On Sunday, May 8th, 1994, Harry, Colin, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Susan took their favorite seats in the Great Hall for breakfast. No food had appeared on the plates and Headmaster Lupin had gotten to his feet, clearly ready to make a speech. Sirius Black also happened to be standing next to him.
The nanosecond Lupin saw every student had come down for breakfast, he began his announcement.
"As you all know, " announced Lupin, "About a month ago, the Quidditch Pitch at Hogwarts was dedicated as the James Potter Quidditch Pitch. On that day, towards the end of that ceremony, Sirius and I made a promise to Harry. The time has come for us to fulfill that promise."
Everyone sat quietly and patiently, though some people had a good idea of what was coming.
"Today is Mother's Day, " continued Lupin, "Lily Potter nee Evans was not just James's wife and Harry's mother, but she was also a very good and very LOYAL friend to both Sirius and me. In fact, there were times when Lily was there for me when no one was. She was a singularly gifted witch and an uncommonly kind woman. Like James, Lily escaped Voldemort three times. Like James, she wasn't so lucky the fourth time. Before Sirius and I reveal what our tribute to Lily is going to entail, I would like to offer Harry Potter the opportunity to come up and personally tell you all the story of Lily's Legacy."
Harry slowly and emotionally rose from his seat and moved his way to the staff table. Taking Lupin's place in the center of the table, Harry spoke with conviction.
"What many of you don't know, " Harry explained to the Great Hall at large, "Is that Voldemort offered my mom the opportunity to have her life spared if only she would step aside and allow him to murder me. But she refused to step aside and despite Voldemort giving her three chances, mom never gave in. My mom gave her life so that I could live mine."
Most of the students, especially the girls, felt their eyes watering. They couldn't imagine how heavy this topic must be for Harry.
"There's something else as well, " said Harry slowly, "Mom didn't just save me when she sacrificed herself, she saved the entire Potter line."
There were gasps of comprehension heard around the hall as what Harry just said sank in on them.
"If mom had lived and I died, the Potter line would have died out, " explained Harry, "Remember that Voldemort had already killed dad at this point. So, if Lily had lived and I had died, even if she would've remarried and had more sons and daughters, their father would not have been from the Potter line. I am the last Potter. Mom's sacrifice saved the Potter line. Hopefully, I will one day have sons and daughters of my own to keep the Potter line going as it is one of the most ancient in Wizarding Britain. If I am ever fortunate enough to have sons and daughters of my own, I'm telling you all right now that my first son will be named James and my first daughter will be named Lily."
There was a round of applause at that. Somehow, someway. it just felt right that if Harry were to have children, his parents should have the honor of having those children named after them.
Harry now put his hand over his heart and looked skyward, "To mom in heaven, I love you, thank you for everything you did, and happy Mother's Day."
Harry started to break down and had fast tears strolling down his cheeks. He had kept his composure throughout his speech but with that now over the emotion came pouring out of Harry like a waterfall.
Harry sat back down with Colin, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Susan, all of whom were respectful enough to keep quiet as Harry cried and let his emotions pour out.
Remus retook his place at the center of staff table and said, "To carry on the legacy of Lily Potter nee Evans and to honor her, this hall shall henceforth be known as Lily Potter Hall. Sirius, would you do the honors?"
Sirius made a series of movements with his wand towards the top of the front of the hall. When he was done, the words Lily Potter Hall appeared in large white letters towards the top of the front of the Great Hall.
The students applauded as the words Lily Potter Hall were revealed. Harry's speech had unlocked for them all just how pronounced and profound Lily's sacrifice really was. If anyone deserved such a big tribute as having the Great Hall named after him or her, it was Lily Potter nee Evans.
As had been the case with James's dedication, Lily's tribute evoked mixed feelings in Harry. The sadness of what he had lost was just as pronounced, but so was the pride in knowing what his parents had done.
The sadness that his mom hadn't been there when he had said his first words, gotten his wand, and found Platform Nine and Three Quarters for the first time was there and was just as pronounced a feeling of loss as he felt about his dad.
But he the pride in equal measure as well. He couldn't be prouder to be Lily's son, knowing how brave and unselfish she had been. Harry also felt pride in his mom's kindness when he heard quotes about Lily being there for Remus when no one else was. The unfailing kindness Lupin referred was a trait Harry greatly valued himself.
A few minutes later, Lupin said, "Lily's favorite meal was pancakes, sausage patties, and Sunny Delight. From her first day at Hogwarts to her last, Lily took second helpings at any meal in which pancakes, sausage patties, or Sunny Delight was served. If all three were served at the same meal, that was bliss to Lily. Therefore, I think it only fitting that today's breakfast on a Mother's Day in which we pay tribute to the mother who laid down her life for her son shall be her favorite meal of pancakes, sausage patties, and Sunny Delight."
Lupin put his hands in the air, clapped once, and everyone in the Great Hall suddenly found himself piled up with pancakes, sausage patties, and Sunny Delight.
As Harry, Colin, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Susan munched on their pancakes and sausage patties and sipped their Sunny Delights, they did so quietly and reflectively at first. It felt like a nod of respect to eat and drink quietly.
After a few minutes, this aspect of things ran its course and Harry, Colin, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Susan became themselves again, happily enjoying their meal together and chatting.
At one point, Hermione asked Harry, "What do you think of Lily being granted this honor of having the Great Hall renamed Lily Potter Hall?"
"It's the ultimate honor for a person who made the ultimate sacrifice, " said Harry meaningfully.