A/N: J. K. Rowling is the creator of Harry Potter and everything comes with it. So everything you recognise belongs to her. I am just playing with the wonderfully vibrant world she has created.
Prologue
January, 1980:
It was too cold outside. Grounds were covered with a thick layer of snow. Christmas and the new year had passed just a few weeks ago. But there wasn't so much happiness to share. Wizards and witches were doing their best to avoid going outdoors. Yes, it was because of cold, but not what usually came with winter and snow. It was the cold of terror. It was the bone-chilling cold that came with the thought of getting killed, or even worse, brutally tortured. It was the heart freezing cold that came with the terror of inhumane death eaters or worst the dark lord of the era, Voldemort.
It was the middle of the wizarding war.
But not everyone was totally unhappy.
Somewhere in Scotland, a young woman was relaxing on a couch in the living room of a considerably large manor while gently caressing her not so visible pregnant belly. Lights from different candles placed around the room were reflecting from her auburn hair, enhancing its striking beauty. Her eyes though unfocused were fixed at the opposite wall decorated with several framed pictures, and a small smile was playing on her lips as she was reminiscing one of the best days of her life while waiting for her auror husband to return from the Ministry of Magic.
It was two and a half weeks ago, she was in the potion lab of St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries where she worked as a potion maker when suddenly a wave of nausea hit her. She ran toward the bathroom and threw up her morning breakfast. She had already presumed what the reason behind her sudden illness could be, So after exiting the bathroom, instead of returning to the potion lab, she headed toward the cabin of her family healer.
Half an hour later, she emerged from the cabin in a considerably happy mood and a dreamy smile on her lips. She was pregnant.
Though she and her husband hadn't planned it, both agreeing on waiting until the end of the war, she knew her husband would be happy. Very Happy. Even Sirius, Remus and Peter, the three best friends of her husband, would be elated too.
After all, it would be one of the best days of their lives too.
She was snapped out of her thoughts when the floo flared, and a handsome young man with messy black hair and round glasses emerged from the fireplace.
James Potter was frustrated. He removed his glasses and propped his head on his hands above the desk. He and the other aurors, though most of them were useless morons, were working day and night to oppose Voldemort and his minions, but failing miserably. Even the Order of the Phoenix, which he and his wife were part of, was also succeeding enough to save a few witches and wizards. Albus Dumbledore, the founder of the Order of the Phoenix and the only wizard Voldemort was afraid of, was also having no success in finding a way to defeat the infamous dark lord.
He raised his head back and ran his hands over his face to ease a little bit of tension and frustration, and looked at the watch on his wrist. It was almost six, so he closed all the files and stacked them at the corner of his table, ready to go home.
Home.
A small smile appeared on his lips at the thought of home. Okay, not actually home, but the only female occupant of it: his beautiful, two months pregnant wife. Only two weeks ago they had come to know that they were going to have a baby. And it was really a happy news even in the middle of a war. After all, things like these were what gave a person more strength and motivation to fight and win over a dark time.
He reached the ministry atrium and took a fireplace to floo home. Exiting the fireplace of the living room of his ancestral home, the first thing his eyes fell on was his beautiful wife relaxing in a couch. He hurried toward her and she got up from her sitting position. He pulled her into a tight embrace, and all the work stresses and frustration washed away from his body and mind.
"So how was your day?" asked Lily after pulling away and kissing lightly on his lips.
"Same. going nowhere"
"Don't worry, honey, everything will be fine with time", she consoled caressing his cheeks; "By the way, where is Sirius and Remus?"
"They are going to Andromeda's for her daughter's birthday. They also invited me but I refused."
"Oh, okay", she nodded her head.
They stood there for the next few minutes in each other's embrace. Then James kneeled down and started to kiss his wife's stomach.
"So, how is our baby doing?"
"Better than his father", she replied with a smile; "No work stress, no frustration."
James laughed and stood up to kiss his wife.
As he pulled away, Lily looked at her husband's hazel eyes. "James".
James looked into his wife's beautiful green eyes that were reflecting worry and anxiety at the moment.
"Yes, baby?"
"You know, with this war going on, our baby is going to be alright, Isn't he?"
James kissed her forehead and pulled her into the safeguard of his arms.
"Yes baby, our baby is going to be perfectly alright. We will keep our child as far from this war as possible".
They fell in silence after that taking comfort from each other's embrace.
Little did they know that their child was going to be in the centre of this whole mess.
It was about one hour later; they were finishing their dinner when the voice of Albus Dumbledore rang from the living room. They got up from the table and entered the living room to find the old headmaster's greenish fiery head hovering in the fireplace. He looked quite gloomy and stressed.
"Good evening Albus", greeted James; "How are you? There doesn't happen to be an emergency order meeting, does it?"
"Good evening to you both", replied the elderly wizard; "I am fine. And no, there doesn't happen to be any order meeting. Actually, I need to talk to you both. Can you come to my office after dinner?"
"What is it, Albus?" asked Lily worriedly; "Is there any problem?".
"I'll tell you when you'll arrive at my office. Just be quick." With that, the head of the old man disappeared and the flames of the fireplace turned into its usual reddish yellow colour.
Lily looked at her husband concernedly. "What do you think the matter is?"
James looked thoughtful. "Whatever it is, is very important, or else Dumbledore would've never called us to his office like that."
Lily nodded her head. "Okay, let's finish our dinner so that we can go there quickly".
Half an hour later, Lily and James emerged from the fireplace in Dumbledore's office and noticed that Dumbledore was not alone in his office. There were seated in a couch a very familiar couple as well as aurors: Alice and Frank Longbottom. James looked at Frank, who shook his head indicating he also didn't know what was going on. Dumbledore asked Lily and James to take another couch and they complied with. After they got settled comfortably, James spoke up.
"So, what's the matter, Albus?"
The old man leaned over his desk and started to speak, "A few days ago, I was in Hog's Head pub taking interview of a witch named Sybill Trelawney, for our new Divination professor, and she made a prophecy in front of me."
"A prophecy?" inquired James.
"Yes James, a prophecy. A prophecy about a boy who will defeat Voldemort." all the four other occupants looked surprised at this; "But the problem is, there was a death eater outside of the bar spying on us. But before he could hear the whole prophecy Aberforth spotted him but unfortunately, he escaped before Abe could get a hold of him. But then yesterday, the death eater came to me and told me what Voldemort has contemplated about that part of the prophecy."
"Okay, but why did the death eater come to you?" inquired Frank.
"He came to me with a request to protect the family of the boy".
Everyone was shocked.
"what? A death eater came to you himself and requested you to save the family of the boy who will defeat his lord?" asked James.
"Yes", answered Dumbledore.
"Okay, but who is this boy, Albus?" asked Frank.
Dumbledore sighed.
"For that, you need to know the prophecy first." With that, he summoned a pensive from a cabinet on the other side of the room. He touched the side his temple with his wand and poured a silvery thing into the pensive.
The face of a woman with thick round glasses appeared on the pensive and she started to speak in an unnaturally chest voice:
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..."
Lily, being the smartest of the four understood the indication of the prophecy right away and started to cry. James took her in his arms and looked at Dumbledore, confused.
"In which month is Lily due, James?" Dumbledore asked and James's eyes widened in horror.
"But … but …", he started but Albus cut him off; "Neither Lily is the only one due in July, nor you and Lily are the only couple who have thrice defied Voldemort, James. There is another couple who also fulfil both the requirements".
James's eyes widened further and he snapped his head toward the other couple. Frank looked at him and nodded his head while trying to comfort his sobbing wife in his arms.
Both men sat there in silence for the next few minutes consoling their distraught wives.
A few minutes later, after the two women had regained their composure, James asked, "But Albus, who is the death eater you're talking about?"
Dumbledore sighed.
"I think the name is better kept secret for the time being, James. Now, it's of more importance to discuss how to keep your families safe".
"What do you suggest Albus?" asked Frank and James also looked expectantly toward the old man.
Dumbledore thought for a few moments, then replied, "I think you should go into hiding with your family. Both of your safe houses will be under the fidelius charm. Frank, your brother Damien can be your secret keeper and Sirius can be yours, James"
Both the men nodded at this suggestion.
The next morning, Lily was making breakfast at the kitchen counter when James came downstairs. He approached behind her and put his arms around her still quite flat pregnant belly. "Good morning my Lily flower", he greeted kissing the side of her neck.
She turned around her head to kiss and greet him back. They both had dark circles under their eyes due to lack of sleep. After returning from Hogwarts last night, Lily had once again broke into hysterics and James had spent the whole night mulling over the whole fact, not to mention holding and soothing his sobbing wife.
A few minutes later, both Lily and James were seated at the kitchen table when Sirius came inside followed by Remus.
"Good morning Lily, James", greeted Remus.
"How are you Prongs? Why are you looking miserable, like Lils has decided to leave you and marry me?" asked Sirius smiling cheekily, but his smile faded away when there was no sign of any reaction from his best friend other than a wry smile.
"What's the matter, Lily? You both are looking as if you haven't slept the whole night", inquired Remus.
When none of them replied instantly, Sirius and Remus looked at each other sharing concerned looks.
"I think, you both should sit down first", James spoke up a few moments later.
They both nodded and sat down. Lily handed each of them a mug of coffee.
After fifteen minutes of explanation of both the prophecy and the hiding plan, Lily started crying again and James got up from his chair to comfort her, while Sirius and Remus kept rooted to their spots, simply shocked.
A few minutes later, after recomposing herself with the help of her husband, Lily served breakfast for all four of them, and they ate in complete silence.
After the breakfast was finished, it was Sirius who spoke up.
"James, during breakfast, I was deliberating about your hiding plan. And I think, you should reconsider the secret keeper once more".
Confused, all the other three occupants looked at him, unable to get what he was trying to say.
"What do you mean, Sirius?" inquired James with the same confused expression.
Sirius let out a heavy sigh. "I don't think I should be your secret keeper, James".
"What are you talking about Sirius?" cried out James, angry and hurt. "Are you refusing to be the secret keeper? Are you afraid of Voldemort?"
"Calm down James", Sirius spoke out, a bit louder than normal; "You know very well I am not scared of that bastard. And so far the matter of protecting you, Lils and your child, you know I will happily jump in front of a killing curse to save any of you."
"Then, what are you talking about?" asked James puzzled.
Sirius leaned over the kitchen table.
"I think, you should make Wormtail the secret keeper."
"What? Peter? But why?" cried out James. He knew Peter wasn't strong and mature enough to hold such a responsibility.
"You see", started Sirius "I am your best friend and everyone knows that, even Voldemort. And if you are going into hiding, I will be the obvious choice for the secret keeper. Now, I know I'll never give away your secret even under the cruciatus curse. But you know about Voldemort's knowledge in dark magic well enough, James. He may have another way to do it. So it's for the best if he does have the wrong impression about the secret keeper".
"But why Peter and not Remus?" asked Lily and Sirius gave another deep sigh.
"You see Lily, firstly Remus will be next choice after me and then we don't know what will happen once he is under the effect of the full moon. But with Peter, no one will ever consider him as the secret keeper. Everyone knows he is not so strong and brave. So even Voldemort won't suspect him to be your secret keeper. And that will be our best way to execute the whole plan".
"I think he is right, James", commented Remus. James and Lily nodded after a few quiet moments of thoughts.
"So, where are you planning to go for hiding?" inquired Sirius.
James replied, "Godric's Hollow".
July 31, 1980
Albus, Sirius, Remus and Peter were waiting outside the living room of the house in Godric's Hollow for last four hours. Albus was seated in a cozy armchair; Sirius and Remus were Pacing the floor impatiently while Peter was standing in a corner. They were all waiting for the arrival of the newest Potter. Albus had called a healer to help Lily in her labour.
After another two hours, the door of the living room opened and James emerged from the room with a black haired baby in a bundle in his arms. He walked to Sirius and called out, "Padfoot, meet your godson, Harry James Potter".
October 15, 1980.
James returned home from an order business and found the living room empty. He walked up to the bedroom and found no one there too.
He sighed. His wife was spending more and more time in the study lately, doing what only she and Merlin himself knew.
He entered the study and as presumed, found his wife sitting at the desk with her face buried in a thick old book on Egyptian magic.
It was the book, he recognised she brought from the library at Potter Manor. The Potter Manor library had a vast collection of both new and old, muggle and Wizarding books there.
He turned his head and found his son asleep soundly in his crib.
He walked over to his wife and placed his arms around her neck kissing the top of her head.
Lily got startled at first but calmed down when she recognised the familiar hand. She marked the page and close the book.
"How did your order business go?" she asked arching her head and kissing him lightly on the lips.
"As usual" replied James, kissing her back.
"I will start making dinner in half an hour. Is any of Sirius and Remus coming?" inquired Lily.
"Yeah, they both will be here on time", replied James. Then after a moment of pause, he added, "You are spending too much of your times in the study these days".
"I know", she simply replied.
"Why?" he asked without sounding inquisitive.
"Researching".
James was confused. "Researching what?"
"How to protect our son".
James was surprised now. He didn't know Lily was researching to find another way to protect their son.
"But Lily we are already In hiding. What more can we do?" asked James.
"There should be something else to do, James", she said looking back at the book and turning some of the pages over. "It's our son, James. And when it comes to him, I am not going to depend completely on just the fidelius charm. If our son is the one the prophecy is talking about, what I think it is, then we have to take more precautions".
"Wait", interrupted James; "How do you know, the prophecy is talking about our son? Why can't it be Frank's son? After all, he and his wife are both aurors".
"Yeah, but you are forgetting something James" she commented turning her head and looking back at her husband; "Our son is also a half-blood like Voldemort. But that's not the most important part".
James was even more surprised now.
"There is something more important?", muttered James mostly to himself.
"Yes James, there is something more important", she replied nodding her head; "Have you forgot that Voldemort is the heir of Slytherin?"
"No", replied James.
"And you can't find any reason for the heir of Slytherin to think a Potter as his worst enemy?" she asked with a narrowed glance.
"Oh", mouthed James; "I forgot".
"Yes, you forgot. And that's because you don't care too much about your ancestral glory. But that doesn't mean Voldemort will take that lightly too".
"OK, I got you. But you do you think Voldemort will be able to break the fidelius charm?" he asked a bit defiantly.
"Ok, maybe not", she replied with a shrug, but then looked into his eyes; "But do you think, we can spend our whole life In hiding? And what about our Son? Do you think he can spend his whole life being locked in a house, just because a crazy maniacal dark lord is maybe after him?"
"Okay, that'll be a bit of too much I think", replied James conceding defeat. "But what do we do Lily?"
"We'll give him more protection", she said getting up from her sitting position. "Something that would protect our son everywhere and everytime, no matter whether we are around him or not".
"Do you think you can find something like that?" asked James unassuredly.
"I think I can", she replied confidently. "The ancient Egyptian wizards and witches had a vast knowledge of blood and soul magic".
"And that's why you were reading this book?" inquired James pointing at the book upon the desk.
"yes".
But before he could ask anything further, the voice of Sirius Black came from downstairs.
"Lily, James, where are You? you aren't happened to enjoying in your bedroom living my godson alone, Are you?"
"We are in the study, Sirius", shouted out James. "And your godson too".
Sirius And Remus came upstairs and entered the study.
"Hey Lily, when is dinner? I am hungry".
"You have to wait another half an hour, Sirius", replied Lily.
"Can I at least have some juice?" asked Sirius.
"Don't you know where the juice is?" inquired Lily.
"Yeah, but I have to ask for your permission, don't I?" replied Sirius making an innocent face.
"Yeah, like you always do", snorted Lily while Sirius just grinned.
"Hey, where is my godson?". With that Sirius walked toward the crib.
"What are you two doing in the study by the way?" asked Remus.
"Oh, you know my brilliant wife", commented James cheekily; "Always busy studying and learning new things".
Lily slapped him in the arm and Remus chuckled at their antics
January 7, 1981.
It was six in the evening, and Lily and James were seated in the living room couch waiting patiently for a guest. Little Harry, now five months old, was sleeping peacefully in Lily's arms, with a toy snitch in his hand. Finally Lily had found a perfect way to protect their son. And all they needed was the approval along with a little help from the greatest wizard of their time.
About fifteen minutes later, the fire in the fireplace flared green and Albus Dumbledore emerged from the green flames. Both the Potters got up to greet the old man.
"It's so good to see you, Lily, James", greeted Dumbledore. "How is little Harry doing?".
"It's good to see you too Albus", greeted Lily back. "And Harry is doing great. He is generally a very docile and undemanding child. Just give him a toy and he'll get busy with it for hours", she finished with a touch of pride.
The old man smiled. "Then he is going to be very attentive at studies", stated Dumbledore.
"Yeah, unlike his father", replied Lily grinning at her husband.
James scowled though the corner of his mouth was twitching upward.
"So Lily, James told me that you want to talk to me about something important", stated Dumbledore, finally coming to the point.
"Yes, Albus, I have something important to talk to you" she replied sitting back on the couch and requesting Dumbledore to take the nearest armchair. "Actually I have found a more effective way to protect Harry. It's actually is a very old Egyptian magic. It's called The Ultimate Creator's Protection".
Dumbledore shifted in his chair to make himself more comfortable. "It seems interesting, Lily. Tell me more about it".
"Actually professor, the old Egyptians used to use it to protect their dangerous and prized possessions. Only the creator of an object can use the charm to protect it. And on the other hand, a wizard or a witch can use this charm only on their own creations. So the parents, being the creator of a child, can use it to protect their child too", described Lily.
"And you want to use this magic to protect Harry?" inquired the old wizard.
"Yes", answered Lily and James in unison.
"Interesting. Very interesting. So how does it work?"
Lily took a deep breath and then started.
"It has two parts. The first part is a ritual and the second part is an incantation. The ritual is needed to be performed only once but the incantation is needed to be recast once in a month".
"So how does the protection work?" inquired Dumbledore.
This time Lily shifted in her seat uncomfortably before answering, "OK, the parent-child protection method works this way: as soon as one or both of the parents perform the ritual and cast the incantation, the protection sprang into action. Then when one or both of the parents die or get murdered, their souls create a type of invisible shield around their child that protects the child from any kind of lethal curses and jinxes, even the three unforgivable curses. The shield not only protects the child from those curses but it also makes the curses rebound to their caster".
Dumbledore nodded. "So what happens, if someone cast a killing curse on the child?" the old man asked.
"The curse will be rebounded at its caster getting him killed in the process".
"And when will the shield finally be broken?"
"As the shield is created by the magic of the souls, it will only break when the souls will consider the child safe".
Dumbledore nodded. "Okay, but there should be some kind downside to it?" remarked the old man.
"Actually there is one", Lily hesitated for a moment, then started again; "As the souls create the shield, they will be stuck in the mortal world until the shield is broken".
Dumbledore looked horrified for a moment. "And you both are willing to take that risk?"
"Yes Albus, we are", confessed Lily and James nodded in agreement. "We will do anything to keep our son safe".
"Okay, do you need any help from me?"
"Actually yes professor", replied Lily; "You see, as we both are participating in this ritual, someone else has to do the incantation part of the ritual. And we were thinking if you could do the incantation".
Dumbledore nodded. "You both are sacrificing your souls to protect your child, Lily. This is the least I can do".
"Thank you professor", Lily and James said simultaneously.
"So, when do you want to do it?"
"What about tomorrow morning professor? Around eight maybe. Harry doesn't usually sleep at that time", suggested Lily.
"OK, I'll be here at eight".
"Thank you, professor" spoke up Lily and James in unison, and after a round of goodnights, Dumbledore left for Hogwarts.
The next morning professor Dumbledore arrived at the safe house of Godric's Hollow at five minutes to eight. Lily and James were already there in the living room with Harry in James's arms.
"So Lily, James, are you ready?" asked the headmaster and they both nodded.
Five minutes later Harry was seated in the couch in a sitting position, while Lily and James took one of his hand in theirs.
The old man waved his wand and muttered an incantation, and a white light emerged from Lily and James's body and surrounded Harry through their linked hands. When the light faded, each of the parents took out their own wands and muttered something, pointing their wands at their linked hands with their son.
Harry's eyes went droopy immediately and Lily scooped him in her arms. And the little boy fell asleep in her arms instantly.
"Is he Ok?" inquired the old man concernedly.
"Yes, he is absolutely fine", answered Lily; "He is just exhausted after the whole process. But don't worry, this happens only the first time".
"Now, you just need to recast the incantation once in a month, Right?" asked the headmaster.
"Yes", replied Lily.
31st July 1981.
There was an air of joy and celebration around the Potters' house at Godric's Hollow. The whole house was decorated with balloons, ribbons, magical candles and various other decoration supplies. It was little Harry's first birthday after all.
James, Lily and all the Marauders were there. Sirius and Remus had decided to spend the whole day with the newest Potter and they had also dragged a reluctant Peter into it. They had also spent the night before the birthday at Godric's Hollow. It was eight in the morning and every occupant of the house, both permanent and guest, were having breakfast at the kitchen table. From the expressions on their faces, it seemed that Harry's father and godfather were more excited than the birthday boy himself. In fact, it was Sirius who had planned the day, from spending the whole day with the birthday boy to the little party in the evening. After breakfast, Sirius tried to convince Lily to let Harry open one of his presents, at least the one given by him. And Sirius smiled cheerfully when Lily gave him permission to open that particular gift. He jumped up excitedly and his other three friends laughed at his childlike enthusiasm.
Sirius brought a colourfully wrapped box from the stack of gifts and handed it to his godson. Seeing the little boy's interest to eat the box instead of opening it, everyone laughed and Lily took the box from him and ripped apart the wrappings. Both James and Remus's eyes lit up seeing the toy broom inside the box while Sirius just grinned at their expression as well as his own elation.
"Wow, it's a toy broom, Padfoot", commented James excitedly; "This is brilliant".
"Yeah Padfoot, James is right. This is amazing", added Remus.
"Yeah, but if I find even a single scratch on my son's body, don't hope to sit for at least a week, boys", threatened Lily and Sirius gulped. It was always best to take Lily's threat seriously, especially when it came to her cherished, treasured and dearly loved son.
"Don't worry Lils. He will be fine", he replied sounding braver than he actually felt.
James, Sirius, Remus and also Peter spend the next two hours playing with Harry and his toy broom. When they were all tired, the four friends plopped on the living room couches relaxing, while Harry played on the floor with his toy snitch.
"It was great Padfoot. Harry is a natural", commented Remus and Sirius smirked.
"Yeah, and I think he is going to be even better than Prongs".
James didn't mind the comment and replied, "And with the time he spent with his toy snitch, I bet he is going to be an amazing seeker".
"There is no second side in this bet, James", remarked Remus laughing, and Sirius jumped up at a sudden thought, "Hey I just decided, I'm going to buy him all his brooms in future".
Remus smiled but James's face fell.
"What's the matter James?" asked Remus.
James just said, "Bloody Voldemort".
Remus also looked worried and Peter's face paled at the mentions of Voldemort.
"Hey don't worry Prongs. We are going to kick his arse", spoke out Sirius encouragingly.
James and Remus laughed mockingly and Sirius scowled at them. "Hey, don't you think we are powerful enough?"
James grinned. "Maybe I, but not you".
Sirius jumped up and removed his jacket and shirt, revealing his inner vest.
"So let's have a round of Judo. The winner will have free lunch for next 15 days from the losers".
James and Remus also removed their jackets and shirts but Peter refused to participate and stood there clutching his left arm. The latter part went unnoticed by everyone but Sirius. He would have to spend some quality time in spying, he decided.
Peter noticed the suspicious look on his eyes and started to do his best to avoid him and act casual.
October 31, 1981.
It was the night of Halloween. Lily and James were playing with their son who is now fifteen months old, in the nursery. Suddenly there was a bang from the downstairs and then there was that voice.
Lily and James looked at each other. Dread was evident in their eyes but there was also a fierce determination to protect their child.
James jumped up from his sitting position and looked at Lily.
"Lily, he is here. Voldemort is here, Lily. I am going down; you take Harry and run".
"No James, I am not going anywhere without you", refused Lily.
"But Lily ... ".
James started to speak but Lily interrupted him.
"No James, when it comes to live it's both of us or none because Harry will be safe either way".
"But what about his upbringing, Lily?"
"There are Sirius and Remus, James. They will look after him".
When James look unconvinced, she pleaded, "Please James … ".
James looked at her beautiful green eyes and saw all the love she possessed for him shining in them.
How could he refuse those eyes?
He kissed her hard on the lips and placed a soft kiss on his son's forehead and left the nursery.
Lily could hear all the noises, bangs and sound of curses and hexes and then suddenly, it all stopped. An uncomfortable and painful silence reigned over the house. Tears were flowing down her eyes freely. She knew, her husband was dead. He had sacrificed himself to save them. And now she was going to do the same to save their child.
She placed Harry in his crib and kissed him on his forehead.
"Goodbye, my baby. Be a good man. And always remember: mama loves you, dada loves you".
Harry was looking at her with an unnatural concentration like he knew what was coming next.
A few seconds later the door of the nursery burst open and Voldemort walked in.
Lily spun around and saw the face no sane witch or wizard would wish to see even in their wildest nightmare.
But she held her grounds firm and kept rooted to her spot between her son and that evil monster.
"Stay aside girl", spoke Voldemort.
"No", refused Lily. she didn't have any fear now. She had nothing left inside her except that fierce determination to save her child at any cost possible.
"Stay aside you mudblood", sneered Voldemort. "Or you will go down with your fool of a husband".
"Do what you want, you bastard", yelled Lily. "I'm not moving an inch". she didn't care; she was ready to join the love of her life, even in souls.
"As you wish you, stupid lady... Avada Kedavra".
A sickly green light filled the room and Lily fell to the ground, dead.
Harry was crying in his crib now. Voldemort looked at him and smiled evilly.
"Goodbye, young Potter... Avada Kedavra".
Another green light shot from his wand toward the little boy, followed by a massive blast.
When the room was cleared, the nursery was blasted from half and all left alive was a crying boy in a crib with a lightning bolt cut on his forehead, blood dripping from the deep cut.
Sirius reached Godric's Hollow a few minutes after the incident. He felt sick to the stomach seeing the dark mark hanging above the house of his best friend.
He entered the house and found his best friend lying on the floor, motionless. He ran upstairs to the nursery and found Lily in the same situation as her husband.
He looked up to his crying godson and found blood dripping down the cut on his forehead. He picked Harry up in his arms and wiped the blood with his shirt. Tears were flowing from his own eyes.
"Mama?" cried the little boy.
"No mama, Harry", replied Sirius shaking his head.
"Dada?"
"No Harry, no dada".
He came downstairs carrying his godson in his arms when Rubeus Hagrid, the gamekeeper of Hogwarts, entered the house.
"Sirius, is..is little Harry okay?", Hagrid asked. Sirius nodded.
"How are Lily and James?"
Sirius just shook his head.
"The headmaster is coming soon. Do you know how it all happened?"
At that question, Sirius was snapped from his misery and an uncontrollable rage filled him. He stood up and looked at the half-giant.
"Can you hold Harry until Albus comes? I've got a very important work to finish".
Hagrid nodded and took Harry who had now fallen asleep.
Sirius kissed his godson on the forehead and stormed out of the house.
About fifteen minutes later Dumbledore appeared on the spot. He had already assumed the worst, but when he noticed the little boy in Hagrid's arms, he got his hopes a little up.
"How is Harry, Hagrid?"
"Asleep but not doin' good. He has a cut on his forehead".
The old man was surprised seeing the distinct shape of the cut.
"Are Lily and James alive?"
The half-giant shook his head. "Sirius checked on them".
Dumbledore went to the fireplace and called out Remus's address after throwing some floo powder into it. He said something and then came back to where Hagrid was.
Seconds later Remus emerged from the fireplace and almost broke down seeing his friend motionless at the foot of the stairs. He wiped the tears away from his eyes and ran up the stairs to the nursery. A few seconds later a loud voice came from upstairs.
"ALBUS, COME HERE. QUICK".
Dumbledore was startled at the tone of the voice. It was impatient and hopeful which was really unexpected considering the situation.
The old man hurried upstairs in spite of his age and found Remus sitting on the floor with Lily's head on his lap. His eyes were shining with hope and joy.
"What's the matter, Remus?"
"Lily", breathed Remus: "She is alive. She is breathing, Albus".
Dumbledore was shocked.
"That means James…", he paused in his sentence and ran downstairs.
A/N: This is going to be my first long fanfiction. Hope you will like it.