1981
1981: In Memoriam…
The colour disappeared from peoples faces as they glanced downwards, it was hard enough finding out that Regulus Black, the Slytherin Seeker, was to be dead by eighteen, but more death?
The screen didn’t change to show clips playing out instead it was just words for the audience to read along to…
Dorcas Meadowes - April 1981. Murdered by the Dark Lord.
Dorcas looked around to Marlene panic covering her features, tears were slowly falling down her cheeks as she tried to comprehend that her life would be over in just four years time.
“No…” The Gryffindors were shell shocked as they all tried to provide some sort of comfort to their friend, when the screen changed once more.
Evan Rosier - May 1981. Rosier too joined the Dark Lord’s ranks. He was killed by auror Alastor Moody, but not before casting a bombarda and blowing away part of the mans nose.
Barty let out a choked sob as he glanced to the two people he loved more than anything else in the world. He was going to be left alone, tears started blurring his vision as he blindly grasped Evan’s hands squeezing it tightly.
Pandora Rosier let out a heart wrenching sob as she looked to her twin brother, utterly heartbroken, how, was she supposed to go on without her other half? Evan lifted his eyes to meet his sisters they were glassy as he reached across the table and grasped her hand.
“Pandie… this doesn’t have to be the future… we, we can all do things differently, change the world, if you will. Maybe then little Potter’s parents won’t die and he can be raised by them…” For some reason despite being told he was going to die, while fighting on the wrong side of the war, he still couldn’t get the little black haired boy with emerald green eyes out of his mind.
Marlene McKinnon - June 1981. Death eaters attacked her home, including one, Peter Pettigrew. The entire family was wiped out in the space of one evening.
The gasps grew in the Great Hall once more as everyone's eyes cast from the petrified horror on Marlene’s face to the sight of utter terror on Peter Pettigrew’s. First he joined the dark lord and now he’s murdering his friends? What the hell happened to him?!
“Quite apt that you are a rat.” Sirius seethed, as Peter looked up he saw that even the Slytherins were glaring at him, he couldn’t contemplate what could happen to make him mix with dark evil wizards, it was so bizarre!
1981 - Albus Dumbledore & Severus Snape, The Headmaster’s Office.
The screen shifted again to show an image as everyone silently released a breath they didn’t realise they were holding. James and Lily at this point were still alive, and would remain so, for how long, they were unaware.
“Dear Merlin… what am I going to do now…” Albus murmured under his breath, he realised that maybe he didn’t quite have all his eggs in one basket by the time he was placed with finding a home for the Potter’s young son.
“It spoke of a boy. Born at the end of July.”
“Yes, but he thinks that it’s her son. He intends to hunt them down now and kill them. Hide them. Hide them all.” Snape stood before Dumbledore, terror etched into his face, pleading for the man’s help.
“What will you give me, in exchange, Severus?”
“Anything…”
Severus gulped as he tried to swallow down his emotion, Lily and James had both stood from the Gryffindor table and slowly made their way over to him, tears in their eyes, they knew their fate, but at least somebody had tried to prevent it from occurring. Lily threw her arms around her old friend, hugging the life out of him, as James shook hands with the Slytherin that he had targeted for years.
“You are a good man, Severus Snape.” He whispered quietly, emotion thick in his voice. Severus nodded deeply, accepting the truce that had been offered and slowly, Remus and Sirius appeared at the Slytherin table, offering their thanks, for doing all he could to protect the people that mean the most to them all. Peter Pettigrew was still ignored for every single purpose and glowered at his plate.
James, Lily, Remus and Sirius sat at the Slytherin table, personally, Sirius wanted to keep an eye on his little brother, and Remus really didn’t want to be left on the same side of the room as the rat, so he came along for the ride, but after all these years it was about time they put their differences aside and worked together, especially with the war that raged on and was due to tear their lives apart.
“Headmaster, why would you want something in exchange for two human lives being spared?” Regulus shouted, having had enough of how many lives were being lost that revolved around a meddlesome old fool. Albus Dumbledore, guiltily hung his head but refused to answer, after all, it was all for the greater good right?
24th October 1981 - In Hiding…
“In hiding… James, this… this might be us again.” Lily whispered, clutching onto James’ elbow, her wide green eyes showing panic. James wanted to throw up, he felt sick to the stomach that they would be hunted down like animals just because of their beautiful future son.
“I must make you aware, this prophecy that the Dark Lord has been made aware of, it could be one of two babies. Little Harry or Neville.” Dumbledore looked very grave as he made this announcement, around the table were James, Lily, Peter, Sirius, Frank, Alice and Augusta Longbottom. A playpen had been set up, where Harry and Neville were set inside, they were both 15 months old by now, and they’d had a joint first birthday party, it was a lovely occasion, seeing all the children playing together, Harry simply loved Fred and George Weasley immediately, but wasn’t all that keen on Ronald, he found the youngest Weasley to be truly annoying, she just did nothing? Harry was obsessed with Neville though, and it was safe to say that Neville felt exactly the same.
“No… they’ve only just had their first birthday!!!” Alice and Lily cried tears immediately coming into their eyes as they glanced over to see the boys sat up holding their teddy bears tightly, none the wiser to the darkness that would be encompassing their whole world.
“I would suggest the Fidelius Charm. It would make your homes unplottable, anyone who previously had the address would not be able to remember it, unless they are the designated secret keeper.” Dumbledore continued on, but Frank had stood up, Alice following his actions, fierce looks on their faces.
“This is a war, Albus. A war that he won’t win. I will not put my family into hiding, imagine what that would do to Neville? It could totally damage his developmental progress. No. Longbottom's will stay and fight.” Frank picked Neville up from the crib before carefully ruffling the tuft of raven hair Harry had grown on his head, a sad smile covering his features, before bidding farewell to the remaining people, he, Alice and Augusta left with Neville.
“James, what are your thoughts?” Albus pushed, as he glanced to Lily, her green eyes staring right back at him as she nodded once, slightly unsure of herself.
“We’ll do it. I mean the obvious choice is Sirius right?” James murmured as Sirius looked up a frown etching across his face.
“Jamie, I’d do it without a second thought if it wasn’t so obvious that people would think it was me.” Everyone’s gaze shifted over to Peter as he let out a small squeak, a glint gleaming in his eyes as he nodded quickly.
“I’ll do it. They wouldn’t expect you to choose me.” Peter confirmed, Sirius pushed his chair back and left the room.
“So, Peter Pettigrew’s the secret keeper?” Dumbledore nodded, a hint of a smile running over his features.
“Wormy wouldn’t let us down, would you Wormy?”
“Fucking shit…” James seethed as he threw his head into his hands, fingers curling around his messy black hair.
“I mean, it would have been ridiculously obvious if you’d chosen Black. You two are practically conjoined.” Barty murmured quietly, trying to figure something out.
“I’m going to fucking kill him. I will murder that fucking rat.” Remus stood, his features cool as he turned towards the Gryffindor table, seeing Peter Pettigrew looking cold and pale, and like he wanted nothing more than to be in this room right now, why was his future getting worse and worse. Why was he doing bad things? He hated death eaters, so why did he become one?
31st October 1981 - The End of The War…
“The war ends? Oh god… Lily, we die on Halloween!” James cried as he was slowly fitting bits and pieces from that night together. James loved Halloween, he loved how the muggles in his village would dress their kids up in little outfits and would take them around the neighbourhood trick or treating, and it was a tradition that he’d been sure he would follow through with his own son, his Harry, but now, to find out he dies on one of his favourite nights of the year, that was just cruel beyond belief.
The raven haired baby sat on the floor, giggling at his father who had for all intents and purposes dressed him as a pumpkin. Lily was stood in the doorway, a fond smile on her face as she took in her small family, her whole world. She refused to let anyone tear them apart. The two parents were bought out of their dazes by a knock at the door. James glanced out the window, his heart stopping as his face lost all its colour.
“Lily. It’s him. Take Harry and run.” Lily gasped as her hands grabbed at the pumpkin-boy and lifted him into her arms. She ran up the stairs, planning on finding an escape route from up here, but there was none, the Dark Lord had warded their home to prevent anybody from leaving.
“Avada Kedavra.”
Thud.
Lily held back a gasp as she realised James had been killed, Harry began whimpering as she bounced him carefully.
“Bombarda.”
The nursery door blasted off its hinges, Lily quickly putting Harry into his crib, before turning herself so she stood between the darkest wizard of their time and her tiny 15 month old son.
“Step aside you foolish girl.”
“Not Harry. Not my Harry. No.” Lily was sobbing as the Dark Lord stepped once more closer to her.
“Take me instead. Not my Harry.” Lily could feel the magic in her spurring, ready to release.
“Harry be brave. Harry be strong. Harry mama loves you, Harry dada loves you.”
“Avada Kedavra.”
A bright green light shot out of his wand striking Lily in the chest as a bout of magic surrounded her and encased her son in safety. Voldemort turned his eyes to the one year old, who looked at his mother, lay in front of his crib, and let out a loud cry.
“Mama!!!” He sobbed as the dark lord moved his wand hovering near the child’s forehead.
“Avada Kedavra.”
There was a scream, and then silence. Unmistakable silence, that was only broken by the infants cries, the remains of the black robed enemy lay in the corner of the room, he didn’t even resemble a human being anymore, but all little Harry cared about was why his Mummy wouldn’t wake up, and why his head hurt so much.
All that remained of the attack upon small Harry was a bright red lightning bolt scar.
“Harry…” Lily whined, tears freely escaping her eyes.
“That bastard… you can only break a fidelius willingly… Pete chose to betray us…” James seethed angrily.
Peter was trying to sneak out of the Great Hall when Minerva McGonagall placed a firm hand on his shoulder and turned him round, directing him back to the front of the Great Hall.
“Poor Harry… I just want to give him a big hug…” Barty whined as he glanced at his friends, seeing that Evan and even Regulus had tears slowly falling down their faces.
“Why doesn’t he go to Sirius… He’s Harry’s dogfather…” Regulus sniffled sadly, as Sirius paled at the complication the dreadful Halloween night, could only get worse.
31st October 1981: Sirius Black & Peter Pettigrew.
“Oh fuck. Welcome the Black Family Madness…” Sirius grumbled as Regulus looked up to him, a small smile tugging on his face.
“This clearly isn’t going to end well, if you’re going to try and avenge our bloody deaths Pads.” James sighed running a hand over his face.
“You know, I kind of appreciate it, Siri, but I’m really annoyed you put your feelings above Harry's needs.” Lily lectured him as Sirius glanced down at the table, a tear slipping down his cheeks.
It was muggle street. You could tell just by looking, but at one end of the road, stood Peter Pettigrew, shaking as he looked behind him to see Sirius Black charging down the street towards him.
“PETER FUCKING PETTIGREW” He screamed as he ran, finally standing on the same street corner, Peter turned to him, a malicious glint in his eyes.
“HOW COULD YOU SIRIUS? YOU BETRAYED JAMES AND LILY AND NOW THEY’RE DEAD. HOW COULD YOU?!” Peter shouted as Sirius’ face dropped, missing seeing Peter cut his own finger off before casting a bombarda into the Street, looking up in time just to see Peter turning himself into Wormtail and escaping down the sewer.
The sounds of screaming surrounded Sirius, tonight couldn’t get any worse, surely? That was when he found himself surrounded by ten different aurors. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, as he found himself being restrained he started laughing hysterically, he knew this would not look good at all, when suddenly he was disapparated and shoved into a cell in Azkaban.
“That’s the last time I believe that a Black isn’t like the rest of that bloody family. So many witness statements, there’s no point in giving him a trial.” The head auror grumbled sliding the lock on the cell door into place as Sirius sobbed out.
“It wasn’t me. I swear I’m innocent…”
“Pads…” James grasped his hand, tears escaping his eyes as he hugged his best friend in the whole world tightly.
“No, I swear I’m going to fucking murder that rat. He takes everything I’ve ever loved away from me and I’m supposed to let him get fucking away with it?!” Remus seethed standing up, Peter squeaked from where he was being held in place by McGonagall, who herself was ready to attack the cowardly lion.
“I… They put me in Azkaban without a trial… just- just because of my name?” Sirius groaned running a hand through his thick black hair.
“It’s bonkers…” Regulus groaned.
1st November 1981 - Mary MacDonald & Remus Lupin.
“Oh bugger…” Remus groaned, dreading what was going to become of him.
“Hello, Remus?” Remus was seen holding a muggle telephone to his ear, he looked exceptionally drained and tired.
“It’s me Mary, are you okay?”
“Oh Remus… something awful’s happened.”
The sound muffled out as Remus slid down the wall, tears rapidly falling from his eyes as he struggled to breathe, hanging up the phone, he hung his head, staring at the floor beneath him.
“I’m all alone.”
Mary MacDonald sat in her home, tears rushing down her face as she placed the phone down, she looked at a photograph in front of her, Lily, Marlene, Dorcas and herself, not long after they graduated from Hogwarts.
Her hands shook as she picked up her wand and held to her head. “Obliviate.” She whispered, not wanting to go through this anymore.
“Shit…” The Great Hall was silent as Mary cried softly into Marlene’s shoulder, Remus gripping Sirius and James’ hands in his own, wanting to feel them, to ground himself before he rounded on Peter once more.
“We’re not a very lucky bunch are we…” Evan mumbled as he glanced around at all the horrified faces in the Great Hall that afternoon. The silence soon turned to horror once again as one last sentence landed on the screen.
In November of 1981, Harry Potter was left on his muggle relatives doorstep. A few months later, Frank and Alice Longbottom were tortured to insanity by a group of death eaters, who believed the couple to know the whereabouts of their leader. Barty Crouch Jr was one of those responsible.
Barty paled quickly as he glanced to the two Gryffindors tears rushing down his cheeks. “I’m so sorry… I- I never would dream of hurting you…”
Frank smiled at the young boy sadly, as Alice glanced at him, actually feeling sorry for him. “Remember Barty, this future doesn’t have to happen. You can make better choices this time around.” Frank spoke as Barty nodded quickly, he would never sink so low as to hurt people especially when they had a very cute baby.
“Okay. That is supposedly how Hari lands on the doorstep that night… I think we should get to know the small Potter a bit better don’t you? Apparently we’re going into 1991, just before his eleventh birthday…” Albus smiled, as the chatter rose up again, as people wondered what the young Potter would be like at ten years old, but Barty was sure he would still be adorable.