Chapter 1. What About Harry?
In a tower high above the wilds of Scotland, an old man sat behind a huge mahogany desk covered in papers and trinkets, staring intently into a bowl of lemon drops as if it would tell him the secrets of the universe. Perched beside him on a golden stand was his familiar, a beautiful red and orange phoenix, who was singing softly.
After a few minutes, the man sighed deeply and looked around his office at all the little trinkets that spun and made noises cluttering the many shelves. The phoenix chirruped questioningly at him, and he stood up, brushing down his purple robes with twinkling yellow stars that sporadically shot across it. Usually, his stylish robes brought a smile to his lips, but not today. Today he felt uneasy.
Walking around his large desk, the man stroked his long snow-white beard and muttered, "I do not know, Fawkes. Something is not right. I have a bad feeling, and my feelings are hardly ever wrong."
Fawkes trilled sadly as he watched the man slowly walk around the room as he gazed absently at his many possessions. The man's name was Albus Dumbledore, and he was considered the greatest wizard in the world, but right now he felt anything but great. He was feeling very worried.
Searching his mind, through all the events (major and insignificant) that had recently taken place, Albus could not find any reason for his unease, and that worried him. His magic did not react without a reason. Something was wrong.
Suddenly, one of his many trinkets started to emit a piercing wail and floated towards the center of the room. He moved quickly to it and snatched it out of the air, quickly examining it. Fawkes, knowing what was going to be needed, took to the air and flew to him.
"No!" Albus gasped, his mind in instant panic.
He clapped his powerful hands together just as Fawkes reached him, and together, they burst into flames and disappeared. By the time Albus arrived in the village of Godric's Hollow, the damage had already been done. He could feel a significant loss and unbidden tears burned the back of his eyes.
He hurried down the street, wand in hand, to the quaint cottage towards the end, but there was barely anything left of the house. Half the roof was gone, as well as part of the upper floor. It looked like the house had exploded from the inside. Like something very powerful had blasted through it.
Albus could feel the Dark magic still lingering in the air around him, like a heavy weight on his soul. This was not supposed to happen. They had planned everything out and were safely under the Fidelius Charm. How did He find them? How did it all go wrong?
Albus slowly walked through the entrance, eyes searching every corner for trouble, absently noticing the front door lying against the couch across the room. Silently, he cast 'Homenun Revelio!', but the only presence he detected was a small but strong one in an upstairs bedroom.
Still cautious, Albus worked his way toward the stairs. Gasping, burning tears filling his eyes, Albus came upon James Potter lying at the bottom of the stairs, his vacant hazel eyes staring back at him. Blinking back the painful tears, one escaping and rolling down his cheek, Albus pushed on.
He needed to find the others, to know if they were still alive. Dreading what he would find next, he carried on up the creaking stairs and towards the room where he had sensed the only living presence. His ears picked up a soft sound… a baby crying.
"Harry," Albus whispered and picked up his pace.
Pushing against the door hanging half off its hinges, he entered the desecration of what was once Harry's nursery. The first thing he saw, lying motionless on the floor in front of Harry's crib, was Lily Potter, her bright emerald green eyes staring at nothing. Albus' heart stopped beating as it broke, a choking sound torn from his throat. Tearing his eyes away, he looked around, but Lord Voldemort was nowhere to be seen.
Harry, sobbing and reaching through the bars to get to his mother saw Albus, at first rearing back in fear and then recognizing him, switched to reaching for him instead, scrunching his face and squawking loudly. Harry did not understand why his mother did not get up and comfort him. She or his dad always came when he called.
Cautiously looking around one more time and seeing no trace of Voldemort, Albus moved over, stepping carefully over Lily, picked Harry up and hugged him to his chest. He started rocking the baby gently as Harry rubbed his teary face into his robe, still sobbing. Albus' heart hurt for Harry's loss.
"There, there, my boy. I've got you." Albus crooned as he rubbed Harry's back.
Harry clutched Albus' robes in his little fists as he cried, until it turned into hiccupping whimpers as he slowly calmed down. The familiar smell of lemons eased him as his body continued to relax and his breathing evened out. Albus wrapped Harry in his robes to keep him warm, once the boy fell asleep.
Albus kissed the top of Harry's head, then brushed the fringe from Harry's sweaty forehead and noticed a bright red, bleeding wound shaped like a lightning bolt. Worried, he cast a healing spell at it, but that only stopped the bleeding.
'Cursed,' Albus thought in dismay as he wiped the blood off Harry's tiny face.
He started to think quickly. How had Harry survived? Albus looked down past Harry's small head… Lily… she must have sacrificed herself to save Harry, creating some kind of protection. A mother's love was a very strong magic. He could feel the magic buzzing in the air, but it was strongest around Harry.
Albus knew he had to keep Harry safe. Lord Voldemort may be gone for now, but Albus was positive he would be back, and his followers would most likely attack Harry in revenge as soon as they realized what happened. They would have felt it when their master had been beaten and would come to see if anyone had survived.
Albus's eyes snapped back up and he looked around them warily. He had to get Harry to safety – now – and he had no idea where Harry's godfather, Sirius Black, was. Albus had not heard from him for over a month, as he was supposed to be leading Voldemort on a wild goose chase across the continent, and no one knew where he had gone.
Then Albus remembered that Lily had a sister, Petunia. Lily mentioned her occasionally, but he could not recall much about her. They were not the closest of sisters, but from what he could remember, she had a son about Harry's age. They could grow up together. He was sure she would take care of her nephew. They were family.
But what could he do to keep them all safe from Voldemort's followers as Harry grew? A Blood Ward! He could create one that would strengthen Lily's sacrifice and help protect Harry from Lord Voldemort and his followers. Her magic was still pulsing strongly around Harry, even with her gone, and Albus could use that to protect the boy.
He would leave Harry with Petunia, to grow up as normal as possible, without his fame inconveniencing his life, until Harry was ready to come back to the magical world. When Harry was grown enough to have his own opinions and make his own decisions.
With that plan made, Albus quickly left the cottage, knowing that others would be arriving there any moment, and he did not want to be there when the Muggle authorities showed up. He Apparated straight to Little Whinging, Surrey.
When Albus arrived at Privet Drive, it was quiet and dark. No one was out at that hour. Nothing like Albus Dumbledore had ever been seen on this street before, he was completely different and totally unwelcome there. Not seeming to care, Albus strolled down the street to number four, carrying his precious bundle.
The house was a cookie cutter version of the rest of the houses on the street. The whole place was nice and neat, trimmed hedges and mowed lawns. Every vehicle parked in the driveways the same. 'Spic and span', was what the Muggles would call it. Albus' nose wrinkled, he found it quite boring.
'It could use some sparkling stars like my robes,' he smiled, amusing himself, while stifling his urge to cast a few charms at the houses.
Walking up to the front door, Albus gently laid his tiny bundle on the doorstep. He took a letter from inside his cloak, tucked it inside Harry's blanket, cast a warming charm, and then stood looking down at him for a moment. Harry opened his sleepy eyes and looked right back at him. Albus sucked in a sharp breath.
Those eyes! Albus was shocked, as the emerald green eyes Harry once had (an exact replica of Lily's) were now a glowing Avada Kedavra green, eerie and beautiful at the same time. He released his breath when Harry fell back asleep, wondering what other changes there were to the boy.
"Good luck, Harry. Until we meet again." he murmured, then turned on his heel, and with a swish of his cloak, Albus Dumbledore was gone.
Arriving back in his office, Albus sighed heavily. How could this have happened? They were under the Fidelius Charm. They were safe in their cottage. What went wrong? There was no way Sirius Black would ever betray the Potters, they were his family, but there was no other way Lord Voldemort could have found them since Black was their Secret Keeper. Unless… maybe they changed their keeper without telling anyone?
A knock sounded on his door and Albus looked up to see a tall thin witch dressed in green tartan robes and hat march into the room. She had black hair that was pulled back into a severe bun and square glasses over her 'do not mess with me' eyes.
"Ah, Minerva, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit? Lemon drop?" Albus offered, holding out the candy dish. Minerva McGonagall dismissed the offering and walked right up to him.
"I have just been informed that Sirius Black has been arrested and taken to Azkaban. He was in Godric's Hollow at the Potter's cottage, and they say there was an explosion. They say that they are… are… that they're – dead."
Minerva watched as Albus's eyes went glossy with tears before he bowed his head. Her knees when weak and she gripped Albus' desk to keep from falling to the floor. Gasping in pain, her own tears instantly falling down her own cheeks and trembling, she went on.
"Oh, Albus… Lily and James… I can't believe it,"
Albus stood, reached out, and patted Minerva on the shoulder. "I know," he said heavily.
"And what of Harry? There was no mention of their son."
"Harry is alive. Voldemort could not kill him." said Albus.
"What!? After all that he's done, all the people he's killed, he couldn't kill a little boy? How in Merlin's name did Harry survive?"
"We can only guess," said Albus. "We may never know for certain."
"Where is he now? Since he is not with Mr. Black."
Minerva pulled out a lace handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes beneath her spectacles. Lily and James were some of her favorite people and their loss was devastating to her.
"I have placed him with his aunt and uncle. They're the only family he has left now."
"What? The Muggles? Why? There are many magical families that would be honored to take him in."
"It is the best place for him, he will be safe there. I've set up protections from Voldemort's followers." said Albus firmly. "Harry needs to grow up like every other child… normally. He doesn't need to deal with being famous for something he won't even remember. He needs to have his own mind, his own thoughts on things, not be manipulated by others for their own advantages. Can't you see how much better off he'll be, growing up away from all of that until he is ready?"
Minerva looked like she was about to argue, changed her mind, swallowed hard, and then said, "Yes, you're right, of course. But what about Sirius? You know he will want to raise Harry once he is free. You need to get him out of Azkaban, Albus."
"I will take care of Sirius. Have you seen Severus?"
"As soon as we heard what had happened, he left. I assume he went to Godric's Hollow to see for himself." Minerva said sadly, her heart hurting for the man.
Albus nodded then urged, "You should go and join in the celebrations. Even though we have suffered a terrible blow, there is a lot to be happy about tonight."
Nodding sadly, Minerva left his office, closing the door quietly behind her. Sighing heavily again, Albus wrote a quick note to the Minister for Magic, requesting an audience tomorrow morning. Sending it through the Floo, he then turned towards Fawkes.
"I'm off to bed. There is nothing I can do for Sirius tonight. I am sure I will be hearing from Severus tomorrow and I am not looking forward to his anger."
Fawkes flew over to Albus and settled on his shoulder as he made his way up the stairs to his personal quarters. It had been an exhausting day and Albus knew it would be even worse tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Severus Tobias Snape (a once close friend of Lily's) sneaked into the Potters' destroyed cottage while the Aurors were busy with the Muggle police and the gathered crowd. He quickly bypassed James' body at the bottom of the stairs, not caring much for the man, and moved on in search of Lily.
He could not believe she was dead and needed to see her death with his own eyes. To know that he had truly been betrayed. When he found her, lying motionless on the floor, eyes staring at nothing, in front of the crib, a sob spilled from his throat as he staggered towards her.
Pain engulfed his entire body, his heart shattering, and the last light in his life was snuffed out. He still could not believe what his eyes were telling him, and he fell to his knees and gathered her limp body into his arms. He rocked back and forth, holding Lily tightly to his chest.
Tears streamed helplessly down his face that was perpetually stoic. Severus could not hold his emotions back in the face of his loss. His Lily was gone, and the pain was unbearable. Severus cried out in agony, burying his face in Lily's hair, as he repeatedly apologized to her for not saving her.
How long he sat there in his misery, his heart ripping into shreds and all the light leaving his world, he could not say. But by the time he heard the floor creak under the heavy tread of footsteps, his heart was covered in ice. He had been betrayed, and those people would pay for what they had done.
Severus gently laid Lily down, giving her forehead a kiss and closing her once vibrantly beautiful green eyes. He looked around, noticed the empty crib, before he stood and snuck out of the massive hole in the wall.
His mind, still in shock, pushed the picture of Lily's body to the back and locked it away. He needed answers, needed to know what happened to Lily's beloved child, and he knew only one man had those answers… Albus Dumbledore.