One more chapter after this and then I will be stopping my fanfiction for awhile. I'll probably be updating my story, Paper Moon, once a week or once every two weeks. Please review!

They saw Sirius only a few days later. It, however, was not for a social visit and he was not the only one. The Potter sat at their kitchen table with him and Albus Dumbledore. James kept Harry on his lap as Lily magicked tea from her position by her husband.

"I don't understand why you're here," she said as a saucer and cup floated its way to Albus. He didn't respond, instead stirred in a bit of milk. "Does it have anything to do with the Longbottoms?"

"Yes," he answered. "We are facing a dire situation. Sybil Trelawney had a prophecy, one that we tried to keep as secret as possible, but someone leaked the information." He looked around, his twinkling blue eyes rested on Harry. "The subject of the prophecy was of a child born at the end of July to parents who thrice defied Lord Voldemort. Only two children fit that, Harry and Neville. For some reason he believes Harry to be the chosen one."

James just rested a hand against this son's head, the child was falling asleep pressed to his chest. "What do I need to do?" James questioned.

"Nothing, we believe it would be best for the three of you to go into hiding."

"Hiding? You mean have a secret keeper?" Her eyes drifted over to Sirius who was seated next to James and staring at his hands that rested on the table. He was not the same, there was an eerie stillness since the McKinnon family's passing. "I'll do anything for him."

"I'm not hiding while other people die for me," James said.

"It's not for you," Sirius interrupted. "Didn't you listen to a thing he said?"

"Sirius…" Lily's voice came out soft and honeyed, soothing, like how she would sound when she comforted Harry.

"Pull your head out of your arse. Most of us have lost practically everything already, but you still have your family. You have a chance to keep them alive." What was scary was not the words, but the fact that he was not yelling. Instead his voice was very controlled, but coming

James looked down at the table, his hands curling into fists. He would not react as he knew most of this was because of Marlene's death. "I want to kill him." The words came out firm, but not menacing.

"Revenge is a dangerous thing," Albus said. "Which is exactly why I wouldn't want either you or Sirius in the field right now because your judgement is clouded with vengeful thoughts. All that needs to happen is to keep Harry safe, the best chance of that is to keep you and Lily alive, is that understood."

"Yes," Lily answered quickly.

"Fine." James said and reached out to wrap his arm around Lily. "How long do we have?"

"As soon as possible," Albus said and looked them over. "I would take into great consideration who you have for your secret keeper." His eyes went to Sirius. "The most obvious choice is a good one, but it might be too predictable."
"We'll discuss it," Lily murmured. "Thank you."

"Of course, I better be getting back to the school before they notice I'm missing." Albus got up and Lily stood up, grabbing Harry from James. When she came back she saw the two friends talking intently. Silently she left and went upstairs to lay him down for a nap.

It seemed preposterous that such a sweet little baby could threaten a powerful, if not insane, dark wizard. Lily sat down on the rocking chair, watching him. It was then she got an idea and she pulled her wand out of her waistband and summoned a pad of paper, quill and ink. She thought back to those open when letters James had written her. If she died after going into hiding she would never be able to say goodbye to those she loved. A letter entrusted to someone was good enough.

As she wrote, ink spilled across her hands and she had to squint in the dim lighting. She wondered who she would give the packet too. Sirius seemed the obvious choice, but also a dangerous one. If she and James died, how could she guarantee he would be alive as well. And Peter...he wasn't very good with people and delivering the letters or at the least making sure they arrived at the right place. Lily's mind drifted to Charlotte. James had mentioned that after Scott's death she was staying in London. He seemed confused by that, but Lily understood. If James died there is no way she could handle being in Godric's Hollow, living the life they carved out for each other. It would be difficult to live a life made for two by yourself, to go to sleep in a bed that was too large or sit down only to see the chair they normally sat in empty.

"Lily?" she heard James call out. "What are you doing?" he whispered, peering into the room.

"Writing, watching Harry sleep." She arranged the pad, quill and ink before getting to her feet. When she came to her husband she pressed a kiss to his lips. "Do you think Charlotte would do me a favor?"

"Most likely, but it…" He looked down at the pad of paper and grabbed her, pulling her tightly against his chest. "My lovely Lily," he muttered.

"You know I haven't even spoke to my sister since that stupid dinner?" When she pulled away her eyes were filled with tears. "She used to be my best friend and now Harry hasn't even seen his aunt."

"All we can do is hope that someday all this will be over." He threaded his hands through her wild hair. "Let's go to bed."

"James, I'm not going to sleep when it's-"

"Who said anything about sleeping?"

Lily shook her head and laughed, but followed James anyway.

It seemed odd, to be relegated to the life of a hermit in midst of a town. Lily could see out the window, but when people walked by on the street, their eyes passed right over the house. Sirius had assured them it was normal, Grimmauld Place was much like it, but it didn't shake off the peculiar feeling.

James was reacting to their hiding in a much different way. He couldn't stand being cooped up and would take to pacing or helping Harry fly on the toy broom. Lily spent days pouring over volumes that Sirius would bring when he came over. He was probably the most entertaining part of their day, as Albus told them it was wise to limit visitors. People and their activity were too easy to track.

It was Halloween night and for some reason the atmosphere seemed lighter. Sirius had been by earlier, he dropped off a bottle of mead and placed a kiss on Lily's cheek, clapped James on his shoulder and swung Harry around for a bit. Once the dusk began to settle, though, he said his goodbye. "I'll be over tomorrow if the mission is cut short." He didn't say goodbye, not anymore. It became a taboo in their house, because saying goodbye it meant there was a chance they wouldn't see one another again.

Lily and James didn't say anything, but went about their own tasks. After Harry was put to bed they started a fire in the fireplace, grabbed a the Gryffindor blanket off the bed, poured glasses of mead, and sat down on the sofa.

It was amazing how war could drive people so close together. All of the death, destruction, and hardship only revealed who they really were. Even a year ago, after they were married, she felt like things were falling apart.

With the combination of the heat and alcohol Lily found herself being lulled to sleep as James spoke to her, relaying a story of their past. His deep voice is rough and slurred by tiredness, to her it sounds beautiful.

"Lily?" James asked.

"Hmm?" She tilted her head up to look at him, her hair falling away from her face.

"Do you remember when we thought we were alone?"

"When?"

"At my house, during Christmas break when we first started dating. We were half-dressed and snogging when we heard my dad come home."

Lily tilted her head back further in laughter, nodding. "And all he said was that if Agatha found out he didn't condone and gave us a stern talking to." She curled against his side and resituated her legs to his lap. He pulled her tighter and grinned, leaning down to kiss her in his lips. "You make me so happy."

"You make me happy, my lovely Lily-flower." He kissed her again.

Lily rested her head on his chest and took in a deep breath of the smell that was still the same as the love potion from five years ago. Back then she would never want to be married and have a child by the age of twenty-one, especially with a degree or proper training.

"Hey, now, you're making this rather difficult."

"What?"

She let out a screech as he moved her off his lap and she was half-sitting, half-lying. Now, he could lean over her and kiss her. When he bent over she threaded her hands through his hair and pulled him closer. Her hands migrated further down as he continued the kiss, eventually they rested on the hem of his shirt. It was then that they heard something strange, a crack almost.

"What was that?"

"What?" James lifted his mouth off of hers.

"I think someone's here." Lily shoved him off and walked to the edge of the living room. Through the kitchen window she could see the figure of someone moving. "Colloportus," she whispered, raising her hand and repeating the action until all the doors had been sealed.

"They shouldn't be able to see us."

"Strangers have never come through the side doors."

It was then the heard someone banging on the side of the house and they caught a glimpse of a gaunt face outside. "Lily, take Harry and run."

"James, you're faster, I'll-"

"No. please, Lily, I could never…" He was already on his feet and he placed a desperate kiss on her. "I love you."

"James…"

"Go…" He shoved her harshly and summoned his wand from it's resting place in the kitchen. As she stumbled her mind flashed back to that night on patrol when Sirius played a prank on Snape. She went up the stairs, heart pounding, maybe it was nothing… maybe….

At the top of the stairs she fell to her knees, it was then she heard a sinister voice. "Move aside, now you blood traitor."

"You're not getting my family…"

"I just want the boy, you can have the mudblood."

As she got to her feet she heard the sound of a scuffle then a voice shouting, "AVADA KEDAVRA!"

Lily ran faster to Harry's room, pushing the door open. She didn't bother with the side of the crib, but bent over it, her hands grazing him.

"Stand aside and you won't die."

Words died in her mouth. All of the venomous comments she imagined saying. "No."

"Stupid girl!" He drew his wand and before she had time to react he lunged forward, pushing attempting to push her out of the way."AVADA KEDAVRA!"

"Harry!" Lily leapt, her body deflecting the green light from her son. One scream and then silence.