A Paradox In Time

The Power of Three

October 31 st , 1981. Halloween .

"NO!! Let me go!"

"I cannot do that."

"Release me, Dumbledore! I demand it!"

"I cannot do that, Sirius," Dumbledore repeated.

"But Lily and James! I can help them! There might still be time -"

"You cannot help them!" Dumbledore thundered. "They're gone!"

"NO!"

Sirius howled in his anguish, hot tears rose boiling behind his eyes and burned on his cheeks as they spilled out. His flesh switched to fur and back as he lost control of his Animagic. He took two fistfuls of Dumbledore's robe and clung to him for dear life, fighting the sorrow coursing through his veins. His knees gave way and he fell, pulling Dumbledore into a graceless arc as Sirius crumpled at his feet.

"They're gone," the old Headmaster echoed in a far gentler tone. "There's nothing we can do."

"But how?" Sirius sobbed. "I never gave away the Secret! I swear I never ..."

"I know, and I believe you," Dumbledore consoled in a firm manner. "But someone did. We must determine how ... but also who."

"Do you have a suspect?"

Dumbledore drew a deep breath. "Only two did not respond to my Protean message. The Longbottoms were one, but I fear that they are unable to respond. Rumour has it that Voldemort sent the Lestranges to Kent. I am concerned for Frank and Alice. If Bella has gotten her hands on them, well ... you know how much your cousin likes to play with her food before she eats it. I am heading there now ... hopefully I may be in time to prevent her devouring the main course."

Sirius scowled bitterly as he stood up again. "And who was the other?"

"Only one other response did not reach me at Brompton Road," Dumbledore began gravely. "The only person who did not reply was ... Peter."

Sirius blinked in heartsick shock. "Wormtail? No. Impossible."

"My message was received by all I sent it to," Dumbledore argued softly. "Peter is the only one yet to reply. I will give him time but ... I am fast losing hope."

"Peter would never ... he's too ... he wouldn't ..."

"If you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."

"Alright, Sherlock, let's say you're right. What can I do?"

"You must go to Godric's Hollow, right now," Dumbledore insisted. "I have sent Hagrid to protect the village, but he will not be able to know the exact location of the Potter's cottage. But you do. Whatever is happening, despite these changes, your Fidelius Charm remains active. You must reach Godric's Hollow while you still remember where it is."

"And I'm to get baby Harry?" Sirius confirmed.

Dumbledore nodded. "Not only that, but you must - and this is vitally important - you must recover a wand that will be with Harry somewhere in that house. It is made of holly and has a Phoenix feather core."

"What's so special about that?"

"It is a wand that came from the future," Dumbledore replied cryptically. "It is also the brother wand of Voldemort's own. Harry used it to kill him tonight."

Sirius stumbled back in shock. "Kill him? Dumbledore - Harry's just a kid! A toddler! How could he have defeated the greatest Dark Wizard since Grindelwald?"