Interlude
It had been seventeen years since Harry had gone missing. Seventeen years since James and Lily had been captured by Voldemort. They didn’t know what had happened. They had left Harry sleeping in their room, while they had dinner down stairs. Lily had felt the charm go off as Harry was waking and James had felt the wards go down.
He knew it was Voldemort and had told Lily to go get Harry. He had tried to fight him, but Voldemort had hit him with a dark hex leaving him wounded. He had heard Lily scream, but couldn’t go to help her as Voldemort made his way up the stairs.
He had been in so much pain that he had blacked out. He then found himself in a cell. Lily not too far from his. Lily had said that when she had gone to the room Harry wasn’t there. She had checked everywhere before Voldemort made his way to her.
James had found out that the hex was actually a curse that affected his legs. He had lost the use in his left leg. He would have to get it removed if he ever got out. They did not receive much news, but they did know that Dumbledore is dead and he had tried to use Neville Longbottom as the prophecy child.
It did not go well.
They did not know what happened to the others, or where they were. A loud thud brought him out of his thoughts. There were a few rushed footsteps coming down the stairs.
“Malfoy, what are you doing?” James asked as, the once proud, Lucius unlocked his cell. The man looked horrible. What had happened since they were down here?
Lucius looked haggard and unkempt.
“I am getting you and your wife out of here.” Lucius said.
“James.” Lily called out as she went to them.
“We need to go. He’ll be here any moment.” A younger voice said. James looked from his wife to see what looked like Lucius’ son, Draco.
“Where are you taking us?” Lily asked from James’ side.
“A safe house. After Narcissa died, Severus, Draco and I have been spying for the Order.” Lucius replied.
“I have temporarily cut off the wards so that we can portkey to the safe house.” Lucius continued. The couple looked to each other and nodded. They will trust Lucius. They needed someone to trust.
“Alright. I am sorry to hear about Narcissa.” James said sincerely. It would’ve been hard for him if he had lost Lily.
Lucius only nodded as he pulled out a book. He held it out and the others grabbed a hold of it.
“Sphinx.” Lucius said before they felt a pull. They landed outside of a campsite. James would’ve fell if Lily hadn’t have held on to him. They looked around and saw dozens of tents.
“We couldn’t find anywhere big enough for everyone. He had already taken control of Hogwarts. We got out every student we could. Those we couldn’t get to, are doing well to spy for us.” Lucius said. He led them to a tent and when they went in, they saw it was an infirmary.
“Madame Pomfrey.” Draco called out.
“Yes, what…. Oh dear. Lily, James. Come, come. Let me take a look at both of you.” Madame Pomfrey said with tears. She had lost hope that she would see them again. She had heard that little Harry had went missing, but nothing was said about the couple.
She had spent two hours looking over the both of them. She had to give them several potions that would help them get on the right track. There was nothing she could do for James’ leg. It would have to be amputated.
They turned when the tent opened.
“Lily, James.”
Both lit up when they saw Remus and Sirius. Madame Pomfrey had left them with a smile on her face.
“We thought he had killed you both.” Remus said. He looked awful.
“We’re mostly fine, Remi.” James said.
“Where’s Harry?” Sirius asked after having checked them over for himself.
“We don’t know. We had left him upstairs sleeping in our room and when Lily went to get him, he was gone.” James replied. His heart ached for his son. He could tell it was the same for Lily. Their only son. They had tried so hard for a child ever since they were married. It had been a hard two years. They had tried everything. It was on their last try that they were successful and Harry came along. They found out later that Lily could not have any more children.
The mediwitch had found out it was due to a curse. They didn’t know what curse it was, but they were ecstatic to have Harry. And now he was gone. He could tell that both Sirius and Remus were mourning the loss of their godson. James hoped that one day, they would find Harry.
“What has happened? We heard about Albus. What has happened to the Longbottoms?” James asked.
Remus and Sirius shared a look. Everyone knew that Albus had tried to get Neville to defeat Voldemort, but it did not go so well.
“About a year after you both were captured, Voldemort did go after the Longbottoms. They were not there, but Frank’s mother was there and he tortured and killed her in anger. It was then that Albus wanted Neville to be trained. Frank offered to train him until he got to Hogwarts.
“It didn’t go well. Growing up, Neville showed little signs of magic. They had taken to a private mediwitch to figure out the problem. He wasn’t a squib, but he wasn’t producing much magic. He was able to go to Hogwarts and get into Gryffindor. He was doing well in his classes. He excelled in Herbology, but he needed confidence in Defence.
“They have tried everything to train him, but he’s not the prophecy child. He’s not strong enough and he doesn’t have the confidence.” Remus said.
“Lucius told us that Voldemort has taken over the school.” Lily said.
“Yes. Draco had found a way for the Death Eaters to get in. Voldemort had used Narcissa as leverage. But it did not go as planned.” Sirius replied.
“How so?” James asked.
“Ron, Molly and Arthur’s youngest, had suspected Draco was up to something and had been following him for months with his group of friends, in their sixth year. Draco had found a vanishing cabinet and was able to restore it, and a few Death Eaters came through.
“Ron had thought that He could duel against the Death Eaters, had attacked when they came through. He was able to hit both Draco and Bellatrix, before being attacked by Greyback. They were able to fight them off before the teachers and part of the Order got there.
“Draco and Bellatrix were both hit with a dark spell. Draco had been cured, but Belllatrix had died.” Remus explained.
“Where did he learn that spell? And what happened to Ronald?” Lily asked confused.
“He found it in Snape’s old potions book. He had gotten a hex from one of the Death Eater before Greyback physically attacked. Somehow during the altercation, Ron got infected.” Sirius responded.
“They shouldn’t have gone against them. Who is leading the Order?” James asked.
“Mad-Eye has taken over. He has given up on Neville being the Prophecy child. We are trying to figure the next plan of action.” Remus said. James nodded.
“You two, out. They need rest.” Madame Pomfrey ordered as she came out of the kitchen. She had two trays floating in front of her.
“We’ll talk tomorrow. Get some rest.” Remus said before giving James’ shoulder a gentle squeeze. He then went to hug Lily and left with Sirius following. Things were looking up.