A/N: My favorite fanfictions have always been the ones that were so AU that they opened up a completely different world. This is just an attempt to add another one to those types of stories.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Summary: AU. Harry's born a girl but registered a boy. Neville's the BoyWhoLived. And oh yeah, there're several more organizations involved in this war than anyone would have guessed. From assassin to leader of "the rising power," life's one deadly game for Harry.

A Deadly Game

Prologue:

Lily's slender fingers moved to slowly caress her swollen abdomen. They were trembling with anxiety and just a touch of fear. "Can you... repeat that?" Oh please. Please let her have heard wrong. It couldn't be.

But then she felt her husband's tight grip crush her arm in a cry for support and she knew that she was not the only one who had heard those dreadful words. She had not heard wrong and it was once more confirmed as the ancient man before them repeated in a sorrowfully calm voice, "I have reason to believe that Voldemort will attack your child."

"No." The denial was a whisper that barely escaped her lips as she wrapped her arms protectively around her abdomen.

"Why?" The masculine voice was strained from beside her. She turned her head to catch her husband card his fingers through his messy mop of thick black hair.

"For reasons I cannot disclose," the old man responded sadly. "All I can tell you is that it is necessary for you to hide under the Fidelius Charm."

Lily sighed in defeat. "It's really serious this time, isn't it?"

"Yes. It is." Albus reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose. It was the first time Lily and James had ever seen the great Albus Dumbledore show any signs of fatigue. He had always been the symbol of calm and confidence.

"Very well." Lily turned to face her husband. "James, let's talk to Sirius about being our secret keeper."

His handsome face was pinched. Lines on his face etched from the war gave him a mature and constantly weary look. The war had truly taken its toll on everyone. "Yes, let's call on Sirius as soon as we get back."

"You should leave now," said Dumbledore. "The sooner you go under the protection of the Fidelius, the better."

"Then good day, Albus." With that, the couple made their way out of the office, shoulders twice as heavy as when they had entered.

-------------------------

"THAT'S BLOODY RIDICULOUS!" Sirius's roar echoed through the entire manor.

The chair that Sirius had been occupying now lay sideways on the floor, a few meters away from where Sirius was currently standing. James and Lily Potter sat bonelessly on the couch across from Sirius. Lily's hands were once again playing with her abdomen.

"Albus has said that we need to hide under the Fidelius Charm," Lily continued anxiously.

"And we would like you to be our secret keeper," finished James.

Sirius paused mid-rant. "You want me to be your Secret Keeper?"

"Unless you don't want to?" James asked, eyes searching his best friends'.

"Of course I want to!" Sirius stalked up to the couch and flopped into the spare seat on the other side of Lily. He wrapped his arms in an uncharacteristically gentle manner around his best friend's wife. "We can't have our little Prongslet killed by that blood-thirsty demon, can we?"

"Yes." James reached over to grasp his friend's hand. "We were thinking of hiding in Godric's Hollow. What do you think? Hardly anyone knows of the place."

"That's definitely the best place. When are you guys going?"

"Now."

-------------------------

"Peter! How good it is to see you! I was just about to look for you." The dim lights of the wizarding bar made Sirius's features look even darker. He downed a glass of fire-whiskey and asked the bartender for another.

A mousy-faced man waded through the thick crowd to reach the bar. "Sirius, how are you? We haven't seen each other for weeks!"

"It's been horrible, Peter." Sirius spared his old friend a grin before downing the new glass of fire-whiskey before him. He moaned as it burned down his throat. Now that really hit the spot.

"Really? What's happened?" Peter's concerned voice was a whisper that barely made it through the light chattering of customers. Immediately, several people glanced in their direction.

"Let's go to... oh god, I can't believe I'm saying this, but let's go to my... house." Sirius slapped down a few galleons and pulled a wrapped chocolate frog from his pockets. Peter immediately set his hand on it as the portkey activated.

12 Grimmauld Place was a strongly fortified manor. It also happened to be extremely large and intimidating with archaic furniture. Those were, at least, Peter's thoughts as he examined the sitting room. Suddenly, a loud wail of "BLOOOOOD TRAIIIIITORS!!!!" interrupted Peter from his reverie. Loud, screechy, and high in pitch, the voice irked him to no end. Thank goodness, though, that it seemed to snap Sirius Black from whatever drunken stupor he had previously been participating in.

"Darn. That's me mum... or what's left of her." Sirius looked to Peter apologetically. "Never shuts up and permanently charmed to the wall. Horrible combination, I tell you." With that, the lord of the House of Black staggered into the hallway to draw the heavy velveteen curtains shut.

"Well, this must be awfully important for us to endure the most esteemed Walburga Black," Peter remarked casually as he placed himself onto one of the more comfortable looking chairs.

"It is. Abso-bloody-lutely horrible, I tell you." Sirius Black sunk gracelessly into a very hard-looking armchair by the gently burning fireplace.

"That's more than I can say for you. What've you been doing these past few weeks, going to Death Eater meetings?" Peter closed his eyes as he allowed the warmth from the hearth to slowly seep into his weary body that had, in fact, been suffering the Death Eater meetings that he had just accused his friend of attending.

"Wormtail! Don't even joke about that!" Sirius's eyes flew open as he glared rather viciously for a man slumped in an uncomfortable armchair.

"Sorry, sorry. It's just, these times aren't easy on anyone." Reluctantly, Peter opened his eyes to watch Sirius.

"Yeah, no one escapes the wrath of the War. You'd think it was the muggle world wars all over again. But listen, Wormtail, it's really serious this time."

"Oh?"

"James and Lily are being targeted by You-Know-Who. Albus says they should hide under the Fidelius Charm and I'm the secret keeper. But hell, I'm the first person anyone would think of when guessing their Secret Keeper. So, I'm passing it on to you."

"You-- what?!" Peter leaped from his chair. "You're making me the Secret Keeper? Let me tell you now. That is not a good idea."

"No, it has to be you."

"Why don't you ask Moony?"

"Because! No one would suspect you."

Peter narrowed his eyes. He knew exactly what that phrase meant. Of course, no one would suspect weak, talentless Peter Pettigrew of being the all important secret keeper for the heroic Potter couple. Then again, no one suspected weak, talentless Peter Pettigrew of being a Death Eater, either. Really, refusing the position of Secret Keeper was for their own good.

"I refuse. I have to go to Romania next week anyway. I'm actually busy these days."

"Perfect!" exclaimed Sirius, "Just accept it now and you can go off on your little vacation. No one would know the better."

"What part of no don't you understand?"

Sirius narrowed his eyes. "Is there some specific reason why you can't?" Peter could tell the wheels in Padfoot's head were starting to turn.

"Of course not."

"Then that settles it!" Sirius exclaimed brightly.

"Well then. I guess that's how is. Just remember, Padfoot, you're the one who forced me into this."

"Yes yes, of course. I owe you one, buddy." Sirius chuckled merrily, his earlier grim mood disappearing completely as he reached into a cabinet for a bottle of brandy. Pouring two glasses full, he passed one to Wormtail. "To the Potters and the Pronslet!"

"To the Potters... and the Prongslet," Peter replied, expression oddly sorrowful.

-------------------------

"James," called a feminine voice.

"Lily," replied a masculine voice.

"Argh, don't take that tone with me, young man!" the first voice exclaimed.

"But Lily," the second voice complained, "you've been saying my name like that for the past twenty minutes. And you don't even say anything afterwards! You just bloody stare at the floor!"

"Language!" roared Lily. "Set a good example for your child!"

James sighed miserably. "The baby can't even hear me let alone understand me and my bloo-- bad language."

"Okay, James, I admit I'm being a bit moody," Lily sighed as she stretched herself out on the couch.

James snorted at the vast understatement. For the past week-- oh hell, for the past month, Lily had been nothing if not moody. It was like the pleasantness that had been a shocking but welcome surprise the first eight months of her pregnancy had come back full time to haunt him. The emotional volatile-ness that hadn't infected his wife had come full force during the last month, nine month's worth packed in one. Needless to say, James was having a very... trying month.

"James! There's nothing to do!" Lily finally cried as rubbed at her eyes. "We've been like this for what, 4 months? I'm a pregnant woman, for god's sake! I need to move, damn it!"

"Language," James mocked.

"ARGH! JAMES HARRISON POTTER! YOU ARE GROUNDED!"

"You can't ground me! I'm your husband, not your bloody son."

"What's the freakin' difference! Neither of you allow me to goddamn move!"

James sighed. "Lily. We need to get used to this."

"Yeah," Lily exhaled, feeling oddly more fulfilled after her venting. "I mean, we only have to endure this for what, an undeterminable length of time?"

"But on the bright side, you'll be able to walk instead of waddle soon."

Lily brightened at this. "You know what, that's true. Things are going to improve. With our child by my side, I'll be so busy I won't even notice that I'm trapped in a goddamned manor."

"Yes," said James, "and speak of the devil. Your dress is getting wet. Is your water breaking?"

Lily glanced down calmly. "Yes, I do believe it is. What do you know? You actually know more about this stuff than me. Too bad I'll be the one popping the child out."

Suddenly, the enormity of the moment sunk in on James. "Oh my bloody god! You're giving birth! We need the Saint Mungo's personnel! Fire call the healer!"

Lily moaned in pain as the baby shifted inside her. "A bit busy here, James. I think you should fire call Healer Andrews."

"You're right!" And James ran out of the room in a panicked state exclaiming, "Fireplace! Fireplace! Where's the bloody fireplace?!"

-------------------------

Thirty minutes and three failed fire calls later, Lily was safely delivering and James was safely sitting... far far away from the bed. A loud groan pierced the air as the baby finally came out.

"We've got it! The baby's been successfully delivered." The voice of the St. Mungo's nurse, Bedelia Andrews, was a welcome reprieve for James Potter who was currently sitting in the family room, face buried in hands.

With a leap that would have put a kangaroo to shame, James spurted out of his armchair and sprinted into the master bedroom.

Healer Andrews stood, arms wrapped around a naked babe, gently rocking it back and forth. When she saw James, she motioned for him to come closer. "It's a girl," she whispered softly, as if confiding a great and terrible secret.

James studied the tufts of black hair atop the baby's head and his hand moved slowly, almost reverently, to caress the baby's cheek. "She's beautiful," he whispered back, barely able to believe that this was not merely a dream; that he was truly a father.

"Oh do go on and hold her, James," came Lily's cross but happy voice. "She's not going to bite."

Finally, after much hesitation, James took his daughter into his arms. It was then that the baby opened her eyes to reveal the greenest pair of eyes that he had ever seen. "Bloody hell, Lily, her eyes are even greener than yours!" he couldn't help but exclaim.

Lily smiled at the sight. Her husband with their child. It was absolutely perfect. Now, if only Voldemort wasn't out to kill them all. "Wrap her up in one of the towels over there. Take the green one, since you think her eyes are so green." She vaguely motioned to where five sets of different colored towels stacked upon each other.

Slowly, James walked over to Lily and handed her the naked child. "I'll go get the towel now. I'm afraid I'll drop her with one hand." And he rushed off obediently to retrieve the green towel.

"Goodness," Lily whispered as the baby blinked at her, "her eyes really are very green." Then, the baby's face crinkled into the biggest and most endearing grin she had ever laid eyes on. "And she's so adorable!"

Soon, the baby was wrapped and resting in Lily's arms. James sat next to her, arms wrapped around his wife. It was a very warm family moment.

"I'm sorry to cut in on this... moment," Healer Andrews said tentatively, "but we really must get the paperwork done."

"Oh... yes," the couple replied simultaneously.

"And um...," Healer Andrews paused for a moment, unsure of how to phrase the next sentence, "your daughter's a squib."

Three sets of wide eyes turned on the poor healer. "My deepest condolences," the healer offered as she drew a large piece of parchment from thin air and scribbled something onto the paper.

Lily sighed as she absorbed the information. "For gender, put down male," she ordered firmly as she gathered herself.

"What?" said the healer.

"What?" asked James.

"Put her down as male. And for her name, it's Harrison James Potter, or Harry Potter for short."

The baby chose this moment to gurgle her laughter and interrupt the silence that followed.

"...Why?" Healer Andrews asked after recovering from shock.

"She will be raised as a boy. If Voldemort's going to be after her and she's a squib, I won't have her gender used as a further weakness against her," Lily reasoned calmly.

The healer looked unsure but did as Mrs. Potter asked. James and Lily signed the papers and it disappeared, sent to be processed into the official catalogues.

As the healer left the room, the last thing she heard was an apology followed by "Obliviate," and then, she was at her house, happy with a job well done on birthing the new Potter son. Harrison James Potter indeed. What a beautiful name for a beautiful baby boy.

-------------------------

"Lily, was that really necessary?" James asked as he paced before the fireplace. Sometimes, he just could not make out the way his wife's mind worked. He had always known she was infinitely more clever than he was, but just how far into the future did her dark mechanisms spread? Oh god, now he was talking like his wife was the Dark Lord! It must've been that trait of his that Lily always complained about: fearing what he did not know or understand.

"Of course it was necessary," Lily replied. "It was necessary from the moment Harry's gender was put down as male. It was necessary from the moment Harry came out to be a girl."

"I thought you wanted a daughter!" James exclaimed, exasperated. Who had been the one ranting about how daughters were infinitely more accommodating and fun than sons? Why Lily, of course! The very same Lily who decided to change her daughter's gender on the official records!

"That was before Albus told us our child is going to be targeted by the powerful Dark Lord Voldemort!" Lily resisted the urge to scream out her frustrations. "Do you think I want our child to go through this? Do you realize that we may not make it through this?" Her voice broke off as she blinked her eyes to keep from crying.

"Lily." James was pained. He had never really thought about the whole Dark-Lord-Targeting-My-New-Born-Daughter business, but it figured that his intelligent lily flower had. "I admit I haven't really thought this whole thing out, but was it really necessary to twist the gender on the birth records?"

"Yes, it is. Don't you see, James?" Lily asked, gathering her courage. "We could die protecting Harry. And then where would she be? Parentless! An orphan! It'll be a miracle if she even survives!"

"Now Lily, let's be optimistic. If we don't believe we will survive, we won't."

"I'm being realistic, James. But supposing we die... and Harry lives. If she ends up on the streets or some equally horrifying place, do you realize what a disadvantage being a girl is?"

James was beginning to see. "You mean... ?"

"Yes, Harry could be subjected to a multitude of torture that she would not have to go through if only she were a boy. This is for her safety. Because of our situation, we must plan for the future. Harry must live. I refuse to lose my child before I lose my life. James, are you prepared to make the same commitment?"

The enormity of the situation was sinking in on James. "Yes," was his strained response. Why had he not thought about this stuff before? He should have been there to discuss this with Lily and share the burden! For god's sake, it was his bloody child as well that Voldemort was trying to off. And if he had anything to say about it, his Harry would not be offed! Suddenly, he had a moment of insight. "Err, even if the documents say Harry's a boy... won't she eventually grow up to... not look like a boy?"

Lily sighed. Yes, that was going to be a big problem and was part of the reason why the whole thing was such a big gamble. "This is Godric's Hollow, correct?"

"Yes," said James, not seeing where she was taking this.

"And as the manor that once belonged to Godric Gryffindor, I should hope that there's something in this damned place that could solve our problems."

James looked like he wanted to fall over or bang his head repeatedly on a desk. "You bet it all on this?"

Lily had to admit, the chances weren't all that exceptionally high, but hey, the rest of the plan seemed sound.

"What in the world happened to your bloody brilliant planning that always managed to sneak us past Lord Death?!" James exploded in frustration.

"Well hey," Lily replied defensively, "Sometimes, we just have to depend on luck. Besides, if this doesn't work, we can always turn to Albus as a final resort."

"You're right," James heaved a great sigh. "Well, I think I'll just look around the manor for secret trapdoors and the like and hope I stumble upon the artifact room or something."

"Yeah, you go do that," Lily waved her hand ambiguously as she tried to smother a yawn. "I think I'll just sleep for a while. Let me tell you, childbirth is no easy feat. You know what, I think we should make you have the next baby with that new potion they just invented, changing the male body temporarily to produce babies."

"You can't make me." James narrowed his eyes childishly. "I shall not go through the same pain!" he declared.

"Didn't you swear to go through sickness and pain with me during our wedding, or does that not count?" Lily countered with a childish expression herself.

"Of course it counts. But when I made the oath, I was thinking more of sitting there watching you and toiling through your pms while you did all the work."

"James!"

"Gotta go!" James whipped out of the room. His voice could still be heard from the hallway, "Finding artifacts and all that, you know!"

----------

Lily awoke to the blinding sunlight that poured in through the huge window across from her bed. Bloody hell, she couldn't believe she forgot to draw the blinds. Now that she was awake, she was sure she wouldn't be able to fall asleep until the sun set again. Really, a woman who had just given birth should get at least a full 48 hours sleep afterwards. It just wasn't fair.

With a heady groan, Lily swung her legs to dangle over the edge of the bed, toes barely touching the floor. She really hoped her muscles hadn't shrunken to prunes while she had waddled around in her pregnancy. Taking a deep breath, she leaped bravely to her feet... and almost promptly fell back onto the bed. Merlin she was sore! Although it really was amazing how she felt so light without the burden of another human being inside her.

A cute chortle brought her attention to the wrapped figure laying on the pillow next to the one she had formerly occupied. Her expression softened as she regarded the human being that she had created with James without external aid. It was simply amazing, this miracle of nature. As if noticing her wandering scrutiny, tiny dark lashes fluttered open to reveal the large emerald eyes that had haunted her sleep the night before. They really were greener than her own.

Suddenly, the baby burst out into a full blown smile and regarded Lily with such an adoring expression that she couldn't help but feel her heart melt. This was the child that had come from her womb. Her child. Her little miracle. Their little miracle that Voldemort wanted to murder. She could feel her expression darken at the thought as she scooped the child into her arms. There was no way any old Dark Lord was going to come and murder her charming little baby.

"Merlin!" A familiar voice from the doorway brought her out of her musings. "You're up already?" Lily already knew who it was by the time she felt an arm slip around her waist. "I could have sworn you would've slept for another 36 hours."

"The curtains," Lily offered as an explanation. James knew she couldn't fall back asleep once she was awoken by the dreaded sun.

James settled his chin upon Lily's auburn head and peered down into the hypnotic viridian orbs that were his daughter's eyes. He studied the small quirk of the small lips as the baby smiled at him. "You know," he drawled to his wife, "I don't believe I've heard her cry."

Lily stepped out of his embrace and regarded him seriously. "You're right. Aren't babies supposed to cry when they're born?"

"I think so. It might have been in that blasted manual the healer gave us."

The red haired woman rolled her eyes. "Yes, the manual might have mentioned it."

"But why's a baby supposed to cry at birth? It makes no sense. And if it makes no sense, then no baby of ours has to do it." He regarded his wife with a mock serious expression on his face.

"No, the baby is supposed to cry because it helps them moisten their eyes to get used to the light outside the mother's womb," said Lily.

James rolled his eyes as he prepared himself for another "learned and necessary speech" but drew back shortly as he realized, "Harry didn't cry but she opened her eyes just like that. It was like father takes baby. Baby opens eyes. No tears, no crying in between."

"Well, I'm betting it's something that's happened before. I guess it's just unusual. If it were something terrible, I'm sure Healer Andrews would have told us," Lily replied, satisfied at the moment with her answer.

"Was that before or after you obliviated her?" James teased.

Lily rolled her eyes but when she spoke her voice was serious, "It was necessary."

"Yes yes, I get that. Our first priority is our child's life. And if preserving it must bring us to despicable means, then by all means, we must."

Lily rolled her eyes again. "It wasn't despicable."

"Oh yes, we only erased the memory of the charming woman who helped you through childbirth. It's the epitome of good manners."

"Okay, so maybe it wasn't so moral. But it didn't hurt anyone either. And sometimes, I guess we just have to choose what's more important for us."

"Yeah yeah. I'm not trying to give you a guilt trip Lils, I'm just teasing."

"I know. But it just happens to bring up the implications of what we just did... and what we may have to do in the future."

"Oh god," said James, paling, "I sincerely hope we don't have to do anything truly evil."

"Me neither James, me neither."

"You know what, Lils, time for a change of topic. We're getting all gloomy and old from this talk."

"Ha, only you would think about how the situation makes us age. Still as vain as ever, I see, Mr. Potter."

"Yes well, you're the fool who married him, Mrs. Potter."

Lily scrunched her nose as she replied, "I suppose I am."

"On the other hand," continued James, "the vain fellow you married just happened to locate the vault of strange and unusual artifacts where he thinks the brilliant fool of a witch named after the lily flower may perhaps find something of use to our dear little Harry-kins."

"Oh James! You found it?!"

"Yep, just took me all of twenty minutes, I tell you. Found the secret passageway as I punched a portrait."

"You punched a portrait?"

"Yep," James replied brightly, completely unfazed. "It was bloody annoying, I tell you. And good thing too. Never saw it coming, Lils, I just punched him in the tummy because you know, I wanted to punch him where the sun don't shine but I thought since we just had a baby, I should be gathering some good karma and all so I veered upwards a bit at the last moment. Then all of a sudden, the portrait swung open like a bloody door. Almost hit me in the nose, it did."

"It would have served you right if it did," Lily mumbled under her breath. Then in a normal voice, "I will overlook your behavior today, James, because you managed to find the vault."

"You are most generous, Professor Potter," James grinned. He sauntered over to the open door and bowed grandly as he swept his arm towards the hallway. "Please, the most esteemed and beautiful Professor Potter. Ladies with babies first."

With a playful scowl, Lily scoffed at him as she briskly walked past.

----------

It turned out, you didn't have to punch the portrait of Zachariah the Great to open the door. In fact, all one had to do was gently tap the thirteenth button of his coat. Thankfully, this particular portrait of Zachariah had not been blessed with the gift of motion as it was a purely muggle painted piece of art. Nevertheless, its sheer size made up for mobility as it magnified the condescending stare of Zachariah the Great exponentially. It was no wonder the equally arrogant but much smaller in size James Potter had been offended by that omniscient gaze of the impressive man in the painting.

The vault itself was wonderfully large. If Lily had anything to say about it, she would suggest that it was just about the size of the great hall of Hogwarts. Of course, this was all discovered after James revealed his rather rare-surfacing genius.

"And low and behold, my Lily-flower, the vault of strange and antiquated artifacts of Godric's Hollow!" James announced with a flourish as the couple had entered the chamber.

All Lily saw was a dusty little closet. A couple of mops and buckets lay against a wall.

"Very funny, James," she groused.

"Uh-uh-uh, my intelligent Lily flower. Look up," James responded, tone laced with Marauder arrogance for discovering something his admittedly cleverer wife hadn't.

And look Lily did. Gold and red scripted characters formed a single sentence: If you are of Gryffindor blood, prove it to my vault. Her mouth formed an 'oh' as she pondered the phrase. "So, James," she finally said, "how do you plan to prove it?"

"Easy," bragged the Gryffindor heir. He bit his thumb and smudged the blood against a wall.

Lily winced as her husband's bloody thumb came in contact with the filthy wall. "That's a bit... gross, James."

Suddenly, the walls seemed to expand and the cleaning supplies vanished. When the chamber finally finished morphing, torches all along the walls abruptly lit up, giving the stone chamber a warm golden glow. Small piles of objects littered the floors and in the middle of the room, there was a large, large tome the size of a small desk.

"Isn't it bloody awesome?" James murmured as he admired the grandeur for a second time.

Without a word, Lily handed the child to her husband and stalked to the freakishly large book lying in the center of the room. After flipping through a few pages, she looked up to see James still standing at the entrance. "Come here, James. This book is exactly what we needed. It's the most complete guide to magical artifacts I've ever seen!" exclaimed Lily with bright eyes.

James hurried over to gaze at the book over his wife's shoulders. "Think you can find something we could use?"

"Yes, searching, searching." Then, after a moment, "I think I found something!"

"Yes?"

"Water silk. As long as the person is wearing the water silk, he or she will always look like a male relative or ancestor on the paternal side. The ancestor is usually the one whose personality matches the most with the user of the water silk."

"So you mean my daughter may spend her whole life looking like me?"

"I certainly hope she doesn't look exactly like you. It'll drive us all crazy, a James look-alike with the awful personality!"

"What's wrong with my personality?"

"It's too peace disturbing; loud and obnoxious."

"Why Lily-flower, I always knew you liked loud and obnoxious. Did you know, this whole loud and obnoxious personality was all an act to get you to marry me?"

"Damn. And I fell for it?"

"Completely."

"Then I guess I just have to file for a divorce now that I know the truth."

"Aw come on, Lily-flower, I promise to keep up my act all through our life until we're so old and wrinkled it won't matter anymore."

"That was... oddly romantic."

"Old and wrinkly is romantic? Women..."

"Ugh. For once you say something right and then you have to go and ruin it."

"So you mean the 'old and wrinkly' thing I said was bloody awesome and you'd like to hear more of that type of stuff?"

"Well, when you say 'that type of stuff,' it really gets me worried about what exactly you think falls under the category of 'that type of stuff.' So, it wasn't 'bloody awesome' and there is no need for you to make any hazardous attempts at resurrecting that 'oddly romantic' phrase."

"No, it was bloody awesome. But it'd be more bloody awesome to have a kid that looks exactly like me."

"You'd think so."

"Well, let's look for the water silk then. I hope we'll find some here. James look-a-like, here we come!"

The next five hours were spent searching through piles upon piles of strange artifacts. James, skillfully balancing a baby in one arm deftly sifted through the piles at an impressive speed. Harry, starting to get bored, began to swipe at the wand in James's sleeves. Finally, she managed to grab it... and then drop it with a loud tink.

"Harry," whined James, "my wand!" He bent to pick it up while Lily laughed from a pile a few meters away.

"Wait, that's it!" exclaimed Lily.

"What's it?" asked James.

She took out her wand and said, "Accio water silk."

From the other side of the room, a long strip of white cloth flew into her open hand.

"Whoa, that's bloody brilliant," said James. "Damn, how come we didn't think of this before? We even skipped lunch!"

"I guess we were just too into it that we forgot we had magic. I really do feel quite stupid right now," mused Lily as she stood up to stretch out the kinks in her back. "Ah, time for a nice dinner. We certainly deserve it, if not for our stunning intelligence, then for our toiling efforts."

----------

"You sure this is really gonna work?" James asked dubiously as his wife set little Harry on the bed.

"You're right. We should test it out first," decided Lily. "Here." She handed the water silk to James. "Go put it on in the bathroom."

James rolled his eyes. "Fine fine."

When James came out the bathroom again, his eyes were grey and his hair a dark brown. Lily looked a bit startled. "Is that really you? James?" she asked.

"Yeah, it's me. I think this is my great great grandfather Albert. His portrait should still be in Potter Manor. He was said to be extremely stubborn and a bit of a bully. However, he had a great sense of humor."

Lily scrutinized him for a moment more before declaring, "Yes, it definitely works."

"This is bloody amazing!!"

"Yes, it is rather amazing," Lily admitted. "Even your voice sounds different."

"Really?" asked James. "It doesn't sound different to me."

Lily walked closer as her eyes widened. "Hey James, take off your shirt."

"Oh come on, Lily. Harry's in here. We shouldn't snog until she falls asleep."

"No you dimwit," sighed Lily, exasperated. "I want to see if I can see the water silk on you."

"Oh," said James. "Well, why didn't you just say so?"

He unbuttoned his shirt and slipped it off. With a glance at his torso, he said glumly, "I can see the water silk. I don't think this will work very well. I mean, it won't be long for people to figure out there's something wrong if Harry never takes her clothes off in front of other people."

"Oh it'll work," said Lily with a wide grin. "Because I can't see the water silk. It seems no one can see through the illusion except the person wearing it."

-------------------------

Albus sat in his office, rubbing his temples. It had to be one of the most stressing time periods in his life. Lord Voldemort was at the height of his power. Devastation wreaked the citizens of the magical community and even threatened the muggles. The Order of Phoenix was slowly, but surely losing members and even the aurors were dying off at rapid speeds, courtesy of Voldemort. And dare he think it, Voldemort was going to win.

Fortunately, there had been a prophecy about a child who could potentially destroy Voldemort. It was the silver lining of the cloud that was the Dark Lord's oppression.

The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches...

born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies...

and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not...

and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives...

the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies...

July, the seventh month, had gone and passed. The child was born and now lived. The hope of the wizarding world. No, perhaps the hope of the whole world. And now there were two such children that fitted the description for the Longbottoms and the Potters had both defied Voldemort three times and gave birth to sons. He would know; he had checked all the birth papers.

Unfortunately, Severus Snape had overheard Sybil Trelawney give the prophecy and told Voldemort.

Fortunately, the same Severus Snape had then turned to him, seeking protection for Lily Potter. Now, both families were safely under the Fidelius Charm. Or at least, as safe as could be. It was not a foolproof plan and Albus was almost positive the Potters had assigned Sirius Black as their secret keeper. That just meant Voldemort could probably guess that too. He did not, however, have any clue as to who the secret keeper for the Longbottoms was. Perhaps that was more reassuring? Or perhaps it was worse. He really didn't know at this point.

It was time to let Fate play out.

-------------------------

He lounged in his blood red armchair, reveling in his recent success. Just a bit more. Just one more big leap. And then-- and then the world would be his.

A glass of red wine tilted just a centimeter and the crimson liquid swiveled, producing tiny shimmering ripples. Yes, there was one thing that was not right. All was not perfect. His faithful servant, Severus Snape, had just come to him with a prophecy some weeks ago; and not just any prophecy, the prophecy that foretold his defeat! It seemed a child with powers equal to his would come into the world. This could not be allowed to happen.

According to the prophecy, the child would be born in late July to parents who had thrice defied him. At the moment, only two couples fit the last condition: the Longbottoms and the Potters. And it just so happened that both couples were expecting a child in July or August. Now the only thing he had to do was figure out which was the child of prophecy and kill it... or, he could just kill both of them to save on time and effort. They were both currently under the Fidelius Charm, a very annoying piece of spellwork.

Now, the Longbottoms, their secret keeper wasn't hard to hunt out at all; a snivelling idiot who had given the information at the first threat of pain. He had Crucio-ed then killed the man anyways.

The Potters, on the other hand, were a completely different matter. It was likely that the secret keeper was Sirius Black, but his minion, Wormtail, had yet to return from the investigation. He was getting impatient.

A knock on the door.

Tipsy, the resident house elf, popped out before him. "A man is wanting to see Master," she announced. "He be calling himself Wormtail, Master."

With a flick of his hand, he signalled for Wormtail to be brought before him. Soon enough, heavy footsteps were heard and a pudgy young man emerged from the dark corridors. A deep bow and the man spoke, "My Lord, I have found the Potters' secret keeper."

"And where is he?" asked the man in the armchair, faintly dismayed that the secret keeper had not been captured.

With a slight wince that most people wouldn't have noticed, Wormtail spoke solemnly, "I am the secret keeper."

Calculative red eyes took note of the faint gesture and almost sparkled with humor at Wormtail's words. "You are the Potters' secret keeper?"

"The secret keeper was, at first, Sirius Black, but he passed the job on to me."

"How... clever of him," the Dark Lord mused, laughing internally at the irony.

"My Lord, as the secret keeper, I now inform you that the Potters are hiding at Godric's Hollow."

"Thank you, Wormtail. You have done well, even though it was mostly luck. Luck," he paused, "is a skill."

"You are most gracious, My Lord."

"Very well, if there is nothing else, you may leave."

With one last bow, Peter Pettigrew walked out of the manor, suppressing the shudder that threatened to shake his entire frame. Whatever was being planned, it was not good, and the tiny ball of guilt inside his heart suddenly swelled as he apparated away.

The Dark Lord took one long sip from glass, savoring the flavor, then abruptly set it down on the table beside him. With both locations uncovered, it was time to call in his most trusted followers. There would be bloodshed on Halloween.

And then, he would be unstoppable.

-------------------------

It was the night of Halloween and Harry Potter was 15 months old. She currently sported the hazel eyes and dark brown hair of her great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather Alexander Potter.

"That smile!" Lily squealed as she buried her grinning face in the stomach of her child.

"I'd rather see yours," said James, "but seeing as how you're burying it in my daughter's tummy, I guess I'll just have to wait for the next one."

"Are you still trying the 'romantic' thing?"

"Is it working?"

"No. When it's dote-on-my-daughter time, it's dote-on-my-daughter time. Lame attempts at sweet-talking are only annoyances."

"Do you.." James paused dramatically for effect. "Love her more than me? Am I being replaced?!"

"Of course--"

Lily never got to finish her sentence. A large crackle resounded through the house as the wards were broken down.

"Lily." The expression on Jame's face hardened into austerity no one had ever seen on him before. "I'll go down and face him. Harry will live."

Lily reached out to bring him into one last kiss, but he pushed her away. "No, Lils, we're not going to kiss goodbye because this isn't goodbye."

And his back was the last thing Lily saw before turning to take her child into her arms.

She hurried into the study down the hall and brushed back the giant tapestry that hung behind the armchair. A kick to the wall opened an entrance and she wasted no time continuing down that passageway. At the end, a small stone chamber glowed in warm yellow candlelight. Lily leant against a wall and closed her eyes, all the while squeezing her daughter to her chest.

Footsteps echoed through the passageway and bounced into the stone chamber.

Lily opened her eyes, desperately hoping to see her husband's grim but smiling face. Green eyes met red and she knew James was dead. Her chest clenched tightly with sorrow. Grimly, she removed herself from the wall.

"Girl." The voice was smooth velvet. "Hand over the child and you need not die."

"No." Lily stared into the hypnotic red eyes as she clutched her child closer to her busom. "Not Harry."

"Girl! You don't have to die. Just give me the child."

"No, not Harry. Anyone but Harry! Take me instead, if you must."

"Girl," the Dark Lord warned a last time, his voice taking up a tone of disgust. "Hand over the child."

"Not Harry. Anyone but Harry. Not Harry. Anyone but Harry." It was becoming a mantra and her eyes were becoming frantic. There was a wild glint in the emerald orbs as they stared pleadingly at the Dark Lord Voldemort.

"Foolish girl," roared Voldemort, face full of fury. "Avada Kedavra."

And a beam of green light hit the auburn haired witch straight in the stomach. She dropped to the floor, all the while clutching her silent son.

Those hazel eyes stared into endless red, expression curious. The child lay unmoving in its mother's grasp, lying on its side. Tiny lips stretched into a lazy smile as it closed its eyes and snuggled into the arms warmly enwrapping it.

"Avada Kedavra."

Another green beam. It slammed into the child's forehead... and promptly bounced off. Crimson eyes widened in surprise as his own spell flew ever closer and struck, dissembling his body into ash.

The last things the Dark Lord's soul saw before floating away were stunning green eyes and a lightning bolt shaped scar.

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