Chapter 1
Lily placed her hand on her stomach as she looked guiltily at her husband. "I really don't like that the Headmaster thinks we will be targeted by You-Know-Who."
"There isn't anything to be done for it, Lils," James replied.
"I know but," she hesitated for the barest second before barrelling on, "what if there was a way to protect our son, no matter what happens to us?"
James couldn't conceal his skepticism as he replied, "I think the Headmaster would have mentioned it if it was possible."
Lily blushed lightly but straightened her shoulders determinedly, "I got the idea from the Black library."
James covered his face and groaned, "You're talking about Dark magic aren't you."
"Not exactly. Just hear me out!" James slumped but gestured for his wife to keep talking. "It's kinda complicated, but! There's a really old blood magic ritual to ensure the passing of magical gifts. Normally that wouldn't matter, but you know I raided the Potter library too, and there were some really interesting books on Parseltongue! Turns out, a Parselmouth can't kill another before their magical majority, and neither can any of their oathbound followers. The only downside is it adds the person whose blood is used as a third parent and has to be done while the child is in the womb."
"How does this help us? How can we make sure our son is passed the gift when the only Parselmouth in Britain is You-Know-Who?" James pointed out, rather reasonably he thought.
Lily waved one hand dismissively, "That isn't a problem."
"Lily, please tell me you haven't already made our son the Dark Lord's magical heir."
"Of course not." James sighed, relieved, at least until she continued. "Both natural parents have to participate in the ritual if the third parent doesn't."
He shook his head wildly. "No, no, no. No way."
Lily glared at him, stormed over, and began poking her husband in his chest, "You listen to me, James Charlus Potter. I will do whatever it takes to protect my son. And. You. Will. Help. Or I will make the rest of your life so miserable you will be begging the bloody Dark Lord to end you. Do I make myself clear?"
James stared at his wife with wide eyes, absolutely terrified by the wild magic whirling around her. He swallowed dryly before responding the only way he could, "Yes, dear."