Chapter 1:
Harry smiled as he watched his children play outside. He couldn't believe how old they were all getting. James was entering his second year of Hogwarts. He had begged for a broom so that he could try out of Quidditch. Unknown to him, Ginny and Harry had bought and hid his new broomstick. They were both hoping he'd make the team as their old position. Ginny had even proposed a bet. Albus their youngest boy, was about to celebrate his tenth birthday. Every time James brought up Hogwarts he'd frown, wishing he was a year older and heading for his first year. Harry's youngest was Lily, who was seven. She had fiery red hair like her mother and the attitude to match. Harry continued to watch his children for a few more minutes, before going to his office to finish some paperwork.
Unknown to the Potters a man was hidden in the forest behind their house. He lay flat on his stomach, hidden among the trees and bushes. He watched carefully as the children played. The boys were throwing a quaffle back and forth and the girl was climbing the slide of their playset. The man kept his eyes on the Potters, especially Harry Potter, who stood at the back glass door.
Potter would pay a high price for what he'd done. It had taken years, but the man finally had a plan of revenge for his Dark Lord. The man smiled as Harry moved from the glass door.
Albus caught the quaffle, before turning to a rustling he heard from the woods. He held the quaffle tight against his chest as he took a step towards the tree line. He quickly turned back to James. He felt his stomach drop, he wasn't sure why.
"I think we should go in." Albus said quietly. James looked concerned at his brother. He could see fear in his eyes and nodded before taking a few steps towards his baby sister. Lily was swinging on the monkey bars. She was the closest to the woods.
"Lily." James called. "Come on. Let's go in." Lily dropped gracefully to the ground. She was puzzled by her brother's expression, but decided to agree. The three turned their backs to the woods.
Suddenly Lily screamed. James and Albus turned to see a man grab her from behind, his hand over her mouth.
"Let her go!" Albus screamed, throwing a nearby stick at the man. James ran towards the house screaming for his father. He had left his wand on the deck and grabbed it before turning back. The man was less than a foot from him, his siblings tied up on the ground, not moving.
"Try me Potter." The man said, but his eyes moved past James'.
Harry sighed as he heard a scream from the backyard. He rubbed his temples before standing up. He had hoped the three of them wouldn't fight long enough for him to finish his memo. Once again, he was wrong.
"Let her go!" Harry heard Albus scream. Harry picked up the pace.
"Dad! Dad!" James screamed. He sounded panicked. Harry ran through the kitchen and through the back door. He froze, reaching for his wand only to realize he left it on his desk.
"Try me Potter." A man in his twenties grinned at Harry. He was in all black and held his wand up. Harry took a step toward the man and his son. The man grabbed James by the arm and pulled him towards him, stabbing him in the neck with his wand.
"Try me." He said through clenched teeth.
"Please. Don't hurt him." The man sneered.
"Too late." With that he spun on the spot, he and James disappeared into a cloud of black dust. The cloud moved towards Lily and Albus.
"No!" Harry screamed as he ran to his youngest children. He lunged to them as they disappeared.
A short story I hope you enjoy, let me know your thoughts