You are sixteen. If you are reading this letter then I am not here, and neither is your mother. I want to wish you Happy Birthday. You should be receiving this on the 31st July 1996, or never. You see, I asked for this only to be given to you if we're not here.
This isn't making much sense is it?
A while after you were born Albus Dumbledore (your headmaster) told us of a prophecy he had heard. One about you. You were only 6 months at the time so we were interested in how your future would be. But we found out that myself and Lilly will die, and when you're a year old. SO I am writing this letter.
What if we don't die? Well then, you won't be reading this letter. So that must mean we're dead. This is confusing.
What if we die? You will probably have been living with you mother's sister Petunia and her son Dudley. Not too sure that I'm fond of that family, and Dudley's a spoilt brat.
What if the prophecy is true? Then you will need all the support you can get. Talk to your closest friends about how you feel, and don't leave anything out. When you were a baby you were a bit like me, if you were upset you'd sulk, and wouldn't listen to anyone who was trying to help.
But you're sixteen now, so it will probably be even worse. I wonder if you know the Weasleys? I didn't know them that well, but their eldest son Bill started Hogwarts when I was is sixth year. The same year you're in now. They have a son your age, maybe a bit older, I don't know. You might know him, you might never of hear of him.
You should know Draco Malfoy by know too. I never did like the Malfoy's, hated them in fact, but your mother was friends with Narcissa Malfoy, as she was a Ravenclaw like your mother.
What if everything goes wrong? What goes wrong? Voldemort kills you? Well, if it's before you're sixteen then again, you won't be reading this. But I don't think he will. You're too strong for that, and good always wins. In the end.
Do you know Sirius? You should do, he's my best friend. Someday he'll go to Azkaban, I can tell. He's not bad though, just overly clever.
What if he's not there for you growing up? I don't know, it's hard for me to write this letter.
Anyway
We're thinking about you son,
James Potter.