For Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Assignment #5, Etymology Task #11: Write about newfound parenthood.
W/C: 718
too good to last
It was long past their bedtime. The light streaming in through the sheer curtains created a cosy atmosphere in the small bedroom and illuminated one side of the baby's face — making his eyes gleam.
James Potter watched with awe as the baby clutched his index finger in a grip that he thought was far too vice-like for a three-month-old such as Harry.
My son's going to be one hell of a seeker, James thought wistfully, a proud smile gracing his face. Harry gazed at his father with his eyes large and curious, as though assessing the man sitting by his crib.
"Hey, Harry," James whispered. "What d'you think about going to see the match next month? Padfoot will come along too, of course."
Harry blinked and gave his father a gummy smile.
"It'll be fun, don't you think? I'm sure your mum will let us take you. I mean, you'll just be sitting with us in the stands and there will be Aurors everywhere. You-Know-Who isn't likely to appear there. We can take the Invisibility Cloak."
When Harry did not say anything in response, James wiggled the tinkling mobile over his son's crib. The boy giggled and let go of James' finger, sticking his arms out to reach for the charmed hippogriffs instead.
The last few years had gone by in a blur. In fact, it seemed as though it was just yesterday that after years of pining, Lily agreed to go out with him. In another two years, they were married and now they had a son too! It was sudden and unplanned, but incredibly welcome at the same time. James was mystified at how fast things were progressing. In some more time, his son would receive his letter and then he'd be off to Hogwarts. James only hoped he and Lily would be around to see him do that, given the present situation.
"It'll be alright," he told, more to himself than to Harry. "Everything will be alright, won't it? We have Dumbledore with us. You'll see, You-Know-Who will be gone soon and then we'll all be safe and happy."
Harry continued to gaze at him, blinking every now and then.
"Your mum's the most wonderful person I've ever seen," James said then, lowering his voice a tad. "We're both really to have her with us. I hope you're like her. Because I was the biggest prat in school. I regret it now. But Lily — she was the kindest and the most caring person, not to mention absolutely brilliant. I mean, she was friends with Snivellus of all people — that's enough proof of how good at heart she was."
James scowled a bit at the last few words, but then he froze when he heard a little chuckle from near the door.
"You won't stop calling him that, will you?" Lily said, walking into the room with a smirk on her face. Her red hair spilled out on her shoulders and it was a stark contrast against the white of her dressing gown.
"I thought you were asleep," James said.
"I was," replied Lily, giving her husband a kiss. "But then I realised you weren't there. What are you doing up?"
"Couldn't sleep. Then I found our little boy couldn't either. At least he isn't crying."
Lily laughed, then scooped Harry out of her crib. The baby giggled.
"Hello, love," she cooed.
"Are you planning to sleep the morning away, then?"
Harry smiled toothlessly at his mum.
Lily kissed her son's nose. "I think that's a yes."
Then she put him down in the crib, before pulling a chair next to her husband. James wrapped an arm around her and kissed her temple.
"We're going to be fine," she said to him, rubbing his arm. "You're worried, aren't you? But don't be, James. It doesn't suit you."
"I know," sighed James. "Everything just seems too good to be real. I'm afraid of losing it all."
"So am I, but it's like you said, we have Dumbledore on our side. He's the only one Voldemort has ever been scared of," Lily said soothingly. "And we'll do anything to keep Harry safe, won't we?"
I would die to save him, he thought, watching Harry examine his colour-changing rattle.
James met Lily's eye and nodded determinedly.
"We will."