Harry was fast asleep, resting his head on Lily's chest and held in place by a sling. They were finally moving. Of all the things they expected, they did not anticipate the wave of emotions that washed over them as they emptied out their first home together. James didn't say a word but slipped an arm around her shoulders and bent down to look at their son. Even after a week he still could not believe that Harry was here, that he was alive. He thought back to their reasoning for marriage, how it was proof to the Ministry that they mattered to one another. Harry, though, was living, breathing proof and he loved that.

"Is that everything?" Lily asked.

"I think so." He looked around and began to rub circles on her shoulder with his hand. "Are you ready to leave?"

"Yeah, I think we should put Harry to bed. Did Sirius and Frank help you with furniture?" Lily found it odd that the only friend of James' that she still saw was Sirius, the Marauders seemed to have pulled apart. Remus was out of the country and Peter always seemed to be busy with something. Sure, he had sent a letter when he found out Lily was pregnant and popped up a few days later at the flat after Harry was born. Sirius and Frank, however, had become even more prominent in Lily and James' life.

"Yeah, all of the big stuff is in place. You need to sort through your things."

"I know." She leaned on his shoulder and closed her eyes. James took that as a signal to begin apparition. In a few moments they were on the sidewalk in front of their Godric Hollow's house. It was still as wonderful as Lily remembered and it tugged at her heart, reminding her of home with its white picket fence, bright paint and sparkling windows. Harry squirmed against her body and she glanced down. "I think he likes it."

"Good." James smile brightened as they opened the gate, walked up the path, and let themselves in. It seemed surreal. Lily stopped in the entryway and took it all in. The hardwood floors scrubbed to a shine, butter yellow walls and all the light. Harry continued to wriggle against her. "Let me take him."

"I just fed him, but he might need a change." Her hands clumsily attempted to loosen the sling, but James did it quickly and took his son in his arms. Lily was continuously amazed by James as a father. Harry always seemed so at ease snuggled against his chest. Surprisingly, that is when James seemed content. For someone who was always moving, he didn't think twice about slowing down for his son.

After watching him disappear up the stairs she walked over to the boxes. Someone had drawn a flower on one of them with the word 'lovely' written above. Sirius had apparently helped them box things up. She opened the box and she smiled upon seeing the objects. Her mother's Bible was on top, beneath it several dresses. They appeared to be all the formal dresses she had own, ones she had tucked away in the back of the closet. Beneath that was a small jewelry box. Inside of it was three pieces of jewelry: a necklace from her mother, the necklace Agatha had given her and the vial that contained the memories James had collected. How badly she wanted to see them, but couldn't bring herself to pour them into a Pensieve. Reluctantly she closed a box and moved to the one next to. There was a crude drawing of a stag, obviously meant to stand for James. Inside it was clothing, but on top there was a bundle of letters held together by ribbons. Some of the envelopes were open, but others still sealed.

"You found them." James leaned against the wall.

"You haven't opened all of them."

"Some of them I did, but others I like the thought of just having them. Is that odd?"

"No." She shook her head and thought of the memory vial. It was worth much more when it rested against her than in the Pensieve.

"Do you like it here?"

"Yeah." She looked around and then reached for James. She could picture a life a here.


After they got settled in, Lily decided it was time to take Harry out. He had met most of their friends already, but she wanted to visit her old co-workers. It was nearing the end of August and unbearably warm, she hoped that Harry would not be as cranky as he usually was.

She apparated to her usual spot and walked down the street, glad to see that there wasn't many cars parked outside and she hoped it wasn't busy. A wave of cool hair hit her as she walked to through the front door and the bells jingled.

"Hi, how can I help you?" an unfamiliar woman asked. She wore pink scrubs and had short brown hair held back with a large clip.

"I didn't mean to drop in like this, but are any of the other doctors or nurses in?"

"Like who?"

Before Lily could answer Edith walked in, blonde curls bobbing as she let out a squeal of excitement. "Is that your baby?" she asked, holding out her hands.

"Yes." Lily let out a laugh as she passed her son to him. "His name is Harry."

"He's adorable!" She began to sway as she held him. By now they attracted attention and Angie came along with the clinical director. Harry was past between the two nurses as the doctor laid a hand on her shoulder.

"When are you coming back?" he asked.

"I don't really know." Her eyes didn't leave Harry. He smiled in the women's arms.

"We've just had a string of temps and you really were a good fit."

"I like it here, but…"
"You want to go back to school?" he questioned. "We could help-"

"No, the volunteer organization my husband works for needs people and I can't keep splitting my time. Besides…"

He nodded knowingly as she finally tore her eyes away from the child to look at him. "I'm a parent, I understand," he said. "You're lucky it's slow currently or I would have to get angry at you for distracting my staff."

Angie was now holding him, touching the tiny tufts of black hair on his head as Harry stared at her intently.

"Can one of you help me prep for our patient coming in?" Adrian appeared, folder in hand, but he froze when he saw the baby in Angie's arm.

"I can do it soon." Edith replied touching Harry's face.

"Lily, hello…" His eyes drifted toward Harry. "Is that your son?" he questioned.

"Yeah, he's like a mini version of James." She held out her hands to take him back. "I was just stopping by for Harry to meet everyone here. He's already met most everyone and I thought everyone at the clinic would like to see him."

"Yeah…" A faint smile crossed his face. "It'll probably be hard for you when you come back to work."

Her face darkened and she maneuvered Harry, touching his hair softly. "I probably won't be coming back."

His eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "You're brilliant."

"You know there's more at play here." She then stepped away from Adrian and walked over to the others to bid them goodbye, no knowing when she would see them again.


As Lily visited the clinic, Severus Snape waited apprehensively near the common apparation point. Peter had found out from James that she was supposed to visit the clinic today, he let the information slip when he was in the room. It was dangerous informing her, but he had to risk it.

In the distance he saw a familiar figure he had not seen in years. She was still beautiful, but even from afar he could tell that the war had not been kind to her. Her eyes, while still bright, appeared tired. Wrinkles were beginning to form around her face. The biggest difference was the child she carried. Her arms protectively circled it, his head resting on her chest.

"Lily," he said when she got closer. The young mother froze and held the baby tighter.

"What do you want?" Her hand went automatically to her waistband, foot moving a step back.

"To speak with you," he said.

"Go," she ordered.

"Please, I-"

"No."

"It's important." He reached out to touch the hand holding the wand, she didn't pull away. "Lily, you and James, Voldemort wants you. Your life is at risk and I don't want to lose you."

"You already did." She took her hand back.

"Lily, he will stop at nothing, he will kill you."
She bit her lip and Harry wriggled in her arms. She looked down at them, eyes widening slightly as she grasped his tiny hands in her. "At least I will die for something I believe in."

"That's not fair. You know that I-"

"You think that I wanted this life?" Her eyebrows narrow as her legs shift, no longer in a position to run away from him. "Every time James leaves panic overtakes me because I don't know if he's coming home. Every time I say goodbye to my friends I hold them tightly because I don't know if that's going to be the last time I see them. I would give anything for this war to be over, but I would never compromise my morals."

"Lily…"

"I have to go, Sev." She let the term of endearment slip out, but her face remained cold as she brushed past him to apparate home.