Chapter Text
James was 11 when he met Lily. He remembered being captivated by her fiery personality, and laughed because it matched her hair.
He was 13 when he got distracted by the light in her hair, it was a wall of flame. He didn’t know what to do with his feelings so he pranked her mercilessly. She didn’t talk to him all of 3rd year.
He was 15 the first time she said I love you. She was laughing hard. He had said something funny, he couldn’t even remember what anymore only that he wanted to make her laugh more. She was breathless when she said it. It wasn’t romantic but it warmed his heart no the less.
He was 17 when she agreed to date him. Out in the frozen back garden of the potter manor. His parents were by the window pretending not to watch. Despite the audience it was perfect. They were by the wishing well.
He was 19 when he stood next to that same wishing well and threw a coin in. She had asked what he’d wished for and he’d got down on one knee. She’d burst into tears and he panicked. Had he done something wrong?She kissed his whole face to answer. Yes!
They got married 6 weeks later. Sirius had filled his best-man speech with deer puns. That was the first time he got to call her Lily Potter and his heart was so full he thought it might burst.
He was 20 when Lily told him she was pregnant. He was thrilled. The war was here but the Potters were happy. James had another thing worth fighting for.
He was 21 on his sons first birthday. Harry flew on a miniature broomstick from Sirius. The cat couldn’t forgive James for allowing the screaming one year old to chase it.
And he was 21 when he heard the door unlock on the 31st of October. He didn’t even have time to grab his wand. All these moments flashed through his mind.
“Lily take Harry and run!”
Voldemort was in his living room. Lily disappeared.
The last thing he saw was a flash off green light.
Then he was at Kings cross station. He spun around, searching desperately for Lily, for Harry. Where was his wife? If she was here everything would be ok. She would never leave Harry. Lily arrived a moment later. But where was Harry?
She ran into his arms sobbing and his world fell apart.
The train pulled into the station.
“We have to get on, Lils” he said taking her hand, “I’m not going anywhere”
James Potter never got to 22.