A/N:  Sorry this has taken so long to get out.  The other story I'm writing has been pure insanity lately, so the plot has been hidden behind this big wall that has "WRITER'S BLOCK" written on it in big letters.  Plus, I've been kinda busy lately, and I'm sharing computer time with Caytin.  The theme song for this chapter is Droppin' Plates by Disturbed.  It has language; you have been warned.  I didn't put in November Rain's lyrics for the last chapter, but if you have time you should download.  It *really* goes with the chapter and it's an awesome song.

Disclaimer:  I claim none of it except the plot, Violet Potter, and Dru Lupin.  Everything else you see belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Droppin' Plates, by Disturbed

Wee Here we go again, get up
A little something' for your ear hole, get up
baring a part of my soul again, get up
Disturbed in the house, were dropping' plates

You said it couldn't be done
Told me that it's the kind of battle
That just couldn't be won, you know
You're too sick, too hard, too fucked in the head
You'll never make it, no, not in this lifetime
Well guess again my friend
Don't act surprised
We got the bass drum kick
That will blow out your eyes
Cause when you hear this shit
You'll get to stepping'
Gonna fight the war
And use my music as a weapon

You know I'm talking' bout Recognition
You know I'm talking' bout Vindication

Another goddamn slap in the face
Don't wanna give us a place
Are you afraid?

Well fear this,
Cause I'm breaking' through the walls of your nightmare
Wake up time to die
The way I'm living' there is no compromising it
Better get ready for
Another surprise and it may leave a mark
Because I'm coming fast
Planting' thoughts in your mind
And dropping' plates on your ass

Well here I come
I'm dropping' plates on your ass

Well here I come
I'm dropping' plates on your ass bitch
You never mind and you don't need this
Well here I come
I'm dropping plates on your ass bitch
You never mind and you don't need

Well on your mark, here we go again
Well never mind cause you're not number one
You're too hard and from the other side
I think it's time to bring it home again
Right to me

Chapter 3:  The Stronghold

            James sighed as he sat down after a long morning of hard work.  He and Lily had decided that there was no way they were going down without a fight.

            He had spent the morning putting up anti-apparition wards and protective charms around the house.  One would have to know their exact grid to avoid being hit with a ton of curses all at once.  He and the Marauders had done this type of thing while at Hogwarts, but it had been with such spells as the Leg-Locker Curse, or a tickling charm.  These spells were much more dangerous.

            Because they couldn't afford to trust anyone with the layout of their grid but themselves, they had invited their closest friends over the night before.  If James and his family didn't survive, the get-together would serve as goodbye.

            The protective charms and wards weren't the only thing that would be defending Godric's Hollow.  With Albus' help, Lily was out buying enough Muggle weapons to build an entire arsenal.

            Lily had said, "He may be one of the most powerful wizards in the world, but *nothing* survives getting its head blown off with a shotgun."

            Perhaps growing up among Muggles *did* have its advantages...  Now there was the problem of learning to shoot one of these so-called "guns."

            James looked over at the calendar on the wall.

            //October Fifth…// he thought.  //If only I could send Carla a birthday card…//

            Carla was James' cousin over in the States.  They had been very close and, of course, this thought brought about even more thoughts of his family.  He had lost so much to Voldemort.  His parents, many of his friends, Lily's parents… In fact, Carla and her family were the only relatives he had left.  AT least they were somewhat safe across the Atlantic Ocean.

            Suddenly he heard Lily's voice in the kitchen.  He walked in and saw her unloading several large duffel bags.

            "Okay, we've got shotguns, rifles, Berettas, semi-automatic handguns, Uzis, lots of ammo, a few daggers, a couple of crossbows, and even a couple of swords.  Baby, we're armed to the teeth," she exclaimed.

            "Hmmmm….  That's great honey.  Too bad I only know how to use the daggers and swords.  And I'm not saying I'm good at it, because I've never actually fought with them," he replied nervously.

            Lily merely laughed and said, "Don't worry; you'll get the hang of it."

            She then kissed him on the cheek and proceeded to hide the weapons in various places all over the house.

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            "You're doing great honey," Lily said with a smile as James hit yet another bull's-eye with the shotgun.

            He really was beginning to get the hang of this shooting thing.  And fencing with Lily was turning out to be quite fun.  It was lucky that she had taken an interest in self-defense and physically trained when she was studying to become an Auror.

            It was beginning to grow dark, so he followed her into the house.

            The calendar now said it was two weeks until Halloween.  They would usually spend the holiday with Sirius, Remus, and Peter, but it didn't look as if that would be happening this year, if ever again.

            "James, I have something to tell you," Lily said as she lay the supper on the table.

            "Uh buh!" Harry yelled and threw his mashed potatoes at James.

            "These are good.  So, what was it you wanted to tell me?" James said and struggled to lick all the mashed potatoes off his face.

            "You look absolutely comical," she said, giggling.  "Okay… um… well… I don't know if this is good or bad, so I'm just going to go ahead and say it.  I'm pregnant."

            James stared at her, shocked.

            "P-p-pregnant?" he stuttered.

            "Yes," Lily replied meekly and looked down.

            "I would jumping up and down for joy right now if I thought there was a chance in hell that she would ever be born," he said sadly.

            Lily looked at him, confused, and asked, "She?"

            "Oh…" James said, realizing his mistake.  "She… um… yes… well, I thought that since we already have Harry, it would be nice to have a little girl.  Violet… Violet Amelie Potter."

            "Violet Amelie Potter… that's so pretty…" Lily mused.

            "And she'll have long mahogany hair, the same red as yours.  She'll have all your features, except for the eyes.  She'll have big violet eyes, which is why we name her violet," he said, remembering his daughter from the dream.

            "You've had a lot of time to plan this, haven't you?" Lily asked.

            "Well…. Yeah…" he said ad started smushing his peas.

            They had to survive.  Not just for their sake, or Harry's, but so that their fae-eyed little girl could have more than just "a chance in hell."

A/N:  Amelie is pronounced like this:  AH-muh-lee.  And I'm sorry it's such a short chapter.  The next one will be longer, I promise.  Ok and the cookie for el reviewero: 

Mandidoll:  Thanks!  I hope you enjoy the rest of it just as much.  ^_^ ß This thing is so cute!