Epochal

Chapter 3

James and Lily hurried through the bustling streets of London, their urgency reflected in the quick, determined strides they took towards the nearest Floo network. The air crackled with tension, an unspoken understanding between them that something significant had transpired.

As they arrived at the Order headquarters, they were met with an unexpected sight: the room was packed with witches and wizards, more than they had ever seen for an emergency meeting. It was a tight squeeze as they maneuvered through the crowd, the hum of anxious voices mingling with the palpable sense of unease.

They finally pushed their way to the front just as Dumbledore called for attention. His usually calm demeanor was overshadowed by a gravity that commanded silence. The room fell still, every eye fixed on the headmaster.

"There has been a magical shockwave," Dumbledore began, his voice steady but laced with urgency. "A wave so powerful that it reverberated through every magical being in its path. It was felt in my very core, as I am sure you all experienced too."

The murmurs of agreement and shared apprehension rippled through the crowd. The shockwave had been unlike anything anyone had felt before, an overwhelming sensation that the sheer force of it had compelled everyone to respond, driven by an instinct to protect whatever had caused it.

Dumbledore continued, "I apologize for the sudden summons, but this matter is of utmost importance. The force behind this shockwave must be extraordinarily powerful. We cannot allow it to fall into the hands of Voldemort or anyone else who might seek to exploit it. Its presence was strongest here in Britain, so it is imperative that we act swiftly to locate its origin before it becomes a prize for dark forces or other countries."

The room was filled with a renewed sense of determination as the Order members prepared to heed the call to action, each driven by the urgency and the weight of the unknown power that had stirred their world.

—

The emergency meeting had concluded, leaving a sense of urgency that lingered long after the final words were spoken. As James and Lily hurried towards the Floo network, the atmosphere at the Order's headquarters had been thick with apprehension. The usual hum of discussion was now a buzz of nervous energy, the gravity of Dumbledore's announcement settling heavily over them.

Determined, James and Lily decided to focus their search near Godric's Hollow, reasoning that the epicenter of the shockwave must be close to their home since they felt it more prominently than the others. The journey was arduous; the magical energy that emanated from the source left them both feeling disoriented. Lily, overwhelmed by the intensity, had lost consciousness momentarily. It was a stark reminder of the power they were dealing with.

As they continued their search, the magical current seemed to grow stronger, a persistent hum under their skin urging them to move faster. They pushed through the disorienting sensations and reached a clearing on the edge of a forest—a muggle forest that bordered the Village of Godric's Hollow.

Here, the forest appeared ordinary, but Lily's instincts were anything but. She felt an overwhelming sense of urgency to find and protect whatever lay hidden within. It wasn't just fear of danger; it was a deep-seated need to ensure that whatever was causing this disturbance was safeguarded. Her conflicting emotions—fear, frustration, anticipation—left her feeling both nervous and anxious.

Lily turned to James, her voice quivering slightly with the weight of her emotions. "Do you think it's a good idea to go in there?" Her question was laden with both apprehension and determination.

James, though equally apprehensive, was resolved to press on. He recognized the importance of their mission and the necessity of confronting their fears. "We can't let anyone else get to it before us," he said, his tone steady despite the turmoil within. "And if we're in danger, we can just Apparate out because this is a muggle forest."