Lily smiled, watching her husband play with her son. As a student, she was positive she would never marry, especially James Potter, and never have kids. Some things, Lily conceded, weren't always permanent. Even the good things.
Continuing to smile slightly, Lily walked over to her family and kissed Harry on his head. She looked up and whispered to James, "Time for bed,"
James grinned at her, then set his wand down and stretched, "I'll wash up the dishes. You put Harry to bed, alright lily-bear?"
Lily rolled her eyes at his nickname and picked up a sleepy Harry, "Fine, James," She walked to the stairs and began to climb them.
The doorknob jiggled. James and Lily froze. The door shook at its hinges, and James gestured for Lily to run upstairs. The door was blasted open.
"RUN, LILY!" James bellowed suddenly, "I'll hold him off! It's him, Lily, run!"
Gasping with fear, Lily turned back to the stairs, almost falling at the yell she heard, a yell of primal terror and rage. She sobbed as she ran into Harry's bedroom and closed the door, beginning the stack furniture against it. She placed Harry in his crib and kissed his cheek, "Be good, Harry," she whispered, and turned to face the door.
There was a laugh from outside the door, a high, cold laugh. The door was disintegrated, and the furniture blasted into pieces. A tall man in a long cloak entered the room, his nose mere slits and eyes like a snake's, "Give me the boy."
Lily squeezed her eyes shut, "Oh, not Harry, please not Harry …"
"Step aside, girl, step aside now,"
Lily felt a cold terror seep through her, and steeled herself against her task. She knew what to do.
"Move, you silly girl,"
James was dead. She would likely die. She could only hope that Harry might live. Lily recalled a lecture in fourth year in Charms.
"There is a charm …" Flitwick had squeaked. Bits and pieces of his talk had faded from her memory, "Love … protect … health … alive …"
Closing her eyes, Lily hoped she remembered what the charm did. Otherwise, it would all be for naught.
She ran her hands through Harry's hair, knowing it would be last time she ever saw him with her alive.
She opened her eyes. A single tear trickled down her cheek as she whispered, "Take me instead."
"You don't have to die, girl, just give me the boy."
"No," Lily whispered, closing her eyes again, "No. No. Not Harry." her voice squeaked at the end from holding back tears.
"You leave me no choice, girl." Lily saw the Dark Lord raise his wand and closed her eyes.
Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.