TITLE: First Steps

GENRE: Family

RATING: K+

SUMMARY: Harry takes his first steps, in front of his proud and happy mother.

AU (Alternate Universe): none, canon-ish

WARNING: none

First Steps

By RowenaHermioneRavenclaw

Lily watches Harry fondly, her red hair curling over her shoulder. Harry tries to get on his feet and falls back down.

"Just try," Lily encourages him softly, picking her son up and brushing him off before putting him back onto the floor to try again. "You can do it, Harry. I know you can."

She knows that he doesn't understand her fully - he isn't old enough yet - but maybe her voice will soothe him.

The little green-eyed toddler - he inherited those eyes from me, Lily thinks - nods. Or at least Lily thinks that it's a nod.

Harry's nearly eleven months old. It's strange how fast time passes. It's going to be his birthday soon, and Lily's already planning his party.

His progress is a bit faster than any other baby's. He managed to crawl when he was about five months old. He learned to stand when he was nearly eight months old. He could walk while holding onto furniture (and Lily's hand) nearly immediately after that. Now, he's trying to walk independently.

Though they've been trying for months, Lily isn't that concerned. She's looked it up, and babies should be able to walk when they're about eleven to thirteen months old. They still have plenty of time.

A soft thump tells Lily that Harry's fallen again. Cries come immediately after. Hurriedly, Lily picks her child up and cradles him.

"You can do it," she repeats. "I know you can." She sets him down.

As if he does understand her words, when Harry stands, there's a childish determination in his eyes. He wobbles for a moment, and Lily's afraid that he'll fall again. Instead, he simply says, "Mama!" which is one of the words that he knows how to say, and lifts a tiny foot off the ground.

He places it in front of his other foot firmly, and Lily gasps.

Harry takes another step, slowly and carefully.

Lily's nearly crying, she's so happy. Her baby boy has finally learned to walk. She quickly fetches the camera, and waves at Harry. "Cheese!"

It's her favourite photo.

Assignment 12: Famous Photographs Task #8: First Cell-Phone Picture - Philippe Kahn (1997): Write about a first (first steps, first day of school, first date, etc.)

WC: 346