Lily and I laugh at Harry's face of delight as he watches the coloured smoke coming out of my wand with utter awe. Hearing him laugh always gives me a flicker of hope about the future. It's strange how I am laughing at Harry's delight over something so little, when I myself delight in something so little - hearing him laugh, because even one little smile from him makes it seem as if everything will be okay. "It's time to sleep now, Harry!" Lily says to him, and picks him up before he can crawl off and escape. I smile as she carries our struggling baby upstairs. It's been a long, boring day, and Lily and Harry are the only ones right now that can keep me from losing it and just risking going out, away from this house that seems to be getting more and more claustrophobic every day. I also really miss Sirius. Remus and Peter, too, but Sirius more than anyone. I wish he would come visit. I want to see him, right now more than ever, for some reason. Upstairs, I hear Lily singing softly to Harry. He loves that, it always puts him right off to a sound sleep. I listen too, because their voices calm me. Something doesn't feel right, though. It's as if... someone is watching me. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and, looking around, I get to my feet just as there is a commotion in the hallway. I sprint out to see the front door fallen on the floor, and a hooded figure standing right in front of me. Fear grips at my heart and I can barely draw enough breath to yell out a warning to Lily. It is him, and he has come for us. For an insane moment, I want Sirius to be here with me on this final adventure. As Voldemort raises his arm, I try to physically fend him off to buy time, and pray that Lily and Harry will be okay. That Sirius will be okay. Remus will be okay. Everybody I love and care about will be safe and fine. I will not think about Peter. As he casts the spell and the jet of green light comes towards me, I close my eyes and see Harry's laughing face. I almost smile because I know he will be fine, I just know. He is my son Harry and he will always win. Always.
