Chapter 6
Harry opened his eyes expecting his daughter to scowl at him in that same way her mother did but instead her expression was that of surprise. He just wished he knew whether it was good or bad surprise.
"Wow." Lily sighed.
"Lily," started Harry. "You have to understand that I wanted no harm to come to your mother. I would gladly lay down my own life if it meant she was safe."
"Daddy, calm down." said Lily. "I think you did the right thing." Harry stared at her in disbelief. No one, not even Ron took his side on this subject. But his own flesh and blood defended his decision. He could not help but feel more love for his daughter than he though possible. Lily turned to her mother. "Don't get me wrong, we know you were a brilliant badass…"
Hermione looked at her incredulously. "Um, excuse me? 'Were'?" They laughed before she added. "And don't say 'ass'."
Lily smirked. "Sorry, 'are'. But he needed to keep you safe. Voldemort would have easily used you as bait for dad. I would have done the same thing."
"Exactly!" said Hermione.
"Love makes you do things you never would have expected of yourself." This time it was Harry who spoke. "Love is the single greatest feeling that humans can experience. Your thoughts are only for that person and you would do anything just to see them smile. When you see them, your heart feels like it bangs against you chest as if trying to escape you and run to them. When you can't be with them, you feel pain that sears through to your very soul. And then when they return to you, it feels better than flying on a broomstick.
"Your mother may not remember this but when we went back to Hogwarts to complete our seventh year, but she would scold me for not paying attention in classes." Hermione rolled her eyes as if to say "When did you ever pay attention in class" but she remained silent and Harry smiled. "What she probably didn't realize was that that the reason I wasn't paying attention in classes was because, while she hanging on every word the teachers said, all I could do was look at her. Your mother would brush her arm against mine when taking notes. Other times she would tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear as she wrote, occasionally glancing up at the board to make sure she was copying it correctly. It was mesmerizing to me. It was a miracle I graduated." The two women laughed.
"Love is when you notice all of the little things about that person that you never noticed before. You lay in bed at night fighting the urge to go and wake them up so that you can just be in their company and talk to them even though you just left them. You dream about their laugh and how pure they make you feel. It doesn't matter what you've done in the past because they see no fault in you.
"In the years following the war, I would have night terrors, screaming to high heaven about Voldemort and all the people he killed. Your mother was the only one who could calm me down and she was always there for me, no matter what. They are your angel. Your saving grace."
With his last few words, he looked at Hermione, trying to pour every ounce of love he had into this brief encounter and he saw that there were tears streaming down her face. He turned, finally, to his daughter, grabbing Hermione's hand in his own. "Do you feel this way about someone?"
Lily had a glazed look in her eyes as she responded, "Maybe" but Harry could see that she was thinking about someone.
"Well," began Harry, getting to his feet and pulling Hermione with him. "It seems like you have some thinking to do." He bent down to kiss her on the cheek. "Good night, sweetheart."
Before they could leave, Lily jumped to her feet and hugged her parents. "Night, mom and dad, I love you."
They both smiled down at her. "We love you, too."
Author's Note:
I know this is a short chapter but I am quite satisfied with it. There is only more chapter left in this story! I hope you enjoy it! Don't worry I have some more ideas for new stories and I get new ideas everyday! I can't wait to write them for you all. Thank you for all of the support and let me know what you think!
ASL
