INTRODUCTION

Welcome to The Providence of the House of Potter!

The Providence of the House of Potter was originally posted in December 2021, but in the process of editing – the story got rewritten to the point where I didn't feel like it was fair to call it the same story. This is somewhat of a repost but definitely its own story now and I hope it is as popular and enjoyed as that now-deleted version.

This story is an AU fic that is centered on the Potter family and takes everything we know about the Potters from canon and uses canon to make a tale about Harry becoming the Boy Who Lived without losing his family. The Providence of the House of Potter covers the very last part of the war, the prophecy, and Voldemort's final attack at Godric's Hollow. But the main AU feature of this story is instead of being a young couple alone with their targeted child, James and Lily will have many Potters alive and well and there to help them fight Voldemort. Members of the Potter family will die, but none of these Potters will be James and Lily or Harry – I promise, no plot twists! The intention is to change this key fact and still try to make everything happen as it did in canon. Let's see how well I do!

There is romance in this fic, but this is not a love story. It will mainly be kept within the K+/All Audiences rating, with non-graphic ships featured but not the point of the story.

A quick note about ships: the main ship will be Harry's parents, of course, James and Lily. For the sake of the plot, this will also feature a couple of popular fanon ships - non-graphic slash between Sirius/Remus and also Marauder-era character Marlene McKinnon/Travers the Death Eater. Any other ships are the usual known mentions canon couples like the Longbottoms and the Weasleys. No pairings for Harry or any others of his generation, just yet; Harry will be very young in this story still and if there are any Harry ships, it will be in potential future sequels, not this story.

More notes at the end of this chapter! Enjoy!


CHAPTER I: The Final Hours

Monday, 29 October 1979

Potter Pointe – Kent, Wizarding Britain

A gentle knock on the open door of his bedroom suite made James glance over his shoulder.

Euphemia Potter stood in the door of her son's childhood bedroom suite with a bright smile.

Dressed and ready for the dinner party that they were departing for soon, James couldn't help but look upon his mother with pride.

She was stunningly beautiful as ever, the birthright and gift of a witch of the House of Shafiq, her maiden bloodline.

The dinner party robes she wore seemed to be woven from pure gold and topaz with how she carried herself; somehow, as usual Euphemia had made a simple, deep shade of yellow something otherworldly and elegant. The coloring of her robes brought out the warmth in her gold-brown eyes and complemented her rich copper-brown skin even better. The streak of silver-gray that twined through her otherwise ink-black hair was the only point of her that was not a glow of gold and warmth. Euphemia was a beam of light and warmth, ready to welcome a daughter-in-law into her family, and it showed.

James beamed at her as she came further into his bedroom. "Hello, Mother. You look radiant."

Euphemia accepted his praise, happily. Her sharp eyes were looking around his bedroom suite, something flickering in her eyes as she realized that James was nearly done.

His bedroom suite at Potter Pointe was once again the plain navy and maple wood room it had been before James had been born. A bedroom suite that had been kept aside for a child that Fleamont and Euphemia never thought would be born to them. There was no longer any sign that a much-awaited and endlessly adored boy-wizard lived here, filling Potter Pointe with laughter, mischief, and a wicked intelligence to accompany his fiery heart and bright smile. No longer did the highest bedroom suite of their seaside manor boast of a child that had become a Gryffindor, calling for scarlet and gold to overpower the navy-and-maple coloring that had remained underneath the evidence of his growing personality. All the Quidditch trophies were packed away, the broomsticks he'd collected over the years shrank down to size and there was hardly a sign of the growing obsession he'd developed with Transfiguration and spell-crafting that had left odd holes or missing parts in the walls or scorch marks that it had once been thought wouldn't quite fade away.

James had spent the month of October well. He was ready for the last of his things to be taken away to his new, indefinite home at The Lighthouse Estate. The home of his adulthood and marriage, the starting point of his new path in life that had him moving beyond his pampered and protected childhood at Potter Pointe.

Euphemia smiled and tried to suppress the sting of tears. James would mistake it for something other than the overwhelming intensity of the love she had for him. Instead, she chose to tease and poke at him as usual, their shared sense of humor certain to keep the moment light-hearted.

"You're finally finished, I see," she remarked quietly. "That took surprisingly long, considering you didn't wait until the last moment, such as with everything else in life."

James snickered at the gentle barb.

She was right. He hadn't wasted a second but somehow had still needed every day of the past month to do this.

The decision had been made near the end of September that James and his bride would live at The Lighthouse Estate after their wedding. Not forever, of course. Only until a suitable Potter property could be chosen for their home. It was better for them to be safe and protected at The Lighthouse Estate than anywhere else, for now. As soon as it had been decided upon and agreed with by the rising newlyweds, James had leapt into action.

He hadn't needed to be told to get started with the preparations to take up residence in the ancestral Potter family home. There hadn't been the usual easy procrastination or stalling he was well known for, when having to do tedious but necessary tasks. The decision had been made on 30 September. And, the following day James had started the process of moving out of his childhood home. The weeks had been well-spent and needed, a gentle parting from the life he'd led up until now. James was all packed and ready to go – and not just physically.

Euphemia flicked her wand at the last set of boxes, sealing them shut. James grinned in thanks.

"This is the last set. Lolly and Pip can come and take these to The Lighthouse when we leave." James declared with a finality that felt both sudden but long-awaited. "I have no idea how my entire life so far is going to fit into my new suites at The Lighthouse, but we'll manage, I'm sure." James snickered to himself, adding: "I just hope Lily doesn't have half the amount of things I have. We might need another bedroom suite if that's the case."

Euphemia laughed with him. "You are your father's son, indeed. The amount of things that man possessed when we first came here sixty years ago was nearly obscene. Trinkets and treasures and practically everything that he'd ever owned or touched since birth." Euphemia made an amused noise. "My sympathies are already with my daughter-in-law, whenever the pair of you start unpacking."

The besotted grin that bloomed on her son's face the longer they spoke of his bride made Euphemia's heart warm with pleasure.

Her James had truly found his match.

Lily was an incredible lovely witch in every sense of the word. The young woman that was going to become her daughter-in-law in a matter of days couldn't have been more suited for her son.

Euphemia had been concerned and cautious when she'd learned that James was still courting her after Hogwarts. The young woman was a Muggleborn, after all. Euphemia herself was not prejudiced and shared none of the cruel values that considered people of non-magical heritage to be beneath her, as a pureblood witch of an ancient bloodline. However, that was neither here nor there. The violent civil war that had overtaken Wizarding Britain was being raged over blood status. Her pureblood son openly courting a Muggleborn witch was not only unwise but also dangerous.

Euphemia feared for her son with every day that passed that had made it clear that their schoolyard romance was deepening into something more serious.

However, alongside the fear, a fierce fondness for the girl her son was madly in love with had developed, as well.

It was impossible to dislike the lovely witch that was going to be her daughter-in-law. Since their engagement last autumn, Euphemia had found that Lily had settled herself as firmly in her heart as James was as her own child – and it delighted her to no end, the joy and love the pair had for each other.

"I'll take whatever she has to say, so long as we're together when she says it. I can't wait to see her again, Mother," her son confessed, his voice soft with love. "I've missed her, very much so."

Euphemia nodded, knowingly.

"The Portkey departure time is almost here, habeebi." The gentle Arabic endearment reminded them both of a time when James had been smaller, before he'd found any pet names or endearment from his mother to be squeamish. Euphemia thrilled that he allowed her one last indulgence of childhood and youth and didn't object as always. "As soon as the boys arrive, we'll be able to depart – and you'll be with your beloved, once more."

The promise of being with Lily again was enough to make any lingering sadness or ache be minimal.

Together, mother and son left the bedroom suite on the highest floor of their manor, for what would be the final time.

The little boy that had lived there all his life was happily, eagerly heading towards his future as married man and the beautiful bride that awaited him in Scotland.

Euphemia's heart was at peace.


The Honoria Homestead
Unplottable lands, due west of the town of Pitlochry, Scotland – County of Perth, Wizarding Britain

The Honoria Homestead was more farmland than a home, but the stonewashed farmhouse that Magnus and Moira McKinnon had built with their own wands was enough home for them and always would be.

Four bedrooms, three levels, and a spacious touch to the farmhouse had been made with a large and loving family in the mind's eye of the builders. Within the year of their marriage, The Honoria Homestead was already the home of another generation of McKinnons with the birth of their eldest. By the time they'd renewed their marriage bond fifteen years later, their adored brood numbered four, and another was growing beneath Moira's heart, their fifth and final.

Or so they believed.

Fifteen years and a second bond renewal later, Magnus and Moira found themselves with six children in their family – but Lily was the only child of theirs not by birth.

Marlene's best friend was more than just their magical ward. Their guardianship of Lily that had been sealed in 1974 was more than a legal agreement to care for her and take responsibility for her until she became of-age. As Lily prepared to leave their home for the final time, departing to start her life with her husband-to-be, there was no doubt that the McKinnons had become more than her best friend's family.

They were her family, as well.

Her Wizarding family, so to say; the magical equal to the Muggle family she'd lost with her parents' death and an older sister who pretended that she didn't exist.

Not for the first time, Lily found herself thankful for Marlene and the friendship that had allowed her to be loved and cared for by the McKinnons.

Otherwise, she had no idea how she would be able to cope with the dangerous circumstances surrounding what should be one of the happiest moments of her life.

Where most brides had to worry about perfectly mundane things like whether their dress would fit or their heels would break as they were walking down the aisle, if the cake would be delivered on time, or if her groom would pass out from a case of nerves at the altar, Lily could only dream of her anxiety and tension being for these reasons. If her problems were something so simple, she would not have been in hiding here at the homestead since late spring.

She would have been able to have a bridal shower. She could have gone with her best friend and foster sisters to search for her gown freely wherever she wanted. She wouldn't have been separated from her fiancé and could imagine being able to safely take as much time as she could with her beloved, between wedding planning with their families, looking for their first home together, or deciding where to honeymoon. None of that had been able to come to pass.

Not once a near-successful attempt on her life in April had made it clear she might not make it to her wedding day if she didn't go into hiding.

There had been little deliberation on where was safest for her; she had cried about the distance it would put between her and James, but there was no doubt that the Unplottable lands of the McKinnon family would keep her protected and unharmed until she was officially a Potter. James had put on and kept a brave face, but Lily knew better. The day that she'd given him one last kiss and stepped behind the wards of the homestead, disappearing from the cobblestone lane with a muffled sob – it was the day that both felt their hearts break a little.

Six months of messages passed discreetly and without magic, late nights talking on the cold and impersonal connection of the Mercury Mirrors, and a risky fire-call or two followed that painful separation. It was what they had to endure to be sure that Lily would live long enough to become the newest Mrs. Potter. The protection and cover that she'd receive from the magic of the House of Potter would be stronger and more powerful than anything the McKinnons could offer, as her foster family. She only had to survive until the thirty-first of October, when she'd become Lily Potter, wife of the House of Potter and the magically bonded spouse of James Potter.

The final hours of their aching but necessary parting was coming to an end, but it wasn't over with yet.

James still had to make it Scotland safely. He had to arrive with his parents and his best friends within the wards of the McKinnon lands, before they would be truly and safely reunited with one another after six months of distance.

The last hour before the Potters and friends were to arrive seemed to pass the slowest. It wasn't a moment too soon, when Magnus announced that the Portkey had been sent to the Potters and would be activated within ten minutes. While Moira began preparing to host a houseful of guests and enlisted the help of her older daughters to do so, Lily instead separated herself from the lively chatter and tried to calm her racing heart.

Ten minutes.

Ten minutes in which everything could go wrong and something awful would happen, the risk of such being quite real and quite possible. Or ten minutes in which everything could go right, allowing her to once again be with the love of her life, after being away from him longer than a school holiday, for the first time since they first met at eleven years old.

Ten minutes in which so much could happen. Ten minutes in which nothing might happen at all.

This would be the longest ten minutes of her life, Lily was sure.


Potter Pointe – Kent, Wizarding Britain

"Wands at the ready, gentlemen. Be attentive, be aware, and do not be at ease until we are within the wards of the McKinnon lands. Portkey will be engaging in less than a minute."

Fleamont Potter held his own wand securely and confidently, deliberately modeling how the four young men before him should do, as well. James and Sirius both instantly affected the proper technique for a resting duelist's stance, but Peter took a few moments longer, and Remus was only a second behind Peter. Fleamont eyed them closely for a moment, then nodded with satisfaction.

Fleamont did not distrust Magnus and Moira McKinnon. He knew Magnus to be very well respected and highly spoken of within the Clan McKinnon and Moira was a Fawley, a family that was fine and honorable as any. He'd come to know them well enough since his son had proposed to their foster daughter. However, one could never be too sure, these days.

Especially not when his son – his only, long-awaited child! – was being preyed upon and had drawn the attention of the Dark Lord.

He had no doubt that they were being led directly to the Unplottable, deeply warded home where they would be safe and protected – and nowhere else. What one could not trust was that something would not intervene in the crucial moment between arriving and getting safely behind the wards. Fleamont was prepared for anything to happen in the handful of minutes that it would take for them to arrive then cross into the safety of the McKinnons' wards.

He didn't want anything to happen, of course, but he was certainly prepared.

The spruce staff that Magnus McKinnon had sent over a few minutes prior began to glow with a fifteen second warning. Sending over the Portkey at the last minute had ensured a little opportunity as possible for it to be intercepted and lead them to harm; Fleamont approved of the safety precaution, whole-heartedly.

James and the boys had their fingers of their non-wand arms touching the staff as it glowed brighter. Fleamont gripped his wand tighter, as he and Euphemia touched it also, their movement seamless and united.

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two…

The hooking sensation behind their navels had them leaving the security of Potter Pointe and risking themselves openly for a handful of moments – but moments in which anything could happen at all. They could do nothing but be prepared.

The Portkey deposited them very precisely in the middle of a quiet cobblestone lane.

The spruce staff remained upright of its own accord as the group let it go. Instantly, a dozen pairs of eyes were searching and scrutinizing everything about where they'd landed. Six wands were drawn and at the ready. If a battle were to break out right now, the elder Potters, their son, and the three young men they loved like sons would all be ready to fight to their lives.

It didn't look as though that was going to happen, however.

There was nothing but the six of them standing silently on the lane. The cobblestone lane was wide and lines with trees on either side. Dark red and gold and deep green leaves were warmed with the setting autumn sun, gently moving about in the early evening breeze. A pale blue sky peeked out from behind the wispy white of clouds. The ward line of the McKinnon lands was the picture-perfect snapshot of an idyllic Scottish autumn evening.

After a very long, tense moment, Fleamont eased his stance and lowered his wand from a dueling-ready hold.

"All clear, as it appears," the Potter patriarch declared. He didn't relax, but neither did he seem ready to engage in a bloodthirsty duel between one blink and the next. "Very well, then, son. We're following your lead."

James didn't have to be told twice.

Confidently, as he'd done many times before, James set foot onto the bridge; his parents and his friends followed him, barely a step behind him.

A thick, dense mist began collecting around their feet. The mist created a tingle around their feet, reading their magical signatures, sensing out who they were and if they belonged. The bridge had not looked especially long from the cobblestone lane, but now that they were walking upon it, it seemed to have no end. The mist had thickened and grown into a fog that made it impossible to see anything other than the bridge. There was no means of turning back to return to the cobblestone lane and there was nothing at the other end of the bridge.

Only the bridge itself, the thick fog, and the sense of being made to walk forever with no destination ahead.

Not for the first time, James had to admire the subtle brilliance of the wards. The McKinnons were serious about protecting their lands, especially in times like this. One wouldn't know they'd breached the wards until it was too late, and they were caught in a loop that would give the McKinnons plenty of time to protect against a coming threat. The ancient, Gaelic wards were rarely seen outside of the Hebrides, these days. James understood it for the sign that it was of how protected the Clan McKinnon were determined to be.

He was thankful for it, as well, for it was the protection that Lily had been enjoying since he'd last seen her – earlier this year, as unthinkable as it was.

"Hail and be welcome!"

The voice-without-a-body was what indicated that the McKinnon wards had found the Potters and their friends to be happily welcomed guests.

The thick, snowy mist faded from around their feet.

They were now on the other side of the stream from where they'd initially arrived, and the cobblestone lane curved sharply. They walked only a few more steps, before a pair of wizards were in their sight – Magnus McKinnon and his only son, Maxwell, were awaiting them.

James smiled.

Mr. McKinnon and Max were the next best thing that Lily had to a father and a brother. Her close friendship with Marlene McKinnon had ensured that Lily had been easily folded into the large and vibrant McKinnon family. These wizards were soon to be what could be considered in-laws. Where there were a lot of people who didn't necessarily care for the family of the witch they were marrying, James couldn't say the same. The McKinnons were exactly the type of in-laws he'd be delighted to have – and he didn't have to deal with any of the four McKinnons sisters for it to happen, Marlene included.

"Welcome, Potters and friends!" boomed Magnus McKinnon. All brawn and with a bushy beard, the very, very tall Scotsman was happily beckoning for James, his parents, and friends to come as quickly as they could inside the proper boundary line of their property. James could instantly feel that he was within the wards. The moment they stepped off the cobblestone and onto the earthen path alongside Magnus and Maxwell, the head of the McKinnon family seemed to breathe easier. "We're pleased to have you all arrive safely. Thank fortune for favor!"

"Indeed, thank fortune for favor," said James in agreement. The old saying was a folk blessing that many of the older generation saw as necessary in dark times. James accepted the warm clasp that Mr. McKinnon squeezed his forearm in, as he said, sincerely: "Thank you for honoring the traditions of the House of Potter and hosting myself, my parents, and my witnesses for this occasion. We appreciate the fellowship on this day before the eve of our becoming a family."

Max snorted behind his father. "For Merlin's sake, Potter – join us here in 1979, would you? Leave all that Ancient House twaddle back in the stuffy manor houses and the Middle Ages, where it belongs." Maxwell smiled toothily, despite the stern glare his father pinned him with. Mr. McKinnon missed James's grin as he looked back over his shoulder at his son; Maxwell winked playfully in return, as he accepted his father's subtle scolding.

"The Heir Potter bears impeccable manners and honor for our traditions. Traditions that go beyond all this Ancient House division that's come about, more recently." Mr. McKinnon nodded at Fleamont and Euphemia fiercely, adding: "His bearing speaks to his excellent rearing. I have no doubts about releasing one of my witches into the care and union of the House of Potter, for this very reason."

Fleamont beamed, accepting the praise of his family, proudly. "The honor is all ours, certainly, Magnus!"

Euphemia agreed, heartily. "We couldn't ask for a more perfect daughter for our House. Lily will make a wonderful Potter bride and we have no doubts that this is because of the Clan McKinnon." James was never more thankful for his mother and her elegant joy, which made it natural for to ask the question that was burning inside James: "Where is our bride-to-be, per chance? We've missed her dearly – James, especially."

The question that would have made him seemed overeager and pushy to his future father-in-law (of sorts) came easily from Euphemia. Nobody blinked twice at her smooth completion of the expected social graces and redirection to what small talk was delaying. James found himself admiring the skill, not for the first time.

Magnus gave a smile that was clear behind his bushy beard. "Awaiting the arrival of you all. All she's been able to talk about for the past week." Mr. McKinnon beckoned at James and his family and friends. "Come now, into the safety of our lands where our family awaits. Let's get inside and get to the celebration!"

A warm familiarity bloomed instantly, as they walked down the earthen lane towards the homestead.

Sirius and Remus and Peter fell into the easy chatter from their Hogwarts days with Maxwell, the only McKinnon son having been the only McKinnon Gryffindor, as well. Maxwell was three years old than the Marauders, but they liked him well enough back in their schooldays. Mr. McKinnon was leading their group a few steps ahead with his own parents, and James tried to keep pace with everyone, lingering in the middle.

All he could think of was Lily and the steps that dwindled down until they were no longer separated. These last few weeks had been hard but necessary. There was nothing more important than safety right now and the reality had been that until they were married, the safest place for Lily had been secluded here on her guardians' heavily protected family lands. The separation was over with as of right now, however. Lily would be leaving The Honoria Homestead tonight and returning to The Lighthouse Estate with him and his family. No more would they be forced to keep bonded through owls and enchanted mirrors.

Once she was in his arms in a few moments, he'd never be without her again – and that was exactly how it should be, as far as he was concerned.


"They're all inside the wards safely. They're walking up the path now, so they'll be here in a moment."

The intense relief that came over Lily was enough to make her hands start shaking. She hadn't realized how anxious she'd been until Moira McKinnon announced that James, his parents, and his friends had arrived without incident or danger. The tension drained from her body, as Lily unclenched her teeth and breathed deeply, steadying herself. James was safe, he had finally arrived, and she didn't have anything to fear for the moment.

Arriving safely to where one was meant to couldn't be taken for granted these days.

The smile that she gave Mrs. McKinnon was more genuine than the tense, half-hearted attempts throughout the day so far.

"I know why you were worried, but you shouldn't be," reassured Mrs. McKinnon. Her soft, gentle voice was so soothing. Lily leaned into the affectionate hand upon her cheek from the witch who'd cared for her since she was fourteen. "If nothing else, Fleamont Potter is a Master Duelist. He is well-equipped to always protect his wife and those boys. There are very few who can match wands with him. His skill with a wand is one the reasons we have no doubts about your safety once you become the newest Mrs. Potter."

Lily took a deep breath.

Mrs. McKinnon was right.

There was nothing to worry about in becoming Lily Potter, the first Muggleborn Potter bride in the long history of the ancient pureblood family. The threats against her and the scandal at James Potter's choice in her as a bride would remain nothing but vicious gossip, rumors, and whispers. She was going to be protected and well-defended with James as her husband and the Potters as her in-laws.

"That's my girl." Mrs. McKinnon said, fondly. "Now, go and meet your groom. I'm sure they're turning up the lane now and it'd be a shame if he was greeted by everyone but the witch he's here for."

Lily didn't need to be told twice.

She was only moments from being reunited with the love of her life. She had endured weeks of not being able to do anything but hold his letters close to hope something of his scent lingered or touch a barrier of cold, enchanted glass that separated them despite connecting them in communication. Lily hadn't ever known what it was like to be without James before this needed spell where she'd had to go into hiding before the wedding. She never wanted to again, either.

Once she was in his arms again, Lily had every intention of never being apart from him. As it should be.

Mrs. McKinnon's seamless connection to the wards of her lands had been accurate, as always.

Mr. McKinnon was coming up the back trail with a collection of people.

Mr. and Mrs. Potter were walking alongside Mr. McKinnon, the three of them engaged in a very serious conversation. The Potters were charming in complimentary shades of deep gold and light yellow; Mrs. Potter's golden bangles and tastefully adorned jewelry absorbed the twilight sun and gave her something of a subtle glow, while Mr. Potter was far more sedate with his neat stone-gray beard, wire-rimmed glasses, and not a potion-perfect hair on his head out of place. Their quiet, intense discussion had them paying no heed to the group of young men trailing behind them, loud and animated and thoroughly enjoying one another's company.

Max was pleased to have the male company, after being isolated in the homestead full of witches for the past few months. The conversation was wildly bouncing back and forth between the four. Sirius and his unkind words about the Pride of Portree's recent Quidditch game against the Falmouth Falcons, great enthusiasm for Peter's news of becoming a clerk in The Floo Network Authority Office in the Department of Magical Transportation, and the curious, thoughtful inquiry Remus had made about Max's strides in obtaining a Charms Apprenticeship. Max, Remus, Peter, and Sirius were engrossed in their chaotic discussion and the final of their number was a few steps behind everyone else.

James Potter was already seeking out Lily, desperate to see her finally, after six months of separation.

The moment that their eyes found each other –


The embrace they held one another in was bone-crushing and fiercely tight.

James and Lily were holding onto one another as if the other was all that kept them anchored to the Earth – and, for the first time in six months, they each felt as they could breathe again. Weeks of tension, loneliness, frustration, all the fear and resentment for being preyed upon, all of it dissolved as they simply stood and held each other.

"All right, Evans?" asked James, softly, his voice only for her.

Lily giggled and sobbed all at once. A smile came to her face as James held her impossibly tighter, pressing a slight kiss to her neck.

There was once a time where she would have hexed him for greeting her as such. The annoying little signature hello he'd adapted for her, his voice pitched deeper and what he thought was mature – it was usually followed by an embarrassing public display that showed how bold and confident he was in his fancy for her. Those exact words he'd spoken to her countless times before and she never appreciated it until now.

"I'm a lot better now that you're here, you arrogant toerag." Lily said with a wet laugh. "I've missed you so much, so much that I –" A sob swallowed up the rest of her words. Before she realized it another sob followed, and she was quietly weeping into his chest.

James made a quiet soothing noise, his own throat tight with emotion.

"I know, Evans. I know."

There was little more to be said.

James held her closely, allowing her to release all that had built up within her over the past six months. It had been the longest they'd ever been away from each other since they'd first met at the age of eleven on the Hogwarts Express. Neither had ever known a day where the other was not within arm's reach or a Floo Call away and this time apart from one another had certainly changed a lot. It had not changed their love for one another. If nothing else, this made it perfectly clear to each of them –

They could not do life without one another anymore.

From this moment forward, James and Lily knew without a doubt they belonged together, and life was meant to be done as one.

As husband and wife.


[AUTHOR'S NOTE: As you can see, this starts right at what it's been theorized as the crucial moment of the First War – late 1979, when the prophecy was likely made, Harry and Neville were conceived, and Voldemort first became aware that there was something threatening his downfall.

One thing I don't feel canon clearly gets across is how young and how short-lived James and Lily were when Voldemort killed them; the movies make it seem like they were adults in their 30s and 40s, but the books confirm that they were only 21 when they died. That is very young to be newly married, parents, and in a war where you're targeted. Hopefully, I get across how brutal the Potters' deaths were and how so much of their lives were stolen, because of what they went through.

Lily is said to have "cried all night" when she'd heard of the McKinnons' deaths, which indicated some significance of them to her beyond being fellow Order of the Phoenix members/allies. As well, The McKinnons are mentioned incredibly frequently in the books. They're mentioned in PS/SS as one of the "greatest wizarding families of the ages", then again in GoF when Travers is blamed for their murders, and yet again, when Lily is writing to Sirius of how they died in that letter that he found in DHs. I thought made a certain sense to make Lily have a close relationship with a wizarding family like Harry is with the Weasleys and that family be the McKinnons. I will also have my reasons for Dorcas Meadows and Lily being friends as well. They are a frequent fanon choice for the friends Lily was seen with in Snape's Worst Memory, as well as a good explanation for why we don't ever meet any of Lily's friends as we did James's - in canon, they all died in the first war.

In the next two chapter, we get to James and Lily's wedding. Around Chapter 8 or 9, Baby Harry makes his earliest appearance – and the plot will promptly take off like a hippogriff. Reviews and discussion and thoughts are welcome! Another update will follow soon.]