Notes: Gen. Takes place hours after the death of James and Lily, and the temporary defeat of Voldemort by Harry.

Cross My Heart (and Hope to Die)

BOOM.

The entire foundation of the manor shook.

Alice turned to her husband, eyes wide with terror. "Was that …"

"The wards are breached," Frank confirmed solemnly.

For a moment, it was as though the world had ceased its orbit. The two stared at each other, frozen, neither daring to breathe.

Then, Alice stood, breaking the stillness. "Finky!"

An ancient, hunchbacked house-elf appeared before them. "Mistress called?"

"Yes. We are under attack. In a few minutes, Death Eaters will enter the manor." She lowered herself and looked straight into the house-elf's eyes, her mouth set in a grim line. "They are here for Neville, Finky. You are to protect him; gather Dibbly and Noddy, and protect our son with your lives."

Finky bowed low, her nose almost touching the floor. "It will be as you wish, Mistress. It has been an honour to serve Master and Mistress Longbottom." And with a proud nod, she vanished.

Pulling her to her feet, Frank wrapped an arm around his wife's shoulder. "You are trembling, love."

She gave him a watery smile, turning fully into his embrace. "So are you."

In the middle of the dining hall, they both stood, seeking solace and hope from the other. No words were uttered—not about their fears, their concern for the other, their wishes that the other stayed safe. They knew what was to come, after all, and knew also that no persuasion would sway the other from the path ahead. Instead, they merely held each other, listening to the other's familiar heartbeat and drinking in the loving presence in their arms.

The manor rattled again.

As one, they stepped out of the comforting hold, their clasped hands the only sign of their emotional turmoil.

"I have alerted the Order," Frank said. Unnecessarily, perhaps, since his wife knew him inside out, but Alice nodded.

"Accio Auror robes," she summoned calmly.

They both dressed quietly and efficiently in quick, practiced movements. It was apt, Alice mused absently, that such a night was accompanied by the deeply rumbling thunder and stark flashes of lightning. A hooded figure was outlined in white by one such flash, and Alice felt a steel resolve travel through her. Beside her, her partner stood tall, wand ready and unafraid.

It was time.

Hours later, in the still, dark night, oblivious to the baby's shrill cries, the world spun on.

A/N: This short little piece is dedicated to those affected by the shootings in Paris this morning – my thoughts are with you. Mes pensées sont avec vous pendant cette tragédie, et j'espère que vous, vos familles, vos amis et les autres sont tous en sécurité.

I also have to admit that I find it a bit sad that this is what it has taken for the world to sit up and take notice, when such appalling events have been occurring in other, less 'Western' parts of the world quite frequently. These places are also in my thoughts often, and I hope peace will not be long in coming.