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Every single one of the inhabitants of Godric’s Hollow could tell you the same two things: the village was small and the community was very tight knit. Located somewhere near the border of England and Wales, Godric’s Hollow has existed for a good thousand years. The village was founded in 986 when Ulysse Gryffindor used his family lands to build houses for muggle families who had lost everything in the hands of the Dark Lord of the time. The families had been incredibly thankful and pledged their lives to Ulysse, making him their Lord. To honour his late father who had been born on these lands, Ulysse named the village Godric’s Hollow.
Over the following thousand years, muggles and magicals alike settled in the village. The two groups formed a tight-knit community, helping and protecting one another of outside dangers, something which continued even past the implementation of the Statute of Secrecy. Together, they worked to improve their home and help the village of Godric’s Hollow prosper.
One of the latest magical families to move to the village were the Potters. The Potters joined the community of Godric's Hollow at the end of the 70s. Only a few short years out of their graduation from Hogwarts, James Potter and Lily Evans had just married. On their return from their honeymoon, the couple bought a cottage in the north of the village where they intended to make a home for their family. The cottage was situated close to the bottom of a cliff where a small cave could be found.
In July 1980, Godric’s Hollow welcomed Harry James Potter to the world. Both sides of the community congratulated the Potters for the birth of their first child. In January 1982, the young family welcomed their second child: Violet Lily Potter, a daughter. When Harry was born, it was said that he looked a lot like his father but with his mother’s eyes. Thus, it surprised nobody when Violet repeated the trend, looking like Lily but with James’ eyes. The family lived happily in Godric’s Hollow for the next three year.
Unfortunately, there is always something that come shake the peace that people build for themselves.
On Harry’s fifth birthday, Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore visited the Potters while they were hosting their friends the Longbottoms. After sending the children upstairs so they wouldn’t hear, Dumbledore told the two couples that their sons Harry and Neville were targeted by Lord Voldemort because of a prophecy. The Dark Lord had emerged around the same time as James and Lily’s wedding and quickly came to terrorize the Wizarding World. The Potters and Longbottoms were scared and made sure to do everything in their power to protect their children.
It was around the same time that things around the magical world became dire. Voldemort was becoming even more powerful and dangerous and the Order of the Phoenix feared Voldemort was close to taking over the Ministry. The Potters knew that if it was the case, they would have to go into hiding. They had already begun making plans when Dumbledore had told them about the prophecy. That their eldest child was in direct danger was the final nail in the coffin.
James’ first idea was to send Lily and the children away from the United-Kingdom to the Americas or Australia. Lily vetoed the idea immediately, wanting their family to stay united. As James was both an Auror, Order member and important part in the fight against Voldemort, he was reluctant to leave the country behind.
Thus came Lily’s idea which allowed them to stay in the country while keeping their children safe. They decided to hide their home under the Fidelius Charm. They chose their friend Peter Pettigrew as the Secret-Keeper while Sirius Black, James’ best friend and Harry’s godfather, acted as a decoy, telling everyone he was the one keeping the secret. It was an idea Sirius himself had, believing they could draw attention away from the real Secret-Keeper, which would make the Fidelius even safe.
James was happy to learn he was free for the whole day during Halloween of that year. He had been disappointed when he realized he could not take his children trick-or-treating, something he had been anticipating ever since he learned of the muggle tradition. As a replacement activity, that evening, husband and wife took the opportunity to play games with their children. Inspired by egg hunts taking place on Easter, James and Lily hid sweets all around the house for their children to find. Of course, they made sure that both Harry and Violet had their proper share of sweets to avoid one being jealous over the other. The two children took to the game enthusiastically.
Harry found his fifth sweet upstairs, in his room. He made sure to tell his parents about it.
“MUM!” shouted the boy. “I FOUND ONE!”
“Great job Harry!” answered Lily from the hallway. The parents had formed a simple system that night: Lily watched over Harry and James over Violet. Neither wanted an overexcited child looking for hidden sweets walk around unsupervised in the house.
“We got six here!” shouted James from downstairs. “I think I saw a few more...!”
“WHAT!? WAIT FOR ME!” shouted Harry before he ran back down the stairs.
“Harry! What did I tell you? Don’t run down the stairs!”
“Yes Mum.” answered Harry automatically, not exactly listening. “Where!?” he demanded to his father when he found him and Violet in the kitchen.
James grinned. “You want me to tell you where they are? Oh no, son. You will have to find them yourself!”
“I already have six!” singed Violet playfully.
Harry walked back in the parlour and made his way to one of the windows. He opened the curtains, looking outside in the darkening glow of the sunset. “Are there any outside?”
“No, Harry.” said Lily. “They are all hidden in the house.”
“Okay...” he started before he froze. His eyes widened in surprise. Lily noticed this immediately.
“Harry?” she asked.
“There is someone outside!”
“What?” Lily frowned, surprised. She went to her son and looked out the window. She paled when she saw who was outside. Though he was not easily visible this late in the evening, Lily could see a tall man with bone-white skin and red eyes wearing a dark cloak. Lord Voldemort was standing in their front garden. “James! It’s him!” she exclaimed, her voice full of terror.
“No... he can’t be... dammit!” exclaimed James. “Lily, take the children and run!” shouted James.
“James...” she protested, tearing up.
“NOW!” he shouted. “I’ll try to get you some time, run!”
A crying Lily immediately grabbed Harry’s arm and dragged him toward the kitchen where Violet was. Even in his young age, he understood that the time to play was over and that it was very important for him to do as his mother said.
With a loud bang that startled the occupants of the house, the front door was blown open. Voldemort entered the house and James immediately started duelling him. “Lily!” Go!” he shouted.
“Violet!” cried Lily, moving toward the kitchen. “Where are you!?”
“Mummy!” they heard, making Lily and Harry run toward her. Around the same moment Lily grabbed Violet, Voldemort sent the Killing Curse at James. James cried in pain before he fell down, dead.
The three remaining Potters were now all crying. Lily didn’t attempt to look back at James, instead helping her children leave the house. “Run toward the hiding place!” she told them before taking out her wand. “I’ll be right behind you!” Harry grabbed his little sister’s arm and ran to small cave just outside of the property.
Lily duelled Voldemort but she didn’t resist for long, falling at one of his Killing Curse. Voldemort crackled evilly.
Hearing Voldemort, Violet turned back and saw Voldemort standing over her mother’s body. “MUMMY!” she cried, stopping and trying to run back toward her.
Harry stopped her. “No!” he said. He was crying as well but managed not to break down, knowing that he had Violet to take care of. “The bad man will hurt us if we go back! Mum said to hide in the cave!”
“Where?”
“This way!” said Harry before they started running again. Not far behind, Voldemort was looking at the two children with amusement. Killing the parents had been easy, not that he’d expected any different. He laughed when he learned the children believed they could escape him, Lord Voldemort! He walked in their direction and took his time. They couldn’t go far.
Harry led Violet inside the small cave. The cave wasn’t exactly deep but it was enough to hide two children in its darkness. Harry and Violet hid behind a boulder. Harry held Violet in his arms.
“I want Mummy!” cried Violet.
“Shhh...” said Harry, putting his hand over Violet’s mouth. “Silence, we don’t want the bad guy to hear us.” Harry breathed slowly, trying to stay as silent as possible.
Barely any audible sound came from outside. The wind blew slowly, a few orange and red leaves floated around the entrance of the cave. Then...
Footsteps. One, then a second one, and a third, and the sound of the footsteps kept getting higher and higher. Harry made sure that he and his little sister were hidden from view behind the boulder. Then, they heard a whisper. “Homenum Revelio.” It was followed by a bone-chilling crackle. Violet was shaking in Harry’s arms.
“Reducto!”
The boulder exploded and pieces of stone flew everywhere. Harry was hit in the back by absorbing most of the debris. Violet was cut on her left arm. The children shrieked in surprise.
“Did you really think that you could hide from me? Lord Voldemort?” laughed the Dark Lord.
“Leave her alone!” shouting Harry, putting himself between Violet and Voldemort.
“Oh, trust me, I will soon leave you alone. I have no intention of staying with children of mudblood for longer than necessary.” he said, pointing his wand at Harry. “I simply want to kill you.”
“Kill me but not her!” he said, acting braver than he truly felt. He did not have a good grasp on the concept of death but, even at that age, he knew it was very bad. He would not let it happen to his sister!
“Only five and already so noble.” commented Voldemort. For a moment, he looked impressed. Then, an evil smile grew on his pale face. “I think I will kill her first and make you watch. Accio Girl!”
“NO!” shouted Harry as Violet flew out of his arms and landed at Voldemort’s feet. Violet cried and tried to run back toward Harry but Voldemort grabbed her arm first. “Not so fast, little girl!” he snarled. He immediately put his wand at the small red-head's temple.
“Please!” pleaded Harry. “Don’t do it! I will do anything!”
“There is nothing a small child like you could offer me.” he said.
“Please!” the boy repeated. He was crying in fear. “Don’t hurt her!”
The Dark Lord stayed silent for a few moments. Then... “Have at it.” he said, throwing Violet to the ground. Violet did not loose time to run toward Harry. Unfortunately, it was all a ruse.
Many things happened all at once. Just as Violet was about to fall in Harry’s hands, Voldemort pointed at her back and cast “Avada Kedavra!” Harry let out a shout of warning and Violet turned to look at the spell. Just as it was about to hit her, she suddenly disappeared in a loud pop. The spell continued on its trajectory and hit Harry’s forehead. It rebounded to Voldemort, hitting the Dark Lord in the chest. A magical blast was created and the cave exploded, sending stone flying everywhere. And, lastly, the cave collapsed on Harry, burying him in rock and dirt.
He opened his eyes, but by the way everything was dark, he would believe he was still sleeping if it wasn’t for the pain. It came from his forehead and, when he brought a hand to it, felt something sticky and hot on his fingers. Harry took a breath and immediately coughed, inhaling dust. Where was he? What happened? Harry tried to think back on what he last remembered.
He had been playing with his sister and parents a game to find the most sweets. Then, a bad man came in the house. His parents were terrified. The man shot dark spells at his dad while his mum grabbed him and dragged him to Violet. They then left the house and the bad man followed them. Mum stopped to fight the bad man but she fell. She died! He knew it meant he would never see his Mum again. He felt himself tear up. Had the same happened to his Dad too?
“Mum!” he yelled. “Dad!” He hoped someone could hear him wherever he was, but nobody returned his call.
What happened next? Oh, yes. His mum told him and Violet to run to the cave. The bad man followed them and threatened Violet! Harry tried to stop him but he pushed her away before casting a curse. Violet disappeared, Harry was hit on the forehead and fell unconscious.
Was that what had happened? Was he still in the cave? Did the ceiling fall on him? He remembered a bright green light and an explosion, so it must have.
If he was right... it meant he was buried under the debris!
“Help!” he cried. “Help! I’m stuck!” Again, no answer came. “Violet?” he tried. What happened to his sister? Did the bad man kill her by making her disappear? Had he failed to protect her? Was he truly alone?
Harry had a feeling he would have to get out of the cave by himself. Groping over him, he felt a ceiling of stone stand over his head. He was in a pocket of air and would not be able to stand on his feet. Since he was laying on his back, he turned his body to be able to move. He could see a bit of light come further down the cave and guessed it was where the entrance was located. He slowly crawled his way to the light. Moving made him feel week.
He stopped when he hit a wall of stone composed of small and large boulders. Harry put his hand on a small one and tried to push. It took all of his strength to make the small boulder move. He jerked his hand back when it suddenly dropped. It was a good thing as a large boulder immediately fell down where the small boulder had been. Harry tried to push it away too. Unfortunately for the small five-year-old, the boulder was big and heavy. No matter what he did, he could not make it move an inch. He began feeling desperate. He didn’t want to stay there! He wanted to get out, return home! In anger, he gave the boulder a punch.
“Move!” he yelled.
To Harry’s shock, the boulder shot away like a kicked football, opening a hole big enough for Harry to see the outside world. Harry was happy he had done accidental magic, but it made him feel even weaker. When he stuck his face in the hole, he was met with the sun of early morning, confusing Harry. Wasn’t it the evening? Still, despite his confusion, Harry pushed. He moved to the hole and slid between the rocks, praying they would not fall on him and crush him. He let out a sigh of relief when he fell out of it, crashing on the ground.
Now out of the rocks, Harry tried to stand up. He barely took a few feet forward before his legs gave out and he collapsed. He attempted to move forward but his vision started turning black.
Eventually, just as he made it out of the cave, Harry lost the last of his strength. The last thing he saw was the blinding light of the sun before it was replaced with total darkness.
Harry did not know how long he stayed asleep. It could have been minutes, hours or even days. But, what he knew when he awoke next was that he was still in pain. The pain on his forehead made him feel like someone had punched him while the pain in his lungs gave the impression he was breathing fire.
Another thing he noticed was that he was no longer at home. He could tell by the strange smells reminding him of a hospital room. There were also voices he did not recognize speaking close to him. The voices sounded like they came out of a speaker. They did not sound entirely human.
“The boy.” said a first voice. Harry could not tell whether it was spoken by a man or woman. “Where did you say you found him?”
“Just outside of a collapsed cave in Godric’s Hollow.” said another voice. This one was that of a man. “He looked like he’d just crawled out of it. He was covered in dust and his forehead was bleeding heavily.”
“Godric’s Hollow?” repeated the first voice.
“Yes, Leader.” said the second voice. The first voice hummed.
“Is he one of the Potter children? The ones who have been reported missing during the night by Albus Dumbledore?”
‘Missing?’ Harry thought. He was missing? Worse, Violet was missing?! The second fact made him feel a lot more scared than his own situation did.
“I believe so. I found the parents’ bodies while I was there. Both are dead. Killing Curses, I think”
“And the girl?”
“Unknown. There was no sign of her. Either she wasn’t there during the attack, or she was buried under the rocks and didn’t make it out.”
Upon hearing the fate of his family, Harry wanted to cry. He wanted to speak up, to shout for his mum, dad and sister. He wanted to tell the two voices that they were wrong, that they were alive. But, he couldn’t. Not only because he was physically incapable, but because he did not know if they were alive.
Unaware of Harry’s thoughts, the second voice continued. “The boy was unconscious. I could not leave him all alone. I had to take him with me as dictate our creed – especially with his parents dead.”
“’Leave no abandoned child to their fate.’” quoted the first voice. “This is the way.”
“This is the way.” repeated the second voice. There was a silence. Then... “What is going to happen to him?”
“He has nobody else to turn to. No family of his own. So, we will be his family. From now on, Harry Potter is a Mandalorian foundling.” said the first voice.
Harry had no idea what a Mandalorian foundling was. He was still trying to figure it out when he returned to unconsciousness.
Harry’s eyes opened with a start. He quickly noticed breathing no longer pained him. His forehead still felt sore but nothing like the pain he had felt previously. When he brought a hand to it, he found a bandage covering it.
After taking a few deep breaths, the five-year-old began taking in the room he was in. It looked like a medical room built in the basement of a house. The walls were made of bricks of stone pilled over one another. The only door of the room was made of metal and looked like it could have come straight out of a science-fiction movie if it wasn’t so dirty and grimy.
He was still staring at it when the door suddenly opened with a quiet hiss, startling Harry. In entered a... person. The appearance confused Harry as the person wore a helmet with a strange ‘T’-shaped visor at the front. Under the armour was a grey under-suit which was covered by armour the colour of bronze. From the physique of the person, Harry assumed she was a woman.
“Ah, you’re awake, I see.” said the woman. Her voice sounded strange. It was muffled like those from the two persons who had spoken at his bedside. “How do you feel? Any pain?”
“No.” he answered automatically, not looking away from the armoured woman. “Who are you? And why are you wearing a helmet?”
The woman made a sound he assumed was a chuckle. “I am a healer.” she answered quite simply. “As for why I am wearing a helmet, that would be because I am a Mandalorian. My creed forbid me to not wear my helmet in the presence of anyone who is not part of my clan.”
Harry blinked at his mind started turning. Mandalorian? Creed? Clan? “What is a Mandalorian?” he asked, beginning with the obvious question.
“I could never do justice to the history of the Mandalorians in a few word. But, to answer your question, a Mandalorian is someone who follow the way of Mandalore. We are magical warriors who stayed and survived in the shadows throughout the last two millenniums.”
“That’s... two thousand years?” he exclaimed with the shock only a five-year-old could have. “That’s super long!”
The woman chuckled once more. “Yes, it is a long time.” she agreed. “Now, I’m going to remove your bandage. If it is healed, I will bring you to the Leader so we can think what to do with you.”
Harry gulped thanks to the sudden reminder of what had happened. “Do you know what happened to my Mum and Dad?” he asked. He already knew the answer from overhearing the two voices. His question was more of a plea for the answer to be otherwise.
The woman, who had brought her hand to the bandage to tear it off, stilled. She let out a small sigh. “I’m sorry, my child. But they did not make it.”
Harry blinked back tears. “W-What ab-bout Violet?” he asked quietly.
“We don’t know. Nobody has seen her. I’m sorry.”
Harry finally let himself cry. His parents were gone and nobody knew where his sister was. He was scared and afraid. Not just for himself despite his strange situation, but for Violet. He wished she was safe, that someone else was able to protect her. He certainly failed to do so.
The woman with the strange helmet let him cry, rubbing a gentle hand on his back. It took a few minutes for his tears to stop. Once he had quieted down, the woman spoke again.
If you are ready, we can go speak to the Leader now.” she said. Harry simply nodded.
The healer led him out of the room.