Godric's Hollow

Dumbleydorr

Story Summary:
“I thought I might go back to Godric’s Hollow,” Harry muttered. He had had the idea in his head ever since the night of Dumbledore’s death. “For me, it started there, all of it. I’ve just got a feeling I need to go there. And I can visit my parents’ graves, I’d like that.”

Chapter 01

Posted:
12/31/2005
Hits:
1,226


Godric's Hollow

"I thought I might go back to Godric's Hollow," Harry muttered. He had had the idea in his head ever since the night of Dumbledore's death. "For me, it started there, all of it. I've just got a feeling I need to go there. And I can visit my parents' graves, I'd like that."

"Are you ready yet, Ron?" complained an irritated Hermione.

"Just a sec," Ron called from his bedroom at the Burrow.

"Now, have you got everything? Your cloak?" asked Mrs Weasley.

"Of course he has Mum. Stop bothering him," said Ron as he came down the stairs, pulling a jacket on.

"Now don't take that tone with me young boy. You should know about the dangers of these days! Now, are you really sure you want to do this Harry?"

"Yes Mrs. Weasley. It's something I feel I have to do especially after the end of last year," explained Harry.

"Oh very well then, don't be late home. I'm making dumplings for tea."

"I wouldn't miss them for the world, Mrs. Weasley."

Quarter of an hour after they had planned to leave, the Trio set off down the garden path. At the bottom of the path they all looked at each other then turned on the spot and disappeared with a crack.

It was only yesterday that Harry and Ron had finally gained their Apparition Licenses and they were happy to Apparate anywhere possible. Also they could now do any magic freely, which had led to a few choice encounters with Fred and George.

They appeared a second later at Godric's Hollow. In front of them stood the Potters' house or what remained of it. The walls had fallen away and the roof had caved in. Everything about it was black and charred. Slowly, Harry approached the ruin, where he had once spent the happiest days of his life. As he looked closely, he saw evidence that he was not the first to visit. There was a large amount of wood that had been thrown off something. It must have taken great strength to move the fallen timbers and Harry had an inkling as to who it was. As he moved closer he saw that it had been thrown off a cradle. Harry stared at the cradle and then closed his eyes and sank to the crowd. Memories swam in his head, memories the Dementors had forced him to relive.

'Lily, take Harry and go! It's him! Go! Run! I'll hold him off-"

The sounds of someone stumbling from a room - a door bursting open - a cackle of high-pitched laughter-

"Not Harry! Not Harry! Please - I'll do anything -"

"Stand aside - stand aside, girl -"

Slowly, the memories retreated and Harry was left with only his own thoughts. Like he was in a dream, he stood up and slowly walked back to Ron and Hermione.

"I want to go to their graves now," he said in a voice trembling with emotion.

"Of course Harry. They're just over here," said Hermione.

They turned a corner and Harry saw a deserted graveyard...but wait it wasn't deserted. Who was that standing over a gravestone? Then Harry saw the hair; the black, greasy hair and then all he saw was red. He charged towards Snape, pulling out his wand as he ran. Ron and Hermione ran behind him, both wondering what Snape was doing here of all places. Harry wasn't thinking any longer, he was just seeing the night Dumbledore died. The pleading look from Dumbledore's eyes as Snape had killed the twinkle in those blue orbs. Then something broke through his thoughts.

"I'm sorry."

It had come from Snape. Harry ground to a halt; was Snape asking for his forgiveness. Then he realised Snape wasn't talking to him; he was talking to the gravestone. Harry shuffled round to look at the gravestone. In curvy letters it proclaimed, "Lily Potter, She gave her life so her son might live, We will never forget her". Harry was dumbstruck; what could Snape have to say to his mother. Behind him Harry heard Ron and Hermione catch up. He held up his hand and gave them a shushing gesture before turning back to Snape. The man was starting to talk again, oblivious of Harry.

"I don't know what to say...all I can remember is the night that I heard the prophecy and then told the Dark Lord. I remember hearing for the first time that you were dead. I fell into Albus' arms seeking solace. He helped me recover, he loved me like a father...and then I killed him too. When I found out that he wanted me to kill him instead of me dying, I said "No". How could he expect me to kill him, but he brought me around eventually...made me promise to do it when it came to it. He said I would be of more use to the Order and Harry then him, I couldn't take it. And then that night on the tower...I knew Harry was there...but still I had to kill you...you pleaded with me to...so I did.

Oh Lily, I miss you so much. I need you so much. You were my sunshine and though you never knew it you were my one true love." After he had shouted the last bit out to the heavens, Snape dissolved into tears.

Harry behind him was amazed, was it true? It must be. Slowly, he approached Snape, wanting to comfort this man who had been through so much heart ache. He must have heard Harry for he turned around. When he saw Harry he reached for his wand, but then he looked into Harry's eyes and saw that he knew. Harry reached out his arms to this broken man and Snape fell into them. Together they cried; for what they had done and what they still had to do. They cried for the people who had sacrificed their lives for them and they cried for what might have been.