Shattered Images

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Art Credit: @nowherelittlegirl on Instagram

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James grinned as he watched his son reach up to grab at the colored spheres floating from the tip of Lily's wand. He never thought that the childish pining of his Hogwarts years would blossom into the beautiful family he now gazed lovingly at. The scene was almost enough to make him forget the events of the past few years, the untimely and numerous deaths that marred each beautiful moment. The smiling photographs containing people he would never see alive again. The empty seats present at every order meeting. All this sadness the result of one man. A man who would soon cause more damage to this perfect image than James could ever even imagine.

Lily stretched as she stood and picked up her baby boy, tucking her wand into her robe's pocket as she did so. She smiled tiredly at her husband before beginning the walk up the stairs to Harry's nursery. She had nearly reached the top step when a knock sounded on the front door. Glancing back at James as he opened the door, she saw their friend Peter at the threshold, looking visibly upset.

"Peter? What's wrong?" James glanced concernedly around.

"I'm sorry, James, forgive me, Lily, so sorry so-"

"What-" James froze.

Half a dozen black-clad figures were gathered behind Peter, their allegiance unmistakable with their dark robes and gleaming white masks.

James slammed the door and pivoted to Lily without another thought.

"Go to the nursery-" James' desperate cry was half lost in the resounding crash which rang through the hall as the door slammed open.

Half the Death Eaters ran straight past James and headed in the direction which Lily had taken Harry, and the other three drew their wands and prepared to duel with James. Peter had long since taken off into the night, still muttering apologies and lamentations.

Lily huddled in the corner of the nursery, clutching her son close. She grasped the small red orb which hung at her neck, murmuring the activation words which would notify the rest of the order of an attack. She heard heavy footsteps on the stairs and prayed help would come before the protection wards on the nursery door fell.

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Sirius and Remus sat at the kitchen table of 12 Grimmauld Place, each sipping at a glass of amber firewhiskey. A sudden high-pitched beeping filled the room as a glass orb on the table filled with glowing red smoke.

Both men leapt to their feet as Sirius exclaimed "Godric's Hollow!"

They were out the door in mere second, Remus having sent his wolf patronus ahead to Mad-Eye and Dumbledore. Bounding down the front steps, they apparated away with a resounding crack, leaving a dark, empty street behind.

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James swallowed hard as he steadied his shaking hand and faced the three masked figures before him. He knew he had to hold them off only long enough for the order to arrive, but that task was seeming mor difficult by the second.

One of the men tilted his head before chuckling and saying, "you should be more careful with your choice of friends next time, Potter." He then signaled his companions, and the battle began.

Curses flew blindingly fast through the air, and it was all James could do to raise a shield before he was struck down by the red stunning spells. He countered with a swift cutting curse, before being forced to raise his shield again. The battle continued in this fashion, with James occasionally able to toss a curse in between shields, for another 5 minutes. Just as James began to lose hope, believing Lily was caught before being able to notify their friends, the door burst open for the second time that evening.