Arms Wide Open

Arms Wide Open

James Potter sat on the front steps of his house examining his old toy broomstick. The old broomstick reminded him of happier times; times before Voldemort was on anyone's mind. His earliest memories were of Sirius, Annie, and himself trying with all their might to make their broomsticks go higher or trying to pull off spectacular dives as Arabella and Veronica, the two older neighboring girls, could. A small smile spread across James' face as he thought of all the bruises he and his two friends ended up with.

James' mind wondered to his days at Hogwarts when Lily, Remus, and Peter were added to his circle of friends. He remembered his first visit to Lily's house when he and his friends had made invisible whoopee cushions out of spare parts and put them in Vernon Dursley's car. The looks on Petunia and Vernon's faces when they sat down made James laugh more than he had laughed in months. He wanted to feel that way again; but was it right to bring a child into the world with all the death and destruction going on? Petunia and Vernon were expecting a child; but they wanted Lily to have nothing to do with their child. James thought that it was very cold for Petunia to cut her own sister out of her life. This reminded Lily of how badly she wanted a child of her own. It would be difficult, that was what it would be. Dumbledore had often said that what was right was not always easy. James made up his mind. "Lily!" he called.

"Yes, James," said Lily as she came out onto the porch.

"I've been doing some thinking," he said taking his wife's hands into his own. Lily raised her eyebrows. "And I think you're right, I'm tired of being afraid to live. It's time we had a child." Lily's eyes widened in happy disbelief.

"You mean it?" she asked.

"Well, yeah," said James with a lopsided grin. "I mean we must do our part to keep the world populated with good guys!"

"James!" Lily exclaimed, but James stopped her with a long, passionate kiss. When he finally pulled away she was smiling warmly at him and began to pull him into the house and up to the bedroom.

"Lily!" James exclaimed.

-------------------------------------------------

"Congratulations," said Doctor Pommel. "You're going to be parents." James' heart leapt. Lily burst into tears of joy. It was no longer just a dream or an abstract idea. They were going to have a child. James looked into Lily's eyes and knew for certain that she felt the same way he did. They were going to give this baby all the love in the world. He or she would not know the fear that the wizard community was engulfed in.

Well I just heard

The news today

It seems my world

Is gonna change

I take her hand

Take her by my side

We stand in arms

We've created life.

On July 31, 1980, Voldemort did not exist to Lily and James Potter. James was holding their new baby boy. Annie was messaging Lily's shoulders. "Are you sure you don't mind all of us being here?" Annie asked Lily.

"I fine, really. In fact I feel better than I've felt in ages. Don't any of you even think of leaving," said Lily as she looked around at Annie, Remus, Sirius, and Peter.

"What have you named him," asked Remus.

"Harry," said James. Just then, Harry opened his large, green eyes and looked up at his father.

"He knows his name already," said Sirius with a crooked grin.

"Ooh, he has his mummy's eyes," squealed Annie. James felt tears of joy prick his eyes as Harry blinked at him and began to wiggle his fingers.

With arms wide open

Under the sunlight

Welcome to this place

I'll show you everything

With arms wide open.

"You're not going to know a world with Voldemort, Harry," said James. "Not if I can help it. You're going to play with you friends. You won't know hate or fear. You're going to experience love and trust."

"And happiness," added Lily.

"We're going to give you a good life, Harry, I don't know how, but we will," said James.

"I'll help you with that, Prongs," said Sirius with a determined look on his face.

"So will I," said Remus.

"We all will," said Annie giving Lily's shoulder a squeeze.

"We'll teach him everything we know," said Remus.

"He'll be a great quidditch player," said James thoughtfully.

"He'll be able to produce a great patronous," said Remus.

"He'll be able to think for himself," said Annie.

"He'll know how to pull the best pranks on the Slytherins," said Sirius.

"Sirius!" exclaimed Lily, but she burst out laughing. "Well, I suppose he could prank the Dursleys."

Well I don't know

If I'm ready

To be the man

I have to be.

James was engulfed in a cold, icy sensation.

"Dementors!" Remus exclaimed. "James, concentrate on a happy thought. EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

Harry, James thought. Harry has Lily's eyes. Harry can say 'Dada'. Harry is going to grow up. Harry will find the marauder's map. Harry will be a great quidditch player. Harry will own the invisibility cloak. Harry...Harry...Harry.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" James bellowed. A silvery form erupted from his wand just as a silver lion erupted from Remus' wand. It was a teenage boy wearing quidditch robes and riding a broomstick. The Dementors vanished. I can do this, James thought.

If I had just one wish

Only one demand

I hope he's not like me

I hope he understands

That he can take this life

And hold it by the hands

That he can greet the world

With arms wide open

With arms wide open...