2

A War Torn World

A solitary figure stood in the diminutive gray cottage outside of Coventry. His head bowed, as he peered down at the corpse that lay before his feet. His eyes were as dead as his victim, betraying no thought or emotion. With a flip of his wrist, his wand was no longer pointed at the deceased man, but rather secured in his robes. Carefully, he examined the scene meticulously checking that no evidence was left. Satisfied, he moved to the open window, through which he had entered the dwelling of the blood traitor. The Ministry and Order of the Phoenix had been active and more coordinated recently. The last time he had ventured forth he had nearly met up with the head of the Aurors, Mad Eye Moody.

His young body effortless hefted itself through the window. Landing on his feet, he immediately set off for the designated checkpoint, where he would apparate. If this had been a different era, he would not have been allowed apparate, since he was both underage and unlicensed. A grim smile flitted on to his face and just as quickly disappeared. If the Ministry was in as much control as they had once been, he would not even be allowed to use magic out of school, let alone use the unforgivable curses. His thoughts cleared. When he was playing this part, he could not think or feel. The success of his mission was his only concern.

As he grew nearer to his destination his lungs began to burn as the cool night air filled them. He spun on his heels, pulling out his wand. He gazed into the darkness and was pleased to see that he had not been followed. After giving a silent command, he instantly felt the sickening feeling of being apparated. Immediately, he found himself far from Coventry.

James Potter, along with his fellow Auror and partner, Sirius Black, surveyed the most recent crime scene left by Voldemort's assassin. The assassinations from this talented assassin were rare. Dumbledore believed that this particular killer was reserved solely for those who had personally defied Voldemort or had betrayed him. Of course, Voldemort reserved the most important 'traitors' for himself, or so Dumbledore had told members of the Order.

The victim lay on his back with his eyes staring blindly up at the ceiling. "The Avada Kedavra got him."

Sirius nodded grimly, and then nudged his head toward the window. "My bet is he entered and exited through that window."

"Whatever gave you that idea?" James asked sarcastically. "Perhaps, the opened window, mate? And then, of course, they apparated."

"Someone always has to state the obvious. Usually it was…" Sirius voice trailed off, when he caught himself almost saying the name. "Sorry, James, I just got a bit nostalgic."

James brushed off the near mention of Peter Pettigrew. "Ancient history… there is nothing I can do for him now. I can't even find his killer to get revenge."

Sirius kept his eyes adverted. His friend could not even say Harry's name. The pain was still that fresh. Peter Pettigrew would pay for the anguish he put the Potter family through; Sirius would make sure of it. "Well, I believe we are finished here, Prongs. Nothing more we can do for him, but inform the Ministry to send some on over."

Looking at the clock on the wall briefly James smiled. "This will be a first."

"First for what?"

"We are actually going to be on time for an Order meeting."

"Lily might have a heart attack!" Sirius gave a lopsided grin. "I would not want to miss this meeting for the world."

"Don't hold your breath, Padfoot. The odds that our informant will know something useful are slim. From what Dumbledore has specified, he was not very high on Ol' Voldie's ladder."

"The odds are better then not. I say he knows something halfway decent."

James smiled. "Then we have a wager?"

"But of course, Prongs, old boy."

The two, then, apparated, landing in a deserted street. In front of them stood a ancient house that no muggle and most wizards could not see. Only members of the Order of the Phoenix knew its location. The house was called Grimmauld's Place and had only recently come into Sirius's possession with the passing of his mother. Having no love for the place of his childhood, he had readily handed it over to Dumbledore to be used as the Order's official headquarters.

"If my parents could only see what I have done to the place." Sirius chuckled to himself.

James shook his head, as he reached to turn the antique doorknob. He was careful to remain quiet trying to avoid awaken the permanently stuck portrait of Sirius's late mother. He did not need or want her shrieks in his ears. Once in the hallway, they saw that it was packed with members just getting ready to file in the dining room. He spotted at the top of the stairs the four Weasley children. Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom, both were friends of Ron's, both were also in Ron's year at Hogwarts, were standing with them. Slightly behind them, he caught sight of a chestnut haired boy. His second son smiled when he caught sight of his father and 'Uncle Padfoot'. Dorian Potter was just two years younger then what his brother would have been. He looked more like Lily, despite his darker hair and his hazel eyes, which he had received from James. James waved at the children, who were all eager to eavesdrop on the Order's meetings, though most of their plans to do so had failed. James smiled. It took a lot to get mischief past him and Sirius, because they had done a lot in their time, though occasionally they would still pull pranks of their own.

With Sirius at his side, James entered the now packed dining room just as Mrs. Weasley began to corral the children upstairs. At the start of Voldemort's terror, the wizarding world had been unprepared. Dumbledore had quickly assembled the Order, but had seemed too late, as members began to be picked off one by one. After Harry had been kidnapped and then killed, Voldemort had remained almost silent, and the Order had been able to regroup. Many more volunteers had joined making it harder for Voldemort to finish off the Order. However the Dark Lord seemed unconcerned with their growth and possession of the prophesied one. James sighed. Harry had been killed because he might be that boy. Then both Neville's parents were killed, because he was the one.

Lily, spotting her husband, rose and hugged him tightly. "About time you two show up on time!"

"No hug for me, Lils?" Sirius asked, pulling his face into a pouting expression.

"No, but I do have this." Suddenly, she nudged Sirius in the ribs.

"What was that for?"

"There was a hex on my chair."

With a hurt expression, Sirius stated. "Actually that was Fred and George."

"And who taught them?"

"Prongs." Sirius said seriously.

"James!" Lily's fiery green eyes fell on her husband.

"I might have… hard to remember now."

The three's playful banter came to an end, when Dumbledore and another man entered through the door and quickly walked to the head of the room.

"Over here," Lily began to lead the two by their arms. "Remus is holding our seats."

The two took their seats that were located near the front of the room. James and Sirius nodded to Remus as they sat down. They would have spoken but Dumbledore had already begun.

"Firstly, I would like to introduce Mr. Roland Pierce, who comes to us under grave circumstances. I will let him speak of what he knows concerning the movement of Voldemort." Many in the room cringed at the mention of the name. With the introduction out of the way, Dumbledore took a seat in the front row.

Pierce shook horribly as he gazed over the crowd. "I am not in on His deeper secrets. But I have recently discovered through a friend, who shall remain R.A.B. that the Dark Lord has created Horcruxes, which are hidden in numerous locations. My friend only knows the location of one of these Horcruxes, and he set out a long time to find it, and told me he hid in this very house. It was Slytherin's locket."

Dumbledore spoke. "Molly, you know this house well, would you please find this locket." The newly arrived Molly Weasley nodded her head and left again. "Please, continue, Roland."

"Recently, the Dark Lord has increased his movements. He will be attacking more often and with more force."

Sirius, who knew for sure who R.A.B. was, spoke up. "What happened to R.A.B.?"

Pierce paled when he saw Sirius's face, as it was extremely similar to his brother, Regulus Black. "He was killed personally by Voldemort, not his assassin."

Sirius blinked, and then slowly nodded before departing the room rather rapidly. James immediately understood, but knew Sirius want to be left alone.

"Voldemort is using an assassin. Do you know who he is?"

Pierce paused flinching. "The assassin is his son. I have never met him in person. The only ones, who have seen him, are a select few in the Inner Circle. Bellatrix Lestrange is especially close to the boy… a fact she flaunts at every step. Lucius Malfoy is close, because his son, Draco, is the Dark Lord's son's playmate. The reason for the quiet all these years was that the Dark Lord was training his son… and his son will be coming after me for my betrayal."

Silence filled the room, as this news hit all those who were listening. They all came back to one thing. The Dark Lord, Voldemort, had a son.

Voldemort sat on his throne chair patiently waiting the return of his son. Not far away an anxious Bellatrix Lestrange paced.

Voldemort smiled. "Bella, I do swear you have become quite attached to the boy."

Lestrange paled.

"It is alright, my faithful servant. I have also grown attached to him. I almost love him… at least I think it is love. However, if he were to turn he would have to be cast aside permanently."

"He will not turn. We are all he knows."

At that moment, the door the throne opened wide. In stepped a young man with bright green eyes. His face was covered with a hood, which he promptly removed in sight of his father. His unruly black hair was even more so after the quick removal of the hood. He nodded to his father and smiled quickly at Bellatrix. Voldemort also gave a slight nod of his head in return. Voldemort smiled at the nodded. His son was the only one, who he would not allow to bow before him. He was treated as the Dark Lord's equal.

"How did you mission go, Harry, my son?" Voldemort asked in his snake-like voice.

"The mudblood is dead, father." Harry said smiling as he moved closer to his father.

Voldemort returned the young man's smile. He rose and embraced the sixteen year old in his arms. "I am proud of you, my son." Voldemort smiled when he saw the way Harry beamed at his praise. His son was very much so a child, despite what he was asked to do, and Voldemort tried to keep it this way by sheltering the boy. "Come sit by me for a time, Harry." When Harry did as he was told, Voldemort continued. "I have a very special gift for you."

"What is it?"

The Dark Lord reached into his pocket pulling out a necklace that held a small shield bearing a red lion. "This, Harry, belonged to one of the great founders of Hogwarts, Godric Gryffindor, to be precise. Beside that fact it is a Horcruxes." Seeing the confused light in his son's eyes, Voldemort explained further. "It contains a piece of my very soul, making me immortal. I have seven Horcruxes. It would honor me if you would carry this one, Harry."

Harry grasped the necklace and ran the silver chain between his fingers. "What if I damage it?"

"It is protected by powerful magic. As long as you wear it, it will not be harmed. Only you and I can remove it once you wear it, no matter what your condition the necklace can be removed by no other." Voldemort smiled. "It is fitting that you wear Gryffindor's necklace."

"Because of my traitorous parents?" Harry's face contorted at the thought of his biological family.

"No, because you probably would have been placed in that house… though perhaps not." Voldemort examined Harry Marvolo. "No, I do believe you would be in Slytherin."

This greatly put Harry at ease, and Voldemort was content. "I have a task for you, my son. I am sorry it needs to be done so soon, after all you have just returned."

"Who is the target, father." Harry's eyes hardening as he prepared for the task by separating himself.

Voldemort was surprised at the pride that rose up within him. "Roland Pierce, a Death Eater, has betrayed me. He was in league with Regulus Black. He has spoken with Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix. You must destroy him."

Harry removed his wand, his eyes now dead. "He will be dead soon enough, father. I promise you that."