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"James and Lily - Part 2"

By Linda Lupos ( www.harrypottergiude.co.uk )

Thursday July 31, 1980. 

It was 2 o'clock in the morning when James and Sirius sat waiting in a Muggle hospital somewhere in England. Sirius was laying on a few chairs, reading Lord of the Rings, while James at next to him, nervously biting his nails and the tops of his fingers. He had called Sirius because he couldn't stand waiting alone in the waiting room whilst Lily was giving birth to their first child (the doctor kicked him out of the room because he couldn't stand James standing in the way). Sirius wasn't all too happy to come, he was sleeping of course, but somehow James convinced him to come over. They had been waiting for two hours and still nothing had happened.

Sirius swung his feet from the chair. "Do you want some coffee?" he asked James. "It'll keep us awake."

"Yeah, whatever" James replied.

When Sirius had walked away to get some coffee, a nurse came walking by. James jumped to his feet.

"Excuse me, but do you know… er… Mrs Potter, will it take long?" he asked.

"And you might be…?" she asked frowning. James felt like he was talking to Professor McGonagall.

"The father - husband I mean." he replied.

"First-born children always take longer. I expect half an hour. I don't have time to talk." And away she was.

James sat down again and picked up Lord of the Rings. He could remember hour-long discussions between Sirius and Remus, Sirius defending the new fantasy-books and Remus defending the old classics like Shakespeare that he liked so much. On one evening on James' birthday Lily had joined in the discussion, saying books from Jane Austin were the books to read. Everybody laughed at her, especially Remus. "They might be classics", he said, "but there's no way I'm going to read them. They're books for women." Lily talked him into reading one ("You'll never know when you never try!") and know he liked them very much, although he hadn't much time to read.

Sirius returned with two steaming hot cups of coffee. The cups were made of plastic, but this didn't seem to bother Sirius. There were two possibilities, thought James; or Sirius hands were numb, or he used a clever cooling-down spell. Sirius handed over the coffee.

"What was it again, never draw Muggle attention?" James asked. Unfortunately, the "McGonagall" nurse walked by and she looked very suspiciously when he said Muggle.

"Yeah James, how dare you! You know what they say: never draw Muggle attention!" Sirius cleverly replied.

"I hate you." James took a nip from his coffee. They sat silent for a moment, then Sirius said: "James, what are we doing here?"

"Waiting for my child to be born, idiot" said James, taking another nip from his coffee.

"Duh, I know that! But why in a Muggle hospital?"

"So we won't draw wizard attention. It could be dangerous for us, with Voldemort, you know who I mean, looking for us."

"Hiding for Muggles, hiding for wizards, who can you meet?! And what is this Voldemort-looking-for-you-stuff? It hasn't got anything to do with that stupid prediction from Trelawney, has it?" And when James nodded: "No, please! You don't believe that stuff, do you?"

"Dumbledore has been tracking the Potters down to the Middle Ages and it is very likely we are the last descendants from Gryffindor."

"Okay, but it sounds so very stupid." Sirius set up a high-pitched voice. "`The heir of Gryffindor will defeat the heir of Slytherin, who will not be defeated. That's a silly part, someone can be defeated and not be defeated. And then that servant-part: "The servant who is not the servant will be captured, while the servant will seek revenge". Do you get it? I…" He fell silent when they both heard a baby cry. James went slightly pale when a doctor walked out of the room where Lily was.

The doctor stretched out his hand: "Mr Potter? Congratulations, you have a wonderful son." James did not move. "A son", he muttered. Then, without saying anything to anyone, he ran into the room, to Lily and his child.

Sirius and the doctor looked at each other.

"Er… I'm sorry. This is his first born" said Sirius. "Oh, not to worry, I'm used to that" the doctor laughed.

"Oh, well, er… excuse me, I think I'll take a look at the baby too."

When Sirius walked into the room he saw this: Lily Potter was laying on a bed, looking very tired and very happy. James sat next to her, holding a tiny baby with wild black hair. Sirius just stood there watching this little family. He was suddenly very jealous of James.

After a few minutes, Lily discovered him. She said: "Sirius! I didn't know you were here! Come in! James, show him our son!"

James handed the baby over to Sirius. He was rather small, even for a baby, and had black hair. He turned his head to Sirius and looked him right in the eyes. "He is fantastic " said Sirius. "What are you going to name him?"

"Harry James Potter" James said proud.

"That's a nice name." Sirius handed Harry over to Lily again. She slowly fell asleep with little Harry in her arms.

When the morning sun shone trough the window, Sirius stood up. "I hate to say it, but I've got my work to go to. I guess I'll see you later."

"Yeah, see you. Oh, and Sirius?" Sirius was already at the door, but turned around. "Would you be Harry's godfather? He needs one and I think you would be a good godfather" James asked.

Sirius stood there like he was frozen. Finally, he said: "I would be very honoured, and will try my very best to be a very good godfather."

"Then give a good example and go to work. I'll see you later."

When Sirius was gone, James looked at his son again. In his mind, he could almost see the great things he would do. "Harry James Potter" he muttered, "you are very special. Maybe because you're going to do special things, but first of all because you're my son."

He checked his watch and concluded that half past 5 in the morning was a little early to inform the grandparents. He yawned. Maybe some sleep would be nice now. He rested his head on his arms. Just a few hours… He fell asleep.

James Potter slept with his head at the feet of his son, little Harry Potter.

Tuesday October 26, 1981

It was a cold but sunny day in October, a few days before Halloween. Big orange pumpkins were visible in Hagrid's garden patch. Sirius could see them through the windows of Dumbledore's office. James was sitting in a chair behind him, and they were waiting for Dumbledore, Sirius had no idea why. He turned around and looked at his best friend. James looked tired and pale, as if he hadn't slept for a few days.

"You look a wreck," said Sirius.

"You try looking good when every moment could be your last and your wife and child could be murdered any minute" James replied angrily.

"Sorry, keep your hair on. I was only trying to make conversation!"

An argument was prevented by Dumbledore, who entered the room. He looked just as tense and exhausted as James, but managed to produce a little smile. He sat down and waved to Sirius to do the same.

"I've found a solution to the problem" he told James. "The best thing to do would be the Fidelius charm."

"Of course!" James muttered, and his face lightened up a bit.

"Excuse me", Sirius interrupted. "The what?!"

"The Fidelius charm" James explained. "With this charm, secret information can be locked inside a person, the so-called secret-keeper, and no one can find it out, unless the secret-keeper reveals it. Lily and I are planning to go into hiding, and the Fidelius charm would be the best way to prevent Voldemort from finding us."

"It would be the best way. Voldemort can look for you for ages and never find you" said Dumbledore. "Who will be the secret-keeper?"

James glanced quickly at Sirius. "Sirius" he said.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Sirius is planning to go into hiding himself, aren't you?"

Sirius nodded. Dumbledore still seemed worried. "Are you sure you don't want me as your secret-keeper? I would be happy to do it, and that is not just politeness."

"No, I'm sure. It'll be Sirius."

"Shall I do it? Maybe it's the best way…"

"No", said James determined. "I'll do it myself. Then I know for sure it goes right."

"Very well, if you insist. But I believe you must be going, I've got other things to do. I'm sorry." Dumbledore lead them down the stairway to the main entrance hall and let them alone. James looked at Sirius. "Do you want to do it?" he asked.

"Are you sure you want me?" Sirius asked back.

"Who else? I trust you almost more than Dumbledore."

"I've got a better idea. Let's take Peter" Sirius suggested as they walked their way up to Hogsmeade Station.

"Peter?!" James replied.

"Yes, Peter. He's totally inconspicuous. Almost everybody knows I'm your best friend so it would be likely I know where you're hiding. But Peter won't be connected with you, at least not so fast."

You're right, Peter is a better choice. I'll send an owl immediately so I can perform the charm this night. The sooner the better, isn't it?"

That night, very late.

"It is done, my master. The Potters choose me as their secret-keeper. I know exactly where they're hiding."

"Very good, Wormtail. You have been a good servant. Maybe you'll be rewarded some day." A high cackling laugh followed these words.

"Thank you, master…"

Sunday October 31, 1981.

Sirius Black landed his flying motorbike in front of the small house. It was the end of the afternoon and the sun was already setting. The front garden of the house was decorated with pumpkins, and a small sign at the door said: "Mrs Pettigrew". Sirius was here to check if Peter was really hiding. Of course, Peter could be trusted, but you never knew; he was very attached to his mother. He rang the bell and a small woman answered it. She had always been smaller than Sirius and his friends, even Peter was bigger than her. Mrs Pettigrew seemed delighted to see him; she kind of adopted them all as her sons when Peter introduced them to her. James even showed little Harry to her and she was deeply in love with the little boy. But, thought Sirius, who wasn't? Mrs Pettigrew pulled him inside, reasoning that it was far to cold to be standing in the front garden and telling him all about the decorations she made herself. Finally, after a long story about her neighbours and after a cup of tea, Sirius managed to say something.

"Have you seen Peter lately?"

"Peter?" she replied, as if she just remembered she had a son. "No, I'm afraid not, dear. He's living in a house of his own now and I haven't seen him for at least two weeks. I'm afraid he's not doing well and that he's going quite wild. Last time I saw him he had a big black tattoo on his arm. Goodness knows what will be next. Green hair?" She smiled, amused by the thought of Peter with green hair.

"Well, that's a pity. Thank you for your tea, Mrs Pettigrew, but I promised James and Lily to come round." He did not, he wanted to check if Peter was in his hiding place. There was something bothering him: a black tattoo. Where did he hear that before? He couldn't remember…

Mrs Pettigrew was looking around, searching for something. "Now where was that bag?" she muttered. "Ah, there it is! Sirius, would you be so kind as to give this to James and Lily?" She handed a him a big bag, filled with clothing. "These are baby-clothes I found yesterday. Maybe they're of use for them, they were Peter's once."

"Thank you, Mrs Pettigrew. I'm sure they will be very happy with it" said Sirius as he walked down the garden path. He was tying the bag on his motor when suddenly it shot inside his head, a conversation with James, a few months ago…

"James," he asked. "How can one recognise a follower of Voldemort?"

"A follower of Voldemort? Er… A black tattoo on the arm, a skull with a snake. They call it the Dark Mark" his friend replied.

A black tattoo… Sirius threw the bag with baby-clothes on the street, jumped on his motorbike and set of for Peter's hiding place.

When he arrived at the hiding place it was deserted. But there was no sign of a fight or a struggle or something like that. Quite the contrary in fact: the bed was made up, the dishes were done and the door was locked. It was like the occupant was off for a visit and would return soon, thought Sirius. He wasted no more time. His instincts told him he should go to Godric's Hollow immediately, so he set off, hoping he wasn't too late. A nasty little voice in his head kept repeating his own words: I've got a better idea. Let's take Peter…

James Potter was laying in a chair, his feet on another chair and his son in his arms. Little Harry couldn't sleep, even with his toy dragon he got from Hagrid for his first birthday, so James had read him a story (actually it was Quidditch through the Ages) to make him fall asleep. Lily had had to smile when she saw James telling Harry about the different Quidditch teams and Harry slowly falling asleep.

"Apparently Harry thinks Quidditch is kind of boring" she said.

"Oh, don't worry" James replied, "He will like it one day. And one can never to young to start with Quidditch."

Lily entered the living room with two mugs with hot milk. James managed to take one without waking Harry up. He put the book aside and took a big gulp of his milk.

"I think it's time we go to bed." Lily said.

"Hm hm" James answered thoughtlessly. "Can you take Harry please?"

Lily picked up her son. "There we go, little one. James, will you lock the doors, please? Then I will put Harry in bed." She started walking up the stairs while James locked the back door. When he was locking the front door, he thought he heard something. Footsteps, the cracking of the gravel outside. He stiffened. No one would come this late… It could only be one person… He could feel the hairs in his neck going on end.

His hand reached for his wand as he shouted: "Lily, take Harry and go! It's Him! Go! Run! I'll hold him of - "

The next moment their front door was blown away. A tall man entered the house, his wand drawn. He laughed a horrible, cackling laugh. Before James could even draw his wand, Lord Voldemort simply said: "Avada Kedavra." A green flash, a rushing sound. James fell on the floor.

Voldemort moved over to where Lily was standing with Harry in her arms. His eyes shone with an evil sort of joy. Finally, he had the Potters where he wanted them. He waved with his hand.

"Stand aside, girl. Let me take the boy."

"Not Harry, not Harry, please not Harry!" she cried. Voldemort felt his anger raise.

"Stand aside, you silly girl. Stand aside… let me kill him."

"Not Harry! Please, have mercy! Take me instead, but don't kill Harry!" She turned her back towards him, blocking his way. He raised his want.

"Then you leave me no choice!" He pointed his want directly at Lily and Harry.

"Avada Kedavra."

Again a green flash, a rushing sound. Lord Voldemort screamed. Then, nothing more but the cry of a baby…

Peter Pettigrew was hiding in the bushes nearby when he saw the house explode. He could think of only one thing. He ran.

Sirius' motorbike hit the ground with a crash. He jumped off it and did not care whether his motor fell or not. He stared at the ruins of what was once his friend's home. There was smoke coming from it, and the smell like something was burning. He took a few steps forward and saw two bodies. One was a man, a tall man with black hair and a wand in his hand. He was laying at his back before the other body. The other body belonged to a woman with red hair. She was laying with her face down like she was trying to protect something in her arms. They both had a look of fear on their face. When Sirius saw the dead bodies of his friends, his legs couldn't hold him anymore. He fell on his knees, took James in his arms and started crying.

After a while he felt a hand on his shoulder. "An´ what're ye doin´ here?" he heard a loud voice say. It was Hagrid. Sirius looked up at him, tears on his face.

"Hagrid, they're - they're - they're- " He couldn't say it. Hagrid patted him on the shoulder, his beetle-black eyes filled with tears. "I know" he said. "I know…"

Sirius noticed Hagrid was holding something, a small bundle. He asked: "Hagrid, what have you got there?"

"Here? Ah, a small surprise fer ye, I guess!" Hagrid smiled and handed the bundle over to Sirius. First he thought it was just a bundle of old clothing, maybe some wizard-stuff Muggles weren't allowed to see, then he felt it was moving and breathing. He pushed the cloth away a little. Two familiar green eyes looked at him.

"Harry!" he gasped. He turned around to look sharply at Lily. Now he noticed she was holding nothing in her arms.

"I dunno what happened, but this lil´ kid survived. He must be something really special" Hagrid said.

"He's got a cut on his forehead. Do you have a handkerchief or something?"

Hagrid gave him a handkerchief like a tablecloth. Sirius whipped the blood away and looked at the cut. It had a strange shape, a bit like a bolt of lighting. Hagrid stretched out his hands.

"Yer better give em to me. He's to go to his uncle an´ aunt in Lill´ Winging."

"What?! The Dursleys? You can't mean that! Who came up with this ridiculous idea?" said Sirius, pressing Harry to his chest.

"Dumbledore said so, he said he was to go an´ live with them lot."

"Dumbledore said so? He can't mean that! And besides, I'm his godfather, I´ll take care of him!"

"I'm very sorry, but the Professor said so, an´ I always keep my promise."

Sirius looked around, searching for an excuse, something to say. He saw something in the sand, near the bushes. Were those… footprints?! Who would have been hiding there, and, as the footprints showed, been running away? Why would somebody hide and run away? Only a person who didn't want to be discovered. Like somebody who was watching his master kill his best friends… Peter. Sirius knew it.

He turned around to Hagrid. "Okay then, bring him to his uncle and aunt. You know what? Take my motorbike. I won't need it anymore." Chasing after Peter would be a lot easier on foot.

"Er… Okay" Hagrid said in amazement because of the turn in Sirius behaviour. Sirius pulled the cloth tightly around Harry so he wouldn't get cold.

"What about James and Lily?" he asked Hagrid.

"´spect the Ministry will take care of them. They'll be here any minute."

Sirius gave Harry one last hug. "Goodbye Harry" he said. "Maybe I'll see you later." He handed Harry over to Hagrid who took the baby in his arms. He was able to ride the motor and hold Harry in the other arm. "Bye Sirius" he said.

"Yeah, goodbye Hagrid. Take good care of Harry."

Hagrid set of for Little Whinging. Sirius gazed after them until he couldn't see them anymore. Then he changed into a big black dog and started following the footsteps.

Monday November 1, 1981.

Just read chapter one of Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone!

Later that day

The street was crowded with Muggles doing their last shopping and talking about the strange things that had happened that day. Nobody noticed the big black dog with his nose on the street, following a trace. Suddenly it raised his head, gave a short yelp and ran away into another street, causing an old Muggle woman to fall.

"Really unacceptable, those dogs without a leash."

"The strangest things happen the last few days. Have you heard about the owls flying around today?" And the people forgot about the dog.

The dog ran into another street, also filled with Muggles, but less than in the other one. The dog looked around and saw a couple of big rats. He growled and approached a rather fat, grey one. Suddenly, the rat changed into a man. It happened so quickly hardly any Muggle noticed, and those who did blinked and thought they were probably mistaken. The rat had changed into a small man with colourless hair. He was slightly too fat for his height and seemed rather uncomfortable. He looked at the place where the dog had been, but now there stood a man. It was Sirius, who said: "So, there you are Peter. Couldn't stand seeing your friends die, could you? Or is it: couldn't stand seeing your master die?"

"I, I don't know where you're talking about" stuttered Peter, looking for a way to escape.

"I'm talking about betraying your friends, James and Lily Potter!" Sirius roared. A few Muggles turned around to see what was happening.

Peter trembled slightly at the sound of the names.

"What's the matter? Can't stand hearing their names?"

"You have no idea. Lord Voldemort is such a strong wizard…" he started.

"Not a strong wizard now, is he? More like a dead wizard if you ask me! And now his servant will die too!" Sirius draw his wand.

"Sirius… You can't kill me! I'm your friend…"

"Nice friend. Why would I spare my friends when you did not?"

"You leave me no choice!" Before Sirius could do anything, Peter draw his wand, held it behind his back and screamed "Lily and James, Sirius! How could you!"

"What! You filthy lying…" Sirius roared.

The next moment he was blown from his feet.

A few minutes later he scrambled on his feet again. His jaw dropped. There was a big hole in the middle of the street. Muggles were lying around it, most of them bleeding, some of them dead. He couldn't see Peter anywhere. He heard squeaking at his feet. He looked down and saw a lot of rats running to the sewers. He thought he saw a big grey one… Sirius couldn't help himself; he started to laugh. Finally, he thought, you're the better one, Peter. Until I get you…

When the Ministry arrived, they found a street which looked like a battlefield. Sirius Black was in the middle of it, laughing like a madman.

Wednesday November 3, 1981.

It was still cold. There was fog hanging in the trees of the forest near the graveyard. Remus looked at the trees, then at the gravestones at his feet. They read: James Potter - 24/7/1960 - 31/10/1981 and Lily Evans-Potter - 22/4/1960 - 31/10/1981. A few feet away from him, Remus could hear Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Hagrid talking to each other. They were the only people here. He could hear Professor McGonagall say: "No one from the Evans family?"

"They didn't want to come. Lily's parents are dead, and the Dursley's refused, although I did write in my letter where it was." That was Dumbledore.

"An´ lill´ Harry livin´ with them. Still can't understan´ why you did it, Professor" growled Hagrid.

"It was the best way. They are his only living relatives. He couldn't live with Sirius. We all know what happened to him" Dumbledore said sharply. "I don't want to hear about it again! You know what happened and why I did it. Now quit the subject!"

Yes, thought Remus. We do know what happened to Sirius! Sirius was caught and almost immediately sent to Azkaban, the wizard-prison. He would be the most heavily guarded prisoner, said the Daily Prophet.

Remus heard Professor McGonagall and Hagrid say goodbye to Dumbledore. He could hear them walking down to the gate of the graveyard. Dumbledore came standing next to him, also looking down at the gravestones. Finally, he said: "It's sad. Not only for you, or me, or Harry. It is also sad for Sirius. Azkaban is terrible, and I wish nobody a stay there."

"I hope he dies in there. And I hope he dies a slow, painful death, all alone, without friends" said Remus angrily.

"No." Dumbledore shook his head. "You can't mean that."

Remus laughed a hollow laugh. "Oh, do I mean that!"

Dumbledore raised his hand to put it on Remus' shoulder, but he stepped aside. He didn't want pity and he didn't want hands on his shoulder. It was just like that doctor, so many years ago, in the hospital, where they told him he was a werewolf. He had never been normal after that. Remus hated to be different. He hated to be alone. Finally, he had had friends, and it was Sirius' fault he was the only one left. He was alone again.

Dumbledore sighed. "Will you ever be able to forgive him?" he asked in a soft voice.

"No. Never. There is no forgiveness for things like this." Remus' eyes told Dumbledore not to try and ask it again. He nodded. "Are you coming with me? You can stay at Hogwarts this night" he suggested.

"No, I'm sorry." Remus looked up at the sky. "Full moon tonight. You better get going."

"You know, maybe they found a cure for it. They're working on a potion."

"Please, leave" whispered Remus, looking away.

Dumbledore sighed again and finally left. Remus looked at the sky again. There were still clouds for the moon, and it was not completely dark. He still had enough time to get deep into the forest. The people of Godric's Hollow wouldn't be haunted by a werewolf tonight. He stroked his hair out of his eyes. He had discovered his first grey hairs his morning, while he was only 21 years old. He took a last look at the gravestones, deciding he would never came back to Godric's Hollow, to this graveyard and to the ruined house of the Potters. He started walking into the forest, breathing the familiar smell. He was used to forests.

It was completely dark when he stopped at last, at a large open spot in the middle of the woods. He looked up at the sky again. He saw the clouds moving. Then, the first glimpse of the full moon appeared. He could feel the familiar trembling in his limbs. He looked for the last time, thinking about his days at Hogwarts. About the days he was a werewolf and he, James, Sirius and Peter haunted the grounds. He saw a big cloud move and finally, the light of the full moon hit him. He was always amazed at how beautiful she was. His limbs shook uncontrollably. He had one last human thought before the wolf in him took complete control of him: I've always been alone, and I always will be. Thanks to you, Sirius…  

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