DISCLAIMER IS IN THE FIRST CHAPTER
The Messenger
Severus appeared with a near silent crack. He stood for a wee while to adjust from disorientation. The huge black gates stood in front of him. The manor stood silent and calm and in total darkness, like a giant monster laying await of its prey.
He raised his left arm and entered the lawn swiftly walking towards the front door. After walking up the flights of stair, he reached his lord's chamber. After a moment of hesitation, he knocked on the ornate door. Bellatrix opened the door.
"Always there to brown nose to the lord", Severus thought.
Lord Voldemort was sitting on his throne like chair, twirling his wand like a toy. His face expressionless, making him more sinister in appearance.
Severus bowed in front of him. "My lord I have some news, as you ordered I followed Dumbledore to that goat lover Aberforth's inn. Dumbledore was meeting with a seer my lord and I think she made a prophecy".
At this Voldemort sat up straight giving Severus his full attention. "Bellatrix leave us", Voldemort's voice sounded a little agitated.
Severus relayed the part of the prophecy he heard and giving the reason for not being able to hear it fully. For which Voldemort crucioed him. Then asked Severus to leave. As Severus was limping out, Voldemort said "Severus do find this seer and bring her to me".
Voldemort started to pace, then called Lucius and other followers with connection in the ministry or working there.
Lucius and others faced a agitated lord Voldemort wondering what has happened. Lucius being closer to Voldemort than others, raised his head from his bowed form and asked "my lord what is the matter, you seem a bit agitated".
"A matter of grave importance has occurred Lucius and I need information. Go to the birth registry office at the ministry of St. Mungos and find me the names of those who will give birth as the seven the month dies" Voldemort ordered all the present Death Eaters.
Everyone in the room seemed confused but did not dare ask. They left to do the Dark Lord's bidding.
Voldemort sat on his chair again wondering, who is this nemesis that he has to take care of and what is that hidden power the seer has foretold.
Albus Dumbledore was in deep thought, he has to find this child and protect both the child and his or her parents.
There is also the matter of Sybill, he cannot let her be out in the open. No, she is in grave danger, if Tom even gets a wind of this the seer won't survive the night. No, she should be brought under the protection of Hogwarts.
He quickly got up and penned a letter and send it away with a school owl, instructing Sybill to come to his office at the earliest.
A knock on his door brought him out his stupor. Come in, Minerva Mcgonagall came in holding a list of new students joining Hogwarts that year, "Would you take a look at it Albus, I have the completed list, after you check them I will send the owls. The muggleborns will need someone to introduce them to the wizarding world. All the planning and preparation is still left to do".
Minerva thrust a pile of papers towards Dumbledore and sat on a chair next to the headmaster." Are you alright Albus? You look a bit tensed".
Albus Dumbledore sighed and nodded "Yes a little bit. I fear something terrible is about to happen Minnie. The interview turned out to be more than what I presumed".
"What happened Albus"? Minerva asked.
"She made a genuine prediction, that also about Tom".
"What! What did she say, are you sure it was not a fake?". Minerva seemed to be doubtful about the prophecy.
"I am afraid that it is not a fake, I have double-checked it Minnie". Albus sighed before taking up the papers strewn across his table and peering at them with another great sigh.
"Will you tell me?" Minerva asked in a very soft voice.
"It's better if this information remains available to as less people as possible Minnie". Albus got up moved towards the chair Minerva was sitting and held her hand and looking at her eyes he spoke in a soft voice "I trust you with my life Minnie. However, I cannot put in harm's way. Knowing about this prophecy will make you a target in Tom's eyes".
"Bu…but I don't care. If you need me I am going to be there right Albus?" Minerva seemed to ask Albus something deeper than this.
"Off course, I will always need you Minnie. Don't fret about this though. I will handle this".
They both sat in a companionable silence, before Albus called tiffy the house elf and ordered for some tea and snacks. They both spent rest of the evening contemplating about the coming year at Hogwarts.
The next morning sybill Trelawney got her appointment as the new divination teacher. Albus told her to stay inside the castle protection due to the current environment. It was surprising that the seer did not seemed to remember anything regarding the prophecy. But Albus had not wanted to take any risk. Sybill Trelawney easily accepted the terms of her employment and took up residence near the north Tower of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry.
Far away in cokeworth a lone figure in dingy dank looking house was sitting, nursing a firewhisky.
He was in a terrible mood, he just got word that his best friend, no his reason to live was pregnant. Although he did not know the date of her delivery, still he was very leery and angry.
He smashed the fourth glass after emptying it of its content. He have to see lily. He cannot bear it if something happened to her. Even if she kicked him out, closed the door on his face, still he has to know, when will be the potter spawns be gracing the earth.
A falcon glided through the sky and entered the wards of Hogwarts, not stopping it flew towards the highest window on the east side.
The window overlooking the great lake, the lush green grounds. It flew towards the headmaster's office carrying a missive.
Albus took the letter from the falcon. Fed it some owl treat, although the falcon looked like it would prefer some lemon drops on the headmaster's table.
It accepted the treat, nicked a lemon drop and went away.
Albus chuckling at the falcon opened the letter from James Potter. Albus's smile disappeared once he finished the letter. Lily was pregnant and would be delivering at the end of july…. Just as the seventh month dies…..
To be continued