The Heart of James Potter
James could feel his heart flutter like a fast golden snitch when he saw Lily walking towards him.
He saw the golden Runes at the edge of her skirt and decorating the delicate veil that fell to her shoulders. The crown of flowers that he knitted the night before and the four hair clips in diamond lilies that he ordered to be made.
Lily walked up to him with the most beautiful, brilliant smile he had ever seen.
The ceremony went by fast for James.
They both said their vows solemnly, their hands tied in a ribbon and their magic intertwined.
Lily's kisses were heaven for James, but this kiss, their first kiss as husband and wife, was the sweetest thing he had tasted in his life.
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The magic of both intertwined. James traced small circles on Lily's bare back, her long reddish hair like fresh blood tickling his nose.
"And how are you feeling, James?" Lily asked, kissing his clavicle. A current ran through James' spine at the touch of her delicate lips on his skin.
"I could die tomorrow, and I would die happy."
Lily nipped at his shoulder for his bad joke.
"Just kidding, just kidding." He soothed her as he kissed her: one, two, three quick pecks. "We are not going to die yet; you and I have many plans. Starting first with our honeymoon in Asia. You know? I always wanted to try Katsudon."
"What is it?"
"I think it has rice and pork. To be honest, a colleague at the Auror Academy mentioned it."
Lily laughed, a beautiful sound to James's ears and heart.
"Our life today." James promised, clinging to Lily's waist. "Should we get a space for ourselves?"
"No," Lily replied. "Potter Estate is big enough to have our privacy. Also, your mother is instructing me in my lessons on the etiquette of The Ancient Ways."
A pang crossed James' mind. Now, Lily was exposed to the censorship and criticism of the Pureblood society. Whatever is said, whatever is done, will be severely judged.
The thoughts drifted away as Lily's slender fingers slid to his neck. Her green eyes sparkled lustfully.
This was his wife.
This was his lady.
Lily Potter was his witch and would be until the day they both died.
James could never stand a world where his beautiful Lily didn't exist.
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James looked at the gift that Lily gave him after dinner on Yule night.
The first to react was his mother, who stood up and hugged Lily tightly, wrapping her arms gently before letting go and placing her hands on her smooth belly.
"Oh, Lily," His mother sobbed, "Oh my girl, what wonderful news."
James returned his gaze to the gift. A simple box with tiny white baby gloves and shoes.
He got up and looked at his wife with a huge smile.
"A baby?"
Lily began to cry, her eyes shining with happiness. James picked her up and spun her around.
"We're having a baby!" James exclaimed.
"The first of many." Lily promised, kissing him.
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James was leaning against the white wall of St Mungo's, sitting and staring at the floor.
He prayed to Merlin.
He prayed to Mother Magic.
He prayed to any magical deity for his parents.
They would survive the Dragon Pox; they were strong.
James had been at St Mungo's for weeks. Remus and Marlene took care of Lily in her delicate state. He hadn't seen her in days for fear of infecting her.
"Mr. James." Someone called him, and James fixed his glasses to look at the healer.
"Is this good news?" He asked as he stood up.
"I'm sorry to inform you that Lord and Lady Potter have just succumbed to the disease."
James started to shake his head as he leaned against the wall. It couldn't be true. His parents couldn't die.
"Sorry for your loss, Lord Potter."
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-June 30, 1980-
James was sitting in the Potter Estate room between Sirius and Peter. Remus was pacing the room.
Since the morning, they had been trapped in uncertainty. Lily went into labor at dawn.
Marlene arrived with Professor McGonagall, both providing support for Lily. The doula assured them that everything would be fine.
"Calm down, James." Frank handed him a glass of Brandy.
"You should be with Alice." James answered. "Yesterday, your son was born. So you should be with Alice."
"Alice asked me to come cheer you up."
James looked up as Marlene entered the room with a huge smile.
"She was born, she was born!" She announced, running to hug him, "Oh James, she's beautiful!"
Beautiful?
James broke away and ran to the room. In the hallway, he saw Professor Minnie smile at him proudly and let him pass, staying outside with the doula.
Lying in bed with an army of fluffy pillows on her back, Lily rocked a small bundle wrapped in Rune Embroidered blankets. Her hair was disheveled, and her cheeks flushed with tear trails.
"We have a daughter." Lily said, holding the baby out to him. James stepped forward and took the baby from her.
James felt tears run down his cheeks as he looked at his little girl. She had a fine reddish fuzz on her head. Her eyes were closed, and her cheeks were plump.
Any other wizard would have wanted a male, an heir to carry on the family name. But James Potter looked at the child in her arms and felt complete.
"You are the love of my life." He began to say with his face close to the head of her little heart. "Everything I have and everything I am is yours, forever."
James placed a chaste kiss on her little head. When she saw him, her eyes widened, a cloudy green looking up at him.
Cordelia Euphemia Potter was the heart of James.
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-October 31, 1981-
James handed his wand to Lily.
They were cornered. He was here.
"James," Lily sobbed, her soul torn. "James."
From her cradle, Cordelia cried with her arms outstretched towards him.
"Activate the Runes." He told her. "Do it. I'll buy you some time."
"James!"
"I love you." James kissed Lily's forehead. "Take care of Delia. Tell her that I love her very much."
James closed the door, reached into his pocket, and pulled out the rune-carved stones. He would keep Voldemort busy. He would make time.
James walked towards his certain death, but he was not afraid. It was his duty as a mage to do the impossible to protect his family.
Sirius and Remus would take care of their girls.
James took another step down.
His little heart would grow happy.
James looked at Him, The Dark Lord with his wand outstretched.
"The things we do for love " was James's last thought before he died.