A/N: Hello! So, I started writing this just because I'm absolutely in love and obsessed with Marauder Era fanfiction and I so badly want to know their true story. Since I've read so much fanfiction, it's hard to exactly remember what's 100% canon and what isn't, so I'll trust that if I get a detail wrong, you guys will let me know, yeah? Hopefully you like my work, but it's mostly just for fun. Let me know what you think by submitting a review below!

Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to the Harry Potter story or characters. All rights belong to J.K. Rowling.

Prologue

James had just gotten Harry out of the bath, a time they both seemed to enjoy immensely. It was James' favorite part of the day. Coincidentally, it was Lily's favorite also. It was the one time during the day that she had a few moments to herself to just relax. He carried the baby out to the living room where Lily sat catching up on some reading. Her face broke into a giant grin at the sight of the two boys. James' stomach fell through the floor at that look; he would have killed for Lily to look at him like that from the moment he met her. "Look who's all clean!" He said, flying Harry over to Lily.

"How are my two favorite boys?" Lily asked, taking Harry from James and giving him an Eskimo kiss. Harry giggled at his mother.

"I think both boys are almost ready for bed," James said, leaning over to give his wife a kiss.

"I think I might be ready for bed too," Lily said, a waggle of her eyebrows hinting that more than just sleeping might be involved.

"Well, Harry, wouldn't want to get in the way of your parents' good time, would you?" James joked, taking Harry into his arms and putting him in his playpen. "Maybe we can just take a few minutes right here..."

"James! Not in front of the baby," Lily said, lighting pushing his bicep away. She leaned in to kiss him, when there was a loud thundering coming from the yard. Lily froze, terrified.

"Stop worrying, you know that nothing can get us—" James was suddenly interrupted by a crashing noise in the back of the house. He looked over at his wife, her eyes wider than saucers. He put a finger to his lips, took out his wand and creeped toward the kitchen. Lily stood and slowly followed him, even though he had shaken his head no.

James disappeared into the back of the house, as silent as a mouse, until Lily heard the loud crashing of spells hitting the windows. She picked Harry up and began to run.

"Lily, take Harry and go! It's him! Go! Run! I'll hold him off—" James shouted from far behind her. She heard him fall on the stairs and tried not to think about his dead, limp body on her staircase.

Harry was crying—screaming—louder than he'd ever wailed before. Lily held him tight to her chest, her legs pumping as she took the stairs three at a time. She didn't know why she was running up the stairs, there was no escape from the second floor, but there was no where else to run. She knew it was useless—you can't outrun the Dark Lord.

She set Harry gently in his crib, tears streaming down her face as she tried to shush him, her attempts failing. She knew he entered the room, not because she heard him, but because she could feel his presence. She whipped around, her wand lying somewhere on a counter top downstairs.

"Not Harry, not Harry, please not Harry!" She didn't know what else to say; she was pretty sure that James hadn't made it, Harry was the only thing left in the world that she loved.

"Stand aside, you silly girl...stand aside now," the horrible voice rasped.

"Not Harry, please no, take me, kill me instead—" She was desperate, she'd rather die and leave Harry with good friends than to live alone with all the heartache. "Not Harry! Please...have mercy...have mercy..." The Dark Lord cackled, it was a horrific sound. There was a small flash of green light, Lily screamed, and then there was nothing.