October 31st
October 31st 1981
A threat was imminent. That was one thing they were sure of. It had been just over a year now since Dumbledore told them to prepare for a battle at their homes. Their children were now a year old and yet nothing had happened. Friendships were falling apart at the seams, Remus, Sirius and James were constantly undermining each other. Sirius was losing trust in an ever doubting remus and James didnt know who to stickby, not wanting either of his best mates to hate him, Peter just observed on from the sidelines. Both Longbottoms and Potters were under fidelius, secret keepers the only thing keeping them safe. No one was really sure just who the target child was.
In the darkness it was all too calm on that halloween night. Suspiciously calm. Distant sounds of muggle children in costumes passing near Godrics Hollow unaware of the threat to come.
At precisely ten thirty pm Dumbledore and the surrounding order were made aware of the broken fidelius charm, however it was for the Longbottom house, shocking Dumbledore.
Surely the potters would have been hit first. Not having long enough to dwell on that slight hiccup the order members consisting of Moody, Sirius and Kingsley Shacklebolt made their way to Longbottom manor.
At that very moment Godrics hollow was quickly hit.
Before any party arrived at either location, it was all over. The Potters were dead. Longbottoms had already descended into madness. At both locations destroyed rooms were ever present, more so at the Potters whose house was nothing but the bones of the structure compared to the ancient Longbottom manor. Two screaming baby boys, both scared and scarred. In both rooms just before their cribs were very similar black cloaks. rooms practically bellowing out dark magic.
Dumbledore examined both boys and both locations. The order staring on waiting for just who had seemingly destroyed the dark lord as to dumbledore's previous statements. Dumbledore was stumped, although he hid that fact rather well from the audience staring him down. The Longbottom manor was practically intact, surely only one or so wizards would have done such damage. Godrics hollow was no more, a group of no less than four could have done such damage and surely voldemort wouldn’t have wanted such a huge audience when fulfilling his prophecy. With that in mind he turned to an awaiting group and declared with great confidence
“Neville Longbottom is the boy who lived, he has single handedly defeated voldemort and walked away with nothing but a scar. we must get him looked over and inform his grandmother that she is now the guardian of young Neville and inform her of what is to come immediately” no one dared speak against him just as he knew they wouldn't, he would keep an eye on young Neville and make sure he is molded into the boy he needs. Augusta Longbottom will understand completely. With Neville in his arms he turns to walk, however he is stopped in his tracks suddenly by a fidgety Sirius black. “Dumbledore, what about Harry?” It was then that Dumbledore remembered that the other child was still here, as compared to Neville who was still sobbing, Harry was completely silent and had apparently fell to sleep in the time it had taken for him to come to his decision. Sirius was the boys godfather, this he knew and the man was obviously eager to take the boy home. He couldn't have that. He needed Sirius’ undivided attention on Neville so he could help him craft himself into the smart boy he will need, no Harry needs to go. “Sirius I understand you are willing to take the boy in but that sadly isn't possible” he said with an uneasy amount of calmness despite the situation. “What!!” Sirius nearly screamed,stopping as the boy in his arms moved slightly “what do you mean Albus? im his godfather he needs me, James and Lily wanted me to have him if this very thing happened and it has so he's mine” Of course this wouldn't be easy for Sirius Dumbledore knew that but that didn't matter right now. “Sirius you are a smart young man, think. Peter, was James and lily's secret keeper, he has betrayed us all and he is out there. Surely James would want you to use your position as an auror to make sure Peter goes to azkaban? you must think straight my boy. your job and the order are far too dangerous for you to also look after a child at this minute, what with your friends dying,remus off conversing with packs, it is simply far too unsafe for such a young boy”
Dumbledore's eyes didn't move from Sirius although he could practically feel the comments and stares by the surrounding members. Sirius sighed “your right. I know you are but what other choice is there?” slowly moving his eyes from young Harry's frame to meet Dumbledore's eyes. “give him to me my boy, I will take him to Lily's sister. In the muggle world he will be far from danger and no one will dare to look for him if he is with muggles, you know it would never cross the pureblood death eaters minds. give him to me and you and minerva take neville. I assure you I will watch over him and he will be safe Sirius'' slowly he moved his arm to grab his wand and sent a wordless patronus message to Minerva. Within a couple of minutes and silence surrounding them all Minerva arrived, her face tear stained the likes of which were only visible by the puffiness of her eyes which strictly contrasted her blank expression. “You better know what you're doing here Albus” she said quietly taking the still crying Neville into her arms. Beckoning for young Harry to be passed to him and without turning to face Minerva he tried to reassure them all. “I know what I am doing. I can assure you all, this is what is in the best interest of not only the boys themselves but the order and the wizarding world also” no one dared doubt him, not with his experience from the past war but because of his reassuring energy. With a smile he set forward into action. “Sirius, Minerva both of you take young Neville and get him looked over and make sure there is no damage to him and contact his grandmother and inform her of the passing of her son and daughter in law and make her aware of our next moves” they both solemnly nodded. “The rest of you meet and inform the others and make it known to everyone. Voldemort is dead and its all thanks to Neville Longbottom. the boy who lived. I will deliver Harry to his relatives and inform them of his situation and place some wards on his new home. Understood?” he asked despite knowing they'd all go forward with their previously confirmed plans,even if they didn't agree with him. They all nodded and started disapperating leaving Dumbledore alone with Harry after a slow goodbye from Sirius.
They were alone. He looked over young Harry, the gash on his forehead would surely scar but he was otherwise unharmed, lucky boy. Transfiguring a small plant pot from some muggle's garden into a basket big enough to hold the baby, he made his way to the location of Lily's sister's house. The street was unsuspecting and incredibly plain to any wizard's standards but it was incredibly far from any magical town so it was definitely a good place for the child. Walking quietly to the front door he placed young Harry upon the front step. He quietly wrote a brief note to place upon the sleeping child to properly inform his new guardians of everything he quickly and as quietly as he came vanished. The boy would be fine, he had bigger worries to think of than an orphan.
No one on the street or inside the house young Harry had been placed in front of knew what had just happened that night or of the basket on number Four Privet Drive's doorstep. Maybe they never would.