Chapter 2: Harry's birthday

She stood in front of the baby, singing quietly to him. James entered, and she turned around. He bent over to Harry. 'Happy birthday, Harry. Have you had a good night, had you?'

He began to tickle the little boy's feet. Lily smiled of pride.

'Already one year', she whispered, and some tears flickered over her cheekes. James wiped them away and gave her a soft kiss, before taking her hand.

'To Harry James Potter', he said. She smiled and kissed her baby boy.

VVVV

'See, that's from your godfather', she said gently to Harry, handing over the little broom. 'Do you want to try it out?'

Harry stroked over the wood. She helped him onto it, and the boy started zooming around the room. James entered.

'That's my boy', he said proudly, 'he'll make a quidditch champion, just like his dad.' Lily laughed. 'As long as he hasn't inherited his father's arrogance.'

James grinned. 'Can you have an eye on him?', Lily enquired, 'I would like to send a letter to Padfoot.'

She had gotten used to use the Marauderer's codenames as well now. In light of Voldemort running after them, it seemed like an additional safety measure.

'Yeah, of course', James said.

They were in hiding for about a month now and Lily knew James was getting depressed being stuck inside the house. The way he behaved she thought, if it hadn't been for Harry, he'd probably ignored all necessaire protection and went out to fight Voldemort. She also understood him too well. At least there was Harry, Harry, the little sunshine that had no idea what was happening outside the house, who needn't worry. Her heart sank. She'd do anything to make sure he was kept safe. She had done some talk with Dumbledore about that matter, and knew, Harry would be safe the moment Voldemort would allow her to live, the moment she would be getting the choice in dying and living. She hadn't doubted a single second what she'd be doing. Little Harry. Hopefully he wouldn't have to lose his mum. Hopefully the fidelius charm would be keeping Voldemort away, that might just be it… But then again, what end would it take? The order told them they kept losing battles, members and their families were being killed… it didn't look too good, they were losing, and that wasn't quite a good thing to hear when you were stuck in the house, unable to fight yourself.

She wished this to be over, for all of them. She took a deep breath before starting the letter. It seemed to take ages. As she went back into the living room she noticed Harry was still zooming around, James watching him fondly. He turned to Lily.

'He's a natural, I tell you.'

She laughed. 'Of course. Like his father.'

'Yes', said James proudly, 'I think he'll end up seeker for Gryffindor as well.'

She laughed slightly. 'We'll see.'

He pulled her closer. 'Weird, isn't it?'

She didn't answer.

'There might be no Hogwarts anymore if Voldemort takes over.'

'There's always Dumbledore.'
'Yes, well, blimey, I hope we'll keep him. I mean, he's not excactly the youngest.'

They got silent.

'James…Be honest, do you think we'll be able to safe him? Do you think we'll survive this?'

It took him a while for him to answer, choosing his words.

'I think we'll be able to keep him safe', he retorted finally, 'but I am… not certain we'll get thrrough this. I don't know, Lily. It sucks being stuck in the house. I wish I could do something.'

'Yes… Well, it's for Harry, after all.'

'Yeah, for Harry.' He looked at the baby boy. 'Maybe we should've gone abroad.'

'That wouldn't be any safer. And we couldn't hear the latest reports of the order, nor could we see any of our friends.'

'Yeah, that's right… I'm scared, Lily. Scared for Harry.'

'Hopefully our bluff is working. But if not… James, Peter wouldn't give in.'

'I hope', James whispered, 'he just seems so under pressure lately… I just keep thinking we might have made the wrong choice.'

'If we have, it'd be too late now. And I trust Peter can stand against them. It was you who said he can take more than we all think.'

'Yeah… well, I'm hope I'm right about that.' He stared out of the window. 'I mean, this is Voldemort we're talking about.'

'He couldn't just break the Fidelius Charm either, even if he's powerful. Besides I don't think he suspects Peter.'

'I hope.'

She looked at him and took his hand. 'Harry will be safe, James. I promise.'

TBC... some day. I simply have to many projects running at the moment and this one is not my highest priority. Still I definitely intend to finish it :D