Days had been sailing by at an incredibly slow speed. My raven haired baby's vocabulary had increased to saying 'mamma' and 'dada' we are immensely proud knowing he was at a rather early stage to already be talking. We were in late January and Sirius had just left after another joyful visit. Harry has now taken up screeching mumble-jumble and 'mamma' and 'dada' every time he saw Sirius. Let me tell you, you really can get a headache in just two seconds.

February had arrived slowly. We had been spending many days locked up in our small cottage, the air was always the same, I had grown so used to its same familiar smell, everything always felt the same, there was nearly nothing new to touch when we had felt everything in this house already, everything looked the same, my pristine garden and filth free house. We didn't get to explore new thing in this cottage, we had nothing new to muse at, to entertain ourselves with.

I was quickly running out of things to do. Get up, have shower, get dressed, brush hair and teeth, help Harry get washed and dressed, eat breakfast, sit with James and Harry, eat lunch, play with James and Harry, eat dinner, use toilet when necessary, put harry to bed, sit with James and then finally go to bed. It was always the same every day. It was a rare treat now, for Sirius to come over as he was now very busy at work. What with all the Death Eater activity.

I woke up late, as always, on February 14th to rose petals scattered around my room. The occasional rose found on a flat surface. I brushed off the bed sheets, and slipped my feet in some slippers before walking to the door. Gently I eased it open to the find the floor there covered in lilies. I walked to Harry's room and wasn't surprised to see he wasn't there. I hurried back to my room and tied a dressing gown around my figure before scurrying down the stairs.

I didn't know where I should go so decided to follow the lilies to our living room. James was playing with Harry and didn't notice as I leaned against the door frame and watched them tickle each other. 'Harry, its valentine's Day. No stealing your mummy from me' James grinned winking at our son who just looks at him confused. 'Well, at least I was able to get you into one of those blasted muggle penguin suits' James muttered ruffling young Harry's hair.

'James, it's hardly appropriate to turn our son against muggle attire at such a young age' I said and his head whipped up to meet me at the door. 'Hey Lil's, Harry and I were just playing' he said looking at me contentedly. 'I know, I was watching for a bit. You haven't had breakfast have you?' I asked and he shook his head, strands of hair getting in his eyes. 'Nah, we were waiting for you flower' he smiled and I shook my head laughing. 'Alright Prongs, let's go eat' I smiled and he took my hand in his as the three of us walked to the kitchen, James carrying Harry.

We made chocolate cupcakes and ate them instead of a proper meal. We then cleaned up together. I was happy to clean with the two of them as it helped entertain us for an additional ten minutes. 'Lily, want to be my Valentine?' James asked and I rolled my eyes, knowing full well he didn't forget. 'Nah, Harry already asked, sorry' I said in a calm voice while my head imploded with laughter. 'Oh really, then you wouldn't mind telling me what it was you planned to do with a baby on Valentine's Day? I mean, you do know he's not even a year old yet?' James asked cockily but I shook my head.

'Oh no Potter, you're not getting the dirt on my dates' I grinned and he rolled his eyes. 'Oh yes, I'm sure there are many secrets you keep between yourself and my seven month old son' James said sarcastically. 'Oh James, you'd be surprised. Harry is an amazing man' I said trying to keep a straight face. 'Yes I can see it now, all those times I'd sneak out and Harry and you would be home alone for minutes on end. So romantic' James grinned throwing bubbles from the sink at me.

'That is not how you treat a girl on Valentine's Day!' I squealed as he shot a jet of water at me from his wand on the counter. 'Lucky I'm not dating said girl' James chortled now covering me in bubbles. I cursed myself for leaving my wand upstairs and stood rooted to the spot devising a plan to get James back as he covered me in multiple cleaning soaps.

'That is it' I muttered through a mouthful of soap and water. I spat the liquids onto the ground and hurtled myself at my husband. 'DON'T EVER DO THAT AGAIN' I screamed slapping him all over. 'Ow bloody Ow!' James shrieked as Harry laughed and shrieked 'mama' or 'dada.' I wasn't intentionally causing harm; he wouldn't have bruises but a lot of red handprints. 'James, you should not ever mess, with Lily Evans Potter' I laughed as he rolled over in the puddles we made on the floor. 'Alright, alright. Lesson learnt' he groaned pushing himself up into a sitting position.

I shoved him lightly before standing up and then falling back down as I slipped in the water. James got Harry of the counter and we watched him play in the puddles for a bit. In the end, James waved his wand and dried us off before clearing up the puddle as we finished up the dishes. Once everything was away and back to the pristine state we sat outside watching Elvendork, yet again. We snacked out on chocolates and strawberries before it started raining and we retreated back into the cottage.

Here we watched the rain pour down and thunder clouds roll on over head. Harry was happily pulling the cat's tail as Elvendork tried to sleep. James was trying to work the television (Sirius got it as a belated family Christmas present) and I was watching the clouds. The murmur of the TV in the background was barely heard by my ignorant ears; instead, I was listening to the gentle pattering of the rain on our windows. I could feel James' eyes straying from the screen to me but I ignored it and continued my silent watch of the outdoor world.

'What is wrong James?' I asked finally giving into to his demanding eyes. 'What is so fascinating about the rain?' he asked me. 'It changes everything. We were outside moments ago, now we're inside as everything droops with threw weight of the rain, everything is finding more life to live off' I said not looking away from the paned glass.

'I will never understand you. I mean, you always seemed to hate me; you never wanted anything to do with me. Now you're my wife and gave birth to my son. You always kept yourself locked up and away from me and my friends, now you're not scared to talk to us, you even tell us stuff you never told our friends. You always stayed quiet in class unless a teacher asks you to talk and you answer perfectly. You never seemed to have the patience to look beneath the surface with people or anything really but now you sit hear telling me why the rain is so, so enchanting. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?' he asked in a pained voice.

'Yes. I did hate you, but you changed. You helped make me love you, don't decline it, I'm grateful you did. You helped prove to me that your friends would really do anything for you, whether it is Remus, Sirius or Peter. I'm still too shy to speak up in a class. I guess being locked up, in a house I love to love, just lets me explore what I never thought I would have time to acknowledge' I whispered brushing a strand of hair from my eyes.

'Everything is changing so fast Lil's. I guess its okay for us, locked up in a tiny cottage every day, unaffected by the outside world' he murmured. 'Unaffected?' I gasped. 'Well, we hardly have any pain inflicted upon us from outside forces' James said looking worried and confused. 'I am not unaffected by the outside forces' I yelled standing up and glaring at him. 'Rose died! I have been locked inside a house, where I got to see firsthand as she got fried alive! Every day and every bloody night I watch it over again, the pain and the sorrow as she looks at me! I know you weren't exactly a best friend, but surely you could have the heart to know what this torture is.

'To be locked in the same house where I found out she died, to be locked in the same house where I saw firsthand exactly how it happened. Every day I walk in this room and stay here for hours and not a moment goes by where I recall her death, the screams, and the smells. I would always tell myself that you get this as well, not the whole visions of her death, but you would recall how we found out. But no, now you're telling me the only way I've been getting on is a lie. I guess its okay for you; she wasn't your best friend, but think for me and how I am affected. How what happens outside, to innocent people actually does hurt me too' I screamed running from the room as tears fly down my cheeks.

I flung myself onto the bed sobbing heavily into the pillows. There was a knock at the door minutes later. It opened a crack as I burrowed myself into the numerous sheets and pillows. 'Lil's' James whispered in a cracked and upset voice. I ignored him. 'Flower, I didn't mean affected mentally. I understand it is hard for you, me as well, but I mean we were safe physically. I'm sorry to have made you revisited those horrors' he said softly sitting on the edge of the bed.

I slithered over to him and rested my head on his lap. 'I'm sorry' he croaked and I realised he had been crying. My heart seemed to shatter at this piece of miserable realisation. Not only had I reopened my own, old wounds but I had sliced open James'. 'Oh James' I sobbed slipping a hand out my sheet wrappings and wiped one of his tears away. 'I put Harry to bed before coming here' he whispered lying down next to me. 'Thank you' I breathed as we lay together looking up at the cream ceiling above us.

'Was it horrible, the way Rosie died I mean?' James asked gently. 'She was locked in an office, from the outside in. She had no way to escape. Nobody could hear her cries and I had to watch as flesh was burnt off of her bones, I had to watch as she got murdered by unstoppable flames' I told him turning my head slightly to see his face better. 'I'm sorry you had to see it, if there was anyway, you know I would do it to stop these visions?' James asked and I nodded silently turning my head back to the ceiling.

But suddenly his lips were crashing down on mine. It was surprising but I was quick to respond. My hands entwined in his hair, and his were quickly wrapped around my tiny body. He was perfect at distracting my wandering mind and I didn't mind one bit. I would prefer this any time than revisiting the horrors of my past.