AN: I apologize for the delay, I caught a cold and did not feel like writing. Thanks to all who reviewed, alerted, and added my story into your favorites.
Disclaimer: Those you recognize, I do not own. The Plot however, is mine, as is anything that is unfamiliar to you.
Chapter Three
Harry was only vaguely aware of the events that transpired next. Aurors, and Order members descended upon the house like vultures. Alice was the first person to come into the nursery. She saw Lily's lifeless corpse, and released a feral cry in anger. Completely distraught, she stepped over her best friends body tenderly, to get to baby Harry in the crib. She was shocked and thrilled that he was still alive. Alice tenderly scooped Harry up in her arms and fled out of the room in search of Frank.
Alice found Frank standing over James body trying to control an enraged Sirius. Alice however, knew the perfect method to use in order to get Sirius to listen to her. She cast multiple stinging hexes in quick succession that hit Sirius at various points on his body. He released a gruff growl of irritation. Alice quickly cast a privacy charm around the three of them so that what she said next would not be overheard.
"He's still alive." Alice whispered to the two of them.
Sirius' eyes snapped upwards and met Alice's eyes in complete disbelief. As his mouth dropped to convey his shock at the situation.
Alice huffed in mild irritation at Sirius' blatantly obvious behavior. "Will you close your mouth!" Alice snapped out at Sirius. She sighed deeply in an attempt to calm herself. "The privacy charm only shields our conversation verbally. Not physically. So can you please exercise some control?" Alice said exasperatedly.
"I'm sorry Alice. For expressing shock that our Godson survived The Dark Lords attack." Sirius said snidely.
"Guys, calm down." Frank interrupted before Alice could release the retort on the tip of her tongue. "The last thing we should be doing is snapping at each other. We need to decide what is going to happen to Harry. We need to decide quickly, before Albus involves himself." Frank said serenely.
Alice released a laugh in anger. "Albus!"-Alice spat angrily-, "Albus, is the reason we're in this bloody position to begin with!" Alice exclaimed with malice in her tone.
Sirius eyes snapped up and met Alice's with fierce determination. "Explain!" Sirius barked out.
Alice sighed, before looking at Frank. He gave his silent permission that it was okay to tell them, and that he wouldn't hold anything against her. Alice turned back to face Sirius, a matching fierce expression upon her porcelain features. " Lily came to me the night before they went into hiding. She told me that Dumbledore stumbled across a damn prophecy, that basically declared Harry the defeater of The Dark Lord. Albus practically forced them out of Potter Manor, and into this place. I tried to make Lily see that it wasn't a wise nor safe course of action. She understood, but chose to stand by James. We all know they used Pettigrew as the secret keeper, that was entirely against their will. Albus "persuaded" them to see reason that Peter was trustworthy. Look where that got them. So help me, by Merlin, I'll kill him if I can get my hands on him. The filthy rat!" Alice spat.
Sirius shook his head in denial. " Let me take Harry Alice." Sirius said as he began to reach for his Godson.
Frank answered for her, " I don't think that is a good idea. You're unstable. Harry needs stability right now."
" ARE YOU BLOODY KIDDING ME! HARRY IS MY GODSON FRANK! HE'S ALL I HAVE LEFT NOW THAT THEY ARE GONE! GIVE ME MY GODSON ALICE!" Sirius yelled in rage.
Alice shook her head, " Not when you're irate Sirius. I'm sorry." Alice said sadly.
Sirius stormed out the house in anger, with only one thing on his mind. Killing Wormtail for his betrayal.
Alice locked eyes with her husband and whispered, " I have a very bad feeling about this."
Frank only nodded his head in agreement.
Inwardly, Harry was thinking One Godparent down, Two to go. Come on Albus make your next move to secure your pawn.
HP-HP-HP-HP-HP-SCENE BREAK-HP-HP-HP-HP-HP
Little did Frank and Alice know, that an old wizard in purple robes with stars on them, and periwinkle blue boots on, stood disillusioned within the range that the privacy charm was cast. Silently mulling over the scene he just witnessed. 'That won't do.. That won't do, Not at all. The wizened wizard thought as he made his way outside the cottage. He quietly and quickly disapparated from the scene.
The wizard appeared before iron gates surrounded by wild life. Beyond the gates, was a pathway leading up to a magnificent castle. That was all one could see from this vantage point. The wizard waved his wand in an intricate pattern in front of the gates. Tweaking the wards to allow him to apparate inside the castle. The gates released a magically induced groan, as they gave way to his magic. The old man promptly disapparated.
The elderly wizard arrived inside what appeared to be a medieval office. Magical portraits lined the walls, full of wizards of various ages, appearances, and magical inclinations. Magical trinkets and books were littered about the room, which gave off an air of messy eccentricity. Near the desk, a golden bird perch stood. Atop the perch stood a flaming red phoenix. The phoenix trilled a soft greeting when it noticed the sudden appearance of its master. "Oh Fawkes." the wizard murmured in response, " What I must do, is for the greater good." the wizard said mournfully. He only received a sorrowful trill in response.
The wizard walked to the desk, and began shuffling through the assortment of papers scattered upon the surface. Not finding what he was searching for, the wizard began riffling through the drawers. Finally, in the bottom drawer, he found a wooden box. Cautiously, the wizard set the box on top of the desk. With shaky hands, he removed the lid. Almost as if he didn't want to go through with his plan. He silently reminded himself, that it is all for the greater good. The wizard removed the documents from within the box. He set about making a copy of them. Placing the original back within the box, and closing it, he warded the box and put it back within the drawer. Hastily crossing the room to his one of many bookshelves for public use, he grabbed one of the large manila muggle envelopes, and went back to the desk. Gingerly, he inserted the copied document into the envelope.
Purposefully, he made to leave the office by the door. As he reached the door, he heard another mournful trill from Fawkes. Shaking his head he murmured, " I have no choice." then left the room.
The wizard walked through the ancient halls of the castle serenely. For the most part, the halls were cleared of all people. Except for the stray prefect making their rounds. Each one of them greeted the headmaster as they passed him in the hall. He responded in kind. Eventually, he reached the entrance hall. Just when he thought he could reach Hagrid's hut without being hounded, he was stopped by his deputy.
"Albus!" she shouted.
"Minerva… To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Don't play dumb with me! You know exactly why I am here." she stated sharply.
Albus inwardly cringed at her tone, and his own stupidity. "Ah yes.. The wards." he stated calmly.
"Yes, the wards. You tampered with them again!" she stated frostily while jabbing her finger in his direction to get her point across.
"My dear Minerva, I have a very good reason for that." he stated serenely.
"Well?" she prodded.
"There has been another attack. This time however, was by Voldemort himself."
Minerva gasped in shock.
"Yes, I was indeed shocked myself. I'm afraid, that the outcome was quite severe." he stated calmly.
Minerva was only able to whisper out, "Who?"
"The Potters."
"A… All of them?" she stuttered out in shock. Grief slowly consuming her entire being.
"Harry lives… I'm truly sorry Minerva. James and Lily are dead." Dumbledore stated calmly.
Minerva released the sob she was desperately holding back.
Dumbledore felt a twinge of guilt as he watched Minerva grieve for her Godson. Deciding to do the friendly thing, he closed the gap between them, and embraced her. Pulling her into his arms. She collapsed against him and continued to cry. He consoled her. Patiently waiting for her to gather herself together. After about five minutes, she managed to stop crying.
Minerva disengaged herself from his arms, and looked him dead in the eyes. "Harry will either stay with Sirius or the Longbottoms. That's what James and Lily would have wanted." the steel behind those words gave no room for argument.
"My dear Minerva, it pains me deeply to inform you, that you are incorrect in that assumption. Before they went into hiding, The Potters entrusted me with their will, should any harm befall them. It expressly states, that Harry is to go to his muggle relatives. After all, they're his only living blood relations." he informed her serenely.
"Nonsense Albus. He has Magical blood relatives. Has it slipped your mind already, that before she was a Potter, Dorea was born a Black? Therefore, Sirius is of blood relation to Harry. The boy does not belong with Lily's horrible muggle sister, or her abominable husband. Lily would never wish to subject her son to such hateful people." Minerva huffed indignantly.
Albus sighed heavily. "Alas, it is not for us to decide. We must respect their wishes." he said dismissively. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I must inform the proper authorities and make the arrangements."
Minerva could only scowl at him, as she watched him leave the castle.
Albus breathed in the cold November air deeply. Relieved to have gotten that conversation with Minerva behind him. He strolled across the grounds leisurely, as he made his way down to Hagrid's Hut. He knocked on the door urgently, and waited for Hagrid to answer. Immediately, he heard things being knocked over as Hagrid made his way over to the door. He resisted his urge to chuckle, and plastered a grave expression on his face.
Hagrid pulled the door open. " Professor Dumbledore sir. Wha' brings yeh down 'ere ah this hour?"
"Bad news, I'm afraid."
"Sorry bout tha. Come in, Come in." Hagrid hastily stepped aside to allow him entrance.
"Thank you, Rubeus. I'm afraid, The Potters were attacked in their home, by Lord Voldemort. Only baby Harry survived."
The half-giant broke down into tears, while shaking his head in denial. "Not Lily an James! They didn' deserve tha! Not Lily an James!"
"There is little we can do for them now. Except, carry out their wishes, that they left for us in their will. Which, is why I have come to you. I need your help. Do you think you can assist me Rubeus?"
Hagrid immediately stopped his crying. "Yes, of course Professor Dumbledore sir!"
Albus smiled with a twinkle in his eye before responding, "Good, my boy. Thank you."
He gave Hagrid his instructions, and left his hut. Albus then made his way to outside the gates of Hogwarts, and disapparated with a soft crack.
HP-HP-HP-HP-HP-SCENE BREAK-HP-HP-HP-HP-HP
"Longbottom!" the gruff voice of none other than Alastor Moody shouted to get their attention.
Alice and Franks heads both turned quickly at the sound of their commanding officers voice.
"Don't just stand there gaping like fools! Report!" he barked out at them.
Alice was still too distraught to even think about giving a report. So Frank took the lead. "Well Sir, It would appear that You-Know-Who first blasted down the front door to gain entrance into the home. James put up a good fight, as evidenced by the destruction of the room we are currently in. You-Know-Who then successfully struck James with the killing curse. If you'll follow me Sir."
"Lead the way."
Frank led Moody up the stairs, and down the hall to the nursery. " We found remnants of warding spells on the entrance to the room. We can assume, that Lily did her best in the time she had to protect herself, and her son. You-Know-Who obviously destroyed the door to gain access. As you can see, Lily's body is right in front of the crib. Apparently blocking the path to the crib. There was no obvious sign of a struggle. Lily was struck with the killing curse. Now, here's where we have no clear clue as to what happens. We can only assume. You-Know-Who must have attempted to kill Harry, but because of Lily's sacrifice, it rebounded unto him. Thus vanquishing him."
"Hmm… Where is his body?"
"Either somebody accompanied him, and took the body with them, or it was completely obliterated."
"That is not in the least bit comforting. We'll have to let the public assume we have a corpse for him. Otherwise, they'll never believe a baby stopped The Dark Lord."
"Understandable, Sir."
"Good"
"Sir, Is it alright if Alice and I take Harry home with us now?"
"I don't see why not. You're dismissed Longbottom. I'm sorry for you and your wife's loss. The Potters were good people."
"Thank you sir."
With that, Frank went to go collect Alice, and Harry. They then left behind the remains of Godric's Hollow, and went home. It had been a long night, and they all needed some rest.
HP-HP-HP-HP-HP-SCENE BREAK-HP-HP-HP-HP-HP
The Auror office in the Ministry of Magic, was deserted for the most part. There were only a few Aurors left in the office. Everyone else had either gone home, or they were currently investigating the disturbance in Godric's Hollow. Every one that is, Apart from Barty Crouch Senior. Barty could not leave the office, even if he wanted to. Nope, he was forced to remain until he received the report from Alastor about what occurred in Godric's Hollow. Then, he had to inform Minister Bagnold herself.
One of the perks of being Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, was being privy to protocol during a state of war. Albus couldn't believe his luck, that Barty was alone in his office. Disillusioned, with a silencing charm on his feet, he crept into his office. He walked until he was positioned directly behind the wizard. He raised his wand, and thought 'Coactum'. A grey mist erupted from the tip of his wand and enveloped the top of Bartys head, before disappearing through Bartys ears. Making his will become Bartys. Satisfied with his work, Dumbledore promptly left the office, and silently disapparated to his next destination.
HP-HP-HP-HP-HP-SCENE BREAK-HP-HP-HP-HP-HP
How bloody dare that rat bastard betray Lily and James? Bloody coward! He'll rue the day he crossed us. Dear cousin Bella wasn't the only Black trained by Aunt Cassiopeia! Wormtail will beg for death by the time I'm done with him! Sirius was currently at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, down in the basement. He was preparing the torture room to receive its new guest.
"Kreacher!" Sirius all but shouted.
With a near silent pop, a morose house-elf appeared before him. "What can Kreacher do for Master Sirius?" the house-elf sneered.
"You watch your bloody tone! Or I'll give you clothes you filthy elf!" Sirius thundered.
Kreacher cringed. " Yes Master… Kreacher is sorry." the house-elf replied sullenly.
"We'll be having a guest Kreacher. He betrayed The Most Noble and Ancient House of Black. As such, he'll be punished for his treachery. You know what to do."
"Yes Master."
With everything he needed to do at Grimmauld Place done for the time being, Sirius left the house and the wards. Before he could apparate away to begin his search for Wormtail, a booming voice stopped him dead in his tracks.
"'Ello Sirius."
Oh great, just what I bloody need! Hagrid getting in my way.
"Hagrid." Sirius ground out.
"Dumbledore sen meh ter ask yeh to borrow yer Motorbike."
I hope it's not intended for Hagrid to bloody use it. That bike was expensive. That bloody oaf will end up breaking it. But, If I say no, he'll only delay me further by trying to persuade me. Bloody fucking hell!
"Take it." he growled out.
Sirius reached into his robe pocket, fumbling around until he found what he was searching for. A miniaturized version of his Motorbike, which he had shrunken down for convenience . Sirius set the shrunken bike down, and stepped back. He then gestured for Hagrid to do the same. Sirius waved his wand over the bike, and it began to grow to its normal size.
"Thank yeh Sirius. Appreciate tha"
"Yes, Yes. You have it. Now can you please go? I have things I need to attend to." Sirius impatiently snapped out.
"Err… I 'spose so."
Sirius waited for Hagrid to be out of sight completely, before he spun on the spot and disapparated. He arrived on a street packed with Muggles. Bloody Fuck! If he thinks I give a rats arse about secrecy, the rat bastard is sorely mistaken!
'Accio Wormtail!' Sirius mentally shouted, putting almost all his power behind the spell. The effect was immediate. The Muggles started screaming and running to try and get out of the way of the bloody traitor zooming towards him. Sirius released a bark of laughter, when he heard Wormtail screaming in fear right along with them. Before Wormtail could crash into him, Sirius pointed his wand down towards the ground. He watched with satisfaction as Wormtail collided face first with the concrete. Wormtail released a whimper of pain, and Sirius smirked at his pain.
"Si… Sirius.."
"Crucio!" Wormtail writhed on the ground as the torture curse engulfed his entire body. Glee ruptured inside Sirius when Wormtail released a scream that let him know he was in utter agony.
"You thought you could betray Lily and James, and escape unscathed?"-Sirius then laughed briefly- "You should have known better. You're going to pay for your traitorous actions." Sirius sneered. He then lifted the torture curse, waiting for a response.
"P…Pu….Please.. You.. Don't.. Know.. What.. He's… like…" Wormtail stuttered out as the aftershocks of the cruciatus curse shook his body.
Sirius laughed. "I'm a bloody fucking Black." he sneered. " I've met him. He tried to court me into his ranks! Why do you think dear Mummy cast me out? I rejected The Dark Lords proposal! So, I do know exactly what he's like." Sirius snapped out.
" He said he was going to kill me! What was I supposed to do?"
At this, Sirius turned around and spluttered in rage. "YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED! RATHER THAN BETRAY LILY AND JAMES!" he raged.
Apparently, that little slip of emotion gave Wormtail all the leeway he needed. The next thing Sirius knew, he was struck with a stunner to his back. Sirius dropped to the ground helpless to do anything about what happened next. Sirius watched helplessly, as Wormtail cast a severing spell at his pinky finger. The finger fell to the ground, blood spilling around it. He then turned his wand towards the Muggles. Wormtail hit thirteen of them with the Avada Kedavra. He then transformed into his Animagus form and fled the scene.
By the time the Aurors arrived on the scene, the stunner had already worn off. They found him laughing maniacally. With Barty Crouch Senior in charge, they asked no questions. Sirius didn't put up a fight or argument, as he was carted off to Azkaban.
HP-HP-HP-HP-HP-SCENE BREAK-HP-HP-HP-HP-HP
Lestrange Manor was a very imposing home. The outside of the house was Victorian in appearance. Outside Lestrange Manor, stood none other than Albus Dumbledore. His eyebrows were furrowed in concentration, as he studied the structure before him. Ingenious! Those wards are phenomenal. However, they shall not deter me. After all, I am Albus Dumbledore, and I own the Elder Wand. They'll bend to my will, or I shall simply destroy them..
Inside Lestrange Manor, the occupants were completely oblivious to the trouble that lurked right outside their home. A woman with long curly black hair and a porcelain skin tone, sat watching a one year old little girl play with her father and uncle.
"Rodolphus! Careful with Cassiopeia!" she chided her husband.
"Relax Bella. She's my daughter. I know what I'm doing." he said as he continued to swing her about, semi carelessly.
Ugh! There's no stopping Dolphus when he's got his mind set.
"Say Rabastan, When do you intend on giving Cassie another cousin?" she asked.
The other male, obviously younger than Rodolphus answered. " I'd be more than willing to provide my lovely niece here with a cousin. Provided, I find a proper pureblooded witch to make my wife." Rabastan responded.
"Well dear brother, you can always go abroad to the continent to find one. After all, the choices here are horrible. Nobody else is acceptable for breeding here." Rodolphus stated casually.
Bellatrix laughed. "You make it seem like witches are only good for producing heirs." she chided.
"In some cases they are. Take the Parkinson's for example. Lady Parkinson couldn't contribute to anything intellectual if her life depended on it." Rodolphus stated.
"Well what am I then? Good breeding stock, or intellectual?" she challenged.
" You my lovely wife, are both."
Bellatrix chuckled and said, "That's what I thought."
Meanwhile, Albus stood disillusioned and silenced. Watching the scene take place in passivity. I hadn't counted on a child being here. No matter, orphanage for her. Muggle of course.. Albus cast 'Coactum' nonverbally over all of the adults heads simultaneously. Nobody noticed the grey mist hovering over their heads, before entering their ears and implanting his will in their minds. Albus then left the same way he arrived.
Rodolphus who still held Cassiopeia in his arms disapparated with her to a muggle orphanage. He cast a sleeping spell over her, rang the doorbell, laid her down, and disapparated away before the matron came to the door.
HP-HP-HP-HP-HP-SCENE BREAK-HP-HP-HP-HP-HP
The next morning was a somber one indeed. Alice was in mourning over the loss of her best friend. She'd known Lily since that very first ride to Hogwarts before first year. They shared a compartment together, and became friends during that long trip to Hogsmeade. She realized this morning, that other than Frank, Sirius, and Remus, she was utterly alone. Lily was her only female friend, and vice versa. The other girls in their year had been jealous over their intelligence. She was shook out of her stupor by Frank.
"Alice…."
"Yes?"
"The Daily Prophet came. Would you like to see it?"
"No…"
"Okay."
The rest of the morning, and afternoon passed by in a flash. Alice barely noticed. The whole day was spent deep in the recesses of her mind. She was too distraught to even handle the children. Frank and the house-elves attended to both Neville and Harry.
Evening came without too much of a fuss. That is, until the front door was almost knocked off the hinges by loud banging on the door. Alice sighed. This was the last thing she wanted to do. Deal with people.
"Blinky"
Alice heard a soft pop. "Yes Mistress."
"Will you please find out who is at the door? Tell them we are unavailable."
" Yes Mistress." Another soft pop was heard. Alice could only assume that Blinky had gone to do what she ordered. Very soon, the banging on the door stopped. Only to be replaced by a loud booming voice instead. Alice cringed. That voice could only belong to Hagrid. Dumbledore's errand boy.
Apparently, Hagrid wouldn't take no for an answer, because he was soon led into the room by Blinky.
"Blinky is sorry Mistress. He said he was sent here on urgent business, and that it concerned the young master."
"It's fine Blinky. Please, go get Frank."
"Yes Mistress." with a soft pop Blinky was gone.
Alice sighed before turning around to face Hagrid. Her eyes were puffy and red, dark circles were under them, and her normally perfect hair was a mess. "What does Albus want now?" she murmured.
"Professor Dumbledore sen meh ter give yeh this." He then reached within his coat pocket, and removed the manila envelope. He then handed it to her.
That meddlesome fool! He just had to involve himself. Why can't he leave us in peace! Alice ripped the envelope open and pulled the parchment out. She scanned the parchment in utter fury.
The Last Will and Testament of Lily and James Potter
Alice skipped down to the part concerning Harry.
In the event of our untimely death, we leave our son Harry James Potter, in the care of Lily's only sister. Petunia Dursley (nee) Evans. Due to the fact that she is the only family that our son will have left.
She then looked at the bottom of the parchment.
As witnessed by: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
Alice screamed in rage, "No!" and threw the parchment away from her in disgust. No! They did not do this! It's forged, it has to be.
"Alice! What's going on?" Frank asked as he entered the room.
"That manipulative bastard, had Hagrid deliver that abomination to me." she said while pointing at the parchment on the floor.
Frank bent down and scanned the parchment. Eyebrows scrunched together in confusion. " How's this possible? They never made a will. They would have told us and Sirius."
"Exactly! It's obvious that prick forged the documents!"
"Now Wai' Jus a minute! Professor Dumbledore woul' never do sum'n like tha'!" Hagrid interrupted.
Alice could only laugh at Hagrid's blind trust and naivety.
"Alice honey, There is nothing we can do about this right now. We have to give Hagrid Harry. We'll fight this later. As Godparents we have rights. We'll figure something out, and get Harry back! I promise!" Frank reasoned.
Having no other choice, they had Blinky go to get Harry. They said their goodbyes, and promised to get him back from the Muggles. Alice tenderly and tearfully handed Harry over to Hagrid. "If harm befalls Harry while in your custody, I'll kill you for harming my Godson!" Alice threatened.
"I'll do meh best." Hagrid said solemnly.
They watched silently as Harry left with Hagrid.
Alice and Frank would never get the chance to fight Albus for custody. Later that night, they were tortured into insanity by the Lestrange's. Leaving Neville to be raised by his grandmother, and Harry without an advocate to fight for him.
Harry was left on the Dursley's doorstep later that night, with only a letter with him. Somewhere in London, a little girl was crying for a family, who would never again be able to comfort her.
End Note: I realize I suck at Hagrids accent. I tried regardless. Now for my original spell Coactum. It literally translates as Compulsion. The spell is well within the sphere of the Dark Arts. It is more complex than the imperious curse. Not many are able to perform or resist the Coactum spell. Thanks for Reading, Please leave a review as they inspire me to write. I like to know what you all are thinking about my story. This is completely unrelated to the story, but are there any Whovians reading my story? If so, what do you think of the rumors about a Doctor Who Movie? Are you for it or against it? Me personally, I think it's a horrible idea, especially if Moffat is not involved. Moffat is a bloody genius.