Ꭺ NᎬᏔ ᏞᏆFᎬ ᏴᎬᏩᏆNᏚ

3

Their attention was brought back to reality when the healer came back into the room, with a floating quill and clipboard.

"Mr. and Mrs. Potter, you are the parents of a very healthy boy. Would you like to name him now or wait until tomorrow when you have time to think things over?"

"We would like to name him now, please," Lily said, voice hoarse from screaming out from the pain.

The healer asked if she wanted to sign the names herself, but she politely declined. Instead, she looked at her husband for a moment and he nodded, giving her the go-ahead with naming their child.

"Hadrian James Potter," Lily said as she kissed her baby's forehead and grabbed her husband's hand.

And that, my friends, was how the savior of the Wizarding World was born.

- & -

October 31, 1981
Godric's Hallow
Potter Cottage

Before the open window, James Potter stood breathing in the cool, crisp autumn air. As he looked out into the world, he was reminded of the fun times that he, Lily, and the rest of the Marauders would share. Not that they couldn't experience the same fun as they did in the past, but it just wasn't safe. With the war going on, with his family going into hiding, and not with his baby boy, Hadrian (Harry for short), is a possible candidate for a prophecy that they didn't even know was true.

So deep into his thoughts, James jumped when he felt a warm hand graze his back as arms slid around him. Turning slightly, he saw that it was only his wife, Lily, and he returned the embrace as he stepped back from the window, looking down at the two who held his heart in their hands: his previous Lily, and their son, Harry.

A heart-filled smile spread across his face as he and Lily settled down on either side of Harry, who looked up at them with a gurgling laugh while waving his arms around. Taking his wand from the holster on his forearm and with a practiced flick, sent steams of colorful animals dancing around in the air from his wand, leaving the infant awestruck.

Tilting his head down slightly, James watched at Harry grasped a multi-colored stag from in front of him which only busted in colorful sparkles at his touch making him clap his hands in delight. Lily pulled Harry into her arms and together they danced around the spacious living room as James sent another stream of multi-colored animals lazily into the air. Together, Lily and James watched as Harry looked around in fascination, prodding the animals that came close enough to touch.

Hours passed as the family danced around the room, living in the moment because Lily and James didn't know which would be there last. The ominous foreboding that they remembered that ensnared their senses for months since the birth of their precious son pushed to the front of their minds, making them savor this moment as if it were their last. Kissing the top of her son's head, Lily cradled him in her arms as she stood up. James stood up as well, arms stretching above his head and tossing his wand carelessly on the couch, where it rolled into the crease of the cushions.

"I'm going to take Harry to bed," Lily announced, as she headed towards the kitchen with James followed behind her. She stopped at the foot of the stairs as James lingered in the hallway.

"I'll see you upstairs, Lilyflower," James said as he leaned forward to give her a kiss. The kiss lasted for a few minutes before they heard the quiet click of the door being opened from the living room. They broke away from each other, frozen as they listened to the creak of the door being pushed opened.

"Wait here," James murmured as he squared his shoulders, creeping into the kitchen, leaving Lily standing on the stairs clutching their son, looking around wildly for an unexpected attack, not making a sound. Hearing nothing but the sound of her breathing, making the hair on the back of her neck stand at attention before a fierce bellow echoed throughout the house.