Out of the Past, Into the Future (a Harry Potter fanfic)

6 - The Moment of Truth

Chapter Six - The Moment of Truth

Halloween, Saturday 31st of October

Godric's Hollow

"HARRY!" James yelled. He scrambled up off the floor and ran to his son. Gently, he took Harry from Remus's arms, and knelt down, shaking.

"Oh no. Not you too," James bit his lip to stop himself from crying. He stroked Harry's forehead and went to sit beside Lily's body.

He pulled Harry close, and finally began to cry, shaking as he did so. His wife and son... his whole world... gone.

"Please," James whispered brokenly. "Please let them wake up. Make this all a bad dream. Please..."

Remus and Sirius were standing in shock. Both had wet faces, but were trying to hide them. Seing their best friend like that - and Lily and Harry dead too, and they were both so nice to be with - it was hard not to cry.

"He's gone! Vanished! Just like that, we've got no idea where he's gone, but Dumbledore thinks-"

Frank came bursting through the wreckage and froze at the sight in front of him.

"Are they... are they-" Frank broke off, looking at Sirius and Remus.

They nodded.

"You're sure? You've checked a pulse?"

Remus and Sirius frowned and shook their heads. They hadn't thought about it. Frank approached James cautiously.

"James?" he asked hesitantly. "Have you checked for a pulse?"

James frowned, then tried Harry. "I can't find one!" he screamed hysterically.

"Here, I'll check," Frank said patiently. "It's often hard to find."

James handed him Harry, and bent over Lily, but couldn't find a pulse on her either.

"That's a pulse, James. I'd say he's just unconscious."

James kissed Harry on the forehead, and felt his lips touch something strange. Pulling away from Harry's forehead, he stared at it. There was a small red scar there, which wouldn't have been that unusual, except for the fact that it was in the exact shape of a lightning bolt. James frowned at it for a moment, then passed Harry to Sirius, who was looking slightly relieved.

Frank moved on to Lily.

"There's a pulse, but it's weak. She'll need mouth-to-mouth."

James took a deep breath, composing himself. Then he took another one, sucking in plenty of air, and pressed his lips to Lily's, blowing it into her lifeless body. Soon her chest began to rise and fall gently. She was alive.

"I'd take her to St. Mungo's, James. And Harry, too. They're alive, but they'll need treatment."

Dumbledore appeared at that moment, and frowned at what he saw.

"How are they?" he asked, the sparkle in his blue eyes fading.

"Alive. We're going to St. Mungo's."

Dumbledore sighed, and nodded slowly. "Yes, I think we'll have to. I had hoped that we would not need to, but it seems almost urgent."

Everyone stared at him, digesting his words.

"Well, are you going or not?" Dumbledore asked the group expectantly.

James picked up Lily's and spoke to Sirius over his shoulder.

"Padfoot, can you sort Harry?"

Sirius nodded, relieved to have something to do, and clutched Harry tightly. They picked their way through the rubble towards the door.