James saw the jet of green light shoot toward him and dodged, but he was a second too late. He experienced a peaceful darkness for about a minute after the curse hit him and then he heard a beautiful voice, 'welcome to Snareaven.'

A minute later, Lily lay beside him. She was frantic, ginger locks were flying all around her pretty face and she was sobbing, 'oh, Harry, Harry…'

The marauder in James wondered how she would look with her hair charmed blue, and then he mentally slapped himself back to reality.

Slowly, he stood up and helped his wife up. He turned them both around to face the voice. When he faced the man who had spoken, he had to admit he was a looker.

"Welcome to Snareaven," the man said again, grinning at them. Lily held him tighter.

'What happened James?'

'I don't know ummh, we died?' he replied confused.

'What about Harry, and who the hell is he?'

'Lily, I know I am your all knowing prince charming, but honestly I do not know, lets ask him.' James replied half jokingly.

Lily clutched his arm tightly and shot him a glare, good thin he was immune to the glares by now. Before he could ask the handsome strange man, he approached them. He observed James briefly, then Lily. His electric blue eyes lingered on Lily for over a minute making James cough uncomfortably as Lily struggled to break his arm.

'She is my wife, you know.' James broke the silence.

'And what is wrong with checking out your wife James?' replied the man with a snort.

Sensing Lily tense, he knew she was getting angry, and having lived with Lily for almost two years, he knew everything was better than an angry Lily.

'Just explain to us what is happening please.' James said impatiently, the word please coming out as an insult

'You both are dead, this is Snareaven, and it is where the brave come after they die.' The stranger replied.

'Oh, so it is some sort of Gryffindor common room?' James asked smirking

The mans eyes twinkled in amusement. 'Yeah, a Gryffindor common room, but much bigger and complicated. You have choices to make, can choose to go through that door on your left, when you enter that door, you are reborn into Snareaven, a new world and as new people. Or you can go to your right, and continue with your old lives in a new world. The third option is to become a Snare, on earth.'

'What do Snares do? 'Lily finally found her voice.

'You guard people, sought of like angels, if they existed; the difference is that you can be seen.'

'Really?' asked the excited Lily. "James, we can go back and guard Harry!'

James believed nothing came as easily, he asked the man, 'what is the catch?'

'A person cannot have more than one Snare that means you cannot both guard Harry. Also, you can only guard a person you love dearly and they cannot be able to see you.'

Lily looking a bit disappointed that Harry will not be able to see her asked, 'so what is your job as a Snare?'

'You just stand guard over then with a sword, but you cannot cause any harm to anyone who hurts them, your main job is to scare away anyone who wants to kill, or cause severe damage to the person you guard. So nobody can see you unless they are planning to cause severe damage or death to your ward. However if your presence does not scare them away, you can't help, because they can go though you and you can't hurt them or even touch them.'

James and Lily looked at each other; both were contemplating what to do. Should they go back and be with their loved ones? Will they bear the pain of seeing the hurt?

'Can we see each other?' Lily asked hopefully.

'Yes but only once a week, for four hours, '

Both James and Lily fought inside battles. James could not imagine life without Lily. Lily had the same thoughts too, only four hours a week? No way. But then, both thought of Harry, their precious bundle of joy. Reluctantly the both nodded, they wanted to be Snares.

The man let out a sigh, 'cool, James, you will be in charge of Sirius, Lily you will guard Harry, you can rest here today. This will be your room for the four hours you will be here weekly. Be prepared to wake up at your destination tomorrow.' He ushered them into a room that was an exact replica of their bedroom back in Godric hallow. Even the clothe in the wardrobes were similar.

James was disappointed, true he loved Sirius, more than he could love even a brother, but he wanted to be with his son too. Lily was gaping at the room, wondering why even her shoes were replicated here.

'Can I at least see Harry?'

'Nope, Harry is out of bounds, James, Sirius needs you more.' Answered the man, his tone softening a little bit.

The man silently stepped out of the room, he reached the door, and called out,' make sure you say proper goodbyes today, you may not be seeing each other for a week, and you might have changed when you see each other again.'

He then stared at Lily unashamedly, James groaned and Lily frowned. He said his good nights, silently wondering why the people never even bothered to ask him his name.

Feeling the familiar and comforting arms around her, Lily broke down and cried until she could cry no more. Clinging to each other, both mourned for their beloved son, who will grow up not even knowing them.

The chill woke Lily up the next morning. There was no warm body of James beside her. James was gone, she was alone in an unfamiliar place. Wait, she had seen this house before. This was Petunia's house, oh great! To wake up on your sisters door step, the sister who hates you, holding a sword and dressed in military clothing, and you have no idea what you are supposed to be doing there. Just great, Lily thought sarcastically.

Then she heard a whimper and looked at her side, Harry lay beside her, wrapped in a blanket, a scar on his forehead and a letter addressed to Petunia on his chest.

Lily felt the fury rise within her. Who had done this to her child? Why would they bring Harry to Petunia who hated anything magical? Where was Sirius! He was Harry's godfather for heaven's sake! Lily felt like the whole world had betrayed her. This was her baby! The only thing she had left in this world. Why would anyone in there right state of mind bring her son to Petunia and that elephant husband of hers?

She took Harry into her armsand examined him. He looked alright, sve for the scar that had not been there before, that cow, Voldermont had done this. She felt the tears run down her face as she careseed his chubby cheek. She took the letter and observed the handwriting. Professor Dumbledore's! W hy woul Dumbledore bring Harry here?

Softly, she spoke to her baby, " Harry, everything is going to be fine okay?"

Green eyes stared back at her, uncomprehending. But Harry had always understood her, or couldn't hear her now? She gently rocked him sideways singing a lullaby.

This is the sight that greeted Petunia when she opened the door,but of course, she could not see Lily nor hear her sing to her son. She stared at the baby, horrified. She picked up the letter and opened it. She read the letter hurriedly. She cried sadly for her sister before she masked her face into one of deep anger and called oot, 'Vernon!'

Vernon came running to the door. He gasped when he saw Harry. 'we are nt taking that scum in Petunia. Not now not ever, take it to the opharnage.'

'Vernon please, he is a baby and…'

'and what? He is not ours, those freaks are avoiding there responsibility as usual, you saw that boy Petunia, he could hardly comb his hair let alone take care of his baby! He will contaminate dudders!'

'They are dead Vernon, he can stay in the Cupboard under the stairs if you don't want him near dudders, he has nowhere else to go, and that freak was my sister!' Petunia answered tears starting to cloud her eyes.

Vernon new he had lost the battle before it even began. Women with there silly tears! Not wanting to have the tears go on for the rest of the day, he nodded to Petunia. 'cupboard, don't let him near dudders.' He spat out and went back to the house.

Petunia picked Harry up and headed sitting at the doorstep, Lily's heart broke into a million pieces, how could they be so callaous? If she had heard that petunia and Vernon were dead and there fat son deposted at her door step, she would have embraced him wholeheartedly. Lily followed Petunia inside and saw him shove Harry inside the cupboard. She didn't even bother feeding him. Lily cried helplessly. This was the Potter heir who was going to grow up in a cupboard! He may even die before he was two. How could Dumbledore? Where was Sirius? Remus? Anyone ,God, even Severus hadn't bothered?

She slid inside the cupboard and stood next to Harry who started crying. She tried to comfort him but he couldn't hear her, couldn't even feel her or see her! There was no way she was going to watch her son suffer. She was going to change this or her name would not be Lily Christine Evans Potter!

James woke up and felt dampness clouding his insides, where the hell was this place? He put his hand out to reach Lily, instead of warm flesh, James came into contact with the hard cold floor. Where was Lily? A familiar sensation of sadness and despair overwhelmed him. Then he realized where he was, dementors, Azkaban.

Far away in the cell, lay Sirius, his unkempt appearance took James by surprise, Sirius had always been neat. It didn't do to be unkempt when you were interested in muggle girls, he always told him.

'oh Padfoot, I know you are mischivious and all, but what did you do to land to land yourself in Azkaban? Did you spell Snivellus underwear pink? Sirius! You good for nothing dog, wake up!' James said poking Sirius , no reaction. Then he remembered, he was dead, he was hear to watch over Sirius, Sirius could not hear him.

Sirius was in Azkaban! Sirius his best mate, Sirius who had been his best man, Sirius who never judged him, who had loved Harry to pieces, Sirius who had run away from his home at fifteen and lived with him, calling his parents, his too. Sirius who had cried with him when 'their' parents were murdered by death eaters. Sirius who had been at his side ever since they were eleven, Sirius who always had his back, his best friend, his companion, his partner in crime, his twin brother, was in Azkaban!

He would get Sirius out! He would never allow dementors near him. Whatever Sirius had done wrong, James knew it had been for him. Maybe he had murdered that rat Pettigrew? That made James smile, he took out his sword and stood guard.

However, James had forgotten one thing, he couldn't even prevent harm. He could not harm anyone, let alone dementors. He was no longer a wizard but a Snare. Dementors, are never scared by men dressed in military gear and holding swords, those dementors were coming for Sirius.

Chapter 3

A week later, Lily and James met in Snareaven. James wanted to lament to Lily the unfairness of Sirius being in Azkaban for crimes he had not committed, however, one look at Lily's face shut him up. She looked like she had spent years in Azkaban. The fury in her eyes could be felt in the atmosphere around their room. She did not greet him, she did not lurch herself at him in fear, this was the girl who had survived Voldermont's crutiatus curse three times and came out alive. This was his Lily, and his Lily and fire were the same thing when she was angry.

Hesitantly he began, 'eeh Lily, are you okay?' he nearly smacked himself, of course she was not.

'James STUPID Potter! Do I look okay? Petunia is torturing our son, YOUR son! Harry is locked up in a cupboard, he cries for his mum, who is right there with him but he can't even see her! He is rarely given food and he hears insults he doesn't even understand! Why would Sirius do that to him? Why would he let Dumbledore take control? Our son is going to die James and you have the nerve to ask me if am okay? Of course I am.' Lily finished her outburst which left James mouth open staring at her as if she had developed elf's ears.

Feeling like she had been too hard on him, Lily moved closer to him on the bed and touched his knee,'sorry James, it isn't your fault, I just wanted to yell at someone who could hear me.'

'no Lily. ' James said softly. ' it is my fault, I have failed, I could not even protect you two, and now my boy is alone! Petunia of all the people is living with my son! Lily, we have to do something."

Exhausted , Lily leaned into him, burying her face in his shirt, the quickly lifting it when she smelt the oduor. She had not been the only healer auror in the entire department for nothing, she knew that smell so well. ' James, you have been to Azkaban?'

James nodded then proceeded to tell her how Sirius had been accused falsely. He had heard him talk in his sleep and had gathered enough information to know what had happened.

After his tale, Lily began to sob and asked him, 'what are we going to do? ' James then knew that that the situation was desperate because Lily always knew what to do. It was Lily who had comforted and mothered him mature when his mother had passed away. Not knowing how to reply, he pulled her closer and lay on the bed, bringing her on top of him.

'rest Lily, then we shall go talk to that man later when you wake up. Lily obeyed him without protest, there was only one other occasion when she had done that, when he had told her to take Harry and run but at other times, his suggestions had always been outrageous.

Two hours later,

'Hey Lils, wake up!'

Lily sat up immediately. A trained auror never delayed in waking up, especially when woken up by a fellow auror. Subconsciously, she surveyed her sorroundings, trying to pick up any signs of danger lurking. She discreetly reached for her sword.

' Relax Lils, you are already dead.' Came the soft joking voice of her husband.

Lily scoffed, ' like you are any better.'

She looked at James, he had showered and changed into casual clothes. His tone was a bit serious when he talked again, 'Lily, we have to go talk to that man.'

'James, I have told you now and again, it is creepy when you watch me sleep. But okay, lets go talk to him.'

James looked at her, a small smile of amusement playing on his lips, 'Lily, as much as I think you look gorgeous anytime, I think you should clean up, comb those curls and change your attire.'

Lily looked at herself and let out a small, 'oh.' Before she proceeded to the washroom. James followed her, sometimes, Lily was so selfless that she forgot about herself. He had to help her, she was clearly tired.

After choosing the right dressing Lily up and combing her hair, tying it into a burn, James led her outside there bedroom to find the stranger who had welcomed them when they died.

'why did you insist I put on makeup? We have less than an hour before we go back to earth in those military uniforms and know one can see us?'

'Lily, I think you look great with make up, and greater without it but…'

Lily smiled at the compliment, 'but what Potter?'

'that man, he… I don't know how to put it across without you getting angry at me.'

'Just explain, I will try my best not to get angry I promise.'

'lily, I love you, withal my heart,okay? I think he…he kind of fancies you.'

'so what? What if he like me? I don't like him.' Lily answered crossly.

'Lily, listen, I trus you, I know you love me. But how about we play Slytherins withhim?'

'Slytherins play dirty James!'
'Exactly. They only play dirty to get what they want. The man fancies you, we can use that to get him to give us powers to help Harry and Sirius.'

'Do you think he can?' Lily asked hopefully.

'did you not lookat his eyes?and he was able to take us to earth and return us here without us noticing it. He is powerful Lily.'

'but what if those are his powers?i mean what if he cannot be able to give them out?'

'Lily,you are the brightest witch of our age. Think about it, the man was able to turn us into Snares, this is a strange place called snareaven and he controls it. I think he is in charge of the heaven for the brave.'

Lily's eyes widened in surprise, how had she not seen it? 'do you mean to say he is a god?' James nodded. 'but gods don't behave the way he did when he met us, he was totally mannerless, staring at me like th…'

'now my dear Lily, how many gods have you met before?'

'Well, none.'

'Good. We are running out of time. You ready to play Slytherin?'

Lily nodded, 'Tell me what to do.'

Both Lily and James approached the throne and gave little bows in greeting.

The man looked at them and smiled. Most Snares came back from the first week looking wretched, but not this too. Despite what Lily had undergone, seeing her son suffer, she still looked breathtaking. He sighed mentally.

'How may I help you Lily and James.'

Lily looked at him in the eye. Those green eyes piercing his soul places he refused to believe existed until he had seen her. He found himself smiling involuntarily. This girl was going to be the death of him, he thought.

'first, since you call us by our names, we would like to know yours too. How are we to address you?'

Blue eyes twinkled back at her. In a way, the man reminded Lily of Dumbledore, that silly old git. 'call me Satire for now maybe we could change it to something later?' he winked at her.

James gritted his teeth,this man was flirting with his wife, openly, in his presence! What a nerve? Or was it contempt for him? He forced himself to think of Harry and Sirius, thus remaining calm. Lily blinked rapidly, her eyes closing over the green rapidly, giving satire the look of innocence she always gave to Slughorn when she had not done her potions homework. Slughorn would always forgive her while the rest of them got detentions. James could only wonder,"genius!"

Sweetly she began, 'Satire, that is a satirical name for a person like you.' She wnked back at him then continued sadly, 'I came to report that I did not enjoy my duty as a Snare. I cannot bear to see Harry suffer like that. It is too much for me. '

Satire gave her a small smile, 'so what do you want Lily? Do you want to remain here? There is a whole world of people people waiting for you through those doors through those doors.'

'no, I can never live with myself knowing Harry is suffering.'

'I can always wipe the memories Lily.'

'or you could help me help Harry.'

Satire stared at her, astonished at what she was asking him to do! No other Snare had asked to be given any powers apart from those Lily had right now, the power to scare. 'lily, I cannot meddle with what they are doing on earth! It is their own business! I have Snareaven to worry about. I only help those I deem worthy by scaring off people who want to help them.

'Satire, you can't or you won't? ' asked Lily sftly moving closer to the throne.

Satire took a deep breath, he smelled vanilla. He knew he will have to give in but he tried to resist. 'Lily, when you are a snare, you cant harm anyone, the sword…'

'but you can permit me to do a little good. Please?'

'Lily, I don't want to interfere, let Harry be. He will survive."

'He is my son. He suffers too much, I don't have to harm anyone. Just let me take care of him, let him see me, let him hear me. Please?' green eyes were now shimmering with tears.

Looking into those sad eyes was unbearable for Satire. He has always been an assertive man, but seeing Lily now, he felt the walls he had initially built crumble into nothingness, God, who could resist that woman. ' Lily, you are asking for too much, however, you are my favourite Snare, I give you the power to conjure him anything he may need. I also give you a voice so that he could hear you, in addition to you guarding him and scaring ,however, he cannot see you or feel you. That is my final offer, take it or leave it.'