Position: Gryffindor Prefect

Story: Drabble

Prompt: (event) Baby shower

Word Count: 560

Betas: Charlie, Mega

The tables were set. The decorations were up. The food was ready, overseen by Marlene. As Lily looked around at the room that Marlene had helped her rent, she saw that everything was ready. Her baby was soon to be born, and Lily was ready to welcome baby Harry into the world and into her life.

But what kind of world am I bringing him into? A world where he will live in constant fear, checking over his shoulder constantly? The thought kept Lily awake on sleepless nights. There was so much darkness in the world right now, with the Death Eaters and Voldemort essentially having total control of the Wizarding World. How could she justify bringing an innocent life into that kind of situation? Lily closed her eyes, trying to get a hold of her wild emotions.

James would have said that it was because of hope. Children represented the future. Without them, there was little reason to fight for something better. In this moment of panic, Lily focused on that thought. She wanted this baby. She wanted little Harry more than she'd wanted anything in her entire life. Her biggest fear? Not being able to protect him. One day she would not be there. She could not escape that fact. He would go off to school, off to friends' houses to play.

She could not protect him forever. And with the world as Dark as it was now, the thought scared her out of her mind. Apparently, that must have shown on her face, as the first guest arrived; Minerva McGonagall.

Lily had been one of Minerva's favorite students during their Hogwarts days, and it had been a no-brainer to invite her. As she entered with a small wrapped gift, Minerva noticed Lily's state. "You don't look well, my dear. Are you alright?"

She gave an emphatic shake of her head. "No… no, I'm not alright. I'm terrified. I can't protect Harry! I can't be there all the time. He'll be so vulnerable…"

Minerva led Lily over to a table, leaving Marlene to greet another couple of guests that had just arrived.

"My dear, this is a natural feeling. It's called love. Your child will be so loved. And when he grows, yes, you won't be able to be there sometimes, but the world won't be like this forever. This darkness will be overcome, and you will breathe a sigh of relief on the day when that happens. I know this is just a moment of panic, but you will be fine, and so will baby Harry. Do you understand?"

Lily took a deep breath. "We will.. we'll be fine."

And she knew that she would do anything to make that statement true. As she steadied her emotions, she solidified the thought in her head. Harry will never come to harm. Not as long as I'm around to prevent it. To Minerva, she said, "Thank you, Professor. I think everything just got to me. I'm sorry you were the one to see that."

Minerva smiled warmly. "Not at all, dear. I have never been a parent myself, of course, but I do see many of my students as surrogate children."

Lily then got up, leaving Minerva to speak with someone else who was coming over. It was time to step properly into her new job as a mother.