A/N: I know this chapter does not really further the plot any but I have wanted to write something like this for quite some time. I also thinks this gives you a little time to get to know Harry a little more.
Chapter 3-Only Human
The same evening that he had talked to Sirius, Harry sat on top of his bed. His room was being lighted by a few candles throughout the scarlet colored room, in honor of his favorite house. The room itself was pretty small, but in a cozy way. He had a few pieces of furniture like a bookshelf, wardrobe, couch, table and of course a mini kitchen to the side. And what room would be complete without a grand fireplace?
The clock chimed, announcing it was six in the evening. The fire was crackling warmly as the chilly wind started to howl outside. After talking with Sirius, Harry had immediately come back to Hogwarts and climbed on his bed with the small chest sitting directly in front of him. He knew that logically it would be the time to open the box, but Harry didn't dare to do so right away. He did not want to disturb the magic of the moment, knowing that within this chest, no bigger than being a foot in every dimension, were treasures that his parents had owned cherished. It had been the best gift that Sirius could have ever given him. This even topped his Firebolt broom from his third year at Hogwarts.
He took a deep breath of air and held it as he, in one quick motion, opened the lid to the chest sitting in front of his crossed legs. First thing that met his eyes was a removable tray that was laden with gorgeous jewelry. Harry's good eyesight immediately spotted the engagement and loved it. For now, let us say that Sirius was correct in saying the ring was dazzling.
Pulling up the tray revealed a book lying on top of several items. Hands shaking, Harry reached out and picked up the old worn out book. The book was a deep red that had many patches on it where the color was worn down. In simple gold lettering on the cover were the words "The diary of Lillian Marie Evans Potter" The word Potter seemed to be newer than the rest giving the impression that the diary had been started before she had been married and finished afterwards. At the very corner of the thick book the words "volume two" were written in silver curvy lettering.
Harry felt his heart leap at the thought that he might actually get to know his mother and get a better picture of what she was like. Opening the book, he decided the best place to start was the first page in which Lily's tiny upright writing crammed the page with her first entry.
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September 1st
I, Lily Evans, am now starting my second diary that was given to me today by my father as a present to start out my 6th year at Hogwart. Yup, I am in my dorm room now after a very filling start of the term feast, enjoying the glory of being a prefect, and starting a new year. Although I am happy to be starting the new year, one thing is stopping me from being blissfully happy. Actually, I should be saying one person. I have fours words to summarize what I am talking about. JAMES IS A JERK!
That boy needs a life, seriously. Today he asked me out once again (as if he didn't get the hint the last 20 times I told him no, that I would never date him, and just the thought makes me want to throw up). This time was different though. He was telling me that he had a change of heart over the summer and truly understood what I had been saying about him a being a total wanker. Well, that floored me but I would not let myself to give in to this constant battle with him. I of course said no once again, that he would never change, and that he would always be the scum between my toes. His best friends Sirius, Remus, and Peter had a good laugh seeing James fail once again to woo Lily Evans.
On a side note because of how many O.W.L.'s I received I will be taking transfiguration, charms, history of magic, potions, defence against the dark arts, care of magical animals, herbology, arithmancy, and astronomy. I know it sounds like a lot and I'm worried about whether I can handle it or not but I think I can. I haven't been the most studious wizard the last few years, but I seem to have a simple knack for magic, but this year I am not going to rely on that. This year I am going to change for the better and study harder. It is in my best interest so I can get a good job after school.
Well, I better be turning in now. I can't seem to stop yawning. After every feast everybody is just so sleepy and who can blame them after all they have eaten. All my dorm mates are fast asleep, and I should be too. The school year really starts tomorrow and boy will it be a great school year.
Lily
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Harry was not surprised to see the words James is a jerk in this diary. He had seen a fifth year incident with his mother and father and agreed that James had been a royal jerk, but sometime he did change. That much he was certain he continued reading through the diary when a funny thing happened.
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November 8th
Today I was reminded of my vow to never date James Potter. I feel horrible that I want to break it. Over the months I had noticed that James has changed and had become a better person, but I thought he had been faking to finally be able to take me out and add me to the long list of women he has dated. However, today something showed me that maybe it isn't just some façade, but the real deal. I am still shocked at what he did as I sit in bed writing the event at 11 at night.
I had been coming from the library with the book I had to grab on my essay about banshee's when I walked into the common room quietly and unnoticed since everybody's attention was turned to the fight Sirius and James were having. To sum the fight up for you, James had been yelling at Sirius about teasing a 1st year and pulling a prank on him. Sirius was telling James that he had changed over the summer and was no longer any fun. He didn't know if he could be James' friend anymore. That was when both 16 year olds shut their mouth at what had been said. James told him they would talk about it more when they had cooled down, and they walked their separate ways.
I thought this could be a show to get me to date James, but neither knew I was here and neither knew I would be there. Not to mention, the argument had began before I had been in the common room. Also, neither would have said the awful things that had been spoken if they had been faking. Those words had been mean and hurtful.
I stood by the entrance way to the common room in front of the port hole and after I had been thinking for a while James saw me standing near the entrance and instantly blushed and started to head towards the dormitory, but then figured out that Sirius had gone up there and he did not want to face him yet. I was standing by the door way out so he was trapped. He decided in the end to go sit down at one of the tables and start at his homework. I will never forget the look upon his face. Deep sadness was etched across his features, and he was trying incredibly hard not to let any tears to fall.
My mind was racing trying to think of what I should do. Not really thinking, I stepped over towards the table James was working at and sat down across from him. James did not look up at first until I pulled my homework out and started working as well. I looked down at the essay he had been working on and was surprised to see little tear drops upon it smudging up the ink. He would have to start the essay again. His gazed moved up and met my eyes and when he saw me smile at him he smiled back. The smile wasn't one of the malicious or smug grins he was known for. However it was a sweet smile that showed to me that he really had changed and he did have a heart under all of those layers. Just looking at that smile made my heart give a little flip flop. A good sign normally, but since James was evoking this feeling, not a good thing in my books.
After writing our essays for a while and helping one another when the other asked for it, James asked in a soft whisper if anything had changed since the first day of school and if I would accompany him on the next Hogsmeade trip.
I wanted to say yes but settled for a different reply instead. I told James that I didn't know this new James Potter and would like us to be friends so I could get to know him.
James was surprised by this answer, but not in the least displeased. He looked thoughtful for a moment and told me that it would be a good idea and smiled one of those sweet smiles. Trying to make me laugh he put out his hand and introduced himself formally. I don't know where this friendship will lead but I am excited to find out.
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Harry could not be any happier at the thought of what his mother did for his father. So James had really changed and became a person he could admire. Not to mention, he knew that somewhere along the way Sirius and James had made up or they wouldn't be friends later in life.
Harry kept reading and saw the relationship between James and Lily blossom into a full blown romance. From their first kiss to their first date, and even to the evening in which James proposed. He soon came upon their wedding day.
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November 8th
Here it is. I made it. My wedding day has finally arrived on the four year anniversary of James and I becoming friends. I am now 20 and have no doubts whatsoever that James is my soul mate. I know that phrase is coined around a lot, but I feel the phrase is the best thing that can describe James and my relationship. We had been friends for nearly a year before we started to officially date and we dated for two and a half years before we were engaged. I think the two of us have had plenty of time to find out if we truly had feelings for each other and neither of us could deny it, we both love each other immensely
I can not even begin to describe the love I feel for James. I feel like I would do anything for James to keep him safe and sound. I never want to part from his side and can not wait to live a long and healthy life with him. I am excited about having his children and raising them together. I can see us waving off our children as they take their first ride on the Hogwarts express. I can imagine us buying them their first broomstick and see them flying outside on it. Watching them grow up and get married and have families of their own in itself is an exciting concept. That is my dream. All I want to see happen is them living in a life without having to worry about Voldemort. James and I will fight tell our dying day to ensure that.
But, let's stop talking about sad and depressing topics. It is my wedding day. Everything is ready and in order so I have nothing to worry about. I am in my simple wedding dress, now all dolled up by my bridesmaids. I pushed them out of the room though and told them that I needed some time alone to write in my journal.
I have mainly been thinking about the past and our Hogwarts days. It brings a smile upon my face when I think that I used to say I would never date James even if my life depended on it and here I am, I am going to marry him in less than an hour. He really has changed and it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside that I had brought that out in him. In one of our later dates he told me how I was the reason he wanted to become a better person. He knew there had been something different about me, something magical as he stated it.
That James really knows what to say about a gal to make her go weak in the knees. I thought, over the years his smile and jokes would become more simple to me and make me feel content. However, that was not true. To this day just smiling at me stirs up emotions in me I have never felt towards any other guy.
My bridesmaids are calling so I must finish up. Today I start a new journey with James and I know through and through with every fiber of my being that my life with James will be so wonderful and filled with more love then most ever have the chance of experiencing.
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Harry felt tears prick his eyes as he finished the last entry to the diary. Lily would never get to do any of the things that she had dreamed. She would never see their own child grow up or see what kind of family Harry himself would have. His parents would not get to live their life to the full extent and never got to achieve their goals in life.
Harry continued to read the diary and found out the details of the wedding ceremony and the reception. Then the diary went on to explain the honeymoon in a detailed description. After finishing Harry thought savagely to himself, `There are some things that I didn't even want to know about my parents. Sometimes things should just be kept in the past, or the bedroom. I mean I wanted to know more about them and all, but even with dead parents there was such a thing as an over share.'
After the descriptive honeymoon pages, Harry found out about their first house they owned before they went into hiding. How happy they were, yet they had many worries with being apart of the order. Harry read about his own birth and how, like any parents, they thought Harry was so special and that they thought he was the greatest baby since Jesus himself.
Soon, though, darkness crept into the pages of the diary. Harry read about their move to the safe house and how worried they became. Finally, Harry came upon the page that he feared most. The last entry in the journal, dated on the day of their death. With as much courage Harry could muster, he trudged onwards to read about the last day of his parent's lives.
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October 31st ---Halloween
Well, not much has happened on this night. Unlike last year, James and I were not able to give out candy to the Muggle children and our plans were spoiled in taking Harry out trick or treating when Dumbledore said that right now Voldemort is planning something big and that we should stay in the house.
Which speaking of evil things, I have been having this horrible feeling of doubt about Peter being our secret keeper. I can't really explain it, but lately he has been acting odd and somehow I have this horrible feeling that he can not be trusted. I told James about my feelings and although he was worried about my doubt about Peter, he reassured me that Peter is a loyal and true friend who would never betray us. I trust James with my life and want to believe him, but I can not dispel the doubt inside me.
However, onto happier events, James did the sweetest thing just a few minutes ago. I had been writing some letters to a few friends and had gotten up to peak in on Harry. When I walked into the nursery I saw something that just tugged at my heart. James was on his knees leaning over Harry's crib with a teddy bear in his hands, and he was making it dance around the cribs edge and having it talk to Harry. He wasn't even magicking it with his wand. Harry was giggling madly at the bear that was dancing around.
After a while of this, Harry's eyes started to droop since it was late and way past his bed time. James stood up and laid Harry down and tucked him under the covers. To sooth him into sleeping James started singing to Harry. Now let me tell you James would not win a singing contest, but there was so much emotion and truth in his words that, in my opinion, he should have won witch weekly's sexiest voice award.
I am now writing at the desk in Harry's nursery while he sleeps peacefully. James is out in the living room reading his weekly quidditch magazine. I am simply enjoying the view of a peacefully sleeping Harry illuminated by the soft glow of my reading lamp. I worry about him sometimes. I just want Harry to be safe and healthy and I can't help but think that just because he is our son that he will not be a normal child. I think that it is a horrible idea to bring up a child in these horrible conditions of hiding and fighting Voldemort. I think of all that this life has cost us and I don't know if I can fight anymore. Then I think of giving him up, but I can't even bare to consider giving up Harry. He is my sole reason to live along with James. I just don't know what…
Oh my god. He is here. Voldemort is here. He just killed James…I must protect Harry.
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Harry could no longer fight the urge to cry. Reading the last entry brought the waterworks. He never imagined that his own mother would have almost identical feelings about fighting Voldemort. They agreed that they didn't want to keep fighting after seeing the toll that it took on your own life. It is a hard burden to bear and nobody should have to bear it.
While still crying, Hermione burst in the room excitedly with an idea for their wedding. She froze in mid-stride when she saw the state Harry was in. Instantly recognizing the chest that Sirius had given him and looking at the book in front of him, Hermione deduced that Harry must have been reading some sort of journal or account about his parents. Getting closer she figured out she was not far from the truth and that in fact Harry had been reading Lily's diary.
Harry didn't even care that he was crying in front of Hermione. Even if he did, he didn't know if he could stop. It was just so sad what had happened to his parents and reading this diary just showed how human they really were. Hermione came up and sat besides Harry and put an arm around him in a comforting gesture. She soothed away the pain as she read the last page that was in the journal and felt weepy herself at the content of the last entry. They had no idea what had been coming.
Finally after the tears had subsided Hermione joined Harry, with permission from him, in sorting through the rest of the contents. They came across many private photos with Lily and James sharing intimate moments. The even found group pictures which caused Harry and Hermione to reminisce about their own days at Hogwarts. Both forgot that they had not talked for over five years The years seemed to melt away between them and the weirdness was gone. Also included in the chest were stubs from Muggle movies, Harry's birth certificate, some dried flowers (probably given to Lily from James), and even some old love letters.
Finally reaching the bottom of the box, Hermione glanced at the clock and saw that it was midnight. She then looked at Harry and noticed that his eyes were drooping. Hermione felt her motherly urges taking over and took off Harry's glasses and pushed him back onto the bed so he was lying down. Neither really worried that Harry was in street clothes still. Harry's eyes closed and he mumbled a thank you to Hermione. She felt her heart sore at how innocent Harry looked right then and wished she could have a picture of this moment so she could stare at him for hours. Finally coming back to, reality she leaned over and kissed Harry on his forehead and walked out while, blowing out the candles and leaving the fire to burn out on its own.
Hermione walked back to her room trying to ignore this weird feeling that was creeping up on her. She couldn't stop thinking of Harry and that could not be a good thing. She thought to herself. `The best thing to do is to leave it alone and it will go away.' But, all of us readers know that this is a lie and it is the beginning to something really big.
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