"I would like a word with the Potters," Dumbledore stated at the end of the order meeting.
Peter looked up hopefully and stuck around as everyone left as he had been staying with the Potters recently.
"Alone, Pettigrew, I have serious matters to discuss with them."
"Whatever you say, Dumbledore," James replied. "You can go ahead on home without us, Wormtail. We will meet you there."
Peter gave a sad look and then started leaving with the rest of the order. He was carrying a bag of his belongings.
As soon as the door closed behind the last person, Lily spat out, "What is it Dumbledore? Do you know when they will be coming for us? Are we going to have a full showdown?"
"In fact, I want to discuss something of the complete opposite nature," Dumbledore replied calmly. "But before I explain, I need to know how far you are willing to go to defeat Lord Voldemort."
"To the death!" Exclaimed James. "I am willing to die to bring old Voldy down!"
Silence. They both turn to look to Lily.
"As am I, though I am a bit concerned about what that would mean for Harry. If we both die, who will take care of him?"
"Sirius would, don't worry, love."
"I will discuss your concern with you in a moment, but I will explain a plan that I recently discovered as a possibility to take down Voldemort, hopefully once and for all."
"Let's hear it," Lily said eagerly.
"There is an ancient magic built on the premise of love and sacrifice, when performed properly it should protect the subject from death. However, it does require the ultimate sacrifice—a life in exchange for a life saved. It would require you to willing lay down your life for your son."
"We are, we've hopefully demonstrated it already. James going into hiding willingly is a major example, but how does this stop Voldemort?"
"If Lord Voldemort tries to kill little Harry after you completed the spell with your sacrifice, the spell should rebound and kill him instead."
Lily and James exchange a significant look.
"Now this means that Harry will bring the downfall of Lord Voldemort as predicted in the prophecy, as Voldemort has clearly chosen Harry as his rival. Or it means that Voldemort would be severely weakened and if we hide Harry from his followers, he should be able to come of age before having to face Voldemort again. Are you willing to go along with this plan?"
"Yes, of course," Lily said as James nodded his head eagerly. "What do you need us to do?"
"The biggest thing I need you to do is to not act like anything is different. If you suddenly decide to come out of hiding or abruptly change plans, it will look suspicious. No one else is to know of this plan or it will fail. We know we have a spy close to you two, so especially do not tell your friends, James. I know it will be hard for you, but it could be any of them."
"It's not Sirius, I can tell you that much. I would bet my life on it."
"Regardless, do not tell even Black. This is very important information. We will proceed with the plan of moving you into the Potter Cottage and use of the fidelius charm with Sirius Black as the secret keeper. However, we expect this plan to fail. Either the spy will give the information or they will kill Black and the spy will then have the information to pass it on to Lord Voldemort.
"When Voldemort comes, it is best you are unarmed. Fighting can negate the willing sacrifice part on the enchantment. You are to face Voldemort wandless and die willingly." A deathly silence fell on the room. "If you both follow these instructions and go through the blood ceremony required before this event happens, making sure no one observes you doing so, then I think we have a very good chance of bringing down Voldemort once and for all."
The heavy silence hung in the room for another minute before James said, "I am willing. I will die so the wizarding world can be saved."
Lily just breathed in the weight of everything. Leave her son to face the world alone knowing it will be a better world. It was a hard decision, be there for him and fight for him or sacrifice yourself for him to live in a better world. It would have been so much easier to say if it had been anyone else's child. She would die so willingly for the wizarding world, but leaving her weak defenseless baby alone in a world that decided he should die from before he could walk and talk, it was more than she could bear. However, she knew what was the right thing to do, but she had to make sure it would work.
"I will be as long as I can see that it will work. I'm not leaving Harry if it would mean leaving him alone when Voldemort is at large and wants to kill him."
"I expected as much from you," Dumbledore said with a smile as he pulled out a very old book and handed it to her. "The bookmarked page explains the spell and how to perform the blood ceremony. I ask that you take the moment to memorize it as I cannot risk this book leaving my presence for fear of too much information on what you are doing getting out."
Lily nodded as she took the book and read about the spell. James read over her shoulder and was done much earlier than her. After several more minutes where James was clearly getting bored and shifting in his seat, Lily looked up.
"I have some questions," she started, "It says h—"
"Hold up," Dumbledore said lifting his hand, "James, do you have any questions?"
"No, I see it. I've read it. I've memorized the ceremony. I'm ready to take down Voldemort once and for all."
"Excellent, I'm sure Bathilda would appreciate you going home and relieving her of babysitting duties. I will discuss the minor concerns Lily has and send her home when we are finished."
"It's true she doesn't like staying up that late." James stood up and grabbed Lily's hand and kissed it. "Don't worry too much, love. It will be worth it, we can trust Dumbledore. I'll see you when you get home."
"Yes, deer," Lily said, smirking at her joke. And with that James turned and left her alone with Dumbledore.