james gets some bad news
Tears shine in the eyes of the Blacks, they hold on---do not show weakness in front of outsiders---they try. It's hard to cover your grief when eyes scrutinize you, looking for a sign that you are affected and that maybe you too are a human.
Black Madness grips Bellatrix as she cackles in disbelief scaring people around her--- Regulus stares at the screen disconnected from reality, as he witnesses his own death.
Sirius inhales sharply to contain his sobs, his grip on Prongs the only thing keeping him afloat, as he stares hard at his little brother to stop himself from falling into the dark abyss of grief and losing his sanity---to remind himself his Reggie is alive.
Narcissa's hand comes up to her mouth and she pales rapidly. She clenches her eyes shut tight once and then opens them---composed again but Andromeda can feel the tremors in her hands as she holds them. They both tremble but do not show any weakness.
Melania and Arcturus both hold on to each other, pale but stoic in their grief.
Walhurga wails, breaking the facade of the perfect lady, she cries and cries and cries in the arms of her husband who holds her tightly to support her and himself.
Barty, Rabastan, and Evans hug Regulus as tears fall from their eyes, hurt beyond belief on behalf of the friend they loved.
Yet, the screen does not stop for the grieving, does not give them time to mourn. It flashes through a series of murders and funerals of Marlene Mckinnon, Mary Mcdonald, Emmeline Vance, Evans Rosier, Corvus Lestrange, and Melania Black, and stops at the image of a crying James Potter holding a rose in his hand, standing in front of a grave.
Arcturus Black hears his heart breaking into shards and feels them cut his soul as he remembers the glimpse given by the screen of his beloved's funeral. He reaches out to feel the hand next to him, anything to ground him to reality, to make his heart believe that Mel is alive.
Marlene and Mary still in horror, at the scene of their own deaths, of possible future. Lily brings both her friends into a hug as they shake in her embrace.
Evan breathes in sharply at his brutal murder, he glances at his pale friends puts on a smile, and whistles lowly, "Guess I go down with a bang. Invite strippers to my funeral, Rab."
Rabastian chuckles wetly, unable to believe Evan would joke at a time like this. His father's burning body was still in his mind.
Others near him laugh a bit too.
The environment lightens up a bit, before sobering up again.
Rodolphus sits stone-faced, eyes fixed on the screen, lest he breaks his emotionless facade and starts sobbing.
Orion Black and Corvus Lestrange seem to be in a trance, Abraxas Malfoy laughs mockingly in his mind, Is this the greatness you promised, Tom? The future where we will be accepted and not scorned for our dark magic? Where no wizard will ever suffer at the hands of a muggle?
James wonders who else he will lose.
The tears do not stop falling, from James' eyes, but the somber background music stops abruptly. A female voice narrates the story further.
The voice: There are no victors in wars, only victims.
The image zooms in once towards the gravestone showing the name LILY EVANS on it, beneath which in cursive script stand the words, Always.
Severus chokes on his sob, his dearest friend, his unrequited love, dead.
Lily lets out a strangled cry at the site of her grave, Marlene and Mary supporting her as she did them.
James looks at the screen, his mind at war with itself.(---dead, his lily flower dead, his love of the life gone---) (--remember her deceit boy, why are you crying on the grave of that---)
Sirius still reeling from the death of his brother, puts a hand on Prong's thigh and squeezes it gently.
The screen blacks out, before it turns on again and shows a printing press with headlines more incriminating than the previous one by one.
SIRIUS BLACK--YOU KNOW WHO'S SUSPECTED RIGHT-HAND MAN, TO RECEIVE TRIAL FOR MURDER IF 13 MUGGLES AND BETRAYAL OF POTTER'S SECRET
"WHAT? SIRIUS? RIGHT HAND OF THE DARK LORD? MURDER OF 13 MUGGLES? MY BROTHER SIRIUS?"Regulus breaks his pureblood mask and laughs hysterically at the absurdity of the notion.
Barty laughs awkwardly and puts a gentle hand on Regulus' shoulder, "Are you alright there, mate?"
"Oh yes, Absolutely. Not like the screen just bloody told me Sirius committed murder! Arson would have been more believable, but murder, seriously?!"
The Blacks sit in disbelief.
Sirius wonders, what the hell did he do? He would never---could never betray Prongs! They were blood-bonded brothers, his vows would not allow such betrayal. Murder? Was a bit believable-- but muggles? Nah! He would have killed Death Eaters, instead.
The rest of the Marauders stare at the screen in disbelief.
POTTERS DEAD---ASTER POTTER the girl who lived ENDS THE DARK LORD'S REIGN!
Dorea gasps, a hand going on her mouth as the sentence repeats itself in her mind. Charlus holds her close as he tries to keep his composure.
Sirius looks heartbroken, to be lost at hearing about one after one subsequent loss of his loved ones.
The wolf in Remus' head howls in grief, at the possible death of his pack mate.
Peter tries and tries to ignore the outside world as his world collapses onto itself, unbelieving that Prings could die and leave them, him all alone.
"At least Aster lives." James muses trying to be optimistic.
IS THIS THE END OF THE ANCIENT AND NOBLE HOUSE OF BLACKS? REGULUS BLACK MIA, SIRIUS BLACK, BELLATRIX LESTRANGE IN AZKABAN.
Some rejoice at the family's demise, thinking that they got their due.
Bellatrix Black laughs out mockingly, she knew someday an Azkaban cell awaited her, but so soon?
Orion Black wants to cry for his sons but somewhere he sighs in relief, the Blacks still have an heir and a spare, both of whom will find a way to free Sirius and Bella.
Rodolphus can only focus on the fact that Bellatrix has Lestrange as her surname which means two things, number one they were married, and number two he had to deal with her cackling and insanity for his whole lifetime.
THE START OF A NEW ERA---YOU KNOW WHO DEFEATED BY ASTER POTTER the girl who lived! THE MINISTRY INAUGURATED A NEW STATUE IN HONOR OF WAR HEROES JAMES POTTER AND LILY EVANS, DUMBLEDORE TO CUT THE RIBBON.
"My daughter defeats the Dark Lord as a baby?" James said dumbstruck, "Mum she got your genes!"
Dorea lets out a nervous giggle, "James darling, be quiet!"
Charlus smiles, choosing to deliberately ignore the news of his family's possible demise.
LEATRANGE BROTHERS IN AZKABAN ---TRIAL AWAITED. LUCIUS MALFOY CLAIMS IMPERIOUS CURSE AND SAYS HE WAS BRAINWASHED.
Abraxas glares at his son, quite vexed about the family name being dirtied.
"Malfoys do not serve, Lucius!" He reprimanded the boy.
Lucius looks as if he would be anywhere but there as his father humiliates him in front of his peers.
Corvus clutches his heart in despair at the thought of his sons in Azkaban, his legacy---gone.
Rabastan and Rodolphus do not say anything, They watch the news in silence for once at a loss of words.
BARTY CROUCH SR. PREACHES FOR AMENDMENT SAY ANYONE WITH DARK MARK IS A TERRORIST NO NEED FOR TRIAL, SAYS SIRIUS BLACK WAS CAUGHT REDHANDED.
IS THIS THE END OF NOBLE HOUSES? BONES EXTINCT, ONLY TWO MEMBERS ALIVE. POTTERS DEAD, LONGBOTTOMS TORTURED TO INSANITY, MCKINNON LINE ENDS, BLACKS IN PRISON, MALFOYS SUSPECTS, LESTRANGE IN AZKABAN, OTHERS SUFFER CAUSALITIES.
The hall sits in disbelief, Frank pales in his seat as he glances at his equally anguished mother.
Amelia and Edgar Bones look at each other with helplessness.
The screen blackens once before showing a cottage:
THREE months before,
Location Unknown, Godric's Hallows.
James Potter is shown sitting angrily at the dining table. His fists clenched and eyes furious.
Sirius whistles, "What pissed you off so bad, mate?"
James shrugs.
The camera zooms in on medical test results which in bold words states the most devastating nightmare of any wizard or witch.
TRACES OF AMORTENTIA DETECTED
Many of the audience inhale sharply, Who dared to drug a Lord?
The Potters seethe in anger at the sheer daring of someone to potion their heir.
James looks ready to faint.
Sirius' and Remus' eyes darken, and Peter sits with anger clear in his eyes.
"We will kill them, They will cry tears of blood for harming you, brother. Just say the word and their life will be forfeit." Sirius says with a threat clear in his voice while his fellow Marauders nod in agreement.
People cannot help but stare at him, reminded of the fact that even though he is a lion, Sirius is still a Black.
Bellatrix cackles in glee, "Itty Bitty Siri finally grew up!"
While Lily looks panicked and loses any color left on her face, no one seems to notice her except two pairs of eyes that stare at her with varying emotions, one with distress and the other with anger.
The camera shifts to the heartbroken look on James' face, as he stands up and throws the tea cups on the table in anger.
James Potter: I loved her! No, this cannot be true, no no no. Lily won't do this. She can't. The report--the report is false, it has to be.
His hands shake, and he falls on the floor in despair. Then the sobbing starts and it is the most heartbreaking thing ever, to witness James Potter breaking into pieces.
Lily if possible pales even more as every eye in the hall turns to her in disgust and fury. Lily Evans? Goody two shoes?---they could not believe their ears.
She frantically shakes her head, "I didn't! It's not possible! I would never....No No No the report must be a lie! It must be."
Marlene and Mary shift away from her, their expression warring between disbelief and betrayal.
Sirius tries to lunge towards Lily, ready to strangle her with his bare hands. Only to be stopped by a hand on his shoulder, he turns to meet eyes with his best friend, his dear Prongs whose eyes were cold. Too cold.
"Leave her be, she will get her due, soon."
Severus watches the proceedings in silence to stunned to say anything.
Remus tries to control his wolf, but in the end a growl from his mouth scares the shit out of the audience.
A child's giggles can be heard from the room upstairs.
Aster: Dada!
Aster, they realize. Born of love potion, their mind whispers in heartbreak.
James Potter realizes his daughter is coming down so he wipes his tears, and stands up his eyes are cold now. Too cold. Not the warm brown shining with mischief that the audience was used to.
James Potter: You will pay, Evans.
He promises. Before his expression changes to his loving one.
They feel a chill down their spines. Afraid for Lily, despite themselves.
Dorea smiles a terrible terrible smile, which scares the ones sitting near her. Except her husband who is shaking in fury still.
The scene is changed to the night of Halloween.
The carnival is in full swing when a dark figure, stalks through the crowd, children stare at him in fear and awe, thinking his attire is a costume.
He pays attention to none.
He stops before the door to the cottage and removes his hood. The face that is revealed his devastatingly stunning, but his red eyes shine with manic light and his expression is of evil intent.
He tries to step forward but the wards hinder him.
Caption on the screen reads: THE DARK LORD.
LORD VOLDEMORT: As if these pesky wards will stop me.
Remus holds James in panic, while Sirius stares from under his lashes at the audience and carefully makes a note of every face that shows even a hint of delight.
INT COTTAGE
James is shown cooing to his daughter as the toddler laughs.
Narcissa sighs at the scene, hoping that happiness can last forever.
James smiles at himself with his daughter but his eyes are conflicted.
An explosion is heard outside and he stiffens.
Aster looks confused, she reaches out to her father.
Aster: Dada?
James Potter: Dada loves you, Bambi, he loves you very much.
He kisses his daughter on the forehead.
James Potter(whispers to himself): He is here.
James Potter(shouts): LILY he is here! Take Aster and run!
"Why did you let her take your daughter?"
James ignores them, too deeply in the movie.
Lily Evans appears, looking as if she had just left the bed. Her expression is full of panic as she hears what James said before it smooths into realization. She nods curtly with determination-filled eyes.
Lily Evans: The preparation is done, he will rue the day, he decided to kill our daughter.
James smiles and it is not a good one, it is the one that makes you paranoid about the mischief he had planned and makes you rethink every one of your decisions.
James Potter: Oh, he will. Go now---keep her safe. Do not make me regret my decision.
Lily Evans: No, I have dealt my hand and done my part, It's you she needs the most. Forgive me, James, for my sins, I am sorry.
James Potter: What---
She throws a snitch at him and he catches it by reflex.
And James Potter disappears from the cottage with a loud NO, leaving nothing behind.
"What did you do?" A Ravenclaw whispers.
People shush him, too eager to see what is to come.
Lily Evans(smiles): This is my penance, James. This is my redemption.
She inserts magic in a rune drawn on the table and a replica of James Potter appears in front of her. He looks emotionless.
Lily Evans: You will do. Go downstairs, act with fear and surprise when he shows up.
The audience sits in disbelief, what is she trying to do?
Lily herself is shocked.
Aster: Mama! Look doll-Dada!
Lily smiles lovingly at her before picking her up and placing her in a crib.
Lily Evans (indulgently): Yes darling.
Aster looks fascinated as Lily proceeds to cut her finder with a ritual dagger and write ruins with blood around the crib. Ruins that disappeared once written.
Lily: Remember darling, you are loved. Mama loves you.
"Dark Magic!" Mclaggen shrieks horrified.
Light families look at her in disgust, while the darker and neutral ones in reluctant approval.
Though everyone knows one thing, Hell hath no fury than a mother scorned.
James Potter smiles, if she saves his daughter---he will forgive her. He will not forget her transgressions but he will forgive them.
Lily's expression ranges between horror and pride.
The wards finally break and the Dark Lord steps in the house. His wand pointed at the residents.
His eyes drift to James Potter first who looks at him him barely hidden surprise and fear.
James looks offended as he turns to Lily, "I do not fear him! I would rather punch him."
Lily looks surprised before reluctantly nodding her head.
Sirius pats his best mates back, "You go, mate!"
Remus and Dorea look exasperated, while Charlus tries and fails to hide his pride.
The audience sighs, Only Potter!
Voldemort does give him any further chance to say anything at all, and a green light comes out of his wand and hits him right in the chest.
He falls dead on the ground.
The dark lord pays him no mind as he moves forward and starts climbing the stairs, towards the only room which has its lights on.
Voldemort(to himself): Foolish Mudblood.
Lily smirks at that, you are the one who is foolish if you believe I will let you harm my daughter.
The audience watches in trepidation as he enters the room where Aster and Lily are.
The screen shows Lily's terrified but determined face as she hides a crying Aster behind her.
Voldemort: Step aside, mudblood and you will be spared.
The followers of dark lord question their decision as they look at each other in confusion, he killed a pureblood then why is he sparing a mudblood?
He is a hypocrite, Regulus muses.
Lily Evans (begs): Let it be me, spare my daughter! Kill me instead!
Lord Voldemort (a little irritated): Step aside foolish girl.
He asks a second time?
Lily Evans does not falter she looks at him with desperation and asks him.
Lily Evans: Please kill me instead!
Lily Evans(in her mind): Come on, darklord. Ask me to step aside once more and the ritual will be finished.
But will he ask once more?
Lord Voldemort (irritated): Step aside, you filthy mudblood.
He asked a third time?
Lily Evans: Spare her, Please.
This time Lord Voldemort does not ask instead he points his wand at her.
Lord Voldemort: Avada Kedavara.
Snape cries out suddenly shocking everyone, "Not Lily! Please, anyone but her."
Everyone stares in shock as Lily Evans falls dead.
The Dark Lord steps over the fallen witch and points his wand at Aster, unaware of the shield that has formed in between him and her unaware, unaware her mother's protection would not leave her.
Lord Voldemort (laughs mockingly): You? You were my prophesied defeat?
Everyone looks scared for the child, not knowing for sure if the ritual will work against the killing curse.
"A Prophecy?" Regulus' eyes glint with intelligence as he tries to piece the information together
He points his wand at her forehead and whispers the killing curse with glee. Only for it to turn into horror as the girl claps her hands in delight instead as the Killing Curse rebounds and hits him instead.
Lord Voldemort disappears and the only thing left of him is a wraith that screams as it vanishes.
The screen blackens but the voice that narrated the previous events returns.
The voice: The world will claim it was Aster Potter who defeated the Dark Lord and ended his reign of terror but only few will know it was Lily Evans, a muggleborn---a newblood, who embraced her culture to protect her daughter. It was a mother who brought forth the demise of the dark lord!
People forget her previous crime as they cheer for Lily and look at her with admiration. They cry for her too, her image changing from a criminal to a martyr in their minds.