Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. The wonderful JK Rowling does! I wish I did, then I'd be rich! Just kidding! Please don't sue me for writing a fan fic that I really hope you enjoy!
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It was a cold, dreary night. The air was nipping at Lily's face. With a slight shiver, she pulled her cloak tighter around her frame.
Lily had never walked around her wizarding neighborhood. She usually just Apparated from place to place. Her mediwitch highly recommended her not to Apparate while pregnant, as it could cause some complications during birth and when she was actually having the baby. Lily had taken her advice wholeheartedly.
But now walking to Sirius and Marissa's place in the middle of the night seemed highly unwise. "James was right, I should go back," Lily muttered to herself. Before she could even turn around, she stopped dead as cold gripped her insides and fear traveled down her spine. Energy and happiness was quickly draining her every being.
Three Dementors were coming down the street, sucking in deep rattling breaths. Streetlights were burning out as they walked by, literally taking away any light left on the street. Lily gasped, doubling over on her knees, as her worst memories surrounded, enveloped her in damp, cold, raw fear.
Claudia, staring blankly upwards, hands folded her over a bouquet of wild flowers. James parents, coffins open, as James stood at the podium, trying to force words out of his lips. She never got to meet them. Snape was pinning her down, his horrible breath and chapped lips pressing against hers, his hand…
"NO!" Lily shouted, trying to push the memories of horror away enough to draw out her wand. But more flooded by her eyes as a Dementor made its way towards her, gliding purposefully. Tears stung Lily's eyes as more and more memories raked inside her soul.
Ministry officials were at her door, telling her James was sent out on a mission and how most wizards had died. Staying up all night, recklessly worried Sirius wouldn't make it. Sitting beside James at the hospital in third year with a neck injury that almost cost him his life. The week Remus had been missing from school, then seeing him bruised, battered, and frozen. They all thought he died…
Tears freely leaked down her face. Shaking, Lily weakly pulled out her wand. "James, James and the Marauders," Lily mumbled, giving a half smile. "Expecto Patronum!" she shouted. A small beam of light fended the Dementor off momentarily. The Patronus Charm had never been her strong point. It's the end, Lily thought hopelessly.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" a strong voice yelled behind Lily. She was too weak to turn around, but she saw a silver gleaming Stag glide forward, knocking the Death Eater away. Lily smiled to herself as she heard her husband command the Patronus Stag to get rid of the other two Dementors. "Lily!" he called. Lily faintly heard footsteps running towards her. Feebly, Lily lifted her head and saw James look down on her, concern and love etched in his face. He picked Lily up effortlessly; kissing her quickly as he gently stood her on the ground.
"James, I'm so sorry," said Lily, clinging to his arm for support. Out of the corner of her eye, Lily saw Sirius and Remus standing a little ways back, wands drawn, ready for more danger.
James gave her a quirky grin. "Shh, I'll lecture you later. I need to get you home before he co-" James was interrupted by cold, shrill laughter.
Bracing themselves for the worst, Lily and James looked ahead of them to see evil in its truest form. Lord Voldemort was standing before them, smirking maliciously and lazily twirling his wand between his fingers. His red, slanted eyes were terrifying and showing no mercy. His long, pale, bony fingers were holding his wand carelessly as if it were merely a stick.
"Ah, the Potters, I presume. And Mr. Potter's faithful sidekicks," Voldemort uttered lazily, glancing over at Sirius and Remus, fury dancing in their eyes, matching James and Lily's. "But what is this? We are missing one of the fabulous four," sneered Voldemort, "No matter, I'll dispose of you all easily."
James stepped forward. "Bastard," he spat venomously, "You don't deserve the title 'Lord'. You don't even deserve Tom Marvolo Riddle," James smirked, knowing he had hit a nerve.
Voldemort narrowed his snake like eyes. "Tom has been dead for years!" roared Voldemort. He turned his vicious eyes on Lily and his lip curled. "Your mudblood wife will suffer for that, I'll make sure you watch her helplessly." With an idle wave of his wand, Voldemort sent James, Remus, and Sirius smashing into the wall of the closest house, binding them with invisible cords.
Lily gathered all of her strength, forcing her fear away. She would not be afraid of this monster, she would stand strong. "After all you have killed, it is you're turn to die. Avada Ke-" she began.
History books were right; no one could defeat Lord Voldemort. Lily wasn't even able to finish the Killing Curse. Voldemort turned quickly. "Avada Kedarva!" he muttered effortlessly as a beam of blinding green light shot towards Lily, zooming faster and faster. For a split second, Lily's eyes widened in shock. The curse hit her in the chest and she crumpled to the floor with an audible gasp, life pulled from her and her baby's body forever.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" James yelled, bolting upright in bed, his sheets tangled around him, cold sweat dripping from his shaking body.
Lily stirred awake beside him. "James?" she muttered sleepily, suppressing a yawn.
James whipped his head around, breathing a sigh of relief yet choking back a sob. "Oh my God, Lily, you're okay." James wrapped her into a protective embrace, crying into her shoulder.
"James, what's wrong? What happened?" asked Lily, pulling him closer to her. After a few minutes, James told her everything that happened in is dream. When he finished, Lily was holding a hand to her chest, her breathing very shallow. "We have to tell Dumbledore," she said in a small voice.
James looked at her questionably. "Why?"
"It might be a vision. I've already said you might have Seer abilities," Lily said, covering her hand with his, but James stood up abruptly and began pacing around the bed.
"No, I don't have Seer abilities, it doesn't run in my blood line-"
"Maybe, you haven't looked that far back-" Lily protested.
"No! This won't come true! I won't let anything happen to you!" James shouted, his chest rising and falling in anger, his eyes blazing with hate from Voldemort.
Lily took a deep breath, trying to control her own fear. "I don't want anything to happen to me either, but it could happen. We have no idea when it is that this happened or why I even left in the first place in the middle of the night. We can at least alert Dumbledore in the morning."
Casting a quick glance at Lily's slightly bulging stomach, James uttered, "Your stomach looked like that, maybe a little bigger. It's soon, I cant loose you." Lily got out of bed and wrapped her arms around James neck, kissing him softly.
"You won't loose me, and I won't loose you. We have to swear, right now, that we will never leave each other," Lily said softly, putting her forehead to his.
It was amazing that James could still feel completely weak in the knees and totally at her will when she was so close to him. After being together for three years, he always felt a nervous feeling whenever she was so serious…and so close. All he could do was nod, it seemed as if he had lost his voice.
Kissing him again, Lily took both of his hands in hers, their foreheads still touching. "I swear I will never leave you James Harold Potter. I will always be here with you. I was meant to be here with you and you won't loose me ever."
"I swear that no matter what happens, I won't ever leave you, Lillian Amara Evans. I will always be with you and I was meant to be with you, for the rest of our lives and more," James whispered, pulling her closer, if possible.
The couple shared another kiss, more powerful than the last. Unknowingly, they had taken a wizard's oath, swearing their life and love for one another. During the kiss, magic ties coursed through them, ensuring nothing will separate them, till Death do they part.
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Dumbledore's frown deepened as James told him every detail of his dream he could remember. When he finished, Dumbledore let out a low sigh.
"Sir, I believe he has Seer abilities," uttered Lily, still shaken from hearing the dream being retold. It was unnerving to know she might die.
"No I don't," James said in a deep whisper through gritted teeth.
Lily turned full front towards him. "You have been having dreams like this since sixth year. Luckily, you remembered this one. It has to be a vision."
James stood up, put his hands behind his head and began pacing around the office. "That isn't the answer. It was just a dream, or," James faltered, stumbling for the right words, "or something else."
This time, Lily stood up abruptly. "Will you just consider the tiny possibility that you might be a Seer?" Dumbledore watched the fight with a small twinkle of amusement in his eyes.
"No." That was all there was to it for James. Lily groaned and opened her mouth to retort, but she was stopped before she could get a word out.
"Enough! You guys are two adults, please sit!" Even though it was a simple request it seemed like an order from Dumbledore. Both sat willingly and Dumbledore continued, "James, I think you have a minute amount of Seer talent."
James began to argue but Dumbledore held up a hand, stopping James before he began. "You do not have great Seer ability. Most Seers are able to channel when and what visions come to them. They are also able to remember every detail from their visions. Still, you possess some talent that is very rare and useful.
"As much as it pains me to say it, I believe Lily will get attacked," James tightened his grip on Lily's hand, "But we are not 100 sure when-"
"Her stomach looked like that," interrupted James, putting a hand on Lily's abdomen.
"Yes, but that could be after the pregnancy, there is hardly anything showing," Dumbledore interjected.
"I hope not," Lily muttered to herself, looking down at her slightly bulging stomach.
Dumbledore smiled warmly at the couple, then cleared his throat. "Here is what you are going to do. Lily won't leave the house unless she has someone going with her. She can only leave during the day, when it begins getting dark she can't go outside-"
Lily interrupted. "So no freedoms? I have to be locked in the house like some animal?"
"Until we know that you are safe, yes, I am afraid that is the case," Dumbledore said grimly, "I will have the Order check up on the possibility of the attack, we have two insider spies. For now, just go home and rest; try not to leave unless it's absolutely necessary. Good day, Lily and James."
The couple stood up and Apparated together, leaving the old Headmaster lost in his thoughts.
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"I'M JUST GOING TO GET THE BLOODY MAIL! IT'S THE MIDDLE OF THE AFTERNOON!" screamed Lily. James and Marissa backed down a little bit.
Lily had been locked up in the house all week. The only time she had been let out was to see the mediwitch. Even then she has to be escorted by all of the Marauders, plus Marissa and Kiah.
"Lily, we are just looking out for your safety. We all love you and don't you to, to…" Marissa couldn't finish, taking a shallow breath.
She cast them each fuming glances, then Lily nodded slowly, hanging her head. "I know, I just feel so trapped, like I can't breathe without someone trying to cover my mouth." Marissa came and gave her a hug as Lily started crying in her shoulder. James joined in the hug, kissing Lily on the top of her head. "It's just so scary to know you could be murdered any day, but you can't get out in fear of it. Just…stuck."
James nodded into her hair. "Maybe we can Floo to Diagon Alley, since you can't Apparate," he asked. He felt Lily nod her head.
"Thanks, guys, so much," said Lily quietly.
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"She's feeling too trapped, we have to let her move!" pleaded Remus in a calm voice. Three days had passed and James was sheltering Lily more than ever.
James defiantly shook his head. "I can't, I can feel it coming closer."
"You've been saying that ever since the first night!" yelled Sirius, pushing his chair backwards and pacing the study.
"Maybe you should let her out by herself for awhile," Peter said, his fingers nervously drumming against the table. After James threw him a dangerous glance, Peter revised his words to, "in the daytime."
"Why are you even giving advice Peter?" roared James. Peter cowered in the chair he was sitting in. "You're never even around anymore!"
Stuttering, Peter got out, "I-I've been b-b-busy wi-"
"With work, we know," Remus said, sighing. "But Peter, we checked out your job and it shouldn't take as much time as you claim it is."
A silence passed over the Marauders. "You better get home, it's getting dark," James said in a steely voice. He was gripping the windowsill, watching the world grow darker, his jaw set.
With a small sigh, Sirius stood and clapped James on the shoulder. "Night, mate. I'm only a firecall away if you need any help."
"Same with us," Remus said, leaning on Peter casually, who jumped.
James gave a small, forced smile. "Thanks, I will, now get the hell out of my bloody house," James said with a dry chuckle. Sirius gave a wry smile and Apparated, along with Remus and Peter.
Slowly making his way to the study, James' fear and love for Lily kept him transfixed in his mind. Lily was reading a pregnancy book when he entered. She looked up from the book, taken aback from the unadulterated emotion reflecting in his eyes. It instantly made Lily feel like she was 16 again, new to love.
"I'm sorry for yelling earlier," whispered Lily.
James slowly shook his head, still staring at her in a loving way. "It's fine, I just can't ever loose you. You mean too much to me." Lily's heart was caught in her throat. Quickly, she made her way towards James, pulling him in a fervent kiss. Her hands slid up into his messy dark hair as his fingers glided around her waist, pulling her closer.
Their breaths came out in deep, raspy clouds, holding onto each other for all they had. "James," Lily breathed as James kissed her neck, "please let me get out. I feel like a prisoner. Can we go for a walk tomorrow, just us two?"
Slowly, James raised his head and connected his eyes with hers. "No, I don't want you to go out. At least not with out everyone coming with you." James leaned down to kiss her again, but Lily pushed him away hard. James blinked stupidly a few times, then asked, "What did I do?"
"So it's just a no. Flat out no. I can never leave the house again!" ranted Lily.
"No! It's not like that! Not until the threat of-"
"That's not going to happen! We won't know its safe until it happens! I will be locked in here forever!"
"Lily this is all for your safety-"
"My safety!" Lily shouted, throwing her hands in the air. "You know James, at first I thought it was cute that you were protective over me, but now I just think you never want to let me leave!"
"What are you talking about? I never sa-"
"You don't ever want me to leave!" Lily repeated.
"STOP INTERRUPTING ME!" yelled James.
Lily just looked at him, her eyes blazing. "I can't believe I ever married a man who wouldn't let me live my own life." With that, Lily stalked out of the study, hurriedly going to the bedroom.
"It's for your protection! I don't want you or the baby to get hurt!" James projected out the door. Lily turned on her heels, glaring at him.
"My protection, my protection. You just don't get it," Lily turned in the bedroom and slammed the door, shouting a locking spell.
James groaned and collapsed into an armchair. "Pregnancy hormones," he muttered to himself, "I don't get it!" James sat there fuming in the armchair, and after a long while, he fell asleep.
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"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" James yelled. He had the "vision" again. But something wasn't right. He closed his eyes and found the reason. Lily wasn't there.
Knocking over a chair, James ran down the hall and skidded to a halt in front of the bedroom. He yanked the doorknob but it was locked. Momentarily forgetting he was a wizard, James rammed hard into the door, splitting it off his hinges. "Lily!" he hollered, his eyes darting around the room. He knew she wasn't there, but he tore through the house looking for her.
After checking every room, James bolted for the nearest fireplace, threw Floo powder in fireplace. "Sirius Black!" bellowed James. The flames roared and James stuck his head in them. "SIRIUS! WAKE UP! LILY…I CAN'T FIND HER!" James screamed through the flat.
Sirius and Marissa ran into the living room. "What? She's gone?"
James choked back a sob. "She's not anywhere, I've searched, and she left!"
"Why would she leave? She knows it happens at night!" Marissa said angrily, running to another fireplace to contact Remus.
"Sirius, you have to help me find her. We can't let Marissa come," James said, not caring that tears were rolling down his face.
"Of course, I'm coming right now," Sirius said, running to tell Marissa. James pulled his head out of the fireplace, and went to the living room. Just as he entered, Remus and Sirius appeared.
Remus quickly got down to business. "What street was she on when she was attacked?"
"I don't know, I wasn't looking at the signs. We have to run," James said, throwing the front door open and running into the cool night, Remus and Sirius close behind. The best friends ran down every street, checked in every alleyway, trying to find any disturbance. Since it was four in the morning, everything seemed peaceful. Until Sirius stopped dead, his breath coming out cold spurts, was when they found the clue to Lily
"It's so cold right here, everything is cold," Sirius chattered, "I think Dementors are near, not lose enough for me to loose my memories yet."
"Which way?" James asked desperately.
Sirius closed his eyes. "Left. God this is scary. We have to hurry." Sirius led them to the left. A few seconds later, they all slid to a halt. There were three Dementors rounding on Lily, she made a feeble attempt to conjure a Patronus, but only a silver wisp came out. She doubled over, shaking and breathing deeply. "No, no…" she muttered to herself.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" James yelled with huge force. A silver stag erupted from his wand, charging full force at the main Dementor hovering over Lily. Prongs knocked him back, sending him into darkness. "Over there!" James commanded, pointing the Patronus to the other two Dementors. "Lily!" he called, running over to her form lying weakly on the ground. She lifted her head as James picked her up and gave her a kiss.
"James, I'm so sorry," said Lily, clinging to his arm for support. James saw Remus and Sirius in duel fighting position, wands drawn, ready for anything. It was all too much like his dream. James shook the feeling away and looked down on Lily. "We have to leave, now, he's going to come and-" he was interrupted by cold, shrill laughter.
Lord Voldemort was standing before them, smirking maliciously and lazily twirling his wand between his fingers. His red, slanted eyes were terrifying and showing no mercy. His long, pale, bony fingers were holding his wand carelessly as if it were merely a stick.
"Ah, the Potters, I presume. And Mr. Potter's faithful sidekicks," Voldemort uttered lazily, glancing over at Sirius and Remus, fury dancing in their eyes, matching James and Lily's. "But what is this? We are missing one of the fabulous four," sneered Voldemort, "No matter, I'll dispose of you all easily."
James stepped forward. "Bastard," he spat venomously, "You don't deserve the title 'Lord'. You don't even deserve Tom Marvolo Riddle," James smirked, knowing he had hit a nerve.
Voldemort narrowed his snake like eyes. "Tom has been dead for years!" roared Voldemort. He turned his vicious eyes on Lily and his lip curled. "Your mudblood wife will suffer for that, I'll make sure you watch her helplessly," with a idle wave of his wand, Voldemort sent James, Remus, and Sirius smashing into the wall of the house, binding them with invisible cords.
Lily gathered all of her strength, forcing her fear away. She would not be afraid of this monster, she would stand strong. "After all you have killed, it is you're turn to die. Avada Ke-" she began.
Voldemort was quick. "Avada Kedarva!" he said lazily. James felt his breath leave him. He was too late, it already happened. Lily was gone.
But Lily smiled slyly as the light came towards her. She hit the ground and rolled to the side as the spell went over her head. "Vistamoria!" Lily cried, forgetting she had a wand as she held her palms outward. A small gold ball zoomed towards Voldemort, who sidestepped it easily.
"I don't have time for pathetic duels, mudblood. Avada-" Voldemort was cut off as Lily threw curse after curse towards him. "Hespetiola!" Voldemort yelled after he had grown tired dodging hexes. Lily deflected it, and the curse shot towards James, Remus, and Sirius, breaking the invisible binds that held him to the wall. All three ran towards Lily and Voldemort, throwing hexes to him.
"I'm surprised you came alone, where are all of your faithful idiots hiding their cowardly faces behind masks?" Sirius asked, attempting to push away the fear of death by sarcasm. Before Voldemort could answer, Dumbledore appeared with the other members of the Order.
Voldemort smirked. "We will meet again, Potter." And with a pop, Voldemort disappeared. Lily and the Marauders' shoulders sagged with exhaustion.
"How long were you dueling him?" Dumbledore asked.
"So long," Lily muttered, her arms shaking from the use of wandless magic.
Dumbledore looked at Lily worriedly. "Are you all right?" he asked. Lily tried to nod, but instead she gave a slight sigh and fainted, falling backwards as Sirius and James caught her. "What happened?" Dumbledore asked.
"Dementors were trying to take her soul and I conjured a Patronus. Voldemort came and binded us to the wall, but Lily dueled him. One curse unbinded us and we all dueled, then you showed up," James said mechanically. He looked down at Lily's face and said, "She didn't use a wand when she was dueling. Is she going to be okay?"
With a sigh, Dumbledore nodded. "She just needs rest. It's safe for now to go out again, the Order will take care of it. Just take her home."
First Defiance…
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"The attack was unsuccessful! I will not tolerate this!" Voldemort hissed as the Death Eaters stood around him. Peter shivered slightly.
"My Lord," one Death Eater said as he got on his knees and bowed, "We thought we gathered all of the infor-"
"Crucio!" Voldemort said with a quick movement of his wand. The Death Eater collapsed to the floor, withering in pain, white-hot knives stabbing him all over his body. "Next time you will make sure you get your information correct, or you will all pay," Voldemort said over the screams. He looked at the Death Eater in disgust, then lifted his wand. "You are all dismissed," he said with an irritable wave of his hand.
Peter breathed a sigh of relief. He had been in charge of the attack on Lily and was so frightened he would be punished. He didn't know what he was more afraid of, the Dark Lord or betraying his friends. No, Peter thought to himself, Malfoy was right, they aren't my friends anymore, and the Death Eaters are my family.
It had taken him forever, but Peter had moved on from the fact that he betrayed his friends. Instead he was enjoying the power he got.
Peter wasn't sure why he enjoyed torturing and killing so much. Maybe because when he had finally killed his father after leaving him and his mother alone and bankrupt, it gave him some sort of newfound life. Every new mission to kill had a reason, world domination. Voldemort would rule the muggle and wizard world someday, showing the Ministry that they were not to be crossed.
Still, Peter couldn't help but miss the only people to befriend him. He had been so terrified of coming to Hogwarts, when Remus had found him wandering around the platform; he had finally felt apart of something. As Peter rounded the stone corridor, along with four other Death Eaters, he closed his eyes and remembered the day.
The Hogwarts Express' horn blew a shrill whistle, warning the students to board the train. Peter was still pulling his trunk around. Who am I going to sit with? he thought to himself. "Hello," said someone behind Peter. He whirled around to find a boy with sandy brown hair and inquisitive eyes looking at him.
"Hi," Peter said timidly.
Remus shifted his feet. "I feel silly asking this, but I don't really know anyone and I was wondering if you wanted to share a compartment?" Peter stared at him with his mouth hanging open in shock. Someone actually wanted to be his friend. "Unless you don't want to, I understand if you-"
"No! I mean, yes! I don't know anyone either," Peter stammered.
Remus flashed a warm smile. "Great! Remus Lupin by the way," Remus held out his hand.
Peter shook it happily. "Peter Pettigrew, lets go find a compartment."
Peter couldn't help but smile at the memory as he walked down the murky slopes to the gates of Voldemort's hideaway. He couldn't Apparate until he got past the gates. Peter thought guiltily of Sirius and James.
"Bloody mad how there are no compartments open," Remus said as he walked down the runway. Right then two boys ran into them, making all four fall to the ground.
"Oy, James, get off me-" the one with longer black hair and pale blue eyes said.
"You're on me Sirius, and whoever is touching me there kindly remove your hand-" the one with dark messy hair said.
"Sorry!" Peter squeaked. "I c-can't see anyfing, er, anything."
"Say James, who are these two blokes we are on top of?"
Remus had wiggled his way out. "Remus Lupin, and the one you're laying on is Peter Pettigrew."
"Sirius Black," the one with longer hair said as he stood up, holding a hand out to Peter.
"James Potter," the one with glasses said, brushing off his robes. "You two have a compartment?"
Remus shook his head. "No, we were looking for one. Mind if we sit with you?"
"Not at all," Sirius said, "But hurry, we sort of put a rat in the Head Girl's hair."
Peter grinned widely. "I love rats."
Coming back to reality, Peter shook his head. "No," he muttered to himself, "I don't need them any more."
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"So you really think it's safe to go out again?" James asked Lily while walking down Diagon Alley together.
"Yes, I talked to Dumbledore this morning, he said it was fine and that there were no signs of attacks. Let's just enjoy this day out!" Lily said, skipping down the street "Isn't it so beautiful outside?"
James laughed and grabbed her hand, spinning her around. "So amazing! Where do you want to go first?" Before Lily could answer there was loud screams piercing through the Alley. Everyone stopped and looked around. Before they knew it, hundreds of Death Eaters were working their way through the crowd, sending Unforgivables every which way.
"Run!" Lily screamed, pulling James down the street. James was trying to fight, shooting spells back at the Death Eaters. "No! James we have to get out!"
"We have to help!" James said. Lily pulled him around an alleyway and held his face to hers.
"Listen to me! You trapped me for a month, saying I couldn't go out. Now I don't want to loose you either, we are going to Floo home and contact the Ministry!" James slowly nodded and allowed Lily to pull him off to the Leaky Cauldron.
They walked back on the street to arrive in pure chaos. Dead smoking bodies lay everywhere in the street. Many people were under the Cruciatus Curse, some even being Death Eaters. "We have to hurry," James said.
Peter laughed cruelly as he tortured an eight-year-old boy. This is too much fun! Peter thought to himself. Out of the corner of his eye he saw two people running up to the Leaky Cauldron. The girl was pregnant. Peter grinned evilly and muttered, "Crudity!" pointing his wand at the woman's slightly bulging stomach.
The woman doubled over, screaming as her stomach began bleeding. "Lily!" the man shouted. Peter instantly went pale. Lily and James, he thought, guilt consuming him. He thought about helping them, but shook it away. He was a Death Eater, he couldn't do that. But his small amount of Gryffindor loyalty that put him in the house came up.
Quickly, Peter ran to a nearby alleyway and discarded his mask and robes. He then went out into the street, putting on a face of terror and running towards Lily and James.
"Oh my God, Lily!" James said as blood poured from her stomach. She was gasping and crying hard. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Peter waddling along, as if he was going to the Leaky Cauldron. "Peter!" he called and Peter spun around.
"James! They're everywhere! They cast Anti-Apparation charms on Diagon Alley and the nearby town!" Peter said, then turned his eyes towards Lily, guilt and hurt coursing through him. "Lily…what happened?"
Lily screamed out in pain, clutching her stomach with bloody hands. "Someone, ah! Fired a dark curse at me. I don't know, what's happening, James it hurts, the baby…"
"We have to get you to St. Mungos. Peter," James said, tears rolling down his cheeks as he picked Lily up, "Carry her to the Leaky Cauldron. I'll be right behind to fend anything else off." Peter nodded and felt almost a burning sensation as Lily leaned all of her weight on him.
They slowly made their way to the Leaky Cauldron; surprised to see no one else was heading that way. Some were fighting, others were running, and the rest were being tortured or left for dead. "This is so awful," choked Lily, looking around at the dead lifeless forms.
Eventually, they burst into the Leaky Cauldron with James head bleeding slightly. The barkeep Tom was pushing people into the green flames. "What 'appened?" Tom asked as he saw Lily bleeding heavily.
"We're not sure, a curse hit her in the stomach. She's pregnant. Have you contacted the Ministry?" James asked hurriedly, moving towards the fire.
"Yes, they are 'athering forces, a few had come through the fireplace. Hurry, she must 'et to St. Mungos," Tom said, carefully bringing Lily to the flames. "Can you s'and?"
Lily nodded her head, tried to stand, but collapsed again. "I'll take her with me. Follow close Peter," James said, pulling her as close as possible to him, knowing it was dangerous to Floo with two people.
"You're never going to let me out after this," Lily said with a slight grin. James gave her a weak smile as he grabbed Floo and threw it in the fire.
"St. Mungos," James said clearly. The world spun quickly and then they stumbled into St. Mungos, Lily almost falling. "Help!" James yelled frantically. Three Healers ran towards him. James quickly repeated what happened as Peter stumbled out of the fire.
"You two wait here, use the fire to contact anyone you need," one Healer said as he conjured a stretcher and gently laid a sputtering Lily on top of it. Another Healer moved the stretcher down the hall while the last one began casting numerous healing spells on Lily.
"I'm going to firecall Sirius and Marissa," James said.
Peter grabbed his arm to stop him, but yanked it back quickly. It felt like his hand was burning. "Sirius is at work, he's probably out fighting Death Eaters." James groaned.
"I hope he'll be okay, I'll get Remus instead, since everyone else is gone," James said. He was about to go the fire when a Healer rushed up to him.
"Has anyone looked at your head son?" the Healer asked gruffly.
James felt his head and looked at his hands. Blood was on them. "I didn't know I had an injury," James said dumbly. He now felt his head throbbing.
"Come with me, I'll get you fixed up real quick," the Healer said, pulling James into an exam room.
"Pete, call Remus! And the girls if you can get through to them!" James said around the corner. Peter nodded stiffly.
A few minutes later, Remus popped in, looking extremely worried. "Is she okay?" he asked Peter. Before he could answer, Marissa and Kiah popped in together, demanding the same question.
Peter held up his palms. "They took her off without telling us anything except wait here. A dark curse hit her in the stomach and it was bleeding heavily."
"Where's James?" Remus asked.
"His head was bleeding, they are fixing him up."
"Why isn't Sirius here?" Marissa asked.
Remus bit his lip and shared a look with Peter. "He is most likely out in the battle. They needed all the Aurors they could get and he went into work this morning," Remus said cautiously. Kiah grabbed his hand and squeezed it.
Marissa shakily sat down. "Oh he better be all right, or he will hear it from me for a long time." The other three suppressed a laugh.
"I think that's the reason he tries so hard not to get hurt. He knows it will raise hell if he even got a paper cut," James said, walking to the group with a bandage on his head.
They waited for ages and ages. A lot of people came in, bruised, battered, bleeding, some unconscious or dead. As each person came in, the friends looked at their faces, making sure it wasn't Sirius.
"Sirius!" Marissa said, jumping up and running to Sirius' arms, burying her face in his shoulder. Sirius looked very tired and weak, and confused at Marissa's sudden emotion. She hit his arm, wiping away her tears. "Where the hell were you?" she demanded.
"Sorry, I was dueling with a few hundred Death Eaters. What have you been doing?" Sirius said sarcastically.
"I have been worrying my head off over you and Lily!" Marissa shrieked.
Quickly, Sirius frame softened. "What's wrong with Lily?"
"Why are you here, mate?" James asked hoarsely.
"Once again, I've been fighting Death Eaters and Dementors-"
"Dementors too?" Remus asked quietly, looking down at Kiah. She was asleep on his shoulder.
"Yeah, they invaded a few minutes after I got there. Anyways, the battle is over. Death Eaters retreated, but Dementors wouldn't leave. I'm here for some chocolate and Rejuvenation Potion. What's wrong with Lily?" Sirius urged.
James started shaking slightly. Sirius sat down next to him and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "What is it?" James shook his head and look to Remus for help.
"Apparently a dark curse hit her in the stomach. She was bleeding profusely. We've been here for three hours and haven't heard anything," Remus said in a forced calm voice.
"Oh my God," Sirius said as James buried his face in his hands.
A Healer came out of the examination room. Everyone stood except Remus, who still had Kiah asleep. "Lily is going to be fine," James visibly relaxed, "We are still trying to save the baby. We are pretty sure it's going to be fine. The curse ripped the umbilical cord and damaged the acid lining of her stomach. Once we get the cord sowed up, the baby should be all right. But Lily will be on bed rest for at least two weeks."
"There is a good chance the baby will be okay?" James asked, his voice faltering.
"Very good. I'm sure there will be no need to worry."
"Any complications with the birth?" Marissa asked.
The Healer shook his head. "Unless we can't save the baby and she gets bed rest, then no, none."
"Can I go see her?" James asked. The Healer nodded and let him in. Lily was lying on the bed, looking fine, but a little pale. She was asleep, her eyes fluttering a bit. James went over to her and rested his palm on her forehead. "I'm so sorry, I should never have let this happen." He kissed her nose, then her stomach.
"I promise, I will always protect you, no matter what happens."
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Rain was pouring on Dumbledore as he walked to the Hogs Head. His breath came out in cold clouds as he opened the door to the bar. "Is Sibyll Trelawney here?" Dumbledore asked the bartender, who in return grunted and thrust a finger up the stairs to where the rooms were located. Dumbledore gave a slight, courteous nod and headed to the rooms.
"Albus," said Trelawney in an airy voice as Dumbledore entered the dingy room. Trelawney was wearing a series of torn scarves, her large eyes magnified behind her glasses. She was sipping tea and gazing into the crystal ball before her. "The Inner Eye informed me of your arrival."
Dumbledore smiled sincerely. "I'm sure of it, Sibyll. Could we start with a simple palm reading?" he asked.
"But of course." Trelawney said. After three palm readings, tarot card terrors, crystal ball mishaps, and tealeaf predictions gone wrong, Dumbledore was sure he was going to drop the teaching Divination in Hogwarts.
"…I was sure that I just misread the heavens. I-I'm sick with a cold, my Inner Eye may be suffering as well," stumbled Trelawney, her airy appearance disappearing hastily.
Dumbledore gave her a meek smile and cleared his throat. "Yes, well, I believe I am already quite late for a meeting with the Minister. I do not think this job is exactly suited for you. I'm deeply sorry, Sibyll," he finished, bidding her good day and heading for the door.
Just as he reached the doorknob, Trelawney grabbed his arm, her fingernails digging in deep. Dumbledore turned to see Trelawney appear to be choking, her voice coming out in raspy breaths. Gasping, Trelawney began talking in a deep voice so unlike her own.
"THE ONE WITH THE POWER TO VANQUISH THE DARK LORD APPROACHES…BORN TO THOSE WHO HAVE THRICE DEFIED HIM, BORN AS THE SEVENTH MONTH DIES…AND THE DARK LORD WILL MARK HIM AS HIS EQUAL, BUT HE WILL HAVE POWER THE DARK LORD KNOWS NOT…AND EITHER MUST DIE AT THE HAND OF THE OTHER FOR NEITHER CAN LIVE WHILE THE OTHER SURVIVES…THE ONE WITH THE POWER TO VANQUISH THE DARK LORD WILL BE BORN AS THE SEVENTH MONTH DIES…" Trelawney started coughing terribly.
"Oh my! Sorry, Albus, that cold I told you about. I understand about not getting the position. The Inner Eye must call for greater things. Goodnight," Trelawney said, back in her mystic demeanor.
Still in shock from what just happened, Dumbledore acted on rash thinking. "Maybe we do have room for you at Hogwarts, if you are available in August to start your planning."
Trelawney smiled widely, her attitude forgotten "Of course I'm available! Thank you so much!" squealed the "Seer" pumping Dumbledore's. hand up and down furiously.
"Er, yes, good evening," Dumbledore said in state of wild confusion. Little did he know that day would mark a grand, yet horrible, moment in history. He had no idea this Prophecy would decide the outcome of both Wizarding and Muggle worlds, together.
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Author Notes: I told you it would get darker lol. R/R!