September 20, 1981

Godric's Hollow

Dear Harry,

If you're reading this, I'm so sorry. I'm writing this letter in case I don't make it. I really, really hope you never have to read this, and that I can tell you all of these things myself. But I'm writing it anyway, just in case.

First of all, I want you to know how much I love you. Only one year old and you're already the happiest, sweetest, funniest person in the world. You're sitting next to me right now as I write this. Your mum's reading you a story and you're giggling at everything she says. I keep looking over at the two of you, wondering how I got so lucky. It sounds cheesy, I know, but it's the truth.

I hope with everything I have that your mum is there beside you as you read this, and if she's not- know that she loves you so much. She really does. She gets the biggest smile on her face every time she looks at you, and I know her heart feels like it'll explode with love for you, just like mine does.

I hope you're alright. It's hard to lose your dad. Trust me, I know. But you'll be alright. I promise. I love you so much and I'm so proud of you. And I hope wherever you are, whatever you're doing, that you're living. Not just existing. Living. Because if there's one thing I've learned in all my 21 years on this planet, it's that you've only got one life, so you've got to live it to the fullest.

I hope when you take a jump, you don't fear the fall.

May 7, 1973

By the Great Lake

"Bad idea, Prongs! That broomstick's fifteen feet up at least!" Remus shouted.

James grinned at him before leaping off his broomstick. He landed on his feet, as he'd expected, and he looked back at Remus.

"Told you it would work!"

I hope when the crowd screams out, they're screaming your name.

September 25, 1977

The Quidditch pitch

"Po-tter! Po-tter!" The crowd chanted.

James flew out onto the Quidditch pitch and they erupted in cheers. James grinned and raised his fist in the air. Sunlight bounced off of the red Captain badge pinned to his robes.

I hope if everybody runs, you choose to stay.

April 9, 1972

Just outside the Forbidden Forest

"James, go back to the castle. I'll be fine." Peter croaked.

"Absolutely not." James said firmly. "I'm staying with you until you can walk, then we'll go back to the castle together. Now, who did this to you?"

Peter squinted through his black eye.

"Lucius Malfoy."

I hope that you fall in love, though it can hurt so bad.

December 14, 1975

Outside the Charms classroom

"For the last time, Potter, no, I won't go out with you." Lily crossed her arms.

"Come on, Lils. Why not?"

"Because you're an arrogant toerag, that's why not. And don't call me Lils." Lily turned on her heel and walked off.

James' smile faded.

"Don't worry, Prongs, she'll come around." Sirius threw an arm around his shoulder. "Eventually."

But it's the only way you can know you gave it all you had.

October 29, 1976

A corner of the Gryffindor Common Room

"James?" Lily wiped her eyes hastily. "What- what are you doing here?"

"You left dinner so quickly, I knew something was wrong. Are you alright?"

Lily nodded as a tear slid down her cheek. James' eyes searched her own.

"Lily, I can tell you're not. I'll give you some space." James turned to leave.

"James?" Lily said softly.

James turned back around immediately. "Yeah?"

"Can you stay? Please?"

"Of course." James sat down on the floor next to Lily. She rested her head on his shoulder and he put his arm around her. To his surprise, she didn't shake it off.

I hope that you don't suffer, but take the pain.

February 4, 1976

James winced as Madam Pomfrey applied ointment to the gashes in his side.

"Are you alright, James?" Remus' face was full of concern.

James managed a smile. "I'll be fine."

"I'm so, so sorry, I didn't mean to attack you, I couldn't control it, if I had known what I was doing-"

"Moony. It's okay. It wasn't your fault. I'll be fine." James repeated.

"But-"

"No buts. I'm glad I went with you. If being with you while you transform will make it easier for you, then I don't care if I get all the injuries in the world. It's worth it."

I hope that you spend your days, but they all add up.

March 27, 1977

The Great Hall

James burst into laughter as Sirius stood on top of the Gryffindor table and clinked his glass.

"I would like to inform everyone that today is one James Potter's seventeenth birthday, so be sure to wish him a happy birthday and remind him that he is still four months and twenty four days younger than me. Thank you, that is all."

Sirius bowed and stepped off the table. He clapped James on the shoulder.

"Happy birthday, mate."

And when the sun goes down, I hope you'll raise your cup.

May 22, 1978

The Gryffindor boys' dormitory

"Here's to our friendship. To a brotherhood like no other. To eternal laughter, pranks, and happiness. To us." Sirius declared, raising his bottle of Butterbeer.

"To us!" James, Remus, and Peter said in unison.

The four clinked their bottles and each took a sip. James was the first to speak.

"And here's to never growing up."

I wish that I could witness all your joy, and all your pain. But until that moment comes, I hope you'll say "I did it all."

January 17, 1977

The Gryffindor Common Room

James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter ran into the common room, out of breath but all grinning from ear to ear.

"We've done it, boys! We've successfully pranked Dumbledore!" James shouted.

Sirius gave a whoop, Remus let out a holler, and Peter high fived James.

"The moment we've been waiting for since first year!" Remus yelled.

"We've reached our peak, boys. We're officially Hogwarts legends." Sirius announced.

"I owned every second that this world could give."

August 31, 1979

The backyard of the Potter mansion

"Do you, James Fleamont Potter, take Lily Elizabeth Evans to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do."

James blinked away tears and smiled down at Lily. She beamed at him, and he saw that she was crying too.

"And do you, Lily Elizabeth Evans, take James Fleamont Potter, to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"Of course I do."

"Then I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

"I saw so many places, the things that I did."

November 13, 1975

The Forbidden Forest

"Go on, James, you go first." Sirius said excitedly.

James nodded and took a deep breath. He placed his wand over his heart and said clearly "Amato Amino Animato Animagus". He took the potion from Peter and swallowed it quickly.

After a few moments of fiery pain, a majestic stag stood where James had been. Only the stag was James.

"Brilliant." Remus whispered.

"And with every broken bone, I swear I lived."

July 5, 1975

The doorway of the Potter mansion

"James?" Sirius said weakly.

"Sirius-" James pulled him into a hug.

"It- it's Mum and Dad. I couldn't stay there, I had to get out, I- I didn't know where else to go." Sirius said shakily, leaning into James. "Would it be all right if I- stayed here for a little while? I know it's sudden but-"

"Of course you can stay, Sirius, as long as you need. Forever, if you want."

Sirius released James, and his eyes said everything he couldn't.

James squeezed Sirius' shoulder then picked up the trunk from the floor. "Now let's get your things upstairs."

Now, Harry, I want you to promise me one thing. Solemnly swear it, even. Promise that you'll live every day like it's your last. Promise that you'll love with your whole heart. Promise that you'll protect your friends with everything you have. I love you, Harry. More than anything.

Love,

Dad

Harry Potter looked up from the letter, his eyes wet. His two sons were playing with building blocks on the living room floor, his daughter watching them with amazement. His wife, Ginny Potter, was sitting next to them, laughing and helping them build their block tower. His best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, were sitting on the couch across from him, their daughter reading a book in Hermione's lap and their son asleep in Ron's arms. Harry looked back at the letter.

"I did, Dad." Harry whispered. "I swear I lived."