'I found it a few days ago. I don't know why or how, it was buried under the ruins. I don't know why it was buried under the house, maybe she just wanted to keep it safe or something. Maybe she knew what was going to happen…'

Remus Lupin's voice trailed off as his eyes settled on the seventeen year old, black messy haired boy, sitting at the table, the black, leather bound book lying open in front of him. His back was ramrod straight as he stared down at the neat writing, curling across the page.

'Harry?'

Harry turned his head slowly to look up at Remus, who shrugged slightly, suddenly embarrassed and uncomfortable. The boy shook his head slightly in amazement.

'This is my Mum, she wrote this. Good sense of humour, huh?'

Remus grinned. 'I can still remember, clear as day, that Quidditch game. You should have seen the look on her face when James almost fell off, I thought she was going to be sick. And that day she gave birth to you, what James said. It never registered until I read that last page… oh, what did he say..?' Remus thought aloud. 'That's it. "That damn book she was writing in, she wanted to finish it, more than get to hospital to have the baby!" Your father loved Lily so much. Then again, we all did, she was one of those people you couldn't help but want to protect. She looked so small and vulnerable, but once you got to know her you leant she had that fiery streak. Never mess with Lily Evans if you still want to live the rest of your life with all your limbs.'

A faint ghost of a smile touched Harry's face as he turned back to read the last words again. 'I hope.' After she'd lost so much, she still had so much hope left. He shook his head in bewilderment.

'She seemed so wonderful, such a cool parent to have. I wish I'd…'

'I know.'

Harry sat in silence again for a few minutes then looked up at Remus, who was now leaning over him and scrutinizing the final page. 'Why was she so… I mean, why didn't she use any detail? I mean, much detail. I mean, why'd she skip so much?'

'Hmm, not sure,' Remus murmured, biting his lip thoughtfully and clearly ignoring Harry's stuttering. 'Could be because you were so close to being born, but I think she was just being her. Lily wasn't one for huge patience in herself and, even though she spent heaps of time and detail in her essays and exams, she was fairly blunt in the real world. In a kind way. Harry, your mother was one of the kindest, sweetest women I've ever known.'

'Then how'd she get Dad so angry?'

'James spent so much effort on your Mum and she shot him down again and again. I guess he lost his temper after a few years. But he was just as loyal and kind as her.'

Harry made a noncommittal noise and slowly shut the book, staring at the cover. 'What happened to the others?'

He glanced up just in time to catch the look of pain which flitted across Remus' face. 'Hannah died not long after you were born. She had moved to Scotland after school and after we… we broke up because of my… anyway, Sam was attacked by Death Eaters the year before you were born. Devastated Sirius, he never even mentioned her again. Aoife, as far as I know, is still in France, raising three children. She married some Beauxbatons guy and disappeared. I haven't heard from her for about ten years.'

'Ah.'

Remus flipped the book open again with one finger and grinned as he read the first words on the page.

'Sam really did look sweet and angelic back then. She had everyone fooled, you have no idea. Then again, Ginny Weasley could give her a run for her money. She had that smile… it seemed like she'd be happy to give hugs and was into puppies and kittens but that was more Aoife's style. Aoife loved to giggle and muck around. She wasn't very little back then, but she's so thin now. I think it was all the reproducing she did.'

Harry grinned suddenly at the rare joke from Remus. 'What about Hannah?'

'Hannah was beautiful.'

'Really?'

'She was so tall in our first year, but she stopped growing early and by our final year I was a good head taller than her. She loved books and the like. Into fairy tales and myths and legends. She didn't talk much but when she did you knew that there was one hell of a brain in there. Such a soft voice.'

The look on his face had softened. Harry blinked then looked down at the leather bound book, closing it slowly then standing and picking it up. He turned and smiled at Remus.

'Thank you.'

'Hey, anytime, Harry.'

Remus stood and grinned down at Harry for a moment, then turned and left him alone in the kitchen. Harry smiled slightly and flicked through the pages one last time. That was when he saw it. The last page, the writing was different. Messier, scrawling across the page. It looked a lot like his own.

'Dear Harry

Well, I just watched you being born. Honestly, it wasn't very pretty but it was incredible, all the same. Hey, I have a son! I hope I can bring you up well, be a good Dad. Lily is a natural, she's asleep in front of me right now, holding you in her arms. So, things you need to know? I love you already, and your mother. That's all really. Oh, and you have one heck of a god father. He'll teach you how to be a rebel, that is if I don't do it first (and I intend to).

Keep this book safe. I know your mother doted over it for ages, I mean, you should have seen her writing, hair tied back, hand on her belly... ok, never mind.

Take care, son

Dad'