James sighed and ruffled his raven hair. From the crib in the other room, baby Harry snored gently. He should be calm and at peace. Instead he was a hurricane of emotions. Dumbledore said that Vol-He Who Must Not Be Named, he reminded himself, was after them. Soon, they would relocate. Him, Lily, and Harry. They would have a Secret Keeper and be safe. All would be well.
And yet, still that sliver of doubt, nestled inside of his chest. Like something was going to knock over the carefully balanced sphere of his life. He stood up and checked on Harry. He was still asleep, and James smiled. He's so beautiful., he thought, Just like his mother. And happiness blossomed and swelled within him. For the moment, all was well.
He went back in the livingroom to wait for Lily. She said she would be home by 11. It was a quarter to. That was plenty of time.
--
Lily crept in the house. It was 11:30. I'm only a little late. I just lost track of time. Yes, that's what I'll tell him., she thought. Then James stood up, The Daily Prophet sliding off his lap and into a crumpled heap at his feet, like an obediant dog. "You're late." he said, his voice cold. "Yes," Lily said, her voice casual and breezy, "I lost track of time. That's all." She came over and embraced him, kising him gently. "I love you." And his heart melted. The words he had always longed to hear. Always, and now they were avalible at his every whim. "I love you too," he whispered in her ear, through red locks. She held his hand as they walked into the nursery to check once more on baby Harry before going to bed.
James laid down. The doubt had gone numb, but in the quiet and dark it came back. Lily's sleeping form curled next to him, the thin sheets draped over her lovely figure. Yet he couldn't calm down. It was like the problem was staring him in the face, yet he couldn't see it. I am blind., he thought sadly before turning over and sleeping.
--
The next morning. James got up early to make breakfast before work. It was going to be a busy day at the Auror office; the Death Eaters had murdered some innocent Muggles the night before. It hurt him deeply, even deeper than Wizard deaths. What have the Muggles done? They live peacefully by themselves. His heart hurt and felt sick. He ate only a couple slices of dry toast and some coffee.
Lily came downstairs. "Hey honey," she said blearily, smiling, "Breakfast looks good. And the coffee smells awesome." James smiled and stood. "I'm done with the paper, hon. I got to get in early. Death Eaters killed a family of Muggles last night. The youngest was a 5-year-old. Lily face looked troubled, and James kissed her softly. "It's so terrible...they're so young.", she finally said. "Well, I have to go. I love you.", James said. He kissed her again before Aparating to the Ministry. It was going to be a long day.
