"Magic?" Father smiles, a gentle tilt of his lips that spreads warmth and life into a face that most of the time seems to be carved from stone. "You want me to explain to you what magic is?" This time Father chuckles and Ignotus puffs out his cheeks indignantly, convinced that Father is mocking him.

Seemingly aware of his son's annoyance Father ruffles Ignotus's hair with a calloused palm before he reaches the other hand forward, as if to touch the far off sky.

"Magic. Magic is life.

Magic is the first breath of a new born baby. Magic is the wings of an owl as it silently hunts it's prey. Magic is the waves embracing the shore, Magic is the blooming of a flower in the wake of a disaster"

Father stands now, moving forward to the large windows of their drawing room that proudly overlook the Peverell estate. Ignotus watches quietly as he becomes more and more animated. Father raises his arms as though to embrace the world between them, "Magic is the body the soul and the mind. Magic I'd unfathomable, existing within everything. Magic is-"

Father turns to Ignotus and kneels before the sitting child.

"-Magic."

Ignotus blinks, "I'm not sure I understand Father,"

Father simply chuckles, rising to his feet and gently carding calloused fingers through Ignotus's thick, curly hair (he leans into the touch. Its warm and safe and I-don't-ever-want-to-lose-this-feeling)

"Dont worry, Son. No one understands, personally I think it's quite simple, well-" He smirks and raises a finger to his lips, beckoning Ignotus closer before continuing in a whisper as though sharing all of the universe's secrets, "-Magic is alive

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Harry James Potter, born on the 31 of July 1980, was a quiet child.

For Lily and James Potter, both young and in love, he was perfect. Especially considering the setting he had been born into.

With the war in full swing having a child was a liability, a child born of a Pureblood and Muggleborn doubly so, and the two knew that.

From the moment they had discovered Lily's pregnancy a constant sense of anxiety and worry had permeated the air between the couple. Said worry had led to many an argument between the potters (Unfortunately, Lily was very good at arguing which led to James becoming well acquainted with the dreaded sofa) as they had to consider the world they were bringing their child into.

As time passed and the war worsened the two were forced to partially withdraw from their Order duties, Lily had, of course, violently protested to being removed from active duty but eventually, thanks to the combined efforts of Remus and Sirius (with James cowering away in the corner) the furious redhead was coerced into agreement.

The doubt had piled up, eventually becoming an aura of oppression hung heavy over their relationship as the two wondered it this child would really be worth the sacrifices they were being forced to make.

Harry was worth more, so so much more.

(James was comfortable enough in his masculinity to freely accept the tears rolling down his cheeks as he beheld the beautiful image of his wife and child together, unaware of the world as they slept)

His beautiful Harry, his beautiful Lily.

For sure, every sacrifice had been worth this, he would make a thousand more just to live with these two precious people for the rest of his life.

"James?" The Potter blinked, hastily rubbing his eyes with his sleeves as his wife's tired eyes met his own. "Are you just gonna stand there or-"

Before the woman could finish her sentence a warm arm covered her stomach amd a peaceful sigh echoed in her ear as James settled onto the bed behind her.

Dead to the world in seconds

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

("We're going to be fine. I swear on it," "James, how could He know?".

Broken door, cracked hinges.

"You thought you could hide?!" "RUN LILY. RUN." green light. Broken lenses, shattered frames.

High voice, deep breaths. Rushed footsteps. Slammed door - weak barrier - it's all she has.

"Shush Harry Shush baby. Everything's fine. Mommy's here" Approaching footsteps.

Through the window the broken moon hangs. Moon bright. Wolf howl - "Was it you Remus?" . So many memories, so many regrets. 'Can you forgive me Severus?'

"Move aside girl." "Please anyone but my Harry. PLEASE!" Green Light. "What a pity"

No blood, its not messy. Pain free - she didn't suffer - probably.

Green eyes. Red eyes. Barely human.[What have you done to yourself Master]

Raised hand - shining wand. [I wasn't made to be used this way Master of mine

gReEn. LiGhT.

Crumpled robes, little more than ashes, soul torn. Escape. Run away, "I'll be back,"

Emptiness. Silence. No one lives. No one breathes.

Everything is nothing. Nothing is everything.

Green eyes died too soon. It wasn't supposed to be this way.

Magic mourns.

Magic manipulates.

Magic finds a way.

Rotted Yew once new and loyal and eager rolls from its former master. Taking innocent lives it could understand [COMPREHEND] but this is different. A child. My brother feather's keeper. Why Master. WHY MASTER. [BETRAYED]

Two souls lost become one soul found. Sew it together. Pretend everything's fine. Wave a magic wand.

[DETERMINATION]

Thirteen-and-a-half-inches. Yew. Pheonix Feather.

[REBIRTH]

Not everything's there - its good enough.

"You'll be fine won't you? Harry Potter." )