Disclaimer: Based on Joanne's tidbits in the novels about Harry's parents, with a lot of inspiration from the Snape's memories. Hope you like! As always, the characters are Joanne Rowling's.
"Nice mask, mister!" A child of about 8 called, walking by Voldemort. The child had chocolate smeared around his mouth and down his otherwise white ghost costume.
"Thank you," he said curtly. It almost killed him. His wand twitched, but a curse would be quite unnecessary. No, he was about to do more.
Voldemort sneered at the children's depictions of witches and wizards. People in pointy hats with green faces and little brooms. It was all well and fine when you were 5 to think that way, but real witches and wizards were terrifying, and not a mere figment of imagination. Voldemort silently put a harmless Gemino curse on the candy a small witch's cauldron, and chuckled when the bewildered child's mother gasped in horror as the child's candy multiplied at their touch. When no one was looking, he opened the gate to the Potter's cottage. Silently, his robes billowing, he strode up the walk way.
How picturesque, he thought malevolently. Father making bubbles with his wand as the little boy clapped happily at them. They think they're so safe and sound in their cozy little home. So young and naïve. Oh look, daddy's leaving his wand on the settee. Fool.
"Alohomora," Voldemort whispered. The lock to the Potter's small cottage opened. James nearly bumped into him as he pretended to chase Harry up the stairs.
"Lily! It's him! Get Harry upstairs, I'll hold him off!" James ran to the living room, grabbing his wand.
"Stupid boy!" Voldemort roared. "You think you can defeat me?"
"James!" Lily looked over the landing at her husband. Lily felt helpless as she held her infant son. Her heart sank as she realized her wand was downstairs in the kitchen, and without it, she would surely die. She'd left it there after they'd washed up, never thinking she'd need it. Lily's mind cleared as she realized there was a magic she could do beyond anything Voldemort was capable of. There was hope.
With the knowledge that her husband was within an inch of his life, she took their son to the nursery. Silently, she sat with him in the rocking chair, holding him close for the last time.
"Harry, you are so loved. Your mummy loves you more than life itself, and daddy is downstairs fighting for you. We love you more than there are stars in the sky or fish in the sea." Lily kissed her son's cheek. Little Harry gurgled and clapped his hands.
"Fishies? Momma, fishies?" He gazed up wide-eyed, and Lily felt a tear streak down her face.
"You are my most special precious treasure, my darling. No matter what happens, mummy and daddy will always look after you. You are destined to do great things, Harry."
Suddenly, there was a bone chilling scream. It was unlike anything Lily had ever heard, and she knew exactly what it was. Lily sobbed, and continued through her tears as he screamed again.
"Harry, you are loved…" the room began to glow with a warm golden light. Everything went silent.
"Lily?"
"Severus!" Lily continued sobbing. "James! Help James! Voldemort, he just…"
"It's alright Lily, everything is alright."
"But how…?"
Severus took Harry, who instantly fell asleep. "I knew Pettigrew would tip Voldemort off, the vermin. Sirius went after him, but he escaped into the sewer. I came here, to help you and James. We did it Lil, we defeated Voldemort. He's dead."
"And James? How is he?" Lily stroked her sleeping son's hair.
"I don't know," Severus sighed, tears in his eyes. "I did all I could, really! He's alive, but only just. Alistair and McGonagall took him to St Mungo's."
"What happened?" Lily asked.
"We're not exactly sure, but we think he's been cursed, or something. It's pretty bad, Lil. There was so much blood…"
"He fought for us, you know," Lily wiped away her tears with her sleeve. "He stood there and fended him off for us. He's a good man."
"I know, Lily," Severus held out his hand to her. "I'm so glad you and Harry are safe."
"Thank you, Severus," Lily hugged him, her son between them. "I don't know how to thank you enough."
"You have to thank McGonagall, Moody and James," Severus said, leading her across the landing. Lily blanched at the blood across the floor.
"He'll be fine," Severus reassured her. He silently vanished the blood.
"I just can't imagine Harry growing up without a father," Lily sobbed. "I mean, James isn't perfect, but I love him and he's the best dad around."
"You should go to St Mungo's," Severus said, still holding Harry. "I'll tidy up here. Lil?"
"Yes?" Lily looked over her shoulder at her best friend.
"I love you," Severus smiled.
"I love you too Sev," Lily smiled back. She kissed Harry's forehead, and smoothed his hair before she disappeared into a white whisp.
Harry stirred in his sleep, and Severus smiled as the child grasped his finger tightly. "You have no idea how lucky you are," Severus said, his mouth twitching.