Rider on the Storm

Riders on the storm

Riders on the storm

Into this house we're born

Into this world we're thrown

Like a dog without a bone

An actor out alone

Riders on the storm

The wind picked up, the clouds moved in and the rain began.

It was Halloween, 1981.

Lily and James Potter had just returned home, after taking little Harry "Trick or Treating". It was so much fun taking a 15 month old to visit friends on this night. Lily being Muggle born had differing traditions for this night than James. James, the only son of an old and respected Wizarding family usually ignored Halloween. It carried almost no significance in the Wizarding world. It was just another night that carried memories of another time.

The storm that was raging outside was entirely unexpected. If the Potter house had electricity, it most likely would be out by now.

James summoned more candles and placed them around the living room. Then he lit the fire. A normal wood fire, not a wizard fire, there was something cozier about a normal wood fire.

Lily came back into the room after putting Harry in bed.

"James, do you want some wine or cider?"

"Cider, mulled if you want to."

"That sounds perfect, cheese and apples, too?"

"Yes, dear."

About ten minutes later Lilly brought out the tray with the cider and snacks.

Just as they settled in there came a knock on the door. James went to answer it, wand loosened in his sleeve holster.

"Peter, what brings you here on a night like this?"

"I was out and got caught in the storm and thought I would stop by and get something hot and dry off a little."

"Come in, then, Lily just mulled some cider. Over there on the table, summon another mug and pour yourself some. I need to go check on Harry. Lily," James called into the kitchen, "Peter is here, I'm going to check Harry, I thought I heard him crying when Peter knocked on the door."

"OK, I'll finish up in here and be right out."

Lily brought out a platter with sandwich fixings on it and set it on the table.

"Peter, we weren't expecting anyone tonight, especially with this storm."

"I was out and got caught in the storm and since you are on my way home I decided to drop in to grab something hot and to dry off a little."

With that he took off his cloak, hung it over the back of a chair. Then he took out his wand and used a drying charm to dry his cloak. When he finished he set his wand on the table, picked up his mug and drank down some of the cider.

"This is very good, where did you get it?"

"It is the stuff we made last year," said James, coming down the stairs holding Harry. "from the trees on great-grandma's place. Lily, here, take Harry and I'll go get Peter a bottle to take home."

James passed Harry to Lily and went into the kitchen, then down to the pantry. After a few minutes he came back carrying two bottles. "One for you and one for your mother." he said handing them to Peter.

Peter looked down at his watch, "I need to go, see you later, maybe I'll drop by in the morning, I have some Order business to discuss with you."

"Okay, later then, I'll see you out."

Peter took his cloak off the chair, picked up his wand and under his breath muttered "finite incantatum".

There's a killer on the road

His brain is squirmin' like a toad

Take a long holiday

Let your children play

If ya give this man a ride

Sweet memory will die

Killer on the road, yeah

Once past where the recently disabled wards had been Peter Aparated, but not home like he said he was, but rather to Malfoy manner. Once there he exchanged his now wet again cloak and robes for another set, all black and the accompanying mask.

"The wards are down."

"Good, we will all go in about half an hour." said Lucius. "The Master will meet us there. Remember, the Mark is not be released until the brat is dead."

Rodolphus LeStrange sat off in a corner by himself, the metallic sound of a steel on stone was ringing out in the room. "I want to cut out the Lion's heart. That damn Gryffindor has been a thorn in my side for 20 years. Ever since my parents met his."

"Put up your knives, the Dark Lord wants this job bloodless."

"I know, but I always prepare, nothing ever goes off as planned."

Bellatrix entered the room, "Yes, dear, that is why I love you, dedicated to your job, wanting to be the best."

Peter uncorked both bottles of cider, and summoned some glasses. "Let's all drink a toast to our late friends." No one noticed the tear in the corner of his eye.

"Why didn't I warn them?"

After the cider was gone, Lucius said, "It is time."

They all dropped their masks and Aparanted to Godric's Hollow.

When they arrived, a cloaked, hooded figure greeted them. "Tonight, those who have stood against me will feel my wrath. They will know that I am more than they can handle. I am a force of Nature, I am Death and I ride a pale horse."

His arm swept out and he summoned a large gray stallion. He mounted and gave the order for the gathered Death Eaters to circle the house. When the circle was complete. He rode the horse to the door.

"James Potter, tonight we have come for your son! Give him to me and you shall live."

There was no reply from the house, except for the lights being extinguished.

In the back of the circle Peter waited as long as he could to raise the anti-Aparation charms.

"I hope they got out."

A streak of light shot out the door and knocked Voldemort off his horse.

"Get them and bring me the boy!"

The first ones through the door quickly fell under the onslaught of James' spell casting. More than one Death Eater fell to petrifying spells, and others went down from other curses.

Bellatrix finally made her way into the room. "Crucio" she shouted. And a yell of pure agony radiated into the night. But even under the influence of the curse, James was able to get off one of his own. It sent Bellatrix flying and she crashed into the table and lay still.

Rodolphus jumped into the fray, drawing one of his beloved knives and plunged it deep into James' chest. James ceased fighting then.

Voldemort swept into the house and saw the carnage, he quickly made his way up the stairs. The remaining Death Eaters started removing their injured companions. No one noticed James crawling up the stairs in the wake of Voldemort.

Girl ya gotta love your man

Girl ya gotta love your man

Take him by the hand

Make him understand

The world on you depends

Our life will never end

Gotta love your man, yeah

When he reached the room where Harry was, Voldemort yelled through the door, "Give me the boy and you shall live."

"Rot in Hell!"

The door exploded outward, peppering him with shards of wood.

"Then have it your way, Avada Kedavra." The streak of sickly green light shot from his wand towards Harry.

Lily leaped in front of the blast. It struck her in the chest. She fell to the floor.

Then as Voldemort aimed once again at Harry, James barely able to stand transformed into a stag, charged at Voldemort.

"Avada Kedavra."

Three things happened at once.

The green light struck little Harry full in the face.

Voldemort shrieked and James ran him through with his antlers.

Harry sat in his crib, crying not knowing why the strange cloaked man was shining a bright light in his eyes.

Voldemort's body started to age, wither and turn to dust.

James collapsed, reverting back to his human form.

As the last of Voldemort's body crumbled to dust an eerie wind blew through the room and from the ashes rose, almost phoenix like a spectral image of Voldemort. "Harry Potter, you have laid me low tonight, but I swear I will not rest until I see you broken and dead at my feet. I will eat your heart before your dying eyes. I swear this on the foulest pit of Hell."

With the words of the curse hanging on the air he left.

Peter entered the room, stooped and picked up Voldemort's wand. He nearly died of heart failure when he heard a barely whispered "You traitor." from James.

He turned, pointing the wand at James.

"Avada Kedavra."

He walked to the crib, scooped up the crying Harry, and gathered James' and Lily's wands. Then with Harry in one arm and the other hand wiping tears from his eyes, he left.

Outside the house he set Harry on the ground and pointing his wand at the house said "Incendio" . The house burst into flame.

Then he set off the mark and Aparated into the night.

Riders on the storm

Riders on the storm

Into this house we're born

Into this world we're thrown

Like a dog without a bone

An actor out alone

Riders on the storm

A single headlight descended from the sky. The sound of a motorcycle engine fading as it came to a halt. Three loud pops, distinct from the crackle of the blaze disturbed the night.

The only other sound was that of a crying child.

The storm still raged.

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