Emmeline sat idly in a hard chair in Gideon and Fabian's apartment feeling uncomfortable. It was two days since Harry had been born and she and Gideon were going out to buy a present for the Potters.

"Hey, love." Gideon walked into the room, dressed, looking carelessly handsome in jeans and a white button up shirt with the top three buttons undone, his flaming red hair falling into his eyes.

She smiled, "Hey." she stood up and took his hand and they headed out the door. Gideon was...so perfect for her. He liked all the same things as her, he could talk to her for hours, and he cared about her so much. It was just...it felt like he was a wonderful friend. And that's all he was meant to be. A friend. As she held his hand, it felt sweaty. It felt overlarge as it completely covered hers. He was so great, Emmeline just felt mismatched with him. She loved him. That was true. She just didn't love him that much or that way.

They walked out onto the street in Diagon Alley and simultaneously disapparated. They were going to an Order Meeting first. They reached the Hogwarts grounds and because they had time to spare, started carelessly walking around the lake.

They sat down cross-legged on the fresh grass next to the lake, underneath the old beech tree.

Gideon smiled at her, "Can you believe all this? James and Lily seem so grown up now. Married and with child."

Emmeline laughed, "Yes it's very incredible. If you asked me back when we were in school if I thought they would ever end up together and be so in love, I would have laughed right in your face."

Gideon stroked her cheek, "Did you ever think about..."

She jerked her head away, and immediately adorned an apologetic expression when she caught sight of Gideon's hurt face, "Getting married? I don't really...think I'm ready yet, you know?"

Suddenly Gideon's eyes hazed over, and he plunged a hand into his robes, and before Emmeline could say a word, his wand was pointed straight at her heart, her wand was in his hand, and his face had a maniacal look in it.

"Gideon!" she shouted, what was he doing?

"Don't say another word, or I'll make him kill you." Emmeline turned to see a tall, white, figure stepping out of the forbidden forest, his scarlet eyes flashing maliciously. He was flanked by Nott, Avery, and a death eater whose hood covered his face.

All the breath seemed to be knocked out of Emmeline. She was terrified. Lord Voldemort, the most malicious and deadly wizard in the world had her life in his hands. She knew there would be no way she could make it out of this alive. She had no wand.

He sneered, flicking his wand upward. Gideon's wand traveled from her heart to between her eyes.

Voldemort chuckled softly, "Now if you tell me what I need to know, I will let you go unscathed."

Emmeline seriously doubted that. Even if she did tell him what he wanted to know, he would most definitely kill her. It would be a miracle if she escaped mortally injured.

Voldemort smiled, "Tell me. Where is the boy?"

Emmeline frowned, "What boy?"

Voldemort laughed as if he thought her ignorance amusing, "Lily's boy. Where is he?"

No, no, no! Emmeline was petrified, "I'll never hand over Harry."

Voldemort's expression changed instantly from casual to furious, "You will tell me. Now!"

"No!" she screamed, "I would never betray my friends."

"All right then." Voldemort calmly flicked his wand forward, and Gideon opened his mouth to say the words. Emmeline waited for them. Avada Kedavra. But they never came.

Emmeline opened her eyes and looked up at Gideon. His eyes were still glazed over, his wand still pointed between her eyes, but he seemed to be fighting an internal battle.

Voldemort hissed impatiently, "You're useless." he flicked his wand sideways casually, and muttered the words, "Avada Kedavra." Gideon crumpled, lifeless in front of Emmeline's eyes. Emmeline let out a gasp of horror and loss.

"Gideon!" she cried. Voldemort had killed him as if he was nothing, insignificant. As if he was just a small insect in the way.

"Silence!" cried Voldemort, his red eyes malicious, "Tell me now, or I will kill you."

"My lord." a death eater next to him whispered, interrupting the proceedings, "Let her go, I know where the boy is."

Voldemort's eyes flashed, "Well why didn't you say so, vermin? You are to be punished. Do not keep things from Lord Voldemort." he turned back to Emmeline, "I will let you go, but only because I want you to convey a message. Tell the Potters that I am coming for their son." he smiled and turned away, and just before disapparating, he whispered, "I just love a good challenge."

--

Dumbledore sat before Lily and James, stroking his chin, "I suggest you switch Peter as your secret keeper instead of Sirius. It will keep Voldemort off your track."

James swallowed, "Ok, but if we do that, are we still in danger?"

Dumbledore sighed, rubbing his temples, "A chance, yes. But you two are ample fighters, and we'll have guards stationed around your house, so there's no need to worry."

Lily clutched James hand tight, and repeated, as if to reassure herself, "There's no need to worry."

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a/n: yes, yes, yes, i know, extremely short chapter, but that's how it's gotta be. updates coming very soon! please R&R!