A/N: I apologize if this chapter feels a little rushed but there are some parts that will be expanded on later when we reach future chapters. I haven't decided yet if the next chapter will be about Frank and Alice or another snippet of Lily Luna in the future. Suggestions?
MofDA
…..
James Potter and Lily Evans had a very rough time after their granddaughter left. To them it felt like a real loss. Even knowing that she was in a better time with a loving family a piece of them was still missing.
Frank and Alice were planning a simple wedding with just family and friends. Although a proud Augusta Longbottom insisted on a wedding announcement following in The Daily Prophet.
Alice, Lily, and Mary went together to pick out Alice's wedding dress and Lily couldn't help but try on a few herself as she imagined walking up the aisle toward James. With a start she realized that she'd never been to a wizard wedding ceremony. Was it different from a muggle one? She'd heard of magical wedding bonds placed on the couple which must mean a wizard official would have to oversee the vows.
So immersed she was in her own inner ramblings that she wasn't immediately aware of every set of eyes in the dress shop on her. When she finally noticed her first emotion was horror – had she walked out of the changing room in her knickers? Then she caught sight of herself in the mirror.
She was breathtaking.
The lace and satin dress fit her as if it had been made with her in mind. The sleeves were made of a delicate lace that ran down her slim arms to her wrists and the dress had a cinched waist and puffed out into a fuller skirt on the bottom. There was no beading; it was just a simple yet gorgeous gown.
"Oh Lily. That's just not fair. You can't outshine Alice like this," Mary said playfully as she came around the corner and caught sight of her friend.
"That's so beautiful, Lily," Alice sighed. "You need to buy it."
"What?" squeaked Lily as other shoppers began to return to their own shopping, leaving the trio of girls alone. "I'm not even engaged!"
"Ah, but it is the dress that chooses the bride," Mary said in a sing-song voice. "I will not let you walk out of this shop without that dress." Alice was nodding her agreement.
"It probably costs more than I make in a month at the Apothecary…" Lily's feeble protest was met with raised eyebrows from her friends.
"Do you honestly think we wouldn't help you out? James would murder us if he knew we let you walk away from your dream dress," Mary crossed her arms defiantly.
Again the image of James in his best dress robes popped into her head. She thought of the face he would make when he saw her in this. The way his hazel eyes would burn brighter and his smile would stretch across his handsome face.
"Alright, you win," Lily twirled in front of the mirror. What did money mean, really, when she knew she didn't have very long on this earth to spend it?
…
Mr. Fortescue walked Alice up the aisle and gave her away to Frank in a tradition exactly like muggles, Lily noted. She also thought it was very admirable of him to refrain from crying until he'd taken his seat in the front row.
Alice's two bridesmaids were Mary and Lily. Frank's two groomsman were Amos Diggory and Charlie Abbott. There weren't many in attendance. No more than 50 people were there including the wedding party. Frank had a lot of relatives but they were all older and one kept complaining loudly about forgetting an ear trumpet.
Alice's only family was her father. Although having practically grown up in Diagon Alley in her parent's ice cream parlor many of the other shopkeepers were there for her.
It wasn't until after the reception and they arrived back at Mary and Lily's flat that James popped the question. He'd intended for it to be much more romantic. Perhaps dinner and a flying carpet ride. But the words spilled out of their own accord.
Mary had stayed with Remus at the reception, giving James and Lily the place to themselves for a while. It had been an excellent evening with dancing and champagne. James was only slightly tipsy as he kicked off his shoes (they were pinching his toes) and threw his cloak over the back of the couch.
"Alice was beautiful, wasn't she? Positively glowing," Lily gushed as she poured herself a glass of water in the kitchen. Her cheeks were a little red from the alcohol but she felt clear headed.
"She had nothing on you, love," James cooed while sneaking up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist. She tilted her head to the side; an open invitation for him to kiss her neck which he did.
"You think you are just so smooth, James Potter," there was a hint of heat in her voice.
"Mmm. How else could I have gotten such an incredible woman?"
"Keep talking like that and maybe you'll get lucky tonight," she pressed herself back against him to emphasize her meaning.
James groaned and in a raspy voice asked, "Do you think I can be lucky enough to have you for the rest of my life?"
Lily froze. Unsure if he was serious or not. Slowly his hands clasped her hips and turned her around to face him. "James…" she began.
He smiled. He hadn't meant to ask her like this, but he supposed he had to go through with it now. "I've been holding onto this for a long time, waiting for the right moment. I only just now realized that we don't wait for right moments, we make them. Will you marry me, Lily Evans?"
He dropped down to one knee and pulled out the ring that had once been his grandmother's. Lily blinked at him several times in shock before bursting into tears. James's smile faltered; was crying good or bad? "Yes," she choked out. "Yes." Lily dropped to her knees also, took his face in her hands, and kissed him softly.
…..
"They think they are safe because their blood is pure," Voldemort's tone was even and calm but his followers knew that anger was boiling just below the surface. "Is blood traitor any better than muggle?"
"No, my lord," several voices around the table murmured in agreement.
"I must go myself to teach them a lesson. Who among you would like to go with me?" his eager followers were practically climbing over each other to be in his line of sight as they waved arms and voiced loud pleas to accompany their master.
"Severus," he chose immediately, "Lucius as well. Rodolphus, Bellatrix, Regulus," Regulus Black started at his name being called. He hadn't volunteered. "Bartemius, and Rabastan." Voldemort broke his faithful servants out of Azkaban every time they were caught. Admittedly they were not caught often and the threat of Azkaban now felt more like a joke to the Death Eaters.
Regulus's mind was reeling. He didn't want this. Not a single part of it. He had met the Potters. He liked them. They'd been kind to him. They even took in his brother when he was disowned. How could he possibly march in and murder them in cold blood? He knew it would be murder. Voldemort himself was going on this mission and it would be him and another seven Death Eaters against two elderly innocents.
"When do we go?" Regulus was glad that someone else had asked this. It was Lucius who had spoken.
"Now," Voldemort rose and Regulus's heart dropped to his stomach. His first reaction was to ask himself how he could possibly warn them. The only person he could get a message to was James – there were enchantments around Potter Manor that would prevent his patrons from reaching Charlus and Dorea. The seven chosen Death Eaters followed Lord Voldemort out of the house and Disapparated. Regulus was the last to leave and he used this opportunity to send off a warning.
….
James and Lily were busily planning their wedding. It had been three months since their engagement. Invitations had been sent (Petunia's had been returned cut into shreds), flower arrangements had been chosen, dress robes had been fitted. They were one month away exactly from the wedding date and Lily had finally agreed to move into Sirius and Luna's old house.
Sirius had convinced the couple he didn't want it anymore and that it would be perfect for the newlyweds. They were unpacking boxes when the raccoon sailed into the sitting room. "Potter Manor. Bring help."
There was no hesitation when James and Lily sprinted for the fireplace and flooed directly into Potter Manor. Charlus and Dorea were washing dishes in the kitchen by hand. A giggling Dorea splashed Charlus playfully and just as they were about to kiss James interrupted. "Trouble is on the way. We need to get the Order here."
His parents spun around in shock but didn't waste any time attempting to send Patronuses. The only problem was that none of their messages were leaving the room. "What on earth…" Dorea muttered.
The house shook. "They're here," Lily whispered.
"The floo! Quickly," Dorea ushered them over to the fireplace but discovered it, too, had been blocked. "They've cut off all of our exits and ways to send for help," her wide scared eyes turned to her husband who looked resigned.
"We'll do our best," he said but they all knew that this was the end. Death Eaters had trapped them in their own home.
"We should hide," said Dorea at once. "There are secret passages, a hidden broom cupboard-"
"No," said Charlus. "If they've broken through our enchantments then Voldemort must be with them and we've no hope of hiding from a wizard that powerful and that evil. We face them wand-to-wand. We're not cowards here."
James jerked his head in agreement and Lily swallowed thickly. But how could she die here? She hadn't married James yet. She hadn't given birth to Harry. Maybe the Death Eaters wouldn't break through the enchantments after all.
Her hope was shattered when she heard crashing noises coming from several rooms away. "Let's go to the main sitting room. Quickly. There are couches to duck behind and plenty of room and light for a good duel," Charlus led the way.
James and Lily looked at each other but there wasn't even time for them to say a proper goodbye to each other before the Death Eaters were on them. Wands blazing, curses bouncing off walls, and the sitting room was alight with Dark Magic.
Voldemort himself stood back from the fray, only wanting to step in if it was absolutely necessary. Charlus and Dorea had a few tricks up their sleeves. A suit of armor came to life and caught a Death Eater in a choke hold. The coffee table was running rampant around the room charging down the Death Eaters like a rabid bull.
"Take that!" yelled Dorea as she transfigured pillows into knives in midair. Voldemort only just had time to react and defend himself from the attack. One moment longer and he would've been sliced through with knives. Pulling his lips back in a sneer he began to lose his patience. Seven to four! What was wrong with his followers? Unbeknownst to him, in the chaos, he did not notice that Regulus Black and Severus Snape were not putting their all into the fight. Twice already Regulus had blocked harmful spells that had almost hit Charlus.
Severus was too concentrated on watching Lily and making sure that she was safe to really go after the others. Although he certainly would not have minded getting the best of James Potter.
As if the room wasn't already chaotic enough, tornado-like winds blew through and began whipping the occupants around like ragdolls. There were fires, explosions, loud winds, and Severus almost lost sight of Lily as she ducked behind an arm chair and then dashed back out to take on Rodolphus.
With a start he saw that Charlus Potter was dead. On the floor, white as a ghost, no blood. He knew it had been a killing curse. That was the one thing that couldn't be blocked. It appeared as though Voldemort had finally entered the fight.
Severus's heart sped up rapidly. He couldn't let Lily die. Not like this. Not ever if he could help it. Pride swelled in him when he saw that she had gotten the better of Rodolphus and was now winning a duel against Rabastan. But she wouldn't survive this once Voldemort reached her.
A curse knocked Lily Evans to the floor and pain seared through her. The Cruciatus Curse was worse than fire through the bones. The pain stopped abruptly and Severus was over her. Always her guardian angel it seemed.
His hand grasped her forearm roughly and she was torn from the room. They landed in a dark cold place she recognized. The playground in Cokeworth where they'd first met.
"Severus….how?" she asked as her whole body shook in cold as well as aftershocks from the curse. "There were spells to prevent Disapparation…"
"Clever spells put in place by the Dark Lord. Anyone with a Dark Mark would be able to do as they please."
Lily did not know what a 'dark mark' was nor did she care. Severus turned to leave but Lily screamed at him, "WAIT! Severus! Please! Go back for James!"
"No," he told her coldly. She fell to her knees then dropped her face into the dirt sobbing.
"Please, Severus, please, I will do anything," her cries tore at him worse than any physical wound and he looked at her pathetic form on the ground, begging for the life of her fiancé.
"Why?"
"I love him," she sobbed. "I love him and I need him, Severus. Please."
Severus understood those feelings all too well. They were his feelings for her. "Shit," he growled and Disapparated.
Lily Evans waited with bated breath. Every second felt like an eternity. Had Severus fled, leaving her alone and helpless? Or had he gone back for James? Her pulse was pounding in her ears. How long should she wait? How long until she accepted her beloved as being dead?
There was a crack and James appeared in front of her but Severus wasn't in sight. James was injured, on the ground with a gash through his chest. Bellatrix did favor slicing hexes. Lily rushed to him, threw a cloak over his unconscious form and Apparted them both to St. Mungo's.
….
There was a scream of rage when Voldemort discovered James and Lily had somehow escaped. Nobody knew of Severus's hand in it. Bellatrix was furious, believing that she had killed the filthy blood traitor son, James, but his body was nowhere to be found in the wreckage.
The house elves that were known to belong to the Potters had not appeared during the fight and the only conclusion any of them could draw was that the house elves had helped James and Lily escape through secret passages in the house.
Still. Voldemort counted it a victory as he sent his Mark up into the sky over the manor. His goal had been accomplished. Charlus and Dorea Potter were dead.
…..
James Potter never did anything halfway. The wedding was massive and Lily wondered how on earth James knew so many people. Every member of the Order of the Phoenix was in attendance. As were many of the Gryffindor students and their families who Lily only vaguely recognized. And even more wizarding relatives of James's. Some of which were foreign and Lily wasn't sure what accent they had but their English wasn't very good.
Fabian and Gideon Prewett had brought along their sister, Molly, her husband Arthur, and their three eldest sons. Their almonst-one-year-old twins they had left at home with a babysitter.
Sirius was James's best man and only groomsman. Lily had let Mary and Alice decide who would be her maid (or matron) of honor and Mary had been the winner. It was fitting with Mary's personality more so than Alice's to help with the planning and be involved in the parties.
James hadn't talked much about his parent's deaths since the night it had happened. They'd had a joint funeral and were buried on the property of Potter Manor. Shockingly James had not inherited the Manor or the house elves which still appeared to be MIA.
James had, however, inherited the fortune left to him from his parents and he knew he would need it. The war was getting worse and he knew it would only be a matter of time before they would have to go into hiding. Aside from his parents, Benjy Fenwick had also died in the past month yet they were no closer to catching Voldemort.
There was talk about Bartemius Crouch authorizing the use of the Unforgivable Curses on Death Eaters by Aurors but so far it was just talk. Their orders, according to Mary, were still to capture only and not kill. The only problem as once they were captured Voldemort would simple set them free again.
The reason Dumbledore had created the Order of the Phoenix in the first place was because he knew from the beginning that the Ministry would blunder things. They followed Dumbledore not only because of his wisdom but also his experience. Everybody knew that he had defeated Gellert Grindelwald and that Voldemort had not quite yet caught up to Grindelwald in the number of murders committed.
James's reaction to seeing Lily walk up the aisle was even better than she had imagined that day in the dress shop. As if she were the most beautiful and incredible thing he'd ever seen.
It was, by far, the most magical day of Lily's life. And considering the fact that she was a witch says a lot.
…..
"You're going on a late honeymoon," Professor Dumbledore announced unceremoniously as he stepped over the threshold into the Potter home and brandished two muggle plane tickets at them.
"What?" Lily asked at the same time as James asked, "Where?"
"France. I have arranged everything."
"I still don't understand," Lily crossed her arms over her chest in a pose James knew usually wasn't a good sign. "There's something going on."
"Nothing that I believe you need to worry too much about. However, it seems that since the incident at your parents' home, James, the Death Eaters want you both very badly. They have located your place of residence and one of my sources has reported that they will come for you this weekend."
"Going away for a honeymoon won't stop them from coming after us," James disagreed. "Why don't we stay here and set traps for them?"
Dumbldore knew how important James and Lily were. He knew that it was destined to be their son who would overthrow Voldemort. He couldn't risk losing them before Harry was born. "It is my intention to fake your deaths. There will be record of you flying to France," he again held up the plane tickets. "I will stage a tragic accident while you are away and then I will smuggle you both back home with a friend of mine who deals in illegal dangerous creatures smuggling."
"Is it Hagrid?" inquired James wryly.
A peal of laughter escaped from Lily before she could clap a hand over her mouth. Dumbledore just raised his eyebrows.
"No," replied Dumbledore, ignoring the sarcasm that had been clear in the question, "His name is Hans. We will hold a memorial service for you both here but not a funeral since I will be sure to arrange the accident so that no bodies were recovered."
Lily, knowing that there were no limits to Dumbledore's plans when it came to stopping Voldemort, had to ask, "You're not really going to kill some innocent muggles, are you?"
"Of course not," Dumbledore did look genuinely surprised – and was that hurt? "I want Voldemort stopped at almost any cost, Mrs. Potter, but the lives of innocents would never be worth that to me. Do you trust me?"
James and Lily looked at each other, linked hands, and it was James who said confidently, "Yes."
….
They were in France for one week and Lily was on cloud nine. Why couldn't they just stay here forever? Voldemort's influence had not yet reached this place and everyone they met in wizarding Paris was beyond pleasant to her.
Very few people knew that this was all just a hoax. Dumbledore, Sirius, Remus, Mary, Peter, Marlene McKinnon, Frank, Alice, the Prewett brothers, Amelia Bones, and perhaps a couple of others if any of them had told anyone that James and Lily didn't know of.
According to one of Dumbledore's spies, Lord Voldemort had been furious to find their home empty. So furious that he completely destroyed all of their possessions inside. When he heard of their "accident" while in France he had called it 'poetic justice' and insisted this was proof that fate favored him. After hearing this, Lily Potter had muttered the muggle phrase, "Three strikes and you're out," as this had been the third time they'd thoroughly pissed off Lord Voldemort.
Upon their return Sirius, Remus, Mary, Peter, Alice, Frank, and Marlene arrived to help them clean up the devastation that was their home.
Marlene had taken to hanging out with them often. It hadn't bothered them since they all liked Marlene but it did sometimes feel like she was trying to take Luna's place which felt awkward to them all – especially Sirius, who she seemed to take a liking to.
…
Albus Dumbledore knew that there was a spy close to the Potters who was relaying news and messages to Lord Voldemort. Only one month after their return from France Lord Voldemort was aware that he had been fooled and that the Potters lived. However, it seemed for the time being, his attention had been diverted to the Ministry and he didn't have time to fool with what he considered to be petty inconveniences. The only problem was that there were several people who could be spies. The brilliant mind of Dumbledore had sorted through all of the possibilities.
Mary MacDonald and Remus Lupin could be in it together – she was a pureblood and could be a Voldemort sympathizer. Lupin was a werewolf who spent a lot of time with those who believed that Voldemort would treat them better than the current administration.
Then there was Marlene McKinnon though Dumbledore doubted she would be the spy. Her parents were also in the Order and she lived with them. Plus some of the information the spy was giving to his/her master was information Marlene was not privy to.
Frank and Alice Longbottom could also be in it together but again, Dumbledore almost immediately dismissed them as potential spies. Though both were purebloods, Alice's mother had been murdered by Death Eaters and both seemed much too kind to be inclined to murder.
Sirius Black, to Dumbledore, was the obvious spy. His entire family were Dark Lord supporters and his own brother had joined up. Then there was the fact that he had recently suffered a great loss which had turned him bitter, colder, more reserved. Perhaps it had planted a darkness inside of him which he was starting to embrace.
Somehow he did not even consider Peter. It seemed that most people didn't.
….
The day that Lily Potter found out she was pregnant was the best and worst day of her life. Best because despite what lay ahead she was happy. Worst because she knew what lay ahead.
How did she tell James? They had been married for almost one year. It was December of 1979. Christmas was right around the corner and their darling little boy would be born in, approximately, late July.
Thankfully James was at work while Lily wandered aimlessly around their house. She had quit her job six months previously because it was becoming too dangerous for her to go out in public in the wizarding community. Godric's Hollow was filled with magical families and Lily noticed that more and more parents weren't allowing their children to play outside.
She had recently taken a shining to Mrs. Bagshot who lived close by. She'd had Lily over for tea a couple of times while James was working and it had been she who had suggested that Lily take a pregnancy test potion.
Lily tried to envision James's reaction but she truly had no idea what he would say or do. Be happy she silently begged please be happy.
This hadn't been planned. They knew that they would have one son; Harry. That he would be a year old when Voldemort would kill James and Lily. They had still wanted a child of course. James insisted that they could and would find a way around their fate. But just in case they decided to give it more time. Neither wanted a child right now. However, Harry was coming whether they were ready or not.
Lily was exceptionally quiet all day. She turned down an invitation from Mrs. Bagshot. Alice had stopped by and Lily was distracted through the whole conversation. Apparently Gideon and Fabian Prewett were causing a stir and Dumbledore was worried about the two of them becoming Voldemort's next targets.
When James finally arrived home she silently put dinner on the table and they sat down together. "What is wrong?" he finally asked after spearing a green bean off of her plate without her noticing.
"I…nothing, dear, nothing," she shook her head and reached for the pitcher of water on the table before realizing she'd already poured herself a glass.
James frowned. "Lily…this isn't nothing. I know you are probably feeling crazy being cooped up in this house all day. We agreed that it was too dangerous for you to hold a job but you can visit anyone you'd like. Why don't you floo over to Mary's tonight? Remus is out of town and I bet she'd love the company. You haven't spoken to your sister since that one attempted phone call a few months back, why don't you visit her?"
Lily knew that James must really love her deeply to suggest she spend time with Petunia and feeling this loved by her husband overwhelmed her in that moment and she busted into tears.
"Lily!" James leapt up, went around the small round table, and took her into his arms. "Please talk to me, love."
"I love you," she told him while burying her face into his shirt.
"I love you, too," he kissed her deep red hair and breathed in the delicious scent of it. How did she have the power to make him weak at the knees after all of these years? He'd loved her since he was eleven years old and he would love her until the day he died. Hell, he'd love her even after death.
"Things have been going pretty well with the two of us, don't you think?" she asked a moment later, when she had collected herself enough to look him in the eye.
"Yes. I know it's probably lonely for you and sometimes I feel like I'm not enough but-"
She put a finger over his lips. "I just meant…you and I make a great duo. But how would you feel about making us a trio?"
She took his large hand in hers and slid it down to place it over her abdomen. James's eyes widened behind his wire framed glasses almost comically. Lily smiled then as she saw the emotions play across his face. Shock. Disbelief. Worry. Joy. So much joy. Then James was laughing and kissing her face. "We're going to have a baby? We're going to have a baby! Sweet Merlin…I'm going to be a dad!"
They were both crying. Happy tears and tears of worry. The small Potter family was growing and James was determined to keep them all safe.
….
Mary was dead. Remus was living with them now and Mary was dead. They had suffered losses in the Order but nothing that hit as close to home as this. Mary was dead.
Lily thought of Mary circling the Quidditch pitch in her bra and knickers. Of the way her long blonde hair was always so windblown after a game. Mary with her wand brandished above her head and accidentally spraying herself with a jet of water instead of the warming spell she was practicing.
Brave beautiful Mary.
How could they go on without Mary? They had barely managed to go on without Luna. Sirius had never been the same. He was more reclusive now and went on many reckless missions for the Order. Would Remus become as careless? Would they all die before this was over?
It wasn't until months after the funeral that Lily got up enough courage to face her future. She would not let anyone else she loved die as Mary had. At the very least she would keep her family safe.
Lily knew very little of what was to happen to her. For some reason Voldemort would come after them. He would murder Lily and James but Harry would survive. How? She knew better than to believe that Voldemort would leave him out of the goodness of his heart. No, Lily knew that Harry was destined to be hit with a killing curse and survive it. Luna had let that slip one evening while they'd been discussing scars while getting tipsy at the Hogs Head.
It was a bright morning when she left the safety of her home in Godric's Hollow to fly to Scotland. Well, she would fly part of the way then Apparate. She wanted to fly just to feel the air on her cheeks. To remind herself that she was alive.
When she finally reached Hogwarts it felt a lot like coming home. Memories of Mary were even stronger here but Lily pushed them back. It was May now and all of the students would be up in the castle for classes. She had to wait at the front gates for Hagrid to come down and let her in. Once she was in the castle she marched directly to the Headmaster's study and was unsurprised to find it already opening for her.
"Mrs. Potter," Dumbledore addressed her seriously. "Why is it you have sought me out this morning?"
The tides in the war had turned dramatically in the last year and had taken a toll on all of them. They were losing friends and allies almost daily. Dumbledore was always serious now it seemed and everywhere she looked people were pathetically sad.
"I'm pregnant," she said.
"Ah," Dumbledore eyed her curiously as if still unsure of her purpose in his office. They had all known Lily was pregnant for months now – as if her swollen belly wasn't enough of a giveaway.
"In the future, my son – my only son – gets hit with a killing curse by Voldemort and survives. Can you tell me why this is?"
If this revelation surprised the Headmaster he didn't let it show. "I can only guess," he warned her as he stood from his chair and walked around his desk toward her. "There is ancient powerful magic that Voldemort has no knowledge of because he does not see it as being powerful or useful. There are certain spells and enchantments that can protect one from the Avada Kedavra."
"Like what?" Lily snorted.
"The sacrifice of another life," Dumbledore answered gravely. "Lord Voldemort does not understand love. He cannot comprehend how deeply one can love. Which is why he is ignorant of this type of magic. If another were to sacrifice his or her life for your son's then, under the right circumstances, he would be protected."
"Under what circumstances?"
"There is a potion, which you can take, that would turn you into that sacrifice, Lily. However you would have to be very careful to only take it when you absolutely must. Also, you must not fight Voldemort. If you fight and you lose, which you would, then he will kill you and your family anyway. You must cast yourself between your son and Voldemort without any way of defending yourself."
Lily silently digested this information. "This would save Harry's life?" Dumbledore nodded. "Would it keep him safe from Voldemort forever?"
"I would need to study the matter further. But there are ways I would be able to ensure his safety, yes. If you are the one to make the sacrifice I can call on old blood magic to protect him while he is living with your relatives."
"I don't have any relatives," Lily said suddenly.
"Your sister," he reminded her, "would have to take him in after your death."
"But…but Petunia hates us! She would be cruel to him. I do not want that woman raising my son!"
"It would be his best chance of survival."
"I don't understand. Why does Voldemort want Harry anyway? I thought, from Luna's words and memories, that he would come after James and myself with Harry just getting caught in the crosshairs. But you sound as though Harry will be his real target. I don't understand how he could possibly be concerned with a baby."
"There was a prophecy made to me recently and I believe Harry may be the subject of it. There is a chance of it being someone else…" his thoughts flickered to the Longbottoms. "But if what you are telling me is truth then I can only believe that Harry is the subject of the prophecy."
"What did it say?" Lily asked the question but her tone implied she'd really rather not know.
"It doesn't matter," Dumbledore dismissed her question. "What matters is that Voldemort has also heard this prophecy I am sure. One of his Death Eaters overheard the prophecy as well. I assure you, he will want to kill Harry. You and James will be counted merely as collateral damage."
"Alright, tell me exactly what I have to do and how to make this potion."
…..
James knew nothing of Lily's secret meetings with Dumbledore which happened regularly as he helped her brew the most complex potion she'd ever encountered. Just to make the potion would take seven months.
She was in the hospital visiting Alice with her newborn Neville when she went into labor herself. James was already in the hospital working when he was called up to the maternity ward. Everything happened quickly and Lily was thankful for that. Just a few hours after midnight she'd given birth to Harry.
A tuft of jet black hair just like his father's on the top of his head and almond shaped green eyes. On July 31, 1980, Lily Potter held her son against her chest and wept nearly all day, alternating between joy and sorrow.
…..
"It is confirmed," Dumbledore told them, "that your family has become Voldemort's next mission."
"This is it then," James patted Lily's knee in comfort as she bounced Harry on her lap. "We'll do our best to be ready for him."
"I would like to immediately perform a Fidelius Charm. You're both aware of how it works?" Dumbledore extracted his wand. He trusted no other witch or wizard to be the Secret Keeper for the Potters. It must be him.
"We're aware. I will owl Sirius right now and ask him to come over," James reached for a quill as Dumbledore sat shaking his head.
"No, James, I will be your Secret Keeper."
"With all due respect, Headmaster, Sirius is like a brother to me. I trust him with my life. I can trust him with this."
"James," Dumbledore interrupted gravely. "There is someone close to you who is a spy for Lord Voldemort. I have known this for quite some time now and I have narrowed down the only possibilities to Remus, Alice, or Sirius."
"And you believe it's Sirius?" Lily asked incredulously. "He's married to our granddaughter! He would never do anything to harm us or Harry!"
"Perhaps he would. He does, after all, have the most motivation. Have you not noticed how much he changed after his beloved left? How reserved and bitter he has become? It is my guess that he resents having met her and fallen in love with her at all. It is likely that he believes if you three are dead then she will never have existed."
"That's crazy," James argued. "Get out of my house, Albus. I never want to hear another word against Sirius ever again!"
James was on his feet, wand in hand, angry nostrils flaring. Because Dumbledore had been right about Sirius's shocking and worrying personality change but he was still the same Sirius and he still loved James and Lily as if they were his flesh and blood family. James was sure of this. Willing to bet the lives of his entire family on it.
"Very well," Dumbledore was clearly angry as he stormed from the home, the windows and doors rattling as he passed by them and the front door slamming shut in his wake.
…..
Sirius stayed with the Potter's for every holiday after Luna left, and bought Harry the best of everything. He even bought him his very first toy broomstick. However, he had to send that gift by owl because he was undercover at the time doing work for the Order.
James came to him one night and they met secretly in the alley behind the Hog's Head. "James?" Sirius hissed in a whisper, "What's wrong?"
"Dumbledore came to us this evening," he whispered to his best friend, sounding panicked, "and said that the Dark Lord is after our son. I still don't know why, Sirius, but Voldemort wants Harry and he will stop at nothing to get to him."
"Is this it then?" asked Sirius wryly, scratching his chin roughly, where stubble was growing in. It had been a while since he had last shaved. "That's why Voldemort kills you and Lily, just like Lu-Lu said."
"So it would seem," said James sadly, "but that doesn't mean I'm giving up. Our best chance of survival is the Fidelius Charm. You're aware of how it works?"
"I am."
"Will you be our Secret Keeper, Sirius?"
"No."
"What?" James was shocked.
"James, that isn't practical, and you know it. Voldemort knows how close we are. He would naturally assume that I am your Secret Keeper. Not to mention the fact that I am currently doing some very dangerous work myself; what happens if I die?" Sirius shook his head, "I can't risk it. You should ask Peter."
"Peter?"
"Yes. He's close enough to you that he would keep the secret, but distant enough that Voldemort would not assume he was your Secret Keeper."
"Why not Remus?"
Sirius' expression darkened at this, "James, someone has been leaking information to Voldemort. Someone on the inside. We both know that Remus spends a lot of time around other werewolves. Namely Fenrir Greyback."
"You don't think…not Moony?" James asked incredulously.
"It's just a guess," replied Sirius, "but out of everyone on our side, he would have the biggest motive and the biggest opportunity."
"You might be right," James sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. He didn't look old enough to be facing such problems, and he wasn't. He was barely in his 20's. "I'll talk to Wormtail straight away. I'm sure he will agree to help us. Dumbledore will help hide him as well."
"I plan on going into hiding soon myself. As soon as I finish my mission, I'll be number one on Voldemort's most wanted list, so I plan on lying low for a while."
"Good luck, mate," Sirius and James shook hands, both of them knowing deep down that it would be the last time they would see each other alive. If they had interpreted Lu-Lu's memories correctly, something was bound to go wrong. James would die and Sirius would live, but they still had no idea how those things would come to pass.
"Good luck, brother," said Sirius, pulling James in for a hug.
"If something happens…" James' eyes darkened, "If Lily and I don't make it. Please, take care of Harry."
"I will protect him with my life," Sirius vowed.
"I know you will, mate, I know you will," James spun on the spot and with a crack he was gone.
….
Lily Evans was prepared each and every night. She would use the muggle telephone to ring Wormtail and make sure he was doing alright. His home had also been put under the Fidelius Charm. Although Lily knew he ventured out on occasion.
It must have been hard for him, she reasoned, to live completely alone. At least she had James and Harry. Peter had nobody. Lily frowned but was silently glad Sirius hadn't been their Secret Keeper. Because if Voldemort would reach them then that could only mean he would get ahold of (and torture) the informant.
None of them had ever paused to suspect Peter Pettigrew as the traitor.
Tonight was Halloween. Lily held Harry up to the window to watch all of the children parade around in costumes up and down the street. Harry giggled for a while and when he got bored Lily handed him off to James while she got his pajamas ready.
She would read Harry a story, put him to bed, then call Peter. When James handed Harry back off to Lily he yawned as he watched the duo disappear up the stairs and tossed his wand onto the couch.
….
Lily was upstairs with Harry when she heard the bang and James's command for her to take Harry and go. Voldemort was there. James would hold him off. But they both knew that he wouldn't. Almost immediately Lily heard the hissed curse and the dull thud of James's body hitting the floor; dead.
The only thing that kept her from freezing in horror was that she knew she wouldn't have time to mourn. Her minutes left on this Earth were dwindling down. Quick as she could she brought out the vial of potion she'd stored in Harry's nursery. She downed it in three quick swallows and threw the empty glass out the open window.
Instinctively she brought her wand up before remembering that she could not defend herself if this was to work; Dumbledore's master plan to save her son. To keep herself from even attempting any spells Lily took her wand in both hands, promptly snapped it in half, and chucked it out the window as well.
Trying to delay for as long as possible she began shoving furniture in front of the door but Voldemort was already up the stairs. He came in swiftly, like leaves on an autumn wind. Nothing could have prepared her for the terror she felt.
Knowing that in a few short moments Lord Voldemort would be alone in a room with her son was the worst possible scenario she could've imagined. Yet she'd always known it was coming.
She begged him, pleaded, and he kept trying to push her aside. No! Why wouldn't he kill her? She had to die as a martyr, in Harry's place, for this to work. Finally, in a frantic attempt, she dove between them and Voldemort's wand was upon her. It was with simultaneous relief and despair that she was hit with the Killing Curse.
James and Lily, dead in their home, would soon be discovered alongside a screaming infant Harry who had no idea what sort of future was in store for him.