I read a story where James and Lily could follow Harry through his life - thought I'd take a shot at it. I hope it turns out well...
As for those of you who've ever so faithfully stuck by my side for the no doubt infuriating time I've been off the radar: My most sincere apologies. The best defense I have is that I was moved to the other side of the country, homeless for six months afterword, and sharing an apartment with various strange men-slash-couch-surfing-bums-with-no-right-to-cont inue-to-loiter-around for the time after that. Excuses, I know, but still.
Disclaimer: Did you just read the above paragraph? Does that much sound like JKR to you?
This was remastered Aug. 30th, 2012.
If you were to ask anyone in the Wizarding World if James and Lily Potter were dead they would give you a suitably insulted glare (for the Potters were something of a touchy subject in the Wizarding World) and answer, "Yes." Plain and simple.
Yes, they were dead - as in their bodies were six feet under.
But... In a way...
The answer could be: "No, they weren't."
You see, since they were killed when their son was one and a half, they were given a choice. This choice wasn't offered often - but when it was, people jumped for it. Their choice, given by whatever God you can conceive, was to follow their son through his life. His entire life. Every minute, hour, day, and year.
They mourned for him through his lonely school years, being bullied continually. Squealed for him when he got his Hogwarts letter. Followed Hagrid and him through Diagon Alley. Cringed as Hagrid left him to Lily's horrible relatives again. Observed his Sorting ("I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT BLOODY HAT EVEN THOUGHT OF PUTTING MY SON IN SLYTHERIN!"). Saw his first months at his new school, the one that was becoming a home for him.
They were always watching their son with pride and love. Pride for living through his Aunt and Uncle for so long, and love for his stubborn will to survive, even if he was (to quote James) "being treated like a bug repeatedly stomped on by a rather portly elephant".
There was one catch to this setup. These two could in no way communicate to their son.
As soon as they did, they would fade away. Become nothing more than two more people existing in whatever heaven may or may not be out there, maybe struggling through some gruesome form of Limbo, if they revealed too much. There are secrets the dead must hold, and never give to the living.
None the less, they wouldn't ever get to see their son grow up any farther. Love. Learn. See. Live. Hate. Hurt.
Nothing.
And so they watched, desperate to talk - communicate - something - with their son, yet knowing they never would.
I just felt it needed some more umph. A reason why they can't say 'YO, HARRY! WE'RE RIGHT HERE! HERMIONE CAN SEE US! C'MON, SON! LOOK OVER HERE!', y'know?
Leedles & a Lee or two.