The Heart Remembers
He sat on the damp grass, his back resting against the rough bark of the old oak tree. It was a grey and overcast day - the odd drops of rain falling from the sky.
James sighed and ran his fingers through his unruly, dark hair. It was quiet and so much had changed in such a few short months. Ever since... Ever since the Dark had fallen. And he didn't like it. His memories of the previous summer were the only things keeping him sane; he was sure of it.
Folding his arms across his chest, James closed his eyes and remembered...
A sunny day; he and Lily sitting beneath this very tree; the remnants of a picnic spread on the floor around them. The village children were playing Quidditch above the green. They didn't have a Golden Snitch, but he'd charmed a muggle ball to act as one for them. And the children laughed and shouted and cheered as they played.
Opening his eyes, James stared at the cloudy sky. It was so... cold now compared to then; no children, no laughter, no sunshine.
"I had a feeling I'd find you here." Lily knelt down next to James and took his hand in hers. "It's not your fault, James."
James smiled weakly at her. "I can't help it, Lily. The children..."
"... Are alive and safe, thanks to you. You saved them, James. Voldemort didn't get them."
"This time."
"And he never will. We'll always stop him."
A genuine smile grew on James' face. "What would I do without you?" He asked, leaning forward and kissing her softly. "I love you Lily Potter."
Lily smiled and placed James' hands on her stomach, her fingers entwining with his. "And we love you." She told him as the sun finally broke through the clouds.