So Much for No Strings Attached

Chapter 81 Endings and Beginnings

Minerva was tense as she waited for the scene to unfold for, she knew where that was. After Lily and James had died, she had visited the place they had been killed to find some closure for the brilliant, bright young people who had been taken to soon. And given the Halloween decorations on the walls she could guess what they were going to see.

 

But why?

 

As shocking as Greyback’s memories were, Minerva understood why Remus had been given them. Mr Black must have been in contact with Greyback and Greyback wanted Remus to believe him. Because it was clear from the memories that Greyback dear loved Remus.

 

But what good would seeing the memories of James and Lily’s deaths do them? Everyone knew what had happened – You Know Who had arrived at Godric’s Hollow, killed James and Lily and attempted to kill Harry, the curse had rebounded, and the Dark Lord had been driven from his body for almost fourteen years. Except there had always been a lot of questions about the how and the why especially given the revelations of the last few months. After all Harry Potter being You Know Who’s son did change things.

 

Minerva couldn’t help but smile as she watched James produce brightly coloured smoke from his wand to the delight of little Harry. But then she spotted Lily who was scowling at her “husband” and “son”. Minerva frowned, come to think of it she had never seemed to interact much with little Harry at the time Poppy had theorised she might have post-natal depression … but given she was not the mother maybe she was less than happy about being saddled with a baby (especially You Know Who’s baby).

 

‘These must be the young Heir Slytherin’s memories,’ Filius said sounding surprised.

 

Remus frowned, ‘he would have only been fifteen-months-old.’

 

Filius frowned, ‘yes, but he is the only living person to be able to see it all … ah, he must be an Occlumens and retrieved the memories.’

 

Before Minerva could say anymore there was a loud crash as the front door was blown off its hinges. James and Lily turned towards the source of destruction. James who was still holding Harry leaped up clutching his baby to his chest.

 

And Minerva’s heart sank as James attempted to Apparate away but there must have been anti-Apparation wards in place to prevent that from happening. Lily when seeing this sent a Patronus message obviously to call for help. Whoever she had called either didn’t heed her call … or came too late to be of any use.

 

'Lily there's a pipe outside Harry's nursery,' James was talking fast taking action of the situation. 'We need to climb down it with Harry and get out of here now. Move!'