REVISED
A/N: Ok everyone, here goes the new version of the Prologue. I didn't change much, but it's definitely better written than the last one. 15-year-old writer vs. 20-year-old writer equals a huuuuuge difference. I hope you think so, too :)
Also, as you can see there's a REVISED tag on the top of the page. There is more information on that in my profile, if you want to check it out.
Prologue
When James Potter heard Albus Dumbledore say that one of his twin boys was the child prophesied to destroy the Dark Lord Voldemort, he thought Karma was finally getting back at him for tormenting Severus Snape for so long; but his wife, Lily, went into a rare bout of hysterics.
"Prophesied? They were just born and you're saying that there's already a prophecy about them? And that one is going to defeat a Dark Wizard? What are you playing at, Albus? You can't just come in here and-" Lily ranted, before being interrupted by her husband.
"Dumbledore," said James slowly, rubbing his eyes as he did so, "are you absolutely sure it's our boys? No other twins fit the description in the prophecy?" James was always one to trust Albus, but he couldn't be sure this time what the headmaster had up his sleeve.
The Potters' sitting room became quiet. Dumbledore turned his cup of tea in his hands absentmindedly, looking down as to avoid the Potters' questioning glances for the time being. Lily and James were leaning forward in a loveseat –tea forgotten- waiting for the headmaster's answer. Dumbledore took a deep breath and lifted his eyes. "The only other magical twins that were born recently are the Patil girls, James," he explained heavily. "For obvious reasons, they don't fit the prophecy."
James exchanged a pained look with Lily, and gave her hand a squeeze. Lily shook her head slowly.
"It doesn't have to come true," she said quietly. "Divination isn't an exact subject, it could just be wrong…" she continued, though she sounded as if she were trying to convince herself of that fact. "Right?"
She looked up at Dumbledore for confirmation, and the old wizard offered her a sad smile. "No, Lily, it does not have to come true," he agreed. "But if Voldemort were to hear of it, he would not take any chances."
"So…" started James, frowning at the floor, "if this just stays between us, it can just… pass us by. No one else has to know," he mused. He looked up at the old wizard as well, confusion evident in his eyes. "But, Dumbledore, how are we supposed to know which one of the two boys is the one? And how does the other play into this?"
Dumbledore finally put his cup down, and intertwined his long fingers. Lily and James were staring at him expectantly. He let out a short sigh. "The prophecy mentions both Harry and Alan, and the role they are to play. It does not, however, specify who will do what. It is my assumption that time will tell us the answer."
Lily wasn't happy, if her set jaw was to be trusted. "What exactly did the prophecy say, Albus?" she asked testily.
Dumbledore's face became grim. He had known he would have to tell the prophecy to the Potters, but that did not make telling them the truth any easier. He knew the contents would burden the young family for the rest of their lives. Nonetheless, he spoke,
"The One with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches… born to those who have thrice defied him… born as the seventh month dies. He will have a brother to be his opposite… a twin that will lead an army against him… and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal… but he will have powers the Dark Lord has not. The One with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…"
The Potters could only stare at their old mentor. It was all so… surreal. Only a couple of hours ago they had been tucking in their completely ordinary babies, wondering what they would grow up to be, and now… now everything was going to change. Now everything seemed to be written.
Lily closed her eyes. "'A twin that will lead an army against him'? An opposite, Albus?" she repeated, trying to comprehend the words. "What is that supposed to mean? That one will be good and destroy Voldemort, and the other will be bad and…?" she trailed off, not able to finish her question.
James scowled. "Don't say that, Lily," he scolded her. "Neither Harry nor Alan will join forces with that Dork Lord. We'll be good parents, and love them the same, and teach them the same values, and the only army they'll lead against each other is one made of marshmallows, all right?"
Lily managed a small giggle, and moved closer to her husband. James sent Dumbledore a light glare, challenging him to say otherwise.
Dumbledore offered the couple a sad smile. "Nothing is written yet," he assured them. "Prophecies are tricky little verses. I have to wonder if it is not us that make them come true," he mused lightly.
The Potters held each other for silent support, each lost in their own thoughts.
"What are we going to do, Dumbledore?" James asked after a few minutes of silence, sober again. Lily fixed her attention on the old headmaster and waited.
Dumbledore separated his fingers and then joined them at the tips again. "For the time being, only we know the contents of the prophecy. If for whatever reason Lord Voldemort were to catch wind of it, I am almost certain that he would try to get your children out of the way. To protect your family, I would put your house under the Fidelius Charm," he answered, having already considered the scenario. "May I suggest that you start thinking of a Secret Keeper?" he offered. "Mr. Black, perhaps?"
James and Lily exchanged another worried glance.
"Well we can certainly trust Sirius," said James. "We would have to tell him about the Prophecy, though…. But what about later? When the boys are older? What if… I don't know…" he rambled, looking around the sitting room for inspiration, "what if one of the boys is sorted into Slytherin?" he said finally.
"Oh, James," scoffed Lily. "The House they're sorted into has nothing to do with the prophecy coming true. If Alan were to be sorted into Gryffindor, and Harry into Slytherin, do you really think that would be a good reason to turn on each other? They're brothers, for Merlin's sake!"
"So are Sirius and Regulus!" protested James.
"Don't even go there! Weren't you just saying how we're going to raise them to love each other, and have the same family values, and Merlin knows what?" she insisted. "Why would belonging to rival Houses change their upbringing?"
James was about to retort, but he thought better of it and smiled sheepishly instead. "Sorry, love. I got carried away. You're absolutely right, that prophecy doesn't have to come true."
Lily breathed out in relief, and Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. The headmaster cleared his throat and got the Potters' attention back.
"I should leave shortly, but I will keep you informed of any new developments," he assured the Potters, rising from his seat. The couple broke apart and copied him. "Keep your eyes open, and owl me if you see anything suspicious, anything at all. We cannot be too careful in these dangerous times," he added heavily.
James and Lily nodded, looking down once more. Dumbledore watched them with sad eyes, and put a hand on the shoulder of each. "I cannot possibly imagine what the two of you must be going through right now," he told them quietly, drawing sullen glances from both. "But remember, there will always be someone at Hogwarts to help pure hearts in need."
Ten years later, Jack Riddle woke up with a start.