The Third Wave

Ottery St. Catchpole, Two Days Ago (Day 1)

Rubbing his eyes, Harry walked into the dining room to find James sitting beside Lily’s cradle. Even at age six, the young man had a very protective attitude towards his baby sister. He had been making funny faces to Lily’s amusement but turned and greeted his father with a toothy grin when he saw him enter.

Harry was about to go to the cradle when Albus dashed out of the kitchen clutching a spoon which seemed to be trying to break free of his grasp. He got fascinated by hovering items and was always looking to catch hold of one of them when his mother was cooking. Today, having succeeded, he was overjoyed. However, his triumph was short lived as Ginny walked out of the kitchen and, with a casual flick of her wand; summoned the spoon to her hand.

She was wearing an apron on top of a simple purple gown and her usual scarlet mane was tied in a neat ponytail today. Even in the simplest of attires, she always managed to look breathtaking. Before heading back to the kitchen she gave Harry a warm smile which reminded him just how grateful he was to have married her.
The only one missing from his usual company at breakfast was young Teddy Lupin who had returned to Hogwarts for his second year last month.

It was hard to believe that it had been twelve long years since the Battle of Hogwarts. Harry still couldn’t believe he was no more the child living in a cupboard under the stairs in his uncle’s house. So many things had transpired since then and now he finally had his own family.

§§§

“

We are back” Albus announced enthusiastically as his father opened the door to allow him to enter carrying a large cage. Inside it; sleeping contently with its head behind its wings, was a snow white owl.
After Ginny helped the boys carry the cage To Albus’s room, she came back to the living room and sat beside Harry on the couch.

“Ron and Hermione are coming over for dinner.” She said, fondly ruffling his hair.

Smiling, Harry was about to reply when he heard it. A faint, yet familiar whisper, hissing something in his ears.

“B..l..o…o…d”

A chill ran down Harry’s spine. Ginny’s voice seemed to be coming from a place far away. His living room seemed to be fading to black; giving way to something else. A pale, serpentine face; one with red slits for eyes and a sickening grin spread across its width.

“HARRY?” Ginny was gently tapping his shoulder.

“Huh?”  

“What’s wrong? You suddenly spaced out with your eyes wide open. Why are you sweating? Do you feel ill?-“

Her enquiries had no effect on Harry, for a single, terrifying thought currently occupied his mind.

“It has been twelve years. It can’t be possible, right? It has to be some sort of delusion-”

He rose up abruptly.

“What’s the matter?” Ginny’s concern only grew with each moment.

Harry didn’t know what to say to her. He tried his best to sound calm;
“Just remembered something I have to do right now. I will be back by lunch.”

 Saying these words, he hurriedly changed into a travel outfit and hurried out of his house.

“Without proper proof, I would sound insane telling people that Voldemort is alive after all these years. After all that we had done over the years-“

“No” he thought to himself.

“I can’t just let all our efforts to maintain peace go to waste. I will just find out the truth myself and act accordingly.” He nodded, determined.

Ginny still wasn’t convinced with the way his demeanor had changed all of a sudden. But, before she could say anything, he had absent-mindedly waved goodbye to her and Disapparated with a loud crack.

At that time, neither of them knew that their world was soon about to crumble beneath their feet.