MINISTER OF MAGIC, CECLIA LUFKIN DEAD
On November 5th, Cecelia Lufkin, the minister of Magic was found dead in her office, the reason behind her death is still a mystery. Barty Crouch Sr, the Head of Dept. of Magical Law Enforcement, who was to be appointed as the next minister has resigned from his post along with several other workers in the department. Marionette Rookwood has been appointed as the new minister of magic.
"It's about time that The Wizarding World come to its full strength. With all the power that we have, we can reach new heights. Happy times lie ahead of us. (Complete article on Pg. 3&4)
MINERVA McGonagall appointed as the headmistress of Hogwarts
The Ministry has decided that M. McGonagall, the previous deputy headmistress has now been appointed as the headmistress of Hogwarts after the demise of Albus Dumbledore. Though, the ministry has decided to keep a close eye on how things are run at the school. (New Hogwarts rules and regulations for a bright future, and introduction of Dark Arts, on Pg.9)
The Funeral of Albus Dumbledore
The greatest wizard of his time, Albus Dumbledore died on the evening of 31st October 1978. His last wish was to be buried on the school grounds, and the previous Minister of Magic, Cecelia Lufkin gave permission for it. The funeral was held on 2nd November under the strict security of Aurors. (Complete coverage on Pg.8)
New Rules & Regulations For Muggleborns. Now under the category of Half-breeds?
The Ministry on 6th November has decided that all muggleborns will have to register with the ministry by the end of November or their wands will be confiscated and they'll serve lifetime imprisonment in Azkaban.
The ministry wants to conduct tests and experiments on muggleborns in order to find out how they got access to magic in the first place. According to Yaxley, the most reasonable explanation is they might have stolen the wand from other wizards but this is still put to hold.
The minister has shown a big heart towards the Muggleborns and has said they can remain a part of the wizarding community but will have rights equal to House-elves and other creatures.
"What more can a thief ask for? We are providing them with a place in our world and that's enough. After a long discussion, we have decided to allow the muggleborn students in Hogwarts to continue their studies but they will not be allowed to give N.E. and O. . Also, the ministry is thinking of not allowing any more muggleborn in Hogwarts from the next session. The workers in the department of Mystries have come up with a result that Muggleborns are all half-breeds. We'll tell you more about it soon."
All the muggleborns have been removed from their jobs and all their businesses are shut down.
Half-breeds have been deprived of basic rights as they are now proven harmful to society.
The vampires, werewolves and even Goblins, have been deprived of all their rights.
Gringotts has been taken under the control of the Minister of Magic and the goblins all have to follow their orders from now on.
Werewolves and Vampires all have to turn in their wands and are now to live only in the Forbidden Forest, those who will be found somewhere else will be imprisoned in Azkaban.
Centaurs have protested as their habitat has now been put under the control of the ministry but the ministry has shunned them. The Ministry believes that they have been given more land and freedom than necessary. A group of Ministry workers arrived and pushed them deep inside the forest.
JAMES POTTER, the murderer & the face behind THANATOS.
James Fleamont Potter, the son of famous potioneer Fleamont Potter has been convicted for the murder of Albus Dumbledore and many other witches and wizards. On the evening of 31st October, Thanatos' face was revealed to the entire wizarding world when he killed Albus Dumbledore that evening, as James Potter. He was wearing the hood and fooling others by the name of Thanatos, so as to hide his crimes.
He has killed twenty innocent civilians and injured many.
The Ministry has announced an award of ten thousand galleons for James Potter. The ministry is doing everything to capture him. He's said to be on run with his muggleborn wife Lily Potter, who was his partner in crime as Andraste.
The wizarding community is to stay alert and report immediately to the ministry if they spot him, a photo of him and his wife has been put under the article.
The Minister of Magic has assured that James Potter will be punished for his crimes, and a dementor's kiss has been kept for him and his wife.
"So, Mr Potter, how does it feel to be married to a half-breed?" asked Mrs Potter.
"How does it feel to be married to a murderer?" Frowned Mr Potter.
"Not even a single mention of Death eaters or Voldemort," Lily shook her head.
"You should not say that name, they have put a taboo on it, we're lucky to be under Fidelius charm. Besides, the Prophet is now under his control, do you really think they'll say anything about him?" James shook his head.
"Ten days since his death and our world has started to fall apart," Lily sighed and put the paper down. "Have you decided what to do with the package Fawkes has brought?"
James thought of how things have gone since 1st November.
They didn't went to the Order's headquarters that evening and instead remained in the forest where Mary has healed them all. From there they all came to Sirius' house the next morning, it was first decided to place a fidelius charm here too but since it was a flat and they all had decided to continue working for Order, so none of them would be a good secret-keeper, and making James or Lily a secret keeper would be putting extra burden on them, so they all decided that the five of them will live at headquarters, the safest place. Mary has sent her parents out of the country. James decided that living with the others will be putting others in a risk as if there was a spy then he will surely tell Voldemort about it.
James and Lily had returned to their house and decided to hide there away from others to provide others better safety. James has again insisted that Lily too remained with them but Lily was stubborn and stuck with her husband.
"How many times will you make me say that I will stay with you no matter what?" Lily shouted at him when he asked her to stay at the headquarters.
"Lily, he'll be hunting me, all the death eaters, ministry workers, and even local people are behind me, it's too dangerous," James explained to her.
"They are hunting me too, to reach to you, I am Andraste and a muggleborn, remember?" she said irritatedly.
James turned to Sirius, who has accompanied them here. "Sirius I know it's too much to ask for but we want you to be our secret keeper."
"I am honoured," Sirius smiled but then turned serious. "I would die but would never give up the secret."
"We know, mate," smiled James. "That's why we are asking you to be our secret keeper."
"The others will be expecting the same too," said Sirius. "They all know that you are my brother, they'll all suspect that it's me and come after me, and I assure you that I will die before saying a word."
"What do you mean?" asked Lily.
"Listen, Voldemort and his followers will come after me when they will sense that a Fidelius charm has been performed, and they'll immediately jump to the conclusion that I'm the secret keeper and come after me."
"Are you afraid?" asked James concerned.
"No, I will die than let anything happen to you two," said Sirius. "Look, the Fidelius charm dies with the death of the keeper. We can fool them, I will let them come after me, they'll continue searching me, and even if they'll find me and kill me, then also the Fidelius charm will continue to work."
"I am not following you," said James.
"I heard about bluffing in one of the meetings from Dumbledore, and I was impressed by it," explained Sirius. "We'll let the entire world believe that I am your secret keeper when in fact it'll be someone else. You see, they'll continue hunting me, I will go into hiding myself, and even if they find me and kill me then also you will be safe."
"So, you want to make someone else our secret keeper while letting the world believe that it's you?" James asked and Sirius nodded. "Sirius, that's a very dangerous game, the gamble is perfect but it's very dangerous, you can die."
"I am ready to die for both of your safety, they will be hunting you in every corner now, and will not rest until they have killed you. You have caused a lot of trouble to him, he madly wants to kill you. This is the safest idea, it will provide you with the best protection and don't worry about me, I will be in hiding myself."
"But Sirius. . ." James and Lily both began to argue but Sirius stopped them.
"Guys, it's one of Dumbledore's ideas, it will perfectly work, don't worry about anything else. I will let them come after me but you'll be safe, and also I can turn into a dog, so no problem to me. See, it's perfect."
Lily and James exchanged looks, then sighed. "So, Remus? Marls?"
Sirius shook his head, "I am still not sure of him but that's not the point, he and Marls will be next in line. I am suggesting Peter, he's weak, everyone thinks he's the weakest person, no will ever suspect him to be a secret keeper, no one will ever go after him, and also he can escape easily, he's a rat, he can hide in pipes, holes and what not? He'll be the best and the safest option."
James thought for a moment and then turned to Lily.
"I think it's a perfect plan," she spoke. "No one will ever dream that Peter is our secret keeper, they will all believe he's too weak for such a task."
"Very well then, we'll make Peter our secret keeper," said James.
"Yes! Don't worry, it's Dumbledore's plan, it'll be perfect," grinned Sirius. "I will go and get Peter, will make some excuse that I want him for buying some cakes or something."
Sirius ran out.
"I think it's perfect. Do you think it's a good plan?" Lily asked James. "You aren't so confident."
"I think it's the only hope of the wizarding world," James said, his expression full of concern. "Dumbledore wasn't supposed to die, he has to be one to kill Voldemort but he's dead and our plan has failed. Now, it's on my shoulders, our shoulders. I don't want you to be here with me Lily, it'll be very dangerous here."
Lily cupped his face, "James, no matter how dangerous it is, I am going to stay by your side. No one, not even you can stop me from that. We're in this together. "
Before James could reply, they heard familiar music and saw Fawkes, the phoenix zooming in the room through the window, he landed in front of them, and a box appeared beneath him, there was a letter attached to it with, 'To James Potter' written on it.
"It must be the thing that Dumbledore has said on the day of graduation that Fawkes will bring," gasped James.
"What is it?" asked Lily.
James took the letter, "To, James Potter only, very very secret, read in private before touching the box." He looked at Lily.
"I.. um, will go and sit over there," she said and tried to not look at him while he read the letter. He then took the box and the letter and went upstairs, he took the Hufflepuff's cup and put it safely with the box in a safe place. He reached downstairs to find a worry-looking Lily.
"There's no point in asking you to leave me and go to a safe place, is there?" James looked at her, she shook her head. He pulled her in a tight hug, "I will never let anything happen to you, Lily. I will make sure everything's alright. I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe. We'll win this war."
"I know, James," Lily replied.
Sirius and a pale-looking Peter arrived in the room.
"For Merlin's sake, leave you guys for a moment and you start touching each other," Sirius shook his head.
"Shut up, Sirius," mumbled Lily.
"Pete's here," said Sirius patting his back.
"I thought we were going to buy groceries," said Peter.
"That was an excuse to get you out of there," said Sirius. "We need you here for a very important and secret thing."
"W. . .What thing?" Peter began fidgeting.
"Don't get your knickers in a twist, it isn't dangerous," assured Sirius but Peter still looked tense.
"Then I. . .I should go," Peter was looking at James as though he was a ghost.
"We still need you," said Sirius putting his arm around his shoulder.
"We want you to be our secret keeper," said James looking directly into Peter's eyes, Peter shook.
"W. . .Wh. . What?" he asked nervously.
"Don't worry, Wormtail," said Sirius. "No one will ever dream that you're a secret keeper. I will release a whisper that I am the secret keeper, and everyone will believe it too, so it's a gamble. It'll be a bluff. This way even if something happens to me, then also James and Lily will be safe. And no one will ever suspect you so you'll be safe too."
"Are. . .are you sure, James," asked Peter looking very nervous now. "It's dangerous."
"I trust you with my life, Peter," smiled James. "No one will harm you. This is our only chance. It's Dumbledore's idea, right Sirius?" Sirius nodded.
"I. . .I don't think it's good," said Peter avoiding their eyes.
"It's a good idea, Pete," said Lily. "You can sneak out, and hide anytime by turning into a rat, no one'll be able to catch you."
"Nothing will happen to you, Pete," assured Sirius. "I will check on you from time to time, okay?"
"You don't have to do that," muttered Peter and then looked directly at James, "Are you sure you want to do this, James? You want to make me the secret keeper?"
"It's our best chance and probably the only hope," James gave him a sad smile. "I trust you, Peter. Remember, people think that you're weak but you're a Gryffindor, one of the cleverest and bravest men. I put my faith in you."
James and Peter continued looking at each other for a minute before Peter nodded.
"I. . . I will be the secret keeper," he said, his voice shooked a bit. "Who all will I tell about it though? Remus? Marls? Mary?"
"No one," said James. "Only Sirius, and no one else."
"O. . okay," said Peter. "I'm ready."
"Excellent!" said James. "Lily, perform the charm."
Lily nodded. "Sirius, you have to leave, you're not a part of this." The three of them put forward their left hands, Peter's hand at the top. Lily raised her wand and pointed where their hands connected and began speaking spells, A thick tongue of magnificent gold flame issued from Lily's hand and wound its way around their hand, and then a golden string stretched to their hearts and entered them.
"Will you, Peter Pettigrew, conceal the secret of James Potter's and Lily Potter's location in your own soul? So that no one can find them except for those who you will tell?" Lily spoke, her wand shaking.
A bright red pulse made its way from James' and Lily's string, from their heart to the place their hands were connected and began revolving around it.
"I, Peter Pettigrew, agree to conceal the secret of their location in my soul," said Peter, and the two pulses travelled from their hands into Peter's heart where they got absorbed.
Lily then began speaking spells again, the strings attached themselves from James and Lily and then from their hands and entered Peter's heart. Lily's wand shook, a magnificent set of lights emerged and encircled their hands, and then it began shrinking and disappearing in between their hands. Peter's arm shook and they saw the very tiny ball making its way up his arm to his chest and then disappearing.
"It's done," announced Lily. "From now on, only Peter knows about our whereabouts and no one else. No one will be able to find us unless we want or Peter tells them."
"I . . . I will not," said Peter.
"You can tell Sirius for now," said James. "But only him. The others should think Sirius is the secret keeper.
The package has contained three Horcruxes: the ring, the locket and the diary. Dumbledore has told James in the letter that he wasn't able to get the Diadem from the Room of Requirements as he was in a critical condition himself and was mostly out of Hogwarts doing Order work and restraining Voldemort.
The three Horcruxes were all in small boxes with blue liquids which would minimize its effect on the surrounding and prevent anyone from detecting the dark magic. There were three more empty boxes for the diadem, the cup and the sixth Horcrux.
In the letter, it was also written why the ring looks different than normal and what is inside the quaffle that he has given him, it has the resurrection stone. Dumbledore has explained James to that the quaffle will open at the last when it'll be needed the most.
James burnt the letter after memorizing it. Lily has asked what it said but James has told her only half the things, she looked disappointed but hasn't pressed him. He has only told her that it has the Horcruxes and that the diadem is still in the room of requirements.
"James, where are you lost? What's next?" she asked. "Aren't we going to get the diadem?"
"Not now, Lily," James replied. "There are people who'll help us."
"What are we waiting for?"
James smiled at her, "I am waiting for Tom Riddle, I am waiting for him to dig his own grave."
"What do you mean?"
"Don't you see the things he's doing?" he pointed at the prophet which Sirius has brought for them in the morning. "That's only half the horrible things, the other half, where he and his death eaters are mercilessly killing people, and torturing them is not shown. Didn't you notice that now that he no longer needs Werewolves, he is taking no interest in them? He has just allowed them to go hunt muggles on the full moon.
People are seeing his true face Lily, and I am waiting for them to rebel, the revolution is building, I can feel it. Many who were supporting him are seeing his true face too, seeing how horrible and selfish he is. He'll not stop at any cost, he's trying to dominate the muggle world now and neglecting the well-being of this world. The ministry has brought in foolish rules which have fueled the fire along with the injustice. It's all about death eaters now, he has become a tyrant and I was waiting for it, and am waiting for him to reach his peak of evil.
Do you remember what Sirius told us about the things he has heard at the headquarters? That Death Eaters are doing what came into their mind, they're looting shops, torturing people, and even some are going so low as to rape people, ugh. Muggleborns and the so-called half-breeds, and goblins were already facing their cruelty but now even many half-bloods are targeted who don't obey their orders, disgusting orders. Purebloods are mostly safe but those who are raising their voices are brought in the middle of the crowd and slaughtered.
It's all about Death Eaters now, Lily. They are using the wizarding world as scum, the people as a piece of shit. They are showing the height of tyranny, and I am waiting for it to reach its peak. Trust me, I just want to go out there and fight them but it will do no good, I am waiting for the people to start the rebel. Once we have the people on our side then we'll strike."
"And how have you planned that strike?" asked Lily.
"We will attack them, simple," James leaned back on the couch. "Sirius, Ryan and Tracey are contacting people secretly who have suffered the most. My hands are itching to go out there but I have to tell myself to wait, though it's becoming difficult each second."
Lily nodded. "I can understand. You know, people are liking my song very much, it's trending."
James grinned at her. "It has become the song of the revolution, 'Mo Ghile Mear', but people love me more." Lily stuck out her tongue.
"And the fact that you have declared the message that you are the one about whom the prophecy is has increased their hope and love for you," said Lily. "I still don't understand why you have to write it in front of the ministry that you're the one about whom the prophecy is?"
"He has seen my stag and must have made the connection, anyway, I did it so that he does not go killing people who knew him from his childhood. Only those people could ever empathize with him and he has killed a lot of them, it needed to be stopped. And I was already one of his targets as Thanatos, so I did it to save other people's life."
"I have a really bad feeling with how things are turning out to be," said Lily walking up to him and snuggling into him.
"Don't worry, Lils, in the end, everything will be alright, light always wins over dark, and the sun rises each day after a dark night," he stroked her hair.
"Distract me," she said kissing him.
"Wanna hear a story?" he asked, she shook her head.
"Take me to heaven, away from war, into our own little world," she whispered.
James picked her up and took her to the bedroom, where they created a tent on the bed and decorated it with dim soothing lights with soothing music playing outside.
"Now to heaven," James chuckled kissing her neck. "You are my everything."
"And you're mine," she moaned.
Peter Pettigrew thought that the phrase, 'digging his own grave' fit perfectly with James Potter.
Peter Pettigrew has began to spy since the Prewett brothers have been killed. What has led to it?
The Order missions, the death of his fellow members and the missions where he has seen mutilated bodies.
He has been very afraid and this has been the safest thing in the world, he can continue doing what he has been doing in past and now as a spy he was safe, no one was going to kill him at least. The Order thought that he was on their side, so they were protecting him, the dark lord thought he was on their side so he and his death eaters will not harm him.
Very few death eaters knew that Peter Pettigrew was in their rank and that he was soon going to receive the dark mark from the dark lord.
Peter was the one who has informed Voldemort about Dumbledore's plan, which has led to the death of the greatest wizard.
He has heard the Order's plan.
The plan was that Order would leak info that the Minister of Magic would be visiting her old house in Kent, an Auror would be disguised as her, and there will be several Aurors for security, thus they'd lure Voldermort and the death eaters there. If not for Peter, Voldemort would have gone there but Peter has informed Voldemort that it was a deception and that Diagon Alley was the place to be, he was the one who has informed him that Dumbledore was very weak and that it'd be perfect time to kill him.
Luckily for Peter, Dumbledore died that evening, though James has escaped that evening Dumbledore's death was enough for Voldemort to award Peter. Peter has received one thousand galleons from the dark lord as an award.
Though Voldemort has decided that Peter should continue working as a spy in the Order. Only the Lestranges knew that Peter was working for them, Lucius Malfoy has been brutally punished by Voldemort after Thanatos has escaped from the manor. Lucius has now been demotivated to the position of other death eaters, kicked out from the inner circle.
Peter, though has kept several secrets to himself, the one including helping Thanatos, and Horcruxes and him being an animagus, for his own safety, learning occlumency has some benefits after all. He knew that if Voldemort finds out that he knows Thanatos and has helped him capture many death eaters, and that he knows Voldemort's deepest secret will guarantee his death in the instant.
And Peter wanted to survive, to live, he didn't wanted to die like the Prewett brothers, Benjy Fenwick, Dorcas Meadows, The Mckinnons or others. He wanted to survive and he'll do anything for that.
He hasn't got the opportunity to meet the dark lord since the night he has received the galleons, the dark lord was somewhere unknown and Peter was happy to be away from him as long as possible, though he has a thing, a secret to tell the dark lord. The secret which will give Peter Pettigrew what he wanted, 'safety.'
Severus Snape was very much shocked since he has heard that James Pitter was Thanatos, that arrogant git has spared him last year and on his request has saved Narcissa too. And then this year he has given Narcissa shelter, has rescued her. He was angry that he was now in debt to that Potter, he was kind of okay with Thanatos but not with Potter.
Potter was still arrogant and stupid, he has announced to the whole world that he was the man in the prophecy thus bringing a death sentence on himself and thus on Lily too. How can he be so irresponsible? Snape now has no option left but to do the worst thing in the world, following James' orders.
'I have to do it for Narcissa," he told himself. 'And it might also save that stupid Lily who has gone to James.' Snape wondered whether Lily regretted her decision to marry Potter now that she would have known how stupid Potter is, putting his life and her life in danger.
His task ahead was clear, to wait for the right time and then if he'll be lucky then he will get to see Narcissa soon or else he would find another way to get to Narcissa. If he has to kill then he'll kill but he would get Narcissa, he'd do anything to get her.
However much he loathed, James Potter but he was hoping that he stands up to the prophecy and get rid of the dark lord so that Snape can have Narcissa back. And it wouldn't hurt if Potter dies in the process too, the world will be free of his arrogance.
With no work to do besides cooking and a bit of cleaning, both James and Lily had become lazy in the past ten days. Lily used to spend her time watching the new TV they had got or reading books to entertain herself.
She was growing quite suspicious of James' behaviour, he would sometimes show signs of frustration when he lost control but would otherwise was keeping it hidden very well, she was worried that he might get reckless and went out in the open but he has ensured her that he wasn't going to take a risk at all.
She would find him locked in a room speaking in whispers, she knew that he was talking to Sirius through that mirror but why he was so secretive about it, she didn't understand, as after talking to Sirius, he himself would come to her and update her of what's going on the outside and what mission Sirius and the other Order members were up to.
"They are mostly trying to protect as many people as possible and making people aware of the dark magic and creatures. Sirius says that they are trying to tackle smugglers and convincing muggleborns not to register with the ministry as it will be of no use and they'll all be captured. All the muggleborns that had went into the ministry has been turned into a slave, their wands confiscated or sent to Azkaban," James has informed her after he has locked himself in the room and talked to Sirius for about an hour.
Lily found him sitting on the bed reading an old book, he looked up at her and gave her a warm smile. She walked up to him and rested her head on his lap as she lay there, he began stroking her head while reading.
"Wand of Destiny: The legends of the Deathstick and why it's real," she read the title of the book and then frowned. "Voldemort took the elder wand, he now has the most powerful wand in the world. Dumbledore wanted to give it to you," she let out a disappointed sigh.
James looked at her and gave her a kiss, "He asked me to disarm him and even kill him but I couldn't. And I don't think I deserve that wand, it's not my type, besides my wand here is the best, it has worked perfectly for me."
"What do you mean the elder wand is not your type?" she asked.
"I am not worthy enough for it," he replied simply. "And it's not worthy enough for me, don't worry much about it." Lily rolled her eyes. "It has killed far too many people that I can't even think of holding it, now."
"Did you hear that an entire muggle village was destroyed yesterday, and then dementors were luring around the place to feed on the misery?"
James nodded grimly.
"You never talk about how you used those spells that day, I was waiting for you to bring it up but you never did, and you have started acting all secretive and keeping things from me, don't you trust me anymore?" Lily asked sitting up, the hurt in her voice was clear.
James put away the book and cupped her face, "Lily, I trust you with every fibre of my body, and I try to be honest with you and tell you everything, I am not keeping anything from you that's necessary and I promise that I will tell you the other few things soon too. I promise. Okay?"
Lily smiled and nodded resting her forehead against his. "As for those spells, I didn't know what to say, I was quite ashamed of using them, one of them had its core attached to dark arts and I felt disgusted for using it, the others were just his modifications to complex spells. I learned them from those memories, I have seen him reading those spells and then making a dark spell from those, he tortured and killed many animals in that process, and then turned to experiment it on humans, muggles to be precise."
"Don't get into those evil things, they're bad, they'll destroy you," she said. "I used imperius and it was bad enough."
"I know, Lils, don't worry, I will avoid them and if needed then will use spells that don't share their core to dark arts."
"That's my boy," she smiled at him. They sat holding each other in silence.
"You know a few hours ago I talked to Sirius, and he told me that Florean Fortescue has been killed by the death eaters, his shop was burned down," James said. "And the bloody ministry has said that it was just an accident inside the shop."
"Ah, that's bad, I loved his ice creams," said Lily sadly. "He was very interesting and knowledgeable too, Mary would talk to him about History whenever she visited him and even wrote to him a few times asking questions and he'd reply with proper explanation and would include ice creams in the package."
"I have the plan to cheer up the mood," said James. "I will make arrangements and then tell you." Lily grinned.
"My lord, may you rule for eternities," Peter bowed in front of the dark lord, they were alone in the room.
"You said you have an important message for me, Wormtail?" said Voldemort. "And wanted to deliver it to me alone and in private."
"Y.. yes, my lord," Peter said.
"What it is that you were waiting for this long to deliver it to me personally?" Voldemort's voice made Peter shiver.
"I . . . have . . . I know the whereabouts of. . . James Potter and Lily Potter, my lord," stammered Peter.
Voldemort stood up excited by the news. "Good job!"
"They. . . they have made me. . . their . . . secret keeper. . . thinking no one will ever suspect me," he said looking nervously at the dark lord, who entered the rat's mind and saw what he wanted.
"I am impressed by your job, Wormtail," he said. "Tell me their secret location."
"James and Lily Potter can be found in Godric's Hollow, residing in Potter's cottage," Peter gave away the secret as he shook involuntarily.
Voldemort let out a harsh laugh. "That fool believed he can outsmart me, defeat me, I will kill him and his filthy mudblood wife, and will show that no prophecy can ever touch Voldemort, I am the one who has conquered death, pushed magic past its limits, no one can stop me, I am the one who killed the great wizard Dumbledore. Now, tonight I will kill that Potter, who calls himself Thanatos and crush all the voices that are rising. They are singing that stupid song in the hope that Thanatos will come and rescue them, well tomorrow morning they'll see his body and his Andraste's body hanging in Diagon Alley and will all be silenced, they will learn the lesson, they will learn what happens to someone who stands against the dark lord, whose name alone is capable of bringing death."
Peter shivered as he thought of the image of two mutilated bodies hanging in the middle of Diagon Alley.
"Wormtail, you will be given whatever you ask once I have killed them, you will be awarded beyond your imagination, power, wealth, anything, you will be awarded by me," he said turning to the short man.
"I am honoured, my lord," said Peter bowing.
"Give your hands I will give you the dark mark," said Voldemort.
"Master, why not give. . . it to me in. . . front of everyone in the celebration party tomorrow," stammered Peter. "That'll . . .give me. . fame and name . . . among others."
"Hmm, you will be awarded with the dark mark tomorrow then, Wormtail, in front of everyone," said Voldemort. "I am impressed by your spying. That Potter is just like Dumbledore, a foolish person, he could have joined me and would have lived happily like you, Wormtail but never mind, he made his choice, he has chosen death and I will grant it to him tonight."
"What are you planning, James?" she asked as they stood in the sitting room. "Why did you make me change to something formal from my comfortable pyjamas?"
"I talked to Sirius and thought that I was able to talk to my best friend but you weren't, and also you needed to spend some time with girls, so I made arrangements, you can go and have a girls' night at Sirius' place with Marls and Mary, Alice might be there too, special protection has been given to the place. So, go on and enjoy all night there," James said smiling at her.
"Really? You did that?" asked Lily bewildered.
"Yeah, you're hear stuck with me and my boring jokes," said James. "I think you deserve some time with your friends."
"But, it'll be very dangerous," said Lily.
"No, it'll not," he replied. "The best protection has been on that place, you need not to worry."
"And what will you do here, alone? Without me?" asked Lily.
"I will call Sirius here and see if he comes or else will watch TV, and then you'll be back by tomorrow," he said.
"I don't think I should go, it's way too risky," argued Lily.
"Oh hush, it's safe, the place is safe,"
"I am talking about leaving you alone here," said Lily.
"I am safe here, Lily, under the Fidelius charm,"
"I suspect you'll do something stupid while I am gone," Lily said concernedly.
James looked at her, "I will not do anything Lily, I am a grown-up, I can look after myself."
"I know, James but for me, you're still the reckless boy who was crazy over me,"
James grinned, "I am still crazy over you," he kissed her passionately. "Trust me, Lily for this time, everything will be alright, just go and enjoy yourself with your friends."
Lily still looked in doubt, James gave her a kiss on the forehead and then handed her the invisibility cloak. "Here use it, and just go."
Lily smiled and pocketed the cloak, "Okay, I will see you tomorrow then, thanks." she gave him a kiss and began walking out.
James watched her go with a sad smile as she exited the sitting room.
She put her hand on the doorknob to open it, but then stopped as saw her bracelet that was shining and looked back he hasn't come out here in the hall to see her off. She walked back to him, he was still standing at his spot and hugged him.
"I love you, don't do anything stupid," she said.
"I love you too," James replied holding her tightly.
She knew this grip, she already had suspicions that he was up to something and wanted her out of the way to do it, and now this confirmed her suspicions.
"I am not leaving, I don't need my friends now, they can wait, I need to be with you," she said.
"But Lily," James argued loosening his grip but Lily tightened her own grip.
"No, James, you don't understand," Lily cut him. "I want to be here with you. I am not leaving at any cost."
James didn't said anything, she felt tears dripping down his cheeks on her shoulder.
"You were going to do something stupid, something heroic, right?" Lily asked. "And wanted me out of the way, danger's way."
James nodded on her shoulder "It's all very dangerous, Lily, you should not be here."
"I am not afraid of dangers, Jim," she said. "I just want you and your safety."
"The world out there is horrible, people are dying daily, I just can't sit here idly in safe protection watching them die, I have to do something to help them, they all have put their hope, their faith in me."
"I understand, James," she stroked his back as more tears fell on her shoulder.
"We have very little hope left," his voice broke.
"Hey! Don't worry a little spark is enough to create fire, the fire that can cause destruction. So, a very little hope can help us too," she comforted him.
James' face remained buried in her shoulder for some time before he pulled back a bit and looked into her green eyes "It's too dangerous but I'll fight, you should go to a safe place."
"I am with you, James, until the very end. I am not leaving you," she said looking into his hazel eyes.
"We'll fight in it together then," they both rested their foreheads against each other while continuing to look into each other's eyes. "We will do our best."
"We're gonna die, aren't we, there's a high chance that we both die right?" tears fell down her cheeks.
"Yes," James replied, holding her tightly.
"We'll die together then, I don't think I can live without you,"
"Neither can I," he added.
"Oh! James, why life has to be so hard?" she said grimacing.
"Because it's life," James replied.
They stood there holding each other and looking at each other. Felix came and sat between their legs and began rubbing their legs and then let out a meow and went away towards the hall.
They both smiled at the cat.
Then James began singing:
"When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we'll see
No, I won't be afraid
No, I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand
Stand by me"
Lily too joined him in the song, they both moved slowly at their spot, holding each other tighter than before, smiling through tears as they sang. The Hazel submerged into green and the green into Hazel.
"If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
Or the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry
No I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand
Stand by me"
"James, I love you."
"I love you too, Lily."
"And darlin', darlin', stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Oh, stand now
Stand by me, stand by me"
They were lost in each other when a man, in dark black robes walked toward their house, he chuckled as he saw them through the window, they hadn't drawn the curtains. They both were holding each other and were slowly dancing on the spot, and the way in which their lips were moving told him that they both were singing while kissing each other in between. This loving act made him sick. It's only foolish people can do. But this will all be over, their love act will die soon when he'll kills them both. Perhaps he would torture them first and then kill them.
"I am so glad that I got to spend my life with you," Lily said smiling at James.
"Me too, there's nothing more I can have asked for, spending my life with you was all that I wanted," he smiled at her.
"And darlin', darlin', stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Oh, stand now
Stand by me, stand by me"
They both were smiling when there was a loud noise, the main door burst open, and they both jumped and faced the hall.
James gripped Lily's hand tightly as he saw what has happened.
"Your death has come, James and Lily Potter or should I say Thanatos and Andraste."
Voldemort, the Dark Lord, Tom Marvolo Riddle has appeared in front of them, murder in his eyes, his wands raised.