Disclaimer: I do not own the lyrics of "The Circle of Life". With apologies to Carmen Twillie.
Chapter 1
The Circle of Life
August 31, 1980
Dawn breaks as the sun rises over Wizarding Britain. All over the U.K., wizards and witches rise from their slumber. They rush to prepare to leave their homes to go to Godric's Hollow. It is a very big event for everyone, especially for the Potters, the royal family of Godric's Hollow. The christening ceremony for King James and Queen Lily's one month old son is today. A huge crowd of hundreds of magical citizens gather outside Potter Manor, eagerly awaiting the ceremony to begin. The Daily Prophet was sure to have a field day. An outdoor orchestra played a harmonious, chanting melody as Celestina Warbeck, known by the Wizarding World as "The Singing Sorceress.", sang her newest song to celebrate the presentation of their future king.
"From the day we arrived in the world,
And blinking, step into the sun.
There's more to see than can ever be seen,
More to do, than can ever be done!
There's far too much to take in here,
More to find than can ever be found,
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps magic and muggle
On the endless round!..."
Out on the balcony of Potter Manor, King James Potter stepped forth, wearing ceremonial wizarding robes. He had messy black hair, hazel eyes, and round glasses. The crowd cheered as Celestina continued her song with gusto.
"It's the Circle of Life!
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope,
Through faith and love...
The king's majordomo, a wizard named Severus Snape, walked up a flight of stairs that magically appeared from the ground to the balcony. He stood in front of James and bowed before him. "Your Majesty, Albus Dumbledore approaches."
James smiles as an elderly wizard passes between the crowd of wizards and witches, who bow as he walks past. He had twinkling blue eyes, long white hair, an equally long beard, and wore majestic sky-blue ceremonial robes. He had his wand in a holster on his right arm, and carried an intricate, enchanted staff in his right hand. This was Albus Dumbledore, the wise and powerful wizard of Godric's Hollow.
"Till we find our place,
On the path unwinding,
In the Circle
The Circle of Life!..."
Once Dumbledore had reached the top of the balcony, via the magic staircase, he and James embraced each other like old friends. As they walked over to Lily Potter, a beautiful redheaded witch with green eyes, who was holding a tiny bundle in her arms, Dumbledore smiled gently. "It is time."
Lily gently shifts the blankets, revealing a tiny baby boy with a thin layer of black hair and curious, bright green eyes. He wore a tiny set of ceremonial wizarding robes for the occasion. This was the baby Prince of Wizarding Britain, Harry James Potter. A little smile formed on baby Harry's face when he saw Dumbledore's bejeweled staff. The old wizard slowly waved the staff in the air, chanting an ancient spell. Magic swirled in the air, forming the shape of a lightning bolt as it settled around Harry. When the magic light disappeared, a ceremonial crown of lilies, the Potter family flower, rested on the little one's head. A bit of pollen tickled baby Harry's nose, and he gave a tiny sneeze. Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, the King's brothers in all but blood, helped gently pick Harry up and bring him to Dumbledore. The royal family follows as Dumbledore carries Harry to the balcony and holds him high in the air. The entire crowd cheers and roars with excitement and praise as the orchestra's music moves to a crescendo and Celestina sings out once more.
"It's the Circle of Life,
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope,
Through faith and love..."
The clouds part, and the sunlight shines on Potter Manor. One by one, everyone in the crowd bows down to honor their future king. Yet, in all the celebration, baby Harry had no idea how fortunate he was, and how much the world had in store for him.
"Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle,
The Circle of Life!"
One way or another, life in Wizarding Britain would never be the same.