The Night

The Night

"Where's Peter?" Lily asked anxiously. "He should have been here by now."

"I know. Something's not right," James replied.

I almost knew it, Lily thought as she cooed to the baby Harry, who was pressed against her chest protectively. If Sirius hadn't suggested it, I would never have agreed.

James' thoughts coincided with Lily's.

So he's done it. I always wondered why he was so eager to take the job. How I never saw...

"Lily, I want you to go out the back door and run down to the woods. Go to the river," James ordered.

"But, what'll you--"

"Just go. Take Harry with you. Let him have life. Both of you deserve it more than I do."

Lily laid sleeping Harry in her love's arms. James shook his head, but bravely kissed his son's forehead. He stood, returned Harry to his mother, and squared his shoulders. He pulled Lily to him and embraced her lovingly, kissing her on the head and cheeks. Then he gave her one last kiss on the lips.

"I love you Lily. Now go."

"I love you too. Goodb--" the words died in her throat as she heard the back door open and shut quietly.

"Run," whispered James. Lily nodded and cradled Harry to her chest, running quietly into the front hall. She bit her lip, undecided.

James, oh James, no. No, I cant' go. If I go, then...No. I won't. But Harry? If I don't live, Harry surely won't. But he can. He's strong. I know...But I can't do that. I can't desert my baby. But my husband. My one and only love. I can't leave him. No. I can't leave him. If I left him here to die, I could never live with myself. Oh, I've never had to make this kind of decision before! Damn it! This is too difficult!

"Lily, run! For god's sake!" James yelled from the living room. He knew she hadn't left.

"But--"

"Run, God damn it! Take Harry and run!" he rarely cursed. "Go now. He's--"

"Here," the cold voice of Lord Voldemort was heard from the other room.

Lily shivered and turned to run out the door. The death sentence was heard from the next room over.

"Avada Kedavra!"

Lily stood frozen. The words shook her heart and chilled her to the bone. She heard a rush of air; saw a flash of brilliant green light that burned her eyes. The house was shaking like it was an earthquake.

I love you, James. I always will, until the day I die. I'll see how long I can postpone that date.

She turned to run. But to no avail. Voldemort had cornered her before she had even taken a step.

"Give him to me," he hissed.

"No!" Lily yelled. "Take me. Take me instead!

"Give him to me."

"Not Harry, not Harry, please not Harry!"

"Stand aside, you silly girl. Give the baby to me. Stand aside now!"

"Not Harry, please no, take me, kill me instead--"

"He must die."

"Not Harry Please...have mercy, have mercy..."

The Dark Lord laughed cruelly and pointed his wand at the sobbing woman.

"Avada Kedavra!" he yelled mercilessly. A brilliant flash of green light issued from the tip and hit the woman in the chest. Her body fell to the floor, Lily's copper hair spread over the wood.

Lord Voldemort pried the baby from her hands and said quietly, "And here it ends. There shall be no Light. Avada Kedavra!"