Lily opened her eyes one at a time, sun streaming through the window. She could hear James mumbling, but didn't think much of it. She was tired–she had just given birth, for Merlin's sake. She decided to go back to sleep, but with James's voice, she couldn't quite fall back into timeless rest. So she tuned in to what he was saying.

"…Not to mention–everyone will remember you. You'll go down in history, that's how great you'll be. I swear it to you, Harry."

Lily continued to listen, but made a point to feign sleep.

"I'll bet you'll marry a redhead. We Potter men love redheads. My grandmother–your great-grandmother had red hair, just like your mum." Lily had to suppress a giggle at that statement. Harry probably wouldn't marry a ginger, but James seemed pretty sure of himself in these musings.

"…Which brings me to my next point–you will become a Quidditch captain. I don't know what position you'll play, and I don't even know for what house. As long as it's not Slytherin, those bastards–I mean , er, those twits are all interested in the Dark Arts. Your mum and I don't go much for that."

Lily couldn't hold back an eye roll at that. If Harry was sorted into Slytherin, he would break the stereotypes of the house. He could be ambitious without being evil, she was sure of it. But still, she would prefer one of the other houses to Slytherin.

"And I'll be absolutely shocked if the map doesn't find you. Filch took it during our last year, but you'll know to steal it back. I can see it now- The Marauders Next Generation. You'll love Hogwarts. Your mum only wants one baby, but I know you'll convince her to have another. Then you'll be marauding with siblings, and maybe even cousins, if your uncles want."

Forget the more children thing, but troublemaking? She didn't want a little bully on her hands. She loved James perhaps as much as Harry, but he was terrible when they were young. Maybe it would be purely innocent pranks that meant nothing. But what if he really hurt people? Oh God, now she was worrying. Every little thing she did to take care of Harry, his discipline, his diet, how often she touched him, they would all affect him. It would be up to her to make sure her son –oh God, her son–grew up the right way. And what is the right way? How was she supposed to know the right way to take care of a baby? And a magical baby, no less? What kind of things would he do to indicate his abilities? What if he turned out to be a squib? Of course, she would still love him more than life itself, but his life would be so much harder. She didn't want his life to be difficult, but of course, she couldn't shelter him. Oh God, she was starting to feel sick. She had to move.

"Oh! Harry, it looks like Mum's starting to wake up!" Lily could now see James had been pacing with Harry in his arms. He was now looking at her expectantly. "How are you feeling, Lil?"

"I'm alright, I guess. Could be better, slightly nauseous," She replied.

"Do you want a bucket or something? I could call in the healer, if you'd like," he said concernedly.

"Nah, it isn't that bad." She took a good look at her son. "Let me see my baby, though." She reached out her arms, ready to hold the world. James passed Harry to Lily, and she felt the warmth of her son, knowing that even though there was a war going on outside, everything would be okay if Harry was. And he was, in their arms; so that's where he would stay.