Lily Petals

Clouds swept by, following the trail of the wind, and floated throughout the sky, ever-so-often giving the slightest bit of shade to the early morning risers that had planned their morning outside. The bright orange and yellow trees swayed along playfully, rustling and sending leaves askew. It was an approaching autumn in Godric's Hollow and it couldn't be a more beautiful day. Birds sang, sending delightful tunes into the breeze. Most residents were awakening to the sunshine. This included a sleepy James Potter. The lids that shut out the husky amber eyes opened and slowly accustomed to the light. Although the room around him was bright with color and sunshine, it was still blurry without his glasses. He reached out to the bedside table and grasped them with steady hands. As he fitted them onto his face, he noticed the room come into view. Someone with auburn hair was steadily breathing beside him. The red waves sloped gently around her face and caressed her neck and shoulders. James studied her face and for a few moments and finally pressed his lips to her forehead. He reluctantly stopped his kiss and slowly climbed out of bed, trying not to wake his wife as he headed for the shower.

Almost immediately, as he reached for the doorknob, he heard as small cry. He pricked his ears and listened intently. He followed the noise absent-mindedly to a door opposite of his own bedroom. The noise became more audible as he turned the rustic knob and cracked it open an inch into a room that was painted with shades of blue, green, and yellow.

The furniture had mahogany tones and fabrics matched the tones of the walls. Curtains hung on bay windows that filtered in tremendous amounts of sunshine. Different colored sparkles danced along walls as the light reflected off the multi-colored mobile. The most fascinating thing about the room was the ceiling. A gigantic, painted sun stretched to every corner of the room. Fluffy clouds moved across the ceiling to give the sky a real effect. It seemed as though you were looking into the actual sky. Almost as if it were enchanted.

Underneath the sunny dome, James strolled over to the crib which held his son. He noticed pearly tears making their way out of his son's bright green eyes. James rested his elbows on the side of the crib and watched the boy's face light up at his presence. The boy's arms reached toward his father in the expectancy of being held. James reached over the wood and lifted his son into his arms. A cry of laughter could be heard throughout the whole house. James noticed the tufts of jet-black hair that were starting to spread out in all directions, like his own. One of his son's hands found James's index finger and coiled around it. James gazed at the tiny hand wrapped around his finger for a moment then asked, "Why'd ya have to get up so early, Harry?"

Harry just smiled back. His eyes peered into his father's and James noticed they were filled with wonder. James found his way to the padded rocking chair and pushed off with his feet. He looked out the bay windows into the view behind their house. James could feel the heat of the rising sun every minute. It was so soothing. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back.

A footstep sounded somewhere behind him. An electrical surge sped through his veins. He didn't dare to take a breath. Keeping his calm, he mindlessly placed a safety charm around Harry. His thoughts were quick, but his reactions were faster. He flung himself out of the rocking chair, wand ready. The stunning spell almost escaped his lips when he realized he was staring into another set of emerald green eyes. They were shocked and surprised.

"Oh, Lily! I'm so sorry!"

His wife walked forward, a little uncertain, but her face held a forgiving smile.

"It's O.K., but for future times, think of who would intrude at seven o'clock in the morning," she said as she eagerly stepped forward and embraced him around the waist.

He took the charm off Harry and bent over slightly to plant a kiss on her lips. A pulse was still pounding in his temples.

Harry was now fully awake and squealed with delight at the sight of his mother. Lily stood on the tips of her toes to look at Harry, for James was a full five or six inches taller than she was. She kissed his cheek and said, "Good morning, Harry!"

Lily looked up at James and asked, "Why are you up so early anyways?"

"I was going to get some paperwork done, but I heard Harry and I didn't want you to wake up after only a mere four hours of sleep."

"Well I appreciate the thoughtfulness," was her reply. She loved the way that James cared for her well-being.

Lily took Harry from James' s arms and supported him on her hip. She was about to turn and try to make a decent breakfast for James, but he caught her eye first. She stared close into his bright amber eyes and felt that her legs were surely going to collapse. Before she knew where her mind was leading her, she felt one of his hands slide to the back of her neck and through her hair. The other found its way to the small of her back. He moved his lips to hers and she threw her free hand over his shoulder. As they drew apart, James moved some of the fiery red strands out of the way of her face.

Out of nowhere, Harry was laughing in childish tones. He was watching the ceiling. James kissed his son on the forehead and then his wife. "I'm going to take a shower before breakfast."

"I'll have it ready for you," she whispered.

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