A/N: I wasn't really planning on writing this chapter, but I got this insisting nagging feeling that wouldn't go away, so I sat down and wrote this. It's fairly short, but I just had to write it. I'm already working on what was supposed to be Chapter 2, so I'll probably have it up in the next day or so. Also, I have a question for you guys. Should Lily eventually die? I can't seem to make up my mind on that. Let me know what you guys think.

Chapter 2: A New Life

Over the course of the next few days, The Burrow seemed rather like an inn as people who had been close to Lily and James paraded in and out, offering their condolences and support; Remus and Sirius had been among them, making a point to check on her every day. Lily had gone through the motions half-heartedly, in a zombie-like manner.

There were people to be talked to, questions to be answered, preparations to be made. She didn't know exactly how she was going to manage to plan the funeral, but thankfully for her, Molly and Emmeline Vance, a fellow member of the Order and old friend, had volunteered to take care of it.

It had been a nice, quiet, ceremony, to those present, led by none other than Albus Dumbledore. But to Lily it had passed by in a blur. She had stood there as was expected of her, crying silently, holding her small son tightly to her chest, almost as if she feared that when she let go, he would leave her also.

Harry was the only one that seemed to be keeping her together these days. She knew she must carry on and learn to live with the aching whole in her heart, for Harry's sake.

Being young and innocent, Harry had not yet been able to comprehend that his father was never coming back. He would constantly ask Lily where James was and she felt as if each question was a new blow to her already aching heart.

Molly had come to the rescue and tried to keep Harry's little mind occupied by taking him for little walks and the such, for which Lily was extremely grateful.

But in the night, when they were all alone in their little room, Harry would refuse to sleep crying for James. Lily knew it was because he missed the stories James would always tell him at night, before tucking him in. Lily had tried everything, from trying to read to him, to pleading with him, to finally breaking down and crying. Luckily, Remus had stepped in and taken the role of storyteller, 'until Daddy came back'.

Just as she was trying to adjust herself to life without James, Lily had received another blow. One of her best friends, Alice Longbottom had been attacked by four Death Eaters and tortured to insanity. She had spent most of that morning crying into Sirius' arms, as he awkwardly tried to comfort her.

The only good thing that had come from his visit was that he had informed her that Peter Pettigrew had finally been captured and was currently awaiting trial, facing a life sentence in Azkaban. It felt like a small, senseless victory to Lily. Having Peter in prison would not revive James, nor would it ease her pain. She would much rather murder the traitor with her own bare hands. But seeing as that wouldn't bring back James either, she settled for letting the culprit suffer for the rest of his miserable life.

It had been a month since James' passing and Lily found herself more or less adjusting to her new life without him. She had decided that it would be a good idea for her and Harry to get their own place. Arthur had helped her, finding her a cosy little cottage just in the outskirts of the woods surrounding Ottery St. Catchpole, just a few miles north from The Burrow.

It was a rather small house, much smaller than their home in Godric's Hollow had been, but Lily had loved it just the same. It seemed to Lily as if had come straight out of one of the Muggle fairy-tales her mum used to read to her when she was younger. Since she had decided to keep him as far from the wizarding world as possible, she thought it the perfect place for Harry and her to start their new life. After putting the necessary spells around it and it had passed Dumbledore's inspections, Lily had finally moved in, with the help of her friends.

Soon, she and Harry adjusted to their new life. Seeing as James had left them with enough money that Lily didn't need to work, she remained home, her main job being the welfare of her son, although occasionally, she would do little jobs here and there, to keep her mind occupied.

The Weasley's remained a constant presence in their lives, as did Sirius and Remus. Their little home always seemed to be full of her friends from the Order, who would usually stop by for a chat and a bite to eat and make sure they were doing okay, before returning to their duties. Lily didn't mind in the least. On the contrary, she was grateful for all the people who cared about them.

But amidst the changes happening in their lives, Lily never forgot James and she made sure Harry didn't either. While everyone else was out celebrating Hallowe'en, five-year old Harry Potter stood huddled close to his mother as she lit four candles, one for each year since James Potter had died. His mum was humming softly to herself that little tune she always sang whenever she lit them.

Every year, Lily would light the floating lamps, while humming to herself. Then, they would release them into the night sky while they each said a little prayer for James. They would walk back inside and light even more candles, this time next to the portrait of their little family that stood over the fireplace. Afterwards, Harry would sit on his mother's lap as she told him about James. It was like their own little private ritual and Harry loved every second of it.

"Mummy?"

"Yes, love?"

"What was Dad like?" Although Harry had asked his mum this same question millions of times, he never got tired of asking it and Lily never got tired of answering it.

"Well, he was very much like you. Same untidy hair, same horrible vision, same loving and caring nature. And he had a knack for misbehaving, very much like you," she said, laughing softly as she ruffled his hair. "I remember he would always get in trouble, along with Sirius and Remus."

"Uncle Remus too?"

"Oh, yes. Back then, they had their own little group which consisted of them three, plus—well he's not important. They used to call themselves the Marauders and they even had nicknames for themselves. Sirius was Padfoot, Remus was Moony, and—"

"Daddy was Prongs."

"Mhm."

They sat there, in front of the cosy little fire, in comfortable silence, as his mum stroked his hair. Harry could feel his eyes closing and he yawned sleepily. He was about to give in to sleep, when he remembered he still had one more question to ask.

"Mummy?"

"Yes, love?" his mother whispered softly.

"We'll always be together, right?"

"Yes, love. Always."

Soon, Harry was fast asleep, snoring lightly in Lily's arms. She stayed like that for a while, feeling the warmth of her son pressing against her chest, thinking of James. Four years had passed since that fateful day, yet to Lily it felt like only yesterday. She still loved him with the same fiery passion and she refused to remarry, refused to love anyone else. Her heart only had enough space for one other person besides James. And that person was Harry.