I actually asked my own dad about this, asked him how it felt for him, watching us grow up. He didn't even answer me, he just smiled and told me that I'd figure it out eventually. Him and his mysterious qualities.

Thanks for the reviews and obviously, I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter 3: What Fathers Know

Lily was graduating.

We were all invited to Hogwarts and we saw her go up the stage when her name was called. She looked beautiful that day, practically glowing with her cheeks were flushed, green eyes bright and red hair stunning. I couldn't believe that my youngest daughter was graduating already. As my eyes wandered the stage, I saw another man who had the same look of stunned amazement that I did.

James Potter was staring at my daughter, staring at her with so much love I was startled. He looked adoring, he always did when Lily came around but he hid it well. He hid it under a mask. I knew, more than ever, that he would ask me soon. He would ask me to give my daughter away. Soon.

He did. It was during the Graduation party, when Lily had taken Hannah to meet some more of her friends and I was staring off into space.

He appeared from nowhere. That kid seemed to do that a lot.

"Hello, sir."

"Hello, James. Congratulations. Nice speech." He had given a speech, as Head Boy or something to that effect. The only line I remembered was the beginning line, for it had given me so much to ponder on. Seconds tick, minutes flicker, hours pass, days are spent and years are accomplished. Somehow, in the blink of an eye, we have finished seven years together --- although the time spent seems so short. But we will not forget.

How was it that time had flown by so fast? She was a little girl in pigtails, I remember. She was. She used to run around the backyard with her sister, smelling daisies. How is it that she is now a grown woman, standing before me?

He grinned at me and somehow I found myself smiling back, despite the reverie that I was in. "Lily helped."

"I thought so."

Silence for awhile as we contemplated what to do next.

"Mr. Evans," James said smoothly, suddenly, staring at me, "I want to ask you something."

Cold fear gripped me. No. "Go ahead, James." Lily loves him.

He almost seemed to hesitate, but he plowed right ahead. "I want to ask you for Lily's hand in marriage."

I swallow. Again. And again. Then I stare of into the sunset, the feeling of loss taking over all other things. I couldn't see the idea of giving her away --- all that crap about not losing a daughter, only gaining a son and a family expanding and growing wasn't any comfort to a father being faced with giving his daughter away.

Lily loves him. "Take care of her." She loves him.

"Yes, sir." His eyes cannot contain his relief and delight, his ecstasy. He loves her.

I nod and he understands, or at least I think he does, for as he walks away, his hand touches my shoulder, comforting and reassuring. He doesn't say anything, because what can he say? I turn around and watch the sun set.

"Daddy," Lily cried, running towards me. She threw her arms around me and it occurred to me that I had never seen so happy. I knew that I had made the right choice. I knew that James was going to take care of her.

He better.

I don't have a shotgun in my closet for nothing.

Dear Daddy and Mommy,

Guess what? We set the date! I feel like I'm floating. That's how strange this seems. It's like I'm living someone else's life, like I don't have the right to be this happy. I'm not sure of what I'm doing, because all I know right now is that I love James. I love him so much it's like it consumes all of me. I don't even know if that makes sense but sometimes I feel like nothing makes sense anymore.

We're visiting you next week and James is bringing his parents. Greg and Anna are really nice people. They have James' warmth and Greg has James' eyes, or maybe it's the other way around, I don't know. Is this what love feels like? Like you don't know anything anymore? Because I think I'm going crazy --- but in a good way. But heaven help me, because I don't know how you can be crazy in a good way. I love him so much, I just do and I don't know much anymore except for that. He's all I know. This letter is probably just my rambling, but dad, mum, I am just so happy. I feel like… like I've never ever been this happy and all it takes is that James is there.

I don't know anymore, I'm confused and happy, but know that I will always love you. Always.

We send all our love.

Lily and James

Dear Lily and James,

Guess what? We love you both. Be happy; you deserve it.

Mum and Dad