A Fragile Paradise

“Everything’s perfect,” murmured Lily Potter. A slight breeze played through the air and made the blossoms gently shiver.

“Nothing can ruin this.”

She remembered her recent wedding to the man she had loved since her years at Hogwarts, the messy black hair, oh she loved that, James’ thoughtful, deep eyes, and everything about him. It seemed like a dream come true to finally be forever with James.

She sat deep in thought on the emerald green grass, the wind tugging gently on her red curls.

Slowly Lily got up and went to see Harry, he was the perfect image of innocence, with his messy hair sticking every way, his eyes gently closed, his delicate skin, and his mouth sucking his thumb.

She loved Harry with all her heart; he was the symbol of everything that she and James went through, their treasure.

Lily went into the living room where James was reading The Daily Prophet. He had a deep frown on his usually cheerful face.

“What’s the matter?” asked Lily. She playfully tugged at his hair and pulled him into a deep embrace. Lily put her hands around her husband’s face and gave him a soft and tender kiss on his lips.

James suddenly responded. He gave her a little kiss back; he got up slowly and put that frown back on his face. He spoke one soul shattering word, “Voldemort.”

Lily shuddered, and said, “No…what did He do now?”

James mournfully said, “He tortured the Longbottoms.”

Lily just stood, looking at the ground.

She hated Voldemort; He was pure evil, hurting hundreds of people for his own amusement. There was cold rage in her eyes.

Lily would never let Him hurt Harry. He broke up people’s lives and hearts.

Lily was brought back to reality, to her fears. Voldemort wanted to kill Harry, her Harry. She trusted Sirius, but that didn’t diminish the fear in her heart.

As long as Voldemort was alive, he was a threat, a reason to fear and hate.

Lily wouldn’t let Him hurt Harry. He was too precious. This was her biggest fear, to be helpless, to be unable to do anything to prevent Harry’s fate. Lily knew she was weak. Nothing could stop Voldemort; he was an invincible killing-machine. He could shatter her paradise with a mere thought. She was weak.

Lily went to bed with an ominous heart. She could do nothing. After a while, Lily drifted into an uneasy slumber.

The next morning was a bright, beautiful day. Lily threw away her worried feelings. She stepped outside and took a deep breath of the pure, blue air. It felt wonderful, and it left hope in her heart. She got on with ordinary life and forgot the grave danger the Potters were in for the moment.

The very same night, it happened.

“Lily, it’s Him!” shouted James. “I’ll hold him off, get Harry.” Those were the last words Lily ever heard from her husband. Lily, after hesitating for a moment, darted upstairs and sheltered Harry in her arms. She was shivering. All her nightmares were coming true. Lily couldn’t do anything to save Harry.

Suddenly, Lily heard James’ screams of agony, and then she heard no more.

She whispered, “James is dead.”

Her body was shaking with silent sobs. After everything it had ended. The only purpose that Lily had left in her life was to protect Harry with everything.

And there she sat, waiting for her inevitable doom.

Voldemort came, she clenched Harry in her arms with an iron grip. He came he laughed and he spoke something that Lily couldn’t hear.

She could hear nothing but her heart beating, she could see nothing but Harry in her arms, and she could only feel the tiny body in her arms.

Suddenly, she saw no more. “I have failed.” Lily whispered. Then, she collapsed with Harry still in her arms.

The End