Phoenix Rising

Prologue

Godric's Hollow, 1981

The cicadas were chirping and a warm breeze ruffled the leaves of the massive oak trees surrounding the Potter cottage. Lily and James Potter were dozing softly with Harry in a wooden bassinet beside their queen bed. Suddenly, a silvery phoenix Patronus flew through the large window of their bedroom.

Albus Dumbledore's booming voice announced, "Lily and James Potter, please report to Headquarters immediately. It is of the utmost importance. We have gathered new intelligence that puts our mission in peril."

James jerked up at the loud voice, but Lily stirred only after James flipped on the bedside lamp. Lily wiped the sleep from her eyes and gazed over at her sleeping baby as James slipped his glasses on and grabbed his wand.

Lily spoke softly "James, we cannot just leave Harry here alone!"

James looked at his wife and rolled his eyes, "Obviously not, love. We can floo to Headquarters and bring him along."

Lily took a moment to breathe. Something was wrong if they received a Patronus this late at night, so she tried to let her anxiety fade with each breath she took as she picked up her sleeping baby. James took  Lily's wand and put it in her pajama bottom pocket, and Lily led the way to the fireplace with a sleeping Harry in her arms. Despite the tense atmosphere, James couldn't help but admire Lily holding their child and slipped his hand around her arm.

He looked into her stunning emerald eyes as he whispered, "I know you're worried Lily, but we will be okay."

Lily nodded as he kissed her forehead tenderly. She took another calming breath, preparing herself for whatever this meeting would mean for everyone they know and love. "Let's go, James."

She grabbed floo powder off the fireplace mantel, waited for the red brick fireplace to extend for her to walk in, and exclaimed, "Order Headquarters!" The green flames engulfed her and Harry whole. James took a moment to collect himself and followed as soon as the green flames died down.
   
Lily stepped through the grand fireplace and into the large living room of Dumbledore's home in Scotland. The floor was covered in red and gold Egyptian rugs. Three large tan leather couches were surrounding the fireplace. Huge bookshelves, stockpiled with books that ranged from transfiguration to Muggle classics, surrounded the fireplace. The living room was enormous, with wall-to-ceiling windows overlooking thousands of lush trees and a mountain loomed in the distance. The night sky was bright and the waning crescent moon shone through the window.

As she continued to look around, she noticed Sirius and Remus in discussion on the other side of the room at a long, dark oak wood table. She waved at them and moved to look at the titles of the many books shoved haphazardly on the bookshelf beside the fireplace. She rocked Harry in her arms after she felt him stir slightly. Her proximity to the fireplace was a subconscious choice; she wanted the peace of mind that James had arrived safely. Not two seconds later James stepped through the fireplace and moved toward her. She exhaled the breath she didn't realize she was holding. He captured her hand in his, and they walked over to the oak table to join Remus and Sirius.
   
"Come to join the party, eh Prongs??" For once in his life, Sirius spoke quietly to not wake Harry.

"The party started as I walked in, dear Padfoot!" James and Sirius laughed softly as Lily and Remus shared a glance and rolled their eyes at their antics.

Harry shifted slightly as Lily held him and she looked down at her sleeping child hoping this meeting would only last a short while. She sat beside James as he and Sirius went on and on about the damn flying motorcycle Sirius impulsively bought a few months ago. She found a comfortable position for Harry and grabbed James' hand. She leaned back in her chair with her eyes closed and remained quiet. She hated being rudely awoken from her sleep. The temptation to take a nap until the meeting began was overwhelmingly strong.