Dear Son,
If you're reading this then it means that I am no longer with you and your mother, I hope your mum is still with you and looks after you like she always has but I have a feeling that neither of us will have the best of luck in the coming months.
So here's the thing, Voldemort has been out to get us, for most of the time Voldemort didn't hold any particular vengeance but a month ago that all changed and now his seemingly only focus is our family. Dumbledore has done his best for us, he's a great man and no matter how much trouble me and Sirius got in at Hogwarts he never once expelled us, even if he was the only teacher that wanted us to stay.
Sirius is your godfather. He is my best friend and is, to all intents and purposes, my brother. Not in blood and not by parents but since the sorting ceremony in first year we have been inseparable and there is no one, unless maybe Dumbledore, that I would trust more with your life if your mother and I don't make it. Sirius wasn't necessarily your mother's first choice, but it didn't take much persuading; she soon enjoyed his company as much as I do and when you were born we knew that he would be the perfect godfather.
Me and your mum weren't exactly a match that someone could have predicted. I was the joker, the one who would get weekly detentions and leave the homework to the last minute (don't tell your mother but I got my best grades doing homework at the last minute!). And then there was your mother. She was beautiful, intelligent and conscientious and no one ever thought that she would go for me, to be honest I didn't think she would either but now that I have her I'm never going to let her go – she is too important to me and I'm not going to let anything happen to either of you if I can help it. I don't know how she did it but your mum changed me, and for the better – even Sirius gave her that much. When you find someone you love, and no matter how long you have to wait you will find someone someday, don't ever let them go. Too many peope die each day and too many people have to go away when they don't want to so if you find someone that is worth fighting for then you keep holding on and never let them go.
When I married your mother I thought it was the best day of my life. When you were born, that equalled it. You two are the most precious people in my life and I will do everything in my power to protect you, even if it means my life – I will die contentedly knowing that my family is safe. I want you to be proud Harry. Don't let anyone get you down, people can only get to you if you allow them to – they can't hurt you – not really, without your permission. You need to stay strong Harry but at the same time know that you don't have to be strong all the time and sometimes it is the strongest thing to do to show weakness. I used to think that to show weakness in any way was a failure, maybe that's why I was always such a joker, but know that you never have to face weakness on your own. Weakness isn't something to be ashamed of, least of all with your family and friends. Me, your mum, Sirius, Lupin, Dumbledore, we will all be there for you.
Life is not to be feared. Life your life the way that you want to and no other way. I hope that me and your mum will see you to grow up to be the great man I know you will be but unfortunately life isn't always fair so I'm not sure if we will. But know this Harry James Potter, I love you son; no matter what happens me and your mum will be stood right behind you every step of the way. We won't ever leave you, not really.
Look after yourself son,
Dad