Lily Yell @ Dumbledore; Marauders Cheer

[isawizard]

He's shaking when he comes back to Gryffindor Tower. It feels as though the entire world's been upended. Hermione and Ron look at him worriedly when he comes in, but he shakes his head slightly. He'll explain it to them later. First, he needs to seek advice from the people he's always known he could rely on.

Mum and Dads,

I don't know what to do. I just talked with Dumbledore and he told me about the prophecy that was made before I was born. He said that I'm supposed to be the one that has to kill Lord Voldemort. Not that I don't want to if I'm the one that has to!!! I don't want him around any longer than he has to be. But I'm scared. I've never even thought about killing anyone before, much less a Dark Wizard.

What do I do?
Love,
Harry

Comments

[lightmagic]

Lily is the one that opens the letter when it arrives and her hands start to shake as she reads it. She doesn't think she's been so furious in her entire life. She breathes out harshly through her nose as she hands the letter to her partners, and then scrawls out a note as they read.

Beloved Harry,

You just stay put, love. You needn't worry about anything like that. Things will be sorted out. You definitely do not need to do that! Don't be scared, mum and dads will always take care of you. You needn't kill anyone at all. In fact, I think we shall be seeing you quite soon.

All our love,
Mum and Dads.

She sends it off immediately, with instructions to go straight to the tower and not wait for mail in the morning. She has to take a moment to calm down, hands still shaking. As soon as they've all read it there's a quick tight discussion and Lily's gone. Leaves without another word; they'll all know where she's going. She assumes (correctly) that they'll be following right after her.

It doesn't actually take her long to arrive. It's less than half an hour total before she's in the castle, let in because she is a concerned parent and she stomps her way up to Dumbledore's office on her own, rattling off the names of stupid bloody candies until the way in opens and she can stomp in there, too.

She's a flurry of righteous anger as she slams into the room, spine rail-straight and head held high.

"How dare you, Albus Dumbledore."

(It doesn't even cross her mind that someone else may be in there. All she can see is Dumbledore sat at his desk after telling her son to go fight the Dark Lord.)

[isawizard]

He gets the letter and it's a comfort; it really is. It's just that now since his parents (Mum especially, judging by the handwriting and how quickly the letter came) have set such a firm stance on the matter, he feels obligated to tell Dumbledore. If he's not going to do it, then surely the Headmaster needed to know that, right?

So it's back to Dumbledore's office he goes. He's just about wrapped up his explanation of "Mum said I didn't need to" when quite suddenly his mother is there, a startling force of rage. Dumbledore doesn't seem surprised-- he'd nodded in seeming understanding in response to Harry's words.

The Headmaster still remains relatively calm, honestly. His hands fold in front of him as he looks back at Lily Potter, his voice even as he begins, "Lily, surely you understand. The prophecy does state--"

But anything he does say is probably overshadowed by the startled and confused "Mum?" that escapes Harry's lips upon seeing her.

[lightmagic]

It's astounding that she's not literally seeing red. "What I understand is--" Lily is about to continue when Harry's voice filters into her consciousness and she instinctively turns toward him, entire demeanor turning to something gentle and comforting - her usual, of course, with Harry. She sweeps over to him and smooths his hair, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

"Harry, darling Harry." Her voice is soft and almost shaking, but she reins it in. "No one should be placing these burdens on you. So don't worry, love."

She's still holding on to him when she turns her attention back to Dumbledore. Her voice is softer for now, a respite from her anger. For her son's benefit alone.

"What I understand is that you are a grown man trying to send a child to kill someone. That someone being one of the most dangerous Wizards of our time." One of.

"What I understand is that you're sitting on your arse instead of doing the hard work that needs doing. Voldemort is frightened of very few things in this world, Albus." The softness of her voice is dangerous now, and he'll recognize it.

"Do you remember what the main three are? The only three? Death, Albus Dumbledore, and Lily Potter."

Harry isn't likely to know this. Not many people do.

[isawizard]

He settles into her hold instantly, pressing a soft kiss against her cheek. He's still frightened, after all. Uncertain if she'll actually be able to protect him from this much. What can Lily Potter do against one of the most dangerous Wizards of all time?

He tries to cut off her tirade with a soft protest but he's distracted by the fact she accused Dumbeldore of sitting on his arse. It's got his jaw dropping in surprise, and then his eyes widen when she states that she's one of the things Voldemort is afraid of. For a moment, he's stunned to silence.

Dumbledore isn't, though. Dumbledore is remaining astonishingly calm, considering the fact that Lily is there in all her beautiful rage.

"That is the case, yes," the old man says, "But that does not negate what the prophecy states. He was born at the right time, to the right people. As of last year he was marked by Voldemort. He is the Chosen One."

"Besides, Mum," Harry pipes up, soft and nervous, "'f it's my fault he's back--" Which is certainly not a sentiment he'd've shared with his parents before, "--I should be th'one to take responsibility, right?"

[lightmagic]

She stays with her son because he needs her, needs Lily there because he's young and frightened and he's being told he's a human sacrifice. Her eyes are still full of fire as they stare at Dumbledore. "Chosen one? Chosen by you to do your work, more like."

When Harry speaks though her breath stutters out of her and for a moment she doesn't respond, burying her face into his hair. "Harry," she whispers, "none of this is your fault. Not a single bit of it. I need you to know that. You're not ruled by some pre-ordained destiny and even if you were it wouldn't be your fault. When things happen, the fault lies in the people that do those things of their own will." She kisses his hair, not moving. "It's his fault, not Harry Potter's."

She knows the others will be arriving very soon and so she straightens, hand gently squeezing Harry's arm before she moves to Dumbledore's desk, placing both hands on the surface of it flat. "Albus, you know that prophecy is about interpretation. If he'd chosen another child, they would be in this office instead." A breath. "And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not." She has it memorized. Word for word. "Do you know what my son has that he doesn't understand? He has family. He has love. He has me. If you think I'm going to let you send my son to battle, you're wrong. The power to vanquish the Dark Lord is the people around Harry, protecting him and by proxy everyone else."

[isawizard]

There's a quiet sound almost like a sniffle as he nuzzles in all the closer to his mother. Eventually, he nods slightly in agreement, murmuring a soft, "Okay."

It may yet take him some time to properly believe it, but it's a good start. That's all right, because he doesn't need to. What he needs, once his mother lets him go, is to curl up properly into Sirius' arms. Because there Sirius is now, having just made his way into the office. Catching hold of his son feels absolutely necessary and is absolutely welcomed. Lily's got dealing with Dumbledore handled. Sirius can take care of their eldest.

"Don't worry, son," he murmurs into Harry's hair, "Your Mum's got this sorted, nn?"

"Thanks, baba."

And Lily certainly does seem to have it sorted. Dumbledore looks quite briefly taken aback at the woman's vehemence, but doesn't waver just yet in his goal. (He really, really ought to have been in Slytherin.)

"I'm quite aware of the possibility of interpretation," he replies mildly, "But tell me, Lily, how exactly is it that you protecting him is going to result in Voldemort's defeat?"

"Well, how is sending Harry off to be killed going to result in his defeat?" Sirius can't help but shoot back, holding his son a little more protectively against him, "He's fifteen."

There might be a brief flicker of an apology Lily's way for the outburst. He had just told Harry she had it well in hand, but he can't help the flicker of his own protective fury. His attention will turn back to Harry once he's done, though; pressing a firm kiss against the boy's hair.

[wolfymcwolf]

Next into the office is Remus, and he does not look any happier than the two adults that had preceded him. "Albus, you know I have great respect for you, but this is too far! He is a child! We did not fight a war for our children to have to do the same!"

Remus set a steadying hand on Harry's shoulder. "There must be another way."