For Neither Can Live While the Other Survives

Chapter Three

One Year On

Disclaimer: Nothing you might recognise belongs to me.

It was approximately one year after Harry's christening and the date was 31st October- Halloween. Lily and James were sitting comfortably at their house in Godric's Hollow, while baby Harry slept. It should have been a time for joy and happiness for Halloween is the best night of the year for the Wizarding community, but with Lord Voldemort on the loose, killing innocent people, celebration was not an option.

"James," said Lily, "Can you pass me that copy of Witch Weekly, please?"

"Of course. Here you are," replied James, passing the magazine over. He read a bit more of the Daily Prophet and suddenly cursed.

"What's the matter?" asked Lily, startled,

"It's Voldemort," said James, looking up at Lily, "His followers have been trying to attack the Longbottom's son, Neville,"

"Oh no. Poor soul. He's only got his grandmother and uncles for shelter now since what happened to Frank and Alice," sighed Lily, "I'd be so upset if Harry had that sort of thing done to him,"

"Don't worry, Lily," said James, coming over and giving her a hug," I'll protect both you and Harry. And even if we did die, and that's very unlikely, Sirius promised to guard Harry with his life. He loves our boy as if he was his own,"

"Yes, you're right James," said Lily, wiping her tears, "I'll just be glad when Voldemort is dead and gone,"

"So will we all," sighed James, "So will we all."

Suddenly, Harry began to cry in his cot, over in the corner of the room. Lily got up and went to tend to him. He needed changing and then he wanted feeding. Once that was done, Lily began to sing a lullaby to Harry, to try to get him to sleep once more. James was reading the newspaper once more, looking up every once in a while to smile at his wife and son. All of a sudden, he thought he heard footsteps crunching outside. He went to the window to see but all was dark. The street lamps weren't working. James began to worry. Something was not right. He chewed his lip and made his way to their fire where he was going to try and contact Sirius. But he never managed to...

Abruptly, there came a flash of green light. Lily screamed at in terror as they heard the front door burst in.

"Lily, take Harry and go! It's Him. Go! Run! I'll hold him off-"

Lilly stumbled out of the room as the separate door to the room they were in burst open. She screamed as she heard a cackle of high pitched laughter and the deadly curse spoken in a malicious voice. "Avada Kedavra!" She heard a loud thump as if a body had just dropped to the floor. Lily blindly ran down the hall; she couldn't see through her tears for she knew James was dead. Lily clutched Harry tightly as she hurried on, trying to find the door. Suddenly, Voldemort was standing in front of her; a twisted and malicious smile on his face. Lily screamed as Voldemort tried to pull Harry out of her arms.

"No! Leave him!" she cried,

"Give him to me,"

"Not Harry! Not Harry! Please- I'll do anything-"

"Stand aside- stand aside girl!"

Voldemort took up his wand and directed the death curse at Lily Potter. The room glowed vivid green for a second. Lily screamed as she fell down. Her dead face still held a terrified look. Voldemort looked at the sleeping Harry and grinned. He bent down and took hold of his prey. He hadn't needed to kill the parents; they had just got in the way. Voldemort raised his wand once again.

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"