to the main meeting room. Lily, for her turn only nodded, barley even listening to his explanation, she was to mesmerised by the new interior she had just entered.

The outside, Lily thought; with a wide eyed expression, greatly betrayed the inner. The original grey-wash building transformed, into that of an artistic and finely finished masterpiece. Gloss finished walls, with carved boarders complimented the heavenly painted ceilings. Angles flew across the sky with enchanted beauty, soft paint clouds swirled and small stars glistened. All of the acrylic art pieces worshipped the alluring crescent moon, which took pride of place directly in the centre. A soft chuckle brought Lily back to earth. Furnishings with in the room consisted of royal reds and prestigious purples, drapes, rugs and lovingly crafted chairs. However on the floor, a long, varnished, Maple table, with at least 15 seats took centre stage, only sparsely however was the table occupied, and at the head, was sat, one, chuckling Albus Dumbledore.

So... What did you think? O.o