OCTOBER 31ST, 1981 - GODRIC'S HOLLOW

"Lily, take the kids and go! It's him! Go! RUN! I'll hold him off!" shouted James Potter as the menacing hooded figure approached him from the front door, having blasted it open seconds ago.

The young Potter family had been taken by surprise that night. They had been preparing their two small children for bed after a quiet but enjoyable evening of Halloween activities that Lily had planned for them. She had insisted they celebrate the holiday for the children regardless of their own dampened spirits caused by the war raging outside and their inability to step out of the home to do their part.

So Lily had transfigured Harry's clothes into a pumpkin costume, much to James' amusement, and their eldest had donned his old Gryffindor Quidditch jersey now a memento of easier times. Her mother had used a Shrinking charm on the large jersey to fit the three-year-old and both young parents watched her run around the family room pretending to be the Gryffindor Chaser. "Like daddy!" she had delightfully squealed.

The couple's Hogwarts days seemed like decades ago yet it had only been a few years. War had aged the young wizard and his wife mentally. They had graduated, married, and become parents only to be thrown into war.

Shortly after the birth of their daughter, the Potters and their friends joined and began training and fighting for the Order in addition to James' Auror training at the academy and Lily's Healer program at St. Mungos. This had caused them to often leave their infant daughter in their parents' care. As the war worsened and grew deadlier, the Potters became full-time Order members facing battle after battle and raid after raid against the growing number of Death Eaters.

Then both their parent's died.

Fleamont and Euphemia Potter contracted Dragon Pox and were taken by the illness shortly after. The Evans passed away a year later, Elizabeth Evans went first after a hard battle with ovarian cancer and her husband, unable to find happiness without his wife, passed away three months later in a peaceful sleep. The small family was beyond devasted but when Lily became pregnant again everything changed. That prophecy changed everything. It was unfair to their children to live in hiding and in fear of their lives over their parent's involvement in the Order and their defiance against the Dark Lord. Their defiance that ultimately marked their youngest child, Harry, before his birth with a death sentence. So they hid in the enchanted confinements of Godric's Hollow; it had been a year.

Tonight was different. They wouldn't focus on the war raging outside. They were together and alive so they celebrated, baking pumpkin pasties and carving pumpkins that their dear friend, Peter, had dropped by earlier that week. Lily hid chocolate frogs around the house, her daughter's favorite, and watched her as she led her father in the search. She located the hidden candy instantly and handed each box to James before running to the next spot. There wasn't much they could keep from her anymore, each year she was stronger.

The Potters were ending the night together in the sitting room. James conjured colorful smoke and bubbles for his children's amusement before Lily collected them for bed. Once his children and wife were upstairs, James had leaned back on the sofa, stretching his arms out as Lily's cat, Clove, took the opportunity to jump up and curled onto his lap. He contently and lazily scratched behind her ear relaxing his body into the sofa.

Lily's plans had been an enjoyable distraction.

For the first time since they had gone into hiding, they felt like a happy, normal family celebrating a holiday- completely at ease. They couldn't step outside the house but, at least, here they were safe and together. They were protected by Dumbledore and their friends.

But the war had found the Potters that night.

Peter betrayed us!

This was the thought in James' head as he faced Voldemort, unarmed having minutes ago thrown his wand down on the couch after playing with his children. The surprise attack left him with no time to properly react. James had sprung to his feet, unconcerned for the cat who ran off scared and hissing, as the front door was blasted open. He had initially been confused by it. What the bloody hell was happening?! He ran to the door and saw him; tall, menacing, and hooded. Those bloodshot eyes gleaming nefariously from that waxy, pale, gaunt face and the realization of their perilous situation set in.

He was going to die tonight.

James yelled for his wife to run.

Why hadn't he picked up his wand?!

There was no point in running back, he would be dead before he could even turn away and he was not turning away! The young wizard knew that this would be the last face he would see so he thought of his wife and their two children. He imagined their faces to power his courage and prayed to whatever superior force that they would escape tonight.

"You won't win!" He shouted at him. If he was going to die he would die getting the last word in. "Go ahead and kill me, you ugly cunt! But you'll never win!"

Voldemort only smiled sinisterly amused at the young man's foolish display of courage.

"ACCIO WAND!" shouted James challenging all his magic from his body to achieve the wandless spell in seconds.

The mahogany wand came flying into his hand which he then pointed at the Dark Lord's direction making slashing movements as James' cast Sectumsempra.

However, the Dark Lord was too quick and too powerful. With a raise of his wand, Voldemort blocked the curse, sending back the Cruciatus Curse which was blocked. However, Voldemort had done this to purposely distract the wizard for, at the moment James expertly blocked the curse, the Dark Lord cast the Killing Curse so quickly there was no time to react.

The burst of green light hit James square on the chest and he held on desperately to the image of his family as his knees gave away and his surroundings began darkening and fading.

Lily. Rose. Harry.

Those were his last thoughts as he fell over succumbing to the fatal curse and, in seconds, James Potter's short life ended.

Lily heard the heavy thud downstairs, followed by silence, and immediately knew she had just heard James die. She was shaking but she couldn't dwell on it right now. She didn't have much time, she had to be quick!

He would be making his way upstairs now; the rocking chair and drawer she pushed up against the nursery door would only hold him back for so long; if at all. Quickly, she shook away the thought of James's lifeless body downstairs and grabbed her daughter's hand. She led her to the nursery closet, hastily slid the door open, and placed the small girl in between the hanging coats.

"Stay in here, Rosie!" Lily urgently instructed the small red-head. "You have to be quiet no matter what! Whatever you hear, whatever you see...," she was shaking as she spoke, her voice threatening to break,"..don't come out!"

She looked into her daughter's hazel eyes, so like her father's, and took in every feature and detail of her beautiful face. Her Rosie was scared and confused, Lily saw it in her eyes and it broke her heart to feel so helpless. The young mother doubted she would survive tonight but her children had to!

"I love you so much, Rosie." she choked out as she embraced her eldest and placed a kiss on her rosy, plump cheek then one more on her forehead before sliding the door closed.

'Please don't look. No matter what you hear!' she thought.

Lily sprung over to Harry's crib where he sat watching the curious interaction between his mother and sister. As his mother approached the infant reached out his small, chubby arms to her. Lily silently wept as she scooped up Harry and held him close to her chest taking in his scent and the feeling of him in her arms. Then the nursery door was blown open. The rocking chair and drawers flew across the room as the Dark Lord entered. Lily, with her back to the door, had shielded Harry with her body and silently prayed the noise had not scared Rose out of her hiding place.

She kept her back to Voldemort and gently set Harry down in his crib. She was also unarmed having left her wand on the bathroom sink after bathing both children. What could she do now? She could only think of one thing left to do.

"Step aside, girl!" Voldemort snarled as he took a few steps towards the young woman.

Lily composed herself before turning and coming face-to-face with the murderous Dark Lord. "Please, not Harry." she pleaded, tears streaming down her face.

"Step aside, foolish girl!" Voldemort warned viciously. "You need not die tonight!"

No! She couldn't live knowing she had given up her child.

"Not Harry! Please, take me! Kill me instead!" She begged desperately. Perhaps if she kept him talking the Order would arrive. "Please!" she pleaded again feeling Harry's little hands behind her pull at her tresses.

"This is my last warning..." Voldemort snarled impatiently raising his wand at her chest.

This was it.

"Not Harry!" She pleaded again her tears cascading down her face. "Please...have mercy...have mercy...Not Harry! Please! I'll do anything-" she continued losing all composure and all pride.

Voldemort growled in frustration before bringing his wand down in one swift motion followed by a second blast of bright, green light that night.

Lily Potter's lifeless body hit the floor with the same sickening, heavy thud as her husband.

Rose Potter silently watched from a gap in the sliding closet door as her mother fell to the wizard's curse and did not get back up despite her eyes remaining open. She watched as the unfamiliar wizard looked down at her. "Stupid Mudblood!" he spat angrily. 'He won't like this. It's clear where his ridiculous infatuation stemmed from, she was rather attractive for a Mudblood but least now he could let go of that obsession.' the Dark Lord mused.

'Is mummy asleep?' Rose wondered.

"Who's there?" shouted the wizard suddenly then, upon remembering the Potter's eldest child, twisted his cruel face into a smile, "Come out, child!" he ordered ready to strike her down.

He had heard her thoughts! Rose had never met anyone else who shared her gift. But this man did and he was asking to meet her.

Mummy had made it clear to not step out of the closet but the grown-up was telling her to come out and Mummy wasn't getting up from the floor to tell her not to. Rose decided to listen to the strange wizard and slowly slid the closet door open timidly stepping out into the Dark Lord's view. She looked up at his towering figure taking in his skull-like waxy features and hypnotic bloodshot eyes and at the wand that was raised in his hand. He scared her but her parents had taught her to be polite despite appearances.

'Is my mummy sleeping, sir?' she thought as she felt the wizard access her mind. The small child was unable to do the same as the wizard had a strong mental shield surrounding his thoughts. Rose had never met anyone who could do that before!

The wizard heard this and had felt the girl's futile attempt to enter his mind. He smirked wickedly and lowered his wand, "Gifted little one, aren't you?" he said smoothly. "It's a relief to see the taint in your blood did not hinder your magic. We'll need that for future generations. It would certainly be a waste of magical potential to dispose of you." Voldemort looked down at the child. He wasn't one to spare his victims but the child's power enticed him.

Natural born Legilimens were rare, there were one or two recorded births per century, and the capabilities of their magical gift had yet to be fully understood, studied, and tested. However, there was no denying that it was a useful power. If he spared the girl it could be used for his will. He could experiment with testing its limits and strengths; push it to seize full control of the mind, alter it, exploit it, and even destroy it from within. The human mind was a mystery and even he, the greatest trained Legilimens of all time, had yet to fully unravel it. A child and future soldier under his service and tutelage possessing this mental power would be an assest...a weapon!

The child was also beautiful and he did always like taking pretty and special trophies. The girl's eyes were like honey, her lips pink and full; and her skin was so fair and milky stained with light pink at each cheek. Her complexion contrasted beautifully against the dark red loose curls that fell down to her shoulders.

She was a better version of her mother. A powerful version. A true-born witch who, in time, would become powerful under his guidance and possess all the desirability of a woman.

"Such a waste," He repeated.

She would be spared, he decided right then and there as he could not dispose of this magical child. He would take her with him after he was done here and adopt her as his ward. He would not raise her himself but grant that honor to the right magical family. In fact, he already had one in mind who could afford the to raise the child in wealth and luxury as well as instill all Pureblood traditions and ways. Most importantly, as his most trusted and valued followers, they would teach the child to be utterly devoted to him.

Yes, it would work, Lucius would gratefully accept this task without question, not that he would be given a choice to decline. After all, Malfoy Manor was the best and worthy home for him to keep his new little ward.

Narcissa had a natural aptitude for motherhood, came from the ancient and noble House of Black, and was Bella's younger sister. She would make a far better mother figure to the girl than the dead Mudblood could have ever hoped to have been.

The Dark Lord looked over at the child's mother to admire their resemblance once more before thinking amusingly of Severus. 'He'll thank me later.'

"Your mother is dead." he finally answered coldly.

The girl didn't react but kept her eyes fixed on him.

"Your father is dead." Voldemort continued, "Your brother will soon be dead too. And you, little one, will live under my new regime for I, Lord Voldemort, am a merciful and kind lord. You will obey me and train to fight for me, your Dark Lord. You will live to serve me and our cause. In return, I will ensure you are cared for and I will teach you how to receive the most out of your power. When you're a woman, you will marry a worthy suitor of my choosing and ensure the continuation of our kind." Voldemort stepped over Lily's body and across the nursery to stand over the girl, towering over her before bending over to be mere inches from her. He brought one long, slender finger to her face, tenderly caressing the soft, rosy cheek before coming to her chin and gently tilting her face upwards to him.

His red eyes bore deep into her golden ones and he could feel her fear and mesmerization, he smirked at the latter.

"However if you're ever foolish enough to seek vengeance, I will be waiting for you," he whispered darkly and with that he allowed the girl to enter his mind, bringing forth all the memories of the lives he ended for her to see. The terror, the screams, the blood; it filled his mind and poured into hers.

Satisfied, Voldemort made his way to the crib where baby Harry sat upright, pulling on the limbs of his stuffed Hippogriff, completely unaware of the horrors that had played out before him. Voldemort looked down at the baby, so this was his great threat. All the trouble of locating this child would finally be put to rest and no one would ever question his invincibility again. He looked over his shoulder to ensure the girl was still watching and found that she had not taken her eyes off him.

Good.

He pointed his wand down at his would-be threat,

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

Green light filled the Potter's house for the third time that night but this time the intended target did not die for the curse backfired onto its caster.

Rose was thrown across the room into the closet door where she fell onto the floor upon impact. Pain. She felt pain, hot pain as if she was being torn apart. She wanted to scream but her mind was flooded with screams from someone else. A man. Her head and body ached from the impact. She cried out for her mother. She was close by. She could hear Harry crying. Was he badly hurt? She was hurt. She cried out for both her parents one last time before succumbing to her head injury and losing consciousness.

.

Harry was still crying. She could hear him faintly in the darkness. His cries grew louder and louder as Rose opened her eyes and slowly regained consciousness. She was on the floor. Harry's crib had been knocked over with him and now he laid tangled in his blankets. Their mother's body remained in the spot where she had fallen. The nursery room had been completely destroyed, the wall separating the room from the hallway no longer stood. The strange wizard was gone. Rose could no longer hear him but he must have been badly hurt. She had felt his pain.

With difficulty, Rose crawled over to Harry and quickly untangled him from his blankets. He was hurt. On his forehead, he had a fresh lightning-shaped cut where blood was seeping out. Rose grabbed the edge of one of his blankets and gently placed it over the blood pressing down firmly as she had seen her mother do countless times whenever she had a skinned knee or elbow. She lifted her hand to check on the cut, the bleeding had ceased somewhat but that was all Rose could do until a grown-up came to help them. She located a pacifier in the crib and placed it in Harry's mouth hoping he would find some comfort in that to stop crying. It worked...for now. Harry never lasted long with the pacifier but Rose didn't know what else to do.

She looked over at her mother's lifeless form and inched her way over to her. Lily's open eyes disturbed the little girl but she yearned to be with her mother. The man said she was dead she remembered. He said daddy was dead too. She looked up at the direction of the empty, silent, dark hallway.

"Daddy!" she called out, too scared to leave the room. She waited for him to respond, holding in her tears as she strained her ears to hear her father's footsteps. But there were none, her call went unanswered.

Daddy always came running when she called for him and she couldn't hear him either. Daddy was always very loud with his thoughts.

They're dead. came a voice from deep in her mind. Little Rose had never heard this voice before but she knew it wasn't lying to her and at least she wasn't alone. She knew what death was, her parents had explained it after her grandparents had died. It meant they were gone forever.

The young redhead returned her gaze to her mother. She had fallen forward when the curse hit her.

Rose gently lifted one of Lily's limp arms to nestle herself next to her mother's still-warm body and closed her eyes allowing herself to drift off into a troubled sleep.