Chapter2: Godrics Hollow, July 31st 1980
"Oh James, he's just o beautiful!" cooed Lily
"Yeah" he breathed out, looking into Harry's bright green eyes twinkling mischievously up at him. His eyes were so much like Lily's but, but the jet-black hair sprouting from the to of his head was unmistakably his. Lily bent down to kiss the top of Harry's head as his eyes became heavy and slowly began to close.
"Let's put him to bed." Whispered James as Lily's eyes began to droop. "It's been a long day for you, darling." Lily nodded reluctantly and dragged herself up the stairs, cradling the tiny Harry Potter close to her chest, lost in his little smile.
James looked around the living room now cluttered with baby things and let out a sigh of content. Just at that moment a whimper and scratching was heard at the door and James' face broke into a wide grin. He dashed to the door and threw himself into an embrace with his dearest friend, Sirius Black. When they finally broke free of each other, Sirius spoke apologetically
"I'm sorry I can't stay for long – it's my night to run with Remus," He explained "I just wanted to say congratulations, I still can't believe you have a son! What did you call the little tyke?"
"Harry." Grinned James.
"Well don't forget to tell Harry all about his uncle Sirius for I shall be visiting soon! And give Lily my love." He enthused, looking worriedly at the setting sun. James chuckled and said
"Go on – you can't let Remus loose to terrorise Godrics Hollow, I'm sure nobody could bear to see a were-wolf that ugly!" he joked as Sirius turned to leave. Grinning at his friend he quickly remembered, "Dubledore mentioned that he wanted to borrow your cloak again."
"Argh! That man should get his own cloak, then maybe he'd stop borrowing mine!" but they both knew James wasn't really angry. Sirius turned and after a few paces jumped, transforming into animagus – a shaggy black dog. James watched as Sirius bounded off into the twilight sky, slowly shutting the door.
James was careful not to disturb any creaky floorboards as he tiptoed over to Harry's room. Lily was standing quietly by Harry's cot watching him as the odd garbled mumble slipped from his slack mouth. Somehow everything felt completely new but it felt right. Finally it hit him. He had a son! A tiny living, breathing human being. And as he felt a warmth spreading through his chest that made him feel older, more responsible. He was a father, and he promised himself that he would never let anything hurt him, not as long as he still had a beating heart