Chapter 7
AU / Same world as all of my previous stories.
The world and the characters in it belongs to J.K. Rowling
AN: This story will be a multi-chapter one, I don t know how long or how frequently will I update but I will try not to finish on a cliffhanger. If you got any constructive criticism feel free to share it.
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Lily Evans hurried down the staircase, her heart pounding with full of worry about the danger they are in. Beside her, her sister Petunia followed, her face etched with concern for her sister. They reached the bottom of the stairs just as James Potter was about to leave, dressed in his running gear.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, James?" Lily's voice was sharp with anxiety. "We're in danger, and you're going for a run?" James flashed her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Lily. It's just a quick one. Besides, it's late, and I could use the fresh air."
Petunia stepped forward, her disapproval evident. "You shouldn't be leaving at all, James. It's not safe out there. What if somebody sees you?"
James shook his head, his messy hair tousled. "I promise I will be careful and I won't use any magic Just need to clear my head a bit." Lily sighed, knowing she couldn't stop him. "Fine, but hurry back." Lily and Petunia exchanged worried glances before heading back upstairs, where the cries of their baby son, Harry, echoed through the house.
As James left and closed the door behind him, he didn't notice the two shadowy figures emerging on the other side of the road. The two figures began to make their way towards the house. One of them was Peter Pettigrew, his rat-like features twisted in fear. Beside him loomed the dark, menacing figure of Lord Voldemort.
"Are you sure this is the place, Pettigrew?" Voldemort's voice was cold and commanding.
Pettigrew nodded, his voice trembling. "Yes, my Lord. This is the house where the Potters are hiding."A cruel smile crossed Voldemort's lips as he advanced towards the house, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. Lily and Petunia had no idea of the danger that was about to descend upon them, and as they tended to Harry upstairs, the shadows of the past crept ever closer, threatening to shatter their world once and for all.
Voldemort's steps echoed through the dimly lit hallway of the Potter household as he made his way upstairs. Pettigrew, trembling with fear, followed closely behind, his heart pounding in his chest.
As they reached the top of the stairs, the faint sound of a woman's voice drifted through the air, sending a chill down Pettigrew's spine. He knew that voice all too well it was Lily Potter, the woman who dared to defy him. With a flick of his wand, Voldemort pushed open the door to Harry's nursery, his crimson eyes gleaming with malice. There, standing in the center of the room, was Lily Potter, her emerald eyes blazing with defiance as she held her baby son close to her chest.
"Where is James Potter?" Voldemort hissed, his voice dripping with venom.
Lily's heart pounded in her chest, but she refused to show any sign of fear. "Go to hell," she spat, her voice ringing out with unwavering determination.
Enraged, Voldemort raised his wand, preparing to unleash the Killing Curse upon mother and child. Just as he uttered the incantation, a figure leaped into the path of the deadly spell. It was Petunia, her face pale with terror as she threw herself in front of her sister and nephew, a desperate act of bravery in the face of unimaginable evil.
In that moment, a blinding white light filled the room, illuminating the darkness with its radiant glow. Lily shielded her eyes, unable to comprehend what was happening. And when the light finally faded, Petunia lay on the ground, her lifeless body a testament to her sacrifice. And beside her, Voldemort lay defeated, his once-powerful form now nothing more than a mere shell of its former self. Pettigrew seeing this unfold quickly apparated away in panic.
Lily gasped in disbelief, tears streaming down her cheeks as she realized what had just happened. They had been saved by the most unlikely of heroes her own sister, Petunia. As she cradled her son in her arms, Lily knew that they owed their lives to Petunia's selfless act of courage.
The room was bathed in an eerie silence broken only by Lily's ragged breaths and the soft cooing of baby Harry. She knelt beside Petunia's lifeless form, her heart heavy with sorrow and gratitude. Tears flowed freely down Lily's cheeks as she gently brushed a strand of hair away from her sister's face.
But amidst the sorrow, there was also a sense of relief. Voldemort, the dark wizard who had haunted their lives for so long, lay defeated at last. His once-terrifying form now lay motionless on the floor, stripped of its power by Petunia's sacrifice. Lily held Harry closer, feeling the warmth of his tiny body against her own. He was safe now, thanks to Petunia's bravery.
Petunia have been an unlikely hero, but in that moment, she had shown more courage than her sister could have imagined. With a heavy heart, Lily rose to her feet, cradling Harry in her arms.
In the nursery, the air hung heavy with an eerie silence broken only by Lily's desperate cries. Her voice pierced through the stillness, echoing off the walls as she knelt beside the lifeless form of her sister, Petunia. Tears streamed down Lily's face, her anguish palpable as she reached out to touch Petunia's cold hand.
The sound of hurried footsteps thundered up the stairs, James Potter's heart racing with fear and dread. With each step, his mind raced through the possibilities of what could have happened. As he burst into the nursery, his eyes widened in horror at the sight before , sprawled on the floor, lay two bodies. One, unmistakably Petunia, her once vibrant features now frozen in death. The other, the dark and twisted form of Voldemort, his lifeless eyes staring blankly into nothingness. James felt a chill run down his spine at the sight of their fallen enemy, a mix of relief and disbelief washing over him.
But his attention was quickly drawn to Lily, her figure hunched over in grief beside Petunia. Harry, their infant son, in her hand, his innocent eyes wide with confusion and fear. James' heart shattered at the sight of his wife and child in such agony.
Rushing to Lily's side, James enveloped her in his arms, offering what little comfort he could in the face of such tragedy. Lily's voice trembled as she turned to James, her eyes pleading for guidance amidst the chaos that surrounded them. "James, what do we do now?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
James took a deep breath, his mind racing as he considered their options. "We need to inform Dumbledore," he replied, his tone resolute despite the uncertainty that gnawed at him.
With a nod of understanding, Lily reached for the wand, her fingers trembling as she cast the patronus spell, and sent her doe to Hogwarts. The seconds stretched into eternity as Lily and James waited anxiously, their hearts pounding in their chests. Finally, the familiar voice of Dumbledore appeared in front of the pair, his calm demeanour a soothing balm in the midst of turmoil. Dumbledore's eyes widened in shock as he took in the scene before him, his gaze moving from the lifeless form of Voldemort to the solemn figures of Lily and James. A heavy silence hung in the air, broken only by the sound of their uneven breaths.
"Lily, James, what is this?" Dumbledore's voice was filled with concern, his usually calm demeanor tinged with a sense of urgency.
"We... we've had an incident," James began, his voice trembling with emotion. "Voldemort... he's... he's dead. And Petunia... she's gone too."
Dumbledore's expression darkened at the mention of Voldemort's demise, a mixture of relief and apprehension flickering in his eyes. "How did this happen?" he asked, his voice low and grave.
Lily's voice quivered as she recounted the events that had unfolded, her words tumbling out in a rush of fear and sorrow. She described the sudden intrusion, the confrontation, and the desperate struggle that had ensued, culminating in the defeat of their greatest enemy.
As she spoke, Dumbledore listened intently, his features drawn into a mask of solemn contemplation. He knew that while Voldemort's defeat was a victory for their side, it also heralded a new chapter of uncertainty and peril.
Once Lily had finished recounting the events, Dumbledore turned to James and Lily, his gaze piercing yet compassionate. "You have faced a great evil and emerged victorious," he said, his voice resonating with quiet strength. "But the battle is far from over. We must remain vigilant, for darkness still lingers in the shadows."
James, with furrowed brows, turned to the wise and venerable Albus Dumbledore, seeking guidance in the wake of what He heard from the old man. "What did you mean, Albus?" he inquired, his voice heavy with concern. "Isn't it truly over now that the Dark Lord has fallen?"
Dumbledore, his piercing blue eyes filled with both wisdom and sorrow, regarded the young couple with a gentle smile. "My dear James, Lily," he began, his voice carrying the weight of years of knowledge and experience, "the threat of Voldemort may have subsided for now, but the darkness within him is not so easily vanquished."
Lily gasped, her emerald eyes widening in shock. "You mean to say... Harry's scar, that just formed" she trailed off, her hand instinctively reaching for her son's forehead, where a lightning-shaped scar marred his smooth skin.
"Yes, my dear Lily," Dumbledore confirmed solemnly. "The connection between Harry and Voldemort runs deeper than any of us could have imagined. Voldemort's soul, torn asunder by his own dark magic, has left its mark on Harry."
James' jaw tightened with determination as he turned to Dumbledore once more. "What do we do now, Albus? How can we protect our son from this... This curse?"
Dumbledore's expression softened with reassurance as he placed a comforting hand on James' shoulder. "Fear not, my dear friends. Though the road ahead may be fraught with danger, I shall not leave you to face it alone. Together, we shall devise a plan to safeguard Harry and ensure that the light triumphs over darkness once more."
Aldus's words hung in the air, a beacon of hope amidst the uncertainty. Lily's grip tightened around Harry, her love and determination unwavering. "We'll do whatever it takes, Albus. Our son will not fall victim to Voldemort's darkness."
James nodded in agreement, his resolve mirrored in his eyes. "We trust in you, Albus. Lead the way, and we'll follow."
Dumbledore's gaze softened with gratitude as he looked upon the courageous family before him. "First, we must strengthen the protections around Harry. Once He is old enough Hogwarts will be the safest place for him, surrounded by loyal friends and skilled witches and wizards. But we must protect him till then and also need to delve deeper into this connection between Harry and Voldemort. There may be ways to weaken it, to give Harry the upper hand."