Chapter Text
Godrics Hollow, tonight, was eerily peaceful. Typically, the whine and cry of a baby or the hiss of the alley's stray cats roaming around could be heard at night. But All Hallows Eve was a cool and silent night—for now. In the Potter household, Lily and James Potter lay sleeping in their bed, their daughter, I, Saraine Potter, nestled between them after having a nightmare moments earlier.
In the room next to the master bedroom, the nursery sits, occupied by a tiny baby named Harry Potter. I reckon you've heard of him? Yeah, my famous brother. But let's not focus on him, shall we? This is my story, after all.
Anyways, All Hallows Eve, or as you would call Halloween, now, was always enjoyable. I was always upset this particular day, though. What kind of kid wouldn't be mad and pouty if their parents didn't let them go out Trick or Treating? Certainly not me. Mum still bought candy for her, me and dad to share since Harry's baby teeth still hadn't come in, yet. The bag of Hair Color Changing Chocolate was still resting—half eaten—on the side table in the living room, in fact.
Mum stirs and dad cradles me more but mum tugs me back toward her slightly. In between them, I giggle. Outside the barely ajar window, soft, white snow fell on the already snow covered ground, landing in the bedroom, too. But then, a crackle. Not one of a fire or candle outside.
It was one of magic. Mum noticed this before dad since she jumped up first. I had immediately felt colder than before. Even with my dad standing and going to step next to mum while cradling me tightly, a shiver rippled down my small spine. Dad gasped, his eyes welling up with tears. He was staring straight out the window as a bright green light flashed out of the house next to ours'. Auntie Marlene lived over there, but I was too young to know that she died in that moment.
I was always too young to witness the vile things that happened that night.
Mum gripped dad's arm, her face paler than it used to be. Dad's was the same, dark brown freckles had gone light and usual bright and cheery bronze skin had gone suddenly boney and dreary.
"Lily—" dad said, handing me over to mum "—take Raine and get Harry. . .leave."
His words were simple and easy to follow. My pea brain wasn't able to understand the depth of dad's words and the meaning behind them. Mum seemed to be struck by those few, simple words made to form a sentence with a apparent deeper meaning. Her own tears were tumbling off her cheeks, now, her bright green eyes red-rimmed and glassy. "No! James—we can leave together. Take Saraine, I'll get Harry."
Dad looked at her pleadingly as the front door was blown off its hinges. James shoved me into mum's arms. "Lily, go! He's here! Get Harry." then, he grabbed his wand off the beside table and ran out of the bedroom, his footsteps making his presence known from his weight on the old and creaky floorboards.
Mum had built a river under us by now, her hands clutching me desperately. Finally, mum stumbled to the door breathing before hurrying across the hall to Harry's nursery. I spoke up, then. "Mama. . .is daddy going to be okay?" I ask and mum only sobs harder, her nimble fingers struggling to grapple the door knob before she eventually entered and slammed the door shut.
Harry was screaming, his wails surely waking up the whole neighborhood. Mum frantically went to hover over his cot, setting me inside. She kissed my forehead and Harry's after, her body wracking. A scream from downstairs sounded then. My tiny hands lift my head over the edge of the crib, my eyes questioning. "What's daddy doing?" once more, I ask.
"He's just—" mum can't finish her words in time before the door the nursery flies open, a tall man in a black cloak strolling in. His wand was pointed at mum and my eyes widened, finally understanding what was happening.
But, of course, it was too late.
Mum shrieked and fell to the ground, the same green light that had shone out of the McKinnon household flashed me in my wide hazel eyes. The man, a snake-like wizard, looked into the cot, his wand rising. My eyes met his slits and a sizzle started forming on my collarbone. He aimed his wand at Harry, but just as he muttered merlin knows what, I slide in front of Harry, taking the hit.
Life seemed to flash before my eyes. . .or maybe that was the bright green light. A white hot pain flowed through my veins as the sizzle on my collarbone grew worse—the sizzle forming into what felt like a knife dragging along my skin. Before I know it, I'm collapsing onto the cot's mattress, my hair falling over my face.
Right before I pass out, the color white spreads across the originally jet black tresses.
Then, darkness engulfs me.