Author Notes: HEY

Author Notes: HEY! How do you like my new pename? Its my own inspiration, but my boyfriend kinda inspired it. Lol. Cheers to whoever understood that sentence! Lol. Well, we are getting very very very close to the end, only about one more chapter then the epilogue. I'm so excited to hear your reviewers, well I better stop typing now, because my boyfriend is cranky, and I think I'm making him mad by paying more attention to the computer than him. ~eep!~ Love you all always ~ Sunkist!!/ ALY!

A dark, solemn figure walked slowly on a dark abandoned downtown street.

The rain beat against him, matching his mood. Remus walked in anguish. She was gone…she would never come back to him, and Lily and James…were in hiding….They still had to choose a secret keeper. The rain had dampened him to the bone, his blonde/white hair hanging in his eyes, which were filled with tears. The rain, felt like home. The rain was pure misery on this black street. He aparated home…wondering how on earth he could go on.

"James Potter! If you eat one more brownie there will be nothing left to give Sirius and Remus!" She laughed, gently pushing him away. His brown eyes lit up with enjoyment. Harassing Lily, always had been his favorite pastime. He pulled her away from the stove and into his arms. She loved it there. So warm, so protected…so much love. He stared at her, once again taking in her beauty, he leaned down, slowly bringing his lips to hers. She pulled her arms tighter. How could she ever live without him? How could Lily Potter ever breathe without James in her arms reach.

"I love you." She whispered as the kiss ended.

"I love you too."

The silence wasn't awkward, it was perfect. Then Harry giggled loudly from his crib. There was the only person Lily loved as much as James. Their baby. She skipped over to his crib and scooped him into her arms.

"Hullo my handsome." She smiled, tickling him.

He giggled madly, until James ran in to save him. He took the giggling baby from Lily's loving arms and flew him around the room.

"One day Harry, you'll fly like this! Only on a broom!" James cried as he held the laughing baby high above his head, running around.

Lily rushed over and pulled Harry back into her warm, loving arms.

"And you'll be excellent! Ten Times better than the famous James Potter!" She said, leaning down to kiss the infant on the forehead, that already possessed a wild mop of black hair. James came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her slim waist, hugging her. He looked at Harry over her shoulder.

"And you'll be smarter than the famous Lily Evans who graduated with top marks all through school, and was valedictorian her senior year." He whispered to the baby who had fallen peacefully asleep. Lily gently laid him down in his crib and pulled a cover to his chin. He smiled and rolled over. So content, so warm. Life was perfect for Harry Potter. Lily looked at him lovingly. Then at James.

"I love you two…more than anything." She grinned, kissing James again. Then walking into the kitchen to put food on the table. James lit a few candles in the corner and those hidden in shelves.

"Remus needs this. And we need to all be together when we decide on the secret keeper." Lily smiled.

"Are you scared Lils?" he asked suddenly.

"No…James, you and harry are my life. I would die for both of you, and

I

think that love will protect us. I just feel that. I don't know, you can't possibly understand."

He pulled her into a hug. "try me."

"James…I love you, more than…well…you could imagine. More than my life, and regardless we will be together. And Harry, harry is both of us. Just look at him. He has your hair…your eyes, my giggle, my complexion…He is apart of us…and nothing will ever separate us, in life…death…nothing. Cause nothing can kill this love."

She smiled weakly and leaned against him, wishing that she never had to leave his arms. That time would stand still and bless her with him forever.

Then there was a knocking at the door. Lily walked to it, smoothing down her green sweater, that made her eyes stand out beautifully in contrast to her long wavy hair which she allowed to fall freely today. There in the doorway was none other than Albus Dumbledore.

His light blue eyes lit up in happiness.

"Mr. Potter, Lillian, its been far to long!" He cried.

Lily led him into the dinning room where Harry's crib was in the corner.

"May I see him?" Dumbledore asked, grinning.

Lily scooped the tiny baby, still asleep into Dumbledore's arms. He held him gently, loving. Lily imagined Dumbledore as the perfect Grandfather.

"Why James…he looks exactly like you!" He grinned. "Same brown eyes and everything." Dumbledore tickled Harry until he gently arose.

Harry playfully tugged on Dumbledore's beard. His blue eyes lit up with joy.

"Good evening Little one." He grinned. "Don't worry you'll be seeing too much of this tired old face in eleven years."

Soon enough Sirius, Remus, and a very uncomfortable looking Peter walked in.

"Lils!" Sirius cried, picking her up off the floor and spinning her around. She laughed and hugged him warmly.

"Remus." Lily whispered, hugging him tightly. "Thank you so much for coming. I know ….I know it was hard." She gave him an encouraging smile, which he weakly returned.

"Hullo Peter." She smiled. "welcome to our home…you are welcome here." she said smiling and then leaning down to hug him. Peter felt warmth wash over him. Acceptance. ….I'm finally accepted. But oh…the Dark Lord…he'll kill me for this.

"Let me see my Godchild!" Sirius yelled, as Harry giggled madly at his presence. Harry adored Sirius.

Dinner went smoothly and then they all retreated to the living room, brandishing cups of hot coffee.

"Now…to the very important business of Secret Keeper." Dumbledore mentioned.

"Personally," Lily mentioned holding the hot coffee in her hands. "I think it should be Sirius, Remus is in a very delicate situation and if something were to happen, I wouldn't want him to feel obligated to us. And Peter, you and I are hardly close."

Peter thought in his head…no we aren't and thats all my fault Lily. If

I

hadn't been such a coward, maybe I'd be blessed enough to know you better.

"James?" Dumbledore asked

"I aggree. I trust Sirius with my life."

"Then its decided."

"No!" Sirius interrupted. "They'll suspect me. They'll know it will be me."

"I'll do it." Remus stated bravely. "I would die for you two…you know that."

The silence was so thick you could reach out and touch it.

"I think Peter." Dumbledore stated. "No one will suspect him, and Sirius, and Remus would willingly die for you."

Everyone nodded. Lily leaned on James. "I don't even want to think about this. About life without you guys in it. I love you all so much. You shouldn't have to do this. If Voldemort wants to kill us then….we'll fight….but I don't want you all to die for us. I could never imagine life without you, and it doesn't seem fair that you have to suffer our consequences." Lily whispered.

James placed his arm around her, hugging her tightly.

"She's right. Forget all this. Let us fight this battle."

"Lily! You've fought every battle ever faced. Let us protect you for once. We want to." Remus said.

"Peter you are the secret keeper then. Congratulations…and keep the promise." Dumbledore mumbled a spell and suddenly it was understood.

They all laughed, and remembered. Harry was held by everyone, even Peter who uneasily grinned at him….actually content. Harry giggled, he loved everyone. Dumbledore loved him as a grandson, Sirius thought of him as his own, and Remus felt like an uncle. The last one of the Marauders to hold Harry was Sirius.

Harry giggled merrily squeezing Sirius' fingers. He stared into the infants stunning brown eyes, matching James. The baby leaned forward and took Sirius's face inbetween his hands and brought his tiny lips to his Godfathers cheek. He, of course, being an infant, drooled on Sirius face, but Sirius cried anyway. That was quite simply the most sincere, and sweet thing Sirius had ever felt. Harry could never realize that the small gesture he had made had just changed his life. Sirius grinned. Harry's messy kiss had warmed him like a Lily hug. That's where he and his mother clicked. He had his mothers heart…and most likely, both of their bravery. Sirius adored this child.

Lily walked over.

"I have to put him to bed now." Lily whispered.

Sirius followed her up the stairs and into the room, charmed just like the Hogwarts Great Hall, so that the ceiling was gently illuminated with stars.

She laid him down gently, and kissed his soft forehead gently.

"Goodnight, love of my life." she whispered.

Sirius kissed him too, and watched the tiny baby close his delicate eyes.

Lily hugged Sirius tightly.

She stared him in the eyes.

"Promise me that you will take care of Harry if anything happens. You are the only one who loves him as much as we do, and I trust you. Please?"

"I promise Lily." He smiled, hugging her and they returned downstairs.

Seeing that everyone was still in the living room Sirius made a brave announcement.

"I think that we should let Voldemort think its me. That way….when he comes after me, we'll have time to warn Peter to get Lily and James to safety." Sirius had no real facial expression, but he had his arm around James shoulder tightly.

Lily smiled. Everyone solemnly nodded in approval. Slowly, and sadly they began to leave. Peter turned before he went to leave.

"James? Lily? I won't let you down this time. I never really felt included in this group, but the truth is…I was distancing myself, thank you for giving me hope." His voice grew small and quiet, despite the importance he felt. Lily kissed his cheek and James patted his back. ( NO LILY! EW! YOU KISSED THE RAT! Sorry….opps…my bad~Aly)

Sirius sat at the island in the middle of the kitchen, staring. Lily idly washed dishes, then remembered her wand and tapped them quickly as they put themselves away.

"Magic…."she stated, "is a beautiful thing."

"Siri? Don't look so scared. One way or another we have to face this, and…God knows that I believe in him, in James, in you, in Remus, in Peter, in Harry, and…in myself I can't run anymore."

"Lils? You never ran. You were always brave, you always went and fought your way through it." He laughed. "I just don't want to think about life without you two in it. Ole' Remus and I will always be buddies, but…you two. You two are my everything."

Lily felt a tear in her eye as she threw her arms around his shoulders and hugged him tightly. "I love you Sirius." She whispered.

James walked in and felt his heart ache suddenly. What on earth happened if all these prophecies were true? No….not Lily.

"I have to go now." Sirius said sadly. He had a feeling in the pit of his stomach that this would be the last time he saw them. He stood up from the bar stool and approached the door, still dreading the fact that he had to leave this warm house, this comforting shelter, these people, his life……his friends. James hugged him warmly.

"You were more of a brother to me than a friend…..Always." he said.

"You'll always be my partner in crime." Sirius laughed, returning the hug. Lily rolled her eyes. Sirius left outside into the rain, Remus was waiting for him. The two walked off into the darkness, the cool air freezing them inside, they just didn't realize how long it would take them to shake off the cold.

James reached over and pulled Lily into his arms, smiling.

"You are so…I don't know…playful tonight." She laughed as she wriggled free and headed to the kitchen, but James blocked the doorway. She pushed him roughly out of the way, like she usually did when they were younger.

He laughed and chased her. Lily ran through the dining room, the living room, and eventually upstairs. She hid behind a small sofa in their bedroom, trying to quiet her breathing, praying he wouldn't find her. She loved Hide n' seek with James, she felt like a fourth year instead of twenty three.

James had this laugh, it wasn't really common, but if you caught him in a very very good mood, he giggled, and now James was in the hallway giggling uncontrollably. Lily of course started laughing and pretty soon, he had searched every room but theirs. He snuck in, holding Harry. Lily had no idea that Harry was there, she had put him to bed hours ago. James thought he might get scolded for waking him, but…he had a cute idea, and it caused him to chuckle more and more. He spotted her fiery red hair over the arm of the sofa and he set Harry down and pointed him towards his mother.

Harry was attached to Lily, and when the child spotted her bright hair he giggled and lunged his small chubby legs to get to her. Lily mistook Harry's laugh for James. Harry's little legs waddled quickly and he plowed right into Lily's lap. She screamed, then laughed, then cried, scooping her baby into her arms and staring at James.

"He….he….he… WALKED!" She laughed, dancing around with the baby.

James giggled, which sent Harry into a fit of giggles, which didn't stop until Lily laid him back in his crib, and sang him back to sleep.

"Love goes any distance

fights every tear

Love inspires the weak

destroys the fear

Love will save

save you and me

Love will last

it will set you free

Remember us

and fight from the heart

Love's within arms reach

just help it start.

The sun will shine

for you and her

don't give in

the love is pure…"

She sang softly in his ear, and his eyelids slowly dropped with a smile.

She made up the song when Harry was born….and she knew that unknown meanings were hidden within it, but she wasn't sure what to make of them.

She figured Harry would understand them whenever God intended it so.

James crept up behind Lily, brushed her wavy red hair off her shoulder and kissed her neck softly. Lily felt tingly and lightheaded. She spun around and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"I love you, you know that?" she smiled, her heart elated.

He kissed her for a long while, then stared into her eyes. "I know Lils."

She kissed him, in a rush of energy, spirit, and well….love. He pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her waist. He just couldn't picture it. James couldn't imagine his arms being empty. He couldn't see himself without her, and he didn't want to live without her. The thoughts slammed back and forth in his mind, even as she curled up against him in their bed.

Lily rolled over to look him in the eyes. She closed her eyes, making a memory. She wanted to remember the way his arms felt around her, how they fit together like a puzzle. How his heart beat sounded, how his gaze always lingered in her eyes, how gentle he was with her, how it felt to fall asleep in his arms with a warm breeze blowing in the windows. How perfect her life seemed right now….

Laying beside you

here in the dark

feeling your heartbeat

with my own

James opened his eyes and looked into hers, praying for another chance to get lost in that sea of emerald green again. They both laid on their sides, hugging each other, finally realizing the truth. Finally, accepting the cold, harsh reality. He held her tighter and she leaned her head on his chest. James felt them, tears. Cold, so cold….like he felt right now. He rested his head on hers and realized they were breathing in sync.

Softly you whisper

your souls sea

How could our love

be so blind?

It seemed so unfair. They'd been through so much….it was unreal. They had fought for each other, and now….they were being pulled apart. James leaned down and kissed her, slowly, sadly. Lily almost laughed. After all this time he still gave her chills, he still made her heart flutter. She kissed back, wishing the moment would last forever, but feeling guilt wash over her like water.

"James…if you hadn't fallen for me, if you hadn't loved me…Our parents would be alive, you'd be sleeping comfortably without a worry with someone else. I'm so sorry, for …bringing you into all this. "

"Lily, you're my life, and if you weren't in it, I wouldn't be living."

We sailed on together

We drifted apart

And here you are

by my side….

"Tell him Peter!" Melissa Sani cried., " You worthless sewer rat!

TALK!"

She screamed, using her wand to throw him into the wall.

She cornered him, her violet eyes flashing in rage. This wasn't Melissa…this was a demon. She was just bloodthirsty, she wanted Lily Potter dead, and she wanted her to suffer immensely.

The room was only lit by candles, and it was cold and wet. Voldemort, had his arms crossed over his chest, watching in almost amusement as Melissa tortured Peter.

"TELL HIM! Tell him or I will you cowardly bastard!" She cried, throwing him to the ground with her bare hands. Her blond hair was going in every direction, dried blood was all over her pale arms, and if you looked hard enough into her violet eyes, you could see an evil black tint to them.

"Master…please." He pleaded.

"What Peter…has Lily's influence given you a weak heart? Too bad! Choose your sides wisely. Now…either you give me the information or get away from my sight at this exact moment." He stated darkly.

Peter winced…

"They have a secret keeper." His whisper was so low Melissa yelled again.

"For the love of everything holy Peter! YOU ARE THE SECRET KEEPER!" she cried, looking at Voldemort with sheer pleasure. If she was a faithful servant, she wouldn't be beaten savagely.

"Can we kill them Master? Soon?"

Sirius tossed and turned in his sleep.

Remus wakened with a jolt of cold fear.

Felicia cried…she never got to say goodbye to Lily.