Inspired heavily by Oceanbreeze7's Shadowed Malice, although it probably won't be obvious until some of the later chapters. If by a small, tiny chance you're reading this Ocean, thank you for being such a god of literature. Go read that fic if you find you self enjoying this one!
My initials aren't an abbreviation for Just Kidding Right? So no, I don't own Harry Potter.
Warning: This is M for graphic violence and semi-mature themes. If you're queasy, or don't like children being harmed, you can probably get through half of the first chapter. If that's the case, don't read this. You have been warned.
If you want to check the status of new chapters, it is at the top of my profile bio.
Godric's Hollow, October 31st, 1981
It was a cheerful night in Godric's Hollow. It was October 31st, All Hallow's Eve of 1980 and merry children in scary costumes drifted about; some sang songs whilst skipping, others just enjoyed the moment. The quaint little village had an air of peace that night, as if nothing in the world could go wrong.
A little girl dressed as a witch skipped happily along. Her name was Skye, and she was just on her way back home with a large basket of sweets. She'd promised her mother she wouldn't stay out too long with Jeremy and his parents. Humming happily, she forgot to look where she was going when she knocked into something and fell over. Looking up, she saw a tall, handsome man.
"S-Sorry mister!" The nine-year-old stuttered to the important looking man.
"Not to worry child. Tell me, is this Godric's Hollow?" The tall man replied warmly.
"Yes mister." Skye replied quickly.
"Ah, thank you. Do you know the Potters by any chance?" His kind smile almost made the young girl blush out of nervousness.
"Y-Yes mister I do. They live next door to me, just at the end of this street." She said taking off her witch's hat and hiding her face behind it.
"My thanks child. Have a good evening." The man said, beginning to leave. But Skye stopped him at the last moment.
"Sorry Mister, but I was just wondering..." The man stopped and pivoted, causing his cloak and robe to billow out behind him.
"What's the matter child?"
"I just wondered what you were dressed up as Mister." Skye's shy voice was still coming from behind that hat of hers.
"What am I? Oh of course, there's that silly tradition the muggles have. And there was me thinking you were a real witch… still, no matter." He glanced at Skye's confused expression. "Such a pity. A curious little girl like you would have made for strong magic. But it was curiosity that killed the cat after all…"
"What do you mean Mister?" Skye was confused, but she was sure such a nice man meant something good in what he said. So she smiled.
"I mean, child, that tonight I am dressed up as a very dark wizard. Diffindo."
Skye was still smiling. But she didn't feel very good. There was something wet dripping onto the white shirt she was wearing under the costume. That wasn't good, Mummy would be angry if she got the shirt dirty. And what was that salty taste in her mouth? Did someone trick her with a salty instead of a sweety? She coughed once. Red liquid covered her shirt now. She tried to say "Sorry Mummy," but she couldn't quite get the words out. Then she fell to the floor.
"Such a pity…" Tom Marvolo Riddle muttered as he walked down the street, as per the young Skye's instructions. He'd liked her.
She'd been right. Here it was. The Potter residence. Style was the key factor here, show that not even fate could stop him. The classic Avada Kadavra to the face was not going to be good enough here. Hmmm, something torturous for the blood-traitor? Yes. And as much as he'd love to murder the mudblood whore that had corrupted ancient blood, he knew that faithful Severus was rather fond of the woman. An unfortunate character fault to be sure, and the man had already paid his due for it.
So hard and heavy for the traitor, soft and light for the dirt. And the child himself? Only the most powerful magic would do in this demonstration. To show that he was immortal… he would make the brother's corpse into a horcrux. Yes, then they would fear him entirely! He grinned sadistically.
"Morsmordre!"
It took a week for Lily to awaken from her coma. A blunt force head-trauma coupled with the cruciatus had been too much. Then the almost lost her when the memories put her in shock. Another week and she was declared stable, but to be kept in St Moungo's for the moment.
That same day she had two visitors. Albus Dumbledore and Remus Lupin stood now at the foot of her bed, each cradling one of the Potter twins in their arms.
"Where's James?" Was her immediate question. Remus looked like he'd been expecting this.
"He's- I don't know how to say this Lils but-"
"Don't worry my boy," Albus cut him off was his grandfatherly tone just before Lupin could burst into a fit of tears. He turned to face Lily. "I'm afraid James almost didn't make it. In fact if it hadn't been for your quick patronus, we mightnt've got there in time."
Lily paled. "Don't tell me he's-"
"James will be fine my girl. He's still unconscious, but the healer tell me that there's no permenant damage, besides a few scars."
Lily breathed out a sigh of relief. Then she remembered.
"And what of Peter?" Remus looked like he was about to break down into tears at this question.
"Peter…" he choked back a sob. "Peter's gone Lily. The murdering bastard that killed him is where he belongs."
"What?! Who killed the traitor?"
"Traitor? What do you mean my dear girl. Was Sirius not the traitor?"
"No! Oh Lord! Peter was the secret keeper, we switched at the last minute!" Lily shrieked. Remus and Albus looked at each other. They may have made a mistake.
Another week had passed. Lily was still in a hospital bed, James was still comatose. Her last visitors however - Alice loved gossiping but this was far beyond that - had told her the best thing she'd heard since James had said "I do". Voldemort had fallen that night. How or why, she didn't know, but Voldemort was dead and gone.
Albus was visiting again, this time without Remus or the children. She longed to see them and take care of them but Lily understood that she was in no fit state for mothering.
"I came to give you the good news, but I see that you've already heard it my girl." Albus said with twinkling eyes. "However I think I can do you one better: the young Padfoot has been found innocent, thanks to the information you gave us."
Lily felt a great load come off her chest. She'd been worried for Sirius since last week, so this was a great relief for her. Soon, maybe, the world would be right again...