One shot. Moments before it all began.

It was getting late, but the baby boy wasn't showing any sign of sleepiness. He sat upon his mother's lap, and together the two of them read a picture book. The dark hair boy giggled happily as he stared at the moving pictures.

'Oh, look Harry!' The mother said softly. 'Look at the pretty phoenix!' Pointing at the majestic bird, she nuzzled his hair. The quiet toddler stared in fascination, his green eyes sparkling in the soft light.

A yell of terror from the next room shattered the near-silence. 'Lily!' The voice shouted, 'take Harry and go! It's him! He's found us!'

'How..' Lily breathed. Jumping to her feet, the young woman craddeled the baby close, and let out a low moan. 'James!' She called, terror evident in her voice.

'Just go!' James shouted. I'll try and hold him off, you need to hide! Keep Harry safe!'

Lily fled up the stairs, and rushed into the baby's room. She placed the boy in his crib, before piling objects in front of the door. A cry of pain pierced the air, and Lily felt the tears she'd been holding back fall down her pale cheeks. Kneeling along side her childs crib, she grasped the bars. 'Harry,' she whispered. 'Be brave. Be strong! I promise, I'll protect you.'

Bright green eyes, identical to her own, stated back at her. Slipping her fingers between the bars, she clasped his tiny hand. 'Mummy, and daddy love you Harry, always.' She told him quietly.

Straining her ears, Lily heard one more cry, and a soft thud.

Silence.

She heard no more sounds of a fight below. Standing, she wiped at her cheeks, and wrapped her slender fingers around her wand. She knew what silence meant. What would be coming next.

A cloaked figure was stealthily making its way up the stairs. As it approached the only closed door on the second floor, a cruel smile twisted his lips. Reaching out a thin, pale hand, he tried the door. It wouldn't open. A full smile spread across his face; surely the woman must know her attempts to keep him out would be futile. He points a long, dark wand at the door, and blasts it open. Debris scattering throughout the room.

Lily whirled around to face him, her eyes wide with fear. 'Don't touch him!' She screams.

'Step aside, filthy girl!' He commands in his high, chilling voice. The red head didn't budge. 'I said, step aside!'

Rolling the wand between his fingers slowly, the cloaked man smirks, 'your husband is already dead. I won't hesitate to kill you as well.'

'I'd rather I die, than my son!' Lily threw aside her wand, and spread her arms. As though she could physically shield the small boy from the evil in the room.

'I won't tell you again.' Raising his wand, the man pointed at the self sacrifice that stood before him and tsked. 'You could have saved yourself. Instead, you will both die tonight.'

Lily met his gaze defiantly, her chin held high. Unfallen tears shining in her emerald eyes.

'Avada Kedavra!'

There was a flash of green light, and Lily fell to the ground. Stepping over her motionless body, the man crossed to the crib. The boy had been watching in confusion, unsure what was going on. 'At last,' the man murmured. ' The moment has arrived. From now on, no one shall threaten the power of Lord Voldemort!'

Lifting his wand once more, he aimed at the child. Staring into the innocent green eyes, he softly says, 'avada kedavra!' The jet of green light flew towards the boy. But of instead of piercing his small body, like his mother, the light seemed to ricochet off of him.

A howl of agony fills the room as the cloaked man falls to the ground. An instant later the small boy cries out, tears falling down his chubby cheeks.

Thanks for reading!