A Potter Secret

The Boy Who Lived

The house at Godric's Hollow is ominous, surrounded by blackness with no neighboring houses in sight. There's a light on in one of the ground floor windows. A beautiful woman slowly paces back and forth with a baby asleep in her arms. A fire lighting the room burns in the background. The baby's head bobs slightly resting on his mother's shoulder as she lightly hums to him. The woman has light red hair and brilliant green eyes. She is Lily Potter. She stops humming, turns her neck around slightly to see her baby's eyes shut. She smiles. Even though he's asleep, she starts humming again and lightly bobs up and down as she walks back and forth. A man enters the room, holding a newborn child, barely a month old. A smile creeps across his face as he leans against the wall in the threshold of the room. He wears glasses and his hair is a wild mess, but he's handsome regardless. His name is James Potter. Lily turns and sees her husband and the baby. They talk in whispers, not to wake their children. "He finally out?" James asks.

"Yeah. 'Bout time, too. I don't think he likes all this moving around," Lily replies.

Lily puts her baby down on a couch and stretches her back. James walks up behind his wife and lightly massages her shoulders. She places her hand on top of his as they look down at their son. The one-year-old baby is fast asleep. "With a bit of luck we won't be here long. At least we're safe," James reminds, rocking the baby as it squirms.

"How'd you feel about it?" Lily asks.

"Hm? 'Bout what?"

"About all this. Bringing him into this. It's different with a family."

"It's okay; I'm scared too," James assures.

"But do you regret it?"

"Regret what?"

"Bringing children into this world. Now."

"Of course not," James says.

"We've barely been a family a year and we're hiding for our lives. I don't want to raise them like this. Hiding, shielded from the outside world," Lily argues.

"It's just for now. Voldemort is not so mighty yet that he's above fear, Lily. He will never harm Harry. Never." James speaks as if he's trying to convince himself as much as his wife.

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Outside, the wind violently blows in the night.

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Lily lays Harry down in his crib and pulls the covers over him. She lightly brushes his head and smiles. She bends down and kisses his forehead. Turning to the other crib, she pulls the blanket up tighter around the little girl.

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James walks into the kitchen. He stops and turns his head slightly as if he's sensed something. He goes over to the window and pulls up the drapes, peering outside. Lily comes in. "What is it?" Lily asks. He doesn't answer. "James?"

"There's something out there," James explains.

"What?" Lily asks, nervous.

"I can feel it." James' eyes widen. "It's him. He's here." James rushes to Lily.

"No, it he can't be. It's impossible!" Lily calls.

"He must have gotten to Peter. Lily, listen to me! Get Harry and Iz, and go through the fire place. I'll hold him off!" James instructs.

"James, no!" Lily cries.

"You have to! Go!"

"No, we have to stay together!"

"Don't worry about me, just go! Please, Lily!" Lily turns and runs up stairs. James stands in front of the entrance door and pulls out his wand. He takes several deep breaths, preparing himself for what he's about to face.

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Lily carefully sets Iz into a carrier, then picks up Harry and turns to a large fire place. It's large enough for her to stand inside it. She grabs a fistful of powder from a pot next to the fireplace. She takes a deep breath, holding her children tightly with her free hand. "Hogwarts!" Lily cries. And with that she throws her fistful of powder in the air around her. Green sparks fill the air, but she doesn't vanish. The sparks cease. "No." She looks bewildered.

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James stands at the ready. Suddenly a dark red light protrudes through the entrance door's key hole. Cracks spread through the door. And without warning the door explodes inward in pieces. James doesn't budge. The light dies down. A heavily black cloaked figure enters. Under the hood a skull white head emerges with snakelike eyes that are scarlet red. This is Lord Voldemort. James slightly shakes, but stands his ground. Voldemort speaks in high whispers that are full of menace and malice. "Potter," Lord Voldemort says.

"No matter what you do to me all your policies and webs of fear and treachery are coming to an end. I swear this!" James cries.

"Ah, James. Brave even in your last stand. I gave you the chance of aiding me willingly, saving yourself much trouble and pain. But you and your Mudblood wife chose the side of a Muggle-loving fool! Did you really believe that Dumbledore and your pitiful little band of wizards could ever grow strong enough to launch an assault upon me?" Voldemort asks.

"Of course I do, you're still afraid of him!"

"Lord Voldemort suffers no rival!" Voldemort cries.

"Albus Dumbledore's very name still frightens you! And he is, and will always be mightier than you are! And as long as he lives more of us will gather, and those like me and my family will always be there to fight you and your slaves!"

"You always were a fool, James. Dumbledore couldn't protect you from me. Your friend has forsaken you, Potter. And no one will save you this time."

"Then face me if you dare!"

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Lily holds the children tightly in the nursery. We can hear enormous explosions below as the entire house shakes. "Please, no," Lily mumbles. Harry's eyes are open, he's wide awake. The entire house shakes again, and then all goes silent. Then we hear the sound of footsteps climbing steps. We focus on the door that's shut. Lily's grip around her children tightens as the tension is about to explode. She quickly disillusions Iz, tucking the carrier away. Then, a light protrudes through the keyhole. Lily screams as she turns, shielding the babies as the door explodes inward in a dozen burning pieces. The light goes out as Lily turns just as Voldemort enters, his wand in his right hand. He steps towards her. Tears begin to pour down her face. "No, please! Just don't hurt him; kill me. But just leave him alone."

"You silly girl. What ever made you think I came here for you and James?" Lord Voldemort asks.

Lily's face turns to horror. "Not Harry! Not Harry! Please, I'll do anything."

"Stand aside!" Lord Voldemort demands. Voldemort raises his wand. Lily turns, using her back to shield Harry and begins muttering something under her breath, staring into Harry's eyes. "Avada Kedavra." A green light explodes behind Lily. The light blinds us. We hear her scream. Lily falls from sight. One-year old Harry stares forward. Voldemort stares back. He measures up the child in front of him. A look of insult crosses the Dark Lord's face. He raises his wand towards the baby. "Harry Potter."