Prologue

Lily and James were sitting in their living room in Godrics Hollow, in their small, but cozy house. Harry had fallen asleep only a few minutes previous, and Lily had settled well under James' arm. She smiled up at him.

"This is perfect." She murmured. He smiled his crocked grin and nodded.

"Yeah, it is."

"Do you think Mai found out what happened?" Lily asked. She had been worried about Mai ever since they went into hiding, because they hadn't informed the fifth marauder about what was happening, with the prophecy and all. Then again, they hadn't informed Remus either. Lily was certain that Mai was not the one, who had been an informant for the death eaters, but Dumbledore had been so strict on who to trust, and they had chosen Sirius, but Sirius had told them to choose Peter. Lily trusted Peter, but Mai had time and time again told her not to.

"I don't know. If she figures Sirius know something she is sure to get it out of him. She can read that poor boy like a neon sign, she always could." James answered. Lily enjoyed the rumbling in his chest when he spoke.

"Except about the feelings he had for her all those years." Lily commented. James laughed loudly.

"Yes of course, except that." He said and stroked her long red hair.

"So, you think she knows?" Lily asked again.

"If I had to guess? Sure, she knows. Not where we are, or exactly why, but she knows who our secret-keeper is. I'd almost be a little disappointed if she hasn't figured out yet. We'll have to ask her about it when the danger is over." He said and smiled. Lily nodded.

"I'm just worried she'll take it the wrong way, that's all." She murmured after a few moments of silence. James nodded.

"If it's about Peter, I'm certain she won't let him slip our secret to anyone." James said surely. Lily nodded, having considered the thought possible before, but hearing it from him made it seem so much more plausible.

"I'll go get us both a small glass of firewhisky." James said suddenly and rose, kissing her tenderly on the lips before he skidded into the kitchen. He hummed a light tune from the Clash as he picked two clean glasses out of the cabinet above the sink and was just about to dance back to his beloved as a slight movement caught his eye. He froze and stared out the window. A black cloak fluttered in the wind before it fell silent again. A shiver ran down his spine and he glanced at his wife, cuddled up in the sofa, and the cradle where his young son slept. He had defied the dark lord three times already, which had to count for something.

Perhaps it was his mind playing tricks on him, no one should even see the house, unless… He glanced at his wife again, wondering if he should warn his her. She looked so peaceful, and he didn't want to worry her in case it was nothing. For a split second he could hear Mais' warning about Peters' loyalties and he wondered where he had put his wand. He soon realized that it lay on the table in the living room, and if he went in to get it, Lily would instantly know something was coming. He didn't want her to worry. She worried enough as it was.

So James walked wandlessly out in the hallway, seeing shadows move outside through the small glass windows in the door. He stopped, hesitated, wondering if he should go back and get his wand. If there were death eaters outside he wouldn't get another opportunity to get it. His palms were sweaty and the sweater suddenly felt way too tight around his chest. Fingers curled around the doorknob, and he realized they were his own. Perhaps it was Peter… coming to give them a update on the war, but he could easily have sent a owl. A pearl of sweat ran down into his eyebrow. Finally he thought better off it, and skidded into the kitchen so his wife could hear him. If Mai was right, he would be stupid not to take her warnings seriously.

"Lily, throw me my wand. It's someone outside, get Harry. I'll hold them off!" He shouted. Her green eyes grew wide for a second, before she nodded understanding, tossed his wand to him, before getting on her feet and over to the cradle. James was about to run to the entrance door, before he turned to her angelic face and smiled grimly.

"I love you."

"Don't leave me." She answered. James didn't nod, he didn't answer, he gave her another smile, before he ran into certain death.