Chapter 32

James squatted with his head in his hands. Lily kneeled next to him as the next room came into focus again.

"James, dear, Remus knows…knew you cared about him. He wouldn't have wanted you to beat yourself up about this. He found happiness again, with that girl named Tonks. He even had a child. We can't dwell on that right now, please don't feel bad about this right now," Lily said to him softly. He still had his head in his hands, but he slowly nodded and started to stand. He had tears in his eyes and he reached over and hugged Lily. Harry had to look away from his father's grief before he started to break down as well.

He looked over at Hermione and Ginny who were watching with teary eyes at his parents. Ron was looking at Albus Dumbledore as he stood in the corner of the room looking out a window.

When Harry looked around the room he saw it was the same room as the one where he'd found his parents the day before. A light, breezy room with two beds, one with yellow blankets and one with light green. A painting in the center of the wall, between the two beds depicted a country scene of rolling green hills, a grove of trees next to a small pond, on the edge of which sat a small cottage. A small table between the beds had a small oil lamp filled with ever burning fuel and a chair sat between the beds facing the table.

A window covered in a white gauzy material looked out onto a small yard surrounded by trees and low stone wall made of river rocks with a white, wooden post and rail fence on top of the stones. There was a small pond with a running waterfall in the corner. A swinging bench sat next to the pond and had several different types of flowers growing nearby. There was a small white picket fence surrounding the peaceful looking area and Harry assumed it was so a child wouldn't go wandering too close and fall in to the pond. A stepping stone walking path led to child's Muggle-looking play set that included a swing, a slide and a sand box with pails and shovels. An oak picnic table and Muggle charcoal grill took up the rest of the remaining space in the relatively small backyard patio.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" asked Sirius as he walked up behind Harry.

"Where is it?" he asked his Godfather.

"Godrics Hallow, this is the guest bedroom in your old house, Harry. Merlin, James and I worked so hard on that yard for you and Lily. Mostly the landscaping, she did the gardening. We had many a good party in that little patch of heaven back there."

Harry looked out again, imagining himself playing in the sandbox while his parents and their friends grilled up hamburgers and hot dogs, a pitcher of icy lemonade sitting on the table. His mum and someone else were sitting on the swinging bench chattering away about the water lilies and the gold fish. James and Remus were laughing by the grill about some prank they had pulled in Hogwarts, while Sirius was in dog form and playing with little Harry in the sandbox.

In his little vision, or memory, what ever it was, Peter Pettigrew was nowhere to be seen and everyone was happy and content.

We will see those days again now that mum and dad are back, thought Harry to himself. He had made up his mind, he was going to try very hard to be more understanding of his mother's behavior from that point on. They would once again have a peaceful, happy, content life with all of their families and friends.

He didn't know the real condition of the cottage at Godric's Hallow whether the way it had looked to him during Christmas or if it was an illusion like Dumbledore had said, Harry was determined to clean it up and move out of Grimmauld Place and be a real family again.

He looked over at his parents who were still hugging and wondered if they might even try to have more kids. She was only thirty-eight and witches could have children way into their fifties even sixties if they used fertility potions and lived in a bed for nine months. This was because magical people lived twice as long as Muggles. The average Muggle life span was around late 60's to upper 70's, he figured. This meant that wizards and witches could live up to 120 or even to mid 130's. Yeah, thought Harry, they might have more kids. I wonder how many siblings I might get.

His thoughts were disrupted by the James and Lily from the past entering the room with their hands clasped and little Harry sleepily blinking around the room in his mother's arms. Lily's eyes were very red and her face was blotchy. James looked as if he'd been crying fairly hard as well but he had a resolute look about him that said he might be sad about what was going to happen, but he was going in head first and ready for anything.

"Lily please lay on the bed, both of you place your wands, and in James' case his glasses, in the table drawer. Make yourselves comfortable." They hugged once more before parting and Lily laid down. James was holding Harry and sitting on the edge of the second bed.

"I love you Lily, Harry will be fine, you'll see. We might wake up to find the world different, but our baby will be just fine, and we'll be a family again. We need to trust Albus, Sirius, and Remus. And Harry. They'll take good care of him," James said from his bed.

"I know James, I'm trying to calm myself down a bit. I have to trust my baby to others. This is the right thing to do, doesn't mean it's easy," she mumbled.

"That's exactly the right thing to think, Lily. Doing what's right isn't always easy, but at least you can look back on this and know that you did what was right. Now, I'm going to start with Lily, since I need the ritual done as soon as possible before Voldemort gets here in five hours so I have time to fix the spells around the yard and house to preserve it around you. I need to make sure it's all finished properly. Don't worry, I won't leave the house until my other self comes to get Harry, I promise you both this."

They all watched as Lily lay still and Albus started waving his wand slowly, a large book on the table between the beds. He was sitting in the chair able to reach both of the beds and see the book on the table.

"Lily Evans Potter, you make this sacrifice in complete knowledge that you are protecting your child from a terrible fate. You agree to this and enter this with your whole heart. Do you agree?"

"I agree," she responded quietly, but firmly. Albus nodded.

"Now begins the second part. Per illa three cruor donum nos scisco ut Harry James Potter exsisto tutis ex Avada Kedavra transporto per Tom Marvolo Riddle in October 31, 1981. Blood from the mother, blood from the castor, and blood from the caregiver all given willingly and freely to protect a child from a terrible fate." As he said the different donors he daubed a drop of blood on Harry and Lily's forehead's. She didn't look too happy about this and James had to restrain Harry from wiping the sticky liquid off his forehead, but Albus continued.

"With this blood, protect Harry James Potter." He touched his wand to the blood on Lily's forehead then to Harry's forehead and they both glowed faintly.

"Lily Evans Potter sacrifices her life to be in a magical coma for the protection it will provide for her son, Harry James Potter, until such time as he awakens her or he himself dies." Once Albus finished this sentence he tapped Lily's forehead again, then her chest above her heart, both of which began to glow. He then touched Harry's chest in the same place, then his forehead again and he began to glow too.

They all watched as Lily whispered, "I love you both," before closing her eyes and falling asleep.

Harry was crying as he watched the scene play out. James and Lily were standing on both sides of him and holding him while they too cried. Hermione was being held by Ron and Sirius was holding Ginny hand while she watched, torn between the sadness of the scene they were watching and happiness that Harry was able to be comforted by his parents right then. Minerva watched the scene sadly on the other side of Sirius, who had placed a hand on her shoulder to help calm her tears. Sirius had silent tears coursing down his cheeks and he did nothing to hide them.

"James," began Albus. "I need you to lay down but continue to hold Harry at your side. I cannot hold him while I do the spell, this way is easier." Before James laid down he brought Harry over to the other bed and set Harry next to his sleeping mother. Little Harry leaned down and kissed his mummy's cheek softly and patted her tummy.

"Nuh-naigh, mummy," he said softly. Hermione and Ginny both burst out crying loudly, while Lily leaned her head into James shoulder, Harry squished between them.

"Come on, you little charmer. Mummy's sleeping, come to bed with daddy," said James through his tears. As he laid down Harry cuddled up next to him and closed his eyes, gripping James' tee-shirt in his tiny fists. James choked back a sob. Even Albus had tears running down his cheeks and into his beard.

"I wish it didn't have to be this way, James," he said softly. James stared at Harry's little black head.

"Albus, you said that if we didn't do this, Lily and I would die later tonight. If this is true, I wouldn't have it any other way. I'd rather live like a vegetable for a few years than die before my time. I only ask one thing. If it seems like…Sirius is having a terrible time adjusting, please tell him about this. The only thing that makes me hesitate about this is not telling him. He's as much my brother than anyone, and doing this with out telling him and Remus, well, it leaves a nasty taste in my mouth, whether I understand it or not, I just don't like this."

"I understand James, if I need to I'll tell Sirius and Remus, but only if it's completely essential to the well being of Harry. Now, lay down, is Harry asleep?" he asked. Harry hearing his name peeked one eye open, making the men chuckle. "I guess that answers my question. I'll be taking care of Harry for the next few hours, I know where everything is. I'll also take your cat and owl with me for a few days until Sirius and Remus are settled. You've signed all the documents and wills?" James nodded. Since it was to look like he and Lily were dead, they had signed Last Will and Testaments together, witnessed by each other and Dumbledore acting as notary/public prosecutor, which was in his right as head of the Wizengamot. They were 'leaving' everything to Harry, with Sirius and Remus as executors of the wills, letting them have access to the family vault but creating a trust vault for Harry's spending money while in school, not to be touched until he was eleven and buying school supplies.

"Well, then I guess there is nothing else to do but complete the spell." James took a deep breath, kissed the top of Harry's head and lay down making himself comfortable, his arm around the toddler. Harry snuggled down deeper into James armpit and sighed. A single tear leaked out of James eyes and dropped onto his son's head.

Albus began speaking.

"James Adrian Potter sacrifices his life to be in a magical coma for the protection it will provide for his son, Harry James Potter, until such time as Harry awakens him or Harry dies." Once Albus finished this sentence he went through the wand movements of tapping James head and heart, then Harry's heart and head.

They both glowed and the scene darkened as they heard James whisper, "Goodnight my mini marauder," before falling asleep.

Everyone felt the whooshing sensation leaving a pensive creates, and they landed in the Drawing room of Grimmauld Place.

Translations: Per illa three cruor donum nos scisco ut Harry James Potter exsisto tutis ex Avada Kedavra transporto per Tom Marvolo Riddle in October 31, 1981. = With these three blood donations we ask that Harry James Potter be protected from the Killing Curse sent by Tom Marvolo Riddle on October 31, 1981.

A/n: Well, i'm back to my plan of posting on Wednesdays. My little sister turned 16 yesterday, and she got her drivers licence today! Yikes! LOL. so What did you all think of the rituals? I want to thank everyone for reviewing the last two chapters...except someone names Jason who left a flame...which made me laugh :)

Jason: I find it hard to believe that someone could think my story is too fluffy...it has it's moment's i'll give you that, but it's not too fluffy. Second, my jokes aren't stupid...well...maybe a little, like the Sirius/serious ones, but you almost have to use that one at least once in a story with Sirius. Thirdly, if you're going to ask a question...let me be able to answer it! The question you asked is valid, and yes i do have a way to explain the Resurection stone, i'm just not at that point of the story yet...duh! So please, don't be such a coward and if your going to leave flames, at least be brave enough to let the author send you a private message instead of dressing you down for all the internet to read. *snap snap snap* Oh, what now?

*sigh* wow that felt good :) My first flame made me laugh. almost 64,000 hits, and more than 450 reviews (all of which were good) and finally a flame! I was wondering when i might get one...didn't think it would take so long. I have some really good news, MY Brother's Band was SIGNED!!!! YAY!! The band's name is Killian Ace, just add a www at the beginning and dot com at the end and check them out! My brother is Jake, the bassist. He also plays drums in another band that i used in my other story, X-ISLE. Both bands have a myspace. They played a song called Heavenly Eyes which is an Irish drinking song i think, they called us all up on stage and had us sing with them...great song! We all had so much fun! anywho that was my week, i also went to my little sister's bridal shower...she's getting married in Novemeber this year. It makes me feel old. One sister is now driving and the other's getting married, and i'm only 22...23 in november...Oh well, Review and let me know how i did for this chapter! I need something to do tomorrow while i'm in Photoshop class ignoring my teacher! LOL