Disclaimer: Thanks to JK Rowling who lets us, the FanFic authors, play with her wonderful creation.

A/N: This story is extremely AU. Cannon goes out the window from the first chapter. You have been warned.

Thanks to TreenBeen was graciously beta'd this for me.

Chapter 1

31 October 1981

Lily

He's coming for us. I don't know how he found out where we were hiding, but he knows. James, my James, he's killed him. I have to get Harry and get out of here. I need to stop crying, there will be time for that later. We have to get out of here first. I pick up my baby and make to leave but it's already too late. He's here. I wasn't fast enough. I'm not quite sure how he made up the stairs so fast, but there's not much I can do now to escape. I have to face him if I intend on saving my baby. I will do anything within my power to protect Harry. There is nothing in heaven or hell that will keep me from protecting my son against this monster. He may have already taken my James, but he is not going to kill my Harry, not while I have breath within in me.

Oh no, he's about to do just that. "Stand aside, mud-blood," he says to me, "and I may just spare your pathetic life." By some miracle, or perhaps because of his arrogance, I managed to be faster to the draw. I raised my wand and, summoned every ounce of my magic. "Avada Kedavra!" He yells at what seems like the top of his lungs. The flash of green light leaves the tip of his wand and is headed right for my baby. At the same time a flash of gold leaves my wand I do not remember speaking any incantation, but I feel power leaving body. It's too late the green light of his wand touches my baby, but the impossible seems to happen right before my eyes. The golden spell wraps around Harry and the killing curse rebounds and hits the evil one in the chest.

I immediately go and check to see if my baby is still alive. I cry begin to cry to tears of anguish and joy. I did not lose my son. He is still lying in his cot squirming and crying as little boys are wont to do at that age. He seems unhurt, but for a scar on his forhead. I will have to get the healers to look at it. For now all I can do is hold him to my chest and we cry together. He-who-must-not-be-named lies dead at my feet. Harry is safe, for now at the very least.

5 November 1981

Severus

I watched her from behind a tree as she stood in front of the grave where her now deceased husband had just be laid to rest just days before. I thought I was completely unobserved, but she must have sensed my presence there. She turned on her heel and looked right at me before speaking.

"Severus, what are you doing here?" She asked of me, her tone neither polite nor friendly.

I responded as best as I could, considering how unexpected her reaction to me was. "I… I came to say how sorry I am…" I paused, but without much to say about the loss of James Potter I fumbled for the right words and failed miserably, "for your loss." I realized how sheepish and insincere the words sounded as they left my mouth. In retrospect I should have expected her initial reaction towards me, however, what came after will leave me stunned until my dying day. For all that she was a hot headed Gryffindor, Lily had never reacted violently towards anyone, at least not to my recollection.

In a fit of anger and grief, she flew at me with fists pounding at my chest. The tears were flowing freely from her beautiful eyes, "No you're not!" She shrieked into the chill air, her words punctuated by sobs. "You're a liar, and hypocrite, and it's all… your… fault." It was more than I could take. I had already regretted coming here, but I allowed her to continue her physical attack on my person. Mostly because I realized that it would serve as an outlet for some her frustration, and also because she was entirely correct in her assessment. It had been my fault. My actions had led to the premature death of her husband.

When she finally tired, her eyes found mine. The eyes that I have always equated with everything lovely were cold, and hard. Gone was the light, and hope they had been to me, only to be replaced by scorn, and regret. The gaze that at one time in my sorry life brought inspiration only brought sorrow, and instantly managed to tear away at was left of my soul.

There was nothing I could ever say to deny her accusation, so I remained silent. When I could no longer take the torture that could only be described as hatred coming from her eyes, I hung my head allowing my hair to cover my face. My action brought her to speak to me again.

"Severus, just go away and leave us alone," she said in voice as cold as ice.

It was for the first time that I noticed the toddler that was clinging to her robes. He was the spirit and image of his father, but for his eyes. They were the same as his mother's, yet unlike hers they did not regard me with loathing. Lily turned from me and picked up her child, and spoke words of comfort that only a mother could. At that moment I envied Harry Potter, for he had the one thing that I would never possess: Lily's love.

I turned away from them and apparated into the night. I would respect her wishes and leave them alone. It was the only thing I could do for her now.

I know it's short, but the first ten chapters have already been written. With the possibility of an epilogue to go.

Thanks for reading and reviewing.