Disclaimer: The Harry Potter Universe belongs entirely to JKR!
Halloween day of 1981 dawned bright and sunny in the small wizarding community of Godric's Hollow. Nothing in the village's cheery atmosphere hinted that there was in fact an extremely evil Dark wizard at large, or that aforementioned wizard had his heart set on murdering the only child of the most well-liked family in the entire village.
The day started out just like any other for the Potter's, Lily was woken in the early hours of the morning by agitated wails, coming from across the landing. What did Harry have against the concept of a good night's sleep, she asked herself after determining that it was only four o' clock in the morning. By the look of things, she'd have to deal with whatever was bothering her son on her own, because for the first time ever, James hadn't even heard Harry's cries.
She glanced at him and smiled, he was still out like a light, snoring slightly with his mouth hanging open. Ever since they'd gone into hiding, he seemed to study defensive theories diligently every night and she could tell the constant worrying was catching up with him. He'd always been fiercely protective of her, but that determination to keep the family safe had multiplied tenfold since Harry was born.
An increase in the volume of her son's cries brought Lily out of her musings. With a resigned sigh, she got up, stretched and shuffled towards the nursery, still blinking blearily. She pushed open the pale blue door of Harry's nursery and looked around. Her son was standing in his crib, hanging onto the safety bars for support. It looked like he'd been standing there for a while already; he pouted at her as she entered and his lower lip quivered slightly.
Like father like son, was the first thought that came to her mind when she saw the little drama king putting on an annoyed sulk just for her. Though the eyes which were gradually filling with unshed crocodile tears were exact replicas of her own, everything else about the way he was looking at her brought to mind images of James doing the exact same thing.
Approaching the crib deliberately slowly, she joked; "Yes my little prince, are you going to tell me what's wrong?"
A voice from the doorway distracted her; "Hey Flower, stop messing with my son!" Smiling to herself, she scooped Harry up and turned around. Sure enough, James was leaning casually against the doorframe, giving her a mock-stern look.
Bouncing Harry up and down in her arms, she moved back towards him. "Morning love, he really is your son, you should have seen the spectacular pout he was giving me a minute ago!" She smirked slyly and added; "It reminded me of someone."
He grinned mischievously and pulled her into a hug; "Oh really, do I know this particular someone?" She pretended to deliberate her answer and responded mock-seriously; "I think so."
Still smiling, he leaned forward and pecked her on the cheek, making her giggle like a schoolgirl. She would never understand why he still had that effect on her, even after being married for more than a year. "I love you Lils!" he whispered flirtatiously in her ear.
Smacking him lightly, she responded; "Back at you honey, but you still need to back off, you're squashing Harry!"
At that, James looked down at the toddler, who was now gurgling contentedly in Lily's arms; apparently he had achieved his goal of getting both his parents out of bed before dawn. He chuckled and ruffled Harry's messy hair affectionately; "Hey champ, are you excited for your first official Halloween celebration?"
Lily rolled her eyes impatiently; the small Halloween bash they were throwing later that day was all James thought about recently. Admittedly, even she was glad for the rare opportunity to see their friends again, but at least she didn't expect her one year old son to understand the significance of this day for all wizards and witches. Then again, James was only looking forward to it because it had been so long since the Marauders had all been together and today they were all coming to celebrate.
"James, I hope you don't think he actually understands why you're so hyped up today! He's a year old for heaven's sake!"
James pretended to look affronted; "Lily my love, don't you dare question Harry's intelligence; he's a Potter after all!"
She nodded and replied jokingly; "I know that's why I worry! With you and Sirius having so much influence in his life, no good can come of it! He's doomed to a future as a Marauder!"
James grinned proudly; "I am well aware of that Flower and I'm glad you've accepted it as a fact of life so quickly!" He gave her an approving nod, just as Harry started to whimper once more.
Lily focused her attention on her son again; "Are you hungry now Harry?" By way of answer, the toddler continued to whimper and stuck his thumb in his mouth. "I think that's a yes" she said with a decisive smile. She turned back to her husband; "Do you want to join us in the kitchen or go back to bed, Jamie?"
He stared at her incredulously; "Are you kidding, Lils? How can I sleep when my two favorite people in the world are up and about?"
She giggled; "Alright honey, I get the picture; it was just a suggestion because I know how late you were up last night!"
He grinned sheepishly and mumbled; "Yeah, well I worry about you both, you know that Flower!"
She nodded gently; "I do know that sweetheart, but I'm worried about you too; I don't think you're sleeping enough because you're always studying theories late into the night."
He shook his head fiercely; "I do that because it will help me to keep you safe Lils, I'd do anything to protect you!"
She couldn't hold back an exasperated sigh now; "You are a stubborn git sometimes Potter, you know that right?"
He nodded wearily; "I know Flower, I know!" Their argument was broken up as Harry wailed in earnest; "Mama, Harry want food!" She looked amused at how insistent her son could be and carried him down the stairs, with James following not far behind.
That was the beginning of the end of the Potters' peaceful existence. That evening, not long after a roaring party had been wrapped up, the attack that would change their lives forever, commenced.