Summary: In a world where the only hope was in the form of a deceased child, darkness roamed the land. An unlikely hero long thought dead makes an appearance from a different universe…can this alternate dimension be saved?

Chapter One: 'Something Lost'

"I tear my heart open, I sew myself shut
My weakness is that I care too much
And my scars remind me that the past is real
I tear my heart open just to feel."

- 'Scars' by Papa Roach

'It was October 31st, 1996, Halloween. For most witches and wizards this was one of the biggest holidays, and was often celebrated with enthusiasm…all except for the Potters.

To them, it was a nightmare from Hell.

Thirty-five year old Lily Potter tapped her foot uneasily on the hard stone floors, her emerald eyes unsettled. If one looked close enough, they would see a deep sadness etched in the green depths that should not have been allowed on such a young face. To the untrained eye, she was just another edgy statue in the larger picture of war.

It was past five-thirty, and she was impatiently waiting for her husband and obnoxious friend to come back from their dangerous Auror occupation. It was only another worry to add to her anxiety, with a husband as a lead Auror in a full-fledged dangerous war against the darkest Dark Lord history has ever seen. Not only was he a half-hour late from work – it was also Halloween.

"Oh James, where in the world are you?" forty-five minutes later and still no sign of her messy haired man. Sighing Lily decided to just head home and hopes he showed up in the next few hours, or she'd have to contact the authorities again; it was not the first time he had gone missing on some mission and not come home.

Pushing open the door of their manor, the redhead called into the hall, "Wispy?"

In a flash, a House Elf dressed immaculately in a maid's dress with the crest of a capital 'P' on the breast, appeared.

"Misses Potter is home!" The elf Wispy squealed. "But Wispy is wondering where Master Potter is?"

"He's still at work." Lily smiled gently at Wispy, crouching down to her eye level. Even if it was considered 'below wizarding standards' to become even with a House Elf, Lily strongly believed in equal rights, and she treated her House Elf as so. "Is Gwyn still awake?"

"No, no, no, no, no!" Wispy shook her head, offended. "Wispy be a good House Elf and make sure that Misses Gwendolyn gets proper rest. Misses Gwendolyn is sleeping, Master Potter."

"Good." Lily smiled. "And it's Lily. How many times do I have to remind you of that?"

Wispy looked sheepish. "Wispy be told a lot, Master Pott- I be meaning to say, Lily."

Lily straightened up, excusing herself from the hard working Elf. "I'll just be in the Library." It was her place to go whenever things got rough, or her nerves got the best of her. At the moment, she really could do with a nice book and a cup of hot coffee.

Telling this to the House Elf, Lily settled in the spacious room filled with books of all kinds. The smell of aging paper, ink, and fresh books off the press always made her feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. It was a favorite past time hobby of hers to sit back and just read a good book. Lately though, she didn't find as much time to enjoy herself or anything at all really, with the war going on and all.

The war. It was an impending thing on many minds. But being a member of a secret society lead by Albus Dumbledore in order to help bring down the Dark Forces, time of joy was a precious thing, and not found often. Lately the dread of war was growing on her and the people around her in a great frenzy. The air was thick with mistrust and hate; there was no such thing as eye contact or heart-felt smiling anymore.

Ever since that incident all those years ago, her world was flipped upside down. Things in the Wizarding World had twisted rapidly. Lord Voldemort, more commonly known as You-Know-Who and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, was a growing influence and gathered hundreds of servants daily. Together, lead by the senile Dark Lord himself, they wreaked havoc on the place so many lived their lives in, and brought destruction to the already corrupt Wizarding World.

Even though Lily didn't want to admit it, they were fighting a losing battle. Each day Dumbledore lost more defenses and Voldemort gained twice as many. Each day the clock ticked by and people were killed in their homes, just because of how they were born. Each day, more people began to lose hope.

To Lily, what little hope they did have already died. It died on that Halloween, all those years ago.

A quiet 'POP' was heard, and Wispy appeared with a tray laden with fresh coffee. Lily accepted the cup silently, and then proceeded to look outside the dark window, waiting for her husband to arrive home.

James Potter opened the door to the library quietly. He was two hours late, but that couldn't be helped, no matter what he wanted to think. The forces were much stronger then they had anticipated, and after losing more then three quarters of their troop, retreating was the only option. He was thankful, at least, that Sirius and him had made it, though the images of those lost still burned bright in his mind.

James closed the door just as softly behind him. His wife, he knew, would be in a panic, or have fallen into a restless sleep on that favorite armchair of hers. The latter proved to be right. He gently shook her shoulder.

"Lily," He whispered. "I'm home."

A slight flutter of the eyelids, some murmuring, then –

"JAMES POTTER!"

The 35-year-old Auror was attuned to these yells by now, and calmly put a hand over her mouth to stifle her cries.

She stopped instantly, eyes wide and fearful. He knew much of her anger was not directed at him, but the world in which they lived in. Her fear was not lost on him either, and he only had one person to blame for that - Voldemort.

The thought of the madman alone sent shivers of rage and disgust up his spine – along with a chill of fear. The man had committed many distasteful and horrible crimes in the past, but he had also taken something from James, something he would never have back. A baby. A boy. His son.

James didn't think he could ever find it in himself to forgive him for that. Ever.

Lily's body went limp with exhaustion in his arms, and he lifted her slim body effortlessly, carrying her to their room. This was often how their evenings went. The only consolation and contact they got from one another now was during these moments, and brief hugs before duty calls. The sight of each other breathing, slow, normal and healthy breaths, and all in one piece, was more than enough consolation for them both now.

After he tucked her in, he gently tiptoed down to little Gwendolyn's room, peeping through the crack in the door at her sleeping form.

After Harry died, they went through a disastrous period of mixed emotions. None of them knew whom to blame, and all their anger was directed more or less at everyone around them, and each other. It wasn't until four years later, when Gwendolyn came along, did either really settle down. Even then, with the war going on, peace was a rare and precious gift; they held onto whatever they could.

Suddenly, like a ripple spreading through clam waters, a high cold voice broke the silence, streaming around them clear as day.

"So it all comes down to this, doesn't it, Potter?"

Several people paled, and all fell silent, glancing in Harry's direction with mixed emotions. No one dared to step forward and interrupt the legendary battle.

The boy in question felt his stomach coil; the uncomfortable feeling of fear gripping him like a rope. Ron and Hermione watched from outside the protective bubble, holding hands with determined expressions on their faces. Harry's heart lifted slightly.

'If they can hope in a moment like this, so can I.' He thought fiercely, holding his wand aloft with renewed vengeance. 'If I go down, this bastard is going down with me.'

"Not if I can help it." Harry growled. "Expelliarmus!"

At the same time Voldemort yelled; "Avada Kedavra!"

The impact of both spells collided, causing a magical backlash so great; they were blasted off their feet. The last thing Harry knew were the screams of those outside the bubble, then all was black.

To Be Continued...