The Corpse That Lived.

Act 1: Prologue

ACT ONE: Missing Girl

"Look at her, James," Lily laughed as her
pyjama-clad girl looked hopefully to her toy broom resting in the corner of the room. "No more tonight, Sweetheart. It's time for bed," she chided gently and ruffled her hair, smiling contently as she once more admired her daughters, her twins.

It was almost comical how she ended up with fraternal twins at a time she was unsure about having any kids. She knew it was foolish to have kids in the midst of a war but it felt right and James was thrilled and supported her all the way through it. Dahlia and Hyacinth were sacred light untouched by the terrors of the world. Pure and beautiful, they were her family. She didn't regret it and savoured every moment with them.

James Potter had once been the bane of Lily's existence. She hadn't known it then, hadn't understood the workings of her own mysterious heart, but the intense irritation, the way he needled under her skin so easily, the way he could always bring an infuriated blush to her cheeks...it was the beginning of something.

He was arrogant and a troublemaker. But as time and circumstance moulded him into a man, other forces were at work in her life, drawing her to the quiet strength that lurked beneath the mischievous exterior, pulling her towards the good, honest, pure heart of the man who had become her husband.

Oh, James was still childish and excitable but she loved him just as he was, and if Dahlia and Hyacinth turned out to be half the person their father was, Lily knew they'd make them both so proud. James beamed. "What do you think, Dahlia? Mummy will never let you be a Beater. She thinks it's barbaric," he winked at his daughter.

"Dangerous," she corrected. "If you insist on allowing my little girl to zoom around like a madwoman, at least spare my heart a bit."

"Dahlia's a natural, Love," her husband assured her. "Just like Daddy, right, Dahlia?"

Dahlia cooed in agreement, and Lily rolled her eyes. "Must I remind you precisely how many times my heart was in my throat watching you? Or the number of bones Madam Pomfrey set right after you'd done something completely reckless?"

"Mmm, did you ever think perhaps it was all that concern from my favourite redhead that led me to death-defying stunts? What better way to convince you that you loved me than to make you fear for my life?"

"Prat," she accused and gathered Hyacinth closer. "At least I know one of my babies would never torture her mummy like that."

"She can be a Chaser, like me," James conceded. "Although, she's rather quick to dodge my spoon when I try to feed her. What do you say, dear? Want to be a Seeker?"

Hyacinth just laughed happily, and both parents forgot all about Quidditch positions as they set out to keep her laughing. They such a happy babies, rarely ever distraught about anything unless they took Dahlia's broom or her stuffed dog away.

Both were gifts from Sirius, and Dahlia loved them nearly as much as she loved her godfather. Remus's was Hyacinth's godfather so Lily was at least certain that one of her daughter would stay out of trouble, not to say that Remus was a prankster back at school, he was just better at not getting caught.

Their little girls were full of affection and their world still revolved around the adults who kept her safe and never tired of her smile or happy laughter.

Until Dumbledore told them that Voldemort was after their child. He never specified and very vague (typical Dumbledore) but told them about Voldemort wanting to fulfil a prophecy. They had to go into hiding.

James pulled out his wand and started creating little shapes for the twins to catch, and Lily carefully placed her daughters on the sofa and kept an eye on them as they played. It was nearly theirbedtime, and she knew she would have to cut the game off soon. The only time Hyacinth was cranky was when she was tired, and even though she was happy now, she hadn't napped well today and would wear herself out any moment.