Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognise. And everything you don't. But don't sue me. That's all
Dedication: This story is dedicated to my friend Oliva, or as we call her Scoshe. She's leaving on Thursady, so i'd jus tlike to wish her good luck back in Canadia! Yes, I know that's spelt wrong. It's an inside joke.
Chapter 1 - James
It had started out like any normal night, although how it ended was anything but normal. The entire day had been spent the way days were usually spent these days – hiding. The fact that Voldemort was after him and his family was frightening for James. But he wasn't frightened for himself; he was frightened for his family.
Since Lily and Harry were all he had in the way of family, they were the things that meant the most to him. Not a day went by that he didn't worry for them, and even though he tried to hide it, he knew people were picking up on it.
In dark times like this though, most people were scared. You'd just be walking down the street and someone would burst out in hysterical shrieks. It seemed so normal now, and that wasn't the way it should be.
The whole idea of hiding from the world, hiding when they could be out there fighting for a better life was almost too much for James to bear. He always had to be doing something to help, it was his nature.
He'd receive regular messages from his friends, in the most unusual ways, so they wouldn't attract attention. But when was it ever in the marauder's books not to attract attention?
But the thing that most unearthed him had happened a couple of nights ago. Sirius arrived at their door, looking scared. That wasn't normal. If Sirius was scared, he never showed it. It was just his way. He had convinced James and Lily to change him from their secret keeper.
It was one of the things James could tell Sirius had really thought about. In these dark times a lot of people thought about things. But something in the way he said that, the look in his eyes, made James realise that nothing was normal.
He turned to look at Lily, playing with Harry on the carpet. Those two meant everything to him, and almost everyone knew that. It wasn't fair that they should be in hiding. He watched as Harry smiled, stood up and walked over to him.
"Daddy!" he squealed, wrapping his arms around James's legs. James smiled and picked him up.
"Hello Harry!" he said brightly, picking him up and wiping away his fears for a moment.
Harry gave a yawn and nestled his head against James's chest.
"I think someone needs to go to bed," said Lily, walking over.
Harry shook his head in a comical way. "No sleep," he giggled.
James smiled and ruffled his son's already messy hair that he had inherited.
"Fine, you can stay up a little bit longer," Lily said, kissing Harry's head.
"Yay!" he giggled.
James put him down and he toddled across the floor, sitting down in front of the fire. He put his arm around Lily and drew her in tight, savouring the moment. She looked up at him and kissed him lightly on the lips. A short sweet kiss, but a kiss with meaning.
BANG
James turned around, something was wrong.
"Take Harry and run," he told Lily.
She gave him a worried look. He kissed her quickly. "RUN!"
Lily ran over to the fire and grabbed Harry. "Daddy!" he cried as Lily took him upstairs.
The look that Harry gave him made him want to cry, but he had to be strong. He grabbed his wand from the table and turned to face the intruders.
It was him.
Standing tall and straight, with his followers behind him. But James wasn't afraid. His Gryffindor pride held him.
"Stand aside," Voldemort said in a cruel cold voice.
"Never," James shouted defiantly.
"You always were stupidly brave. Avada kedavra!"
There was a blinding flash of green light and James fell to the floor lifeless, his last thoughts of his wife and child upstairs, and how much he loved them.
And none who heard what happened would ever forget that laugh. That chilling laugh that echoed across the silent street, the night they died.
A/N: So what did you think? Please review!
Next chapter is Sirius! And you ll know how much I love Mr Black...