Matters of the heart by Hopeless Wanderer

Chapter 3 ; prologue

" Where is he?! " Sirius Black came, halting to the room, nearly knocking James down as he eagerly made his way to the couch.

“Way to greet your best friend, pad foot.” James grumbled rubbing his sore arm.

Sirius waved him off, opening his arms, waiting for Lily to hand over the baby.

“Come on kiddo! Meet your favorite uncle! “Sirius cooed. Remus entered the room with a smug grin on his face.

“Oh! Look Harry! It's uncle moony! “Lily said sarcastically. Sirius glared at the woman mockingly, his waiting arms still open. Lily grinned and handed his son to Sirius.

“Aww! You look just like James! “He exclaimed, seeing Harry's black mop and his rosy cheeks. “Just remember one thing prongs, I'm your favorite! “Sirius said bouncing the baby in his arms.

“If you're going to be his favorite, God help us all.” Remus said, shaking his head.

“Oh shut it Remy! I'm going to teach him how to be a heartthrob when he grows up, just like his uncle paddy! “Sirius said, his gray eyes were wild with enthusiasm.
“He doesn't need to learn, it's in his genes.” James put in, smugly putting an arm around Lily's shoulder. Lily swatted his hand away, looking unimpressed.
“If you mean your genes, then that boy needs all the help he can get.” Peter rolled his eyes, entering the room, flower in his hands.

“Oh shut it flower boy! Surely you don't mean his taste in woman? “Lily threatened, shaking her finger at him.

Harry sucked at his thumb, oblivious of the conversation going on around him.

“Of course not, I meant his abysmal talent in dating.” Peter played along, placing the flowers on the table.

The other three except James nodded grimly. “Fifth year Valentine, banquet of poisonous dragon heart that accidentally turned out to look like lilies?” Remus said, his face drawn in a grimace at remembering the event.

“Oh come on!” James protested, feeling rather put out.

“The idiot didn't know I was allergic to them.” Lily grunted, glaring at her husband.

“And then you stomped your way into the common room, red in the face with rashes all over your body… you looked downright scary…that’s when you earned yourself the ‘rabid doe’ title. Best Valentine of my life.” Sirius said, snickering.

James got up, and took Harry away from Sirius, patting the baby on his back as Harry snuggled on his father's shoulder.

“I will not let you poison my son's mind with this.... Atrocious lies! “James exclaimed, huffing.

“There is always time for us Jamie. We have all the time in the world.” Sirius said, still smirking.

Xx

“What are you doing?” James asked, upon seeing his one year old son and his best friend covered in flour and something brown, that James desperately wished was chocolate.

“Making cake!” Sirius answered as he added more flour to the bowl, while Harry was eating sugar off the counter with his sugar coated hand in his mouth as he happily devoured the thing.

James narrowed his eyes. “It’s not going to blow up again, is it? “He asked, hesitantly entering the kitchen.

“Of course not!” Sirius said, acting like he was hurt by James' statement.

Rolling his eyes, James took a sit at the table. “You do know, that Harry isn't supposed to eat that, right?” James said, eyeing his son as he ate the sugar, Harry gave a toothy grin.

“Dada! “He exclaimed, raising his sugary hand toward him.

“What you doing buddy?” James asked, ruffling his floured covered hair.

“Cake!!” Harry exclaimed happily, his chubby hands sending gusts of flour and sugar as he waved his arms.

“Why?” James asked Sirius who was busy licking the wooden spoon clean of any remained chocolate.

“It’s Remus's birthday!” Sirius stressed. “It has to be perfect. “He continued.

“Which one, the cake, or the prank you're putting in it?” James asked sarcastically. Getting up to clean up piles of dirty bowls and dishes that were left on the table. Lily would kill them if she found this mess.

“The prank of course! What? You thought I would bake this thing otherwise? “Sirius said, pointing at the goo like substance in the bowl.
“Poor Remus.” James muttered, as he levitated the dishes into the sink.

“Don’t you poor Remus me! It's not like you're not pranking him yourself! You’re guilty as sin! Almost as much as I am! “Sirius said, mixing the goo while Harry babbled nonsense to his favorite stuffed toy Delphi who was also covered in flour.

James shook his head, and sighed, it was days like this when he felt like the heavy weight sitting on his shoulders would lift, even if for a minute.
He smiled.

Harry was handing the licked wooden spoon back to Sirius who put it in the mixture, delving into the mixture with both hands. James didn't want to ruin their mood, to tell them the news, to tell Sirius that... That he...

James closed his eyes, he couldn't think about it. To tell Sirius the real reason of their meeting. He had met with Dumbledore that very day, the old man told him all about The Prophesy, insisted that it must stay a secret.

He said that Harry was the chosen one, his little baby boy, figniting that ruthless monster. James shuddered, his eyes still on Harry, who was elbow deep in the bowl, trashing his hands in it, splashing goo all over the counter.

How was he supposed to tell Lily? She'd be devastated.

“Something wrong?” Sirius muttered, peering in James' eyes. His eyes searching James'.

“Yeah.” James muttered back.

Sirius handed the spoon to Harry who was still babbling to Delphi and walked to the other side of the counter, sitting next to James.

“James... I know that look. “He muttered, muttered because he didn't want Harry to hear their conversation.

Harry was a very emotional child, sensed emotions way too easily, emphasized with them and probably even felt them. Their son was an empath.
James didn’t want his son to sense his feelings, to feel the utter devastation and helplessness.

They found out when they found Harry crying near their injured cat, clutching his hand, as the cat clutched at his paw, moaning. Lily insisted that it was a gift, and they should be grateful, but James wasn't so sure about that anymore. He shook his head as he realized Sirius was talking.

“What?” he asked.

“James, what happened? What did Dumbledore want? “Sirius said his flour smudged face, serious.

“Nothing.” James muttered his hazel eyes set on the counter.

“James.” Sirius prodded, holding James' chin, titling it up so he would face Sirius.

“It’s about Harry.” James blurted out, his tone shaky and scared. Sirius looked bewildered, his head snapped back to Harry, who was splashing his hands in the bowl, given up on the spoons.

“What about him?” Sirius asked his tone anxious and frantic.

James exhaled snakingly. “Dumbledore.... He..." James's stuttered, his throat suddenly dry.

“Is something wrong with him?” Sirius asked, grabbing James by the shoulders. Harry's head shot up sensing anxiety radiating off the men in waves.
“Dada? Paddy? “He asked, his little brows frowned and his mouth set in s sad frown.

James threw a lopsided grin to his son. “It’s okay baby, why don't you mix the cake a little more?” James said, praying that this would work.
It did, Harry went back to his work, oblivious to the men watching him with relief.

“There’s something I need to tell you. Later.” James said, his eyes burning into Sirius's. Sirius got the hint. He stood and walked to Harry, scooping up the boy easily. Harry protested; kicking and trashing in Sirius's arms.

“Now there buddy, how about we have a little bath, while daddy does all the boring work, huh?” Sirius said, catching James's eyes from the last time as he left the kitchen.

Harry whined and cried all the way up, demanding that they come back for Delphi. James waved his wand again, levitating everything to the sink.
He then picked up the bowl and emptied the substance with a wave of his wand. It wasn't edible anyway. He shrugged as he cleaned the counter and the floor with a quick scourgify.

He sank back in his chair, Delphi in his hands. He wanted to cry, but he couldn't, what would happen now? He thought, what about their lives? Lily? James gulped. What if Voldemort found them?

That's ridiculous, his mind snapped. But what if death eaters kidnapped his wife? Or merlin forbids, what if someone kidnaps his baby? James would die; he knew that much, if anything happened to his friends, to Lily, to his precious son... Harry.

He would die, he would never be the same again, even the thought made him want to throw up.

“I’m home!” a voice sang, entering the kitchen, Lilly fumbled in with the groceries. She set them on the counter carelessly and sat on James's lap, scaring the wits out of him.

“Lilly!” James exclaimed, surprised to see his wife back home so soon.

“James!” Lilly mocked in the same tone, pecking her husband on the lips.

“Where’s prongsy? “She asked, her emerald green eyes shining into his.

“Taking a bubble bath.” James answered mindlessly. Pressing a kiss on his wife's forehead.

“Alone?” Lilly raised her eyebrows. “Gee, James. I knew you liked our son to be independent, but he's a little young for bathing alone, don't you think? “She teased, finally getting off his lap.

“He’s with Sirius.” James said.

“Oh that little menace is here already?” Lilly grumbled, putting the groceries away.

“Which one, your son or Sirius?” James asked, cracking a smile at Lilly.

“Why Harry of course.” Lilly answered sarcastically.

“I really hope you hadn't touched the cake yet. “She grumbled as she checked the fridge for the said cake.

“You made cake?” James asked in surprise.

“Of course I did. It's Remus's birthday; please don't tell me you forgot? “Lilly asked, eyeing James warily.

“No... I just thought... “He was going to explain but was cut off by a hyper Sirius and a sugar high Harry making their way to the kitchen.

“Well, if it isn't Lilly bug, gracing us with her presence?” Sirius called, entering the kitchen, Harry in his arms.

“MOMMY!” Harry giggled, wriggling his way out of Sirius's firm hold. Lilly opened her arms, hugging Harry to her chest as he snuggled in happily.

“Wait a second.... “Lilly said as she looked down at her son, her eyes narrowed.

“Why was Harry taking a bath again? He had one this morning. “She said, eyeing the guilty looking men suspiciously.

“He accidentally stumbled into a bag of flour and something I think was chocolate?” Sirius answered, causally sitting next to James.

“And why was that?” Lilly asked.

“Cake!” Harry giggled again in her arms.

“Did you give him sugar again?” Lilly screeched. Her eyes were filled with rage.

“It’s not what you think.... “Sirius tried to explain... Backing away from Lilly.

“I had nothing to do with it! “James said frantically.

“Oh you two little... “She yelled, following them around with Harry in her arms.

Xx

“James, what are we going to do?” she said, leaning against the counter top, her hands rubbing her tired face.

“I don't know. “He muttered, feeling rather embarrassed for no reason.

She sighed, rubbing her temples; she looked up, her huge green eyes glazed with tears that didn’t dare stream down her face.

“Are you absolutely certain...? That Harry..." she trailed off, her gaze turning toward the kitchen door, which led to the living room where Harry was playing loudly with Sirius and Remus.

“Yes. Albus....said, 'The Prophesy' is real. “James replied, also staring at the door.

“But...who knows if it's reliable or not! James even you know that Trelawney is a fraud. It could be a trick! “Lily exclaimed, her brows drawn in a frown and her forehead wrinkled in anger.

“Albus said..." James was cut off by Lily again.

“Albus can be wrong! Trelawney is a fraud, doing anything, stepping on any level to get that damned job! You know she would! What if she was lying?! What if she's a deatheater herself?!"Lily hissed, her hands fisted on her apron defiantly.

“You think I don't know that?” James snapped, just as angrily. “You think that I haven't considered those options?! Lily we cannot take any chances! We cannot just ignore this! I'm as angry as you are; I hate this as much as you do! But I'm not taking any chances... Not when Harry's involved. "
Lily shook her head. “What are we going to do?” she muttered, pulling at her hair frustratingly.

“I don't know.” James answered, his tone resigned and tired.

“We can go in hiding.” Lily suggested after a few moments.

“Where?” James asked just to humor her.

“One of the Potter states. " she suggested.

James shook his head. “Too obvious.”

“Petunia’s house. " she said.

“They’re muggles, not to mention she hates you.” James answered, sitting sprawled on his chair.

“She doesn't /hate/ me.” Lily argued half-heartedly.

“You’re right, she abhors you.” James joked.

“James!” Lily exclaimed.

“What about Grimmauld place?” James asked. It was Lily's turn to shake her head.

“No, Regulus is still there, lurking. “She remembered her conversation with Sirius a few days back, when he simply stated that they couldn't use his house as a vault, since his brother was still residing in the house.

“Remus’s?” Lily asked, tapping her chin.

“Too small, for us. Not to mention way too obvious. “James said, cleaning his glasses with the hem of his shirt.

“James.”

“I know, don't give up though... We'll find a solution. “James answered, still engrossed in cleaning his glasses.

“James.” Lily repeated in a frantic tone.

“I told you we find something. We can always crash at Peter's place. “James muttered, pushing his glasses on his face.

“No, James... We can stay here, the Fidelious charm. Sirius could be the secret keeper. “Lily said, finally getting James ' attention.

“Fidelious, here?” he asked skeptically.

“Sure, no one knows where we live anyway, the sooner we do it the better.” Lily answered, finally getting hopeful at the prospect of finding a solution.

“But, what happens to Sirius or Remus, or Peter? It's so obvious that we'll make them secret keepers, what if Voldemort captures them? “James asked dubiously.

“They can change places as well or they can just move in; we can all stay here... If they agree to stay of course. “Lily said thoughtfully, obviously imagining her life with the other three marauders lurking in her house.

“Of course they will .Sirius would be the secret keeper?” James asked, standing up as he paced around the kitchen restlessly.

“Or Remus... They were always better at dueling. “She answered, taking her apron off her waist.

“I’ll contact Dumbledore. “She said. James nodded.

“I’ll talk to guys, would you mind taking Harry with you?” James asked, he didn't want his son feeling the negative emotions that would take place in the house soon enough.

“Sure. “She answered, kissing her husband quickly as she rushed out of the kitchen.

“Lily?” the messy haired man called out.

“Te amo.” He mumbled. Her face brightened up with a small grin.

“Te quoque am.” She replied.

Xx

“Pick a boo!” James exclaimed, jumping out from his hiding place. Harry fell to the ground, giggling. James rushed to Harry and gathered the small bundle in his arms.

“You wanna see magic?! “He asked as he bounced Harry up and down.

“Magi’ " Harry mumbled in awe. It wasn't an everyday aqueous to Harry when his parents used magic just from him. Sure they waved their wands all the time, but they didn't usually do cool things; like making Delphi fly or making beautiful bubbles.

Harry clapped his hands happily, urging his Dada to do magic.

James chuckled, placing Harry on the couch.

Lily's head peered out of the kitchen. “Guys are coming over tonight James, I hope you hadn't forgotten again, did you bath Harry?” she asked loudly, rolling her eyes as she heard Harry rambling about magic and bubbles.

It was his favorite word. Bubbles, he said it before he could say Dada.

“Uhh... “James stuttered, as he grimaced, taking a look at his filthy son.

“Of course I didn't, what do you take me for? A responsible parent? “James shouted back after some thinking.

“You really want me to answer that?” Lily shouted back, her tone amused.

“No, I don't.” James mumbled. He waved his wand and muttered a quick spell. Colorful bubbles shot out of his wand, Harry's huge green eyes widened as he saw bubbles flying all around him, in different shapes and different colors, he sworn that he found one that looked just like Delphi.

Harry clapped his hands and laughed, trying to burst the bubbles closest to him.

Suddenly a sinking feeling settled in his tummy. An emotion he couldn't explain, but he could tell it was bad.

It hurt so bad that Harry started crying instantly. James panicked, dropping his wand to the ground as he scooped up Harry in his arms, cradling the baby. Lily ran into the living room, her favorite apron still tightened around her waist.

“What happened?” she asked, reaching for Harry.

“I don't know!” James said frantically, trying to calm Harry.

Harry cried harder.

“Mamma! Dada! “The child sobbed, Lilly and James helplessly tried to calm the hysteric child, checking him to see if he was hurt or not.

"Shh, there baby... It's Okay." Lilly tried to reassure her son, Harry was a quiet child, and she dared say that he hasn't ever cried like this before.

“Bad.” Harry mumbled, hiding his face in her mother's neck. Lilly frowned trying to check over her son again.

“Lilly... “James muttered, his eyes were glued to the window. Her head snapped to his.

“Go. “He said, the door exploded, wooden shreds were everywhere. Lily bolted to her feet, running upstairs as fast as she could. She heard James shouting behind her, also running.

“Go Lilly! Go! Take Harry and run! I'll hold him back! Run! “James Potter shouted, he looked over his wand holster. Only to see it empty, it was downstairs, on the ground, near the couch.

James's heart sank as he fisted his hands and charged at the hooded figure with an enraged howl.

Wife and son. Wife and son. Lily and Harry… his mind repeated in alarm.

He heard his son sobbing as he was taken to his room, he saw as the hooded figure took out his wand and raised it towards him effortlessly. He felt all the love he could muster for his wife and son, for his friends, praying that they would survive. And he took his final breath as the green light shot him in the chest.
Lily chocked back a sob as she heard a figure hit the ground with a loud thump. She staggered back gazing at Harry as she fumbled in her apron's pocket, trying to find her wand.

It wasn't there, no, Lilly thought as she realized she had left her wand in the kitchen, almost dropped it when she heard Harry crying. She rushed back to the crib, Harry was whimpering, clutching his stuffed toy to his chest.

" mamma. " he mumbled, raising his hands, ready to be picked up.

She knelt on the ground facing the crib. " Listen Harry, mommy wants you to listen very carefully, ok honey? " she said, grabbing Harry's hand as he sucked his other thumb.

" I love you so much, Dada loves you so much, wait for uncle Paddy, ok? Wait for Remy. Harry would you do that for me? Don't go with anyone else, just paddy and Remy. Just remember that if anything happens to us, we loved you so much, you're so loved, and you’re so strong and beautiful... You're the most beautiful thing I have seen Harry. Stay strong baby. " She said. The door barged open, but it didn't explode. Lily stood covering the crib with her body. The hooded figure stalked in, his wand was firmly pointed at Lily's chest.

" Stand aside. " the voice commanded, it was inhuman and hoarse.

" Please, not my baby. " she pleaded, still standing in front of the crib.

" Stand aside you foolish girl! Stand aside! " The harsh voice snapped.

" No. I'll do anything, anything... Please not Harry! Not my baby! " She said, tears streaming down her face.

" Last chance mudblood. Stand. Aside. " The voice threatened, his wand still pointed at her.

She shook her head as she silently prayed for her son to live. Harry sobbed loudly, so loud that he was almost screaming. Lily took the chance and launched herself at the figure but she was too late, a green light shot out of the wand and hit the mother in the head, as she fell to ground.

The green light, hit the sobbing baby in the crib. Harry went silent almost instantly, his eyes wide as blood dripped down his chin. The spell suddenly back fired, sending the hooded figure flying to the wall. Harry clutched Delphy, still whimpering.

" Mamma, daddy. " he said, looking at his mommy's unmoving figure sprawled on the ground.

A black robbed man barged in minutes after, taking big gulps of breathes as he saw mommy lying prone on the ground. He leaned on the wall as he fell to his knees right next to mommy.

He hugged her to his chest sobbing, Harry just looked, blood dripping down his chin as he watched the man stand and leave after crying. Harry sat, clutching Elphy as he just stared at the wall.

Sometime later, he heard a familiar voice calling. Harry's head snapped up, to see his uncle Paddy staring at mommy and then at him, relief flooded upon his face, as soon as he saw that Harry was alive. He rushed to the crib picking Harry and Elphy up.

" Oh prongs! Its ok, Shh... Its ok, I'm here now. " Sirius mumbled, pushing Harry's head in his chest so he wouldn't see Lily's dead body on the floor.
" Dada? " Harry's muffled voice called.

" No, Harry, not now. Let's get you out of here, Shh.... " Sirius was so distraught that he forgot to pack some clothes or necessaries for Harry, he just picked the kid up head pressed to his chest once more as they exited the room and walked in the hallway.

" Sirius'? Is that you'? " A gruff voice called down the stairs. Sirius rushed down the stairs as he heard Hagrid calling him. Passing over James' body with his own eyes closed.

" Hagrid. " he breathed.

" Sirius', oh thank merlin Harry's alive. What about.... About? " Hagrid trailed off, looking sown at the distraught man.

" Dead, both of them. " Sirius confirmed. Traitorous tears leaking out of his eyes.

" Can you take care of the....the...bodies? I need to take Harry to Remus. " Sirius said nervously, as he saw the giant shift on his feet.

" Actually... I'm her' to fetch 'Array. Dumbledore' orders. " The giant stated just as nervously.

Sirius nodded, after all Dumbledore knew best. Sirius handed Harry to Hagrid, Hagrid crouched down to Sirius's eyes level, Harry in his arms.

" I'll see you soon, alright prongsy? Uncle moony and I will fetch you as soon as possible. " Sirius vowed, handing Delphy to Harry.

" Paddy? " Harry asked, his voice uncertain, and shaky.

" I'll come for you, I'll promise. " Sirius repeated.

" How are you going to take him to Dumbledore? " Sirius asked, once Hagrid stood.

" I... Uh...wanted to apparate to the grounds... " Hagrid said, cradling Harry in his huge arms.

Sirius shook his head, "Don't, Harry gets sick, you can take my motorbike. " he suggested faintly, eyes not seeing and ears still ringing he handed the keys to the half giant.

Hagrid nodded gratefully as he exited the house, Harry crying for Sirius in his arms.

Sirius sighed as he found James's wand fallen next to the couch.

Things will never be the same again.