As the months passed by, James and Lily did all they could to stay positive for Harry's sake. They concentrated on making happy memories and taking a lot of photos. Every month they would send the film to Remus for him to look after. Sirius, Remus and Peter had visited the house for James and Lily's birthdays, but their visits were becoming less frequent as the war escalated. Unfortunately, none of them had been able to come to Harry's first birthday but they had all sent him wonderful presents. A small dinner with Bathilda Bagshot had been the only celebration. The day after his birthday found Harry playing on his new toy broom with James chasing after him…

Lily sat at the kitchen table, clutching a cup of tea, and watched James race pass her again, following closely behind Harry. Lily laughed and looked down at the photo in front of her. The picture was of Harry on his broom, James chasing him and Lily standing off to the side. Lily smiled just as she heard a loud crash. She stood up and raced into the hallway. James had just picked up a crying Harry and was brushing bits of broken china out of his hair. Lily looked at the bits of broken vase on the floor.

'The vase from Petunia?'

'Yes.' James winced as Lily cocked an eyebrow. 'Sorry.'

'I didn't like it anyway,' Lily smiled and turned her attention to her baby boy. 'You okay, Harry?'

'Yes.' Harry nodded and smiled. 'Can I play again?'

'Yeah, just be careful.' James set Harry down and he quickly grabbed his broom and was off again. James turned to Lily. 'You wanna keep it?' He said motioning towards to the broken vase.

'Nope.' Lily waved her wand and all the pieces lifted into the air and she deposited the whole lot into the trash can. 'Watch him, James.'

'Of course.' James chased after Harry again and Lily returned to the kitchen and pulled a piece parchment towards her and began writing.

…

Dear Padfoot,

Thank you, thank you, for Harry's birthday present! It was his favourite by far. One year old and already zooming along on a toy broomstick, he looked so pleased with himself, I'm enclosing a picture so you can see. You know it only rises about two feet off the ground, but he nearly killed the cat and he smashed a horrible vase Petunia sent me for Christmas (no complaints there). Of course, James thought it was funny, says he's going to be a great Quidditch player, but we've had to pack away all the ornaments and make sure we don't take our eyes off him when he gets going.

We had a very quiet birthday tea, just us and old Bathilda, who has always been sweet to us, and who dotes on Harry. We were so sorry you couldn't come, but the Order's got to come first, and Harry's not old enough to know it's his birthday anyway! James is getting a bit frustrated shut up here, he tries not to show it but I can tell - also, Dumbledore's still got his Invisibility Cloak, so no chance of little excursions. If you could visit, it would cheer him up so much. Wormy was here last weekend, I thought he seemed down, but that was probably the news about the McKinnons; I cried all evening when I heard.

Bathilda drops in most days, she's a fascinating old thing with the most amazing stories about Dumbledore, I'm not sure he'd be pleased if he knew! I don't know how much to believe, actually, because it seems incredible that Dumbledore could ever have been friends with Gellert Grindelwald. I think her mind's going, personally!

Lots of love,

Lily

…

Lily set down her quill and smiled at the memory of that tea. Lily didn't know if she could believe the stories about Dumbledore but she did trust Bathilda. Lily smiled sadly and grabbed a new piece of parchment.

…

Dear Moony,

Thank you so much for Harry's birthday present! It was much more practical than Sirius' (a toy broomstick). I just know that Harry will love reading all those stories as much as I did as a child. I'm sorry that you couldn't come visit but Harry didn't even know it was his birthday. I'm sure you'll be there when it really matters.

I'm only just beginning to feel frustrated. James has been feeling cooped up for weeks but it's only just starting for me. I sometimes get the feeling that I won't see my next birthday and dying at the age of 21 is scary. I know James is thinking the same thing but he tries not to show it. I do hope that I get to see you before then. I miss your conversations most of all, Remy. The conversation between me and James has become slightly stagnant, but most days it's good. He's still an amazing person but he does occasionally slip back into his old Hogwarts ways, mainly the pig-headedness!

Harry's growing faster every day and he's just like he's father! He's beautiful, happy and fun-loving. He'll be a Gryffindor for sure! And a Quidditch player if James has his way. I can't stand the thought that my baby will play one of the most dangerous games there is but it also makes me proud. It is dangerous but it's all about team work and I quite like that.

Lots of love,

Lily

…

Lily sat back in her chair and sighed. Everything she had written in the letter was true. Dying at just 21 was a scary thought for her. Lily pulled yet another piece of parchment towards her and began writing again.

…

Dear Molly,

Thank you for Harry's birthday present. He absolutely loves his new sweater and he simply refuses to take it off! Harry enjoyed his birthday, even if he didn't really know what was going on. I think he understood that it was a special day but that was probably about as far as he got.

I hope your pregnancy is going well. Let's hope you finally get that girl you so desperately need! My fingers are crossed for you and Arthur. How's Arthur coping at the Ministry? I hope that things aren't too bad for him there, and that you don't have to worry so much. Then again, you are both in the Order, so maybe that makes up for it. You're lucky that you haven't been forced into hiding. I don't like being shut up like this and neither does James. The house seems smaller than it was when we moved in, though nothing has changed.

Molly, one day, in about eleven years, you're going to be sending another son off to Hogwarts and I want you to make sure that Harry gets on the train okay if he turns up on his own. I'm sure you would have anyway, but just thought I would ask. There is no one I would trust more with looking after my boy if something should happen. And please let Sirius help if possible. He means well and he cares for Harry very much. I know that Harry will love your family.

Lots of love,

Lily

…

Lily decided to write as many letters as she could before James and Harry needed her. Lily made sure that she had plenty of ink and parchment and settled herself in.

…

Dear Professor Dumbledore,

I hope that this letter finds you safe and healthy. I wanted to thank you for the letter you sent on Harry's birthday. I was so sorry to hear the news about Greg Jones. I know he was a good friend of yours and he was an excellent Auror. I hope that his family is found safe and soon. I can only imagine what they're going through.

I have to ask this for the sake of my sanity: why did you take James' cloak? It's killing him that he can't go out for little excursions with the others, and it's beginning to kill me that he can't! I just hope that you're putting it too good use and not just staring at it. James is very frustrated stuck in here and I'm beginning to feel the same way. It feels as though my sanity is slipping away from me and there's nothing I can do to stop it. The longer I'm stuck here the sooner I'll lose my mind.

I think, perhaps, that this might be the last time you hear from me. Dying at the age of 21 isn't exactly ideal but that might be what happens. I hope that Harry will be well looked after when I am gone and that you keep an eye on him whenever you can. Harry is special, and I'm not just saying that as his mother. I know that my boy is special and I will be proud of him no matter what he does. All I know for sure that the hopes of the Wizarding World will rest on his little shoulders one day and it is then that he will need the most help.

Thank you for everything, Professor.

Lots of love,

Lily

…

Dear Alice,

Thank you so much for Harry's birthday present! I hope that Neville liked his gift from us. Harry's growing so quickly that I can barely keep up. I'm sure it's the same for you and Frank with your beautiful boy. It seems like just yesterday we were in the hospital feeding and bathing them for the first time. And now, Harry's walking and talking. I wish he wouldn't grow so quickly!

I must say that I'm looking forward to seeing you again. After months of just James to talk to my mind is beginning to disappear on me. The conversations usually fine but it usually somehow ends up at Quidditch and broomsticks. I don't think I can bear another talk about how fast the newest racing broom can go. I might just scream if it comes up again. When he's not talking about brooms or Quidditch, then he's talking about Harry's future. James has almost all of Harry's life set out. Is Frank doing the same thing?

I hope that everyone's okay. Did you hear about the McKinnons? I cried all night when I got the news. I just can't believe that they were all attacked and that none of them survived. It seems so impossible that an entire family can be utterly wiped out in one horror night. I do so hope that this war is almost over just so that we won't get that kind of news ever again.

Lots of love and hugs,

Lily

P.S. Give my love to Frank and Neville.

…

Lily placed all of the letters into separate envelopes and then sent all of them to Remus, trusting him to pass them on for her. Lily sat in the living room and focused all of her attention and energy on Harry and James. She needed to put on a happy face for her own sanity. James could see through it but Harry only saw the facade. When James asked if she was okay, Lily's smile dropped slightly.

'I just have this bad feeling.' Lily shrugged.

'About what?' James frowned, concern etched all over his face.

'I dunno. Like we won't see our next birthdays. Let alone Christmas.' Lily shrugged again as though it were nothing.

'I know,' James nodded. 'I feel the same sometimes. But you can't focus on that, Lil. You have to concentrate on what we have now, instead of what we could lose.'

'Yeah, I'm trying.' Lily smiled weakly. James hugged her tightly.

'We'll be okay. I promise you.'