This was written for the Moonlight Forgotten Year 7 THC/ The House Competition 2021
Round 9
House: Gryffindor
Class: Muggle Studies
Category: Drabble
Prompt(s) chosen: [Animal] Lion
Word Count: 826
James looked at the red-and-gold stuffed lion in his hand. He was always fascinated by lions and how they represented bravery and Gryffindor, two things he deeply valued and associated with himself. James could probably answer any question regarding lions given how intrigued he had been to study them in detail in the past. He even had a whole shelf in his home library with books on lions. Hence it was not surprising that his favorite stuffed animal growing up was a stuffed lion with Gryffindor colors that he unsurprisingly named Godric.
He entered the hall with Godric to find Lily playing with Harry.
"I thought it was time Godric was passed down to Harry," said James. "And not to worry, I've washed it."
"Ah, It's been a long time since I saw Godric." Lily took the stuffed animal and had a look at it. With a knowing look in her eyes, she asked, "Godric really means a lot to you, doesn't he?"
"Of course. Not just because of what lions represent, but because it's the first toy I remember my dad giving to me. I used to sleep with him until I was sevente… seven," James tried to correct himself, but he could tell from Lily's amused look that it was a poor attempt to cover up that he slept with a stuffed toy at seventeen. "Every time I needed courage and strength, all I had to do was hold Godric. He was always with me every step of the way," he added as he sat down next to Harry.
"Son, this is Godric. I want you to hold him every time you're afraid of something and need the extra strength to face your fears. If you need me and I'm unable to be with you in person, hold on to Godric, and remember that Daddy's always with you in some way," said James as he put the stuffed animal in Harry's hand and planted a kiss on his forehead.
Harry eagerly took a liking to the Godric and gleefully played with the stuffed lion as James watched enthusiastically.
"Harry will grow up to be just as courageous as his mum. I can feel it," said James, giving Lily a kiss on her cheek.
"I think his dad is no less courageous himself. He'll be courageous like both of us," said Lily, taking James's hand in hers and resting her head on his shoulder.
It was Harry's seventeenth birthday when Remus took him aside after his birthday dinner at the Burrow and handed him a box and a package.
"The package is my personal birthday gift, but forget that for now. The box contains some of the belongings of your family that I took from the Godric's Hollow cottage for safekeeping after your parents died," said Remus.
"Thank you, Remus," said Harry, giving Remus a grateful hug.
Harry examined the contents of the box and was touched to see things that once belonged to his parents and himself. Among the things were several of his baby clothes, including a little stag costume with 'Prongs' sewed on it, his mother's jewelry, his parents' wands, and two diaries belonging to either of his parents. Harry couldn't wait to read their thoughts to get to know them better. Remus took a watch from the box and handed it to him.
"This watch was a Potter family heirloom traditionally passed to the oldest son on his seventeenth Birthday. James would have given it to you today if he were alive," said Remus sadly. "And this was your mother's engagement ring. You were still a baby, but she'd dream of the day you'd come to her and ask her for it after you've found the right girl."
Harry felt tears streaming welling up in his eyes. The watch had been around his father's wrist, and the ring had been around his mother's finger. It felt like he had parts of them with him.
"What's that?" asked Harry, pointing to Godric, the stuffed lion.
"That used to be your father's stuffed lion that he called Godric," said Remus. "Your father was always fascinated with lions as they represented bravery and Gryffindor, and Godric represented that to him. He used to sleep with it till he was seventeen. He tried to hide it by sneaking it into his bed once we were asleep, but we knew," said a bemused Remus.
"Your father gave it to you when you were a baby. Just like it had been for him, he was hoping it would be something you could hold on to whenever you needed courage," said Remus.
Harry looked at the stuffed lion with Gryffindor colors. It now meant more to him that it did just a few minutes ago. It had been special to his father, and it was special to him now. It would continue to symbolize Gryffindor's courage and strength to him, just like it had done to his father.