Chapter 1

Once When I Was Seven

7 Years Old

Harry Potter woke up early that cursed day. It was 31st October. The day he lost his father. It was the day on which his mum always seemed so sad.

He looked at his mum, who was sleeping beside him with her arm closed around his back, keeping him tightly against her chest. His face was flushed against her soft bosom due to her firm grip. He didn't mind a bit about sleeping with his mum. On the contrary, he loved it.

He loved how soft and warm she was. He loved how nice she smelled. And her skin was all warm and nice. But most of all, he loved that by sleeping beside her, he was able to keep her nightmares at bay. He felt proud that he was able to do that for her. He smiled softly as he pressed his face onto her breasts, almost feeling her warm skin through the thin white nightie.

'Today, I'm going to start learning magic.' He mused, being extremely happy. His mum had finally accepted his plea to teach him some magic. It would also give them a distraction and help them in ignoring the sad atmosphere of the day. Harry sensed her fingers running through his hair, meaning she was awake. He moved his head up, meeting her tender emerald eyes.

"Good morning, sweetie." She smiled lovingly. Harry returned the gesture and offered her a loud kiss on the cheek.

"Good morning, mum~" He greeted in a singsong voice, eliciting a burst of tinkling laughter.

"Someone is extra cheery today." She said in amusement, kissing the top of his head.

"I'm going to learn magic." He beamed toothily, again loudly kissing her face.

His eyes glazed as he spaced out, losing himself in his daydream of summoning powerful storms as he had read in a comic book.

Lily smiled patiently as she looked down at his adorable face. His face was bright with joy and his smile was the widest she had ever seen. Sitting up, she leaned back on the pillows and let him stay in his daydream a little more.

She cleared her throat, breaking him out of his reverie. He smiled sheepishly at her, looking too cute with his soft emerald eyes and embarrassed grin as he realised that he had been ignoring her for the last couple of minutes.

'Aww.' She resisted the urge to throw her arms around her son and instead just rolled her eyes at him fondly. He was just too precious. Her only family. Her only reason to live.

"So, Mr. Wizard, why do you want to learn magic this early? Usually, children start to learn magic when they are eleven. Why should I break the unwritten rule and teach you now?" She asked in a mock-serious tone. There was really no question of whether she would teach him or not, she was going to fulfil all his wishes if it was in her power. She just wanted to hear his reply, curious to hear his reason.

Harry's face took on a very serious expression, surprising her.

"I want to be strong. I want to be the strongest. So if anyone ever tries to hurt you, I'll be able to protect you. I'll never let anyone hurt you. There'll be no more nightmares for you." He said passionately, a very foreign expression on a seven years old's face.

Lily's heart broke and mended at his monologue. She felt guilty. She hated herself for having broken down in front of him many times before, for showing him her fragility. Unfortunately, seeing that had made him so mature and intelligent. But she also felt elated. She felt so loved that her little Harry wanted to protect her, that he wanted to learn magic just so he could keep her safe.

She felt tears pooling in her eyes.

"Mum!" Harry exclaimed in panic, seeing her tears, and was instantly holding her face in his tiny hands. His eyes were so full of concern as he stroked her cheeks.

"You okay?" he asked, his warm small hands on her face, caressing her gingerly. She giggled at his question and pulled him in a tight hug, and remained that way for a few seconds.

"Air!" Harry gasped and Lily pulled back, giving him a big wet kiss on his cheek.

"I'll definitely teach you magic now, my little knight. So you can keep your dear old mum safe." She smiled, ruffling his hair, her heart brimming with unconditional love. "And for being such a sweet boy, you're going to get lots of icky kisses."

"Mum!" Harry whined and blushed as she kept kissing him and slobbering his face.