James and Lily sat, transfixed by the screen. They watched as Hagrid gingerly picked Harry out of the destroyed house, they watched as Hagrid flew on Sirius' motercycle to meet Dumbledore, they watched Sirius pace around his living room, muttering to himself.
When James and Lily watched, they saw everything happening in normal time. The picture on the screen wasn't fast-forwarded at all. But as James and Lily watched everything that happend for twelve hours, looking back on it they felt like they had only been in this room minutes. It was confusing, yet James and Lily hadn't the mental strength to asess this now. They had one focus: Harry.
They, in fact, had been so busy watching Hagrid fly to Privet Drive that they missed the wizards flocking under the cover of darkness to the nearest wizard pub. As far as they were concerned, it was just a normal day for everyone else. They didn't know that their death was just a rumor, but a strong enough one to make people cry. They only knew that their son was alive, and they would not ask for more.
While Hagrid was flying James and Lily argued over whether bringing Harry to Petunia's was a good idea.
James was quite against this. He continued to repeat, "Why can't Sirius take him?"
And while Lily continued to explain, "Because as of now he is the supposed reason why we are dead," James continued on, "Why can't Remus take him?"
Lily threw her hands up in exasperation. "James! I. Don't. Know! He would hesitate to take Harry, anyway. No, James, not because he doesn't love Harry, because he would worry Harry would be subject to discrimination because Remus is a werewolf! You know how he always is about things like that! We had to convince himself numerous times he wasn't rubbish at Hogwarts, remember?"
And when James continued to persist that there must be another option, Lily finally gave in. "James, I know, okay! I know my sister won't treat him right! I know she holds a grudge against me because I was born the witch and she wasn't! We just have to trust Dumbledore. He knows what he is doing. He knows, James."
And James, like any wise person would, shut up. He knew he had pressed Lily too far, and he was sorry. He let Lily sit with her back to the screen.
"James?" Lily whispered.
"Yes?"
"Do you think Harry will be alright?"
James hugs Lily from behind. "He will be fine. So many people love him. Sirius, Lupin, Dumbledore, Hagrid, and all the members of the Order. He won't go uncared for."
Lily didn't want to stop watching Harry, but she knew she had to check something. "James, can I move the screen's picture? Hagrid must've been driving for hours; look at the way the sun has set and is starting to rise again. Harry hasn't fallen off yet. I think if we stop watching for a minute he will be fine."
James was confused but nodded. Lily walked over and touched the screen. The picture changed to show Dumbledore in the Leaky Cauldron with a group of people whispering in hushed voices. Some were crying, others were looking very confused."
James frowned. "Why are all those people there?"
Lily shushed him. "Dumbledore is about to talk!"
Dumbledore had stood up and walked over to the bar. He faced everyone and said, "I know there are rumors flying about, and I have come to put those rumors to rest. Last night James and Lily Potter were killed trying to protect their son, Harry, from Voldemort."
Several people flinched at the name, and some ignored it. The bar had settled with a heavy dismay.
Dumbledore took a sip of his water. "Voldemort had come to kill Harry. But after he had killed James and Lily, he shot the Killing Curse at Harry, and it..."
Dumbledore looked like he was about to say something, but as he surveyed the people he stopped. Clearly this was important information he wouldn't want falling into the wrong hands.
"It didn't work. He was broken. All I know for sure is that Voldemort could not kill Harry Potter."
A hush fell over the Leaky Cauldron, and then everyone started speaking to the people around them.
"I can't believe it, Lily and James dead!"
"Oh, my, that poor little baby."
"Well I do suppose the child will be raised by Dumbledore, right?"
"Voldemort... gone? After all he has done he is gone just like that?"
"I don't know whether to mourn or be happy..."
And to everyone's suprise, Tom, the bartender, stood up and quieted everyone. He lifted his glass and said a toast, "To Harry Potter, the boy who lived!"
And as everyone lifted their glasses and toasted Harry, Lily looked at James with tears in her eyes. James smiled at her.
They didn't know it, but this wasn't the only party in Harry's name.