Didn’t See That Coming, Did You?
7: Surprise?
Didn’t See That Coming, Did You?
Charlie’s perception blanketed the entire house.
He could clearly sense it.
His father James’s life force was rapidly fading.
“My precious children…
may Heaven watch over us.” Lily seemed to sense that something was terribly wrong.
A look of despair crept across her face.
With great effort, she picked up Charlie and Harry, preparing to retreat.
Not long ago, she and James had rehearsed exactly this scenario.
If danger ever truly arrived…
James would stay behind to buy them time.
Lily’s responsibility would be to escape with the two children.
Then seek help.
That had been the plan.
But both of them understood…
If they truly faced that man, their chances of survival were slim to none.
Especially while carrying two children.
After all…
The children were Voldemort’s real target.
Creak.
Lily slowly pushed open the bedroom door.
She carefully scanned her surroundings.
Then quietly made her way toward the balcony.
Preparing to flee.
Deep down, she could already feel that James was in grave danger.
But she couldn’t allow herself to dwell on it.
She had to protect her two sons.
It was the greatest wish she and James shared.
Unfortunately…
Things didn’t go as planned.
The moment Lily stepped onto the balcony and prepared to cast a spell to escape— “Expelliarmus!” A spell rang out.
An invisible force instantly knocked Lily’s wand from her hand.
Just like that, she lost her greatest means of resistance.
Although Lily was capable of performing a few simple spells without a wand…
They were all relatively insignificant.
Without her wand, there was no way she could cast any offensive or defensive magic strong enough to fight back.
Standing before her…
Were three Death Eaters.
Fortunately…
Voldemort himself wasn’t among them.
At this moment, James was apparently still holding him back.
“Are you really going to attack us?” Despair filled Lily’s voice.
She recognized one of the Death Eaters.
He had once been her classmate.
Her former classmate avoided her gaze.
There was a trace of reluctance in his eyes.
“I’m sorry.” “It’s our master’s command.” “Your two children must die.” “Enough talking.” “Let’s finish this quickly.” “Lily, we won’t hurt you.” “The Dark Lord promised as much.” The three Death Eaters raised their wands.
Magical power began gathering around them.
Harry, nestled in Lily’s arms, was completely terrified.
He burst into loud sobs.
Charlie, meanwhile, remained astonishingly calm.
He was waiting.
Waiting for the perfect opportunity.
At the moment, his infant body had almost no offensive capability.
He couldn’t directly fight three Death Eaters.
But…
He still had his Animagus form.
His chance at survival would appear only once.
If he missed it…
There wouldn’t be another.
Lily wasn’t standing still either.
She knew perfectly well that these people had no intention of sparing her.
Now that Voldemort and the Death Eaters had come personally…
There had to be a traitor within the Order of the Phoenix.
Her feet shifted.
With a sudden burst of speed, she dashed forward under the Death Eaters’ watchful eyes.
“So she’d already prepared a spell beforehand.” One of the Death Eaters narrowed his eyes.
Just as Lily was about to reach her fallen wand…
A spell shot directly toward the children instead.
“You coward!” There was no time to retrieve the wand.
Lily could only clutch her sons tightly against her chest.
Using her own body as a shield, she took the spell head-on.
She collapsed heavily to the floor.
The impact sent both children tumbling from her arms.
Harry screamed in terror.
The horrifying scene had completely frightened him.
Charlie also rolled across the floor.
Damn…
That actually hurt.
Little brother, could you stop crying for a second?
Charlie knew…
The moment had arrived.
The three Death Eaters were slowly approaching Harry.
Harry’s cries echoed throughout the room.
He instinctively sensed the approaching danger.
After a brief moment of thought…
Charlie also burst into tears.
Even now, he couldn’t neglect the acting.
If he remained perfectly calm while Harry cried…
The contrast would be far too suspicious.
If they decided to attack him first…
Everything would be over.
“Please…” “Please spare my children…” Lily pleaded desperately.
She crawled painfully toward Harry.
“Impossible.” “Whoever the Dark Lord wants dead…” “Dies.” One of the Death Eaters didn’t even bother looking at her.
“Avada—” He had barely begun casting the Killing Curse— When everything changed.
Behind him…
A fire dragon suddenly lunged forward from seemingly nowhere.
Without even roaring…
It opened its jaws and unleashed blazing dragon fire.
In an instant…
The three Death Eaters were swallowed by the inferno.
They didn’t even have time to scream.
Their bodies collapsed before they could offer any resistance.
Success.
Charlie quietly let out a sigh of relief.
Sorry, little brother.
Your big brother didn’t have much choice.
If I wanted to save you and Mom…
You had to serve as bait for a moment.
Only then could I launch a surprise attack.
Lily stared blankly.
Only moments ago…
She had already fallen into complete despair.
She had been too far away from the children.
There had been no way to save them.
Yet now…
She stood frozen in disbelief.
Her eldest son…
Had seized the opportunity perfectly.
The instant the three Death Eaters let their guard down…
He launched a sneak attack from behind.
One smooth, flawless combination.
They hadn’t even been given a chance to react.
The precision…
The timing…
Could he possibly have practiced this before?
If that were true…
Then her eldest son was simply unbelievable.
After all, she knew…
Even after transforming into his Animagus form…
Charlie retained his own consciousness.
Which meant…
That entire ambush…
Had been completely deliberate.
But Charlie was still just a baby.
Lily’s mind went blank.
Of course it had been intentional.
Long before today…
Charlie had repeatedly practiced this exact plan in his head.
There was a saying, wasn’t there?
Deliberate practice turns a novice into a master…
Before Lily could recover from her shock…
Charlie grabbed Harry by the back of his clothes in his jaws and sprinted toward her.
There was no time to waste.
Every second counted.
Unfortunately…
Although Charlie’s young dragon body had grown considerably…
Flying was still difficult.
Especially while trying to carry two people.
Lily immediately understood what Charlie meant.
She forced herself to stand.
Ignoring her injuries completely.
Running on sheer determination alone.
She took Harry from Charlie and prepared to climb over the balcony.
Just then…
Charlie’s heart sank.
A terrifying surge of magical power was rapidly approaching.
Dad lost…
Voldemort is here.