The faint smell of danger that aroused the air unnerved Lily, as she tucked Harry into bed. She had to stay calm, very, very calm, or perhaps their cover could be blown. Normality was the only thing that could be consistent at a time like this – at a time when they could be killed.
"Alright?" James breathed from around the door, his lopsided smile comforted her as she turned back to her son, his big brown eyes look up at her, and he gurgled, unaware. Lily smiled, reassuring Harry that everyone was fine, even though it wasn't.
She glanced over at the packed bags that James had hidden in the cupboard, he'd made sure they had their essentials as soon as they'd got back from making Peter their Secret Keeper.
Lily looked up and could have sworn she saw a face at the window, or maybe it was snow? Either way something – or someone was there? A snowy white beard, maybe? Or was that wishful thinking?
James and Lily were caught unawares as their front door was blasted off with green light, making Lily's head ache.
"Step aside!" A dark harrowing voice called out.
"No! You leave my family alone!" Lily could hear James cry. She knew he was here, she knew he had come for them.
The voice laughed a throaty laugh, "Step aside!" he repeated.
"No!" James stood his ground.
The silence was enough to kill, Lily.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!" He cried, as Lily threw her hands over her mouth and squinted away from the light, he couldn't have done? Could he?
The door to Harry's nursery swung open as a black hooded figure she had only had nightmares about stepped into the room.
"Give me the boy," he told her.
"Never," Lily breathed, shaking her head. She glanced and saw James' dead body lying behind him, her mouth ran dry and her eyes filled with tears. Her worst fears had been realised, "If you want Harry, you'll have to kill me too," Lily told him bluntly.
"Your wish is my command," He cackled maliciously, "AVADA KEDAVRA!"
And the room ran piercing white.