Dear Mum,
It's been a while, hasn't it? I'm sorry I haven't written to you sooner, but things have been so busy in here and well, I simply couldn't get enough time. How have you been? And how is everyone else at Spinner's End? I hope everyone is well and good. I will try to visit soon, though I can't make any promises.
Well, I suppose I should start with the good news; you're a grandmother now! James and I decided to name him after his grandfather, who was called Henry. So Harry James Potter came into this world on the 31st of July, 1980. I hope you're just as happy reading this news as I am, writing this to you. Before you ask, no, I have not spoken to Petunia, and please don't ask me to. You know everything that happened, and I really couldn't speak to her now.
I think you night find that the reason I'm writing this might be a bit selfish, especially since I've not written to you in so long, but I really need your help, Mum. It's just...everything that has happened lately. You see, there's a war going on in the Wizarding world, and both James and I are fighting against a Dark Lord. It's not exactly the best time to raise a baby anyway, but I feel like I'm drowning under all of the pressure. It's a little late to say this, but perhaps I wasn't ready for this child. You mustn't think that James isn't a wonderful father or that I don't love both Harry and him very much. It's simply that when I'm on my feet, from sunrise to sunset (and often later), running around, cleaning up spills, changing diapers, feeding a baby who really does not want to eat, and then the waking up to him crying at the oddest hours... aside from hiding from Death Eaters, (the followers of the Dark Lord) to make sure Harry is safe, and fending off any possible Death Eater attacks on places across Britain when we are told about them.
I remember you never let Tuney or I feel the loss of Dad even after he died, and I wonder now how you did it. I can barely handle one infant! I feel as if everyone expects me to be a brilliant mother, and I had imagined that I would be, but I'm failing now. Even Alice Longbottom has a little boy, Neville, about Harry's age, and she is fighting with us in the war too. The Longbottoms seem to have it all figured out, however. They never seem tired or exhausted and Alice especially...I've never seen her struggle with the things I do, whenever we go to visit. Molly Weasley, another of my friends, already has six children! And despite the little dark grey house the Weasleys live in, they have everything well organised.
I used to imagine being a mother would be beautiful and exhilarating, Mum. It is, but it's also so incredibly difficult! I am constantly struggling with some new facet of it. I don't know what I'm doing, and I need your help. I cannot figure it out on my own. Harry turns one this July, and the War is at its peak. We hope i will be over by Christmas. If it is, I'd love to visit. Or we can have a Portkey issued, and you can visit us.
Stay safe, Mum.
Yours always,
Lily
Notes: For the British Literature Challenge at The Golden Snitch. Prompts: dark grey, sunrise to sunset, dealing with expectations, a character is thinking of their friends.
Also for the Through the Universe Challenge. Prompt: drowning.
And for the Mother's Day Event: Lily Potter.
Words: 600 (google docs)
