In Need of a Hero

The cold April air swirled around the deserted street like a whisper of voices. It pushed its cold fingers into the smallest cracks of the old houses that lined the street. Windows rattled and doors creaked as the wind blew and tore at homes that had long since been condemned and forgotten.

Despite the deserted street there was an unmistakable feeling of waiting in the atmosphere. It was as if even the old run down street knew that something was going to happen, and before long something did.

From behind a house a man appeared. He wore a long dark cloak and was quickly glancing from left to right as though watching for something. After a few tense moments the figure started forward. Walking purposely towards one particular falling apart house, the man froze by the door as the harsh sound of sirens pierced the night.

Even the magical Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix can't completely muffle the sirens and screams from the muggle neighborhood thought Auror James Potter as he entered the neglected and decrepit shack.

Several Order members waved and called out greetings as he entered the meeting room and went to take a seat by his wife. James gave a tired wave, but didn't answer. It had been a long day at work.

There had been three separate raids on muggle towns throughout the day. Stifling a yawn that reminded him that he'd been working since four that morning, James fell into his chair exhausted.

He wanted to go home. He wanted to go home and spend some time with his wife, but unfortunately that wasn't an option.

Dumbledore had called an Order meeting, and as a Order member it was his duty to attend.

Thinking of the unexpected Patronus message that had called this meeting caused James's mind to linger on darker thoughts.

'What are we going to discuss tonight?' James mulled.

'Maybe we'll have to listen to another list with names of friends who've died since the last meeting. Or the number of muggles we weren't able to protect.'

James was brought out of his dark and depressing thoughts as his wife Lily squeezed his hand.

'Merlin she's beautiful' James thought for what might have been the millionth time. He returned her squeeze and gave her a weak smile.

Leaning over into her embrace, James quickly stole a kiss before bringing his hand to rest on the tiny bump of her stomach.

'In just four more months I'm going to be a dad.'

This thought brought a real smile onto his face. Who would have ever thought that something so wonderful could happen when things were so horrible?

Banishing the darker thoughts of the world James focused all his attention on the idea of his baby.

'I hope it's a girl' he thought to himself as he ran him fingers up and down Lily's stomach. 'Calla Lilly, that's what we'll call her, it's the perfect name for a daughter, especially Lily's daughter.

Lily arched an eyebrow at the dazed look James was wearing.

'It's as though she can read my mind' he thought. 'It seems she's still firm in her belief that the baby is going to be a boy.'

Interrupting James's musings, Sirius came in the door and plopped down next to him.

"Did you hear that Greg Bones was killed in the raids today?"

"What?"

"He was part of the team that was putting out fires in Bristol. Death Eaters hit him from behind with the killing curse while he was levitating a little muggle girl out of one of the buildings."

"Did they manage to save the child?"

"No. It happened too fast. She fell. I saw it happen but I was too far away to do anything."

"Has anyone told his wife and sister?"

"I just got back from doing it."

"How're they doing."

"About as well as can be expected. They were both devastated, and Mary kept insisting on knowing the little girls' name. She wouldn't let me leave until I told her."

"Why would she ask something like that?"

"I have no idea. I just know that she kept repeating it over and over after I left. Susan, Susan. I think I now hate the name Susan."

"Are you going to be okay Padfoot?"

"… Maybe. I'm definitely going to be hitting the Fire Whiskey tonight though. Are you going to join me?"

"No he isn't Sirius." Lily interrupted tears shining in her eyes at the account she had just heard. "He's coming home with me. I haven't seen him since yesterday. You will just have to go with Remus and Peter."

"Ah come on Lils. Peter can barely handle two shots, and Remus is nearing his time of the month."

"What does that have to do with anything Sirius?" Remus asked.

"Moony, I hate to have to tell you this but a drunk werewolf isn't a pretty sight. The last time you got drunk close to a full moon you started sniffing the bartender."

"I did not."

"Actually Moony" James cut in, "you did. But don't worry. That's nothing compared to the time in seventh year when Sirius…"

But James didn't have time to finish this exceptionally embarrassing story which involved Filch, the Heimlich maneuver and a bathtub full of pistachio pudding for Dumbledore had just entered the room and started the meeting.

"I'm sure you are all wondering why I asked you to come here tonight" Dumbledore began.

"I apologize for the time as I know that all of you are tired. I realize that many of you have worked long hours due to the Death Eater raids, but I felt that it was expedient to discuss the latest information that our researcher Lily Potter has unraveled."

At this everyone in the room turned to look at Lily, including James. 'What information could Lily have uncovered in the last sixteen hours that was of such importance that Dumbledore would call a full Order meeting?' He thought.

As if anticipating the unsaid question Dumbledore continued.

"The information Mrs. Potter has translated comes from an ancient runes tome. I discovered it a few months ago in a room at Hogwarts that I have been unable to locate again. This room was bare save for the book.

Just before finding the room and the book I had been desperately trying to think of a way to defeat Voldemort. It is my belief that Hogwarts was trying to help me find a solution. Tonight Lily contacted me with the translation of a very powerful spell that may help us defeat Voldemort once and for all."

Dumbledore paused here as the Order members digested this information. Many had shocked looks on their faces, others, like Sirius, had predatory grins. Only one had a look of fear and unease, and that was Lily.

"The spell," Dumbledore continued, "in essence would make a rip in time and space and bring an individual from another world into our world. This individual would have the power to defeat Voldemort.

While this seems to be a simple decision it is, in truth, complex. In casting the spell we will undoubtedly summon a being capable of defeating Voldemort, but it is very possible that in casting this spell we may bring an even darker wizard into our world than the one we have now.

It is also possible that the individual we bring will be angry and hostile towards us. We will, in all reality be ripping this individual away from his home and loved ones while making it impossible for him to return unless he defeats Voldemort." Dumbledore paused here as if lost in thought

"So what have you decided Albus?" Frank Longbottom inquired.

"I have decided that this decision is too big for me to make. No one person should have the right to make a decision that will influence the entire future of our world. I have therefore decided that this should be a decision for the Order as a whole.

And so I pose the question to all of you: Should we cast this spell and possibly bring a Being worse than Voldemort here, or should we continue to work for the defeat of Voldemort on our own?