Legacy of Love

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Disclaimer: Not a piece of this belongs to me and not a dime is being made from it (or any other type of currency for that matter). JKRowling, all the movie makers and book publishers own the stuff and make the money. Good for them!

A/N: This is my first Lily/James fic, so please be kind. (Also, it may be slightly A/U because of a character that should be dead after OotP, but that character was necessary for this and I’d like to think that he’s not really dead!)

Legacy of Love

“Sirius, tell me about my parents,” Harry asked one day. “I mean, I’m getting married in a week and I want to know about their marriage.”

“Your parents’ marriage, huh? Well, there’s a story for ya,” Sirius began. “You take a seat right there next to your sweetie and I’ll tell you a tale of a romance as perfect as yours and Hermione’s …”

****

Sixth year at Hogwarts …

“James Potter! I cannot believe you! Sneaking out again? If you get anymore points taken away from Gryffindor I’ll … I’ll—”

“You’ll do what, Lily?”

“I’ll scream!” she said, knowing full well how stupid it sounded. Funny how all communication skills went out the window around James.

“Scream, huh? Well, we’ll just have to prevent that, won’t we?” James said as romantically as possible. He pulled her close and kissed her.

Lily wanted to slap him for his forwardness, but she couldn’t find the strength. She was melting in his kiss. So, that’s what the problem was? She was in love? What a simple answer. It had been there since fourth year, why didn’t she see it?

James couldn’t believe what he was doing. While he was an obvious charmer and hung with the “bad-boy” Marauders, he never thought of falling for just one girl. But ever since his fourth year, James began to think more and more about Lily Evans.

“Lily, I’m sorry. That was way too bold of me,” James apologized as the kiss ended.

“Don’t be sorry, James. I’m not. I think I’ve wanted to do that for years now.”

“Really? Me too!”

“Tell me that we’ve been this blind!” Lily said, dumbfounded.

“You have been that blind!” Sirius Black said as he came down the stairs to the Common Room. “I have been waiting for this since about third year!”

“Third year?” James asked.

“Yes, third year. You’re probably thinking fourth, but trust me. You’ve been mooning over each other since third year.”

“Did someone say Moony?” Remus Lupin said as he followed Sirius down the stairs.

“No, not Moony. Mooning! James and Lily have finally figured out their feelings!” Sirius explained.

“About bloody time!” Remus exclaimed.

“So I guess this means you aren’t coming out with us, eh Prongs?” Sirius asked.

“Nope, I think I have some business to attend to tonight, guys,” James said, never taking his eyes off of Lily.

“Suit yourself, but we’ll need the cloak,” Remus said.

James threw them the large silvery cloak he was carrying and Sirius and Remus left.

“Well, I guess it’s just you and me now,” James said.

“No, I get the feeling that it’ll never be just you and me. They’ll always be around, huh?” Lily asked.

“Moony and Padfoot? ‘Fraid so. They wouldn’t know what to do without me!”

“That’s ok. I think I can share you,” Lily said as she pulled him into another kiss.

Two years later …

“James? Hey, James? Earth to Prongs!” Sirius called to his best friend.

“Wha? Huh?” James replied.

“Nervous about tonight?” Sirius asked.

“You could say that,” James admitted.

“Look, you love her, right?”

“Of course!”

“And she loves you, right?”

“I hope so,” James said quietly.

“Oh, don’t be thick. Of course she loves you!” Sirius chided.

James blushed.

“Look, just go and finish what you started. You are going to propose to Lily Evans tonight. You have the backing of all the Marauders and let’s face it … you’ve got a fortune behind you!”

“Oh, God, Sirius. Do you think she loves me for my money?”

“James, don’t be an ass. Lily is the least superficial person I know. She loves you for you. Even that sloppy hair of yours!” Sirius said.

“Ok. Ok, you’re right. I’m going now. Wish me luck,” James said softly.

“Good luck, Prongs! Bring us home a winner!” Sirius said.

“Bye, Padfoot,” James said as he closed the door to the Marauder’s apartment.

James picked Lily up and they went to the best restaurant in town. Lily was on cloud 9, but James was strangely quiet.

“James, sweetie, what’s up?” Lily asked, fearing the worst.

“I’m just … well, I guess I’m lost in thought. No, you know what?” Then, the courage began to appear. “Lily?”

“Yes, James?” she replied.

“I have something I need to ask you.”

“Ok,” she said with much curiosity in her voice.

“Well, you know how much I love you, right?”

“Of course I do. And I love you more than anything,” she said.

He gave her a nervous smile. “Well, that’s why I want to ask you this.” He stopped. “Lily, will you . . . what I mean is . . .”

Finally, he stood up and got down on one knee right in front of her.

“Lily, will you marry me?” he finally asked.

“Oh, James! Yes!” she said as her tears began to flow.

They embraced and hardly spoke for the rest of dinner. They just stared into one another’s eyes. They walked around the lake behind the restaurant several times and then James took Lily home.

James could have flown home without his broom that night. When he got to the apartment, he found the other three Marauders on the couch, waiting for him.

“Prongs! Well?” Sirius asked as he stood.

“You are looking at an engaged man, my friends!” James said proudly.

“Hmm, bringing a woman into the Marauders. Excellent work!” Remus said.

“It’s not exactly a recruitment, Moony,” James said. “It’s going to be a beautiful marriage!”

“Uh-huh. I can see it now. Kids with Lily’s green eyes and that bloody hair of yours!” Sirius joked (not knowing how close he was).

“Hey, let’s not talk kids just yet. I don’t think the world is ready for the second generation of Marauder’s yet!” James said.

“Well, congratulations, buddy,” Peter said as he stood and shook James’ hand.

“Thanks, Wormtail,” James said, still beaming.

“I’d say this calls for a toast!” Remus said as he ran into the kitchen for some drinks.

That night, the Marauder’s were drunker than they had been in years.

Meanwhile, at Lily’s house, she was showing her parents her engagement ring. Mr. and Mrs. Evans were marveling at it while Lily’s sister Petunia was snarling.

“Freaks! All of them! They’ll get married and have freaky little children,” she mumbled to herself.

But even Petunia’s bitter nature couldn’t bring Lily down. She was going to be Mrs. James Potter and that’s all that mattered.

One year later …

“James! Breathe!” Sirius yelled.

“I know, I know. I can’t believe how nervous I am,” James admitted.

“Why? You two are so in love! Just get out there and marry her!” Remus said.

“You’re right. You’re both right. I just—”

“Bloody hell, Prongs! You love Lily Evans. Fact. Lily Evans (soon to be Potter) loves you. Fact. If you don’t calm down and get out there and marry her, I’m going to kick your ass. Fact,” Sirius told him.

“Ok, ok. Geez. You don’t have to get violent, Padfoot. Let’s go,” James said as they all left.

“…I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!”

“We did it!” James whispered before he pulled his new wife into a kiss.

“Yes, we did!” Lily exclaimed as the kiss ended.

James looked back and saw his best man, Sirius Black, giving him a thumbs-up sign while his groomsmen, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew were making kissy faces. James sighed, but knew he was glad that his best friends were there by his side.

A year and a half later …

“James! Could you come here for a second?” Lily called.

“Honey, I don’t know if I want to if you’re in the bathroom!” James joked as he went to her.

“No, you’ll want to come here for this,” she said as he reached the door.

“What’s up?” he asked.

She held up the pregnancy test. “This,” she simply said.

“But that’s a … isn’t that a … Lily, is that what I think it is? And does it say what I think it says?” James stammered.

“Yes, dear. I’m pregnant!”

James was speechless. He picked her up and swung her around. “I love you so much, Lily,” he said with tears in his eyes.

“I love you, too, James,” she said, completely crying.

Their family was finally beginning. Everything they wanted was coming true.

Nine months later (July 30^th, 1980) …

“James! Honey, I don’t feel so good,” Lily sighed from their bedroom.

“Hold on, Lily. I’ll get some more pillows for you,” James said.

“Pillows? I don’t want pillows. I want this baby out. This baby is a true Marauder, James. Perfect troublemaker already! Never lets Mummy sleep!”

“Oh, come on. He can’t be that bad,” James tried to reason.

“Come here,” she said as she put her husband’s hand on her tummy. “Feel that? That is your son kicking the hell out of me.”

“Hmm, maybe he is a Marauder already. Excuse me, baby Marauder? Please leave Mummy’s belly alone. She’s very tired and I’ll be much obliged if you would settle down,” James said to the baby.

Lily laughed at her husband. But strangely enough, it worked. “Typical. Well, you’re putting him to bed every night!” she joked. But then she stopped laughing. “James?”

“Yes, sweetie?”

“We have to go now.”

“Go? Go where? It’s almost midnight.”

“We’re going to the hospital! Now!” Lily screamed.

“Is everything ok?”

“Well, you tell me. My water just broke!”

“That’s a no. Ok … hospital. Gotta go to the hospital. Gotta go now! Gotta call … Sirius!”

“James! Go to hospital first, then call Sirius!”

“Right! Let’s go!” James said as he grabbed Lily’s pre-packed bag and Apparated out. Lily sighed. James came back, blushing. “I was supposed to bring that later, huh?”

“Yeah, I’m supposed to go first. Let’s go!”

James picked up his wife and Apparated to the hospital.

Soon, the contractions began to hit Lily hard. And Lily began to grab James’ hand hard.

“Honey, please. I think your going to break my hand,” he pleaded.

“Too bad! You did this to me and you should feel some of the pain as well!” she yelled.

“I hear screaming!” Sirius said as he poked his head into the delivery room.

“Go away, Sirius!” Lily said fiercely.

“She means it, Padfoot. I would run if I were you. Go tell Wormtail and Moony to keep out, too,” James said.

“Fine, fine. Just let us see the bundle of joy when you’re done here,” Sirius said as he left.

“I hate them, you know,” Lily said.

“You don’t hate them. You’re just tired,” James said.

“No. I hate them. And I hate you. Why did you do this to me?”

“Because we both wanted a baby and now we’re going to have one. I love you so much.”

Lily screamed in pain again and the nurse came in.

“Ready for the pain-relieving potion?” she asked.

“YES!!” Lily and James both yelled.

“Sorry, dad. Just for Mummy here,” the nurse said as she gave the potion to Lily.

“You are a saint,” Lily sighed as she laid back. “That is a miracle potion right there.”

James smiled. His old Lily was coming back.

“Feel better?” he asked.

“Yeah. I’m sorry I yelled at you and crushed your hand,” she said softly.

“That’s ok, sweetie. I’ll let it slide this time.”

“I love you, James.”

“And I love you, Lily.”

She yawned and James asked her if she wanted to take a nap. She nodded yes and began to fall asleep. James sat by her side and watched her the entire time.

A while later (around 8 in the morning on the 31^st), the doctor came in and told Lily it was time to begin pushing. An hour later, their son was born.

“Oh, James, he’s beautiful!” Lily cried.

“He’s just perfect,” James agreed.

The doctors took the baby away for a little bit and transferred Lily to another room. Once she was there, they brought the baby to her.

“Oh, look, he’s got my eyes,” Lily said.

“Well, I’ll be damned. Sirius was right,” James said.

“Huh?” Lily asked.

“He said he could picture our kids with your eyes and my hair. Look at the poor kid’s hair already!” he said. He was right; the baby already had a crop of messy black hair.

“Well, give him a chance! He was just born!” Lily laughed.

“I guess. So what shall we name him?” James asked.

“Well, since he may already have that trademark Potter hair, I was thinking we’ll switch your name around. Harry James Potter. What do you think?”

“I love it. Thank you so much, Lily. For giving me a beautiful son and a perfect life.”

“You’re very welcome. Thank you for the same,” she said as she kissed their son’s forehead.

Just then, Sirius poked his head into the room. “Is it safe yet?”

“Yes, Sirius. I’m not going to throw the death-curse around anymore,” Lily laughed.

“Good. I was concerned for my safety earlier. Oh, there he is. He’s absolutely gorgeous!”

“I’d agree with that. But it could be paternal pride speaking,” James said.

“Can I hold him?” Sirius asked.

“Of course. I mean, you are his godfather after all,” Lily said.

“Really?” Sirius questioned.

“If you’ll take the job,” James said.

“Of course I’ll take the job!” Sirius exclaimed. “What’s his name?”

“Harry James Potter,” Lily replied.

“Well, hello, Harry. I’m your Uncle Sirius and I’ll be teaching you all the things your mother will hate.”

James laughed, but Lily wasn’t nearly as amused.

“And if you ever need advice, you can come to me. And if you’re parents are driving you crazy, send me an owl and I’ll send them a howler. Now, you don’t know what that is yet, but don’t worry about that. You’ve got plenty of time to learn. Welcome to the world, Harry Potter.” Sirius kissed the baby on the top of his head and gave him back to his mother. “Well, I should get going. Remus and Peter are waiting at the Leaky Cauldron for the news, as I imagine plenty of others are as well. You three take care and I’ll see ya soon!” he said as he left.

Lily yawned again.

“Honey, take another nap. Harry and I will be right here when you wake up,” James said as he lifted the baby from her.

“Ok. You’re right. I love you, James and I love you too, Harry,” she said as she kissed each of her guys and fell asleep.

“And we love you too, Mum,” James said as he sat in the chair beside her, rocking his son to sleep.

Three months later, Lily and James were sleeping peacefully for the first time in weeks when the baby monitor went off.

“Your turn,” Lily mumbled as she rolled over.

“All right, all right,” James said as he crawled out of bed. He slowly made his way to Harry’s nursery. “Harry, what is wrong this time?”

James picked his son up and sat down in the rocking chair with him. He didn’t know that Lily was listening to him on the baby monitor.

“Son, you need to learn to sleep through the night. Your mama really needs her sleep. She loves you desperately, but you need to let her rest. So, let’s just sit here for a while and talk man-to-man. There’s so much I want to tell you. I want you to know how loved you are. Your mummy and I love you so much and there’s your Uncle Sirius and there’s Remus and Peter and there’s your grandparents. And you are going to be a wonderful man, Harry. I can just see you on your first day at Hogwarts. Sure, that’s 11 years away, but I can see you just the same. You’ve still got your mother’s eyes and I must apologize for that hair. But your grandfather had it too and I’m willing to bet that your son will as well. You’re going to be so handsome and I’ll bet you’ll be a heartbreaker, too (that’s the Marauder in you). You’re going to make some girl a very lucky witch. Look at me, talking about something so far down the road. Thinking about your wife and kids when you’re just three months old. Well, look at that. I guess I’ve bored you enough since you’ve fallen asleep.”

James put baby Harry back into his crib and turned to leave. He got into bed and expected to find a sleeping wife. Instead, he was met with a passionate kiss.

“Whoa! What was that for?” he asked.

“For being the best husband and father anyone could ask for. You were wonderful with him.”

“How do you know?”

“I heard you on the baby monitor,” Lily confessed. James blushed. “I love you so much, James.”

“And I love you, Lily.”

“Show me,” Lily purred. And the pair made love and fell asleep tangled in each other’s arms.

One year later …

“Lily! Get Harry out of here!” James called from the living room. “Go!”

“James!”

“Don’t worry about me! I’ll hold him off, just get Harry and run!”

Lily Potter ran to the nursery and picked up her son. She heard James scream from downstairs. She ran down to leave, but saw that it was too late. Voldemort was there. There was nowhere left to go. She bolted back upstairs, not sure what to do. She shut the door, but it was blasted off of its hinges. She pleaded with the evil man to spare the baby but before she could beg too much, she was killed, joining her husband to be the guardian angels of their son. Their son would be the one that would defeat Voldemort as a baby. He would be famous. But all that mattered then was Lily and James’ love. Both for each other and for their baby.

*****

Harry had to fight back the tears as he heard about the biggest moments of his parents’ life. Hermione wrapped an arm around him.

“Harry, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you, but you did ask,” Sirius said.

“No, Sirius, don’t worry. I know I asked. I just didn’t realize what a wonderful life they had. And my proposal to Hermione was almost word for word with dad’s.”

“Harry, your grandparents had a wonderful marriage and your parents did as well. They must run in the Potter blood. And I know that you and Hermione will carry on the tradition.”

“Harry, we’re going to have a great marriage and it’ll be a tribute to your parents’ life. I’m going to take such good care of their son,” Hermione said.

“I know they would love you, Hermione. You’re the model daughter-in-law,” Sirius said. “Now, I don’t know about you guys, but I’m starving!”

Harry laughed. Leave it to Sirius to let his stomach interrupt. “Ok, Padfoot. Let’s go.”

The three of them left, laughing and talking more about the wonder that was Lily and James Potter.