Prologue: The Kiss of Destiny

> *“Such a waste, you could have been such an ally, or perhaps even a worthy challenger, but no, the prophecy had different ideas for you, didn’t it?”*
>
>

— Emily Riddle, Prologue, October 31st 1981

## **Summary:**

The prologue, titled, “The Winds of Change” deals with the events of October 31st 1981, which is the night that Lady Voldemort was vanquished and Harry was sent off to live with his mother’s sister and her family. It also deals with the aftermath of said night, in particular, the incarceration of Sirius Black.

## **Plot:**

**October 31st 1981:** The opening scene of the story takes place in the evening of Halloween night 1981 in Godric’s Hollow. The scene shows Voldemort breaching the Potter’s wards and rendering James Potter unconscious through the use of what appeared to be a wandless banishing hex before making her way up the stairs and towards Lily Potter and her two sons, Harry and Charlus. After an exchange of words very similar to canon, Lily attempts to lash out at Voldemort, but is quickly killed, allowing The Dark Lady to advance on her sons. Voldemort takes a sort of interest in the green eyed boy (Harry) and decides to take him out of the crib and examine him. During this scene, Emily speaks of the potential the boy could have had and seems to show genuine regret before laying the metaphorical kiss of doom on the forehead of the child and laying him back in the crib. Then, Riddle removes her wand and casts the killing curse, but as the boy’s brother shoves him out of the way, it is unknown which of the two boys the curse struck. Either way, the curse backfires and Riddle is torn from her body, left terribly weak as she flees the scene.

**Later That Same Night:** The next scene of the story is told from the perspective of Peter Pettigrew, who arrives on the scene a bit later after the attack. Peter finds a very distraught James Potter standing in the center of his partially ruined cottage. James tells Peter what has happened to Lily and then gets the update on his sons from St. Mungo's via owl. It is then that James realizes that his youngest son, Charlus Potter not only vanquished Lady Voldemort, but survived the killing curse. Realizing the pressure he will be under as Charlus Potter’s father, James confesses his doubts as to whether or not he can raise Charlus, let alone his twin brother Harry at the same time. At this point, Albus Dumbledore enters the scene. He briefly tries to convince James that anything is possible when someone’s mind and heart work in unison but he quickly realizes he’s fighting a losing battle. Eventually, it is decided that Harry will be sent to live with Petunia and her new family, leaving James in a better position to hopefully raise Charlus to the best of his abilities. Later that night, Dumbledore drops Harry off at Privet Drive, noticing an odd aura around him, possibly the same that Voldemort picked up on.

**November 3rd 1981:** To close out the prologue, we are made privy to the most infamous of The Death Eater Trials. The scene is told from the POV of Albus Dumbledore while he presides over the session as The Chief Warlock. Three men are escorted into the court room by Dementors and aurors. It is soon revealed that these three men are Rabastan Lestrange and his brother Rodolphus, as well as Sirius Black. The former two quickly plead guilty to the torture of Frank and Alice Longbottom and for supporting The Dark Lady with little drama and are promptly escorted out of the courtroom.

Then, Sirius Black’s trial commences. He pleads guilty to all of the same crimes as the Lestranges (with the exception of the Longbottom’s torture), the murder of Marline Mackinnon and thirteen muggles, the subsequent violation of The Statute of Secrecy and the betrayal of the Potters. In addition, Sirius Black boasts of his other crimes. Most notably, being the alleged lieutenant of Voldemort and placing several of her eventual top followers under the Imperius curse. These followers include, but may not be limited to Lucius Malfoy, Tiberius Nott, Waldon Macnair, Crabbe, Goyle, Avery, and, the big revelation of the trial, Barty Crouch Jr. This final offence is what sends the interrogator, (Barty Crouch Sr. then head of the DMLE) into a rage along with the crowd. Eventually, Dumbledore takes control of the trial and demands a vote for Sirius Black to serve a life sentence in Azkaban. The vote passes unanimously and the prologue ends with Sirius Black’s ominous warning to Albus Dumbledore before he is led from the courtroom.

*“You think this is over, old man?” cackled Black as he was dragged to his feet, hardly caring that the dementors were gliding towards him. “This is far from over. The Dark Lady will return and your pathetic reign over Britain will be over. You’ll be her first victim,” he sneered, “first after the Potter brat, of course.” (Sirius Black, Prologue, November 3rd 1981)*

## **Characters Introduced:**

Lady Voldemort.

Harry Potter.

Charlus Potter.

James Potter.

Lily Potter.

Peter Pettigrew.

Albus Dumbledore.

Rodolphus Lestrange.

Rabastan Lestrange.

Sirius Black.

Barty Crouch Sr.

Chapter Chronological Order