Warning - This chapter has violence and death. Nothing too hardcore though.
Chapter Nine –
Last –
The Dark Lord Voldemort's eyes flashed at the man cowering at his feet. He sneered, wishing nothing more than to kill him. But he refrained from doing so as he needed this man to reach that Potter brat.
"Tell me why ssshould I let you live, Wormtail? You failed to notify me that the Pottersss have gone into hiding. And yet you dare and make demands… Crucio." The man twitched at his feet, screaming in agony.
"Tell me why should I let your precious James Potter live?"
Unwilling to risk the Dark Lord's wrath, Peter Pettigrew quickly said, "My lord, no one knew. I think Dumbledore suspects Snape to be your spy and so kept this matter under wraps. But My Lord, I do know who their Secret Keeper is…"
Voldemort's eyes bled red as he asked in a chilling voice, "Who?"
"Lord Franklin Longbottom…"
"Longbottom…," Voldemort hissed. "Strange; one would think that Dumbledore would do the honourss himself. Are you sure?"
"Ye… yes My Lord, I heard the mudblood saying so herself."
"I see… look at me…" Voldemort locked his eyes with Wormtail's and drove into his mind, hard.
Once Voldemort entered the pathetically weak mind; memories, thoughts and feelings started fleeting by him. Bypassing the memories, most of which exposed the rat's obsession with James Potter, he searched for the ones he wanted…
xXxXxXxXx
Wormtail walked out of the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. He was angry. No, he was beyond angry; seething even. He had been ignorant of the fact that James had gone into hiding to keep the mudblood and her bastard son safe from the Dark Lord's reach.
In a way he knew that it was his own fault. For the thousandth time he cursed himself for foolishly exposing his hatred for the mudblood bitch a few months ago. But he had gone insane with hatred and jealousy when he saw that James still cherished Lily, even when she was swollen with James' most hated enemy's child.
And thus in a moment of weakness fuelled by firewhisky, he had asked James that how could he still love that cheating whore.
And that had broken them. His James had looked at him with such disgust and anger… only because of the mudblood.
'She will pay,' he thought acidly. 'She and her bastard son will pay.'
He sneered as he remembered her welcoming him back into James' life. Making good use of that opportunity, he had begged James to forgive him. And James had.
"Only for Lily, Wormtail. Only, because she wants it," James had said.
He had nodded and replied, "Thank you James. I don't know what had overcome me that day. You know how much I adore Lily."
And that had been it. He had thought that everything was back to normal. But now, he was sure that James did not trust him as explicitly as before. After all, James had kept such an important news from him.
'Damn it, I have to find out who their Secret Keeper is. Most likely Dumbledore…'
He came to a standstill as he saw Lily entering a toy shop. Frowning, he wondered whether he should let his Lord know about it at once. In the end he decided only to follow her as she was alone and his Lord wanted the child.
Once inside, he glared at all the screaming kids running all around and looked for Lily. He spotted her conversing with Lady Longbottom a few feet away.
He slowly crept nearer…
"…Neville is very well, Lily. And so is Frank. Now come on, I want to get something for my godson."
Lily laughed, "Thank you, Alice. But there is no need of it. Harry already has more that he can ever need, thanks to his daddy and uncles who dote on him. And anyway, you and Frank already did so much for us. I can never thank Frank enough for becoming our Sec…," she stopped abruptly as they were approached by the shopkeeper.
And no one noticed him leaving, quietly.
xXxXxXxXx
The Dark Lord exited Wormtail's mind and laughed out loud. "Dumbledore, I'll admit that I never would have thought that Longbottom would be their Sssecret Keeper."
Then he hissed at Wormtail, "I might consider your request of keeping Jamesss Potter alive if… if you bring me Longbottom."
Wormtail gulped in fear and whispered, "But My Lord…"
He drifted off as Voldemort turned those crimson eyes towards him. "Wormtail, you are to use deception. No one is to know about Longbottom's disappearance. No one…"
Wormtail nodded. He knew failure would mean that Dumbledore's being alerted and removal of the Potters from wherever they were hidden. It would also mean… his death.
He nearly wet himself with fear.
xXxXxXxXx
The day after…
Severus was having a late lunch with Lucius in a high end restaurant in Diagon Alley when James Potter walked in with Sirius Black. James spotted them first and walked over to their table with Black following reluctantly.
Potter greeted them; and Lucius, always a gracious host, invited James and Sirius to join them. He was a bit surprised when James accepted and sat down with Sirius.
Lucius effortlessly drew James into a conversation about politics which soon enough, unsurprisingly though, changed to babies. Or to be more exact, two babies; Harry and Draco.
"… And he has just taken his first steps. Not even eleven months old and…
"… He smiled at me. I swear he did. Lily says that babies do not really smile till they are much older but he's my baby after all…"
"… Such powerful accidental magic at such a young age, he will make me proud…"
"… He was awake for two extra hours during daytime yesterday…"
To Severus' growing horror, Sirius, who was silent so far, joined the conversation and started reminiscing about the feats Harry had achieved.
Merlin! They are both going to be spoilt rotten. My only son and godson. Severus sighed.
Near the end of their lunch, James caught his eyes and silently jerked his head towards the balcony; and then excused himself.
After a while Severus rose and followed him.
"Potter," Severus drawled, "I hope this concerns something important."
James rolled his eyes and replied, "Why else would I have called you here? Certainly not for the scintillating conversation."
Severus simply quirked a brow and said, "Indeed."
"Snape, I am worried about Lily. She has been pouring over the ancient tomes of Potter and Black library. She even raided the Peverell vaults. She is tense and worried and preparing for something. But she refuses to tell me anything. She... she met with you the other day. Did she tell you anything?"
Severus' mind immediately flashed to the promise she had taken from him.
"She had a vision; but refused to tell me anything about it. Like always..," the last part came out slightly bitter.
James sighed. "Yeah, she can probably out-stubborn a mule. What's going on with the snake-face? He has been unusually quiet."
Severus let his worry emerge, "I am afraid he is planning something big. But he usually gives his Inner Circle a clue. But this time… nothing. Yes, I am afraid."
xXxXxXxXx
Lord Longbottom came out of St. Mungo's carrying his one month old son Neville. His son, the apple of his eyes, was perfectly healthy as per the pedi-healer. Life was good.
As he reached the apparition point he felt someone step behind him. He turned around in a flash, his wand ready to fire spells.
The rat like distinct squeak clued him at first and then he came face to face with Peter Pettigrew aka Wormtail. Instantly Longbottom relaxed.
"Mr. Pettigrew, I was not expecting you."
Wormtail smiled nervously and said, "I saw you with your son and thought to congratulate you, Lord Longbottom."
Longbottom smiled and responded, "Ah, thank you Mr. Pettigrew. My son means the world to me."
Wormtail took a look around furtively and saw that the area was deserted. "It is quite clear by seeing you both together. If you allow me, I'd like to show you something important…"
Longbottom's seasoned eye caught the slight movement of Wormtail's wand hand but before he could react, it was too late.
"Stupefy…"
Clutching his son desperately to himself, he lost his consciousness. His last thought before he succumbed to darkness was…
Traitor.
xXxXxXxXx
James and Severus' conversation was cut short by Lucius and Sirius' arrival. They were both sporting a blank look.
"What happened?" Severus immediately demanded.
"Dumbledore sent a missive asking the four of us and Moony to meet him in his office, right now." It was Sirius who answered.
"Damn it padfoot, what the fuck happened?" James inquired tensely.
"The Bones were attacked. Amelia escaped with her niece Susan but… Lord and Lady Bones were killed." It was Lucius who answered this time, with his eyes locked on Severus.
Severus gritted his teeth. "Let us depart."
xXxXxXxXx
As Lord Longbottom returned to his consciousness, the first thing he became aware of was Neville crying. He was up in a flash, or rather tried to… but found himself bound. Looking around his eyes locked with a pair of crimson red ones and his heart nearly stopped.
My son! Neville!
"Your ssson is well as you can yourself see…," he beckoned Wormtail to bring Neville closer. Neville was screaming his lungs out but was otherwise unharmed.
Voldemort continued, "… For now. Though his further well being liess entirely upon you. Give me the Pottersss and I will let you both go."
Never. I will never betray James and Lily.
"I do not know where they are," Longbottom replied coldly.
Voldemort hissed in anger, "Liar. I do not tolerate liars. Crucio."
After what felt like an eternity Voldemort lifted the spell from Longbottom. His whole body was shuddering and his mouth was open in a silent scream.
"Now I will ask once more. If you fail this time, I will be using the same spell on your son."
"No…," Frank screamed in terror. "Not my son, please. Not him. Let him go. He's just a baby. Let him go… please."
Voldemort shook his head faking sadness, "Such a pity. It seems that his father doesn't love him enough." Raising his wand towards the now quiet baby he hissed, "Cru…"
"I'll do it. I'll give you Potters' location. Just don't… don't hurt my son."
Voldemort's eyes gleamed with sadistic pleasure as he surveyed the broken man in front of him. The once proud man was now almost sobbing in terror and helplessness.
"Very well. Tell me then."
Longbottom took a deep breath and looked at Voldemort, his eyes burning with pain and hatred. "First, let my son go."
Voldemort cackled. "Gryffindors, such bravery you all have. But alas, I cannot let your son go. Now…"
Longbottom interrupted him with a harsh whisper, "I know you are going to kill us both as soon as I tell you. And I won't tell you anything till you let my son go. So let's compromise. Swear on your magic and life that you will not let any harm come to my son in any way; and will return him to his mother safely. In return I will swear that I will give you what you what."
"Ah… do you hear that Wormtail. Such demands. I can kill your son right away Longbottom."
Longbottom laughed hysterically, "Do it then. Do it. Perhaps then he won't be forever labelled as a betrayer's son. But you will not have it all. Either he will be a betrayer's son and live. Or die as the son of a hero."
xXxXxXxXx
Their mutual oaths were sealed by a flash of pale blue light. "Done Longbottom. And from now on, let no one say that the Dark Lord is not… gracious. Am I not kind, Wormtail?"
Gulping, Wormtail bowed and murmured, "Yes, you are, My Lord." Laughing, Voldemort turned towards Longbottom.
xXxXxXxXx
Goodbye, my son. Lily… James… forgive me for this betrayal.
He had one last thing to tell the monster in front of him. So he looked straight into those red eyes and said in a clear voice, "One day Voldemort. One day my son will seek retribution in my name. He will stand before you dauntless, and will be responsible for your… death."
"The Potters are in Godric's Hollow…"
And then he told Voldemort the Secret contained in his very soul.
xXxXxXxXx
"Alas! It is now time to thank you Longbottom...," saying so Voldemort pointed his wand at Longbottom and hissed...
"... Avada Kedavra."
The lifeless body of the once vibrant man fell to the floor.
"Wormtail," Voldemort hissed, "make sure you send heir Longbottom to his mother safely, along with his father."
Saying so he disapparated.
xXxXxXxXx
Lily sat rocking Harry to sleep in her arms. The house was unusually quiet as James was out with Sirius. The dread she had been feeling ever since her dream, was increasing steadily. She felt as if something terrible would take place soon.
She yawned tiredly. Ever since that dream, she had been trying to find ways in which she could protect Harry. She had found that a seer's blood could be used as an unusually powerful protection, with the help of a complex ritual. She had worked relentlessly upon it for the whole week, taking care that James was otherwise occupied. And now, it was all but complete.
But something inside her was compelling her to complete it soon, very soon…
... She fell asleep.
She was jerked awake as she felt the wards around the house falling. Her heart started hammering in fear.
No… too soon…
Clutching Harry to herself, she ran for the emergency portkey. Clutching it frantically, she whispered the password but it did not work.
"Damn it…," she cursed.
It was then Harry woke up and his green eyes met with hers.
She steadied herself and gathering her resolve and courage, she softly promised him, "Do not worry baby. I will not let that monster harm you..."
"... It's time"
… to be continued.
Hope you all liked it. Please review!:))