There just wasn't enough time.

Gilliean glanced to her husband, squeezing his hand as hard as she could. Nexus gave her one of his unwavering smiles. She exhaled, and smiled back. Their precious, newborn daughter lay in front of them, a blue, glowing rattle in her mouth as she gurgled and grinned a toothless smile at her parents. She'd been born late, only a few days after the true due date. Instead of July thirty-first, she'd been born August second. She wasn't the child of the prophecy, but she would be special forever.

Gilliean choked back a sob as the rattle grew brighter.

"You're positive that she'll land safely?"

"My love, we have taken every precaution. Dumbledore is waiting for her, he will hide her till it is safe. She will be safe." Nexus said, pulling her close.

Gilliean nodded, biting the inside of her cheek.

Tears broke out the corners of her eyes.

This could be the last she ever saw of her little girl.

"My darling Alliana, be safe. And know, that we love you. And no matter what you do in life, we are so, so very proud of you." Gilliean whispered, stroking the baby's cheek momentarily.

She wanted more time.

"There's so much I want to tell you. So very much. We haven't had enough time with you," she said, shaking her head.

"Gilliean, we will see her again." Nexus said, looking away.

His wife let out a bitter laugh. "Perhaps. But there's a far better chance that we will not."

Nexus sighed, staring at his daughter's wide eyes. They were blue, but already, he could see purple beginning to leak out from her pupils. Central heterochromia. She would have her grandmother's eyes.

They had precious little time left till the Portkey would whisk their daughter away.

Each parent quickly kissed their daughter on the forehead then moved back quickly.

The blue light from the rattle overtook their daughter's form. Her frightened cry echoed through the room as she disappeared.

Their front door burst in only seconds later.