The Catalyst of Chaos
Life within the halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the best magical school in Britain, had been blissful for most of the attending students and professors. However, not all was well outside. A war loomed between the Dark Lord Voldemort and the members of the Light, led by their appointed leader, Albus Dumbledore, who also served as the Headmaster of the school.
Among the hundreds of students were the Head Girl and Boy, Lily Evans and James Potter, who were madly in love. James had developed feelings for Lily during his early teenage years, even though she was initially unimpressed by his less-than-savoury behaviour. However, by their final year at Hogwarts, James had matured, putting aside his mischievous pranks and emerging as a fine gentleman. With this transformation, Lily decided to give him a chance and quickly fell head over heels in love with him. Upon graduating, they decided to wed almost immediately at the young age of 18, opting for a modest affair held during the height of the First Wizarding War. The celebration was simple, attended by only a select few. Sirius Black stood by James as the best man, while Alice Longbottom (née Fortescue) served as the maid of honour, accompanied by her husband, Frank Longbottom. Among the guests were James's closest friends, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew, along with Lily's friends, Marlene McKinnon and Mary Macdonald. The couple's parents, Euphemia and Fleamont Potter, and Mr. and Mrs. Evans were also present. However, Lily's older sister, Petunia Dursley (née Evans), had categorically refused to be involved, distancing herself from both the wedding and Lily’s circle.
Despite the war looming outside, it was a beautiful wedding filled with love, providing the young couple and their friends a few hours of peace and freedom. James couldn’t take his eyes off the woman he was about to call his wife in just a few minutes. She was the most beautiful witch in the world. Their vows were as humorous as they were heartfelt, blending laughter and warmth in a way that perfectly captured their love.
Lily: "I promise to always support you, even when you try to pull off the most ridiculous pranks.”
James: "And I promise to always keep you laughing, even in the toughest times. You know I’m just a big softie underneath, right?”
However, reality soon intruded as they returned to a world fraught with danger—raids to thwart, orders to fulfil, and lives to risk. Recently graduated from Hogwarts, they felt compelled to participate in a conflict they didn’t fully comprehend, driven by the desire to contribute to a better world. Yet, during every fleeting moment of respite, one question lingered in their minds: What exactly am I fighting for? Neither side could provide a satisfactory answer. Even at their young age, they were not naive; they understood that the world was not merely black and white. It was a complex tapestry of greys, where nothing was entirely good or evil.
As life continued, the young Potters settled in Godric's Hollow, and in the autumn of 1979, Lily conceived her first child. The news was both wonderful and daunting; while a new life brought hope in a bleak world, it also introduced new risks. No one wanted their child to grow up amidst violence and uncertainty. Yet, the young couple could hardly contain their excitement to meet their child. Unfortunately, tragedy struck when James's parents succumbed to a fatal wizarding illness, dragon pox, which is especially dangerous for older magical beings.
As the young couple, soon to be parents, continued to grieve the loss of James' parents, they received even more shocking and daunting news from Headmaster Dumbledore: a prophecy had been revealed that almost certainly pertained to their unborn child. However, there were two possible choices for the prophesied child—the Potters' child or the Longbottoms' child—since Alice had announced just days earlier that she was also pregnant. With this revelation, things grew even more complicated for both couples. They were forced into hiding and instructed to sever all forms of communication with the outside world, except for a select few they trusted implicitly. Believing the Potters' child to be the more likely candidate, Dumbledore asked for permission to cast the Fidelius Charm on the Potters' cottage to ensure their protection. For the charm to work, they needed a secret keeper, and their first choice was Sirius Black—James's brother in all but blood and the godfather of their child. However, Sirius pointed out that he would be the most obvious choice for Lord Voldemort to target and convinced them to select a less likely candidate: Peter Pettigrew.
As days turned into months, the group of late teens was initiated into a vigilante organisation led by none other than Albus Dumbledore himself. He had turned to these young individuals for the sake of the war, but it was a necessity; the light side was losing its numbers, and they needed all able bodies to fight. People were losing faith, which was to be expected, as war can turn even the strongest-willed person wary. Orders and tasks became increasingly life-threatening and risky, leading to growing distrust among the members of the Order. They discovered that there was a spy among them, and it could be anyone sitting next to you during a meeting. Overall, nothing was going well. Friends were turning into strangers, and trust was no longer easily earned.
The first major blow for the group of friends came with the tragic deaths of the McKinnon family at the hands of the Dark Lord himself. This served as a harsh reality check and caused immense distress among everyone, especially the young Potters, who were in hiding and rarely receiving news from the outside world. The couple decided to take a step back and reassess their decisions concerning the well-being of their son, whom they were preparing to welcome into the world in just a few weeks.
Harry James Potter entered the world with a powerful set of lungs, announcing his arrival on the night of July 31, 1980. He had a tuft of black hair and the brightest green eyes, just like his mother's. The Potters were over the moon, and the infant's godfather could hardly contain his excitement, already dreaming of all the ways he would spoil his godson and carry Harry on his back in his Grim black dog form, "Padfoot." Meanwhile, Remus was checking on Lily to ensure she was all right, while James couldn’t take his eyes off the perfection that was his son. Peter was there with them, sharing in their joy.
After Harry's arrival, the three friends—Sirius, Remus, and Peter—tried to visit the Potter Cottage as often as possible to bond with the newborn. However, these visits were few and far between. About four months after Harry’s birth, Lily - and James, albeit reluctantly - decided to ask Sirius if he would blood-adopt their son, making him, biologically, legally, and magically, as much Sirius’s child as their own. This was one of the safety measures the Potters put in place in case the worst should happen. The likelihood that they wouldn’t be around to raise Harry themselves seemed alarmingly high, so the young parents took every precaution to ensure Harry's safety, despite the differences in their approaches.
The next few months seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. The Potters spent their days reading to Harry and keeping him entertained within the confines of their cottage. Occasionally, James would meet with Dumbledore to discuss the status of the war and assist with financial support for the cause. Meanwhile, Lily spent her time reading a wide range of books, from Charms to Defence Against the Dark Arts—though she kept the latter hidden from James. There were also moments when Lily would step away for long periods while Harry slept, and James would take a fly around the makeshift Quidditch pitch in the backyard to clear his mind. Living in close quarters day in and day out, caring for an infant, meant that a little alone time was more than necessary. During these moments of solitude, Lily worked quietly behind the scenes, making sure every possible precaution was in place for her beloved son. Never let it be said that Lily wouldn't go to the ends of the earth for Harry, especially with a Dark Lord threatening his future.
James and Lily made sure their wills were prepared and in place. They added a few more names to the list of godparents and potential guardians in case the godparents were unable or incapacitated. The list included a clear hierarchy for the worst-case scenario, but under no circumstances did they want Harry to be sent to Lily's sister, Petunia. They firmly believed she was not a suitable guardian. Additionally, they opened an Heir account at Gringotts Wizarding Bank for Harry, giving him access to funds for anything he might need, including his future school supplies. He would gain access to the Main Vault upon reaching the age of majority.
Soon, Harry turned a year old, and according to his parents, he was the smartest one-year-old they had ever seen. They couldn’t get enough of him and found him absolutely perfect. They lived for his smiles, and when his first word was "Mama," Lily was brought to tears, her heart full to bursting. It was a brilliant day for Harry, with more presents than he knew what to do with. Padfoot and Moony came by for the celebration, with Sirius gifting him a toy broomstick—much to Lily’s dismay. James, on the other hand, had his heart in his throat as Harry zoomed around the living room at breakneck speed on the tiny broomstick. Unfortunately, Peter had to work and couldn’t attend the birthday party. The friends were beyond impressed when little Harry performed his first bit of accidental magic, summoning his toy broomstick from across the room. For a few hours, the family felt a happiness and contentment that let them forget about the war looming over their heads. They laughed, talked like old times, and enjoyed the company of some of their favourite people, free from worry, if only for a while.
More time passed, filled with meticulous planning on the parents' part and endless learning on Harry’s. He absorbed knowledge like a sponge, far beyond what anyone would expect for someone so young. Lily often thought there was a universe of wisdom hidden behind his emerald green eyes. Eager to nurture his curiosity, she happily read him anything that sparked his interest, while James entertained him with endless Quidditch talk and stories of the Marauders’ days at Hogwarts, recounting their epic pranks.
But all too soon, their happiness came to a sudden halt, and everything went to hell.
On the fateful Halloween night of 1981, everything that could go wrong did. Friendships were tested and betrayed, lives were cut short in their prime, and ancient knowledge thought lost to time was employed.
Peter Pettigrew, driven by cowardice, committed the ultimate betrayal by revealing the Potters' secret. As the true Secret Keeper, he divulged the location of their cottage to Lord Voldemort. The Dark Lord, having descended further into madness, believed in a prophecy told to him by one of his loyal followers. Convinced that the child posed a threat to his power, he resolved to eliminate the boy.
And so, when the Dark Lord knocked on their door on October 31, 1981, the Potters were ready.
James knew something was wrong the moment he heard the knock. Urging Lily to take Harry to the nursery and block the door, he readied his wand and went to face the intruder. He was young, but he could hold his own, giving Lily the time she needed to ensure her and Harry’s safety.
As James waited, the door was blasted off its hinges, revealing Lord Voldemort in all his dark, terrible power. Their duel was brief, but James fought with everything he had, even though the Dark Lord had decades of knowledge and experience over him. James died with only one regret—that he didn’t have more time with the son and wife he loved more than life itself.
But that brief moment was just enough. It gave Lily the time she needed to complete the ancient ritual she had studied a hundred times over the past year, preparing for this very moment.
Once Lily barricaded the nursery, she began the ritual that would ensure her son would live to see another day, with or without her. She had studied the obscure dark magic intensively, to the point where she could perform it in her sleep. All she needed was about ten minutes to prepare, as she had gathered all the necessary components in advance.
James might have been horrified at the thought of Dark Arts being used in their home, especially by his wife, but Lily didn’t care. Nothing was more important to her than the life and future of her son, and if Dark Magic was what it took to protect him, then so be it. Furthermore, despite being a Muggle-born, Lily had been friends with the youngest Potions Master ever and the Heir to the House of Black for a long time. She knew more than she let on and understood the importance of keeping that knowledge hidden, especially from her husband and the Headmaster.
The Dark Lord Voldemort leisurely ascended the stairs to the nursery, breaking down the door with a flick of his wand. As he entered the room, he was taken aback by the unfamiliar runes etched onto the floor, surrounding the cradle that held the child in the exact centre of the ritualistic circle. The fiery-haired witch stood just outside the circle, her posture radiating the defiance of a lioness.
He had to give her credit; not many would dare to stand up to Lord Voldemort with such blatant disrespect. But it mattered little. He would dispose of her just as swiftly as he had her husband downstairs, and then he could finally eliminate the child destined to vanquish him once and for all.
What Voldemort didn't expect was for her to engage him in conversation, as if he weren’t about to kill her. It amused him to no end, and he decided to indulge her questions, answering them as best he could.
"Think you can answer a few of my questions before you kill me?” Lily asks defiantly.
Voldemort smirks and says, “I did promise someone I would spare you. So, if you would simply step away from the crib, you won’t have to die tonight. You can mourn the loss of your husband and son for a while, and then move on with your life.”
Shaking her head, Lily says, “I don’t think there will ever come a day when I willingly step aside to let harm come to my son. So, no. We’ll just have to have a few minutes of conversation, and then you’re free to do as you please.”
“Very well then. Let it be noted that Lord Voldemort never goes back on his word. So, what’s your question?” Voldemort questions with a raised eyebrow.
What he was unaware of was that, by the time he finished responding, she had charged the ritualistic circle to its full capacity. She was teetering on the brink of magical depletion, facing death with or without his killing curse. Lily knew her end was near, but she wanted those answers before she died—because she was certain her son was the smartest child and would somehow retain this conversation for the future. In that moment, she had set in motion a series of events amidst the chaos that would rewrite the future in unimaginable ways. Lily Jade Potter (née Evans) had just become the catalyst to ensure the survival of not only her son but Magic itself.
Nobody aside from the three individuals in the nursery knew exactly what transpired that night. All anyone felt was a tremendous backlash of magic that resonated for miles. The ritual had left the cottage in ruins, with Lily lifeless at the foot of the crib and Harry crying inconsolably, unaware that he had lost both his parents. No one knew what had become of Voldemort; he fled the residence, leaving behind only a scar on the infant's forehead as a testament to the night’s harrowing events.
When Sirius felt an inexplicable unease and decided to visit the Potters' cottage, he was met with a ghastly and unbelievable sight. The cottage lay in shambles, with James’s lifeless body sprawled near the front door, wand still in hand. Distraught at the loss of his brother-in-arms, Sirius steeled himself and moved to check on Lily and Harry, despite the sinking feeling that he might not find them alive.
His heart dropped further when he stumbled upon Harry crying, while Lily lay motionless on the floor. The remnants of a ritual adorned the space, but the magical backlash made it impossible to discern its true purpose.
Relief washed over him at the sight of Harry, who appeared to be almost unharmed by the chaos that had unfolded. He would investigate the ritual later; for now, his priority was to get Harry out of this godforsaken place. Gently lifting Harry from his cradle, Sirius stepped outside, only to spot the half-giant Hagrid approaching from a distance.
As an Auror in training, Sirius planned to summon any available Aurors to gather evidence from the scene before taking Harry to safety. But before he could act, Hagrid reached him and requested that Harry be handed over, citing "Dumbledore's orders."
Sirius shakes his head vigorously. Despite the overwhelming grief of losing two of his best friends and the rage boiling within him over Pettigrew’s betrayal, his primary concern was Harry. He was now the boy’s only remaining guardian, and nothing—not even his desire for vengeance—could take precedence over that responsibility.
Sirius meets Hagrid and says, "We need to get as many Aurors here as soon as possible. Take my bike and get Dumbledore to the scene at the earliest."
Conflicted, and recalling Dumbledore's warning about potential threats against Black says, "I’m to take Harry to Professor Dumbledore. Although I could probably get there faster on your motorbike."
Confused and suddenly angry, Sirius replies, "Absolutely not! Harry is my son, and he will not be going anywhere with anyone except me."
As Dumbledore suddenly arrives, he takes in the devastation before him—from the shattered remains of the cottage to the tense exchange between Sirius and Hagrid. A heaviness settles in his heart; he knows he must take the boy away from Black. Despite his aversion to Dark Magic, Sirius Black is still a Dark Wizard, and Dumbledore cannot let Harry grow up to be a confident and independent young man. The prophecy has come to pass, and he alone understands its full implications. For the prophecy to fulfill, the boy must face Voldemort once more.
Dumbledore is uncertain of what transpired that night, but he is convinced that the Dark Lord is not dead; he is simply weakened. When the time is right, Harry must vanquish Voldemort for good. To ensure this, the boy needs to trust Dumbledore implicitly and see his words as absolute truth. That would be impossible if he were nurtured and loved. It pains him to subject a child to such an unloved upbringing, but he cannot prioritize one child's comfort over the lives of countless others. If Voldemort remains unchecked, the consequences could be catastrophic.
Steeling himself, Dumbledore approaches the group and says, "Sirius, my boy, I think it’s prudent for you to pursue Peter. No one knows how he operates better than you do, having spent nearly a decade with him."
Sirius contemplates this, his expression conflicted. "You may be right, Albus, but I can't just leave Harry after everything that’s happened tonight. I can’t abandon him for the sake of vengeance."
Dumbledore offers a reassuring smile, his eyes twinkling with wisdom. "Of course not, my boy. I will personally care for Harry until you return. You can have him back once you've handled Pettigrew."
Though still wary, Sirius feels a flicker of reassurance. "Alright then, take him to Hogwarts, and I’ll meet you there as soon as I can."
Turning to Harry, he gazes at the beautiful boy, now bearing a scar on his forehead. "I’m so sorry, Harry. I have to go after the man responsible for your parents’ deaths. But don’t worry—I’ll be back soon to take care of you, just like your parents wanted." He kisses Harry’s forehead tenderly and hands him over to Dumbledore.
With one last lingering look at Harry, Sirius nods at Albus and sets off in pursuit of the rat who betrayed his best friends.
Dumbledore watches Sirius disappear into the night, his heart heavy with the weight of his decisions. He turns to Hagrid, his expression serious. "Take his bike along with Harry and meet me at Number 4 Privet Drive, Hagrid. I have asked Minerva to scout the Muggles Harry will be staying with. I will talk to her by the time you arrive, and we can ensure that Harry is amongst family."
Hagrid, ever faithful, nods vigorously. He gently takes Harry from Dumbledore’s arms, cradling the infant securely before mounting the bike. With a final look at Dumbledore, he revs the engine and takes off into the sky, the wind whipping through his hair.
Once Hagrid is gone, Dumbledore apparates to meet Minerva, his mind racing with thoughts of Harry's future. He hopes that the Muggles will care for the boy as their own. After all, he is Petunia’s sister’s son, her nephew.
As he arrives at their designated meeting place, Dumbledore feels a twinge of uncertainty. He’s almost certain that the Dursleys are not the nurturing type. But he also knows that sometimes the best intentions can lead to unforeseen consequences.
In his heart, Albus longs to believe that this path is the right one. But as he prepares to speak with Minerva, a nagging thought creeps in—had he underestimated the lengths Lily Potter would go to for the safety of her son? If only he had taken a moment to consider her sacrifices and the power of her love, perhaps he could have acted differently. The memory of that love looms large, a stark reminder of the potential fallout from his decision, and he wonders if he might soon regret not listening to the whispers of intuition urging caution.