Here's the second part to the tale
Yes alright i don't own Lily, James, Sirius, Remus or any of the others but damn i wish i did. There i sed it are you happy
Carry on reading guys
Part two Lily's Sacrifice
Chapter one Change of plan
"We're going to use Peter." Lily looked up at her husband in shock. "Y…you don't trust Sirius?" she tried to keep the fear out of her voice. They both knew now that the spy in their midst was someone close to them but the fact that it might be Sirius was too much to bear.
James knew exactly what she was getting at and smiled thinly. "Yes, I trust Sirius with my life. This was his idea. We're going to use Peter and not tell anyone so that Sirius might be able to draw them away from us. It was his plan and it makes sense. We don't like it, I'd rather have Sirius than Peter any day but the truth of the matter is that this plan makes sense and right now I'd sell my soul to make sure you and Harry were safe."
"I still don't like it." Lily said quietly. James went to open his mouth and she put her hand on his mouth. "But it is a good plan and if it keeps us safe then I'm happy to go along with it."
She kissed him quickly before turning as their son started to cry and scooped him out of the cot and started to bounce him round the room. Then the door burst open and Sirius came bounding in. His hair and his eyes were wild with promise.
"James!" He yelled James and Lily hurried forward and Sirius relieved Lily of his Godson who went as willing as Sirius had ever seen him.
"Hiya Harry." He said soothingly. "What is it Padfoot?" James said a little impatiently he realised but his friend would deal with that Sirius knew James too well to truly take it to heart.
"Is everything ready?" "Yeah. We just need Peter now…" James said. Lily tried holding her tongue but she couldn't help it. "You guys I really don't like this. I know I should trust Peter, he's been your friend as long as Remus has but I just…"
"I know baby," James whispered "but this way we'll be safe and Sirius will be watching for us won't you Padfoot?"
"Of course! You guys are my family I can't let anything happen to you I promise." He looked at Harry and his eyes softened. "Want to go for a ride Harry?" He said softly. "No!" Sirius looked at Lily she had her hands on her hips and was looking at Sirius with an accusing air.
"The last time he went out on that damned bike he was up all night. No! Sirius I forbid it!" "Please Mummy!" Sirius said pouting "Harry loves it and I love taking him. Please! Please! Lily please!"
She rolled her eyes "Alright!" She held up her hands in surrender "Alright you win, but I swear if he doesn't sleep I will kill you." Sirius grinned. "Oh Lily do you have any idea how much I love you?"
"Yeah, yeah and all the rest. Keep talking Black and someday I might believe you!" Sirius chuckled and he had Harry went back out the front door and Lily heard the engine of that monster of a bike Sirius insisted on having rev before the door slammed.
She sighed. "You know both he and Harry love it sweetheart." James said quietly. "I know. And I know he'll take good care of him. I'm just on edge that's all. James I know I should trust Peter but something about all this just doesn't feel right. What if…"
"I know the risk is there but we have to trust that this is the best thing to do for Harry. Lily, I couldn't bare that anything would happen to you or Harry and while I think Sirius would die before giving us away I don't really want to lose my best friend either. I know it's selfish but Sirius, Remus and I were the ones who first formed the Marauders."
He stopped as if thinking about his words. "Peter is like a brother but he wasn't there when we all met in Diagon Alley the summer prior to going to Hogwarts. We met him on the train. Sirius, Remus and I were already firm friends by then and…"
He stopped as Lily put her hand on his mouth. "I understand. Sirius is drawing enough danger to himself just trying to act as the decoy and I would rather Harry keep his godfather. He's only a year old and he's already attached to Sirius more than he could ever be."
James smiled down at her his hazel eyes beautiful and filled with emotion. "Have I told you I love you today?" "Emmm…I think so…" Lily grinned as she stared up at James. "But I mean you could-" She was cut off as he kissed her hard. "Ew!" They broke apart, as they swung round to find Sirius grinning at them. With Harry cuddled up against his chest. "Ew! Harry look! Mummy and Daddy are kissing! It's disgusting!" James and Lily rolled their eyes it had seemed like five minutes since Sirius had left.
Lily looked at the clock. It had been an hour! How on earth was that possible? Of course it was possible she always lost track when her and James were alone it was like he had a hold over her that she couldn't control and that was scary to admit to, even to herself but there had never been a time, even when she had thought him an arrogant bastard, that she had not felt safe with him.
She had hated his guts but she had always felt safe with him and it was something that had freaked her out at first, how can you feel safe around someone you hate? But in time she had become used to it and now she couldn't see herself living without him in her life.
Chapter two saying a discreet goodbye
"When is Peter coming round?" Lily asked tugging on her coat. "Seven." James answered as he finished moving the stuff into all the right places. "Right I'll be back by then, then. Can you watch Harry?"
"Yeah. We're going to have some fun aren't we baby? Just you, me and Sirius." James looked up at Lily smiling "Don't worry Lil, he'll be fine."
"I dread to think." She said laughing then she kissed James goodbye and went to the door. After tonight they would have no contact with the outside world bar with Peter and maybe Sirius.
She wanted to say a (discreet) goodbye to Alice and Emmerline before she, James and Harry went into hiding and knew that it was hurting James that he had to disappear without saying goodbye to Remus.
But this Halloween was a full moon and the moon wouldn't wane for another day. Dumbledore had said that it was important the disappear as quickly as possible as Voldemort's spies where closing in.
James had left a message with Sirius to give to Remus because they couldn't afford to wait that long. Not even, she grimaced one more day. She had James had tried to wait it out one more day for Remus, they had defied Voldemort three times and proved that he was not as brilliant as he would like to make out but Dumbledore had put his foot down and said as head of the Order of which they were part the had to act swiftly.
It had been different, they now had a baby to care for and Dumbledore knew that Harry meant the world to both her and James and so they had agreed and by the first of November they would be untraceable to all but one.
And despite she trusted Peter giving him that much power over her and her family gave her a cold chill something she hadn't thought twice about when Sirius had been the one to do it.
This worried her no end but when it came to the crunch she would do anything to keep James and Harry safe even if it meant making Peter Petigrew their secret-keeper until this was all over.
She headed out. There were three people she had to say goodbye too. Alice Longbottom and Emmerline Campbell. They were her best friends and even if they couldn't know she had had to find someway to say goodbye.
She met them in the three broomsticks and smiled when she saw them. They stood up and the three of them hugged each other. "Oh Lily how are you?" Alice asked Lily shrugged what on earth could she say? "I'm okay." "No. You're not. You're not ok at all." Emmerline said,
"What's wrong?"
Lily froze.
Here it was.
The questions. She couldn't tell them anything. So she just shrugged. "Order." They nodded their understanding.
Being in the Order took it out of all of them. "How is Harry?" Alice asked changing the subject. "Sirius took him out on that bike again and kept him up all night." She laughed,
"You let him take him out?" Alice asked her eyes wide. "I wouldn't let Neville anywhere near a car never mind that monster of a bike Sirius insists on having." "Well I didn't want it at first. But you know how attached Harry is to Sirius and well he really likes it. And it gives James and I a break."
Emmerline and Alice nodded smiling. "And how is martial bliss to The Cocky Marauder himself?" Lily laughed it was true when they were in school James had been one of the cockiest, big-headed know it alls on the planet. But well now…He was so sweet. "I
'll take it from the dreamy look it is bliss?" Emmerline laughed "mm-hm" Lily said. "It must be really annoying with Sirius strutting his stuff around the house?" Emmerline said but even as she said it a blush hinted at her cheeks. Lily laughed "I don't know why you just don't get with him Em, I mean the whole of the Order know you are attracted to him with the exception of him. He really likes you and he's different now."
Lily said thinking of how Sirius was with Harry. "I can't believe you're coming to the defence of Sirius Black!" Alice laughed Lily shrugged "I love him like a brother and he is a great guy. Once you get past the outward cockiness."
She shook her head. She didn't think anyone would really understand how much Sirius was capable of caring and how close she and James were to him. She turned to Alice. "So how are things in your home life?"
Alice smiled serenely "Neville is coming on great and Frank is so sweet…." Lilly recognised that look as one of her own when she thought of James. "Paradise on Earth?" She asked Alice looked at her.
"You know nothing is ever that simple." Lily nodded "but it couldn't get much better either."
They chatted for about another hour and then Lily looked at her watch and realised she had to go. She had to go and prepare.
"You got some place to be Lil?" Alice asked, "I gotta go. I've got some errands to run." And a Secret-keeper to activate she silently added.
She stood up and the other two stood up with her and she hugged them hard. "Be Safe." They all said together. They broke apart and smiled at one another. "Lily we'll see you soon."
Alice smiled I hope so Lily thought out loud she said "Yeah." And then she returned to the house.
Chapter three: Halloween Scream
Lily watched Peter leave through the window and heard James lock and bolt the door. "I still say we should have used Sirius James," Lily said quietly. "I know." He said quietly "its not my ideal situation either."
Lily turned to James and said, "I'm sorry James." "I know Peter is your friend I don't mean it the way it comes out. Really I don't it's just…"
"You feel safer with Sirius." James finished her thought for her. Lily looked up into his hazel eyes and saw that he had taken no offense and that he understood perfectly.
"Yes. Do you think that's so wrong?"
James shook his head. "It's just that we haven't seen Peter the last few years. He's been away doing his thing, I mean Sirius and Lupin took a active roll in caring for Harry."
"It's the first time Peter has ever seen Harry and I just feel like…like we don't know him anymore. He just hasn't been here." James tugged her into his arms and rested his chin on her head.
"I know. I wish I'd never let Sirius make me think that this was a good idea but Sirius wants to make sure nothing happens to us Lil. And I know this will sound childish but at least I know he'll be safe now. Peter blends into the background better than Sirius could."
"Yes," Lily thought about that for a moment. "Sirius' family history will make him a target anyway. And at least this way we know that if anything happens…"
James put his hand on her lips. "It won't. I won't let it." "I know that." Lily said quietly kissing her husband's palm "But if it did there is no one better than Sirius to bring Harry up."
James nodded. Lily smiled thinking of Sirius with her son and her husband. James and Sirius might as well have been kids. When they played with Harry a minute didn't go by without one of them cracking a smile or bursting into outright laughter.
At that moment Harry started to wail upstairs and James smiled his hazel eyes twinkling and said, "Whose turn is it?" "I'll go." Lily said smiling. "You and Sirius did well today I'll take over from here."
James laughed softly and Lily felt her heart jump. That was a sound she hadn't heard for a while. It was one of the first things she'd noticed about him. His laughter. James Potter for all his arrogance at school had known how to party and have fun. He had made her laugh.
It was good to know he hadn't forgotten how to laugh.
Lily climbed the stairs and picked Harry up walking round with him rubbing his back until he calmed again. And then he put him down and headed back downstairs.
In the living room James was facing the window looking out at the kids that were doing the yearly rounds of trick a treaters. Lily knew what he was thinking for she had thought it too.
More than once.
Would Harry's life be ever that care free?
Would the war that was not his making shape his life into something that he couldn't control or would it be for the better?
She shook her head. That time was along way off. First they had to survive the war. They had to keep Harry safe so that he could grow up and be like the kids she could hear laughing outside streets away from their house.
She put her arms around James' waist and rested her head on his back. She felt him smile and smiled with him. "Is the trooper asleep." This time she heard the smile in his voice.
"He's calm. For the time being." Lily said laughing as James pulled her round to his front and tilted her head back so he could look at her.
"Have I told you I love you today?" He asked the twinkle back in his eyes. "Um, you might have told me this morning." Lily said smiling "but I'm always open to hear more."
James grinned and kissed her. "I love you." He confirmed. Lily smiled and played with a button on the front of her husband's shirt "Do you know how much I love you? I wonder?" She mused aloud.
James kissed her again and said against her lips "if its anything like as much as I love you then yes." This time when they kissed Lily wrapped her arms around James' neck pleased that she could be that close to him.
The kiss was in danger of becoming increasingly heated when James broke off suddenly alert.
Lily looked at her husband for a moment and then she felt it too. Someone was trying to break into the house!
There was strong magic outside.
"James?" She said uncertainly "Shh." He whispered and darted to the door. Lily watched the transformation with as much as she had the first time she had witnessed it.
The James that headed to the door was the Auror now. And she was just as proud of him as she was of the husband and father.
James appeared again a moment later with his wand out and panic written all over his features. "Lily, you have to get Harry! Its him Peter…He's here." Lily went on autopilot reaching for her wand and running out into the hall after the husband.
Sure enough the magic enforced house was rippling as someone was facing their way in. "Lily," James said turning her to look at him.
"Go upstairs and get Harry. Then get out and get to Sirius or Dumbledore I'll hold him off." "NO!" Lily screamed panic threatening her heart. "James I can't leave you. I won't leave you."
Lily sweetheart you have too. Think of Harry."
Lily felt her heart breaking and the tears threatening to fall over onto her cheeks. How could she choose between the life of her son or the life of the husband she adored?
The door banged again and James shoved her towards the stairs and said "Lily, I mean it get the hell out of here."
"James…please…" She pleaded. Couldn't he see she couldn't do it?
He leaned in and kissed her "get Harry and go. I'll love you forever." And then he was gone and Lily knew her heart would never mend.
She flew to the stairs and knew she had to get out. Her thoughts were consumed by getting Harry to safely while her heart screamed for James to appear and tell her it was all ok.
That they would live through this. She couldn't hold back the flow of tears any longer. They fell onto her face as he gathered Harry to her and looked for a way out.
She looked out the window and saw that the Dark Mark was already blazing above their house. JAMES! Her heart screamed. She saw flashes of light in the garden and saw James hit the ground and she knew.
There was a flash of green light and her tears fell faster. She had to get out of here. James would have wanted it.
The house was surrounded by the Death Eaters. How could she escape this?
Why had Peter betrayed them? He'd picked Voldemort over them. She had to get out of here.
Her blood froze in her veins as she heard footsteps on the stairs. She barred the door and looked for an escape.
She knew there was no escape.
All she could hope now was that she could protect her son and Sirius and Dumbledore would take care of him. James…
Her heart bled for the love that had died to keep her and their son alive.
The door blew open and Lily screamed and Harry started to cry. She cuddled him to her and watched fixed to the spot with horror as the masked figure of Voldemort appeared.
"Give me the boy." He hissed his wand raised already ready to strike. "Please not Harry." She pleaded. She couldn't loose him too…
"Give me the boy you silly girl!" He hissed his red eyes flashing inside the hood of his cloak.
"No. Please not Harry. Please not Harry." She said again. "The boy died defending you are you going to make his death useless?" Voldemort snarled "enough of this!"
"Give me the boy OR DIE!" Lily said nothing knowing pleading was useless. the figure before her had taken everything she loved from her in just one wand strike.
He would not take Harry too…
Lily huddled Harry close "I love you baby." She whispered in his ear and Voldemort snarled "AVADA KEDAVRA!"
Lily knew it was over as she saw the flash of green light. She just hoped that somehow Harry would survive what she and James had not.
Her vision filled with green light and her ears the sound of Voldemort's high pitched laughter and the last thing she thought as she died was of Harry.
And then a figure came to her.
A smiling tall messy black haired figure with twinkling hazel eyes. She'd have known that stance anywhere.
He'd come for her.
He hadn't left her.
James…Her vision clouded as she reached him and everything went black forever.
