Thump. Thump. Thump.
James swears that he can hear his little heartbeat.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
It's quiet, but he can still distinguish it from all the other sounds in the room.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Lily had had it - the baby - at home, as Dumbledore had said that it was too dangerous to go to St. Mungo's.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
But it is safe here. For his son. His child.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The baby, still unnamed, is smaller than James had envisioned, with the tiniest of toes and the littlest of fingers.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
James smiles softly at the crop of messy black hair that lies on his son's head. They have matching hair, the baby and James.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The baby's chest rises and falls slowly. James watches, mesmerised by the pattern.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Lily comes back into the room, with footsteps as soft as the baby's heartbeat. She smiles at the sight of James and their son.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Lily sits down next to James and softly strokes the baby's forehead. James takes her other hand in his.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
"I had an idea for a name," murmurs Lily.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
"Yeah?" James whispers back.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
"Harry," says Lily, a little more clearly, "Harry James Potter."
Thump. Thump. Thump.
James smiles widely and squeezes her hand, "I love it." He kisses her cheek.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
They watch Harry James Potter on his very first day.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
They hope that they can keep him safe.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
They hope he isn't the child of the prophecy.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
They hope his heart keeps beating.
Thump. Thump. Thump.