oracle of delphi
The Dark Lord, through Alecto Carrow’s deplorable habit of hanging in seedy taverns, finds out about a prophecy.
“The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other, for neither can live while the other survives... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…”
He is livid - he stomps about the Malfoy Manor, muttering of his intent to kill anyone the prophecy may refer to.
Blair curses Sybill Trelawney. The old hag never predicted anything correctly when they were at school together, why should she know?
Blair also curses the Dark Lord. The fool has put his stock in the prophecy. Hasn’t he already figured out that intent trumps other, minor forms of magic?
Regardless, she heads to Order headquarters right away. She knows exactly who the prophecy may be referring to.
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Frank and Alice Longbottom decide to hide in an undisclosed location, with Augusta Longbottom as their secret keeper. The formidable woman would do anything to protect her son and grandson.
James and Lily Potter, on the other hand, decide to hide at the Order Headquarters.
“This place is already protected by a Fidelius charm, with Dumbledore as the secret keeper,” James reasons. “Besides, I very well can’t let Lord Black be my secret keeper, can I? The Wizengamot needs him.” He throws a saucy wink at Sirius.
“I know this is a risk,” Lily tells Blair with grim determination. “But it’s a calculated one. Besides, I want to help end this war. I can’t very well do that away from headquarters, can I?”
Blair wonders then why this woman wasn’t sorted into Slytherin.
Blair is apprehensive at the Potters and the Malfoys sharing a home, as is the rest of the Order. James and Lucius studiously ignore each other, only minding each other to throw in the occasional barb. Narcissa is wary of Lily, likely remembering her icy tone at the Black Manor. Lily, quite frankly, doesn’t care, and proceeds to work furiously on finding the next Horcrux.
Strangely enough, it is Draco and Harry showing a united front that brokers the peace between the two families. When their parents are busy, they are kept in a playpen in the library of Grimmauld. The two boys immediately take to one another and quickly become fast friends.
One evening, as Lily bends over to pick up Harry, Draco bats her with a toy and shouts angrily, “No! Mine!”
“Yes!” Harry beams, holding out his chubby hands toward Draco. Their first words.
Lily and Narcissa share a wide-eyed look and start laughing. All of a sudden, the women are embracing, Cissa close to tears.
Blair grins. As they say, war does indeed make for strange bedfellows.