A/N: Okay, so evidently it's been a while. Like four years. This is mostly abandoned, but I've a couple of bits here and there that I'll upload eventually, since they're already written and I kinda like them. The bits I don't like won't be making an appearance, so yay for quality control. They'll be vaguely in order, but expect giant gaps. I had planned to cover events like Snape receiving the Dark Mark or hearing about James and Lily's wedding, but oh well. Better something than nothing.

This was written a really long time ago. Over a year ago, maybe.

You know, I look at some of the stuff I wrote last time, and I cringe.

Things weren't supposed to happen this way, but it didn't really matter anyway. The Dark Lord planned for everything. The Dark Lord left nothing to chance.

The hiding place of Fabian and Gideon Prewett had finally been discovered, and eleven Death Eaters – one Severus Snape included – were sent to finish them off. The Dark Lord did not believe that two Prewetts were a match for ten Death Eaters, or even five, but he thought it best to be prudent. Other members of the Order of the Phoenix, the ever-so-irritating organisation set up by Dumbledore, might be alerted and come running.

And events had proven him right, as always. They had barely arrived at the cottage when four other Order members Apparated directly into the house. There must have been some Detector, something that warned them that their defensive spells had been broken through. And now they were duelling, sparks flying from their wands. Four Death Eaters were taking care of the Prewetts – they were giving some trouble. He could hear Dolohov snarling in frustration. The seven others were duelling the new arrivals. James Potter was among them.

He shot a curse at Potter, but he deflected it and returned it with one of his own. Despite the danger, he felt a savage smile curl his lips. Potter had always been good at duelling – hadn't he had plenty of practice on him, Snape? But now things were different. He was the one who had the advantage of numbers.

Yet Potter was not scared, not at all. Famous Gryffindor bravery – keep a stiff upper lip to the end. A pity, really.

There was a sudden explosion, and Gideon Prewett's voice roared, "Fabian! Fabian!"

One down, five more to go…

Potter shot a Stunner at him and glanced over his shoulder, his face contorted with grief. "Gideon, get out of here!"

He dodged the Stunner and took advantage of Potter's lapse in concentration. "Expelliarmus!"

"No!" Potter yelled in fury and frustration. But he was too late – too late! Potter's wand flew from his hand. It was so easy to reach out and pluck the wand from the air. He knew his teeth were bared in a feral grin. Finally, Potter at his mercy.

"James!" He heard Black's shout, but knew that Black was too busy fending off Avery and Macnair to do anything.

Potter's eyes were fixed on his, watching intently for any warning of exactly when he would hurl the Killing Curse. He raised his wand and pointed it directly between Potter's eyes. He wanted to see the exact moment when those hazel eyes went blank and closed forever.

"Ava-"

A sudden loud crack interrupted him. Someone had Apparated almost exactly next to Potter. He instantly switched targets. "Stu-"

The words died in his throat when he saw that the newcomer was a heavily pregnant Lily.

"Lily…" Her name emerged as a near soundless whisper, lost in the cacophony of noises issuing from the others.

"Lily, for Merlin's sake go home!"

Lily had her wand out and tried to Disarm him. He automatically erected a Shield Charm. Potter caught her by the arms and pulled her behind him, shielding her with his own body.

"I can't stay home knowing you could die – "

"I don't care, you've got to –"

A blast showered them with debris and Potter pulled Lily to one side.

"Get the hell out of here, d'you hear me-"

"James, I can't, I can't – "

He stood frozen to the spot. What was he supposed to do?

"Kill Potter!" roared Avery. "Get Potter!"

"Lily, go! For my sake – the baby's –"

Lily pulled him down unceremoniously as a curse flew over their head. She shot another one back in the direction it had come from and something hit the ground heavily.

Potter rolled to his feet, keeping his eyes on him, no doubt wondering why he, Snape, was hesitating.

"Accio wand!" yelled Lily.

"Protego!" he whispered automatically, fearful that she would recognise his voice. He was a second too late and Potter's wand flew back to her and she caught it and stuffed it into his hand.

He saw a bolt of red light fly towards them, which neither of them noticed. Without thinking about it, he aimed at them and yelled, "Stupefy!" Potter and Lily dropped to the ground, and both curses missed them.

Then he felt the Dark Mark burn and saw a cloaked figure emerge from the darkness, lit dimly by the curses flying around, close to where the Death Eaters were battling the one remaining Prewett.

Gideon Prewett's voice yelled, "He's here! Don't die to save m-"

There was an explosion, and Avery screamed, "My Lord! The Prewetts are dead, we have accomplished our task! We have not failed you!"

"James, Frank, go! He's here!" Black roared.

He could do it. Potter was right in front of him, distracted momentarily by Prewett's death and the arrival of the Dark Lord. But Lily, Lily would cry her eyes out...

"Potter," hissed Voldemort. "And your precious Mudblood. Should I offer my congratulations?"

"James, he's coming! James!" Lily's voice was high with fear.

"Stupefy!"

It was more difficult than he expected, but he forced himself not to respond, allowed himself to be blasted off his feet, and let Potter Disapparate with Lily, knowing that he would be punished for letting them escape.